Okay, so I am posing two questions here and NEED feedback!
1- What is typical American food!?! I can't answer this. I dont' know what would be considered a typical American dish, because you think about majority of our food and it's from somewhere else!
2- Those from Utah, or I suppose that know Utah, what would be a typical dish from Utah?! And DON'T say jello please! Cause let's be honest, jello in all forms (except Mom's Christmas jello) is generally not the best thing in the world!
I am the only American in the Emergency Operations Center at work and they have asked me this second question a few times. I guess the unit has a party every spring where we bring cuisine from our hometown. I couldn't think of anything but casseroles and jello :(
As for the other question, traveling a lot, you get asked this question. I can never answer it. The only thing I think of is Hamburgers and Hot Dogs - your typical BBQ. However, I don't generally eat beef or pork so I would love to think of another American dish!
12 March 2009
08 March 2009
The POWER of WOMEN
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!!
(Sorry there are a lot of pictures in this one...but please read too :) The pictures are of some of the important women in my life!!)
Today is International Women's Day. It may not be a day you have heard of before. I know I hadn't ever heard of it until I spent a semester in Romania and overheard some friends talking about it. Since then, I haven't heard much about it, until being out here in D.C. I have been able to participate in all sorts of events that have marked Women's Day this year.
This is a day to remind the world of the importance of women and the power women have on other people's lives. I'm grateful for all the women in my life that are such amazing people and have made a lasting impact on who I am. I'm grateful to know that I always have other women to laugh and cry with, to lean on when I need strength, and that will always be a part of my life. This day is for all these women in my life! I love you all :)
On Thursday I was able to attend a documentary (which I posted the trailer for on my last post) and live panel, with Natali Portman, some of the big-to-do people from CARE, etc. I felt so empowered after watching this; so strong, being a woman in my position - a position where I can make a difference in one way or another, whether it be small or large. I felt humbled. I am so blessed to be where I am and to have had the situations and circumstances that have formed who I am. After listening to the empowering words in this documentary, how could I not be more than grateful for my parents. I have been blessed with wonderful parents that encourage me and set amazing examples of how to be a better person. I'm grateful that they have supported everything I do, but especially my schooling and career path I am trying to make for myself.
Tonight, I was able to attend a conference held by an NGO, Friends of the Congo, that does work in the D.R. Congo. They brought in an OBGYN and a lawyer that work with a clinic there, which takes in women and girls that have been affected by the war; mostly victims of rape. They are funded by a group from Switzerland, which allows for these women and girls to have free surgeries (if needed), food, shelter and free psychological counseling for an extended period of time. The clinic has become a bit like a refugee camp, because afterward these women generally have no where to go. Stories were shared and a documentary played, which depicted the stories of these victims. I have to say, it was SO graphic, I almost couldn't watch.
It terrifies me to think that such awful things can go on in this world, but even more that they seem to be kept such a secret. It saddens me to see pictures of this beautiful country and people, caught in the middle of a corrupt government's ploy to make $millions$ over valuable natural resources. Money truly is the root of all evil!
It's even more shameful to know how many U.S. and European countries buy stuff from these people, in order to make our computers, cell phones, televisions, etc, and we as consumers have NO idea that we are feeding the fire! Very similar concept to the blood diamonds or the chocolate industry, which is heavily associated with human trafficking and child labor.
I don't know aware any of you are about the D.R. Congo, but here are a few facts I pulled from my friend Christyn's blog and from Friends of the Congo's website, and like Christyn put it, these facts are not for those weak of heart.
-this is a war being fought right now taking the lives of more people save WWII; more than 6 million people (and counting) have died in this war
- this is not a traditional war; not only are men fighting against men, but they are using sexual terrorism as a weapon
-some 500,000 women have been brutally raped and battered beyond recognition
-these women are not only raped but it is done in front of entire communities, their family and when they are done they practically rip their organs from inside of them, yet the psychological damage is more frightening than the physical
-some of these women end up with fistulas which cause them to constantly leak urine and makes them outcasts of any village, form of transportation, social event or school
-these are women of ALL ages - the doctor that spoke tonight said that is what hits the worst, emotionally, with his work; he thinks of his daughter and wife, mother, and grandmother - how so often all generations in families are affected at the same time from this awful weapon of war
-the D.R. Congo is important because it is bordered by 9 other countries and is centrally located in Africa, and also because of the abundance of natural resources, which is sadly, where all the corruption comes into play. It also has enough hydropower to provide electricity for the entire African continent.
-because of the country's rich wealth of resources - the largest reserves of untapped minerals in the world (including 10% of the world's fresh water...and yet Africa is in severe lack of water!! Wonder what good would come to Africa if the DR Congo's conflicts would ever come to an end), accompanied by millions of people there (population around 60 million) that make less than $100/year, it is only obvious why there is such a fight over the resources (ivory, rubber...and more importantly: coltan, tin, diamonds, gold and copper)
FYI - I just read that the wealth in this nation's soil is estimated as high as $24 TRILLION!! WOW!!
(Sorry there are a lot of pictures in this one...but please read too :) The pictures are of some of the important women in my life!!)
Today is International Women's Day. It may not be a day you have heard of before. I know I hadn't ever heard of it until I spent a semester in Romania and overheard some friends talking about it. Since then, I haven't heard much about it, until being out here in D.C. I have been able to participate in all sorts of events that have marked Women's Day this year.
This is a day to remind the world of the importance of women and the power women have on other people's lives. I'm grateful for all the women in my life that are such amazing people and have made a lasting impact on who I am. I'm grateful to know that I always have other women to laugh and cry with, to lean on when I need strength, and that will always be a part of my life. This day is for all these women in my life! I love you all :)
On Thursday I was able to attend a documentary (which I posted the trailer for on my last post) and live panel, with Natali Portman, some of the big-to-do people from CARE, etc. I felt so empowered after watching this; so strong, being a woman in my position - a position where I can make a difference in one way or another, whether it be small or large. I felt humbled. I am so blessed to be where I am and to have had the situations and circumstances that have formed who I am. After listening to the empowering words in this documentary, how could I not be more than grateful for my parents. I have been blessed with wonderful parents that encourage me and set amazing examples of how to be a better person. I'm grateful that they have supported everything I do, but especially my schooling and career path I am trying to make for myself.
Tonight, I was able to attend a conference held by an NGO, Friends of the Congo, that does work in the D.R. Congo. They brought in an OBGYN and a lawyer that work with a clinic there, which takes in women and girls that have been affected by the war; mostly victims of rape. They are funded by a group from Switzerland, which allows for these women and girls to have free surgeries (if needed), food, shelter and free psychological counseling for an extended period of time. The clinic has become a bit like a refugee camp, because afterward these women generally have no where to go. Stories were shared and a documentary played, which depicted the stories of these victims. I have to say, it was SO graphic, I almost couldn't watch.
It terrifies me to think that such awful things can go on in this world, but even more that they seem to be kept such a secret. It saddens me to see pictures of this beautiful country and people, caught in the middle of a corrupt government's ploy to make $millions$ over valuable natural resources. Money truly is the root of all evil!
It's even more shameful to know how many U.S. and European countries buy stuff from these people, in order to make our computers, cell phones, televisions, etc, and we as consumers have NO idea that we are feeding the fire! Very similar concept to the blood diamonds or the chocolate industry, which is heavily associated with human trafficking and child labor.
I don't know aware any of you are about the D.R. Congo, but here are a few facts I pulled from my friend Christyn's blog and from Friends of the Congo's website, and like Christyn put it, these facts are not for those weak of heart.
-this is a war being fought right now taking the lives of more people save WWII; more than 6 million people (and counting) have died in this war
- this is not a traditional war; not only are men fighting against men, but they are using sexual terrorism as a weapon
-some 500,000 women have been brutally raped and battered beyond recognition
-these women are not only raped but it is done in front of entire communities, their family and when they are done they practically rip their organs from inside of them, yet the psychological damage is more frightening than the physical
-some of these women end up with fistulas which cause them to constantly leak urine and makes them outcasts of any village, form of transportation, social event or school
-these are women of ALL ages - the doctor that spoke tonight said that is what hits the worst, emotionally, with his work; he thinks of his daughter and wife, mother, and grandmother - how so often all generations in families are affected at the same time from this awful weapon of war
-the D.R. Congo is important because it is bordered by 9 other countries and is centrally located in Africa, and also because of the abundance of natural resources, which is sadly, where all the corruption comes into play. It also has enough hydropower to provide electricity for the entire African continent.
-because of the country's rich wealth of resources - the largest reserves of untapped minerals in the world (including 10% of the world's fresh water...and yet Africa is in severe lack of water!! Wonder what good would come to Africa if the DR Congo's conflicts would ever come to an end), accompanied by millions of people there (population around 60 million) that make less than $100/year, it is only obvious why there is such a fight over the resources (ivory, rubber...and more importantly: coltan, tin, diamonds, gold and copper)
FYI - I just read that the wealth in this nation's soil is estimated as high as $24 TRILLION!! WOW!!
04 March 2009
International WOMEN'S Day
Happy International Women's Day!
This is where I'll be spending my evening:
This is where I'll be spending my evening:
19 February 2009
Mi CaSa!
Home sweet home (my street, followed by pics from my neighborhood...which I love..it is so cute)! I have been here now for a couple weeks, but yes, I did finally find a new place and am proud to say that I am not couch-sitting for anyone anymore!
I feel so lucky...I love my new roommates and feel so comfortable around them, like I've already lived with them for ever! They are really great though and I love the area, not to mention that rent is about half the price as ANYWHERE else out here! Not sure how I scored on this one! Anyway, I am really enjoying D.C. though and LOVE my internship and everyone I work with. For the first time in almost a year, I think I am safe to say, I am truly happy! I went through SO, SO much crap and unhappy times the last year, but this has been SO perfect and so good for me and I couldn't ask for my life to be in any other place!
Just for the record...I want to live in this house...I LOVE IT!!
I feel so lucky...I love my new roommates and feel so comfortable around them, like I've already lived with them for ever! They are really great though and I love the area, not to mention that rent is about half the price as ANYWHERE else out here! Not sure how I scored on this one! Anyway, I am really enjoying D.C. though and LOVE my internship and everyone I work with. For the first time in almost a year, I think I am safe to say, I am truly happy! I went through SO, SO much crap and unhappy times the last year, but this has been SO perfect and so good for me and I couldn't ask for my life to be in any other place!
Just for the record...I want to live in this house...I LOVE IT!!
14 February 2009
RaNdOm FuN, EaSt CoAst StYle!
Intercourse, Chocolate, and Gettysburg...sounds like an interesting day to me! haha Okay, it's not supposed to sounds dirty by all means! I went with a few of the girls I couch-sat for the first week or two I was in D.C. to Intercourse, PA. We rented a van for the day and drove up and hung out with the Amish in Pennsylvania for a minute and then went and toured the Hershey chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania. After that we drove through Gettysburg in the dark on the way home. It was so much fun! Love these girls!
Our beautiful mini van for the day....
Amish man, "how many kids you got there with ya in that van?" Lisa's reply, "oh about 7, but they're all my size!" Thanks mama Lisa for driving!
Taking a buggy ride around the area and learning about the Amish!
On our buggy ride
Making gingerbread men at the little Amish village store
Gathering around the free samples...yum!
WELCOME TO CHOCOLATE LAND!!
Hershey factory...guzzling the chocolate!
The girls from apt 204 and their couch sitter!
Amish man, "how many kids you got there with ya in that van?" Lisa's reply, "oh about 7, but they're all my size!" Thanks mama Lisa for driving!
Taking a buggy ride around the area and learning about the Amish!
On our buggy ride
Making gingerbread men at the little Amish village store
Gathering around the free samples...yum!
WELCOME TO CHOCOLATE LAND!!
Hershey factory...guzzling the chocolate!
The girls from apt 204 and their couch sitter!
There was only one casualty! Poor Becky, our fallen soldier!
Gettysburg in the dark! Still was cool though :)27 January 2009
FAUX PAS
I am happy to report to everyone that I made it to Washington DC safely and have officially started the internship. I am also happy to report that it is the BEST thing ever and I feel super cool working for the PAHO (or as some of you may not be familiar with PAHO, they are a branch of the WHO....better known as the UN!) Sorry mom, I'm too tired...you should know these acronyms by now :)
Where to start? So I got into DC a week ago and have been babysitting friends' couches at night until I find a place to live, which I stated in my last post (which if you didn't read yet...you must! It's rather entertaining!). So much has happened in such a short amount of time! I'm going to start with the exciting stuff...my internship. I LOVE IT!!!! I know I haven't even finished my first week, but seriously...love it! I have to say, I was REALLY nervous my first day...really jittery! So was nervous and shy the first day and blew the circuit the second day! EEK! I was so embarrassed! I get cold so I have a space heater at my desk and someone else had one on too....so it blew the circuit and shut all the computers down in the operations center! But, they were nice and got it fixed quickly and then just gave me a hard time the rest of the day and made fun of me wearing my wool coat around! Anyhow, it seriously can't get much better than A) getting South American food for lunch every day from amazing cooks, B) working with awesome people and ME being the minority! I LOVE IT!! C) Mate de Coca! It's like a dream come true...i haven't had it since Peru and now I just have to run down to the cafeteria! and Inca Cola (if i liked it). I don't even feel like I'm in America! D) Listening to and reading Spanish all day....one day I'm bound and determined to be fluent! E) I get to be a total news junkie while I'm at work! You all know that is my specialty in life...and now it's my job! I check about 40 different news websites every morning to monitor disasters in South and Central America and the Caribbean and I am in charge of 3 big, flat screen TVs that have CNN and some Latin news on 24-7! I will be doing more than this, but my mentor is leaving next week to Colombia and some other places for 5 weeks, so he's getting everything put together for while he is gone. F) Speaking of my mentor - he's great! Along with the other 2 guys I work with in the Emergency Operation Center. They are so nice and funny. It's fun to have people around that are from other places and have traveled more than me...I love listening to their stories. G) Mutual respect! I'm an intern and they respect me and want my opinion and want me to excel as much as possible while I'm out here. My mentor is putting me on projects that is going to maximize my experience, teach me a lot, but also get my food in the door with some of the big organizations in public health....like USAID!! WOW! So, I must say that so far, so good! Granted I still have mucho tiempo with the internship, but I think it's going to be a lot of fun and I'm going to learn a lot! It's also nice to have George Washington University next door. They have a big medical school and great public health program...which means they also have some great speakers, etc! So I'm going to see what I can do to sneak in on some of those (wow, do i sound like such a nerd right now!).
I love walking around the area and have seen a few of the sites (first time being a tourist in my own country), but it's SO cold! The weather report last night said to expect a "winter mix". I thought it was a joke...I didn't get it. Sounds like a CD or something! And then is said to expect "frozen rain". What the? Frozen rain? Well...I know! And we'll see if I even go to work tomorrow! Since PAHO is government-based, if the weather is bad, the city shuts down and I don't have to go to work! Everyone was so excited about the snow...and I just wanted to cry! Traipsing around DC in dress clothes would be fine, but I make the worst fashion statement in the world when i do! Such a faux pas!!! I shove my stilettos in my purse and only wear them at work and throw my sketchers on while I'm out and about! So ugly, but comfy, warm feet.
I've enjoyed being here and seeing the excitement of the change of Presidency! I am always on the lookout for Mr President...he's one of my married crushes, ya know? Other than all that...not much else to say! Come visit me! I am saving all the site-seeing till it's warmer and when visitors are here!
I love walking around the area and have seen a few of the sites (first time being a tourist in my own country), but it's SO cold! The weather report last night said to expect a "winter mix". I thought it was a joke...I didn't get it. Sounds like a CD or something! And then is said to expect "frozen rain". What the? Frozen rain? Well...I know! And we'll see if I even go to work tomorrow! Since PAHO is government-based, if the weather is bad, the city shuts down and I don't have to go to work! Everyone was so excited about the snow...and I just wanted to cry! Traipsing around DC in dress clothes would be fine, but I make the worst fashion statement in the world when i do! Such a faux pas!!! I shove my stilettos in my purse and only wear them at work and throw my sketchers on while I'm out and about! So ugly, but comfy, warm feet.
I've enjoyed being here and seeing the excitement of the change of Presidency! I am always on the lookout for Mr President...he's one of my married crushes, ya know? Other than all that...not much else to say! Come visit me! I am saving all the site-seeing till it's warmer and when visitors are here!
Need a roommate?!?
So, as you all know, I've been couch hopping for quite sometime now. But now I am doing it in D.C. while I find a place to live. So i'm on craigslist tonight and I kid you not, found this roommate add and I just had to share it! I was laughing so hard. I can't decide if this is someone being serious (which wouldn't surprise me) or if someone just needed a good laugh and had some extra time on their hands.
I own a 2 bedroom condominium in Rosslyn, VA. This condo is completely paid off, so I just need my female roommate to pay half the utilities, which is approximately $100 a person. There is no rent payment. The condo is walking distance to the Rosslyn metro station, Key Bridge and Georgetown.
I am a 28 year old male. I'm slim/athletic (I work out 5 times a week), good looking (people say so and I did some modeling in the past), clean, disease free, and a lot of fun to hang out with. I dress well, and I'm very normal, if not awesome. I have been told that I look exactly like Wilmer Valderrama from The 70s Show. I'll attach his pics so you know who I'm talking about.
Here's the catch: I'm looking for a friends with benefits relationship with my female roommate. You are free to date or have a relationship with whoever you want. However, when we are in the apartment alone, we would regularly mess around. This would be one of the things we do to pass the time in between meals, television watching, tidying up, or whatever random things we each have going on. This would all be casual and friendly. It would also be our little secret. Like I said, this would not interfere with whatever else we each have going on with our lives.
I'm a very normal guy, and my apartment is great. Your room is unfurnished. We would share a full bathroom. I keep a very tidy apartment so I expect you to do the same.
If this arrangement sounds like something you can do, shoot me an e-mail with your pic or full description and something about yourself. Only respond if you are serious and comfortable with this kind of arrangement. Please, no males.
I own a 2 bedroom condominium in Rosslyn, VA. This condo is completely paid off, so I just need my female roommate to pay half the utilities, which is approximately $100 a person. There is no rent payment. The condo is walking distance to the Rosslyn metro station, Key Bridge and Georgetown.
I am a 28 year old male. I'm slim/athletic (I work out 5 times a week), good looking (people say so and I did some modeling in the past), clean, disease free, and a lot of fun to hang out with. I dress well, and I'm very normal, if not awesome. I have been told that I look exactly like Wilmer Valderrama from The 70s Show. I'll attach his pics so you know who I'm talking about.
Here's the catch: I'm looking for a friends with benefits relationship with my female roommate. You are free to date or have a relationship with whoever you want. However, when we are in the apartment alone, we would regularly mess around. This would be one of the things we do to pass the time in between meals, television watching, tidying up, or whatever random things we each have going on. This would all be casual and friendly. It would also be our little secret. Like I said, this would not interfere with whatever else we each have going on with our lives.
I'm a very normal guy, and my apartment is great. Your room is unfurnished. We would share a full bathroom. I keep a very tidy apartment so I expect you to do the same.
If this arrangement sounds like something you can do, shoot me an e-mail with your pic or full description and something about yourself. Only respond if you are serious and comfortable with this kind of arrangement. Please, no males.
17 January 2009
ChRisTmAs BrEaK
Ahhh...the joy of relaxing after a rough and tough semester! I finished my third, and final, semester of grad school course work. Off to D.C. I go this next week, which I am very excited about, however was a bit sadden not starting classes today and being up at the school with my friends from the program. It'll be weird for sure! I am excited for my adventure that I'm about to embark on, but starting to get nervous! Anyway...here is what went on the past few weeks while I enjoyed my Christmas break!!
I love Christmas time and I feel like this year it came and went WAY too fast! I literally enjoyed it on Christmas day and that was about it! Finals went SO late and I was so concentrated on that, that I had no time for anything else. Ugh! Anyway, Christmas eve and Christmas day were wonderful, as always. I was able to sit back and relax (which I rarely get to do), so that was fantastic! I also met up with the brothers and their wives the night before Christmas eve and went to the lights downtown. I was hesitant to go, because I didn't want to ruin date night and be the fifth wheel. Lucky for me though, my nephew came and I had a date with little Jackson! haha We had a good time though and it was fun to spend time with all of them.
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS DAY
Clearly this day was centered around Jackson...seeing how he's in almost EVERY last picture!
I also got to see some high school girlfriends that were in town....and those that live here. We got together one night for some food and fun with all them and their husbands (yes, fun, even if I was the seventh or ninth wheel! haha)
I also thouroughly enjoyed watching my Utes stomp on 'Bama in the Sugar Bowl! I am so proud of them and am sad that college football season is over! :(
I love Christmas time and I feel like this year it came and went WAY too fast! I literally enjoyed it on Christmas day and that was about it! Finals went SO late and I was so concentrated on that, that I had no time for anything else. Ugh! Anyway, Christmas eve and Christmas day were wonderful, as always. I was able to sit back and relax (which I rarely get to do), so that was fantastic! I also met up with the brothers and their wives the night before Christmas eve and went to the lights downtown. I was hesitant to go, because I didn't want to ruin date night and be the fifth wheel. Lucky for me though, my nephew came and I had a date with little Jackson! haha We had a good time though and it was fun to spend time with all of them.
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS DAY
Clearly this day was centered around Jackson...seeing how he's in almost EVERY last picture!
I also got to see some high school girlfriends that were in town....and those that live here. We got together one night for some food and fun with all them and their husbands (yes, fun, even if I was the seventh or ninth wheel! haha)
I also thouroughly enjoyed watching my Utes stomp on 'Bama in the Sugar Bowl! I am so proud of them and am sad that college football season is over! :(
GO UTES!!!!
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