25 More Random Things

On my first day of Spring Break, I find myself sick as a dog. Since I am bed ridden anyway, I've decided to share some random thoughts. These are not in any particular order.


1. Technology scares me. It really does, seriously. Take this Facebook account for instance….I only have it because of a class requirement.

2. I believe that ALL things have a season. Life, friends, jobs, relationships, clothes, etc.…enjoy what you can, learn what you are supposed to learn, and move on when it is done.

3. Even though she died back in 1999, it is still sometimes incomprehensible to me that my cousin Lisa is dead. I hope that she is proud of all me.

4. I am a gypsy at my core. I am at home anywhere on this planet.

5. Teaching was the absolute last thing I thought I would be doing for a career. I only began teaching while waiting for the Foreign Service to place me.

6. Monday, January 6, 2006 and running have saved my life. Literally.

7. I don’t believe in Political Correctness. I think it has abused Truth. However, I still hold out hope that Truth will prevail.

8. The first book I ever read from cover to cover was Gone With the Wind. I read the sequel Scarlet…what a let down.

9. I do own an IPOD (someone had to set it up for me though) and I have everyone from Conway Twitty to TPain loaded in it.

10. I have friends that have interesting careers. I know an ice trucker, a CEO of a bank, fitness trainers, foreign service workers, writers, archivists, reporters, pilots, a taste tester, exotic dancers, bartenders, fashion designers, professional athletes, private investigators, personal assistants to famous/wealthy people, numerous chefs, Peace Corps workers, actor, recording artists, ministers, a jeweler, a hand and foot model (not the same people, btw), a few regular models. I could go on, but I’ve made my point.

11. Closed Mind People (People that “Don’t like this/that/him/her/them/it” for no other reason other than mere existence), really, really tick me off.

12. I believe that people have the time to do what they desire to do. Period.

13. I am a principled person.

14. I despise winter, but understand its necessity in the cycle of things.

15. I am jealous of artistic people in general. I wish that I could express myself in the ways that they do.

16. I once spent an entire paycheck on a purse and a pair of shoes.

17. I get a kick out of seeing my students having an “Aha! Moment”. It never ever gets old.

18. The concept of rewarding people for doing things that they are supposed to do is the saddest practice I have ever seen.

19. I am most at peace when I am near water. I sometimes turn on the faucet and watch the water run. Lately, since I have been trying to be less wasteful of the world’s resources, I have started the practice of filling a large bucket with water and then using it to clean things. Yeah, you got it…the dipping my hands in water thingy.

20. I am an English teacher that happens to be the worst speller known to man.

21. I cried when I left Brazil at the end of last summer. I really, really considered not boarding my flight back to the US.

22. If one got a passport stamped for travel within the US, my passport would be stamped the most for Las Vegas, Nevada. Yeah, I don’t get this one either. I’ve been to Las Vegas so many times now that visits have begun to blend together.

23. Sometimes people don’t get what they deserve.

24. It is in part of because of charity that I am where I am today. I am charitable one, to remind myself of it and two, to hopefully bless someone else.

25. My mom and my aunt are my heroes.

The Hilton's showed me great hospitality

in Ocean City, Maryland this weekend. I was relieved because only one other hotel got the nod as a nice place to stay. The hotel was immaculate and the staff efficient and very friendly. The view from Suite 1012 was breathtaking. Even though the weather was a bit on the frosty side (as February tends to be), I was able to venture out and do stuff. I walked on the beach, I took a very leisurely stroll on the boardwalk. I ate way to much pizza from Fat Guys. I chased the wild ponies at Assateague. Finally, on my last night, I savored every bite of my steak dinner which was compliments of my sweetie Chef Mike.

I'm a firm believer that the beach can be enjoyed anytime of year. If you decide to stay at the Hilton, tell them ILP sent you.

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/SBYOFHF-Hilton-Suites-Ocean-City-Oceanfront-Maryland/index.do

A Week that Was...

1. Israel has gone into Gaza to get Hamas. Of course in the middle of all of it are the innocent Palestinian citizens.
2. Obama has arrived in DC and the Obama girls started there new school with a ride in a hella motorcade and numerous TV cameras catching the whole thing.
3. Patrick Swayze admitted that he hasn't stopped smoking even though he is in the fight of his life with pancreatic cancer.
4. Sheila Dixon (the Mayor of Baltimore) and my fellow church member was indicted on federal corruption & theft charges.
5. The Governor of Illinois, Blagojevich , was Impeached. He says he isn't going anywhere.
6. A transit police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man in Oakland, CA and riots followed.
7. Alcoa announced that it was cutting 14,000 jobs.
8. John Travolta buried his 16 year old son. He died in the Bahamas of seizure disorder.
9. Oprah admitted that she fell off the wagon and is currently 200+ pounds.
10. My brother was admitted to the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure.

I think I will stop at 10.

Because this week was a bit more stressful than I anticipated, I added in an extra run. It was truly a godsend. It gave me a chance to think about the 6 locals I got to visit in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die series.

Jan. 5 - Topkapi Palace, Instanbul, Turkey
Jan. 6 - Verbier, Valais, Switzerland
Jan. 7 - Any Church in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Jan. 8 - Tasmania Freycinet National Park, Australia
Jan. 9 - Plaza de Armas, Cuzco, Peru
Jan. 10 - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA

3 Places to See Before You Die

Everyone who knows me and has been paying attention knows that I LOVE to travel. God's earth is so big and so beautiful. I think I was put here to see as much of it as I can.

It is a shame that I haven't quite figured out how to see the planet and eat at the same time, so I do the best that I can. The best I can do for 2009 is to enjoy the Christmas present I bought for myself. I bought a 1000 Places to See Before You Die Desk Calendar. I get to see a wonderful and different local each day. How cool is that?

As of the writing of this blog, I've got to see the following places:

January 1 - The Cliffs, Negril, Jamaica
January 2 - Mesa Verde, Colorado, USA
January 3 - The Louvre, Paris, France

I can scratch January, 1 & 3 off of my list. One more thing that I can report is that the pictures on the calendar don't do each place any justice, at all. Don't get me wrong, the pictures are awesome, but trust me, you have to see each place for yourself...sometime in your lifetime.

This is a picture from my last visit to Cliff's Bar & Grill in Negril. I was last there in 2007.

Other Christmas Traditions

I've already shared that I am not really into the spirit this year. Not sure why, I'm just not feeling it. I think my coworker Amy picked up on it after I shrugged my shoulders when she asked me how I'd be spending my holiday break. After a quick chuckle, Amy said, "Well Jeremy and I planned on doing our Christmas Day Movie Blitz, but with Will we've not figured out how that would work. It looks like we'll be at home." Well my interest was immediately peaked, "movies," I asked. She responded, "Yup, movies. You know, tickets, start times, concessions stand, popcorn? Jeremy and I go every Christmas Day." OK, so where have I been all my life? How come, I've never thought about the movies on Christmas Day? Amy must have read my mind because she continued, "Alisia, most Jews sleep late, order Chinese carryout, and go to the movies on Christmas Day. It isn't our holiday."

I almost gave Amy a bear hug, but I didn't want her to punch me. So instead I called Michael and asked him if he'd like to become Jewish with me for the day. We'd do it up. Waffles and turkey bacon in our pj's in the morning. It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street on TV (commercials included) for the afternoon. Then we'd order greasy spoon Chinese food for dinner. He loved the idea! Yeah for me. I think it was easier for him to agree as his family are all back in Kansas.

Now you may ask, dear faithful reader (lol), what about Christmas with your family? Yeah, yeah, yeah...I'll make the rounds. (Much) later in the day (evening)...for dessert and quick hellos.

It may turn out to be a merry Christmas, afterall.

La Tosca!

Black Friday seemed like the best time to go and check out the newest rage at the Baltimore's Inner Harbor Pratt Street Pavillion. Tara's birthday was the appropriate occasion. Reservations were set for 7:30 pm, although the place was almost empty, so I am sure that whenever we all arrived would have been alright.

Our party began at the bar. Almost everyone (except me) took advantage of the 1/2 price Sangria special. I am not a fan of sangria, but I am a fan of Moscatel, so I got a glass. As usual...yummo! BTW: In the name of full disclosure, I must disclose that I had 3 glasses of Sweet Espumoso de Moscatel Flare N/V, Valencia.

When we decided that we had started the party just right, we were seated and the tapas began to arrive at the table. Pan de Ajo (garlic bread) and Ensalada de Espinacas, Almendras y Queso Cabrales (Spinach Salad with almonds and Cabrales cheese) were the bomb. I am sorry to report that the menu kind of went down hill after that. Well, no, the chicken in wine sauce was awesome, too. I am not a fan of fried food, so the eggplant was not cool. Also the potatoes with garlic mayonnaise would have been alright, if it didn't arrive cold. The other guest raved about the calamari and the shrimp (which were gigantic), but I don't eat shellfish. We were all full by the time the meatballs in marina sauce arrived at our table (I did manage to taste one and I've had better), so I am not sure what we would have done had we ordered Paella. Of course, La Tosca is known around these parts for its paella and that is what we didn't get to taste...ironic, huh?

The bartender (William) knew his stock, but lacked mixing knowledge. I felt kind of bad that we had to send the White Russian back...twice. I don't think Will ever got it right, so we ordered more Sangria. The decor was nice. I like that we were able to overlook the water. I am not sure if we would have been listening to New Aged chant music if we were in a tapas bar in Spain, but one never knows.

I wont say don't try La Tosca. It is understandable if you use them as a substitute if you want Spanish food and just can gather the funds together to fly to Spain. Just know that you wont have awesome food. But that is so it goes, sometimes, when you try to brand a people and its cuisine.

Here is there link: http://www.latascausa.com/index.cfm

Mi Free Paypah Bun

is a Jamaican expression that means (roughly), "time is up". My time ran out at precisely 1 pm today when I had to report to The Professional Development Center to be professionally developed. I guess I should be grateful. I was able to make my grocery list, my Office Depot list, my weekend 'to do' list, and my 'once I report to school, I have to do' list. At least I feel like I am organized to begin my 15th school year.

Sigh....my summer is over.

A Family Affair

This past weekend I was an invited guest at the Wilkins Family Reunion in Kansas City, Kansas (yes, I wrote Kansas). What a great time. I laughed plenty. Drank Plenty (although not as much as the members of the Wilkins Family). Ate plenty (OK, I am now a Kansas BBQ convert). Took hundreds of pictures (I can't wait to upload them into the digital picture frame).

When I boarded my Delta flight to come home I left Kansas City, Kansas with the warm fuzzies that you get after getting a hug from your own mom and/or dad. Or, the hug you remembered from grandma or grandpa. I left with the renewed understanding and appreciation that life is all about family. Indeed.

Thanks Michael David.

Liberdade

In Portuguese it means "freedom". Liberdade (pronounced: Li-ber-dad-gee) is in Sao Paulo, Brazil and it is the largest Japanese community (in the world) outside of Japan. It reminds me of Chinatown in DC and New York. I really got mixed up, however, because everything was in Japanese and Portuguese (oh boy). Thank God I am great at pointing and nodding 'yes' and 'no'. I also think I have a nice smile.

I went to Liberdade at my hosts suggestion. They know that I am into street markets (of all kinds). Liberdade closes its main street on Saturdays and Sundays and holds a street market. Vendors sell until whatever they have (everything from fresh fruit, jewelry to kabobs) is all gone.

On a funny note....

I didn't venture inside to see if the #1 was the same. The line was much to long.

Good Eats

It's called Feijoada and I ate it yesterday (for the second time since arriving in Brazil). Feijoada is the Brazilian national dish. It is so good. It is served on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons in homes and every restaurant (from the hole in the wall to the 5 star) across Brazil. So far I have figured out that eating Feijoada on Saturdays is better. It is better because you have the afternoon to sleep it off. Maybe I shouldn't have written that last part.

According to Brazilian history, Feijoada is a dish that was introduced to Brazil by African slaves. Slaves use to take leftover (scrap) pieces of their owners' pork and other meats and would stew it with black beans. It is served with rice, kale (or collard greens), plantains, roasted manioc flour, and oranges. You are supposed to have Caipirinha (limes, sugar, and sugar cane brandy over ice) or beer when you have Feijoada. I chose the former, as I am not a beer drinker.

I am sure that this dish is fattening. Anything that tastes this good usually is.

Note to self: In the morning run an extra mile to make up for the good eats.

I was Born in Bahia

In my former life. No, truly. How else can I explain how I know the culture, feel a deep routed connection to the people, and know the land, except to say that I've been here before? Anyone who has done any traveling knows what it is like being in a new place. They know the feeling of nervous excitement. They know the anticipation of getting lost, asking for directions, having high hopes, having pleasant surprises, and dashed expectations. They know the feeling of being at home (in the hotel) for the time being. Multiply all of that times 100 if there is a language barrier.

I have had none of those feelings since my arrival in Salvador. That discovery has been fascinating in the sense that I am not bothered by it. Fascinating in the sense that it is almost as if I already knew my reaction to Bahia would be this way. I am totally OK (after I got over being weirded out about my feelings of 'I've been here before') with just letting my soul figure out where I am going. I am OK with just exploring and discovering and knowing that I am OK here.

I am sure that the connection to Bahia is it's turbulent history, its food, its music, its struggles, its triumphs, its people, and my belief in its future.

My hosts have been truly gracious and have opened there home and hearts to me. Paula and Natto, I almost cannot fathom having to leave you. You are my family.

One More Thing to Take Off the List

Everyone knows this is the famous statue called Christ the Redeemer, which sits atop Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. It is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

At this stage in my life, I have come to realize that I only get one life and I have to live it to it's fullest. A part of that living is seeing all of these wonders for myself, so I will make the trek to Rio on Tuesday the 15th.

I've decided to take this trek alone this time, so much of my life (these days) seems to be this way. It is alright though, I am sure that the Gods have some plan in the works and all of this alone time is the prep work for it.

In addition to seeing the sights which include Salvador and Sao Paulo, I plan to do some serious eating. I will keep everyone (all 2 of you that read this blog) posted.