Exercising New Vocabulary

Whilst I was on the bus, I rang my mate to let him know I was getting close to the underground station where we were to meet. I had packed my brolly in the event of rain, and had worn long trousers with fresh knickers (of course). I was running behind because of a queue for the loo in the pub, but it was alright because his flatmate had just come up the lift from the tube to meet me. My mate was right behind but had stopped to toss some rubbish in the bin. He told his flatmate that I was the girl with the fringe and glasses. We went to dinner and I ordered a hamburger with chips. "Do you fancy some ketchup?" Yes! Brilliant!

Cultural Quirks

Sometimes you have to experience another culture to better understand your own. I was afraid of culture shock coming to London since the standard of living, the language, and even the climate are approximately the same. The thought being that subtle, but distinct, differences in those areas can be more shocking than when you go to a place where none of those things are the same (and the latter has described most of my travel experience). To make a long philosophical, anthropological boring ass tangent more relevant: Americans are incredibly passive.

How do I know? The Brits are really direct.

I didn't think I was passive. I didn't think I was shocked by directness. I didn't think I really adhered to American culture so much. But compared to this frankness, directness, I'm a waffling, backwards talking hillbilly.

I think I prefer direct. [Let's try that again: I prefer direct.]

Charmed, I'm sure

The past three months have been a trip. Check it out:

August 5: Terminated employer, gave 2 weeks' notice.
August 19: Last day of work at Previous Employer (yippee!)
August 20: Purchased airline ticket to San Jose, Costa Rica
August 20-27: Sublet apartment to roommate's brother, sold furniture, moved everything I own into a very small closet and my small hiking backpack, gave up all keys to everything, let friend borrow bike.
August 28: Flew to Costa Rica
September 1: Started three weeks of Spanish classes in Playa Samara, Costa Rica
September 18: Traveled to Monteverde , La Fortuna , and went white water rafting on my way to meet my dad in San Jose
September 24: Met dad at fabulous San Jose hotel, visited Manuel Antonio with him, toured San Jose
October 1: Flew back to NYC

During October: Couch surfed, learned to drive a pedicab, half-heartedly applied to jobs (until I found the one I eventually took -- I worked really hard on that one), enjoyed New York, rode my bike an average of 15 miles/day.

November 1: Moved into new, fabulous Williamsburg apartment
November 5: Interviewed for what is now my new fabulous job
November 12: Received job offer
November 13: Accepted job offer
November 14: Commencement of 3-week stress-free vacation in anticipation of new job start on December 8

Yes We Can. Sí, se puede. Favorite quotes so far.

The next president of our country, Barack Obama, had the following to say. And then really super dramatic music played. It was awesome.

"I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."

"This victory... is the chance for us to make the change we seek."

"Each of us resolves to pitch in."

"We rise or fall as one nation, as one people."

To those whose vote I did not earn tonight: "I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president too."

"the true strength of our nation.... comes from the enduring power of our ideals: liberty democracy and unyielding hope."

"To reclaim the american dream."

Pedicab-o-ween

Halloween is a great way to break in a new pedicab driver. I had a great time anyway. 

Most surprising comment of the night? 

"Is that a dude?"

Yep. People thought I was a tranny. I guess that means I looked like I was trying pretty hard to look cute and feminine... but jacked.

I corrected most people, but for a certain few leering guys, I informed them that I used to be a dude. Usually made them back off a bit. 

Joe the Plumber

My mom told me this joke when I was a little girl. It kind of reminds me how a certain political candidate is using his new-found blue-collar friend. I feel bad for Joe the Plumber.

Suzy came home from school one day and announced "Mommy! I made a quarter today!"

Her mother said, "That's great! How did you do it?"

"The boys said if I climb the flag pole they'd give me a quarter. And boy do I know how to climb the flag pole."

"Oh honey. You know they just wanted to see your panties. Don't do that again."

"Ok, Mommy."

The next day, Suzy comes home from school announcing, "Mommy, Mommy! Today I made a whole green dollar!"

"I told you those boys just want to see your panties."

"Don't worry mommy, I didn't wear any panties."

It's debatable

For the first time in the McCain-Obama race, I watched an entire presidential debate last night. My reaction? Disturbed, appalled, and perplexed. I honestly don't understand how someone who cannot answer a question is allowed to progress so far in a political race. I think that in many ways all candidates are trying to at least appear to offer a better life for as many of their constituents as possible and that people have different perspectives on what might work to achieve that. Clearly, no one has 100% amazing foresight and everyone makes mistakes. We can't predict the future, as hard as we might try.

The point of signing up to be a leader is to have the ability to represent and make decisions on behalf of your constituency and to be able to convey policies, changes, relationships, etc. to the people you lead. This requires you to be able to understand other people and have them understand you. It's called "communication" in some circles. John McCain is incompetent. I thought it was an interesting strategy to underhandedly attack Obama's eloquence. What? You mean his ability to utter an entire sentence without getting distracted and to listen to and then actually answer a question? Or was it his ability to coherently talk about his own policy ideas and not just repeatedly attack his opponent with the same non sequitur argument?

If we end up with the "wrinkly white haired dude," I might have to go back to Costa Rica--or become a community organizer dead set on counter-acting the problems he and his cohort create. I suppose that would be a more positive way to deal with it.

What I really don't understand is how you can be "undecided". I think those people are lying.

Hay Mucho Trabajo

You may or may not know that I am planning to run a triathlon in October. Haven´t decided which one, but it will definitely be sprint distance and hopefully involve beer or some sort of spirits at the end of it.

 

I was feeling pretty athletic today and it was hot hot hot, so I threw on my speedo onezie and my rash guard (for sun protection) and set out to take a swim. On my way, I decided to run. So I ran ALL the way to Jesse´s Gym. It seemed really far away. As far as I can guess, this link will lead you to my route (for the lazy, it turned out to be less than a mile). Then I got in the water and decided to swim, like real swimming, not just catching waves and/or letting them thrash my body around. I decided I would swim to the thatched roof house which seemed like it was about 200 or 300 meters away. I guess I dont really know how far that is in real life, but let´s just say I did not make it before saying to myself "maybe you should just catch some waves". So I did. I´m not sure I actually know how to swim properly. I definitely don´t put my face in the water and that seems to be key. Maybe next time I will wear goggles.

 

This whole triathlon training thing is going to be pretty fun (and by fun I mean pathetic)... Oh and my bike handicap? Um, let´s just say the "FearGiant" MTB single speed conversion isn´t exactly going to do the job.

Bob Barker didn´t make it to rural Costa Rica

There are a lot of strange things here in Sàmara... like cattle fields with beach and palm tree back drops, cowboys on bicycle, wild herd dogs, horses roaming the street, tough guys riding beach cruisers, etc. However, one of the most surprisingly strange things is the abundance of dogs with cajones. (I suppose the abundance isn´t so surprising if you really think about it, but I think you know what I mean.)

 

"Help control the pet population; have your pet spayed or neutered."

La Cucaracha Entró

Apparently this trip (to Costa Rica) was meant to build character. Yes, that was the intention. However, I didn´t realize just how much character I would be building. I came home on Wednesday evening to change clothes (I was soaking wet from playing soccer in the rain) to find a giant tropical cockroach on my pillow (and one on my night stand too). I´m getting used to it. I go in, turn on the lights, chase cockroaches for a while, and then turn on the fan, hope for the best, and get in bed. This is big news consdering how I´ve dealt with them in the past.

 

I´m planning to extend my stay in Playa Sàmara, but I´m getting my own apartment for the rest of it.