Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Name this quote: "96% of the earth is water. The other half is wheat. Think About it."
As a friend of mine put it on Facebook, "thank the sweet lord baby jesus, it's raining." (h/t: Claire McLarty)
Rain means cooler temperatures - a respite from the triple-digit heat. Rain means no more crunchy brown grass - at least for the next few days. Rain means Lizzie can't go outside to play!!! Poor Lizzie poops.
I am a big fan of H20. It's my number one drink of choice. Dax and I have tried to do little things here and there to conserve water over the past few years that you - my kin and kith - can try too.
- Follow your city watering restrictions! They say watering your grass every three days should keep it alive. Don't ask me how my grass is doing.
- Use grey water from hand-washing dishes to water indoor plants.
- Buy a water barrel! Save up when it rains like today and use it to water your outdoor plants.
- Use xeriscaping where you can and use native and drought resistent plants in your garden.
- Don't flush every time you go #1. Wait a few times and save some of that H20.
- Hook your washer up to an outside line to let the grey water soak your gardens.
- Don't pour food or grease down the disposal! It costs more in energy and time to filter these out of our water system.
- For all the ladies out there: we don't have to wash our hair every day. If you stick to washing it every other day or every two days as recommended, we can take shorter showers. It's better for your hair and the environment.
Hope these are helpeful, because let's face it: "Moisture is the essence of wetness. Wetness is the essence of beauty." (Another hint for those who didn't get the first quote.)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Lunch-time randomness
- Bologna sandwiches kick ham sandwiches' ass.
- I could really use some regular Lays right now. None of that baked sh*t.
- Good idea to wear a hat and rash guard to the springs when exercising Lesbo.
- I now have an annoying chankla tan on my feet.
- Just updated my "about me" section with my old Myspace profile. Why write it twice?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mi hermano
I do remember one thing from our childhood - he used to HATE it when I would eat the things he ate... called me a copy-cat. I wonder if that explains our affinity for the same types of food, including Tombstone and Totino's pizza and Chicken pot pies (frozen). :) Delish! We just shared a pizza. Living with him is awesome because he cooks a lot and shares with us. I'm so used to eating on my own all the time, I normally just make little snacks for myself which is not very thoughtful!
What else, what else? If you haven't seen it, check out his blog - he's a talented photographer. I always knew he was artistic. In fact, I used to hang up artwork in my room that my two brothers did for middle and high school art class. What a dork am I???
Free Paint!
The page takes a while to load but stop complaining: there's no such thing as a free lunch. :)
I picked Cypress Grass... which is a yellow-ish green. Which reminds me, everything seems to think my favorite color is Sage Green. Nevermind I have like 3 rooms painted in variations of that color.
MY FAVORITE COLOR IS NAVY, PEOPLE! But you can hardly paint a room that color, can you?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Target makes the world go 'round
The answer: Everything I put in my cart I absolutely NEEDED...right? A Fathers' Day present, a wall mount for my iron, a new recoiling garden hose with nozzle included....
A new rug for my sun room? YES! A new outdoor hammock? DOUBLE YES! And even clearance wall art that we'll later turn into decoupage for our baby's room? To quote one drink in Argentina, "Yes, Yes, Yes, Oh My God, Yes."
Any regrets? NEEEVVVER!!! (OK, maybe a few. When I asked my self that the first time, the little voice in my head told me not to raise my hand right away, for I had run out of shaving cream earlier that day, and I was clearly too busy buying things I wanted rather than needed.)
Target is like the abusive man you love to love. He may leave you broke and sorry in the long run, but boy does he feel so good to have on a Friday night.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! (chant with me)
Well I’m finally back from Buenos Aires and into the good ol’ U-S-of-A. I’m cheering because only in the USA can you get an immediate food coma from the best cheeseburger and cheese fries with ranch in two weeks. All Argentinians are rolling there eyes right now.
I only post this photo as a sharp contrast to everything that I experienced on our trip to Argentina. Buenos Aires was the perfect mix of old world style and class – from its amazing European architecture to its tributes to tragic national heroes of yesterday – with the life and modernity of a city bigger than New York. It is alive with tango, technology, subways, fashion, wine, amazing food, coffee and a self awareness that is infectious yet unmatchable if you aren’t a Porteño.
Obviously, in relation to the latter, Pam and I stuck out like sore thumbs. Maybe, just maybe, we will always be remembered as the obnoxious Americans who might have slightly desecrated a national cemetery with a traveling naked doll, snorted loudly during a tango show and single-handedly jump started their economy again by spending hundreds on material objects of our affection – in one little pink store (h/t Pamcakes101 :).)
I could go on and on with pretentious little descriptions of the city and culture, but I won’t. The most amazing thing about Argentina was spending quality time in a great city with one of my greatest friends. As you might infer from the random moments captured in my blog, we did nothing but eat, laugh and enjoy each other’s company in a country that celebrates friendship annually. (Seriously, Argentina celebrates Dia Del Amigo every 20th of July!).
So, to Pam: thank you for being my friend and coming to Buenos Aires with me. You booked your flight not knowing where in the world BA was! You’re like... the butter on my Argentine bread roll. No, no wait. You’re like...the American cheese on my good ol’ American cheeseburger. :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Disabled Passenger?
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Don't judge
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Sunday, June 14, 2009
You're only in BA once...
But honestly, like Dax said, just have a good time and don't worry. While I DID worry, I still actually had a good time shopping at all the little boutique stores and artisan markets around town (multiple times). Shopping for myself, yes, but also shopping for all the ones that I love. I feel like Santa!
So, on my last night in Argentina, all my bags are packed, ready to go with one-of-a-kind gifts galore. And as many times as Pam rolled her eyes when I complained about money (just watch how far they roll back when she sees her bank account), I DO have to agree with Dax: your'e only in BA once.
That is, unless you've promised you'll be back. :)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I'm addicted
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Friday, June 12, 2009
Kids and Pets
These guys you have already seen - they were in the park holding pigeons.
Guess it doesn't matter what country you're in, dogs like to sniff each other's butts :) The universal hello... or hola!
All the public school kids in BA wear these white lab coats to school. Too cute! They're like mad scientists trying to take over the world.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Definitely hot librarian, no?
Pam is shopping for leather...
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Vaya con Ponch (shenanigans!)
Aren't those photos with people jumping supposed to be cool, or something?
Sun salutations in the United Nations Park in front of the giant flower sculpture that opens and closes in the morning and at night with the sun.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Donde esta el baño?
Well in Argentina, that saying goes for the cafes AND the people. You can be in the cutest little coffee shop, but beware of bathroom. You've heard some my toilet paper stories, but some places are just nasty! Even our apt., which is super cute, has a leaky bidet!!!!
More disturbing is I feel like I'm in that episode of Seinfeld with Papi. Everytime I go to the bathroom, I notice that people just do not wash their hands! Yuck!
Random bathroom stories from BA:
Before the futbol game, I had to go really bad and the only thing close by was a little kiosko -imagine a mini 7-11 about the size of a kiosk in the nook of a building. These places usually are the foyer of someone's house and 99.99 percent of the time would not have nor would open the bathroom to the public. But it was all there was and I had to go really bad so I did it, I pulled the pregnancy card. First time to do so but maybe not the last. I explained to its proprietor that I was prego and really needed to go and would buy something if he let me. He didn't quite answer, but showed me the way to his broom closet/bathroom. There was no TP, not even a button to flush! But I can't really complain I guess, it was really nice of him to let me go. I bought some Ferrero Rochet so it was a win-win.
Once at Cafe Biela, I found this older woman draped over the bathroom sink in a pit of despair - only I didn't know it at the time. I thought maybe she had food poisoning or maybe was having side effects of chemo or something. It was strange. In my broken Spanish, I asked if she needed anything, wanted me to get someone or help her in any way. She looked at me and in a feeble, humbled voice and said she was having "problemas economicas." That was my cue to tell her sorry and I lickity split that bathroom in a hot minute.
Potty humor or iritable bowel syndrome? You decide...
Now here is one bathroom that I loved...from my new favorite book store in BA.
You KNOW you're obsessed with Mr. Darcy when...
Eterno Cadencia Libros
At first glance, I dismissed the thought of looking through the book, much less buying it, bc it was the movie version (Keira Knightly on the front). (Was this a sign of my newfound snobbyness? Was it prejudice?) Yet, I couldn't resist thumbing through the literature section to see what else they carried. Alas, it was the only copy, and besides, who was I to judge?
I sat down on a pefectly placed love seat in the corner of the mahogany-paneled library, and I opened my favorite book of all time (hence, named my dog Lizzie). I could feel the warm feelings building up inside as I read and fully comprehended the first few sentences.
I was hooked, as I always would be. It was a timeless story in a timeless bookstore, and I loved every word of it, as I always will.
The manager of the store, looking for another edition of P&P for me was interrupted by another customer.
Pam looking through some photography books in a back nook of the store
Monday, June 8, 2009
Highlights from BA post Pam's arrival
SATURDAY
1. Getting practically violated by a clown playing a accordian in Recoleta. I think he wanted to Tango.
2. Argentina vs. Colombia futbol
3. Blacking out after an all-you-can eat Parillada, aka Churrascaria. The meat was the best I've had so far in BA from a place called Siga La Vaca. Nevermind I only had like 2 bites and mostly ate bread, butter, cured ham and cheese and all-you-can-eat salad. Don't blame me, blame the baby. :)
SUNDAY
1. A platter of what seemed like never-ending sandwiches, pastries, juice, champagne (not for me) and cafes con leches at Las Violetas. "The hour of tea" is a beautiful thing.
2. Antiquing on the cobblestone streets of San Telmo for hours until we could see the stars. Picture South American hippies, their marijuana and lovely handmade crafts for 15+ blocks.
3. Dancing on the streets of San Telmo with the hippies, their drums and 100s of strangers. I got stuck in a giant flag of a country I didn't recognize. It was amazing! Pam almost peed her pants she was laughing so hard. See Pam's blog for photos of the pre-flag attack.
4. Catching a late night Tango between an 80 year old man and any random woman he could find in San Telmo square.
5. Looking in the window of a small cafe only to see a face on an empanada!
6. Making the beginnings of a music video ala "Take on Me" in the deserted subways of Buenos Aires. I ran through the tiled catacombs as Pam snapped some shots that we'll pull together for y'all.
TODAY:
I should be making money by now! I am like Pam's personal guide and translator but it's really fun! I feel like I'm turning into a snobby Argentine already. Today was a sort of come-what-may kind of day. We spent most of it wandering around by foot in Recoleta, Retiro and the shops of Calle Florida. Nothing big but here are some random thoughts to note:
-All the waiters in the cafes seem to be old men and they are so cute with their little bow ties.
-Argentine churros are slighlty different from Mexican. (I like the latter better.)
-Window shopping is a good idea. Otherwise creepy little women follow you around the store.
-Everyone here has a dog and the dogs are SO freaking sweet. No one uses a leash and the dogs just never run into the streets where the crazy taxi drivers are!
------
It's now about 9 pm BA time and we're utterly spent. Pam is next to me in our apt watching Twilight trailors, and like the obsessed Rob Patt fan she is, she's blushing and giggling like a school girl. She almost had a nervous breakdown because the internet connection was spotty.
As such, I'm blogging from my 4 inch phone and have severe blackberry thumb. So, I must go! Until next time....
(Post Script: photos were uploaded later.)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
My new Argentine collection
-I used McDonald's napkins at the soccer game bc the stadium had no toilet paper. (M had McD's one day)
-Stole a nearly finished toilet paper roll from Las Violetas bc our apt is almost out of TP.
-Pam stole a cloth napkin from Las Violetas to hide bread rolls for the pregnant lady (aka me).
-The small, parchment-like napkins from Cafe Biela have been great for dabbing our oily faces after a long day.
I ALMOST packed a full roll of TP from Austin but Dax stopped me. See, I told you!!!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Random sleepless nights in BA
1. M said I woke up one night and said "baby I need water."
2. I apparently tried to snuggle with Pam last night. She rolled over.
2.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Firsts at my first futbol game
First time to climb out of a 6 ft bathroom stall after getting stuck (the door was broken). Hope that's the last.
First time English speaking tourists actually were interested in talking with us beyond "hello."
First time to try an Argentine hot dog (se llama Pancho or Panche). Blegh.
First time to pretend to not understand Spanish when we might have taken this guy's seats. Whoops.
First time to see Argentina play Colombia! They won 1-O. Ole!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Pam is here and our apt is great!
We're about to hit up some "pascial-ing" and will be back later to post fotos and notes from the day's adventures.
Ciao!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Ah... Life
Hope he doesn't think I'm a hooker who got knocked up by some random dude.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Buenos Aires will knock your socks off!
I Love BA! The tango, the nightlife, food, the constipation after the food....(Just kidding). But you know what I love the most?
It's magic!!!! It will LITERALLY knock your socks off!
Every night I go to bed with a full set of PJs and a pair of socks because there is no central heat, just space heaters for the 40-50 degree lows. (Not to worry, I'm quite comfortable with the heater and down comforter so far). And every morning, like magic, I wake up to find my socks in a neat pile somewhere beside the bed. How can that be?? I don't remember waking up to carefully place them strategically next to me on the floor. Like, when I sleep in Austin, my socks are either in Dax's face, Milo's mouth or somewhere in the mess of sheets.
This morning it was extra magic. I was super cold last night after walking around barefoot (which felt good at the time as the cold floor soothed my aching bones) so decided to try sleeping without my socks. About 20 mins in, I was tossing and turning, too cold to sleep with my popsicle toes. And there was just no chance M would let me put my cold feet under her butt the way Dax lets me (was there?). So I decided, it was time for some serious sockage...drastic times called for drastic measures: out come to Spongebob socks. They even have little eyeballs attached!
This morning, I woke up nice and toasty, and didn't want to get out of bed except today is the day that Boo Pulkownik is coming in!! Yet, something was strangely awry.... or was it?? I noticed just then that my comfortable, thawed toes were not covered anymore by the awesome power of the Spongebob sock. Where had the gone??? I looked in the first place I could think of, next to me on the floor. No where to be found...under the sheets, maybe? Nope.
Finally, I got out of bed, dejected and in denial that my favorite socks might be lost forever. Like I said, I was getting out of bed, and realized nothing was awry after all! There they were, my comfortable little pals, right on top of me! I told you Buenos Aires is magic!
I know it's hard to believe... it was hard for me to believe too. Or is it just easier to think that Buenos Aires is magic vs. that I am actually THAT anal compulsive that I place socks into neat piles around me in my own sleep?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hot Librarian or Too Funky For Myself?
Should I buy these awesome purple eye glasses in Buenos Aires? They are a third of what I would pay in the U.S. (even WITH prescription lenses). Time to rationalize: if I'm going to spend money on something, it might as well be on something useful and not like some pretending-to-be cultural artifact made in China, right? :)
SO...me thinks it's a dealio! Yes? Si?
More on the movies...
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Wait for it..... Wait for it.....
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
I love the free mineral water in Argentina
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
BA random update #756
Medialunas: 12+?? Losing count
Ham and cheese dishes: 5 (including a ham/chz pizza!)
Ciggies: gazillion (secondhand of course)
# of times got lost: 2
# of snobby American girls who didn't feel like chatting after I tried to run into them "accidently" so as to meet people: 3
Belly Bumps: 1
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Buenos Aires...and all that JAZZ (a review)
When I showed up early and was the only one at the lounge for an hour, I became suspicious. When only 6 other fans showed up later, I was a little comforted. When the players started to file on stage with their stands and sheet music, I became skeptical, and later when they started to play "When the Saints Go Marching In," I asked for the check and left the bar.
Carlos Girigliani and the Buenos Aires Small Band had 7 players (not small, they almost knocked each other off the stage): trumbone, trumpet, alto, tenor and bari sax, drums and bass. The main dude was the pianist and it seemed like he was more into conducting this group than actually playing.
I'm not a jazz snob by far, but if you know anything about jazz, it's that while songs are based off of standards, the music that is created and improvised is really what makes it jazz. There is no reading of music - instead, its all about eye contact between the rythmn section, instinct and mood. Not so much in BA. And in their defense, I can't be too harsh, afterall, BA doesn't tout its jazz expertise.
Overall, it wasn't terrible: everybody was on key, everybody stayed together and played nicely. But the jazz standards I heard were just...well... standard.
My new bag from BA
I really really really love it and I feel like it's one-of-a-kind because they are all hand made. Don't you think it goes well with my favorite scarf?? When I showed M later on, she wanted one just like it so..."na na na na na na... heh heh heh heh heh heh!" ;) I kid, I kid.
Mom, I know you will be jealous :) But fear not, I will find you some cute stuff!
In case you're curious, it was $40 Pesos and I gave him $32 and he took it :)
How do you say "stick" en español?
IDK-My BFF Pam!?
She takes with her my antibiotics and possibly (crossing fingers!!!) some Kashi bars. -- I know you will pull through for me :)
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Thursday, June 4, 2009
What I really like about Buenos Aires so far
This is what I mean:
1. Missed the 11 am walking tour (rather, I learned I went to the wrong place) so decided to walk around on my own today and really enjoyed it.
2. I hung out in Plaza de Mayo, where Evita waved to her loyal subjects from Casa Rosada.
These two lovely gentlement gladly smiled for the camera in Plaza de Mayo.
3. I took a tour of Cabildo de Buenos Aires, bought a cute handmade shoulder bag from local artisans in the plaza behind the building.
4. I stumbled into mass at Catedral Metropolitana. I know its bad form - and I did get in trouble - but I was able to snap a quick one! But because I'm catholic, I know I can ask for forgiveness. :)
5. Took a two hour break to rest in Plaza San Martin where bums and lovers alike take a siesta.
6. This time found the free walking tour that took me through Retiro and Recoleta, showing us all the really nice architecture around the area and giving us the Porteño (local) version of Buenos Aires history.
7. Had fruit salad and a delicious hot chocolate at Cafe La Biela in Recoleta. They basically put a few bars of Argentine chocolate (not to be confused with chocla) in steaming hot milk. Muy rico! (I had to choose something other than coffee).
8. Found a little jazz lounge where a local jazz band was playing - which I'll blog about later - and had a very nice dinner on my own.
Overall, it was a very full day and I'm so tired and sore. My knee is feeling a little wierd so tomorrow my plan is to rest up for Pam's arrival on Saturday, where we plan on attending the Argentina v. Columbia futbol game!!!!!!!
I smoked in Buenos Aires
Holy crap!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Does Buenos Aires translate to Ham and Cheese?
Because seriously, it's all I eat here. Today I had a ham and cheese croissant for breakfast, a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch (which I loved bc they cut it into triangles and cut the crust off) and then this deliciosu ham and cheese ravioli dish for dinner.
I guess I'm just not a steak person.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
It was worth every penny...literally
Of course I knew he was asking for money, and I honestly felt sorry for the guy. I'm not one who normally gives money out easily, but if I truly enjoyed it, wasn't it worth it?
I pulled out a handful of Argentine coins - no idea how much - and awkwardly reached over other passengers to show my appreciation for his talent and ganas.
As he departed our train car for the next, I took a deep, cheesy breath, in anticipation of his next act. And act it was. I realized then that it was a ruse - he was playing the same 3 notes over and over again, only in different variations of speed and what ever it is you call it when they pump the accordian.
I laughed to myself, of course, I should have known. Everything in BA is worth a third of what it is in the US right? But to me, those three notes were worth every penny, and that is what he got.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Postcards from the South
11 am. Woke up late and putzed around Michelle's apt. (pictured left)
3 p.m. Finalized some work for Legacy and headed toward the city for some action.
3:50 p.m Tenia una medialuna y cafe doble sin cafeina en Pink House Cafeteria.
4:03 p.m. Hauled ass to meet the 4:00 tour bus. Made it, yessssssssss
4:05 pm. Catching breath. Views from open-top bus are great! Saw historical buildings and the major barrios de Buenos Aires. La Boca was my favorite. (below is a photo of the Congreso, I think...it all went by so fast!)
6:16 pm. Bus tour drops me off to meet Michelle, 16 minutes later than I expected. She is no where to be found. Plaza Francia in Recoleta is bigger than I thought. Getting dark! Mace is ready when I need it.
8:05 pm. Broke down in tears for being lost, went home and M showed up 5 minutes later. Thank god for Dax and blackberry international service.
10: 45 pm. Food makes it better. Back from an all-you-can-eat pasta and parillada near M's place.
On a random note, here is a photo of my belly pre-Buenos Aires. I might be sticking out a little :)
As far as other fotos, it takes forever to upload, so you will get them sparingly.