Packing...again...for Ecuador

I spent the day trying to stuff as much stuff as possible into a couple bags, wondering how I ended up bringing so much to Ecuador...again. Most things are finite - candles, books, candy and food, painting supplies that might be difficult to find elsewhere...but wow, is it a lot more space and weight than I remotely wanted to carry back to my site. It's going to be like swear-in day all over again.

I made this video of my experience as a visitor to the U.S., made to the background song aboard a trackless mall train...

And then, keeping up with the 365 Project, here are a couple shots from today:

My giant pile of stuff to drag to Ecuador - my priorities are illustrated: climbing, knitting, reading.

Went geocaching with dad this afternoon and found this ape pencil cling. Score.

Resolutions and the 365 project

It's my first time ever making resolutions, and I tend to be a more tangible goal setter...so most of my resolutions are measurable.

1. Start a Brigada Verde with the youth in my community (and focus on self-esteem and culture - music, language, traditions)

2. Communicate regularly with counterparts whether they like it or not.

3. Begin working on the other side of the river.

4. Hike to other communities and offer help (Alao Maguasu and Llullullis especially).

5. Make a sincere effort to learn Quichua.

6. Climb hard and climb safely.

7. Attempt to climb Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Cayambe.

8. Try out environmental education programs in Yaruquies, Pungala, and Licto.

9. Buy a water tank and keep boiled water available upstairs at all times.

10. Practice breathing exercises daily to improve O2 saturation and lung capacity; 15-30 minutes minimum.

11. Have a plan of what I want to do after Peace Corps by the end of the year.

12. Carry a bottle of water everywhere instead of buying one.

13. Eat better.

14. Bring bags to grocery stores for shopping.

15. Make recycled crafts as soon as possible and show them to the women's group. Announce a craft day and time and stick to it.

16. Visit more volunteers' sites - maybe every other month.

17. Assume the best in people.

18. But don't be disappointed when they let you down.

19. Take multi-vitamins daily - at least B12.

20. Take a picture a day (365 project) and post them here when I can. Proba
bly 6 or 7 pics on Saturdays. So here it goes:

First picture of the year: a smattering of luxury - Breckenridge Christmas Ale, soy eggnog, billions of nice-smelling candles, and knitting a sock

Rocky didn't quite make it to midnight

My folks doing their thing as the TV celebrates 2012

Another shot of luxury: Breakfast at 'Egg Harbor' with my aunt Susie. I forgot to take a picture of my Belgian waffle... but... there it is. With Intelligentsia coffee... and hash browns. Goodbye U.S....

A teeny tiny puzzle completed today in an hour

Cinnamon buns, veganized

One of my favorite hobbies is cooking and baking veganized recipes. I love the challenge of making food without animal products taste even better than their original versions (and I love even more seeing the happy stuffed faces that consume the results).

So. this first day of the year, I decided to pull out a recipe that's been hiding in my bookmarks list for quite a while. Presenting, Perfect Cinnamon Buns! And oh yes, they are perfect. PERFECT. Since diving into the art of bread making, I'm not longer afraid of making yeast breads. This recipe isn't even difficult, it's just time consuming. And it takes a LOT of vegan butter/margarine. It's sort of disgusting. I'll make them once more before I leave for Ecuador, and I'll be cutting the butter almost in half.

The tasty results (and picture #1 of the 365 project):


...half were gone that night, and the rest in the morning. Yuuuuuum.