Reason # 294052 Why I go by "Pilar"

Because these are the current versions of Paige:

- Peige ( yes, like Beige but .. not )
- Pegui
- Peggy

Paige Learns Italian

So last night was my first Italian class. Thank god I had Katie as my buddy because I think otherwise I would have been eaten alive by the Argentine mean girls who think they're better than everyone else just because they already know 5 words of Italian. Or I would have just hid myself in the corner of the classroom begging not to get called on. But it was actually kind of fun, if not just plain hilarious, and I am thinking this will be quite the semester ....

First of all, our classes are held in this colegio that looks like it was modeled after some Eastern Bloc military hospital from the 1950s or something -- lots of concrete, trough sinks in the bathrooms, barebones EVERYTHING .... I feel like I'm in a mental institution/prison/parking garage all at once. Our class has about 20 people in it, a few old ladies who seem pretty cool, lots of annoying Argie girls who work in HR but still have zero people skills (mystifies me), and some random girl from Belgium who everyone likes because she is a translator. Boo. Our teacher is really friendly, speaks only in Italian, and limps around because she has a giant knee brace on. I am thinking that the new Spring trend is a leg or foot injury. I can't tell you how many people I have seen on the street with those big boot-cast things that make you walk like a pirate in slow-motion. Maybe I missed that runway show at Fashion Week ....

Class was basic enough, of course it was almost completely unstructured which was a little unsettling. I'm a nerd and I actually do want to learn Italian ! And I haven't taken any kind of language class, let alone a beginner class, in about 9 years. I hope next week Professore will actually write a fraction of the words on the lavagna (?) so I learn how to spell, and therefore, pronounce them correctly.

Katie and I stood out as the American freaks who have names that no one knows how to say. I can't get a break ! I also crashed into one of the desks trying to look cool as I walked to the back row. Great first impression. We wonder if the people in our class think we're dating, and we have decided that it might not be so boring if we decide to go along with it. It will make the next 3 months pass by less painfully.

When the teacher was passing around a sheet for us to fill in our names, email addresses, etc, I witnessed something that is so indicative, so typical of Argentine behavior, that it was a mini-"lightbulb" moment in my quest to understand these insane people. Rather than pass the paper around the class in orderly rows -- the most efficient, organized way, of course -- these people ( adults ! who have been in school and have therefore, learned how to THINK you would suppose ), just passed the paper around in this random circle without any rhyme or reason. It would be like passing the paper to the 3rd neighbor to the left of the person behind you, instead of just to the person behind you. It took 3 times as long to get the sheet passed around and filled out, and no one seemed to care. Le sigh.

I am excited to become an Italian speaking machine and then go to Italy to practice my fabulous skills. I am also in search of an Italian name. Pilar is perfect for Argentina. What will Paige be called in Italia ? Hmmm ...

In other news, Spring has officially sprung and it will be 80 degrees today. Now I remember why I live here, despite the insanity, disorganization, inefficiency, and corruption. ONE MONTH OF WINTER PER YEAR ! Amazing. Fabulous. That's what I am talking about folks.

Looking forward to a big curry dinner at Bengal tonight and then gearing up for the weekend ...

Poodle Transformation

Ok so let me first just say, I am not ashamed of my love for Standard Poodles and their amazingess. No, Bella does not have a ridiculous haircut that makes her look like a lawn ornament. She is basically smarter than your average human being and I talk about her as if she were an actual person. She's better than your dog. And you.

Meredith sent me this article from the Daily Mail about this random Poodle Grooming competition that allows people with a lot of free time on their hands to turn poodles into "works of art" - aka Pandas, Jack Sparrow, and Camels. Strange, pretty interesting, but of course sad because no one likes animal exploitation.

Unless the result is this:

Ok so maybe it's wrong to think that is funny/adorable/whatever. But ... I can't help it.
Anyway .... I love Bella. The end.

My Life

In the moment I buy an air ticket, I'm not thinking about the monuments I will see nor the landscapes I will cross. No, I am thinking about what I will eat, and, above all, with whom I will eat it.

- Samuel Lalu

Happy Day

So it feels like Spring is almost/finally/basically here in Buenos Aires. Thank God ! I couldn't handle the 4 weeks of winter any longer ...

Life has been good. Spent some time in the sun yesterday and am now fully ready to hit the beach. I also have devoured the vampire-y hit of the season, Twilight, in just 1 day ! It felt good to whip through those 500 pages of Bella and Edward forbidden romance and vampire action. I am surprised I actually am admitting that I am hooked. It's fine. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Give me more Edward Cullen. I can't wait to read New Moon and have it done by the weekend !

I start Italian tomorrow and am actually nervous despite the fact that it's not "real" school and it's not like I have to get an A or anything. But I want to be a crazy pasta-eating, meatball-forming, grappa-drinking Italian lady. Tutto bene !!!!!!! What ?

Feeling the need to hit the cine ... Am dying to see The Hangover ( aka, "Qué Pasó Ayer" in the very creative Spanish language ). Also El Secreto de Sus Ojos is supposed to be fabulous.

I have nothing exciting to report.

I made guacamole on Saturday.
I bought Indian spices at Disco and am so excited to start making delicious curries.
I need more vampires.
I want a turtle.
I think I would be a good dog walker. Great Danes and standard Poodles only.
I cuddle with the big giant standard Poodle stuffed animal every chance that I can.
I would love some Pho soup right now.
And ... my bed.

Fin.

Whale !

Bagelazo

Ladies and gentlemen, my life in Buenos Aires has reached a new level of excellence. We have found a Bagel delivery place called BAGELAZO and it has changed my life.

These little bits of heaven are fresh made and delivered right to your door, hot out of the oven ! A dozen only costs AR$ 40 and they are basically pure paradise. They make all different kinds: plain, salt, everything, ají, sesame ... and they are all so deliciously fabulous. They also make bagel sandwiches which cost between AR$ 8 and AR$ 11.

My belly is full and happy and I have to admit, Bagelazo blows Oui Oui out of the water. The people who run it say that their recipe is a mix of New York and Polish influences, and they are based in Almagro, which is a neighborhood with a strong Jewish population.

I am now going to go enjoy my food coma and dream of dozens and dozens and dozennnnnnnns of bagels.

http://elbagelazo.blogspot.com/

Impare a parlare italianooooo !

Today I signed up for Italian classes. Hooray ! I am so excited. I have already read through my little book, Espresso 1 and I am basically walking around, speaking in a really loud voice, adding my (horrible) Italian accent to every word, ever. It will be fun. That way I can eat lots of Italian cheese, cured meats, pasta and helado and call it educational.

Sentence I just learned: Quando arriverò la mia famiglia mi starà aspettando.

Woohoo.

In other news. Why do some people claim to be celiac when all they really are is just a picky eater ?

I Love Collecting Shells. Amen.

Pockets full of shells, sea glass, shark bones

José Ignacio - La Huella

My new best friend - another stray dog

Yummmmm

Paige Loves Stray Dogs

Here is the all-time best video, ever.

Ok it's really not so cool but I love that dog.

I Feel Like I am a 2, Folks

Ok ... After some serious consideration and internet stalking, I think I am a 2 Human. I also remember reading some Numerology book beside the pool with O'Hern one summer, and I was 2 to a tee ( that sounds cool ). Anyway, here goes a nice long description of 2. Number 2. Ha.

The keyword in your nature is peacemaker. You are extremely sensitive, perceptive and a bit shy. These qualities are both your strengths and your weaknesses, for while you posses enormous sensitivity to your feelings and those of others, the same sensitivity can cause you to hold back and repress your considerable talents. Sensitivity and perceptiveness are among your many fine qualities.

Because you intuitively know what people want or feel, you can be extremely diplomatic and tactful. You are also patient and cooperative. You work well with groups, and somehow find a way of creating harmony among diverse opinions.

You enjoy music and poetry, and require a harmonious environment. You have an eye for beauty, and a fine sense of balance and rhythm, you have healing capabilities, especially in such fields as massage, acupuncture, physical therapy and counseling. However, your sensitivity can also be your downfall. Your extremely delicate ego bruises easily, and you can make too much of someone else's thoughtless remarks or criticisms.
Because you are easily hurt, you may tend to withhold your own thoughts and contributions to the matter at hand. This can cause you considerable resentment and anger. Too often, you run from confrontation to avoid a battle. When you employ your considerable inner strength, that will give you the courage to use your own personal power when it is needed.

You are a sensitive and passionate lover; your perceptiveness makes you aware of your partners needs and desires, which you are able to fulfill with almost magical delicacy. However when you feel you have been mistreated or jilted you can react with devastating power, sometimes using personal criticisms vindictively.

Your awareness, diplomatic skills and organizational talents give you the ability to bring off difficult tasks. You willingly step out of the limelight to facilitate the success of your endeavor. In truth, you are often the power behind the throne. However, you often do not receive the credit you deserve for the fine work you've done, or your role is underestimated, and your accomplishments overlooked. Rather than brood over your losses, you need to confront those who make less of your contributions, and stand up for your accomplishments.

You need security and comfort, quiet settings, and the company of loved ones. You are a perfectionist when it comes to your home and work environment. You have excellent taste, which is obvious in your private surroundings. You are a fine companion and posses a good sense of humor. Friends seek you for calming and peaceful company. You are a safe haven for other sensitive people who recognize your compassion and understanding. When you have found your niche in life, you have all the talents and intelligence for great success.

Counseling, teaching and healing are the areas that offer you success and satisfaction. You are also uniquely suited for a career in music, architecture, advertising, agricultural design, fashion, repairing watches and other fine machinery. Politics and law allow using your considerable talents in negotiation and problem solving.

I Got My Palm Read Last Night ...

And I am now obsessed. Well, I need to do more in-depth research by now visiting a Tarot card reader, another random brujo, and a vidente. I need to cross-reference, clearly for serious research purposes.

The woman told me all about my Number, 3, and said that it is one of the chosen numbers by God. Dun dun dunnnnn it sounds scary. She also said that I am incredibly perceptive, intelligent (ding!), will travel insane amounts in my life, and that I am a lucky person who will end up working in a creative field, like magazine writing or radio/tv. She said a lot of other stuff that was pretty dead on too, but there's no need to write it all out here.

Here is a description of 3-People. I thought I was a 2, but I guess I had been adding wrong.

As a 3, you possess great talent in creativity and self-expression. Many writers, poets, actors and musicians are born under the 3. You are witty, possess a gift for gab and savor the limelight. Your talent for the expressive arts is so abundant that you may have felt drawn to becoming an artist at a very young age. However, your artistic abilities can only mature through discipline and commitment to the true development of your talent.

Thanks to your gift of self-expression, you can be the life of a party and the center of attention. However, you could easily squander your talent by becoming a social butterfly. Your creativity is a gift that can give you the comfort and luxury you desire, but not without continual focus and discipline.

You are optimistic, and you posses the resilience to overcome many setbacks. You are socially active, popular and inspire people with your happy-go-lucky attitude. You can be generous to a fault. Many people born under the 3 Life path have difficulty handling money, because they can be disorganized, and not particularly serious about their responsibilities.

You are emotional and vulnerable. When hurt, you withdraw into a clause of silence, eventually emerging from you reticence with jokes and laughter that cover up your true feelings. You can become moody and cynical when depressed. You can succumb to sarcastic remarks, which can be painful to those around you. When used positively, your talent for self-expression can be a great inspirational force in the world, uplifting others, and bringing much success and happiness to you.

Paige Ran a 10k Race Today

And survived !!! We finished in about 56 minutes and I managed not to die.

Before:

After:

I also chased a stray dog friend that followed me until we got to the race. I miss him.