día de gracias

so yesterday was thanksgiving day (well, in the u.s. anyway). it was my first thanksgiving outside of the u.s. and without my family - and really here in chile, it was just another day. i worked like always and because i'd been sick with some kind of stomach bug for the past few days, wasn't feeling up to cooking and much less eating a full thanksgiving dinner. instead, juan and i decided to dedicate the day to all things from the u.s. instead of celebrating thanksgiving in the traditional way (thanks for agreeing to that, juan :D) - the day, after all, is more about what you're thankful for than necessarily eating the turkey, right?

i started the day in starbucks, it's really the greatest place to work ever - music, coffee, comfortable atmosphere, the perfect temperature (how do they do that???), huge windows, comfy couches, and a little touch of home, of course ;) then, like all good twilight fans, we went to the movies to see "new moon" at night - loved it :) but only after a dinner at the only taco bell i've seen in santiago...

so al fin, it was a good day, and today i think my body is finally feeling normal with the food thing - juan and i will cook tonight for my roommies and any others that come over to make up for yesterday and a cena tica that he wants to cook :) we'll see how it goes.

so not traditional, and not with my family, my first thanksgiving away - but thankful nonetheless for my amazing friends and boyfriend that i have here in santiago, my friends and family at home in the u.s., and the life that i'm so lucky to have in both places. that's what thanksgiving is, really :) and thank you to everyone here in chile that remembered - feels good to have a fiesta patria every once in awhile...

luscious

a trip to valdivia (a city in the south of chile) has inspired me to eat healthier, or rather, fresher. we'll see how long it lasts, ha ha :)

enamorada with santiago in spring, my boyfriend living 15 minutes away (by bus, of course - i'm now the master of public transportation), my amazing friends/roomies/co-workers, our results here in southern cone, and getting back in shape :)

excited for christmas break in the u.s. with my family and friends there.

going to starbucks now for the second time this week. for a meeting, i promise :)

"sometimes i forget you're gringa. you have more flavor." - my feel good quote of the week, ha ha ha :)

looks like i have the adapting thing down...for now.