Te extrañaba también!

So my hiatus is officially OVER. Phew, I know, me too. I will take this time to update you fools on what I have been doing (and not doing) during my time, in a segment I'd like to call, "you try tearing yourself away from this".

But before I start, I would like to say HBTM (happy birthday to me)!! Even though I hate my own birthday, I am now 24 and feel more responsible and therefore need a blog. For this blog post, I grace you with a video of my grandmother (part namesake, part angel) blowing out her candles.

Also, I'm a little rusty, give me a couple of days here.







Te quiero G-MA! And perritos!

The View

Today I utilized our balcony, as the view of Palermo from our new apartment is very pleasant.

La Nación featured an article about my new employer, The Argentimes, in today's paper. I believe the article can be sumed up best by editor Kristie Robinson's quote explaining The Argentimes' stance on covering journalism. The writers do not pretend to explain Argentine culture from the experience of a native. Instead, the biweekly takes Argentine issues, both from the campo and the city, and explains why they are important to the English-speaking community in Buenos Aires (um, and indirectly THE WORLD). As Buenos Aires continually attracts more visitors and expats, the paper offers a fresh and relevant point of view to a growing market. You can read the entire article here. Beware, it's in kastejanoh (castellano).

Watch Me.

I have a new appreciation for music videos.  I owe it all to my malfunctioning electronics that have abandoned me in a foreign country sans laptop and iPod (can you even imagine?). However, with the help of my still-technologically-equipped roommates, I have access to LOTS of visuals to aid my audios.  It's been fun, and I'd like to share.

I love Devendra Banhart. And Natalie Portman too. They look like they're having a freakin blast in this video. I wish I could be in it in all truthfulness.

Mates of State.

Beck. 

I'm sure they'll be more to come.  For now, you can send all donations for new technology to ME in The City With The Most Expensive Electronics.  Thank you.

Papelera Palermo

While we’re getting settled into our new neighborhood, I want to share one of my favorite stores here in Palermo. I originally came here in search of stationary to write letters home or to write various thank you notes. Well, that was a lofty goal. However, I have found myself wandering around Papelera Palermo wishing I wrote more and for some reason needed that handmade, Dutch-style pressed, blue and white Batik loose sheet of paper. I’m still thinking.



They do have things I would actually use - incredible stationeries, inspirational journals in leather or with unique designs, neat little pads of paper for everyday use. In addition, they have origami paper, sketchbooks, rolls of printed paper and courses to learn how to actually use them. The gift ideas are endless.

I am also intrigued by their large book selection, including limited edition artists’ books and some really neat coffee table books that I have nowhere to put.

It’s obviously not your typical stationary store. Every aspect of Papelera Palermo is handsome - right down to the structured display of all its’ contents - making the space itself worth a visit. Almost exotic. For anyone interested in design, like my pal Anna, this place is a dream come true. For me, while I continue to look for excuses to buy more paper, it is thrilling to have such creativity and inspiration right around the corner.

You can shop online here.

Moving Day

Today is moving day. Very excited, can't wait to share all the dirty details about our new place in swanky Palermo. As for now, I leave you with the first man we met upon arrival in Buenos Aires, our doorman and protector, Miguel...

Also, tonight Argentina plays Nigeria for the gold in soccer. WATCH. You know who to cheer for.

The Chinaman Pose

Apparently the Argentine women's soccer team was feeling left out and wanted to get in on a little of the Olympic foto fun like Spain. The Guardian UK article explains,

The footballers shown are Maria Potassa, Eva Gonzalez, Fabiana Vallejos and Andrea Ojeda, with the image originally appearing in the Argentine sports periodical Olé on August 5 as part of its Olympics coverage. It is thought,as has been the case previously, that the gesture was intended to be harmless. However, it is certain to prolong the debate about Spanish and South American attitudes towards ethnicity.

READ: "South American attitudes towards ethnicity." INSIGHT: Have you seen an Argentine commercial recently? Their idea of "PC" translates to one blonde kid trying really hard to fit in while eating his yogurt in a sea of brunettes. The foto didn't even raise an eyebrow when it was first published here 2 weeks ago. There's just not the same cultural sensitivity here, or in Spain for that matter, as in the US. Moreover, no one wants to hear what we Americans have to say about it anyways. Am I right or what? (No one answers "what" unless you're 12.)

Personally, I find the foto more comedic than racist. Obiviously they didn't intend any harm. I mean look at them, they're laughing like they just finished singing "me chinese, me play joke, me put peepee in your coke" at a slumber party (and who didn't do that?).

The irony is that the stink follows the Argentine's defeat to China; And that during all this Olympic, universal brotherhood sentiment (read previous post and watch this video), we all come from different cultures with different attitudes towards race.

Also, the short chick is a little too convincing, either she's been practicing really hard or is Oriental. I'm leaning towards the latter.

(image above via Guardian UK)

Olympic Fun

I do love the Olympics. I do I do. Which is why it is depressing that I havn’t been watching them (or any TV for that matter). I guess I was just too busy eating cookies and apartment hunting that the Elbow Incident and Micheal Phelps’ victories just slipped out right from under me.

However I do have some comments from last nights viewing…


Girlfriend kicks ass. Romania's Tomescu led the whole second half of the marathon AND ran like 17 victory laps. This is why the Olympics are so admirable – this group of superhumans transcends ethnicity to make us all realize we should go for a 20 min jog every now and then, like TODAY.

Inspired by swimming, Brighton went out and bought one of those wacky speedos, followed by a modeling session.



All in all I love the Olympics for the cheesy, universal sentiments they bring. That says cheesy not Chinese. Cheesy, as in we all live on this silly globe together and learn (mostly) the same life lessons. Now, that's not to say everybody is good at everything. While hometown player U.S.A. has won a sexy 65 medals, Argentina has won a whopping 1 (!) bronze medal for JUDO. I'm sure there are some cultural assertations to be made in that comparison somewhere. There's always futbol...

(images via Gawker, Denver Post, sportinglife.com)