In the past two months...

...I saw Manu Chao in concert and was sadly disappointed. Can such elaborate and layered studio albums translate into a live act? March 24th was not going to be the day to find out. Manu was too stoned. The audience was too stoned. Songs began in reggae and ended in punk; though none of these genres apply to Manu Chao's music. No worries. Seeing U2 was enough of a live act experience for a lifetime.

...I celebrated my 25th birthday over a period of 5 days. A night out at my favorite pub, followed by wild dancing to American pop in a Chilean club called "Boomerang." I bought myself pearl earrings, wore a pink/glittery crown all day, and enjoyed a barrage of emails from my friends.

...I traveled to Bariloche, on the outer edge of Argentina's Patagonia, with my RH. We ate yummy food, drank artesanal beers, and slept in late. I was outfitted like I never thought I'd be in my life: hiking boots, a fleece, and a rain jacket. I loved every minute.

...I bummed around May, waiting for my work life to start. Came face-to-face with the self-esteem crusher that is being an English teacher abroad and I triumphed. I worked on my special "grad school project" and watched the Immigration issues in the U.S. with intellectual interest; I emailed Mel Martinez again.

...right now I'm listening to "Rapid German: Part One." Basic German phrases put to techno music. All in preparation for my trip to the World Cup in Germany. So exciting! The closest I'll ever be to Michael Owen.