INVENTORY OF ONE MONTH IN CHILE Maraquetas eaten countless Resumes sent by email 40+ Flea bites 20+ Skype contacts 10 Interviews 3 Very much part-time job 1 Blockbuster Chile membership 1 Major life goal achieved 1 Stolen wallet 1 Despite having my wallet stolen yesterday, even factoring in the flea bites, I am weighing in on the positive here in Chile. I was daydreaming in a crowded part of Santiago. An hour before I left the last of the three interviews inventoried. During the interview I was hired and assigned two classes. One class consists of three nine year olds [View Full Entry]

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It was no surprise that I fell to the ground from the last step leaving Casa Aventura. After all, it was Valparaiso that broke me only five days before. With nearly a week of Valpo experience under my belt, I was not so much embarrassed or frustrated as I was grateful that I hadn't landed in one of the ever present piles of dog poop found on the streets and sidewalks here. Valparaiso is a unique city with a beauty all its own. It is a port city and because of its Acensores, similar to outdoor elevators, and outrageously mazelike city [View Full Entry]

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I pictured a transport system of collective positive energy emitted from the homes of my readers. It was strong enough to carry two very large and heavy bags to me the day after I published my blog. Thank you to all who sent your positive thoughts and messages my way. I arrived "home" to find my bags. From what I can tell everything is intact. I measured this by checking that each shoe had its proper partner. Does it show me to be materialistic when I admit that I got a tear in my eye? So why have I remained in [View Full Entry]

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This entry is frank and honest and may not be for the faint of heart (Mommycakes I´m referring to you.) Had I written this blog this morning, you most certainly would have received a bleak and even sad description of my state of mind. However, having just finished an excellent pasta dinner and salad, my first with lemon (Monica, me gusta mucho la ensalada con limon) I am able to tell the story of my arrival in Chile with a happier tune. But, let me not step ahead of myself. Many of you are wondering, Chile? But what of Argentina? While [View Full Entry]

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I've been testing Aerobeds, guest bedrooms, and the hospitality of friends and family across the US. Sarah and her husband Matt put me up in Elgin, Illinois. Sarah, a new mom to Ava, just over 4 months, amazed me by staying up until 1:30 AM. We discussed eccentricities of our parents and wondered what our futures hold for similar habits. As a kid I was accustomed to hopping out of the car to grab abandoned bungee cords along the road that my dad would spot while driving. He accrued quite the collection. Close friends of mine could probably list my strange [View Full Entry]

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Pictured in approximately 1989 I was a freshman in high school having a sleepover at my friend Sara's house. To my side is my friend Maggie. A few weeks ago I was camped on that same red bed in LaCrosse, WI. This time, Sara's 5 year old son Ethan had to give up his room for the week. He very generously did. Though the room was missing the very trendy red and black color combo and Christmas lights woven through the bed frame, I enjoyed what Ethan had done with the place. His door was a perfect spot to display some [View Full Entry]

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What happened here last night? As I woke this morning and entered the kitchen I began scanning for evidence. My things were strewn about, an atlas open to a map of South America, my credit card haphazardly stuffed into my wallet, my calendar open to August, the computer fan humming. Is it possible? Could I have purchased an airline ticket in my sleep? After checking my email inbox it was confirmed, not the sleep-purchasing, just that I now owned a ticket to Chile. And then the fuzz started to wear away. Thoughts from the early morning. Who says 2 A.M. is [View Full Entry]

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As my departure deadline approached I realized I had a problem. My car was packed to the gills and the inside of my house looked like I had moved nothing. That was my first estimation error. I would need more space to transport my stuff. It took my friend Sara only a few minutes to convince me that I should postpone my departure and look into renting a U-Haul trailer. The next morning I bought the necessary equipment for my car hitch and went to U-Haul to pick up the trailer. I tried to look at the experience as a training [View Full Entry]

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