tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91863473407113291582024-03-13T17:05:31.440-07:00We Be Rolling StonesI DIP, YOU DIP, WE DIPEvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-77286432043991720702011-09-30T15:45:00.001-07:002013-10-19T12:52:30.005-07:00wassupok people. so we're not exactly bloggers, but we're having a great time and enjoying life. <br />
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CR is possibly the definition of easy, simple living. Maybe that's why we haven't been saying anything. That, and it's hard to write anything when you go to bed at 830.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-79649420246844364772011-07-09T22:40:00.000-07:002011-07-09T22:40:07.426-07:00Pool day<p>One of our favorite (among many) things about Costa Rica is our swimming pool. We spent some time here this afternoon:<br />
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The town is a little bit sleepy, but we love almost everything about our new life here so far. Another of my favorite things? Right now, our fridge is stuffed to the gills with mango, papaya, avocado, watermelon, and other fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's market. Boost!Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-41831528712351445142011-07-08T12:44:00.000-07:002011-07-08T17:34:14.865-07:00this and that<p><p>There have been many highlights of the past couple weeks. The first one is for Meredith: remember in San Diego how we liked to say hello to people on the street, make up fake names for them (e.g., "Hey Jimmy!") and get them to talk to us? (Real mature, I know.) Turns out that in Escazu this is a common practice. I just thought that this was a small town and that everyone thus knows one another and says hello at every stop sign. That is, until today... I was driving around with a maintenance guy from work and, as always, he was saying hello, beeping the horn and waving to several people as we drove by. He hollered out, "Muy buenas, Zorro, como estas?" I looked at him and asked if that man's name really was Zorro. Then he explained that in Escazu, you can say hello to anyone on the street, make up a name for them, even ask about their family, and they will not only answer you with a huge smile, but also, in turn ask about you and your family. We proceeded to do just that for the next 15 minutes back and forth from the windows of the car giggling, smiling and living the Pura Vida.<br />
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This next highlight is for my dad, in spirit at least since he doesn't read this: we were invited to lunch at a high ranking official's home last week with about 10 other folks. Everyone dressed up and were on their best, polite behavior. There was a bucket of beer that no one even touched because we were all being so proper. (Everyone: Me? Beer? At Noon? Of course not!) The official tried to lighten up the mood and so we started playing games, turned on some music and made polite conversations. All the sudden I realized that we were listening to Jimmy Buffet. Nice! The next moment I realized that not only were we listening to the Parrotheads but that the song was "Why don't we get drunk, and screw". I turned to Cyn, (who had no idea) and declared that we were experiencing my favorite moment since arriving to CR. She looked surprised and a little proud, I imagine since I usually don't enjoy those types of occasions too much, then she glanced at my beverage. Lemonade only, like I said.<br />
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Last weekend, speaking of beverages, we were invited to a party at a friend's home. It was wonderful: beautiful home, delicious food, great company and...tequila shots. Not just any tequila either - the good stuff. The kind that you don't need a lemon after because it tastes so good. Needless to say, I enjoyed this very much. Cyn got to show off her dance moves, we did the Cuban Shuffle (friend: why is everyone line dancing all the sudden?), watched some very impressive father-daughter salsa dancing and managed to stay up past our usual 9pm bedtime. Might as well make the assimilation splash quickly instead of drawing it out.<br />
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Tonight we will go out with some family that Cyn didn't know she has that live in CR. Impressive, no? But first they want to come over and see our house. Entonces, I will get to cleaning right away, make sure the orchids are watered ($7 btw) and wash the fruit for after dinner. We are truly living the good life.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-74126070108104059582011-06-24T20:36:00.000-07:002011-06-24T20:38:47.875-07:00we made it!<p><p>We finally landed in the verdant, lush, mountainous wonderland yesterday at about 4 and were met by three helpers to expedite the travel through all the necessary channels of the airport. I never even IMAGINED that it could be so fast and easy and I think I will manage to get used to this lifestyle. After we finally retrieved our ridiculous amount of luggage and enjoyed some awkward, friendly spanish conversations we met yet another person who was to drive us to our new, much anticipated home. All the while one of the escorts is our sponsor who has been an officer in CR for about a year. She is wonderful. She told us just enough information about the surrounding area, what to expect, what needed to be done pronto, etc in order to be helpful but not overwhelming all at once. She bought us a few groceries and helped to set up the welcome kit so we could settle in more easily. Did I mention that I am loving this? <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Anyway, the driving was almost as crazy as I expected. I guess we had the most aggressive Embassy driver but it still wasn't <i>that</i> bad. There were some close calls, quick lane changes, screeching halts and I was definitely carsick by the end of the 30 minute ride but kinda seemed like par for the course. The thing that will be really hard to get used to is all the people walking on the sides of the road: crossing the street, walking with kids or just milling around. It already seemed a little dangerous and then the sponsor told us that the night before she had seen a person die on the side of the road after an accident. I think I will take to driving like an old lady just fine.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On to our house...it's amazing. It has a beautiful lobby with leather couches, a bar, a large pool and all open air hallways and courtyard. We heard that there had been some complaints about the size of the unit and were shocked to find that the place iiiissss sufficiently huge. Even the government furniture wasn't nearly as bad as we anticipated. It's really bright and airy, quiet and modern. We can't even hear each other if we are in opposite sides of the place (blessing? jk). I can't wait to get the rest of our stuff and really settle in. Seems we will have to coexist with an army of little ants, but I guess it could be much worse. I did drink a few in my water last night and freaked out but have since proposed a truce. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We had dinner at our sponsor's house last night with her daughter. It was such a nice way to ease into the new life – to chill in someone's home, eat a delicious home cooked meal, listen to music, look at pictures and make some new friends. Today we received our first shipment of belongings and will hopefully get the cable/internet hooked up this weekend. </div>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-7150691235337857692011-05-04T09:13:00.000-07:002011-05-04T16:31:04.356-07:00I'm a vegetarian; I eat vegetables.<p>I'm not going to lie, I've gained some weight. (Corey, if you're reading this - I promise to lose it before I see you next time so you don't have to go through the trouble of socking me in the gut.) Anyway, I decided on the Duken Diet which is a series of varying phases of basically high-protein, low-carb. Simple, right? Yes and no. For me to eat nothing but protein means that I only eat about 400 calories a day. On an average week I may eat fish/seafood once. The past two days I've been eating it at every meal. The thought of eating it again makes me feel ill and something's got to give. I've decided to go back to the rigamarole of Mark's Daily Apple and do something a little more sustainable for myself. When all one thinks about is brussel sprouts and bell peppers, there's a problem.<br />
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Today is the beginning of the third day and I've had it. I just savagely cut into a red pepper, paired it with a quarter cup of sunflower seeds and am raising my middle finger in the direction of Dr Duken all the way from Rosslyn, VA. Wish me luck and as my mom says - this red pepper tastes just like flowers.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-21031794635828721252011-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:002011-07-08T15:10:10.177-07:00Yep, we're gay.<p>Sooo we have known for some time that we were going to need to trade in the beloved Prius (we love you, Glenda!) and get an SUV for Costa Rica. After much ado, we set our sights on the Subaru Forester and finally purchased a 2011 Forester in dark grey last weekend. I. Love. It.<br />
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It's masculine but sleek so of course the name has to reflect these characteristics: Shakiro. Homage to Shakira but this sexy beast is all man for these two ladies. I'm ready to indulge in many new adventures with this new beau and proud to rep a company that supports the gay-genda.<br />
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Also, we bought the car from a sweet as pie Thai-American Marine who was raised by his lesbian auntie. awww.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-52121956357813686152011-04-28T15:48:00.000-07:002013-10-19T12:47:26.235-07:00happy birthday, grandma
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In other news, happy birthday to my Puo Puo (grandma on mom's side). She turned 90 last weekend and is one of my personal heroes. Puo lived through the brutal Japanese invasion of China and the violent Communist revolution that followed. She then rebuilt a life with my grandpa in Taiwan. Only two years ago, at age 88, she climbed to the top of Lu Mountain (LuShan) on foot. At the summit, a middle-aged man asked to take a photo with her because he had never seen a woman at her age scale a mountain before. She taught me my multiplication tables and how to spell in English (despite not knowing English herself). Here's the two of us on her bday. Love you, Puo! <br />
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Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-65166434892014281862011-03-15T07:40:00.000-07:002011-03-31T15:13:13.207-07:00the return<p><p>I miss the blog. But unless you want to hear me complain about how hard it is to learn Spanish (the easiest language taught at FSI?), I figured that I should just keep my mouth shut. But I'm ready to be positive again - Mom, can I come out of my room now?<br />
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So yes, we've been in Spanish for 18.5 weeks now and have a mere 5.5 to go. (How many months are women pregnant? 36? Wow. That is some perspective for sure.) The studies have been truly wonderful; I have learned things that I never anticipated like history lessons, how to prepare and deliver a presentation, we've studied the economy, political, judicial, health and school systems both in the US, Central and South America. Not only that but I've learned all, or nearly all, my weaknesses in English (and life?) that are magically carried over to the new language, highlighted magnificently under the painfully bright spotlight of adept professors and a keen-eyed-ever-watching wife. (I love you more!)<br />
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The move is drawing closer and closer as well. It's almost palpable at this point. It's drawing on time to start eating all the food reserves (my personal favorite), separating clothes, books and kitchen items to go to storage or post, and lots of good old-fashioned lists. I love lists. At any moment I have lists of books I want to read, exercise plans, songs I want to sing at karaoke, restaurants to try, store lists - you name it, I list it. Buuut, the lists to get ready to move abroad leave a little to be desired. When I see "prepare last will and testament" on a list I immediately put the list down and begin online shopping. Seems healthy and perfectly normal to me.<br />
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Anyway, I applied for a job at the Embassy in San Jose - cross your fingers for me! I'll detail more later if I'm so lucky as to nab it.<br />
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For now, I need to prepare my presentation for class this afternoon. I'm thinking something special and hardly political: <a href="http://www.livescience.com/5631-zombie-ants-controlled-fungus.html">Zombie Ants.</a>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-82095902096618172712011-03-10T16:02:00.000-08:002011-03-10T17:23:19.701-08:00Former Secretary Albright: on being a woman and a diplomat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Like all nerds, I appreciate a good TED talk. In this one, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright "talks bluntly about politics and diplomacy, making the case that women's issues deserve a place at the center of foreign policy." A girl after my own feminist heart. :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">When I graduated from <a href="http://www.smith.edu/">Smith College</a> in 2003, Secretary Albright was my Commencement speaker. Que suerte!</span><br />
<object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/MadeleineAlbright_2010W-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MadeleineAlbright-2010W.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1078&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=madeleine_albright_on_being_a_woman_and_a_diplomat;year=2010;theme=master_storytellers;theme=women_reshaping_the_world;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=celebrating_tedwomen;event=TEDWomen;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="400" height="315" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/MadeleineAlbright_2010W-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MadeleineAlbright-2010W.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1078&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=madeleine_albright_on_being_a_woman_and_a_diplomat;year=2010;theme=master_storytellers;theme=women_reshaping_the_world;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=celebrating_tedwomen;event=TEDWomen;"></embed></object>Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-16366957578497244282011-03-07T17:39:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:40:37.752-08:00CEVA in DC.Aprovechando.<br />
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We CA girls met up with some of my best lady friends at Smith for some winter fun.<br />
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</div>Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-40297712681289520912011-03-07T17:18:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:27:21.966-08:00Sec. Clinton puts women's rights at the forefront<p><p>And yet <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-06/hillary-clintons-mission-to-help-women-and-girls-worldwide/">another reason why I have the coolest boss</a> ever.<p><blockquote>The secretary of state is on a mission: putting women’s rights at the forefront of a rapidly emerging new world order.</blockquote><p><br />
In other news, Spanish is going super bien. Sigo disfrutando el idioma. I got a 2+ on my last two evaluations and am hoping and praying for that coveted 3 at the end of April, when Spanish training ends and ConGen begins. Eva is also continuing to enjoy her Spanish class. She, however, is trying to show me up by studying twice as hard as I am. That's what you get when you marry an overachiever, I guess. I'll stick with being a Type A- (ambitious, but a bit floja - lazy, for you non-Spanish speakers!).<br />
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In closing, I leave you with my favorite Spanish song of the week (err, month). <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="380" height="280" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gePuOWPy588" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-57164030128822667372010-10-21T08:09:00.000-07:002011-03-07T17:42:06.921-08:00my new bff<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This beautiful specimen belongs to another FSO who graciously asked me to look in on him from time to time. I'm pretty sure we will be together most of the day on most days.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgEpyN9zEjfWkPJ5NOcJKBr0aKN-evzLwZVEML7cJ0_d9LRbW71K7Zr3bINzfghBO4H03A0HnCiJVtAxMkXks_W1UO2NZypekMK4vfvCIWSzxa1m0uV0wpBfwXdEIjZLNk0AZgePoBSat/s320/DSC00683.JPG" /> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpV9X7BZG5hVLi2YPkIe76-k3YX4b_U10IKfHmYRO__cEi4oBAqgeI_mxtYIxao2sKyefTdXsunIwM1X3aMVTP2PrQkmBlqUkbJWPHUrRxGQbdL1JnNuwiOh13pq4oDy_wuqR8GsCgb1q/s1600/DSC00684.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpV9X7BZG5hVLi2YPkIe76-k3YX4b_U10IKfHmYRO__cEi4oBAqgeI_mxtYIxao2sKyefTdXsunIwM1X3aMVTP2PrQkmBlqUkbJWPHUrRxGQbdL1JnNuwiOh13pq4oDy_wuqR8GsCgb1q/s320/DSC00684.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlsTN7cSuJvJl5gpAr5K0vbfCvmjcsJBVNMZBcoLcoUXkkO7DyUxqI6q7zp4vXhmAzkhDBtaNSVWeL77HEzczJSl3uac57_1KmC6H_ae0UdkiiHGJ9nyd-Vy_WNZWS6aF7BJJb0WLy4Tu/s1600/DSC00695.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlsTN7cSuJvJl5gpAr5K0vbfCvmjcsJBVNMZBcoLcoUXkkO7DyUxqI6q7zp4vXhmAzkhDBtaNSVWeL77HEzczJSl3uac57_1KmC6H_ae0UdkiiHGJ9nyd-Vy_WNZWS6aF7BJJb0WLy4Tu/s320/DSC00695.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-25108278250788866652010-10-21T08:05:00.000-07:002010-10-29T13:34:25.090-07:00walking numbers<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p>After 5.5 weeks, I'm finally starting to wish I had something to do every day. Only 1.5 weeks left before I regret this statement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday in an effort to busy myself, I walked to Georgetown and then just kept walking. 5 hours later I was home and had walked almost 8 miles. I finally walked past the White House, enjoyed some delicious Maine Cod, consumed the best local IPA yet (Northern Lights) and was nearly hit by several cars. The bartender at the restaurant told me that one could walk over any of the bridges that connect VA to DC no problem. This is partly true. Sure there is a place for pedestrians to walk over the bridge but what he failed to mention is that once you make it to the other side, said sidewalk will abruptly end. This led me to walk along the guardrail, end up stranded in the median and finally forced me to cross 5 lanes of speeding, insane DC area traffic. It was still a beautiful, rainy day.</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa_fN0ixNOZ2TccRPNLmtFhV4MjDM_szCDAuqGCEkLIDSBZVjwyCNeAiIFMg7bNQKNSBCe_LoNKWtiMSQKs9moeeRfZjvf1XwhPJj22bc1Ey6npHBch5xP7FQ7eHKc8lLFHPG70wOjuRj/s320/DSC00666.JPG" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Views from the Roosevelt Bridge. </div></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-LBy_WT_uc8hJUb7IQlw5DOcrso1Z0JksWKJi8EsK_Cui2GqRlFA3KoD4vVAbitZBPQst-KmhtKMxQQWwncFmpGPjgSM9FRrHtxFvazgmWQNTAloOf_NGBPcJy74z1kHqq8C-SNNpdhC/s1600/DSC00667.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-LBy_WT_uc8hJUb7IQlw5DOcrso1Z0JksWKJi8EsK_Cui2GqRlFA3KoD4vVAbitZBPQst-KmhtKMxQQWwncFmpGPjgSM9FRrHtxFvazgmWQNTAloOf_NGBPcJy74z1kHqq8C-SNNpdhC/s320/DSC00667.JPG" /></a> </div>I came from that median.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7fJ9mHW8b6TcnXhRiguyGy_6lQ_H1PNavBm9CkePDcff2Gx8reTTVqUhHvXX-X_btynrVfm2VcLkod3ETMKzCua3G9Bc_61MpwdIFjkOK5HBli5ECeRuxHI3u7nwddeXZ8fyw6RMQVQQ/s1600/DSC00669.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7fJ9mHW8b6TcnXhRiguyGy_6lQ_H1PNavBm9CkePDcff2Gx8reTTVqUhHvXX-X_btynrVfm2VcLkod3ETMKzCua3G9Bc_61MpwdIFjkOK5HBli5ECeRuxHI3u7nwddeXZ8fyw6RMQVQQ/s320/DSC00669.JPG" /></a> </div>Walked by the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvbXrHdBxnnIOdR95BmzHhxrZlSZthUFi0QFqYOuG8zmh4oGKFHHu1s90jUbIYgku137188soNMdBQbFPcgJJXRPIRgRv4JrnqYHW5v_8moCPQN3W30Ub583FrGGDMhfIyumVp5Lp5MU4/s1600/DSC00670.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvbXrHdBxnnIOdR95BmzHhxrZlSZthUFi0QFqYOuG8zmh4oGKFHHu1s90jUbIYgku137188soNMdBQbFPcgJJXRPIRgRv4JrnqYHW5v_8moCPQN3W30Ub583FrGGDMhfIyumVp5Lp5MU4/s320/DSC00670.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br />
</a></div>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-47506517668947836532010-10-19T16:24:00.000-07:002010-10-22T14:00:23.249-07:00That's my boss, ya'll.<object height="300" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zXBpW8GCDtY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zXBpW8GCDtY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="290"></embed></object><br />
<br />
"Here at the State Department, I am grateful every day for the work of our LGBT employees who are serving the United States as Foreign Service Officers and Civil Servants here and around the world. It wasn't long ago that these men and women would not have been able to serve openly, but today they can because it has gotten better. And it will get better for you." - HRC. <br />
<br />
Secretary Clinton, you are a true ally to our community. I'm proud to work for you and for our country.<br />
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UPDATE: I had the privilege of attending an interview with Secretary Clinton the following day, October 20, 2010, and she wore purple in honor of Spirit Day. I'm feelin the love.Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-50640899442541866022010-10-14T14:58:00.000-07:002010-10-21T07:34:58.465-07:00do you know the way...TO SAN JOSE?!<br />
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That's right, folks. Cyn and I pooled our collective good karma and landed the tropical paradise of: the Switzerland of Central America; the Hawaii of Latin America surfing; the country with NO MILITARY for the last 62 years known as COSTA-FREAKIN-RICA (Por favor tome ningún delito, Ticos).<br />
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No, that's true, we don't speak the Spanish. And yes, it's also true that Cynthia took 3 years of Spanish and still can't ask "where can we get some fish tacos for dinner?" And yes, it's also true that all I can say is "how do you want your eggs?", "bacon or sausage?", and, "is everything ok?" (Is it obvious I was a waitress in a prior career iteration?) Buuuuut none of that matters because we begin full-time Spanish training on November 1st for 6 months, at which time we will be presumably fluent. We depart around the end of June 2011 and couldn't possibly be more excited for our first post.<br />
<br />
"But Eva, what will you do?" Hmmmm let me think...surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding, museums, salsa dancing, cooking classes, bird watching, other animal/amphibian/reptile/flying creature watching, hiking, rafting, reading, hosting myriads of guests (hopefully!), and maybe, MAYBE get a job.<br />
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You guessed right. It's better not to ask.<br />
<br />
Flag day was, in a word,<i> intense.</i> Even the most solid of species was shaken to the core, taking deep breaths of calming oxygen to get through the ceremony. It was FUN too though to root for the other students and dream of inviting ourselves to visit them in their new homes. Even more fun was happy hour (with free food) followed by dancing like silly, crazy people at another bar.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>¡Pura vida!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Flag Day:</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzYf9pLbe-0azDcA398gE5DpUaWgWXHwL_dpdip_zZRAXQLWjk11723PH6NfkfhyphenhyphenG6gFOOHMpP06Tn6QnPhIvF4C-eq6Y0l3RP7d8V8Ra5Fz5eTqNh3Hqi5pmwzqKTwloqyAB22F-nKeL/s1600/DSC00639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzYf9pLbe-0azDcA398gE5DpUaWgWXHwL_dpdip_zZRAXQLWjk11723PH6NfkfhyphenhyphenG6gFOOHMpP06Tn6QnPhIvF4C-eq6Y0l3RP7d8V8Ra5Fz5eTqNh3Hqi5pmwzqKTwloqyAB22F-nKeL/s320/DSC00639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-9806560983917292782010-10-10T20:57:00.000-07:002010-10-11T09:31:50.616-07:00Flag Day<p>It's official: CEVA is moving to San Jose, Costa Rica!<br />
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More to come from Eva.Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-8680155129395067722010-10-04T04:39:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:21:32.401-07:00weekend recap<p>A glorious and rejuvenating weekend. So much so that I just popped out of bed at 630am feeling refreshed and happy (I don't have a job, people, wth).<br />
<br />
Cyn was released from A-100 early on Thursday so we were finally able to make that walk to Georgetown that we've been talking about. It was raining but warm enough for a t-shirt so we went anyway with plans to see a movie. We were sidetracked by H&M and Urban Outfitters. Way too much money and several bags later, we decided to skip the flick and get some Vietnamese food instead. Delish.<br />
<br />
Friday was our lunchtime/brown bag GLIFFA meeting at FSI. My bff spouse and I decided to go all out and bring lunch. He made chilaquiles, black beans and rice and I brought a rum cake. Need I say more? I think we will be invited to the next meeting. The meeting was highly informative; we talked about visas, diplomatic immunity, and the realities of being a same-sex couple in the foreign service (thanks, Michelle Schohn!!). My fellow culinarian and I spent the rest of the afternoon on a guided tour by our lovely Smithie friend through sculpture gardens, the mall and the American History museum. We appreciated <i>the</i> enormous Star-Spangled Banner, the gowns of the first ladies and Julia Child's kitchen. Later we met the spouses, ate some unbelievable Thai food and found a strange gay bar where were probably the only ladies who have ever braved to step foot inside.<br />
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Saturday we attended the March on Washington hosted by One Nation Working Together (organized by our incredible friend!). We started with breakfast at this Chinese-owned waffle house that doubled as a convenient store. It was scrumptious and the owner and his son were pretty hilarious. They had a sign up stating that the bathroom was out of order, but when asked about it the son just said 'nah, it works. that's just in case it ever stops working'. Maybe they just really hate cleaning them. Finding the restroom proved even more difficult as one has to weave through bar stools in the pitch black basement. A formidable opponent maybe, but not after 4 cups of coffee. <br />
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The march/rally was exciting, provocative (in the encouraging, motivating sense) and inspired hope. We even saw Jesse Jackson! Afterward, we nearly walked our legs off to see all the monuments, stroll around the Potamac River, and finally to the most amazing Greek/Turkish/Mediterranean Tapas food I've ever eaten. Baba Ganoush, Hummus, roasted red pepper dish (name?), spanakopita and puffed, fresh pita bread. Dessert was also ah-ma-zing with olive oil ice cream, Turkish delight with baklava ice cream, espresso chocolate cake with cardamom and ginger whip cream, and Greek yogurt (with lime zest!) with apricots. <br />
<br />
Yesterday we found a dollar store in Falls Church and were able to get almost everything on our list intended for Target for a fraction of the price. We also spotted a Mexican/Salvadoran drive-through that looked just dumpy enough to possibly be an authentic, magnificent eatery. Birthday dinner followed for a fellow FSO at the always ostentatious Cheesecake Factory. We rounded out the weekend last night with Jennifer's Body and A Home at the End of the World.<br />
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Oh, and I also made this totally virgoed-out list of every possible country we could be assigned to accompanied by it's flag in preparation for Flag Day this Friday!<br />
<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><br />
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</div></div></div></h3>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-57223368644733363492010-09-23T12:48:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:33:01.058-07:00down with brown<p>Left to my own devices, I like to do strange things around the house. I guess they aren't really strange per se; let's just say that I can waste away a whole day quicker than you can say "US State Department." Other FSOs wonder and ask me with concern, "how are you doing? are you getting along ok? what have you been occupying yourself with?". I answer these questions with some confusion, wondering who wouldn't like to spend all their time doing whatever they wish, smile, and say that I'm doing just great.<br />
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The truth is I spend my time doing a lot of housework: laundry, shopping, cooking, organizing, cleaning and the like. But I LOVE it. I also go to the gym, museums (I haven't quite made it there yet cause I've been busy!), visit with friends and read a lot. Sounds like heaven, right? Perhaps this feeling will eventually wear off but so far, so good.<br />
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Today I decided to dye my hair. Since my beloved hairstylist is 3000 miles away (I miss you, Jenny!) and will presumably be even further away within the next year, I have been forced to look into alternative ways to maintain my locks. I considered chopping off the whole lot but that wasn't met too kindly by the wife. I decided to explore a previous interest: henna. I found an Indian grocery by accident in Falls Church, VA and was shocked by all the different kinds of henna they offered. I went with a big tub of powder and added the supplementary methi powder for fun. (I also bought all the fixings to try my hand at homemade dal while I was there.) My Pakistani and Nepali friends laughed at my purchase and joked that I bought products to bleach my skin. I'm sure they were worried about my cooking endeavour also.<br />
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I mixed everything up, let it sit for 2 hours, then applied it all over my head. It kinda stinks but reminds me of Chinese herbs so it feels a little comforting. Once smeared on, your head looks reminiscent of a slick superhero, with a 'do you could massage into any arrangement desired. I polished mine into a cute pixie style and braved the apartment gym. Luckily I didn't have to run into anyone because what looks acceptable in your apartment doesn't necessarily look as cute in a public space.<br />
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Getting the stuff out of your hair 3 hours later is quite a challenge. Of course I decided to work the heck out of my arms at the gym so holding them over my head and encouraging all the mud to break free was quite exhausting. After an extensive rinse, 2 conditions and 20 minutes later I stepped out of the shower. I LOVE IT. I love it even more than I have when done professionally. It's definitely redder than I anticipated but I think it works. It's also HEALTHY.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ocn0wzaAyWY5gnqJuaB-48w0ox-2lHwZsGoRRQsEd5QDMPnekPX9H8ZDKOXTFk5cSAWysnlNTJnttQc3zx9zA3hhuczSANGPjT3crrfJ-g9waSZzGTToE_6Sp8qj1WnBEP5D6tN4P-m6/s1600/Photo+on+2010-09-23+at+15.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ocn0wzaAyWY5gnqJuaB-48w0ox-2lHwZsGoRRQsEd5QDMPnekPX9H8ZDKOXTFk5cSAWysnlNTJnttQc3zx9zA3hhuczSANGPjT3crrfJ-g9waSZzGTToE_6Sp8qj1WnBEP5D6tN4P-m6/s320/Photo+on+2010-09-23+at+15.49.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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If anyone has any tips on how to get it off your head easier they would be much appreciated. Also, word to the wise: use gloves. My hands are bright orange.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-24385817522310656222010-09-23T06:22:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:21:53.618-07:00first 2 weeks<p>The past two weeks have been fun, exciting, stressful, scary, and thought provoking to say the least. I think it's probably more intense when it's your first time doing all this new stuff that is acclimating to the FS lifestyle: happy hours galore, classes in what look like UN meeting sites with translator booths, spouse classes and dinners, hoping that your spouse doesn't begin to resent you for going to the gym, shopping, exploring and cooking every day, bidding on countries that you aren't 100% confident you could locate on a map, etc. This 156th class is astonishingly impressive. Not only are they friendly, down to earth and, quite honestly, attractive, they are BRILLIANT. I have never met so many people who speak 5 languages, have lived, worked and studied in as many countries, run marathons, have read every NY Times bestseller, AND can carry on a conversation about Lady Gaga at the VMA's. <br />
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The bidding process has been pretty consuming, but in a good way. It's been so pleasant to get a list of 90 cities, all with the nearing potential to be called home, and research the sh*t out of them. We have our favorites... and a few lesser favorites but we are signed on to go where we're needed and will do our best. I've decided that since I'm not working and gave up my career to go on this adventure, there will be a few stipulations. Such as: there is one place in Southern Africa that Cyn had to promise me that I could have a horse if we go there since she wants to bid it high. another few places that I will become a home brewer of beer and wine if we are sent there since they are dry, Muslim countries. and even a few that I may not be seen for 4 days as I will be on a scuba diving adventure with my new local friends who also don't work. It's also very possible that I will get a job either at the Embassy or on the local economy. We'll just have to see how long I can hold out.<br />
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I've also been elated since one of my best friends lives in NoVa. We've been able to hang out like old times and tool around the city together only now she has the addition of a little dude. It's been awesome to be able to spend time with her son (and wonderful hubby) and get to know the little animal so he understands from a very early age that I will be a part of his life forever. Much to Cyn's relief, this experience has bought a little time in the having a baby department as I have never known such exhaustion as having spent the day and night with a 2 year old boy.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-9565705346095509672010-09-14T07:55:00.000-07:002010-09-23T06:29:31.056-07:00for the birdsCyn got us through the first 3 days of our journey cross country so I will try to bring up the rear.<br />
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Wyoming continued to be breathtakingly beautiful, Nebraska was just as boring as we thought it would be...with one small caveat. The freeways between these lovely states are 75 mph, which means we were flying along at 85 on cruise control listening to a total of 4 books on tape (David Sedaris had me in such a fit of hysterical giggles at one point that Cyn had to pause it and I nearly had to pull over for fear of crashing with the tears in my eyes obstructing my vision). We hit bugs in the multi-millions, butterflies were close behind in the thousands, but what really put a damper on our day was the bird. Cyn didn't even know we hit it since she played Hearts on the iPad pretty much the entire time I wouldn't let her drive. But I saw it coming, braced for it and said a little prayer to the universe that it wouldn't hit the windshield, and nailed it with the bumper. We heard a loud thump! I made a low groan and Cyn woke up with, "what happened? what's wrong? what was that?!" Guts and feathers were making their way over the roof of the car past the glass in front. We shivered for a few minutes then managed to forget about it for the most part.<br />
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</a></div>When we arrived in Lincoln, NE we hoped that the bird had been forced by the wind to escape off the side. Figured we could even pretend that it could have possibly lived. We dared each other to go and look at the front. I went first and just prayed that there wouldn't be a smell; I knew I would throw up and we had just eaten our first decent meal in days. The bird's cadaver was glued to the front of the car and we hopped around, squealing about who was going to do what and just what in the hell to do. We decided to check in to the hotel and figure out what to do after. Here's a gruesome picture of the car: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhharEoRWZNKcocvj_7bVCrcCu3kmxXvpkt49BPV7cedFYxtbUt8xbiYCJjI6HbV7F5pNHoNQ2j3OVozJi4zLHn67y0ky1qIH-mwFeo_Qpwd8E-Vk4D5lJS68IJgu02yAeD6lU-SxNitawx/s1600/bird" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhharEoRWZNKcocvj_7bVCrcCu3kmxXvpkt49BPV7cedFYxtbUt8xbiYCJjI6HbV7F5pNHoNQ2j3OVozJi4zLHn67y0ky1qIH-mwFeo_Qpwd8E-Vk4D5lJS68IJgu02yAeD6lU-SxNitawx/s320/bird" /></a><br />
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After depositing our luggage, we returned to the car to watch a young man and his father walking past the front of our car on the sidewalk. We thought we were in the clear when the boy caught sight of the bird and leapt 2 feet into the air sideways. We covered our faces with our hands and tried to pretend that the only Prius in Nebraska wasn't ours. They watched with disgust as we climbed, with shame, into our heathen car. It may have also been amplified by the roar of giggles that we were emitting. We found an automatic car wash a couple blocks away and knew this was the jackpot. Bugs, butterflies and birds no more! We bit our nails in anticipation of sounds, feathers and blood but got off pretty easy with just some feathers flung onto the windshield by the automatic spinners. Once complete, we fought again about who was going to have to look. Of course it was me and of course it was still there only now it was a wet bird that remained stuck to the car. This time however, a group of Hells Angels was able to witness the shrieking and jumping around. We hurried back into the death mobile and searched for what to do next. The only logical thing to do would be to find a tire pump and use the compressed air to push the bird out of the grill. I did this as well (theme?). Luckily, the bird had been dislodged a little bit after the car wash and the drive over and with a little air pressure and a slow, deliberate nudge, the bird fell free of it's snare to the tune of my guttural moan that was probably heard in the next town. We did the only thing we could do after this: jumped into the car before anyone saw, squawked and howled, and went and ate Chinese food.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-35305664123394564392010-09-06T06:27:00.000-07:002010-09-21T03:43:48.204-07:00HawaiiSince we had some time between packout and the beginning of our road trip out east, we decided to spend some time in our favorite place on Earth, Hawaii. This time we visited the Kona-Kailua side of the Big Island.<br />
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The first night we arrived we sat next to the pool and just stared at the ocean for what seemed like hours. Or at least I did. The past weeks had been so intense and exhausting that I really needed the space out time to renew my energy and process what had happened over the summer. Also, I had been reading for the last ten hours without pause. The <i>girl with the dragon tattoo</i> series had finally sunk it's titillating claws into me and I couldn't get enough. The staring paid off though: not only did I feel regenerated in thirty minutes, we were also able to watch a pod of dolphins just off shore in front of our hotel playing in the waves. <br />
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Because the island is so humid, the sheets, carpet and matching drapes were all musty. This is hell for my allergies and for whatever reason, nowadays they just bypass the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose phase and go straight for dry coughing and asthma. We didn't sleep at all that night so the next day we begged to be put in another room. We checked out many rooms and they all were the same with heavy, dank air. Finally, they sent us to the newly renovated section of the hotel and put us up in an ocean view, beautifully new, non musty room that we could relax (and breath) in.<br />
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It was in this room that I sat reading and eating fruit on the deck for hours on while Cyn caught up on sleep. The time change is great for me in Hawaii cause I crash early and wake up at 6am leaving me plenty of time to go to the gym, eat breakfast and read on the deck before Cyn even wakes up. We had found a farmers market in town the previous day and bought fresh, warm mango, papaya, pineapple and grapefruit. The pineapple was chopped up for us by the stand owner in under five seconds, a sweet Thai woman we had befriended. I had to come back the next day to get another one since the first one had been furiously consumed in the car before we even got back to the hotel and also to learn how to massacre a piece of fruit so expertly. I decided I could survive on warm tropical fruit for months alone.<br />
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When visiting Hawaii, it's impossible not to notice how fit the locals are. Let me take that back, the <i>real</i> locals, ie the Polynesian people, can be very large and also very small, but the later locals are more often than not insanely fit. You couldn't drive the five miles to town without seeing at least ten people running with nothing more than the equivalent of a bikini on. We wondered if to join the running club one would need to be under 3% body fat. Any higher would surely be considered gluttonous and obese. We decided we would never really fit in and went for a pina colada. <br />
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The rest of our glorious time was spent snorkeling and swimming. We even joined a night snorkel boat and stalked the benign, beastly manta ray. I also talked Cyn into renting a kayak for 24 hours so we could kayak out to the Captain Cook monument. We unfortunately saved this for the last day which was a little stormy, but the shop owner assured me that we need not fear. In hind sight this was a little naive. We kayak often in a <i>slow moving river</i>, but never in the <b>open ocean</b>. The entire ordeal was pretty stressful: from getting the kayak off the car, loaded up and subsequently loaded into the water off the dock to kayaking one mile in disruptive waves (they even prompted Cyn to put on her life jacket) to snorkeling while pulling the kayak behind us with a rope that I tied to the front of the boat to trying to get back in the kayak (stupidly pulled to shore on dead coral and lava rocks). This was by far some of the most beautiful coral we had ever seen and was well worth it but also proved to be a harrowing, learning experience. <p>There was a strange Brazilian dude that helped us get our kayak out of the water once we safely made it back to the dock (thank goodness). He kept telling us we were beautiful, he was looking for more friends, and would we like to keep in touch on Facebook. Cyn and I looked at each other, pretending to be bewildered, and told him we had never heard of such a book. LOLz. We thanked him for his help and gave him $10. We were dirty, bloodied, exhausted and triumphant and spent the rest of the day eating and drinking.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590004759928710466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-12808378775855042872010-09-05T19:49:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:36:58.572-07:00Road Trip Part 2: Wyoming, Nebraska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq9aQ2nVU5PcOX1dtPrOtfNxhqJSBPBoaF5b9oXfFl7f7V5i8lnLwEC3AZra33ZU_sVTnZj750DCPpl5FJrIFUE6Fnbm5EITxIpu51JTHEYMcTvpZKhgusR9hjgT5P_HpfKD1qSSWvGY/s1600/Roadtrip+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq9aQ2nVU5PcOX1dtPrOtfNxhqJSBPBoaF5b9oXfFl7f7V5i8lnLwEC3AZra33ZU_sVTnZj750DCPpl5FJrIFUE6Fnbm5EITxIpu51JTHEYMcTvpZKhgusR9hjgT5P_HpfKD1qSSWvGY/s640/Roadtrip+collage.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>The midwest is unimaginably beautiful. Here's a collage from our adventures in the Grand Tetons and Nebraska.<br />
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We also had a bit of a mini-catastrophe involving a swooping bird. Eva's blog on this is forthcoming.Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-48536399144184276902010-09-02T23:39:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:38:33.230-07:00Road Trip to DC, Days 1-3We are now officially on Day 3 of our road trip! We had a rough start after realizing our grave error: we had WAY too much stuff (why didn't we pack more of it in HHE for the movers to bring to DC? sigh). It barely fit into our car. Eva spent hours engineering a way to squeeze it all in. In fact, the car is now so full that our suitcases, clothes, vases, video games, computers, kitchen supplies, cds, toiletries, etc., block the back view entirely, leaving an enormous blind spot, and weighing the car down so heavily that our normally gas-efficient Prius is burning about a gallon about every 10 miles. <br />
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To add to the stress, I am extremely paranoid that our car is going to get broken into given the siren call of valuables that are clearly visible from the car windows. We've been trying to put this out of our minds and to just enjoy the trip, since there's not much we can do at this point.<br />
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<u>Day 1:</u> Eva's birthday! We leisurely drove to Lake Tahoe, stopping to have lunch in Sacramento with my old friends from law school, Chris and Natalie. I picked up the new iPhone before we started the trip so we could chronicle our adventures better using its digital cam and video cam, and was able to get a goot shot of Sand Harbor beach in Lake Tahoe, which occupied our afternoon. It was breathtaking: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIMIHlc19w6gPqdY34jilzJBOFlJ7LXLR1EvN1nW28S06EnjKo9-a3Ym_jZbwdmg36ju3-qYmCq43HcLqxwyZy_5EtjF2_3SkclqDp2bPnqjyjUekucJyJHSKpods3aT9urApsKvwHP4/s1600/sandharbor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIMIHlc19w6gPqdY34jilzJBOFlJ7LXLR1EvN1nW28S06EnjKo9-a3Ym_jZbwdmg36ju3-qYmCq43HcLqxwyZy_5EtjF2_3SkclqDp2bPnqjyjUekucJyJHSKpods3aT9urApsKvwHP4/s320/sandharbor.jpeg" /></a></div>As you can see, the water was pristine. We sunbathed and waded around but it was a bit too cold for swimming!<br />
We scored a Hotwire deal for 4.5 star penthouse suite in Reno at a cool $47.00. The hotel was one of those insane mega-casinos replete with a bowling alley, clubs, multiple restaurants, a movie theater, a driving range, and boutiques -- not usually our thing, but it was a fun hiatus from reality.<br />
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<b><u>Day 2</u></b>: Salt Lake City. This was a pit-stop on our way to Yellowstone/the Grand Tetons. I admittedly felt some trepidation about being queer and/or showing any affection towards Eva in this largely Mormon city. When we were pleasantly surprised upon checking in to the hotel, I felt guilty about my earlier assumptions. I presented my i.d. and the receptionist immediately offered us free Sheryl Crow tickets valued at $71 each. Unfortunately, my feeling of gratitude was quickly negated when the receptionist then stated:<br />
<blockquote><b>You can feel free to take care of me however you wish.</b> </blockquote>Her comment was followed by a creepy look, silence, and a blink. We felt a bit uncomfortable/creeped out. Eva saved the day by saying she suddenly felt tired and not up for a concert after all. We spent the evening swimming in the heated outdoor pool instead. We also ate at the hotel's restaurant, where this glorious discovery was made:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Qy0tM2wT7tg5RwNdtEqzRymolCsneYq-LdMVc3ueV8VY8MfYFEL7bFZoC9n53r1TZA92UBJMhK7LZMcY1yjcGGeQ3lWy9JcMf2G6cQPfpR50Eap5__M5Ok6vy27glYZMk0MBflxZE4/s1600/polygamyporter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Qy0tM2wT7tg5RwNdtEqzRymolCsneYq-LdMVc3ueV8VY8MfYFEL7bFZoC9n53r1TZA92UBJMhK7LZMcY1yjcGGeQ3lWy9JcMf2G6cQPfpR50Eap5__M5Ok6vy27glYZMk0MBflxZE4/s400/polygamyporter.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
Yep, Polygamy Porter. This made us giggle through the first 10 minutes of dinner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/wyoming/images/s/wyoming-snake-river-canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><u><b>Day 3:</b></u> Jackson Hole/Teton Village. This is our favorite stop so far. The drive from Salt Lake City was gorgeous, with a backdrop of mountains, and much of the road paralleled the scenic Snake River. Pretty magical. Our hotel is gorgeous and extraordinarily eco-friendly. The friendliness to the environment does not, however, match that of its staff. It feels like we're visiting old friends. We are excited to hike around Jenny Lake tomorrow and to spend at least one more evening here. Eva's stepdad worked here last summer and gave us some great recommendations to check out too. This is a pic I found online of the surrounding area: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/wyoming/images/s/wyoming-snake-river-canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/wyoming/images/s/wyoming-snake-river-canyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-26924015091824352272010-08-15T22:42:00.000-07:002010-08-15T22:42:47.100-07:00Flood Relief for Pakistan<p>U.S. citizens can also still text "SWAT" to 50555 to donate $10 for flood relief in Pakistan.<br />
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As the State Department's official blog notes, 2010 has seen natural disasters strike around the world, from the devastating <a href="http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/earthquake/index.htm" title="earthquake in Haiti ">earthquake in Haiti</a> at the start of the year, to recent <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/08/145859.htm" title="mudslides in China">mudslides in China</a>, <a href="http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/us_response_fires_russia" title="wildfires in Russia">wildfires in Russia</a>, and <a href="http://www.state.gov/p/sca/ci/pk/flood/index.htm" title="flooding in Pakistan">flooding in Pakistan</a>. <br />
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I am proud that our government has joined with the governments, NGOs, and citizens around the world in rushing humanitarian relief and assistance to where it is needed most.Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186347340711329158.post-9364599708100914722010-08-15T22:27:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:39:55.356-07:00Pack-out and AlohaWe had our first official State Department pack-out on August 10th. To prepare, we went through our storage unit, our sublet, and my parents' garage and segregated and demarcated all items as UAB (unaccompanied air baggage, which will arrive at our DC apartment just weeks after our arrival) or HHE (household effects, which will go into storage in Maryland to be seen again only when we leave for post). It was a hectic few days. By the time the movers arrived at 7 am, we had everything in neat piles. <br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://helpinghandsmove.com/web_images/worldofboxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://helpinghandsmove.com/web_images/worldofboxes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Five movers arrived and brought along two huge trucks. The guys began by opening all our pre-packed boxes and repacking everything. That was a relief, as we'd done everything pretty haphazardly the first time around. ;) The HHE crew then followed us to our storage unit in a nearby city and did the same thing there. We were done by 2 pm -- the easiest move Eva or I have ever done! Then again, we've never moved with the assistance of five people and two enormous moving vans before. These professionals moved like the wind and were very good-humored and nice folks. We just PRAYED we would not exceed our authorized UAB limit of 450 lbs -- which, of course, we did. We will just have to take the Wii, Rock Band 2 drums, Eva's KitchenAid, and all our clothes n the car with us. <br />
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After the movers left, we spent the next two days moving out of our San Francisco sublet and into my parents home. All we had there were our remaining kitchen items and clothes, but it somehow took forever. We both feel like we've spent the last few months of our lives moving. I guess I have to get used to this process as an FSO.Cynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03237614067827817063noreply@blogger.com1