Preparation

So, between the emails from the NH Electric Co-op, Time Warner Cable and other random posts on Facebook from meteorologists who graduated from Plymouth, I figured I would blog before I'm potentially out of power for a while.

Considering Vermont and New Hampshire don't have a State of Emergency issued...Do you not remember Irene? Irene left a mess, and this one is due to be stronger. I mean, I'd rather be safe than sorry, but if don't wish to, that's your prerogative.

Anyhow, I've collected some water, and I'm starting to freeze bags of water, just in case I lose power for a while. We don't have a flood warning, but we do have a high wind watch. We have trees. I'm putting two and two together.

Anyhow, I'm going to move my car, since it's parked under a tree, and I already had a tree fall on it once. I'm not pushing my luck.

For everyone on the East Coast, be careful. I'll try to update during, but if I lose power, well then...I'll update afterwards.

Now if you excuse me, I'm getting some perishable food in my stomach before I have to throw it away.

Sidenote, I think the corporate heads at the Weather Channel are grateful for events like this, in a financial sense (if they pray for it everyday, they need to be committed. But I doubt that and digress). You know only 300 people watch Coast Guard: Alaska religiously.

Update as of 7:30 pm EST: Plymouth State Cancelled classes tomorrow. Almost as a rule, Plymouth waits until the weather is on top of us and the professors can't make it to the campus. When they cancel ahead of time, shit's going to get serious. Also, we now have a flood watch. I'll keep people updated.

TGIF...Thank God It's Finally the End of the Week

So, officially half of the semester is done. Thank God.

As of now, I'm taking a pre-study break. This day has dragged horribly. And based off of next week's weather report with Hurricane Sandy, things won't be so good here in the Northeastern U.S.

However, I do have one question: Why do people stay around if Jim Cantore or Anderson Cooper show up in their town? Jim Cantore not so much, but if I saw Anderson Cooper in his black t-shirt, I'd get the hell out of there.

It's funny, a lot of people seem not concerned by the weather. However, considering this storm is due to be huge and has been deemed 'Frankenstorm,' I'd maybe want to care. I remember when Irene came through, that system made a ridiculous mess.

But enough about the storm. I guess I should update people on life. As of now, I have sent out a few applications for jobs in Argentina, in Buenos Aires. Hopefully, I hear back from some of them soon, but we'll see. I'm also looking into Masters programs in Argentina, since I know I want a higher degree. I just can't afford the United States' programs.

But that's what I've been up to. Otherwise, the semester has been stressful, as per usual. But, I'm looking forward to a few things.

This weekend, I see some of my friends from the Mount Washington Hotel. I haven't seen a lot of them since before I left for Argentina, so it will be nice. But I'm also looking forward to Monday, since Omar will find out if he gets his work visa or not. We'll see what happens.

 Otherwise, I hope everyone has a good weekend, and I'll see you on the flip-side. And get the damn Halloween candy before Halloween, Rite Aid is already switching to the Christmas candy. God help us all.

Earthquakes and Debates...Oh Boy

So, in New Hampshire, we felt an earthquake that came from Maine. I genuinely was wondering if the wall was really shaking, and if I was losing my mind (it has been a long day, kids). I also thought that maybe it was a potential gas explosion or runaway truck. In any case, I was worried just because I was cooking dinner and didn't want to burn myself on the stove. Nonetheless, I ignored it, thinking I was just sleep deprived. Yeah, good instincts right there. I should not live on an active plate.

You want to know how I found out? My boyfriend messaged me on Facebook.

"Is everything ok? I heard about the earthquake."

My literal reaction was "What the hell is he....Ahhh, I did feel the apartment shaking."

Yes, it took a message from Mar del Plata, Argentina to let me know what's going on. I really should not live in an earthquake zone.

But, you know what's more entertaining than my reaction? Reactions on Facebook after a small earthquake. Some of the statuses are quite entertaining.

We don't have a lot of action here in New Hampshire, please be understanding.

Anyhow, if there's an aftershock during the presidential debate, I will not be thrilled. It can wait until the debate ends. Then by all accounts, sure tectonic plates, shift all you want.

Just please don't kill me. I like living.

Sunday Procrastination

As the title of the blog indicates, I'm delaying the inevitable load of homework that awaits me today. However, I figured I would somewhat productive, so at least I put my clothes away. And made apple crisp. Ah yeah.

Not much has been going on as of late, except I believe I lined up an internship at a working museum, so I'll keep people posted on that. But I'm 95% sure I got it.

Anyhow, I've just been doing school, with all my classes stressing me in some way or another. Oddly, it's a non-required class that's making me stress the most. Guess which one it is.

Spanish. Spanish makes me scared every day. I think it's because I feel that I have a lot to learn before June, so I need to do well.

But, I think I'll pass the exam tomorrow, after getting much needed assistance from Omar.

But, I digress. I think I'm going to continue to watch TCM. I mean, they have the old, classic movies. I've seen classic films with Ray Harryhausen clay figures, shorts where Errol Flynn is making fun of "native peoples," it's pretty awesome, especially from a historical aspect.

It's nice to see a channel that has stuff like that. I mean, AMC used to be like TCM. But then AMC got too modern. Kind of makes me sad. It's like what happened to TLC, History Channel, Discovery Channel, and what not. Everything is for the ratings, and for the funding. In the case of TCM, I think it is Ted Turner's baby, I've seen no ads on the channel, unless it's related to the network.

But, I've procrastinated too long. Back to work. Hasta luego chicos.

Almost Mid-Semester Update

I'm at work. In fact, I probably should not be blogging at all. However, as it is Columbus Day (or should I say, International Genocide Day), there are not a lot of people floating around on this campus.

I know I haven't been blogging much, if at all. Ever since I got back from Argentina I've been going a million miles a minute, between 6 classes, 4 jobs (not at the Mount Washington, mind you) and family issues (Thanks for that Wells Fargo), so blogging has been the last thing on my mind.

However, I know that I probably should, since it gave me some sort of a release, and it allows me to be more open than more traditional outlets.

So, an update: I want to be back in Argentina. Plain and simple.

The level of work you get here in the United States is not proportional to the reward. I mean, I work an insane amount of time just to barely pay bills, and then I have a ridiculous amount of classwork, as I am in 6 classes. All in the name of having a good job when I get out of college, at least according to archaic theory. In reality, I may make more money if I go back to the Mount Washington after graduation than if I tried to get a real job that uses my degree. Or, if I got a real job, I'd work 80 hours a week just to make sure I kept the real job, and give up having a life.

It's not worth it to me. I've had too many regrets to just live on the wheel of work and materialism like everyone else. Yes, I could have the money to buy all the things I wanted eventually, but if that means I lose time with those I care about, it's not worth it. I just want enough money to pay my bills, and save a little bit on the side. I want time where I can relax and not have a heart attack every time my phone gets a message or a call because people need me or I've really screwed up.
 
So, at this point in the tirade, I bet people are wondering what the Argentina thing has to do with it. Easy, I was incredibly happy there. Yes, I know I was on vacation, but I wasn't staying at a resort. I was staying with my boyfriend and his family. I saw how the normal people lived. I will admit, there is definitely poverty, and they don't have easy access to technology, financially speaking. They work their asses off just to get by, but they also know how to enjoy life and enjoy their time with friends and family. They know when to cut the shit and stop working and enjoy their lives.

So, here's my grand plan for after graduation: I'm going back. On a one-way ticket.

I have been looking for jobs already, and I'll admit, it's a bit tough right now. But you know what? I'm young. I have Omar. I have friends down there. And the Argentines make amazing food.

 I don't care if I was offered a job working for Warren Buffett, I'm going. When I was in Argentina, it was the happiest I had felt in many years. Why not be happy? You only live once. And I want to live life to the fullest.

Now if you excuse me, I must get back to work. Stay classy everyone.

Coffee, Asado, and Killer Chimangos: An Update

Damn, it's been crazy the past two weeks, sorry folks. But, I figured that you all deserve a bit of an update on what it's like down here in the Southern Hemisphere.

First off, all of the flora and fauna is huge. I mean beyond comprehension. I've seen an aloe Vera plant the size of a one car garage. The one in the picture below is small. And trust me, it's an aloe plant.


On another side note, their wildlife also has great natural defenses, such as barbed beehives. I mean, look at the picture, it says it all.



But, what I fear most down here are the chimangos. They're a mix between a raven and a hawk, and they like to stay in groups. It's like an Alfred Hitchcock film waiting to happen. Then again, it didn't help that Omar told me that they have killed people, which I found out was a lie a short while later. But take a look at them.


Would you trust a group of those with your kids? I wouldn't.

But that's just a quick commentary on the wildlife. I have to say that the food here is absolutely AMAZING. If anyone ever travels abroad for the food, Argentina has to be on your list. The pastries are delicious, the coffee is amazing, the ice cream is great, it's all amazing. However, there is one thing people must have when they are here:


The myth, the legend, the Asado, or as we in the U.S.A. would like to it, a barbecue. And the meat is of a better quality than anything I have had in the U.S. Sorry America, you can't win them all. Especially when it comes to beef.

I also forgot to mention that people here have lives. Yes, they go to work a lot, and there is definitely poverty here. However, people see their families, and they still get together, even if it's just for mate. In that sense, I think the people here have better mental health then the average American who's working insane hours and brings work home with them. But that's a discussion for another post. I'll probably put that in my post about my capstone research, since that one will be far more political. Oh boy!

However, there is the main reason that I'm here, and it's the best reason by far. This has been made possible by the guy who's been my tour guide and translator. He also happens to be my boyfriend.


I mean, look at that face, who couldn't love that face?

But, I'll be in the blogosphere soon. There will be pictures, food, hilarity, and of course, sarcasm to tie it all together.

(I also forgot to mention the Gay Bar. God, I'll need to write about that. Actually, I should just write a book, it would be pretty hilarious and insane. But, I digress.)

Anyhow, everyone have a good night, and I'll write again soon.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Mar del Plata, Argentina

Don't Cry For Me....Unless Immigration Almost Arrests Me, Then Feel Free

So, my previous plan of a constant update failed. Either my connections were cutting it really close, or JFK wants you to pay for Internet. Lame. And I also apologize for bad quality writing, this bus ride is super shaky.

So, I'll try to update everyone on what happened. I got on a plane in JFK and for the first time ever, heard no English spoken by anyone, at least no as a first language. But also, LAN Airlines has the best customer service on an airline. I tried to speak Spanish, but they knew I was a stupid American and would speak in English for me. It definitely helped, especially when turbulence got rough at points.

Second, LAN has amazing in flight food. That tastes good. And they give you wine with dinner. Good wine. It's awesome. Except their coffee was really weak, I will say that. I mean, you service South America, what the hell?

Second, Santiago Chile is in a gorgeous setting. It makes Middle Earth look like a cakewalk. Especially when you fly over the Andes, which I have no words for, as they're that awesome. I have no clue how someone navigates those mountains, they look like a bunch of bed sheets thrown together in a pile and then starched into peaks. But, that awesomeness does have a prices. I guess the flight can be dangerous over the mountains, so you're not allowed to leave your seats urging that point of the flight. At all. I watched some guy try to get up with his kid, those flight attendants were like hawks on a rabbit.


But then there was the almost bad part when I arrived in Buenos Aires. First off, the plane was running late. Then, when I we landed, we were stuck on the plane for an extra 20 minutes. Some people may say that patience is a virtue, but I disagree when you land and you have one hour to make it to your bus. Then comes the part where which the title of the post earned its name...

So, I paid my entry fee, and the maze of cords and crap were ridiculous. I was finally able to get through, and I thought I was all set, so I start walking towards baggage claim. Then, some gentleman starts yelling "señorita, señorita!" after me. The man continues to speak in Spanish, and I'm there standing like a dumbass, not understanding what the hell he's saying. Finally, I ask if anyone spoke english (in Spanish, of course), as my skill with said language is horrible. However, when they finally got someone who did, his skill was equivalent to my Spanish skill. You can see where this went.

Finally, someone was able to ask "Why Argentina?" I just said simply "To see mi novio (my boyfriend)." Previously, these people were about to kill me (I know this because facial expressions don't lie), but as soon as I said that, they all said, with smiles on their faces,"Awwwww!!!"

I kid you not. This included 2 people from immigration, 1 supervisor, and 2 security guards. All but one were men. I'm telling you the way to get out of a situation in South America is to talk about your Latin boyfriend or girlfriend. After I said that they joked that he needed to step up as my Spanish teacher. And then they let me through. And with 5 minutes to spare, I got on the bus.

So, it may be a few days until I post again. Besides, my family has priority right now, since they haven't heard from me since I left JFK yesterday, so I need to make up for that lack in communication. But, I'll write again soon, and I'll have some pictures,since that's kind of mandatory when traveling abroad.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On a bus leaving Buenos Aires, Argentina