tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331898792024-03-07T13:35:40.451-05:00A Room of My OwnVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-7841154766536851772015-02-20T19:03:00.000-05:002015-02-20T19:08:36.643-05:00Spooning<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Spooning</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two spoons made their way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the bottom of my bag,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unbeknown to me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
searching among notebooks and pens.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I found them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they were nuzzled deep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spooning.</div>
Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-19427620893324748092011-10-16T14:08:00.003-04:002011-10-16T14:18:00.623-04:00Autumn in MinnesotaHello,<br /><br />Today is a gorgeous, crisp, sunny day in Minnesota. I walked around lake of the isles this morning with Morgan. I love the energy I feel when walking around the lakes here, people just seem to enjoy and be happy. The air was fairly cool, but the sun shining big and bright made it a little better. <br /><br />After our walk we stopped at Isles Buns for a cinnamon roll, it was glorious! It is so nice to be in a city I love. I've missed it here. <br /><br />I moved back to Minneapolis at the very end of August and signed a lease on a new place in the uptown area. So far, I am very pleased with my decision to move back here. I am living with Travis, working at an elementary charter school and hanging out with both of my parents who live in the area. Not to mention my two best friends, Morgan and Mia, are also living in the area. It is hard to complain, that is for sure. <br /><br />I want to blog about so many things... about my new job, about my journey to losing weight, about my relationship, about what I want to dress as this Halloween, haha. But there's too much! Like anything, I think you just need to start one step at a time. <br /><br />I started my job the week of Oct. 3rd, for that week my goal was just to focus on work. <br /><br />Last week, my goal was to focus on exercising 3 times a week.<br /><br />This week, my goal is to focus on my eating habits. <br /><br />So I will hopefully report good news from the week. I am very disciplined when it comes to work and school, but for some reason when it comes to my own personal life with eating and exercising, I cannot stay focused. I think that when it comes to work and school, I am working to please someone else. For example, my efforts at work directly help other people and are recognized by my supervisor. In school, my efforts were to please the professor so that I would get a good grade. With food and exercise, I am only working to please myself. Why do I not have a problem letting myself down? That absolutely is not acceptable. I will not let myself down this week.<br /><br />I will not let myself down this week. I will not let myself down this week. I will not let myself down this week. I will not let myself down this week....<br /><br />Sending love <3<br /><br />VanessaVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-89078615277678185222011-07-04T12:17:00.002-04:002011-07-04T12:33:03.519-04:00Happy 4th of JulyHappy Independence day to you all! What do you need to be freed from in your life? Think about the things that weigh you down in your life, is it your job? An unsuccessful relationship? If you haven't guessed, mine right now is FOOD! It is controlling me and I am working to free myself. For my 4th of July post I will make a plan to free myself from the pressures of over-eating. <br /><br />I am sitting in bed on this beautiful summer morning, reading a book and catching up on some blogs. I am trying to plan out my day ahead and I realize that my mind tends to plan in terms of FOOD! Instead of planning out the great activities I want to do today, I am planning out what I want to do for lunch/dinner/ice cream.. etc. I have learned from Weight Watchers that it is very important to plan your meals ahead of time - BUT your brain shouldn't be thinking only about what your next meal is going to be. <br /><br />Today I would like to do some of the following ACTIVITIES:<br />- Go on a nice bike ride<br />- Read my book on the beach<br />- Play "Catch Phrase" with friends who are coming over later<br />- Wear Glow Sticks while watching the fireworks!!<br /><br />Now that I have some fun activities going on, I hope I'll be less likely to sit at home and eat everything in the fridge. I am going to plan out my meals though, especially my night time meal to make sure I don't binge eat at the BBQ tonight. <br /><br />Okay so...<br /> - Corn on the Cob (with lime juice and cumin instead of butter and salt) <span style="font-weight:bold;">2 Points Each</span><br /> - Fat Free Brats (no bun - ketchup and mustard) <span style="font-weight:bold;">1 point each</span><br /> - Freshly cut Cantelope - <span style="font-weight:bold;">0 Points!</span><br /> - Ice Cream Cake with Blueberries and Strawberries (1/2 cup) <span style="font-weight:bold;">6 points</span><br /><br />That sounds pretty healthy to me, with the ice cream cake being my special treat :) The problem is DRINKS! Each alcoholic drink is at least 4 points. So I going to make Mojitos using Rum, Mojito flavored crystal light, mint and lime! I'll let myself have 2 for a total of <span style="font-weight:bold;">8 points</span>.<br /><br />Which leaves me with only 9 points from now until the festivities arise... oh boy.. lot's of fruit today!<br /><br />Okay I am going on my nice bike ride.<br /><br />Happy 4th of July to you! Today, learn to overcome the negative pressures around you. <br /><br />All love,<br /><br />VanessaVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-3425285918341610402011-06-28T00:59:00.004-04:002011-06-28T01:34:37.657-04:00Let it go..Let go of all of the pounds I have gained since college! When I went to college in 2006 I weighed somewhere around 117-120 pounds. In December of 2006 when I went home for Christmas break I weighed 141 pounds!! I can't believe how fast this transition can occur!<br /><br />Here is a picture of me before I left for college.. I know its silly but look how thin I was! This was taken in August of 2006<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJXYjaVrQja_QYn9bifbtESKwqFSnh01t9ml37RelTpP9eJxgm26FdpcJ769JGSshXqztwms60FIpS5WCLBfLEgAh38xarj6uKl-WGhB7ZTF_DmjrZUvK2VX4RtCPQY38aWywSw/s1600/217506_1004609996981_1276800075_30026606_7162_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJXYjaVrQja_QYn9bifbtESKwqFSnh01t9ml37RelTpP9eJxgm26FdpcJ769JGSshXqztwms60FIpS5WCLBfLEgAh38xarj6uKl-WGhB7ZTF_DmjrZUvK2VX4RtCPQY38aWywSw/s320/217506_1004609996981_1276800075_30026606_7162_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623131671211076002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And then just a few months later, I believe this picture was taken in December 2006!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RzofnEMwODnFQwK_zLMGegvhLGhGnuUXWakNFal8LpIDPdtp5jelN9veWKrZ7-qn5DC6ycrVK-2FfB8db71C34wbsjZO84JxoU31-py-wWnkthTTbgjNxNi9OGYAK0OccC8YA/s1600/207926_1003867099364_1305450072_30045917_7980_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RzofnEMwODnFQwK_zLMGegvhLGhGnuUXWakNFal8LpIDPdtp5jelN9veWKrZ7-qn5DC6ycrVK-2FfB8db71C34wbsjZO84JxoU31-py-wWnkthTTbgjNxNi9OGYAK0OccC8YA/s320/207926_1003867099364_1305450072_30045917_7980_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623131677865415586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have tried dropping these pounds, but as soon as they go away they seem to appear back before I know it. So this summer I have tried something more drastic. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />I JOINED WEIGHT WATCHERS!</span><br /><br />I know it is kind of silly, but I really think it has helped me. When I went in for my first visit (5 weeks ago) I weighed 138.8 pounds. My goal weight is 118.8 pounds, so I have 20 pounds ahead of me. <br /><br />I have lost a total of 4.6 pounds in 5 weeks. Someone asked me the other day how I could have drastically changed my diet, started exercising more and still only managed to lose less than a pound a week. I will admit this is frustrating, but if you think about it - that means you would lose close to 52 pounds a year. And that's pretty amazing!<br /><br />I didn't do very well eating or tracking this past week. I was very stressed out and I am most definitely a stress eater. For some reason I think I "deserve" more to eat when I am stressed. That is a silly notion. I have my weigh-in tomorrow afternoon and I just know that my weight isn't going to have gone down. But what I have to remember is that even if I didn't eat perfectly, I still made healthier decisions because of Weight Watchers than I would have normally.<br /><br />I've already started this week off much better. <br /><br />Good luck, me!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">All love,</span><br /><br />NessaGirlVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-39548120221956567402011-01-04T22:24:00.001-05:002011-01-04T22:24:27.094-05:00Feeling a little sad in 2011Hello Readers,<div><br /></div><div>I am writing with some feelings of sadness here today. I spent the past two weeks with my lovely boyfriend Travis and now that I am back in Tahoe, I'm feeling quite lonely. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have no one to blame but myself, as it was my decision to keep a long-distance relationship up and going.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is really hard for me to feel a purpose here. I love my job, but I feel aimless in other areas. Today I had the opportunity to go out and be active in the sunshine, but instead I was drawn to my bed and took a nap. If i want to see changes in my life, I need to be that change. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is to change for 2011. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sending love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Vanessa</div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-64026264187830068362010-11-24T19:49:00.004-05:002010-11-24T20:02:01.597-05:00CookingCooking has become a new hobby of mine. Living with three other girls, we each have a night to cook so that Monday - Thursday we have something nutritious and delicious to eat while only having to spend the time and money one night a week! I eat gluten free and my roommate Grace is a vegetarian so the meals we choose have to be well thought out and creative! Quinoa has recently been my grain of choice, as it is Gluten Free, and a great addition to most meals!<br /><br />Here is a meal I have made and am making again tonight for my boyfriend, who also eats gluten free. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">I have made my additions in purple</span>. I found it <a href="http://http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/001564.html">here</a>:<br /><br />Delicious Big Bowl - Quinoa Recipe<br /><blockquote> <p>2 cups white quinoa, rinsed well<br />4 scant cups water<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />a few splashes of extra virgin olive oil<br />3 - 4 medium/large potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice<br />1 large yellow onions, chopped<br />1 clove garlic, chopped<br />1 cup toasted nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, etc)<br />1-2 cups lightly cooked asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch segments</p><p><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Lemon Juice</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">1 Teaspoon of Pepper</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Pinch of Basil or Rosemary</span><br /></p> <p>another splash or two of good olive oil or citrus dressing</p> </blockquote> <p>Bring the quinoa, water and salt to a boil in a large thick-bottomed pot. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa opens up revealing a little spiral and is soft and pleasant to chew. If there is any remaining liquid at this point, drain it off and set the quinoa aside. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Put a little extra splash of olive oil in the quinoa right after it is finished, it gives it a good flavor. </span><br /></p> <p>Warm a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the potatoes and a couple pinches of salt. Toss to coat the potatoes and cover for a few minutes to allow the insides of the potatoes to sweat and cook. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Put rosemary or basil on the potatoes for a little extra spice</span>.Uncover, toss again, then cook a few minutes longer (uncovered) until the potatoes start to get some color. Continue tossing every few minutes to get more color and crispness. When they are cooked through and pleasantly crunchy, season to taste with salt and scoop out onto a plate. Set aside. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Add to the big pot of Quinoa</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Cook the asparagus in a separate skillet. I like to add lemon juice and a bit of salt and pepper. I put the pine nuts in with the asparagus so they get a similar flavor.<br /></span></p> <p>In the same skillet (no need to clean) warm another splash of oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes or until they soften up a bit.</p><p>Toss everything together in one big bowl and serve it up family-style.</p> <em>Serves 4 - 6.</em>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-27888494055430090302010-11-22T11:28:00.002-05:002010-11-22T11:45:35.752-05:00A big update.Time passes and I forget to write. Time passes and I forget to stop and reflect. Time passes and I forget!<br /><br />Now it is the middle (almost the end) of November and I have spent the last three months in a gorgeous place with a wonderful job and I have forgotten the details. I'll do my best to make up for the lost time here.<br /><br />In the end of August, Travis and I drove the 30 or so hours to Incline Village, Nevada. My new home. The very day we made it to our destination we SAW A BEAR! I have since seen 4 bears in my life, and I am still counting. I love seeing bears. Every time it is a ZEN moment when it seems like all of the world stops around you. People stop talking, the wind stops blowing, all to take in the beautiful sight of a big, furry animal waddling through the town.<br /><br />I pledged my commitment to America in the beginning of September. "I will get things done for America" were the exact words I had to say to announce my commitment to AmeriCorps. Kind of cool and honorable.<br /><br />I started work at Tahoe's Connection for Families that very same day. I work at a parenting education facility with a complete childhood development program as well. In laymen terms that means that from 9-noon every morning I hang out with families and their kids. We play games, sing songs, recreate. The parents go into a class for about an hour of that time with varying topics such as potty training, discipline, sleeping, food, etc. while Pattye (one of my coworkers) and I play with kids and feed them snack.<br /><br />From noon-5 every day I assist in all of the things it takes to run a business. I answer phones, respond to emails, manage money, apply for grants, organize fundraisers, translate documents to Spanish, work on the website (www.tcfkids.com) and any other thing that needs to be done. It is pretty great. I truly love my job.<br /><br />Living in Lake Tahoe is awesome. It is hands down the most beautiful place I have ever lived in my life. To see the Lake glowing and mountains hovering in the background is such an energizing sight. It has a very calming and healing nature about it.<br /><br />I live with three girls named Cora, Grace and Lyndsay. We have a small little condo which serves us very well. We each have our own bedroom and bathroom. And we even have a fireplace in our living room! Fireplaces make everything so cozy!<br /><br />Okay, I have to go. But I will make an effort to keep things updated. Not really for anyone else other than myself. But I would also love it if others would read it!<br /><br />Sending love,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-22915166845884226462010-08-05T19:41:00.003-04:002010-08-05T20:27:28.636-04:00Today I am taking care of Ryan, my little 6 month old friend. He is 6 months old today!! It is amazing how much power this little boy has over me. If he is sad, I'll do anything I can until he is happy again. If he is happy, my heart is simply filled with joy. I am so glad that I have this opportunity for the summer because starting in September I will be working with babies every day. It has been a great way for me to ease into my job as get to fall so deeply for this baby. Here are some pictures of this handsome young man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnPrU8oMr5nmFm8xUrBe3I8_0D7CIrUJ8gD2vnLSS1OZDk-DbDePfTEhd7yVNbrWlX19tDyMgdiBVaJCa78CvgkI2fGB0b64RrJPelY_Tq_zHkSuC7JUPEBZGP9V1uYDb4hiJBQ/s1600/L1020019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnPrU8oMr5nmFm8xUrBe3I8_0D7CIrUJ8gD2vnLSS1OZDk-DbDePfTEhd7yVNbrWlX19tDyMgdiBVaJCa78CvgkI2fGB0b64RrJPelY_Tq_zHkSuC7JUPEBZGP9V1uYDb4hiJBQ/s400/L1020019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502077277299208754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiemZbQReX3RYanOohQCH4ieJzcAYtbRj6yXqGwFa69AeG11zwOwb02J8VOEBses8RImm38r9rPbm5poj1eyn1VcNbgtnGR1D5-ak3glb0W8YAQ3nEELs-WFCQJC4JCCSxz8I_ag/s1600/L1020399.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiemZbQReX3RYanOohQCH4ieJzcAYtbRj6yXqGwFa69AeG11zwOwb02J8VOEBses8RImm38r9rPbm5poj1eyn1VcNbgtnGR1D5-ak3glb0W8YAQ3nEELs-WFCQJC4JCCSxz8I_ag/s400/L1020399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502077262269498626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg_coTUmLAR_CxbRvE6kX9viPZ-koO6W5qSSqQtCmCmraLRWETQrIp-OVQMMUW-KMKcAaglSjhEoGbUUjD-V96r4dG2oD_NeMDJyW7neRgybz3GEhDnUueYiCv9-Bs8sjQ5P6PQ/s1600/L1020574.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg_coTUmLAR_CxbRvE6kX9viPZ-koO6W5qSSqQtCmCmraLRWETQrIp-OVQMMUW-KMKcAaglSjhEoGbUUjD-V96r4dG2oD_NeMDJyW7neRgybz3GEhDnUueYiCv9-Bs8sjQ5P6PQ/s400/L1020574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502077255377618626" border="0" /></a>well he is waking up so i better go!!<br /><br />sending love,<br /><br />vanessaVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-61672525742024484762010-07-27T17:42:00.004-04:002010-07-27T18:03:33.353-04:00A New AdventureHello blog readers (mostly just my dad),<br /><br />In light of my NEW adventure coming up in the next month I have decided to start up my blog once again. For those of you who do not know, since writing last, I GRADUATED COLLEGE! I graduated on the 23rd of May with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Education as well as my secondary teaching certificate in the Spanish language. After four years of hard work, it was a wonderful feeling to walk down the steps of Old West and receive a diploma. Here is a photo of me in my Cap and Gown.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc6aJyb6s-6fUcAcXpxrsLlvei-91kY-Kr0CHrG-eJsd8iupMmV63D68euk1pLIjMxfv8vCGO6pb78f2Fd34oPVXJf7SmwxCvlW8QA40phSTc-nFw_qmbmFRpxmkuEVDFb10bRw/s1600/DSCN4168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc6aJyb6s-6fUcAcXpxrsLlvei-91kY-Kr0CHrG-eJsd8iupMmV63D68euk1pLIjMxfv8vCGO6pb78f2Fd34oPVXJf7SmwxCvlW8QA40phSTc-nFw_qmbmFRpxmkuEVDFb10bRw/s400/DSCN4168.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498705468967659074" /></a><div>Since then, I moved back to sunny Minnesota and moved back into my Mom's house. I've been enjoying the summer tremendously by relaxing with friends and working as a nanny for a 5 month old baby. The baby has made this summer so great! His name is Ryan and he is just a doll. </div><div><br /></div><div>So back to my new ADVENTURE! On September 1st I will begin my new job for Tahoe's Connection for Families in Incline Village, Nevada. This is a position through Americorps, which works very similarly to the Peace Corps. It is a government funded group that provides community service outreach programs to several different places around the country and recruits qualified people to work for them. My specific placement with the TCF (tahoe's connection for Families) is a community center in the Lake Tahoe area which provides services to families with children up to age 3. It is a resource center for parents to take classes, ask for help, create a community amongst other parents and a place for children to develop. So I will be working with very young kids, developing curriculum projects for them to participate in. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will be driving out there on August 26th with my boyfriend, Travis. Oh yes, I should mention that I have started dating a new handsome young boy named Travis. He has been my friend since I was 16 but just recently did we discover how much greater life can be when we're with each other. I'll post a picture of us, just so you can get a visual.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgI0HdQaUlb8ZDMKUbAzA9Qc66Nq-HRZavVNl3FcrMjkym59EiO3zRCyV1WJPd_oHzvZssO-QvJxwWBW8FHz55eTWKbfVlaQ3p9V0Mf6hYXFFqTyiAVNTLG7ZuJHdDOn5Vjdw5Q/s1600/DSCN4681.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgI0HdQaUlb8ZDMKUbAzA9Qc66Nq-HRZavVNl3FcrMjkym59EiO3zRCyV1WJPd_oHzvZssO-QvJxwWBW8FHz55eTWKbfVlaQ3p9V0Mf6hYXFFqTyiAVNTLG7ZuJHdDOn5Vjdw5Q/s400/DSCN4681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498708394296140066" /></a><div>So yes, we are leaving on August 26th and driving straight to Boulder, where we will spend two nights. Travis has a brother that lives in Boulder and I have several friends that live out there as well. Then we either drive straight through to Incline Village (about 14 hours) or we will break it up into two days, and stay one night in Salt Lake City. We'll see how we feel. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I am moving into a new condo in Incline Village with three girls I have never met! Which is sort of scary but I am hoping that they will be great people. They are all participating in different Americorps programs so they are obviously good people looking to help the world become a better place. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will upload some pictures of the place as soon as I can. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I am leaving one month from yesterday and so I am trying to develop some strong rituals that will make the transition a bit easier. So, I am trying to write and run each day. I will write to reflect on my thoughts and feelings and I will run to let out energy and gain energy (strange how that happens). I will hopefully be writing on here many of the days. </div><div><br /></div><div>So you'll be hearing more from me in the next couple of days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you're filled with love and smiles today,</div><div><br /></div><div>Vanessa </div><div><br /></div><div>PS - I'm really into this Minneapolis local band called Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lappelles. I strongly suggest you check out her music on itunes or wherever you have access. </div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-11391764195272846692009-12-07T17:20:00.009-05:002009-12-07T17:45:51.642-05:00Christmas Wish List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9tDb4L2utuupEnpEtIxp61Yz_xgd6_XxwxwnyA7scejHV_ofO8OKYzen153JqqSuQLGmSNeJkb-nCKsJdGTyJ6kZM5EuIuSLwP0S7mzH_Ejf22IVYPF2jF4Dq-oJsFwrj9pVcQ/s1600-h/6a00d8358081ff69e2012876192d9c970c-320wi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9tDb4L2utuupEnpEtIxp61Yz_xgd6_XxwxwnyA7scejHV_ofO8OKYzen153JqqSuQLGmSNeJkb-nCKsJdGTyJ6kZM5EuIuSLwP0S7mzH_Ejf22IVYPF2jF4Dq-oJsFwrj9pVcQ/s400/6a00d8358081ff69e2012876192d9c970c-320wi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412624612428932274" /></a><br /><br /><br />1. Some New DVDS<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0qynlItZ1UtexKbOZVt8iaoYIrguWJuqakFGvNu3RnKN2rP5e9q03dE0ACGSygBWet_pIS1h4It1UAG7P4p_wysdy4hoyK6Tg_coPyx7Im-EP7k_TLMW88WPgyfKIuprhl9_tw/s1600-h/breakfast_at_tiffanys-dvd-audrey_hepburn-george_peppard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0qynlItZ1UtexKbOZVt8iaoYIrguWJuqakFGvNu3RnKN2rP5e9q03dE0ACGSygBWet_pIS1h4It1UAG7P4p_wysdy4hoyK6Tg_coPyx7Im-EP7k_TLMW88WPgyfKIuprhl9_tw/s400/breakfast_at_tiffanys-dvd-audrey_hepburn-george_peppard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412624621216539058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A7N83SVprxJnTXe0_ljItOXuUXeH_fSbOms17NPrBkmMbNtmZlNSTyjCgjb7jk-Su0uGHolrCRKUziuDi4f86V_Jwzz69Fheqga0PvySp5nny7ZIwqilmxul1qmbYORtZWYaLw/s1600-h/amelie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A7N83SVprxJnTXe0_ljItOXuUXeH_fSbOms17NPrBkmMbNtmZlNSTyjCgjb7jk-Su0uGHolrCRKUziuDi4f86V_Jwzz69Fheqga0PvySp5nny7ZIwqilmxul1qmbYORtZWYaLw/s400/amelie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412624618961153586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLJFX7yuBZfn5Ja_344bxHxJNxfUey7vT2AZatSRaUC8111iu8OoKtwvWTDd5Qiq6o3uiZ1w3IaUIvnAgbnyQUDo3DmM-FgNBXcb8il7jJpRM16zPjLnK-7DQQryIdGiszC4jHw/s1600-h/505409little-miss-sunshine-posters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLJFX7yuBZfn5Ja_344bxHxJNxfUey7vT2AZatSRaUC8111iu8OoKtwvWTDd5Qiq6o3uiZ1w3IaUIvnAgbnyQUDo3DmM-FgNBXcb8il7jJpRM16zPjLnK-7DQQryIdGiszC4jHw/s400/505409little-miss-sunshine-posters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412624609865767730" /></a>]<br /><br />2. A new to-go coffee mug!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUQmq25DX1-bbLlrCWzcxraf0ruDZloGddvu-RS56LIFs0XPVuSo5p96M_wnymtTi5pMKB_kYqlsZo5-uw8LmVwEMI6659mCjvoZheukRpoXjbhDxpC2xzkDTD4bokPLasZs7xA/s1600-h/coffee-mugs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUQmq25DX1-bbLlrCWzcxraf0ruDZloGddvu-RS56LIFs0XPVuSo5p96M_wnymtTi5pMKB_kYqlsZo5-uw8LmVwEMI6659mCjvoZheukRpoXjbhDxpC2xzkDTD4bokPLasZs7xA/s400/coffee-mugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412625615165825890" /></a><br /><br />3. Some Spanish Stickers that I can put on students work <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSfVGfrJ5EznaTyBgS1cnLwUL8SjgIUv9ohxsNPA-1OqFdKWegREV92Pac5owwDwoIiByAhMGqPfC5ZjXQZksoSamXF0BY4xtF4Z4KKje3KYNicmpKImimM_1CBK-fDncgYI_cQ/s1600-h/sticker_spanish_encouragement_stickers.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSfVGfrJ5EznaTyBgS1cnLwUL8SjgIUv9ohxsNPA-1OqFdKWegREV92Pac5owwDwoIiByAhMGqPfC5ZjXQZksoSamXF0BY4xtF4Z4KKje3KYNicmpKImimM_1CBK-fDncgYI_cQ/s400/sticker_spanish_encouragement_stickers.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412626006258738674" /></a><br /><br />4. New Clothing/Gift Certificates to:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8fMdAyew-g_0JeBgavfrGnU7MFLxyoL6XatIiFH5jELDdsPL0FlAiVG0OR3WLXHJeIJdXOgHmGfc6SZqYqytcsTcAzSpnTSK84sAkjA2azdYWQ0a5h2-kgOgLryPeKCUy1UnUg/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8fMdAyew-g_0JeBgavfrGnU7MFLxyoL6XatIiFH5jELDdsPL0FlAiVG0OR3WLXHJeIJdXOgHmGfc6SZqYqytcsTcAzSpnTSK84sAkjA2azdYWQ0a5h2-kgOgLryPeKCUy1UnUg/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412628483961071042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mrwoiZ1jE5UObp2gqQVo018MfjEgLAP8S5AppP9GXR9_InfpCmTJsnexGLS-vCoL6WuJvaaMqN5DxvnBR5-gYH48rZjL2fQp3Ut6AwEuQhTK3Zgvx3ETgeeO-ypZbtRCJQ6QPg/s1600-h/urban_outiftters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mrwoiZ1jE5UObp2gqQVo018MfjEgLAP8S5AppP9GXR9_InfpCmTJsnexGLS-vCoL6WuJvaaMqN5DxvnBR5-gYH48rZjL2fQp3Ut6AwEuQhTK3Zgvx3ETgeeO-ypZbtRCJQ6QPg/s320/urban_outiftters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412628480576439458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQNzJ79Z8CC1nb2XzA6vyekTaB_VS1xDQPEtB7A12hcXQCycEV3dOmssYf_7CLrWLKasm0AlcGeDRHzkrSaYpsvQSniuR2xfXZN8DkYT_4C4jhImEDh9JTeHpwO7vL-mrgpvZ-g/s1600-h/jcrew.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQNzJ79Z8CC1nb2XzA6vyekTaB_VS1xDQPEtB7A12hcXQCycEV3dOmssYf_7CLrWLKasm0AlcGeDRHzkrSaYpsvQSniuR2xfXZN8DkYT_4C4jhImEDh9JTeHpwO7vL-mrgpvZ-g/s320/jcrew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412628474449643234" /></a><br /><br />5. This is definetely a<span style="font-weight:bold;"> WISH!</span> but the video game system: WII<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-zv60FzoWlA8CGRP_b4J9BFFbEv-9PS3PZHZZFqxpwSsea0dRJuPcYGM1ilLJs1_gg2KSYC0layr4YWFQOuQfuY4b6tR3XX3HKtHGHFLox0W7drNmXcMxPaXVH_yPn6DSKxR2g/s1600-h/wii-hardware.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-zv60FzoWlA8CGRP_b4J9BFFbEv-9PS3PZHZZFqxpwSsea0dRJuPcYGM1ilLJs1_gg2KSYC0layr4YWFQOuQfuY4b6tR3XX3HKtHGHFLox0W7drNmXcMxPaXVH_yPn6DSKxR2g/s400/wii-hardware.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412628781227492098" /></a><br /><br />Here are just some wishes around xmas time..... <br /><br />* Vanessa*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohVoCFKz0Ij_bn8uLZcWN2_E-aSbxAman0AHlJvVrugxX_QpJ4PP3wf8TbjXNaTvtppMuk7468fyc5R8aNWcrLWoX64vv84jJj8lvkAZJjyxCaSBtfbEodvgDnox21bI0X_2j4w/s1600-h/6a00d8358081ff69e2012876193023970c-320wi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohVoCFKz0Ij_bn8uLZcWN2_E-aSbxAman0AHlJvVrugxX_QpJ4PP3wf8TbjXNaTvtppMuk7468fyc5R8aNWcrLWoX64vv84jJj8lvkAZJjyxCaSBtfbEodvgDnox21bI0X_2j4w/s400/6a00d8358081ff69e2012876193023970c-320wi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412629010228642274" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-19513528129707067552009-07-16T15:29:00.006-04:002009-07-16T16:03:37.113-04:00Back in the U.S.AWell, after five months of studying in Chile, I am now back in sunny Minnesota. I finished off the program with my trip to the DESERT* sorry for the typo in the last entry.. its a hard word to spell! Although, it could kind of be considered to the dessert to top off my trip to Chile. My last trip was incredible, to recap all that we did I am going to copy down some excerpts from my journal. <br /><br />Day 1: We went to Valle de la Luna and Valle de la muerte. The terrain is so hard to explain, it is a really dry desert but is topped with salt formations that look like crstals. We went through a cave that was twisty and windy but really cool. We saw rock formations called the three marias that were supposed to look like mother mary's praying. We made our back to the sand dunes of Valle de La Luna (Moon Valley) for the sunset. I meditated for a moment focusing on my feet gorwing into the earth, connecting me to this mysterious world with mountains that peak and sun that shines. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv1nMzWX7fPTZWantgZ_19E7ub-mSV3CHCtPVP365qT0S-aTVGLZtaa_WnPyiYWxjWXJ5FrI50Ul0RI744OgGXwo-vUP1WBuo5I-bSeCSrhROutRqRL7r5Fyl8-u-na79mky9lQ/s1600-h/DSCN2295.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv1nMzWX7fPTZWantgZ_19E7ub-mSV3CHCtPVP365qT0S-aTVGLZtaa_WnPyiYWxjWXJ5FrI50Ul0RI744OgGXwo-vUP1WBuo5I-bSeCSrhROutRqRL7r5Fyl8-u-na79mky9lQ/s400/DSCN2295.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359149767512362562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx47Lun4NWmdLXhSMMijNTxn5a-1cJamycqLPF2AqrP9Mf6HiwcupZZb6_KU2UVXXLov5g1PY4toHAO8DqvUr-7xbKlrBFo6Chx3Ie6nc6TfV7exo5cvMWnhxHFGP6hNiKLwpZg/s1600-h/DSCN2286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx47Lun4NWmdLXhSMMijNTxn5a-1cJamycqLPF2AqrP9Mf6HiwcupZZb6_KU2UVXXLov5g1PY4toHAO8DqvUr-7xbKlrBFo6Chx3Ie6nc6TfV7exo5cvMWnhxHFGP6hNiKLwpZg/s400/DSCN2286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359149764005146274" /></a><br /><br />That night we went to the SPACE tour into the freezing desert night to learn about the constelations of the southern sky. The main guy explained to us about the southern cross and how to find scorpio and also told us that the nearest star to the earth would take 80,000 years to get to with the fastest rocket ship we have to day. Even if we traveled at the speed of light it would take 4.4 years to ge there. <br /><br />Day 2: We went on a tour of the Flamenco conservatory, salt flats and Laguna Miscanti. It was crazy to see flamingos even though we weren't very close. It was also crazy to see the salt formations up close, it looked almost like quartz, they were so intricate. It wassuch an incredible place, you could turn in a full circle 360 degrees of complete beauty, mountains enclosing. The lagunas were beautiful in color, vibrant blues and greens that contrasted well with the desert terrain. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqBv7p0N5Ebe7pF5xTODDRUqQ_ddLLAhUOw-c9z1ctBVyjaABObbxjes77k2pRARAK_Bkv0avnZZZw06JPCuWZUOinvDjoNjH9LMZXiKRlacE6Pb8g85D-2CX9SnzuEGt21EYAw/s1600-h/DSCN2336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqBv7p0N5Ebe7pF5xTODDRUqQ_ddLLAhUOw-c9z1ctBVyjaABObbxjes77k2pRARAK_Bkv0avnZZZw06JPCuWZUOinvDjoNjH9LMZXiKRlacE6Pb8g85D-2CX9SnzuEGt21EYAw/s400/DSCN2336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359150565387629586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SG3t_izJrgqcU3ZaVc9M5LfJ_6JlmCarlVjPi_-bItvlz8dzU8aZVzckzoLrIx2yxbcRmykUb4ol-r1Sq-A2fuYlUBGGji5oFX5gDY-aYZBODc-VJ1oy5hISpNBLSRn5fQ73_w/s1600-h/DSCN2363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SG3t_izJrgqcU3ZaVc9M5LfJ_6JlmCarlVjPi_-bItvlz8dzU8aZVzckzoLrIx2yxbcRmykUb4ol-r1Sq-A2fuYlUBGGji5oFX5gDY-aYZBODc-VJ1oy5hISpNBLSRn5fQ73_w/s400/DSCN2363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359150555800426274" /></a><br /><br />Day 3: We had a free morning so we woke on our own, did some yoga in the courtyard of our hostel, and made our way into town to do a little shopping in the overpriced touristy stores. Then we went to the local museum where I learned a lot about the history of the place. First of all, I learned that all native south americans came from Asia through the bearing straight as many as 40,000 years ago! Later, I learned that the influence of the Bolivians incorporated relgious and spiritual concepts. They cherished the sun as a deity and used the "Puerta del sol" or "door of the sun" which were tablets used for halucinating and coming in contact with the higher powers. I also learned about the Incas and how much terrain they actually conquered. They made their way down through about the middle of Chile, where the mapuche indigenous tribe foughtt hem off. <br /><br />Later in the afternoon we went on another tour to Lagunas Cejas, which ended up being my favorite tour. Our first stop was a salt lagoon in the middle of nowhere, where you could swim but without having to kick your feet or move your arms. You floated with the water. It was such a cool feeling! Next, we went to a second lagoon which was basically like a mirror the water was so flat and reflected all the the mountains around it. Lastly, we arrived to the third lagoon which was bigger than the others and lined with big white salt deposits all around it. Here the sun was starting to go down and we saw some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. The red mountains reflected in the lagoon as we watched the sun set and the moon rise. It moved my soul. After the sun went down, we piled back into our car and drove back to the town. The tour guide played pink floyd as we drove what seemed like a path to nowhere, watching the stars appear in the sky I felt more love for the world than I ever knew possible.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBHh_v3DhfrY4t2jKfbcKOaOxpabaM-8jOiC-acrMlwo3Ph6qg2lLoNrCobha1jdIRX97ks5rTX-WKahkS2IM23DPT7UQm_f66V70apa-4weuRRaN-iiPZifyrVw7zlwDUEu2Hw/s1600-h/DSCN2500_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBHh_v3DhfrY4t2jKfbcKOaOxpabaM-8jOiC-acrMlwo3Ph6qg2lLoNrCobha1jdIRX97ks5rTX-WKahkS2IM23DPT7UQm_f66V70apa-4weuRRaN-iiPZifyrVw7zlwDUEu2Hw/s400/DSCN2500_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359149182172976866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EZeMB-bpuflX2q7Jg2gLk7HS7mA1kllMxMZ5TSdJ9wim4kAZCS7jCo2mpyNYfyCoogGOpcnnm463fuSrW9w2_0gpdwxSkNFncT9DvoN0G2EaIsXHTsg7dcFc0yvJ_QC5JJOe7w/s1600-h/DSCN2489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EZeMB-bpuflX2q7Jg2gLk7HS7mA1kllMxMZ5TSdJ9wim4kAZCS7jCo2mpyNYfyCoogGOpcnnm463fuSrW9w2_0gpdwxSkNFncT9DvoN0G2EaIsXHTsg7dcFc0yvJ_QC5JJOe7w/s400/DSCN2489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359149175744370898" /></a><br /><br />Day 4: Our last day of tours we got up at 3:30 in the morning for the Geyser tour. We got on a tour bus and drove about 2 hours up steep elevation to reach the top of a mountain where 64 gurgling geysers are located. It was incredible to see water boiling in the ground and shooting up like a real life waterfall. We watched the sunrise over these geysers, which was incredible, but my friend Kathleen got really sick with altitude sickness, which was scary! We went over to the other side of the geysers to this place where you could go swimming and I was struck again by the beauty of the world. The ride home from the geysers was incredible, full of wildlife and small little villages that you would never belive someone could actually live in. We stopped at one of these small villages and ate llama on a stick!! It was actually delicious :) After what seemsed like a really long day, we got back into the town around 12:30, I guess when you start your morning at 3:30 time seems different. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEOKB1oLJUEQ4yNZnAoKOzk5NlS2Jmp5uiye52SUg0e-tF6fnxc2VbZEYrUaJxO65Rfco4nbV_bMtZ2sJOKKqhlKSQIpN6Hf6RDnkRJPwVK-LaVhKE24Y-aO9D5USHvfNtSvOJg/s1600-h/DSCN2531.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEOKB1oLJUEQ4yNZnAoKOzk5NlS2Jmp5uiye52SUg0e-tF6fnxc2VbZEYrUaJxO65Rfco4nbV_bMtZ2sJOKKqhlKSQIpN6Hf6RDnkRJPwVK-LaVhKE24Y-aO9D5USHvfNtSvOJg/s400/DSCN2531.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359151038161224850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUWojjFWi7DtFv0khjDtKJKfLRTIHGfQN7qr1Qy5y6EGWDTmIk-XF7D-3Zex45cn0X5e9iGBFk5TDYWKd253QDhyAwpzRh642MGaqCov1rbyvo-WZppJv9w1rF8Nm2fC5yjQIFQ/s1600-h/DSCN2527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUWojjFWi7DtFv0khjDtKJKfLRTIHGfQN7qr1Qy5y6EGWDTmIk-XF7D-3Zex45cn0X5e9iGBFk5TDYWKd253QDhyAwpzRh642MGaqCov1rbyvo-WZppJv9w1rF8Nm2fC5yjQIFQ/s400/DSCN2527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359151031031896258" /></a><br /><br />We ended the trip at this little coffee shop, playing cards and reminiscing about our favorite moments from Chile. It was an AWESOME trip which I will remember for the rest of my life.<br /><br />The last three days of the trip were fairly rushed but I had a great going away dinner with my host family at a little seafood restaurant in Concon and got to spend a few quality moments with the friends I had made. <br /><br />It seems like too big of an entry to write my reflection of my whole experience here now, so you will just have to wait a few days for a reflection of my experiences. All i will leave you with is that if you ever have the chance to study abroad or live abroad or go abroad, TAKE IT! It will honestly change your life. <br /><br />Sending love from Lake minnetonka where I am currently laying out in the sun :)<br /><br />Vanessa Lynn.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-56914077349948588742009-07-03T17:05:00.002-04:002009-07-03T17:21:10.348-04:00Volvemos a la energia del amor en nuestra madre tierra.Friends and family <br /><br />I know its been too long since I've updated with my life. I just finished up my last week of classes in Chile! Which is crazy to think about, I turned in all of my last essays and took my last tests and to be honest feel a great sense of relief today. Although, when i left the campus of my school yesterday, I thought to myself how unbelievable that i would never return there as a student. I took pictures of the buildings and a few videos of my bus ride to school, because I think it is so beautiful. <br /><br />Last night I had my very last celebration with my group of girlfriends here. We all met up at a hostel in Valparaíso, which was decorated really cool! Each room had its own theme with paintings of the city and really beautiful art work. It was a really cool old house, which no one else stayed in, so we had the whole house to ourselves. We made some tacos and brownies, drank some wine and just enjoyed each other's company. I have truly found something with these girls, they have seeped into my skin and my bones. We stayed up late talking and listening to music, all in one bed. Today I had to say goodbye to Maggie, as she goes on to Ecuador and Brazil for the rest of her summer. The rest of us girls are going on a trip this weekend though!<br /><br />Today I am packing up to go to San Pedro Atacama, Chile's dessert. If you search on google for the "driest place on the planet" it will come up with this dessert. We are leaving early tomorrow morning, so we are sleeping in the Santiago airport tonight and then flying from there. We have a pretty busy schedule of events for the next couple of days, checking out massive sand dunes, salt flats, flamingo habitats and geysers! I can't wait to be in touch with the our mother nature (nuestra madre tierra). <br /><br />I'll be back on Wednesday afternoon, and I will have until Saturday night here in Viña del Mar, before leaving to go back to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!! I can't believe that after almost 6 months of living outside of the country, I will be returning in just a little over a week. <br /><br />I feel just about every emotion that exists about this. I am so happy to be going back into summer and seeing my family and my friends! But this place has become part of me, part of my soul. It will forever be in my heart...<br /><br />Oh boy, well I'm off to enjoy a wonderful 5 days with darling friends in the dessert. It will be weird to have the 4th of July tomorrow, i feel so distant from that celebration. But i WILL celebrate for the love of my country :) Will update with pictures from this awesome trip when I get back. <br /><br />Hope this finds you happy and full of love,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-69526199697386386732009-06-26T14:58:00.003-04:002009-06-26T15:05:51.489-04:00A piece of Art.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMqzfLc9-Qmu9kstzrSkLd9J_IxgcyDieUL53b23j8jnLG0YocMfbas5HOfEd0Sc6UBs0g3zoENY3gPt7u5D6JiOqbSJsLtLpPR45eXybsBzdhZh9Dw-7NWY2b_qLD7Z5Zre2Fw/s1600-h/DSCN1520.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMqzfLc9-Qmu9kstzrSkLd9J_IxgcyDieUL53b23j8jnLG0YocMfbas5HOfEd0Sc6UBs0g3zoENY3gPt7u5D6JiOqbSJsLtLpPR45eXybsBzdhZh9Dw-7NWY2b_qLD7Z5Zre2Fw/s400/DSCN1520.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351714260316076226" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-1776038292470443782009-06-23T17:28:00.004-04:002009-06-23T18:46:15.451-04:00El amor lo cura todoHi Guys :)<br /><br />I am so sorry that I haven't updated in awhile. I am reaching the end of my program here, so I am swamped with homework assignments and trying to fit in all of the last things I want to do before I head back to the United States. I will be home on July 12th, which is about two and a half weeks from now! Sort of hard to imagine, but I am sure looking forward to being home. Mostly, I am excited for the warm weather :) <br /><br />Since I am still swamped with school, I don't have a lot of time to write an update, but I would like to share some photos that i have taken over the past couple of weeks. Here they are:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUBNuCDeAGpFOkNJOwf73zxBkZCM3hnae416hlvWvLqcZC2uEhFM_1lp8xI6D4Xi0ZCDV4uSrIdQU3BbxV8Fa3OfJ9b1LVlWkq9_mEqgltQeU4J6pVyiXKR2OW4iHGzR6fr82Cg/s1600-h/DSCN1812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUBNuCDeAGpFOkNJOwf73zxBkZCM3hnae416hlvWvLqcZC2uEhFM_1lp8xI6D4Xi0ZCDV4uSrIdQU3BbxV8Fa3OfJ9b1LVlWkq9_mEqgltQeU4J6pVyiXKR2OW4iHGzR6fr82Cg/s400/DSCN1812.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350643773999412002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy4g6i-t5npkQP819pWk3eW0lJ9OcjFiR1LPwwgyE6mNBVRU5iUzE-rdsoLJ7wLOWzHgw2_kk98ndisnssZGif7MhYnczfLw7549AydnGrvhSH8Ju95Ik6avKr4-dxsmJrtj2hg/s1600-h/DSCN1806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy4g6i-t5npkQP819pWk3eW0lJ9OcjFiR1LPwwgyE6mNBVRU5iUzE-rdsoLJ7wLOWzHgw2_kk98ndisnssZGif7MhYnczfLw7549AydnGrvhSH8Ju95Ik6avKr4-dxsmJrtj2hg/s400/DSCN1806.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350643768859556690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQwA3IRM9KV3AWZzVekXkdFUdNoZBTdCm2o1ba4_NKDcLdp-Oi617ClryPaRr2VDDbkKg6NTGP9hUGYpAaUE4D8dfr4FkbXkIYk9a9c_xu4BANozFYx8yatrClpdxuvBiigu2FA/s1600-h/DSCN1801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQwA3IRM9KV3AWZzVekXkdFUdNoZBTdCm2o1ba4_NKDcLdp-Oi617ClryPaRr2VDDbkKg6NTGP9hUGYpAaUE4D8dfr4FkbXkIYk9a9c_xu4BANozFYx8yatrClpdxuvBiigu2FA/s400/DSCN1801.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350643765784470210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSChgmGaVKDhLk-O3PehkBrXcuUtgAak7ohLFx8uT8dbb5540QW4mvyCGhHdAt6IrKe3JkCjt-GdGtoxJlFjYwEmwOFpWx4ziDBntCkOeyHQ7OrRGZn-teLg6MpWZ0EzlkPF4ZQ/s1600-h/DSCN1795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSChgmGaVKDhLk-O3PehkBrXcuUtgAak7ohLFx8uT8dbb5540QW4mvyCGhHdAt6IrKe3JkCjt-GdGtoxJlFjYwEmwOFpWx4ziDBntCkOeyHQ7OrRGZn-teLg6MpWZ0EzlkPF4ZQ/s400/DSCN1795.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350643755364472386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tNl9gLPpv4o_PMBDx9wn3ekiTF-mqsOKSiKy0YAztXaQO0GxdTVhFdcmicXtne0dlP-jOq4-zmYsIGGQ4MOSNbH7P1KPV03w6Lxr8ynAghx8vywSe230RsiCrPQgoD0TyUI65Q/s1600-h/DSCN1773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tNl9gLPpv4o_PMBDx9wn3ekiTF-mqsOKSiKy0YAztXaQO0GxdTVhFdcmicXtne0dlP-jOq4-zmYsIGGQ4MOSNbH7P1KPV03w6Lxr8ynAghx8vywSe230RsiCrPQgoD0TyUI65Q/s400/DSCN1773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350643750133074578" /></a><br /><br />Valparaíso is truly a beautiful city. These are some photos of the Valparaíso port, an ascensor (which is kind of like an elavator to go up all of the hills), some more local graffiti and a snapshot of AMELIE (a character from my favorite movie) <br /><br />I've been living a lot, trying to take advantage of the beauty around me. This place has helped me grow so much, it will forever be in my heart. All of the things I have learned here and all of the people I have met... will forever by in my fondest of memories. <br /><br />Off to write more of a paper so that I can make it to Salsa Dancing tonight!<br /><br />Sending love and a kiss :)<br /><br />*Nessagirl*<br /><br />Ps - <br /><br /> "No hay mal que por bien no venga" <br />Roughly translated: Everything "bad" that happens causes some form of good.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-36493911066548699362009-06-15T00:00:00.003-04:002009-06-15T00:28:22.054-04:00FUTBOL!This past week was excitingly busy. I busied myself with all different types of fun, none of which included doing homework and now I find a million things piled up before me. <br /><br />Most excitingly, i went to a soccer game between CHILE and BOLIVIA. This was such an awesome experience because Chile is actually doing really well this year. They are currently in third place in all of south america, and slowly creeping into second place. We left on wednesday afternoon around 4 to go into Santiago to the national stadium. We dressed in our newly purchased chilean soccer jerseys and hats and flags, etc. On the bus there we met a really awesome group of chileans who taught us a lot of the cheers and about the traditions of chilean soccer games. At the stadium, I learned more swear words than I new possible and just about lost my voice screaming one of the many cheers. Chile ended up winning 4 to 0, so needless to say it was a game full of excitement. There was a war between Chile and bolivia many many years ago over land in the north of chile. Bolivia was fighting for the territory that touched the ocean, because they wanted parted of the shoreline. Chile also wanted this land and ended up winning. For that reason, many of the cheers at the soccer game were about this war. For example, one cheer says..<br /><br />" Ole ole ole, ole ole ole ola<br />los que no saltan no tienen mar'<br /><br />or "those who aren't jumping don't have an ocean" and then all of the chileans start jumping up and down. When the cheer is over, the WAVE begins, starting at one end of the stadium all the way around. Just re-emphasizing that we have the ocean and they do not. <br /><br />It was a great cultural experience and a ton of fun. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDcQgnByJfBqHtcq6pvnfUjy_fC1JC8MUU63mP4dy-2cYYu8uNZfnCZ5nYF4qdWT0DgiZMoUq5njs0q2ZZXeV9hUHMASmUhn-7a0s-iJIBI5XQA9dGiiN8TTcuUH0XWFkpENxzg/s1600-h/DSCN1680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDcQgnByJfBqHtcq6pvnfUjy_fC1JC8MUU63mP4dy-2cYYu8uNZfnCZ5nYF4qdWT0DgiZMoUq5njs0q2ZZXeV9hUHMASmUhn-7a0s-iJIBI5XQA9dGiiN8TTcuUH0XWFkpENxzg/s400/DSCN1680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347403927717819106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsiVEgQ9Kh-6rphfM_ektHpnT0FfLbWVIU9jdeuQhZuL41q2QmiNBXgqNWg5YGbqh4n6vSmliSy98wK1Jm5QrTcS_YIrH8lZoeo8tcXzOvjpZkF7bJb0RvnO9moIkEynXv1ojfA/s1600-h/VSCN1724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsiVEgQ9Kh-6rphfM_ektHpnT0FfLbWVIU9jdeuQhZuL41q2QmiNBXgqNWg5YGbqh4n6vSmliSy98wK1Jm5QrTcS_YIrH8lZoeo8tcXzOvjpZkF7bJb0RvnO9moIkEynXv1ojfA/s400/VSCN1724.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347403925868987746" /></a><br /><br />Another fun adventure of this week was yesterday when a few friends and I went into the Casablanca region to go wine tasting. Casablanca is about 45 minutes from here and has a lot of beauty in this small town. We went to a vineyard called Casa de la bosque. We learned a lot about the different types of wine, and how to tell what different scents each wine has. We tasted five different wines and then afterwards bought a bottle of one we hadn't tried yet. After the tour, we spent the afternoon drinking wine and eating cheese and crackers and chatting. All in all it was a fantastic day overlooking beautiful mountains and other scenery. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qODEZJ7xHYk28lA52vd-uGTiBM77VV8w9dwq63pN3Fjqu_rN_Vu3eepNIC6I7oMIAg98NJ2b7Lwny0EYuj_knSbCh9fxbgLSmaiEIqC9K8fNCU0EPmIwUw26uWySskLNCa0yfQ/s1600-h/DSCN1746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qODEZJ7xHYk28lA52vd-uGTiBM77VV8w9dwq63pN3Fjqu_rN_Vu3eepNIC6I7oMIAg98NJ2b7Lwny0EYuj_knSbCh9fxbgLSmaiEIqC9K8fNCU0EPmIwUw26uWySskLNCa0yfQ/s400/DSCN1746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347406275602562226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzJGnlDVPyHiua35AZHPr9fzF6w_QE_lzEXt9fcuGD0n4-AiIRc9B4dJEUIGe_NCM5ORdYdw4xEoS9FQp4B4rxgWw9PZL9Zc1RmorAdyc_qa_sgSh__WMLzApYE5Cax8tAFxTWQ/s1600-h/DSCN1737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzJGnlDVPyHiua35AZHPr9fzF6w_QE_lzEXt9fcuGD0n4-AiIRc9B4dJEUIGe_NCM5ORdYdw4xEoS9FQp4B4rxgWw9PZL9Zc1RmorAdyc_qa_sgSh__WMLzApYE5Cax8tAFxTWQ/s400/DSCN1737.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347406267410025442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmcgwWIV08dyZOFV6QOnE0rEC0BImV5MfdMa9bg6nQYgBEAIWzMhWUimyfFePIO_6lUStnAVSvXbV29oO379cKXjgdN_4Qrp4WV-xVp6Eb2YNGCBUk9l97IyEezG4wSkWta_83Q/s1600-h/DSCN1735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmcgwWIV08dyZOFV6QOnE0rEC0BImV5MfdMa9bg6nQYgBEAIWzMhWUimyfFePIO_6lUStnAVSvXbV29oO379cKXjgdN_4Qrp4WV-xVp6Eb2YNGCBUk9l97IyEezG4wSkWta_83Q/s400/DSCN1735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347406264451881106" /></a><br /><br /><br />It is Sunday night now and I am exhausted so I am off to bed. <br /><br />HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!!! <br /><br />*Vanessa*Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-64811581271690480142009-06-07T16:40:00.003-04:002009-06-07T16:50:23.243-04:00AbrazameAmigos!<br /><br />Sunday morning here, woke up to the sound of men walking on the road outside my window yelling.. "PALTA, PALMERA, PALTA" meaning he is selling avocado and these deliciously sweet pastry things. I can actually still hear him yelling. Oh chile...<br /><br />I had a very restful and relaxing weekend. It started thursday night, since I don't have classes Friday (which is seriously the best thing ever) I went down to Cafe Vienes, which is this little bar down the street from my house. It has a great atmosphere because there are paintings hung on all of the walls and there is almost always a jazz group playing. It is a really nice atmosphere, other than way too much smoke. So I went down there with Elizabeth, Cali and Cali's friend who is visiting from the United States. We drank Pisco Sours, which is Chile's traditional drink. Ooo it was tasty! We talked about girl things and laughed a lot and went home relatively early. <br /><br />Friday I didn't do much of anything, I woke up and had a video chat with Ryan, which was lovely. He leaves on Tuesday to go back to the United States. It is weird that he is leaving to go home, he feels weird about it too because Spain has been such a big part of his life and all of the sudden he just has to go home, back into his old life. It is like reverse culture shock. I'm so proud of all that he has done though. He has traveled so much through Europe and met so many new people. I like that boy. <br /><br />I also cooked for most of the day with my host grandma. I wish i had a picture to post of her and I, we have become really good friends lately. Family ties here are incredible. My host grandma and host mom don't even get along that well, always bickering over small things, YET anytime my host mom needs help around the house my grandma is here to make dinner, clean the house, whatever she needs. And that is just the way things are here, you just do that for the people in your family. It is sort of beautiful really. <br /><br />I don't really feel like giving a night by night recap of my weekend, but instead telling you how blessed I am with the friendships i have made here. I don't know how I got so lucky.. I think the world heard my calling before I left for Chile about the need for new wonderful people in my life. (Not that the old people aren't wonderful too!) But I have met the girls who have truly melted themselves into my heart. Girls who are so strong and capable and goofy and loving. Girls who are so smart, intelectually and emotionally, but have no problem going wild, laughing until they cry or talking about poop for hours (its a strong asset).<br /><br />I spent a lot of time with them last weekend and this weekend as well, and couldn't be more thankful. Thank you world for blessing me with lifelong friendships. <br /><br />Love,<br />Vanessa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp3CMtC0SVYRPOCMW2KqAgnxcOEYu_ob6ZxrAB8_c0V8DSNM7qqv4n2KZhrvaHImlipjDFSEZGtpheCU60UrjpKD0LhRoqBBVrwM8ASQfcG3yIXxDQDise3UOWB8uwkMKYmQP9g/s1600-h/n1711134_34140027_914956.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp3CMtC0SVYRPOCMW2KqAgnxcOEYu_ob6ZxrAB8_c0V8DSNM7qqv4n2KZhrvaHImlipjDFSEZGtpheCU60UrjpKD0LhRoqBBVrwM8ASQfcG3yIXxDQDise3UOWB8uwkMKYmQP9g/s400/n1711134_34140027_914956.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344690545542468690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YiGAHLgt7V71ne_cnrsyN3JYTNYWh1nLdTxmkR03FgiKQipOxWh6fMIGEgIMtbuTUIdq9Rws5cd4BlTITYZaXLpu8YWOaUeMaUqL2DHLQR__MpjpZNpsS4sER0nPFEpUHpD1Vg/s1600-h/4635_728035039929_14817603_42593581_4560053_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YiGAHLgt7V71ne_cnrsyN3JYTNYWh1nLdTxmkR03FgiKQipOxWh6fMIGEgIMtbuTUIdq9Rws5cd4BlTITYZaXLpu8YWOaUeMaUqL2DHLQR__MpjpZNpsS4sER0nPFEpUHpD1Vg/s400/4635_728035039929_14817603_42593581_4560053_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344690541591645554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_i2chLHntt3J9a2hs7r4PZzdH8UBIBIEjUnnLzAwpdtRDN1-GBura7IEIidN6vAu3MGUgrv1Jx-2PM0t-N77Yocdm7Nvgy-U91VDBFsVXLTup6eXPkw6mnMq1BfVb9BsyrRJ0w/s1600-h/4322_532311796016_28503539_31609613_5175678_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_i2chLHntt3J9a2hs7r4PZzdH8UBIBIEjUnnLzAwpdtRDN1-GBura7IEIidN6vAu3MGUgrv1Jx-2PM0t-N77Yocdm7Nvgy-U91VDBFsVXLTup6eXPkw6mnMq1BfVb9BsyrRJ0w/s400/4322_532311796016_28503539_31609613_5175678_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344690538956218946" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-36355070744375805702009-05-30T18:45:00.003-04:002009-05-30T19:19:40.992-04:00Open Air MuseumOn Thursday my friend Sarah and I took a walk through the "museo del aire libre" or Open air museum which is a collection of murals and paintings on the walls of these streets. The point of the museum is to get lost in the city's beauty, so it doesn't really have a set out order. It was great to be inspired my the talent of Valparaiso. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBqo_BNyt2ZEsebEU_6bCB2wKV7DBg6ZSQ7zqc7jDNJMtzaMyaTd6OsbOaD11ji0BPLSaMOI2N8zUm1wbMqjz9fCcFSGVXNoFDpGAbBhREoe8PBeT44zLISQmE5-d52oUZXY3wg/s1600-h/DSCN1581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBqo_BNyt2ZEsebEU_6bCB2wKV7DBg6ZSQ7zqc7jDNJMtzaMyaTd6OsbOaD11ji0BPLSaMOI2N8zUm1wbMqjz9fCcFSGVXNoFDpGAbBhREoe8PBeT44zLISQmE5-d52oUZXY3wg/s400/DSCN1581.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341759410623501762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O8E4xl0r7n12RWoA7a8ftVP2_SYlijLOlnp6xT2NcnvI7bmtd_NTf6_SzpTD_be7Phi15apQ-jFrqlqjstLwSFNXRHd_c-Dz3imny79DFKBS4OciqNwBWmsQPFO0xDdpetLb0A/s1600-h/DSCN1570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O8E4xl0r7n12RWoA7a8ftVP2_SYlijLOlnp6xT2NcnvI7bmtd_NTf6_SzpTD_be7Phi15apQ-jFrqlqjstLwSFNXRHd_c-Dz3imny79DFKBS4OciqNwBWmsQPFO0xDdpetLb0A/s400/DSCN1570.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341759404096925378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyJoUq3F_ckRpzdlvg64rtjrLOZxDTXSxESjBUsUw6w4_27ykfXRFSasNZHLPrdqdh3m2YFqPaIStxtcIULeT4BvLnopkQ5jY6n-HB-JaTQqhVlFLM1ZuBZfz69JOLwxuysNqsg/s1600-h/DSCN1553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyJoUq3F_ckRpzdlvg64rtjrLOZxDTXSxESjBUsUw6w4_27ykfXRFSasNZHLPrdqdh3m2YFqPaIStxtcIULeT4BvLnopkQ5jY6n-HB-JaTQqhVlFLM1ZuBZfz69JOLwxuysNqsg/s400/DSCN1553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341759402573292370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs0cqwgQxbRgGN9IaADBgSXDHm-lV4-00yDBpvARz3lpcNu2Ux4yrI1e0B2hhr3PCIzyeWFbaaWC6J4V4nX3sicjOe2RYQshse3sVokZN3Gz9HqHC2t1GL8PAKqW5ttzJHAPtKA/s1600-h/DSCN1555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs0cqwgQxbRgGN9IaADBgSXDHm-lV4-00yDBpvARz3lpcNu2Ux4yrI1e0B2hhr3PCIzyeWFbaaWC6J4V4nX3sicjOe2RYQshse3sVokZN3Gz9HqHC2t1GL8PAKqW5ttzJHAPtKA/s400/DSCN1555.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341759391575038386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMELG7LRvgGd1cvzujBNrDW1r6IY_FNVBG8wza9oLoXcldOGId6srN99dh0wWkMFvRVAV3iRMZEl8Zt1ZLWW3ywR5OJ48ylgGAw7nIZFiVZxO5uCbc9uned4zuyRQcXvIffpfxxA/s1600-h/DSCN1540.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMELG7LRvgGd1cvzujBNrDW1r6IY_FNVBG8wza9oLoXcldOGId6srN99dh0wWkMFvRVAV3iRMZEl8Zt1ZLWW3ywR5OJ48ylgGAw7nIZFiVZxO5uCbc9uned4zuyRQcXvIffpfxxA/s400/DSCN1540.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341759386050507378" /></a><br /><br />These are just a few of many inspirational photos from this incredible place. <br /><br />Hope you're having a lovely weekend :)<br /><br />*Vanessa*Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-39384091506443362502009-05-24T21:02:00.005-04:002009-05-24T21:21:48.853-04:00Valparaiso, Mi AmorQueridos Lectores (dearest readers)<br /><br />I've been living up some cultural/touristy things in Valparaiso lately.. trying to soak up all that I can in my last two months here. I will write you a little list of all of the fun things I have done.<br /><br />1. Lancha Tour of Valparaiso Bay: Kathleen and her boyfriend who was visiting from the U.S invited me to go out on a boat tour of the bay of Valparaiso. We took a "collectivo" boat, which means that is full of all different families and people. The tour was only about a half an hour long, but we went by a lot of naval boats, boats that ship out Chilean fruits and vegetables, some sea lions, and we saw some beautiful views looking back on Valparaiso. This little boy, no older than 13 gave us our tour, explaining to us a little bit about the history of Valparaiso. He was very cute and a really good worker. It was cool to be out on the bay for several reasons, one because that is where all of this area was started. Valparaiso started as nothing more than a port town, where boats would stop on there way around the southern tip of South America and come up to the other side of the Americas. Also, it was cool because a lot of the literature written about Chile takes place in that bay. So many of Pablo Neruda's famous poems are about that bay, as well as Manuel Rojas. So that was neat to be there. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zl56Ri_tRnDTyLsiDf7Y_ppPYmTp2yqGc4YN5DY8V3IBFbJDtY1DKk9RSbABDzVz76UHpgugeUjf1qVixnnh1K7iBrH5jVjuFtI_Ze9hLiJn-jOU_VIhNW5Ko9JzhOWnbiY4A/s1600-h/4657_1166965776817_1308090055_30485604_50626_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zl56Ri_tRnDTyLsiDf7Y_ppPYmTp2yqGc4YN5DY8V3IBFbJDtY1DKk9RSbABDzVz76UHpgugeUjf1qVixnnh1K7iBrH5jVjuFtI_Ze9hLiJn-jOU_VIhNW5Ko9JzhOWnbiY4A/s400/4657_1166965776817_1308090055_30485604_50626_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339560938368754978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJz8d2qqHmXtZpXABoSFDWr3ZkioFm5P8PYGfN8_SWOyFfXr9osdHwLY_xOZrO7k8ZKCWhZgrnrhbNlHXVe7t4amzokEDOUNmy9k3gCbKD6rVBFNCVx_IDkZvebShThdZR9lwqw/s1600-h/4657_1166965656814_1308090055_30485602_3445879_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJz8d2qqHmXtZpXABoSFDWr3ZkioFm5P8PYGfN8_SWOyFfXr9osdHwLY_xOZrO7k8ZKCWhZgrnrhbNlHXVe7t4amzokEDOUNmy9k3gCbKD6rVBFNCVx_IDkZvebShThdZR9lwqw/s400/4657_1166965656814_1308090055_30485602_3445879_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339560933868560754" /></a><br /><br />2. Chorillana @ Casino Social J. Cruz: A Chorillana is one of Valparaiso's typical foods. It is a greasy plate of french fries, covered in steak meat, onions and an egg. It sounds as delicious/gross as it is. The place where we went is supposedly the very first place to invent this meal. It took as awhile to find it because it really is a hole in the wall.. impossible to find because it is down this little alley. When we walked in, it was covered with random photos and extremely awkward statues. Haha, it was an interesting place. The food was wonderfully disgusting but there was no way we could finish all of it. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZX1Ph7nXNGcOXua7XPocH6PbhjzjVNoL_wl56f_lAN0O-7QTdZqQY2XbvuhcFkXcYozZOuMMSXS6tcklNRGIyY3F8MKU4FLjFbHWhcuJWhfUOVFYjEJ-gXgwG_6Ak32hcy5oOg/s1600-h/4657_1168059324155_1308090055_30489498_956679_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZX1Ph7nXNGcOXua7XPocH6PbhjzjVNoL_wl56f_lAN0O-7QTdZqQY2XbvuhcFkXcYozZOuMMSXS6tcklNRGIyY3F8MKU4FLjFbHWhcuJWhfUOVFYjEJ-gXgwG_6Ak32hcy5oOg/s400/4657_1168059324155_1308090055_30489498_956679_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339561168694402994" /></a><br />3. Celebration of 21 de Mayo: The 21st of May is a huge celebration in chile, i believe it celebrates the winning of the war against peru for the top part of land that is now considered part of Chile. Anyway, it is a huge celebration of all of the military forces and the president comes to Valparaiso to give a speech. She gave her speech (bc chile's president is a woman, how cool!) But then there was basically a HUGE parade around the city, full of all types of military men and women. It was complete caos to be honest! People running from one street to the next, trying to find where the other part of the parade was. Very chilean, if you will. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0xtOdSIerIfBjtMuBtal9zFXCXwbIdVpK9y2i50lPbCKsVaPrV_lZW2GKto_9rKeg1WDIadE0MZcWD3BcTUfAfDyu19ZhgpFAecj16lXtPOwuRzMGJk5USVDUeaDMvtvDIMvuw/s1600-h/DSCN1437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0xtOdSIerIfBjtMuBtal9zFXCXwbIdVpK9y2i50lPbCKsVaPrV_lZW2GKto_9rKeg1WDIadE0MZcWD3BcTUfAfDyu19ZhgpFAecj16lXtPOwuRzMGJk5USVDUeaDMvtvDIMvuw/s400/DSCN1437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339562774647885538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQjoJG64tL231bU0t-Iw7Jk0yzqJUJzKi25bFmW2eJ-9kPvKdvOycPNUDEbjnMQkc2sSUw82eLPR9c-nfaYLjfAbIHjV4Sw54LswO1mr6Xt4uGzGWrjy1hMIY1L0eV5he4fLjEQ/s1600-h/DSCN1431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQjoJG64tL231bU0t-Iw7Jk0yzqJUJzKi25bFmW2eJ-9kPvKdvOycPNUDEbjnMQkc2sSUw82eLPR9c-nfaYLjfAbIHjV4Sw54LswO1mr6Xt4uGzGWrjy1hMIY1L0eV5he4fLjEQ/s400/DSCN1431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339562772956688338" /></a><br /><br /><br />4. Flamenco Show at Teatro Municipal de Valparaiso: Last night I went to a show of flamenco dancers in a really old theater in Valparaiso. The theater was filled with character and little quirks, I really loved the design. The dancers were beyond incredible! A woman who works at my study abroad program was actually one of the dancers, she was also probably the best dancer out there! The colors were incredible as were there movements. A couple of times throughout the show the had spanish guitarists and spanish singers, ooo it actually brought a tear to my eye it was so beautiful. I don't have any photos yet <br /><br />So those are just a couple of things I've been up to here in this city. Lately I have kind of had the home bug, meaning i've kind of wanted to be home... I gotta snap out of it because there is so much to see and so much to do here, I need to just live it all up! <br /><br />Hope you all had a lovely weekend, more updates to come :)<br /><br />*Vanessa*Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-56090255553827449352009-05-20T11:23:00.002-04:002009-05-20T11:31:46.484-04:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!I´m sorry, I hate to give away your age.... <span style="font-weight:bold;">but today my dad is turning 50!!!!</span> <br /><br />He is currently out being adventurous like always, hiking the grand canyon and exploring more of Arizona. He is always on some kind of an adventure! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrIhT09UOX9f-V8dDrs2VbgqEBeANNoAW9QVi5w3gn4MA0RYfqf_pUIjd3_w_pG6yt4hc10sEbRp6rcVv01MlvDQT_Ya5cZyr7sPJIaUBAO53XlcLhTWPJnmMeuaZSkjYdAW3MA/s1600-h/n1305450072_30031734_9752.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrIhT09UOX9f-V8dDrs2VbgqEBeANNoAW9QVi5w3gn4MA0RYfqf_pUIjd3_w_pG6yt4hc10sEbRp6rcVv01MlvDQT_Ya5cZyr7sPJIaUBAO53XlcLhTWPJnmMeuaZSkjYdAW3MA/s400/n1305450072_30031734_9752.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337927718457656002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSeJjLGZMAPxV5HWrN7r1zgla4Yb3lHRvCo03BwYUnVlsNQsgWpFutNHUkKx3rE8qQdoAaHTGeNSBlHWtLFsNR0h4wnWReljLfjewVbbjOR-nd_1WbRTIr3P3w2ye2BrggnVg4w/s1600-h/n792072051_904310_1567.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSeJjLGZMAPxV5HWrN7r1zgla4Yb3lHRvCo03BwYUnVlsNQsgWpFutNHUkKx3rE8qQdoAaHTGeNSBlHWtLFsNR0h4wnWReljLfjewVbbjOR-nd_1WbRTIr3P3w2ye2BrggnVg4w/s400/n792072051_904310_1567.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337927719265322882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlKI0MtAPcAvyIRngdwJ-wnyorLKXJCvBuWTapnYLj3uW0LxxGFQWzD6CmYfsOU9qNOv69qvo3FFp_Jln3AenLYCVmOUHPfJrfLVOggJsXXoImlAScU6YdVrGJVdL6Dvbr7uYhw/s1600-h/n17303680_31574618_6088.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlKI0MtAPcAvyIRngdwJ-wnyorLKXJCvBuWTapnYLj3uW0LxxGFQWzD6CmYfsOU9qNOv69qvo3FFp_Jln3AenLYCVmOUHPfJrfLVOggJsXXoImlAScU6YdVrGJVdL6Dvbr7uYhw/s400/n17303680_31574618_6088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337927715212733602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGObCi4vE6ijSEczIX-PThoV6VuvEX_s0IN9ZyyR4yJsuLDPGYC4DQSZ0pADu9l5SpjY7osK3XKS2TsAYTUZihpt_lN4Kd5R4bONQ3imi74acM56kQTUmRZTWHJyUtuOAJ9-4jg/s1600-h/n17303680_30154900_2476.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGObCi4vE6ijSEczIX-PThoV6VuvEX_s0IN9ZyyR4yJsuLDPGYC4DQSZ0pADu9l5SpjY7osK3XKS2TsAYTUZihpt_lN4Kd5R4bONQ3imi74acM56kQTUmRZTWHJyUtuOAJ9-4jg/s400/n17303680_30154900_2476.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337927712036788962" /></a><br /><br />Five little things I love about my dad<br />1. He still opens every door for me when we are out together. <br />2. He calls me bubba and always refers to himself as ¨pops¨ (even though i´ve never called him that)<br />3. He always wants to go out for breakfast at the original pancake house<br />4. He consistently reminds me to ¨not take this day for granted¨<br />5. He reminds me at least once weekly how much he loves me and proud he is of me. <br /><br />I LOVE YOU DAD! I hope you have a FANTASTIC 50th BIRTHDAY FULL OF CELEBRATION!<br /><br />Wish I could be there with you today, but I did happen to pick you up a little chilean birthday present, so when I get back it will be coming your way. <br /><br />Sending all of my love,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-5046394115086866402009-05-14T17:29:00.002-04:002009-05-14T18:02:04.211-04:00Dr. Dr. Sick in BedSo it has been far too long since I've updated. It has been a crazy week and half that seemed to have flown by, without really being conscious of it. I guess for starters a couple of big things happened. <br /><br />1. When I returned back from my trip to La Serena, a large sum of money was stolen from its hiding place in my room and all of the signs pointed to the fact that our maid took it. So that was a really hard week because it was an awkward position of accusing people and feeling taken advantage. In the end, we fired the maid and my host mom is paying me back for the money taken. (Since I was not given a secure locked box to hold important documents, which was required by my abroad program) <br /><br />2. I somehow got super sick! I was feeling not 100% on Tuesday, but figured I was just sleepy and bogged down with a lot of work. But when i woke up Wednesday morning I knew something was up, I had an exam Wednesday morning and so I took it and then came home and slept all day long (for 6 hours) When my host mom came home we took my temperature and it was 101.3! Which is pretty high for an adult. So anyway I just took it easy and got a ton of sleep. Today I woke up feeling just as bad and went to the doctor and it turns out i have tonsilitis! I know this is gross, but I came home and looked at my tonsils in the mirror and There were huge and had big white dots on them. Eeew! <br /><br />So I guess I would say I have good reason that I haven't updated! Other, less somber things... last weekend I went to a really fun party on the beach, a discoteque with a bunch of friends. I also went to Olmue (small village where host mom's boyfriend has family cabin) for Mother's day on Sunday. <br /><br />HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY MOMMA! (i know we talked, but did you get my post card and email?) <br /><br />Other than that, I went to the regular Tuesday night salsa sessions, and I think I'm getting pretty good. Haha, that might be my biased opinion someday I'll take video and pics of the event. It is so much fun! I love doing it! <br /><br />Oh, and I went on an excursion with a bunch of girls from my study abroad group and we went to this museum and had a really nice afternoon in Valparaiso. Here are some photos:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVoHugG3zcYgifUdSrsXx4OTMbasSAbMUVGjzpOo6kTR6JeOR-D-1vLXri7qRNPeJbehG9xLSl4_G_qlIxaaM5tktxyX9YZbDN5S4iylUVM_LoQ0EuOpf-gvaWXyGAGCApUnabA/s1600-h/DSCN1268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVoHugG3zcYgifUdSrsXx4OTMbasSAbMUVGjzpOo6kTR6JeOR-D-1vLXri7qRNPeJbehG9xLSl4_G_qlIxaaM5tktxyX9YZbDN5S4iylUVM_LoQ0EuOpf-gvaWXyGAGCApUnabA/s400/DSCN1268.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335803183264026898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1qpXpg754JLzWo3KgSEgMcRa_kvGPcI0Pq78ZzAyemx5vN37co8uPjzEcCk1sspT-OrKImw6KJLnVrshvnvdL7VIDoX6WJxmmeI_1RE9pBO1M8GhdEfVx4w71vLFBcb6uX5GyQ/s1600-h/DSCN1260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1qpXpg754JLzWo3KgSEgMcRa_kvGPcI0Pq78ZzAyemx5vN37co8uPjzEcCk1sspT-OrKImw6KJLnVrshvnvdL7VIDoX6WJxmmeI_1RE9pBO1M8GhdEfVx4w71vLFBcb6uX5GyQ/s400/DSCN1260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335803173653996978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeplqaFmBrBIb6jw0XnktISlmLoRWPx190iC905gJ1iLxfYEVRGmfb0R00abdazcP8vMhUhF1Abj8Y08S0QIlM4CIKsEOm1JUKdDZ1lmNzWCveoZPs2Ebj3GdwbTWIgIX7DHWTw/s1600-h/DSCN1262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeplqaFmBrBIb6jw0XnktISlmLoRWPx190iC905gJ1iLxfYEVRGmfb0R00abdazcP8vMhUhF1Abj8Y08S0QIlM4CIKsEOm1JUKdDZ1lmNzWCveoZPs2Ebj3GdwbTWIgIX7DHWTw/s400/DSCN1262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335803172639296242" /></a><br /><br />So I'm supposed to stay in bed pretty much until I feel better, so this has the possibility of being a super boring weekend, haha. <br /><br />Sending a restful and healthy weekend,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-85283921447039957862009-05-04T18:05:00.005-04:002009-05-04T19:24:20.220-04:00La Serena, Vicuña y Valle de ElquiI was fortunate enough to travel again this past weekend. I traveled with two girlfriends, Cali and Elizabeth and we traveled north up the coast. It was fun to be on an adventure and fun to explore! We learned a lot in these three short days of traveling. <br /><br />We left friday morning at 8:00am and were on the bus alll day until about 5:0opm when we got into La Serena. We checked into a cute little hostel, with a really quaint family feel. We explored the town a little bit, found some really cool art shops and then had a nice dinner in town. We also got ice cream after which always makes for a great day. The town was pretty upscale, but the buildings were very old, which was a really nice feel. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ0qrAAgE-c9jK6GvJ0liPRGoc3DoV_KphD2c4fxbxsOMZtt0UirX4CznDZ4CyDmdb8rrClvVF6-Ds0H0C6HdymF0Va9XGATd6dg9H5eKhxivWn-vQqYWDkS4bLEQoBfyC7NKXg/s1600-h/DSCN1150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ0qrAAgE-c9jK6GvJ0liPRGoc3DoV_KphD2c4fxbxsOMZtt0UirX4CznDZ4CyDmdb8rrClvVF6-Ds0H0C6HdymF0Va9XGATd6dg9H5eKhxivWn-vQqYWDkS4bLEQoBfyC7NKXg/s400/DSCN1150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332096010428587282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33MokYOXUdT1kZqWrDNs5VytbE2zb69_qGpbWAD1r5xOeuZrNDJQd0Z4_tKtU3VeIOQWHoa8yGalzmbC4_PKS7Ft40U2uByBUwojPYGAJGCaQVkGEVuVOFx7Z77gVK3Zjtzl1Ww/s1600-h/DSCN1142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33MokYOXUdT1kZqWrDNs5VytbE2zb69_qGpbWAD1r5xOeuZrNDJQd0Z4_tKtU3VeIOQWHoa8yGalzmbC4_PKS7Ft40U2uByBUwojPYGAJGCaQVkGEVuVOFx7Z77gVK3Zjtzl1Ww/s400/DSCN1142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332096009362594546" /></a><br /><br />Saturday morning we explore La Serena a bit more, and then took a 2 o clock bus to Vicuña, which was a fairly small town, which felt very much in the countryside. Everything was just a little smaller and a little slower there. We really liked the feel of it though, the people were very friendly and we were surrounded everywhere by mountains. We checked into another hostel, which was a house owned by an older german woman. She was so friendly! No one else was staying there so the three of us girls got reign over the kitchen, the living room and our really comfy room and bathroom. We explored the town a bit and visited the museum of Gabriela Mistral (famous chilean poet) For dinner, made a delicious stir fry (which we bought all of the ingredients for 3 dollars since it was all vegetables and we were in farmlands) then Saturday night we went to an Astronomers Observatory. This was rated one of the 6 best places in the WORLD to view stars, given the caliber of the telescope and clarity of the sky. It was an incredible experience! We were up in the middle of nowhere for about 2 hours which just 6 other people and two guides who knew EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING. The coolest thing was seeing the moon up close through the telescope. i REALLY liked that part. We learned so much in that short 2 hour period! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqglzlvmq25llcrxlXtKXjvZvT0xULdP1PGPUVRcxWEu1VZO875zqTgtVG3Tecrrz_QxPV_VsUUQZt1qw9YwUDEVUj758qArasuILFBWAhqD6nbXlGI5dqs5cCvRS4As61dglaw/s1600-h/DSCN1186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqglzlvmq25llcrxlXtKXjvZvT0xULdP1PGPUVRcxWEu1VZO875zqTgtVG3Tecrrz_QxPV_VsUUQZt1qw9YwUDEVUj758qArasuILFBWAhqD6nbXlGI5dqs5cCvRS4As61dglaw/s400/DSCN1186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332110226386112962" /></a><br /><br />Sunday morning we got up and ate a delicious meal served by our Germany hostel lady, then we took a bus into Valle de Elqui... the bus ride in was incredible, passing the greenest vineyards surrounded by the mountains and the bluest sky. We took a tour of a pisco vineyard (pisco is a type of alcohol that is typical to chile and peru and is made from the fermentation of grapes) The tour was really interesting and gave us some free taste testing and then an entire pisco sour at the end. We took all of our tours in spanish, and it was a really great way to practice. it was also cool that we were learning so much in a hands-on way. I really enjoyed my time there. After the tour, we took a little lunch break where we are out picnic we had packed for ourselves (sandwhiches with fresh avocado, tomato and cheese - again purchased lunch for under 3 dollars in TOTAL) Then we embarked on about a 1.5 mile walk through the Valley into another small town, Monte Grande. This walk was so gorgeous and filled with natural beauty. In Monte Grande we viewed Gabriel Mistrals house and then took a bus back to get our stuff in Vicuña, ate another delicious dinner with some friend we met in the hostel, and took the bus back to La Serena.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkeOiSRl9pVK9URrceoXL33k-dmm4NrinU5OAaqNleVPHb1WZqLb7V3chiB9iPmiypI_-J25cAXPfPCiZUZ9i_-AGvTA0G7XTqdCrBSNSMWJBWbcn34LuOURQb8uPXBnipJ99Jw/s1600-h/DSCN1245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkeOiSRl9pVK9URrceoXL33k-dmm4NrinU5OAaqNleVPHb1WZqLb7V3chiB9iPmiypI_-J25cAXPfPCiZUZ9i_-AGvTA0G7XTqdCrBSNSMWJBWbcn34LuOURQb8uPXBnipJ99Jw/s400/DSCN1245.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332112426922968418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMgbMntgB01wMsymv2gMOTJpBMAfW4n2RqsMtsscRZ4vEU6NN7scbtULVS_joBQakOLUdk7RLGNqUT7vdz-OHboR0_hArCvwF9cTfqzuaA_QdBsORXidfSz8ijyKvFaDHqsYUbw/s1600-h/DSCN1198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMgbMntgB01wMsymv2gMOTJpBMAfW4n2RqsMtsscRZ4vEU6NN7scbtULVS_joBQakOLUdk7RLGNqUT7vdz-OHboR0_hArCvwF9cTfqzuaA_QdBsORXidfSz8ijyKvFaDHqsYUbw/s400/DSCN1198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332112423562571410" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately, the trip ended a little bit on a bad note. We thought we had tickets for the middle of the night 1am on sunday night or monday morning, but we had been confused and the tickets were actually for Sunday morning at 1 am, meaning saturday night... so we were stuck in the bus terminal without a way back. We waited another 2 hours, until 3 in the morning where we boarded a bus back to Santiago, (because none were going to our place) and then took a 2 hour bus back to Viña del mar. Needless to say I am very tired today! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FjVK41ZNHlqe6eycpu6xuYUt7hvif_L-_5dc-j0cWtiX5Mx6O45k2CnSg-4tf7ew9XwNTnVG2NcOjUI6rUHtFH2hUiAEVRkBH_WMfA-KHMYuCLJbwWHMDZjWOr5tmaquQMXOiQ/s1600-h/DSCN1181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FjVK41ZNHlqe6eycpu6xuYUt7hvif_L-_5dc-j0cWtiX5Mx6O45k2CnSg-4tf7ew9XwNTnVG2NcOjUI6rUHtFH2hUiAEVRkBH_WMfA-KHMYuCLJbwWHMDZjWOr5tmaquQMXOiQ/s400/DSCN1181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332113512087026386" /></a><br />But all in all it was a great trip! Pretty relaxed but also a ton of fun. Cali and Elizabeth were really good travel partners who stayed upbeat the whole time and always seemed interested in doing the same things i was interested in doing! Overall it was a great experience! I feel so lucky to be out and seeing the world!! <br /><br />Sending Adventures your way,<br /><br />Nessagirl.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-65176611697080187872009-04-27T16:14:00.002-04:002009-04-27T17:50:12.522-04:00Momma's and Steve's VisitWe had a really great 9 days together, it went by extremely quickly though, almost within the blink of an eye. I have got to get used to time flying because it always seems to do that here. Here are some photos of our trip: Fisherman in Zapallar (the beach town we visited), "La Chascona" which is one of Pablo Neruda's homes, bike tour of santiago, me infront of awesome graffiti and mom&me. It was a really great trip!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5W4zaCme962CpxrXR4rqB6nCrYktCf-WkS8RpxWK9jHGb7-MExS_jBQwIgRTL9yR71SdwqPyG39SsQx6iyUP5mYuccC_wIbE1J6Bf55LBbhqReX8bf0rnaFIhpqQ8fnuLOCWXg/s1600-h/DSCN1120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5W4zaCme962CpxrXR4rqB6nCrYktCf-WkS8RpxWK9jHGb7-MExS_jBQwIgRTL9yR71SdwqPyG39SsQx6iyUP5mYuccC_wIbE1J6Bf55LBbhqReX8bf0rnaFIhpqQ8fnuLOCWXg/s400/DSCN1120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329473822006462114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_w58JQjifQk2OdjcGtbKuVFNKBsHdR7hhC_QqqLzK5zWxGVNPiVQf7DVwd9o31jo4g5L4vUCpdpCNfEJtUH7ybPxdkBoEqGTP5hYlIyu1TpV2GIYjYh_cFBxCCORm87xDP76xg/s1600-h/DSCN1111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_w58JQjifQk2OdjcGtbKuVFNKBsHdR7hhC_QqqLzK5zWxGVNPiVQf7DVwd9o31jo4g5L4vUCpdpCNfEJtUH7ybPxdkBoEqGTP5hYlIyu1TpV2GIYjYh_cFBxCCORm87xDP76xg/s400/DSCN1111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329473817041465090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38r22EDz2bxTJX6NGfpnZb5WMVXhkWSViKyv_s_vd9SrREbqdzXcCuFJVY3AnDyM8DlegxKz55VV1wY9G63w-5PlnaWf-JKJ5thgm12rbGdrVkMUl9njNVpOuA79c4TGwnpdboQ/s1600-h/DSCN1110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38r22EDz2bxTJX6NGfpnZb5WMVXhkWSViKyv_s_vd9SrREbqdzXcCuFJVY3AnDyM8DlegxKz55VV1wY9G63w-5PlnaWf-JKJ5thgm12rbGdrVkMUl9njNVpOuA79c4TGwnpdboQ/s400/DSCN1110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329473811205470802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrRI2UaMsamYKMBe9X8AO_ZhLdb93Mjxu4HNlbk9DlPwQEjqKxZf7w2dBE3hm_NPfj7IZ6ImFxO2CuyI1UYylOehaqQN2DHveoIGpR35Nww5eBxAHe9TXVwXL2S5AC8vdUH10dQ/s1600-h/DSCN1097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrRI2UaMsamYKMBe9X8AO_ZhLdb93Mjxu4HNlbk9DlPwQEjqKxZf7w2dBE3hm_NPfj7IZ6ImFxO2CuyI1UYylOehaqQN2DHveoIGpR35Nww5eBxAHe9TXVwXL2S5AC8vdUH10dQ/s400/DSCN1097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329473806651897554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7q0im7HjS2euLgOiLFyDKAu0zi2knrqYkbTe_dtQuXSZ6nPj_pa8aHE8FnUpAalM9lIQeU3k3BvK6rdUsv-qI38O9slurKIwret0lQgFSbFuBDK-G-1Anlp-7fDZBkX57I-ugA/s1600-h/DSCN1089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7q0im7HjS2euLgOiLFyDKAu0zi2knrqYkbTe_dtQuXSZ6nPj_pa8aHE8FnUpAalM9lIQeU3k3BvK6rdUsv-qI38O9slurKIwret0lQgFSbFuBDK-G-1Anlp-7fDZBkX57I-ugA/s400/DSCN1089.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329473802714745378" /></a><br /><br />Thanks so much for coming all the way out here to visit me Mom and Steve, it really was nice to have a little taste of home!<br /><br />My mom and I talked this morning about what home is anyway. Home isn't a place i've decided. I have a home in Minnesota, but also one in Arizona(dad), in Pennsylvania(school), in California(ryan) and now in Chile. So instead of associating a certain place with home, I just have to carry my "home" around with me on my shoulders.. "wherever i lay my hat, is home" <br /><br />Hope you all had a nice weekend as well!<br /><br />*Vanessa*Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-14727453187103303402009-04-23T14:22:00.003-04:002009-04-23T14:50:20.024-04:00Please say he doesn't wear a gold chain, please :)This afternoon I am sitting in my room, listening to Mason Jennings and packing up for my weekend trip with my Mom and her boyfriend Steve. We are leaving in about an hour to go to Zapallar ( a small beach town a little north from here ). We are staying there just tonight and the day tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon we are going to drive into Santiago and spend Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night in Santiago. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my family and exploring this beautiful country I have been living in. <br /><br />here are some photos of the beautiful weather and relaxing times we have had at my parents hotel: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKSlFwAzOMXsNUK2o98NmhLnCrDjsoVmr7J9yhw_oj84KPFtMlBgiOX0xZ4rLz5K3JfK0Hpj1PPcClkwTG5pmeusL5it_q-jW4gkTdrJ7E77U5CImVgK2M3weQs9WH9cswQ7TbQ/s1600-h/2911_531726019916_28503539_31586979_4170743_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKSlFwAzOMXsNUK2o98NmhLnCrDjsoVmr7J9yhw_oj84KPFtMlBgiOX0xZ4rLz5K3JfK0Hpj1PPcClkwTG5pmeusL5it_q-jW4gkTdrJ7E77U5CImVgK2M3weQs9WH9cswQ7TbQ/s400/2911_531726019916_28503539_31586979_4170743_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327957013405111410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrf6myRyqhvqx8BwHECrzS3tLT0UzHEhiGzVClnZPpXRst6a_7ocI-aTaDnPEC4k9OLD49OvtPj3d0sCsCgBYDh-C9VOFqRj3F1OVKzyltLWxeXflSEC_k0t_IP_lTuvyPKPNpQ/s1600-h/2911_531726009936_28503539_31586977_4612066_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrf6myRyqhvqx8BwHECrzS3tLT0UzHEhiGzVClnZPpXRst6a_7ocI-aTaDnPEC4k9OLD49OvtPj3d0sCsCgBYDh-C9VOFqRj3F1OVKzyltLWxeXflSEC_k0t_IP_lTuvyPKPNpQ/s400/2911_531726009936_28503539_31586977_4612066_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327957011908926546" /></a><br /><br /><br />Completely unrelated...<br /><br />Isn't it crazy how you can listen to a song and be completely taken back to a place, a moment? I am always amazed that I could totally forget about a moment from my past but then the second music hits me just right, everything comes surging back .. deeper than a photograph. Today I have been listening to Mason Jennings all day (as I mentioned before) and I listened to a song called "Something about your love" and I was taken back immediately to last summer when I went to visit Ryan. I left four days after getting out of school and we spent about two weeks driving the California coast. We saw a Mason Jennings concert my first night in town and that was the first time he played the song "Something about your love" and Ryan and I were there to witness it! About a week later, his new album came out while Ryan and I were hanging out in San Francisco. I remember walking into this record store and buying two copies of it, one for me and one for Ry. We came back to our hotel, put the CD in Ry's computer and listened to the whole album. For me it was one of the happiest moments ... just reminiscing :)<br /><br />Something about your lovee... ooooh something about your love<br />aint no modern love gonna set me free<br />like the kind of love that you give to me<br />I'm coming home to be with you<br />something about your love... oooh something about your love.<br /><br />Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-174439921309518542009-04-18T11:01:00.002-04:002009-04-18T17:42:53.430-04:00Rabuco (pueblito en el campo)My program took a small day trip to a little pueblo in the middle of the countryside... We went to a grape factory that produces grapes for Dole! We learned to dance the queca (chile's national dance) and competed in some universal field games like a sack race and carrying an egg on a spoon. It was some quality time with some good friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu7fILxrqEbUu-3sXSh7VV3PoSLs_ZlPRBYNlYrMQd3TxL7o5llAZYME85RJggTUbmEx8LHvyAWikt7jtKW0Yk6FY8o_JVEMYAB9uywq4Skp3jbxUBckRudnRltJKQR4PoX-Mdg/s1600-h/DSCN1019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu7fILxrqEbUu-3sXSh7VV3PoSLs_ZlPRBYNlYrMQd3TxL7o5llAZYME85RJggTUbmEx8LHvyAWikt7jtKW0Yk6FY8o_JVEMYAB9uywq4Skp3jbxUBckRudnRltJKQR4PoX-Mdg/s400/DSCN1019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326052796845137042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx-jdlQ1hVJA4mX3HKgIPmQadRftkaifu2IlIqofhgJu9zKQMGtxbVNOEGXCkSxIkeSE-D-EH8MQ0B3epDWpBRf-9eppudUFwSxFKhzcSGtY30teawuSJ3Lp2cS3qWGs9zZArNw/s1600-h/DSCN1060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx-jdlQ1hVJA4mX3HKgIPmQadRftkaifu2IlIqofhgJu9zKQMGtxbVNOEGXCkSxIkeSE-D-EH8MQ0B3epDWpBRf-9eppudUFwSxFKhzcSGtY30teawuSJ3Lp2cS3qWGs9zZArNw/s400/DSCN1060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326052789200152642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ2sHm6Th4raylsgB5tIVbb_hLWka6Z9yQxE8kBwOscyFuKI91x_1rngL9YrxJawVnvENufmPIZrj-QbMZoncGEMpLq69WUtWNviP7OM_01dgz_rMBcbjW2WDGf59BieCylJ7Eg/s1600-h/DSCN1017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ2sHm6Th4raylsgB5tIVbb_hLWka6Z9yQxE8kBwOscyFuKI91x_1rngL9YrxJawVnvENufmPIZrj-QbMZoncGEMpLq69WUtWNviP7OM_01dgz_rMBcbjW2WDGf59BieCylJ7Eg/s400/DSCN1017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326052786177678866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Fps6Oi-16s40haC1Y_FkNYkekf-f037vMurBRDDMh6urpWF1bkaZrDdmOwoa6i0Ad-wBfhYFRbqPK3yeZsJ3fmSJV5aXc1grk9cnnHZGyMsGwMWMHeRg3TmQjZuiqWy4vdb6w/s1600-h/DSCN1037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Fps6Oi-16s40haC1Y_FkNYkekf-f037vMurBRDDMh6urpWF1bkaZrDdmOwoa6i0Ad-wBfhYFRbqPK3yeZsJ3fmSJV5aXc1grk9cnnHZGyMsGwMWMHeRg3TmQjZuiqWy4vdb6w/s400/DSCN1037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326052784206902130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdvAt08p-eHSEmfp8u-xHmU8xSqdhD4oAbe8iZxP42oR-M2z_yOR8JduQHcWrHAZgPcRtJ009jUSakm6mc73FH8oYBKptlWyR6LzDjhLTLUgS3QjEJ5VEm5Ty827_pZpCzKZdAA/s1600-h/DSCN1027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdvAt08p-eHSEmfp8u-xHmU8xSqdhD4oAbe8iZxP42oR-M2z_yOR8JduQHcWrHAZgPcRtJ009jUSakm6mc73FH8oYBKptlWyR6LzDjhLTLUgS3QjEJ5VEm5Ty827_pZpCzKZdAA/s400/DSCN1027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326052780064822482" /></a><br /><br />Today my mom and her boyfriend Steve came in from the United States to visit me!!! We had a wonderful day walking through Viña along the ocean. It is absolutely perfect today, sunny and bright!! Then we went to the botanical gardens to celebrate the birthday of one of my good friends. It was so cool to have my mom and steve there.<br /><br />Now i am relaxing a bit before we go out to dinner tonight with my host family and me! Its going to be a lot of translating, haha.<br /><br />Besos,<br /><br />Vanessa.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33189879.post-32954935630549480392009-04-14T17:52:00.003-04:002009-04-14T18:04:24.024-04:00That Great FeelingDear Friends,<br /><br />Thank you all so much for your comments about my feeling homesick, I hope you know how much your words impact me. And luckily, I am now feeling much better. I have been thinking that even though I think I will always miss being away from my family and friends and home, I am only here for such a short period of time so I need to live it up! <br /><br />I have a really great moment yesterday.. I walked down to get on the bus to go to my class, just like any other day here. And i walked onto the bus and there was a man standing and playing the guitar and singing beautifully in spanish. The music flowed through the bus, but no one even noticed, it was just another day to them. We took the bus along the coast (cause that is how you get to my university) and i looked out and pondered the vast seas that flow. To everyone else this was just another day on the bus, but for me... it was another reminder that I am in CHILE and the world really is a wonderful place. <br /><br />Other than that, I bought a plant. I bought a plant of orange gerbera daisies, (my favorite) and they are currently sitting happily and healthily in my room. They really do light up a space.<br /><br />Un mar de sueños,<br /><br />nessa. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OQyIxS8U_ny4XoZhGGB8MQDsJtW83ZPb6rueiMI1s6I6_-rR6xE7thSj6lDFrUUYtbaPTtcuC3_F8UPj5OYe_PAvs2tn2E1-_LgnZsh6-A-Z7jCAVmbf0qL128yVOvzX6TRocQ/s1600-h/DSCN0939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OQyIxS8U_ny4XoZhGGB8MQDsJtW83ZPb6rueiMI1s6I6_-rR6xE7thSj6lDFrUUYtbaPTtcuC3_F8UPj5OYe_PAvs2tn2E1-_LgnZsh6-A-Z7jCAVmbf0qL128yVOvzX6TRocQ/s400/DSCN0939.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324670828793374850" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04287721168182163399noreply@blogger.com2