Although we're still months away from the wedding, Josey and I have already had tons of fun thinking up ideas for our honeymoon destination. My wanderlust has gotten the best of me, as usual, and I have spent hours looking at maps and atlases dreaming up the greatest trip of all time (in my mind at least!). I tend to be more "adventurous" (read: open to hopping through Third World countries) than José, but I have decided to compromise and stick to "First World" locales when it comes to this trip. After all, it is our honeymoon, and it's probably best not to go to places known for piracy, drug/human trafficking, relationships with the Khmer, or anything else along those lines.
After some brainstorming a few months back, we're thinking of heading over to the Mediterranean to make our way through northern Italy, the south of France, and Spain. I think I am most excited about Spain, since I am dead-set on Barcelona and San Sebastían (and Basque country in general) and the culinary deliciousness that will come along with it. The New York Times has been a trove of fodder to get me in the mood, and today was no different. "A Dining Explosion in a Tiny Basque Town" drove me wild! I drool and die and need pintxos immediately.
Side Note: It doesn't help that I'm still enjoying every last bit of Anthony Bourdain's "Medium Raw" and lingering over every detail of food porn within the pages. I could have finished it weeks ago but I am truly relishing every little anecdote and commentary on some of the most important people and ideas in the food world. (I understand that writing this makes me sound like a pretentious "foodie" - and I have to admit that I really, really do not like that word. Hopefully you don't think I am falling into "that" category. You know which one I'm talking about.)
Please, let it be June 2011 right now!! I need to be drinking some sangría with José in Spain, after having made our way from Padua and Nice to the Michelin-studded Basque country.
31 July 2010
29 July 2010
Tea & Crumpets anyone?
Really, really cheesy title for this post, I know. I am going to blame it on my lack of sleep - last night we conked out at 11 PM after a delicious Indian feast at Bengal, but both José and I woke up around 4:30 unable to sleep and not feeling so well. We ambled downstairs and decided to put on a movie (usually my foolproof remedy in situations such as these), and chose The Young Victoria. I love a good period piece, and I absolutely adored this film! It was so beautifully done, the family and political tensions were felt so acutely, and I died over the love story. At the end, in the scene depicting Victoria's laying out of Albert's clothing every morning after his death and up until her own, nearly 40 years later, I melted and just lost it completely. What a beautiful story!
We also watched The Duchess last week and I thought it was just as fabulous. Kiera Knightley really isn't my favorite, but I thought she did a phenomenal job in that film. Her suffering and pain were so well portrayed; when she cried "Everyone else has a lover, why can't I?" her broken heart and isolation were so perfectly felt. And as with all period pieces, the costumes, lighting, cinematography and set design are just so stunning.
28 July 2010
Cold Wave Temporarily Over
Today was Day 1 of Paige's Unemployment Extravaganza. Sleeping in until 9:30 felt luxurious and it was such a relief to eat breakfast while leisurely watching the news, thinking up ideas for the day. The sun has been shining for the past 3 days and things have warmed up! My plants are so happy. My little succulent has exploded into joy - I must document its growth. I think he is lonely and needs more succulent friends, so perhaps a trip to the little nursery in Barrio Norte will be on my list this week.
Anyway. Life is good. If winter doesn't get any colder I can completely deal with this. It is so nice to open up the windows and porch doors of the apartment at mid-day and let the breeze run through.
What else? Well, today I treated myself to a little shopping (why not start off a period of frugality with a bang? Right.) at Patio Bullrich. FINALLY, finally the "Sales" are real! Oh how they had tricked me in the past. $50 pesos off is not a sale, it's a favor. However, now I am discovering little gems that are now 50% off from 2 months ago! Joy! Jubliance! Liberty! It was a happy moment for me (and my wallet). I will say that while I did indulge myself today, I only bought items that I know I will wear several times or that can be combined in a variety of ways. Obviously this is common sense but I have been trying to be a little more realistic these days and not just go wild because I am a capricious chica.
José had to spend the day fasting for his 3:45 MRI (or something along those lines, basically just to make sure his brain and thorax are still fine so many years after his near death experiences. Side note: He is OK and healthy as a horse), so after spending some quality time at the Diagnóstico we went for a yummy merienda (basically afternoon tea) at our weekend breakfast spot, Dos Escudos (a BA classic). I love to watch the little old people who come in together for some tea and sandwiches as they read the newspaper or discuss/complain about things. They're all so proper, with their plaid scarves and nice topcoats ... I greatly enjoy how much pride the porteños take in their appearances.
Speaking of that. I caught a couple of minutes of a show on NatGeo this afternoon - I was captivated by the images of India (Rajasthan to be specific) and lingered to see what it was all about. Dis-a-ppointed. The "hosts" of this show (no idea what it's called) were 3 complete idiots, typical ugly Americans who stomped around India in their Harvard t-shirts, cargo shorts and Rainbow sandals. I was appalled. What an awful example to set - I sound like a concerned mother but honestly I don't care - to your viewers! You are supposed to be an ambassador of culture and new experiences, and instead of attempting to adapt even the slightest bit to their new surroundings, here are the 3 Stooges putzing around without even a hint of sensitivity to their (albeit temporary) host country. Sorry to go off on this rant, but I feel that it is important for everyone to be open to assimilation and adaptation, especially while traveling. How hard is it to dress APPROPRIATELY? Were thse people raised in a barn? Honestly! If you have enough money to take the year off to travel around the world (part of the show's premise if I recall), you can stop off at j.crew and get a nice pair of pants.
Anyway, after our nice afternoon tea I decided to play in my closet. I love rediscovering outfits and playing dress up! (Although it's lonely without a sister or close friend to do it with.) Currently I am wearing my fabulous Alice+Olivia sequined dress that Deb and Redmere picked out for me on Super Insane Amazeballs Sale two years ago. (Honestly, I think they got it for $75 marked down from $550). I prance and embrace the joy.
And I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of all time:
Beautiful San Francisco Wedding
I love checking up with Snippet & Ink website for beautiful and whimsical wedding inspiration as we plan for our upcoming fiesta. It's full of incredible photography and new takes on tradition that can breathe fresh life into a wedding. After seeing some shots from this wedding at the Fairmont in San Francisco, I had to post them. I die for that tiled room, the peonies, and everything in between! I would love to spend a weekend there ...
26 July 2010
L'Abeille
"Je pince de la lyre, je danse comme une abeille et je sais une foule d’histoires à raconter, toutes plus divertissantes les unes que les autre."
The End is Near
Yep, I am counting down the hours until freedom. It's fine. Now we're at less than 12 hours, amen namaste (in the words of the wise and fabulous Liz Fontaine).
Last night as I lay pathetically on the couch, too cold and lazy to do much else, I was comforted by one of my favorite episodes of No Reservations. Tony goes to Portland/Seattle and I spend 60 minutes completely enthralled and drooling all over the place. It's a classic. So much good food, honest people and delicious cuisine. It's an earlier episode because Tony still smokes, has the earring, and wears his old wedding ring on his thumb. I should have told Josey (who is well aware of my obsession with Tony but doesn't enjoy watching an hour of food porn each week, much to my dismay) to check out Tony's outfit because they apparently share some fashion sense. Both incredibly tall and lean, with long long legs, my two favorite men have an inexplicable love for light blue jeans (Yea, the ones that everyone wore. In the 90s). But it's fine because Josey and I had a little shopping trip to remedy this, ahem, issue, and he has seen the light and can appreciate a nice slim, dark wash denim. Bien.
Anyway. I felt fine about being lazy because we had spent the morning running up and down stairs in Plaza Mitre as it misted/drizzled on our heads. We finished up just about when it started to rain for real, and hopped off to Palermo. I had a bone to pick with the ladies at Huija. While I cannot sing enough praise for my indigenous-inspired boots from last year, I have been rather disappointed in how my black leather boots (purchased while D&D were here) have behaved. They are now at their SECOND trip to the factory and I am not happy about having to wait another 2-3 weeks for my boots to be fixed (when I didn't do anything wrong! Hmph). After explaining my predicament to the vacant little face behind the counter, I was hoping/expecting either a new pair of boots or a refund/credit. I have a hard time putting on the guise of "rude, bitchy customer who complains to get what she wants at the expense of others" so I wasn't going to push the issue. I left, feeling rather defeated, and set my sights on lunch.
Lots of training is to be had this week. On Sunday we run the Reebok 10k - the exact same race that was the first Josey and I ran together last year. Of course it will be deathly cold and I will cry upon being forced out of bed, but I know it will be fun. I hope to run it in less than 55 minutes! Bah! That's about a 9 minute mile which I know isn't even that fast but it is for me. Pray that we have a mini heat wave to make the morning more bearable.
I think that's all for now.
Last night as I lay pathetically on the couch, too cold and lazy to do much else, I was comforted by one of my favorite episodes of No Reservations. Tony goes to Portland/Seattle and I spend 60 minutes completely enthralled and drooling all over the place. It's a classic. So much good food, honest people and delicious cuisine. It's an earlier episode because Tony still smokes, has the earring, and wears his old wedding ring on his thumb. I should have told Josey (who is well aware of my obsession with Tony but doesn't enjoy watching an hour of food porn each week, much to my dismay) to check out Tony's outfit because they apparently share some fashion sense. Both incredibly tall and lean, with long long legs, my two favorite men have an inexplicable love for light blue jeans (Yea, the ones that everyone wore. In the 90s). But it's fine because Josey and I had a little shopping trip to remedy this, ahem, issue, and he has seen the light and can appreciate a nice slim, dark wash denim. Bien.
Anyway. I felt fine about being lazy because we had spent the morning running up and down stairs in Plaza Mitre as it misted/drizzled on our heads. We finished up just about when it started to rain for real, and hopped off to Palermo. I had a bone to pick with the ladies at Huija. While I cannot sing enough praise for my indigenous-inspired boots from last year, I have been rather disappointed in how my black leather boots (purchased while D&D were here) have behaved. They are now at their SECOND trip to the factory and I am not happy about having to wait another 2-3 weeks for my boots to be fixed (when I didn't do anything wrong! Hmph). After explaining my predicament to the vacant little face behind the counter, I was hoping/expecting either a new pair of boots or a refund/credit. I have a hard time putting on the guise of "rude, bitchy customer who complains to get what she wants at the expense of others" so I wasn't going to push the issue. I left, feeling rather defeated, and set my sights on lunch.
Lots of training is to be had this week. On Sunday we run the Reebok 10k - the exact same race that was the first Josey and I ran together last year. Of course it will be deathly cold and I will cry upon being forced out of bed, but I know it will be fun. I hope to run it in less than 55 minutes! Bah! That's about a 9 minute mile which I know isn't even that fast but it is for me. Pray that we have a mini heat wave to make the morning more bearable.
I think that's all for now.
24 July 2010
The Four Seasons
I have so many fond memories of classical music and my childhood. I had this little cassette tape with Vivaldi's Four Seasons that I listened to most nights before I went to sleep, and if my sister and I weren't listening to the Beatles, we were listening to classical (thank you D&D).
Anyway, as I do some channel surfing on this lovely Saturday morning, I stumbled upon the Film & Arts channel. Normally I skip over it on my way to the History Channel and the low-brow but still entertaining TruTV (let's be honest, who doesn't get a kick out of Cops?), but upon hearing the familiar harmonies of Vivaldi I had to watch a little more. It turns out that there was this international classical music conference in Buenos Aires during the first 3 weeks of this month! I am so sad I missed it but I found the website which makes me happy.
23 July 2010
What is it with these people and fire drills?
Seriously. Do I live in a world of candid camera hilarity?
Today, after much preparation and advance notice, the fire alarm went off in the building today for a little dry run / fire drill practice. I had sent out an email, advised everyone to cancel or re-schedule meetings, given that we would all be expected to evacuate the building upon hearing the alarm.
So why, when it actually DID go off today, did everyone look at me like a crazy person when I got my coat on and started to leave the office? Literally. They all said "Do we have to go? Nah, let's just stay here, I don't want to get up. No one will know. Paige, why don't you go downstairs and see if it's for real."
Wow.
I barely made it to the door when I heard EVERYONE ELSE IN THE 9 STORY BUILDING going down the stairs toward the exit. Mind you, the day is sunny and balmy, nearly 55 degrees, and it would have been a perfect excuse to get some fresh air and take a break from work! But apparently they were not able to see that benefit, only able to focus on the reality that they truly believe themselves to be so important that the rules simply do not apply to them.
I said I was going and if they were comfortable with burning in the eternal flames, that was their issue, not mine.
Today, after much preparation and advance notice, the fire alarm went off in the building today for a little dry run / fire drill practice. I had sent out an email, advised everyone to cancel or re-schedule meetings, given that we would all be expected to evacuate the building upon hearing the alarm.
So why, when it actually DID go off today, did everyone look at me like a crazy person when I got my coat on and started to leave the office? Literally. They all said "Do we have to go? Nah, let's just stay here, I don't want to get up. No one will know. Paige, why don't you go downstairs and see if it's for real."
Wow.
I barely made it to the door when I heard EVERYONE ELSE IN THE 9 STORY BUILDING going down the stairs toward the exit. Mind you, the day is sunny and balmy, nearly 55 degrees, and it would have been a perfect excuse to get some fresh air and take a break from work! But apparently they were not able to see that benefit, only able to focus on the reality that they truly believe themselves to be so important that the rules simply do not apply to them.
I said I was going and if they were comfortable with burning in the eternal flames, that was their issue, not mine.
La Cuoca Loca
Josey calls me cuoca, which means "cook" in Italian, and I love it, even though I'm not the culinary goddess that I aspire to be. One day ...
However, that doesn't stop me from poring over cookbooks, watching my favorite food-related shows (I hate the Food Network though), and finding/filing recipes I discover online.
The New York Times' "Recipes for Health" section never fails to post easy, healthy and delicious dishes that can be prepared with some fresh produce and staples almost everyone has in their pantry. Given that our seasons are flipped, I can't always find the necessary ingredients, but the archives are chock-full of fabulous ideas and inspiration...
22 July 2010
McQueen
I know I'm 900 years behind everyone else but I don't care (I'll use living in the 3rd World as an excuse, where a copy of Vogue costs me $55 pesos).
I have too many rings - beautiful, perfect, antique gems that I really do cherish and love - but I can't help but feel that I need to grow an extra finger so I have room for this beauty. Thank you and RIP Alexander McQueen.
21 July 2010
Paige and Accounting Don't Mix
Our accountant has been here since 9 AM and I am about to scream and throw myself on the floor in a tantrum. He makes me look at Excel and do formulas and confirm payments and cents and decimal places and make copies of every invoice I have ever seen in my life and then he yells at me for having done things wrong at the beginning. I feel bad for him because I am probably his worst nightmare so I can't blame him for thinking that I am a total idiot.
At one point I was so frustrated I just said, "Listen, I know that all of that stuff was wrong, but NO ONE TRAINED ME AND NO ONE GAVE ME ANY HELP AND I HAD TO MAKE IT UP AS I WENT ALONG OK???" I was probably mid-breakdown at this point. It's fine.
Anyway, I brought him bread and instant coffee and I am OK with the fact that he probably just takes extreme pity on me. And you know what? That's fine. I never claimed to be a CPA in hiding. Nor do I want to be. But I do know that I am probably way more fun than he is (Sorry, he actually might be a cool person but for purposes known only to moi I am assuming he's a complete dolt.)
My lack of sleep + mild hangover might have something to do with my level of irritability today. Tonight I will be unconscious on the couch, watching old re-runs of COPS and petting the fake poodle.
At one point I was so frustrated I just said, "Listen, I know that all of that stuff was wrong, but NO ONE TRAINED ME AND NO ONE GAVE ME ANY HELP AND I HAD TO MAKE IT UP AS I WENT ALONG OK???" I was probably mid-breakdown at this point. It's fine.
Anyway, I brought him bread and instant coffee and I am OK with the fact that he probably just takes extreme pity on me. And you know what? That's fine. I never claimed to be a CPA in hiding. Nor do I want to be. But I do know that I am probably way more fun than he is (Sorry, he actually might be a cool person but for purposes known only to moi I am assuming he's a complete dolt.)
My lack of sleep + mild hangover might have something to do with my level of irritability today. Tonight I will be unconscious on the couch, watching old re-runs of COPS and petting the fake poodle.
18 July 2010
What is a Friend?
On Tuesday, Argentina celebrates "Día del Amigo" which is exactly what it sounds like - a "holiday" designated for the celebration of and with your closest friends. It seems rather frivolous, but I must say that I quite like it and can fully appreciate the spirit of taking a little more time out of our day to remind our cronies of how much we care about them.
I feel beyond grateful to have the friends that I have here in BA. Mind you, it hasn't been easy, and it has taken a good part of my near 2 years here to feel completely settled and confident in the life I have created. It is hard losing friends that move away, that lose touch after a relationship ends, that drift apart for whatever reason. Thank God for Katie, my closest and oldest friend, who happened to find herself in Buenos Aires with me. She has been there for me more times than I can count, and was on many occasions, my only confidant in tough times.
Now, I fast-forward to the good times and smile when I look back on all of the fun that I have shared with my new(ish) friends. Granted, it's always been a motley crew - American friends from work, friends of friends who are just passing through and here only for a short time, José's group of incredibly kind and welcoming friends, and those few who I have managed to keep in touch with since the beginning. I can't help but feel a twinge of something bittersweet, remembering all of my "other" friends from DC and from college that I left behind when I decided to move 5,000 miles away. It isn't easy to keep in touch, and I have found that even those who I thought would want to make the joint effort with me have lost interest or energy, slowly fading as the years go by.
I am comforted by the kindness of my friends who have managed to keep me in mind, so to speak, despite the distance and the difficulty. (Gchat I love you!) As I said before, it's a two-way street, and I know that I haven't always been the best at reaching out or keeping in touch. But I know that I have made efforts with some that have ended up being in vain.
How much time must friends spend apart for their bond to fade?
This obviously depends on the strength and type of bond, I suppose, and I firmly believe that as we all go through stages and seasons of life, our friendships might ebb and flow as the tide. However, those who are closest to us will always be present in our lives and will always come back into the picture. I really hope that is the case, and while I don't know when I will be coming back to the US (or if that will happen, but I really would like to make that a reality), one of my aims is to re-establish those bonds that have been put on hold for now. It's easy to feel like you can follow along with others' lives - Facebook makes it almost too easy to feel like an invisible bystander from very, very far away.
My two selves are almost running in complete parallel; I maintain (as well as I can) my relationships with those in the US, while living my Argentine life to the fullest and carrying on with my daily routine. So few people have seen what my life is like here, and sometimes my heart breaks when I face that reality. I'm not a fool, and I understand that you can't just hop on a plane and come to Buenos Aires as you would to Chicago, New York or Miami. And I know that this was a conscious choice I made, to move so far away. How real can it feel if you don't see it with your own eyes? Blog posts, emails and photos only show so much.
So, as we get ready to celebrate Día del Amigo on Tuesday, I want to thank all of my friends who have taken that extra step in keeping in touch, shortening the distances and making me feel even that much closer to home. While it may seem frivolous, it does make a difference, and it does remind me of how lucky I am to you in my life.
I feel beyond grateful to have the friends that I have here in BA. Mind you, it hasn't been easy, and it has taken a good part of my near 2 years here to feel completely settled and confident in the life I have created. It is hard losing friends that move away, that lose touch after a relationship ends, that drift apart for whatever reason. Thank God for Katie, my closest and oldest friend, who happened to find herself in Buenos Aires with me. She has been there for me more times than I can count, and was on many occasions, my only confidant in tough times.
Now, I fast-forward to the good times and smile when I look back on all of the fun that I have shared with my new(ish) friends. Granted, it's always been a motley crew - American friends from work, friends of friends who are just passing through and here only for a short time, José's group of incredibly kind and welcoming friends, and those few who I have managed to keep in touch with since the beginning. I can't help but feel a twinge of something bittersweet, remembering all of my "other" friends from DC and from college that I left behind when I decided to move 5,000 miles away. It isn't easy to keep in touch, and I have found that even those who I thought would want to make the joint effort with me have lost interest or energy, slowly fading as the years go by.
I am comforted by the kindness of my friends who have managed to keep me in mind, so to speak, despite the distance and the difficulty. (Gchat I love you!) As I said before, it's a two-way street, and I know that I haven't always been the best at reaching out or keeping in touch. But I know that I have made efforts with some that have ended up being in vain.
How much time must friends spend apart for their bond to fade?
This obviously depends on the strength and type of bond, I suppose, and I firmly believe that as we all go through stages and seasons of life, our friendships might ebb and flow as the tide. However, those who are closest to us will always be present in our lives and will always come back into the picture. I really hope that is the case, and while I don't know when I will be coming back to the US (or if that will happen, but I really would like to make that a reality), one of my aims is to re-establish those bonds that have been put on hold for now. It's easy to feel like you can follow along with others' lives - Facebook makes it almost too easy to feel like an invisible bystander from very, very far away.
My two selves are almost running in complete parallel; I maintain (as well as I can) my relationships with those in the US, while living my Argentine life to the fullest and carrying on with my daily routine. So few people have seen what my life is like here, and sometimes my heart breaks when I face that reality. I'm not a fool, and I understand that you can't just hop on a plane and come to Buenos Aires as you would to Chicago, New York or Miami. And I know that this was a conscious choice I made, to move so far away. How real can it feel if you don't see it with your own eyes? Blog posts, emails and photos only show so much.
So, as we get ready to celebrate Día del Amigo on Tuesday, I want to thank all of my friends who have taken that extra step in keeping in touch, shortening the distances and making me feel even that much closer to home. While it may seem frivolous, it does make a difference, and it does remind me of how lucky I am to you in my life.
15 July 2010
Cold. Winter. Cold. Brr.
I used to brag that winter in Buenos Aires was like 45 degrees (which it really was/is, save for 3 weeks in August when it's really brisk), but this past week has been absolutely frigid. The "Cold Wave" that has swept the country is at the top of the news all. day. long. It's all anyone can talk about. It does make me laugh, given that I come from a place where winter frequently means at least one big snowstorm a year, and I studied in a city that is notorious for its interminable and absolutely brutal winters. After living in Argentina, though, one tends to get accustomed to the balmier temperatures and incredibly agreeable climate.
The last time it snowed in Buenos Aires was in July of 2007 - which had been the first time in 89 years! - but just last night it snowed (more like a dusting) in several parts of the Province, as well as all over the rest of the country. Tonight we watched all of the videos that viewers had sent in to the national news channel, TN, and it was fun to see how excited they all were for just a few centimeters of icy snow. I feel like it goes without saying that down in the Patagonia region and in the cordillera of the Andes, snow + winter go more than hand in hand. I would love to get away for a little ski vacation before Spring rolls around, and we might make it down to Bariloche before we're off to the US. Fingers crossed...
Other than the freezing temperatures (I do fear for my little plants, although the begonias that Sonia brought me are apparently only happy when it's cold, which makes me happy), life is good. Work was supposed to end TOMORROW but I was asked to say a week+ because the girl they hired had a trip planned and can't make it back any earlier. It actually worked out great because she is a friend of a friend and I am so happy that they chose her! It makes training more fun since we already knew each other - having a stranger sit next to you for a whole day might be kind of odd. So it has been fun and I am glad that the transition will be good for everyone. I was pretty bummed about having to stay extra just because I was so mentally prepared for tomorrow to be my last day. But life doesn't usually turn out the way we want it to.
What else? Oh, yay! Gay Marriage was approved by the Senate today ... Joy! It really does make me happy to know that despite all of the other wackiness that goes on in Argentina, at least some things seem to be on the right track. I mean, I don't think that giving the OK to gay marriage is going to solve the nation's problems, because let's be honest, they're worse than anyone can handle. But it is comforting to think that it's not a completely backwater place to live. Although I am counting the days until the economy implodes again and we start living off the money we have hidden in our proverbial mattress.
"Something's Gotta Give" is on and can I just say that when I am older, I want to be Diane Keaton (or whatever character she plays in her films because for me, they are one and the same). I adore her house in the Hamptons and its to die for neutral color scheme and shelves full of books. Sigh. I just need to re-do EVERYTHING in our apartment (even though I love it, I think I am just restless and want to change things up because I'm bored and feeling creative).
Josey isn't home since it's his friend's birthday but he was waiting for me when I came home and we tried to stay warm and watched some fun shows on Nat Geo before he went off into the tundra. I am just so lucky to have Josey. He makes me happy and we smile over curry. What else could a girl want?
The last time it snowed in Buenos Aires was in July of 2007 - which had been the first time in 89 years! - but just last night it snowed (more like a dusting) in several parts of the Province, as well as all over the rest of the country. Tonight we watched all of the videos that viewers had sent in to the national news channel, TN, and it was fun to see how excited they all were for just a few centimeters of icy snow. I feel like it goes without saying that down in the Patagonia region and in the cordillera of the Andes, snow + winter go more than hand in hand. I would love to get away for a little ski vacation before Spring rolls around, and we might make it down to Bariloche before we're off to the US. Fingers crossed...
Other than the freezing temperatures (I do fear for my little plants, although the begonias that Sonia brought me are apparently only happy when it's cold, which makes me happy), life is good. Work was supposed to end TOMORROW but I was asked to say a week+ because the girl they hired had a trip planned and can't make it back any earlier. It actually worked out great because she is a friend of a friend and I am so happy that they chose her! It makes training more fun since we already knew each other - having a stranger sit next to you for a whole day might be kind of odd. So it has been fun and I am glad that the transition will be good for everyone. I was pretty bummed about having to stay extra just because I was so mentally prepared for tomorrow to be my last day. But life doesn't usually turn out the way we want it to.
What else? Oh, yay! Gay Marriage was approved by the Senate today ... Joy! It really does make me happy to know that despite all of the other wackiness that goes on in Argentina, at least some things seem to be on the right track. I mean, I don't think that giving the OK to gay marriage is going to solve the nation's problems, because let's be honest, they're worse than anyone can handle. But it is comforting to think that it's not a completely backwater place to live. Although I am counting the days until the economy implodes again and we start living off the money we have hidden in our proverbial mattress.
"Something's Gotta Give" is on and can I just say that when I am older, I want to be Diane Keaton (or whatever character she plays in her films because for me, they are one and the same). I adore her house in the Hamptons and its to die for neutral color scheme and shelves full of books. Sigh. I just need to re-do EVERYTHING in our apartment (even though I love it, I think I am just restless and want to change things up because I'm bored and feeling creative).
Josey isn't home since it's his friend's birthday but he was waiting for me when I came home and we tried to stay warm and watched some fun shows on Nat Geo before he went off into the tundra. I am just so lucky to have Josey. He makes me happy and we smile over curry. What else could a girl want?
14 July 2010
Black. Winter. LBD. Victory.
I am in my winter hibernation mode, aka, depression and black. Everything I put on is black and I love it. Also, if I spill anything you can't see the stain so that is an added plus.
I have been prancing around in black cigarette pants, black boots, black flats (my favorites from María Cher 3 years ago that I got with Brophy), my black overcoat, black sweaters, black blazers, my black Michael Jackson jacket, my new LBD that makes my life complete, the list goes on...
So I have decided to set my humble dreams on Alice+Olivia's amazing take on the LBD that I just saw on Net-a-Porter.
I have been prancing around in black cigarette pants, black boots, black flats (my favorites from María Cher 3 years ago that I got with Brophy), my black overcoat, black sweaters, black blazers, my black Michael Jackson jacket, my new LBD that makes my life complete, the list goes on...
So I have decided to set my humble dreams on Alice+Olivia's amazing take on the LBD that I just saw on Net-a-Porter.
Behold:
13 July 2010
Sea Shells
I have always been a huge fan of collecting shells, scanning the sand as I stroll along the shore, filling pockets and bags with my finds. I was taken back to my last seashell expedition (Punta, this past February) when I scrolled through this fabulous NYT slide show which presents some of the best images from "The Book of Shells" (Note to self: buy that book). My favorites are the Angel Wings pictured above, as well as this rare shell from the 18th century that apparently sold for 6 times the amount of a famous Vermeer painting in the same auction! I also go crazy for the two featured below, so perfect! I remember being fascinated by the shell posters in my math and sciences classes as well .... wondering how something so whimsically enchanting could also be a perfect example of Fibonacci numbers and perfect spirals and the like.
11 July 2010
Long Weekend Laziness
Actually, we were quite productive this weekend!
Thursday quickly turned into an out of control fun gathering of friends. My tacos turned out really well (if I do say so myself) - everyone came, everyone ate well, and everyone had fun. Lots of wine and good conversation were had. We did manage to make it over to L'Abeille to see what it is like. It doesn't have the same fresh feel as Bar Isabel, which I think has something to do with the neighborhood. In Palermo you can't walk 2 feet without stumbling upon a café, restaurant, new bar or business venture.
Retiro is a really neat area, populated by majestic French buildings (see above, the Strougamou, just around the corner from our house) and art galleries, but it's definitely not the first neighborhood someone would think of when trying to come up with a plan for a Friday night. L'Abeille is tucked away on the same street as the Sofitel, very under the radar. Because of this, I have a feeling lots of the clientele head here for a drink to escape, perhaps with someone who isn't their primary significant other. But what do I care? I had a delicious gin & tonic and am still ecstatic that there is a fun place so close to home.
Friday greeted us with brilliant sunshine and a warm tinge to the crisp air. After a delicious breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Croque Madame, Josey and I decided to sweat off our hangovers with an intense run around town. We were subsequently destroyed and happy as we sunned ourselves atop the Plaza Mitre and enjoyed the afternoon warmth. Saturday was spent in Palermo, colder still, checking out the "sales" that most stores were advertising. (Note: a "sale" in Buenos Aires typically means that instead of costing $590 pesos, it now costs $510. What savings! Still a rip off).
I have to admit I was surprised when I realized that, in Ayres at least, this sale was in fact genuine. Joy! Bliss! A girl has never been so happy. I found this to die for little black dress - the last one in Ayres existence apparently. Long sleeved minidress with the most perfect exposed zipper running the length of the back of the dress.
Anyway...
Had the most splendid dinner at Osaka, hands down my pick for the best restaurant in BA. It's one of the few places that actually requires a little effort in calling ahead a couple of days to reserve, so instead of doing that we just show up around 11 and wait very little for a table to free up. Josey and I indulged in our favorites, passion fruit shrimp, a mixed grill of little baby octopi, scallops and who knows what else all served flaming and in these scallop shells with the most delicious marinade (a mix of coconut milk, cilantro, ají and peanut), and more grilled shellfish served with a specially ordered, super-intense hot sauce. We were in heaven. When D&D were here, we had shared a similarly delicious meal with them and it was really fun to re-live those yummy moments. Dessert was complete indulgence and a whole bottle of tardío. Thanks to these smart choices, I woke up at 6.30 feeling utterly ill and unable to sleep. I spent the early morning hours watching a rather compelling documentary about the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
The sun has gone away, hiding behind some unpleasant looking clouds, and I am in no rush to start the day. Mint tea is steaming beside me as I listen to Calexico and ponder what we'll do on this Sunday. I'm not too hyped up about the World Cup final, and I am even sadder that Uruguay couldn't manage to make it work yesterday for the bronze. Diego Forlán, I love you. (Side note: When the German player scored the 2nd goal, tying the match, he didn't even SMILE. Seriously? How can you NOT be happy and express emotion? I was livid and do not think any team unable to celebrate passionately should not be allowed to win. Thank you.)
Have a happy Sunday!
Thursday quickly turned into an out of control fun gathering of friends. My tacos turned out really well (if I do say so myself) - everyone came, everyone ate well, and everyone had fun. Lots of wine and good conversation were had. We did manage to make it over to L'Abeille to see what it is like. It doesn't have the same fresh feel as Bar Isabel, which I think has something to do with the neighborhood. In Palermo you can't walk 2 feet without stumbling upon a café, restaurant, new bar or business venture.
Retiro is a really neat area, populated by majestic French buildings (see above, the Strougamou, just around the corner from our house) and art galleries, but it's definitely not the first neighborhood someone would think of when trying to come up with a plan for a Friday night. L'Abeille is tucked away on the same street as the Sofitel, very under the radar. Because of this, I have a feeling lots of the clientele head here for a drink to escape, perhaps with someone who isn't their primary significant other. But what do I care? I had a delicious gin & tonic and am still ecstatic that there is a fun place so close to home.Friday greeted us with brilliant sunshine and a warm tinge to the crisp air. After a delicious breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Croque Madame, Josey and I decided to sweat off our hangovers with an intense run around town. We were subsequently destroyed and happy as we sunned ourselves atop the Plaza Mitre and enjoyed the afternoon warmth. Saturday was spent in Palermo, colder still, checking out the "sales" that most stores were advertising. (Note: a "sale" in Buenos Aires typically means that instead of costing $590 pesos, it now costs $510. What savings! Still a rip off).
I have to admit I was surprised when I realized that, in Ayres at least, this sale was in fact genuine. Joy! Bliss! A girl has never been so happy. I found this to die for little black dress - the last one in Ayres existence apparently. Long sleeved minidress with the most perfect exposed zipper running the length of the back of the dress.
Anyway...
Had the most splendid dinner at Osaka, hands down my pick for the best restaurant in BA. It's one of the few places that actually requires a little effort in calling ahead a couple of days to reserve, so instead of doing that we just show up around 11 and wait very little for a table to free up. Josey and I indulged in our favorites, passion fruit shrimp, a mixed grill of little baby octopi, scallops and who knows what else all served flaming and in these scallop shells with the most delicious marinade (a mix of coconut milk, cilantro, ají and peanut), and more grilled shellfish served with a specially ordered, super-intense hot sauce. We were in heaven. When D&D were here, we had shared a similarly delicious meal with them and it was really fun to re-live those yummy moments. Dessert was complete indulgence and a whole bottle of tardío. Thanks to these smart choices, I woke up at 6.30 feeling utterly ill and unable to sleep. I spent the early morning hours watching a rather compelling documentary about the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
The sun has gone away, hiding behind some unpleasant looking clouds, and I am in no rush to start the day. Mint tea is steaming beside me as I listen to Calexico and ponder what we'll do on this Sunday. I'm not too hyped up about the World Cup final, and I am even sadder that Uruguay couldn't manage to make it work yesterday for the bronze. Diego Forlán, I love you. (Side note: When the German player scored the 2nd goal, tying the match, he didn't even SMILE. Seriously? How can you NOT be happy and express emotion? I was livid and do not think any team unable to celebrate passionately should not be allowed to win. Thank you.)
Have a happy Sunday!
08 July 2010
Location, Location, Location
I love, love, love where Josey and I live. It's a perfect neighborhood (although it did take me a little while to adjust from the leafy green haven of Belgrano), and I can't imagine living anywhere else in the city. You can imagine my delight when L'Abeille opened its doors! Literally less than 2 blocks away is a little spot that will surely rival Bar Isabel as one of my favorite places in the city to have a cocktail. Hopefully we'll go over the long weekend...
Crisp &Juicy
Anne just sent me the picture that made my day! I cannot wait to nosh on the best chicken sandwiches of life at Crisp & Juicy when I am home in DC. Send me some yucca and some extra spicy sauce and I am set for life.
Fun Etsy Shop
When I say Etsy intimidates me, it's really because I have no idea how some people have a knack for finding those perfect little shops with excellent artwork or beautiful vintage finds. I get so overwhelmed and frustrated sometimes.
Today I decided to give it another try and on the home page I saw a beautiful photograph of a merry-go-round that I thought was just so perfect. It turns out the whole shop Chelsea Victoria is full of great shots that would be a fun addition to any room in any home.
I love these oranges. I need them!
Fire in the Disco!
A few months back the Administration that manages our office building came by with some very official-looking letters informing us of a fire drill that would be taking place during the last two weeks of May. We had to designate two "leaders" as well as two alternates that were to be in charge of herding everyone on our floor to safety in case of firy disasters. Of course, everyone in this office is apparently too important to even be considered as "volunteer" for anything, let alone ensuring the safety of their friends and coworkers, so I just chose at random and secretly enjoyed imagining their reactions when I told them they were a fire drill helper.
That "simulacro de incendio" never happened during the last two weeks of May. Hm. I figured we were lucky and that the Administration forgot, or that they lost the paper with the information, or anything else that tends to be typically Argentine. Regardless, just the other day we were served with another official-looking letter that reminded us of the two hour-long fire safety course that would be required of us to attend. TWO. HOURS. About fire safety. I am pretty sure that the only people who need more than a 30 minute common sense chat are the actual firefighters. Really? Our building has 8 stories, only 1 staircase, and we're on the 1st floor. Not too complicated for us. In case of smoke, fire, disaster and any other calamitous event, we can just stroll down a flight of stairs and walk outside. Problem solved.
The day of the big course arrives. From 4-6 PM I am expected to learn the ins and outs of fire safety and how to survive a flaming mess. All of my supposed "volunteers" abandoned me, so I was the only one stuck with going (which made sense, but it wasn't fair that they could just skip out without explanation and I got stuck with the burden of attending. I even got a phone call from the building super gently reminding me that I arrive promptly as not to hold up the other "students". Thanks, Rubén).
I show up, walk back to the conference room that is set up with a melange of office chairs and stools above a randomly stained carpet and next to a table haphazardly set up with water and plastic cups as if to suppose hospitality. "Welcome to the most boring two hours of your life. Please have a glass of water. You'll wish it were whiskey but the presenter drank it already."
The room is full of 10 businessmen, all over the age of 40, all dressed in full suits (seriously, who opts to wear a full suit to work everyday? Maybe a CEO needs to wear one, but then again, the CEO isn't going to be sitting in the fire drill course. Explain yourselves!) and ready to learn. Most brought notepads and pens to take accurate notes! Something was amiss. I started detailing the events to my friend Katie via blackberry messenger, and when no one gave me the evil eye I realized it was probably because they thought I too must be taking diligent notes! Wrong.
After a minute or two of idle chatter, the presenter gets up and on his way. His Powerpoint Presentation reminded me of the ones I had to do for school in the late 90s. Once he started talking, I realized he fully intended on taking the 2 hour period seriously, not stopping until the clock read 6:00 PM on the dot. Groan. He goes on, and on, and on, and ON about his experience with fire safety and how he is here to give us the complete low-down on what to do in case of fire.
Apparently NONE of the people in the room had ever been involved in a fire drill at school before, because they were fervently taking notes when the presenter highlighted one of his many bulletpoints. WALK, do not RUN, to the exit. Do NOT take elevator in case of fire. Do NOT bring anything superfluous with you upon exit. Do NOT return to a burning building. Ladies, do NOT wear high heels, and do NOT take off your shoes when evacuating.
As Josey says, common sense is the least common of all the senses.
My favorite bit was that the images this guy had in his Powerpoint were lifted from some other source, because he had awkwardly placed text boxes from the Paint program over pre-existing text that was part of the image. The people escaping the building looked like fat stick figures, with plump limbs and extremely pointy hands and feet. While they crawled the floor evading smoke inhalation, they reminded me of the Viet Cong fighting for their lives in the dense jungle. You can't make this stuff up.
Trying to contain my laughter and disbelief, I feigned the need to go to the bathroom and just left. I couldn't take it anymore. At least at my Island in Reception I have internet access and can nod off without anyone noticing (at least for 30 seconds anyway). So I hopped back upstairs, eager to transmit the vital facts and tips to the rest of my coworkers.
Oh, and the best part, the Administration promised to install a fire alarm within the next 90 days.
That "simulacro de incendio" never happened during the last two weeks of May. Hm. I figured we were lucky and that the Administration forgot, or that they lost the paper with the information, or anything else that tends to be typically Argentine. Regardless, just the other day we were served with another official-looking letter that reminded us of the two hour-long fire safety course that would be required of us to attend. TWO. HOURS. About fire safety. I am pretty sure that the only people who need more than a 30 minute common sense chat are the actual firefighters. Really? Our building has 8 stories, only 1 staircase, and we're on the 1st floor. Not too complicated for us. In case of smoke, fire, disaster and any other calamitous event, we can just stroll down a flight of stairs and walk outside. Problem solved.
The day of the big course arrives. From 4-6 PM I am expected to learn the ins and outs of fire safety and how to survive a flaming mess. All of my supposed "volunteers" abandoned me, so I was the only one stuck with going (which made sense, but it wasn't fair that they could just skip out without explanation and I got stuck with the burden of attending. I even got a phone call from the building super gently reminding me that I arrive promptly as not to hold up the other "students". Thanks, Rubén).
I show up, walk back to the conference room that is set up with a melange of office chairs and stools above a randomly stained carpet and next to a table haphazardly set up with water and plastic cups as if to suppose hospitality. "Welcome to the most boring two hours of your life. Please have a glass of water. You'll wish it were whiskey but the presenter drank it already."
The room is full of 10 businessmen, all over the age of 40, all dressed in full suits (seriously, who opts to wear a full suit to work everyday? Maybe a CEO needs to wear one, but then again, the CEO isn't going to be sitting in the fire drill course. Explain yourselves!) and ready to learn. Most brought notepads and pens to take accurate notes! Something was amiss. I started detailing the events to my friend Katie via blackberry messenger, and when no one gave me the evil eye I realized it was probably because they thought I too must be taking diligent notes! Wrong.
After a minute or two of idle chatter, the presenter gets up and on his way. His Powerpoint Presentation reminded me of the ones I had to do for school in the late 90s. Once he started talking, I realized he fully intended on taking the 2 hour period seriously, not stopping until the clock read 6:00 PM on the dot. Groan. He goes on, and on, and on, and ON about his experience with fire safety and how he is here to give us the complete low-down on what to do in case of fire.
Apparently NONE of the people in the room had ever been involved in a fire drill at school before, because they were fervently taking notes when the presenter highlighted one of his many bulletpoints. WALK, do not RUN, to the exit. Do NOT take elevator in case of fire. Do NOT bring anything superfluous with you upon exit. Do NOT return to a burning building. Ladies, do NOT wear high heels, and do NOT take off your shoes when evacuating.
As Josey says, common sense is the least common of all the senses.
My favorite bit was that the images this guy had in his Powerpoint were lifted from some other source, because he had awkwardly placed text boxes from the Paint program over pre-existing text that was part of the image. The people escaping the building looked like fat stick figures, with plump limbs and extremely pointy hands and feet. While they crawled the floor evading smoke inhalation, they reminded me of the Viet Cong fighting for their lives in the dense jungle. You can't make this stuff up.
Trying to contain my laughter and disbelief, I feigned the need to go to the bathroom and just left. I couldn't take it anymore. At least at my Island in Reception I have internet access and can nod off without anyone noticing (at least for 30 seconds anyway). So I hopped back upstairs, eager to transmit the vital facts and tips to the rest of my coworkers.
Oh, and the best part, the Administration promised to install a fire alarm within the next 90 days.
07 July 2010
Just One More (Mayhaps)
I have clearly been anything but a diligent employee today. Hello Net-a-Porter, goodbye productivity.
If I am unable to bring a real dachshund into my home someday soon, perhaps this Judith Leiber clutch will have to suffice:
And if not, I could always use a rabbit:
If I am unable to bring a real dachshund into my home someday soon, perhaps this Judith Leiber clutch will have to suffice:
And if not, I could always use a rabbit:
06 July 2010
Monday Monday Tuesday
I am singing along in my head to Tegan & Sara and really wish I could be cozied up in Basavilbaso, drinking the new organic mint tea we bought the other day, reading "Medium Raw" and channeling my now dormant creativity.
At least it's a 4 day week! Friday is 9 de Julio, Argentina's independence day. My first time celebrating involved a harsh reality check that it's definitely not summer in July here - it snowed in BA for the first time in 89 years! No thanks. This year I intend to be a little more festive, although I wouldn't mind a little snow ... it would be a perfect excuse to hibernate with Josey and eat lentil stew!
I am in my last 2 weeks at work here. Yep, I didn't last too long. Accounting, Excel, and general tasks of Reception Island-dom just aren't my thing. But it's been an interesting experience to say the least, as I have learned plenty about what I do and do not like (we can cross law school off my list of things to do for the future. Feels like victory.), and I have realized that I am a terrible secretary. Actually I would like to qualify that statement. I am cheerful, fun, helpful and organized. I enjoy getting things in order and talking to strangers as they come into the office. I am just bad at being someone's slave and minion. I don't like being told to make coffee for 10 people while I am also demanded to answer phones and fax things that cannot be faxed. No no. But it's ok because I am now on my way to liberation!
Making a pit stop back in DC for almost 4 weeks to do wedding planning - my cousin Brooke is getting married as well so it will be a very festive trip! I am so excited. I need Vietnamese food, Indian buffets to the face, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Forever 21, The Paper Source, Sephora, cupcakes, and so much more. And Bella!!! How could I forget to mention the best pup in the world?
On Sunday we went to visit new baby Felix and I also made friends with a cocker spaniel puppy and a gigantic weimeraner in the plaza where Josey and I run and do stairs. I wanted to take the puppy home with me, even though I'm not a huge fan of cockers. There was also a plump little dachshund that was basically begging for me to adopt him, but sadly stealing dogs is something that is generally looked down upon.
At least it's a 4 day week! Friday is 9 de Julio, Argentina's independence day. My first time celebrating involved a harsh reality check that it's definitely not summer in July here - it snowed in BA for the first time in 89 years! No thanks. This year I intend to be a little more festive, although I wouldn't mind a little snow ... it would be a perfect excuse to hibernate with Josey and eat lentil stew!
I am in my last 2 weeks at work here. Yep, I didn't last too long. Accounting, Excel, and general tasks of Reception Island-dom just aren't my thing. But it's been an interesting experience to say the least, as I have learned plenty about what I do and do not like (we can cross law school off my list of things to do for the future. Feels like victory.), and I have realized that I am a terrible secretary. Actually I would like to qualify that statement. I am cheerful, fun, helpful and organized. I enjoy getting things in order and talking to strangers as they come into the office. I am just bad at being someone's slave and minion. I don't like being told to make coffee for 10 people while I am also demanded to answer phones and fax things that cannot be faxed. No no. But it's ok because I am now on my way to liberation!
Making a pit stop back in DC for almost 4 weeks to do wedding planning - my cousin Brooke is getting married as well so it will be a very festive trip! I am so excited. I need Vietnamese food, Indian buffets to the face, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Forever 21, The Paper Source, Sephora, cupcakes, and so much more. And Bella!!! How could I forget to mention the best pup in the world?
On Sunday we went to visit new baby Felix and I also made friends with a cocker spaniel puppy and a gigantic weimeraner in the plaza where Josey and I run and do stairs. I wanted to take the puppy home with me, even though I'm not a huge fan of cockers. There was also a plump little dachshund that was basically begging for me to adopt him, but sadly stealing dogs is something that is generally looked down upon.
04 July 2010
Happy 4th of July!
It's a grey day here in Buenos Aires, and I am sad that we aren't celebrating as we did last year, in San Isidro with Katie and Ernesto, along with the rest of our American friends, listening to cheesy 80s music and eating cheeseburgers and hot dogs. I'm still wearing my too cool for words Budweiser shirt that I found in José's closet last year. So I've got that going for me. I have already made him watch 2 different videos on YouTube of the national anthem and I am thinking of finding a third. Here is my favorite of the moment, only because it has to do with Glee AND a gigantic American flag all in the same baseball diamond:
Link to YouTube HERE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
