Relaxed? I don't know what that means.
1. When I escape the smog and noise of San Salvador.
2. During a great conversation. Well, it's a different kind of relaxation I suppose, because sometimes conversations make me anxious or tense but in a good way!
3. Dozing in a hammock with a good book. Still need to get one for my apartment.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What rocked your world, changed your life, shifted the ground beneath your feet? - 11 December
"You rocked my world, you know it's true ... " Thanks, MJ.
BVS. Period. As "insiders" often say, I'm ruined for life!
BVS. Period. As "insiders" often say, I'm ruined for life!
When did you take the easy way? - 10 December
Oh dear, when living in Latin America it's very common to take the easy way. Arriving late to meetings or other commitments, telling white lies to get out of things (No, really, we're out in Soyapango, won't be back in the city until much later ... when actually you're just standing out on the street by your house so the caller hears the background noise of traffic ...), or hiding information so you don't "damage the relationship" with another person, because what you might know will make them mad or something, and so you'd rather just keep it to yourself. Or what's even more common is gossiping behind other people's backs, and not actually going to the person directly and telling them what's up or what's bothering you or whatever.
So, when did I take the easy way? These generalizations aside, I've whittled away hours on Facebook rather than working (haven't we all??), and have unfortunately adapted to the little white lies, but I promise, I swear, I only use those to get out of seeing or spending time with people whom only want to hang out with me because I'm a "gringa". One guy a couple weeks ago told me that one of his dreams, ever since he was a kid, was to go out with a gringa. In that very instant, I tried as hard as I could to get out of seeing him. ... It worked. But it's a disgusting habit.
So, when did I take the easy way? These generalizations aside, I've whittled away hours on Facebook rather than working (haven't we all??), and have unfortunately adapted to the little white lies, but I promise, I swear, I only use those to get out of seeing or spending time with people whom only want to hang out with me because I'm a "gringa". One guy a couple weeks ago told me that one of his dreams, ever since he was a kid, was to go out with a gringa. In that very instant, I tried as hard as I could to get out of seeing him. ... It worked. But it's a disgusting habit.
Monday, December 12, 2011
What was your favorite blog post ... that you read or wrote? - 9 December
I'm addicted to all the entries on Smitten Kitchen and Orangette. Probably because I'm often looking for recipes ... I don't think I could choose just one.
My favorite that I wrote might actually be the responses to these questions. C'mon, ladies [Dana Cassell, Callie Surber], we need a year-long calendar of these things!
My favorite that I wrote might actually be the responses to these questions. C'mon, ladies [Dana Cassell, Callie Surber], we need a year-long calendar of these things!
Where did you spend your money? - 8 December
Catching up!
This year has been pretty up and down in terms of expenditures. Sometimes I feel like I have way more money than most of my peers, and then other times I'm scraping pennies, yes, pennies to pay for tortillas or bus fare. Of course, it's always, ALWAYS a blessing to know that no matter what happens, in 2 weeks or less, BVS will pay me again and I'll no longer be destitute.
It's also very different to be a white person who earns a similar salary as a full-time employed Salvadoran. It's often expected that the white girl's gonna pay (usually not the case!) ... Sometimes that really gets to me. And other times I just brush it off.
But, when I went to the market the other day, I was thinking about this particular question, and I wanted to share the list of things I got at the downtown market and nearby shops this past Saturday. FOR $15. Keep that in mind. (amounts vary, but think about this being for one person for a week)
A bunch of spinach-like greens
Tomatoes
Onions
6 bananas
Jamaica (not the country) to make a refresco
Green peppers
Jalapeños
2 fish
A pile of dried oregano
Carrots
Potatoes
2 small facial towels
2 "mantas" - towels for tortillas
600g of laundry detergent
1 bar of soap
2 pkgs of Christmas lights
1 laundry tub
A reusable bag (that appears to be made out of a fertilizer bag, as it says "Toxic" and "Oxidagent" or something.
Now that's responsible spending.
This year has been pretty up and down in terms of expenditures. Sometimes I feel like I have way more money than most of my peers, and then other times I'm scraping pennies, yes, pennies to pay for tortillas or bus fare. Of course, it's always, ALWAYS a blessing to know that no matter what happens, in 2 weeks or less, BVS will pay me again and I'll no longer be destitute.
It's also very different to be a white person who earns a similar salary as a full-time employed Salvadoran. It's often expected that the white girl's gonna pay (usually not the case!) ... Sometimes that really gets to me. And other times I just brush it off.
But, when I went to the market the other day, I was thinking about this particular question, and I wanted to share the list of things I got at the downtown market and nearby shops this past Saturday. FOR $15. Keep that in mind. (amounts vary, but think about this being for one person for a week)
A bunch of spinach-like greens
Tomatoes
Onions
6 bananas
Jamaica (not the country) to make a refresco
Green peppers
Jalapeños
2 fish
A pile of dried oregano
Carrots
Potatoes
2 small facial towels
2 "mantas" - towels for tortillas
600g of laundry detergent
1 bar of soap
2 pkgs of Christmas lights
1 laundry tub
A reusable bag (that appears to be made out of a fertilizer bag, as it says "Toxic" and "Oxidagent" or something.
Now that's responsible spending.
What astonished you? - 7 December
Maybe it's not so astonishing to ya'll who've lived in other countries and learned new languages, but I am constantly amazed at how far I've come with my Spanish skills. There have even been Guatemalans who've questioned my origins, because apparently I speak with a pretty thick Salvadoran accent. It's pretty cool. It makes me feel part of something.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
When did you celebrate? - 6 December
Birthdays, parties, Saturday afternoons with a few beers and good friends, dancing ... There have been many celebrations this year, but I think the one that sticks out most prominently in my mind is the time I was back in the US to visit for Thanksgiving. The entire trip felt like one big celebration, but there was a very special celebration in North Manchester that didn't really take the form of a typical celebration (no booze, no fancy food, no formal attire) and it was a post-church breakfast with my three favorite kiddos - Sam, age 7; Calvin, age 5; and Milo, age 3; of the Hupp-Brown household. It was so great (really, I need a better word, because great doesn't even scratch the surface) to spend time with them throughout the 4 days I was visiting Manchester, and that particular brunch made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside that I really didn't want it to end. I felt loved. And I will celebrate those seemingly insignificant moments for the rest of my days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)