Spiral

Ok, well, maybe I am a bit of a control freak. Not with other people, just with my own life. I'm in control of me because I'm the one that has to live my life. But right now, I feel so helplessly out of control. I'm spiraling and can't find anything to grab on to. Things beyond my control are happening to me and it's driving me absolutely CRAZY!
A couple of weeks ago, the power bill was delivered to our house, so as soon as I saw my landlord, I made sure he got it. (They slip it under my door, not his.) On Saturday, I was having a nice conversation with him about his trip to Lima. He was leaving that day and I found out that he was going to be gone for 10 days. Nice vacation. Unfortunately, I didn't ask him for his number. He asked if I was going to be alright alone in the house while they were gone, and of course I said yes. So, this morning when I discovered that the power had been shut off, probably for not paying the bill, I was shocked. So now, they're gone for one more week and I have to live with no power and no hot water. Good thing I don't need central heating, yes. But still, computer, cell phone, ipod... these all need electricity.
I was looking forward to having a 4 day weekend this weekend, but now, without being able to watch movies, or listen to music (which is usually what I do on my days off) its going to be a rough 4 days. Yes, candles. I'm on that. And I have books to read, but I was trying to pace myself with them because I don't have a full library of them. I read a whole book last weekend. So I'll probably read at least 2 or 3 this coming weekend. No big deal, but I also watched a pile of movies.
Honestly, everything here right now really sucks. With the whole job/money thing and now this power thing and not having any friends.... I hate being out of control. All these things keep happening and all my efforts are seemingly fruitless. The next thing probably is that the water will get shut off. That happens occasionally too. Wouldn't that just make my day?
I know I wanted to stay away from negative thinking and especially negative writing on this page, but this is my life right now. And maybe it doesn't seem so bad to read about it, but it feels awful.
There's my vent... well some of it anyways.
ARGH!!!!

Holidays are over... but now its SUMMER!

My Canada/Mexico vacation was great! It was so good to see all of you... well, the ones I did get to see.
Chris and Kristen, I'm really sorry I didn't get to see you guys. I was looking forward to it, but i'm sure we'll run into each other sometime again in our lives. (wow, that sounds bleak. lol)



Christmas with the family was great. i think probably the best since Grammy, Pops and Spence left us. I had a great time with everyone in Canada. Maybe because i wasn't taking any of you for granted since I don't know exactly when i'll see any of you again. (Cross your fingers, i'm hoping to be able to make it to Mexico in October)

Thanks Josh and Kim for having the get together at your place. It was good to see... well, almost everyone.


But thanks for everything, everybody. I truly had a wonderful time in Canada. I would've loved to go snowboarding a couple more times, but at least i got one really good day in (Thanks Sue!)


New Years in Mexico was great too. It was good to see everybody again and to go bowling. That was a blast! The Lopez's were pretty much overwhelmed with all the gifts you guys sent down, but i'm sure april has expressed that to everyone already.
On my way back from Mexico i had an 18 hour layover in Lima... and i had such a random adventure. Chris, the whole time i was thinking you should've been with me. it was just our kind of trip. I met up with a guy from couch surfing who was at a birthday party. (i got to Lima at 1.30am), met a pile of people and ended up crashing there. The next day, I wandered around downtown Lima with Joel and checked out the city. Man, Peruanos love their Chifa (Chinese Food)! I knew that from the amounts of Chifa restaurants in Tacna, but in Lima, they have a Chinatown!
Now, i'm back in Tacna and halfway through January's cycle. Its hot here... summertime. And I love it! Everyone is complaining about the heat. I never understood that, but then i absolutely abhor being cold.
We're taking a trip down to Arica, Chile this weekend. I'm looking forward to it. And i found out I only need to spend the day down there. They're restamp my passport just for visiting during the day. So it's good to know I don't have to go for two days. Chile is way more expensive than Peru. So that should be fun, then... I'm heading to the beach. It's so busy there right now. Half of the students here have put their studies on hold so they can be there. Might as well, Right?
That's the summary. I'm adding more pictures than words to this one.