We're still cleansing and it's been quite the ride. We're past the first week mark now, actually we're 10 days into a 21 day cleanse. So about 1/2 way! We're craving meat! But we're planning quite the celebration for when it's over.
The cleanse, in a nutshell, is a mostly raw, vegan cleanse. It's basically sugarless, with a few exceptions, caffeine free, and alcohol free. Here's a typical day...
Wake Up - lots of water
Breakfast - green smoothie
Throughout the rest of the morning - more water and tea
Lunch - big salad and something small cooked. (samosas, rice and veggies, udon noodles)
Throughout the rest of the afternoon - more water and tea
Around 3 or 4 - a snack. Either raw nuts and dried fruit or a rice cake with peanut butter
Dinner - big salad and another something small cooked. We've done burgers one night, we've done rice, we've done hummus and veggies, we've done vegan chili.
That's about it! We've both definitely been emotional during the cleanse. I've been teary and crabby. Ryan's mostly just been crabby and hungry. But now that most of those toxins are leaving our bodies we're feeling calmer. We're definitely sleeping WAY better at night and I have a lot more energy (that may have something to do with the no running for two weeks thing too).
We're also taking some vitamin supplements, which has been interesting to learn about. And slowly making the change to better-for-us-and-the-environment cosmetics and household supplies.
There are certainly things that we'll incorporate into our lifestyle even after the cleanse is over but I am just not ready to give up my morning cup of coffee and we're both not ready to give up alcohol and meat!
If you're interested in more information read this book: Crazy Sexy Cleanse by Kris Carr.
MULUB,
Taylor
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Fritada
Someone out there is searching for fritada recipes from Ecuador! We'd love to tell you everything we know about fritada and Ecuador!
Crazy Sexy Cleanse
Ryan and I started a post marathon cleanse on Monday. It's from the book Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr. This woman is seriously inspiring. She was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, changed the way she lived her life, became her own health advocate and is healthier then she's ever been. This all might sound familiar if you saw her on Oprah or her documentary on TLC called Crazy Sexy Cancer. Check it out...
Now that we're back in the States, we're still trying to figure out 'what does healthy mean'. In Ecuador it was drastically different answer than here in the States. This cleanse is just the next part of that journey. So far it's been full of lots of green juice and salads.
We're having to learn how to cook differently, as it's a vegan, gluten and (processed) sugar free cleanse. There are a lot of ingredients that I've always shied away from in the past that we're having to confront. It's intimidating, to say the least. And when you're hungry and just want to eat, it's frustrating. But we're working on it.
Any ideas or suggestions just pass them on!
In other news I am now, officially, a marathoner. It was quite the experience! More on that later though!
MULUB,
Taylor
Now that we're back in the States, we're still trying to figure out 'what does healthy mean'. In Ecuador it was drastically different answer than here in the States. This cleanse is just the next part of that journey. So far it's been full of lots of green juice and salads.
We're having to learn how to cook differently, as it's a vegan, gluten and (processed) sugar free cleanse. There are a lot of ingredients that I've always shied away from in the past that we're having to confront. It's intimidating, to say the least. And when you're hungry and just want to eat, it's frustrating. But we're working on it.
Any ideas or suggestions just pass them on!
In other news I am now, officially, a marathoner. It was quite the experience! More on that later though!
MULUB,
Taylor
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
How early is too early...
We're planning this wedding, right. We're super excited about it! Especially now that the big stuff is over. We've got a date, a location, two officiants and a hotel! We've started working on all of the rest, or at least some of the rest. But there's just so much to do!
A girl comes into the salon last week and hands Ashley, the other receptionist, a printed out excel worksheet with these categories... Name, Role, Phone, Hair, Make Up, Mani, Pedi, Misc. And it's all nicely filled out with all of her wedding party, family members, etc for her wedding day. Then she hands Ashley a hand written schedule and politely asks if she'd make all of these appointments for her. Now, I'm sitting there thinking, 'WOW she's really organized; her wedding must be right around the corner.' Then I look at Ashley entering the appointments and they're not until the weekend after our wedding. WHAT?
Talk about making me feel like a slacker. The bride and I get to talking and she's like, 'oh you should see my wedding binder at home. It's all organized and filed and blah, blah, blah.' So needless to say I went to the store and bought a binder and have been slowly assembling it! Although, most of its contents are lying in various states on the floor in the living room.
Then another girl was in the salon yesterday talking about her wedding coming up on Saturday and her wedding purse. Apparently she through out her shoulder carrying her wedding purse. I kept racking my brain, 'what the heck is a wedding purse!?' Well, for those of you like me, a wedding purse is a bag that you keep your wedding binder and all other pertinent wedding information in. And hers was just so heavy that she hurt her shoulder from carrying it.
Also, I can't tell you how many time's I've already heard "Oh well, we're already booked for that weekend." Like seriously, it's over a year away!
Bottom line, I need to get a move on. That's why I'm meeting with Sarah today and hopefully we'll be really super duper productive!
A girl comes into the salon last week and hands Ashley, the other receptionist, a printed out excel worksheet with these categories... Name, Role, Phone, Hair, Make Up, Mani, Pedi, Misc. And it's all nicely filled out with all of her wedding party, family members, etc for her wedding day. Then she hands Ashley a hand written schedule and politely asks if she'd make all of these appointments for her. Now, I'm sitting there thinking, 'WOW she's really organized; her wedding must be right around the corner.' Then I look at Ashley entering the appointments and they're not until the weekend after our wedding. WHAT?
Talk about making me feel like a slacker. The bride and I get to talking and she's like, 'oh you should see my wedding binder at home. It's all organized and filed and blah, blah, blah.' So needless to say I went to the store and bought a binder and have been slowly assembling it! Although, most of its contents are lying in various states on the floor in the living room.
Then another girl was in the salon yesterday talking about her wedding coming up on Saturday and her wedding purse. Apparently she through out her shoulder carrying her wedding purse. I kept racking my brain, 'what the heck is a wedding purse!?' Well, for those of you like me, a wedding purse is a bag that you keep your wedding binder and all other pertinent wedding information in. And hers was just so heavy that she hurt her shoulder from carrying it.
Also, I can't tell you how many time's I've already heard "Oh well, we're already booked for that weekend." Like seriously, it's over a year away!
Bottom line, I need to get a move on. That's why I'm meeting with Sarah today and hopefully we'll be really super duper productive!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Hiatus. Is it over?
I know, I know... sorry. Now we're moving on.
Here's a quick update on all that's been going on:
Ryan is working 50+ hours at a Japanese restaurant in Rockford. You know the kind where they cook in front of you, it's that kind! He's really enjoying it because it's busy and he's learning how to do something new. He works everyday, doubles 3-4 days a week, and has Sundays off.
I'm working about 30 hours at the Salon... of all women. It's what it is, which is work.
We're still living at my parents' house. We're loving not paying bills and very, very grateful for that.
We've been visiting Ryan's family a lot lately. I think our relationships are deepening, which is something Ryan and I hoped would happen while we're in closer proximity.
The marathon is this Sunday... WHAT? If you'd like to donate click here. Training has been hard but so much fun. I would definitely do it again. But I am looking forward to just running an hour and not being so gosh darn hungry ALL OF THE gosh darn TIME!
We're totally slacking on the cooking for ourselves realm. But after the marathon is over we'll be back with a vengeance. We're planning on doing the Crazy Sexy Cleanse from Kris Carr. I'm excited. Then we're thinking about doing either P90x or Insanity or Shred. I'd eventually like to find a yoga or pilates studio too.
It's been great to see our friends more often, although to be honest... we don't see them as much as we'd like. We're trying to do better at that.
Wedding planning is in full swing. I even made a binder! Crazy, I know! We have a lot of ideas but I'm having a hard time doing more than just thinking, 'oh it'd be fun to do this...' Hopefully as we get closer it will become more concrete and less abstract!
Here are a few things that we've been loving about being back in the States:
Edward's Apple Orchard
Sunday/Monday Night Football with friends
Having a little bit of money in the bank
Being able to be present and be helpful with our families (Matson's included :)
Until next time....
MULUB,
Taylor
Here's a quick update on all that's been going on:
Ryan is working 50+ hours at a Japanese restaurant in Rockford. You know the kind where they cook in front of you, it's that kind! He's really enjoying it because it's busy and he's learning how to do something new. He works everyday, doubles 3-4 days a week, and has Sundays off.
I'm working about 30 hours at the Salon... of all women. It's what it is, which is work.
We're still living at my parents' house. We're loving not paying bills and very, very grateful for that.
We've been visiting Ryan's family a lot lately. I think our relationships are deepening, which is something Ryan and I hoped would happen while we're in closer proximity.
The marathon is this Sunday... WHAT? If you'd like to donate click here. Training has been hard but so much fun. I would definitely do it again. But I am looking forward to just running an hour and not being so gosh darn hungry ALL OF THE gosh darn TIME!
We're totally slacking on the cooking for ourselves realm. But after the marathon is over we'll be back with a vengeance. We're planning on doing the Crazy Sexy Cleanse from Kris Carr. I'm excited. Then we're thinking about doing either P90x or Insanity or Shred. I'd eventually like to find a yoga or pilates studio too.
It's been great to see our friends more often, although to be honest... we don't see them as much as we'd like. We're trying to do better at that.
Wedding planning is in full swing. I even made a binder! Crazy, I know! We have a lot of ideas but I'm having a hard time doing more than just thinking, 'oh it'd be fun to do this...' Hopefully as we get closer it will become more concrete and less abstract!
Here are a few things that we've been loving about being back in the States:
Edward's Apple Orchard
Sunday/Monday Night Football with friends
Having a little bit of money in the bank
Being able to be present and be helpful with our families (Matson's included :)
Until next time....
MULUB,
Taylor
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Let me start by saying there have been many a thoughts and many a conversations since the last post. We still aren't in a routine and that makes it hard to blog regularly. Here are just a couple of things that we've been up to...
- Chuki got neutered and is signed up for his first private lesson training session to try and figure out what makes his crazy with other dogs and with the vet. We're both really hopeful and just me, I'm a little nervous.
- Ryan had one interview last week and has another one this week. He's still applying and looking so if anyone knows of anything out there, he'd love to hear about it! We're keeping our fingers and toes crossed.
- We picked the first actual thing from our garden, besides just herbs. It's a pepper and we're going to use it to make Green Chicken Curry tonight. We had to put up a fence around our garden because the little rabbits ate all of the snap peas. But now we've got some room to plant a couple of more things so we're headed to the store soon (we keep saying today, but then today comes and goes).
- The big conversation that we've been having lately is about food and what is important to us and then how that fits into our budget. For example, does 100% organic really matter, and if it does what can we afford to buy/week. We're really happy with Anderson Organics and we're really happy with the eggs that we're getting from the Griesbachs! We've been doing a lot of chicken research lately. I mean what do those labels at the super market really mean? What's the difference between cage free and free range and free roam. Or all natural and pure. We finally decided on a chicken to buy from pure chicken. Check out the company it looks pretty legit. We can't afford to shell out $20 for ONE organic chicken but $8 for a healthy chicken sounded better. We'll let you know how it tastes.
- Wedding planning is going well. We're getting there, slowly but surely. Our Wedding Elf, Sarah, has been a HUGE help in the creativity department (seriously she's amazing!). We've got about 8 or 9 venues in the Seriously Possible column and a whole heck of a lot in the I Dont Think So column. So I'm feeling not-so-overwhelmed and actually really excited about the wedding. I know I'll feel REALLY excited once we have a venue and date but that will come. We're having engagement photos taken next week when dear, dear Brad is in town! So we're moving in the right direction.
- As far as social life... We went to our high school friend's wedding on Saturday and that was a TON of fun! Ryan has seen the guys a couple of times, I've seen Amy a couple of times. Hannah and Brian came up for the weekend which was SO much fun! We had a PERFECT day this past Sunday that ended in a grill out with great friends and a camp fire with s'mores.
- Things we're looking forward to... Visiting venues, going into Chicago this Friday to celebrate Hannah, Brad coming to town, the 4th of July, going to watch my little cousins in their Track regionals, family reunions on both sides, and lunch with Jenna, amongst many other things!
MULUB,
Taylor
- Chuki got neutered and is signed up for his first private lesson training session to try and figure out what makes his crazy with other dogs and with the vet. We're both really hopeful and just me, I'm a little nervous.
- Ryan had one interview last week and has another one this week. He's still applying and looking so if anyone knows of anything out there, he'd love to hear about it! We're keeping our fingers and toes crossed.
- We picked the first actual thing from our garden, besides just herbs. It's a pepper and we're going to use it to make Green Chicken Curry tonight. We had to put up a fence around our garden because the little rabbits ate all of the snap peas. But now we've got some room to plant a couple of more things so we're headed to the store soon (we keep saying today, but then today comes and goes).
- The big conversation that we've been having lately is about food and what is important to us and then how that fits into our budget. For example, does 100% organic really matter, and if it does what can we afford to buy/week. We're really happy with Anderson Organics and we're really happy with the eggs that we're getting from the Griesbachs! We've been doing a lot of chicken research lately. I mean what do those labels at the super market really mean? What's the difference between cage free and free range and free roam. Or all natural and pure. We finally decided on a chicken to buy from pure chicken. Check out the company it looks pretty legit. We can't afford to shell out $20 for ONE organic chicken but $8 for a healthy chicken sounded better. We'll let you know how it tastes.
- Wedding planning is going well. We're getting there, slowly but surely. Our Wedding Elf, Sarah, has been a HUGE help in the creativity department (seriously she's amazing!). We've got about 8 or 9 venues in the Seriously Possible column and a whole heck of a lot in the I Dont Think So column. So I'm feeling not-so-overwhelmed and actually really excited about the wedding. I know I'll feel REALLY excited once we have a venue and date but that will come. We're having engagement photos taken next week when dear, dear Brad is in town! So we're moving in the right direction.
- As far as social life... We went to our high school friend's wedding on Saturday and that was a TON of fun! Ryan has seen the guys a couple of times, I've seen Amy a couple of times. Hannah and Brian came up for the weekend which was SO much fun! We had a PERFECT day this past Sunday that ended in a grill out with great friends and a camp fire with s'mores.
- Things we're looking forward to... Visiting venues, going into Chicago this Friday to celebrate Hannah, Brad coming to town, the 4th of July, going to watch my little cousins in their Track regionals, family reunions on both sides, and lunch with Jenna, amongst many other things!
MULUB,
Taylor
Monday, June 13, 2011
Mint.com
As part of our financial learnings we signed up for mint.com. Does anyone else out there use it? I don't think it's very easy to use/user friendly. We actually signed up for it back in Ecuador but because we weren't using our cards EVER it didn't really do anything. We're trying to use cash for things back here in the States too, so I don't know how practical it is for us. I do like that it reminds me when payments are due, when accounts are low, and the goal feature. But I don't like that I can't set up payments with it. Anyways, does anyone out there have a good budget tool for cash purchases too? I wish I had a smart phone that could download those cool apps, because I've seen some good ones for budgeting cash!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
?
When we say we don't have a date yet (for the wedding) the number one response is: look of confusion accompanied by a disappointed 'oh.' Why is that?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Adjustments
It's been a hard adjustment living back in the USA for me. Harder than I expected, that's for sure. Everything is changing but everything isn't new. I'm a different person, we're both different people, but in an old setting. It's difficult.
We went to a wedding tonight. It was the first wedding that we'd been to as an engaged couple. I was really excited to look at the wedding from a different stand point... to look for ideas and such. The wedding was beautifully reflective of the couple and that I really appreciated. But there, in the middle of this huge wedding, instead of thinking about wedding I felt so much anxiety, a sure sign that I'm still adjusting.
It's strange because I've never really posted on church before. I've written many a posts about it, but never published them... But here goes. So the wedding was at our church, our old church. Ryan and I were both really involved in church during high school and the first two years of college. Like really involved. Like, I didn't go away to (my dream) school because I was doing an internship at my church. I don't really know how to write about tonight without a little bit of back story.
So we both invested a lot of time, a lot of energy, a lot of emotions and relationships in our church for six years. We worked there, volunteered there, worshiped there, were mentored there, were members there, etc. It's taken me five years (and counting) to piece together my time there into something understandable, instead of just something spiritual. Anyways, we were there tonight, right back in the middle of the things and the people that were so formative during those six years and we were both really disheartened, really anxious and mostly, disappointed. Maybe this is silly and juvenile, but no one misses us, very few people recognized us, even fewer said hello and only 2 people asked us about our lives. Now granted we did our best not to talk to many people, I won't even pretend that we didn't. It just stinks to think that all of the good that you thought you were doing doesn't matter to those that you did it for once your gone. (And yes I realize the intrinsic flaw in this statement, but as a high schooler you do things for people.)
Some people talk about dreading their high school reunion because it will bring back all of those old feelings and insecurities like not being pretty enough or popular enough. I've never felt that way about high school but boy did I feel that way tonight. I love the life that Ryan and I have created for ourselves. I think it's pretty baller and impressive and fun and amazing. I love the people that we have become. We have depth of interest and perspective, we like to talk about things, not just people. We're pretty awesome. But there, at church tonight, I felt uncool. Like I would never be cool enough to be accepted as a friend and equal by these people. How does that happen at church? And this is the crux of my adjustment issues... In Ecuador we dealt with these things on a philosophical level because we didn't have to confront them face to face, but here in America everything is head on, in your face, here I am, let's do this. And I just don't know how to reconcile my philosophical stance and my reality.
What Ryan and I have realized through many conversations with each other and the two wisest people we know is that we had it all wrong before. But still it just stinks to leave our church and feel worse about ourselves than we have felt in almost two years. That's a crappy feeling, made only crappier because of all that it entails.
So while the wedding was beautiful and emotional, we both needed a glass of wine when we got home! Of course, my dad was up with Chuki (long past my dad's bed time). Someday he'll learn to just put him in his crate!
One thing I did love from tonight was this statement (or something like it): Find the most generous explanation of someone's behavior and choose to believe it.
So while these people and this place hurt us, I have to believe that they don't realize it and they don't do it intentionally and that it's just a byproduct of the megachurch and then be done with it.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Oh ya know...
We've been busy and the 'To Do List' is growing! We went camping at Kettle Moraine for one night. It was nice, not my favorite campground but still nice to get out into nature. We did it cheaply (hotdogs and potatoes) but still ended up spending about $20 more than our $50 budget which meant Ryan couldn't go see the new X Men movie like he had hoped.
We also went to the GLEE concert. It was super fun! Our dear friend Roz gave us free tickets! We went out to dinner before hand at a yummy Mexican restaurant. We still ended up spending about $50 between dinner and gas. Geeze Louise!
Now we'll be home for a while to restock the cash piles =) I had wanted to go into the city tonight for a party with high school friends but it's just not in the cards. Plus there are TWO parties this weekend for another dear friend's birthday but sadly, they also aren't in the cards.
We have a wedding to go to this weekend and still need to buy the gift! I'm really excited about the wedding! It will be the first wedding that we're going to while we're engaged! So it will be fun to pay attention to all of the details in a new way.
It's a whole new learning curve for both of us in terms of self-control. We're having to pick and choose our social outings. Where as in Ecuador we didn't go out much to begin with so we weren't saying no to a lot of things. And then also when it comes to eating. My parents graciously cook/buy for all of us but it's usually not the healthiest of options. We need to start cooking dinner more regularly so that way we're eating healthfully. Oy vey!
In other news, we went out to the Anderson Organics farm yesterday for the first time to pick up some surplus greens. SO GOOD! We'll be going out to the Rockford Market (or whatever the heck it's called) on Friday to pick up some more. We're super excited about our shares this summer. Plus we picked up some eggs from the Griesbach's. Good things happening in the food department (when we choose to cook).
Today will include more rock moving (wahoo), working outside, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and organizing. It's taking a lot of time to really get situated but it's worth it because there's NO RENT PAYMENT!
MULUB,
Taylor
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Chuki's Life in Illinois
Oh The Chukester Bear! We haven't really updated how Chuki has been adjusting to life in Illinois. I don't know what other way to describe it besides HE LOVES IT! Chuki is in heaven here. First of all, we have a yard which is AMAZING for both us and him. Second of all, everything is new for him. New smells, new sounds, new people, new food. EVERYTHING IS NEW! Plus, it's HOT here and HUMID here and that tires him out so quickly. And lastly, he's spoiled rotten and loves having all of the attention. You thought we spoiled him, you should see my Dad! (I know you're reading this Dad =) One pathetic look from Chuki and their in the gym or outside or playing rope in the kitchen! Chuki's already had a couple of ham bones, a pigs ear and gobs of cheese!
In short, Chuki loves life in Illinois. We love having a yard where he can run around. Plus all of the new people he meets everyday really helps him learn how to greet people. Long gone are the days of jumping on everyone!
I'll have to post some photos soon, but for now, just take my word... He's in heaven!
In short, Chuki loves life in Illinois. We love having a yard where he can run around. Plus all of the new people he meets everyday really helps him learn how to greet people. Long gone are the days of jumping on everyone!
I'll have to post some photos soon, but for now, just take my word... He's in heaven!
31 May 2011
The Food Journal Returns -
Yesterday we both worked for a couple of hours midday but before we left we made time for breakfast. Stonyfield Organic French Vanilla Yogurt and homemade Granola. Mine had a banana in it too.
I ate shortly after at work. They had leftovers from their Memorial BBQ. I had a chicken strip (maybe it was a breast cut in half?) and a little bit of pasta salad.
We stopped at the Matson's and we're gifted about 5 pieces of candy, which we both ate up immediately!
When we got home we did a lot of yard work and at about 6:30 hunger hit me. I had a small piece of pizza while I was making dinner. We ended up eating leftovers but they were fabulously repurposed: jasmine rice, cauliflower and green beans, and a hamburger crumbled up. It actually was pretty good.
For dessert we had Culvers custard with a pint of strawberries. Sinfully delicious.
And then we were hungry again around 9 and so we each had a piece of pizza.
As you can see our eating habits have changed drastically. We're working on curtailing them but it's hard. We're certainly learning self control!
Yesterday we both worked for a couple of hours midday but before we left we made time for breakfast. Stonyfield Organic French Vanilla Yogurt and homemade Granola. Mine had a banana in it too.
I ate shortly after at work. They had leftovers from their Memorial BBQ. I had a chicken strip (maybe it was a breast cut in half?) and a little bit of pasta salad.
We stopped at the Matson's and we're gifted about 5 pieces of candy, which we both ate up immediately!
When we got home we did a lot of yard work and at about 6:30 hunger hit me. I had a small piece of pizza while I was making dinner. We ended up eating leftovers but they were fabulously repurposed: jasmine rice, cauliflower and green beans, and a hamburger crumbled up. It actually was pretty good.
For dessert we had Culvers custard with a pint of strawberries. Sinfully delicious.
And then we were hungry again around 9 and so we each had a piece of pizza.
As you can see our eating habits have changed drastically. We're working on curtailing them but it's hard. We're certainly learning self control!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Our New View
While I love and miss the mountains and our beautiful view in Quito. It is SOO SOO SOO great to be home. I love being able to pick up the phone whenever I want to call someone and I love being able to hop in the car and visit with our friends and family. My dad suggested I share a photo of our new view, and I think it's a great idea. While there are no mountains, there is the comfort of home. And for now the later outweighs the former.
 |
| Not too shaby! |
Financial Freedom
I've gotten quite the response about the money post and I must say this is a topic that people my age are really thinking through. I guess a couple of other observations that I've had after talking with people are...
At some point in our lives we are all going to have to learn the lessons of financial freedom. Financial freedom will look differently for everyone. I would rather start to figure it out now, when it's just Ryan and I, instead of in the future when there are so many more consequences.
Saying no to things is different for everyone. For me and Ryan right now, we're eliminating buying stuff because that's the place we're in. But I have friends that are making decent money and they might have to say no to international vacations but not to buying stuff. Does that make sense? It's about living within your means, not living without just for fun.
And lastly, it seems that a lot of friends are thinking this way and feeling this way. Feeling stress about going out for an expensive dinner or drinks. So, especially in Chicago, I feel like we should try and take more advantage of all of the free events that the city has to offer. That way we can enjoy spending time with each other and still stay within our budget. Or something like that.
It's an interesting learning process and I'm glad we're talking about it.
MULUB,
Taylor
At some point in our lives we are all going to have to learn the lessons of financial freedom. Financial freedom will look differently for everyone. I would rather start to figure it out now, when it's just Ryan and I, instead of in the future when there are so many more consequences.
Saying no to things is different for everyone. For me and Ryan right now, we're eliminating buying stuff because that's the place we're in. But I have friends that are making decent money and they might have to say no to international vacations but not to buying stuff. Does that make sense? It's about living within your means, not living without just for fun.
And lastly, it seems that a lot of friends are thinking this way and feeling this way. Feeling stress about going out for an expensive dinner or drinks. So, especially in Chicago, I feel like we should try and take more advantage of all of the free events that the city has to offer. That way we can enjoy spending time with each other and still stay within our budget. Or something like that.
It's an interesting learning process and I'm glad we're talking about it.
MULUB,
Taylor
Friday, May 27, 2011
In Chicago
I love Chicago. It's such a great city where everything feels at the same time BIG CITY and SMALL TOWN. It's just a great place to live. I hope to be able to move back some day and possibly raise a family here but that day is not TOday.
Here are some random musings:
Everything is so expensive. My parent's used to say living in the city is just more expensive than not and I never agreed with them. Sad but true, I was wrong. It's expensive. My dad also always used to tell me "Sometimes you just have to say no. You can't afford to do everything." While I absolutely HATE the idea of this, it also is true. Ryan and I lived on such a tight budget while in Ecuador that the prices in the city are absolutely absurd to me. Last night I went out for pizza with girls that I love. Hannah and I paid together and it cost us $45 FOR TWO PIZZAS, tax and tip. We didn't have wine, we didn't have an appetizer, we didn't have dessert. We literally had two pizzas and tap water. Ryan and I could have gone out to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days with $45. The bus here is $2.25 in Ecuador it was $0.25. The cost of living and the quality of living is just so much higher here that it makes it ridiculous.
Here's the hard thing... my friends live here in the city. So dinners like last night are more common than not. And I have a REALLY hard time saying no. But if we ever moved back here we would have to just say no. Which to me just seems counter productive. If we move to Chicago to be close to family and friends but we can't afford to see family and friends, then what's the point?
Another observation... there is such rampant consumerism and materialism here. Now I know that individuals have very little control over it because its a product of the society that we live in. But pizza costs $15 because enough people pay it. Hannah and I stopped into a coffee shop before we met the girls for dinner and I just asked how much a banana costs. The response = $1. In Ecuador I could buy a whole bunch of bananas for $1.50. I know that isn't a truly fair comparison but still. There is so much temptation here in Chicago to spend money on things that really don't matter. In Ecuador we learned to live without things because they didn't exist and so it was easier. Now our lesson has to be resisting the temptation to buy and consume when the options are plentiful. I love pretty things and I used to shell out a lot of money for things that were just pretty. That abruptly stopped in Ecuador because they make things useful, not pretty. Now I have to learn self control.
Which brings me to something I've said before and I'm saying again. People here in the USA have so much stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. This one has been easier for me in our 'home' (read - my parents' basement). We have what we need and all of the extra stuff we either through away before we left for Ecuador or is still in the storage bins. It's a truly freeing feeling. I don't feel tempted to go to Target and buy things just because I want them.
My biggest temptation is when it comes to friends. If a friend says lets go out to eat or lets meet for coffee or lets do this or that, I have a really hard time saying, "I can't because I don't have the money." But I need to get better at it.
Let me preface this by saying, I completely 100% am still trying to figure this out! Which makes me wonder, how many people out there don't have the money to live the life that they are living? How many people are too embarrassed or self conscious to say 'No, I can't' and so they do it anyways and go into debt to continue the lifestyle? I know that I struggle with it all of the time. But it's crazy. I used to have an astronomical credit card bill because of dinner dates, coffee and shopping trips. Not because of anything of substance. I realize that this is probably just more for me now. So with that, I leave you with these two thoughts: Would my friends understand if I said 'no' to an invitation because I couldn't afford it? And would they welcome the idea of a cheaper option, i.e. a potluck dinner at someone's house instead of a dinner out?
Here are some random musings:
Everything is so expensive. My parent's used to say living in the city is just more expensive than not and I never agreed with them. Sad but true, I was wrong. It's expensive. My dad also always used to tell me "Sometimes you just have to say no. You can't afford to do everything." While I absolutely HATE the idea of this, it also is true. Ryan and I lived on such a tight budget while in Ecuador that the prices in the city are absolutely absurd to me. Last night I went out for pizza with girls that I love. Hannah and I paid together and it cost us $45 FOR TWO PIZZAS, tax and tip. We didn't have wine, we didn't have an appetizer, we didn't have dessert. We literally had two pizzas and tap water. Ryan and I could have gone out to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days with $45. The bus here is $2.25 in Ecuador it was $0.25. The cost of living and the quality of living is just so much higher here that it makes it ridiculous.
Here's the hard thing... my friends live here in the city. So dinners like last night are more common than not. And I have a REALLY hard time saying no. But if we ever moved back here we would have to just say no. Which to me just seems counter productive. If we move to Chicago to be close to family and friends but we can't afford to see family and friends, then what's the point?
Another observation... there is such rampant consumerism and materialism here. Now I know that individuals have very little control over it because its a product of the society that we live in. But pizza costs $15 because enough people pay it. Hannah and I stopped into a coffee shop before we met the girls for dinner and I just asked how much a banana costs. The response = $1. In Ecuador I could buy a whole bunch of bananas for $1.50. I know that isn't a truly fair comparison but still. There is so much temptation here in Chicago to spend money on things that really don't matter. In Ecuador we learned to live without things because they didn't exist and so it was easier. Now our lesson has to be resisting the temptation to buy and consume when the options are plentiful. I love pretty things and I used to shell out a lot of money for things that were just pretty. That abruptly stopped in Ecuador because they make things useful, not pretty. Now I have to learn self control.
Which brings me to something I've said before and I'm saying again. People here in the USA have so much stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. This one has been easier for me in our 'home' (read - my parents' basement). We have what we need and all of the extra stuff we either through away before we left for Ecuador or is still in the storage bins. It's a truly freeing feeling. I don't feel tempted to go to Target and buy things just because I want them.
My biggest temptation is when it comes to friends. If a friend says lets go out to eat or lets meet for coffee or lets do this or that, I have a really hard time saying, "I can't because I don't have the money." But I need to get better at it.
Let me preface this by saying, I completely 100% am still trying to figure this out! Which makes me wonder, how many people out there don't have the money to live the life that they are living? How many people are too embarrassed or self conscious to say 'No, I can't' and so they do it anyways and go into debt to continue the lifestyle? I know that I struggle with it all of the time. But it's crazy. I used to have an astronomical credit card bill because of dinner dates, coffee and shopping trips. Not because of anything of substance. I realize that this is probably just more for me now. So with that, I leave you with these two thoughts: Would my friends understand if I said 'no' to an invitation because I couldn't afford it? And would they welcome the idea of a cheaper option, i.e. a potluck dinner at someone's house instead of a dinner out?
Our Engagement!
You heard right, we're engaged! It's all very exciting! Here's the story...
We were at the beach in Ecuador, just a few days before we left to come home. Ryan had been carrying the ring across hell and high water. Well not actually, but he did carry it up a mountain, down a mountain, on many dangerous bus trips, on hikes in which we got lost and then to the beach. Just a little back story, we LOVE the beach. Both of us. And my favorite thing about the beach, any beach, is watching the sunset. There's something very magical about watching nature put on a show for you. So anyways, every time we go to the beach we don't come in until after the sunset. After a day of swimming, laying out, reading, walking and eating the best end is to cozy up with a yummy snack or beverage and watch the sun sink. Our engagement day at the beach was no different, except that Ryan hadn't been feeling well so I spent a large part of the day solo. We thought that it was going to be a cloudy sunset but just in time the clouds rolled away to reveal a HUGE sinking red ball of sun: a truly perfect sunset. But while we were waiting for those clouds to roll away the family in front of us had two little puppies that we played with! Maybe Ryan arranged that too =) So the night started with playing with puppies, then we had these yummy pizza bread snacks (as typical in Ecuador, someone is always walking around selling food), and then the sun came out. Ryan and I had a great conversation about our time in Ecuador. He asked a lot of questions that usually I ask (i.e. What are your favorite five things we did here?). And then he said something about how much we love watching the sunset and how he hoped there would be a lifetime of watching the sunset together and then he got on one knee and asked me to marry him! My response was something a long the lines of OH MY GOD! IS THIS HAPPENING? WE'RE GETTING MARRIED! for about the next 3 days!
So after he proposed we called my parents and his parents and went for a celebratory feast! We decided to try and keep it quiet until we got home so we could tell our friends and family in person. I believe everyone knows now and so onto the blog it goes! We've begun the planning process and already I'm overwhelmed. Originally we were thinking of getting married in the Fall of 2011, so like a six month engagement. But I had one week of that and decided there was no way. It was all too fast and I wouldn't have enjoyed it. So now, the plan is to get married next late spring/early summer.
All that we know is that we would like an outdoor ceremony and reception, if possible. We want something small and intimate full of friends and family that know and love us. We want a night full of great food, lots of laughter, sharing, and candlelight, good wine and music. Other than that, I'm not sure. I have a vision of what I've always dreamed of but I need help making it a reality. I'll be sure to post more details as they come. For now here are a few photos from the very magical night.
We were at the beach in Ecuador, just a few days before we left to come home. Ryan had been carrying the ring across hell and high water. Well not actually, but he did carry it up a mountain, down a mountain, on many dangerous bus trips, on hikes in which we got lost and then to the beach. Just a little back story, we LOVE the beach. Both of us. And my favorite thing about the beach, any beach, is watching the sunset. There's something very magical about watching nature put on a show for you. So anyways, every time we go to the beach we don't come in until after the sunset. After a day of swimming, laying out, reading, walking and eating the best end is to cozy up with a yummy snack or beverage and watch the sun sink. Our engagement day at the beach was no different, except that Ryan hadn't been feeling well so I spent a large part of the day solo. We thought that it was going to be a cloudy sunset but just in time the clouds rolled away to reveal a HUGE sinking red ball of sun: a truly perfect sunset. But while we were waiting for those clouds to roll away the family in front of us had two little puppies that we played with! Maybe Ryan arranged that too =) So the night started with playing with puppies, then we had these yummy pizza bread snacks (as typical in Ecuador, someone is always walking around selling food), and then the sun came out. Ryan and I had a great conversation about our time in Ecuador. He asked a lot of questions that usually I ask (i.e. What are your favorite five things we did here?). And then he said something about how much we love watching the sunset and how he hoped there would be a lifetime of watching the sunset together and then he got on one knee and asked me to marry him! My response was something a long the lines of OH MY GOD! IS THIS HAPPENING? WE'RE GETTING MARRIED! for about the next 3 days!
So after he proposed we called my parents and his parents and went for a celebratory feast! We decided to try and keep it quiet until we got home so we could tell our friends and family in person. I believe everyone knows now and so onto the blog it goes! We've begun the planning process and already I'm overwhelmed. Originally we were thinking of getting married in the Fall of 2011, so like a six month engagement. But I had one week of that and decided there was no way. It was all too fast and I wouldn't have enjoyed it. So now, the plan is to get married next late spring/early summer.
All that we know is that we would like an outdoor ceremony and reception, if possible. We want something small and intimate full of friends and family that know and love us. We want a night full of great food, lots of laughter, sharing, and candlelight, good wine and music. Other than that, I'm not sure. I have a vision of what I've always dreamed of but I need help making it a reality. I'll be sure to post more details as they come. For now here are a few photos from the very magical night.
 |
| Puppies!!! |
 |
| Pizza!!! |
 |
| Perfect Sunset... |
 |
| Gets even more perfect! Ryan on one knee. |
 |
| We're getting MARRIED! |
 |
| The ring |
 |
| The sun keeps setting |
 |
| An amazing dinner! |
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
You thought we'd never post again...
We've been unpacking and visiting and resting since we've arrived in the US of A and it feels good. Here are just a couple of things I'm noticing...
Everyone can drink the sink water, yet doesn't. Why is that America?
The pots and pans are so much heavier and more substantial.
Every time I go to light the stove I look for the matches and every time I'm in the bathroom I look for the garbage can.
It's amazing to have a yard!
Everyone can drink the sink water, yet doesn't. Why is that America?
The pots and pans are so much heavier and more substantial.
Every time I go to light the stove I look for the matches and every time I'm in the bathroom I look for the garbage can.
It's amazing to have a yard!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Our Week of Fun!
We're back from a whirlwind tour of the South of Ecuador! We left Sunday morning (Ryan's Birthday) and took the bus to Ambato. We wanted to eat the traditional dish from Ambato but it was late and we ended up eating chicken and rice. Then we hopped on the overnight to Cuenca.
We arrived in Cuenca Monday morning around 5am. We were tired, hungry and crabby. We navigated to the hostel but it was 5am and so we crashed on some couches in the living room until around 8. Then we spent the day exploring about 50 churches and museums in Cuenca. We went out for dinner and then back to the hostel for the night.
Tuesday morning we got up and got ourselves together and left for Loja. We didn't really spend any time in Loja, just changed buses to Vilcabamba. We arrived in Vilcabamba around 6 and had dinner in the little town. We decided to splurge and stay at a more expensive place outside of town. IT WAS AMAZING. We were really sad to leave Vilcambamba. So we got to the place and crashed. Then Wednesday we got up and hung around the hotel for a while until about 10:30, when we checked out and got ready for a nice 4 hour hike on the ridge line. Well the first couple of hours of the hike were great but then we got extremely lost. We ended up hiking for something like 6 hours, not on any particular path. In fact a machete would have been nice to create a path. Anyways, there was a while when I was pretty sure we might not make it off the mountain by nightfall but then we did and it was fun, when it stopped being scary. After the craziness of the hike we decided to stay another night at the nice hotel and have a big meal with wine! Which is exactly what we did. We made friends with a Dutch couple and spent the night eating, drinking and chatting with them. There was a bonfire and a sunset and just general merry making. Then on Thursday we got up and... get this... got massages! 75 minutes for $18. One of the best massages I've had. Still doesn't beat the little lady is Martinique but pretty amazing. We went swimming, laid out by the pool, played chess, ate dinner and then left again for Loja and another bus around 8pm. We went back to Loja and caught the overnight to Guayaquil.
Friday morning we arrived in Guayaquil around 6am and then changed buses to get to the beach. We arrived at the beach around 10 and found a place outside of town to stay. Montanita is a crazy beach town with infastructure, which is nice, but it is pretty loud at night so it was a great relief to not be staying in town. We walked around a bit, ate, and then napped. After our nap we did what everyone does at the beach... nothing. We walked a bit, sat on the beach, swam, you know. We were exhausted and so we made dinner at the hostel and went to bed early.
Saturday Ryan had an upset stomach so I spent a good part of the day on the beach by myself and walking around town picking up things he wanted (bread, pepto, water, etc). I got a nice little sunburn but of course went back for more! Saturday night we watched an AMAZING sunset. The kind where you see the sun as a big red circle sinking into the water. It was pretty awesome! We had some snacks on the beach and then went back to shower and get ready for dinner. We went out for dinner to a delicious italian place. I had linguini with all different fresh seafood and Ryan had ravioli with seafood. It was yummy!
Sunday we got up and went to buy our bus tickets in the morning but they were all booked for the day. EEKS! The bus guy told us we could just keep hopping city buses until we eventually got to Guayaquil, which was really our only option because we had to be back today so we can take Chuki to the vet and the airport. But that didn't matter because we had SURF LESSONS to deal with first. We've learned a lot of things in Ecuador and now we can add surfing to the list! IT WAS SO FUN! Seriously so fun! We both managed to surf! We need lots of practice but now we know how you do it. I can't wait till the next time we're at a beach and we can rent surfboards! Let me just say this, it's exhausting! I understand why surfers usually have great arms and why they only go out for like 30 minutes at a time. After our surf lesson we went back to the hostel, packed up, showered, and feasted! We had bought a pound of fresh shrimp and one side of a tuna fish the day before and we were going to have both for lunch! We made rice with cilantro, a big salad, shrimp in garlic and seared tuna steaks with cilantro. It was SO good and SO much food. We put what we couldn't eat in a bag and gave it to one of the million dogs roaming around Montanita. After lunch we cleaned up and headed to the bus station. It was great because there was like a minibus (15 passenger thing) that had two more seats to fill. We threw our bags on top, hopped in, and off we went. Then we got the 7:30 night bus from Guayaquil to Quito and we were home in our own 'bed' (read : super thin mattress on the floor) by 3am.
It was a great trip! Lots of fun! More to come but first, we've got so much to do! Pack, take care of Chuki, sell the rest of our things, celebrate Ryan's birthday/going away with our friends, shop, go to the park, stop by one last time at inlingua, etc!
We arrived in Cuenca Monday morning around 5am. We were tired, hungry and crabby. We navigated to the hostel but it was 5am and so we crashed on some couches in the living room until around 8. Then we spent the day exploring about 50 churches and museums in Cuenca. We went out for dinner and then back to the hostel for the night.
Tuesday morning we got up and got ourselves together and left for Loja. We didn't really spend any time in Loja, just changed buses to Vilcabamba. We arrived in Vilcabamba around 6 and had dinner in the little town. We decided to splurge and stay at a more expensive place outside of town. IT WAS AMAZING. We were really sad to leave Vilcambamba. So we got to the place and crashed. Then Wednesday we got up and hung around the hotel for a while until about 10:30, when we checked out and got ready for a nice 4 hour hike on the ridge line. Well the first couple of hours of the hike were great but then we got extremely lost. We ended up hiking for something like 6 hours, not on any particular path. In fact a machete would have been nice to create a path. Anyways, there was a while when I was pretty sure we might not make it off the mountain by nightfall but then we did and it was fun, when it stopped being scary. After the craziness of the hike we decided to stay another night at the nice hotel and have a big meal with wine! Which is exactly what we did. We made friends with a Dutch couple and spent the night eating, drinking and chatting with them. There was a bonfire and a sunset and just general merry making. Then on Thursday we got up and... get this... got massages! 75 minutes for $18. One of the best massages I've had. Still doesn't beat the little lady is Martinique but pretty amazing. We went swimming, laid out by the pool, played chess, ate dinner and then left again for Loja and another bus around 8pm. We went back to Loja and caught the overnight to Guayaquil.
Friday morning we arrived in Guayaquil around 6am and then changed buses to get to the beach. We arrived at the beach around 10 and found a place outside of town to stay. Montanita is a crazy beach town with infastructure, which is nice, but it is pretty loud at night so it was a great relief to not be staying in town. We walked around a bit, ate, and then napped. After our nap we did what everyone does at the beach... nothing. We walked a bit, sat on the beach, swam, you know. We were exhausted and so we made dinner at the hostel and went to bed early.
Saturday Ryan had an upset stomach so I spent a good part of the day on the beach by myself and walking around town picking up things he wanted (bread, pepto, water, etc). I got a nice little sunburn but of course went back for more! Saturday night we watched an AMAZING sunset. The kind where you see the sun as a big red circle sinking into the water. It was pretty awesome! We had some snacks on the beach and then went back to shower and get ready for dinner. We went out for dinner to a delicious italian place. I had linguini with all different fresh seafood and Ryan had ravioli with seafood. It was yummy!
Sunday we got up and went to buy our bus tickets in the morning but they were all booked for the day. EEKS! The bus guy told us we could just keep hopping city buses until we eventually got to Guayaquil, which was really our only option because we had to be back today so we can take Chuki to the vet and the airport. But that didn't matter because we had SURF LESSONS to deal with first. We've learned a lot of things in Ecuador and now we can add surfing to the list! IT WAS SO FUN! Seriously so fun! We both managed to surf! We need lots of practice but now we know how you do it. I can't wait till the next time we're at a beach and we can rent surfboards! Let me just say this, it's exhausting! I understand why surfers usually have great arms and why they only go out for like 30 minutes at a time. After our surf lesson we went back to the hostel, packed up, showered, and feasted! We had bought a pound of fresh shrimp and one side of a tuna fish the day before and we were going to have both for lunch! We made rice with cilantro, a big salad, shrimp in garlic and seared tuna steaks with cilantro. It was SO good and SO much food. We put what we couldn't eat in a bag and gave it to one of the million dogs roaming around Montanita. After lunch we cleaned up and headed to the bus station. It was great because there was like a minibus (15 passenger thing) that had two more seats to fill. We threw our bags on top, hopped in, and off we went. Then we got the 7:30 night bus from Guayaquil to Quito and we were home in our own 'bed' (read : super thin mattress on the floor) by 3am.
It was a great trip! Lots of fun! More to come but first, we've got so much to do! Pack, take care of Chuki, sell the rest of our things, celebrate Ryan's birthday/going away with our friends, shop, go to the park, stop by one last time at inlingua, etc!
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