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...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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
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
Monday, October 13, 2008
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??
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??
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??
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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!
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!
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