Yo vengo de todas partes y hacia todas partes voy

I'm back!

2008-10-23T21:48:00.003-05:00

Long time no posts.

I've been busy.

I'm older, too.

And S lives here now.

I know, big changes.

And for no particular reason at all, two videos from Youtube.

It's not January 16th yet, but I can still indulge in any and everything that has to do with Battlestar Galactica!

Because we all know John McCain is a cylon.

And because my best buddy sent it my way and it makes me laugh:

life

2008-06-02T19:19:00.002-05:00

The dog is learning a bit. He actually sometimes sits now when you tell him to sit. So that's good.

I have to leave in a few days. I'm ready to get back to my life, but I am not ready for S to not be there yet. It's weird, I feel like I have 2 separate lives - the one I have here and the one I lead there. Here, I'm wealthy, surrounded by family and my work is mostly a mystery. There, I'm a poor grad student whose closest family is a day's drive away and who lives and breathes work, and doesn't see a lot of people who don't understand what she does. It's odd.

But the most important difference is where S is. Hopefully in a few months we'll be together again.

Katty vs. the dog

2008-05-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

Round 2

I'm mad at Polo and at people who should train him to behave. Still. Because I'm the person home in the day, I get to be the one who deals with him having 'accidents' and scratching/biting my feet and legs. He still thinks its a game, but it's not and it upsets me, frustrates me, reduces me to angry and frustrated tears.

So, S, we aren't having a dog. When I called my suegra for advice and she was trying to calm me down, I actually said, "I hate dogs."

Because in the place I'm living? I do. This doesn't mean that I don't generally care about their welfare or responsible pet ownership. It just means that I don't want one anywhere near me or my living situation.

And the worst part of all is that the dog isn't at fault at all, but everyone gets mad at him. So even though I don't want to be anywhere near him, I get frustrated on his behalf. It sucks, basically.

News

2008-05-18T18:08:00.003-05:00

So good news on the S coming to live in the same country as me front.

But bad news in that his Tata's brother (who was only 59) passed away Friday night/Saturday morning. I went to the burial today with my in-laws, and S couldn't go because they wouldn't give him off work. And that sucked.

It's sad for me for several reasons.
1. I actually knew this great uncle, he was at our wedding (for those that read this and recall, he was one of the drunk uncles)
2. He is so young!
3. Tata is really upset about it, and his wife's health isn't great so that makes me worry also.

During the burial I was holding the hand of one of the five year old twins, and he was kind of confused as to what was going on. He asked me things like, but aren't there two Tio Omar's? So everyone is sad, right? What do you say to a five year old? I told him that yes, we are all sad, Tio Omar is in heaven now and what he needs to do is show his granddad lots of love. I think it worked OK. But it's still sad.

ash and pollution

2008-05-11T22:41:00.002-05:00

S told me I should post something, so that I move that thing that didn't link correctly down the page, because I'm too lazy to click a few boxes and make that post disappear.

The volcanic ash from Chaiten supposedly arrived over Santiago sometime today, but very high up in the atmosphere. The pollution is actually quite bad, I can barely see the mountains right behind the house and I can feel less of a difference between the air quality in the centro and here at the house. So that's unfortunate.

Everyone here thinks I'm crazy with my interest in (and knowledge of) volcanoes. Whatever, they're losing out! ;-)

how well do you know your world

2008-03-08T00:50:00.004-05:00

This was totally fun:

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wmode="opaque" PLUGINSPAGE="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"
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brought to you by TravelPod, the World's Original Travel Blog ( A TripAdvisor Media Network partner )

Beat my score of (ok well the "IQ") 120... though some of the stuff is random. And they have Concepcion, Chile on the wrong place in the map. Like, where Valparaiso is. Someone doesn't know their South American geography...

what the frak is going on?

2008-03-03T17:34:00.002-05:00

SO COOL.

And yes it's a commercial. I don't care. I love Battlestar Galactica. It's still cool.

travels are fun

2008-02-26T17:52:00.001-05:00

So. Long time no post. I know.

The spirit hasn't moved me.

But the spirit has returned, in the form of my lovely sister who is living in the Netherlands. She just set up a blog and I'm looking forward to reading it. And for those of my readers here who have um stuck around, you should check it out. Because my sister is cool.

another great piece by gloria steinem

2008-01-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Women are Never Front Runners, by Gloria Steinem

I'm voting for Senator Clinton despite my brother's attempts to change my mind. I'll defy my demographic by NOT voting for Senator Obama. And with this article the New York Times has started to make up for their hiring of William Kristol... but they aren't quite there yet.

space + earthquakes + chile

2008-01-07T11:35:00.001-05:00

I don't usually have a lot of time on the computer while I'm here, but since I was waiting up for S to get back from work, I found myself reading a lot of, well, random stuff. However, this is really cool - a view of northern Chile from Space:

(from solarviews.com)

And then I started reading about theories about how the Andes were formed, the Peru-Chile Trench, and more about earthquakes! What is too bad is that most of the information out there is really basic (that is, stuff I've known since I was little) or very specialized, that is, pages full of seismographic data that I don't have the tools to make sense of. Why is there no middle ground? I don't have the background for the specialized stuff, but the basic stuff is, well, basic. Alas.

ah 2008

2008-01-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

New Year's at the beach and wedding anniversary celebrations are fun.

In case you were wondering, of course.

merry almost christmas

2007-12-23T22:54:00.000-05:00

I had forgotten how bad a hangover I get from too much pisco. Let's just say that it totally sucks. And I now recall why I only drink pisco in small amounts. Ouch.

Apart from that, good times are had by all in this neck of the woods. It's crazy hot, people wait until the last minute to shop, and we're doing (we being my mother in law and I) a cross-cultural Christmas Eve dinner - I think they are a little freaked out about the sound of the Green Bean Casserole, but they'll come around once they taste it. Or I'll be eating a lot of green beans.

I also just read a quick book that an aunt lent me (yay totally exciting) called Bonsai (Alejandro Zambra 2006), I'm still not sure what my reaction to it is. But it was a random book to read, and everyone knows I love that.

Merry Almost Christmas!

christmas shopping

2007-12-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

We were woken up a few days ago by another earthquake - it was longer (about 40 seconds) than the first one but not as strong. Really, it was annoying, because it woke me up.

My Christmas shopping is all set! We had to cop out for one of the family members and go for a gift card, mostly because there were so many options and we couldn't decide! But I'm pleased with it being done and having everything set under the tree, even though oddly everyone here wraps presents in bags, and not gift bags like you think in the U.S. but rather bags made out of wrapping paper. Yeah. It's good for odd shaped things but still.

And S still has some shopping left to do for Christmas. Rather, for me. He's kinda cute about it. Actually, really cute. But he is really cute basically most of the time, so no surprises there!

woohoo an earthquake!

2007-12-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

I know, I know.

I felt an earthquake yesterday! And it was higher on the Mercalli scale than a 3 and on the Richter than a 4. I'm actually pretty excited about that. Because I think earthquakes are really cool. Seriously.

They'll be even cooler if it has the weather effect my mother-in-law says they do, namely that the weather changes. And that it will be cooler. I like the sun and whatnot, but when there isn't really A/C anywhere, I vote for less heat.

chile's great minus the dog

2007-12-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

It's still quite lovely here. I'm enjoying the sun - today was especially pleasant given that I didn't feel as if I were in a sauna of my own creation. And this in a place that has nearly no humidity in the summer.

S and I are having a very pleasant time. Unfortunately, their dog is really annoying. I shouldn't hold it against him, since he's still a puppy, but I really don't like dogs. There is no way that we will have a dog if I can help it. The dog is cute when he's not near me, but all he ever wants to do is play... which is really quite annoying.

But other than the dog, it's quite nice. :-)

fun times with the chilean aduana

2007-12-11T19:22:00.000-05:00

I'm in summer! Yay!

Fun fact of the day:
So it turns out that the SAG people here have never heard of Summer Sausage. And they wouldn't believe me when I said that it wasn't uncooked meat. And when they heard the word sausage, that automatically meant an uncooked hot dog. Which it's not. So in order to bring it into the country, I had to let them cut into it to prove it was cooked. And then they said, well this time you can bring it in, but don't bring it again. Even if it has a label saying its cooked.

Score: Chile 1, Wisconsin 0.

However, when I was waiting for them to cut into the sausage (you don't cook it before you eat it! It's cooked! It's delicious! ay!) it turns out that I can indeed bring cheese into the country, as long as it is labeled as having been made with pasteurized milk.

Score: Chile 1, Wisconsin 1.

more frustration

2007-12-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

Immigration still moves along... slowly...

How is it that I get something on Saturday and send of the requested materials Monday, and that same day S gets a notice (in Chile!) saying that his application is missing those materials, dated a month ago. The first I received anything was Saturday, and that was postmarked Wednesday.

I don't understand.

That, and why is it that when you call the NVC they say, you can talk to an operator! But then when you go to talk to an operator, there is never one available. And so you go back to the automated menu to see if there is something you can do. But there isn't so you try for an operator again. But there isn't one! So you get sent back to the automated menu. They also tell you to call after 6 PM. Well, I can't get through to an operator then, either. Seriously, you would think that with all of the money the government spends on things, they would be able to invest in a call waiting system for the National Visa Center. But wait, that would be too logical.

Ugh.

lovely

2007-11-27T02:37:00.001-05:00

What an absolutely lovely Thanksgiving break. My family is just fabulous.

What isn't fabulous? That both there and back my flights got quite screwed up. But it was worth it all in the end.

Fabulous times two!

2007-11-17T22:49:00.001-05:00

Well, people, you know that I love Michelle Bachelet. Seriously, she's fabulous. And the NYY Magazine has a piece on her: check it out! It's a refreshing change from the drivel that the mainstream (and super conservative, controlled by the right-wing) Chilean media usually writes about her. Estoy contigo, Michelle!

Also in fabulousness - my sister. She is great, for many reasons. The most recent one? I need a book that someone hasn't returned to the library (at least they're being charged late fees...) - so she looked it up at her uni library, and behold! She checked it out for me :-) So I can use it while we're both at our parent's house. Yay!

When retail doesn't want my business

2007-11-12T11:20:00.001-05:00

I had a fabulous weekend. But this week (or Monday morning at least) totally sucks. And this is the most superficial of the various reasons, but oddly enough it is the one that angers me the most.

I hate Ann Taylor. I will never shop there again. And I will tell everyone I know (including the Internets) never to shop there again. Why? Mid October I was shopping in the store, and they didn't have the color of the shirt I wanted in the size I am. So, they offered to order it, and they did. They took my information, gave me a print out and that was that. Well, the shirt never came. So finally today I called to inquire as to what happened. The woman I spoke with informed me that my order had been canceled due to lack of stock. Well, that is just fabulous isn't it, because this is the first I've heard of it. They had my phone number. But evidently, the policy is only to email when things are canceled. And I was never asked for my email at the store! So their solution is just to not inform me. When I asked to speak with someone about the policy, the woman just told me I could speak with her. So I somewhat shamefully admit that I got angry, told her off based on that policy and hung up after telling them that they had lost a customer.

If they don't have stock, they don't have it. But you need to tell the customer. I shouldn't have to call an automated number weeks later to find out that my business isn't important enough to them for them to pick up the phone and take all of 2 minutes to call me and apprise me of the situation.

If I hadn't already worn them and therefore made them impossible to return, I'd also return the pair of pants I got there. I'm that furious.

election day

2007-11-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

I meant to post something last night reminding anyone who reads this that TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!

Whoops, I forgot. So yeah, today was election day. With any luck, you voted.

I did however proudly where my I Voted: I made a difference in Municipality all day today, which did remind some people to vote. So hey at least there was that.

And I voted! In person! (yeah this is the first time it wasn't absentee). I love voting.

I can roast a chicken

2007-11-04T16:38:00.000-05:00

I made a delightful lunch today.

When I told my mother about it, she was asking who I was having over. But no, it was just me.

I roasted a chicken. Yes, I did.

And I made roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

With a glass of red wine.

Sunday lunch is the best.

how many months of waiting?

2007-10-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

April 2008? They have got to be joking. I fear they're not. But still.

I guess that means I'll have plenty of time to rewatch the series several times for prime watching preparedness come April. But c'mon people. That is just absolutely ridiculous.

The good life

2007-10-22T22:47:00.000-05:00

The past year has been good to me. Marriage, another academic degree, and I'm pretty happy, to boot. Not bad.

And it helps that my husband and friends are FABULOUS. Seriously.

That is all for the time being...

it's a good day

2007-10-16T20:36:00.000-05:00

There are some days that just go well. And today was one of those days.

Besides getting into the area that I know best in the class I am teaching, I also watched a film for later this week that I absolutely adore. I don't watch it very often because it always makes me cry, but OMG is it good. I can't wait to see what my students make of it.

AND... I got a cool present from mah husband. I'm very happy. He is so sweet. :-)

workaholism vs BSG

2007-10-13T16:47:00.000-05:00

It's fantastic when my sister and I are both (somewhat obsessively) watching the same shows. Around the same time. And then we can gush about them.

Because yeah. We both love Battlestar Galactica. Who wouldn't?

Unfortunately however I've turned back into a workaholic who has no fun because I have a paper due soon. Not nearly as much fun as watching Starbuck kick ass.

Commuter Nightmare

2007-10-08T16:07:00.000-05:00

Chile's Commuter Nightmare Deepens with New System. I was in shock to hear "Transantiaaaaago" come out of my radio this afternoon. Interesting piece. Will comment more later.

Emotion of the week

2007-10-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

Wow so the week went by quickly. I spent a lot of it, ahem, watching a certain excellent sci-fi series on DVD. And I did finally get around to Grey's. But only because I don't have more BSG DVDs for the time being.

Frustration is the emotion of the week, for many reasons. The most recent one - my router hates me. or hates my ISP, or my computer, or a combination of all 3. Now, sitting on my bed to watch DVDs is OK with me, but typing papers (which is something that will really get into swing this coming week) without being able to use proper posture is not something I'm looking forward to. So yeah. Why do some things just make life so much more complicated?

Evidently I love television

2007-10-01T15:12:00.000-05:00

So I didn't mean to go so long without writing anything. Sorry there about that.

That said, I don't have a great deal to say. Immigration progresses, my weekly routine (odd though it is) is what it is, and I'm looking forward to the holidays.

I dedicate a good part of my time to being lazy, mostly in the form of watching television shows. While I don't include "The War" ad my lazy television watching, I definitely include my obsession with That 70's Show, and my newfound love for Battlestar Galactica. I watched the first season of BSG in 24 hours. Yes, I know. I could be doing other work. But I don't have to.

And much to a friend's chagrin, I haven't started watching Grey's Anatomy, despite her desire to get me caught up in time to watch it on Thursday. I admit, I would rather watch more Battlestar Galactica, or That 70's Show, or even read some books I have than start watching Grey's. But I'll watch it, if only to be more in the loop with what my friends are watching.

Wow, this year is much more relaxed.

funness

2007-09-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

This is fun. Chilean Spanish isn't bad. So there! Al tiro! Es fome!

I'm glad the week is over. It's been tiring. I'm hoping some rejuvenation comes my way this weekend... we shall see, we shall see...

More empanadas for me, then.

2007-09-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

I wish I had someone to celebrate Chilean Independence Day with.

It doesn't help that the dieciocho is a Tuesday this year, which means class class class for me.

But I don't want to eat my empanadas and drink my red wine and mango sour all by myself. However, that is sadly what appears to be on tap for me, considering that the usual suspects aren't anywhere near here.

Thank goodness that next year S and I can celebrate it together (I forget, did I mention we're now at the next step? Because we are. More money. Yay.)

For all of the people who ask if we will live in Chile...

2007-09-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

There are so many reasons that the answer is no. Most of the people who read this already know the most important ones.

But then there are also things like this (in Spanish).

In Chile, women are basically screwed over, financially. When we were deciding which matrimonial economic system to choose (there are three to choose from), well, all of them screw the woman over in one way or another. The article also mentions other issues that aren't in laws, but that are often in other regulations or bank policies - like a financially independent married woman not being allowed to buy stock without her husband's permission, which legally is crap. Or that women have to pay on average 30% more for health insurance. Why? Because women give birth to children.

So those things are all sucky. But what really got me? Is the salary gap between men and women. Just check this one out - the average difference is of 30%. For women with graduate degrees? (that is, ME!) 56%. AVERAGE.

I mean, women get screwed over here in the US, also. But it isn't quite as terrible as in Chile. I even read a piece today, on a more progressive than other things I read from Chile women's blog, that talked about the reasons men cheat on their wives. Basically, it has to do with the wives, of course. Because of course the women have to work and do all of the domestic labor and look gorgeous and sexy when hubby gets home, because otherwise he will give in to all of those flirty women at work. Absolutely no questioning of the total weirdness and unfairness of that propostition. I was so infuriated...

I'm so thankful that S is not like that. And that we will be living in the US. Because, though my country has it's share of problems, women don't get treated quite as crappily. So there's a happy thought for your Friday evening.

recognizing that the dieciocho is almost upon us...

2007-09-14T13:33:00.000-05:00

I totally enjoyed this article about tragos (alcoholic drinks) in Chile. And being the way I am, I've reproduced it here (in Spanish still, I'm feeling lazy on the translating part) - though I wrote general translations of what things are. So yeah.

La lista "no oficial" de los tragos que toman los chilenos

► Pa'la sed, pa' la calor:

Fanshop: No hay como un Fanshop (Fanta + Shop) para pasar esas acaloradas tardes veraniegas. La mezcla va a gusto del consumidor, pero siempre con la cerveza bien helada y, de preferencia, un paisaje marino frente a los ojos. Como los comerciales de TV. Refrescan tanto como el chirimoya alegre que venden en la calle. Y suele dejar más "alegre". Fanta and beer.

Vino con hielo y azúcar: Una alternativa más de cantina para paliar el calor es el vino con hielo y azúcar. Se sugiere cambiar el paisaje marino por uno rupestre. Wine with ice and sugar.

► Pa'l carrete:

Piscola: Postulada por algunos como "el trago nacional", la popular piscola (Pisco + bebida cola) es la fiel compañera de tertulias, vituperios y carretines del país. Una buena piscola debe llevar hielo y limón. Y, aunque el origen del pisco puede estar en duda, la piscola es 100% chilena. Pisco and cola.

► Pa'l hambre:

Chupilca: Un nutritivo trago, inspirado en el tradicional y alimenticio "ulpo" -a base de agua, harina tostada y azúcar- con el pequeño detalle de que se cambia el agua por vino.

Malta con huevo: Ideal para el desayuno, sobre todo después de la "caña". Incluye malta, huevo, azúcar y canela. También es un buen título para una película.
Malt, egg, sugar, cinnamon

Piscolate: Por el nombre parece un nuevo postre para los niños. Pero, junto a la leche de chocolate, tiene su cuota de 'malicia' a través del pisco. chocolate milk and pisco

Pihuelo: Parecido a la chupilca, pero en lugar de vino utiliza aguardiente o chicha, o ambas. Igual de nutritivo. yuck.

Borgoña de fruta: Para que no digan que los tragos no se complementan con la vida sana. Tal como una macedonia, este combinado utiliza frutas de la estación trozada, de preferencia fresas, duraznos o chirimoyas, además de azúcar y hielo. La versión con vino blanco se llama Cleri y es una bebida típica del verano. Fresh fruit (preferably strawberries, peaches, or chirimoyas), sugar, ice, and something alcoholic, be it pisco or white wine

► Pa' los chiquillos:

Vino en melón: Este original trago, que no requiere vaso y bien podría consumirse en "Lost", utiliza un melón abierto en uno de sus extremos y sin pepas, por donde se le introduce vino blanco y un poco de azúcar a elección. Mientras se consume se puede ir raspando el melón por dentro con una cuchara para que quede más dulcecito. Es típico de paseos a la playa de universitarios. Una variante, después de consumir varios y perder el equilibrio, incluye un poco de arena. White wine in a melon (like honeydew)

Yugoslavo: El nombre probablemente es por la forzada mezcla. 'Le lleva' cerveza y vino blanco. Una delicadeza, según sus consumidores. Beer and white wine

► Pa' los tatitas:

Navegado: Ideal para pasar el frío es el vino caliente con naranja. Algunos llaman así al vino tinto "chambreao" o entibiado (del francés chambré... nada más patriótico). También se le puede echar azúcar, canela y clavo de olor. Se entibia a baño María, aunque algunos solían calentarlo al lado del brasero. En la actualidad, se podría entibiar con la estufa a gas natural o ¿el microondas? Mulled wine

Chuflay: A base de aguardiente con bilz. Es un derivado de un trago realizado en el campo, donde se le inyecta aguardiente a una sandía y el alcohol se consume la carne de la fruta, produciendo un trago muy dulce. brandy with a fruity soda. based on putting liquor in a watermelon and eating the watermelon.

► Pa' que se mueva el piso:

Terremoto: Un clásico de los clásicos. Surgido en "El Hoyo", bar de Estación Central, en la actualidad es el trago más consumido en "La Piojera", emblema del movimiento guachaca. A base de pipeño y helado de piña, más un toque de amargo o fernet y un chorrito de granadina, su prestigio ha trascendido las fronteras, saltando a la fama en un canal internacional. Desde luego, el segundo trago que se sirve se llama "réplica". pineapple ice cream, bitters, grenadine, and other things that I don't know how to translate = hangover

Tsunami o erupción: Violenta mezcla de cerveza, vino, pisco y hielo. La erupción se ve como una consecuencia necesaria. beer + wine + pisco + ice

► Pa' la batalla:

Chupilca "del diablo": Éste trago sí que supera todos los parámetros. Según cuenta la tradición nacional, los soldados chilenos durante la Guerra del Pacífico mezclaban aguardiente con pólvora, lo que aumentaba la fiereza del combatiente que, sin sudarlo, "iba a todas" las batallas. Después de beber tan explosiva mezcla, tomarse "el morro" era un detalle.

► Pa' los salvajes:

Cola de Mono: Angelical trago que trae buenos recuerdos porque se consume en Navidad y Año Nuevo, esas entrañables fechas en que no hay que estudiar ni trabajar, sino que sólo darse regalos y pasarlo bien. Lleva leche, leche condensada, cáscara de naranjas, clavos de olor, canela, vainilla, café, aguardiente o pisco. Es tan propio de estas festividades que no sería raro ver llegar a Papa Noel con un vaso de cola de mono en la mano. milk, condensed milk, orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, pisco

"Pipí" de León: Pisco con Kem Piña y hielo. Es más grato beberlo sin conocer su nombre, ni imaginarlo. pisco + pineapple soda + ice

Pingüino: Vino tinto y vino blanco. Nada más simple. Para entibiar a cualquiera en el Polo Sur. white wine + red wine

Pajarete: Típico del norte chico. Es como un "pingüino", pero recargado. Lleva vino tinto, vino blanco, aguardiente y chancaca.

► Pa' los machos :

Fanfarrón: Suena a tipo presumido, pero es sólo Fanta con ron.

Pillín: Lo mismo. Sólo un juego de palabras: Pisco con ginger ale. Qué ingenio.

Jote: Además de hombre 'enamoradizo' y 'catete', es vino con bebida cola, típicamente guachaca. El secreto es usar un poco más de vino que de gaseosa. red wine + cola

► Pa' los urgidos:

Vino de la casa: Cuando la necesidad de beber es mucha, se puede hacer un reciclaje en pos del presupuesto familiar. Para esto se juntan los restos de diversas botellas, los que se mezclan y sirven en una jarra. Pese a su dudosa procedencia, tiene un nombre con cierta alcurnia.

Bigoteado: Es casi lo mismo que el anterior, pero con un origen aún más cuestionable. Incluye las sobras de vasos y jarras de bares, los que antiguamente se vendían a menor precio.

Champaña de los pobres: A falta de dinero, buena es la creatividad. Esta mezcla de vino blanco con Sprite no tiene nada que envidiarle a la champaña de verdad.

Flaite: Variante del jote. Pero esta vez el vino es acompañado por bebida rari cola.

Vino blanco con jugo en polvo: Cuando se piensa que ya nada puede ser peor, aparece esta impensada mezcla. Hay que estar bastante necesitado... y curado.

Pájaro Verde: Sin comentarios. Consultar en la cárcel.

► Bonus track: Pa' los piratas:

Perla Negra: Digno de Johnny Deep o de los "piratas del Caribe" (el grupo musical), este cautivador trago incluye granadina, licor de menta, jugo de naranja y, desde luego, nada de ron, sino que auténtico pisco chileno de 35°.

I don't always have gourmet

2007-09-11T18:51:00.000-05:00

For all of you out there who think I just make tons of gourmet food (though I was raised well... :-) )...

My dinner tonight? Meatloaf (albeit my mother-in-law's recipe) and a twice-baked potato (though I don't generally keep bacon in the house. Now I wish I did). Delicious homey food. Though now I kind of want some stuffed chicken breasts. Or other good-old classics. I have everything I need in the fridge...

dictatorship to democracy = nearly two decade long process?

2007-09-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

Oh, ignorance...

I usually love NPR. You all know that. But um at the hour when they did the short "preview" of what was going to be covered in the next hour... eeh furious.

And yes I heard this like one minute ago.

The pronounce Chile as if it were food. And they said something about "as it transitions from dictatorship to democracy..." WTF!?!?! PINOCHO IS DEAD. He's been out of office for 18 years[voted out in October of '88, new election in December of '89, Aylwin sworn in March '90]. In fact, he's been out of office (though sadly not out of power... that's really just the past decade) AS LONG AS he was in power. There have been four democratically elected presidents since the restoration of democracy. There's a woman president! Yes she's being challenged like crazy, but still. Of course, let's recall the other things that happened in 1988-1990:

the ELCA was established
Kennedy was appointed to the Supreme Court
Iran-Contra
Iran-Iraq war ended
Benazir Bhutto became prime minister of Pakistan
Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska
Dilbert syndicated
Tiananmen Square protests
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Little Mermaid came out
USSR falls, Germany reunites

Because, as always, Latin America is always somehow related to dictatorship. Totally. UGH. We don't talk about Germany still going through the reunification process in the national media. But c'mon, let's mention politics in Chile without mentioning Pinocho? In English-language press? I'm not holding my breath.

EDIT, 6:30 PM: The story wasn't as outrageous as the lead in was. It'll be up here in a bit. Interesting how they talk about the workers... I'd talk more about the sabotage done by the super conservative right wing Alianza... but I'm not talking about Chilean politics right now. Too stressful.

Fantastic few months

2007-08-30T20:30:00.000-05:00

School has begun - it's been going quite well. I'm actually very fond of the class I'm teaching, and so far I am pleased with the classes I am taking. Things are good.

What is also good? I've been having roast beef and brie sandwiches. Delicious.

And one of the best parts is that this is (hopefully!) the last start of the semester that I'll have to spend by myself. C'mon, immigration, you can do it! Move more quickly! I mean, we've had no word since the beginning of July - but I can't ask about it until October anyways, so there's no harm in being patient. Again.

Here's to a fantastic few months ahead.

Obfuscation usually requires a lot more words

2007-08-25T18:59:00.000-05:00

Responding to the poll, White House spokesman Tony Fratto attacked liberals for being too “loquacious”:

Obfuscation usually requires a lot more words than if you simply focus on fundamental principles, so I’m not at all surprised by the loquaciousness of liberals.

Wow. So I must be uber-liberal. I've lost count of how many books I've read so far this year.

And who doesn't read ANYTHING? Who are these people? I am pretty sure I must not know any of them, or if I do they are too ashamed to admit that they haven't read anything lately. And that those who have read something, don't even read one book a month? Again, who are these people?

Last King of Scotland

2007-08-20T16:01:00.000-05:00

So I watched The Last King of Scotland last night. Wow. I see why Forrest Whitaker won the Oscar. I was simultaneously charmed by and terrified of his representation of Idi Amin.

If you haven't seen it, you should.

But (spoiler!) the scene where he has Garrigan strung up with hooks in his chest, I couldn't actually watch. It was too horrifying. I hid behind a pillow.

Yet I still felt a kind of affection for the character. It's really fascinating... how do we fall in love with dictators?

And with that giant question, I'll go play some LEGO Star Wars. Much cheerier. :-)

sublime but solitary sunday lunch

2007-08-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

Today I had a sublime (but solitary, tear) Sunday lunch. Because I wish I were in Chile. Because that is where S is, and things here haven't started up yet.

So on that note, here is a picture of the lovely Chilean lunch I made myself - I admit, I'm missing the "salads," be it plain lettuce, plain corn, etc, but it is just me. So here I have Carmen's Baked Chicken and Papas Duquesas with a nice Chilean red wine. Given the fact that I can have the windows open (because it isn't soooooooo hot!), this is great. If only I had someone to share it with.

So, here are the recipes:

Carmen's Chicken

5 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (you can use boned ones, or breasts too, or chicken with skin)
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
Cumin
Paprika
Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a baking dish, rub salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and paprika on the chicken (the mix is up to you - I like lots of paprika but that's just me.) Place in dish. Drizzle olive oil over chicken. Bake uncovered in oven 50 minutes.

Papas duquesas

2.5 pounds of baking potatoes
Salt
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. flour
Pinch of nutmeg
Vegetable oil (for frying)

Peel and cut potatoes into chunks and boil in salted water for 25 minutes. Drain, then heat in saucepan on high heat for 2 minutes (to dry them out some). (If you don't have a Kitchenaid [MY BEST FRIEND IS AWESOME AND WE LOVE YOUR PRESENT!!], make something up as to how to get everything together, I think potato ricers are silly but I'm also an improvisational chef - I don't really measure things most of the time). In the Kitchenaid, combine the remaining ingredients (minus the vegetable oil). Gradually mix in potatoes, using the whisk attachment.

Heat oil in frying pan. Place teaspoon sized gunks of the potato mixture in the hot oil ; fry until golden brown crust appears on all sides (you'll have to turn it.) Drain on paper towels. If you can't wait until they cool a bit to taste them, use chopsticks. Trust me on this one.

If you need to reheat them, do it on baking sheets in the oven.

the peruvian earthquake

2007-08-16T13:12:00.000-05:00

Any earthquake is a terrible disaster.

But, even though seismologists stress that the Peruvian quake doesn't rule out a similar strong one in northern Chile in the near future... part of me (guiltily) heaves a sigh of relief - better Peru and Lima than Chile and Santiago. Especially since S is now in Santiago.

The other part of me is going through the people I know who might be in Peru right now, and where in Peru they might be. This is scary. I hope to God that this doesn't happen in central Chile any time soon.

And despite the tragedy, part of me (the very large part that as a child was obsessed with earthquakes and volcanoes) is also fascinated by the way the earth literally moves.

paper paper everywhere

2007-08-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

My sister complained to me earlier this summer about a course where the professor had them print out all of the readings rather than binding them up in a course pack, because the students would rather not have to buy a course pack.

My sister wanted the course pack. Because just printing that stuff gets expensive, too.

I feel for her. I just printed out about 1200 pages of reading for one of my semester classes. At least I could fiddle with the fonts and margins and stuff, or it would have been quite a bit more.

I'll pay for a bound course pack over that any day.

Mi amorcito se fue

2007-08-13T09:49:00.000-05:00

Mi amorcito se fue. :-(

I sent S off on the train this morning - it sounds horrible but it does get easier every time, and God willing this will be the last time we have to do this whole, one stays one goes stuff... let's be speedy, US Government!

I have so far distracted myself by going to the public library in search of books to distract myself with at home, and sitting reading George Herbert's poetry in a coffeeshop. Now that I'm home for a bit, I'll get stuff in order to run errands out of the house. I nearly cried again when I walked into our bedroom and saw his side table without his stuff on it. This sucks.

Safe journey, mi marido lindo.

not unpacked yet

2007-08-09T08:42:00.000-05:00

We are so not yet unpacked. But it's OK. They changed the lock on the door, and we're getting a new refrigerator later today. That means its OK to not know where things are yet because they are still in boxes, right?

I hate moving. But I love organizing. So why am I not enjoying this organizing part more?

Also, S has banned bookshelves from our bedroom. I was going to put my fun books there! But it's OK - I have enough bookshelves in the living room. :-) And it is still mostly my stuff all over the place, so I can't complain too much.

moving house

2007-08-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday.

We're in the middle of moving house. We're most of the way done - my sister and S are amazingly strong and due to that awesomeness, we got all of the furniture moved yesterday. But there's still stuff left to do...

And I think we are going to reward ourselves by going to see the Harry Potter movie this afternoon. Because neither my mother nor I have seen it. So that's going to be lots of fun.

several day's miscellany

2007-07-29T14:20:00.000-05:00

Why is it that the movies S and I want to see are not showing at the theaters we can easily get to? That isn't fun.

What isn't fun either is not knowing the plan and having to ask your students about it. I'm not a fan of that so much, either.

What is fun? Getting gelato because you want a change of pace from the Chocolate Fudge Brownie in the freezer. And introducing S to the joys of getting soaked in a summer downpour - no, you aren't cold! And that is just amazing.

What is tiring? Getting a call at 12:30 offering you a bookshelf at a very nice price, walking (in the crazy heat and humidity) with S to get it, and carrying it half of the way home because there you just got tired and left it in your office, hopefully to be picked up later this week in a motor vehicle. My arms are sore and I have a headache; S's arms shake when he lifts things and he has collapsed on the bed. You'd think we're made of stronger stuff. ;-)

And let's have some fun reading on Harry Potter and identity politics, in The American Prospect.

fun times with S

2007-07-26T14:43:00.000-05:00

I love having S here.

If only I weren't, um, working, this would feel like a honeymoon. But I'm working, which makes my days feel quite odd - the mornings are work, but the afternoon and evenings are totally not work at all and hang out and be silly with my husband. I admit, I'm enjoying the afternoons and evenings quite a bit.

S still hasn't finished Deathly Hallows so I can't talk about it at home. Puf! But we did get him his own copy earlier in the week, so I can reread mine with more attention to detail. I still like it. I just wish S would finish it, so I wouldn't have to watch what I say about it!

I heart HP7

2007-07-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

OMG So I'm totally one of the people who loved the seventh book. I'll just put that out there.

That, and that I was up until about 8 AM finishing it up, and when I came to bed I whispered to S that I had finished it (by the time we got the book I didn't think I'd stay up all the way through it...) and that is was excellent and whatnot, so he started reading it about half an hour ago. Which is awesome - but I wish we had gotten 2 copies instead of 1 so I could be re-reading certain key chapters that I don't feel that I read with enough depth last night.

And the only other thing I'll say about it for now, besides GO READ THE BOOK PEOPLE is that I wasn't too bad at figuring out what was going to happen, on a macro scale. But since I didn't talk to a lot of people about that at all, that won't ruin it for anyone who might read this. So again, go read the book. Pretty please.

556

2007-07-20T19:38:00.000-05:00

I am happy that S is here. Very very happy.

So awhile ago I reserved a copy of Deathly Hallows (only 1, S said at the time he didn't want his own copy) at my local bookstore, and we happened to be walking by there around 5:45 this afternoon. Turns out, they're handing out wristbands with numbers to those who pre-ordered books for the order of buying them. So the book doesn't come out until midnight, right? Well, I'm #556. And there was definitely less than half the list highlighted. So yeah. Let's see how long it takes them to get to #556. Especially taking into account that I got my wristband, oh, over 6 hours before I can actually purchase the book.

But I am ALL KINDS OF EXCITED!!!!!

UPDATE, about 2 AM: We got into the store at about 12:40, and had gotten the book and left the store by 12:50. SO COOL! It was fun. Though I suppose somewhat odd, given that they had us all out in the street... and it was policepeople directing who got into the store and whatnot... but so cool! I'm about to start reading it... let's see if I get through it or not.

UPDATE, a bit before 8 AM: And I'm done. SO GOOD. Now more people need to read it so I have someone to talk to about it. Because, just yeah. Wow. But I won't say anything yet. Promise.

happy fluff

2007-07-19T16:44:00.001-05:00

S is in the country, so that's all kinds of goodness.

Tomorrow is Friday! And in less than 31 hours I can get my hands on Deathly Hallows! :-)

And, did I mention, I'm going to pick up S like now? So basically life is awesome.

proof again that i'm a worry wart, part gazillion

2007-07-18T19:24:00.000-05:00

I think I've lost my favorite necklace... please, please, please appear. Because I love you, and you aren't any of the places that I thought I had left you.

I'm kind of a nervous wreck right now. Mostly, because S is en route and I'm a worry wart. Duh.

HP progresses well. And to all of the poo-poo-ers of HP out there... well, I won't say anything vulgar, but it's kinda ridiculous. Because HP is great fun. And people who don't like great fun are poo-poo-ers, in my book. Especially if you rip on it and have NEVER READ it, or have only read Sorcerer's Stone or Chamber of Secrets.

feliz cumple marido mio

2007-07-16T15:11:00.001-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY S!!

My hubby's a year older. awwwww....

blah blah

2007-07-16T15:09:00.000-05:00

You have got to love all of the negative adjectives... am I really like this?

Advanced Global Personality Test Results

Extraversion	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Stability	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Orderliness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	60%
Accommodation	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Interdependence	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Intellectual	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Mystical	\|\|\|\|\|\|	23%
Artistic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Religious	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	90%
Hedonism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Materialism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Narcissism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Adventurousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|	23%
Work ethic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Self absorbed	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Conflict seeking	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Need to dominate	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%

Romantic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Avoidant	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Anti-authority	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Wealth	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Dependency	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Change averse	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Cautiousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Individuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Sexuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Peter pan complex	\|\|\|\|	16%
Physical security	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	90%
Physical Fitness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Histrionic	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Paranoia	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Vanity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Hypersensitivity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Indie	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	31%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.

Orderliness results were moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun.

Extraversion results were medium which suggests you are moderately talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting.

trait snapshot:
neat freak, organized, worrying, phobic, fears the unknown, irritable, pessimistic, emotionally sensitive, fears chaos, risk averse, fragile, unadventurous, depressed, frequently second guesses self, likes to fit in, does not like to stand out, perfectionist, hard working, does not like to be alone, clingy, dependent, practical, ordinary, cautious, takes precautions, good at saving money, suspicious, heart over mind, busy, altruistic

it was in my right shoe!

2007-07-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

My little sister is in Canada!

Je, je, "Canadia." I'd like to visit it, some day.

While S's response to B in Canada was, hey did you see the South Park movie (yes, yes I have), mine was, um, from That 70's Show. When the guys decide to go buy beer in Canada and Fez can't find his green card. The culmination of the episode is, after being interrogated by the Mounties repeatedly, they all end up singing "O Canada." Who from band does not know the tune? Let me tell you, that made me laugh pretty hard.

read this

2007-07-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

read this.

I've written about women authors (who AUTHORS just as much as male authors are) before... and c'mon, it's Gloria Steinem!!!

next week is super awesome

2007-07-13T20:59:00.000-05:00

Ah, the week is over.

I am yet again looking forward to enjoying the weekend. Which means, of course, curling up with good ole Harry.

Harry Potter, duh.

No sean malpensados!

I'm so happy because S's birthday is on Monday, and then he will be HERE in the STATES in our HOUSE on THURSDAY! I'll stop capitalizing entire words now. But I am pretty psyched about all that. :-)

good movie, bad construction

2007-07-09T14:55:00.001-05:00

I watched The Queen yesterday. And it was quite excellent. You all should see it, if you haven't. Helen Mirren is awesome.

Also, I hate the construction near my department. They close of the stairs, but then don't do anything in the closed off area. Today they removed the post office box. That angered be a bit - since they removed a different one that wasn't even near the construction a bit ago. Where am I supposed to drop my mail, now?! Everywhere else is a 5-10 minute walk out of my way. Grrrrrrrr.

oh, i was such a youth chorister

2007-07-08T13:49:00.001-05:00

There were some kids in front of me in church this morning. And by kids, I mean maybe between the ages of 8 and 11. They were adorable.

So when I was walking to church this morning I ran into someone from work. This person was saying, well yes we all need [breakfast food], and when I said I was going to church, they looked at me like I was crazy. Then I felt the need to justify the fact that I was going to church because I do, not because something makes me. It was odd. I don't owe this person an explanation. Yeah, odd.

I had a hard time paying attention during the sermon. Whoops.

I realized that I am not really as far south as some people act like we are. At Easter, at a good Southern church, the whole congregation sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus with good diction, in four part harmony, and without singing in the rests. I contrast that with this morning, when for the recessional we sang the words to a hymn with a different tune than that written. This was noted in the program. It was a fairly well-known tune (like, people should have been able to sing it without it in front of them). Alas, it was not to be. I was definitely the only person in my quarter or so of the congregation singing, and everyone else was very confused. Puf. We need some church music education, people. I felt like I was in the choir again - trying to gently lead everyone else along.

On a different note - last night was awesome. Relatives stopped by on their way to a different vacation destination - we ordered in pizza and sat around chatting. It was great. They are awesome. In fact, it made my weekend. Woohoo!

Saturday might be my favorite day of the week

2007-07-07T11:51:00.000-05:00

Saturdays are just wonderful days. I understand why 9-5 people enjoy them and look forward to them so much.

To be honest, this summer I'm really an 8:15 to anytime between 1 and 4, depending on the day. Wednesday totally felt like a Saturday to me.

S is coming! So I'm super excited about that. I'm also super excited that some relatives are driving through and I'll get to see them tonight (hence the cleaning frenzy).

I've also been going through my reading lists... though as I have been sifting through the library books that have taken over my dining table, in the hopes of reducing them to a manageable order or meaning, I've found a few that I think I can return. And a few that, bar a few chapters, I can also return. Though I keep thinking - what if I need them again? Well, um, that is what the library is for, right? Taking books out again?

I'm also slowly coming to grips with the fact that I don't need to keep all the clothes I have. I have some clothes that I don't think I've worn in the last 4 years, but I don't want to get rid of them because, well, I might want to wear them again. This is of course totally ignoring that I really don't have any intention to wear them, and I would much rather just buy new clothing, but I am restraining myself because I don't have anywhere to store new clothing. So, I think when I move in August, it will also be a, I never wear this, so it's going out to Goodwill binge. Unless it's not.

A side product of my going through the books (are on the table, table, table... sorry, I couldn't resist), I've remembered how many truly awesome books are on my PhD reading lists and how I am really looking forward to reading them. Like, dorkily so. But then I have all of the other books that I'm also reading at the same time - I've lapsed back into my keeping several books going at the same time - though I suppose it was more odd that I was only reading 1 book at a time for a few months. I just can't decide what to pick up next, so I start a few at once. However, by mid next week I need to be starting Potter mania or I won't get through all 6 before 7 comes out. (yes, perhaps I'm being ridiculous in leaving myself only about 10 days to get through them all, but really, they go quickly. I probably could start the week of. But S is getting here that week, so I'm giving myself a cushion).

Well... the seductive call of the clothes piled on my bed waiting for storage is quite effective...

July 4

2007-07-04T12:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Independence Day.

My favorite Independence Day was actually one that I spent in Chile - I put US Flags all over the house, taught S the national anthem, and tried to find uniquely "American" food - which ended up being blueberry muffins (box mix!) and twice baked potatoes (which everyone thought were quite odd at first). Cheddar cheese. Yum.

However, this Independence Day is just, um, kinda depressing. Like last year, when all I did (since I'm by myself) was make a fruit pizza with strawberries and blueberries. But this year is worse, because my country has been, um, flushed down the toilet. At least, her better parts. Which is part of why I totally agree with Keith Olbermann's Special Comment - I don't watch TV in the US, but I certainly read the papers.

Bush, Cheney should resign

“I didn’t vote for him,” an American once said, “But he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.”

That—on this eve of the 4th of July—is the essence of this democracy, in 17 words. And that is what President Bush threw away yesterday in commuting the sentence of Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

The man who said those 17 words—improbably enough—was the actor John Wayne. And Wayne, an ultra-conservative, said them, when he learned of the hair’s-breadth election of John F. Kennedy instead of his personal favorite, Richard Nixon in 1960.

“I didn’t vote for him but he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.”

The sentiment was doubtlessly expressed earlier, but there is something especially appropriate about hearing it, now, in Wayne’s voice: The crisp matter-of-fact acknowledgement that we have survived, even though for nearly two centuries now, our Commander-in-Chief has also served, simultaneously, as the head of one political party and often the scourge of all others.

We as citizens must, at some point, ignore a president’s partisanship. Not that we may prosper as a nation, not that we may achieve, not that we may lead the world—but merely that we may function.

But just as essential to the seventeen words of John Wayne, is an implicit trust—a sacred trust: That the president for whom so many did not vote, can in turn suspend his political self long enough, and for matters imperative enough, to conduct himself solely for the benefit of the entire Republic.

Our generation’s willingness to state “we didn’t vote for him, but he’s our president, and we hope he does a good job,” was tested in the crucible of history, and earlier than most.

And in circumstances more tragic and threatening. And we did that with which history tasked us.

We enveloped our President in 2001.And those who did not believe he should have been elected—indeed those who did not believe he had been elected—willingly lowered their voices and assented to the sacred oath of non-partisanship.

And George W. Bush took our assent, and re-configured it, and honed it, and shaped it to a razor-sharp point and stabbed this nation in the back with it.

Were there any remaining lingering doubt otherwise, or any remaining lingering hope, it ended yesterday when Mr. Bush commuted the prison sentence of one of his own staffers.

Did so even before the appeals process was complete; did so without as much as a courtesy consultation with the Department of Justice; did so despite what James Madison—at the Constitutional Convention—said about impeaching any president who pardoned or sheltered those who had committed crimes “advised by” that president; did so without the slightest concern that even the most detached of citizens must look at the chain of events and wonder: To what degree was Mr. Libby told: break the law however you wish—the President will keep you out of prison?

In that moment, Mr. Bush, you broke that fundamental com-pact between yourself and the majority of this nation’s citizens—the ones who did not cast votes for you. In that moment, Mr. Bush, you ceased to be the President of the United States. In that moment, Mr. Bush, you became merely the President of a rabid and irresponsible corner of the Republican Party. And this is too important a time, Sir, to have a commander-in-chief who puts party over nation.

This has been, of course, the gathering legacy of this Administration. Few of its decisions have escaped the stain of politics. The extraordinary Karl Rove has spoken of “a permanent Republican majority,” as if such a thing—or a permanent Democratic majority—is not antithetical to that upon which rests: our country, our history, our revolution, our freedoms.

Yet our Democracy has survived shrewder men than Karl Rove. And it has survived the frequent stain of politics upon the fabric of government. But this administration, with ever-increasing insistence and almost theocratic zealotry, has turned that stain into a massive oil spill.

The protection of the environment is turned over to those of one political party, who will financially benefit from the rape of the environment. The protections of the Constitution are turned over to those of one political party, who believe those protections unnecessary and extravagant and quaint.

The enforcement of the laws is turned over to those of one political party, who will swear beforehand that they will not enforce those laws. The choice between war and peace is turned over to those of one political party, who stand to gain vast wealth by ensuring that there is never peace, but only war.

And now, when just one cooked book gets corrected by an honest auditor, when just one trampling of the inherent and inviolable fairness of government is rejected by an impartial judge, when just one wild-eyed partisan is stopped by the figure of blind justice, this President decides that he, and not the law, must prevail.

I accuse you, Mr. Bush, of lying this country into war.

I accuse you of fabricating in the minds of your own people, a false implied link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11.

I accuse you of firing the generals who told you that the plans for Iraq were disastrously insufficient.

I accuse you of causing in Iraq the needless deaths of 3,586 of our brothers and sons, and sisters and daughters, and friends and neighbors.

I accuse you of subverting the Constitution, not in some misguided but sincerely-motivated struggle to combat terrorists, but to stifle dissent.

I accuse you of fomenting fear among your own people, of creating the very terror you claim to have fought.

I accuse you of exploiting that unreasoning fear, the natural fear of your own people who just want to live their lives in peace, as a political tool to slander your critics and libel your opponents.

I accuse you of handing part of this Republic over to a Vice President who is without conscience, and letting him run roughshod over it.

And I accuse you now, Mr. Bush, of giving, through that Vice President, carte blanche to Mr. Libby, to help defame Ambassador Joseph Wilson by any means necessary, to lie to Grand Juries and Special Counsel and before a court, in order to protect the mechanisms and particulars of that defamation, with your guarantee that Libby would never see prison, and, in so doing, as Ambassador Wilson himself phrased it here last night, of becoming an accessory to the obstruction of justice.

When President Nixon ordered the firing of the Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox during the infamous “Saturday Night Massacre” on October 20th, 1973, Cox initially responded tersely, and ominously.

“Whether ours shall be a government of laws and not of men, is now for Congress, and ultimately, the American people.”

President Nixon did not understand how he had crystallized the issue of Watergate for the American people.

It had been about the obscure meaning behind an attempt to break in to a rival party’s headquarters; and the labyrinthine effort to cover-up that break-in and the related crimes.

And in one night, Nixon transformed it.

Watergate—instantaneously—became a simpler issue: a President overruling the inexorable march of the law of insisting—in a way that resonated viscerally with millions who had not previously understood - that he was the law.

Not the Constitution. Not the Congress. Not the Courts. Just him.

Just - Mr. Bush - as you did, yesterday.

The twists and turns of Plame-Gate, of your precise and intricate lies that sent us into this bottomless pit of Iraq; your lies upon the lies to discredit Joe Wilson; your lies upon the lies upon the lies to throw the sand at the “referee” of Prosecutor Fitzgerald’s analogy. These are complex and often painful to follow, and too much, perhaps, for the average citizen.

But when other citizens render a verdict against your man, Mr. Bush—and then you spit in the faces of those jurors and that judge and the judges who were yet to hear the appeal—the average citizen understands that, Sir.

It’s the fixed ballgame and the rigged casino and the pre-arranged lottery all rolled into one—and it stinks. And they know it.

Nixon’s mistake, the last and most fatal of them, the firing of Archibald Cox, was enough to cost him the presidency. And in the end, even Richard Nixon could say he could not put this nation through an impeachment.

It was far too late for it to matter then, but as the decades unfold, that single final gesture of non-partisanship, of acknowledged responsibility not to self, not to party, not to “base,” but to country, echoes loudly into history. Even Richard Nixon knew it was time to resign

Would that you could say that, Mr. Bush. And that you could say it for Mr. Cheney. You both crossed the Rubicon yesterday. Which one of you chose the route, no longer matters. Which is the ventriloquist, and which the dummy, is irrelevant.

But that you have twisted the machinery of government into nothing more than a tawdry machine of politics, is the only fact that remains relevant.

It is nearly July 4th, Mr. Bush, the commemoration of the moment we Americans decided that rather than live under a King who made up the laws, or erased them, or ignored them—or commuted the sentences of those rightly convicted under them—we would force our independence, and regain our sacred freedoms.

We of this time—and our leaders in Congress, of both parties—must now live up to those standards which echo through our history: Pressure, negotiate, impeach—get you, Mr. Bush, and Mr. Cheney, two men who are now perilous to our Democracy, away from its helm.

For you, Mr. Bush, and for Mr. Cheney, there is a lesser task. You need merely achieve a very low threshold indeed. Display just that iota of patriotism which Richard Nixon showed, on August 9th, 1974.

Resign.

And give us someone—anyone—about whom all of us might yet be able to quote John Wayne, and say, “I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.”

This is so wrong

2007-07-02T15:11:00.000-05:00

Rate Schedule

Oh, new immigration fee rates. Because it wasn't expensive enough as it was. They go into effect July 30. Just an example - a Relative petition fee will go from $190 to $355. That is an 87% increase. Puf.

gorgeous

2007-07-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

Today is a marvelously beautiful day! It's July and I have my windows open with a fan bringing fresh air into the apartment. It's quite delightful.

And something else quite delightful? That Emma Watson (who plays Hermione in the HP movies) is a feminist. Huzzah :-)

musings on government and july

2007-07-01T14:58:00.000-05:00

Hey, at least the press is calling the Bush Administration on their, um, crap. From the New York Times:

Last week, in a bit of especially mendacious spin, Tony Fratto, the White House deputy press secretary, responded to the subpoenas on the illegal wiretapping by saying, “It’s unfortunate that Congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”

Actually, Mr. Bush chose that route long ago by defining consultation as a chance for lawmakers to hear about decisions he had already made, bipartisanship as a chance for Democrats to join Republicans in rubber-stamping those choices and Congressional oversight as self-serving and possibly seditious. At this point, confrontation is far preferable to the path the Republican majority in Congress chose for so many years — capitulation.

So true, so true. Now if only the Democratic Congress would actually, like, take action.

And since it is July 1 - today in church they carried in the flag and everything, and the recessional was "My country 'tis of thee." I realized, we only ever sang the first verse at school. It doesn't really get religious until verse four. But I was thinking, how odd it must feel for a non-American citizen to go to church this weekend, only to be surrounded by people singing national songs. In Chile near September 18th they didn't sing patriotic songs in church. That said, I did like singing it because it just felt right. But that doesn't mean that it would feel right for everyone. Thoughts?

My country tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died!
Land of the Pilgrim's pride!
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love.
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture fills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song.
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our father's God to, Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!

Some blog posts on the topic here and here.

Dueling covers

2007-06-30T12:22:00.000-05:00

I love going to the library!

I went to the Public Library this morning to return a book I had checked out... and promptly checked out a bunch more. Good fun, good fun.

Informal poll: which cover of Ines del alma mia do you think is cooler?

Editorial Sudamericana edition:

Rayo edition:

I think the Sudamericana cover suits the novel more than the Rayo one... but who knows. Give me an opinion! Leave me a comment!

Vamos chilenos!!

2007-06-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

It was totally a miracle - but CHILE WON 3-2 against Ecuador. I got to watch it on Univision's online watch the games as if they were on TV feature, which was pretty cool. And I'm all about jumping up and down and screaming in my apartment when Chile scores, or Ecuador scored (grrrr), or anything really happens. My neighbors must think I'm nuts.

Loosely translated from EMOL.com [side note - part of why I sometimes find it really difficult to follow Chilean sports is that no one ever explains anything, everyone has nicknames or goes by a different name and is never clearly identified... which is totally evident in the write up. Original at the end.]:

SANTIAGO. - Chile's reaction was great, as is rarely seen in a National Team. Until 79' we were losing 2-1 to Ecuador, but Suazo stepped up followed by Carlos Villanueva to give Chile the win in their Copa América debut.

Chile's first half was terrible. Without spark, with no clarity, without coordination within the group, they succumbed to the speed and extended play of Luis Fernando Suarez's team.

Luis Valencia opened the scoring at the 15 minute mark, but Suazo scored a tying goal at the 20 minute mark. Ecuador took the lead again with a goal from Christian Benitez (23')

In the second half, Acosta modified his system twice to Chile's benefit, manifested by Suazo's second goal (79') and Villanueva (86'), which gave the victory to Acosta's team (CHILE!).

Chile logró una hazaña en Venezuela y se llevó los primeros tres puntos

Miércoles 27 de Junio de 2007 - 20:42 hrs
El Mercurio Online.

SANTIAGO.- Una gran reacción la de Chile. Como pocas veces visto en una selección nacional. Hasta el minuto 78 caía 2-1 ante Ecuador, pero apareció Suazo y luego Carlos Villanueva para darle el triunfo a Chile en su debut en la Copa América.

El primer tiempo fue horrible para Chile. Sin chispa, con poca clñaridad, sin juego de conjunto sucumbieron ante la rapidez y el juego largo de los de Luis Fernando Suárez.

Abrió la cuenta Luis Valencia a los 15', pero empató Suazo a los 20'. Ecuadro volvió a ponerse arriba con tanto de Christian Benitez a los 23'.

En el segundo tiempo Acosta modificó dos veces el esquema y los cambios le dierosn resultado Suazo a los 79' y Villanueva a los 86' le dieron la victoria a los de Acosta. Original article

Fun with 19th century British Literature

2007-06-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

Because everyone knows that I love it. I ADORE Jane Austen - which is probably part of why I thought this article by Rebecca Traister was pretty nifty. I'm also pretty fond of the Bronte sisters, and I like me some George Eliot (hmm the women novelists, they're pretty cool). Thomas Hardy, anyone?

From reading random things online, I feel like my taste in Austen is somewhat amusing in that my favorite of her novels are Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. I suppose my ranking order, even though I enjoy all of them, would be:

1. Northanger Abbey
1. Persuasion
3. Mansfield Park
4. Emma
5. Sense and Sensibility
6. Pride and Prejudice

Which ones have been made into (usually missing the social aspects and humor of the novels) movies? Not my favorites. And Northanger Abbey would be hilarious. Just imagine Catherine's misconceptions about the Abbey and the Tilneys. And Bath, oh Bath.

This is making me want to read The Madwoman in the Attic. Or to re-read Middlemarch. Though I admit, all of these novels are somehow associated with autumn for me. Autumn is my favorite season, after all, but there is something that makes me think of the moor and autumn. I think it was my multiple readings of The Secret Garden as a child and not really knowing what a moor was (and no, I'm not talking about the Muslim conquest of Spain).

Anyways, if anyone has read this far - what is your favorite Austen novel? Favorite 19th century British novel? Middlemarch? Jane Eyre? Wuthering Heights? Tess of the D'Urbervilles? I want to know!!

The Freedom of Information Act, Chile, and the CIA

2007-06-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

Who hasn't heard about the Family Jewels? OK, I'm a news junkie. Nonetheless, it's kinda frustrating that the CIA releases this 702 page document without any cohesive contents index. Typical but frustrating.

You know what else was frustrating? Last night, it caught my fancy to search for CIA documents relating to Chile in the 1970's. I had read some of them before when I wrote a paper on the CIA's involvement of Pinochet's coup. There are a lot more now (evidentally bunches were released in 2004). But... there are a lot of things blacked out. Pages missing. And to be honest, I would love to know their actual standards for not releasing that information. Particularly because, based on the context of the document, it might be morally damning but I can't think of a reason vital to national security to keep it hidden. Even given the bits and pieces that are available, it's pretty darn depressing. Have fun exploring at the CIA's FOIA site. It's oddly fascinating, even if you aren't a historian - as a citizen, resident, person, it's important to know these things. And to see what they are still keeping secret.

Ugh. Double, no, triple ugh.

2007-06-25T17:02:00.001-05:00

Oh, how I dislike the current Supreme Court. It's only redeeming feature this term (that comes to mind off the top of my head) are the dissents. Particularly when delivered from the bench by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Because she's still one of my heroes.

Can someone explain to me how the campaign finance stuff as an "endorsement" of free speech while simultaneously restricting student speech? Ah, I remember. Because students don't give money to Republicans. And they are taxed without representation - at least until they turn 18. Ugh.

There are some days when I just want to pull my hair out while listening to the news.

(The NYT doesn't like the rulings, either.)

pink and pretty

2007-06-24T13:42:00.000-05:00

I sometimes forget how quickly I read in English, particularly my beloved fantasy novels. This is not to say that I don't read relatively quickly in Spanish, but it's not the same. I've torn through 5 books in the last 2.5 days. That said, I haven't done much of anything else. But still.

We have some possibly good news from immigration people meaning that I would get to see S in July. Everyone else says it is good news, while I just think of the ways the government might have fudged the truth to get my hopes up. I'm trying not to be too negative, or positive either for that matter.

My new cell phone is here! It is pretty. And pink. And most importantly, in one piece.

My current approach to literary criticism, that is, what I do

2007-06-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

Every text I read, I read as an individual with a history, aesthetic likes and dislikes, and generic preferences. When I finish the text, I analyze my reactions. If I liked it, I note a few details that might explain why (for example, strong feminist themes and decent mechanics in writing), and usually don’t pursue it beyond that, unless larger themes develop, usually in tandem with another text that I liked. However, the texts I don’t like are almost more academically challenging or interesting, because I force myself to think WHY I don’t like them – it is a lot easier to enumerate the things I don’t like about a text that I have a tepid reaction to as opposed to a text that I adore. By this logic, I should study modern poetry. I have more to say about it. But I care about the things I like to read. And there is where I can connect themes. Random novels that share historical figures; views of a specific urban space in the last 15 years in fiction; the mechanics of narrative, between novel and short story; film adaptations, or stories that mirror films that the author has seen/acted in/directed/studied.

My father, while musing upon his own experience in graduate school in (a different foreign language), said something to the effect that success in literature in academia is more learning the crazy theory than actually ruminating on the texts at hand. I certainly felt that way in my lit classes when I studied abroad as an undergraduate. These students, who studied literature and nothing else (there is no equivalent for “area requirements” or a general liberal arts education there) had such a specialized jargon, and in my second language, that I felt intimidated at first. I read Theodor Adorno in translation – in my second language. But when it came time to leave the theory, after the first few weeks, and talk about the actual texts, my native speaker classmates were lost, and only parroted back theory that had no application to the text at hand. Now, I admit that I use Scarry’s Body in Pain, Foucault, etc. when it actually has an application to the theme that I am exploring. It is hard to talk about urban spaces in narrative as space and aesthetic without reading about urban planning theory. I can’t talk about Colonial or Viceregal anything without a historical background, both from contemporary texts to particular events and current scholarship. But to treat a text as if its only importance is the way we can apply Foucault or Butler or Derrida destroys the text as an entity in and of itself, in my opinion. A text is valuable for itself, just as as individuals we are worth a great deal. To limit the interpretation of a text, or contacts it might have with other texts or fields, to one narrow theoretical outlook does not only the text a disservice but also the theory upon which the criticism is based.

It’s like the New Yorker Cartoon with the punchline: “And just how do you expect to become a made man, son, without a solid liberal-arts education?” While specialization is important in my field, you have to keep the bigger picture in mind. And in my own studies, the texts themselves are infinitely more important that the theoretical approach I employ.

work and npr shows

2007-06-19T17:14:00.000-05:00

I keep thinking of writing things and then I get distracted - by S, by work, by being in pain, by the heat...

Last weekend felt luxuriously long. Unproductive in some ways, but long. I spent all day Saturday setting my living room set up so that there would be space for the couch that I was getting on Sunday. And getting the couch... was a process. I was exhausted. And then that evening, as I was going to sleep, my cell phone broke in half. IN HALF. 2 pieces. It wasn't my best day, by a stretch.

I'm used to teaching again. What I'm not used to, and doubt that I ever will be, is getting up early. I am finding it much more difficult this week than it was last week. But the group is a good one, and I like teaching things.

I bought some more work clothes last week and they arrived today - though much to my dismay, one of the tops has enormous arm holes. I don't understand how a body can be built for this size that requires arm holes that big. Unless you are an XS or S and have gigantic breasts or shoulders (though not both, the cut wouldn't work there), then this wouldn't fit you. Which is really too bad, because if it would fit, it is pretty cute. Alas, I have way more skirts than tops, and this top was supposed to help me remedy that. Without it, I've acquired a pants, a skirt, and 1 top instead of 2. Whoops. So I'll just keep looking.

A very random thought, since all of the other interesting things I have been thinking about and meaning to post have since escaped me - someone at Marketplace really likes the Mexican band Maná, because bits of their songs keep getting put between stories. It's rather recent. I also find it rather random. But perhaps it is because I actually know the rest of the song.

it's been a week...

2007-06-14T22:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Flag Day. Because no one knew that today was Flag Day.

Class goes well. It's exhausting but quite rewarding so far. However, I am definitely looking forward to the weekend, and sleeping past 7 AM. Have I mentioned that I'm not a morning person?

The only thing I have really done besides preps has been cook. My house is still a disaster from when I unpacked... must take care of that at some point...

I was almost freaking out earlier because I need to get a piece of furniture that I purchased, but had no way of transporting to my house. Church saved the day! I emailed one of the pastors and he sent out a call for help, and someone responded. Yay!

I have a few scholarly ideas floating around my head... if I can get my work space straightened up at all, I might even dive in to them. And no, parents, they do not involve translating anything. Sorry there.

1 more day until the weekend... and I don't usually even count them!

On the verge of collapse...

2007-06-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

The title is a bit of an exaggeration, but I am absolutely exhausted.

I haven't quite settled into a routine yet, but I'm getting there - and I was definitely tired and irritable today. Whoops.

I made the dough for sopaipillas, but I used zucchini squash so it is not the right color. I haven't fried the dough yet, though, because I only really like to eat them hot, and I'm not really hungry right now. I didn't even make too much of a mess. So that was exciting.

I miss my husband a lot. This whole distance thing, um, still sucks. In case anyone was wondering.

Una canción de amor

2007-06-10T12:14:00.000-05:00

When S and I got married, the "procession" song was in Spanish - and almost all of S's relatives got all emotional, but my family didn't understand a word of it. Well, here it is. And I even translated it. So enjoy.

Hace mucho no sentía
lo que siento en este día
no puedo explicarme nada
solo tengo tu mirada
aquí clavada entre mis ojos
solo tengo un raro antojo
de extrañarte cada día
y ser parte de tus días

Yo no puedo hablarte nada
lo único que hago es mirarte
una que otra carcajada
no controlo mis palabras
y cuando voy a buscarte
mis latidos se aceleran
amor con la luna llena
solo quiero regalarte

Una canción de amor
de la penumbra siento que nace una luz
siento tus manos y presiento
que eres tu que estás muy cerca
no puedo creer que tu amor abrió mi puerta.

Solo quiero terminar
esta corta melodía
explicándote en mis días
mis deseos de quererte
de poder volver a verte
de engreírte tiernamente
cada minuto del día
y cantarte eternamente...

Una canción de amor
de la penumbra siento que nace una luz
siento tus manos y presiento
que eres tu que estás muy cerca
no puedo creer que tu amor abrió mi puerta.

***

It has been a long time since I felt
What I feel this day
I cannot explain it
I only have your gaze
Focused between my eyes
I only have an odd craving
To miss you every day
And to be part of your days

I can’t say anything to you
The only thing I do is look at you
One or another laugh
I don’t control my words
And when I go to pick you up
My heart-beat races
Love with the full moon
I just want to give you

A love song
From the shadows I feel that a light is born
I feel your hands and I know
That it is you and you are close
I can’t believe that your love opened the door

I just want to finish
This short melody
Explaining to you in my days
My desire to love you
To be able to see you again
To spoil you tenderly
Every minute of the day
And to sing to you forever…

A love song
From the shadows I feel that a light is born
I feel your hands and I know
That it is you and you are close
I can’t believe that your love opened the door

!!!

2007-06-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

Soda Stereo is coming back!

In the end we didn't get to go see Gustavo Cerati in May because I was, um, indisposed. That is, hacking away in bed and unable to hear out of one ear. But this makes me super duper happy. As S said: "about soda TENEMOS QUE IR A VERLOS when we have the chance." We have to go see them. They'll be touring South America in November and December. I just hope the timing works out! That would be SO COOL!!!!!!

In the meanwhile... I'm roasting like a chicken in my A/C lacking in the window apartment. My bedroom is cooler but I don't want to go in there for fear of making it warmer. I'm convinced it's about the same temperature inside AND outside. This sucks.

ugh.

2007-06-08T18:58:00.000-05:00

So I'm back in the US. And it is miserably hot, my mail hasn't been delivered, my air conditioning unit is not in the window, and my ISP double charged me for last month's bill. Ah, bureaucracy sucks as much in the US as it does in Chile.

I miss my husband bunches.

Also, the TSA managed to break the zipper on a brand new bag. How do I know this? It was fine in Miami. But when I picked it up at my destination airport, the zipper on one side wouldn't open, and inside I found a TSA search announcement. ALWAYS one of my bags gets searched. But they managed to break the zipper. Ugh.

I miss the hubby.

Out and about around the city

2007-06-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

Sadly my vacation is almost over. I have to head back to the Northern Hemisphere tomorrow, which kind of isn't so fun. I would much rather be here staying in bed until noon, playing video games until the middle of the night with my husband and sister-in-law, cooking occasionally, paseando at the mall, meeting my suegra for coffee at the grocery store, etc etc. The last few days, what with being recovered and all, I have ventured out an about in the city. Out and about meaning that I have gone to lunch at Mari's, we had once to celebrate Abuelita's birthday, I met a friend from college at church and we had lunch at the house and chatted quite a bit, had lunch and once with Lizette and her family, etc, etc. Today is a day at home, Telefonica finally showed up (I'm sitting in the living room! With the laptop! And connected to the Internet!) and now we have internet for the laptop, but the old computie is too old and won't connect to the new modem.

My experiences with Transantiago haven't been horrible at all. Certainly no worse than with the old micros amarillas. The only complication we have really had was when my friend had to take the micro home, we had to wait 30 minutes for the troncal to come, and it was totally full. What we didn't know was about 10 seconds after that bus had left, another one with the same route went by, completely empty. I suppose that is one of the problems with the system. But at least for where we live, it isn't too bad, because we still have various options to get places - 3 troncales (longer bus routes), 3 alimentadores (local bus routes), 2 metro stop options once you take the bus (which we had to do in the old system anyways), taxi colectivos, etc. Where the family and my friends live, too, there are options. But I suppose there are parts of the city that suffer. And some people just didn't take into account the flow of passengers - of course there are a gazillion people trying to take public transportation before 8 AM, when they all have to be at work at that time. But it's not as terrible as the press makes it out to be. Which doesn't surprise me, given the press's penchant for blaming the government for everything that might be wrong in the life of every individual and searching out extreme cases as "typical examples." Not that I don't think the press is biased, or anything.

PS They have fewer cars on the Metro on Sundays. And so Sundays are really uncomfortable for travelling. Also, the buses get really full at random times on the weekends. Like 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Who knows why. But I had a seat - I totally empathize with the micro driver who didn't want to stop because no people could fit on the bus. And since people were yelling at him and booing him for not stopping when they wanted to get off at paraderos that were full of people... well, I don't think he was too bad. But then again, I had a seat on the bus. And he stopped for us to get off.

I've had a wonderful time being lazy and hanging out with my husband. What is odd for me is that, at least right now, I am not feeling too sad or upset about having to leave. Regretful, yes, because I have enjoyed being lazy, being here, and being with S. But I don't feel tears in my eyes at the thought of getting on a plane. Perhaps it is because we will see each other again soon. Or maybe I'm just in denial. Either way, it's been a good few weeks for me.

Montañas nevadas

2007-06-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

Just a very quick update - what with it finally having rained, you can see the mountains! They are really close to S's house, after all. And they have snow on them now. They also have trees, which you can now see, because the air is clear and YOU CAN SEE THE CORDILLERA!

This provoked an inordinate amount of pleasure in S and I when we were out and about this afternoon. Chile is such a pretty country, especially when you can see the montañas.

i'm not quite bleeding pesos yet

2007-05-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

I've done some shopping recently. Huzzah for a new pair of boots (and having bought a pair for my mother-in-law as well, which made her quite happy). And for new jeans for S, even though I wanted to pull my hair out while we were shopping... with pants I can never guess what he will or will not like, and all of the different brands have different sizing. Not fun. But in the end we found a nice pair so that is good. Plus, I got a few new books, which always makes me happy. As anyone who knows me would already know.

I really like Yogen Fruz. You can't go wrong with frozen yogurt and fresh fruit, can you? I haven't yet.

Good (movie) times

2007-05-28T19:02:00.000-05:00

Yay for feeling better.

With my in-laws we went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Quite fun. Though I didn't like what ended up happening with Will and Elizabeth but I guess given the circumstances it was the better of two bad options. But it was a fun movie.

It's kind of funny, I only tend to go see movies in theaters when I am down here. It's fun to go with S. Because then we discuss the movies, and we have totally different taste in film so it's kinda cool to see the times we both like things and all. Good times.

if only it would rain from 3 AM to 5 AM

2007-05-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how much more energy a person has when they aren't as sick as they were. Of course, the generic person to whom I am referring is, um, me. But yes, I am getting better! The hearing still isn't totally back, but it's on its way.

I feel woefully out of touch, though. I've only been able to read a few US headlines upon occasion, and even in terms of Chilean news, I have somehow managed to miss most of the news shows. I even managed to miss most of the Presidenta's speech on Monday. Part of that is because I was trying to sleep, and part of it is also because of my weird hearing thing.

This sounds ridiculous, but it would be wonderful if it would rain in the middle of the night tonight. That way, the valle would get some of the pollution ventilated out of it, but the rain itself, given Santiago's horribly not designed for wet weather topography that floods half the city every time it rains more than a few minutes, would be at a time when no one is trying to get anywhere and in a small enough quantity that it wouldn't take forever to drain away. Just a thought.

Santiago is so much neater in the summer.

2007-05-22T10:43:00.000-05:00

Sick watch update: it's more than just a cold. It's a cold + ear infection.

My mother in law made me go to the doctor this morning. It went fine but my ear is definitely not. At least now I have the antibiotics to kill the infection and, hopefully, get better. But, yet again, way for me being sick to get in the way of all the cool things I always want to do when I'm in Santiago. Harumph. At least S doesn't seem to be doing too badly. He's just sniffing a bit. But, then again, so is everyone in the house.

i'm a tissue-using monster

2007-05-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

So I'm still fighting this cold. Definitely not cool. But it's showing signs of relenting - I can sort of hear out of one ear now, I don't cough so much that I can't sleep and I can even taste some food again. I just want it to go away!

However, the still having a cold bit means that I still can't hear right, my eyes water all the time, I go through multiple boxes of tissues a day, I haven't been able to breathe through my nose for the last few days, I am still sleeping badly, S keeps showing signs of getting more sick but then he doesn't, and I generally hate being sick and want it to GO AWAY.

Also in fun news, S kinda sorta maybe broke the computer (the old one, not the new one) on Friday but he fixed it today so yeah. But that was a little unnerving.

I read Eragon yesterday. It was a fun read. Too bad I only sent S the first book in the series.

Here's to me finally kicking this cold, and S not getting it!

Sick, in Chile, AGAIN!

2007-05-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

It only took four days in Chile for me to get sick.

Both S and I caught a cold, probably from one of his cousins. S is dealing with it pretty well. I'm doing better with it today, but yesterday was another story. However, I can't hear things very well, my balance is off, and I can't really talk. But hey, at least this time it wasn't the anti-airsick medicine that made me sick. I just caught a cold. Oh, late fall.

Fun-filled (and kid-filled) weekend

2007-05-14T14:45:00.000-05:00

I love family time.

Since I got here on Friday, we had a whirlwind weekend of good times with little kids. And I am still like, oh, yeah, I'm in Chile. And I don't have any work that I need to do. Which feels very, very odd.

Saturday we went to a birthday party for S's twin cousins, who turned 4. This is the birthday party that last year I was miserably sick at due to the supposed anti-airsick medicine that the doctor prescribed. Whoops. This year was much more interesting. The baby is huge now and says things, and the twins are gigantic, remember my name, and with the cousins in the same age range run wildly everywhere. Somehow, the adults ended up split by gender, with all of the men shivering outside while the women sat inside at the table. Someone thought it would be a good idea to have a barbecue around 9 PM, so they went to buy meat and we had a barbecue, too. The men had their meat outside (I don't know if they even had plates) and had wine and cognac while us women enjoyed our meat on plates with silverware and had tea. It was actually a lot of fun but I especially found it amusing how the genders split. It was also funny because my sister-in-law was the only non married woman at the table and I think she was embarrassed by some of her aunt's jokes. Oh, well. The only downside was that we didn't get home until around 2:30 and the twins and the 5 year old who adores me all thought it was great fun to pile on my lap as if I were a horse. Actually, when the twin who came to lunch yesterday saw me, he came running to give me a hug and ask, horsey? horsey?

I forgot how much I love the food here. My father will be jealous because we had sopaipillas last night at onces but what I didn't tell him was that we had it with... PEBRE. Quite delicious.

I also have been playing a bit of guitar hero, which I had never played before yesterday. That, and LEGO Star Wars, and Mario Bros. games. It's nice to be on vacation.

llegada

2007-05-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

I got to Chile just fine. I wrote stuff to post up here while I was sitting in train stations and airports. However, given that the lappy runs Vista and the modem we have here doesn't have drivers for Vista, it can't get on the internet. And that is quite sad.

But other than that, it's nice to be in Chile. I'm happy. And I'm on vacation!

I'm off to see my husband...

2007-05-09T22:47:00.000-05:00

I'm off to see my husband!

Unfortunately, getting there requires a good 24-26 hours of transit. And most of that will be spent sitting in train stations or airports. You know, if I lived in Miami, it would be a lot easier to go to Santiago. Cheaper fares, and you just hop on the 10 PM plane and get there in the morning. None of this have to leave at 7 AM to get a train to get to the other city that is hours away to wait until your plane leaves at 5:30 to go TO Miami, where you get to take the 10 PM flight. Yeah.

I'm all packed. I don't think I've forgotten anything. I have my wallet this time, thank you. And my passport, and my train ticket, and my itinerary, and my phone, S's laptop, etc... clothes, gifts... I am proud, I am only bringing one suitcase! This is a definite first for me. However, I may end up coming back with 2. We'll see how many books I buy.

I'm really quite pleased about seeing my husband. Imagine that! Home body though I am (we are, really), I'm looking forward to seeing him :-) Despite the fact that as I have said many times, for a woman who travels a lot, I don't travel very well. He's been trying to head off bad moods by saying, try not to be cranky when you get off the plane. At least he's direct and honest about it.

So my goal is to try not to be too cranky, and get to Santiago in one piece. I think I can handle that.

oh, grades

2007-05-08T21:35:00.000-05:00

Grading time.

I just finished giving the final to my students, and I am now grading. Fun.

Thanks to S's new computer I was very entertained during the exam - I watched TV shows streaming from Chile and on DVD. Not bad. And if I hadn't gotten the wireless working, I had Northanger Abbey to read. Who doesn't enjoy reading Jane Austen?

I get to see my husband Friday morning! I am so excited. I have missed him very much and I am looking forward to spending time together. Plus, I get to see friends! Hang out! Play Playstation! Life will be good. As soon as I get through this pile of grading, and assuming that I can, um, de-clutter my apartment before I leave. But that's totally do-able, right?

Just do your own work, please

2007-05-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

Since I left the house before Weekend Edition came on this morning (I know, it's shocking), I just was checking to see if there were any really interesting stories and I stumbled across one about cheating in graduate school. I admit that I find the idea of cheating repulsive and I don't understand why people don't just learn things the normal way rather than having to cut corners. Evidentally, that is a minority view.

Given that over the past three years I have had around 200 students, the chances that at least one of them have cheated are probably pretty high, be it in my own class or in another class they are taking. I couldn't find specific statistics but I thought that ETS's fact sheet was pretty interesting. Some tidbits that I think are worth highlighting are:

Grades, rather than education, have become the major focus of many students.
Research about cheating among college students has shown the following to be the primary reasons for cheating: Campus norm; No honor code; Penalties not severe; Faculty support of academic integrity policies is low; Little chance of being caught; Incidence is higher at larger, less selective institutions.
Additional influencers include: Others doing it; Faculty member doesn't seem to care; Required course; No stated rules or rules are unclear; Heavy workload.
Profile of college students more likely to cheat: Business or Engineering majors; Those whose future plans include business; Men self-report cheating more than woman; Fraternity and Sorority members; Younger students; Students with lower GPA's or those at the very top.
Cheating is seen by many students as a means to a profitable end.

There have been moments that I have suspected misdeeds by students, but I never have had a situation where I was sure beyond a doubt, as has been the case with some instances my colleagues have shared with me. If I see someone cheating, I would turn them in - at the same time, the process at my university can be very tedious, especially for the teachers, and depending on the "severity" of the offense can get the student kicked out of school. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about that.

However, graduate students cheating is ridiculous, especially in the humanities. Most of the high profile cheating of late in the post-graduate area has been in engineering and business - I'd appreciate that the people designing that bridge actually earned their degrees, thank you very much. I guess it is just one of those situations that I see a moral black and white - do not represent another student's work as your own, period - that other people either do not see that way, or do not care about one way or the other. And that, in my mind, is profoundly disturbing.

Modern family values quiz

2007-05-04T20:26:00.000-05:00

Check out this quiz on the reality of modern family life. Quite interesting, isn't it?

I got them all right :-) Though that divorce question was a little tricky.

Progressives have family values, too!

a pilgrim's progress

2007-05-03T19:47:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to a lot of classical music lately. Particularly, I've been listening to a lot of Ralph Vaughan Williams lately. Mostly orchestral stuff, mostly symphonies.

I am totally and completely in love with his Fifth Symphony, particularly the third movement, the Romanza. Seriously, I adore it. If you readers get a chance, you should listen to it. It's great. It's up there with Holst's Jupiter, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, and Vaughan William's own Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis in my favorites. Along with a few Star Wars themes like Anakin's Theme from Episode I and Anakin's Betrayal from Episode III. Yeah that list totally gives away my classical music preferences - though it is totally leaving out some of the cool brass and organ stuff I really like.

I listen to music all the time, and think about it, but as I am trying to express the way I feel about that Symphony (ja, ja, D major? in whose dreams?) I realize that I don't really have to tools to write about music. Perhaps this is something that I will look into this summer. In the meantime, you can find a "guide" to the symphony here and here. I can't find it now, but I was reading about hose the third movement is one of the most passionate pieces that a particular individual had heard, and is in fact Vaughan Williams at his most passionate. I can believe it. And I love every chord.

For more fun, check out the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society.

2007-05-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Extremely Well Traveled in the Midwestern United States (100%)
You Are Well Traveled in the Northeastern United States (57%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Latin America (40%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Southern United States (31%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Western Europe (21%)
You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Canada (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Southern Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the Western United States (0%)

How Well Traveled Are You?

I'm surprised about the Western Europe bit. Though the rest of it is about right... I really need to go somewhere in Latin America that is South of Habana but North of Chile. Ideas, anyone?

Walking down the aisle

2007-05-02T17:15:00.000-05:00

This is a very random meandering but I was thinking about weddings...

When I got married, I didn’t walk down the aisle. I walked down a staircase, where my husband was waiting at the bottom of the staircase accompanied by his parents.

I didn’t come down the staircase by myself. I came down with my parents. Both of them. Mother and Father.

I am who I am because my parents, both of them, raised me. Yes, my Mom stopped working and stayed home after my younger sister was born; she went back to work when I went to college. She chose to stay home. As a feminist, she was able to make that choice, not have it forced upon her. I am convinced that I owe my feminism to her. However, my Dad also helped me become the person I am today. I learned a lot from both of my parents, and I value both of them and love them both dearly. Their marriage is a model for my own. I know a lot of feminists make a big deal about marriage as an institution and marriage ceremonies, in particular the tradition of the father giving away the bride. My parents didn’t “give me away.” I’m still their daughter, and they are still my parents. However, I made the choice to join my life to my husband’s. My parents, supporting me as we walked together, accompanied me to the next step in my life as an adult.

Yes, I have stamp collections from childhood

2007-05-02T09:52:00.000-05:00

Because I'm a dork and had to do some other stuff at the US Postal Service Website, I stumbled upon the Star Wars stamps. You get to vote on which one will be the actual stamp here.

Who doesn't love Star Wars stamps? Fun, and pretty!

A real weekend

2007-04-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

This might be hard to believe, but I didn't do any work at all this weekend. And I was definitely OK with that. This is a good step in my workaholism.

What did I do instead? Read other books, watch a few films (one of which, though it raises a lot of cool conversation topics, is way too sexually explicit to use in the classroom), sit in on the Sunday School class, go to sorority meetings... so it's not like I didn't have anything to do.

I like this actually having a weekend. I could get used to it.

another quiz

2007-04-26T18:50:00.000-05:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Canon issues

2007-04-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

While eeeh I don't study American (i.e. US) literature, I really appreciated this article that proposes that *gasp* women writers shouldn't be in the canon for diversity's sake (and I would extend that argument to other minority group writers as well) but rather, because, well, they're good. Given that I've spent the better part of the past two years reading a bunch of (mostly) dead, (debatably) white men's work, and that one of my exam questions had to do with women in the canon in MY AREA(!!), this really touched close to home. Don't read women because they're women. Read women , or men for that matter, because what they write is worth reading.

Writer's Block, Spring Semester Edition

2007-04-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it.

I have an outline. I have re-read the novel. I have indicated quotes that will support my arguments, combed through secondary materials and possible theoretical frameworks - and have useful quotes pulled out from those, too. Have I mentioned I have an outline!?

And I can't write a sentence that makes any sense.

I have until next Monday. I need 4000 words, more or less. I have it all thought out in my head, it's all up there! I just can't articulate it. I have spent the greater part of today sitting in front of my computer, outline printout on the desk in front of me, and writing, re-writing, and deleting possible ways to begin writing.

I am hoping for a better writing day tomorrow, because today wasn't it. Though my most productive time is the late evening (9 PM and later) so maybe the day won't be a loss. Wait, someone wants me to publish something. That's good. But it's been overshadowed by my complete inability to write anything today.

There are still 4 rational people on the SCOTUS

2007-04-20T14:56:00.000-05:00

My hero of the moment is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Read her dissent on the terrible, horrible, and unjust Supereme Court decision here. I've excerpted some particularly notable passages. All emphases are mine.

Today's decision is alarming. It refuses to take Casey and Stenberg seriously. It tolerates, indeed applauds, federal intervention to ban nationwide a procedure found necessary and proper in certain cases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). It blurs the line, firmly drawn in Casey, between previability and postviability abortions. And, for the first time since Roe, the Court blesses a prohibition with no exception safeguarding a woman's health.

Because, of course, the woman's life (and potential future fertility) is not nearly as important as that of a fetus before or after viability.

Thus, legal challenges to undue restrictions on abortion procedures do not seek to vindicate some generalized notion of privacy; rather, they center on a woman's autonomy to determine her life's course, and thus to enjoy equal citizenship stature.

She also takes down the "medical" evidence that Congress based their law upon, which ignored mainstream medical views and opinions on the issue.

While discussing that "the statute was not designed to protect the lives or health of pregnant women" and the various procedures that Congress did not ban, she notes that

Never mind that the procedures deemed acceptable might put a woman's health at greater risk.

I especially appreciate her pointing out clearly that the Roberts court has ignored the Supreme Court's own precedence, and in their rush to define their own morality, "overrides fundamental rights." Because, of course, women don't really have the same rights as men - because we have to carry children within our own bodies, we and our chosen doctors evidentally don't know enough to make the best decision given each individual's situation.

In sum, the notion that the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act furthers any legitimate governmental interest is, quite simply, irrational. The Court's defense of the statute provides no saving explanation. In candor, the Act, and the Court's defense of it, cannot be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this Court - and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women's lives.

Thank you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. You are currently one of my heroes.

I was infuriated this morning when I heard someone on the Diane Rehm show's Friday News Roundup say that people who oppose the ban are on the "fringes of society." I guess that puts me on the fringe, but the idea that legislators, still a majority of old white men, know better what medical procedures are legitimate and the best choices than women and their doctors, makes me want to wretch. It's almost as frustrating as the possibility of getting a gynecological appointment at the Health Center here. I've been trying for over a month, and they never have anything available. I just want to pull my hair out. Way to help women maintain their reproductive health!

identity musings

2007-04-17T20:20:00.000-05:00

Given how much I love reading, it’s interesting that I don’t really like writing fiction very much, or lyric anything. I’ve been thinking of this because in a class today we were talking about artistic literary creation and the professor has really encouraged us to think of ourselves as writers as opposed to just students who write essays. When I was younger (meaning before college), I wrote stories, poems, and even though about writing several novels. Since I started college, I’ve left that behind. I like writing essays. Maybe one day I’ll write stories again. And I think I have a feeling as to why I prefer essays. It’s not that essays aren’t personal – even relatively dry academic ones say things about their authors – but I like them because they give me an illusion of anonymity. Yes, I write, and in writing I expose myself. But I feel as if non-fiction essays are much less exposing than novels, stories, poems, even though I love reading fiction as well. I’m terrified of the idea that someone might read something I wrote and think it is horrible. Even though I’m pretty straight-forward, I hate the idea of letting strangers read very personal things, because I feel like my imagination says more about me than the essay topics I choose to pursue. The one essay that I’ve written in the past few years that is incredibly personal is one that I wrote that deals with saying goodbye, and I wouldn’t be comfortable knowing that anyone but those closest to me had read it. Part of me wants to be known as a writer as well as an academic, but a larger part wants anonymity. I’m not a diva, nor am I a hero.

In unrelated musings, I find myself worrying about what happened at Tech. It’s kind of silly, because it’s very unlikely that I would have to deal with a similar situation. But every time I heard a door while I was teaching this morning, I worried. I teach on the third floor of a building. The classroom has one table that can move, which isn’t very sturdy. The desks are bolted to the ground and can’t be moved. I don’t know if you can survive a jump from the windows, because you would land in the concrete outside the basement windows, or maybe in the courtyard with grass and trees but you are still exposed to windows in the hallways. I heard about one professor (Liviu Librescu?) who stood in the door to protect his students. I suppose I am selfish, but I don’t think I would be able to do something similar. I care for my students, but I don’t want to die. Does that make me a bad teacher?

a generally not good day for the world

2007-04-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

There has been much said and repeated about the Virginia Tech massacre, and let's just say it is sad. And wow it would be great if people would name the exact school first so that everyone I know doesn't freak out. For example, when Chilean and Argentine press just say "at a university in the US," my husband, in-laws, and friends kinda freaked out. Just a thought.

I took the plunge today. It looks nice, though it gets wavier as the day goes on. I'll figure out how to deal with that.

My mother-in-law got attacked and robbed on her way home from work today. I'm worried, I admit it. She's fine but she's really upset about her stuff and she's shaken, as to be expected. I just worry because S has to walk by the same bridge on his way home. What is the flaites are back? I won't be calm until he is home safely.