I am NOT my hair

Let me say it again...

I am NOT my hair... India Arie said this well in her song...

There is definitely no hostility or anger when I say this just pride because that is how I feel right now. Two weeks ago I cut my hair. In the back--the front is just about the way it was before and as a consequence for the style I wanted, there will not be curls for a little while.

It was a decision I made just because it felt like it was the right time to do so. I love/ed my curly thick hair and now I am even more happy to have cut it all off and now thinking and hoping I'll be able to have my curliness back again.

I've looked through a few websites about black hair... searched and pried for what I could find to make me not seem like I was totally crazy for doing this in the first place. Maybe to others it might not seem like such a big deal but believe me it can be. I remember Granny (my g-ma) tugging and pulling and braiding and moisturizing my hair when I was younger. Man was I a fool to even start perming it. But when I did I learned and since then I've been trying to get back the years I lost by taking care of it more especially this semester with very very little straightening.

When I feel like I have made any sort of progress--finally figuring out how to wear my hair curly and make it look good with the right products--I cut it off. I was tired of it not that I will not have any less work to do to keep this style up. But I figured it was indeed time...to try something new. So I did and I love it.

So what does this have to do with Puerto Rico besides the fact that I cut my hair here?? My experience here has made me relax about having the kind of hair that I have. I've realized how beautiful a person can be besides what they wear on their head or on their body. It is not about that at all... really it's not. But taking pride in yourself without all of the pressures from others is the gold. Do what you want--switch it and change it up because if you are comfortable and happy with it anyone else's opinion won't matter.

So when people look at me weird with my hair cut I'll just keep telling myself that I am not my hair--because hair does not make who you are it only adds to who you are. Hair grows with good care and until then I will enjoy the freedom of short locks.

Time flies

Some pictures from the last month and a half

My bike angel

I figured I take a study break and would take the time to share about my experience about a week and a half ago. I'm running on Puerto Rican time...late

So I have a bike angel--his name hmmm we can call him Mr. Truck Bike Angel Man. So there have been two instances where I have been semi-stranded on a road (safely with a friend during the day) on my bike and the arm that connects to my pedal has come off!! The first time we stood there on the road and made a phone call to the only local bike shop in San German and made plans to walk there when DE REPENTE Mr. Truck Bike Angel Man appears out of no where with his truck offering to help put the part on. At first when I gave him the part I was worried that he would zoom off and I would be in an even worse situation but he did not--he went to the back of the truck fumbled with a few tools and fixed my bike right there and then out of nowhere. We made it to the bike shop where I had two choices: leave my bike till monday or take it home and go on the planned trip to the beach the next day. I brought the bike home and 15 minutes into the trip to the beach the next day it fell off again!!! WHA CHU SAY?? YES!!!!! AGAIN!!! and coming out of nowhere again Mr. Truck Bike Angel Man appeared nowhere near where we were the day before and it was about 7:30am on a Sunday....needless to say after the bike was fixed I went home and chilled the rest of the day.

BIKE UPDATE: My bike has been fixed and it is doing well today. She has successfully made it through 1 trip to the beach (18 miles), a trip to the nearest town Mayaguez (20 miles), an hour of riding in the rain and other little trips to the grocery store up and down hills and all around town.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time

Soy una MUJER BRAVA!

I am soooooo excited about this. My friend and I signed up for this cycle event called MUJER BRAVA in San Juan on OCTOBER 3RD. It is an all women's event through the city with 3 levels: Beginner=20 miles, Intermediate=45 miles and Advanced=75 miles. Of course we signed up for the beginners.

This is going to be AMAZZZZING!! It is something we have both never done before and definitely one of the hardest events I've participated in but I can't wait. My ride today was about 12-15 miles so I think with some practice I will be allllllrrriiiight.

The super fun thing too is that we will be getting these legit jerseys, free snacks and everything needed for the ride and great memories.

Can't wait challenges like this make me feel alive!!!!

http://www.mujerbrava.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=83901925#!/group.php?gid=96416343955&ref=ts

Today was the day...the hardest and first day on my bike. My friend and I made plans to get up early in the morning to bike to the beach. The ride is supposed to be about an hour and a half if you don't stop.

It was such a pretty bike ride I loved it! The hardest part was getting there though. Not knowing where I was going--though it was a straight shot--it psyched me out and so many times I had to stop and really wanted to quit. But that wasn't an option. So we tredged on and after 3 hours we got to the beach in Boqueron. It was beautiful...nothing too fancy but a beach is a beach--always beautiful and relaxing. After collecting millions of shells we walked around a bit and headed back home. It was about 2:45 so it started raining of course-as usual. We shaved off an hours time and the ride was soooooo much easier on the way back. My butt has never hurt so bad :/ haha the little mountain bike seats are not enough for me. Next time on the 16 mile ride I'll have my new seat on there :)

On the way there we were being honked at (honks of encouragement or acknowledgement I've concluded) that are really fun! You say hi to almost everybody you pass after a few seconds of staring of course. The vegitation is lovely and there are soooo many cows, chickens, dogs (that chased us down the road). I loved every minute of it despite it being the hardest thing I have ever done. I am ready to go again--not today or tomorrow of course haha but next week after my new seat is put on and I muster up some more courage.

Casa rojo, casa verde y casa azul

The town that houses me is San German, Puerto Rico... Here are a few of my favorite pictures this weekend of the houses that are filled with beauty. :)

bikes, hikes and mariposas

So yesterday I had planned to go to the first floor of a building called Del Torro near my dorm. I had seen a sign for TRiO on the bulding and I was really shocked to see that they had it here. I even say a few signs with SSS on it...so I investigated and found the office. I was at first content with looking at the hours which I found out they have a lot for tutoring. I wrote a few of the hours down with the names of the tutors when suddenly I was greeted by a very kind woman who asked if I needed help. We exchanged conversation and I let her know I was a student and worked for SSS for the past 2 years! She was very excited to help me and was sooooo kind for the first time meeting her. I was introduced to a few other counselors and the coordinator of tutoring and was set up to come in next week to start tutoring sessions for 2 of my classes. I was so excited about this because they were so welcoming to me. After that I really couldn't stop smiling and now I can't wait to go back on Monday. Already after meeting them for the first time I could tell that I had another TRiO family away from home and that just warmed my heart :)

Yesterday I also found out that one of my favorite bands Cultura Profetica will be making a stop here at Inter to perform!!! WOW!!!!! How awesome is that right?!?!? I never thought I would be able to see them in concert but now I can't believe it's real. Especially since a few weeks ago my friend and I heard a rumor that they would be at our school for an appearance at 10 am. Needless to say we were super hyped, got breakfast and waited for them to come. But it wasn't what we thought...just an honors ceremony. Oh well haha!

Allllssssooooo today I BOUGHT A BIKE! So even though I have talked about this place being ridiculously mountainous, I wasn't going to let that stop me from having another form of transportation while I'm here. I've been shopping around for about a week and a half looking and finding out all of my options when spontaneously Emma and I decided to try and rent a car to go to the nearest mall, buy a bike and look for instrument rental places in Mayaguez. Too bad neither of us brought out credit cards :/...we didn't get to rent the car but we were still able to use the Carro Publico service which is like a taxi with really old nice men that drive us in really old cars. This time we were reunited with out old friend whom we call Mariposa--she is a white van I would say from '79 or 80-something with a super old interior and a biiiig Mr. Special sticker on the side (local grocery store). Last time we were in Mariposa we were laughing so hard about the inner beauty that she carries that we ended up naming her and now I like to think Mariposa and KiKe (the driver) are our really good friends. hahahah. So we had a really long day in the mall and eventually I purchased my bike at Sears! Of course by that time we were ready to head out and even more of course it was raining--the time was about 3...right on schedule!---So we picked up the bike, in the BOX btw and carried it through the store to the front where we would be picked up. The box almost fell on Emma's head at one point and we dropped it numerous times from laughing or not paying attention. The fun continued when we got back to the dorm and started to put the bike together. THEN we found out we needed tools....now DAMN! We didn't know that! Luckily we had found a bike store earlier this week in search of used bikes. The store is owned by this man who is Mr. Tour de France- I like to call him- who when first meeting him told me in his French-Puerto Rican Spanish that "Wal-mart and KMart bikes are pieces of sheet!" Of course that is true but damn...considering the fact that I'm selling this bike to someone on the island the price is right for the next few months! So we walked there tonight in the rain before they closed and after a very much needed 2 hour nap. Walking as fast as could be we finally arrived and while talking to him we were all confusing each other in terms of what we were asking for. It all got lost in translation but after a very few frustrating minutes we GOT THE TOOLS!!! I was so happy and as soon as we got back I finished putting the bike together. Tomorrow we will be going on our first journey with my new bike to the beach in Cabo Rojo I believe. It's about an hour and a half but I think I can do it.

WOOOO HOOOO for another form of transportation!!!

Electric Daisy Carnival--EDC Puerto Rico

Headliners: LMFAO, Will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap and NERD!

When: 8/28/2010

Where: Escobar Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico

FREE CARNIVAL RIDES, PENTHOUSE FLOOR VP SUITE, VIP BACKSTAGE PASSES and REALLY GOOD TIMES :)

It Rained and then it poured

Wow

It has been a while since I have been on here for many many endless reasons which I will briefly list

1) there was a rain storm 3 weeks ago

2) since then the internet has been out

3) there have been a few complaints with promises to fix it

4) we are in Puerto Rico-nothing gets fixed in a timely manner

Therefore here I am in the lobby on the 2nd floor of my dorm using the internet with 15 other girls I don't know. So much has happened since I first stepped foot on this mysterious island and I have no idea where to start.

First! Out of the 11 National Student Exchange students that came to this school 5 of them left within the first week for many different reasons. That leaves Victor, Emma, Holly, Tirzah, Jackie, Nani and myself-here in Puerto Rico. My roommate Virginia even left which really sucked but she is still on the island so not too far away. After all that drama it has been calm. By now we are pros to these streets also known as hills and stairs. I have spent many nights with friends at the local bar Los Tigres down the hill playing dominoes, pool and our favorite latin music. I have spent many afternoons exploring the towns streets sitting in the plazas, exchanging glances at eye candy, laughing about random things and being stuck in the rain more times that could be counted on one hand. So far I have had so much fun that I can't even believe. Some fellow NSE students and I even made our first trek to San Juan 2 hours away to go to the Electric Daisy Carnival which was beyond off the chain. The nights highlight-dancing on stage with LMFAO. Still can't believe it.

But even with all that I've found time for myself. To do the things I have been wanting to do and have found more than a million reasons why I shouldn't. So far...

-Said to myself stop worrying about how much you have and HAVE FUN!

-Got bold and tried fish and chips-at the Marriot-delicious :)

-Went even crazier and has squid rings-might I add that really was crazy?!

-Currently reading 2 books-1 in English and 1 in Spanish

-I will be buying a bike soon

-aaaaand I will be signing up to participate in the Mujer Brava bike ride-20 miles only!

There are many things that could be not liked about this island, school and the people but there are so many things that weigh out the negatives. There have been so many times that people have honked at us walking down the street and honestly we still can't tell if its a good honk or a bad one--we accept it as a friendly honk :)

Puerto Ricans are really nice and comfortable with strangers. Bubble space is not so common here and everyone is so nice its hard not to be nice to everyone. At first being here in San German was hard because we are in such a remote place where it is hard to get around...really hard. But after the few weekends we have escaped has made being here all worth while. We can finally breathe and relax--if we want to. The town of San German has so much charm, history and sweetness to it. Everytime I take a trip to the Walgreens (only brand name pharmacy in sight) or even to the Supermercado (brightly painted green) I find something new I could get involved in or just admire.

The hardest part about not being a native spanish speaker and moving to Puerto Rico is the language. Not to mention no matter how many classes I have taken in Spanish it hasn't made it easy for me to communicate. Everyday I try and decipher what everyone is saying. Some days I can actually hear and some days I am completely clueless but I find that this "spanglish" is helped with some personal study like reading a book.

---

Today my friend Emma and I decided to go into town to do a few errands aka go all the way down to the post office to mail birthday packages. Little did we know our trend of super missions was going to hit us again. We left campus about 11:45 and we both had 3 hours and 15 minutes before our class at 3. You wouldn't think that walking the 2 or so miles would take that long but it did. We ended up first at Walgreens-which has turned into a hotspot for getting the essentials before our weekly Wednesday trolley/shuttle ride to KMart and the grocery store. We ended up taking about 45 minutes choosing birthday cards, getting water and debating on hair colors for a virgin dyer. After that we headed toward our destination and stopped at the Office Supply store where we were pretty successful getting XL maps of Africa and North America and some other supplies. During that time it started to rain outside--and then it poured. The thing about Puerto Rico is that there is rain without fail EVERYDAY between the hours of 1 and 5pm for about 45mins. And of course that's when it would hit. But this rain was different. Never had I seen rain so fierce! There were rivers that we created in the streets!! After 5 minutes staring at the rain from the window we mustered up the courage to make the 1/2 block trek to the coffee shop--hahaha wow now that was funny we really did not expect what happened. Walking into the coffee shop soaked with about 15 students from our University was the least to say AWKWARD. We proceeded to fill our empty bellies and by that time it was 2:15 and we still had 5 blocks to go before class at 3. Once we got there we stood in line fr about 15 minutes and hurried back to school as fast as we could with a mixture of sweat and rainwater in our clothes. I was about 30 minutes late to my Adv Grammar class but luckily the professor did not notice and I was in the clear. --That's just a typical day when one of us decides to be productive--it rains and then pours. ----

There is so much that could be said about Puerto Rico and my experience here but I can only say so much without getting toungue tied and lost in my own words. So for now I will leave it at that.

I say if you ever have the chance take it--don't be afraid to leave everything behind because in the end you will grow more than you ever thought before. :)

Bienvenidos a Puerto Rico

Day 3- Aventuras de Puerto Rico

Nueva palabra del dia: la cochinita: ladybug

Bienvenidos Amigos!

I don't know how many times I thought to myself on the way over here how unbelievable it was for me to actually be going to Puerto Rico...I have been thinking, wishing, praying all of the above!!! and now I'm here! Van and I decided early on to fly together so I met up with her at LAX from there a few delayed flights, scary 9 person planes, and a few conversations of broken spanish we ARRIVED safe and sound :). Truth is I have a fear in the back of my mind of flying...out of the 9-12 total hours on the plane (some of these hours just sitting on the runway) I was nervous/anxious and sleep was not my number 1 priority. We arrived in San Juan first and then took a small plane to a city called Mayaguez. The small plane...smaller than a mini cooper practically was scary as s&*%!! I didn't want to breathe let alone say a word but the sights over the island were beaaauuuuuutiful! I truly enjoyed it after landing :).

We met up with our coordinator Ricardo shortly after and headed to our campus: Interamericana Universidad de Puerto Rico San German. This school flat out is not what I expected...nor is this island. But I am still adjusting and loving it. Now the thing about this school is we are atop a very steep mountain. Let me repeat....very STEEP mountain. Dorms are seperated by gender and the campus is bigger than I imagined. Oh and we are in a jungle...literally!!! Whaaaaat?!?! We hear wild jungle-ish bugs/animals everyday all day just living their daily lives. Birds chirp loud in the morning and they beg of you to get up at 5am with them. But I don't mind that. The suns rays wake me up on my bunked quite early and its sooo beautiful :). I even got up super early to try and take pictures.

The best part about this island so far is its natural beauty and history. The worst part about being an exchange student is starting over I mean like being a "freshman" and figuring out how to navigate or get through the language barrier. I never thought it would be so hard getting cash and shopping in K-Mart but it was :/...Thats something I'll be working on for quite some time but it's all in the fun. Luckily Van and I have a Spanish coach and fellow NSE participant to help us hahaha!

I can only take so much of this typing about my day thing so I think this is the end for tonight...buenas noches!

**Please note that there are many interesting parts about this experience that will be left out for screening purposes or just because I am too lazy to type it. :)