Playing Tourist..Arecibo, PR

Ever since I started going out with my bf we've always wanted to "discover" PR.  Basically play tourist and have fun.  We're about to go for 8 months and we hadn't really gone anywhere. (That Luquillo thing was just a beach day)  So FINALLY we went to Arecibo. 

For people unfamiliar with Puerto Rico, here's a visual.

San Juan (where I live)

Arecibo

As you can see, Arecibo is on the coast.  We went to the lighthouse.  The space around it has been turned into a museum? I'm not sure.. It was a combination of interactive displays, museum, aquarium, mini zoo, and playground...the works!  Great for kids and couples.

It's organized in chronological order beginning with the Taino Indians that first lived in PR and ending with a replica of the first helicopter and a mural of the first train in PR.

Taino Indian Display

Stealing some goodies :P

Next up: The Spanish Conquest..

The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria

See the Tainos in the back? Again: chronological order.

Slave hut :(

Pirate ship!

stud

da finger!

This is the entrance to a dark air-conditioned cave.  There were ugly pirates and scary skeletons talking to us.  I have a video of our experience.  Hopefully I'll post it another day.  This then leads to an aquarium where i also filmed.  There was a mini pirate ship play ground and finally a gift shop. FUN!

 

and now...

THE LIGHT HOUSE!!!

Quite a walk uphill to get there but we enjoyed great views on the way.

Anybody remember this year? Spanish American War.  Spain lost and PR become a U.S. territory.

mini museum inside

To the residents of PTO-RICO!

From none other than General Miles himself.

Basically he states that he has no bad intentions with PR, his war was with Spain.

If we behave nicely with the military government, everything will be fine.

btw PTO-RICO? wtf!?

On our way up. Kinda scary these steps.

Made it!

Beautiful view

Off to the Mini Zoo

Not sure what to make of it.  Some of the animals looked sad. But what do I know?

I <3 turtles

El Jíbaro display

Our tradional folks that lived in the mountains.

They lived off of what their own land provided.

Some US officials assigned to evaluate the colony called them lazy..haters! :P

helicopter

haha!

Snack time!!

Yummy :)

summer time!

Books + Cats + Wedding fever = ME!

Wedding fever I know...I secretly spent a lot of my free time googling wedding stuff and I’m nowhere near getting married.  It’s weird because I never really had that fantasy as a little girl...oh well.. Here’s to making up for lost time lol. 
Also admitting that to myself is a pretty big deal

I’m the type of girl who is all for feminism and equality and no BS tolerance for dbag men...
Weddings aren't anti feminist...  well u know what I mean! :)

Weddings are pretty <3

I’ve lost touch..Sorry to that one person who reads this other than me heheh!

I’ve currently been on couch potato mode..
Well, I deserve it!! Take a look at last semester's grades!!!

This is legit! Not fake and has never happened in my entire college life :D hard work pays off!!

Next week I start summer classes :(
I’m taking 2 courses and it's going to be crazy :S
Each of them is from Monday through Friday and 3 hours!!!!
Hopefully when I get all these credits out of the way I’ll be able to go to Paris smoothly :)

Anyhow....
Some cute Nicolas pics!!!

My gorgeous baby has discovered roses!! And he loves them *sighs*

My boyfriend stopped by with these things..no occasion necessary :)

There was also popcorn but it wasn't so pretty in the pic lol!

oh yea..still working the dark hair!

Going Dark Side

Makeover!!!

Hanging out last Friday!

Early Saturday morning, I joined the dark side...

Lots of love...mua!!!

Hello? My eyes are up here!

Remember that couple that recently got married?  They're back from their honeymoon and a couple nights ago my boyfriend and I went to their housewarming party.  We had more fun than I expected and I got to know the women there better as well. 

However, a minor annoying and kind of funny incident.  We met a friend of the bride, somebody who seemed to be a closeted gay.  I have no problems with people who may have different sexual orientations.  Still, I do get irritated when they blantantly stare at my breasts. 

We're talking about a grown man.  I'm having a conversation with him.  I look towards his eyes by unconscious nature and I'm struck by him looking down.  Repeatedly!!!

Via
Why 1865? I have no idea...




Afterwards I discussed it with my boyfriend and everybody noticed.  I know its the immature idiot's fault, but it still makes me feel embarrassed.  Should I have told him off?  My boyfriend and his buddies dubbed him fruity loops lol. 

Is it ok for men to look at breasts at all?  As a woman I do check out good looking men.  Nonetheless, I do it appropriately without them or anyone else noticing.  I also don't think this is a master skill that takes years to develop. 

Let’s say I walk down the street with a female friend and there’s a group of guys talking.  The instant we pass by there is an overpowering silence as the men goggle at us. 

It can be very uncomfortable. I find myself asking "Is there snot coming out of my nose?" or "Am I trailing toilet paper on my shoe?"

Via

So I started browsing the subject on the internet and I found a decent article advising men on how to check out a woman's cleavage without being an idiot and freaking her out.  It's titled How to Stare at a Girl's Cleavage from http://www.lovepanky.com/.  What I liked most about was their first and most important rule is: Stare when she's not looking.  My point exactly.  They also discuss the importance of not making women feel uncomfortable and acting like a psycho which I very much appreciated. 


On a side note...
I am reading: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
I want to read: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I have to read: La chanson de Roland by Anonimous

Live your Dream...

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future."
- Victor Hugo

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
- Anatole France

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
- Mark Twain


I didn't write a post yesterday.  Today was also going in that direction.  I felt I haven't really done anything that interesting.  I've had a lot of work so I haven't read much either.  Before I convinced myself that I had done nothing, I realized how much I daydream.  I daydream so much I sometimes don't get work done.  Sometimes I get so spaced out people start snapping their fingers in my line of vision. (by the way, i hate that!) I've been accused of talking by myself... I know I laugh alone.  I remember moments.  Other times I'm so lost within myself I imagine situations.  Ask anyone, I'm a funny girl!

So today I've been daydreaming and organizing yet another list of courses I should take each semester until I graduate college.  It's been decided long ago that I will go to France in the summer of 2012.  I've also wanted to study abroad in France and recently went to a study abroad orientation.  I was planning on going during the academic year 2012-2013. 

Last night I asked my mom if I could go a full year. (Paris isin't cheap you know...)
She said: "We'll find the money. We'll make it work."
BINGO!!! I was soo psyched!!
Just a few minutes ago, I did the math.
Summer 2012 +academic year 2012-2013+ Summer 2013 (cause I'm not going back right away!)= 1year and a couple of months in EUROPE!!!!
Now tell me you wouldn't daydream excessively.

DREAMS <3
-France 2012-2013
-get accepted in La Sorbonne
-graduate with the best grades possible
-become independent
-become an English teacher
-write
-study in a good graduate school of education
-make a difference in education in Puerto Rico
-a family

"The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle."
- Anais Nin

Of course we always dream of the future. It's necessary, it's healthy.
However, we should never forget that even to a small degree, we are always LIVING THE DREAM.

DAILY DREAMS I BREATHE <3
-Love.
I've had some intense fights that have left me disappointed and sad with a few X-friends.  I was obliged to erase them from my life.  Not only that but third parties decided to erase me from theirs. You'd think I'd be describing a nightmare but no, it's still a dream.  It's a dream because I've learned who loves me.  Who deserves me.  The truth is I'm special.  I kid around a lot and get lost every once in a while but I am a GREAT friend.  Although the amount of truly close friends doesn't even add up to half the fingers on one hand, I know the one's I have our real; and that's a dream come true. 

"Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise"
-Unknown

My family.
They are not at all perfect.  But I admire their generosity, they're drive, and they're creativity.  They are the people who have always been there for me and always will be.  I'm truly blessed.

Romantic love.
Certainly this is a love you must learn to live without. I have.  I'm actually really good at it.
However (and all of you know this) it's not easy getting your heart broken constantly by immature people and inconvenient circumstances.
All of you ALSO know that when the right love finally comes your way you never expect it.  Maybe we unconsciously turn off the desperate vibe.  Sometimes I think its Gods way of playing with us. :)

God in my imagination:
 "Hmmmmm so you've gotten use to being alone...REALLY???  What do you think about THIS!!"

*Twirls his spirit fingers* BOOM POW SLAM!!!
Voila: GREAT LOVE...

Blue fire Jan 1, 2011

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."

-Rose Franken-

That silly couple Jan 1, 2011

Another dream I live...

I'm studying French, literature and education.  I'm studying what I want, my passion.  So many people are pressured into studying something they don't want for financial reasons.  Not to mention, all the people with no access to education.  (Something I hope to ameliorate)

I'm reviewing my post and it really could be a thanksgiving post (not my first intention).  I guess I write the same way life passes.  You have an idea of where you're headed but it's not until you look back that you see all the twists and turns...

"Caminante no hay camino,

se hace camino al andar"

-Antonio Machado

*Non Spanish speakers:

Wanderer, there is no way,

you make the way as you go.

via

Adult Mad Libs

*WARNING*  This post will contain one or two words that may be sexually explicit.  Can't deal with it. Don't read. :)

So who loves Mad Libs or has ever played?

MEEEE!!!

I remember there was even a kid show about it. Bit too much maybe.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mad Libs it's a word game.  There is a text with blank words.  Without reading the text, you are asked different grammatical words to fill in the blanks.  This is where you and your friends have fun and suggest crazy things.  When you read the completed text at the end it is HILARIOUS!!

This is a children's game that I will enjoy my entire life.  However when I went to buy bargain books yesterday I was really excited when I grabbed a hold of ADULT MAD LIBS!!! So much fun!!

Nicolas cuddling with my new ADULT Mad Libs

April 2011

Later that night I had an early dinner with one of my best friends at Dennys.  Yummy! She's not one of those hang-out only friends.  You can really sit with her and talk about anything..gossip..superficial things, deep and meaningful things..yes, EVERYTHING.  At certain times we were laughing so hard others were looking at us which only made us laugh harder.  I almost snorted some oreo blender blaster!

Via

 I remember a particular glare from a woman with a little girl sleeping in her arms.  I'm sorry, but maybe it's not the best idea to take your seeping child to Dennys.  Stay home and order Chinese take out! Seriously!  I guess Dennys is not the best place to be young and loud.  At least not before midnight.

Via

Back to Adult Mad Libs.

While we were eating I grabbed my new Mad Libs and explained the game to her.  We gave it a try and laughed so hard it took us 5 minutes to get past the first line.  Here's the sample:

City: Juncos

Celebrity: Justin Timberlake

Plural Noun: Bracers

Verb ending in ING: playing

Plural noun: flowers

Verb: Danse

Same verb: Danse

Part of the body: Dick

Verb (past tense): masterbated

Same verb (present tense): masterbate

Adjective: thick

Adjective: Nasty

QUIZ: Are you a Party Girl?

Are you a party girl? Take this quiz and find out!

1. The best part of living in a party town like Juncos is:

A. Increased chances of running into Justin Timberlake.

B. Great Transportation! It's easy to get around on subways and braces.

2. Haver you ever stayed up all night playing with your flowers even though you promised yourself you were going to danse early that night?

A. Um, I never danse before midnight.

B.  I fall asleep as soon as my dick hits the pillow.

3. The last time you masterbated in on a Saturday night was:

A. In the womb. Want thick proof?  Ask mom, she'll tell you I've been nasty since birth.

B.  I masterbate every Saturday night!

Answer: If you chose (b) for all the above, you need to get out more.

Juncos is a municipal in the country area of Puerto Rico.  Not really a huge city with an active night life which is why we almost couldn't get past that first line.

Today I finished Happens Every Day by: Isabel Gillies.  Yesterday I said the writing was really bad and today I still believe it.  However, it's still a readable book.  I developed a real sympathy for what happened to her.  She may not order her thoughts properly, but her feelings come through.  She says so herself, she's no writer.  The fact that she got this experience down on paper is admirable.  Became a bestseller, even better!  It's a nice airport read.

Hooked on Happens Every Day

April 2011

EVERY BOOK MUST GO!!

It's a sad day when a book store closes...
However, the EVERYTHING MUST GO SALE eases the pain.
Especially when every book is worth 2 bucks or less!!

So Borders at Carolina, Puerto Rico closes tomorrow and my mom and I were lucky enough to make it to their last day for some extreme bargains.

At first it seemed everything sucked, just a bunch of 2 dollar Sarah Palin books. But, looking closer we did get some decent finds.  Agatha Christie for one.  In my case I grabbed every novel with a decent plotline that had won or had been nominated for any book award.  We all read shitty books.  Why not take advantage and pay less than 2 dollars for them?

To sum it up: We got approximately 38 books for seventy something dollars. NICE!!!

Here's a nice pic of our new bargain books.  My plan was to squeeze in between them and get a nice pic for all of you but things got in the way.....

Things like Nicolas, my cat.  Probably should have named him Dennis the Menace!!

Look at him! Off to destroy anything that's stacked!!

Best pic I could come up with!

The first thing I grabbed to read was Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies. 

In just a few hours I'm way past the 100 pages NOT because it's good.  It's actually pretty bad. Particularly the writing.  Gillies constantly makes these huge parenthesis explaining the back story of why she just said something.  That's pretty awful.

The book is a memoir.  The true story of how her english poetry professor husband left her for another english professor.  I don't know if she changed anybody's name but she's describing everybody in complete detail.  Specifically the Oberlin community in Ohio.

What I LOVE the most is that she has gotten the ULTIMATE REVENGE!!!  Gillies wrote a shitty book about what two literary professors did to her and it became a BESTSELLER!!!  Those a-holes must be dying and I'm here in PR...smiling. :)