tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22350629557528195612024-03-05T06:18:59.165-08:00SpontaneityA new blog for a new chapter: life after my adventures in Ubrique, Spain.Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-56972603358097030782012-06-07T14:23:00.003-07:002012-06-07T18:48:18.048-07:00I'm MADD! So I'm out to make a difference...Dear Family, Friends, and Readers,<br />
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As many of you know, I lost a dear childhood friend on May 15, 2006 to the hands of a drunk driver. Justin was just shy of his 21st birthday, and was an accomplished and incredible young man. He was a business student at the University of Colorado Denver, a Denver Public Safety Cadet (on his way to becoming a fireman), and was an avid soccer player, snowboarder, and phenomenal swimmer (might I mention that Justin and I were awarded "Rookie of the Year" trophies our first year on ACES Club swim team; impressive, right?! haha). Justin was on his way home from a softball game when his life was cut short by a drunk driver in an accident that ultimately took the lives of three people, and seriously injured another. The crash site is marked with a sign to remember Justin and to warn every driver that passes along Hampden/HWY 285 at Federal (in Denver, CO) of the costs of driving drunk. <br />
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No one should ever have to lose a son, a brother, or a friend at the hands of a drunk driver. For me, the most frustrating part is that every crash and every life taken because of a drunk driver is completely, 100% avoidable. The solution is beyond simple, and each and every one of us has the ability to erradicate this plague from our streets and our nation by making the choice not to drink, to drive sober, or to find a designated driver. It is as simpple as that.<br />
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As a student in high school, I was a member and leader of Students Against Destructive Decisions ("SADD") (a student organization primarily devoted to helping raise awareness of the dangers of underage alcohol consumption and of drunk driving). Now, I've moved on to be a very active member of Mother's Against Drunk Driving ("MADD"). I have participated in the fundraising "Walk Like MADD" 5k walk for the past five years, and I frequently volunteer with the Lakewood and Denver Police Departments at DUI checkpoints throughout the Denver metro area. <br />
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Raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving is a cause that I've always believed in, but it didn't become a passion until after I lost Justin. Now, I'm asking for your help in three ways:<br />
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1. Be a part of the solution. Make the choice to drive sober or find a designated driver.<br />
2. Help raise awareness. Start a "FADD" by making wise choices and educating your friends and families of the perils of drunk driving (get it? Fad...FADD...Friends Against Drunk Driving? I'm so clever...).<br />
3. DONATE to the cause, if you can. This year, on August 4, 2012 I will be walking and raising funds for 2 teams at Walk Like MADD!! You can donate to either one - just follow the links below. 100% of donations go to MADD. And if you are curious what your money does...well, it helps MADD and the Colorado community directly. You can find out more <a href="http://here./" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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If you are interested and willing to donate, you can donate on my behalf to either: <a href="http://support.madd.org/goto/ashleyteamjustin" target="_blank">Team Justin</a> OR <a href="http://support.madd.org/goto/ashleyteamDA" target="_blank">Team DenverDA</a> (just click on the team name and a hyperlink will take you to my homepage for that team).<br />
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Team Justin is captained by Jonni Conant, my friend Justin's mom and is composed primarily of his friends and family. I have walked on Team Justin for the past five years.<br />
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Team Denver DA is composed primarily of the attorneys, staff, and friends of the Denver District Attorney's Office, where I am currently interning.<br />
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Thanks for your support!! <br />
<br />Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-82957877590962580672012-03-05T21:33:00.003-08:002012-03-06T19:44:58.579-08:00My Dog Will Be Claiming Me as a "Dependent..."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKhhJCqLibp5Yw9ikXIA7uYYMz6v-vWpkHpRPyUcmqaliX0GweWHtb85OI1bFjtgCsEnUA39iFau5BSZbzmzsSPlywoxwr7XoC6Jg0tIvVkRVDmlYx4Xt5jWi7n1ws6sWt1v3Yqx27tx9/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKhhJCqLibp5Yw9ikXIA7uYYMz6v-vWpkHpRPyUcmqaliX0GweWHtb85OI1bFjtgCsEnUA39iFau5BSZbzmzsSPlywoxwr7XoC6Jg0tIvVkRVDmlYx4Xt5jWi7n1ws6sWt1v3Yqx27tx9/s320/IMG_9826.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's tax season, and as my dad and I were going through all the paper work and all the drudgery, he jokingly asked: "will you be claiming Sam (my dog) as a dependent this year?" Of course you can't claim a dog as a dependent for tax purposes...that's one of the few things I know about taxes. :-) And even if I could, I'm not too sure it would be that beneficial. That silly question got me to thinking, though, and I wondered, who is really "dependent" on who? I mean, sure, Sam has to wait for me to get home from classes or work in order to go outside, he counts on me to remember to feed him breakfast and dinner, to keep his water bowl full, to play and exercise him, and to scratch his belly on command (my cue: when he rolls over and plays "dead"). But really, that's about it. So, I came to the conclusion that I am really dependent on him, not the other way around.<br />
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Sam is the reason I wake up every morning. Literally. He is usually up just before the alarm goes off, and in the event I don't set my alarm, he never fails to wake me up bright and early. I count on him to be my exercise partner and pace keeper. Sam also keeps me on a schedule...always reminding me when I should take a study break and get some fresh air. I also count on him to provide comedic relief on a daily basis. Two years and counting...and he still makes me laugh every.single.day. He frequently makes 180 degree turns in order to chase and capture a leaf blowing by. He pounces on light reflections that appear on the carpet...and the wall. He sprints and does laps around my condo for about five minutes every morning. He chases butterflies and bird shadows at the dog park (he is famous around town for being "the butterfly chaser," and yes, he can spot them all the way across the field). He <em>always </em>gets in my way as I am trying to put on my shoes. When he sees a bug...he keeps his eye on it and slowly follows it with his nose until he gets bored with it. He leaps through 2 feet of snow like its the best most wonderful thing on earth. He sings (literally) on the way to the dog park and doesn't stop until we get there. He throws the ball and plays catch with himself. And the list goes on...but the point is, Sam makes me smile and laugh out loud every day--something that in this rushed, busy, and stressful world is a true commodity.<br />
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As Christopher Morley once said, "no one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does." I have to admit that I am also dependent on Sam to be my friend and my confidant. He is a wonderful listener...he'll sit for quite a while before he gets tired of hearing about how frustrating it is that after 200 years we still don't fully understand the origin of the justiciability doctrines of standing, ripeness, and mootness (are they constitutional requirements or merely prudential?), or how ambiguous the adequate state law ground rule is (I mean, precisely what constitutes an inadequate state procedural ground that permits judicial review?). And when the discussion gets a bit more heated and political, he is always loyal and never voices opposition. By the way...I really don't talk to my dog as much as it seems...<br />
Sam is also my bodyguard and watch dog - and a very good one at that! He is always careful not to let some stranger get too close to us, and he has a wonderful ear for strange noises outside. He's also pretty good at spotting lawn decorations (such as flamingos, deer, Christmas decorations...) and warning me of their presence. Thanks to him, I've so far avoided any run-ins with rogue statues.<br />
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I guess what I'm trying to say is simply that there is something truly extraordinary about dogs. They have personalities. They are forever loyal and compassionate creatures. They don't judge (or at least they do a good job hiding it) and they don't care what we look like on any given day. They are forgiving and don't hold grudges. They make a positive difference in the lives of others on a daily basis. We could all learn a lot from dogs...Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-71138238755411102902012-02-22T20:31:00.003-08:002012-02-22T21:12:10.087-08:00You Know You've Lived in Spain When...I must say that I am ashamed that I haven't posted in well over a year. I'm guessing no one even follows me anymore - heck, if you have to wait years in between posts, there really isn't much to follow! My respite is partly due to a lack of time (law school keeps me plenty busy - reading and writing assignments galore), but also due to a lack of inspiration. Spain inspired me to write, to share my adventures and perspectives, and to memorialize every moment. It has been hard to find similar inspiration here.<br />
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The other day, however, my friend Carly passed along a wonderful e-mail entitled "You know you've lived in Spain when...". We've all seen these kinds of e-mails before, but this one truly hit home. After studying abroad in college and then living in Spain for nearly two years, I can honestly say that most of these are 100% accurate. And #50, is definitely true. While those of you who don't speak Spanish might miss the humor in some of these, I encourage you to take a glimpse at a dictionary or find a translator online. It's worth it (and you'll learn a word or two!). Read on and enjoy...<br />
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You know you’ve lived in Spain when….<br />
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1. You think adding lemonade, fanta or even coke to red wine is perfectly acceptable. Especially at lunch. <br />
2. You can’t get over how early bars and clubs close back home, surely they’re closing just as you should be going out? <br />
3. You aren’t just surprised that the plumber or electrician has turned up on time, you’re surprised he turned up at all. <br />
4. You think it’s fine to comment on everyone’s appearance. And to openly stare at strangers. <br />
5. Not giving every new acquaintance <em>dos besos</em> seems so rude. <br />
6. You’re shocked by people getting their legs out at the first hint of sun - surely they should wait until at least late June? <br />
7. On msn you sometimes type ‘jajaja’ instead of ‘hahaha’ <br />
8. You’re amazed when Spanish TV ad breaks last less than half an hour, especially right before the end of films. <br />
9. You’re not surprised that Spanish TV program info doesn’t match with what is actually being shown, unless it is “Prensa Rosa”. <br />
10. You forget to say please when asking for things - you implied it in your tone of voice, right? <br />
11. You know what a <em>pijo / pija</em> is and how to spot one. <br />
12. Every sentence you speak contains at least one of these words: <em>bueno</em>, <em>coño</em>, <em>vale</em>, <em>venga</em>, <em>pues nada</em>... <br />
13. You know how to eat <em>boquerones</em>.<br />
14. You know the difference between <em>gambas</em>, <em>gambones</em>, <em>cigalas</em>, <em>langostinos</em>...<br />
15. You know the difference between <em>jamón pata negra</em> and <em>jamón de York</em>, and you prefer the first. <br />
16. You eat lunch after 2pm & would never even think of having your evening meal before 9. <br />
17. You know after 2pm there’s no point in going shopping, you might as well just have a siesta until 5 when the shops re-open. <br />
18. You know you must take two days off when you have to do any official paperchasing, for cars, residence, etc. <br />
19. You know that those astronomical prices they’re talking about are actually in pesetas, and what that means in euros. <br />
20. If anyone insults your mother, they better watch out… <br />
21. You know how to change a <em>bombona</em>.<br />
22. It’s not rude to answer the intercom to your flat by asking <em>Quien?</em> <br />
23. You don’t accept beer that’s anything less than ice-cold. <br />
24. You know Bimbo isn’t a slutty woman, it’s a make of <em>pan de molde </em>(which, incidentally, isn’t moldy) <br />
25. You know the difference between <em>cojones </em>and <em>cajones</em>, <em>tener calor</em> and <em>estar caliente</em>, <em>bacalao</em> and <em>bakalao</em>, <em>pollo</em> and<em> polla</em>, <em>estar hecho polvo</em> and <em>echar un polvo</em>...and maybe you learned the differences the hard way! <br />
26. On some Sunday mornings you have breakfast before going to bed, not after you get up. <br />
27. Floors in certain bars are an ideal dumping ground for your <em>colillas</em>, <em>servilletas</em> etc. Why use a trash can?! <br />
28. You know <em>ensaladilla rusa</em> has nothing to do with Russia. <br />
29. The doctor says you are <em>constipado </em>you don’t go and buy ExLax. <br />
30. You have friends named Jesus, Jose Maria, Maria Jose, Angel, maybe even Inmaculada Concepcion.<br />
31. You know that <em>ahora</em> doesn’t really mean now. <br />
32. When you make arrangements to meet at 3, the first person turns up at 3.30…if you’re lucky! <br />
33. When women think that clear bra straps are in fact invisible. <br />
34. When it’s totally normal for every kitchen to have a deep-fat fryer but no kettle. <br />
35. <em>Te cagas en la leche</em>…. <br />
36. To avoid that cheap Eristoff vodka you have to ask for ‘un esmirnoff’. <br />
37. You think J&B and Ballantines are OK to drink. <br />
38. When you know what a<em> guiri</em> is and have been called one (*one of my favorites!*) <br />
39. Blonde girls actually start to think their name is <em>rubia</em>. <br />
40. If something is great, it’s <em>de puta madre</em><br />
41. You eat up to 5 times a day: 1st breakfast, 2nd breakfast at 11.30, <em>almuerzo, merienda, cena</em>. <br />
42. You know the jingles for Los Cuarenta Principales, M80, Onda Zero, etc. <br />
43. If you see someone wearing a T-shirt with something written on it in English, you can almost guarantee it won’t make sense. <br />
44. When you go into a bank/bakery etc, it’s standard practice to ask "<em>Quien es la ultima?"</em><br />
45. When you have the habit of answering the above question "<em>Ahora es Usted</em>." <br />
46. Who needs a dryer when you have a washing line outside the window of your apartment? <br />
47. You are more likely to call your friends <em>tio/a, nena, chaval, macho</em> or even <em>tronco</em> than by their name. <br />
48. You answer the phone by saying ‘Yes’. Or even <em>¿Diga?</em>49. You prefer UHT milk. <br />
50. You prefer all the above to the way they do things back home.Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-75749519776559585662010-12-26T18:36:00.002-08:002012-02-22T21:59:05.189-08:00A Colorado Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Español abajo.</em></div><br />
I can honestly say that I have never looked forward to Christmas vacation more. After two weeks of finals and what seemed like nothing but sleeping and studying, Christmas break could not have come at a more needed time. This year is also extra special because I'm in Colorado celebrating Christmas with my parents for the first time in two years. Don't get me wrong, Christmas in Spain was fantastic, but it just is not the same as being with your family!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UgieGdQshnByaK08cfW-KLL4szUCrnwHBenIi7NRhDcXsm7efVr7kT__3-ohF2pUmOeQeqtOofDVpjZT_6TCTKzBW97Nx61C63BAXmOBVeMc848MgkYuoWa9bVuhb64UP5OaiaqaO8to/s1600/IMG_9401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UgieGdQshnByaK08cfW-KLL4szUCrnwHBenIi7NRhDcXsm7efVr7kT__3-ohF2pUmOeQeqtOofDVpjZT_6TCTKzBW97Nx61C63BAXmOBVeMc848MgkYuoWa9bVuhb64UP5OaiaqaO8to/s1600/IMG_9401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UgieGdQshnByaK08cfW-KLL4szUCrnwHBenIi7NRhDcXsm7efVr7kT__3-ohF2pUmOeQeqtOofDVpjZT_6TCTKzBW97Nx61C63BAXmOBVeMc848MgkYuoWa9bVuhb64UP5OaiaqaO8to/s200/IMG_9401.JPG" width="150" /></a>I have to be honest, since I haven't seen snow in over two years, I was really excited for a Colorado white Christmas. However, I learned years ago that you don't always get what you wish for... I know Colorado doesn't always get white Christmases, but for some reason, that's what I remember most about Christmas growing up - either that it was snowing Christmas morning, or at least there was a pile or two of snow left in the yard. This year was definitely different - and while I hate to admit it, probably one of the most beautiful, warmest Christmases I can remember. The weather sure beats the rain and floods I experienced last year in Ubrique!<br />
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When I came home a week ago, I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a house beautifully decorated for Christmas. My mom is pretty good about decorating and making it feel like the holidays in every room of the house! The Christmas tree was beautiful, as always. The presents wrapped perfectly. And there was plenty of oatmeal, rum balls, tea, and hot coco (all your basic Christmas food staples) filling the cupboards. In other words, everything was practically perfect. <br />
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Christmas morning came and went, all too quickly. And when I think about it, I'm so incredibly glad that it wasn't a white Christmas after all. I'm so fortunate to have such a wonderful home and warm clothes, but there are so many that aren't so lucky, so many without homes to return to, without warm clothes to bundle up in, without food to curb their hunger, and without Christmas cheer. So for them, for all of us, it was nice to have a more temperate Christmas, where everyone could enjoy the beautiful day! <br />
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I'm a very lucky girl. Christmas is not about the gifts, the picturesque white Christmas, or the feast at dinner, its about being together with and appreciating those you love and care about. This year, I got to celebrate Christmas with family. I can't ask for more. I hope you all had a wonderful and joyous holiday!! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from Colorado!<br />
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<em>Puedo decir honestamente que nunca he estado tan emocionada para las las vacaciones de Navidad. Después de dos semanas de exámenes finales y lo que parecía ser nada más que dormir y estudiar, las vacaciones de Navidad no podía haber llegado en un momento mejor. Este año es también muy especial porque estoy en Colorado para celebrar la Navidad con mis padres por la primera vez en dos años. No me malinterpreten, la Navidad en España ha sido fantástico, pero no es lo mismo que estar con tu familia!</em><br />
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<em>Si te digo la verdad, ya que no he visto nieve en más de dos años, estaba muy emocionada para una Navidad blanca como suele ser en Colorado. Sin embargo, me enteré hace años que no siempre consigues lo que deseas... sé que Colorado no siempre tiene navidades blancas, pero por alguna razón, eso es lo que más recuerdo de Navidad cuando era chica - o bien que estaba nevando por la mañana de Navidad, o por lo menos había un poco de nieve en el suelo. Este año fue diferente - y aunque no me gusta admitirlo, probablemente uno de los más bonitos, más cálido navidades que recuerdo. El tiempo aqui sin duda es mejor que la lluvia y las inundaciones que experimentó el año pasado en Ubrique! :) </em><br />
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<em>Cuando llegué a casa hace una semana, me sorprendió mucho entrar en una casa decorada muy bonito para la Navidad. Mi mamá siempre pone muchas decoraciónes bonitas para que en todas las habitaciones hay un poco de alegria y el espirítu de navidad! El árbol de Navidad era hermosa, como siempre. Los regalos envueltos perfectamente. Y había un montón de harina de avena, bolas de ron, té y chocolate caliente (todos los alimentos básicos de Navidad) en la cocina. En otras palabras, todo era perfecto.</em></div><br />
<em>La mañana de Navidad llegó y se fue, con demasiada rapidez. Y cuando pienso en ello, estoy muy contenta de que no era una "blanca Navidad". Me siento tan afortunada de tener un hogar maravilloso y ropa de abrigo, pero hay tantos que no tienen tanta suerte - muchos sin hogar al que regresar, sin ropa de abrigo, sin alimentos para el hambre, y sin la alegría de la Navidad. Así que para ellos, para todos nosotros, fue bueno tener una Navidad mas templado y sin tanto frio, donde todos pudieran disfrutar del hermoso día!</em><br />
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<em>Soy una chica muy afortunada. La Navidad no es acerca de los regalos, ni el pintoresco "Navidad blanca," ni la cena grande, sino de ser junto con y apreciar a tu famila y tus amigos queridos. Este año, he tenido la suerte de celebrar la Navidad con mi familia. No puedo pedir más. :)</em><br />
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<em>Espero que todos hayan tenido unas vacaciones maravillosas y alegre! Les deseo una Feliz Navidad desde Colorado!</em>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-66124874488661593072010-11-25T11:31:00.002-08:002012-02-22T21:21:17.620-08:00An American Thanksgiving!<em>Español abajo</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd1R8fKS4kFmsxZ1vfsZID_ziDNzKBCl2Xfcqn4n1FRlyvVi2qhHS0Br1HU5z_GWmOPIrJ4VrS0Zi7QFEvM1wdLpJGn3NP3yeW7WLLJx2GBRlyODiiznLN0Zm7etXaWLPC0OdwB4kKxU5/s1600/IMG_9396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd1R8fKS4kFmsxZ1vfsZID_ziDNzKBCl2Xfcqn4n1FRlyvVi2qhHS0Br1HU5z_GWmOPIrJ4VrS0Zi7QFEvM1wdLpJGn3NP3yeW7WLLJx2GBRlyODiiznLN0Zm7etXaWLPC0OdwB4kKxU5/s200/IMG_9396.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>For the first time in two years, I am home and spending Thanksgiving with my family. It has been hard being away and not really being able to celebrate what I would consider the most American holiday. I am definitely looking forward to spending the day in the kitchen, enjoying loads of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, salad, bread…and pumpkin pie, of course, and spending the afternoon playing games and having fun with my family.<br />
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After living and working in Spain for two years, immersing myself in an incredible culture, and learning all about their traditions and holidays, I realized that there are some holidays that we recognize and celebrate here in the United States that I really do not know all that much about. I think sometimes when we are immersed in something, and it is so familiar, we forget to question and explore its origins and traditions. So, as we all sit down and prepare to eat our turkeys and cranberries, I thought I would remind everyone about the origin and some fun history behind Thanksgiving. <br />
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Did you know…<br />
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1. Most historians agree that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621. However, there is some controversy, and other historians note that in 1565, for instance, Pedro Menéndez de Avilé (a Spanish explorer) held a feast for the Timuca tribe in St. Augustine, FL after holding a mass to thank God for his crew’s safe arrival. <br />
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2. In 1789 George Washington issued what became known as the first Thanksgiving proclamation, in which he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the successful conclusion to the War of Independence and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. <br />
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3. In 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale launched a 36 year-long campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, and scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November. (Now, you are probably thinking you’ve never hear of Sarah Josepha Hale...but I bet you know her, after all, she was the author of the famous nursery rhyme “Mary had a Little Lamb”)<br />
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4. In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression, but when his plan was met with such opposition, he reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November. <br />
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5. According to the National Turkey Federation, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. <br />
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6. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City has been a Thanksgiving tradition since 1924 and attracts some 2 to 3 million spectators each year. <br />
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7. Starting in the 20th century, each year the President pardons one or two Thanksgiving turkeys, sparing the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm for retirement. <br />
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Well, now you know…And for more fun facts check out: <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/page3#a3">http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/page3#a3</a><br />
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<em>Por la primera vez en dos años, estoy en casa para celebrar el día de Acción de Gracias con mi familia. Ha sido difícil a veces estar tan lejos y no poder celebrar lo que yo consideraría la fiesta más americana que hay. Definitivamente estoy emocionada pasar el día en la cocina, disfrutar de un montón de pavo, puré de patata, arándanos, ensalada, pan ... y el pastel de calabaza, por supuesto, y tambien pasar la tarde jugando y divirtiéndose con mi familia.</em><br />
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<em>Después de vivir y trabajar en España durante dos años, sumergiendome en una cultura increíble, y aprendiendo todo acerca de sus tradiciones y fiestas, me di cuenta de que hay algunas fiestas que reconocemos y celebramos aquí en los Estados Unidos que realmente no sé mucho. Creo que a veces, cuando estamos inmersos en algo, y es tan familiar, nos olvidamos de que se trate y no exploramos sus orígenes y tradiciones. Así que, antes de que todos se sientan y se preparan para comer nuestros pavos y arándanos, pensé que escribiria sobre el origen y un poco de la historia acerca del dia de Acción de Gracias.</em><br />
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<em>¿Sabías que...?</em><br />
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<em>1. La mayoría de los historiadores coinciden en que la primera Acción de Gracias se celebró en 1621. Sin embargo, existe cierta controversia, y hay algunos historiadores que dicen que la primera celebración fue en 1565, por ejemplo, cuando Pedro Menéndez de Avilé (un explorador español) celebró una fiesta para la tribu Timuca en St. Augustine, Floridia después de celebrar una misa para dar gracias a Dios por su tripulación llegada a buen puerto.</em><br />
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<em>2. En 1789 George Washington publicó lo que llegó a ser conocido como la primera proclamación de la Acción de Gracias, en que llamó a los norteamericanos para expresar su gratitud para la conclusión exitosa a la Guerra de Independencia y la ratificación de Constitución de los EEUU. </em><br />
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<em>3. En 1827, Sarah Josepha Arrastra lanzó una campaña para establecer Acción de Gracias como una fiesta nacional. Abraham Lincoln por último hizo caso de su petición en 1863, en la altura de la Guerra Civil, y la fiesta del dia de la Acción de Gracias fue planificada para el jueves final en noviembre. </em><br />
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<em>4. En 1939, Presidente Franklin D. Roosevelt cambió el día de fiesta de una semana en un intento por impulsar las ventas durante la Gran Depresión, pero cuando su plan fue recibido con tanta oposición, firmó un proyecto de ley para establecer la celebracion del dia de Acción de Gracias el cuarto jueves de noviembre.</em><br />
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<em>5. Según la Federación Nacional de Pavos, cerca del 90 por ciento de los americanos comen pavo el dia de Acción de Gracias.</em><em></em><br />
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<em>6. El desfile de la Acción de Gracias presentado por Macy's en Nueva York ha sido una tradición de Acción de Gracias desde 1924 y atrae a entre 2 y 3 millones de espectadores cada año.</em><br />
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<em>7. A partir del siglo 20, cada año el presidente "perdona" uno o dos pavos el dia de Acción de Gracias, para ahorrarlos de la masacre y luego el presidente envía ellos a una granja para la jubilación. :)</em>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-7761822371757348672010-11-24T17:24:00.000-08:002010-12-22T17:26:53.847-08:00Football Fun<em>Español abajo</em><br />
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As the saying goes, all work and no play makes for a dull day. So, after what seemed like three straight months of all work and very little play, once Thanksgiving break rolled around a few friends and I took a Saturday off from studying and went to the CU Buffalos last home football game. This season has been a bit rough for the Buffs with a 5-7 record, but luckily they did win against Kansas on Saturday. It is always more fun to go to a game and win it... <br />
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I was an avid football fan in high school, and after high school had looked forward to going to lots of college football games. But that didn't quite happen since the University of Portland didn't have a football team (although, soccer essentially took its place since the UP women's soccer team was #1 in the USA). So, last Saturday was the first live football game I've been to in almost six years! Hard to believe.<br />
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It was mighty cold out, but a beautiful sunny day. I rode my bike to my friend's apartment, and a group of us took off walking and headed over to the stadium. At first there were not many fans, but the stadium filled up quite quickly. Since it was the last home game, they recognized all the senior players. Then there was a flyover with two military jets before the game, and of course, no home game can start without the running of Ralphie. Ralphie is the school's mascot - a 400 some pound buffalo that runs around the field at the beginning of every game, and then again at the start of the second half. Ralphie is said to be one of the most unique mascots in all of intercollegiate athletics (check out this site <a href="http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=24639">http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=24639</a> )! So, it was pretty cool to finally make it to a game, and I hope next year I will be able to find the time to go to a few more... Go CU!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2c-MJADOWb0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<em>Como se dice aqui, todo trabajo y nada de juego hace un dia aburrido (o algo asi...). Así que, después de casi tres meses en seguido de mucho trabajo (y muchos estudios) y casi nada de diversión, una vez que empezaron las vacaciones por el dia de acción de gracias, mis amigos y yo decidimos descansar de los estudios y fuimos una tardé un sábado a un partido de fútbol americano de Los Búfalos de la Universidad de Colorado (donde estoy estudiando para un doctorado/masters en derecho). Esta temporada no ha sido tan bueno para los Búfalos, han perdido 7 partidos y han ganado solo 5. Pero ganaron afortunadamente contra el equipo de Kansas el sábado que fuimos. Siempre es más divertido ir a un partido y ganarlo. </em><br />
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<em>Era una fanática del fútbol americano en "High School" (instituto) y siempre estaba muy emocionada ir a una universidad con un equipo de futbol y para ir a los partidos los viernes por la noche. Pero como fui a la Universidad de Portland, la cual no tenia un equipo de fútbol americano, nunca tenía la oportunidad (aunque, el fútbol esencialmente tomó el lugar del fútbol americano porque el equipo de fútbol de los mujeres de la Universidad de Portland era #1 en todo los E.E.U.U....pero no es igual del fútbol americano). Así que, el sábado pasado era el primer partido de fútbol americano vivo que he visto en a casi seis años!!!</em><br />
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<em>Hacía bastante frío pero fue un día soleado y muy bonito. Monté mi bicicleta y fui a casa de mi amigo, y un grupo de nosotros fuimos andando hacia el estadio. Al principio no había muchos aficionados, pero una vez que empezó el partido, el estadio se llenó con bastante rapidez. Ya que fue el último partido de los Bufalos en Colorado, reconocieron todos los jugadores de alto nivel. Luego hubo un paso con dos aviones militares antes del partido, y por supuesto, como siempre, habia un corrido de Ralphie. Ralphie es la mascota de la universidad - es un búfalo que pesa mas de 400 libras que corre alrededor del campo de fútbol al comienzo de cada partido y luego otra vez al inicio de la segunda mitad. Ralphie es conocido como una de las mascotas más especial de todos las mascotas del atletismo intercolegial (echa un vistazo a esta enlace si tienes interes en Ralphie: </em><a href="http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=24639"><em>http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=24639</em></a><em>)! Por lo tanto, era muy bueno para finalmente llegar a un partido, y espero que el año que viene voy a ser capaz de encontrar el tiempo para ir a algunos más...</em>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-76768745931318427262010-10-29T18:10:00.000-07:002010-10-29T18:10:11.864-07:00Crutches: A LessonThis past Tuesday, my typical morning run ended abruptly as I stepped on a crab apple, twisted my ankle, and stumbled to the ground. It hurt like heck, but I figured it was primarily the shock factor. So I took Sam and hobbled on home. However, when it puffed up like a blow fish and started to bruise, I decided to make my way to the ER (which luckily is super close to where I live!). After three x-rays and staring at the ceiling for over an hour, the doctor on call told me I had sprained my ankle and had a bone chip (basically when my ligament detached, it took a teeny part of my bone with it). The prognosis was good - bones heal quickly, and I should be back up and running in three to four weeks! :) In the mean time, however, I was told I needed to keep all weight off my foot for a full week (aka the doc prescribed crutches) and for the next two weeks I was told I needed to keep my ankle in special ankle brace.<br />
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I am very fortunate that this is my first "real" injury (and it really isn't even that serious) aside from a broken nose back in 7th grade. However, it has been a challenge. The crutches have perhaps been the most painful/challenging element. Within the first two days, my entire body ached and I had bruises under my arms, chaffed arms, and bruises on the palms of my hands. And of course, there was the abnormally swollen and painful foot.<br />
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As much as I have moaned and groaned, and despised with a deep passion using crutches, I must admit that it has been well worth it. I have gained a lot of new insight and appreciation for the little things the past few days. We too often take things for granted. The ease of taking shower. Cooking/preparing a meal. Getting dressed and ready in the morning. Driving. Going from one classroom to another. Grocery shopping (which, for your information, is impossible if you are by yourself and using crutches). Sitting comfortably in a chair. And the list goes on and on. <br />
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I've also noticed a few things that I've never before thought about. For example - pharmacies tend to be located in the most inconvenient part of the store: the very back. For healthy people, what is a quick walk across the store becomes a true hike for a sick or injured person. And opening doors to enter a building, such as the CU Wolf Law building, become a true task. First of all, the doors weigh a TON and are even hard for me to open when I have full use of my hands (and am not supporting my weight on crutches). However, they are even hard to open if you push the handicap button, which only opens the first door. Once in the first door, you have to make your way to the next button, which is 'conveniently' located about five feet from the door, in the corner, about 4 feet off the ground. And then you sprint to make it through the second door on time. Then, once in the building, you have to go to the far back corner to access the elevator. It is perhaps the most difficult building to get around if you are in any way handicapped. I cannot imagine having to face challenges like these for more than a week, and am now blatantly aware of the everyday challenges that so many people have to face. <br />
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I am so thankful that I am normally healthy and able-bodied. Now, I can't wait to be back to 100% and get off this couch and start running again!Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-91911951901431166802010-09-17T20:26:00.001-07:002012-02-22T21:10:16.957-08:00BIKES! Too many bicyclists!<div style="border: currentColor;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfZHRc_tBqWayAt66YkRGh4w9_OqKZ_PKoUTCWHPwyqnaq21J5IHHsOltx92jHwFHcdthIAaqd-qLkAt3i6XRqRWtPcA3SJKyA4sZkxBfR0-X0I6Sa1Dra7SjyZsGgGYgr9fnS6GLPiNK/s1600/Bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfZHRc_tBqWayAt66YkRGh4w9_OqKZ_PKoUTCWHPwyqnaq21J5IHHsOltx92jHwFHcdthIAaqd-qLkAt3i6XRqRWtPcA3SJKyA4sZkxBfR0-X0I6Sa1Dra7SjyZsGgGYgr9fnS6GLPiNK/s320/Bikes.jpg" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Part of being a citizen of one of the healthiest and most active states in the US, is being tolerant of lots of bikers, runners, hikers, walkers,etc...wherever you go. There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I've been living in Boulder for just over a month, and I am already quite fed up with the bicyclists. It isn't just because they almost outnumber the cars, or the fact that they are simply annoying distractions or even because they frequently disobey traffic signals and wrongly assert their right-of-way. Its for all of these reasons combined, and the fact that they are flat out dangerous when they are on the road. I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Last Friday around noon I was driving back to Denver for the weekend. I was driving along, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, and in the backseat, Sam was grinning from ear to ear enjoying the fresh air with his head out the window. It seemed like a perfect afternoon. But it changed quite suddenly. Within an instant, I was shaking, in tears, and on the phone with my mother. Why? Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I almost always take 93, a two (somtimes 3) lane highway that winds through the flatirons and foothills. As I was going around a curve, in my lane, with a car to my right, all of a sudden I saw a white SUV. It took a split second for me to realize it was in my lane. I had cars behind me and beside me, so I couldn't just slam on the breaks, nor could I move over a lane. My heart stopped. I slightly panicked...but simply took my foot off the accelarator. Suddenly the car coming straight at me swerved back over into his lane. I finally could breath. Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">A second later, I found out why he had been in my lane. There was a bicyclist on the road. Literally, on the road and in the traffic lane (since there is no bike lane). Because it was a curve (and this is all speculation on my part), the white SUV did not see the bicyclist until he was literally on top of him. Immediately upon seeing him, he crossed over the line (so as not to run the bicyclist over and to give him the clearance we are required to give by law), which of course, meant he was in my lane. Neither of us could see eachother until it was almost too late. Had he hit me head on, I don't think I would be here today. We would both have been going roughly 50 mph.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I would not have blamed the other driver at all. What are you supposed to do when you all of a sudden on a curve, unexpectedly come up on a bicyclist. The way I see it, you have three options. (1) Hit the biker, (2) Slam on your brakes, get rear-ended, cause a pile up and still maybe hit the biker, or (3) make a split second decision to move over a lane (even though it means crossing the center line). The driver chose the third option. Of course, none of the options are good. Either way the driver has a lot to lose. But the thing is, drivers should not be put in this position. Bikes should not be on the road. For the same reason pedestrians are not allowed to walk along highways, or meander along in the middle of the road - it is simply too dangerous for all parties involved.</span><br />
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M<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">y situation could have been much, much worse. I was lucky it only shook me up and scared me to death. But I've seen far too many close calls. Bikers deciding not to follow the traffic signals, and sprinting out in traffic only to hear brakes screeching because "oops, there was a car coming" and they simply didn't see it. Or bikers that have decided they can go the wrong way on a traffic ramp, merge lane, etc. The funniest thing of all, is they give you the dirty look for not expecting them to sneak up on you. And regardless of their fault...as the driver, you are expected to see them and give them the right-of-way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I do not, by any means, agree that bikes should be on the roads. It is one thing if they have their own lane (as they do in most places in Spain and Europe), but it is a completely different thing when they take over a traffic lane. Roads are exactly that. Roads. For cars, trucks, semis, vans, etc. Bicyclists shoudl be on sidewalks, trails, or in their own lane. Not in mine. And this is not a new sentiment, I've always felt this way. However, after my latest experience, it is a sentiment that has certainly gotten stronger. </span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">* * * * * </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_nqs351="45" se="Part of being a citizen of one of the healthiest and most active states in the US, is being tolerant of lots of bikers, runners, hikers, walkers,etc...wherever you go." te="Parte de ser un ciudadano de uno de los estados más saludables y más activos en los EE.UU., está siendo tolerante con un montón de ciclistas, corredores, caminantes, senderistas, etc .. donde quiera que vaya. " title="">Parte de ser una ciudadana de uno de los estados más saludables y más activos en los EE.UU., es que tienes que ser tolerante con un montón de ciclistas, corredores, caminantes, senderistas, etc...donde quiera que vaya. </span><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title="">No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente. </span></em></span></span><br />
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</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_p5g26f="45" se="I've been living in Boulder for just over a month, and I am already quite fed up with the bicyclists." te="He estado viviendo en Boulder poco más de un mes, y ya estoy bastante harto de los ciclistas. " title="">He estado viviendo en Boulder, Colorado poco más de un mes, y ya estoy bastante harta de los ciclistas. </span><span closure_uid_p5g26f="46" se="It isn't just because they almost outnumber the cars, or the fact that they are simply annoying distractions or even because they frequently disobey traffic signals and wrongly assert their right-of-way." te="No es sólo porque casi superan en número a los coches, o el hecho de que son distracciones o incluso simplemente molesto, porque con frecuencia desobedecer las señales de tráfico y sin razón, hacer valer su derecho de paso. " title="">No es sólo porque casi superan en número a los coches, o el hecho de que son distracciones o incluso simplemente molesto, ni es porque con frecuencia desobedecen las señales de tráfico y sin razón, hacer valer su derecho de paso/preferencia. Es</span><span closure_uid_p5g26f="47" se="Its for all of these reasons combined, and the fact that they are flat out dangerous when they are on the road." te="Su por todas estas razones combinadas, y el hecho de que son de plano peligrosas cuando están en el camino. " title=""> por todas estas razones combinadas, y el hecho de que simplemente son peligrosas cuando están en la carretera. </span><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title="">Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen bicicletas en las carreteras!!</span></em></span></span></span><br />
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</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="45" se="Last Friday around noon I was driving back to Denver for the weekend." te="El viernes pasado el mediodía todo estaba conduciendo de vuelta a Denver para el fin de semana. " title="">El viernes pasado al mediodía yo estaba conduciendo a Denver para pasar el fin de semana. </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="46" se="I was driving along, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, and in the backseat, Sam was grinning from ear to ear enjoying the fresh air with his head out the window." te="Yo estaba conduciendo a lo largo, disfrutando del hermoso día soleado, y en el asiento trasero, Sam era una sonrisa de oreja a oreja disfrutando del aire fresco con la cabeza por la ventana. " title="">Yo estaba conduciendo escuchando la musica, disfrutando del día soleado, y en el asiento trasero Sam estaba con una sonrisa de oreja a oreja disfrutando del aire fresco con la cabeza por la ventana. </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="47" se="It seemed like a perfect afternoon." te="Parecía una tarde perfecta. " title="">Parecía una tarde perfecta. </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="48" se="But it changed quite suddenly." te="Pero cambió de repente. " title="">Pero cambió de repente. </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="49" se="Within an instant, I was shaking, in tears, and on the phone with my mother." te="Dentro de un instante, estaba temblando, llorando, y en el teléfono con mi madre. " title="">Dentro de un instante, estaba temblando, llorando, y hablando por teléfono con mi madre. </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="50" se="Why?" te="¿Por qué? " title="">¿Por qué? </span><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title="">Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente.</span></em></span></span></span></span><br />
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</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="45" se="I almost always take 93, a two (somtimes 3) lane highway that winds through the flatirons and foothills." te="Casi siempre tienen 93, dos (abreviado 3) la autopista carril que serpentea por las planchas y las colinas. " title="">Casi siempre voy por 93, una autopista de dos (a veces tres) carriles que pasa por las colinas y montanas. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="46" se="As I was going around a curve, in my lane, with a car to my right, all of a sudden I saw a white SUV." te="Como yo iba en una curva, en mi carril, con un coche a mi derecha, de repente vi a un SUV blanco. " title="">Yo iba en una curva, en mi carril, con un coche a mi derecha, cuando de repente vi a un SUV blanco. Me tard</span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="47" se="It took a split second for me to realize it was in my lane." te="Le tomó un segundo para darme cuenta de que estaba en mi carril. " title="">ó un segundo para darme cuenta de que estaba en mi carril. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="48" se="I had cars behind me and beside me, so I couldn't just slam on the breaks, nor could I move over a lane." te="Había coches detrás de mí y fuera de mí, así que no podía pisar las pausas, ni podía mover más de un carril. " title="">Había coches detrás de mí y a mi lado, así que no podía frenar, ni podía moverme al lado al otro carril. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="49" se="My heart stopped." te="Mi corazón se detuvo. " title="">Mi corazón se detuvo. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="50" se="I slightly panicked...but simply took my foot off the accelarator." te="Me entró el pánico ... pero algo se limitó a tomar el pie del Accelarator. " title="">Me entró el pánico ... pero deje de pisar el accelarator. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="51" se="Suddenly the car coming straight at me swerved back over into his lane." te="De repente, el coche que venía directamente hacia mí se desvió hacia atrás en su carril. " title="">De repente, el coche que venía directamente hacia mí se desvió hacia atrás en su carril. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="52" se="I finally could breath." te="Por fin podía respirar. " title="">Por fin podía respirar. </span><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="53" se="Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime" te="Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero que realmente se sentía como un curso de la vida" title="">Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero realmente me sentía como un curso de la vida había pasado.</span></em></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<em> </em><br />
<span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title=""><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="53" se="Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime" te="Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero que realmente se sentía como un curso de la vida" title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_4n1awi="45" se="A second later, I found out why he had been in my lane." te="Un segundo después, me enteré de por qué había estado en mi carril. " title="">Un segundo después, me pregunté, por qué había estado en mi carril? Y de repente, entendi. </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="46" se="There was a bicyclist on the road." te="Hubo un ciclista en la carretera. " title="">Hubo un ciclista en la carretera. </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="47" se="Literally, on the road and in the traffic lane (since there is no bike lane)." te="Literalmente, en la carretera y en la vía de circulación (ya que no hay carril bici). " title="">Literalmente, en la carretera y en la vía de circulación (ya que no hay carril bici). </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="48" se="Because it was a curve (and this is all speculation on my part), the white SUV did not see the bicyclist until he was literally on top of him." te="Debido a que era una curva (y todo esto es especulación de mi parte), el SUV blanco no vio al ciclista hasta que fue literalmente encima de él. " title="">Debido a que era una curva, el SUV blanco no vio al ciclista hasta que estaba casi encima de él. </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="49" se="Immediately upon seeing him, he crossed over the line (so as not to run the bicyclist over and to give him the clearance we are required to give by law), which of course, meant he was in my lane." te="Inmediatamente después de verlo a él, cruzó la línea (para no correr el ciclista más y darle a la liquidación que están obligados a dar por ley), que por supuesto, significaba que estaba en mi carril. " title="">Inmediatamente después de verlo, cruzó la línea del medio, que por supuesto, significaba que estaba en mi carril. </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="50" se="Neither of us could see eachother until it was almost too late." te="Ninguno de nosotros podía ver entre si hasta que fue demasiado tarde. " title="">Ninguno de nosotros podía ver el otro coche hasta que fue demasiado tarde. </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="51" se="Had he hit me head on, I don't think I would be here today." te="Si él me golpeó de frente, no creo que yo estaría aquí hoy. " title="">Si él me chocó de frente, no creo que yo estaría aquí hoy. Estuvimos conduciendo </span><span closure_uid_4n1awi="52" se="We would both have been going roughly 50 mph." te="Junto con él les han ido aproximadamente 50 millas por hora." title="">aproximadamente 50 millas por hora.</span></em></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<em><br />
</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title=""><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="53" se="Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime" te="Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero que realmente se sentía como un curso de la vida" title=""><span closure_uid_4n1awi="52" se="We would both have been going roughly 50 mph." te="Junto con él les han ido aproximadamente 50 millas por hora." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="45" se="I would not have blamed the other driver at all." te="No me han culpado al otro conductor en absoluto. " title="">No doy la culpa al otro conductor. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="46" se="What are you supposed to do when you all of a sudden on a curve, unexpectedly come up on a bicyclist." te="¿Qué se supone que debe hacer cuando de repente en una curva, de forma inesperada en llegar a un ciclista. " title="">¿Qué te supones que debes hacer cuando de repente en una curva, de forma inesperada, ves un ciclista. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="47" se="The way I see it, you have three options." te="A mi modo de ver, usted tiene tres opciones. " title="">A mi modo de ver, tienes tres opciones. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="48" se="(1) Hit the biker, (2) Slam on your brakes, get rear-ended, cause a pile up and still maybe hit the biker, or (3) make a split second decision to move over a lane (even though it means" te="(1) Golpear el motorista, (2) Slam en sus frenos, consigue chocado por detrás, porque un montón y aún tal vez golpeó el ciclista, o (3) que la decisión de una fracción de segundo para mover más de un carril (aunque eso signifique " title="">(1) Golpear el ciclista, (2) poner tus frenos, consiguir chocado por detrás, y aún tal vez golpeó el ciclista, o (3) toma la decisión de una fracción de segundo para moverte al otro carril (aunque eso signifique </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="49" se="crossing the center line)." te="cruzar la línea central). " title="">cruzar la línea del centro). </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="50" se="The driver chose the third option." te="El conductor eligió la tercera opción. " title="">El conductor eligió la tercera opción. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="51" se="Of course, none of the options are good." te="Por supuesto, ninguna de las opciones son buenas. " title="">Por supuesto, ninguna de las opciones son buenas. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="52" se="Either way the driver has a lot to lose." te="De cualquier forma el conductor tiene mucho que perder. " title="">De cualquier forma el conductor tiene mucho que perder. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="53" se="But the thing is, drivers should not be put in this position." te="Pero la cosa es que los conductores no deben ponerse en esta posición. " title="">Pero la cosa es que los conductores no deben estar puestos en esta posición. </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="54" se="Bikes should not be on the road." te="Las bicicletas no deben estar en el camino. " title="">Las bicicletas no deben estar en el camino!!! </span><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="55" se="For the same reason pedestrians are not allowed to walk along highways, or meander along in the middle of the road - it is simply too dangerous for all parties involved." te="Por la misma razón los peatones no se les permite caminar a lo largo de carreteras, o serpentean a lo largo de la mitad de la calle - es simplemente demasiado peligroso para todas las partes implicadas." title="">Por la misma razón los peatones no se les permite caminar a lo largo de las carreteras, o serpentean a lo largo de la mitad de la calle - es simplemente demasiado peligroso para todas las partes implicadas.</span></em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<em><br />
</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title=""><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="53" se="Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime" te="Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero que realmente se sentía como un curso de la vida" title=""><span closure_uid_4n1awi="52" se="We would both have been going roughly 50 mph." te="Junto con él les han ido aproximadamente 50 millas por hora." title=""><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="55" se="For the same reason pedestrians are not allowed to walk along highways, or meander along in the middle of the road - it is simply too dangerous for all parties involved." te="Por la misma razón los peatones no se les permite caminar a lo largo de carreteras, o serpentean a lo largo de la mitad de la calle - es simplemente demasiado peligroso para todas las partes implicadas." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em>Mi situación podría haber sido mucho, mucho peor. Tuve suerte, sólo me sacudió y me dio miedo a la muerte. Pero he visto demasiados sustos. Los ciclistas deciden no seguir las señales de tráfico, y van corriendo en el tráfico sólo para oír chirriar los frenos, porque «¡Uy, había un coche que venía" y simplemente no lo vi. O los ciclistas que han decidido que pueden ir en sentido contrario en una rampa de tráfico, carril de fusión, etc. Lo más gracioso de todo eso es que le dan el aspecto sucio por no esperar a ellos. </em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<em><br />
</em><span closure_uid_nqs351="46" se="There is no shortage of bicyclists in Denver or the foothill region, but I've come to learn that Boulder is a completely different story." te="No hay escasez de ciclistas en Denver o en la región pedemontana, pero he llegado a saber que Boulder es una historia completamente diferente." title=""><span closure_uid_p5g26f="48" se="I'm saying it now, and I will gladly say it again...Bikes do not belong on the roads." te="Lo estoy diciendo ahora, y con mucho gusto lo volveré a decir ... no pertenecen motos en las carreteras." title=""><span closure_uid_qpm4ke="51" se="Because I had almost been the victim of a head on collision." te="Porque yo había sido casi víctima de una colisión de frente." title=""><span closure_uid_xjh7k0="53" se="Only a few seconds had passed, but it truly felt like a lifetime" te="Sólo unos pocos segundos había pasado, pero que realmente se sentía como un curso de la vida" title=""><span closure_uid_4n1awi="52" se="We would both have been going roughly 50 mph." te="Junto con él les han ido aproximadamente 50 millas por hora." title=""><span closure_uid_p7u2hf="55" se="For the same reason pedestrians are not allowed to walk along highways, or meander along in the middle of the road - it is simply too dangerous for all parties involved." te="Por la misma razón los peatones no se les permite caminar a lo largo de carreteras, o serpentean a lo largo de la mitad de la calle - es simplemente demasiado peligroso para todas las partes implicadas." title=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="45" se="I do not, by any means, agree that bikes should be on the roads." te="Yo no, por cualquier medio, de acuerdo en que las bicicletas deben estar en los caminos. " title=""> No estoy de acuerdo de que las bicicletas tienen derecho estar en las carreteras. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="46" se="It is one thing if they have their own lane (as they do in most places in Spain and Europe), but it is a completely different thing when they take over a traffic lane." te="Una cosa es que si tienen su propio carril (como lo hacen en la mayoría de los lugares de España y Europa), pero es una cosa completamente diferente cuando se apoderan de un carril de tráfico. " title="">Una cosa es que si tienen su propio carril (como lo hacen en la mayoría de los lugares de España y Europa), pero es otra cosa cuando se apoderan de un carril de tráfico. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="47" se="Roads are exactly that." te="Las carreteras son exactamente eso. " title="">Las carreteras son exactamente eso. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="48" se="Roads." te="Carreteras. " title="">Carreteras. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="49" se="For cars, trucks, semis, vans, etc. Bicyclists shoudl be on sidewalks, trails, or in their own lane." te="Para los coches, camiones, semis, furgones y demás ciclistas deben ser en las aceras, caminos, o en su propio carril. " title="">Para los coches, camiones, semis, furgones etc. Las ciclistas deben ser en las aceras, caminos, o en su propio carril. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="50" se="Not in mine." te="No en la mía. " title="">No en la mía. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="51" se="And this is not a new sentiment, I've always felt this way." te="Y esto no es un sentimiento nuevo, siempre he sentido así. " title="">Y esto no es un sentimiento nuevo, siempre he sentido así. </span><span closure_uid_uxy0pv="52" se="However, after my latest experience, it is a sentiment that has certainly gotten stronger." te="Sin embargo, después de mi última experiencia, es un sentimiento que sin duda ha llegado más fuerte." title="">Sin embargo, después de mi última experiencia, es un sentimiento que sin duda ha llegado más fuerte.</span></em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-12440466154540124392010-09-10T20:08:00.000-07:002010-09-10T20:09:19.899-07:00Mi PoemaVoy andando por un camino<br />
Después de dejar otro<br />
Detrás hay huellas <br />
Recuerdos de una vida de maravillas.<br />
Delante, no veo nada<br />
Voy andando por un camino<br />
Sin prisa, pero sin parar<br />
Voy reflexionando<br />
Pensando, intentando saber<br />
Por donde voy y si debo irme.<br />
No me extraña que me encuentre perdida<br />
Sin lugar, sin conocimiento.<br />
Y me pregunto…<br />
Si estás andando por un camino que no quieres estar andando, hacia dónde te lo llevará? <br />
<br />
-ANB 9/10/2010Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-26617299637380033312010-09-04T12:08:00.000-07:002010-09-04T12:08:13.279-07:00Sam's Graduation!<em>Español abajo.</em><br />
<br />
I feel compelled, as a proud pet-parent to announce Sam's graduation from Pet Smart's Beginner Training program. After eight long weeks of hard work learning how to sit, lay down, stay, come, greet strangers, shake, do doggie-push-ups, and walk (better) on a leash, Sam successfully graduated on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. Yay!!! Congratulations Sam! :) <br />
<br />
I have to say I love animals, and have loved all of my dogs dearly, but I'm not usually one of those...well, one of those (what I would call) wacky obsessed dog owners. However, Sam is pretty darn handsome, and his personality is just unmatched. So, yes, he has captured my heart. And in the three months since I've adopted him, he has made astounding progress. <br />
<br />
Below are some pictures of Sam on graduation day, and a funny little video...demonstrating how noisy it can be in my condo and how difficult it is to study law sometimes....<br />
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<em>Me siento obligada, como la orgullosa madre de un perro fenomenal, anunciar la graduación de Sam de su clase de entrenamiento. Después de ocho semanas largas de mucho trabajo, en las cuales aprendió cómo sentarse, imponer, permanecer, venir, saludar a extranjeros, sacudida la mano, hace subidas de empujón de perrito, y caminar mejor con una correa, Sam se graduó exitosamente el jueves, el 2 de septiembre de 2010. ¡Oju! ¡Felicitaciones Sam! :) </em><br />
<br />
<em>Aqui he puesto algunas fotitos de Sam y yo el dia de su graduación. Y ya supongo que estais harto de leer sobre Sam...asi que os aseguro que a partir de ahora, empezare escribir sobre otras cosas.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEujEtEh9o1JaD047MMAQ1r1QH5fdg_ULwVHJ-1_HnjpWkEHzLaIL9x70hGEf00bs5M-bjR79bbuQ9SdA7BocdCrNPQASSXPz6sb8XJiQfJ8zEbLI1v6r7aQfxW_99RvJZHGeaILuQWvNJ/s1600/IMG_9243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEujEtEh9o1JaD047MMAQ1r1QH5fdg_ULwVHJ-1_HnjpWkEHzLaIL9x70hGEf00bs5M-bjR79bbuQ9SdA7BocdCrNPQASSXPz6sb8XJiQfJ8zEbLI1v6r7aQfxW_99RvJZHGeaILuQWvNJ/s200/IMG_9243.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeKZGFOwePhxAd5-PIr64LWWsZc4KBy_BfKcwA8Ur54bThEOqeo5LrcFUC2MOArvSK4Gnr1GcyIddhl1k2yq8xCZwLDjhNj_-v38jQi8O3KPEpJCsxNg1bPR-dgY9ypQn0OGHLLqZaVeT/s1600/IMG_9231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeKZGFOwePhxAd5-PIr64LWWsZc4KBy_BfKcwA8Ur54bThEOqeo5LrcFUC2MOArvSK4Gnr1GcyIddhl1k2yq8xCZwLDjhNj_-v38jQi8O3KPEpJCsxNg1bPR-dgY9ypQn0OGHLLqZaVeT/s200/IMG_9231.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-61308222800498643132010-08-23T18:15:00.000-07:002010-08-23T18:15:32.677-07:00It's Official - I am a 1LI'm officially back into the swing of things...I think. It's been two years since I graduated from UP and just over two months since I left Spain and returned to the US, and I am finally all moved in, have picked up (and even started reading) my law books, have started classes, am officially a 1L, and am slowly adjusting to life back in the States.<br />
<br />
It has been a challenge adjusting to life back in the United States. I miss Ubrique (and Spain) a lot. A LOT. However, I've tried to bring a little bit of it to America, and have decorated my entire condo with artwork and posters I collected over my two years teaching in Ubrique and my semester abroad in Granada in 2006. I have also compiled two beautiful scrapbooks and made two DVDs full of pictures and music, one for each of my two years in Ubrique. I look through and watch them frequently, and travel back in time to some of the happiest years of my life.<br />
<br />
A few things I miss about Spain...<br />
(1) Knowing 8 out of 10 people in the street (and having them speak to you!)<br />
(2) Walking EVERYWHERE and never needing a car<br />
(3) Actually being able to get world news (not just local or national)<br />
(4) An equilibrium between work and play<br />
(5) Shandy by Cruzcampo<br />
(6) Tinto de Verano<br />
(7) Jamon (ham!) and the Mediterranean diet in general<br />
(8) Fresh produce<br />
(9) Being around people who are truly happy<br />
(10) The innumerable local celebrations and festivities<br />
(11) Camaraderie and teamwork<br />
(12) Friday nights at the Pizzeria<br />
(13) Bocadillos <br />
(14) Strolling down the Avenida<br />
(15) Going out until 6 am and having a blast<br />
(16) Stocking up on groceries on Saturday (since you can't get any on Sunday :)<br />
(17) Speaking Spanish<br />
(18) Speaking English (because yes, they actually want to learn it and enjoy it)<br />
(19) Not seeing ANY fast food restaurants (yes, there are still parts of the world that aren't completely Americanized. Thank goodness.)<br />
(20) Not worrying about political correctness<br />
(21) Watching Spanish game shows<br />
(22) Walking and running for hours along the road leading out of town<br />
(23) Sunday hikes<br />
(24) Waking up to a stunning mountain view and a white-washed town<br />
(25) Living a simpler life<br />
(26) Seeing my students smile<br />
(27) and in general...Spanish hospitality, traditions, and culture<br />
<br />
Why its good to be back in the US:<br />
(1) Seeing my family more than once a year!<br />
(2) Having my car<br />
(3) Being with Sam<br />
(4) Being able to get groceries 7 days a week<br />
(5) Greater variety of food and restaurants<br />
(6) Being able to rent DVDs<br />
(7) Big malls to shop at<br />
(8) Seeing old friends<br />
(9) Easy Mac<br />
(10) Working towards my dreams and studying my way through law school...<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, I'm in my second week of law school (well, technically I've had one full week of orientation (which included classes), and one full day of just classes. So far so good! I have no doubt it is going to be extremely challenging, but I really think I am going to enjoy it. I love learning and am excited to be taking the next step towards fulfilling my dreams...<br />
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Es oficial - estoy adaptando de nuevo a los EEUU y voy caminando bien....creo. Han pasado dos años desde que me gradué de la Universidad de Portland, y un poco más de dos meses desde que salí de España y regresé a EEUU, y finalmente estoy en mi nuevo piso, tengo (y he empezado leer) mis libros de derecho, mis clases han comenzado, y poco a poco estoy acostumbrandome a mi nueva vida aqui.<br />
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Ha sido un reto adaptarme a la vida de nuevo en los Estados Unidos. Echo MUCHO de menos a Ubrique (y España). Sin embargo, he tratado de llevar un poco de ella a América, y he decorado mi piso con ilustraciones y carteles que recogí durante mis dos años en Ubrique y mi semestre estudiando en Granada en 2006. También he compilado dos libros de recuerdos e hizo dos DVDs llenas de imágenes y música, una para cada uno de mis dos años en Ubrique. Miro a través de mis albumes y ver los DVDs con frecuencia, y recuerdo con mucho cariño algunos de los años más felices de mi vida.<br />
Algunas cositas que echo de menos sobre España:<br />
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(1) Conociendo 8 de cada 10 personas que encuentro en la calle (y hablando con ellos!)<br />
(2) Caminando a todos sitios y no tener la necesidad de tener coche.<br />
(3) Recibiendo noticas del mundo (no solo las del pais)<br />
(4) Un equilibrio entre trabajo y diversion<br />
(5) Shandy-Cruzcampo<br />
(6) Tinto de Verano<br />
(7) Jamon y la dieta mediterrana<br />
(8) Los productos frescos<br />
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(9) Viendo gente feliz<br />
(10) Todos los celebraciones y fiestas<br />
(11) Camaradería y viendo gente trabajar bien en equipos<br />
(12) Pasando los viernes por la noche en la Pizzería y Bar Estrella<br />
(13) Bocadillos <br />
(14) Paseando por la Avenida<br />
(15) Saliendo de marcha hasta las 6 de la mañana y disfrutando la vida!<br />
(16) Comprando en Mercadona los sabados (porque esta cerrado los domingos!) <br />
(17) Hablando Español. <br />
(18) Enseñando inglés - porque sí,algunos disfrutan de aprenderlo.<br />
(19) No ver ningun restaurante de comida rapida (sí, todavia hay algunos sitios que no son completamente americanizado. Gracias a Dios!!!)<br />
(20) No preocuparme acerca de la "corrección política"<br />
(21) Viendo la tele en Español.<br />
(22) Andando y corriendo por horas por la carretera saliendo de Ubrique<br />
(23) Senderismo los domingos<br />
(24) Despertandome y viendo una vista impresionante de un pueblo blanco en las montañas<br />
(25) Viviendo una vida mas simple<br />
(26) Viendo mis alumnos sonreír y reír<br />
(27) y en general...la hospitalidad española, las tradiciones y la cultura.<br />
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Por que esta bien estar de vuelta en los EEUU:<br />
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(1) Ver a mi familia más de una vez al año!<br />
(2) Tener mi coche<br />
(3) Estar con mi perro, Sam<br />
(4) Poder comprar cosas 7 dias de la semana.<br />
(5) Gran variedad de comidas y restaurantes<br />
(6) Poder alquilar DVDs<br />
(7) Grandes centros comerciales <br />
(8) Viendo mis amigos<br />
(9) Easy Mac<br />
(10) Trabajando para cumplir mis sueños y estudiando derecho. <br />
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Hablando de eso, estoy en mi segunda semana de la facultad de derecho (bueno, técnicamente he tenido una semana llena de orientación (que incluía algunas clases), y un día completo de clases. Hasta ahora todo bien! No tengo ninguna duda que va a ser muy difícil, pero realmente creo que voy a disfrutarlo. Me encanta aprender y estoy emocionada hacer los pasos necesarios para cumplir mis sueños ...Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235062955752819561.post-42059223408527537972010-07-03T21:03:00.000-07:002010-07-03T21:23:24.308-07:00Meet Sam!<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5AG2xd_yTwoN_-Xv-J-mvyuhkbvWo30wcP1IVWnVxmaiVJdKc4AuTpKgmE6ycYuHX_TRdCVGF1UU2H9SJcZL5vrRaTnPr457Nlgv6wSlI3sDVA1IrUwXKNYan9h7A9d0XTR1JFAoGX4C/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5AG2xd_yTwoN_-Xv-J-mvyuhkbvWo30wcP1IVWnVxmaiVJdKc4AuTpKgmE6ycYuHX_TRdCVGF1UU2H9SJcZL5vrRaTnPr457Nlgv6wSlI3sDVA1IrUwXKNYan9h7A9d0XTR1JFAoGX4C/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" width="240" /></a>Meet Sam...the handsome 3-year-old lab mix that I adopted from the Dumb Friend's League on June 6th. We've been family now for almost a month, and I do not think either of us could be happier. Sam is amazing. I've never met a smarter, more personable, or more energetic dog. He wakes me up every morning between 5:45 and 6:15 am, with a big kiss. In the event that I don't immediately get up, or ignore him for a minute, he runs over and gets his stuffed bone toy, or his tennis ball, places it by my head as a "hint" that he is ready to start the day with some fun, and sits tall until I get up. Who could resist that?? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He loves to play fetch. And he is able to play by himself. Yes, that is right. Sam plays fetch by himself. He either throws it up and immediately catches the tennis ball, or he stands at the top of our staircase, nudges the tennis ball over the first step, gives it a little bit of a head start, then sprints down the staircase and grabs it. It is pretty darn impressive. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He doesn't bark much, in fact, he almost never barks (which is great!). But he does sing and he does talk. He drinks. A lot. And makes quite a mess...in fact, I think more water ends up on the floor than in his mouth. He can sit, lay down, wait, and stay on command. However, we are still working on the "heel" command. Unfortunately, we have a loooooooooong way to go. Sam typically walks me...I haven't had too many opportunities to actually walk him, if you know what I mean.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I could not be happier with my new best friend. He has made the transition from Spain to Colorado a little bit easier, and I have no doubt we will become even closer throughout my law school career. We play together, relax together, sleep together, and just "are" together. So here is to a new chapter of my life, with a new pal...and many, many years of happiness to come. <br />
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<em>Conoce a Sam ... el labrador de tres años que adopté el 6 de junio. Hemos estado juntos desde hace casi un mes (bueno, tres semanas), y no creo que podríamos ser más feliz. Sam es increíble. Nunca he conocido a un perro más inteligente, más personal, o con más energía. Él me despierta con un gran beso todas las mañanas entre las 5:45 y las 6:15 de la mañana. En el caso de que no me levanto de inmediato, o le ignoro por un minuto, él corre y consigue su peluche hueso, o su pelota de tenis, lo pone encima de mi cama cerca de mi cabeza como intentando decirme que está listo para iniciar el día con un poco de diversión, y se sienta hasta que me levanto. Quién podria resistir eso??</em><br />
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<em>Le encanta jugar a "buscar". Y él es capaz de jugar por sí mismo. Sí, es la verdad. Sam juega a buscar por sí mismo. O bien lo tira hacia arriba y coge inmediatamente la pelota de tenis, o se sitúa en la parte superior de nuestras escaleras, da un codazo a la pelota de tenis en el primer escalon, le da un poco de ventaja, y a continuación corre por las escaleras y la coge. Es bastante impresionante.</em><br />
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<em>No ladra mucho, de hecho, casi nunca ladra (lo cual es genial!). Pero canta y habla. Y bebe. Mucho. Y hace un buen lío ... de hecho, creo que más agua termina en el suelo que en su boca. Puede sentarse, tirarse por el suelo, espera, y quedar en un sitio al mando. Sin embargo, todavía estamos trabajando en aprender el orden de "andar." Desafortunadamente, tenemos mucho que aprender. Sam es muy fuerte, muy muy fuerte, y en vez de sacar o andar el perro yo, él me saca a mi! jaja! </em><br />
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<em>No podría estar más feliz con mi nuevo mejor amigo</em>. <em>Él ha hecho la transición de España a Colorado un poco más fácil, y no tengo ninguna duda de que serámos aún mejores amigos durante mi carrera</em> <em>en la escuela de leyes (estoy haciendo un masters). Jugamos juntos, nos relajaramosjuntos, dormimos juntos, y sólo "etamos" juntos. Así que aquí está un nuevo capítulo de mi vida, con un nuevo amigo ... y muchos, muchos años de felicidad por venir.</em></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323917980254308022noreply@blogger.com1