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!