Saving Money at the Grocery Store

So If you're anything like us, you're always looking for new ways to save money at the grocery store. While we're not experts, we've certainly gotten much better about shopping since being in Ecuador. There are a lot of differences with grocery shopping here, verses in the States, but these ideas can still help shave just a little bit off the bill.

TvCable

We finally have cable and internet! I can't believe we went so long! I'm actually glad we did. It forced us to get out there and explore, yada, yada, yada. But now I'm ready to watch some good old tv. Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, The Kardashians.... here I come! Plus Ryan got some ESPN stations and so he's happy. All we have to do is make sure Chuki doesn't eat the remote!

MULUB,
Taylor

PS Now this means we can plan skype/gchat dates with actual confidence!

Ranting, not Raving

Most of my posts have been positive about living in Ecuador, so I struggled with whether to post this one at all. Plus, let me preface this with I understand the W theory of living abroad and I know that all things ebb and flow. With that said, I am feeling so frustrated with Ecuador right now.

A Full Weekend

We've had a relatively eventful weekend, which is sometimes unusual for us. Friday, I only had class in the morning, which was amazing. I've been having so much class lately that I don't have a minute during the day. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong, it's just very different from the summer months. It's actually really good that I've been having a lot of classes because 2 of Ryan's classes have finished. Like always, it's taking forever to reconfirm the classes. Therefore, he's been home more and I've been teaching more. Anyways, Friday was a nice change for me to be home during the day. I was able to get done some of the things that I wanted to accomplish. Actually, I was far less productive than I wanted to be and my Friday's To Do list has taken all weekend.

To Do List

Here's my to do list for today this weekend:

Christmas Vaca

Yesterday I caught myself thinking about Christmas vacation all day! The way I think about it is in two parts. First, the home part and then the vacation part. When we're home I can't wait to see all of my family at Bogdan Christmas, our Rockford friends, my Chicago friends! I can't wait for Starbucks coffee in a red cup. I can't wait for Aunt Ginny's sweet potatoes and Toby's Kanakuk Coffee Cake! I can't wait to watch all of the littles open Christmas presents! I can't wait for Christmas trees, and Christmas lights and Christmas smells! It's going to be a VERY busy week and a half but oh so worth it because after the home part, there's the vacation part.

While on vacation, I can't wait to relax! I can't wait to watch movies and chat with my mom and dad and brother on the drive down. I can't wait to lay in the sun ALL day. I can't wait to read a TON on the kindle and play with my family! I can't wait to get all fancy for dinner and then spend the night at the shows, dancing and in the casino!

Basically, I just can't wait! It's only 48 days away, I know. But I just can't wait. My words of wisdom for you today: absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

MULUB,
Taylor

Chile V Ecuador

As South America has been in the news so much lately, I've had some interesting classes with my students and friends about what it all means. Most every class, lately, has started with "Well, what do you think of the Ecuador situation?" or "Well, what do you think of the Chile situation?" And then based on what my students have told me before, concerning their own beliefs, I try to bring up some aspect of all that has happened every class. Whether it's the political ramifications, or the trials or the police, or the impact of socialism, etc.