Rotary weekends are awesome, and my groups rocks. We went to Chillan for the weekend and stayed near the thermal pools, though we didn't get to go to one because they were to expensive, and the skiing areas. We had two houses, one for the girls and one for the boys. We spent most of the time in the girls because it had a deck that looked out on to a beautiful stream and woods. Even the woods here seem more beautiful, dead gnarled trees with great bunches of moss hanging off, bamboo everywhere, white weathered wood in the stream, it couldn't be much prettier. At one point, the three other Americans and I went on a short hike through the woods and found a bridge made out of a log that had fallen across the stream and climbed part way up the mountain that was close by. Just amazing.
Throughout the weekend we cooked Chilean food, ate Chilean food, took a Spanish test, had a talent show, and a few other things. For my talent, my friend, Donner, and I did a skit that I stole from two of my friends back in the US. During a OMD YAC Conference two girls, known as the Katies, did a skit to Peanut Butter Jelly Time. One Katie stood behind the other with her arms underneath the other's arms and made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fed them to the other Katie, all very messily. So, with no real talents, I stole an idea for a talent to perform with another talentless friend. It turned out well and people enjoyed it.
My Spanish test went really well and I got told that mine was one of the best. That was just a big relief being here knowing that my Spanish is on the right track and I'm doing well. All in all, the weekend was a plus and a much needed break from my everyday life of being an exchange student. And as always, leaving the exchange students was hard. But, I know I'll see them soon enough.
Before the weekend I had a track me, my first since 8th grade, granted it was only running. It took 7 hours and I ran twice, one for my school and once for another school that didn't have enough people. I got a 2nd and a 3rd, and both races were relays. And each time only 5 teams ran, so nothing spectacular. But it was fun and I got to talk a lot the whole day, which was really good for me, I need to talk to more people.
I'm still not doing as much as I should for the SAT's and college applications, this blog is yet more procrastinating. And that tells you how much I don't want to do it, I'm writing a blog. I wish I was more like my brother and I had the ability to sit down and get stuff done more often. When I do sit down it happens, but it's the sitting down and starting that is the problem. I have to get it done though, so it will happen.
Today my class had a nationwide English test that none of the exchange students had to take. So we all sat in the cafeteria all day and talked. And then we missed a class or two on accident. Definantly a good day of school in my books.
Not much else going on as usual, I got some recipies from my parents and I hope I can cook for my family again. The gym as usual, and maybe I'm going to make a special Chilean cookie with my friend on Thursday. And I almost forgot one of the reasons I wanted to write this blog, music once again. A lot of the time we listen to music when we eat, and sometimes some not so appropriate songs come on. And I can't help but laugh, normally I can contol it, at lyics along the lines of "I'm gonna lay you...and something sexual." Or rap songs rapping about getting money and something degrading to women. And the whole time I am the only one who realizes what is going on.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Just Because
I say I don't want more does not mean I don't like it. I just don't want more. Chileans read into actions to much. I have said I don't want more of something quite a few times, and the response I have gotten is either still more of that food, or "You don't like it?" in an offended voice. I feel bad about it, but I have already gained 11 pounds here. I love all the food I have been given, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
On the same note, today was my grandpa's birthday and my teacher's birthday. This of course meant cake for both, not the the regular Chilean cake, but regular cake, just glorified. They were both really good, though normally I don't like regular cake. But, tons of food, and tons of food that was bad for me. All delicious.
I forgot to say too, the other day I went to my grandparents and drove a quad. I now understand why it is so big around me at home and here, it's exciting and fun. I can't wait to do it more. I ended up making my brother ask me to go slower and when he got off he kissed the ground, though I wasn't going more that 20 mph.
This last weekend I went to Concepcion and spend Friday not in school, and just wandering the city. I went to the natural history museum and a few parks, the center and some stores. They have these stores here that sell old American clothes, and of course what do I find, nothing else than a Slipper Rock Lacrosse shirt. Of course I had to buy it. I got a few other things and some awesome earrings. But, I spent more money there than I have anywhere besides the on the gym. In the afternoon, when my dad had a break from his accounting classes he took me to lunch at his favorite place to eat. Just a sandwich and hotdog shot, but definantly the best Chilean sandwiches I've had. They are called Churascos, not so sure about the spelling, but they are beef or pork with toppings on a delicious bun. Toppings include everything, from cheese, advocado, onions, eggs, and mayo, plus the regular ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce, and a few other things. But it was a good day with my dad, plus I found a kind of coffee that I like, not much of coffee, but still, vanilla coffee.
Then that night we went to their friend's house to stay overnight and had a really good dinner. The next morning we ate, and then went for a walk with the dog. We came back, at again, and then went to a waterfall near their house. It was a long walk, but definantly worth it. Oh, and I forgot my camera, so I didn't have it in the city, but my mom brought it and I had it for the waterfalls and the river we walked too. Then it was home on Sunday.
Now back to the usual life at home. My brother and cousins are going to the gym with me tomorrow and this weekend is a Rotary get together and we have a test on our Spanish to see if we can go to RYLA, a youth leadership weekend workshop. And I think if our Spanish is bad enough they send us home. But I don't have to worry, mine is coming along great, I at least won't get sent home. I'm pumped to see all my Rotary friends. Wish me luck!
On the same note, today was my grandpa's birthday and my teacher's birthday. This of course meant cake for both, not the the regular Chilean cake, but regular cake, just glorified. They were both really good, though normally I don't like regular cake. But, tons of food, and tons of food that was bad for me. All delicious.
I forgot to say too, the other day I went to my grandparents and drove a quad. I now understand why it is so big around me at home and here, it's exciting and fun. I can't wait to do it more. I ended up making my brother ask me to go slower and when he got off he kissed the ground, though I wasn't going more that 20 mph.
This last weekend I went to Concepcion and spend Friday not in school, and just wandering the city. I went to the natural history museum and a few parks, the center and some stores. They have these stores here that sell old American clothes, and of course what do I find, nothing else than a Slipper Rock Lacrosse shirt. Of course I had to buy it. I got a few other things and some awesome earrings. But, I spent more money there than I have anywhere besides the on the gym. In the afternoon, when my dad had a break from his accounting classes he took me to lunch at his favorite place to eat. Just a sandwich and hotdog shot, but definantly the best Chilean sandwiches I've had. They are called Churascos, not so sure about the spelling, but they are beef or pork with toppings on a delicious bun. Toppings include everything, from cheese, advocado, onions, eggs, and mayo, plus the regular ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce, and a few other things. But it was a good day with my dad, plus I found a kind of coffee that I like, not much of coffee, but still, vanilla coffee.
Then that night we went to their friend's house to stay overnight and had a really good dinner. The next morning we ate, and then went for a walk with the dog. We came back, at again, and then went to a waterfall near their house. It was a long walk, but definantly worth it. Oh, and I forgot my camera, so I didn't have it in the city, but my mom brought it and I had it for the waterfalls and the river we walked too. Then it was home on Sunday.
Now back to the usual life at home. My brother and cousins are going to the gym with me tomorrow and this weekend is a Rotary get together and we have a test on our Spanish to see if we can go to RYLA, a youth leadership weekend workshop. And I think if our Spanish is bad enough they send us home. But I don't have to worry, mine is coming along great, I at least won't get sent home. I'm pumped to see all my Rotary friends. Wish me luck!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I Guess It's Time For Another
It's been a while since my last post, but not to much has really happened. I've got my basic routine down. I just need to add some stuff to it. Here is how it goes...
1) Get up and 6:30 and make breakfast and watch part of a movie or a tv show while eating. Slowly get dressed and do all the other morning things.
2) Go to school.
3) Be bored at school for 6 hours 5 days a week.
4) Come home and eat.
5) Hang out for a bit with my family and get on the computer.
6) Go to the gym.
7) Go out around town, hang out with friends, or most often come home and chill for the rest of the night.
8) Go to bed way to late.
9) Start over.
Weekends vary obviously. I travel a lot whether it is with my family or now Rotary events are about to pick up for a while. What I am really waiting for is summer though. No more school. And I have a bunch of places I want to go with my family. One of my extended families have 3 houses, one in Santiago, one county house outside of Santiago with a lake and a pool, and their beach house...amazing. Plus I am going to get to go see my Rotary friends, I hope. And I think my brother might be coming to visit.
The past few weeks have been slow as I said. I started soccer and after my first day they asked me to play for their team. We played in a tournament this weekend and got second place. I missed the first of three games because I went my English professor's English class that he teaches at a university close by. I just gave my Rotary presentation and then talked with them in English. There were some other exchange students too. But, back to soccer, it turns out I'm actually pretty good down here. Nothing special, but not bad, which is a relief. I was scared they were going to be amazing. But already I don't know if I want to play anymore. Last year once the season was done I was done too with soccer. I will keep playing here though just to be around people.
I think the time when I am happiest here is when I cook. It is great for some reason, a million things going on at once, smelling great, and looking great. I just wish I had better pans, the ones I have are thing and burn things easily, and not enough variety. But I make do and they still love my food. But with all the food I make comes a lot of excersizing. But I don't mind, I'm an excersize addict. And now my cousins are going to start coming to the gym, I don't know for how long, but they came today. And next week my brother will come too.
Back to school really quickly, I started working in Chemistry and it's not so bad so far. I'm starting to recall stuff. And my math teacher as I said was impressed with me today because I got the farthest on our worksheet, about 6 problems ahead of everyone else out of 18 problems in and hour. So not to bad.
Not much else except the miners are all safe here. All 33. Everyone seems really happy about it. My dad and I watched it last night and then the rest of the family came in gradually after it was over. But my dad asked if people in the US had really heard much about it and I said yeah, it's actually pretty big. He also said that it was pretty big in Denmark too, where is daughter is. He seemed pretty happy that Chile was getting the attention it was, as I think everyone else was. I understood only a little bit of what they were saying on CNN which was frustrating and showed me how far my Spanish has really come. Then again, I wasn't concentrating to hard. I too was really happy for the Chileans to be out and safe, even with some problems here I fell part of the country and I felt with them.
Well, off to Concepcion tomorrow for who knows what, I'm still pretty lost here. But hopefully I will get to see two of my Rotary friends while I am there. Up for a bus at 6. Maybe I'll sleep tonight. Oh yeah, I mentioned that above, I don't sleep well or long. I got to sleep at anywhere from 1:30 to 4:30. I don't know why but it sort of sucks. Then again it is nice because it helps school go faster...though I'm not focusing on Spanish as much. Maybe I'll start sleeping better soon. I can't decide whether is will be good or bad, I know Rotary would say good, but I hate school.
1) Get up and 6:30 and make breakfast and watch part of a movie or a tv show while eating. Slowly get dressed and do all the other morning things.
2) Go to school.
3) Be bored at school for 6 hours 5 days a week.
4) Come home and eat.
5) Hang out for a bit with my family and get on the computer.
6) Go to the gym.
7) Go out around town, hang out with friends, or most often come home and chill for the rest of the night.
8) Go to bed way to late.
9) Start over.
Weekends vary obviously. I travel a lot whether it is with my family or now Rotary events are about to pick up for a while. What I am really waiting for is summer though. No more school. And I have a bunch of places I want to go with my family. One of my extended families have 3 houses, one in Santiago, one county house outside of Santiago with a lake and a pool, and their beach house...amazing. Plus I am going to get to go see my Rotary friends, I hope. And I think my brother might be coming to visit.
The past few weeks have been slow as I said. I started soccer and after my first day they asked me to play for their team. We played in a tournament this weekend and got second place. I missed the first of three games because I went my English professor's English class that he teaches at a university close by. I just gave my Rotary presentation and then talked with them in English. There were some other exchange students too. But, back to soccer, it turns out I'm actually pretty good down here. Nothing special, but not bad, which is a relief. I was scared they were going to be amazing. But already I don't know if I want to play anymore. Last year once the season was done I was done too with soccer. I will keep playing here though just to be around people.
I think the time when I am happiest here is when I cook. It is great for some reason, a million things going on at once, smelling great, and looking great. I just wish I had better pans, the ones I have are thing and burn things easily, and not enough variety. But I make do and they still love my food. But with all the food I make comes a lot of excersizing. But I don't mind, I'm an excersize addict. And now my cousins are going to start coming to the gym, I don't know for how long, but they came today. And next week my brother will come too.
Back to school really quickly, I started working in Chemistry and it's not so bad so far. I'm starting to recall stuff. And my math teacher as I said was impressed with me today because I got the farthest on our worksheet, about 6 problems ahead of everyone else out of 18 problems in and hour. So not to bad.
Not much else except the miners are all safe here. All 33. Everyone seems really happy about it. My dad and I watched it last night and then the rest of the family came in gradually after it was over. But my dad asked if people in the US had really heard much about it and I said yeah, it's actually pretty big. He also said that it was pretty big in Denmark too, where is daughter is. He seemed pretty happy that Chile was getting the attention it was, as I think everyone else was. I understood only a little bit of what they were saying on CNN which was frustrating and showed me how far my Spanish has really come. Then again, I wasn't concentrating to hard. I too was really happy for the Chileans to be out and safe, even with some problems here I fell part of the country and I felt with them.
Well, off to Concepcion tomorrow for who knows what, I'm still pretty lost here. But hopefully I will get to see two of my Rotary friends while I am there. Up for a bus at 6. Maybe I'll sleep tonight. Oh yeah, I mentioned that above, I don't sleep well or long. I got to sleep at anywhere from 1:30 to 4:30. I don't know why but it sort of sucks. Then again it is nice because it helps school go faster...though I'm not focusing on Spanish as much. Maybe I'll start sleeping better soon. I can't decide whether is will be good or bad, I know Rotary would say good, but I hate school.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Frosted Flakes
I've just got a bunch of random stuff with no real correlation in this one, but it's all pretty interesting, or at least entertaining.
So, the Frosted Flakes here, or their verson, rock. The flakes are all big, and they are all a bit thicker than in the US. They are also bowl shaped. This means they are crunchier, and hold milk in them so that when you chew them, they become the perfect consistency. Man, the small things are what I'm going to miss.
I had dream last night, partly in Spanish, I can't really remember much. But it was set on a farm, I'm pretty sure I was a slave. Somehow I was in the main house doing something and talk to people. Numbers and simple words, but mostly just Spanish sounding jibberish. There were a lot of dogs and dead ones, it was sad, but considering how many dogs I see here I'm not surprised they were in my dream. Maybe next time it will be understandable Spanish.
More food. I cooked taco salad and roasted vegtables, and once more they loved my cooking. My brother asked my mom later why she doesn't cook like me. So I guess I can win my family over with food. I also found out where our food comes from since my mom doesn't cook. There is a catering business next door and I guess they have something worked out so they can just get meals for the day and nothing big. And on Mondays and Thursdays our maid cooks food that we sometimes have around for a few days or eat in one. I also cooked frenchfries in oil. Definantly better than in the over.
Ever more cooking, I grilled yet again at a party for Rotary students. Most of us were there with the exception of a few. Awesome food, great people, and a great house. We were up really late just hanging out and having fun. I couldn't ask for a better group of kids. And a new girl from California showed up, something was wrong with her visa. But, she too was great.
I hadn't thought about it before, but unlike at home, people can sell stuff in school. They only sell food and candy, but still, I find it sort of strange. I wish I could have done it at home though. School brings me to another thing, SATs. I am taking the SATs in November on the 6th. I really don't want to, but I need to. It's in Santiago, and my friend is taking them too. I think we are going to take a bus up and crash at her sister's house or I might stay with my family in Santiago, I'll figure all that out later. But as of now I don't have a calculator. I'll start looking for that soon too. But this now means I have to start studying English again, even if it is just vocab, and I'm already studying Spanish vocab. To many words in my life.
At the same time as studying for SATs and learning Spanish I am looking at schools. It's actually really exciting and I'm having fun. I just really wish that I could make some school visits and see the campuses. So far so good, all the colleges I want to go to have swimming and all my majors minus a few things here and there. My SAT's as of now are actually acceptable to the schools too, not they are really all that bad. So who knows, maybe I'll be at Brown, Bucknell, or Davidson next year.
Here is a good story, it was a while ago I just forgot about writing it. I was coming home from the gym with Alex and we stopped to grab a drink, fruit, and other small stuff. Just a small supermarket on the way home. I walked in a woman was washing the floor with a mop. Immediatly, I step on a little packet of something and bright red cream comes out onto my shoe and pantleg. The packet said crema de something, who knows. But of course, I had taste it. It was bright read, said crema, and looked sweet. I was completely wrong. It was soap for washing the floor and had a nice oil taste. I spit it out outside and rinsed my mouth out. I don't know if anyone in the store saw or not, but if they did, that is a good foreigner story.
I just finished The Big Lebowski, a great movie about a deadbeat. And I really want to try a White Russian, The Dude's (the main character) favorite drink. It just looks good, I've been really into milk and milk products lately.
Now just two short things condensed into one, I miss my cats and I said that to my mom, and what does she do? Nothing but goes and gets Toast, and holds him up to the screen for me, waving his arm the whole time. The shirts here are too small and I could use a few new ones. Two of mine I brough got strange stains on them, and a few other's it turns out are too small.
I find it strange the way I am getting on with my Spanish. Unlike anyone else, it is easier for me to speak Spanish than to understand it. I think it is cause I have been teaching myself some stuff and getting a decent amount of practice, while trying to understand Chileano, Chilean Spanish, is impossible unless they slow down. I still need a lot more time.
Off to Santiago this weekend for a presentation my cousin is giving in her class. I'm not really sure what it's about, all I know is that she is giving it because it is her last year in "high school". But I'm happy to go, I love my extended family and maybe I'll get into the center of Santiago again.
So, the Frosted Flakes here, or their verson, rock. The flakes are all big, and they are all a bit thicker than in the US. They are also bowl shaped. This means they are crunchier, and hold milk in them so that when you chew them, they become the perfect consistency. Man, the small things are what I'm going to miss.
I had dream last night, partly in Spanish, I can't really remember much. But it was set on a farm, I'm pretty sure I was a slave. Somehow I was in the main house doing something and talk to people. Numbers and simple words, but mostly just Spanish sounding jibberish. There were a lot of dogs and dead ones, it was sad, but considering how many dogs I see here I'm not surprised they were in my dream. Maybe next time it will be understandable Spanish.
More food. I cooked taco salad and roasted vegtables, and once more they loved my cooking. My brother asked my mom later why she doesn't cook like me. So I guess I can win my family over with food. I also found out where our food comes from since my mom doesn't cook. There is a catering business next door and I guess they have something worked out so they can just get meals for the day and nothing big. And on Mondays and Thursdays our maid cooks food that we sometimes have around for a few days or eat in one. I also cooked frenchfries in oil. Definantly better than in the over.
Ever more cooking, I grilled yet again at a party for Rotary students. Most of us were there with the exception of a few. Awesome food, great people, and a great house. We were up really late just hanging out and having fun. I couldn't ask for a better group of kids. And a new girl from California showed up, something was wrong with her visa. But, she too was great.
I hadn't thought about it before, but unlike at home, people can sell stuff in school. They only sell food and candy, but still, I find it sort of strange. I wish I could have done it at home though. School brings me to another thing, SATs. I am taking the SATs in November on the 6th. I really don't want to, but I need to. It's in Santiago, and my friend is taking them too. I think we are going to take a bus up and crash at her sister's house or I might stay with my family in Santiago, I'll figure all that out later. But as of now I don't have a calculator. I'll start looking for that soon too. But this now means I have to start studying English again, even if it is just vocab, and I'm already studying Spanish vocab. To many words in my life.
At the same time as studying for SATs and learning Spanish I am looking at schools. It's actually really exciting and I'm having fun. I just really wish that I could make some school visits and see the campuses. So far so good, all the colleges I want to go to have swimming and all my majors minus a few things here and there. My SAT's as of now are actually acceptable to the schools too, not they are really all that bad. So who knows, maybe I'll be at Brown, Bucknell, or Davidson next year.
Here is a good story, it was a while ago I just forgot about writing it. I was coming home from the gym with Alex and we stopped to grab a drink, fruit, and other small stuff. Just a small supermarket on the way home. I walked in a woman was washing the floor with a mop. Immediatly, I step on a little packet of something and bright red cream comes out onto my shoe and pantleg. The packet said crema de something, who knows. But of course, I had taste it. It was bright read, said crema, and looked sweet. I was completely wrong. It was soap for washing the floor and had a nice oil taste. I spit it out outside and rinsed my mouth out. I don't know if anyone in the store saw or not, but if they did, that is a good foreigner story.
I just finished The Big Lebowski, a great movie about a deadbeat. And I really want to try a White Russian, The Dude's (the main character) favorite drink. It just looks good, I've been really into milk and milk products lately.
Now just two short things condensed into one, I miss my cats and I said that to my mom, and what does she do? Nothing but goes and gets Toast, and holds him up to the screen for me, waving his arm the whole time. The shirts here are too small and I could use a few new ones. Two of mine I brough got strange stains on them, and a few other's it turns out are too small.
I find it strange the way I am getting on with my Spanish. Unlike anyone else, it is easier for me to speak Spanish than to understand it. I think it is cause I have been teaching myself some stuff and getting a decent amount of practice, while trying to understand Chileano, Chilean Spanish, is impossible unless they slow down. I still need a lot more time.
Off to Santiago this weekend for a presentation my cousin is giving in her class. I'm not really sure what it's about, all I know is that she is giving it because it is her last year in "high school". But I'm happy to go, I love my extended family and maybe I'll get into the center of Santiago again.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Like Usual
I pulled of the impossible. Here you go, it's a lot, and most of it is just so I can remember, but I have a bunch of picture and a few videos. They will be one facebook soon.
Today at the Spirit Week was much better. During the performances I almost died, to crunched together, and a bunch of cheerleading, though, for girls who never have done it before it was probably better than any routines that I have seen at school or anywhere else. Afterwards was great though. There was a school barbeque, and once again I got to cook. I am learning more about barbequing and salting and seasoning as I go, really pretty simple. And all of the food turned out great, I’m happy. Now off to Cauquenes, if I find my parents. They aren’t here and I don’t know where they went.
Got to Cauquenes, outside actually, and had a look around the farm. It’s really pretty and very Chilean, it is what I would picture a Chilean farm to look like, except for some of the destruction. Cauquenes is near Concepcion and the epicenter of the earthquake and the farm was hit with some force, not enough to do major damage luckily. There are chickens, cows, horses, bees, and pigs. One of the two horses is pregnant, I’m not sure how far, but they are both great. And two dogs, each really sweet even though the German Sheppard looks menacing. I went into the main part of Cauquenes last night pretty late and got to see some of the destruction in the city. We picked up my uncle who is living with me and went to a bar. At the bar I learned that my aunt and uncle are leaving in October, which sucks. I really like having them around, they are a lot of fun and help keep me distracted, I will be sad to see them leave.
After the bar we drove back to where we picked up my uncle and got another one. This time the one from Santiago who’s house we stayed in the first week. We got back, my cousin and I both dying for a bathroom and went to bed. As I started to get into bed my cousin told me to check for spiders, which thoroughly freaked me out. I fell asleep and started dreaming.
I have noticed that when I sleep lately, my dreams have become more vivid that ever. People and places seem really and features and details are perfect. But, they are still in English. I hope they change soon enough.
Again I am writing falling asleep, but I doubt I’ll go to bed for a while. I got up at nine thirty ate breakfast and hung around until 11. I called Jessye, my friend in Rotary who lives close to the camp. She ended up coming later in the day. Until then I saw the farm, played soccer and some other game like horseshoes, and cooked some delicious meat as always. The farm is amazing, hills and terraces, a pond to swim in and animals. My cousins, my brother and I herded some cows for a bit and walked around the camp. Really beautiful in all. The meat I cooked was great, I would describe it as bacon chunks. It took a long time to cook, but it was completely worth it. Soon after that I went out into a field, with a book, a shirt to lay on and just read, soaking up the sun. It couldn’t get much better.
Jessye got there a bit later and gave me an easy person to communicate with, not to mention she is great. She is from Germany, the western side, and we talked mainly about Chile and our experiences here and how we felt about the whole situation. I’m supposed to go to another farm with her tomorrow. We had a small fire out aways from the house with my cousin and eventually drew my other younger cousins and brother who made the fire much bigger. It got dark and we went back to the house to have some food. And after having some food we started cooking again. This time on the grill. I got to take over and tend to it like usual, and I couldn’t have been happier yet again. By the end I had delicious meat, a beer, and friends and family all around with some good music and some cheesy music as normal. All in all a great time. We took Jessye home and I got to see some more of the destruction in Cauquenes, whole houses and buildings destroyed. And probably more sights tomorrow.
I just got up a little bit ago and I wanted to write down a dream. It started with me getting on the plane for Chile, and then it went through the first few months. And it went up until last night. I went to bed, and I woke up, getting ready to leave Chile. I just had one last orientation with my Rotary group, only it was a completely different group, and Mr. Griggs was there. I was ecstatic about my whole trip and couldn’t believe that I was going home. I was talking about how great it was that I had learned Spanish and how much better it had made my life in Chile once I learned.
Of cource, I don’t know Spanish now, and I don’t want to wake up and have all of Chile gone. I know that I would like to wake up and know Spanish, but that isn’t going to happen. Anyways, I woke up here and had some breakfast after waiting for the bathroom for way to long with a bladder that was way to full. Today is the Bicentennial and it should be great, last night was good and it wasn’t even the 18th. Out for a run now.
Great run, beautiful landscape, but a terrible shower. I’m not sure whether that shower was worse than my second one at my home. At least at home there was pressure, more than the drizzle that was less that a small faucet. And the temperature was ice cold. Together, I had to stay under the ice cold water for way too long to get the soap off of me. I did it though, and it’s over. I’m never taking a shower here again though.
A little while later we, my mom dad and cousin, left for the beach. We saw a few cities on the way there, saw some damage by the earthquake and tsunami. Then we went to one of the prettiest beaches I have ever been to. I took a bunch of pictures (a first) and wandered the sand for about an hour with my cousin, talking and having fun. She is a huge help with my Spanish. Her boyfriend who had been in the US last year told her not to talk to me in English, only help me if I didn’t know a word, not that her English is amazing, but it works really well and even in two days I have come a long way.
At home we ate, and not much else. I had the most unsatisfying oranges ever. Too much work to peel for not very much orange or good orange even. The other’s have made up for their short comings though, I forgive them. All in all it seemed like a pretty uneventful 200th anniversary of the country.
We ended up going out, a few of us to Cauquenes, the main city and going to a party there. It was put on by the fire department and was really big. Drinks, food, a band and a dance floor, the whole ordeal.
The next day I ended up making empanadas for a long time. It was entertaining to watch everyone make them and laugh and have fun together, and I got to be part of it for some of it, when I understood what was happening. Towards the end of making empanadas I got an idea, desert empanadas. I ended up making 8 or 9 apple empanadas, basically small apple pies, even though I was missing some stuff I would have liked to have. They turned out really well and tasted delicious. I think they were a hit, but who knows, they might now have actually liked them. Maybe they’ll let me make them again.
After the empanada extravaganza I went back to Pellehue, the town along the coast with my cousin and her family to their house. This part of the beach was amazing, probably the prettiest beach I have ever been too. Their house had been hit by the tsunami, but it was pretty much back to normal, I could see where they repaired with new wood. There was even a salt water stain on one of the beds where water had broken the window and gotten in. The crazy thing is that the house is probably 50 or 60 feet higher than the water on a cliff, big tsunami.
My cousin and I walked the beach, stood on some rocks, climbed some rocks, and then climbed a huge rock and watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful beach. It was incredible, I don’t think I’ve seen very many sunsets like it, and for sure not from the kind of place I was watching it from. I took tons of pictures and a few videos. After sunset we went back to the house and had dinner with my uncle’s family. Crab, muscles or different kinds, and clams. Plus sausage and potatoes. It was all delicious in the process, but afterwards I didn’t feel so good. I’m not sure what, but something made me sick for the rest of the night, though it was completely worth it for the food. We hung around for a while longer, had some delicious dessert pastries and left. Got back and went to sleep.
Today, the last day there I went into Cauquenes to spend time with Jessye again. We wandered the city some and ate lunch with her family. There was still a fair from the 18th so we went and played some games and wandered around. Not a very exciting day, but it was still nice to see Jessye again. Then back to Los Angeles, another six person car ride in the jeep, cold cramped, and long. Back now with no water yet or internet, I’m guessing they’ll turn that on. I’m exhausted from the weekend and need sleep before I get up again tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Not Much
It's 12:21 and I just got back from my parent's family friends, who I really like a lot. We went over at 8 and now it's late, but I figured I'm leaving for five days because of the Bicentennial and I won't have internet. But maybe, maybe I'll keep a mini-journal while I'm there, maybe. If you know me I am pretty bad at that kind of stuff, but sometimes even I pull off the impossible. More like all the time, but that's besides the point.
Today I went to school nice and late, 10:30 again, and I'll do it again tomorrow. It's great. I left early today too, it was boring and I could, not much to it. I just walk out the doors and go home. We weren't doing anything and I was bored.
Here is some more stuff I missed. The moon here is sideways, it waxes and wanes up and down, not to the side. It's really strange. And they drink their wine with coke or diet coke quite often. I went to dinner tonight, a nice one, for me, and the host just added coke to his drink. I have only seen that a few times, only by younger people, never at a nice dinner in a wine glass. But I guess it works. They also had me try Pisco Sour, a Chilean alcohol, and it was delicious. Just a lemon drink with a kick.
I've been watcihng a bunch of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Not the most educational, a show about a meatball, a milkshake, and a thing of fries. It's lame, but great, and I've been watching to much. I downloaded all the seasons and I plan watching them all. Same with movies, after I get home from a long day it's nice to sit back and watch a movie. Maybe I'll be a movie buff by the time I get back. I could use that time to study or learn guitar (we have one somewhere), but I'm way to wiped to do it. I just need to relax and not translate anymore.
Well, off to the farm tomorrow, 2 hour drive, and tons of people. This is going to be long, but I expect fun. And I think I am going to see one of the girls in my Rotary group, a really quite German, maybe I can make her open up and actually talk to her. Time to sleep, good night.
Today I went to school nice and late, 10:30 again, and I'll do it again tomorrow. It's great. I left early today too, it was boring and I could, not much to it. I just walk out the doors and go home. We weren't doing anything and I was bored.
Here is some more stuff I missed. The moon here is sideways, it waxes and wanes up and down, not to the side. It's really strange. And they drink their wine with coke or diet coke quite often. I went to dinner tonight, a nice one, for me, and the host just added coke to his drink. I have only seen that a few times, only by younger people, never at a nice dinner in a wine glass. But I guess it works. They also had me try Pisco Sour, a Chilean alcohol, and it was delicious. Just a lemon drink with a kick.
I've been watcihng a bunch of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Not the most educational, a show about a meatball, a milkshake, and a thing of fries. It's lame, but great, and I've been watching to much. I downloaded all the seasons and I plan watching them all. Same with movies, after I get home from a long day it's nice to sit back and watch a movie. Maybe I'll be a movie buff by the time I get back. I could use that time to study or learn guitar (we have one somewhere), but I'm way to wiped to do it. I just need to relax and not translate anymore.
Well, off to the farm tomorrow, 2 hour drive, and tons of people. This is going to be long, but I expect fun. And I think I am going to see one of the girls in my Rotary group, a really quite German, maybe I can make her open up and actually talk to her. Time to sleep, good night.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Spirit Week
It's spirit week at my school and it's great. I didn't have my camera the first day which was depressing, but I had it today, even though yesterday was much better. It is the anniversary of our school, and the bicentennial of the country, so it's pretty crazy. And this weekend is supposed to be amazing in Los Angeles, but I'm going to my Aunt and Uncle's farm, kind of sad, but it should be fun. And I was invited to go to another friend's farm, but I'll still be gone, even sadder.
To start of the day I didn't have to go to school till ten because my class was setting up and said I didn't need to go, they had already worked everything out. I figured I would get in the way and just slept in, I needed it anyways.
Now then, the Spirit week is great, three teams throughout the schoo, yellow(hippies), green(discotechers), and black(the greasers/50's). The first day were a few small skits, mainly my the green team. There was one where it was a family watchin TV and the others acted out the shows. The best was The Simpsons. They were painted yellow and had a bunch of characters, hilarious, I wish I had had my camera. And today, a mini show from my team, the black team. Not much I understood, but from watchin other's it seemed funny. There were a few great dances with all guys. I was surprised how well they had choreographed them, a few could have been used for music videos. And then there was a great act about the USA and USSR. They had rockets with the names on them that went into space, but the main plot was about a US soldier captured and held in Russia, kind of depressing. He gets out and then gets killed by the Russians, protecting his family. They showed pictures in the background. At one point, in with pictures of the Berlin Wall were pictures of people during the great depression by Dorothea Lange. I looked down to her picture of the Migrant Mother and was sufficiently confused for a second.
After school it was to the best Empenada store I know, right across the street from my school, but they weren't taking orders from people just walking in, only advance orders, and big ones for the 18th, the bicentennial. So Alex, and I met up with a friend and went down town to get some amazing pizzas at another place. I had one, they had two, I was going to eat something at home. Then back to my house with Alex. We watched Freedom Writers, a great movie, I suggest it. And then to the gym. Not much else except that I am not hungry and my family tries to feed me constantly, I feel bad saying no, but it has to be done.
I have kept forgetting to say that the music here is hilarious. I have heard Backstreet Boys, which made me miss listening too them, I think I'm going to download some again, Barbie Girl, twice, a bunch of cheesy 80's music, and then some Led Zeppelin. That is not all, but those are just some highlights.
I've taken a liking to honey, I eat it at every meal I have it. I stopped drinking tea and honey, now it's just water and honey, I love it. Honey on my bread, which I have a lot of, and honey plain. I want to try it on everything though. My Aunt and Uncle make it on their farm, which was pretty much destroyed during the earthquake, but they still have the bees. It's is a great thing though, honey. They have me cream for my face, I ate and drank it while I was sick, there are remedies at the store for all sorts of things, there are pills, you name it, they have it made with honey. And I love it.
To start of the day I didn't have to go to school till ten because my class was setting up and said I didn't need to go, they had already worked everything out. I figured I would get in the way and just slept in, I needed it anyways.
Now then, the Spirit week is great, three teams throughout the schoo, yellow(hippies), green(discotechers), and black(the greasers/50's). The first day were a few small skits, mainly my the green team. There was one where it was a family watchin TV and the others acted out the shows. The best was The Simpsons. They were painted yellow and had a bunch of characters, hilarious, I wish I had had my camera. And today, a mini show from my team, the black team. Not much I understood, but from watchin other's it seemed funny. There were a few great dances with all guys. I was surprised how well they had choreographed them, a few could have been used for music videos. And then there was a great act about the USA and USSR. They had rockets with the names on them that went into space, but the main plot was about a US soldier captured and held in Russia, kind of depressing. He gets out and then gets killed by the Russians, protecting his family. They showed pictures in the background. At one point, in with pictures of the Berlin Wall were pictures of people during the great depression by Dorothea Lange. I looked down to her picture of the Migrant Mother and was sufficiently confused for a second.
After school it was to the best Empenada store I know, right across the street from my school, but they weren't taking orders from people just walking in, only advance orders, and big ones for the 18th, the bicentennial. So Alex, and I met up with a friend and went down town to get some amazing pizzas at another place. I had one, they had two, I was going to eat something at home. Then back to my house with Alex. We watched Freedom Writers, a great movie, I suggest it. And then to the gym. Not much else except that I am not hungry and my family tries to feed me constantly, I feel bad saying no, but it has to be done.
I have kept forgetting to say that the music here is hilarious. I have heard Backstreet Boys, which made me miss listening too them, I think I'm going to download some again, Barbie Girl, twice, a bunch of cheesy 80's music, and then some Led Zeppelin. That is not all, but those are just some highlights.
I've taken a liking to honey, I eat it at every meal I have it. I stopped drinking tea and honey, now it's just water and honey, I love it. Honey on my bread, which I have a lot of, and honey plain. I want to try it on everything though. My Aunt and Uncle make it on their farm, which was pretty much destroyed during the earthquake, but they still have the bees. It's is a great thing though, honey. They have me cream for my face, I ate and drank it while I was sick, there are remedies at the store for all sorts of things, there are pills, you name it, they have it made with honey. And I love it.
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