Last summer was all about home improvements.  The summer before that, moving into our new house.  The year before that... ugh, things were ugly in Wyoming.  Suffice it to say it's been a while since Dave or I enjoyed summer.  But this year promises to be much, much better, and here are all the reasons why:

First, our 4th anniversary is July 22.  Yikes. 

Two days after learning that our property taxes went up $120 a month (due to the previous owners' military discount just now wearing off after 2 years), I strolled into a little place called Liliane's Alterations.  Had to find a part-time second job somewhere, and although she wasn't advertising, I just had a feeling.  A calculated, clever feeling.  I've heard that skilled, trustworthy sewers are next to impossible to find in this town.  I was guessing she might be desperate.











Thankfully, these aren't my working conditions.

And she was.  Not long before I noticed the crucifix hanging behind the cash register, the eccentric Vietnamese woman could barely contain her excitement. 
"I been at de end of my rope for so long, honey!  I work til 10 or 11 o'clock most nights.  I put ad out before, but no one come, or some girls come who tink dey know how to sew, but dey know notting!  Or dey no have patience!  I been praying for so long dat somebody like you come troo my doh!"

She's friggin awesome!  A chatterbox with mad sewing skills who loves Mary.  Um, Liliane, you're not the only one who thinks this is a match made in heaven.  Seriously.  Could there BE a cooler job?  A cooler boss?  A cooler way to learn wicked sewing skills I'd have to pay high tuition bucks to learn at some fashion institute?  And she's paying me to learn.  So yeah, the rest of this summer - and beyond - will be totally awesome.

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is comin up, yo.  (Thanks to the USCCB for recognizing the need for such a week.)  It's July 25-31, and I hope to actually have promotional materials ready this year.  So look out, people of northern NY... a girl with graphic design skills and an insatiable need for public speaking is on the loose, and she's not stopping til the message is out!




Next weekend we take a trip to the big city (Syracuse) and treat ourselves to a movie at the carousel mall theater.  Not just any movie is worth driving an hour each way.  It's gotta be Eclipse.  Tent scene, here we come! 

Just two days after that, the Community Sponsored Agriculture season officially begins, and we get to pick up our first box o' veggies-n-fruit.  THAT may be the best part of all.  So tired of paying outrageous prices for produce that's rarely fresh.  Mwahaha, I feel a little devilish for cheating "the man"... although I suppose I should be used to it after all the NFP classes we've taught. 
I dunno, there's something about food that makes it even more subversive.  Next thing you know I'll turn into a crazy conspiracy theorist who stops shaving and builds a bomb shelter.
Ah well, this summer will be great either way. :)

We learned a few things from our Marquette vacation.  First, that the Paulding Light isn't nearly as bizarre as its visitors.  Second, that Frosty Treats has gone down the tubes in terms of ice cream quality.  And lastly, that we have what it takes to survive at least a week away from home.
It may sound funny, but you don't realize how significant this is.  Ever since we lived in Wyoming, my subconscious has been holding onto a moderate case of agoraphobia, and this was our first autonomous vacation in which I could challenge it.  Looks like I won!
That means several possibilities are now quite viable.  Of all the foreign locations from which to choose, we ended up deciding upon Chile.  Here's a rough outline of our train of thought:

1. We wanted a Spanish destination, since neither of us speak any other secondary language.  I have a strong sense of obligation and integrity when it comes to visiting foreign countries: I should at least be somewhat familiar with the native language.  I'd feel presumptuous and rude expecting locals to know English for my sake.  They really shouldn't have to use English unless they're international businessmen.  Who the heck am I to demand bilingual service?  I'm nobody special.

2. Spain might be the obvious first choice for a Spanish-speaking locale, but it's too dry and urban for me.  South America has some of the most, if not THE most, beautiful scenery and natural splendor out of all the continents.  It's bursting at the seams with different land formations, especially in the southernmost region.  Spain has... windmills, I think.











3. Not all South American countries are created equal.  Colombia, for instance, scares the pants off us.  Drugs and kidnapping don't spell fun times.  So we wanted a country with respectable police - and Chile's got it.  Their officers take immense pride in their rank and station, and it's said you'll only dig yourself into a deeper hole if you try to bribe them.  Sounds like my kind of people.
4. The Chilean currency exchange rate goes something like this: $300 Chilean dollars = $0.38 American.  (That's the standard base cab fare.)  So, if you can get past the pricey airfare, the rest of your travel budget should be in the general ballpark of $20.  WIN.

From reading travel forums online, I've already gleaned a decent amount of info.  You need an International Driver's License to drive in another country.  I feared it would be about as expensive as a passport, and just about as long a process, but it turns out they only cost $20 and your local AAA office can do it for you!  Plus AAA can do currency exchanges.  And traveler's checks.  I have a feeling there are a lot of services we've never tapped into.
Apparently, avocado is an exceedingly popular sandwich/burger condiment... so much that it's infiltrated their McDonalds menus.  Hilarious. 

Something I pretty much knew already is that the locals will stare and engage you in random conversations.  Dave says this happened to him all too often during his high school missionary trip in Chiapas, Mexico.  Whereas it annoyed him, I would absolutely love it.  Any opportunity to meet new people AND practice Spanish is okay by me.  Fun, authentic experiences like that can only enhance our trip.  I'll probably cherish those more than the most breathtaking views.

We'll probably want to avoid the 20,000-foot volcano directly east of the capital, Santiago.  Yeah.
I also want to discover if it's true that water spins counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.  Dave claims it's just an urban myth, and I've heard that it only happens with large bodies of water, but we'll see.

I've got to research the seasonal climate.  If our summer is their winter and vice versa, just how cold does it get?  Sure, there are "high" travel seasons (I've heard January and February are the most popular), but does that necessarily mean June and July are frigid and miserable?  Must find out.
Investigating all the cultural and practical aspects of this trip is half the fun.  And if we actually do fulfill it next year, I'd feel amazing.  Nothing's carved in stone yet, but once we get all the information we need, we'll be ready either way.