I'm back....

yes, that was supposed to sound all creepy...been about a week...doing good, going through all my things, how can a girl accumulate so many clothes??? eck!! and how could my parents buy a place without sufficent closet space??

ok, so I do not really know if I should continue writing in this, I mean, I am rightside up again? and if you want to reach me please feel free to call...cell is the same, or if it goes straight to voicemail, just call the ranch...

love you all
Dawn

and the results are....

I will be arriving into PDX (Portland, OR) on Nov 18th at Noon!! From there going to Eugene to chill for a little bit, reaccess and get my car. I will be getting my same number back 831.251.1551. Look forward to seeing you all soon!! ya...

Pinoche Bunker

How cool or random is that? today I went with Tia to downtown Santiago. We walked around all the really old and awesome antique buildings, lot of trees and pretty flowers, you can see the mountains from the subway-metro as well as from the top of some buildings and certain parts of the street. very awesome.

Tia and I went to an indigenous art exhibit that happens to be Pinoche Bunker. so pretty neat. got to see lots of pretty jewlery and blankets and other items that I am hoping to find some before I leave. walked around and looked at lots of different alleys filled with neat stuff, they have one that is all sewing stuff, anothe all arts and crafts. Have I mentioned yet that some people due random things like sell makeup on blankets on the streets? (not quite up to my Avon standards says the snob) and also on the stairs of the subways they might sell safety pins or bandaids? or homemade pastrys, which I have tended to stay away from as most are made with manjar, a EXTREMELY sweet dulce de leche..have I mentioned that all types of singers and performers will jump on the bus, with a guitar and start belting away? one day a women was singing music that I would compare most to opera at the entrance to the subway..

it was also funny as today we went by the used clothing area that I have been trying to get to for months, but as I am living soon I am going to pass on buying myself more clothes when I get to go back to all my stuff!1 ya!!So I am trying to get in as much Santiago time as possible before I leave.

XoXo

Mama, I´m comming home

OK, so as I am driving back, well I was in the passenger seat...but I was thinking, geez, I really miss my friends and family...(yes I know I am being repetative, but the importance of people cannot be stressed). yes I have lived with an amazing family who has really welcomed me with open arms, even if we cannot all understand eachother all the time..and yes I got a rather good job quite quickly (though yes I do work over 50 hours a week at beyond mismal pay, at least by my US standards, yes I could completly survive here off what I make, etc) and yes I have experienced a new culture and improved my Spanish..but you know what, I want to come home..so I said, OK, look at the logistics, what are the plane fairs, where will you live ?(actually worry about that later) and what is wrong with coming back during Turkey Time, which is good news for you know as you eat Turkey.- ;) I basically feel like I am in a stage of my life where I should do what I want when I want, who knows how long this period will last? viva la freedom!!

so I looked at fairs, and found some amazing deals with miles. so said, self, do it.

So that is the update. I had a great journey in Chile. I really feel happy with what I have accomplised in such a short amount of time. but as my life is and always will be a journey, I think it is good for me to find a new location, I am ready to experience the US, find a new enviroment to learn and grow in and be closer to all of you...

Halloween Weekend!!

Ok, so I was an absolutely adorable lady bug and need to send out some pics soon. Had a great time preparing costuming and went to a very nice house where it was a vampire party, got to say it was a culture shock when someone is used to the Halloweens of San Francisco. NO ONE DRESSES UP HERE, but I was so adorable I really did not care :) Bought a black sequin dress from the fair, very similar to a flea market! ya! and it was only $4. only problem was for some reason I am like 20 feet taller then most people here, with broader shoulders, longer torso, etc. so my awesome buelle fixed it up. I am not going to lie mom, but everyone here is really quick about repairs and hemming clothes....(hint hint, nudge nudge, wink, wink) After the party, just really danced the night away, had some cerviche, they did NOT have any candy!! and no one had reeses cups..remember our halloween last year Jonny? and everyone else for that matter...

ok, so next morning drove to Pichlemou...totally mispelt that. it is an awesome surf town about 4 hours south west of Santiago. (got to see lots of little towns, some awesome trees, they have lots of Eucylptus here, and drove through some mountains, similar to SC, but obviously no redwoods on the way to the coast) a very pretty view, very cold water, we more or less camped out on the beach, looked at the surfers and the waves. nice to bring me back to my surfing roots...wait, no one in the family surfs, but we all like the water...yes_?

Some interesting things about Pichi..well, just like the other beach town Zapillar, the service was really bad, and slow, takes like an hour to be served..they sold counterfit Billabong and Quicksilver hats for like 1500 pesos ($3). I did not buy any. not that I have a huge moral stance on intellectual property, but just they looked cheap to me.. I really have to say there is a difference in the clothing here, some things are totally of equal quality to what I like, but is very expsensive, or things that are cheaper, well you can tell, I think it is because there are different levels on regulation..

on the drive back I started really thinking about how much I miss my friends, family......ok read onto next blog

My First Chilean Play

was basically impossible to understand, went with Carla cause her cousin Pato is a actor and was in a play. it looked pretty cool, appeared to be about a boxer who got killed in the end..but they were speaking so fast I really did not understand anything..not sure why, but lately I have been getting a little more discouraged over the language barrier. for example 2 of the 4 women who work in my office do not really speak any English and sometimes getting the simplist thing across is absolutely impossible..but at these times I try to take a deep breath.

before the play went around to the different halloween and party stores to check out stuff. unfortunately most of the thrift stores had closed around 4pm cause it was a Saturday. which I found to be most frustrating, as one I like shopping, two thrift shopping might be one of my favorite ways to do that. and three, well they are usually closed by the time I get off work, oh well, Friday is a new National Holiday, for Protastants, or something? and so I might go then, though who knows if any of the stores will be open.

Sunday was voting, which means all the bars, and stores closed 12 hours before voting on Saturday night, and everyone is required to vote once they register...and if they do not vote, they can get in big trouble. how wierd is that. what do we all think about mandated voting? what results will it produce?

Basically the weekend was nice and mellow. felt a little bit of a sore throat coming on, but that could be cause the seasons are funny, really hot one day and rather cold the next...

over 2 months in chile!

wow. is that crazy or what?? time sure does fly. does this mean I am getting older? or really busy? or what is the saying? I guess I am having fun.

So today I walked to work, I walk to the metro 10 minutes, then take the metro for about 40 minutes, then walk to work for another 20. so ya to walking and not driving!ya! It is a pretty street called something Diego, in an area called Providencia which is really quite affluent. and flat. so not a bad walk. I am fairly disappointed in that I have not been able to start any type of gym or get the physical activity that I want. I also never got any of those diseases or stomache problems that everyone was worried about. great, but I sure would of loved to of dropped pounds, or kilos. oh well, good news is everything is in kilos, which makes your number about 1/2 of what it is...so for example you way 130, then you are about 70 kilograms..so the smaller number feels better...but then for sizes, well if you are like a size 6 or 7, you are probably about a 38...which then, well makes one feel quite bigger...but to continue on this discussion of size, numbers and differences in the country, I do feel like the Chilean people are much more open to beauty in different sizes, colors and looks. so that is freaking awesome. I love my California weather, but definately not the body image. Oh yes, and I am tall here...but that is OK, cause as we all know I already think I am an amazon. or at least a towering women.

other things I have noticed, and maybe already pointed out. is the food, hmm, fairly good, not super spicy, but yummy, lots of chicken, with some veggies (they eat the salad at the end of the meal most of the time), or maybe that is just my family? and white rice, white bread. all fairly funny, in that for the past few years I have shouted to the rooftops about the importance of whole grains, and well, I don't think I have had any for 2 months.*do not see any good ones at the markets that I go to, but also have not tried that hard to find them* trying to make sure I eat lots of veggies, ya the season is coming up! hmm, I think food here is cheaper, at least fruits and veggies, and certainly avocado. Milk is not drank as much and when it is, well in my house it is dried...how bizzarre is that?? but my nails are stronger...hmmm...wierd...my hair? well, I really am not finding much satisfaction with that since I have not really found the right products, or want to spend the time on it. One thing to mention is 4 out of 5 days I leave before 7am, 6.30am or so for work..so make up on the train, but doing hair, well does not quite seem to happen. so I have not died my hair in almost 11 months, fairly satisified with the natural color, actually totally satisified, but what is up with the random greys?? I am 25!

beauty products, well, I realize that I have in the past 10 years spent way too much on it. (esp. before I moved and was packing up boxes and boxes..geez) I have used the same make up for 2 months..crazy! but I do miss my avon. I think I am going to either try and sell it here, or at least register as a rep so I can get access to the products. to me it seems like makeup and beauty products are way too much money. like as much as US! what and same with the clothes, where my wage is about 1/4, but at least my rent is about 1/8, so that evens it out quite a bit. but still..either way, I am happy to not buy as much, but do think I will go on some more ventures, though lots of you might say, dawn you bought some stuff at pedronato the other day, true. so really I am doing OK. just got caught in that American mentality of always wanting to find the perfect..shirt, pants, shoe, etc...but like I said, I do think I am getting away from that..

overall, this is still a good idea. do I miss my friends and family? heck ya! am I any closer to knowing what it is I will do with the rest of my life...um, nope, not really..but the journey is going pretty good. oh and I got health insurance! ya

popcorn

at the movie theaters suck! ok, I hate to complain about my new country...but it was not that hot, and did not taste that buttery, and was well, kinda wierd.hopefully low calorie?? cause I should of been paid calories to eat it...anyways, I got it with a diet soda, which was supposed to be pepsi (I much prefer diet coke, or in Chile, coke zero, which taste more like the US DC) anyways...the diet pepsi tasted like crappy bubble gum, which I found out the next day is what the papaya juice taste like...gross! and the name sounds sooo purty..

so we went to go see that movie, tropic thunder, I think it is called in English??you know, with Jack Black and Ben Stiller, and what is everyones opinion on it?? So, it cost only 2 mil, or so, which is under $5..and on a Saturday night too...so I guess besides the crappy popcorn Chile has the US beat. and during the week it is only like $3 or $2, how great is that. the only thing is that movies come out like 3 months later, so Zohan just came out..but shh, I saw it on DVD that was bought off the street. Josh and Jonny, and Deed, don't kill me..it makes no sense, but cause of the different taxes it costs like way too much money to rent, and then Zohan which yes, was crappy, but just to use it for an example, won't be out for months..so yes, I bought a movie off the streets...it was pirated..it was a crappy edition..I am a bad person..that is probably why the season of 24 I brought with me won't work on chilean dvd players...

what other random things happened this weekend?? well I went to a cheerleader competition, Panchita, the youngest child of Carla's Aunt/Mom had it Saturday morning. So we cheerer her on...ya! then had some pizza on Sunday..Cita, you would cry, the best pizza here is from Pizza Hut..what is up with that??

My big fat chilean wedding..

or at least it is a catchy title, right? So on Friday I went to a wedding of an old school friend of Carla. He was getting married on Friday afternoon, so I got out of work early and rushed to the wedding, unfortunately Santiago has taken a turn for the cold. it was very warm the week before but Friday afternoon was quite chilly. After the wedding, which was in Spanish, but I do think I heard the "do you take this women...." there was a reception, with some goat cheese on a stick attached to a large orange, some little treats on mini breads, cheesey asargus or spinach *it was green* and a few other things...then there was a waltz that was on an outside stage that was in front of everyone. apparently quite traditional and cute. I think I will have to do the same thing at the wedding I may or may not ever have.the whole..reminded me of Alyssa's wedding..oh what good times..and A, your dress was way prettier. *so being at a wedding reminded me of my friends, but the actual bride, party and event was entirly different, I do not even know if they had a bachlor or ette party, I think not...So her's/the brides gown was strapless, and white, and puffy, but she had black flowers embroided in the back, and black ribbon/ness going up the back...her hair was big and curly...my dress was cute, it was yellow with panels of grey and the rest was black..about knee length and loose, very cute, but not warm enough for 20'

ok, so after the food, none of which was near as good as the stuff I get at home.(all homes)..they had dancing..I got to say, Chileans can dance! old and young. they get on the floor and do not stop..it is quite impressive. and good moves too. the times I have gone to the clubs to go and dance I cannot believe how amazing, no offense my American boys, but they got you beat. and me too for that matter..I have to left feet. most of the time no one notices, but geez, it can be intimidating..

So around about midnight, the bride and groom came out wearing cool hats and glasses, and the dj turned over the stage to a live band, with all kindas instruments...I left around 2am, with the floor still packed...Carla stayed til 7am...how is this possible???

well, the wedding was nice, no toasts that I noticed, the cake...well, it was wierd..it looked fake, like candy and plaster...and was way too sweet..I do not know if the bride and groom even cutted a piece because they did not make a big to do of it..before the cake there was a dessert buffet, way better then the dinner...with spears of fruit, a milky/leche cake and some other desserts...tiramisui, and what else?? I think a icecream, which was more gelatoee...but I did not have any of that...

over all good times....questions??

Patronato

So the work week went fine, had another event at the Australian Embassy (loving that aussie wine), that was lots of fun, and had some dinner with some people from work which was also good times. Then Thursday it was a birthday of a cousin of Carlas so we went over to his mom´s house, there was some family there, and his friends. a very nice time. ya! dawn, getting to conversate fairly well in spanish..I think it helps that in the office 2 of the ladies only speak Spanish, and one of them is a teacher, so most of the time we talk, it is like her ¨teaching¨me...so a-ok when people talk slow...

On Friday after work Carla and I met up with one of her friends from High School and his girlfriend. At this place, called Flannerys, it is an Irish Pub, I know, going to an Irish Pub in Chile, what the heck? but it is fun and I am getting to know the people that work there...We had a nice chill time. Then on the way home Carla and I got some chicken for dinner. so far I prefer the homemade food to most restuarantes, but have been to 2 good ones..and getting to know places to take you all when you decide to come and visit. hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink.

On Saturday we went to Patronato it is a big shopping area, where supposedly all the vendors and shop owners buy their products..so supposedly amazing prices..so could anyone imagine that I would want to go there? (notice all the supposedlys?) yes of course, the only problem is with work it would be difficult to get there on a weekday, but the weekend is absolutely hectic crowded, insane(they are only open on Saturdays). Anyways, so out of everyone I know, they only, and I do mean ONLY person I would reccomend this to would be Cita, maybe Cecilia...you have to be a serious shopper to deal with the crowds..plus, well, in my opinion the deals were not the good. but I think I might of mentioned that things are more expsensive here then what I had expected? also here in the shops, they have announcers, sounds like the radio, trying to get you to come in, bad music (well it could be good, but just distracting at this point) and people pushing into you...

Anways, so here I am walking through the market-streets-stores..so crowded with rude women, the day is hot, and I am just not feeling it. plus, like I think I may be the most thrifty person in the world, but I have found better deals at Macys...oh I miss Macys, and Ross, but did I mention that I AM proud of myself for cutting out most of my consumeristic ways? yes I still buy things, but really not too often..so go dawn..speaking of which I got a cute red tanktop $6 (3 mil), really cute dress (casual) $10, $5 mil, and a nice shirt for work, same price as the dress, a little butterfly change bag, 1 mil and a pretty necklace 2mil...my conversion into US dollars has something to be desired, but it does the job. So that was patronato, maybe better on the weekdayS? maybe not, but I do like what I got

Today I am going to go to a friend of Carla´s from the Embassy, she is an Australian women, not sure how long she has been in Chile. But we started talking about books on Wednesday and she said she would loan me some. ya!!

ya to books!

Loving La Playa

OK, so went to the Beach House this weekend..it was freaking awesome. I had a balcony, which anyone who has hunted for a house with me knows I love, in addition it had a view to the Ocean..oh how purty...So we got there late on Friday night and stopped at the local grocery store that closes at 11pm...It was dark, dusty, and had 2 guys working in there, I had to scrunge around for tea and milk, kinda reminds me of like the small tahoe storse, though I think those are a lot cuter and cleaner...This town, not the Cachagua, but rather the one right next to it, cause it had the grocery store, had a few vegtable-fruit markets, that were closed and then a outdoor videogame place...how random is that? once we arrived at the playa casa, or casa del playa? well I was pretty tired, and the wonderful person who helped me pack, as I had to work until we left forgot my glasses, so I ended up crashing early since the contacts were dry from the day and market...


on saturday I woke up nice and early made a cup of tea, it was gross!! blind and blurry dawn bought some yucky kind rather then the regular black...ok, have I gripped yet about how chile is awesome, but they tend to only have powdered coffee?? and that I brought beans, but that my grinder broke the 2nd day I was here??

ok, anyways, back to the beach at Zapallar, so we drove around, it was beautiful..not exactly sandy, more like walking around on the cliffs and possiblity of getting hit by the water, but it was really nice for me as I realize I am a beach baby...it is also quite nice in that from one side you see the ocean, and then you look over and there are Mountains, or Hills...geez, my sense of such things are horrid......then after chilling and resting at the beach for a few hours we drove to another little town, papudo, all like 5 minutes away from eachother. At Papudo we went to a restaraunt with an amazing view, well as is sometimes the habit with pretty views (though not always) the food, service and speed had a lot to be desired...

then it was pretty cool cause after lunch we went and did some more grocery shopping, I think the ocean air most of made the folks hungry..and they were all these really dinky shops, so you buy bread from one, meat from another, tea from another etc...and then in the midsts of our shopping there was a huge political rally...well not quite, but a row of about 10 - 15 cars waving flags and shouting the name of their politican of choice...kinda cool, like an old town parade?

Sunday was pretty much the same as Saturday, but we went to Vina Del Mar, which is one of the larger beach towns in this area of Chile, it was awesome, beautiful..and I would say if you were to move to Chile, to move there...yes there are some pretty parts of Santiago, but you cannot beat the unpolluted Ocean views...well I am sure there was some pollution, but none that I could see....That night we had some Mexican, it was, well OK, I think I could make a better dish...but you got to appreciate what is out there...

ttyl

I survived Independence Day, or was it week? or month?

Well a week after a long weekend, some people think it means the work will be longer? I am not sure...anyways, so I have been working pretty late, but I really do not mind it as the other directors do the same thing..The only thing is there is definately a part of me that feels if I am going to be working trechoursly long hours I would like it to be for either A saving the world, or B cause I am making like LOTS of money..neither which is exactly the case at the moment. but I more or less like my job, the people I work with, responsiblities. In addition I have been looking at this as like a type of stipend to learn Spanish..




On Wednesday I went back to San Cristobal hill, or was it mountain?, I had gone there on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, basically beautiful area in the middle of the city..This time I went with Carla and some guys from Australia. We went up in these little bubble boxy things, kinda the same things that go over the boardwalk, what the heck are they called? and it gives you an amazing view of the Hill-Park as well as the entire city. After that we went to Bella Vista which is kinda like Pacific Beach, well without the Beach, but one of the areas that lots of people go out to in Santiago. It was pretty mellow as not only was it a Wednesday night, but also before 10pm when things start popping...

the weather has been a little odd lately, one day it is like very warm, 25-20 ´, which I think is like 80´, but I really cannot go back and forth on Celsius, or Fahrenheit...and then the next day, like today, it feels like the 60s. So I always bring my Aunties Scarfs in my purse just to make sure that later in the day I will be able to warm up when necessary..



Hmmm, now today, is rather grey, but it is good, cause I can wear my colder weather Friday we are getting ready to go to the Coast for the weekend, pretty awesome we are going to be staying at the Embassy Beach House, kinda feel like a High Roller! the name of the Port is Cayuga or Cachugyua? or? I think, as usually my spelling is probably off...whether it be in English or Spanish...

MY ADDRESS

is Ave Independencia 391
Puente Alto
Santiago Chile

my cell is 99776850, not sure how you call me..and I have a house number too but cannot remember it at the moment..

Independence Day

Well, day one went well...they celebrate for 2 days as National Holidays, but then also the whole weekend-week, and really the whole month....

Like I said earlier, lots of cute kids, and some adults wearing all kindas of random folklore and traditional attire...also there is a drink called ChiCha, it is very sweet, winish-hard alcohol, kinda like a wine cooler? a little too sweet for me. which is saying lots...

So we had 1 grandma, (well great to some) 3 more, that are also Aunts, 1 Uncle (ok first level) then their kids, which are 3 parents, and then tht would make like 10 aunts and uncles, and then like 7 younger age kids, 1 mama dog, and 3 puppies...I think thats right..and enough meat, chicken, cow, pig to feed an army..hmm, besides BBQ, lots of music, card playing, and general fun..started around12pm until 7pm..last party was from like 2pm to 10.30pm, and these Chileans sure do have energy. Did I mention tht my work had a little party too on Tuesday? that was fun, but boo, wanted Empanadas that were not fried with veggies, I think I mentioned this...


For example when you go to Bars or Clubs they are open until like 5am..or maybe later..geez, and there are lots of people there....Last night it was kinda fun we went to a Grunge Party at a club of Carla´s friend..they had a cover band for Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and there was supposed to be one for ALice and Chains and Pearl Jam but they were planning too late for me...It was crazy, I do not think I have seen that many long haired folks my age, in like ever...I definately felt like I was stuck in the 90s..kinda cool, kinda fobby..more cool then not though...and another wierd thing is these cover bands, well no accents when singing, but at the same time could not speak any English..and then the owners of the club played some Jimi Hendrix.....

Very interesting to be completly out of America but to see the impact, of Music, Movies, not sure about Fashion buyt definately some of the same styles....some completly outdated, and some folks could be in any Metropolitan City, oh wait, I guess this is one, so it makes sense.

I am having a good time meeting people, improving Spanish and working. But I am going to be honest in that I miss my friends and family. Everyone here is nice and very welcoming, but it is not the same as the people you have known for your whole life, or who vacate a big part of your heart, or soul....boo..now when I acknowledge this I get even more remorse....but I knew this would happen travelling and living half way across the world...

grr..I want a cookie...

OK, pro of Santiago, when I straighten my hair it stays more straight then not..con, I cannot seem to find the right hair products...but another pro is it looks like there is a way to get Avon out here (they do sell it) so I am going to work on that. I also contacted the AAC, American, some association or something about going to a meeting..this will be a good way to meet folks and at the same time I think they have a book trade...I also found out about some English Bookstores, but really need to make my way to them.My working hours are long, but I think the places will still be open afterwards.

xoxo

ps, no clue on how to change my post style, but working on it.

Work, Life, Viva la Chile

Sorry for the delay in blog...basically I waited a few days last week because there was a job offer that I got, and I wanted to wait and see what happened before I posted anything....

So here is the update, the Language Institute that I teach at, well, I was Dawn, making suggestions, etc..and well about 2 weeks later was offered a position as like the Marketing Director, or such...I am going to be going to different buisness and meetings to promite BEA. I also and doing the outreach to finding more teachers and doing other work around the office. In addition to my regular teaching responsibilities.,..this is cool, cause one, well I like positive valadation from jobs..And two, well I got a contract, which means I am getting a workers VISA which means I am basically on my way to being legal! how cool is that. So ya!! Dawn get´s health care! and Chilean retirment!...well not sure how the retirment funds-pension will help, but good to know it is there...

OK, what else happened, well this last weekend I went up to the Mountains, saw a River, though it kinda seemed like more of a creek to me, but maybe that was just the spot I was looking at. Kinda cool, cactus in one spot, next to a River, which is in the Mountains...Also neat, saw an old man riding a horse with like 3 dogs following him, sorry my descriptive wording is lacking at the moment...Then on Sunday went to Saint Cristobal...it is a really pretty Mountain-Hill that is basically in the middle of the city..very pretty. we drove up it, next time I would like to hike up it. they have like Japanenese Gardens, a Zoo and a ginormous statue of the Virgin Mary...pretty cool....

So this week is Independencia in Chile, super big week...Thursday and Friday are National Holidays! what! what! paid not to work..there are these cute folkore dresses sold everywhere (lots of fairs and street vendors in Chile) and you see lots of school kids wearing the attire for performances or different activities...there is a dance I sorta kinda not really learned at work today called the Quaker...I am sure you could look it up..Empanada´s are all over the place, only problem is the cheese ones seem to be fried, so I am looking for other baked veggie options...there will also be lots of BBQ´s this week, yummy...and they have this drink called Chi Cha...cannot spell, very sweet, very alcoholic...oh and pisco is the other Chilean drink, which is not to great in my opinion, I do not think most Chileans even like it.

Cool random thing about Chile, on the buses there are performers, who have guitars, drumbs, or anything and just start performing, pretty cool....crappy thing, although bus are a great concept they seem to be rocking, stoppy and annoying....but maybe that was just todays experience??

Trabajar and other updates

Work. well I like teaching. that is fun. I get to joke around, prepare, teach and have a good time. The Agency, Institute, Academy, or whatever it is called that I work for. Well they also do translations so for like 7 hours today I worked on translations, this is good cause one I am learning Spanish (I mainly correct the English part) but then I also am getting extra bucks...people dress up here more for work, so it has been an adventure working on the wardrobe, good news is I never need a reason to buy new clothes....

hmm, good news, well I am super comfortable on metro, and fairly good with bus, so ya to getting around independently!!!

Puppies are doing great...they can hop out of their mini fence just fine, but I noticed they also hop back in. I will need to go ahead and get them a better fence. I realize that I should take a more active role in finding them homes, but I think they are under a month, and super small, so it is OK to keep them longer, right??

oh, bad news, for some reason Chileans tax their books, so not only am I having a hard time in finding them, but they also cost way too much money....hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink....esp. to those who know the books I like...and of course any books you would reccomend? should I put a list up...

hello my name is Dawn and I am shameless :)

ps I am also a klutz who has a blue thumb again..geez! twice in one year. outta control

Voldovia

rain is all I gotta say. so apparently I picked the wrong season to travel on a bus for over 10 hours...it was like crazy yo! flooded streets and none stop..one cool thing is we walked down to the Rio and got some amazing salmon, I think the entire Salmon was like 500 pesos, like $1 and it was awesome...yum yum yum. the family that I went with, (cousins of Carla) well the husband is a cheif and made it up right and nice. they also made this soup with shells, but that ain´t my thing...did I mention that the food in Chile is awesome? yes, I am liking it....another point for Chile. oh negative point, is that there is not hot water, it is all like gas run, so you need to turn on the gas to make it so you can take a hot shower..crappy!! super crappy..and sometimes you have to bring your own tolit paper to public restrooms.., or it is all outside of the stalls...so friends, when you come and visit, either BYOTP or look around the bathroom before you drop draws..

ok, more on Voldovia..so from the fair we were like 5 feet from Elephant and regular Seals..that was pretty neat. Also went on a boat ride on the river, saw some Blackneck Swains and other birds...lots of neat birds in Chile, you can see Parrots flying about in the streets.....

house and the neighborhood

Have I told you guys about it yet? I think not, and am starting to get worried that I will be repetitive..someone let me know...So let me tell you, I live in a neighborhood called Puente Alto, to some it is low income, but they probably say the same thing about PA that they would say about Live Oak. which in my opinon is not bad. Plus, we live in a gated community, so no one can get into your house, yard, etc. there are guards...it is very common, but sounds kinda wierd-scary to say that... but all the houses are behind gates, so it is not like apartment community, etc. we are very close to the metro which is great since that is how I get around etc. but Carla has a car for shopping, etc. but metro is very economical. and a fun way to look at people and get around...The metro runs early AM to like midnight, then there are buses 24 hours a day, or cabs, or cabs that have a pre-paid amount. on the metro there are not many scary folks, though today I did see a clown which kinda freaked me out. sometimes on the buses people sell candy, or there are folks selling pastries infront of stations, I have not really been interested in buying for a variety of reasons..ya to not getting sick!!

You would love the place I am staying at, Carla´s Aunt, who basically raised her, ... anyways, she likes to prepare meals for the whole family, and makes a big effort for it to be food I can eat. chicken fish, they eat white rice, and white bread, which my dad would love. and makes me laugh as I am the brown-whole wheat kind, but who am I to complain to homemade meals??So in Chile they really only one meal a day (lunch, it is later after 1pm). the rest is bread, tea, etc....so for the last week I have been eating with them at lunch when Carla works..(the grown up daughter comes to eat lunch with the family just about everyday with her daughter who is turning 1 in Septemeber).so since I got a job Tia Patricia is packing up my lunch (how crazy is that)..I tell her not to worry, but she does the same thing for her son and Carla..quite the treatment...she trys to bring me tea to my bedroom in the AM and make my bed...weird, but sweet...Their Grandma lives on the other side of the house, basically it is a 2 houses turned into one. anyways, grandma is a little cooky, but always nice to me, we have fun with the language barrier..and well you know about the puppies..whenever I feel bummed I grab one of them...

so more desciptions on the house, you can walk in through one side, pass a laundry room, office, living room and go upstairs to one side of the house with 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, all rooms are very small..Carla and I share a room, we both have a twin, one pulls out from the other...and then the other side is where Abuelita lives and I think it is the same set up, with another dining room and the kitchen....outside is BBQ and there is a front yard too. I love the way Tia decorates, lots of bright colors for the wall mixed with neat art work. and some cool vintage-anitques...

one of the things I love about Chile and esp the folks I live with here is that nothing goes to waste...hmm, not sure where that thought came from..ok, before this becomes any more fragmented...

xoxo
Dawn
ps today I learned about present simple and present continous! tomorrow I will teach it..wo ho

and

two puppies on my lap. which makes typing a little more difficult. they are really cute, black bear and old man. black bear, is well, black, and very rambunctous, old man, has beautiful puppy dog eyes and a pouchy stomache. I want to keep all 4 dogs, one has already gone to a new home (there were 5). but that would probably not be the best of ideas....what would imigration say?


ok, so back to the job..so I am working as an english teacher-advisor to buisness folks in Chile. One of the companies I work at is Unitel, they sell Dove, Knorr, and lots of other products you might know of. problem with the job is the hours are kinda wierd, like 8am, and then not another class until like 1.30pm. so I am not sure if I will stick with the company. overall I do like the people that work there....and who I am teaching, but the logisitics of the job are not the best...so who knows..

ok, time warp time to............

um, last weekend, I went up the Mountains a bit, got some home made bread, and then went to a bar-lounge place downtown. pretty fun. Sunday chilled because a cold came upon me and then on Monday had my 2nd interview which lead to working Tuesday and Wednesday....oh ya, a little bit of bad news, I slammed my thumb (same one that was injured before) in a car door. it hurt.....um...but the puppies are kissing it better....

something I am really proud of myself? well I am definately learning how to nevigate both the metro and buses here. I have been getting back and forth to work on my own and making it to other appointments as well. I am really liking that feeling of independence, although it does take forever to get around. but that is kinda the way it is. thank g'd for the ipod, and music, kudos, josh and cita (did you know that means date here? wierd..)

tomorrow night I am going to the South of Chile to Valdivia ok i know I spelt that wrong, but when I tried to find the correct spelling, I could not find one..anyways, it is supposed to be pretty, and rainy. it will be about a 10 hour bus ride. I will be going with Natalia, Victor and Victoria, Natalia is Carla´s cousin who I met in States but moved back with her husband and child this year. Natalia has a sister who is learning to be an English teacher down there. I am excited about the adventure and seeing a new place...

is that better alyssa?

I got a job!

Australian Embassy

OK, so last night I went with Carla to an Australian Embassy event...pretty cool, dressed up, had some South Australian wine and munchies..talked with some Australians who are doing some movie in Chile and the different folks who work at the Embassy. Then I talked with a Chilean who is a head hunter of sorts, which could of theoretically been a great time for me to be amazing and have him get me a job...but the guy asked me what is my dream job, etc. well, I figured out after I got my dream job and worked it for a few years that all that matters with a job is how you go in every morning. and I do not know what I want to do with my life. here I am off in Chile, learning Spanish, a new culture, and hoping to get any job when this guy is quizzing me! grrr...so I bombed that quiz..should I of lied and said my dream job was to get the dogs off the streets? or lower the polution rates of Santiago? hmmm, oh well...then last night I really could not sleep cause I was thinking about job stuff..and one idea that popped into my head was that if I have a hard time finding a job I could volunteer somewhere for a bit(maybe US Embassy, doesn´t that sound swanky?). for a few different reasons my cost of living here is low, so that is plausible, and knowing me and my work habits it could turn into a job fast. oh well...

today I am going to lunch at Carlás prima´s house who lived in California for a bit, she and her husband know a good amount of English so it should be fun. Then I am going to take the Metro to meet Carla at the Embassy and I think we are going ot go Karoke!! ya for singing songs in a new language...

I helped Panchita, the youngest who lives at our house for a English Test and she got 100%!! Ya!

Want to here something funny? I met a Mexican buisness man and tried to get him to adopt one of the puppies..did not quite work out, but it was funny...

xoxo
Dawn
ps I saw the movie Wanted with Angelina Jolie, (sp?) not only was it kinda bad but someone needs to throw that girl a hamburger..jajajaja

Happy Birthday Twins..

and belated Birthday to Deed and Debb.......and sorry in advance to all the birthdays I have forgotten or will forget, maybe I need to get a calander...one of the best gifts I got was a calander with everyones birthday on it..hint hint, nudge nudge, wnk, wink

anyways, So yesterday I made chocolate chip cookies for the folks here...at lunch we were having a conversation about cookies, and Danielle (older daughter of Tia) and Tia had never had a homemade cookie. Well I of course could not fathom such a thing. So I went to the supermarket, and tried to explain what chocolate chips are (could not find any so I bought chocolate bars and cut them up) here they have cantebury, no hersheys.....everyone seemed to like them, though I think I will have to work on the recipe...does anyone have any recipes they would like to reccomend? mom? or other recipes? I think I am going to make lunch for everyone...hmmm, so what else happened? not much, but I think my Spanish is getting better as everyone but Carla doesn´t really speak much english so during the day when Carla is at work I am full Spanish....I applied for some jobs teaching English and already have an interview on Friday! Wish me luck...though let´s be real in that it takes a long time to get a job........

puppy update!!

how could I forget??? there are puppies here!! la casa tenemos puppies!!! they are so cute. their are five of them. I imagine we are not going to have them for long. but I am in love...

weekend update!

OK, so I am just writing a little blog to let everyone know how things are going in Chile.....I would like to disclaim, I am not a good speller, my grammer is not the best and so I apologise in advance...now you the reader does not need to give me spelling corrections from here on out....I imagine it will only get worse as I try to straddle two different worlds of language...ya know?? oh yes and one more awesome thing, I am typing on a chilean keyboard, so everything is in a different spot...muy intersante...good thing is I have ñ, so I can write in spanish...anyways...sorry to get off on a tangent...

so I flew out of SFO on Tuesday morning, the flights were fine..I actually ended up sitting next to a Chilean on his way back from Hawaii for the first flight...then in Miami I transfered to Avianca and flew into Colombia....all my connections went well, yes it was a little bizzarre and once I was in Miami everything was in Spanish! eck. cool thing was that Avianca gives warm towels out. that was nice...so I arrived in Chile on Wednesday at 4.30am, paid a fee and was on my way to the baggage claim, when what do you know, my baggage was left in Miami! awesome...I am so used to this...so good thing I had an extra pair of jeans and glasses, etc. so it was OK...my friend Carla picked me up. poor girl had to wait like 2 hours! eck...then we went to her house which is in Puente Alta, like a little community of Santiago. Carla lives with her Aunt (who is super duper awesome) little cousin named Panchita y another cousin named Guido. oh yes and Carla´s grandma also lives in the house, but it is kinda like two houses and one...so Carla´s aunt cooks super yummy food, making me lots of things with chicken, fish and always making sure there is bottled water for me and lots to eat. I really like the fact that Chileans eat a huge lunch almuerzo and then just a light tea and toast for dinner. let´s see, Thursday, or was it Wednesday? Carla and I went off to the mall to buy me some clothes, oh ya, the airline gave me $80 for displacing my luggage..so I got some cute sweaters and an awesome wool coat..it is red! ya!! and we just chilled, then my luggage did come on Friday which was super awesome and I got back all my shoes! ya....ok, so Saturday there was a huge family party, Carla´s aunt has like 8 brothers and sisters, and although not all of them came there was lots of folks...it was a BBQ and started around 2pm and went til at least 10 or 11pm, not sure on the whole time thing, we ended with a game of shirades...ok I know I spelt that wrong..and yes, it was awesome...so yes, everything is going well. I think my spanish is improving my friend from the airplane gave me an extra diccionario and I am looking for jobs this week. I love the family here they are being super duper to me and miss you all. xoxo Dawn