Yesterday evening I agreed to wake up at 3:30 in the morning today. I wasn’t sure of the exact reason… I just heard the magic words….. “las bombas’ and ‘chocolate”. “Si? A las tres y media… en la manana??? Okay.” Yep, explosives and chocolate is pretty much a guaranteed way to get me to agree to just about anything.
So still in a zombie sleep state, we wandered out to the main street where a group of people had already gathered and were beginning to set of firecrackers and various sorts of fireworks. There was a small marching band there, and girls handing out sandwiches and a cold drink that seemed to be some sort of coffee/chocolate/orange/spice mixture. I didn’t like it very much, but I could tell it was a source of caffeine, so I drank it anyway. Later that day we had lunch at a restaurant that was owned by someone I think was a member of the family. Fried chicken. Score. Anyway, it was here that I learned that the days celebration was for the Primera comunion (first communion) of the kids that were around that age here in town. I’m not Catholic, so honestly, I really don’t know much about it…. But there was a parade, and more fireworks all day long.
In the evening, while there was a final procession going down the street (of which me & the family were a part of), it started pouring down rain. Living my life in Arizona, I don’t exactly have a very good idea of what rain actually is. It doesn’t start out with a little sprinkle… it starts with a crack of thunder, and suddenly someone is pouring the ocean on your head. Alba says that the lightening was Jesus (Hey-sooos) setting off his own las bombas for the fiesta. (Because of course that didn’t stop the Guatemalans from their party). They were still lighting and setting off whatever explosives they could throughout the storm.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Flushing is Scary in Guatemala
Okay, so lets be adults here…. Everybody poops. Aside from the general Central American toilet paper etiquette, let’s talk potty.
When you flush, there’s about an 80% chance that your poo’s not gonna go down. I cringe to see what awaits me, and I’m horrified to think of the possibilities that I could leave (and have left) for others. I say a little prayer every time I hit that lever.
[No fotos will accompany this post.]
When you flush, there’s about an 80% chance that your poo’s not gonna go down. I cringe to see what awaits me, and I’m horrified to think of the possibilities that I could leave (and have left) for others. I say a little prayer every time I hit that lever.
[No fotos will accompany this post.]
Monday, October 19, 2009
So sunburnt it hurts to grow leg hair….
I woke up at 4:30am—only this time to bombas (firecrackers). Mas Fiestas today. Great… these people never stop.
I’m so sunburnt, it hurts to grow leg hair. I put on sunscreen and all, but forgot the tops of my feet, and didn’t realize that when I washed my face with soap earlier in the day, I probably also washed what sunscreen I had on, off. But at least I had a cute scarf on, so the top portion of my forehead has a nice even stripe of white to separate the red. My lips are what hurts the most. They are sooooo burnt. You’d think a girl as white as I am would learn…..
I’m so sunburnt, it hurts to grow leg hair. I put on sunscreen and all, but forgot the tops of my feet, and didn’t realize that when I washed my face with soap earlier in the day, I probably also washed what sunscreen I had on, off. But at least I had a cute scarf on, so the top portion of my forehead has a nice even stripe of white to separate the red. My lips are what hurts the most. They are sooooo burnt. You’d think a girl as white as I am would learn…..
Sunday, October 18, 2009
¿Que?
Did this weekend actually happen? I’ve been checking the calendar on my phone over and over again…. Yep, Sunday evening… two weeks into my Guatemala stay. Over the course of the last two days I’ve worked alongside a small group of Guatemalan construction workers to build a small house, ridden in the back of a truck with who-knows how many other people, took a chicken bus to Taxisco that had the ‘woman silloughette’ figure etched everywhere, went 80mph down a pothole filled road, and laid on the horn every 20 seconds, danced salsa and meringue all night, lost one sandal to the ocean, made friends with a reggae band from Germany living in Antigua, found my sandal ¼ of a mile down the beach, freed a baby sea turtle into the ocean, rode on a motorcycle with two other people (yeah, 3 people is Guatemala style- 4 if one’s a baby), ate a soup that had crab, shrimp and fish in it, and was taken over by a mini tidal wave while reading at the beach and consequently covered in black sand.
There’s a ton more… I know I’m forgetting a ton. My life here is so different. I woke up the other day to a chicken outside of my little window hole! That stuff just doesn’t happen in the city, or in the suburbs, or really anywhere else that I’ve been to. In Arizona, if a guy walks up to you with a machete, you dial 9-1-1 while you run as fast as possible. In Guatemala, if a guy walks up to you with a machete, you shake his hand and thank him for the corn. It’s a different mentality, a completely different lifestyle. People aren’t grouchy, or in big hurries here. If you walk around the town, chances are you find about half the people lounging around in hammocks if there’s not a soccer game on.
My Spanish is coming along pretty well… I’m getting fairly decent at irregular verbs in the past tense. But I’m getting to a point where I’m really starting to miss home. I really miss my friends and family, and dogs of course. There are dogs everywhere in Guatemala, but ‘pets’ in Central America are incredibly different from what we know them as. I want to hug and train and play with my host family’s dog, Ponkey, soooo bad… but it’s just not something you do here. She’s such a smart, good girl though. I sneak her secret pets behind the ears when the family’s not around (and promptly wash my hands afterward- haha).
Apart from having an insane weekend, not much happens here in Monterrico. I have a pretty normal routine of breakfast, class, lunch, nap, internet café, nap, homework, nap, dinner and bed. And no, I’m not being a homebody… napping is just a way of life here, so I’m going along with it!
Buenas!
There’s a ton more… I know I’m forgetting a ton. My life here is so different. I woke up the other day to a chicken outside of my little window hole! That stuff just doesn’t happen in the city, or in the suburbs, or really anywhere else that I’ve been to. In Arizona, if a guy walks up to you with a machete, you dial 9-1-1 while you run as fast as possible. In Guatemala, if a guy walks up to you with a machete, you shake his hand and thank him for the corn. It’s a different mentality, a completely different lifestyle. People aren’t grouchy, or in big hurries here. If you walk around the town, chances are you find about half the people lounging around in hammocks if there’s not a soccer game on.
My Spanish is coming along pretty well… I’m getting fairly decent at irregular verbs in the past tense. But I’m getting to a point where I’m really starting to miss home. I really miss my friends and family, and dogs of course. There are dogs everywhere in Guatemala, but ‘pets’ in Central America are incredibly different from what we know them as. I want to hug and train and play with my host family’s dog, Ponkey, soooo bad… but it’s just not something you do here. She’s such a smart, good girl though. I sneak her secret pets behind the ears when the family’s not around (and promptly wash my hands afterward- haha).
Apart from having an insane weekend, not much happens here in Monterrico. I have a pretty normal routine of breakfast, class, lunch, nap, internet café, nap, homework, nap, dinner and bed. And no, I’m not being a homebody… napping is just a way of life here, so I’m going along with it!
Buenas!
Friday, October 9, 2009
IIIEEEEEYYYYAAAAA!!!!
Oy, this place is nuts. I can´t even begin to describe some of the experiences I´ve had, and I´ve only been here for what.. two full days?
Yesterday after class I rode in the back of my families truck, holding onto the cage of a dove so we could go into another part of town and trade it for a chicken. Oh yes, you read that right. I traded a dove for a chicken. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, huh? So once we get there, you can´t just walk up to the chicken and say ¨Hey Chicken... I´m gonna need to to get into this bag so I can eat you for dinner tomorrow night.¨ Nope... definitely not that simple. You have to first chase the damn thing around the yard, then shove it into the tiny cloth bag that Alba brought. Then tie up all of the holes in the top where the screaming chicken head pops out as if from some sort of horror movie.
Yep, I´m not sure that I like chicken that much anymore. Too much scary stuff going on there.
A cool thing I learned yesterday-- there´s this really really weird plant that grows from a grape-looking vine here in Monterrico. After much confused Spanglish questioning I found out that it´s the plant they use to make those light tan shower loofas.... not sure of their actual name.... but it´s a really interesting process and interesting plant nonetheless.
Alright... I heard mention of cerveza, so yo no escribo mucho mas. Adios!
Yesterday after class I rode in the back of my families truck, holding onto the cage of a dove so we could go into another part of town and trade it for a chicken. Oh yes, you read that right. I traded a dove for a chicken. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, huh? So once we get there, you can´t just walk up to the chicken and say ¨Hey Chicken... I´m gonna need to to get into this bag so I can eat you for dinner tomorrow night.¨ Nope... definitely not that simple. You have to first chase the damn thing around the yard, then shove it into the tiny cloth bag that Alba brought. Then tie up all of the holes in the top where the screaming chicken head pops out as if from some sort of horror movie.
Yep, I´m not sure that I like chicken that much anymore. Too much scary stuff going on there.
A cool thing I learned yesterday-- there´s this really really weird plant that grows from a grape-looking vine here in Monterrico. After much confused Spanglish questioning I found out that it´s the plant they use to make those light tan shower loofas.... not sure of their actual name.... but it´s a really interesting process and interesting plant nonetheless.
Alright... I heard mention of cerveza, so yo no escribo mucho mas. Adios!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Mas Frijoles y Toyota Corollas in Guatemala
Day one in Monterrico-
The aeropuerto was incredibly nice and clean.... waaaaay nicer than Phx, which was a big surprise when I stepepd off of the plane. So far every single person that I have come into contact with has been incredibly nice and very willing to give me directions or offer assistace! I was supposed to stay one night in Antigua before continuing onto Monterrico, however my plane came in a little early and I was able to catch the shuttle directly to Monterrico as soon as I stepped outside of the airport. There was a slight delay however when the shuttle driver realized he locked his keys in the car. Haha! But it didn´t take long to get them out. Holy geeze, it must be a law that your first car in Guatemala is a Toyota Corolla... they are everywhere!
I don´t have too much time at the internet cafe today because it looks like it´s about to pour down rain and I don´t think I´ll ever get my clothes dry if I end up getting poured on because the humidity here is like 300%.
I already miss all my friends and family like crazy.... but I´m positive this is going to be the coolest thing I´ve ever done in my life!!!!
I´ll start uploading pictures if I ever first figure out the keyboard en Español.
Love you all!
<3 Abril
The aeropuerto was incredibly nice and clean.... waaaaay nicer than Phx, which was a big surprise when I stepepd off of the plane. So far every single person that I have come into contact with has been incredibly nice and very willing to give me directions or offer assistace! I was supposed to stay one night in Antigua before continuing onto Monterrico, however my plane came in a little early and I was able to catch the shuttle directly to Monterrico as soon as I stepped outside of the airport. There was a slight delay however when the shuttle driver realized he locked his keys in the car. Haha! But it didn´t take long to get them out. Holy geeze, it must be a law that your first car in Guatemala is a Toyota Corolla... they are everywhere!
I don´t have too much time at the internet cafe today because it looks like it´s about to pour down rain and I don´t think I´ll ever get my clothes dry if I end up getting poured on because the humidity here is like 300%.
I already miss all my friends and family like crazy.... but I´m positive this is going to be the coolest thing I´ve ever done in my life!!!!
I´ll start uploading pictures if I ever first figure out the keyboard en Español.
Love you all!
<3 Abril
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Waiting Game...
Well, here I am.... Phoenix Sky Harbor... awaiting my flight to LA before I'm off to Guatemala City! I'm so nervous I'm about to throw up. I just unplugged the
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A Hideous Strength
Isn’t it funny how someone can just slip right into your life and change everything you’ve ever known? Isn’t it funny how they can slip right out also?
And everyone has something different to offer, just as I have different things to offer them. An honest opinion, thoughtful advice, a lesson in life, relief from a broken heart, strength when you’re the one doing the breaking, a poop joke when you need to smile.
I must say, a little over halfway into 2009 and I’ve had some of the highest and lowest points of my life. I’ve never done more changing and soul searching. The more I find out about myself, the more passions I uncover, the more amazing the people are that are drawn into my life.
It’s no secret to any of you that I have been hurt. That’s one of those things that no matter how hard I try, I just can’t cover up with a smile. It's a part of life. So I’ve just done whatever I could do to get through it. I’d never have gotten as far as I did without the people in my life right now. Strength is contagious apparently.
So thank you to those of you who have guided the sculptors hands and helped me to become the person I am today. I am comfortable in myself, the decisions I make, and the people I surround myself with.
“The heaviest of burdens crushes us, we sink beneath it, it pins us to the ground. But in the love poetry of every age, the woman longs to be weighed down by the man’s body. The heaviest of burdens is therefore simultaneously an image of life’s most intense fulfillment. The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become.
Conversely, the absolute absence of a burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into the heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being, and become only half real, his movements as free as they are insignificant.
What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness?”
I’ve got an awful lot to do between now and departure day. The next time I write, it will be from the Pacific shore of Guatemala.
And everyone has something different to offer, just as I have different things to offer them. An honest opinion, thoughtful advice, a lesson in life, relief from a broken heart, strength when you’re the one doing the breaking, a poop joke when you need to smile.
I must say, a little over halfway into 2009 and I’ve had some of the highest and lowest points of my life. I’ve never done more changing and soul searching. The more I find out about myself, the more passions I uncover, the more amazing the people are that are drawn into my life.
It’s no secret to any of you that I have been hurt. That’s one of those things that no matter how hard I try, I just can’t cover up with a smile. It's a part of life. So I’ve just done whatever I could do to get through it. I’d never have gotten as far as I did without the people in my life right now. Strength is contagious apparently.
So thank you to those of you who have guided the sculptors hands and helped me to become the person I am today. I am comfortable in myself, the decisions I make, and the people I surround myself with.
“The heaviest of burdens crushes us, we sink beneath it, it pins us to the ground. But in the love poetry of every age, the woman longs to be weighed down by the man’s body. The heaviest of burdens is therefore simultaneously an image of life’s most intense fulfillment. The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become.
Conversely, the absolute absence of a burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into the heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being, and become only half real, his movements as free as they are insignificant.
What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness?”
I’ve got an awful lot to do between now and departure day. The next time I write, it will be from the Pacific shore of Guatemala.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stolen Cars and Mexico Prisons
Nothing new to report on. I'm just hanging out at the Girls house with a rare spare moment to write... and wondering how the hell I managed to be so busy lately? There's always something going on, always somewhere to be! I bought two big canvases a few weeks ago to try my hand at a new style of painting, and just haven't had time to get started! So here's the deal: next weekend, I'm taking one day to myself to paint! I'm turning the phone off, hiding in an undisclosed location, and taking a stolen car to get there so I cannot be tracked. Bah!
Haha! I'm not too upset about being so busy lately-- I'm doing fantastic things with fantastic people, and am always up to no good for the most part.
I think I'm really going to miss you guys when I'm in Central America! Wish I could drive a giant orange van and take you all with me.... but to be honest, I didn't budget any extra time for a Mexican Prison tour.
Love, April
Haha! I'm not too upset about being so busy lately-- I'm doing fantastic things with fantastic people, and am always up to no good for the most part.
I think I'm really going to miss you guys when I'm in Central America! Wish I could drive a giant orange van and take you all with me.... but to be honest, I didn't budget any extra time for a Mexican Prison tour.
Love, April
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Dos niñas en la playa
Hah! Look! ñ !!! I remembered the shortcut to make the N with the squiggly!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system:
Right now I am having a solo dinner date out at Paradise Bakery, which will be followed by a bubble bath, a book, and a newly created playlist of slow songs. This night is mine! The reason for the computer? Well, I'm just finalizing a few minor details before booking. A cool thing happened this weekend-- I think my sister is coming with me to Monterrico! I've gone from hearing people tell me I'm totally nuts, to having a small following of people wanting to come with me. Humm... maybe I should consider Cult Leader as a possible career path. I'll admit... I'm a little leery of her general girlyness when it comes to insects and overall lack of modern amenities (Haha, sorry girl-- I'll kill bugs-- so long as they're smaller than my fist... and I'm sure I can out-run them if I miss). Not to say that I'm not girly-- I'm probably one of the worst! But I think if I didn't like boys, dresses and things that smell good so damn much, I'd be a total tomboy! Haha!
Anyway, I'd be glad to have the company. I'll admit... I've been pretty nervous about being a small white blonde girl travelling alone in a foreign country. Having familiar company (even if only for the first 4 weeks) will be a little bit more of a comforting feeling. It's looking like the plan will be to do 3-4 weeks Spanish school, then 1 week travelling down the coast to El Salvador, maybe even Nicaragua and Costa Rica depending on funds/time constraints. Then Girl will fly back to the States, while I make my way back to Monterrico and finish out my remaining 4 weeks of school. If Girl comes, it pretty much just guarantees that a ridiculous number of pictures of me riding on a chicken truck will be posted on my MySpace page. Yeehaw.
We're headed to the bookstore to do a little more research on what exactly we want to see/do this weekend... so stick around. Now it's time for me to take my cookie home and strip my chonies off! ;)
Yeah, this doesn't look like trouble at all.
Okay, now that I have that out of my system:
Right now I am having a solo dinner date out at Paradise Bakery, which will be followed by a bubble bath, a book, and a newly created playlist of slow songs. This night is mine! The reason for the computer? Well, I'm just finalizing a few minor details before booking. A cool thing happened this weekend-- I think my sister is coming with me to Monterrico! I've gone from hearing people tell me I'm totally nuts, to having a small following of people wanting to come with me. Humm... maybe I should consider Cult Leader as a possible career path. I'll admit... I'm a little leery of her general girlyness when it comes to insects and overall lack of modern amenities (Haha, sorry girl-- I'll kill bugs-- so long as they're smaller than my fist... and I'm sure I can out-run them if I miss). Not to say that I'm not girly-- I'm probably one of the worst! But I think if I didn't like boys, dresses and things that smell good so damn much, I'd be a total tomboy! Haha!
Anyway, I'd be glad to have the company. I'll admit... I've been pretty nervous about being a small white blonde girl travelling alone in a foreign country. Having familiar company (even if only for the first 4 weeks) will be a little bit more of a comforting feeling. It's looking like the plan will be to do 3-4 weeks Spanish school, then 1 week travelling down the coast to El Salvador, maybe even Nicaragua and Costa Rica depending on funds/time constraints. Then Girl will fly back to the States, while I make my way back to Monterrico and finish out my remaining 4 weeks of school. If Girl comes, it pretty much just guarantees that a ridiculous number of pictures of me riding on a chicken truck will be posted on my MySpace page. Yeehaw.
We're headed to the bookstore to do a little more research on what exactly we want to see/do this weekend... so stick around. Now it's time for me to take my cookie home and strip my chonies off! ;)
Yeah, this doesn't look like trouble at all.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I did it myyyyyy waaaaaayyyy!!!
So right now I'm sitting in a local coffee shop, listening to some old guy sing old songs on an old acoustic guitar. Sometimes I love the city I live in.
It' really no secret that I'm making my way further West... and further South. I've never been one to keep secrets (with the exception of my 'embarrassing places to have accidentally farted' stories). But I have really been enjoying every moment I have left here. There are good people here. I'm just looking for a place where I feel I belong, where people care more about each other and less about their cars and jobs and egos. I live a simple life in my head. Haha, now to just find a way to turn that into a reality! I'm excited for what is yet to come.
The simplest things are often the truest.
Cheesy, maybe... but here's a little video of one of my favorite places on Earth. I've spent entire summers growing up here. It throws my head into the clouds and keeps me grounded all at the same time. :)
It' really no secret that I'm making my way further West... and further South. I've never been one to keep secrets (with the exception of my 'embarrassing places to have accidentally farted' stories). But I have really been enjoying every moment I have left here. There are good people here. I'm just looking for a place where I feel I belong, where people care more about each other and less about their cars and jobs and egos. I live a simple life in my head. Haha, now to just find a way to turn that into a reality! I'm excited for what is yet to come.
The simplest things are often the truest.
Cheesy, maybe... but here's a little video of one of my favorite places on Earth. I've spent entire summers growing up here. It throws my head into the clouds and keeps me grounded all at the same time. :)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Crazy happy dance skillz
I found this video on another blog that I follow. I couldn't help but feel ridiculously happy the whole way through it. (so I'm hoping that you will too).
Kind of reminds me of my own dance skills.
Kind of reminds me of my own dance skills.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
the murderous meezer
Well, I finally have something to report on. I’ve actually made a decision to make an actual commitment. Next payday, I’m buying a plane ticket for any day during the week of September 19th. It’s the weekend after my birthday, so I figure, what better way to celebrate my eternal 25-ness (I love that age and will continue to turn 25 every year from here on out) than a little trip to a place you all might know as Guatemala.
I’m kind of nervous… okay… really nervous. I’m really going though with this! Eeek!
[[[BREAK!!!]]]
Holy shit! My cat just now ran across the room carrying a steak knife in his mouth! I got it away from him—but now I’m more than a little concerned as to what exactly his intentions were!
[[[[end]]]]
Okay, anyway… I’ve never really done anything this big on my own before. I’ve got butterflies already, and will probably throw-up at some point before this trip. Yeah, I know you wanted to hear that—sorry. But I’m so excited!
I’ll be gone for 8 weeks. I don’t really need to get anything to take with me, I’m going to attempt to pack as light as possible… meaning no make-up, no hair stuff… no deodorant? Haha, just kidding on that last one! I need to make a list. I tend to go list-crazy before going somewhere exciting. I’ll inventory everything I pack at least 4 times. Wouldn’t it suck to get there only to realize I have no clue what the Spanish word for ‘toothpaste’ is after I forget it at home?!?!
I don’t really know what to do in the mean-time. So I’ve decided I want to get into bangin’ shape before I go. (whoa, that was not intended to sound suggestive). I know I’ve got a pretty good little figure already… but I’m going to start running in the early AM’s tomorrow morning. There are a few outdoor activities I’d like to try out while I’m in Monterrico, and I think being in awesome shape will just make it so I can experience even more!
My head is buzzing too much for me to really write much else that you would be able to decipher. (animal sitters, shoes, weather, waves, sand, scorpions, turtles, green trees, wiener, pescado, crime, friends, ropas, beer, hammocks, boys, girls, chickens and trucks).
Mi gato es tonto.
I’m kind of nervous… okay… really nervous. I’m really going though with this! Eeek!
[[[BREAK!!!]]]
Holy shit! My cat just now ran across the room carrying a steak knife in his mouth! I got it away from him—but now I’m more than a little concerned as to what exactly his intentions were!
[[[[end]]]]
Okay, anyway… I’ve never really done anything this big on my own before. I’ve got butterflies already, and will probably throw-up at some point before this trip. Yeah, I know you wanted to hear that—sorry. But I’m so excited!
I’ll be gone for 8 weeks. I don’t really need to get anything to take with me, I’m going to attempt to pack as light as possible… meaning no make-up, no hair stuff… no deodorant? Haha, just kidding on that last one! I need to make a list. I tend to go list-crazy before going somewhere exciting. I’ll inventory everything I pack at least 4 times. Wouldn’t it suck to get there only to realize I have no clue what the Spanish word for ‘toothpaste’ is after I forget it at home?!?!
I don’t really know what to do in the mean-time. So I’ve decided I want to get into bangin’ shape before I go. (whoa, that was not intended to sound suggestive). I know I’ve got a pretty good little figure already… but I’m going to start running in the early AM’s tomorrow morning. There are a few outdoor activities I’d like to try out while I’m in Monterrico, and I think being in awesome shape will just make it so I can experience even more!
My head is buzzing too much for me to really write much else that you would be able to decipher. (animal sitters, shoes, weather, waves, sand, scorpions, turtles, green trees, wiener, pescado, crime, friends, ropas, beer, hammocks, boys, girls, chickens and trucks).
Mi gato es tonto.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Que the Mariachi
Guatemala update: Still working, still saving. Someone please tell Megan to stop planning Mexico vacations so I’m not tempted to blow it all on 4 days of drunken, sunburnt, bano humor (too lazy to go make the squiggly mark over the n).
Kind of a cool thing I realized the other day: I know a lot more Spanish than I thought. Once you get in the swing of conjugating verbs it’s just a matter of learning new words… which I have been doing slowly over the past months. I’d like to thank Tara for sending me her Berlitz Intermediate Spanish for iTunes, and Ricky Martin for putting the Spanish version of his most popular songs at the end of his CD! Is that dude even still alive? Yeah… I swear, I have no idea how that got in my CD collection. Holy shit, those mariachi smurfs are sneaky.
My dreams are getting bigger and bigger with each passing day… which is a little scary cause that means I have a lot more work to do. I’m still not giving away details just yet (mostly because I don’t really have them—this is a say ‘fuck it’ and just do it sort of deal). But crazy things are setting themselves up so that there is a very good possibility that this is actually going to work out!!! I’ve just got to keep at it! Send good thoughts my way if you would please! ☺
Some of you may know more than others how freaking stubborn and relentless I actually am. I think if I put even half the energy/effort into this as I have into other various endeavors, I will have no problems whatsoever. And it’s really not a hard thing to do when you’re this passionate about what you’re working toward.
I haven’t taken any new good pictures or videos lately… so here’s an old picture of me as a ninjapirate. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little intimidated.
Kind of a cool thing I realized the other day: I know a lot more Spanish than I thought. Once you get in the swing of conjugating verbs it’s just a matter of learning new words… which I have been doing slowly over the past months. I’d like to thank Tara for sending me her Berlitz Intermediate Spanish for iTunes, and Ricky Martin for putting the Spanish version of his most popular songs at the end of his CD! Is that dude even still alive? Yeah… I swear, I have no idea how that got in my CD collection. Holy shit, those mariachi smurfs are sneaky.
My dreams are getting bigger and bigger with each passing day… which is a little scary cause that means I have a lot more work to do. I’m still not giving away details just yet (mostly because I don’t really have them—this is a say ‘fuck it’ and just do it sort of deal). But crazy things are setting themselves up so that there is a very good possibility that this is actually going to work out!!! I’ve just got to keep at it! Send good thoughts my way if you would please! ☺
Some of you may know more than others how freaking stubborn and relentless I actually am. I think if I put even half the energy/effort into this as I have into other various endeavors, I will have no problems whatsoever. And it’s really not a hard thing to do when you’re this passionate about what you’re working toward.
I haven’t taken any new good pictures or videos lately… so here’s an old picture of me as a ninjapirate. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little intimidated.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The ADD Blo-- Hey, look... a butterfly!!!
Is it completely sick and twisted that I am totally in love with my new retail job? I signed up to work on a weekend… Memorial Day weekend to be specific. I’m giving up drinking beer by the pool with the family to work (and I’m a little excited)!!! Is this feeling just the aftermath of my gross unemployment binge? Haha, maybe a little… but I actually enjoyed it the first time around also (to an extent).
Anyway, I’ve had some pretty cool adventures lately. Alright… I’ll admit: they weren’t actually cool. I’ve just been having more fun than the average person in the average situation would. For instance… did you know that it’s Mustache May at Zia Records?
Oh yeah, that's hot!
Chicken Stache!!!!! P'KAAAWW!
(No, we hadn’t been drinking…. Yet).
Anyway, I’ve become completely obsessed with Guatemala ever since the idea was inserted into my head. This blog is all I can do to keep from hanging posters in my room, and wearing t-shirts with the Guat Flag on them! I’m probably driving people crazy! But what can I say… I just love what I love. And it’s starting to define me! I love greyhounds, baked goods, bicycles, the ocean, this song:
among much much more! Wow, I really had nothing of any particular importance to say tonight, did I?
I do have another new scheme formulating in my head… but I’m keeping it a secret until I can figure out how to make it happen in reality. Oooh, the suspense! (But yes, it involves sketchy business deals made in Spanish by the ocean). :-D
Did you know that anytime someone lets me play on their guitar (Thanks Snefnie!) I can’t resist singing the Smelly Cat song? I know the lyrics in their entirety. Hah! I’m like a modern-day hippie with a flower in my hair and an iPod in my pocket. Life is good. Viva la vida buena.
Anyway, I’ve had some pretty cool adventures lately. Alright… I’ll admit: they weren’t actually cool. I’ve just been having more fun than the average person in the average situation would. For instance… did you know that it’s Mustache May at Zia Records?
Oh yeah, that's hot!
Chicken Stache!!!!! P'KAAAWW!
(No, we hadn’t been drinking…. Yet).
Anyway, I’ve become completely obsessed with Guatemala ever since the idea was inserted into my head. This blog is all I can do to keep from hanging posters in my room, and wearing t-shirts with the Guat Flag on them! I’m probably driving people crazy! But what can I say… I just love what I love. And it’s starting to define me! I love greyhounds, baked goods, bicycles, the ocean, this song:
among much much more! Wow, I really had nothing of any particular importance to say tonight, did I?
I do have another new scheme formulating in my head… but I’m keeping it a secret until I can figure out how to make it happen in reality. Oooh, the suspense! (But yes, it involves sketchy business deals made in Spanish by the ocean). :-D
Did you know that anytime someone lets me play on their guitar (Thanks Snefnie!) I can’t resist singing the Smelly Cat song? I know the lyrics in their entirety. Hah! I’m like a modern-day hippie with a flower in my hair and an iPod in my pocket. Life is good. Viva la vida buena.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Supersonic Jello and Passes to Ports
I am officially the proud owner of a United States Passport. Oh yes, I can finally make all those weekend trips to Tijuana that I’ve been dreaming about all these years!!!! Or, wait a second… did I hear someone say Guatemala?
I’ve kind of been neglecting my blog for a while—I haven’t had too much to really report on… just staying busy with the usual quality hound time, painting, doing drugs, hanging out with friends, working. Ah, caught me! Yes! I did say: working! (Can you tell I’m excitable tonight?) I have an official job now! I’m back at Lowes, only this time around in the Install Department. I really like it so far… I think it’s going to offer me the type of challenges that are right up my alley to keep me interested and involved in my work. And work I will need to be doing because that unemployment stint combined with Emergency Vet visits pretty much left me in the red. When it rains it pours, eh? Don’t worry though… I also learned some fantastic budgeting/saving skills and it will be no time at all until I’m able to get back on my feet and book my flight to Guatemala City… probably not this month, but soon (very soon). I’m hoping my new job will be supportive when that time comes, seeing as I’ll be bringing back a pretty useful skill (and not asking for a raise because of it- if you guys read this –haha!).
One thing I do want to say after this experience: I have the best freaking friends a girl could ask for. They really have no idea how much even the smallest gestures meant to me when things were at their toughest. I’ve never really been very close with people before—but I’d go to hell and back for them if they ever needed me to. I love you guys. (sniff sniff –haha!)
Okay, done with the sappy…. I need a laugh! Ahhh, I know, how about a video from the Megan/Leah B-Day Bash???
Supersonic Jello Shot
I’ve kind of been neglecting my blog for a while—I haven’t had too much to really report on… just staying busy with the usual quality hound time, painting, doing drugs, hanging out with friends, working. Ah, caught me! Yes! I did say: working! (Can you tell I’m excitable tonight?) I have an official job now! I’m back at Lowes, only this time around in the Install Department. I really like it so far… I think it’s going to offer me the type of challenges that are right up my alley to keep me interested and involved in my work. And work I will need to be doing because that unemployment stint combined with Emergency Vet visits pretty much left me in the red. When it rains it pours, eh? Don’t worry though… I also learned some fantastic budgeting/saving skills and it will be no time at all until I’m able to get back on my feet and book my flight to Guatemala City… probably not this month, but soon (very soon). I’m hoping my new job will be supportive when that time comes, seeing as I’ll be bringing back a pretty useful skill (and not asking for a raise because of it- if you guys read this –haha!).
One thing I do want to say after this experience: I have the best freaking friends a girl could ask for. They really have no idea how much even the smallest gestures meant to me when things were at their toughest. I’ve never really been very close with people before—but I’d go to hell and back for them if they ever needed me to. I love you guys. (sniff sniff –haha!)
Okay, done with the sappy…. I need a laugh! Ahhh, I know, how about a video from the Megan/Leah B-Day Bash???
Supersonic Jello Shot
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cheese & Rice!
Today I spent the afternoon with my 90-something year old grandma. Geeze, that lady is a riot. She is still really cheesed off about the Suns big loss yesterday. Haha, I should have known better than to come over so soon after that game. We went out to lunch at Cocoas, and then I took her to the grocery store. All through the chip aisle I got to listen to a rant about what a cheapskate the new owner is and how he traded some of the best guys and this whole season is his fault. Haha! Anyway, she went on to tell me about how she played a little basketball when she was younger but didn’t like it because they would only let the girls play half-court.
Grandma’s are full of cool stories. It was awesome hearing about all of her old relatives (mine too I guess) and how they came out to Arizona and California back in the day. I bet it was seriously the Wild West out here. Must’ve been crazy! She’s always been pretty ahead of her time and adventurous… so I guess that’s why she didn’t flinch a bit when I told her about my Guatemala plan. She’s been all over the world... including Central/South America. If I take after either one of my grandma’s when I’m that age… I think I will be one seriously stubborn/smart/independent old lady!
Anyway… I’m thinking 2nd-3rd week of May I’m outta here. We’ll see what the availability is at the School de Espanol and make sure I can get in with a family during those dates. Hopefully I’ll update with something more concrete soon! WhOooOOoo!! This will be a summer to remember!
My Grandma Violet
And here is my dearest little sister. This pic was in the same folder, and I couldn't help but post it because it's so damn funny. Hopefully none of her high school friends read my blog-- otherwise it's all over. Haha.
Yep... definitely something different about the women in my family.
Grandma’s are full of cool stories. It was awesome hearing about all of her old relatives (mine too I guess) and how they came out to Arizona and California back in the day. I bet it was seriously the Wild West out here. Must’ve been crazy! She’s always been pretty ahead of her time and adventurous… so I guess that’s why she didn’t flinch a bit when I told her about my Guatemala plan. She’s been all over the world... including Central/South America. If I take after either one of my grandma’s when I’m that age… I think I will be one seriously stubborn/smart/independent old lady!
Anyway… I’m thinking 2nd-3rd week of May I’m outta here. We’ll see what the availability is at the School de Espanol and make sure I can get in with a family during those dates. Hopefully I’ll update with something more concrete soon! WhOooOOoo!! This will be a summer to remember!
My Grandma Violet
And here is my dearest little sister. This pic was in the same folder, and I couldn't help but post it because it's so damn funny. Hopefully none of her high school friends read my blog-- otherwise it's all over. Haha.
Yep... definitely something different about the women in my family.
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