Canary Yellow

A little while ago I wrote that I was living in a yellow house. I have since moved, and I realized today during a very important conversation, that I truly miss the canary yellow walls -- so much that I think I'm less-happy now than I was previously.

This, as ridiculous as it sounds, is probably pretty accurate. Colour influences mood, energy, and all that.. I miss canary yellow! What a revelation!!

Fortunately, that's not the only new thing I've discovered recently...haha! This past weekend I took a trip up to the mountains, kinda close by, and discovered a very friendly horse, a monkey rock, and a view that will leave you breathless (both meanings intended).

I had a truly wonderful time, and can't believe it took me so long to get there, i mean its almost the end of September already! Aw well, I've still got time..

fallen in love...

I never thought it was possible, and i think i swore it would never happen but, never say never.. & its true:

i have fallen in love with a (singular) small dog.

The family i'm living with has a small lap-dog --can't tell you her name to save my life--but that's not what's important here. I love her. She is probably the sweetest most affectionate being i've met in this country! Every morning, afternoon & evening, whenever i see she her, she literally jumps up to see me. She follows me to the bus, to school -- i guess to make sure i arrive safely, not sure what she would do if i was ever in real trouble, she's a little too little to do anything to help me...regardless, she's a wonderful, gentle and affectionate friend....not entirely surprising, she's is a dog & that's just what dogs do..

Anyways, she's a sweet heart and has forever changed my perspective on tiny dogs.

thats all,
-corinne

September Showers Bring October Flowers..

well, regular life and "back-to-school" season has gotten off to a bumpy start.

with 2 teachers away, one on holidays, one on bed rest due to a snow-boarding accident -- things have been pretty busy here, unexpectedly so -- regardless it's nice to be back in the swing things.

Winter here is vastly different from any other winter i've ever experienced. with so little to do, and so few ways to get warm...lets just say i'm glad its over.

Normal

classes are full and busy, with youngsters getting excited about a language they might never actually need. 

New teachers are here, 2 from the UK and one from the US. All are wonderful people I enjoy spending time with and enjoy planning lessons with.. odd i've never enjoyed the whole "lesson-planning" part of the job, but when you have good company, you can do anything -literally- and it be fun. 

Next

I've been reading and watching a lot of Ann Rynd in my free time. Not sure why I started, although i know now its difficult to stop. Reading has always been an addiction of mine, which won't surprise anyone reading this.. The Fountainhead and Altas Shrugged have been monumental books in the history of literature and philosophical thought, so i thought (during my winter break) it was about time i read them myself. 

I have to admit, they are pretty mind-altering reads. I enjoy Rynd's philosophy on life and appreciate her descriptions of how life ought to be. I hope to apply what i've read into my own life, in my own way. 

Coming up

Dieciocho or Fiestas Patrias! The biggest holiday in all of Chile, just a week away.. and I have no official plans (other than drinking with friends, of course). Everywhere just comes alive in a way that North American can only dream about. The city already is getting ready for the holiday. It's Chilean Independence Day, but it lasts for about a week. teehee, gotta love how things happen down here. 

Talca is one of the places to be for this time of year, so I don't feel too bad about not having a bus ticket outta here, although I do think I'll go to Santiago for a bit, and maybe Santa Cruz, have some wine and go shopping... nothing special, but sometimes those are the best kinda times. 

in the mean time

teaching, planning for teaching and eating amazing pizza... going for walks up to the mountain and drinking good beer are taking up my time, so i have no complaints. 

I plan on climbing a mountain in November, so in true Corinne fashion, i'm going to start training and preparing for that. Hoping that it'll be the start of me returning back to my more active and out-doorsy self. 

Hope your doing well, and the summer has been good to you. More up-dates to come as the summer creeps closer and I become more alive.. .shaking off the dew and damp cold that has been my winter here.

-rinn