Nicaraguan Socks

Eeeek. It's been FOREVER since I actually finished these socks and I never updated or uploaded my pictures to share with the world. Shame on me.

I started these socks when I was on my way to Nicaragua. Then I put them down to work on my thesis. Then teaching ensued. Finally I finished the last one. I love wearing them.

Janelle’s recommendation for the twisted rib is a perfect pattern for socks. This was also the first sock pattern I basically made myself out of my head. It was a toe up construction. It was a great learning process. I know that I will definitely make several modifications with the next pattern. I'm also quit interested in learning how to shape my socks.

P.S. - My friend Janelle just made her first sock pattern. Try it out. I can't wait to knit up my own pair!

Manly Mits

Oh dear I have been remiss in updating my blog with my latest knitting and life escapades. I'm going to try and do several knitting posts to get it up to date over the next week or two...

I’m back to my good ‘ole blue colors…

I did some altering because I liked the yarn and I liked the pattern I got with gauge, but I had about 4 more stitches per inch than the pattern called for. I just scaled the pattern up with some handy math and the gloves turned out fantastic!

I really enjoy how they turned out, too. They were super-warm this winter.

Tale of an Army Nurse afflicted with a debiliating disease

The Butcher's Daughter: The Story of an Army Nurse with ALS by Sandra Lesher Stuban

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
An Ivy-League educated person in tip-top shape notices that she begins having difficulties climbing stairs. Little did she know that this would causer her life to change radically, as it was the beginning of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Stuban does a marvelous job at telling her life as a highly energetic, focused nurse in the army driven to high standards and community improvement, referring often to her country morals from growing up in Elizabethville, PA. While her narrative is tough to read at times as she retells losing one ability after another, Stuban will inspire you not to pity her and others with ALS, but instead to live each day to the fullest and contribute to your own community. Stuben recounts the difficulties transitioning from a caregiver to a patient in a new community and in a chaotic healthcare system. This is required reading since we never know if we, or a loved one, may be diagnosed with a debilitating illness like Stuben.


View all my reviews.

Sad week for Argentina

On March 31, 2009, Raúl Alfonsín died (82) years old. He was the first democratically elected president of Argentina after the series of devastating military dictatorships that ravaged Argentina for decades. This is a sad week for Argentina and South America because Alfonsín represented in many ways hope for the future of South America in a post-dictator world. Alfonsín is lauded for bringing many people to justice that committed various crimes during the military dictatorships in Argentina. He was highly criticized during the time because he brought many of his own political party (los radicales) to justice.

Sadly Aflonsín stepped down in result of rapid inflation and defaulting on foreign loans. But the contributions that this president made with negotiating and mitigating human rights violations in Argentina cannot go unremembered. In the US we have heard little about this important leader's death, which is sad since this man was a stalwart support of justice, equality and the virtues of Human Rights.

See the NYTimes Article Below:
New York Times Article

Book Review - Deep Economy

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future by Bill McKibben

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Deep Economy will force you to reevaluate your purchasing patterns and (hopefully) your consumer behavior. He illustrates that the current economic model most nations are using may end up with many more losers than winners. While the world is growing at an enormous rate, we are consuming at an enormous rate. He illustrates how unsustainable this is for the US and the arsenal of countries on the verge of becoming developed.



In exchange, he offers a new way of looking at economics. He develops a model through a local community in place of a growth model. In the first chapter, he shows how our food system could be altered in order to be more sustainable and to build community at the same time. Later he extends this model to other issues pressing our future on the earth: energy production, transportation, etc.



From my perspective growing up on a farm, everything McKibben makes sense: Buy local, and all of the money goes to the farmers in the community and at the same time, food is the freshest. Live within your means in a way that is in concert with the environment. Over consumption doesn't equal happiness, but family, community, and relationships will lead to lasting happiness.



I appreciate that his ideas are not radical nor ideological. McKibben reinforced his ideas with common sense alternatives to our typical consumerism in the United States. I think that you would be inspired after reading this book, and realize how much control we do have to shape the world. Reading this after my recent travels to Nicaragua inspires me to start my professional life living within my means; Central America more than many places shows us the consequences of United States decisions. I will definitely try to thwart off all of the pressures for hyper-consumerism.



My friend recommended this book to me last year and I decided I should pick it up and read it before McKibben comes to my campus in April. The book surely did not disappoint, and I'm excited to see his talk in April.


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Family Day!

My parents and grandma visited me at Gettysburg. I thought I'd share the photo with my friends and family!


Follow my adventures from 1/3-1/13 in León Nicaragua. Visit our blog: http://cps-pgl.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all. I hope you all have had fulfilling years and an even more prosperous year next year!

Latest Book - Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think this book was amazing. I have a funny story about it. While I was studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina I started this book in Spanish--my first libro en español. It was hard reading in Spanish, but I managed through two sections of the book until it was stolen on my trip to Northern Argentina when I had the last section--Love--to finish.



I just finished it and I'm really impressed with her writing style. I think its a book for anyone who's trying to search for life's purpose(s). I really am impressed with how she communicates to the reader the potpourri of emotions she feels throughout her year long voyage. I relate with her right now as I'm facing with pivotal life decisions post grad.



I recommend people to read this is they're facing a huge obstacle in life or would like to reflect you on life's obstacles. I know this book really challenged both of these chapters in my life.


View all my reviews.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Have a great day with family and friends.

Stranded Ear Flap Hat

My knitting friend made two of these hats while I was in Argentina, and I got jealous. So I had to make one for my friend! (P.S., said friend has a new blog--check it out!) I finished this project in July--boy am I behind at posting!

This was my first stranded knitting project. I bought the yarn in Buenos Aires and knitted it with US 5 needles--they were circulars I bought in Argentina, they were nasty! I used the "Ear Flap Hat" pattern, but I altered the stranded knitting pattern significantly.

I really like the outcome. Since Lindsay reported that they had snow in Wisconsin this week, I definitely know it will be put into good use this winter in cold Madison!

We don't want your support - Read my friend's blog

This is hysterical. I heard about this problem from a friend in Argentina. Then my friend wrote about this on his blog:

We don't want your support - no queremos tú apoyo

Enjoy!

Argentine Economic Situation

My friend Matt from Buenos Aires sent me this insightful article about the Argentine economic situation. There debacle is different than many other countries, but represent some problems facing many other nations:

Argentine Bonds, Stocks Sink as Takeover Fuels Default Concerns

A NYTimes Article that's very interesting on currency issues across the world. Argentina isn't specifically mentioned, but neighboring Brazil is:

Some Currencies Plunge as Stocks Sink Worldwide

EI Fellows and Chris Matthews

Chris Matthews came to Gettysburg College this evening. As a fellow, we got to meet him. Here's the stunning group of us Eisenhower Institute Fellows!

http://www.eisenhowerinstitute.org/

Memories - A glass of wine

Never time for anything in life is there? I still have a lot to expand upon post-Argentina, and I will post it sometime soon, damnit!

What is it about a glass of wine?

I am above my head with work. I'm applying for a grant, doing calculations for instrumental, reading for molecular...all while breathing. I think it's funny how quickly I've re-assimilated into my US life. Some things are good, most things aren't. You might find that as a shock, but it's the truth honestly.

It's funny things that still bother me. Mostly things that I'm ashamed of my fellow Americans, e.g. the polls, why are we so stupid?

But if I take a moment to breathe, it's amazing what happens. I have just been taken back to Buenos Aires by having a glass of Malbec wine during a break. It makes me think of all the funny glassware the folks bring out at an Argentine restaurant. It makes me think of all my amazing experiences I had in Santiago del Estero, when we shared glasses of wine before we volunteered. Oh my, it makes me think of maté and talking for hours with my host mother.

Odors, flavors, scenery...they all can make us bring back fond memories. Have you thought about the fond memories in your past?

Book Review - The Bonesetter's Daughter

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this book up at a book exchange in Iguazú Argentina for the bus, and it really had me spell-bound. I read 200 pages on a long bus ride and reserved the last 100 for my last week in Buenos Aires. Tan is a phenomenal author at developing characters that are easy to relate to.

LuLing is Ruth's mother and immigrated from China to the US. We learn through Ruth during the first part that life has not always been easy for LuLing, and as she ages, Ruth has more burning questions about her past.

Ruth, on the other hand, is a strong woman who is a provider for her family. She is caught between the abuse her mother and her partner's children give her. I fell in love with Ruth's character because I relate to her desire to hold her family together. At the same time I also relate to her grand emptiness that sometimes is experienced while doing everything for everyone else.

I certainly will be reading more of Tan after this amazing novel.

View all my reviews.

Arrival

I arrived safe and sound yesterday. I will be posting all kinds of information about my travels last 3 weeks in Argentina throughout the remainder of August and September.

Chau!

Photo of the Day -- Churripan

Churripan with lots of spicey chimi-churri and a side of French Fries. How yummy.

Chorripan is a staple of "street food" in Buenos Aires. I bought this on a trip in June to La Plata at a street restaurant outside of the cathedral.

Chorripan describes the chorizo, or sausage, serged in a baguette roll. The Argentines usually put Chimi-churri, a great spice combination, on the sausage roll, too. Many times they serve it with French Fries, like it was in this photo. You often can order it at street venders or at parilla's (Argentine steak houses).

Many people have this idea that all South America eats spicy food, likely from many countries in Central and Northern South America that do have spicy cuisine. In Argentine, spicy doesn't exist. The porteños especially hate spicy food. My mother yells "¡Lo Pica! ¡Pica! ¡Pica!" any time I use Black pepper to season food. Their sausages aren't any exception. They are seasoned, but definitely not spicy--something that my family's Pennsylvania Dutch non-spicy palate could even handle.

Photo of the Day -- Cats, Cats everywhere!

This cat was sighted in Recoleta Cemetery. Just was watching and chilling on the cool tile.

Buenos Aires is notorious for the feral cats. Part of the problem is that the kitties are being fed by many older people in the community that creates more of a problem. Like in the US, people drop the cats off at a place if they no longer can care for them, which is very sad.

I've been taking a series of photos of feline friends this semester. I'm most intrigued that there are very few colorful cats here--mainly black and white. These calico cats are special and rare. Although they look similar, they both live in very different parts of the city.

This cat was found in the Jardín Botánico close to my apartment. Isn't it cute?

Photo of the Day -- Sunset at Colonia del Sacremento

This was taking from the boat leaving from Colonia del Sacremento after a wonderful weekend there several months past. The sights were divine and make me want to move there immediately.

Photo of the Day -- Building in Recoleta

I love this building that is in Recoleta. I think it sits on the intersection of Callao and Santa Fe (I will have to check).

It's a running joke between Lindsay and I that the architecture is beautiful, however I won't bore you to tears with our running joke...

LINDSAY: Isn't the architecture on this building amazing?