So this honors project the biggest pressure for me...that and doing well in all my classes in this last year of school because it's my last shot to boost my GPA, which I need to be really high if I want my future educational plans to work out! So I can't just forget about school either and focus on my honors project. Usually when one is confronted with such a dilemma, one option usually has to take a bit of a hit and suffer a little since it's impossible to dedicate the same amount of time and effort to both, but in my case, that's NOT an option. I MUST do well in both! Kill me now. So with all these worries in my mind, it's impossible to think of the light at the end of the tunnel which is Chile :( I don't even find running relaxing anymore because as I'm running all I'm thinking about is, "I have to hand these calculations in to my supervisor NOW!", "I have to wedge three chapters of anatomy and physiology into my brain by tomorrow!", "I have to start this experiment NOW!", "I have a paper worth 40% of my grade due next week, and I haven't started!!!"....Nevertheless, I'm going running right now...usually the after-run endorphins calm me down a little.
When I do get a chance to think about the light (aka Chile), of course the first thing that pops into my mind is E...who I can't stand being separated from a second longer, and of course I think about E's family and all the people I miss. But strangely enough, the second thing that pops into mind is, the food!!!! Specifically, the "palta", which us North Americans lovingly refer to as the "avocado". I love this fruit (or is it a vegetable?) with all my heart. If I could, I would eat it with every meal. You can eat it sweet or salty. It goes with anything. Now before you wince in disgust at the thought of a sweet palta, go to Brazil where they make this fabulous avocado dessert, which conveniently I forget the name of, which is deeeliiicious!!!! They basically pure avocados, add lime and sugar, and you have an instant avocado smoothie! Okay I know it doesn't sound too appetizing when you've eaten avocados salty your entire life but trust me, it's TO DIE for!!!
Anyway, so while in Chile for the holidays, I plan to eat an avocado with every meal, and maybe even for "once",what the Chileans refer to as a snack or "tea time" and is eaten around 6ish, if I'm not all palta-ed out by then. I also plan to go to the market behind E's house EVERY day to buy a selection of fresh summer fruit and veggies! The markets in Chile are something I miss dearly. I miss being able to buy fresh, in-season, and cheap produce. In Canada, even when it's in-season, it's expensive, and it isn't necessarily fresh. I love love love the variety of things they have in those Chilean markets. I used to buy like a bag of cherries a day during the summer...then I come back to Canada and find that about 12 cherries costs the same as a huge bag of them in Chile...and to top it all off, they're not as plump and juicy and fresh as they are in Chile. So, to all the gringas and chileans out there reading my blog, next month, when you're buying your weekly produce, don't be surprised to see a crazy tall gringa moseying about the various markets with a palta in one hand and bags bursting at the seams with overflowing produce in the other :) Ahhh...that'll be the day!
Okay so now I'm off to run! Hopefully that calms me down a little!!! Until next time!