Quotation and Music

"I found a love letter on my calculator." (JH on opening a calculator from the 10th grade). And, for a minute, he stopped to think if he was cheating on his soon-to-be fiancee only to remember that no, he is not.

Sometimes, you get used to the niceties of the superficial -- the hand that skims carelessly through the first layer of ripples that skate the surface without truly reaching the tidal wave. Let's avoid that.

A few songs to start off Summer 2011 Playlist: 
- Skinny Love (Bon Ivor)
- Caravane (Raphael Haroche)
- Chanel (Modern Skirts)
- Soul Meets Body (Death Cab for Cutie)

ATL, MIA, LIM, AQP

Two weeks ago I survived a sixteen and a half hour long flight. Even though the flight from Miami to Lima was only five hours long, it was a struggle. Maybe it had to do that we sat in the plane for about an hour before it actually took off or that there were no movies or TV shows to keep me entertained.

We reached Lima around midnight, and had at least four hours to kill before we could even re-check our baggage. Here I realized how handy my high school Spanish vocabulary could be. Sure, I couldn't speak in completely proper sentences, so maybe I partially fail. But I could sure understand enough and speak enough to buy the things I needed. I think that's all right for the first day.

The nigh

t we spent at the airport in Lima has to be one of the most uncomfortable nights, evaaaaa. I hurt. I slept, slouched, curled up, and tried anything to fall asleep in a small, compact chair. Needless to say, I crashed on the next flight and woke up to this:

Imma just gonna say it: I felt like I was looking at a scene from Lord of the Rings. NO HATERADE ALLOWED. We walked off the plane to the airport, which is absolutely adorable. It's a bit old-fashioned, small, and totally efficient.

The whole city is surrounded by mountains, making the weather outside pleasantly chilly. The clinic we're staying at has five floors. Because of the mountainous terrain, the entrance and actual clinic is the 4th floor and most of the rooms are below on the first three levels. However, we still have an amazing view:

We had a late light breakfast, and mostly everyone is catching up on their sleep right now. I'm mentally preparing myself to take a freezing cold shower in an already cold house. LEGGO.

Also, we are going grocery shopping tonight. I am so so so excited. They even mentioned maybe going to a farmer's market. Eeeeeek. Words can't explain.

En Route Conversations

Airport conversations are always interesting.  This is your chance to break from the bubble of your life and, for one brief hour's flight (or 11 hours overseas) enter into another's world. Someone who is unfamiliar and coincides with you purely on basis of buying a ticket.  Nothing could be more serendipitous.  These conversations can affect you. One may experience a variety of emotions: The realization of a common humanity. Understanding of a lifestyle so different from one's own. Or pure exasperation of, 'Really? This is the American public?'

Some highlights:
Hour and half conversation (Detroit to Atlanta). A naval doctor-in-training named Rory with whom I  discussed on gender psychology, post-traumatic stress disorder, our 20-something point in life and a psycho-analysis of his friend.  We ended it with insight into one another as if we had been friends for years.

Reagan INTL (DC to Atlanta).  Overheard: 15 minute discussion between two 20-some girls about facebook tagging. They were trying to tag each other but couldn't figure it out.

11 hour flight (ATL to London). A retired woman who sucked on her dentures but sweetly inquired about religion and family history.

Detroit Airport. The airport features its own set of internal sparrows.  One propped itself nearby, chirped and then flew over my shoulder.

Detroit Airport.  Sitting next to a college girl, I look over and gasp in delight as I realize she is watching Episode One of The O.C.  We have a brief discussion where I tell her I love this episode and cry.


Reagan INTL. "I am not checking in at Atlanta (on facebook) because I don't want anyone to know that I wa in that Godforsaken town."  A girl as she waits at the terminal surrounded by people destined and many originating from Atlanta, GA.

Objection: Basis on Patheticness

As I conclude this night of studying, I was watching a soap opera where the guy (lawyer) is cross-examining the witness and then the cliff-hanger is: "Have you ever had sex with the Defendant?"

I just finished reviewing Evidence.  I started screaming objections at the screen based on the context of the trial (you had to have known the whole story to understand that my objections had a strong case of being upheld).  And then, I countered myself. And then, I offered further support for my original objection.

Conclusion: Lame.