Security?

Before we headed on our South American adventure, I tried to brush up on my Spanish skills. To that end, I found a free podcast on itunes for Coffee Break Spanish by the Radio Lingua Network. To my surprise, after a fun introductory song, Mark and Kara began the lesson with thick Scottish accents. It is true, I learned how to say "I am from Scotland" in Spanish, but they also address their US base with their lessons.

When I reached the Lima airport, I realized my Spanish was not as good as I thought it was. While we were only in Lima for a layover, we had to pass through security before we could reach our gate. After my bag went through the conveyor belt, I was stumped when they kept asking me if I had a "sombrilla" in my bag. This word was not covered by my Coffee Break lessons.

The security guards started making several gestures so as to explain what a sombrilla was, but apparently there is no good universal hand signal for an umbrella. Eventually after 10 minutes or so, I figured it out, and let the security officer know, that yes, I had an umbrella in my bag. They took my word for it, and let me move on toward the gate. I started to question whether the security in the airports in South America were as strict as North America, I mean not only did they take my word for it when I clearly didn't understand the question, but our shoes stayed on our feet and no liquids were confiscated - we almost felt human when we traveled. But then, I saw this. . .

Quite the collection!

Do My Fish Know We're Leaving on Vacation?

I may not be blessed with adorable children yet, but my husband currently fills that void in my life. Thus, from time to time he may inspire an "I-have-to-share-this-adorable-moment-post."

Today, our fish were being a bit aggressive with each other (and the rocks at the bottom of the tank), and they seemed to be going a bit crazy. My husband thinks they are anxious because they know we are going on vacation. Adorable, no?

Almost 100 Things About Me...and Growing

OK . . . more like a little more than 1/3 of 100, but if you count all my run-ons and tangents, there might just be 100 things yet (then again, if you subtract for repetitiveness. . . I may be worse off then I started):

1. I am a mommy
2. I work full time as an attorney
3. I do not think that makes be a bad person (or mommy)
4. I am starting to learn that the secret of the woman who does it all (the woman I always strive to be), is that she delegates!
5. I also found out the woman who does it all shops online, so that she doesn't have to run errands on her days off
6. I do not know how to ride a bike (yes, it's true: http://stilettolawyer.blogspot.com/2008/06/fear-and-pride-consequence-and-benefits.html)
7. I have never broken a bone (knock on wood)
8. I am superstitious
9. I am a horrible speller (and am very grateful for spell check)
10. I've been proven psychic in a laboratory (as part of a class I took in college)
11. I am not judgmental, or at least, not most of the time
12. I am naturally a pessimist, but have grown into an optimist
13. I believe that killing with kindness is always the way to go, but I admit that can sometimes be exhausting
14. I was a vegetarian for 10 years
15. I love to cook and find it therapeutic
16. I try to plan our meals for each month ahead of time, so that there is no guesswork to dinner each night
17. My favorite activity is throwing any type of party
18. I also love taking pictures, and scrapbooking
19. I have no artistic skills, and am not even capable of coloring between the lines
20. I am scared to fly, but I love to travel, and try not to let my fears interfere with enjoying life (if you need proof of this fact: I flew on 14 different planes in 2008)
21. I have been south of the equator
22. I am scared of needles (but, as you can see, I apparently I won't let that stop me from seeing the world either)
23. I am married to my soulmate
24. I am cheesy, but happy
25. I am sometimes naive
26. I am often indecisive
27. I am overly analytical, and must do extensive research before making any decision (which means I am also a lawyer)
28. Sometimes I flip a coin, just to see how I react; then I know what I really want to do
29. The idea of writing 100 things about me, was an idea that was stolen frominspired by other bloggers
30. I enjoy reading, but rarely find the time to read anymore (unless other people's blogs count)
31. I failed my driver's license eye exam
32. I write a lot of blog entries that I end up not posting
33. Which is silly because I think I am the only one who reads my blog
34. Well, at the very least, I am pretty sure that I am the only one who read this far without skipping
35. But, if you've made it this far, you are my new favorite friend
36. I am easy to please

You Can Call Me Four Eyes--My License Now Does

It's official, I need glasses. Sure, I've worn them since law school first stole my vision, but now, there is a special line on my license that boldly says "RESTRICTION." It's true, I failed the driver's license eye test (which I am told is a feat in and of itself).

Ah...the joys of aging.

Babies on the Brain

Talk of children has become less scary lately. But tonight, I had to wonder: are we really ready for children? My mother-in-law thinks we are, but you be the judge:

Exhibit "A":
My husband says the darnedest things when he is half a sleep. Check out this dialogue:

Me (while squishing his cheeks, in a soft and loving voice, I said): "What am I going to do if we have a little boy one day that looks like you?"

Hubby (half asleep, he opens his eyes and with a determined voice he says): "Tell it, 'No!'"

Exhibit "B":
After playing a violent and graphic video game for over an hour where heads were exploding and guts were a flyin' at the hand of a virtual machine gun, and after watching countless horror movies and Dr. shows without the slightest twitch, my husband was finally disgusted by "Lost." It's true: when they showed Jin's baby all covered with afterbirth he couldn't handle it. The afterbirth--did it, I finally saw my husband squirm and cover his eyes the way I do through all the horror movies and Dr. shows.

On the other end of the couch, I couldn't help tearing up at the sweetness of the moment. Damn you biological clock, where do I hit snooze?

My Very First Meme

I'm still not sure what a meme is (my guess is that it's like a myspace bulletin survey, but less boring and more insightful than what color panties I am wearing). I can't say I have much of a presence here yet so I haven't been fortunate enough to have been specifically called out to play along, but luckily, Two Right Hands has tagged me to play (OK, so she really tagged anyone who wanted to play...but that counts, right?).

Here's the setup:
1) Look up page 123 in the nearest book to you.
2) Find the fifth sentence and write it down. Then write down the three sentences that follow.
3) Tag other bloggers to do the same.

Unfortunately, I am blogging in the wrong room for this meme. But, hesitating all temptation to cheat and wander into the room where the books live, I shall settle for the small pile of books within my reach.

So, without further ado, my very first meme:

1) Technically, the nearest book to me is White Noise by Don DeLillo.

2) "He sat slouched in the camouflage jacket with Velcro closures, steeped happily in disaster. He talked about the snow, the traffic, the trudging people. He speculated on how far we were from the abandoned camp, what sort of primitive accommodations might be available there. I'd never heard him go on about something with such spirited enjoyment."

3) And finally, in the spirit of sharing: Tag! You're it.

P.S. If it wasn't exciting enough to complete my first meme, I also learned how to tag links in html today! OK, maybe I'm a bit too proud of myself, but it's a start.

"And" Is So A Letter AKA Gotta Love Natalie

Some might find Natalie, the Bikini Barista from Big Brother 9 a bit annoying or, dare I say it, desperate, at times, but I find her absolutely adorable (which means I also happen to think Matt is a [insert expletive here]). . . but it turns out she is a bit . . . slow.

If you missed Natalie's shining moment from last Sunday's episode, be sure to check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHI00QGA7uo
(fast forward to 4:31 if you want to get right to the good stuff)

Gotta love reality TV...where do they find these people?

Help Make My Birthday (I Mean St. Patty's Day) a National Holiday!

Check it out . . .

http://www.proposition317.com/

Despite the fact that I am Jewish, and not of Irish descent, I say: who needs a reason to support the creation of another national holiday? . . . even if a beer company is responsible for the campaign.

I've Been Robbed By Daylight Savings

It sneaks up on you, and before you know it, a whole hour disappears! While my DVR, cell phone and computer somehow magically all automatically adjust to the time shift caused by daylight savings, I am not so fortunate, and it can take me over a month to recover from the loss.

Personally I think daylight savings was created to torture those of us that aren't morning people and often don't get enough sleep. I hear fictional stories that this concept was invented to "conserve energy" or "save oil" or it has something to do with farmers' preferences or "reducing car crashes" and "safety" for trick-or-treaters. Not that I'm egocentric or anything, but I see through the lies, and I'm pretty sure that daylight savings was created just to f%#$ with my sleep schedule.

Now fall backwards . . . that's something I can understand (and enjoy)! Here's to November 2nd, when normality will return . . .

Photo pictured above is not my own brilliance, but was found on http://www.flickr.com/ and is entitled "Squared Circles - Clocks" by Leo Reynolds, which I am required to tell you - if you want to borrow this picture like I did, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en for the rules for sharing.

For the Literate

Recently I ventured to Los Olivos, and I am pretty sure I stayed in the room that inspired "The Yellow Wallpaper."

Traveling at Any Expense

Yesterday I had not 1, not 2, but 3 shots . . . on purpose.

I get that it's not a rational fear, but I really can't stand needles. My mom never had to worry about me trying heroin or getting a tattoo, but she did have to drag me kicking and screaming every time she had to take me to the doctor's office.

I'm now in my late 20s, and haven't changed much in that respect--except now it's my husband dragging me kicking and screaming.

However, our upcoming travels to South America have come with a consequence, and apparently having yellow fever, hep. A or typhoid is worse than getting the shot (at least according to my mother), so even though the shots were not required (just recommended), I decided to grow up and get all 3.

My husband had to hold my hand through the ordeal, and it was a painful experience (not at all like the small pinch my mother promised), but when my husband asked the nurse if I did better than a 5 year old, the nurse assured him I had. Looks like I'm starting to grow up a bit.

Anyway, if anyone knows any countries that require a yellow fever shot, mine's good for 10 years, and I'd love to make the most of it!