Random thoughts...

I took a hint from Teri's blog, and I've decided that I'm just going to start putting bullet points. That way I can talk about more things in one post, that aren't related, and it saves time. Don't get me wrong, I love writing "eloquently" and having fun using puns and what not, but this way I can keep you guys more updated with my life!

I have been pondering on:

-The fact that everyone needs to read the book 1984 by George Orwell. It has some crazy, amazing, relevant, and applicable ideas about politics in there that are still being practiced hoy en día (presently). We discussed one of the ideas in my Politics and Society of Latin America class, and I just beamed the entire time we talked about it 'cause I already knew what we were talking about! It goes like this: If the government is corrupt, or there are problems (ie financial crisis) they "create" a dispute/war/controversy/distraction with another country. This way they create a common and external enemy for the entire country to "hate" so the country will unify behind this new cause in order to beat this "said threat." This is exactly what's happening with Bolivia and Chile right now. Obviously there are some hard core financial problems everywhere in the world right now, however, to distract their people from the internal crisis, Bolivia has convinced them (with the help of a lot of press) that their strife is the fault of Chile who has robbed them of their access to the ocean/ robbed them of their ports. This happened... how many years/ centuries ago? And their now bringing it up? Anyways, long story short. George Orwell= smart man, and everyone should read that book.

-After looking at everyone else's facebook pictures I am now really excited to go sit on the beach of Mallorca for 5 days with Nicole! I'm ready to get some fun reading in.

-My iPod is again alive (I thought it had died), so I guess not all of my electronics are failing me yet... just camera, and sometimes the ordenador (laptop).

-My spanish is actually getting better! I had a few compliments today, "How are you so good at Spanish" and "you have a really good accent" YAY

-I can't wait to see my mom and sister... they are coming in 17 days!!!! I miss my whole family and have decided that one of the major things that will ever keep me from living abroad for an extended period of time (besides in Spain... 'cause there are more reasons than just this one to not live here) is my family. I would miss them too much, miss being a part of their lives, and seeing them!

-I am very unsatisfied with the physical shape I am in right now. You know when you start getting lazy and you try to convince yourself, "oh, I don't look that bad"...? Well I've been saying that for too long, time to get my big butt out and running, and stop eating so darn much (Ps I ate dinner at 11pm tonight... GREAT).

-It's really hard to appreciate/enjoy a culture when you don't enjoy the food.

-I want to join a Spanish club when I get home... I don't want to lose everything I've gained, and the only way to do that is keep talking to natural spanish speakers.

-I already have a list of things to do when I get home: EAT copious amounts of mexican food, and papa john's pizza, Visit the Butcher family in MI, summerfest '09, visit Chicago, WORK OUT, spend an unmeasurable amount of time with my family, visit my grandparents!, road trip?, six flags, valley fair,sit all day and read in my hammock, read, read, read... did I mention reading?, prepare myself for the coming semester, find a job, see new harry potter movie, catch up on all the movies I missed, camping, make my dream book, LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE.

Well, this has been long enough for now. Let me know if you like the new format, or if you preferred the other.

Besitos (kisses),
Shan