Bienvenido a Argentina!

 Hola!!

After a long absence from blogging, I thought it best to get back on the horse and start dazzling you all with my new life in Argentina!!

Flying from Regina to Buenos Aires was such a treat compared to my jaunt from Saskatchewan to Laos! Three hours ahead of "home" made the adjustment and jet lag quite manageable!

Since my arrival in the "Paris of the South", I've experienced a wide variety of foods and drinks.  Here is a mate (Mah-Teh) cup and a thermos. Here's the view I see every morning - my secretary, Ale is always sipping on this bevvy.

Here's a youtube video that will show you "how to!" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w2TzMR5XzM

A few sights from downtown Buenos Aires.  I haven't had much time to do more exploring, but here are a few snaps from our group tour on a gloomy day:

La Boca is a very cool area of town, albeit a bit shady.  It was too cold outside so the tango duos weren't strutting their stuff.  I'm looking very foward to heading back there!

Here is the Casa Rosada.  Literal translation "The Pink House."  This is where the works her presidential magic, however some are on the fence about that! 

I do love the colours of the Argentine flag!!

My new friend Amanda giving some love to the Pope!

I learn quickly.  Javier is such a great teacher!!  We danced all afternoon

Here are a few "before" photos from my apartment.  Sadly, the mustard yellow curtains are going far, far away!!

Every year, Administration at Lincoln host a "Newbie Wine Tasting."  This was the first time I'd experienced this - I'm happy to report that I didn't have a sore head the next morning....

The good...

The bad...

The ugly...

This is a parilla - a BBQ!  They produce the most amazing food.  I can only imagine how fabulous my Dad's steak would be when he cooked it on here!!!

Alive and well and settling into my new home, office, and life in South America!

Forward February

At the end of 2012 I put a Facebook note out asking who would be interested in "Paying it Forward."  The catch was that I would send them a special gift but they had to agree to pay it forward to special people in their lives. I sent over 15 small gifts - below are pictures of those who posted their pictures back to me...

Angie is my guru! She is probably the most spiritually balanced person that I know. She has a way about her that is second to none. I often turn to her for advice on topics ranging from men to meditation - she's my "go to girl." I'm looking forward to reading "f*ck it!" when she's done with it!



Jesslyn is a former student of mine - a beautiful young woman inside and out. She is newly married and is so full of life and love. I wish her a life full of adventure and joy - she deserves all good things that come to her. I sent her "98 Things Women Should do in Her Lifetime!"


 Lee is my "big sister."  I've known her since I was in high school when I played softball with her younger sister.  Later in our adult life we came together again in our "Splurge Group!"  Lee is the strong, silent type - but she is always so full of wisdom and she makes me think.  A silk scarf and cute bracelet will hopefully accent the beauty that is this woman.  A wonderful friend whom I look forward to seeing every summer when I'm back in Regina!

Michelle, or as I like to call her "Pumpkin" has been a friend of mine for over 17 years.  We met in University and have been friends ever since.  She may quite possibly be my most frank and direct friend - I HIGHLY recommend every woman get a friend like Michelle.  Pumpkin and I have a common interest - "Drop Dead Diva", a show about a model who dies and comes back into the body of a plus sized lawyer.  I sent her the final season - which I've already watched and she better get her butt in gear so we can compare notes!

Stephanie and I have been friends since high school - yes, that's a long time!!  Although we don't see each other often, I know she diligently reads every blog, looks at every picture on FB, and will always chime in with a kind word of encouragement or stroke my ego telling me how wonderful I am - again, EVERY woman needs a friend like this!  I had started posting on my blog about a 1960's book I'd received from a colleague on "dating", she asked me a few times why I stopped blogging about it - frankly, I found it depressing.  SOOO, Stephanie is now the recipient and I'm looking forward to the tips and tools she pics up on dating!

Steve is a former student of mine turned friend.  He can make me laugh and smile at the drop of a hat.  Once upon a time he took on the daunting task of being my "gym buddy" and was incredible.  Life took him to Alberta and me overseas but we still manage to see each other when I'm home.  Our last visit resulted in an ab workout from all of the laughing we did.  He went to Vegas for the first time and I sent him a gift certificate for, well, "Vegas!"  



I too was the lucky recipient of a Forward February gift from Regina.  My friend Suzanne sent me this fantabulous scarf that she made herself.  Little does she know that I LOVE scarves.  I can't wait to take this with me to Argentina - I hear it's chilly down there!

My sister Ashleigh may quite possibly be the kindest, most genuine, thoughtful person I know.  She will go out of her way to make you feel loved, appreciated, and special.  She has become a 'wino' as I like to call her and really enjoys a glass of red!  I sent her a book on Argentine wine to get her educated and well versed on the vino so that when she comes to visit we can tackle her list.  I'm feeling a trip to Mendoza in our future!!

Betsy was an absolute angel my first year of teaching.  I was given the "opportunity" to teach Home Economics to grade 9 students at Robert Usher Collegiate.  I didn't know the first thing about sewing.  I loved to cook but didn't have a clue how to organize shopping and recipes for 30 hormonal teenagers.  With a smile on her face she would spend the majority of her planning periods helping me and the students cut their fabric - making sure we didn't ruin it.  She was also my grocery getter and made my first year of Home Economics so much easier.  I saw a Thai silk apron and instantly thought of her and her generosity.

 

 

"Forward February" was such a valuable experience for me.  There were days that I struggled with personal or work issues and I felt so much peace and relaxation when I sat down to write a card and post a gift to wonderful people in my life.  Thank you for being special to me and I appreciate your willingness to "Pay it Forward" to those in your life...

 

 





A Year of Lent

First of all, let me wish you a Happy 2013.  I'm not sure where the first month went, but I am here to report my plans to make this year healthy, happy, and fabulous!!

I'm looking forward to many changes in 2013.  My three years in Laos will come to an end and I will relocate to Argentina!



 





A good friend of mine has done "12 Months of Lent" for the past few years.  I've been watching her Facebook intently and admired her dedication so much that I wanted to carry on the tradition.  How does 12 Months of Lent work?  I'm glad you asked!!  Each month I will commit to challenge myself to a task. 

 

Here is a list of what my plan is for 2013

 

January:  Reconnecting

I made it a priority to reconnect with 15 people whom I lost touch with over the years.  Friends, colleagues, former students.  It was great to catch up and see how people are doing, what they're doing, and to share what's happening in my life!

February:  Pay it Forward

I put a call out on Facebook, challenging 28 people to "Pay it Forward".  I would perform a random act of kindness for them in return to them committing to pay it forward.  I've had tons of fun finding thoughtful items which suit each of my friends.  Only 18 people committed, but I've also decided to do little things for people near and far!



Here's a picture of my first packages ready for the mail!!



Chapter 1 - "Off to a good start"

I've read through chapter one and below are some quite hilarious prose by Evelyn Millis Duvall

When Girls Take the Initiative

"There is a thin line between being available and being too forward.  The girl who gets a reputation for being a flirt finds that many of the nicer boys and girls avoid her.  Yet, when a girl acts too demure or feigns coolness or disinterest out of fear, she may chase boys away and miss out on the fun of friendship and dating."

"Custom has it that a girl may speak first when meeting a boy on the street or in the hallway at school.  She doesn't have to wait for the boy to nod or address her.  A girl gets a reputation for being "fast" not because she's friendly toward boys but because of the way she behaves when they are around."

"In Grandma's formula, it's all right for a girl to 'chase a fellow until he catches her'."

Learning Social Skills

"In general, young people like members of the other sex who are (1) careful of their personal appearance; (2) courteous and thoughtful; and (3) fun to be with. A girl doesn't have to be a beauty to get a date.  She just has to dress appropriately, be neat and well groomed, and then try to forget her appearance."

Stay tuned for some jewels of wisdom in chapter two!!

The Art of Dating

When I checked my mailbox upon returning to work there was a book titled "The Art of Dating" in it.  My friend Mark found it in his attic when he was home for the summer in Ohio.  The note on the inside cover reads, "As much as I hate to give this up Nikki, you are truly deserving.  At least I know you know how to use it.  The section on 'school affairs' is especially relevant." - AFA, Mark. 

Now this book has a copyright of 1969.  My mission dear followers is to read the above titled book and summarize its wisdom for you each week.

Chapter 1 - "Off to a good start".  Stay tuned!!

I'm baaaack!

Hello my 12.3 followers!  I apologize for my absence and I cannot honestly believe it's been four months since my last post.  I will try very hard not to let that happen again.

I've been back to Laos after a fabulous summer in Canada.  My trip, as many of you know was a surprise and I enjoyed planning and coniving behind everyone's back - especially my mother.  I don't know if you realize how difficult it is to pull a fast one over on Lori Hutchison Hunter.  But, with the help of her good friend, Lori St. Dennis, my "ta dah" was of epic proportion!!

I had been in Toronto visiting my sisters (all but Ashleigh had no idea I was coming) and set up a Skype date with my parents.  I must say it's tricky to set these up with my folks because they have a very active social calendar.  I then convinced Mom to have a quick yack with me before she headed to work.  The best part of all is while we were skyping, I was actually on my phone in the back entrance of the house.  Confused why they couldn't see me on video, I clumsily pushed buttons as I made my way into the house and said "hmmm, I don't know what's wrong with Skype - maybe if I come into the kitchen you'll see me".  They were both speechless - which is harder for Mom than Dad!

I spent some great quality time with my sister and her fiancee.  They have recently planned a Destination Wedding for April 2013 in the Mayan Riviera.  I know you'll be surprised to know that there isn't a direct flight from Laos to Mexico! 

True love...

The groom - Patrick designed these!

The invitation for the big day!

Ashleigh and I "pre-Karen" surprise

A rare occassion that we're all together

With planning a surprise, there are disappointments.  I didn't get a chance to spend as much time with my dad as I would have liked as he was in Toronto for the majority of my visit.  I did however have the opportunity to indulge in his culinary masterpieces!

My Dad - aka "God Damned Gordy" doesn't cook much - but he makes a mean breakfast!

Delicious!

I rarely order a steak anywhere but Chez Hunter.  Dad makes THE best!

A whirlwind trip into Regina had me seeing many good friends.  Here are some pictures - apologies to Corby, Sejal, Lori, Jen, Ang, Lee, Angie for not snapping photos of you and I!!

It's always great to see Nancy!  We don't get to catch up too often but she is my oldest friend.  We met playing ringette when we were only in grade 7.  Now we have a new tradition of meeting bi-annually and enjoying memories, laughs, and sushi!

Two very special former students from FWJ.  We take a self portrait every summer!

My fabulous friend Marina.  We laugh until our belly's ache.  She makes one hell of a caesar and I'm so very excited she's going to be my date for Ashleigh & Patrick's wedding!!

One of the best surprises was 'getting' my Pumpkin.  Here we are at the beginning of a Girls Night in Lethbridge.  This was taken before we found our way to the bottom of several bellinis!

Reunited with the same group of girls who took me to the Moose Jaw spa two years ago for my "farewell".  Great to see Jestina, Rhonda, and Maryanne!

Absolute blast from the past!  I haven't seen Tina since we graduated and it was such a treat to catch up.  TBL, you're on my 'hit list' every summer now.  Beware!

I spent a week in Denver at a conference for international college counselors! It was great to see familiar faces and also make some new friends!

Here was my room for 5 nights. Nothing like sleeping on a rubber mattress and pillow!

Get a group of counselors together and this is what you'll see.  What happens in Denver, stays in Denver!

800+ counselors and admissions officers took over Coors Field

Was great to see my friend Pat.  We met at Georgetown University three summers ago when we were both internationals highschool counseling virgins!

Here's the view from the plane as I was coming back into Regina

I'm now back into the swing of things with work.  Looking at my schedule for the next few months I quickly feel like I haven't had a vacation.  Thank you to all who made my trip to North America fantabulous.  See you again next year....