Getting here, whew

I have this tattooed on my back, "When they knock you down, you not only have to get back up but you have to make it clear you won't be knocked down a second time." Quote by Carl Yastrzemski, one of my all time favorite Red Sox players.  Anyways, I guess I have felt this a lot, being knocked down, and I believe that you MUST get up and not only do what you had set out to do in the first place but blow right through it.  Not only succeed, but succeed with triumph.  


I never told anyone the difficulties I went through moving to Nicaragua.  Specifically the difficulties just from Orlando International Airport on, so here is some light reading entertainment.

My flight was scheduled to leave OIA on the 21st of August (this year) and everything was set, as best I could do.  Boston had a slight "relaxing" pill from his vet, I had packed my entire life in one large suitcase and a quicksilver backpack, and my parents took us to the airport.

We made it through everything ok and boarded the plane to Atlanta- yes out of the way but that was the route I had to take for some reason.  Boston was uneasy with the plane but once about 15 minutes passed his "relaxing pill" kicked in and he was knocked out (not really).  We sat on the tarmac for about 45 minutes waiting for the weather to clear up.  There was a major storm system north, which was the direction the plane was headed but not the direction we were headed.  After so much time the plane tarmacked back to the gate and everyone was disboarded.  The plane wasn't taking off anytime soon.  I tried every which way to get a different flight, maybe South say Miami, because that WAS the direction we were headed.  But no such luck.  And my checked bag- everything I had gathered to start my new life- was still on the plane.  The option I was given (granted I have a passed out dog in my shoulder bag and had no clue what was going to happen with my luggage) was to get back on the plane and head to Atlanta (an hour later), but once in Atlanta, there would be no flight to Nicaragua until the following day.  So that meant spend one night in Atlanta, with a sleeping dog, no change of clothes, and spending even more money trying to deal with taxi's and a hotel that would allow Boston.  I actually boarded the plane then decided no, and walked back off.


So I called my parents and got a ride back to their house for the night, planning for round 2 at the airport the next day.  And my bags being in Atlanta (and the other half of Boston's "relaxing pill" in Atlanta).  It was difficult on both my parents, I could tell, for they had sort-of made their peace and had already said their sad goodbyes.  I am grateful for them more than I can say.  OK, onto try number 2, the next day... Boston and I made it on-board the plane, the plane took off, we made it to Atlanta.  Yes!  Had a bit of a layover in ATL so I grabbed some Chinese food and found the only dog park the Atlanta airport has.  It started raining, then it started to downpour.  We exited the area to head back inside and I took a awful fall, slipping on the crosswalk, super embarrassing- and scored nasty mess of a cut on my knee. Moving on, we boarded a bus to take us out to the International Flights part of the Airport (I guess that is what it is called), and as soon as I sat down I checked for my passport and boarding pass.  MISSING.  Begin to panic.  Then panic.  Ran to the Chinese place, nothing, checked the backroom I remember going to before the dog park, nothing.  Asked several security guards and then this (wonderful) lady called me over to some counter telling me that they have been trying to get a hold of me over the speaker system, someone had found my papers and passport- and it was being held at the Delta ticket counter.  Finally reunited with what was most important in this travel endeavor I/we got back on the bus and headed to the separate part of the airport   The storm by this time had picked up and the lady driving was trying her best to see out the window, as were the other gentlemen and I who were her only passengers.  A ridiculously big tree had just fallen across the what seemed to be highway and we barely made it through to pass.  The driver's intercom reported trees down everywhere and that after our bus, no others would be permitted to until the storm let up.  Whew.  All I was thinking is hopefully we make it out of this airport.


15 minutes before we boarded the final plane to our new home/destination, the sun peaked through and the rain let up.

Boston and I made it safely to Managua late that evening and had one of those private driver guys with a sign saying LONG waiting at the door of the small airport for us.  We had made it.  The what could have been simple half day trip had turned into a mentally and physically exhausting mess of a 48 hours.  Just keep on trekking 

Every new thing that happened to us, I swear something inside me began second guessing.  Just for a second, but failure is for the weak.  Needless to say I've never been happier to stop moving and get my feet on Nicaraguan soil.

Carpenter Ants

I sat by some hibiscus vines today, that are stretching into my herb garden in the porch, well actually they were there, I just decided it was a sweet spot for my garden.  Anyways, there are these crazy huge carpenter ants that if I wasn't saying, "Brooke you wouldn't be freaking out if they were little hummingbirds" in my head, I would have freaked out a bit and moved seats.  They minded their own business and went about meticulously cutting away pieces from a fallen hibiscus flower, pulling, tugging, and moving the pieces to wherever they take them.  I grabbed a few petals and broke them off and gave them to the ants, as in a gesture to help them out.  They had nothing to do with what I gave them.  Stubborn ants.  

 I am at fault for this very thing.  It is very difficult to accept someones kindness and push aside some of your stubbornness...but at the same time- there is no greater power than self-determination.  

The funny thing about carpenter ants is that though they are stubborn, they are determined and get the job done.  

Finding the balance is key.  Still I bet that the carpenter ants house is AMAZING. :)

"The important thing is to not stop questioning"- Albert Einstein

When I was little my Papou (grandfather in Greek) sat me down (I remember this distinctly) and told me something I will never forget.  He said, "Brooke, if you wanted to know all about a Sunflower, and you knew very little, you would go to someone who maybe knows about them and ask.  They would tell you that yes I know what that is- it's beautiful flower, with tall stalks, big yellow petals, etc. Then you should thank that person.  Next, go to someone else, ask them the same question, as if you still know very little about sunflowers.  That person might tell you some of the same things, but there might be something new, that maybe that person knew and the previous person did not.  Continue doing this.  Never stop asking questions, even if you look funny doing it, in the end you will know so much about anything you want to know."  So I know it must have gotten annoying in school, mostly in college, when I would always be the one continuously asking questions...on trips when we may be lost and in need of directions (mostly before smart phones), I would always jump out and ask, ask as many people directions/questions as I could.  It is a pride thing with a lot of people, I have come to find out, but its nothing to me.  If you don't ask you won't know.  It is as simple as that.

"Validate, inquire, test, substantiate, experience first-hand, question authority, confirm, challenge assumptions, debate, verify, prove for yourself," an exert from 'Glorious Living' by Steve Morris

"No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions."  Charles P. Steinmetz

Tang, bologna, magic

me:We drink tang here
mom: tang like the drink
me: yea to put it into perspective, Central America is like 10-15 years behind America.  The newest commercials are of remote control big wheels and people eat lots of bologna
mom: thats too funny
mom: then you can predict the future for everyone

Its so true though.

When I was a kid I remember my mother telling me about California (where I still have yet to go).  The analogy she used was kind of similar.  She said that California was years ahead of Florida.  (She remembers going there and seeing the Troll dolls with the crazy hair and then came back Florida and it was years until she saw them for sale)  So I grew up believing that California was way above the times, lol.  Whatever it may be, for the most part, it's my opinion that Central America is behind by years, in comparison to the States.  But it's nice, seeing these things bring back memories.  Memories of good times. Things that you may not have even noticed growing up (but are beyond cool now.)  Tang everywhere, colored spokes on kid's bicycles, everyone eats bologna, and I saw several commercials with a bunny zipping around with batteries-similar to the Duracell battery ones- on the television earlier today.

It may be called nostalgia, but I believe there's a hint of magic sprinkled in.

Soundtrack

I figured that all people had it. Maybe a lot of them do. For me, I do not believe that there is a minute that goes by where there is not a song or tune playing in my head.  It's my personal soundtrack to life.  Like movies have soundtracks; where the music is absolutely in tune to what may be happening at that moment, where the volume heightens in times of anticipation, and anger.  Same thing in my head.

My mornings usually begin with a James Taylor song, because that's what my alarm is set to and because he is awesome.  When I am super happy (currently) the Cat Stevens's song, "Can't Keep it In" plays.  When I'm relaxing on the beach (currently) any song from Shwayze's Island in the Sun album plays.   When I'm upset at a boy, it's usually Hinder.  When I am cooking it's always Regina Spektor. When I'm traveling its Wild World, Cat Stevens. And at the end of my day, when I'm drifting away to my dreams- it's James Taylor's Greatest Hits (on repeat).

I begin and end my day with James Taylor, and fill it up with Cat Stevens, generally.

OK, so its out, and on that note of acknowledging that I have a soundtrack to my life... I believe strongly that bathrooms should all have disco balls, that there should be TV shows for dogs, and that pterodactyls are real (and fly over the bay of San Juan del Sur).

Courage to keep on trekking

"But I will hold on hope, and I won't let you choke on the noose around your neck, and I'll find strength in pain and i will change my ways, I'll know my name as its called again"

"so make your sirens cold and sing all you want.....cause I need freedom now and I need to know how to live my life as its meant to be."

There's something about the song "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons, something about this fills me with this emotion that I am not at all used to, it makes me want to subconsciously stand up and occupy a huge smile, it makes me feel like my skin is slightly grinning.  I think it's an amazing swirl of courage and excitement, and that feeling of having the whole world open and in front of you; maybe it's feeling courageous in the little things and being happy in it all.

Something that I continuously tell myself is  "Keep on trekking."  Travel may be the reason behind the current lingo, but the objective the same.  Life happens, we either stew and become miserable in ourselves, or keep on walking and discover our destiny, or more accurately- your next chapter in your story.

"To see that your life is a story while you're in the middle of living it may help to living it well....and so I live the story and it lives in me.  That's as good a way as I know to outwit death.  Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.  He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him." Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts

PS: I think that life is a bit funny now-a-days, I find myself writing on my daily to do list things like, "keep thinking positively," and "smile a lot" -but its ok, sometimes the reminders of the simple things bring us back to being whats important, 'being happy in it all.'

PSS: Smile a lot

Current Likes list

Things that I like in Nicaragua right now (leaving space for change) :)

*Having a full belly of Vigoron 

*Having a REAL Coca Cola from a bottle

*Using money that looks like Monopoly money

*The people's "any excuse for a street party or parade" mindset

*Always seeing flowers 

*Hearing the waves wash up on the shore throughout the night 

*Being woken up by the guy yelling "agua de coco" every single morning

 *Looking out the window of a cab to views like this

*Roommates playing guitar every day 

And of course, *Smiles like these

Bomb the world with crayons, simply

2 things that I consistently find myself thinking about thanks to Robert Fulghum...one- instead of nuclear weaponry, what would happen if we just bombed the world with crayolas...the kind in the 64 pack with the sharpener built in the box, the fancy kind.  So ok splurge on the bigger box but the core of the concept remains the same- bomb the world with beauty.  Mr. Fulghum knew has it right when he wrote about this, most likely sitting on his houseboat in Seattle I might add...this beauty bomb.  I still like the smell of crayons...almost as much as I like the smell of library books (a whole other topic).  The new ones, old ones, a Tupperware container filled with half peeled colored wax- all perfect mediums to creativity, to expressionism, to beauty, to imagination.

Its childhood that is the secret.  Things are simple, simple is good.  Simple is easy, simple makes sense, simple we can handle, simple doesn't overwhelm us, simple doesn't give us anxiety, it doesn't give us a risk factor  (well maybe sometimes), simple doesn't make us fear (nearly as much).  Simple is good.

Here is where I transition to my absolute favorite college professor.  He was simple.  One of those professors who would walk around campus with his head down staring at the sidewalk for loose change. His name was Burt Stout, and if you forgot he would just tell you to remember he's B.S..  I took I believe every class he offered years at that time- which was mainly art history related.  Every day, like clockwork, we would come into his classroom, everyone happy to be there, and take a seat.  On the board would be one single word written.  He would come in a few seconds late, like clockwork and make some comment about "Da Bears" football, and then get to talking.  That is what Burt Stout did, he just talked.  In the beginning it seemed like a  bunch of rambling...he would take that word that was on the board and explain to us the etymology of it- its origin, Latin or Greek  the adaptation of it throughout cultures and throughout time, the stories that pertained to it, everything you could ever imagine- all about one single simple word.  I specifically remember talking to someone about the class and saying, "He seriously talks about the etymology of the word the entire class I have absolutely no idea where we are in the book or what the heck he is talking about most of the time."  Half way through the semester arrives and its exam time, I remember thinking- I don't even know what material we are taking a test on, it was kind of funny- and all of us in the class were in the same boat with that one.  B.S. would smile and say don't worry, you'll be fine.  Skip to exam time, and a written one at that...and B.S. would say "go" with a smile and sometimes a laugh, and we would just write.  Because that was exactly our instructions, he would give us a list of interesting topics that sort-of had to do with Greek and roman history, and tell us to write down everything we know about it.  He didn't care about exact spelling, about paragraph format, or even if it had a period, just pour out or minds, our perspectives, and our opinions on paper.  We would be given a heads up as to when to end our thoughts on that and when to begin another.  That is how every single exam went.  I strongly believe we all received perfect scores.

The meaning behind this story, is that we already have the tools we need in life, we learn most everything important in childhood, and we know more than we think and give our selves credit for.
Grab a box of crayolas, see what happens...

Oh and the other thing I can not stop thinking about, is spiders.  Do not kill spiders, aside from the fact that they are amazing (I wrote about this in an earlier blog), you don't want their entire family coming after you.

 

Sometimes I get lost in the sun, my mind drifts, time passes just as it always does- but for me, it almost pauses.

I like to read a lot, famous quotes, biographies of interesting people, tons of fiction (this may be the culprit of that is causing my daydreaming), and one thing that those I admire, those I love learning stories about, those I wish I was more like have in common- is that no matter where you are or what you might be doing- its not only healthy but necessary to just- stop and smell the flowers.  Take a breather from life, get lost in trying to figure out what shapes the clouds are forming in the puppet show in the sky....close your eyes without squinting, take many deep belly breaths, and just- enjoy being alive, being, you, and being happy.

"Don't hurry. Don't worry.
You're only here for a short visit. 
So don't forget to stop and smell the roses."

Walter Hagen

Thursday so far

Got up, went to la escuela to work, said hello to the school cat I dubbed "Mr.", listened to Whitney Houston, painted poster board  worked on the computer  left at noon, came home, made lunch- gallo pinto with carne de soya and some slices from the biggest avocado imaginable, looked up recipes for vegan empenadas for dinner, went down to beach to read and tan, swam in the waves instead (I read in my journal from earlier this year in Central America that, "one of my favorite feelings is coming up after a wave has just passed overhead...and looking into the mist that sounds like champagne or showers of sprite bubbles" this is still the same)..the water today felt as cool as the flip side of your pillow does on your cheek in the middle of the night, it started to rain, came home, ...

our Three's Company household went to find coffee (Boston included), landed at Barrio cafe- decided on a cold coca cola (the kind in the glass bottle that tastes best here because in Central America they use real sugar in their coco cola), went to the la planta tienda, got a baby chili pepper plant to add to the mini garden I am starting, the guys spent what seemed like an hour picking out the perfect sized house plant, went to the market and picked up ingredients we needed for empenadas, came home again, went to the gym, sweat my a** off, started a new James Patterson book while on the elliptical machine, came home once more,...
 showered (and gave Boston a bath), watched an amazing sunset, started typing this blog, pulling up the recipe for banana and black bean empenadas which I'm attempting for dinner, can't get this song out of my head thanks to Zach (http://youtu.be/8Tw6uckztIM), Oktoberfest night 1 begins tonight at the Black Whale bar, fireworks just began somewhere in town- they make Boston go crazy, whew, its sunset now, this is my Thursday so far.

PS: Vegan Black bean and Banana empenadas came out amazing...will make again :)