I tried to upload pictures before, but my computer did nothing when I plugged my camera in. I haven't uploaded pictures yet- I don't know if I maybe need a CD that came with it? That would suck. I didn't bring any such thing. Oh well, we will see.
So breakthrough- I have internet in my house! And I downloaded Skype and it works! I talked to Mandy and Marlie today and it was wonderful. Although sometimes it takes me try after try to get connected- as in, half an hour- but then it usually stays up for as long as I want it. I have started talking to my computer, trying to develop some kind of relationship. Earlier this evening I was sitting here saying, "you can see the network, just connect. I have a book. I can sit here allll night." Along with a slew of expletives I will not write on this PG blog. It is so exciting to be able to lie in my bed and look at pictures and read 120 comments on NYTimes blogtalk about Sarah Palin.
The only reason I was upset to go abroad in the fall was the fact that I would be missing the first real presidential election of my life. Sure I cared and was somewhat knowledgeable four years ago, but I was sixteen and was not reading nearly as much news as I should have been. This is such an exciting time. Although I think now everything is making me so angry that it is all the better I am not in the States for my head would explode.
Sarah Palin- really? Really now? I think she has the potential to be an excellent running mate for McCain, but an underqualified and inappropriate VP. You probably know any argument I would make- no foreign policy experience, mayor of town of 7,000 for 6 years before less than 2 years of Gov., and of course I don't like her for her social conservatism. I will not make the argument that she should not be VP because of her 5 children/child with a disability (although I think it is somewhat valid) because I do not think it is right to take that into consideration. Too judgemental.
She has the potential to appeal to (conservative, independent and female) voters based on her likeabilty- and possibly looks? Let's not go there. People may think I like you, you care about me, I like your values, you're a good person- SURE I'LL VOTE FOR YOU! But could you imagine her being president if and when oldie old old McCain leaves us?
It seems McCain is getting exactly what he wants. I was reading articles with quotes from women about how the GOP is "brave" for putting a woman on the ticket, how they are ashamed of the Democratic Party for not doing the same- and Palin used this utterly to her advantage when she professed herself a supporter of H. Clinton- trying to compare herself to HC if only because she was a woman- and rally female voters that way. It is the way an election has to be run- appeal to the voters and try to win- but it is dirty and misrepresentative.
And what makes me the maddest is that women are faulting Obama for not choosing a woman (or even specifically Clinton). He has no obligation to her. He has an obligation to pick the best running mate/VP for him and for America, and choosing Clinton could have given him a lot of problems (some people thought she did not represent the new politics he is so fond of mentioning- but can Biden really, with his experience?) I was originally a Hillary supporter although I had a very hard time choosing between the candidates. I can't believe women would turn their back on their party- and towards a woman who represents nothing which their chosen candidate did- just because she is female. I know this was monumental to women, especially older women, and that I do not feel the same anger and hurt because I am younger and do not feel the gaps of gender inequality- but it is ludicrous. Voting for Palin just because she is a woman is an insult to our democratic system and an insult to yourself. If you actually admire her and think she would be a good VP, then that is your own right.
However I do think it is very interesting that the candidates and running mates are polar opposites: "Inexperienced" Obama and veteran Biden, and vice versa for the GOP ticket. I have not studied enough about elections and patterns to be able to predict which way this one will go- I have my hopes and my gut- and the alternative may involve me not getting on that plane going back to the USA on December 20.
I don't know if that made any sense; it was a rant I have had in my head for days. If you want to talk politics I am always interested! Hah.
Anyway, this weekend was pretty lowkey. I went out Friday night, didn't do much Saturday and was also lazing around this morning until I met another international student, Terra, and we had lunch and went to see Tripulacion Dave (not sure what it is called in English- the one with Eddie Murphy). I was actually excited for it to be in Spanish but it was just Spanish subtitles! Oh well. It was hilarious. Now I am home and thinking about the international econ homework I haven't done. Good I don't have class til 2:30!
I am determined to get out of Quito and travel next weekend, and start planning bigger trips (Galapagos? Peru? Machu Picchu? Colombia? Yes please)... I can't wait!
If you read all that, you rock. I miss you-
& LET'S SKYPE- kim.ballin-
Kim, Kimberly, "Keeem," Kay-Funk
I am spending the Fall 2008 semester in Quito, Ecuador, as an exchange student at USFQ (Universidad San Francisco de Quito). I am looking forward to living with a family and improving my Spanish, along with seeing as much of Ecuador (and Peru and Colombia) as possible. Please keep up with my travels! Many adventures to come...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Complications. :-/
I have only been here a week and I already feel like I'm running out of time.
In four months there will be, what, 15 weeks perhaps? I can't travel for 5 of them (already!) due to class obligations- 2 weekends I have to be here for Model UN (we're doing presentations at school) and 2 I am traveling with my soc class to exotic places. Another Saturday I have a soc class tour of Quito, which means I can't go anywhere. They all sound like fun, but it means I have to plan really carefully what I want to do and when I can do it and when I can get other people to come with me... and we all know how good I am with planning. And being organized. -_-
I have a sweet schedule though:
Monday and Wednesday Model UN 2:30-4
Economia Internacional 4-5:30
Tuesday and Thursday El Cuento Hispanoamericano 10-11:30
Historias Locales, Tendencias Globales 11:30-1
Nutricion y La Comunidad 1-2:30
Although I think I am going to have to drop nutrition because the professor is going to have class on Saturdays ¨only once or twice a month-¨ which means that I'll either have to miss it because of my other class trips or I will have even less time to travel, neither of which I am okay with. Hopefully I can find another (health-oriented) class to take in its place.
My phone stopped working for 2 hours today- whenever I would call my friend it just beeped, so I thought it was busy or her phone was broken, but I finally caught on and turned my phone off and back on- and it magically started working again! When I finally got through to that friend she was on a bus to Baños. Now I don't know what to do- I don't know what's going on this weekend here, if I should try to catch a bus to Baños now alone and meet up with people there, or stay here... argh. My phone sucks. It never has more than 2 bars of service and constantly drops calls. Plus it isn't that cheap.
I had a great night yesterday- we went out to a Chupitos, a bar that serves only shots (chupito=shot) and some of the Ecuadorians were teaching me to dance. It was so much fun!
Okay, now I have to go figure out what to do to have an awesome weekend. Adios.
In four months there will be, what, 15 weeks perhaps? I can't travel for 5 of them (already!) due to class obligations- 2 weekends I have to be here for Model UN (we're doing presentations at school) and 2 I am traveling with my soc class to exotic places. Another Saturday I have a soc class tour of Quito, which means I can't go anywhere. They all sound like fun, but it means I have to plan really carefully what I want to do and when I can do it and when I can get other people to come with me... and we all know how good I am with planning. And being organized. -_-
I have a sweet schedule though:
Monday and Wednesday Model UN 2:30-4
Economia Internacional 4-5:30
Tuesday and Thursday El Cuento Hispanoamericano 10-11:30
Historias Locales, Tendencias Globales 11:30-1
Nutricion y La Comunidad 1-2:30
Although I think I am going to have to drop nutrition because the professor is going to have class on Saturdays ¨only once or twice a month-¨ which means that I'll either have to miss it because of my other class trips or I will have even less time to travel, neither of which I am okay with. Hopefully I can find another (health-oriented) class to take in its place.
My phone stopped working for 2 hours today- whenever I would call my friend it just beeped, so I thought it was busy or her phone was broken, but I finally caught on and turned my phone off and back on- and it magically started working again! When I finally got through to that friend she was on a bus to Baños. Now I don't know what to do- I don't know what's going on this weekend here, if I should try to catch a bus to Baños now alone and meet up with people there, or stay here... argh. My phone sucks. It never has more than 2 bars of service and constantly drops calls. Plus it isn't that cheap.
I had a great night yesterday- we went out to a Chupitos, a bar that serves only shots (chupito=shot) and some of the Ecuadorians were teaching me to dance. It was so much fun!
Okay, now I have to go figure out what to do to have an awesome weekend. Adios.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
'It is recommended that you don't travel there when the volcano is in eruption.'
Where do I begin?
USFQ is amazing. It is in Cumbaya, a town about 20 minutes from Quito by crazy bus ride. The campus is gorgeous, very green with this beautiful pond in the middle and nice architecture. I had orientation on Tuesday, where I met a lot of international students and sat through some talks about obvious safety and health precautions. There was a school-sponsored party for us Tuesday night in a touristy restaurant/bar district called La Mariscal at a bar, which was a lot of fun. I got home late and slept in til 11, when I got up and went... to class? What? That wasn't part of the deal!
My first class was Model United Nations, which I just chose to take after hearing the professor speak at orientation. It was really stressful because when I went to add it online, I dropped my one poli sci class to add MUN because it said there was no wait list- yet then it put me on one! So when I tried to add my original class, it put me on la lista de espera also... I was told to just go and ask to be added to the class, and when I nervously approached the prof and said ¨Soy en la lista de...¨ he cut me off and said in English, it's okay, people usually drop the class when they see how much work it is going to be. The class is actually in English (my only one out of 5, which will probably be a relief).
Then I went to Economia Internacional, where I usually got the jist of what the professor was saying but definitely not all the time, and wondered if my one econ class has prepared me for a 400-level... en Espanol. We were put into groups and asked... what we would do if we were stranded on an island like Tom Hanks? What? I was so confused (yes I got the Cast Away reference). I didn' understand the reference to international econ... something about what our natural instincts are. Eh.
I was so overwhelmed by the class that I didn't realize a girl I knew was also in it! I swear I didn't see her. We went across the street to a bar/restaurant and hung out with some students from Ecuador, which was great. I like meeting local people (and trying to speak Spanish...)
I went home on the bus and there was a party for my host sister's birthday last night, where I got to meet about thirty family members! Whew. They have a really big family and all live in Quito. Then I passed out so I could rush to school this morning, unsure of when I had class, but I was an hour and a half early (better than being an hour and a half late). I am nervous for 4.5 hours straight of Spanish class (3 classes, different subjects but taught in Spanish. I'm not actually taking a Spanish language class here, but I am taking a lit class).
I am going to grab breakfast and try to figure out where these classes are. I hope everyone studying abroad is having a great time and those who are reading are keeping Beloit crazy. I know my address! But am not going to post it here as at least Facebook is somewhat privacy-protected... we like to believe. If we are not facebook friends and you would like my address, please email me at kballinger@gmail.com.
Also, all the notebooks here have boxes. How weird is that? Like graph paper. For every class. I hate it. I am determined to find a real notebook.
Hasta luego,
Kim
USFQ is amazing. It is in Cumbaya, a town about 20 minutes from Quito by crazy bus ride. The campus is gorgeous, very green with this beautiful pond in the middle and nice architecture. I had orientation on Tuesday, where I met a lot of international students and sat through some talks about obvious safety and health precautions. There was a school-sponsored party for us Tuesday night in a touristy restaurant/bar district called La Mariscal at a bar, which was a lot of fun. I got home late and slept in til 11, when I got up and went... to class? What? That wasn't part of the deal!
My first class was Model United Nations, which I just chose to take after hearing the professor speak at orientation. It was really stressful because when I went to add it online, I dropped my one poli sci class to add MUN because it said there was no wait list- yet then it put me on one! So when I tried to add my original class, it put me on la lista de espera also... I was told to just go and ask to be added to the class, and when I nervously approached the prof and said ¨Soy en la lista de...¨ he cut me off and said in English, it's okay, people usually drop the class when they see how much work it is going to be. The class is actually in English (my only one out of 5, which will probably be a relief).
Then I went to Economia Internacional, where I usually got the jist of what the professor was saying but definitely not all the time, and wondered if my one econ class has prepared me for a 400-level... en Espanol. We were put into groups and asked... what we would do if we were stranded on an island like Tom Hanks? What? I was so confused (yes I got the Cast Away reference). I didn' understand the reference to international econ... something about what our natural instincts are. Eh.
I was so overwhelmed by the class that I didn't realize a girl I knew was also in it! I swear I didn't see her. We went across the street to a bar/restaurant and hung out with some students from Ecuador, which was great. I like meeting local people (and trying to speak Spanish...)
I went home on the bus and there was a party for my host sister's birthday last night, where I got to meet about thirty family members! Whew. They have a really big family and all live in Quito. Then I passed out so I could rush to school this morning, unsure of when I had class, but I was an hour and a half early (better than being an hour and a half late). I am nervous for 4.5 hours straight of Spanish class (3 classes, different subjects but taught in Spanish. I'm not actually taking a Spanish language class here, but I am taking a lit class).
I am going to grab breakfast and try to figure out where these classes are. I hope everyone studying abroad is having a great time and those who are reading are keeping Beloit crazy. I know my address! But am not going to post it here as at least Facebook is somewhat privacy-protected... we like to believe. If we are not facebook friends and you would like my address, please email me at kballinger@gmail.com.
Also, all the notebooks here have boxes. How weird is that? Like graph paper. For every class. I hate it. I am determined to find a real notebook.
Hasta luego,
Kim
Sunday, August 24, 2008
So I´m here...!
This is only my second time online since I´ve been here, which is why I haven´t updated. I don´t feel the need to do a day-by-day summary (at least yet), so let me share a few highlights (in chronological order, of course):
*Meeting and talking with a USFQ student who was on my flight, who proceeded to make me two origami-like pieces out of a piece of paper from the airline catalog: a bowl and a heart.
*Being greeted by my host mom after midnight, when my plane was an hour late, and instantly making me feel at home.
*Walking into my mansion-like house: Seriously. It´s beautiful. I have my own room and bathroom. My bathroom is larger than my NYC bedroom. Not kidding. And the house has a gorgeous view of Quito.
*Seeing said gorgeous view from the roof on Thursday- breathtaking. Reading Eat, Pray, Love and seeing nothing but sky.
*Meeting my middle/high school friend Emma for dinner Thursday night with her entire family. Being outdrank by a 16-year-old...
*Going to Tuplie on Saturday, a town two hours outside of Quito where we took a tour and hiked.
*Seeing my university today with my host mom and going to the colonial part of the city with her, exploring the beautiful churches and plazas of Quito.
I am using the internet at a mall about 15 minutes from my house. This seems to be a pretty safe neighborhood, so I´m not too worried. That doesn´t mean I don´t have 30 USD hidden in my bra. The most harassment I´ve run into is a truck full of (guapo) men honking at me... not too bad.
By the way, Ecuador uses US currency- at least for now- so whenever I refer to money, it´s USD. Some things are ridiculously cheap. When I was walking around near my house on Thursday, I bought a bottle of lemonade, a roll and a mini bag of platanos chips for the grand total of $0.75. Not everything is like that, but I haven´t found anything too expensive.
The buses are insane here. They don´t really, you know, STOP when people get on- or off. And they go around turns so fast I was actually getting a workout when I was standing because you have to try to hard to keep yourself upright. It isn´t a great system, but I guess I´ll get used to it.
I have to go, but I miss you all... things are great here. I have orientation Tuesday and classes start on Wednesday... I am so excited! Please keep me updated on all your travels!
Love,
Kim (KFunk)
*Meeting and talking with a USFQ student who was on my flight, who proceeded to make me two origami-like pieces out of a piece of paper from the airline catalog: a bowl and a heart.
*Being greeted by my host mom after midnight, when my plane was an hour late, and instantly making me feel at home.
*Walking into my mansion-like house: Seriously. It´s beautiful. I have my own room and bathroom. My bathroom is larger than my NYC bedroom. Not kidding. And the house has a gorgeous view of Quito.
*Seeing said gorgeous view from the roof on Thursday- breathtaking. Reading Eat, Pray, Love and seeing nothing but sky.
*Meeting my middle/high school friend Emma for dinner Thursday night with her entire family. Being outdrank by a 16-year-old...
*Going to Tuplie on Saturday, a town two hours outside of Quito where we took a tour and hiked.
*Seeing my university today with my host mom and going to the colonial part of the city with her, exploring the beautiful churches and plazas of Quito.
I am using the internet at a mall about 15 minutes from my house. This seems to be a pretty safe neighborhood, so I´m not too worried. That doesn´t mean I don´t have 30 USD hidden in my bra. The most harassment I´ve run into is a truck full of (guapo) men honking at me... not too bad.
By the way, Ecuador uses US currency- at least for now- so whenever I refer to money, it´s USD. Some things are ridiculously cheap. When I was walking around near my house on Thursday, I bought a bottle of lemonade, a roll and a mini bag of platanos chips for the grand total of $0.75. Not everything is like that, but I haven´t found anything too expensive.
The buses are insane here. They don´t really, you know, STOP when people get on- or off. And they go around turns so fast I was actually getting a workout when I was standing because you have to try to hard to keep yourself upright. It isn´t a great system, but I guess I´ll get used to it.
I have to go, but I miss you all... things are great here. I have orientation Tuesday and classes start on Wednesday... I am so excited! Please keep me updated on all your travels!
Love,
Kim (KFunk)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
MANANA!
So... I GOT MY VISA!!! Note to future travelers: While I didn't have any problems waiting to go to the Consulate until 2 days before I left & then picking up my Visa less than 24 hours before departure, I do not recommend this!! Obtaining the Visa was very complicated because of my work schedule and all of the medical and police certificates I had to get, so I was working on it for awhile, but I was stressing about it literally all summer. Horrible. Do whatever you can to take care of it ASAP.
I leave in a matter of hours. I am sitting in my living room, surrounded by half-packed suitcases and clothes, listening to 'Corona and Lime' by Shwayze on channel 621 (HitList). I'm trying to do all these last minute things before my mom gets home and starts stressing out... heh. We are going out to dinner tonight to this great Malaysian place. Assuming I get packed. Apparently that is the deal. (Because, you know, the alternative is that I don't pack, stay here, and decide not to have the best semester of my life.) ;)
My flight leaves Laguardia at noon to Houston and then I fly to Quito at 6. I don't get in til after 11, but my host family is still picking me up! I hope I get through customs smoothly, I don't want to make them wait any longer than they already are. On Thursday I am seeing EMMA! (A friend from middle/high school who has been in Quito all summer on another program) I am so excited!!
I don't start class until next Wednesday. There is an orientation for international students next Tuesday night, but other than that, I have no plans for five days... it should be exciting.
Back to packing... !!
I leave in a matter of hours. I am sitting in my living room, surrounded by half-packed suitcases and clothes, listening to 'Corona and Lime' by Shwayze on channel 621 (HitList). I'm trying to do all these last minute things before my mom gets home and starts stressing out... heh. We are going out to dinner tonight to this great Malaysian place. Assuming I get packed. Apparently that is the deal. (Because, you know, the alternative is that I don't pack, stay here, and decide not to have the best semester of my life.) ;)
My flight leaves Laguardia at noon to Houston and then I fly to Quito at 6. I don't get in til after 11, but my host family is still picking me up! I hope I get through customs smoothly, I don't want to make them wait any longer than they already are. On Thursday I am seeing EMMA! (A friend from middle/high school who has been in Quito all summer on another program) I am so excited!!
I don't start class until next Wednesday. There is an orientation for international students next Tuesday night, but other than that, I have no plans for five days... it should be exciting.
Back to packing... !!