Is it the Gemini in me that does this? Long pauses between posts...then BAM!
Today is The Bugs' 6 month Birthday! She is celebrating by going to bed early. And as she should since she had a big day in the city to find out that she is going to be a big sister. That's right. I am KNOCKED UP. Again! RV blames his supersperm. I'm not even sure how it happened because I can hardly remember makin' bacon' last month but there it is.
The coffee shop is doing well and systems I put into place seem to be working on their own. Which means for me, less work. But I suppose with business starting to take care of itself a bit, something else had to come up. Otherwise, really, life would be soooo boring!
More details to come...after a few naps and dry heaving sessions.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Day in the Life
After acknowledging the lack of balance in my current lifestyle, today I attempted to slow things down. I've been feeling guilty that I haven't been taking as many photos of the Bugs as I did even just a month ago, and realized that this was a result of my hurried personality. The stale, poopy diaper I peeled off of her the other day was a gentle reality check.
We spend two to three times a week in San Salvador, running errands for both the shop and home. It's a 40 minute drive there (depending on how many trucks you get stuck behind) and we try to squeeze in as many stops as possible in order to cut down the number of times we go in during the week. This means, on average, we're looking at 10 stops. In traffic. In the heat. With no air-conditioning (it crapped out during third tri!!) in the 2-door pickup truck. There are days when the Bugs is completely content being dragged around the capital. Other days, it's a screamfest. She is truly coming into her own. Knowing what she wants, what she doesn't want and WHEN she wants or doesn't want. Life is never boring. So I decided to photo document our long day in San Salvador, because even the mundane can be memorable and I want to remember that.
They're finally starting to add 2 lanes to the road that runs from the Puerto in La Libertad to San Salvador. Once this road is done, our trips into the city could very well take half the time that it does now. I'm shocked and impressed at how quickly they're working, considering how long it usually takes just to buy an item in a "convenient" store. Things are slower here, but this construction is moving at an alarming rate. Passing onto oncoming traffic is popular here, so I'm truly looking forward to living without the nail biting that occurs as we're driving. The area you see here, I think, is about ready to be paved. We also have many a truck that are too heavy to move beyond 1st gear or 10 miles an hour. It can be painful to be stuck behind one of them for a half an hour. It helps to have good tunes handy.
As you head into San Salvador, you can see the volcano behind the city. The coffee we'll be using in our shops is grown on the other side of this volcano! It was a hot one today. Muggy, but beautiful nonetheless. Note the bus in front of us. That is one of many, an old school bus from the States, that's been vamped up to transport locals. You can hitch a ride into the city on them for about 60 cents. But the stops are pretty vague so the times we've taken it in we've had to take a $5 cab from the bus stop to wherever it is we needed to go, which would only be about 5 minutes away. San Salvador is not very foot-friendly, which is a shame since there are many people who walk from point A to point B, even if it means walking along that median you see there. For realz.
This was our first stop. How we managed to find this place, I do not know. There are street names, but no one knows any of them, and gates and buildings are rarely numbered. And even if they were, no one looks at them. To this day, I dream of Mapquest, and imagine how funny it would be if San Salvador actually had Mapquest directions. To find this place, ours would have read something like:
1. Drive straight on the road to San Salvador from La Libertad.
2. Go past Pink Flamingo Plaza.
3. Turn around at the the redondel.
4. Grey gate before you go back to La Libertad.
But this is how it is here, and by landmark directions we've gotten to know the capital better than many Salvadorans.
So the mysterious grey gate is the entryway to a company that sells coffee bags. Most places around (and outside of) San Salvador have these gates. You see lots of chicken wire, and often men holding shotguns "guarding" these places. I suppose security has been a sensitive issue for Salvadorans for a long time. People need to feel secure, and if a 90 year old man holding an empty gun does it for them, well, so be it I suppose. Frankly, I've become desensitized to these things after only living here for three years. So here is the Bugs and RV at the coffee bag place. Beyond the chicken wire sit normal people, doing normal stuff. You know, filing papers, playing solitaire. The big boss sat at his desk and smoked a cigarette. RV took the Bugs outside for fresh air.
The Bugs is growing. The poor nugget is smushed into the back seat at this point. We realize that this can't go on much longer so we are now in the market for a MINIVAN. I just can't believe it. I never would have thought in a million years that I'd be shopping for a MINIVAN! A VW bug? Yes! A minicooper? Yes! Before talks of trying for Bugs Part Dos we had talked about getting a little Peugeot. But it seems between the amount of guests we have all the time and our ever growing family, a MINIVAN makes the most sense. I've accepted it...but still! A MINIVAN?? Here we are at the Mazda dealership where we found that we will not be able to afford a new car, shortly after a medium length meltdown and a diaper change.
Our third stop was the used car dealership across the street, but when I asked if they had any Mazda 5's I was told, "Oh. We had one, but they just took it to Santa Ana on Saturday". This is a typical answer. I suppose I could have asked, who and why and what does this mean to me, but I've learned not to bother.
Next we stopped in at the fancy outdoor mall La Gran Via. Our tea vendor is located here as is a coffee shop I love. I've been harassing the owner (who also sells coffee wholesale apparently) for two weeks now and I ended up stalking her by accident this morning. I called her thrice last week with promises of return calls, and today I went in to ask if I could just BUY the syrups (that are impossible to find) from them and there she was. Looking at me like a crazy stalker. Oh well. She told me to call her tomorrow, so I guess it was worth it!
US chain restaurants are popular here. There's a Friday's, a Bennigan's and now a Chili's. I'm not a huge fan of these types of restaurants and I don't see much of a difference between any of them. But we met some friends for lunch because they wanted to try out the new Chili's. The restaurant was eerily empty as many Salvadorans are starting to feel nervous about the economics that will most likely trickle down from the States. Everyone also gets paid on friday, so they wait to go out to eat with their paychecks. Here's the Bugs trying to eat the menu. The girl obviously needs to learn the difference between a burger and a photo of a burger.
Can you believe we're only halfway through the day? The Bugs so kindly decided to take a nap in the bucket while we ate fried stuff and a steak. It was super sweet of her! It seems she was saving her energy to help her dad push the cart at the hardware store.
Note the weary look on RV's face. The day is starting to take it's toll. I have yet to understand how these hardware stores work. It's always an interesting trip, as you will find all kinds of things there that have very little to do with construction material. Our shopping list today included: corkboard, a water pump for the 5 gallon garafones, a dustpan, a big coffee scooper, some pieces of screening. We were unable to acquire the following things on our list, that we, for one reason or another did expect to find: caulk, termite repellent, diatonaceous earth. The shopping must have worn her out because she went right backing to napping afterwards after a short-medium length meltdown.
And we let her sleep in the car while I ran in to pickup our mail.
We use a mail forwarding system called Transexpress which allows us to have a US P.O. Box as well as a street address. In theory, it is a great idea. We need to have our mail sent somewhere. But we pay $300/year to receive up to 75 pounds. And then we pay taxes on every package that is sent to us. Including gifts! Our Christmas presents are always torn open as if they'd been chewed up by savage dogs. Sort of sad, but I suppose it's better than the package never getting to us at all. The only thing we don't pay taxes on are books. Which we don't order because they're so heavy. This reminds me, we need to look for a new system.
If you've made it this far...yes, I am still talking about the same day. We then had to stop by the place we bought our espresso machine to pick up this brush to clean the espresso machine.
I shit you not. Luckily, the Bugs did this while we waited for a half an hour.
Poor little nugget. By this point I'm feeling like a shit parent, but also know that we need to get this crap done. And there's nothing like a complete waste of a stop at the supermarket. We were on a hunt for plastic containers. They're unbelievably expensive at the hardware store (yes, the hardware store) but we couldn't remember where we had seem them before. They certainly weren't here. But as we searched, I nursed the peanut on our way into the store...
and also while we were in the store (yes, kittens at the supermarket)...
and on our way out of the store...
I think I've come a long way on the issue of nursing in public.
Our last stops were in this strip mall.
First, another supermarket where we were still unable to find plastic containers. And then...SUCCESS! At? You guessed it. The other hardware store. At a more affordable cost. $3 for 3 quart containers. It's on days like this that I miss places like TARGET and IKEA and, yes...I'll say it the evilevilevil WALMART. So there ya have it. When we're not frolicking in the pool or making coffee, this is how we spend our days.
When we got home, the Bugs was in much better spirits. It seems she'd rather drive her OWN car. Can't blame the girl!
We spend two to three times a week in San Salvador, running errands for both the shop and home. It's a 40 minute drive there (depending on how many trucks you get stuck behind) and we try to squeeze in as many stops as possible in order to cut down the number of times we go in during the week. This means, on average, we're looking at 10 stops. In traffic. In the heat. With no air-conditioning (it crapped out during third tri!!) in the 2-door pickup truck. There are days when the Bugs is completely content being dragged around the capital. Other days, it's a screamfest. She is truly coming into her own. Knowing what she wants, what she doesn't want and WHEN she wants or doesn't want. Life is never boring. So I decided to photo document our long day in San Salvador, because even the mundane can be memorable and I want to remember that.
They're finally starting to add 2 lanes to the road that runs from the Puerto in La Libertad to San Salvador. Once this road is done, our trips into the city could very well take half the time that it does now. I'm shocked and impressed at how quickly they're working, considering how long it usually takes just to buy an item in a "convenient" store. Things are slower here, but this construction is moving at an alarming rate. Passing onto oncoming traffic is popular here, so I'm truly looking forward to living without the nail biting that occurs as we're driving. The area you see here, I think, is about ready to be paved. We also have many a truck that are too heavy to move beyond 1st gear or 10 miles an hour. It can be painful to be stuck behind one of them for a half an hour. It helps to have good tunes handy.
As you head into San Salvador, you can see the volcano behind the city. The coffee we'll be using in our shops is grown on the other side of this volcano! It was a hot one today. Muggy, but beautiful nonetheless. Note the bus in front of us. That is one of many, an old school bus from the States, that's been vamped up to transport locals. You can hitch a ride into the city on them for about 60 cents. But the stops are pretty vague so the times we've taken it in we've had to take a $5 cab from the bus stop to wherever it is we needed to go, which would only be about 5 minutes away. San Salvador is not very foot-friendly, which is a shame since there are many people who walk from point A to point B, even if it means walking along that median you see there. For realz.
This was our first stop. How we managed to find this place, I do not know. There are street names, but no one knows any of them, and gates and buildings are rarely numbered. And even if they were, no one looks at them. To this day, I dream of Mapquest, and imagine how funny it would be if San Salvador actually had Mapquest directions. To find this place, ours would have read something like:1. Drive straight on the road to San Salvador from La Libertad.
2. Go past Pink Flamingo Plaza.
3. Turn around at the the redondel.
4. Grey gate before you go back to La Libertad.
But this is how it is here, and by landmark directions we've gotten to know the capital better than many Salvadorans.
So the mysterious grey gate is the entryway to a company that sells coffee bags. Most places around (and outside of) San Salvador have these gates. You see lots of chicken wire, and often men holding shotguns "guarding" these places. I suppose security has been a sensitive issue for Salvadorans for a long time. People need to feel secure, and if a 90 year old man holding an empty gun does it for them, well, so be it I suppose. Frankly, I've become desensitized to these things after only living here for three years. So here is the Bugs and RV at the coffee bag place. Beyond the chicken wire sit normal people, doing normal stuff. You know, filing papers, playing solitaire. The big boss sat at his desk and smoked a cigarette. RV took the Bugs outside for fresh air.
The Bugs is growing. The poor nugget is smushed into the back seat at this point. We realize that this can't go on much longer so we are now in the market for a MINIVAN. I just can't believe it. I never would have thought in a million years that I'd be shopping for a MINIVAN! A VW bug? Yes! A minicooper? Yes! Before talks of trying for Bugs Part Dos we had talked about getting a little Peugeot. But it seems between the amount of guests we have all the time and our ever growing family, a MINIVAN makes the most sense. I've accepted it...but still! A MINIVAN?? Here we are at the Mazda dealership where we found that we will not be able to afford a new car, shortly after a medium length meltdown and a diaper change.
Our third stop was the used car dealership across the street, but when I asked if they had any Mazda 5's I was told, "Oh. We had one, but they just took it to Santa Ana on Saturday". This is a typical answer. I suppose I could have asked, who and why and what does this mean to me, but I've learned not to bother.
Next we stopped in at the fancy outdoor mall La Gran Via. Our tea vendor is located here as is a coffee shop I love. I've been harassing the owner (who also sells coffee wholesale apparently) for two weeks now and I ended up stalking her by accident this morning. I called her thrice last week with promises of return calls, and today I went in to ask if I could just BUY the syrups (that are impossible to find) from them and there she was. Looking at me like a crazy stalker. Oh well. She told me to call her tomorrow, so I guess it was worth it!US chain restaurants are popular here. There's a Friday's, a Bennigan's and now a Chili's. I'm not a huge fan of these types of restaurants and I don't see much of a difference between any of them. But we met some friends for lunch because they wanted to try out the new Chili's. The restaurant was eerily empty as many Salvadorans are starting to feel nervous about the economics that will most likely trickle down from the States. Everyone also gets paid on friday, so they wait to go out to eat with their paychecks. Here's the Bugs trying to eat the menu. The girl obviously needs to learn the difference between a burger and a photo of a burger.
Can you believe we're only halfway through the day? The Bugs so kindly decided to take a nap in the bucket while we ate fried stuff and a steak. It was super sweet of her! It seems she was saving her energy to help her dad push the cart at the hardware store.
Note the weary look on RV's face. The day is starting to take it's toll. I have yet to understand how these hardware stores work. It's always an interesting trip, as you will find all kinds of things there that have very little to do with construction material. Our shopping list today included: corkboard, a water pump for the 5 gallon garafones, a dustpan, a big coffee scooper, some pieces of screening. We were unable to acquire the following things on our list, that we, for one reason or another did expect to find: caulk, termite repellent, diatonaceous earth. The shopping must have worn her out because she went right backing to napping afterwards after a short-medium length meltdown.
And we let her sleep in the car while I ran in to pickup our mail.
We use a mail forwarding system called Transexpress which allows us to have a US P.O. Box as well as a street address. In theory, it is a great idea. We need to have our mail sent somewhere. But we pay $300/year to receive up to 75 pounds. And then we pay taxes on every package that is sent to us. Including gifts! Our Christmas presents are always torn open as if they'd been chewed up by savage dogs. Sort of sad, but I suppose it's better than the package never getting to us at all. The only thing we don't pay taxes on are books. Which we don't order because they're so heavy. This reminds me, we need to look for a new system.If you've made it this far...yes, I am still talking about the same day. We then had to stop by the place we bought our espresso machine to pick up this brush to clean the espresso machine.
I shit you not. Luckily, the Bugs did this while we waited for a half an hour.
Poor little nugget. By this point I'm feeling like a shit parent, but also know that we need to get this crap done. And there's nothing like a complete waste of a stop at the supermarket. We were on a hunt for plastic containers. They're unbelievably expensive at the hardware store (yes, the hardware store) but we couldn't remember where we had seem them before. They certainly weren't here. But as we searched, I nursed the peanut on our way into the store...
and also while we were in the store (yes, kittens at the supermarket)...
and on our way out of the store...
I think I've come a long way on the issue of nursing in public.Our last stops were in this strip mall.
First, another supermarket where we were still unable to find plastic containers. And then...SUCCESS! At? You guessed it. The other hardware store. At a more affordable cost. $3 for 3 quart containers. It's on days like this that I miss places like TARGET and IKEA and, yes...I'll say it the evilevilevil WALMART. So there ya have it. When we're not frolicking in the pool or making coffee, this is how we spend our days.When we got home, the Bugs was in much better spirits. It seems she'd rather drive her OWN car. Can't blame the girl!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
steady, now
Oh my fock am I a bad blogger. I blame my flat feet. Balancing is not one of my strong points.
We are about a week away from opening the new shop and it's taking over my everything! I couldn't be more excited or proud of this venture. It's taken a bit of soul searching but it seems we've finally settled on a business that will not only (hopefully) create some income, but will also help us stay in this country. Sink, roots, sink!
When we were still living in the States, the original master plan was to open a surf shop. When that didn't work out, we made some fun t-shirts to sell instead but couldn't really see that putting dinner on the table. We then somehow managed to land some jobs as project managers for foreigners building here in El Salvador. But between the cost of owning a corporation and what we could charge our clients without feeling like money-grubbing-blood-suckers, we're just breaking even, really. So we're pouring our hopes into this little espresso machine. It's the only one on this side of the coastline as far as we know, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic.
Sometimes the universe decides to throw you a bone. We were starting to worry a bit about our financial capability about staying here (not to mention our residency requirements), because though I would certainly call it paradise, we can't live on mangoes and coconuts alone. In fact, we just had to perform some major reconstructive surgery on our septic system.
Speaking of septic systems, the Bugs seems to be regressing a bit in her Elimination Communication skills. I'm pretty sure this is a backlash of my inability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time. But I'd say we're down to 40% diaper-free time (from 100% when we first started). I was beginning to have to wash more clothes than diapers which seemed to defeat the purpose of the training. Plus I found it really difficult to say "PSSSSSSS" AS she would pee on me. However I'm happy to report that we've been having continued success with pooping in the potty! I've changed one poopy diaper in the past few weeks (which I felt terrible about because it happened while we working in the shop and it had obviously been in there...uh....awhile).
Junibel is now FIVE FREAKING MONTHS old! How did that happen? No sign of a baby brother or sister yet. I'm not sure I'm even ovulating in there. Though I do get a visit from the vagina fairy every month. Who knows. And I must be crazy to think that I can even handle another kid! The Bugs is starting to come out of her 4 month sleep shakeup (knock on wood). She was up to 4 or 5 wakeups during the night. I know kids go through all sorts of sleep phases, but this last one sure kicked me in me arse real good. Lucky for me, I now have access to good coffee every day!
And speaking of sweet things, The Bugs is now reaching for me. And squeezing my face. And cuddling my neck like a koala. I can tell when she's looking for me from across the room. Seeing all this, everything that never made sense finally does. I'm not just being sentimental, I mean it for rizzle.
We have a gaggle of New Jerseyans coming to visit her in April. Seven of them, in fact. On RV's birthday to be exact. There is a lot of celebrating to do around here! So, I suppose I shouldn't make any promises to be better at updating? Gah!
We are about a week away from opening the new shop and it's taking over my everything! I couldn't be more excited or proud of this venture. It's taken a bit of soul searching but it seems we've finally settled on a business that will not only (hopefully) create some income, but will also help us stay in this country. Sink, roots, sink!
When we were still living in the States, the original master plan was to open a surf shop. When that didn't work out, we made some fun t-shirts to sell instead but couldn't really see that putting dinner on the table. We then somehow managed to land some jobs as project managers for foreigners building here in El Salvador. But between the cost of owning a corporation and what we could charge our clients without feeling like money-grubbing-blood-suckers, we're just breaking even, really. So we're pouring our hopes into this little espresso machine. It's the only one on this side of the coastline as far as we know, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic.
Sometimes the universe decides to throw you a bone. We were starting to worry a bit about our financial capability about staying here (not to mention our residency requirements), because though I would certainly call it paradise, we can't live on mangoes and coconuts alone. In fact, we just had to perform some major reconstructive surgery on our septic system.
Speaking of septic systems, the Bugs seems to be regressing a bit in her Elimination Communication skills. I'm pretty sure this is a backlash of my inability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time. But I'd say we're down to 40% diaper-free time (from 100% when we first started). I was beginning to have to wash more clothes than diapers which seemed to defeat the purpose of the training. Plus I found it really difficult to say "PSSSSSSS" AS she would pee on me. However I'm happy to report that we've been having continued success with pooping in the potty! I've changed one poopy diaper in the past few weeks (which I felt terrible about because it happened while we working in the shop and it had obviously been in there...uh....awhile).
Junibel is now FIVE FREAKING MONTHS old! How did that happen? No sign of a baby brother or sister yet. I'm not sure I'm even ovulating in there. Though I do get a visit from the vagina fairy every month. Who knows. And I must be crazy to think that I can even handle another kid! The Bugs is starting to come out of her 4 month sleep shakeup (knock on wood). She was up to 4 or 5 wakeups during the night. I know kids go through all sorts of sleep phases, but this last one sure kicked me in me arse real good. Lucky for me, I now have access to good coffee every day!
And speaking of sweet things, The Bugs is now reaching for me. And squeezing my face. And cuddling my neck like a koala. I can tell when she's looking for me from across the room. Seeing all this, everything that never made sense finally does. I'm not just being sentimental, I mean it for rizzle.
We have a gaggle of New Jerseyans coming to visit her in April. Seven of them, in fact. On RV's birthday to be exact. There is a lot of celebrating to do around here! So, I suppose I shouldn't make any promises to be better at updating? Gah!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Wow and wow!
Some excellent news to report today!
In babyland, the Bugs floated on her back unassisted for the very first time. I told RV that I thought she'd be able to do it by the time she was 4 months old. Yesterday was her 4 month birthday. She floated for about 5 seconds each time. We were both much too excited to bother getting the camera.
In mamaland, I had heard that an old song of mine was being used in a European car commercial. I hadn't really believed it to be true until seeing it for myself. The song they chose was one we had recorded just for fun. It's only years after breaking up I can see why that would be the first of our songs to go anywhere.
Anyway, WOW on both counts.
In babyland, the Bugs floated on her back unassisted for the very first time. I told RV that I thought she'd be able to do it by the time she was 4 months old. Yesterday was her 4 month birthday. She floated for about 5 seconds each time. We were both much too excited to bother getting the camera.
In mamaland, I had heard that an old song of mine was being used in a European car commercial. I hadn't really believed it to be true until seeing it for myself. The song they chose was one we had recorded just for fun. It's only years after breaking up I can see why that would be the first of our songs to go anywhere.
Anyway, WOW on both counts.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Facebook Wins
I totally fell for it. 25 Random Things about Me:
1. My parents had no idea I could speak English until the day they took me on an interview for pre-K. I had learned watching TV.
2. I’ve never felt very confident about anything I’ve ever done, but I’m sure I’m a pretty kickass mom.
3. I haven’t touched the guitar more than 10 times in the past 2.5 years, but have been enjoying music more than ever.
4. Surfing has become an excellent replacement for rockin’ out on stage (which I can’t imagine doing ever again).
5. I’m a little shocked I’ve been Facebooked by some of the people who have Facebooked me.
6. The first time I ever took a shot was of Jameson, poured by a bartender who ended up becoming the father of my kid almost a decade later. The whiskey was really good.
7. I demanded that my OB guide me through a completely med-free birthing. 15 hours of labor later I begged for an epidural, then a c-section after asking why they couldn’t just “pull the fucking thing out of me”. I was glad my doctor ignored me and I got to deliver naturally (after the epi wore off!).
8. My daughter is Korean-German-Irish-American-Salvadoran, which is super cool but I may keep her from taking the SATs so she doesn't have to worry about which box to check to describe herself.
9. The only surgery I've ever had (other than having my wisdom teeth pulled) was cosmetic the summer before 7th grade. My mom wanted me to get my eyes done so I’d fit in better with the kids at school. I don’t think it worked.
10. I’ve rocked in almost every state of the USA, (and Puerto Rico!).
11. I pluck out 8 gray hairs on a weekly basis. What. The. Fuck.
12. My husband and I decided to move to El Salvador to surf, build a house and a family. Check, check and check.
13. I am eternally thankful to my high school Spanish teacher who chased me down hallways waving my tarea at me. It would be way more difficult to live here if I had taken French.
14. My most embarrassing tattoo is a playboy bunny under my belly button that blew up twice it’s size during pregnancy. It was an impulse purchase. And the tattoo artist had a gun in his back pocket. This was in HOBOKEN, NJ (???). The owner also showed me a photo of the tattoo on his penis and tried to convince me that it was, indeed, a lollipop. Not a plunger like I had originally thought.
15. I still have memorized a half-torah portion from going to Hebrew school with my friend Lauren when we were kids.
16. Though I’ve been accused of being a hippie based on my cloth diapering, breastfeeding and composting, I am still a neurotic, angry punk rocker at heart.
17. Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged changed my life. For the better (believe it or not).
18. Once in a while I miss putting on a pair of heels. But I don’t ever miss socks.
19. I love the fact that there are people who are afraid to come to El Salvador.
20. No matter how many times I quit, I know, unfortunately, I will always be a smoker. This is the thing I like least about myself.
21. I am full of empathy. This is the thing I like best about myself.
22. I’ve kept a journal since 3rd grade. The first entry begins, “My grandmother hates me. Today she made my brother a hamburger WITH a bun and only gave me TOAST”.
23. I’ve saved all of Junibel’s nail clippings. Freak show or just super sentimental?
24. In 1997, I was 3 credits shy of receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Now I need 7 credits. Good thing I already have photos in my cap and gown at graduation!
25. I’ve never owned a pet long enough to see it’s death. Though I am dreading this day, I am, for the first time in my life, looking forward to staying put long enough to experience something like this. Could I sound more goth? I can’t end on that. My favorite candies are Mini Chewy Sweetarts. Yum!
1. My parents had no idea I could speak English until the day they took me on an interview for pre-K. I had learned watching TV.
2. I’ve never felt very confident about anything I’ve ever done, but I’m sure I’m a pretty kickass mom.
3. I haven’t touched the guitar more than 10 times in the past 2.5 years, but have been enjoying music more than ever.
4. Surfing has become an excellent replacement for rockin’ out on stage (which I can’t imagine doing ever again).
5. I’m a little shocked I’ve been Facebooked by some of the people who have Facebooked me.
6. The first time I ever took a shot was of Jameson, poured by a bartender who ended up becoming the father of my kid almost a decade later. The whiskey was really good.
7. I demanded that my OB guide me through a completely med-free birthing. 15 hours of labor later I begged for an epidural, then a c-section after asking why they couldn’t just “pull the fucking thing out of me”. I was glad my doctor ignored me and I got to deliver naturally (after the epi wore off!).
8. My daughter is Korean-German-Irish-American-Salvadoran, which is super cool but I may keep her from taking the SATs so she doesn't have to worry about which box to check to describe herself.
9. The only surgery I've ever had (other than having my wisdom teeth pulled) was cosmetic the summer before 7th grade. My mom wanted me to get my eyes done so I’d fit in better with the kids at school. I don’t think it worked.
10. I’ve rocked in almost every state of the USA, (and Puerto Rico!).
11. I pluck out 8 gray hairs on a weekly basis. What. The. Fuck.
12. My husband and I decided to move to El Salvador to surf, build a house and a family. Check, check and check.
13. I am eternally thankful to my high school Spanish teacher who chased me down hallways waving my tarea at me. It would be way more difficult to live here if I had taken French.
14. My most embarrassing tattoo is a playboy bunny under my belly button that blew up twice it’s size during pregnancy. It was an impulse purchase. And the tattoo artist had a gun in his back pocket. This was in HOBOKEN, NJ (???). The owner also showed me a photo of the tattoo on his penis and tried to convince me that it was, indeed, a lollipop. Not a plunger like I had originally thought.
15. I still have memorized a half-torah portion from going to Hebrew school with my friend Lauren when we were kids.
16. Though I’ve been accused of being a hippie based on my cloth diapering, breastfeeding and composting, I am still a neurotic, angry punk rocker at heart.
17. Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged changed my life. For the better (believe it or not).
18. Once in a while I miss putting on a pair of heels. But I don’t ever miss socks.
19. I love the fact that there are people who are afraid to come to El Salvador.
20. No matter how many times I quit, I know, unfortunately, I will always be a smoker. This is the thing I like least about myself.
21. I am full of empathy. This is the thing I like best about myself.
22. I’ve kept a journal since 3rd grade. The first entry begins, “My grandmother hates me. Today she made my brother a hamburger WITH a bun and only gave me TOAST”.
23. I’ve saved all of Junibel’s nail clippings. Freak show or just super sentimental?
24. In 1997, I was 3 credits shy of receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Now I need 7 credits. Good thing I already have photos in my cap and gown at graduation!
25. I’ve never owned a pet long enough to see it’s death. Though I am dreading this day, I am, for the first time in my life, looking forward to staying put long enough to experience something like this. Could I sound more goth? I can’t end on that. My favorite candies are Mini Chewy Sweetarts. Yum!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Day Stretcher
I need a day stretcher. RV says that's what my mother-in-law used to say and I'm feeling the same way!
Though the Bugs is an excellent sleeper (for the most part), I still feel like I get nothing done.
I made these potato latkes after being inspired by this blog, but used the recipe from here. They were so delicious I ate them for dinner and breakfast and were gone by the end of lunch the next day. I suppose if I'm so busy stuffing my face, there isn't much time to do anything else! I also made applesauce to go with them and I'm embarrassed to say that I took a recipe that called for 3-4 POUNDS of apples and used FOUR APPLES. I never claimed to be a chef by any means so back off people (I'm not defensive about it at all)! And besides, after dumping the sugary syrup that refused to boil down after an hour and a half, it came out incredible. Incredible like washing down cotton candy with an oversized soda pop at the amusement park when you're seven years old. I'd share with you just how much sugar the recipe called for, but I'm not interested in being forwarded your dentist bills. Besides, you can easily google my mistake! Here's a nice photo of it though (warning: photo alone may induce cavities).
I also made these stuffed cabbages but, man, that is SO last week!
Even so, here's a quick HOW TO because they were so yummy and easy.
Take about 14 leaves off of one head of cabbage and boil in a little bit of water with salt until soft.
Meanwhile, combine the following:
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato soup or sauce
2 Tbl brown sugar
juice of 1 lime
1 Tbl Worchestire Sauce
little water to thin it out.
Add 1/3 of the sauce you just made to the following:
1 lb. ground beef (or turkey or what have you)
1 clove of crushed garlic
1 chopped onion
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 cup of cooked rice
1 egg
3/4 C bread crumbs
S&P
some fresh parsley
Take some of the smaller cabbage leaves and line the bottom of your pan. Take the bigger leaves and stuff with the meat mix you just made (about 1 handful each). Roll them, top and bottom first, then sides. Lay your rolls on the cabbage leaves you have in the pan. Cover with the sauce you have left. Take any leftover leaves and cover on top of that. This will keep your rolls form drying out. Stick in oven at 350 degrees for an hour. Baste every now and then. Chow down! Delicious. And they bring me all the way back to 210 West 4th Street in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Siiiiigh.
In addition to making yummy, yet admittedly frighteningly unhealthy, meals and spending time with the Bugs, we've been busy with getting our newest project off the ground. It seems all the years I spent slinging coffee and juice might pay off. There's more to come later, but here's a little peak for now.
We've also been dealing with residency issues, once again. This has been a two-year long scavenger hunt for us. It's a never ending goose chase of papers, letters, signatures, stamps and seals to keep our asses in this country. This is no simple feat. For example, I stood in line for 3 hours yesterday morning from 7am to 10am to apply for a Solvencia at the police station. This is a letter that states that I have not committed any crimes in this country over the past 3 months. RV had to squiggle his way through the crowd with the Bugs twice to have me feed her. Yes, while standing in line! This was pleasant. But I suppose it's all worth it. On the way home we tried to think of where we would live if we were to ever move back to the States and, though, we are absolutely thrilled and proud to be American with our kick-ass new president, we could not think of one city in the whole US of A we'd rather be than here in El Salvador. Strange but true.
Outside the Immigration office we bought 2 movies for 2 dollars. I admit, I don't have much guilt associated with watching pirated movies. And going into the city just to rent or return movies isn't happening anymore like they did BB (Before Bugs!). So we stayed up, shockingly past double digits to watch The Changeling and Revolutionary Road. Yes, two movies in one night! Though unheard of now, double features used to be a regular pastime for us. Both movies were excellent, by the way, and hit us in ways that would not have just a few short years ago.
Just in case we happen to run out of things to do, however, we have officially decided to go for Peanut, The Sequel. That's right. Coming to a blog near you...
Though the Bugs is an excellent sleeper (for the most part), I still feel like I get nothing done.
I made these potato latkes after being inspired by this blog, but used the recipe from here. They were so delicious I ate them for dinner and breakfast and were gone by the end of lunch the next day. I suppose if I'm so busy stuffing my face, there isn't much time to do anything else! I also made applesauce to go with them and I'm embarrassed to say that I took a recipe that called for 3-4 POUNDS of apples and used FOUR APPLES. I never claimed to be a chef by any means so back off people (I'm not defensive about it at all)! And besides, after dumping the sugary syrup that refused to boil down after an hour and a half, it came out incredible. Incredible like washing down cotton candy with an oversized soda pop at the amusement park when you're seven years old. I'd share with you just how much sugar the recipe called for, but I'm not interested in being forwarded your dentist bills. Besides, you can easily google my mistake! Here's a nice photo of it though (warning: photo alone may induce cavities).
I also made these stuffed cabbages but, man, that is SO last week!
Even so, here's a quick HOW TO because they were so yummy and easy.
Take about 14 leaves off of one head of cabbage and boil in a little bit of water with salt until soft.
Meanwhile, combine the following:
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato soup or sauce
2 Tbl brown sugar
juice of 1 lime
1 Tbl Worchestire Sauce
little water to thin it out.
Add 1/3 of the sauce you just made to the following:
1 lb. ground beef (or turkey or what have you)
1 clove of crushed garlic
1 chopped onion
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 cup of cooked rice
1 egg
3/4 C bread crumbs
S&P
some fresh parsley
Take some of the smaller cabbage leaves and line the bottom of your pan. Take the bigger leaves and stuff with the meat mix you just made (about 1 handful each). Roll them, top and bottom first, then sides. Lay your rolls on the cabbage leaves you have in the pan. Cover with the sauce you have left. Take any leftover leaves and cover on top of that. This will keep your rolls form drying out. Stick in oven at 350 degrees for an hour. Baste every now and then. Chow down! Delicious. And they bring me all the way back to 210 West 4th Street in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Siiiiigh.
In addition to making yummy, yet admittedly frighteningly unhealthy, meals and spending time with the Bugs, we've been busy with getting our newest project off the ground. It seems all the years I spent slinging coffee and juice might pay off. There's more to come later, but here's a little peak for now.
We've also been dealing with residency issues, once again. This has been a two-year long scavenger hunt for us. It's a never ending goose chase of papers, letters, signatures, stamps and seals to keep our asses in this country. This is no simple feat. For example, I stood in line for 3 hours yesterday morning from 7am to 10am to apply for a Solvencia at the police station. This is a letter that states that I have not committed any crimes in this country over the past 3 months. RV had to squiggle his way through the crowd with the Bugs twice to have me feed her. Yes, while standing in line! This was pleasant. But I suppose it's all worth it. On the way home we tried to think of where we would live if we were to ever move back to the States and, though, we are absolutely thrilled and proud to be American with our kick-ass new president, we could not think of one city in the whole US of A we'd rather be than here in El Salvador. Strange but true.Outside the Immigration office we bought 2 movies for 2 dollars. I admit, I don't have much guilt associated with watching pirated movies. And going into the city just to rent or return movies isn't happening anymore like they did BB (Before Bugs!). So we stayed up, shockingly past double digits to watch The Changeling and Revolutionary Road. Yes, two movies in one night! Though unheard of now, double features used to be a regular pastime for us. Both movies were excellent, by the way, and hit us in ways that would not have just a few short years ago.
Just in case we happen to run out of things to do, however, we have officially decided to go for Peanut, The Sequel. That's right. Coming to a blog near you...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Elimination Communiwhaaaa?
After my parents left, I couldn't help but wonder. Was my mom telling the truth? I continued to wonder until I was told about this website which seemed to give my mom some validity. It was Tuesday morning when I finally caved and needed to try it myself. The Bugs had just woken up from a nap and I already knew that she'd probably have to go, like the most of us do after a nap, so I carried her over to the sink and, sure enough, she whizzed away. I still couldn't believe it. It just did not seem possible!So we've been at it for 5 days now. And I am in ABSOLUTE shock and awe. I've been hanging out with a naked baby since 9 am this morning and it's now 5 pm and she's fast asleep in the pack n' play, that's right, butt nekkid! And we have had ZERO accidents (knock on a really giant piece of wood). It's been a learning curve of lightening speed, though. I did get peed on twice yesterday after missing cues and thinking she was being fussy for no reason. But you'd be amazed at how quickly you learn so's to not get showered in baby pee. It took me a few tries to figure out how to hold her comfortably until I remembered someone had gifted me a kid potty to help heal my episiotomy. It's finally being used.
I hate how much I sound like an advert-isement for elimination commun-ication. Like I'm some born again eliminator or something. But this girl is 3 months old and I've changed 2 diapers today. If this keeps up, so be it. I will, indeed, praise the poop gods! I mean, the girl woke up from her afternoon nap, just to go potty, then put herself back to sleep! RV keeps on taking photos of what the Bugs is cookin' in the caboose because he wants to make sure people believe him when he tells them. What a proud dad. Me, on the other hand, I'm happy with the photos you see here.We have yet to do this outside the house and I didn't really see myself doing that anytime soon. But then this afternoon when I was telling my mom the great news, she suggested keeping a little container in the car in case we want to do it while we're out and about. I couldn't help thinking that that was a great fucking idea!!
Oh god. Is this truly the beginnings of the freakish attachment parenting people murmur about like breastfeeding your kid till they're legally old enough to drink alcohol? I suppose only time will tell...
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