Stuck in a rut

So I have a plan.  I've had a plan for the last month.  I just have done nothing to further the plan and my saving is running out.  I've decided that if I want the plan to work.  I need to have some personal accountability.  In the next 2 weeks.  I need to do the following so that I can fulfill my goals.

Goal: Go to Vietnam and get my CELTA certification.

ToDos (2 weeks)

Complete the application and submit  

Get background check

Order grammar books (2)

Next steps once accepted into the program:

Sell car

Buy ticket to Vietnam

Pay for school

Find a place to Live

Email Danny

Bonus Points: 

Get a new computer

Get a new camera

Ok.

Sounds easy!  Let's go!

Almost Spicy Thai Soup

In the time honored adage that 'restriction breeds creativity', I had a fun time tonight trying to make this Spicy Thai Soup. Since living in Colombia, I've discovered many opportunities to 'find another way'. So here is my version.

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups water
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 large white onion, chopped
1/4 small red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup shredded/chopped fresh ginger root
1 cup chopped carrots
4 cups chopped broccoli
1 cup chopped squash
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 (7 ounce) leche de coco
5 cups water
1 packet of Knorrs Crema de Mariscos
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tbsp exito jalapeno ahi
1 cup of milk
zest of 1 lime, for garnish
3/4 cup suero costeno


Directions
Bring the rice and water to a boil in a pot. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the onion, garlic, ginger, and carrots 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in broccoli, red bell pepper, squash, leche de coco, water, Knorr's crema de marisco seasonings, soy sauce, exito jalapeno ahi. Half-way through pour in a cup of milk. Simmer 25 minutes.
Pour soup in batches into a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth and creamy. Return to the pot, and mix in suero costeno. Mix the rice individually to taste. Top with lemon zest to serve.

It turned out pretty good.  Exceptionally filling! Unfortunately, it's too much for just one person and no one wanted to eat with me last night.  So yummy leftovers for tomorrow after Tae-bo at UPB.  More from my Colombia vacation later.

Click here to see the crappy video.

Abstract Art in Lima

Was in Lima in September in the Barranco district when I found this perfectly enthralling piece of art.  Made me wish I had a multi-million dollar home and a wall big enough to hang it.  It was gorgeous.

Eating in Medellin

Had lunch with my friends Bref and Sarah. Lovely couple who have been traveling around South America on a career break for the past year, learning Spanish and just pretty much enjoying the natural beauty of this wonderful continent. Medellin is one of their last stops before heading back to the US to start the next stage in their lives. We got together yesterday for a late lunch at Nuqui Restaurant for a fantastic, albeit expensive, seafood lunch.

I had lovely cheesy "Love Waterfall" dish with robablo (snook), shrimp and calamari. On the side was a small salad and coconut/panela rice. Bref had fried Pargo Rojo (red snapper). Again, lovely. Sarah had fish in a shrimp sauce. My dish, cost 35.000 pesos, but there wasn't a single drop of sauce left on anyone's plate. So it was well worth it.

Today, I'm meeting Kristina for more seafood.

Bref & Sarah

We are heading out to La Mayorista (a wholesale food market) to have the best ceviche that I've had since Peru. Of course, it would make sense since the owner is Peruvian. His small little kiosk sized stall is called Inca and it just makes my mouth water to think about the lunch I'll be having soon.

I'm nearing the end of my Colombia vacation. My departure date is set for November 12. I need to get as much in as possible before I leave. But I already have plans for my next stage in my life.

Great Adventures to you all!

Starting in the Middle

I'm 36 (soon to be 37), unmarried, no kids and searching... for something. Ennui has set in and I need a kick in the ass.  I've been living in Medellin, Colombia for he past 4 months and it's been great.  I am working as an intern for a company called viventura.  They sell Colombia tours as well as trips to Patagonia and Peru, Bolivia and Chile.  I helped design the tours. So that has been fun.  BUT I'm tired of the travel industry, but I'm definitely not tired of traveling.  About 2 months ago, my friend Danny suggested going to Vietnam to teach English.  I could earn $1500 a month and only spend $500 on my monthly needs.  The idea of saving $1000 a month has been calling me.  Like a Siren's song.  I think the job would be easy. Or at least different enough to hold my interest for 1.5 years.  See... it's all about the money and what I can do with it.  I know it's shallow, but there are still things that I want to do such as:

Holding my godson, Aiden

• Travel through Europe - I already made a facebook page for it 2013 Europe Trip. 
• Travel through the US - no facebook page yet
• Be pregnant by the time I'm 40.

These are my life goals. Not big, not sexy but they are mine and I need to write them down if I'm going to hold myself accountable to them.

Right now, I'm still in Colombia. And I want to take a 2 night sailing trip through the San Blas Islands.  But the flight costs $500.  Gotta keep looking.

Keep in touch