I will never get sick of the music here.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Popos Gone Mad
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/30/ecuador.violence/index.html?hpt=T1
Even with police attacking the president here in Ecuador and other crazy things happening (thanks to my handy dandy NY Times Reader aka my new obsession)... I'm still rooting for the betterment of the world.
Go world.
UGH that video of Armstrong makes me MEEELT. Love it.
Even with police attacking the president here in Ecuador and other crazy things happening (thanks to my handy dandy NY Times Reader aka my new obsession)... I'm still rooting for the betterment of the world.
Go world.
UGH that video of Armstrong makes me MEEELT. Love it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Independent as a cow, free as a bird
"No matter how much man gains wealth, riches and opulence in this world, he will not become as independent as a cow. For these fattened cows roam freely over the vast tableland. All the prairies and meadows are theirs for drinking! No matter how much they graze, the fields will not be exhausted! It is evident that they have earned these material bounties with the utmost facility."
"Still more ideal than this life is the life of a bird. A bird, on the summit of a mountain, on the high, wavering branches, has built for itself a nest more beautiful than the palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, the panorama charming and enchanting..."
"...Hence, no matter how much man may advance in this world, he shall not attain to the station of a bird. Thus it becomes evident that int he matters of this world, however much man may strive and work to the point of death, he will be unable to earn the abundance, the freedom and the independent life of a small bird. This proves and establishes the fact that man is not created for the life of this ephemeral world - nay, rather, is he created for the acquirement of infinite perfections, for the attainment to the sublimity of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the throne of everlasting sovereignty! Upon you be Bahá'u'l-Abhá!"
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan
This picture was taken with my iPhone. I visited an indigenous Baha'i family at an indigenous village/farm. They have a children's class there... in Kitchwa, the language of the indigenous people. I hope to go....
The past week I've been attending an intensive study of the Faith (all in Spanish) with other Baha'i service youth from around Ecuador. My schedule is this:
5:30am - Wake up/ get ready
6:30am - Leave house for school bus
7:00am - School starts
1:30pm - School ends
2:00pm - Join other youth at intensive study
9:00pm - Come back home
11:00pm - After reading my daily NY Time Reader, skyping my mama and papa, writing emails... SLEEP
I wrote to Parisa (my soul sista) describing myself during these days as "exhausted, tired, inspired, motivated, happy, frustrated, and sleepy." She promptly wrote back saying "sounds like you're on the right path to service!" Hahahah. Yes.
And now... sleep. :)
"Still more ideal than this life is the life of a bird. A bird, on the summit of a mountain, on the high, wavering branches, has built for itself a nest more beautiful than the palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, the panorama charming and enchanting..."
"...Hence, no matter how much man may advance in this world, he shall not attain to the station of a bird. Thus it becomes evident that int he matters of this world, however much man may strive and work to the point of death, he will be unable to earn the abundance, the freedom and the independent life of a small bird. This proves and establishes the fact that man is not created for the life of this ephemeral world - nay, rather, is he created for the acquirement of infinite perfections, for the attainment to the sublimity of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the throne of everlasting sovereignty! Upon you be Bahá'u'l-Abhá!"
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan
The past week I've been attending an intensive study of the Faith (all in Spanish) with other Baha'i service youth from around Ecuador. My schedule is this:
5:30am - Wake up/ get ready
6:30am - Leave house for school bus
7:00am - School starts
1:30pm - School ends
2:00pm - Join other youth at intensive study
9:00pm - Come back home
11:00pm - After reading my daily NY Time Reader, skyping my mama and papa, writing emails... SLEEP
I wrote to Parisa (my soul sista) describing myself during these days as "exhausted, tired, inspired, motivated, happy, frustrated, and sleepy." She promptly wrote back saying "sounds like you're on the right path to service!" Hahahah. Yes.
And now... sleep. :)
Friday, September 24, 2010
Roberta
In the Kindergarten class, there's an autistic boy, Pablito. In Spanish, you can add ito/ita at the end the name of a young/small person. It's really cute. The kindergarteners call me Maryamsita. Baha! Anyway, for the first few days, he kept pointing at the pizarrón (board), blabbering in Spanish and profusely asking me if I would leave Roberta alone. I had no idea what he was talking about. But every time I approached the board, Pablito would let out a screeching yelp and hide under his desk! I stood in awe and confusion, wondering what the heck was going on (just like the whole female dog thing). To everyone else, it seemed normal, even expected. It felt like I was on the outside of an inside joke between five year olds. I remember even trying to decide if they were clever enough to collectively play a practical joke on me.
Roberta is a bug. She's a big, fat, black beetle with scary pinchers and six legs. She lives on top of the pizarrón in the Kindergarten's classroom. Pablito is deathly afraid of her. All the other students become very cautious around Roberta. She is used to threaten the kids into behaving well. Kinda messed up in my opinion, but it's pretty hilarious.
The thing about Roberta is that she's fake. Completely 100% plastic. But the kids don't know that...
What's funnier is the extent to which Paula will go to convincing these kids that Roberta is real and that she will pinch you if you misbehave. One time, the kids were coloring a picture of a tree, a river, the sun, a flower, and grass. We were learning colors, so I was telling them to "dibuja el sol yellow" when I heard a gasp come from the front of the room. I turned to see Paula squeezing her right index finger within her left hand and Roberta on the floor. The entire class fell completely silent. "Roberta!!!!" Paula cried, "She pinched me!!!" Slowly, the class got out of their seats and walked over to examen Paula's finger, carefully avoiding Roberta on the floor. Paula had quickly wrapped her finger, but beneath the tape you could still see a faint red stain. No one acted out for the rest of the class period.
Roberta wasn't in class today... I have no idea where she went. What I do know is that I had to stand next to Pablito the entire class hour to make sure he didn't lay over the edge of his desk, didn't pick his nose too often, and stayed in his seat. One time he tried to get past me by pushing his head against my legs and jumping/running/spinning.
“Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world.” - Baha'u'llah
Today in class, as I was wiping the snot off Pablito's face, I thought about how wiping off snot from this child has anything to do with the progress of humanity and The Baha'i Faith. There are times when it feels like I'm doing nothing... but in reality building a better world has to start somewhere, even if it is with snot. Just as long as I wipe it off with "praiseworthy character and upright conduct"....
Also, I went to Quito twice this week for visa registration stuff. Quito is below the equator and Otavalo is above the equator. The toilets in Otavalo flush counter-clockwise. The toilets in Quito flush clockwise. Muahhahahahahhahahaha so cool.
Roberta is a bug. She's a big, fat, black beetle with scary pinchers and six legs. She lives on top of the pizarrón in the Kindergarten's classroom. Pablito is deathly afraid of her. All the other students become very cautious around Roberta. She is used to threaten the kids into behaving well. Kinda messed up in my opinion, but it's pretty hilarious.
The thing about Roberta is that she's fake. Completely 100% plastic. But the kids don't know that...
What's funnier is the extent to which Paula will go to convincing these kids that Roberta is real and that she will pinch you if you misbehave. One time, the kids were coloring a picture of a tree, a river, the sun, a flower, and grass. We were learning colors, so I was telling them to "dibuja el sol yellow" when I heard a gasp come from the front of the room. I turned to see Paula squeezing her right index finger within her left hand and Roberta on the floor. The entire class fell completely silent. "Roberta!!!!" Paula cried, "She pinched me!!!" Slowly, the class got out of their seats and walked over to examen Paula's finger, carefully avoiding Roberta on the floor. Paula had quickly wrapped her finger, but beneath the tape you could still see a faint red stain. No one acted out for the rest of the class period.
Roberta wasn't in class today... I have no idea where she went. What I do know is that I had to stand next to Pablito the entire class hour to make sure he didn't lay over the edge of his desk, didn't pick his nose too often, and stayed in his seat. One time he tried to get past me by pushing his head against my legs and jumping/running/spinning.
“Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world.” - Baha'u'llah
Today in class, as I was wiping the snot off Pablito's face, I thought about how wiping off snot from this child has anything to do with the progress of humanity and The Baha'i Faith. There are times when it feels like I'm doing nothing... but in reality building a better world has to start somewhere, even if it is with snot. Just as long as I wipe it off with "praiseworthy character and upright conduct"....
Also, I went to Quito twice this week for visa registration stuff. Quito is below the equator and Otavalo is above the equator. The toilets in Otavalo flush counter-clockwise. The toilets in Quito flush clockwise. Muahhahahahahhahahaha so cool.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I am a sailboat
"The beginning in particular is the roughest, because that’s when you get the first jolt of “do you really want to serve Me”? It’s the sound of all of our expectations and hopes shattering without mercy."
Thanks J <3
Thanks J <3
Monday, September 20, 2010
LJG
1. She's writing a book. I've read some of it... amazing.
2. She plays video games.
3. She plays dragon vgames, football, basketball, rachet&clank, supersmash, and more. And kicks butt at it.
4. She's always been an individual. She makes her own path and really don't care what people think. She's my inspiration.
5. She dances like Mr. Bean.
6. She loves Mr. Bean.
7. She can eat a whole huge bag of Hot Cheetos in less than 30 min.
8. She's tall.
9. She can sing higher than me. Ugh.
10. She dances with me in my top secret dance videos that will never be posted.
11. She lets me cuddle with her.
12. She plays basketball.
13. She's killer at the trumpet.
14. I love her.
15. She used to pick her nose and then she'd put her boogers on the bathroom wall.
16. She looks good with braces
17. She sings/dances in the car with me
18. She's my sister
The following is an expert from her short story based off a book she had to read for a book report. It's titled The Uglies.
Tally glanced nervously at Peris. He flashed her an arrogant smile.
“Don’t worry Squint, we wont get caught. After all it would take an awful lot of wardens to hunt us down,” he declared
“Shush!! Do you want them to find us?” She whispered. It was, after all, their first break out. They moved into their Ugly dorms just a week ago, listening to all the older Uglies brag about their adventures slipping away from the Dorm minders and having a lot of fun in the woods. Some brave ones even went into “no-Ugly” land, New Pretty Town.
“Tally-wa, there’s no one around, not even the wardens can hear a mile, besides who cares if they catch us. It’s not like other Uglies have ever gotten caught,” he announced. Tally shrugged. Before they snuck out of the dorm Peris explained to her that no Ugly had snuck out when they were only twelve. They would become legends! It had made perfect sense a few hours ago, but now that they were actually going through with it, Tally was starting to get cold feet. “Look, I promise you, if we were going to be in any danger, I wouldn’t risk it. But everyone else has gone, so it’s okay for us.”
“Not everyone has broken into New Pretty Town. Barely any of the old Uglies have gone either!” She exclaimed. Peris frowned slightly. He turned his head to watch the bright lights of New Pretty Town. Even in Uglyville you could hear the music playing at the hundreds of parties going on.
“Why don’t you want to have an adventure, Squint?”
“I do, but . . .”
“Then lets go! What’s the worst that can happen?”
Tally gulped and looked down. Suddenly a smile exploded on her face. “Okay Nose, lets do it.”
2. She plays video games.
3. She plays dragon vgames, football, basketball, rachet&clank, supersmash, and more. And kicks butt at it.
4. She's always been an individual. She makes her own path and really don't care what people think. She's my inspiration.
5. She dances like Mr. Bean.
6. She loves Mr. Bean.
7. She can eat a whole huge bag of Hot Cheetos in less than 30 min.
8. She's tall.
9. She can sing higher than me. Ugh.
10. She dances with me in my top secret dance videos that will never be posted.
11. She lets me cuddle with her.
12. She plays basketball.
13. She's killer at the trumpet.
14. I love her.
15. She used to pick her nose and then she'd put her boogers on the bathroom wall.
16. She looks good with braces
17. She sings/dances in the car with me
18. She's my sister
The following is an expert from her short story based off a book she had to read for a book report. It's titled The Uglies.
Tally glanced nervously at Peris. He flashed her an arrogant smile.
“Don’t worry Squint, we wont get caught. After all it would take an awful lot of wardens to hunt us down,” he declared
“Shush!! Do you want them to find us?” She whispered. It was, after all, their first break out. They moved into their Ugly dorms just a week ago, listening to all the older Uglies brag about their adventures slipping away from the Dorm minders and having a lot of fun in the woods. Some brave ones even went into “no-Ugly” land, New Pretty Town.
“Tally-wa, there’s no one around, not even the wardens can hear a mile, besides who cares if they catch us. It’s not like other Uglies have ever gotten caught,” he announced. Tally shrugged. Before they snuck out of the dorm Peris explained to her that no Ugly had snuck out when they were only twelve. They would become legends! It had made perfect sense a few hours ago, but now that they were actually going through with it, Tally was starting to get cold feet. “Look, I promise you, if we were going to be in any danger, I wouldn’t risk it. But everyone else has gone, so it’s okay for us.”
“Not everyone has broken into New Pretty Town. Barely any of the old Uglies have gone either!” She exclaimed. Peris frowned slightly. He turned his head to watch the bright lights of New Pretty Town. Even in Uglyville you could hear the music playing at the hundreds of parties going on.
“Why don’t you want to have an adventure, Squint?”
“I do, but . . .”
“Then lets go! What’s the worst that can happen?”
Tally gulped and looked down. Suddenly a smile exploded on her face. “Okay Nose, lets do it.”
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Watching with a stern-full eye
http://www.iranpresswatch.org/post/6774
http://news.bahai.org/story/787
It truly breaks my heart but it also serves as harsh reminder that I've taken many things for granted. Here I am, in the midst of my undergraduate career (well... in the midst of a break in the midst of my undergrad :P) and I lose motivation, I hate doing school work, I stress over small little grades, and I'm already doubting myself about my future education (upper division classes/MCAT/med school/etc). Yeah, I suppose some of those things are legitimate concerns of a college student, but sometimes it all becomes overbearing and I forget how lucky I am to be in school. The Baha'i youth in Iran are denied education. The only way you can attend a university as an Iranian Baha'i is if you "recant your belief system, your way of life and the values and teachings that have guided you for the last 18 years." That's not okay. It's just not okay. I'm happy to be here in Ecuador, giving these children an opportunity to learn some English and Art from a goofy, upbeat, bad-spanish speaking girl... but I'm definitely looking forward to returning to the States to continue my education and never take school with it's stupid/useless gen. eds, it's tortuously 12 paged labs, the pains of procrastination, and all the brutally boring projects for granted again. I hope. Ha.
http://wvgazette.com/Entertainment/flipsidenews/201006110871
In other news, it's pretty cold here. Cold meaning I'm used to rocking the jeans shorts and flip flops with my desert sun beating down my back. But here, the sun is shy and it barely peeks in through the sky. Why were we taught in school that the equator is an incredibly hot place to live? Maybe for schools not in Arizona, that's an appropriate fact. Needless to say, I miss the sun. But back to the cold, I've been trying out this whole concept of drinking warm fluids (coffee, tea, etc) to keep warm and I'm pretty sure my tongue isn't very happy considering I keep burning it. I just hate that I make my drink and then sit there and wait for it to cool down. I'm thirsty, I made a drink, I want to drink it but I can't and instead it sits there, taunting me with it's yummy smell, making me exercise patience. Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery for my tongue. Bahah.
Thanks to Yasmin for recommending Nellie McKay! She's hilarious and a fantastic musician and her voice is perfect with the uke. I think I might like her version of this standard better than Bing Crosby's...
Also... I love this song (and it may or may not be because of SYTYCD...). Weird music video though. Sometimes I really don't understand the abstract indie/folk scene.
SYTYCD Kent & Neil (the dance is about being stabbed in the back by a friend = chills!)
Mollee Gray
http://news.bahai.org/story/787
It truly breaks my heart but it also serves as harsh reminder that I've taken many things for granted. Here I am, in the midst of my undergraduate career (well... in the midst of a break in the midst of my undergrad :P) and I lose motivation, I hate doing school work, I stress over small little grades, and I'm already doubting myself about my future education (upper division classes/MCAT/med school/etc). Yeah, I suppose some of those things are legitimate concerns of a college student, but sometimes it all becomes overbearing and I forget how lucky I am to be in school. The Baha'i youth in Iran are denied education. The only way you can attend a university as an Iranian Baha'i is if you "recant your belief system, your way of life and the values and teachings that have guided you for the last 18 years." That's not okay. It's just not okay. I'm happy to be here in Ecuador, giving these children an opportunity to learn some English and Art from a goofy, upbeat, bad-spanish speaking girl... but I'm definitely looking forward to returning to the States to continue my education and never take school with it's stupid/useless gen. eds, it's tortuously 12 paged labs, the pains of procrastination, and all the brutally boring projects for granted again. I hope. Ha.
http://wvgazette.com/Entertainment/flipsidenews/201006110871
In other news, it's pretty cold here. Cold meaning I'm used to rocking the jeans shorts and flip flops with my desert sun beating down my back. But here, the sun is shy and it barely peeks in through the sky. Why were we taught in school that the equator is an incredibly hot place to live? Maybe for schools not in Arizona, that's an appropriate fact. Needless to say, I miss the sun. But back to the cold, I've been trying out this whole concept of drinking warm fluids (coffee, tea, etc) to keep warm and I'm pretty sure my tongue isn't very happy considering I keep burning it. I just hate that I make my drink and then sit there and wait for it to cool down. I'm thirsty, I made a drink, I want to drink it but I can't and instead it sits there, taunting me with it's yummy smell, making me exercise patience. Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery for my tongue. Bahah.
Thanks to Yasmin for recommending Nellie McKay! She's hilarious and a fantastic musician and her voice is perfect with the uke. I think I might like her version of this standard better than Bing Crosby's...
Also... I love this song (and it may or may not be because of SYTYCD...). Weird music video though. Sometimes I really don't understand the abstract indie/folk scene.
SYTYCD Kent & Neil (the dance is about being stabbed in the back by a friend = chills!)
Mollee Gray
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Mr. E Food
Val and I are on the hunt for foods we've never seen before, mystery foods....
This is the tomatoloupe because it tasted like a tomato and a cantaloupe combined. And since I really don't care for tomatoes and I love cantaloupe... I am quite torn in formulating an opinion on it.
This is a paste-sauce thing that tasted super salty and Mediterranean-ish. We had it in our first pasta dish... meh. It was alright. Really, really salty though!
But check it, I'm currently reading Harry Potter y la cámera secreta..... and even though I have to look up at least one word in every sentence.... Harry Potter in another language is just as good as it is in English. Weasley is our king, no?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Flip flops
After school today, Val and I went home to relax, eat some snacks, and get ready to go to the children's class (Baha'i inspired spiritual class for lil wee ones) near the house we were originally staying at. Today was a bit warmer than most days and I hadn't worn flip flops in over a week (a personal record). I decided today would be the day to break out my flip flops along with my flipflop tan-line and my black/sparkly polished toes into the Ecuadorian world.
I think God/Mother Nature/the Universe/bad luck thought differently. Maybe I've been spoiled with my Arizonian weather where I can wear flip flops pretty much all year round. Or maybe someone did an intense gyrating rain dance, but the moment I walked out the door it began to rain. Oh wait, did I say rain? It was more like torrential downpour. World-1, Maryam-0.
I have also bought a cactus. It's small and cute and lives on my window sill.
I think God/Mother Nature/the Universe/bad luck thought differently. Maybe I've been spoiled with my Arizonian weather where I can wear flip flops pretty much all year round. Or maybe someone did an intense gyrating rain dance, but the moment I walked out the door it began to rain. Oh wait, did I say rain? It was more like torrential downpour. World-1, Maryam-0.
I have also bought a cactus. It's small and cute and lives on my window sill.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Dorothy's ruby slippers
When I went to Europe, there was a store called "Happy Pills" near Catalunya Plaza that sold candy in the theme of medicine. It was too super cute, hilarious and fun, my brother and I had to buy a bottle for Layli. Anyway, it's the perfect gift for any occasion and since I have two huge birthdays coming up (Parisa and Marina), I wanted to see if there was a possibility to order some to the States. Well... the answer is no (bummer) BUT the fun part is that the site is hilarious and now I really want to go live in Europe for a bit so I can order some bottles monthly. I do think it would drastically increase my happiness! :P
Also, I have just moved into my new apartment with the roomie. One bedroom, one bath, one kitchen. It's humble and has character. The walls in my bedroom are sky blue (reminds me of AZ) and I have a blanket with a llama stitched on stretched out on my bed (from the feels of it, I'd say it's alpaca). We have no fridge, a gas stove, a questionable oven, dark granite-tile-looking floor, lace curtains, a red wooden table with yellow wooden chairs (matches the yellow/red walls), chickens in the backyard, and a greenish/blue looking bathroom with no toilet seat. Home is where the heart is... and I love hearts. Yeah, I don't think that has anything to do with the saying but lets hope my heart decides to temporarily stay here for a bit!
Also, I have just moved into my new apartment with the roomie. One bedroom, one bath, one kitchen. It's humble and has character. The walls in my bedroom are sky blue (reminds me of AZ) and I have a blanket with a llama stitched on stretched out on my bed (from the feels of it, I'd say it's alpaca). We have no fridge, a gas stove, a questionable oven, dark granite-tile-looking floor, lace curtains, a red wooden table with yellow wooden chairs (matches the yellow/red walls), chickens in the backyard, and a greenish/blue looking bathroom with no toilet seat. Home is where the heart is... and I love hearts. Yeah, I don't think that has anything to do with the saying but lets hope my heart decides to temporarily stay here for a bit!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra
Why does this make me giggle and squeal like a school girl?
PS. I was getting ready for school and the TV was on. In my house, with my mother, the TV is rarely ever on... especially especially in the mornings. It's the only time the TV was on in the morning and I watched the news with my family. I was confused, frustrated, angered, hurt, disappointed, scared, and worried for my family in Manhattan. Fifth grade. September 11th, 2001.
PS. I was getting ready for school and the TV was on. In my house, with my mother, the TV is rarely ever on... especially especially in the mornings. It's the only time the TV was on in the morning and I watched the news with my family. I was confused, frustrated, angered, hurt, disappointed, scared, and worried for my family in Manhattan. Fifth grade. September 11th, 2001.
Estaba enfermo
So far, I've portrayed my experience here in Ecuador as a grand-old-jolly-good time... but in reality... it's also been quite a difficult week.
I got sick two nights ago with a fever and yucky stomach issues. My body has been struggling with adjusting to the lifestyle here... the food, the travel, the climate. Eating dairy products is huge here and people rarely drink water for the sake of drinking water, unless they have it in a water bottle and no one really buys water bottles hahaha! I've always had issues with eating too much dairy and coming from Arizona, for me, drinking water is just as important as breathing air! Today I should be moving into an apartment with Valerie, so I will be able to make my own food and buy my own water. I woke up with my fever gone, but still feeling a bit weak.
There are other factors that made this week difficult, but I think it's important to try to stay positive and trudge on (thanks to the encouragement from my mom/dad/bro and other close friends :P). Thanks especially to Marina. I love her.
I'm currently watching a commercial (en espanol) for Barbie H2O where you can draw on her clothes and hair with water and she/her clothes changes color. Ah, to be eight again for a day or two would be a wonderful thing with that doll.
I got sick two nights ago with a fever and yucky stomach issues. My body has been struggling with adjusting to the lifestyle here... the food, the travel, the climate. Eating dairy products is huge here and people rarely drink water for the sake of drinking water, unless they have it in a water bottle and no one really buys water bottles hahaha! I've always had issues with eating too much dairy and coming from Arizona, for me, drinking water is just as important as breathing air! Today I should be moving into an apartment with Valerie, so I will be able to make my own food and buy my own water. I woke up with my fever gone, but still feeling a bit weak.
There are other factors that made this week difficult, but I think it's important to try to stay positive and trudge on (thanks to the encouragement from my mom/dad/bro and other close friends :P). Thanks especially to Marina. I love her.
I'm currently watching a commercial (en espanol) for Barbie H2O where you can draw on her clothes and hair with water and she/her clothes changes color. Ah, to be eight again for a day or two would be a wonderful thing with that doll.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Alaska vs Arizona
It's only been six days (one day spent traveling) and I feel like I've been here for a month!
Today, I taught English to 7-8 year olds and 10-11 year olds. I get to speak in English while talking to them, so I'm happy :P But, my favorite part is listening to them struggle through pronouncing words/phrases but then seeing the gratitude and sense of accomplishment on their faces when they pronounce and say everything correctly.
Yesterday I found out that I'm teaching the art class for 2nd and 3rd grade on my own. What's interesting is that I found out five minutes before class started!!! Anyway, I've looked up some art lesson plans online and I found some really cool ones. What's ironic is that I'll be able to use the knowledge I gained from my Art History Cinema course I took last semester. It's ironic because when I would study for the class exams, I would think about how useless this information is and how I'm never going to need to know what inspired Picasso or Gothic architectural trends. Baha. Suddenly, I'm a big fan of art history.
I also learned a bad word in Spanish today... the hard way. In the 10-11 year old class, they asked me if a had a dog. So I told them about Mazzie and what she looks like and how she acts. Then a girl asked if my dog was a female or male but I didn't catch the word for female so I used a different word instead. In Spanish, words have genders. For example... amigo is a guy friend and amiga is a girl friend. Most nouns and adjectives have this property, where you can change the gender of the word to match what you are talking about. In Spanish, perro means dog. Well, my dog is a female. So, I said Mazzie is a perra. The entire class busted out laughing!! Even Paula was laughing and I just stood there in the front of the class awkwardly wondering what was going on!! Hahah! I learned my lesson. The girl version of perro means the same thing as a female dog does in English :P
I'm not going to lie, I am finding it difficult to keep up my positivity with the language. But it helps to laugh at myself with everyone else! It also helps to make music and it just so happens that Valerie plays the Ukulele. She also loves The West Wing and I think it's hilarious that she's from Alaska and I'm from Arizona.
Today, I taught English to 7-8 year olds and 10-11 year olds. I get to speak in English while talking to them, so I'm happy :P But, my favorite part is listening to them struggle through pronouncing words/phrases but then seeing the gratitude and sense of accomplishment on their faces when they pronounce and say everything correctly.
Yesterday I found out that I'm teaching the art class for 2nd and 3rd grade on my own. What's interesting is that I found out five minutes before class started!!! Anyway, I've looked up some art lesson plans online and I found some really cool ones. What's ironic is that I'll be able to use the knowledge I gained from my Art History Cinema course I took last semester. It's ironic because when I would study for the class exams, I would think about how useless this information is and how I'm never going to need to know what inspired Picasso or Gothic architectural trends. Baha. Suddenly, I'm a big fan of art history.
I also learned a bad word in Spanish today... the hard way. In the 10-11 year old class, they asked me if a had a dog. So I told them about Mazzie and what she looks like and how she acts. Then a girl asked if my dog was a female or male but I didn't catch the word for female so I used a different word instead. In Spanish, words have genders. For example... amigo is a guy friend and amiga is a girl friend. Most nouns and adjectives have this property, where you can change the gender of the word to match what you are talking about. In Spanish, perro means dog. Well, my dog is a female. So, I said Mazzie is a perra. The entire class busted out laughing!! Even Paula was laughing and I just stood there in the front of the class awkwardly wondering what was going on!! Hahah! I learned my lesson. The girl version of perro means the same thing as a female dog does in English :P
I'm not going to lie, I am finding it difficult to keep up my positivity with the language. But it helps to laugh at myself with everyone else! It also helps to make music and it just so happens that Valerie plays the Ukulele. She also loves The West Wing and I think it's hilarious that she's from Alaska and I'm from Arizona.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Mi español no es bueno.
My last moments in The States...
- Went to lunch with my mom and dad. They both had work, but took time off to be with me. Aw.
- Went shopping with my mom.
- Watched Mr. Bean's Holiday with the family. Perfect way to get in the mood for traveling.
- Left the house at 4 in the morning. Eeek!
- I actually left on a jet plane. And I really don't know when I'll be back again. Coooool
- Flew to LA and switched terminals. It's a jungle out there.
- Sat next to a really nice man from Colombia on the plane. He barely spoke English and my Spanish speaking skills need a lot of work, but we figured it out eventually. What would've been a 20 minute conversation in English ended up being an hour long!
- Switched planes in Bogota, Colombia. Met a really nice family of a mother and two daughters. The eldest daughter spoke English really well, so we chatted and ended up exchanging information. Her mom invited me to come stay at her house and eat her food in Quito! I like this place.
My first moments in Ecuador...
- Conoci a Valerie y Jorge en el aeropuerto de Quito.
- We drove and finally arrived in Otavalo at 2AM.
- Slept in (kinda) and went to the main square market area with Valerie. First thing I ran into was an alpaca blanket thing with LLAMAS on it. Then continued to find multiple llama-themed things. Long live Emperor Kuzco
- We also went to the Baha'i center and the Baha'i radio station. Pretty, pretty!
- We ran into a Baha'i family and joined them for some helado (ice cream). Well. It ends up that Ecuador's version of helado is quite different from mine. Seriously, it was fit for a queen. The helado was a scoop of whipped cream with this raspberry gnash. It came with cut up pieces of mango, watermelon, bananas, apples, pineapples, strawberries, and grapes. Seriously? Seriously.
- After the ice cream feast, we met up with Jorge and his family to go shopping for supplies for the week at this outside/inside mall. Parking was atrocious
- Then we went to the school. I met Gloria. She spoke so fast I barely understood a word, but she basically told me that she is my mother here and that if I need anything I must come to her. Sweetest lady in the world.
- For dinner we had el pollo con arroz y las papas fritas (chicken with rice and fries). That seems to be a favorite around here.
- Tomorrow is the first day of school. I'm going to go brush up on my school vocab.
- Just a side note.. my ears are having a paaaaartaaaay over here with the constant altitude change. I live in the mountains, so driving around is hard on my ears with the pressure drops/increases. But the cool part is that I feel like I could reach up and grab some cloud! So tight
Friday, September 3, 2010
I like to pack
Currently I am packing for Ecuador. This is a lot more work than I anticipated. Whoopsies!
I'm constantly crawling back and forth between my closet, my suitcase, my bookshelf, and other random places. It's kinda a lot of work and especially with living in an oven, I unfortunately sweat a lot. Good thing I have a ceiling fan in my room, but the switch for the fan is all the way across the room from where I am sitting(maybe more like five feet away). Unacceptable. Well... I saw this as a perfect opportunity to exercise the use of a younger sibling. So, I called for Layli to come to my room to turn my fan on. My plan back fired. She walked right past the fan switch, stood next to me, and began to blow air in my face. After a good five puffs, she turned around and marched out of the room.
At least she brushed her teeth earlier...
Now, I shall go turn my fan on before I perish from heat exhaustion.
One day left!
AH
I'm constantly crawling back and forth between my closet, my suitcase, my bookshelf, and other random places. It's kinda a lot of work and especially with living in an oven, I unfortunately sweat a lot. Good thing I have a ceiling fan in my room, but the switch for the fan is all the way across the room from where I am sitting(maybe more like five feet away). Unacceptable. Well... I saw this as a perfect opportunity to exercise the use of a younger sibling. So, I called for Layli to come to my room to turn my fan on. My plan back fired. She walked right past the fan switch, stood next to me, and began to blow air in my face. After a good five puffs, she turned around and marched out of the room.
At least she brushed her teeth earlier...
Now, I shall go turn my fan on before I perish from heat exhaustion.
One day left!
AH
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Somewhere over the rainbow
Current inspiration: color.
And it may or may not be because of Fun.'s new music video...
Besides color... I love ghetto beats with Luda's voice booming on top.
Photo cred:
The Layli Monster Part II
Layli Gilpatrick is my 13 year old sister. She's the funniest, kindest, most amazing person I know. This part of my blog will explain/document/observe why.
Welcome to the world of weird :P
Welcome to the world of weird :P
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no make-up on
Packing = messy room = laundry time = lazy me = angry mother (jk, love you Mom!) = end of the world.
Buuuuuuuuuuuut besides the packing, I just got back from my weekend trip to Tucson to say goodbye to my friends/life there. It was perfect.
My summer of 10 flights, three road trips, one cruise, medical fiascos, two concerts, one musical, old friends, new friends, mickey mouse, service, forrest adventures, pictures, music exploring, and LOVE is officially over. But the year has only just begun! Along with many, many, new emotions...
My friends ask me if I am excited for my trip. And yeah... somewhere in that mix of emotions, I'm sure there is excitement. But to be honest, my emotions are such a blur, I can't even make out what they are! But my friends would also ask why I am going. My answer has gone through many evolutions. At times, I am taking this year to rest up before jumping right back into the academic rigor of college and potential years of medical school. At times, this year is my opportunity to learn a new language and to learn about myself. At times, it is to experience a new culture and live life outside my comfortable AZ desert box. But honestly, all those answers are secondary to my main purpose. The reason for my year of service is service! The point of this year is service. It's time to spend a small chunk of my life dedicated to serving humanity... directly. I've decided to commit my life to service because I believe when you serve those around you, you are serving God. We all do this in different ways and this year is my way.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand here are pictures from my Tucson visit! This is Kristen, my besfren.
Buuuuuuuuuuuut besides the packing, I just got back from my weekend trip to Tucson to say goodbye to my friends/life there. It was perfect.
My summer of 10 flights, three road trips, one cruise, medical fiascos, two concerts, one musical, old friends, new friends, mickey mouse, service, forrest adventures, pictures, music exploring, and LOVE is officially over. But the year has only just begun! Along with many, many, new emotions...
My friends ask me if I am excited for my trip. And yeah... somewhere in that mix of emotions, I'm sure there is excitement. But to be honest, my emotions are such a blur, I can't even make out what they are! But my friends would also ask why I am going. My answer has gone through many evolutions. At times, I am taking this year to rest up before jumping right back into the academic rigor of college and potential years of medical school. At times, this year is my opportunity to learn a new language and to learn about myself. At times, it is to experience a new culture and live life outside my comfortable AZ desert box. But honestly, all those answers are secondary to my main purpose. The reason for my year of service is service! The point of this year is service. It's time to spend a small chunk of my life dedicated to serving humanity... directly. I've decided to commit my life to service because I believe when you serve those around you, you are serving God. We all do this in different ways and this year is my way.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand here are pictures from my Tucson visit! This is Kristen, my besfren.
Thanks, Meredith
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