This Boy Can Dream

Yesterday after waking up from a pleasant sleep, I got up and grabbed breakfast. Around midday, I headed into the city to see if I could find a cheap decent flash for my D-80. After getting some good advice from the people at the store, I know what I am looking for, an SB-600 or 800. Unfortunately could not find one cheaply, I have decided to try later, maybe even in Buenos Aires, where the exchange rate works in favor. I then proceeded around downtown to do some minor looks at stores. I considered getting black nice pants but I can do that down in BA. I also did a look in Borders for a book that I had some difficulty finding. I typed it into the search box with a result of "likely in store." I dashed over to the Metaphysical section, where I FOUND IT! Great Success. I had not found this but one store. Despite not getting other things I wanted, I got one thing I had been searching for without ordering it! I then headed home. There I had lunch, read and relaxed. I got to talk to Abbey and others via Skype.

My friend from Julia, who lives in Seattle as well, texted me and asked what I was up to for the night. I said no plans. So she told me to come to a friend's house where they were chilling. But first I went to my aunt and uncle's house. This turned into a hilarious episode where my grandparents wanted to go a Japanese restaurant, but the other adults knew it was bad but didn't want to the bubble. Eventually they let up and confessed that it sucked. So we decided to order Chinese food. While we waited, my cousin and I watched Jersey Shore. That show is ridiculous. Then we ate and chatted. After we all parted ways. I stopped at a market and grabbed a six pack to contribute. Eventually after getting a bit lost, including by accidentally turning into a cemetery, I found my way and showed up just in time to catch the tail end of Inglorious Bastards. Wonderful movie I must say. There, was my friend Julia, a Guilford student named Aaron who I have shared a class, there was Guilford alum, Dan Miller, who was my predecessor as Photo Editor for the Guilfordian as well as two of Julia's friends, Josh and Anna.

We then headed to a restaurant, where some people got food and others beer. Our waitress was convinced Anna looked like one of her good friends and tried to prove it to us via Facebook on a blackberry but it wouldn't work. It was a pretty hilarious episode considering it kept getting worse and worse. She pretty much dug herself six feet deep. Dan and Josh, who is also a photographer, and I talked camera stuff which was cool. I am def jealous of Dan's gear. From the restaurant, Anna and Dan left and Aaron, Josh and Julia and I went to Julia's house where we drank and watched Fired Up! This movie looked sooooooooooo stupid when I saw the trailer but we all could not stop laughing. It was a pleasant surprise. It was a lot of fun. Then I headed home where I went to bed.

"Those are bad guys"

Today, I woke up at around 9ish where I hung out and started a new book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. I had breakfast and chilled. Then around midday, my mom and I headed into the main part of Mercer Island to get pictures that she had printed of mine and frame them to put in her house. After we went to Walgreens to get stuff for my medicine kit for while I am abroad. Then I grabbed lunch with my grandfather. We both got B.L.T.A's and talked about travels and what to do and what to watch out for. It was a pleasant lunch.

After, I was able to quickly talk to Abbey for like 10-15 minutes which was nice. Then I headed into downtown Seattle. There I went to Halfprice Books where I sold a book for 3 bucks and bought one for a dollar more. Then I headed to REI, where my mom and I got more stuff for my travels. I was in desperate need for gas, and finding gas stations in downtown Seattle can be quite difficult. After finally reaching some success, I headed to the travel clinic for the second time in three days. There I got my yellow immunization book actually filled up and signed. After, I headed to try to find Glazers, a camera store but no real luck. I will go looking for it tomorrow or another one. Then I headed home where I have read, ate dinner and desert and watched the BCS Championship Game.


On an unrelated note: This Gilbert Arenas/Javaris Crittenton story gets crazier and crazier. I am really interested in seeing what actually unfolded.

Getting the ball rolling

Taken on with my Colorsplash Flash

So I woke up and read for a bit. Than grabbed some breakfast and read till I finished the book. It was really interesting to read about some of the history of the region I will be heading to soon. Granted, it was a heavily leftist view, but I am a pretty leftist person. Then I started a movies that I was interested in seeing in theaters but never got the chance. The movie is one called Moon starring Sam Rockwell and directed by David Bowie's son.

After this, my mom and I talked and I tried to get a reservation for a hotel in Buenos Aires and I have chosen one called Five Cool Rooms. It was not bad, for as my mom puts it, getting barrings. I also joined a club called South American Explorers Club that have lots of information on different places like arranging trips and transportation etc. They will also hopefully help me store my stuff but first I need to get confirmation from them. After this, I had to go the dentist to get my teeth cleaned which was not so fun. Flossing and blogging/journaling are apparently going to have to be my biggest hobbies this year. YAY! but not. Then I headed into the Columbia City where I knew of a used bookstore but it turns out that they had too many copies of the book I was trying to sell so they would not take it. This book is impossible to sell. So I headed home. There I chilled and talked to Abbey while she was in the country still (she is about to study in London!). I helped my mom with the pictures of mine that she purchased through my website. She ordered one big in canvas and two to be framed. I also got my crazy new color flash that works with most camera. I have only tried out three of the colors (It appears to be a slightly complicated process to change colors).

Eventually, we headed to my grandparents' house for dinner. We talked about my travels and whatnot since they had been to most of where I am planning to go. It was nice to have their perspective. After dinner and cake, we headed home where I have cleaned up the room I stay in and then watched some Modern Family (which is very funny, generally) and Cougartown (which is hit or miss). Then I watched a creepy French filmed called Martyrs. Then off to bed

Tomorrow's agenda is go into Seattle to try to resell this book, maybe go to REI to get some stuff, try to go Glazer's for camera gear and then go back to the travel clinic because they forgot to fill out my card

The Day of Band Aids

Today started off with my Remicade treatment. Got to the hospital in Bellevue where I chilled than met with doctor here where we talked about study abroad and socialized medicine and how it pretty much kicks ass. Then I during my two and a half hours of Remicade, I read a good portion of my book, probably will finish tomorrow morning before my dentist appointment (UGH). Afterwards, I went to drop my prescription and film. Than grabbed lunch before I left for the travel clinic. There I learned a lot about the places I am going and what to watch out for. It shall be interesting. I have to stay clear of the jungle so I don't get yellow fever. I ended up getting 6 shots, three per arm which sucked but they only lasted for like 5 minutes.

After I got back, I went bowling where I pretty decent considering my arms were stiff from the shots. After three games, I went home only to get texted by my cousin Hank. We met up at his house and him, his sister, Ellis and I went to a restaurant/bar where Hank's friends met us. It was really chill. Ellis, who is going Brazil, and I talked about our respected trips. Then we all met this older couple from North Carolina. The man is a big basketball person who coached Stephen Curry and some others. Pretty cool. Even cooler is that the guy, Joe Frazier, went to Greensboro College. So we talked Guilford basketball. Such a small world. We all talked for like 30-45 minutes and he and his wife bought us all a round of whatever. It was really chill. Then I had a Skype date. Then bed.

"Beside the ashes of the fire"

Today, was the first step in getting ready for my time away. I talked to a girl who seemed pretty chill. She goes down earlier than when I start because she didn't want to sit around for a month. Which is reasonable. After this, my mom and I worked magic and started to figure out health things like my pills and Remicade treatments. After lunch, my mom and I went to the bank to set up an account for me to get money. After I failed to get photos from my new Holga. I am in the process of getting a roll shot and processed. Then I talked to Hallie for a bit. Then I tried to fetch Nicky but I had to wait so I listened to ESPN radio. After getting back I read most, and later finished, my book, Angler, by Barton Gellman. It was real interesting. Now to read the controversial book, Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano. It looks real interested and I am excited to read it. Later after dinner and a good game of Jeopardy, I watched Heroes, one of many shows I will not see live for sometime. Then I skyped with Abbey and imed with my friend Rachel. A pretty relaxing night considering I have my Remicade treatment in the morning and getting shots in the afternoon.
Wish me luck.
Now some soothing music

Beginning of the Beginning

I am slowly getting my stuff ready for my study abroad. This is so weird that it is coming so soon. I am preparing a budget, organizing dates, and getting my gap between January 11th and February 26th. If you got suggestions, let me know.

Another book down

Today, I started and finished Bruce Chatwin's In Patagonia. It was interesting as I prepare to embark my journey to South America. I leave LA tomorrow, or I guess today, to go back to cold Seattle for a week. Trying to figure out my 6 weeks. I am thinking 3-4 days in most destinations.
So tentative schedule.
Buenos Aires: January 11th-15th
Lima: January 15th-19th
Cusco: January 19th-22nd
Macho Picchu: January 22nd
Cusco: January 23rd
Puno: January 23rd-24th
Crossing Lake Titicaca: January 25th-26th
Getting to La Paz: 26th-27th
La Paz: 27th-30th.
Figuring out the rests and costs.
Wish me luck