Thursday, April 26, 2012

 Students are protesting...

Sunny days are gone...

Here we go again.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

I have a few new additions to my sweet little house. As it is becoming winter again I am doing all I can to prepare for the cold and rain that is on it's way. As you saw a few posts back I have been doing a lot of chopping of wood and just the other day I bought floor rugs!

I used to think I didn't need rugs because my house is so tiny. Then one day I was sitting at my table with my shoes on and my feet were still freezing just because they were on the floor. Then and there I decided that I needed rugs. I don't know that they really heat up the house itself but they make it more pleasant to sit on because it is another layer between my feet and the cold cold floor. Not only that but they are super cute! When I first got them I just could not help admiring what a good job I did and I really enjoy sitting on the thick red one. They just totally bring the room together and I am so happy with them.

Red rug that compliments my red chairs at the table
Brown stripy rug that I just love
The second addition is my new little project of growing celery (apio in Spanish if you were wondering). I read on pinterest that when you buy a head of celery that if you chop the bottom off and plant it that new celery will just grow right out of it. Well, they were right! The picture below is probably after about 3 or 4 days and all I did was dig a little hole, pour water in the hole, but the celery bottom in the hole and cover it with dirt. Then, whenever the dirt got dry I watered it! Now, by the time I need celery again (I don't use it much) maybe I will have my own and then can do the same thing over again! Pretty cool, huh?
Grow apio grow!

Friday, April 13, 2012

 My secret little trip home to the US was a great one. I was a little nervous about it, having been gone so long, but home will always be home even if I have changed and it ended up being wonderful. I wouldn't say I experienced reverse culture shock but there were a few things that really stood out to me. Not because they were different but because I was different and saw the world with different, slightly Chilean, eyes.

1. The bathtubs, washers, and dryers are huge! I think my washer could fit inside of my mom's and when I showered I felt very vulnerable in such a big space.
2. I felt a great need to tip the baggers at the grocery store and felt guilty when I did not.
3. I missed kissing people for greeting but luckily most people gave me a hug anyways so it did not feel so strange.
4. Churches are huge! Coming from a church of 16 people on a good day to a church of hundreds was overwhelming and so beautiful.
5. People drive fast and crazy on the freeways! I have always pride myself on my city driving skills but I think they have left me since I no longer drive. It is funny because the drivers in Chile are awful and follow no rules but there are not many places around town where you can get up to 70 mph. That is fast! I was so sure we were going to get hit.

I could probably go on and on but how about I just share with you the highlights of my time home.

Having a double (early for me) birthday celebration with my s-law
Having fun with the family
Getting to see my Sweetie
Getting to see my BFFs

Getting to be in my BFF's wedding
Sharing a lunch with so many from my extended family
Enjoying the perks of the US
More perks- I wont tell you how many trip I made there