How is January over?

I am in awe of how fast time flies once you start to get older. It's really just nuts. Sometimes it helps when things aren't going your way and you really comprehend the meaning of "this too shall pass." Then there are moments where you feel like you got slapped in the face and have no idea where the past several weeks went.

We're still sweaty here. But talking about the heat in January here is like talking about the muggy days of August in DC. It would be newsworthy if it weren't happening. So unless we have a cold wave just assume that we're stuck under the a/c and avoiding any errands that involve being outside for extended periods of time.

Josey and I saw the film 50/50 yesterday. Wow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is such an incredible actor. I hadn't forgotten about him, per se, but it just made me wish that there were more young actors like him in movies today. Not once did I think he was playing a part (the film is based on a true story about being diagnosed with cancer in your 20s). Seth Rogen, in his goofy glory, played the best friend ... and I loved him, although I wish he hadn't dropped so many F bombs. Kind of takes away after awhile. Beware, though: you'll end up in a puddle of your own tears at certain points and you'll even need a few minutes to compose yourself at the end. But it's worth it as it's an amazing story about the healing powers of friendship.

I think about getting a dog about every 5 minutes. I am wondering if this is normal or just some sad obsession I have that will never go away.

We have a wedding coming up - two months to be exact - and I was moaning and groaning since the bride wants the female guests to wear long dresses. In the US, perhaps not normally an issue - although I don't own a long dress and don't foresee myself ever needing to wear one again - but in Buenos Aires, clothes are expensive. Especially formal clothes. To top it off, the dresses here really aren't the same quality as what you'd find at Nordstrom or Bloomie's or whatever. Department stores don't exist. Most of these "elegant" gowns are made with feathers and pink sequins and aren't even lined. And cost upwards of $1,000 (dollars not pesos). I was not a happy camper. Thank the lord for Deb, who came through as always. She found a stunning RL black dress last week! It was priced at $174 but on sale for $43! Apparently it was mis-marked but since it wasn't her fault they let her have the dress at the reduced price. HELLO happiness. There was no way I was going to spend my hard earned money on some gross excuse for a gown here. Go Deb.

I have been trying to tackle one new recipe a week to expand my culinary abilities in 2012. I made some pretty good chicken empanadas and then tried to make some spicy beef ones too. Not a bad attempt! Although I ended up eating empanadas for about a week straight. They're just so practical. And when you slather them it hot sauce they taste good regardless. Will probably make another batch soon and freeze them so we always have a quick meal on hand. Upcoming recipes: Black bean burgers, and perhaps some more Asian-inspired dishes once I get my booty to Barrio Chino.

Happy Year of the Dragon, everyone!

A Few Snaps from the Birthday Fete

Las mujeres

 Saturday night we rang in my 25th year with friends, guacamole, and lots (& lots) of champagne. It had been ages since we'd had a Basavilbaso Fiesta and it was so much fun! Our closest American, Argie and even some Italians all came over for the night. You could say it was a success: I spent my entire Sunday whining and being semi-dead (when I wasn't eating a leftover bowl of guacamole. Nice move).

Lovely gentlemen

Fighting off squint-eyes

José's cousin Miguel took some pictures and it seems like only a few show us in our best light! So here they are.

lovefest

My 25th Year

Alright so I'm jumping the gun a tad on this whole birthday thing. But hey, what can I say? It's in my nature. If I recall correctly I used to prepare my family for my birthday about a month out (as if my mom weren't aware of the day I was born...), so let's just say I'm following my own example.

This year my birthday feels more noteworthy since I'm turning 25. Yep, a quarter century. As Deb would remark "I feel like you've been 25 for 10 years" (Thanks), which does ring true. To be honest I was actually cooler, or at least acted more like a 25 year old, when I was younger. Weekends were spent at the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club, I worked for XM Radio (summer intern = full-time employee, sure, but, not), and I was definitely much more "up to date" on what was on the Shortlist of Cool.

So, despite the fact that I'm no longer a harbinger of hip, I can't help but feel that turning 25 is like crossing over some strange threshold that changes the rules of the game. I can definitely say for a fact that the Quarter Life Crisis really does exist. Suddenly you start to think: "What have I been doing since I graduated from college three years ago?" "Is this job I'm doing right now going to be an indicator of the rest of my life?" "I still don't really know how the 'real world' works; who on Earth will explain that to me?"

Needless to say, I've been getting existential lately (perhaps it's the remnants of my philosophy degree) thinking about all of these things and more. Ok, so I got married this year. That's a pretty big accomplishment, and one that makes me happy. But I still am living in a 3rd world country (Sorry, 'Tina) and am all over the map, career-wise. It's hard not to think that at very best, my experiences here will congeal into something worthwhile (and lucrative) in the years that come, but you can't be too sure. Hell, Argentina could plummet into crisis in the next year or so (I'm actually counting on it), so how can I even plan ahead when I can't be sure what will happen tomorrow?

I shouldn't be in a rush. I should enjoy my 20s as a time to explore, to discover my strengths and learn from my shortcomings. To try wacky things and to throw myself into a new project with reckless abandon. And I'm doing that, to a certain extent. But how to reconcile that when what seems like "the rest of your friends" (clearly, everyone EVER) are on a much more steady, stable path. With a paycheck. And benefits.

However, I've always been the kind of girl who follows her own drummer (Hello, magenta hair at an all-girls Catholic school) so God knows why I'm worrying about these things now. I am blaming it on turning 25, that gnawing sensation that you're supposed to be a "responsible adult," whatever that means. One day I'll wake up and be 30, living in the proverbial basement of my parents' house (although Deb would probably love if we lived in her basement, so perhaps not the best metaphor) and have nothing to show for myself. That's a pretty common fear these days.

Snap out of it, I know. No need to wallow in self-pity. I should celebrate these 25 years as some sort of victory, right? That my entire "adult" life (aka life post-college, because let's be honest, college life is not real in any way, shape or form) I've lived abroad, managed to find interesting work and also meet my husband (who's pretty darn cool, I have to say) .... When you think about it, it's not so bad.

Part of the fun is figuring things out along the way. At least that's what I've learned while living in Buenos Aires. Planning too much or too far in advance won't get you anywhere; things are bound to change anyway. Go with the flow. Wing it. Improvise. Live in the moment. Whatever you want to call it, let's agree that it's about enjoying the things that life throws our way.

Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. If you'd like a copy of my Wish List I can send it to you. Just let me know.

PS: Thanks to Theresa for sending me this article from the NYT about our plight!!!

Happy Birthday, Sienna!

Sienna is my favorite dachshund in the world! Her madre, Jennifer, is the brains and talent behind Bellajenna paper, a bespoke stationery and invitation designer who could not be more fabulous. She did all of our paper goods for the wedding (minus the invites since I basically would have sold my soul for letterpress) and was the source of many creative ideas during the planning process! Her pup, Sienna, just turned 5 and had a beachy celebration yesterday. Here she is, in all her lovely glory, about to pounce on a cupcake!!!!

4th of July snapshot

whisked off of Facebook. Some hot ladies showing their love for their country by wearing red, white & blue. hooray!

More Snapshots...

We're marrrrrrried!

At the rehearsal Friday afternoon

Earlier in the day ... Pomegranate cocktails at Zaytinya

My amazing and fabulous Godmother

My dutiful sister just sent me these. Hooray! I love reliving incredibly fun moments.

My Bouquet

Our amazing florist, Kevin, just sent me a couple of pictures that he took the day of the wedding. Can I have my bouquet back? I guess photos will have to suffice ... I couldn't get over how beautiful it was when he brought it by the house that morning! The stephanotis, the mini succulents, the cabbage roses... le sigh! Mere and Katie's were incredible as well. Can't wait to get those pictures (ahem, Mom!) too ... Weee!

Wedding Preview - A snap from Sass

Finally catching up on the blogs I've missed while in transit.

Thank you, Sass, for posting this lovely little snap from 4 June! It was a perfect celebration, wasn't it? And I'm so glad that it led up to your own celebration & future wedding planning!!!

Weeeeeee

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

This Sunday, Buenos Aires will celebrate the year of the Rabbit with its annual Chinese New Year festival in Barrio Chino. Due to my strong aversion to large crowds (especially crowds filled with slow walkers and inconsiderate/completely self-absorbed walkers - a common occurrence here) I've never actually been to the big party, but this year I think I've changed my mind. Once again the amazing photos taken by Beatrice Murch of last year's event really made me want to check it out.

Head on over to the Argentina Independent's page to see all of the photos. I am posting this one because I am so excited to get my hands on some greasy street food! Hooray.