..and the process continues...

Well, well, well. Did you all see what happened yesterday? I mean McCain choose a woman Veep. And an Alaskan Governor to boot, at that. Now this is the "shot in the arm" this race needed, something juicy and heartracing event like this makes the idea of looking forward to veep debates and preez debates more...exciting?! We will see...I almost had so much fun with the news yesterday, that I just had to go ...oh yeah,baby!! Obama or McCain, Biden or Palin, not sure but I wanted a woman in that mix in there somewhere. I have a "copla" months to think about it.

OK...next topic. I am going on a diet, low carb diet. Loads of fruits and veggies, strike the white bread, corn, potatoes (fries like chips are potatoes, I was told!), anything with crust and dough, breaded pieces of meat, desserts are OUT but low carb fruits are in, I must have 3x of that each day. Fiber, potassium and a tad bit of sugar (to avoid body sugar lows). My body was telling me it was time to loose some extra weight and salt is mostly the culprit since the food in BsAs are loaded with salt and for a woman my age, I retain everything except information for my brain.! The only consolation to the whole diet I am in is the fact that pasta (tad bit only and 2x a week only!) and butter are allowed. No margarine allowed. Olive oil is good. And balsamic vinegar rather than salt, can be added to make salad dressings. Meats are allowed but not in the evenings. No creamy sauces EVER!! Loads of water and no fruit juices, since Argentina juices are loaded with sugar in various forms. Rice is okay but 2x a week as well and never on the same day I have pastas. No carbonated drinks at night and no more than 2x a week as well. So far I have been on it for 2 days, my energy level is up, I am not lethargic and best of all, I sleep so well at night. I will keep you posted on this cleansing, weight reducing diet of mine. There is no real deprivation of any kind of food here, just management and moderation of things that if I eliminate from my food list I would crave and binge on. Not good, so it is an okay diet, for my body's need and considering my age.

Then...I would love to say nasty things about the "la vereda" that was dug up, some cable lines were run through it, cemented over and then now it is pending completion (uhuh!) on Monday, but....since it is from my ever so adorable Macri doing this, all is well and okay with me. Just do not leave that mess in there for another week, coz I would definitely send you an open letter, know what I mean, fella. Love and respect there!

Well, the weekend is here and I am excited about my diet and my walks and my work. Something good is happening for me in the future, I do not have a clue what it is but, I love being pink and happy today - so there.

See ya another day, 'kay? Take care ya all.

Ciao.

The more you learn..the more you forget....

I like my spanish teacher very much, but this post is not about how great she is but how much I have to memorize in learning a new language.

Oh, I love the spanish classes coz it is one to one but man oh man, the things I have to memorize ...is simply - ALOT! Just when I thought I have the easy ones down, BAM!, another one comes along and I totally black out on what I had just learned..ah..two minutes ago! It is a very humbling experience, I tell you. The decision to take lessons was my own, so I do not seek out someone to blame for my hmmm...difficulties in class right now. I believe in studying effectively and not necessarily studying hard or harder. I read and do exercise for my language class everyday,a nd I sleep with the books, workbooks, my pencil, my notebook, etc.

My brain is just gawd dang lazy now adays...(or for the last 20years). I have a hard time remembering what I had for dinner last night let alone trying to remember and use in sentences the conjugated verb "decir" (to say). Irregular verbs are the pits!

I do not remembering complaining so much when I was taking English classes in grade school, well complaining would not have done me any good anyways with Sr. Maria Paz and Sr. Lydia and the ever present, chair looming at the corner for punishment was enough incentive for me to take the conjugation and tenses as they are told to me. No questions asked.

But now as I am "older" (from grade school, I mean) my brain cells take a longer route to connect and make sense of the things I am reading and comprehending (okay, TRYING to comprehend). But you know, the best part about learning a new language is the part that I get to practice my spanish 101 with the people I meet.

Argentinians (those outside of Buenos Aires) think my accent ( I can only imagine how horrendous I sound) is "raro" and one girl even said "me encanto" to my intonation. I thought that was a barrel of laughs when she said it, but I do not give a care, I love to practice and so far everyone has been kind to correct me when I use the wrong tense or gawd forbid, I use the wrong word - happens alot, jajajaja....

But learning and being able to get the courage to learn something difficult and good, very good for you, gets me enraptured with this feeling of accomplishment. It provides growth both brain and attitude. It makes me see things in perspective. As to how I will fare in class today, let us see, I did my homework, have been reading my notes from the last 5 classes, practiced reading the homework out loud and then have my pen sharpened, I am ready. Bring it on!

Tell you another day what Professora Garcia will say about my performance today.

Oh, btw, I also have to do the "verbos pronominales..better get crakin' at that. Ciao.

Emotions...

It is raining outside. In Buenos Aires it is not uncommon to get a bad weather day now and again even after 5 days straight of "almost like spring" weather during winter time. It was bound to happen...cycle of nature, you know. You have to take the rainy days to enjoy..to fully enjoy, the sunshine filled ones.

Times have been tough between my "R" and myself lately. Adjustment is a constant changing challenge and so far, we are hanging in there. We have a long history and a very good frienship foundation to see us through these rough times. I have confidence that things will work out for the best in the end. I have believed in that since I was a little girl, I just do not know anything else different than believing that you might want to push something one way but if the peg does not fit, find another. I love with everything I have. I get hurt so deeply because of that but to love a man, there is no half-way about it. It takes the whole and everything of one to love another or you are not in love at all. I have lived my life by being true to who I envision myself to be. I do not lie or pretend when things are not in good order. I wear my heart on my sleeve and some people do not like that, but again this is ME, the REAL ME. And like it or not, this is who, what and where I want to be. Never in my life have I been willing to sacrifice the reality of my person. I will not compromise that. I will never live my life to please another person or sacrifice my life for the reassurance of another. I only get one shot at this thing called Lifetime. The plan is to live my life to the fullest of what GOD had given me, so not to waste and disappoint a gift so precious as life that was molded and formed just for me with His love, grace and forgiveness. My gratitude is manifested in making sure that I use all the talents and wisdom I have to make the most of my very short stint in life.

Sadness, anger, fear and gladness are very basic emotions. Regret, I was told is a combination of the first two. And to think that love should be the main steering force in our lives sometimes though like a thief in the night, fear takes over and eventually at the end the result, we get, regret.

I do not wish to lie in my deathbed later in life and wished that I did something differently. Regret is something that is hindsight with a big smack on the forehead. No one can foretell the future, that is true; but if you do something with pure love without stains of fear and sadness, it is as good as guaranteed that you will not regret such a decision.

We get angry and frustrated about people and things in our life we do not have any control over. I am learning that lesson every single day and it is not easy. I can only control me and my reactions, and I do not want be controlled by sadness, fear nor anger. The thought of someone holding my emotions hostage for their reassurance is a sad and tragic event in anyone's life and should never be allowed. We love because we care and we care because we love. There are moments that tough love have to exercised.

I will be alright in the long run no matter what happens with my "R" and I. I hope that being temporarily miserable is a better option than being permanently miserable without each other. Loneliness can still be there even if you are not alone. I only wish "R" happiness. His father would have wanted it that way.

I do not know how my "M" will take such a blow, but it will prove once again that people in our lives come, stay for awhile and leave. Maybe he is right. We have to wait and see.

I will try to hold on as long as I can. My love for "R" will see me through this but something will have to happen to sort this out for the best for everyone. I wish everyone luck on that.

The rain has stopped for a litte bit, it gives us respite. The sun is tryin' to peak past the gray clouds but more rain is in the forecast. Now there is lightining and thunder from a distance, it is not unusual to get a soggy day like today. It washes the dirt off the streets and the leaves look greener from here. It is not all that bad. I cannot wait for that sun shiny day again though.

Do not forget to stay warm and dry. I 'll see you another day.

I will be fine.

Ciao

My vote goes to...

I have voted in the glorious US ofA every single time since I became eligible to do so. I voted for city mayors, council members, replacements for ousted council members, sheriffs, City Attorney, Senators, Representatives both state and federal and on and on and on....Oh I of course voted for several presidential elections in the past, I am honored to be able to exercise such a right. I value it close to my heart. I say that if you do not take the time to vote, you then forfeit the right to complain - and boy, do I love to complain. Think of it this way...if you want to look good (and people might just complement you on your great looks) you take the time to fix yourself. You vote, when things happen that you do not like, you have the right to rag, rant and rave. Simple really. Some people say, what is one vote anyway? And these same people state, that my vote does not count - I am an American Citizen and will wear the honor and distinction proudly. I vote for whom I want and for this alienable right I have no one but me to influence whose name I write on that (okay..to chad ) ballot. Now that I have said that, I am in a quandry as to whose name to write on that ballot...Obama or McCain?

I am a confessed Democrat. I align my political affiliation with the personal principles I have. I do not have the qualities prevalent and evident in Republicans. That does not mean I NEVER voted for a Republican - because I have. Local elections are not divided by party line but one tend to know which party the candidates are alighed with, you know. I would like to think that the political party comes in second to being an American and I vote for the best American for the job. I will try to do that again this coming November 2008.

There are certain things that happened this year in the Democratic Party (campaign and convention) that I did not like and cared for. I am disillusioned about what this Presidential election will turn out to be. The next US President will heal the nation after the wars, pain and agony of everyone red, white and blue citizen of the US of A, especially after the 9-11. There are droves of people and family who will never heal their wounds but at least hope for a President who cares and listens to the right people will take us out of the war and strive to better the economy because by golly, I might be in Argentina and deep in the trenches but the dollar is what we live on, and lately it just has not been good. I do not want it to be the same as before (do not like lingering in the past) but at least better the present circumstances of the economy and financial world we live (or try) in.

So,there is McCain, the Republican and all that being a Republican entails and then there is Obama, the Democrat that is supposed to defeat McCain and all the Republican's Glory and Pride it represents. I do not know who will get my vote. I know 2 other people in this family that will vote for (at least I think I know) one who will vote for Obama and the other one who will vote for anyone but Obama. Where does that leave me? I have read and heard (some) of the usual spiel, rhetoric, lies, blah-blah-blah of each party, but still NOTHING for me. This election lacks the excitement that I had once felt when I voted for previous Presidential elections. The choices are so limited and neither one I really want to vote for. Do I choose the lesser evil of the two? But how do I really know? Both are putting on their best faces. Do I go for the Political Party choice? Do I just take a dart and see whose name it lands on and vote for that person? Never done this in the past, but there is always a first time, they say. There has to be a better elimination/selection process than that, but so far it is just - BLEH for me or maybe more of an MEH (shrug shoulder included) feeling. It lacks excitement adn enthusiasm on my part and the last time I felt this, the Republican won

I do not like the braggadocious character that Obama has take since Hillary C. (was my choice, to be honest) is no longer on the picture. McCain, well I do not really know what he is talking about most of the time, but I guess it is more of the same promises to all of us just to get him voted in to office and then for the next 4 more years, more of the same pain and heartache because of the state of the country and the money affairs. I used to feel all the gaga about an important event like this. Not this time.

Now, let me tell you what I am willing to do, should Obama be able to talk Hillary C. (did I tell you she was my Prez choice) and get her to agree to be his Veep, he gets my vote. Hands down, no questions asked. Done, sealed (even Kissed) and delivered.

I know he would have no time to read this blog of mine (jajajajaja) but you try to think about it and think about some more. Imagine the Democratic "POW" power of that. I am sure Hill (my own nickname for her) can be cajouled and convinced to take the post (just thinking about such a ticket sent a jolt through me). I am thinking maybe not though - I think Hill will wait until 2012 and give this Prez run another go. I like the thought THIS Clinton woman behind that desk at the Oval Office.

And if Obama doesn't get her- he doesn't get my vote. There I said it.

Well, hold on, a minute, I am not sure McCain will it be for me, but I wonder if that Nader guy is running again. I should check out his website...will advise.

Go out and VOTE, you cannot afford not to.

See you at the polls.

Another day....

Is it okay to look?

It is very nice and sunny outside (though frisky and crisp cold air abound) for a winter's day. Mind you, it is August, not some Christmas months like November or December, in Argentina when they have winter during opposite North Hemisphere's summer. So lately, when it gets really cold inside that means I have to turn on the heater and make sure that the receptable that collects the drippings of the said AC/Heater is properly collected in a bucket outside in the balcony. Okay, sometimes I forget to check it, shoot me! But today, I didn't. I stepped outside the balcony and as the rays of the sun hits my right arm, it felt nice and warm..hmmm...so unusual to have this kind day in winter but anyhoo...I head towards the south portion of the balcony just a few steps from the access door and checked the blue bucket under the AC/heater fan unit. Bucket is all good, almost empty so I'm set. I always linger a bit and as I looked to the west of me, across the street, where some more apartment units are and I see more the same balconies facing mine. Being on the 5th floor it gives me a birds eyeview of a lot of things. I like it up here. So I was scanning the street directly below me and I saw a few people here and there that I recognize, but did not holler for it is rude to do so. I looked to my right and saw that my neighbor still has their (a couple) roller window down. And to my left, it is the same pretty much. Directly across me is a creature unknown to me (some weird/odd dude) who loves to step out into his balcony with just his drawers on - always orange in color; no shirt or anything just underwear - not sure what that is all about but I will need to post something about that should something else untoward happen when he is out there, albeit summer or winter, when this guy feels like having it all hang out there (haha) - he steps out into his balcony with his boxer (breed of his dog) and him in his orange drawers and pace back and forth. Ok, so I looked. Is it bad to look? He can do this inside his house, why does he do it outside then? So those of us who have eyes, look, no?

Now right infront of my unit across the street is a lady I know and she is very nice and very friendly, to me at least. Not sure why that is but people have told me, that she is nicer to me than to anyone they think she knows. Well, I like the canaries, she feeds and her husband is nice man, and the plants in her balcony are very homey. I like her.

Now, we get to the part where I dare ask myself, if it is okay to look and look longer than just a glance when you think the person in question wants and begs to be seen? Let me put it this way, a voyeur looks and looks to see and watch when the person they are looking at does not see them. What about if the person being watched wants to be watched and be seen, is it still ok to look then? Let me tell you about this young man (in his mid20s) who lives a building across the street but to the left off where my building is. We are on the same floor level, so that makes him at my eye level. He does not have any drapes to secure his privacy and he never draws the roller windows down. He turns the lights on at night, I see him, we all see him (from across the street). If he is an exhibitionist and I look, does that make be an audience or a voyeur? Is it really ok to look? Inquiring minds wanna know.

For a few weeks now, when the weather is nice I step into my balcony (be it daytime or nightime) to watch the hustle and bustle of the street below. I already said, I love to watch people. So that is what I do regardless or not he is out there - we will call him "Capuano" for this story sake - or not. Most of the time he is not home. Since I work from home, I have the liberty to take in a minute or two of the outside and step away from my desk. So, lately ( last 3 weeks) I have noticed that "Capuano" have been having a series of different girls stop by any day of the week. I do not see much of what happens really but I know that the one who came two Mondays ago had short hair and the one that came 2 days later had much longer hair (blonde,this time) and the one that I saw there on most Fridays is a newer one with the darker and longer hair. I do not see their faces mostly, but the one that stayed over from Sunday evening to Monday noontime, is the IT girl lately . I watch and I wonder ( best part) if these girls knowingly come (no pun intended!) without knowing who else this guy is playing "spin the bottle" with. I see him amusing these girls with animated stories ( arms moving and body swaying) and then dine them and wine them (delivery from a near by Italian restaurant) and then the listening to the music and looking at some kind of album or something schtick ..then the usual..attack the prey scenario happens, this guy is funny really. Let me stop here for a second to chuckle. OK. Now that I got that out of my system...the story goes like this.. one night (2 weeks ago) as I was watching a DVD, I noticed that the lights across the street (at his place) were still on...of course this cat goes and checks out the light...DVD still going, hey it was a 2 CD video..took me until the wee hours of the morning to finish.. but I digress...so there he was still talking to the girl mind you...I mean, kiss the girl already, I thouhgt. What the heck is he waiting for? I have loaded the second DVD and they were still in the same position sitting across each other 2 1/2 hrs ago...enough of the chi-chat already - I laugh at this guy's get-the-girl style. I mean the girls have to sometimes almost jumps on him and he is still passive as can be. I mean, I took the time to load a DVD coz no real action is happening across the street and when something is about to happen there, the girl is the one who initiates the whole thing! Funny! I mean Lothario "hello"!! Get them hands busy...but I am getting ahead (hmmm..) of myself here.

So this weekend, he had this girl there, right.. - please do not think that I sit there with a beer on one hand and a ciggy on the other waiting for the story to unfold before me. Nope - I have better methods than that. Not gonna tell you - just read on...

There they were on the white couch with their backs towards me and facing his entertainment center that is against the wall and between them I can see a coffee table and 2 sofa seats across each other perpendicular to the said white couch, so there they were still talking ( insert yawn..here) and then the girl scoots over, a tad bit closer and then she turns and her head dips and for awhile you do not see her head, where did she go... and then her head starts bobbing - I would venture a guess but let us keep this "G" rated for others. Well that was the end of it for me...good but could have been better story line really, the plot took too long to unfold... And then the guy starts sliding lower down the couch and I can hardly (huh!) see his head (another - huh!) , then as I blinked (my bad!) the lights are off and I do not see them until the following day, afternoon, looking out the balcony towards where I am.

I look. My thought is coz if they or at least he did, not want his activities to be of public consumption he would have the decency to put up some drapes or something - at least for the girl's sake. I've seen the girls, the various girls he gets to take up there in his place and what they do, nothing I am sure they run to Mama and tell her about. Just wondering if each one thinks of the others, I bet they don't, coz they do not know. But I know he knows that someone across the way knows. Not the names but the different faces, I know. Boy, do I know ever!

It does not faze the people that know "Capuano" does this, portero of his building admires him almost because guys at his age think of all the women he gets to bed as a notch on his belt, a conquest and badge of (dis) honor, macho and all that...but the girls are all doe-eyed and sweet looking (notice how I did not say innocent looking) but they all know they are just to occupy "Capuano" for the time being. A guy like him (moola galore) not good looking per ser, but not bad looking either. He can wear a suit and look good and be cool about it in jeans and shirt, nice shoes, very clean shaven, clean cut ( short hair), great pad/apartment, marvelous location for it, and he is young. But as long as he does not have drapes up, I will keep looking and sometimes I just know when to turn away. I do not feel bad for the girls really, because I am sure they know what they are doing, the thing is they do not know for sure why he is doing them! Whoa!

Looking is human nature. Look but no touching has always been a very good rule. If there is something to see, I watch but otherwise, I just turn to my DVD for better entertainment and escapism. Sometimes, real life stuff like this is plain novelty but can get old and boring fast. I think I will stick to the DVDs for now. And if I blinked I can always rewind or fast forward if I feel like it. It has been a good viewing but more of the same really. Will defintely tell "R" about it when he gets back- don't worry he knows about this guys shenanigans. We will have a very good about it.

See ya another day - I will keep my eyes open.

Ciao

Customer Service ala "Joe"

Well, the best excitement I had today came a minute ago when I had to call the United States of America (USA) to renew a service provided to me. I mean, I knew I was calling the great company that I have learned to love and like sooo much because of the fabulous customer service. They hear from me once a year when I renew the said service they excellently provide for me but I am always happy to speak with them - yup, I said speak - when they help me go through the process. I mean the information, the manner of speaking, the clarity and the all around thoroughness of it, just marvelous. Now we get to the part about "Joe"...
Joe is a technician there and this is his name, really. I called a number to the main office because somehow I am not able to connect to their site on line. I am in Argentina so nothing surprises me on this matter - no connection and all that. So, as I was saying, Joe was the one who picked up the call/service when the main switch board forwarded my call to the appropriate department.
There I was spelling out my name and more security checks and balances, and then it occured to me that a certain kind of feeling comes over you (as a customer) when you get this kind of focused customer service attention, wow, I felt so special. So, on we went and tried to figure out first why I am not able to log on into their website ( this is a technical support question) and lo and behold I was told someone is trying to get in and access my site. Imagine that!! Little old me and my "other" website being hacked. I was promised the engineers of my website provider will get to the bottom of this and use all their might to prevent any hacking of any sort. To the wanna hackers - your attempts are hilarious in a sad sort and infuriating kinda way. My website is simple site, it is business of course but nothing of important of covert information in there. I mean give me a break! There is nothing there. And I am sure some pervert is trying to get to I do not know what with it! Lay off will you!
So, Joe assured me that in a couple of days an update will be sent to me on this matter. I have correspondences and read newspapers from all over the world and maybe a "worm" aka "virus" got in there and now I have the "flu". Darn it!
I am so glad Joe helped me. He was so nice and that was technical support - not the real customer service or sales department. Imagine that, service with a smile.
I am not saying anything about service or customer service here in Buenos Aires, that would be like comparing sweet luscious and crisp red American Gala apples with oranges - not the same caliber. There! But in fairness, customer service OUTSIDE of the city of BA can give the US some competition (not stiff but competition nonetheless).
Joe, whoever you are, THANK YOU very much.
I hope whatever bug that is tryin' to worm itself into my website, you squash it like the bug that it is, and if it comes from a third world country sort of bug, take a guess where that would be? Arghhh!
But it is inevitable coz it is part of living a portion of ones life over the internet. And I am just so fortunate to have Joe standing in my corner to help me out on this one.
Thanks and thanks again. You know who you are Joe and it was nice of you to help me - with a laugh and a smile. Good customer service jsut like Joe would service...it is a very, very good thing.
You want the best service provider for a website, email me, I'll tell ya! And tell Joe, I sent you
Another day...Ciao