Read previous post first, I'll wait...
Okay, so that was the Chilean Christmas. On Christmas Day, all the oblates go home to their families to celebrate. This is one of those differences between here and monasteries. They can leave and do these things. Since I couldn't make a quick trip for lunch to my house, I joined the group that were abandoned by their families - the Brits. Okay, not abandoned, but certainly couldn't go home. Two of the British oblates are a married couple with 8 kids. They host the celibate British oblates on Christmas for a very traditional Christmas, complete with turkey, peas and carrots, and plum pudding.
I was invited to partake and, I must say, it was very nice. There was a brief hiccup in the beginning when I had to figure which appetizers I could have (many had some sort of shrimp association), but everything was delicious. I liked the meal, because it was very traditional. I imagined that all of England was sitting down to enjoy the same things. Something we don't have in the states. Our traditions aren't necessarily centered around the meal. Save for McCarthy Christmas - where if I can't have my chicken noodle and chili soups, I will walk out.
Another British Tradion. Crackers. Crackers are this little packages that have paper hats and a small toy in them. What you do is hold one end of your cracker in you right hand and cross arms, grabbing the other end of another cracker with you left. On the count of three, you "uncross" your arms, popping open the crackers. And then everyone wears their hats and share the jokes inside of them (think Laffy Taffy Jokes). Fantastic.
After all the puddings and turkeys, we had a bit of afternoon tea and I became a hit with the kids out on the field playing some Frisbee and trying to learn some gymnastics. Little note about the latter - an 8-year old girl is intrinsically more flexible than a 23-year old male. But it was fun, and I learned that I can not touch my foot to my head while lying on my belly.
After the playing, we watched Toy Story 3 (Go America!) and then got ready to pack up and go. After all was said and done, it was a very nice way to spend my time at Christmas. While I was away from my family, I did get to partake in a family. That's what it is all about I suppose, spending time with family and carrying on tradions. And while I wasn't able to spike my hot chocolate with my sister Christmas morning, I was able to enjoy crackers and plum pudding (which, I hear, is made with quite a bit of brandy). Thanks for adopting me!
Enjoy your New Years!
31 December 2010
A Very English Christmas
They astute reader may look at this title and think "I thought Jer was Chile." And if you did, then stop reading my blog - clearly we're not as good of friends as I thought if you fall for such a ridiculous antic and actually question whether or not I am in Chile. Silly reader.
Some say that Christmas only comes around once but here in Chile with Manquehue it not only came twice, but it came disguised in different cultures. Let me paint you a picture with some words - if I used paint as my medium it would look terribly good:
Christmas started on Christmas Eve with a lovely outdoor mass at one of the schools, San Benito. The sun was shining and there was a crisp heat in the air. Typical Christmas Fashion. Mass was presided over by a British Monk which was great because I could understand his Spanish the best out of anyone I have met so far.
At the conclusion of the mass, I was invited to partake in a dinner ceremony with the oblates at the house of the founder. It a very nice, formal dinner that lasted about 5ish hours. I'll try to sum up the highlights.
One - Vodka Tonic. We had a cocktail hour where I was served a vodka tonic. Normally I would opt for the gin and tonic relative but I never pass up an opportunity to have something exotic (first time having vodka down here - it was a nice vodka as well).
Two - Dinner. Most of the dinner was cold, due to it being so warm here. So I had some cold turkey, cold roast beef, hot potatoes, and other nice things. It was really nice. Tomato salad with peppers (I guess both cold and hot). Some very nice wine. And, I was sitting next to one of the British oblates so the conversation was easy.
Three - Dessert. Fruits, some sort of tort thing. Very, very nice. And it included number four.
Four - Coffee. New disclaimer. When I mention coffee on the blog, assume that it is real coffee (what's the point about writing about instant coffee?). I didn't get much (expresso cup for regular coffee), but it was so nice. It got me thinking about purchasing a Moka. I've had real coffee two times down here now, and I would rank this coffee experience as being one of the singles-greatest things I've done in Chile (mostly environmental, but let's let coffee have the day).
Five - Scotch. The night ended with a glass of scotch. Johnnie Red. I'll admit, in the past I have said some harsh words about Johnnie Red. I have a bit of a beef with all the Johnnies, although I've only had Black and Red. Anyways, it can be a delight at times. This was one of those times. Although they served it with ice. And I wanted to be polite, but when the British oblate spooned out his ice, I gave a quiet "Hizzah!" and followed suit.
Six - the priest came to dinner as well and ended the night with an old English ode. It was something out of the hills of Scotland, just beautiful.
A great night had by all. Thank you Chile for making it awesome.
Some say that Christmas only comes around once but here in Chile with Manquehue it not only came twice, but it came disguised in different cultures. Let me paint you a picture with some words - if I used paint as my medium it would look terribly good:
Christmas started on Christmas Eve with a lovely outdoor mass at one of the schools, San Benito. The sun was shining and there was a crisp heat in the air. Typical Christmas Fashion. Mass was presided over by a British Monk which was great because I could understand his Spanish the best out of anyone I have met so far.
At the conclusion of the mass, I was invited to partake in a dinner ceremony with the oblates at the house of the founder. It a very nice, formal dinner that lasted about 5ish hours. I'll try to sum up the highlights.
One - Vodka Tonic. We had a cocktail hour where I was served a vodka tonic. Normally I would opt for the gin and tonic relative but I never pass up an opportunity to have something exotic (first time having vodka down here - it was a nice vodka as well).
Two - Dinner. Most of the dinner was cold, due to it being so warm here. So I had some cold turkey, cold roast beef, hot potatoes, and other nice things. It was really nice. Tomato salad with peppers (I guess both cold and hot). Some very nice wine. And, I was sitting next to one of the British oblates so the conversation was easy.
Three - Dessert. Fruits, some sort of tort thing. Very, very nice. And it included number four.
Four - Coffee. New disclaimer. When I mention coffee on the blog, assume that it is real coffee (what's the point about writing about instant coffee?). I didn't get much (expresso cup for regular coffee), but it was so nice. It got me thinking about purchasing a Moka. I've had real coffee two times down here now, and I would rank this coffee experience as being one of the singles-greatest things I've done in Chile (mostly environmental, but let's let coffee have the day).
Five - Scotch. The night ended with a glass of scotch. Johnnie Red. I'll admit, in the past I have said some harsh words about Johnnie Red. I have a bit of a beef with all the Johnnies, although I've only had Black and Red. Anyways, it can be a delight at times. This was one of those times. Although they served it with ice. And I wanted to be polite, but when the British oblate spooned out his ice, I gave a quiet "Hizzah!" and followed suit.
Six - the priest came to dinner as well and ended the night with an old English ode. It was something out of the hills of Scotland, just beautiful.
A great night had by all. Thank you Chile for making it awesome.
15 December 2010
Zombie Outbreak
I've been keeping up with the new zombie sitcom out on television, The Walking Dead. While the show not's the greatest thing I've ever seen, it got me thinking about the proposed zombie apocalypse. What I do like about the show is that it tries to give the most scientifically feasible explanation for zombies (which kind of works if you ignore a few rules in matters of life) and gives the zombies the classic, slow-moving attributes. I know that zombie culture is rising in popular culture which has brought me to a few thoughts:
1) I think that Santiago would be a very good city to be in if the zombie outbreak occurred. Many houses in the city have tall metal fences complete with barbed or razored wire and bars over the windows. They are already prepared to take on the walking dead and I think most of them would be very effective bunkers.
2) I don't think that a zombie outbreak would take over the world. It could take over a continent maybe, but world? No.
3) I wonder what the church's stance would be on zombies. I have half a mind to email someone about this. What's the morality of killing a zombie? Grey Area? Also, would suicide be considered okay if you were cornered and had no escape. It seems to be a strategy used in zombie avoidance - what would their position be? Which is the lesser evil? It would be great if the church released a satirical work on preparing for the Zombies but I'm sure that they would take some heat for such a publication. To be fair, they can also publish something on StarWars morality - mostly about killing aliens.
Stay care and keep a careful eye out. Remember, a head shot is the only guarantee for zombie death.
1) I think that Santiago would be a very good city to be in if the zombie outbreak occurred. Many houses in the city have tall metal fences complete with barbed or razored wire and bars over the windows. They are already prepared to take on the walking dead and I think most of them would be very effective bunkers.
2) I don't think that a zombie outbreak would take over the world. It could take over a continent maybe, but world? No.
3) I wonder what the church's stance would be on zombies. I have half a mind to email someone about this. What's the morality of killing a zombie? Grey Area? Also, would suicide be considered okay if you were cornered and had no escape. It seems to be a strategy used in zombie avoidance - what would their position be? Which is the lesser evil? It would be great if the church released a satirical work on preparing for the Zombies but I'm sure that they would take some heat for such a publication. To be fair, they can also publish something on StarWars morality - mostly about killing aliens.
Stay care and keep a careful eye out. Remember, a head shot is the only guarantee for zombie death.
03 December 2010
The sweatpant version of shoes...
This is in reference to a Seinfeld episode where George begins going out in a sweat suit and Jerry claims this is the last step of social disregard and self-loathing. I give up, so I might as well be comfortable. I have crossed into sweatpants.
These sweatpants take their form in Crocs (well, Aucks really). My crocs (aucks) are my house shoe that I enjoy wearing and sometimes have worn them out on brief excursions. Usually my outside the house shoe are my Chucks. In the mornings as we get ready for work, I get dressed, but usually don't tie my shoes until I'm in the car - too much lace (they're high tops - don't compromise style for fashion). Well the days have been going by and I've been postponing later and later into the day when I would tie them, or at least half-ass tie them. The latter being tying the ends but leaving the shoe pretty unsupportive.
Yesterday was a threshold moment. I went the whole day never tying my shoes. I felt accomplished and ashamed. Then today happened.
Without fully realizing what I was doing, I arrived at school with my crocs (aucks) on. I never touched the high tops today. I attribute part of this with needed to make breakfast this morning so I slipped on my crocs (aucks) instead of my chucks because I didn't want any hassle. And I never took them off.
What am I becoming??
These sweatpants take their form in Crocs (well, Aucks really). My crocs (aucks) are my house shoe that I enjoy wearing and sometimes have worn them out on brief excursions. Usually my outside the house shoe are my Chucks. In the mornings as we get ready for work, I get dressed, but usually don't tie my shoes until I'm in the car - too much lace (they're high tops - don't compromise style for fashion). Well the days have been going by and I've been postponing later and later into the day when I would tie them, or at least half-ass tie them. The latter being tying the ends but leaving the shoe pretty unsupportive.
Yesterday was a threshold moment. I went the whole day never tying my shoes. I felt accomplished and ashamed. Then today happened.
Without fully realizing what I was doing, I arrived at school with my crocs (aucks) on. I never touched the high tops today. I attribute part of this with needed to make breakfast this morning so I slipped on my crocs (aucks) instead of my chucks because I didn't want any hassle. And I never took them off.
What am I becoming??
01 December 2010
Springtime Visitor
I will be playing host to a Miss Alyssa Hoff from March 10th to March 19th.
For those of you who don't know who this is, she's pretty neat. That's all you need to know.
Cheers.
For those of you who don't know who this is, she's pretty neat. That's all you need to know.
Cheers.
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