Amy and the Great World

Archives for May 2014

Travels

Language Lessons

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Welcome to another Travel Tuesday hosted by Bonnie, Sammy, Kaelene and Van! I know this blog has been a little more silent than usual (ONE. MORE. PAPER. until freedom) and I almost forgot it was even Tuesday due to the holiday weekend. This month’s theme is languages. I’ve already regaled you with several of my more entertaining language stories, so I thought I would share some language tips with you all this week. I hope you find them helpful! You should ;). 

Travel Tuesday

1. Try to learn words you don’t want to know. So you don’t accidentally use them and invite someone back to your room in the presence of your host father. Also, so you don’t think someone is being friendly when they aren’t and try to be friends with them. This is the situation where you should just smile and move on. 

2. Always learn a few phrases before you go! Or while you’re there! It’s fun to play with your phrasebook or guidebook.

3. But be prepared to not remember half of these phrases. You will probably remember words like “I love you” and “watermelon.” Sometimes words that are just more fun to say will stick in your head more.

4. If you are gifted with a name in this other language, embrace it. Even if you don’t know what it really means. While my name in Thailand, Mac-Gaw, supposedly meant “pomegranate,” the hilarity that resounded after natives learned my language made me suspicious otherwise. However, my ability to shrug it off and laugh with everyone definitely made me some new friends!

5. Also, embrace the fact that, if you travel a lot, you will likely pick up bits and pieces of many random languages. It’s fun! If you can become fluent quickly, props to you. If not, enjoy wowing your less-travelly family and friends with these awesome random words.

6. Prepare for the fact that, even in a country that speaks the same language, the accent might make it sound like a completely different language (side eye Ireland). Just smile and ask them to repeat themselves, or smile and give up. It’s the way of the world!

7. Give your brain a break! Especially in a country where you don’t know the language. Your brain will constantly be trying to process the words anyway because it’s trained to process language. It will be very exhausting so let yourself take a few naps.

8. Speak up! This one is especially hard for me because I tend to be shy. I find myself much more in tune with the culture and those around me when I push myself to speak the language I’m practicing. It’s hard, and sometimes no one will get what you’re saying (suck!) but usually, someone will help you figure it out. Or, go back into your room and cry a little if they don’t. Then get back out and start all over again. I’m full of philosophy today!

9. Learn all about cognates. They will be your best friend, at least when dealing with languages that have the same root (i.e. Romance languages).

10. Learn some phrases that will help you shop.  The basic “where is the bathroom?” phrases are essential, of course, but might not help you in the store when trying to pick face wash. You may end up using conditioner on your face for several months, wondering why you’re so greasy all the time.

11. Don’t assume anyone will speak your language! Even if they do (and okay, it’s a good chance) it’s just good manners to be able to say hello. Even if your accent is terrible or you say goodbye instead.

12. Learn to use other types of language: like body language and facial expressions. Smiling goes a long way, as do gestures! (Warning: be careful in your use of gestures, because those change depending on culture, too!).

DSC00750^proof that you can make friends of any age with any language.

 

Mexico

A Week in Cozumel {Mexico}

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To kick of 2014, E and I met my parents, my siblings, and their significant others on the island of Cozumel in Mexico. It was a big old trip for my father’s 60th birthday and some other family milestones. My dad and I were initially certified in scuba diving several years ago, and this was our first chance to go together in the real ocean! E had also just been certified in Colorado and he was finishing his open water diving down there. (I was really nervous).

We rented a condo on the north end of the island and had a great time. There was a little more cooking than I would have liked (for anyone to do–it cut down on relaxation time!) but plenty of pina coladas to go around. When we ran out of drinks or food, we wandered down to a nearby hotel with an incredible set-up. A favorite moment of my life was seeing dolphins from that hotel at sunset with a pina colada in my hand.

(I’m having a surreal is-this-my-life? moment as I write this. I don’t mean to brag but yes, I saw dolphins at sunset).

I loved the routine of diving in the morning with my dad, E, my brother and his girlfriend, then coming home to my sister’s boyfriend’s killer coladas and some more snorkeling–right off the patio of our condo. While diving in Cozumel was ah-mazing,  snorkeling was awesome, too. There was a ladder right into the ocean, and plenty of rocks that attracted fish like eels, puffer fish and a variety of bright tropical fish.

Cozumel is a unique little slice of Mexico. The island is pretty small, and with plenty of tourists, but the windy side of the island (the side not facing the mainland of Mexico, a.k.a. the eastern side) was much quieter–almost deserted. My favorite bar, Coconuts, was on that side (you’ll see my giant pink drink later). On New Year’s Day, a few of us went to a beach on the eastern, drank out of coconuts, and swam in the surf. I remember thinking as I was knocked down once again by the waves, with salt water gushing up my nose, that it was a perfect way to start 2014.

I was pretty waterlogged for weeks after this trip. And salty. Yet my hair was loving the humidity! I mean, it wasn’t more manageable (in my dreams), but it drank that moisture up.

Cozumel, besides a few days on an island in Thailand, was my first true tropical vacation. If I have anything to say about it, it certainly won’t be my last.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^the view from our condo. I know. Spoiled.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^why yes, E and I are adorable even underwater. We know.

IMG_4522^the view…at night.

IMG_4516^the eastern side of the island was pretty windy. Yet somehow our hats stayed on…big heads for the win!

DSCN4530^my dad stole my camera for a fashion selfie. We’re a stylish bunch.

DSCN4511 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^the view from the east! breathtaking.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^the parentals.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^my dad taking a picture of me taking a picture.

IMG_4494^the water there was unreal.

IMG_4496^my sister is so adorable sometimes I get annoyed. but then I forgive because she’s so adorable. it’s a cycle.

IMG_4481^at Coconuts!

IMG_4463^oh sunny tropical beaches, you have stolen my heart (and so has this guy).

IMG_4476^this made me laugh for about twenty minutes. I wonder why…?

IMG_4461^we rented an adorable white car for one day that I immediately wanted to take home.

DSCN4459^and so we drove across the island.

 

DSCN4450^doesn’t it look like they’re snorkeling in a pool? (Well, I think my sister was snorkeling…I don’t know where her gear is). But nope…that is really the color of the water! I couldn’t get over it.

DSCN4426^a storm over the ocean.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^I’m clearly a graceful and skilled diver.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^oh, that’s just me, swimming through the coral reefs. Thanks Dad for making me look way cooler than I actually am.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA^my brother, our dive captain, and E.

IMG_4515^oh this again.

IMG_4531^sisters in hats.

 

IMG_4486^I saved the best for last…my famous and most delicious pink drink at Coconuts.

Linking up with Bonnie, Kaelene, Sammy and Van for Travel Tuesday!

Travel Tuesday

 

 

Writing

A Liebster Award!

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liebster2

I found out last week that Brianne from Lamm to the Laughter nominated me for a Liebster Award!

I’m really excited and honored…

To those of you who may not know what a Liebster Award is (ahem, not me of course, because I’m practically a professional blogger), it’s an award given by bloggers to other bloggers. It’s sort of like those email chains from middle school where you’d answer a bunch of questions, forward them to all your friends, and pass along the threatening message that on February 5th they would die in a bus crash if they didn’t answer. (Read this post if you want to know more!).

Except, I think this is way nicer :).

The way it works is I answer the questions Brianne asked, along with 11 random facts, then pick a few bloggers (generally with less than 1000 followers) and nominate them, as well! It’s more of a pay-it-forward kindness, if you will.

Thank you, Brianne!

Brianne’s Questions:

 1.  What is one thing you just will not blog about?

For the most part, I don’t write too much about my current job. I’m a child therapist and really, it’s the law, even though I’m technically just in training. I don’t think I’d share anyway since it’s therapy.

2.  What is your favorite music video?

I completely love Pharrell’s Happy right now. It just makes me want to dance!

3.  Tell us about your favorite charitable organization.

Where to choose? I love Save the Children and the Wounded Warrior Project. I also love the I Have a Dream Foundation, since I used to work for them!

4.  Have you ever tripped and fallen in an excitingly embarrassing way?

One moment stands out in particular: last summer, in Scotland, we ended up staying way out of town due to the Fringe Festival. We stayed in a place E had stayed in about five years ago. Of course, unbeknownst to us, the hostel had been sold and gotten rid of their handy shuttle to the city center. (You mean things change in five years?).

That meant several bus rides and a long, unexpected walk back in the dark after copious amounts of celebrating. We made it successfully through the dark, and the second we made it into the well-lit parking lot, I tripped over a rock. At least I’d made it through the dark…I was slightly embarrassed at having to be carried back to our room by E as I couldn’t put weight on my ankle. I was scratched all over and bruised…all for a tiny spill in the parking lot.

5.  Don’t tell me what’s in your bag.  Tell me what’s in your fridge.

Yogurt, creamer, leftover pizza, one egg, celery, and a million jams, sauces, dressings, etc. Does anyone else end up collecting those accidentally? I wonder if it’s genetic because that’s what always happened in my parents’ fridge, too. (Also…I really need to grocery shop!).

6.  Your readers are Eskimos.  Sell them ice.

You see this hard, cold, clear/blue stuff that’s surrounding you? Did you know you can crush it, add some flavor, and make a delicious treat? It’s called a Sno-Cone!

7.  Have you ever traced your family history?  Do you have any interesting relatives?

My mother’s brother has tracked a lot of her family history. As far as I can tell, everyone has been a German Lutheran in Nebraska for generations. My dad’s grandmother came over here from France in the first World War, and married a French Canadian orphan with an Irish last name.

8.  What is your craziest dream (sleeping dream)?  I know it probably doesn’t make sense, but write it out anyway!

I think my weirdest dream happened right before I was about to graduate college a few years ago. I dreamt that my best friend’s ex and another friend of ours were getting married (a couple that would never happen). At the reception, the dean of my college (who also happened to be the bride’s father) announced that I had actually failed all of my classes and would be unable to graduate. I went under a table to cry and found a bunch of other people under the table, crying because they were mad about the couple getting married. Strange!

9.  If you could call a summit of any 5 people that ever lived, who would you invite and where in the entire world would you choose to meet?

I would love to have a summit with Jane Goodall, Ted Kennedy, Lao Tzu, William Shakespeare and Harriet Tubman. I think they could probably save the world.

10.  Tell us about a time when you flubbed an interview question as bad as Miss Teen South Carolina.

I know I’ve messed up plenty in interviews but I’m usually so traumatized I block it out afterwards! Once, while interviewing as a writer for a local outdoors/adventure magazine, I was so nervous I overdressed. I know, how can you overdress at an interview? Well, when my interviewer walked in, his first comment was: “Wow, you dressed up. You don’t look very outdoorsy!” Oops.

11.  Write a haiku about your favorite non-blogging pastime.

This is likely known…Going everywhere I can…Is what I love best. (Haikus are hard!).

Random Facts

1. I never love these random fact things. I forget everything about myself. I tend to forget things when questioned about anything. There’s a random fact!

2. Several weekends ago, instead of working (like I should have been) E and I ended up spending hours taking quizzes on Jet Punk. We are so close to knowing all of the countries in the world! (Well, if 170 out of 196 is close…).

3. This is probably not a secret, but I’m a complete Potter-head (Harry Potter nerd, for those of you not in the know). I was insanely excited to visit the UK due to Harry Potter, I annually re-read the books and watch the movies, and I almost cried when J.K. Rowling dropped the Hermione/Ron bomb last year. (Luckily she mostly recanted, phew!).

4. Speaking of re-reading, I tend to re-read all the books I love more than once. I think because when I was younger I’d read all my books before my mom would take me back to the library, so in lieu of something else to read, I’d read them again! I still get attached to those worlds and want to revisit sometimes.

5. I was born in Colorado, moved away to Oregon at about two months, then moved back to Colorado about 24 years later (with Montana thrown in there). I think I like full circles, because I want to move back to Oregon when/if we come back from Prague.

6. While I love adventure and trying new things, I struggle to try new foods. I usually regret not trying them…but I’ve also regretted trying them, which informs my decisions now!

7. Baking is one of my favorite ways to relax. Bread! Cake! Cookies! I sometimes think I want to go to culinary school someday…although I don’t feel quite the same way about cooking, for some reason. I think because everything I bake turns out great, and the same cannot be said for my cooking…

8. I have commitment issues, especially when it comes to studies and careers. I’ve had so many ideas of careers, I’ve started some of them, I changed my major a million times, and I’ve started learning about six languages. I have no explanation for this except I want to do so many things and I just can’t decide.

9.  Ice cream is my number one comfort food and favorite dessert ever. It’s hereditary–my father can’t help but eat an entire carton (and I’m not talking the Ben & Jerry’s pints, either) when it’s in the house. I’ve recently discovered plain/vanilla/honey Greek yogurt mixed with chocolate chips as a healthier option…but let’s be real, it will never be the same. 

10. For some reason I have an obsession with finding myself a “signature drink.” I think I’m liking the ginger ale/whiskey so far. But who are we kidding? A Shirley Temple Black will always be my jam.

11. My last day of class in graduate school is TOMORROW! Of course, I still have many papers, meetings, and clients to finish up with. But so close.

Bloggers I’m Nominating:

Melanie Fontaine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Have Blog Will Travel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Adventurings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Gutenblog Y’all                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 This Flooded Sky                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Let Us Wanderlust                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Adelante

My Questions: 

1. What prompted you to start a blog?

2. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

3. What’s one of the best sunsets you’ve ever seen?

4. If you have a hometown, would you move back there if you have a chance?

5. What exotic animal would you see if you could?

6. What is one country/city you have no interest in visiting? Would you still visit, if someone bought you a ticket there?

7. What period of time would you most like to visit?

8. What’s the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?

9. What’s the strangest food you really want to try?

10. Have you ever had your 15 minutes of fame? If not, what would you want to have it for?

11. What are some of your must-have travel clothes? (This question is purely for research reasons).

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