Pensamientos de Santiago de Chile

Dos Inviernos y Dos Primaveras – Two Winters and Two Springs

2009-01-09T13:22:00.001-08:00

The year is divided into 4 seasons (cuatro estaciones), the winter (el invierno), the spring (la primavera), the summer (el verano) and the fall (el otoño), and the impacts of each season can be different depending on exactly where you live. In the summer, the days are long (largos) and typically, the days are hot (calientes), the temperatures allowing for a change of clothing (la ropa) and often a change of scenery, as summer also signals vacation and travel (las vacaciones y los viajes). In the fall, the season changes as the harvest of fruits (las frutas) and vegetables (las verduras) comes to an end, the trees lose their leaves and the days begin to shorten (bajar). For most people, the winter means cold temperatures, some times snow (el nieve), but for sure the time when all things are dormant and the days are short. The spring is a time of rebirth, a time when all things (todas las cosas) become as new.

I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and we definitely had four distinct season (cuatro estaciones distintas), the summer bringing sweltering heat and humidity, the fall cool temperatures (temperaturas frescas) and colorful displays in the trees, the winter often freezing rain (el aguanieve) with cold temperatures and constantly gray skies and the spring lighting up the valleys (las valles) with wild flowers and the woods (el bosque) with green foliage. I have lived in other places, such as Santa Fe, NM, where the summer meant tourists (las turistas), the fall brought refreshment, the winter meant snow, and the spring delivered hope (la esperanza) and renewal. Here in El Paso, we are also said to have four seasons, but they are summer, fall, wind (el viento) and spring, there is really not too much of a winter, although the bareness of the trees and the brown remnants of the lawn (el cesped) are reminders that winter is present and dominating.

Yet, I still would have a normal flow to a year, the sequence (el orden) of the seasons is as much a rhythm (un ritmo) of life as it is a signal to behavior, it is a call to the natural within us that drives us in a way (una manera) that brings continuity and consistency. It is part of the normal cycle (el ciclo normal) of our days, like the sun coming up in the morning (en la mañana) in the East and setting in the evening (en la noche) in the West. It is the order of days and months, with each and every instance implying congruence (igualdad) to the annual way in which we not only conduct our business (nuestros negocios), but in the way we conduct ourselves. We tend to spread our wings (nuestras alas) in the summer, get to work in the fall, hide out and hibernate (hibernar) in the winter, and emerge and reinvent ourselves in the spring.

For me this calendar year (el ano calendario) is unique in that in the height of what should have been my summer, July, I was transported to Santiago, Chile where I was placed smack dab in the middle (en la mitad) of winter. Although winter in Santiago is not winter in Minneapolis, it does have a constant damp cold, think San Francisco or Seattle, where the cold (el frío) sinks right into your bones (sus huesos) and you have to keep moving to stay warm. Winter in Santiago means wearing your coat (el abrigo) and your scarf (la bufanda) inside, eating lots of soup and drinking lots of Nescafe, trying to stave off the cold and survive through August to make it to the beginning (la comienza) of spring in September. After the national celebrations in September, the push for spring begins with the trees (los árboles) and plants (las plantas) leading the way, the once barren hillsides and walkways filling in green of new life all around (alrededor).

As summer was approaching in December, I had to return (regresar) to the United States as my Fulbright experience came to an end, and as I stepped off the plane (el avión) in El Paso, I had also stepped back into winter once again (otra vez). I have experienced a number (un numero) of firsts over the past few months, such as my first October birthday (los cumpleaños) in the spring in South America, but I can honestly state that I have never had a year in which I will have had two winters (dos inviernos) and two springs (dos primaveras) within a 365-day period. Some might think this is a bit of rip off, as I left the hope of the summer for the dread (el terror) of the winter, a seemingly Groundhog day experience that somehow would be an undoing, a backward glance (una mirada atrás) to the past, a time of hopelessness and without a future (sin un futuro).

Yet, lost in all that downtrodden perceptions (las percepciones) is the fact that there is also two springs, two separate chances at new beginnings (empiezas nuevas), two unique settings for setting something new (algo nuevo) in motion. That is the hope that I cling to in this winter age, my second of the year (mi segundo del ano), as I wait for the spring to come knowing that my time of rebirth (el renacimiento) will happen once again.

Una Vuelta Completa - Full Circle

2008-12-15T14:34:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of cycles (los ciclos) in life that are part o our everyday rhythm, such as the cycle of a hour on a clock (un reloj), the cycle of moving from morning to night and back to morning in a day, and the seasons (las estaciones) throughout a year. There are also natural cycles (los ciclos naturales), such as photosynthesis, the water cycle and the rock cycle. What separates a cycle from other types (otros tipos) of events is that the movement beings in one place and moves through a series of connected events to in effect come back (volver) to the starting point. These cycles are in effect circles (un círculo), revolutions that start and end at a relative and congruent point, a sequence that is completed and repeated over time.

One such cycle of annual ritual at UTEP and at many universities around the world is ceremony (la ceremonia) of graduation. Graduation is an event that celebrates the termination of a degree plan (un plan de estudios) that signals the completion of an academic program at the university for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Although this is a finite point (un punto finito) on a linear progression within a plan of studies, the cyclical part of this idea is that at the end of each semester (cada semestre), a graduation occurs, bringing one such celebration at the end of the Winter term in December (diciembre) and another at the end of the Spring term in May (mayo). For academic faculty and staff, this does become part of the annual academic cycle, as we don’t merely attend (asitir) one graduation, we attend 2 annually, continually for our entire academic careers.

Many (muchos) large universities also have a Pre-Commencement ceremony, which is usually for a specific college within the university. For example, I work in the College of Education and we have a ceremony prior (antes) to the main university graduation event, one which is a bit more intimate (intimo), and also allows the faculty and staff in the College of Education the opportunity to recognize (reconocer) outstanding accomplishments, awards and honors for students as well as advanced degree achievement. At this event, which for us is actually held the night before (anoche) the main university graduation, the college itself celebrates the success of the students along with their families and friends.

It is at this event that I find myself with a unique perspective (una perspectiva única), a reflection on a cycle of a year marked by this Winter Pre-Commencement, from both this year (este ano) and last year (el ano pasado). At this ceremony, exactly 1 year ago, I was sitting on the stage (el escenario) understanding that I would be leaving the next day to begin a journey with students, faculty and my wife, Sarah, all the way to Antarctica. I remember feeling the uncertainty (la incertidumbre) of this event in many ways, unsure of what would transpire, what events would take place and what would ultimately be the impacts. It was a time of anticipation, of relative anxiety (una preocupación relativa) and excitement, a time fraught with expectations, a journey to a place so far away (muy lejos) that I can remember thinking, “I wonder what will happen to us all?”

Now, one year later, I have made it to this year’s Pre-Commencement ceremony, having only returned the day before (ayer) from my six-month excursion in Santiago, Chile as part of the Fulbright US Scholars program. As I was greeted by my colleagues and saw students and families ready to celebrate (celebrar) their achievements, I found myself reflecting on the year that had been, one that began with a journey to Antarctica and finished with a return (una vuelta) from a half-year in Santiago. This cycle was unlike any that I had ever experienced in my life (en mi vida) , and probably as unique a set of experiences as I could ever hope to experience (experimentar) in one year’s time. While the cycle of graduation will surely repeat (repetir), and I imagine I will find myself back in this spot again next year, I am looking forward to seeing how (como) this set of unique events will translate to my life here in El Paso.

La Casa - Home

2008-12-15T13:50:00.001-08:00

I have traveled a lot (mucho) in my life, and have been on a lot of airplanes (los aviones) over the years. I can remember getting on a plane as a young child (un niño) and heading out with my parents (mis padres) to Florida to visit relatives and enjoy the sunshine (el sol) in the southern US. Although I enjoyed my trip there greatly, I can remember an excitement (un entusiasmo) about returning home, anticipation to a time that signaled an end (un fin) to the unfamiliar and a return (un regreso) to the familiar. Over the years, as I have ventured to destinations both near and far, to places for short periods (tiempos cortos) and long periods of time, the process of coming home has always been a positive and welcomed event.

Sitting on the balcony (la terraza) of my apartment in Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile, I am taking one last long look at my view (la vista) of the city skyline and the majestic snowcapped Andes Mountains in the distance (en la distancia). This view has been so familiar over the last six months and I know that it will soon become a memory (una memoria), as Sarah and I begin our trek back home. The process of returning began days ago, but now the planning (el planificación) and the packing were being put into action. Our friend Claudio had arranged transportation for us through the university (la universidad), and a small truck (un camioneta) was needed to take 2 undersized North Americans and 4 oversized, overweight and bulbous bags (las maletas) to the airport. We headed out around 7 PM Santiago time (3 PM MST) only to be enveloped in gridlock traffic (taco extremo), as Madonna was on her South America tour and on this night, she was kicking off her run of concerts (los conciertos) in Santiago. I joked that the government (el gobierno) only allows one superstar in Chile at a time, and hat meant that I have to leave, a joke (una broma) that did not translate well or even come across as funny.

Once through the check-in process and complete with paying the fine (la multa) for the overweight luggage, we moved onto the security area. Saying goodbye to Claudio was hard (difícil), as he has been my mentor, my friend, my advocate and role model for these six months, but we were also confident that we would soon see each other again (otra vez), whether it is in Chile or in the US. Anyway, we said our goodbyes and made it thorough security (la seguridad) and to the boarding gate area. Soon, we were on the plane, and it actually took off on time, and we were in the air by 11 PM (7 PM MST). As we lifted off and I could see the lights of the Santiago city sprawl, I felt a pang of sorrow (la pena) coupled with a sense of joy. The juxtaposition of this internal strife would only continue to oscillate (oscilar) as we crept closer to the US.

The deep night darkness (la oscuridad) was broken with dotted lighted areas on the ground, with small clusters of lights signaling civilization, but I was unsure (indeciso) whether we were over Central America or Mexico. As day broke, the lights also increased and soon we were preparing to touch down (aterrizar) in Dallas, Texas, with a landing that happened right on time, around 6:30 AM CST (9:30 AM Santiago – 5:30 AM MST). Moving off the plane with great trepidation (inquietud), I made it through customs, where an agent welcomed me back home to the US of A, stating, “It is always good to come back to America.” I had to agree (estar de acuerdo) with him, although silently I knew I had never left America, only moved from North to South and back to North again.

A bit later (después), and another airplane flight, which was also on time, rendered me closing in on the familiar sites (los sitios familiares) of home, the desert landscapes, the Franklin Mountains, the interstate (la carretera) running through town and of course, Ciudad Juárez across the river. With this entire opening up in the morning light (la amanecer), a true signal was sent that indeed, home was just around the corner. At the airport, we were met by our friend Chris, who had been living in our home and taking care of all things there, including our two big dogs (nuestros dos perros grandes), Judah and Brodie. He surprised us by having the dogs with him in the truck, which presented a truly memorable greeting (un saludo) and a thoughtful effort that left Sarah and I speechless.

I moved into the driver’s seat (el asiento del chofer) and as I drove the truck down the familiar highway leading to familiar streets (las calles familiar), I maneuvered the truck towards home, seemingly getting there inherently, as if on automatic pilot (piloto automático). Pulling into the driveway and seeing our house, it was almost too much to bear (soportar), a dream now a reality, a memory replaced by real life. Around 11 AM MST (3 PM Santiago), we were in our house, some 20 hours from start to finish (la empieza al fin), a day’s journey to a destination half a world away. As we lay on the living room floor (el suelo de sala), the dogs joined us and this huge dog pile was the ultimate sign that in effect, we had truly come home (a casa).

La Madrugada – Daybreak

2008-12-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

I have always (siempre) been a morning person and I find daybreak (la madrugada) to be a refreshing and inspiring event. When I was younger (más joven), I used to like to stay awake until dawn, to see the new day come into light (la luz) from the darkness (la oscuridad) of the night before, to hold the expectation for a new beginning directly, to find communion in the tranquility (la tranquilidad) of the awakening morning.

I know a number of people (la gente) who share this view and a number who can do without it, as the chance for sleep (el sueno) seems sweeter in first light for others, but for me, it is almost a call (una llamada) to arise, a chance to start anew, an opportunity fresh and unspoiled. Some people find this habit (el habito) annoying and mock the morning person, a not so subtle response (la repuesta) to the ever present cheerfulness of the early riser, who may be in the office so early (muy temprano) and so wide awake. Yet, I see the time in the early morning beginning with daybreak to be unspoiled, to be free of noise (el ruido) and traffic (el trafico), to be unhindered and alive.

As I sit here in my apartment (mi departamento) in Santiago, and stare out of the window (la ventana), catching the sun’s rays gently touching the peaks of the Andes Mountains, I understand that this is my last dawn (el final amanecer) that I will see this site for some time. I understand that a new day (el día nuevo) is upon me, one that will begin here in Ñuñoa and hopefully end somewhere in the air (en el aire) over Central America, in a plane that will be heading into Dallas, Texas in the next morning’s light. After that, the next steps (los pasos próximos) will be to make it through US Customs and back into line to try and get on another plane (un otro avion) and make it home to El Paso.

I have to admit (admitir) that some things went really well here during my time in Chile and that some things (algunas cosas) didn’t go so well either, but it is not the individual successes or failures (los fracasos) that really matter, it is how you respond at the end of it all. There is a saying (un dicho) that is does not matter how many times you fall, but how many times you pick yourself up. In other words, it is not the failures or the successes (los éxitos) that matter, but how you respond to them, it is not the number of days you have counted (has contado), but the one that you have anew in your midst.

The morning light is a gentle reminder (un recuerdo suave) of the potential of the day, that there can be a fresh start (una empieza fresca), and that this idea, this guiding principle, can actually be lived out with (con) each breaking day. That to me is the important point, that we have an opportunity to excel (destacar), a chance to be forgiven and redeemed, a time to hope (esperar) for a better way. Sometimes it is important to have thoughts (los pensamientos) and to give things a lot of reflection, but it is equally important to put (poner) those thoughts into action.

As I stare out into the morning light (la luz de la mañana), I recognize that this is the call of the new day, the time (el tiempo) for taking what I have learned and applying it to my life anew. I only hope (solamente espero) that I am up for the task.

Dos Pies en la Tierra - Two Feet on the Ground

2008-12-09T07:07:00.001-08:00

I have never (nunca) been one who has been lacking for practicality, as I am inherently searching for something that I can use in my life (en mi vida), not merely think about, but apply in a practical way that will help me to learn (aprender) and to grow (crecer). When I teach my classes at the university, many of my students often comment that they have learned (ha aprendido) practical applications that they can immediately implement in the classroom (en el aula), and this is an important goal for me as well, that they have useful materials that are not solely based on theory, but on practice (en practica) as well.

I am also a constructivist by nature, in that I like to have (tener) an experience first and then look to understand (comprender) the content. I have certainly applied that here in Chile, as I literally jumped in with both feet (con dos pies), landing here in Santiago, not unprepared, but somehow hoping that by effort and presence, I might be able to make (hacer) sense of things, even in Spanish. I was at times unprepared for the reality (la realidad) of the content, but did find that in time, with more experience, the information all around me, that was in many ways constant (constante), suddenly began to make sense, whether it was in my professional life at UMCE or on the streets (en las calles) of Santiago and elsewhere in Chile.

As I am preparing to get ready to go (ir) home, to head back to the US, to get back (regresar) to my home university at UTEP and to see (ver) my family and friends, I am reminded that I am still wholeheartedly in Chile at this very moment (en este momento). Sure, I am allowing myself to think (pensar) about my life back in El Paso, about returning to my house, about greeting my dogs (mis perros), which hopefully will not bite me or run away, about seeing my neighbors (mis vecinos) and about getting ready for the Christmas holiday (la Navidad). I mean, I may have begun to plan to get home, maybe even daydream (un sueno del día) about what I will do when I am home, but I have to remember (recordar) that at this point, I am not home, I am still physically here in Chile.

A friend (un amigo) recently asked me if I had 1 foot in Chile and 1 foot (un pie) back home, implying that I was neither here nor there (ni aquí ni allí), but somewhere in between. I had to reply that I am firmly here in Chile, with 2 feet on the ground (dos pies en la tierra), growing where I am planted. I was not trying to be confrontational or even less than truthful (verdadero), as I really feel that way, I am here and when I leave for home, I will not be here. In other words (en otras palabras), I still have opportunities to impact my learning, my life and the situations all around me today (hoy), right where I am, here in Ñuñoa, in Santiago, in Chile.

People talk about living in the moment (el momento), but in reality, living in the moment is at times very difficult (muy difícil), especially if the moment is hard or a more attractive moment is looming close (cerca) on the horizon. I think the big message for me to that you have to grow (crecer) where you are planted, and that your 2 feet on the ground signals your place to be (su lugar para ser). In that regard, I hope to grow a bit more today in Santiago, so that I can live better (vivo mejor) and grow better once I am firmly planted back home (en casa).

Las Maletas – Suitcases

2008-12-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

How do you fit 2 people (dos personas) into 4 suitcases (cuatro maletas), 2 carry-on bags and 2 backpacks (dos mochilas) who have been out of the country for over 5 months? I have no idea, but that is the task (la tarea) of the day. This is the same amount of luggage (el equipaje) that we came with when we arrived in Santiago, and the plan is to leave (salir) with the same amount of luggage, albeit with some of the same things as well as a large number of completely different materials (las materiales diferentes).

When you travel by air these days, you not only have a limit (un limite) to the number of bags, you also have a weight limit (un limite de peso). There are different rules for international and domestic flights, with domestic flights (los vuelos domésticos) being stricter in terms of costs for additional bags as well as having a lower weight limit. I believe this is done in part because (porque) there are more domestic flights than international flights, and the airlines (las aerolíneas) can stick it to you easier and make more money (más dinero) on flights that are shorter and in effect cost less for passengers.

We have a limit of 2 checked bags, and each bag (cada maleta) has a limit of around 50 pounds each. If you have a bag between 50-70 pounds, you are charged a fee (una cuota) of $50 US for each one, and it you have a bag over 70 pounds, it is a fee of $100 US. If you have more than 2 checked bags, there is an additional fee (una cuota adicional) of $100 US for each checked bag. So, the game (el juego) if you will is to try and stay under the limits where you can and know exactly what the weights are of your bags before you get to the airport (al aeropuerto).

We are in this process (este proceso) in a big way today, trying to fit in all our gifts (nuestros regalos) for Christmas along with all our clothes and personal items. On the flight (el vuelo) over, we had 2 bags overweight and 2 bags right on weight, and we are trying to keep this same ratio (la misma proporción) intact, as it will result in a fee of $100 additional for our luggage, but this is a fee I am clearly willing to pay (pagar). You also have to be savvy about your carry-on baggage, as they also have to fit size (tamaño) and weight requirements, which is usually much easier to navigate (navigar) when you are already paying additional fees.

When you begin an effort like this, you also have to begin (empezar) to plan (planear) weeks before you pack, as you have to liberate (liberar) many things, and we have gifted a number of personal items, such as clothes (la ropa), athletic equipment, household items and personal hygiene products to our friends as parting gifts for their hospitality and support (la hospitalidad y apoyo). We have also been the recipients of an equal amount of good-bye gifts and have also purchased a number of items for friends and family for the holidays (las vacaciones).

As we sit with our bulging suitcases before us, we continue to remind ourselves (recordarnos) that it is not what you bring home, but that you make it home safely (con seguridad). We also hope that our things make it intact, but we also understand that things can be replaced and that the most important things on the plane (el avión) are, in effect, the passengers (los pasajeros), of which we are two.

Una Colección de Memorias – A Collection of Memories

2008-12-08T02:08:00.000-08:00

I have always enjoyed traveling, and also collecting memories (las memorias) of my travels and sharing them with my friends and family. Over the years, this has taken many forms, in the old days (en los días pasadas), I would take pictures with an instamatic camera and then go and have all the pictures (todas las fotos) developed. Next, I would go through the pictures, select the best ones (los mejores) and eliminate others and put the pictures in a photo album that I would often enhance with small reminders (unos recuerdos pequeños) from the trip, such as ticket stubs, flyers from events or information from restaurants and city sites.

As I got older and the technology (la tecnología) got better, I would take photos on my digital camera, which could hold some 200 (doscientos) pictures and I could review the shots almost instantaneously, selecting the best ones and removing the mistakes to the trash (a la basura). For a while, I would select the very best, and go to the local pharmacy (la farmacia local) and print out copies from the electronic formats and put them into other photos albums, again with memorabilia (los objetos de interés) from the travels. There was always something fun (divertida) about assembling such a scrapbook, a living memory from a wonderful time, to share (compartir) with others in a familiar setting and to explain (explicar) the trip in detail, information that was enhanced by a personal touch.

Today, I don’t really even print (imprimir) out pictures anymore, except perhaps a nice photo of my wife (mi esposa) and I on some romantic spot or some extra cool place that we can then put in a frame (un marco) and place on a mantel in our home, or on my desk (mi pupitre) at work. I have been slow to assemble (montar) any new photo albums that sit on my shelves at home, the events in these volumes, which in reality (en realidad) number around 15, sit stuck in time, reflecting many years effectively, but seemingly mired in the past (en el pasado), without some news from the recent events of our lives.

The current times are reflected completely (completamente) electronically, as the photo album of old has given way to the online (en línea) version, where albums can be assembled with great ease and all the photos can be shared with friends and family merely by sending them a link (un enlace) to click on in order to view all the pictures. Although you can add captions (las leyendas) and even share video along with the photos, and you can add (añadir) detailed text in the form of an online journal or blog, the intimacy (la intimidad) of sharing in person has given way to the convenience of sharing online. Yet, the memorabilia of a trip (un viaje), the things you encounter and hold as souvenirs (los recuerdos) or special reminders of actual events, seem to be left out of the loop (la lazada).

When I came to Santiago, I decided that I wanted to have a way to chronicle (mostrar) my memoires in many forms, most of which were online in order to share with friends and family back in the US. Yet, I also felt the need (la necesidad) to have a physical reminder in my apartment, a place where I could collect odds and ends (cosas distintas) and post them bulletin-board style, so that I could see where I had been and remember the events (los eventos) I had done in a nonlinear and free flowing manner. The resulting collage of ticket stubs (billetes), information from newspapers (los diarios) and magazines (las revistas), pamphlets (los folletos), flyers, restaurant napkins (las servilletas) and the like, all were taped to a shower curtain (una Cortina de la ducha) that hung taped to a door in the apartment.

The resulting collage became a tactical reminder, a work of art, eclectic (ecléctico) in nature, but practical in its presentation. It is important (importante) to share things you experience with others, but it is also just as important to make sure that you take the time to reflect (reflexionar) and to enjoy (disfrutar) the journey all along the way.

Un Horario Distinto – A Distinct Schedule

2008-12-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

I am a person who likes to set up and to follow (seguir) a schedule, sometimes it is really beneficial, some times it leads to selfish compulsion, but most times, it helps me to organize (organizar) myself and to add basic structure to my days and weeks, both at home and at work. As a professor, you have a lot of self-directed time, and I find that if I set a schedule (un horario) for myself each semester, I have a better balance in my life, both personal and professional. I have to make sure that I set aside specific time to exercise (hacer ejercicio), to learn (aprender) new things, to write (escribir) papers and to teach (ensenar) my classes. Sometimes, I even set up meetings with myself, so that I won’t give away the time that I might need to accomplish (lograr) my tasks, objectives and goals.

Yet, this fascination with order (la orden) and schedules can also lead to some interesting world views, in that at times, I am a bit too specific (bastante especifico) and schedule driven. As an educator, I make a big deal to my students that I start (empiezo) on time and end (termino) on time. In meetings (en las reuniones) that I lead, I am sure to set a specific agenda with a defined time limit (un limite del tiempo) that I send it out ahead of time. I often see this as a management strength (una esfuerza); something that is often echoed by my fellow North American colleagues, whom share my habits (mis hábitos) as well. We are taught in the US to value time and to do things quickly (rápido) and efficiently, which often translates to other cultures and uptight (tenso) and limiting.

For example, I live on the border of the US and Mexico and a number of our friends have roots (las raíces) in the Mexican culture, and when we are invited to their houses for a gathering, we will often ask them at what time we should arrive and how long the party (la fiesta) will take place. They often stare back in disbelief (la incredulidad) that we even consider both the beginning (la comienza) and the end (el fin) of a party, something that is defined more by the day than by the hour in the Mexican culture. It has even gotten so bad that we will ask that if a party is set to start at 7 PM, we will ask if it is gringo time, which means 7 PM on the dot (en punto), or Mexican time, which means about 9 PM, and we will adjust ourselves depending upon their response and direction.

In Santiago, this “gringo time” concept (concepto) has also caused us to demonstrate (demostrar) our differences with our Chilean friends, who like our Mexican friends, define events relatively, taking the time to enjoy (disfrutar) the moment, but also to extend (extender) it for a long period of time. A lunch in Chile can last 8 hours, and a party even more, and the idea is to set (emprender) a starting time, but the end is never scheduled and rarely discussed, it is something that just happens when everyone is ready to call (llamar) it quits. This is something that we have learned and have tried to be more flexible with throughout our time here in Santiago, but some times, our North American roots and love (el amor) of precision, even in public gatherings, comes out in public.

Recently, we had a gathering in our small apartment (nuestro chico departamento) here in Ñuñoa for our friends here and we set it up to be a 2-hour event from 7 to 9 PM that would be after work (después del trabajo) and before dinner. This is very common in the US, but it had our friends (nuestros amigos) here in stitches, unsure if we would make people leave at 9 PM, or just give each set of guests (los invitados) a 2 hour limit that we would somehow enforce with a list on a clipboard. Between snort laughs and of course, only in Spanish, we tried to say (decir) that we were flexible, while we desperately tried to cling (pegarse) to some type of schedule for the evening.

Our friends here got the last laugh (la risa final), as the 2 hour gathering was no less than 5 hours, and the lesson to be learned is that while it is good (bueno) to have a schedule, it is also best (mejor) not to limit those you really care about, and to enjoy all the time (todo el tiempo) you can together, regardless of the plan.

Una Vida Refresca – A Refreshing Life

2008-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone likes a cold drink (una bebida refresca), especially as the temperatures begin to heat up as spring (la primavera) sets in and begins to offer a glimpse of the summer (el verano) to come. In the southern United States, there is a tradition of serving of iced tea, a concoction that is very sweet (muy dulce), served with care over ice with lots of lemon. The secret (el secreto) to making the sweet tea is to boil (hervir) the tea first and add lots of sugar to the heated mixture and then allow it to cool (enfriar), so that the sweetness of the sugar is fused into the taste (el sabor) of the tea. It is certainly an acquired taste, but one that all southerners know and love.

In Chile, as the temperatures start to rise (subir) now in the month of December, and everyone begins to have (tener) thoughts of the end of the school year, which brings rise to plans for the summer, to vacations to the beach or to the mountains, to the north (al norte) and to the south (al sur), to places near and to places far away (muy lejos). It also signals the time for foods (las comidas) of the spring and summer, especially the fruits and vegetables that appear with great abundance (con grande abundancia). The fresh strawberries (las frutillas frescas), the wonderful cherries, the uniquely flavorful Custard apple (la chirimoya), the ripe melon and the luscious watermelon all make their appearances at the dinner table (la mesa) and at the picnics throughout the country.

It also brings a special drink that I liken to the sweet tea of the south, a drink that is like tea, but has a grain (un grano) at the bottom and also a pealed peach complete with pit in each glass. This drink, Mote con Huesillo, is a seasonal and wonderful cool drink, one that refreshes not only the thirst (el sed) but also the body (el cuerpo), as it is more like a full days meal all in one. Served best in a large glass (un vaso grande), the mote or husked wheat, sits at the bottom (al fondo) of the glass and has more than likely been soaking in the juice of the tea to which is added a dried peach, the huesillo.

The peach also adds its sweet and refreshing flavor to the mix (la mezcla), and as you cut off bits of it with your spoon (su cuchara), the pulp adds more taste to the tea. You alternate between sips of tea with the peach and scoops (las palas) of mote with your spoon. By the time you finish the drink, you are both refreshed and full (satisfecho), it’s almost like a carnation instant breakfast drink, without the chocolate aftertaste, but complete with all the nutrients (los nutrientes) for a full day of fun.

It is a signal (una señal) of summer, a time to get ready for the relaxation of vacations to come (venir), and is truly a unique and important part of Chile that I highly recommend.

Yo Soy un Puente – I Am a Bridge

2008-12-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Bridges (los puentes) are something with which I am very familiar and have lots of experience. Where I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the James River runs through the center of town (el centro de la ciudad) and divides the city into areas in the north, south, east and west. You transverse the city by continually crossing bridges to get (viajar) from one side to the other, to cover (ir) a distance over impassable terrain, in this case, rushing river water. Without the bridges, you would have a smaller world (un mundo más pequeño), a more local existence that would be mitigated and influenced by what was directly around you, not what you might see on the other side (al otro lado).

Where I currently in El Paso, Texas, there are a number (un numero) of bridges that link the border (la frontera) of the US and Mexico, in some ways covering the gap between two different cultures, two different countries (dos países diferentes) and two different cities. The bridges serve as lifelines of commerce (de comercio), where goods and services pass back and forth, from Juarez to El Paso and from many points throughout the US to many points (a muchos puntos) throughout Mexico. The bridges also serve as links (las enlaces) for people to move back and forth between two different places, some in cars, some on buses (los micros), some on foot (en pie), whatever the mode of transportation, people stream back and forth at every hour of the day, for every day of the year.

When I set out to come to Chile, I knew I would have an opportunity to learn (aprender) about a new culture and to share my own experiences as a citizen (un ciudadano) of the United States of America. The Fulbright Commission sent out information that talked about the role of the individuals for the US as cultural ambassadors (los embajadores culturales), in effect representing the US to the citizens of the host country, in my case, here in Santiago and throughout Chile. I knew this was something (algo) that was to be taken seriously, and something I certainly felt completely unprepared to do (hacer), I mean, I am a professor, not a member of Congress or the State department, I have no official training (no entrenamiento oficial) in being a liaison or a representative of any shape or form. But in some ways, that lack of training qualified me completely, to be able (poder) to present a true picture of a real person and to search (buscar) for that in others in my life in Chile.

I am a bridge (yo soy un puente), in that I represent my country here in Chile, and I am a face (una cara) of the US for many of the people I encounter, both academics, students and regular citizens, and I have a great chance to make this a truly positive experience, a real experience to remove (remover) misconceptions and to build (construir) relationships and cover new ground. I am also a bridge in that when I go back home to the US, I will now be an advocate (un defensor) for Chile, a person who understands the people, who knows the ways things are done, and how the culture in manifested into people’s daily lives (las vidas diarias de la gente). I am a bridge, in the same way that bridges span distances between two solid points of ground (la tierra), I span the distance between two countries and between two cultures.

I recently had a colleague (un colega) tell me that he enjoyed my academic contributions, but one thing that stood out to him, was that as a North American, I was able to have (tener) a positive impact on the students at UMCE. He mentioned that their experiences with me helped to shed some light (la luz) on the reality of the US, and that maybe we all have more in common than we are lead to believe (creer). I guess that is the best part of being a bridge, in that your real purpose is to allow others to cross the path (un camino) that you are upholding.

Un Día Especial y Familiar - A Special and Familiar Day

2008-12-02T05:23:00.000-08:00

Today is my Father’s birthday (cumpleaños) and he would have turned 87 if he had not passed away in 1999, just a few months past turning 77. It is a day that I celebrate in a special and familiar way (una manera especial y familiar), a day in which I have lots of quiet reflections about my Dad, about his impacts (sus impactos) on my life, his interactions as the head (la cabeza) of our family, and of course, how he treated other people. I know it is also a day that others in my family take the time to reflect (reflexionar) upon; I have discussed this with my Mom, who has now turned 85, as well as my older brother (mi hermano mayor) and my sister (mi hermana). It is hard to believe that it has almost been 10 years (diez anos) since my Dad died, but his impact on my life continues to today.

My Dad was a great guy (un hombre bueno), a true larger than life figure; a member of the Greatest Generation, a man who set off to World War II as a young adult, who rose to be a Capitan in the Army (el ejercito). My Dad fought under the command of General George Patton, who made such a strong impression upon him that my brother’s middle name (medio nombre) is Patton. My Dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was in Berlin when it fell, a true American heroic story, echoed throughout that generation (esa generación) for eternity. My Dad was only 21 when the War started and only 25 when he was leading other younger men to the finish (el fin) of the War before turning home. I look back on my life and have to admit (admitir) that at 25, I was no where near that point, in terms of responsibility and maturity (la responsabilidad y la madurez), and in some ways, I am not sure I can match it even now.

My Dad always valued education, coming back from the War and heading to the university (la universidad) as a newlywed on the GI bill. He became an engineer (un ingeniero) and later a successful business man, using his abilities to lead (conducir) and to understand (comprender) situations quickly. He provided a great life for his family, rising through the struggles (las luchas) to provide opportunities for his children to achieve in their own lives without the worry (la preocupación) of resources, both financial and familiar. For me, my Dad always supported my plans in school and was the first to promote (promover) the value of an education, and he sent me to the university not once or twice, but through graduate school as well (también).

By the time I was pursuing my doctorate (mi doctorado), I was well on my own, married and managing my own education, but my dad always encouraged my academic pursuits (mis actividades académicas). Although he passed away before I obtained my doctorate, I did try and honor him and his impact on me by including him in the acknowledgements (los reconocimientos) of my dissertation, and also by attending my graduation to receive my doctorate, something I had not done at any other level (ninguna otra nivel), never attending a graduation since high school. I thought this might be a moment (un momento) he would be proud of, and that I would put aside my selfish manner and participate in a ceremony (una ceremonia) not for myself, but to honor a guy who had contributed mightily to the success I had achieved, who had shown me how to be the man I am today (hoy).

The ultimate thing (la ultima cosa) that I always remember about my Dad, not only on his birthday, but almost everyday of the year (del ano), is how he would talk about people in one of two ways. He always said to me, “In the world, there are givers and takers, which one are you going to be?” Even as a young kid or a middle-aged man, that saying rings true (verdad), and my Dad showed me in his life how to be giver and how that was the right choice to make (hacer). In some ways, that is all it is about for me, and the world (e mundo) is full of takers all around, some unknown in my life, some close and well known. But, with the help of my Dad (mi padre), both in his life and in his memory, I can choose to be a giver each and everyday (todos los días).

Al Fin de la Calle y un Poco Más – The End of the Road and a Little More

2008-12-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

I live on a cul-de-sac in El Paso, which is a fancy way of saying I live on a dead end road (una calle sin salida). I don’t think of this as a metaphor (una metáfora) for any state of mind or body that is going on in my life, but (pero) I do acknowledge that it does have an inherent symbolism (el simbolismo) built into it. I truly like living at the end (el fin) of a dead end road, as it is relatively traffic free, only my neighbors (mis vecinos) or an occasional lost person really shows up at the end of my block (mi cuadra). Sure, we get visitors to our house, but you really have to want (querer) to go (ir) there, I mean, it is not a short cut to anywhere, it is merely a destination unto itself, a place where you can only go and then turn around (dares vuelta) and leave the same way you came.

When I was growing up, I lived on a corner (un rincón) of a pretty busy road in a neighborhood of families with kids (con niños) coming and going on all throughout the day. It didn’t seem like there was much traffic (mucho trafico) there, until my Dad was retried and he began to count (contra) the number of cars that went past our house each day (cada día), and to try and to implement (implementar) a plan to put in speed bumps or a traffic light (semáforo) or something like that, which of course, never happened. When I was a kid (cuando estaba joven), I used to go down to the nearby cul-de-sac to play in the streets with my friends, to have a quiet and undisturbed area free of cars (sin autos) and people wandering through the neighborhood, just a place where we could safely practice (practicar) on our bikes, skateboards (las patinetas) or engage in competitive games of kickball.

In Santiago, I live on the tenth floor (el decimos piso) of an apartment building, and although the area is relatively quiet, traffic, both vehicles and people (vehículos y gente ambos), stream by all hours of the day, from dawn to dusk and well into the night. I have also been throughout the city (la ciudad) and the country (el campo) seemingly with people wherever I turn, never really alone (solo) or at ease, like in a cul-de-sac road. In some ways, here, there are no dead ends, and perhaps (quizás) that is another metaphor for my life, in that there is always a new path to explore (explorar), a new opportunity to uncover (destapar), a new door to open and to walk on through to see what is there on the other side (al otro lado).

I even went on a road recently (recientemente) with friends, and we go to the last town on a mountain road, which sat at the foot (al pie) of the Andes, which loomed tall and majestic all around us. As we drove on a dirt road (una calle de tierra), we came to what I thought was the end of the road, the cul-de-sac in the mountains, and that we would have to stop (parar) and to hike on foot from here, or turn around and head back the way (el camino) we came. Yet, as we drove past the stop sign, and headed into what to me seemed the veritable abyss (el abismo), suddenly a new road opened up, a new path was before us to explore that took us to new heights, to new locations, to things we had not seen or experienced in nature (en la naturaleza) during our time in Chile.

I guess the message is that sometimes it is important (es muy importante) to go to the end of the road, and to look for how things will continue (continuar) to another place. In that sense, the cul-de-sac is merely an attitude (un actitud), not a destination, and perhaps the important point is that even when you come to something (algo) that appears to be a dead end, there is still something new to see (mirar), to learn (aprender) and to experience (experimentar), if you give it a try.

Mi Vida es como un Rio – My Life is like a River

2008-11-30T03:58:00.000-08:00

I have always considered myself (mi mismo) a planner, a person who likes to be organized and have goals (unas metas) about what I want to accomplish in my personal and professional life, as well as things I want to improve (mejorar) and to learn anew, and I often have to plan (planear) out my days, weeks and months in order to meet these goals, refinements and beginnings. I don’t consider myself someone (alguno) who plans in a straight line, although I know the mathematical principle that state the shortest distance (la distancia mas próxima) between any two points is a straight line (una línea recta), I am more as a seeker, a searcher, who sets out on a path (en un camino), and makes adjustments along the way, looking for new opportunities to learn and to grow (crecer) as the driver behind my personal journey.

I remember when I was first an undergraduate in college (la universidad), and a number of my classmates (mis alumnos) had their academic careers already planned out in the first semester of their freshman year. Many had goals to finish (terminar) their undergraduate degrees with specific majors and minors, in order to leverage their chances to move (mover) quickly into graduate and doctoral work, whether it be academic, business (los negocios), law (la ley) or medicine (la medicina). Many of my friends had a plan that seemed to be a straight line, which they in fact (de hecho) knew where they were going and how they were going to get there quickly. I had trouble then with this approach and I still have trouble with it today.

It is not that I don’t set goals, heck, I set goals all the time (todo los días), and it is not that I don’t have a plan, I certainly do and create schedules (los horarios) for myself that I stick to with seemingly unwavering self discipline. Yet, I have never had the desire (el deseo) to make a plan that was so cause and effect that I could plan out a series of events in my own life that would put me at a calculated next level (la próxima nivel). I have always had to give (dar) myself a lot of wiggle room in order to allow for change and circumstance to in effect be a guide (un guía) to the types of new learning and additional plans I would want to make (hacer) in my life. My journey, both personal and professional, has not been a straight line, no, it has been a river (un río), with long and winding stretches that do not seem (no aparece) to move with any great directed purpose, but upon reflection or from a position (una posición) of perspective, do connect the points, the beginnings, the ends and all points in between.

My life is like a river, one that started on the shores of my youth (mi juventud) and wound through the days of my childhood into my adulthood to bring me to today (hoy en dia). Along the way, I have had times where the journey has been gentle (sencillo), where the current of life is nurturing, slow and easy (fácil). It is in these times that I understand that life (la vida) is a blessing and that I have to enjoy the comfort and care of all that is around me, in fact, I am like a leaf (una hoja) floating along in a stream, being carefully carried from one place to another (un lugar al otro), moving forward all the time, but with great care (con gran cuidado). At other times, I find myself in deep water (el agua profundo), where the river is wide (ancho) and the current is quick (rápido), where I am moved at great distances in short periods of time, where I cannot fight the forces (las fuerzas) that are guiding me and I cannot turn to the direct right (la derecha) or left (la izquierda), I can only aim for distance points on the horizon and hope that I can steer myself to them.

There are other times (hay otros tiempos) where I enter more white water along the river of life, where the once gentle and rolling stream gives way to a rocky and tumultuous path that is fraught with danger (peligro). At his point, the journey is one that seemingly has no clear path from beginning to end (de la empieza al fin), but is filled with much shorter and more rapid connections, to move safely from point to point (punto a punto), to reassess, to readjust and to make a connections between new points on the fly (en el momento). In addition, the rivers of life can turn into waterfalls (unas cascadas), where change means moving to different levels very quickly, understanding within yourself that you did not plan for this to happen (ocurrir) and that your only hope is to hang (colgar) on for dear life.

I guess my point is that while we plan in order to (para) accomplish things in life, to give ourselves tangible goals to achieve (obtener) and a variety of experiences to have (tener) in life, there is no true straight path that leads you from beginning to end, and that is what makes the journey (el viaje) so interesting. With that perspective, I believe (creo), you give yourself that chance (la oportunidad) to go not only where you want to go (ir), but also to go where you also might be needed.

Día de Acción de Gracias – Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-27T04:02:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Day (Día de Acción de Gracias) is a unique holiday that is set apart for people in the United States of America to publically acknowledge the beginning (la empieza) of our country, to celebrate the bounty of the harvest that was found in the new world, to understand (comprender) that peace among diversity was possible and of course, to offer thanks to God for the blessings (las bendiciones) that have been afforded, both temporal and eternal. It is not a holiday that is celebrated or even acknowledged in other parts of the world, as it is a distinct day (un dia especial) for people from the USA to honor family and participate in traditions, such as a feast of turkey (el pavo), pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes (papas pure) and other culinary favorites, as well as the obligatory nap (descanso) in the afternoon followed by watching the NFL special broadcast of American Football.

For me, the chance to spend (gastar) the fourth Thursday in November, the day set aside for the Thanksgiving holiday, in Santiago, Chile also reminded me that I am still a long way (muy lejos) from home. To my colleagues here, this Thursday is just another spring day, at the university a signal (un señal) that the end of the semester is near, and that summer break is on its way (en camino). For others, it is just a sign that November is almost over, and with December comes the holiday of Christmas (la Navidad) followed by New Year’s (El Ano Nuevo) celebrations, points that are important for family and friends here in Chile and around the world, but not this day, not Thanksgiving as a holiday.

Many of my Chilean friends (mis amigos chilenos) have asked me about Thanksgiving, to them it is a foreign holiday, meaning it is something they do not completely understand in its reasons, manners or traditions (sus razones, maneras o tradiciones). In some ways, Thanksgiving day in Chile is a lot like me, overlooked at times, seen as something in the distance, something foreign (algo extraño), not connected or integrated into the life at hand. Yet, in other ways, Thanksgiving is alive and well around the world, even in Chile, where American colleagues living abroad take the time to gather and to celebrate (celebrar) this holiday together. In fact, on this day of Thanksgiving, I am attending a luncheon put on by the US Embassy, which provides a chance to honor (honorar) this traditional holiday in a nontraditional environment and setting.

I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season, my faith (mi fe), my wife (mi esposa), my family (mi familia), my friends (mis amigos) and my work (mi trabajo). I am truly thankful for the experience that I have been afforded with the Fulbright US Scholars program, which has given me the gift (el regalo) of immersion into another culture and into another language. I am thankful of the support (el apoyo) I have had from others, both here and back home, as an experience like this over 5 months requires cooperation and coordination from a team (un equipo), not merely from any one individual. I am thankful that I have been humbled in my days in Chile, and that I have also been allowed to grow (crecer) and to flourish in new directions. I am also thankful that I will soon be returning home, to reconnect with my family and friends, to reintegrate (reintegrar) into the US society, and to be able to apply what I have learned in ways to benefit my community and nation (mi comunidad y nación).

Yes, I am truly thankful this day in November, although the world (el mundo) around me will move along like just another Thursday in the working week (la semana laboral). But my walk will be different today, and probably in some ways, will be different from here on out, as in reality (en realidad), I am reminded that each day (cada día) is Thanksgiving day, because we there is some much to be thankful (agradecido) for in this blessing we call life.

Un Examen Final – A Final Exam

2008-11-26T06:29:00.000-08:00

I have been in school (la escuela) for a long time, for many years as a student and as a teacher. During those many years, I have had to take a number of tests (las pruebas), some tests of basic abilities, such as standardized tests for admission to programs, universities or state licenses (licencias del estado). I have had to take other tests, more performance based, that often have come in job interviews and auditions. I have also found that I have an ability (una habilidad) to do well on tests, to think well on my feet, to respond to the pressure of time limits and to be able (poder) to recall information in the heat of the moment. Yet, even with all my experience, I recently found myself tested in a way that I could not have imagined (nunca he imaginado), and upon reflection, it was almost like a final exam within my time in South America.

I went to Argentina to do a series of workshops (una seria de talleres), and for a period of about 48 hours, found myself in Concepción del Uruguay, in the province of Entre Rios in Argentina. In this setting (En este lugar), I was tasked with a challenging set of performance tasks that called on all my abilities as an educator (un educador), an entertainer, a teacher (un maestro) and a learner, but above all, to be called upon as an expert in science education from the United States of America (los Estados Unidos). Of course, I also had to do all my interactions and tasks in Spanish, and within a number of unique and challenging settings.

On the first morning, I did a demonstration (una demostración) for a group of approximately 250 students and my demo was done on the physics of action science and included concepts in forces, motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion and simple machines. I performed for the group (el grupo) at the Colegio JJ de Urquiza, located opposite of the central plaza and established in 1850. I did the lecture and demonstration completely in Spanish. There was a lot of interest (mucha interés) in the class as well as a large crowd that gathered that included both faculty and other students on the campus. The idea was to engage the students in a constructivist activity that would motivate them to work in physics and the concepts associated with their curriculum.

After a quick shower (una ducha rápida) and a quick change to professional attire, I went to the University of Concepción del Uruguay (UCU) and gave a workshop on the concept of the center of gravity and used a constructivist approach that centered on the aspects of engagement, exploration and explanation. The workshop was for 150 minutes and the physics faculty (profesores de física) interacted with me in a brainstorm session and then viewed a small video clip of the use of the center of gravity in action sports. After this, I put students into groups of 3-4 members and had them do a hands-on (manos en la masa) activity on this concept using materials that are readily available in schools, such as cardboard, string, paper clips and pencils. After the activity (Después de la actividad), we had a discussion on the methods and the content and I finished with a short presentation on the constructivist method of teaching and learning (enseñanza y aprendizaje).

In the afternoon (por la tarde) on the same day, I did a demonstration for a group of approximately 250 students and my demo was done on the basics in physics of action science and included concepts (los conceptos) in forces and simple machines. I performed for the group at the Escuela Normal M. Moreno, and I did the lecture and demonstration completely in Spanish. There was a lot of excitement in the group as well as a large crowd that gathered that included both faculty and other students on the campus. After this and another quick shower and change of clothes (un cambio de ropa), I gave a workshop to approximately 50 teachers on the use of questioning strategies and inquiry (la indagación) demonstrations in science. I also had them do a hands-on activity, and we engaged in a group discussion on constructivist methods as well.

The next morning, I had a workshop with a group of supervisors (los supervisores) and directors for schools on the ideas of Transformative Education, the use of Inquiry Science in the Classroom and the practical ways (una maneras practicas) of being a constructivist in a traditional school setting. This was also the most academic of my workshops and lasted for 3 hours (tres horas). I did engage the group in content presentations over items related to Problem-based learning (aprendizaje basado en problemas), Action Science and Constructivist principles and applications. I also lead the group in an inquiry activity that focused on the use of simple machines in the construction of a catapult (una catapulta). The teams also engaged in a brief competition in this activity, which also demonstrated the differences (las diferencias) of the constructivist classroom, with a student-centered approach, collaboration among teams, active learning, teacher facilitation and questioning as a basis for content discovery (el descubrimiento del contenido).

At the end (en el fin) of all of this, as I sat on the bus heading back to Buenos Aires, I could not help but start to smile (sonreír) and realize that I had truly accomplished something that I could not have done some 5 months ago. I had to work (trabajar) with people I had never met, to demonstrate (demostrar) my abilities as an educator in settings as unique as any I had ever encountered, and also had to adjust throughout each day (cada día) for the different audiences, ranging from elementary students (estudiantes elementarías) to university professors and everyone in between. In some ways, I has to use all sides (todos los lados) of my brain, the front and the back, from top to bottom (arriba al abajo), on my own, without a net (sin nido), just going for it. I think that is the best revelation of them all, that when you want a transformative experience, and have been given the gift (el regalo) of the opportunity, to go for it and make the most of it, is something to take to each day that comes, not only at final exam time (el tiempo de un examen final).

Todo el Camino al Uruguay - All the Way to Uruguay

2008-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of countries in the world, and a great number that I have never (nunca) seen in person. In North America, we have 3 (tres) primary countries, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. As you cross the border (la frontera) past Mexico and enter Central America, the number of countries increases and the stories (las historias) of their origins are diverse and unique. Coming into the continent (el continente) of South America, there are many countries (muchos países) as well, like Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and of course, Chile. I hope to visit as many places as I could in Chile during (durante) my 5 months in South America, and visiting Argentina recently was an added bonus as well. But recently, I had the chance (la oportunidad) to set foot on another country as well, with a visit (un viaje) for the day to Uruguay.

On a Saturday morning in the spring (en la primavera), Sarah and I set out early from Buenos Aires in order to head to the Bueque Bus area, where ships (los barcos), both cargo and passenger vessels, embark regularly for many places (muchos lugares) throughout South America. There is also a simple, straight shot of a boat ride across the Rio Plata that takes you from the land (la tierra) of the porteños directly to Uruguay, where you can visit one of two (uno de dos) primary locations, the large vacation spot of Montevideo or the gentle historic location of Colonia. With time already spend in the capital city of Buenos Aires; we opted for a chance (la posibilidad) to see Colonia, to visit Uruguay with an eye (un ojo) on the past and of course, to get another country stamp into our passports.

As we crossed the chocolate colored waters (las aguas) of the Rio Plata in the boat, and 1 hour later reached the shores of Colonia, we found ourselves in a group (un grupo) on a tour bus, as we had signed up for a one day tour of the town (el pueblito). In many ways, this is something I would never to in the US, as I always opt for having the freedom to explore (explorar) on my own, and whenever possible, to travel by car (un auto) to the destination. Yet, in South America, being a part of a tour makes sense, not only because you can save (ahorrar) time by not constantly haggling and bartering for lower prices on transportation or searching schedules (los horarios) nonstop, but also because you can just kick back, learn about a new place, and have someone else focus on the details (los detalles).

Colonia or Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by Portuguese settlers, who built wonderful stone buildings (los edificios de piedra) and stone streets, many of which are still standing today (hoy). The town has many museums and ruins, and runs right up to the shore of the river, sitting on the edge (el borde) of a channel leading out into the Atlantic Ocean. In this peaceful setting, it harkens me back to a place like Santa Fe, NM, as it is a site filled with artists (los artistas) and with a general cultural coolness that is unique in both attitude and architecture (en actitud y arquitectura también). Couple that with the classic American cars, such as the Plymouth Fury and the Ford Falcon, on the streets, and you feel that you not only have stepped back into time, but have experienced something timeless (eterno) as well.

Upon the return to Argentina and entering the city of Buenos Aires, we visitors (los visitantes) from Chile, from Argentina, from the US, and many other places, from parts near or far away, had a chance to gaze (mirar) upon the skyline of the capital city at sunset (atardecer). This site welcomed us back, as I imagine it has to many fellow sojourners (viajeros) in the days of yore, linking us to the past, while bringing us completely back to the present moment (al momento presente).

Poniendo Dos Pies en Patagonia – Putting Two Feet in Patagonia

2008-11-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

Recently, I left for Argentina in order to participate (participar) in a series of workshops in the southern, central and northern parts of the country. The invitation to join (juntar) in this seemingly disconnected series of events (los eventos) came at the request of Fulbright Argentina and the Ministry of Education in Argentina, who are engaged in the 2008 Year of Science in the country. The program (el programa) was put together mainly through ProFOR (Programa de Formación y Capitación para el Sector Educativo), who established the agendas and made the final arrangements on locations (las locaciones). I worked directly with their offices to set up my materials and to establish the agenda for the workshops that would be held in Villa Angostura (near Bariloche in Patagonia), Buenos Aires, the capital city, and Concepción del Uruguay, in the providence (la provincia) of Entre Rios 4 hours north of the capital.

Sarah and I arrived in Villa Angostura in the afternoon (por la tarde) after a flight to Buenos Aires, a transport to another airport, for domestic flights and the final flight to Bariloche, and then via bus (un micro) to Villa Angostura. In this remote and beautiful setting, a group of Science education professors from the University of Buenos Aires had set up a weeklong workshop for students who were in programs to become (para ser) science teachers, in the areas of biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics. The group also had a series (una seria) of master teachers involves, and had participants from many locations, including Ushuaia, Mendocino and Buenos Aires.

That evening, I did a demonstration (una demostración) for the group and my demo was done on the physics of action science (ciencia de acción) and included concepts in forces (las fuerzas), motion (el movimiento), Newton’s Laws of Motion and simple machines (maquinas simples). I performed for the group of approximately 50 students, and did the lecture and demonstration completely in Spanish (completamente en Castellano). There was a lot of interest in the class as well as a large crowd (un muchedumbre grande) that gathered that included both faculty and other students on the campus. The idea was to engage (enfocar) the students in a constructivist activity that would motivate them to work in physics and the concepts associated with their curriculum (plan de estudios).

The next day, I gave a workshop (un taller) on the concept of the center of gravity and used a constructivist method (el método constructivista) that centered on the aspects of engagement, exploration and explanation. The workshop was for 90 minutes and the students interacted with me in a brainstorm session (una lluvia de ideas) and then viewed a small video clip of the use of the center of gravity (el centro de gravedad) in action sports. After this, I put students into groups of 3-4 members and had them do a hands-on activity (una actividad) on this concept using materials that are readily available in schools, such as cardboard (el carton), string (el hilo), paper clips and pencils (los lápices). After the activity, we had a discussion on the methods and the content (el contenidoo) and I finished with a short presentation on the constructivist method of teaching and learning.

For this type of approach, I use the term “action science” which can be defined as the use of familiar objects (los objetos familiares), circumstances and situations within the lives of students in order to explain (explicar) specific concepts in science built around student interests, including action sports like skateboarding and bicycle motocross (BMX). Transformative education (educación trasformativa) is a process in which the student moves from beyond acquiring factual knowledge and becomes changed in some meaningful way by what he or she learns. Students learn to consider (considerar) multiple points of view, to question (preguntar) assumptions and values and beliefs, while always seeking to verify (verificar) reasoning. The goal (la meta) of this approach is to make middle school science transformative through action science.

For me, the chance to have (tener) to think (pensar) on my feet in another language and to gauge whether my ideas and approach to education would translate to a place that I had never been (nunca he estado). As I interacted with the entire group (el grupo entero), I had to acknowledge that this was a good idea and that this had translated to a successful experience. I believe I am now on my way to a new place (un lugar nuevo), somewhere I have never been, and I am looking forward to discovering where this new road (este camino nuevo) will lead me.

La Naturaleza del Viajero – The Nature of the Traveler

2008-11-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and as a young person, I always wanted to hurry and leave the city of my birth (mi nacimiento). I started traveling at an early age, making it to California on my own by the time I was fifteen, and throughout high school (el colegio), like most young people, I wanted to spread my wings (mis alas) and travel to new places. This continued into college, and by the time I read Kerouac’s On the Road, I was ready to infuse (infundir) that troubadour spirit and search for new journeys and new locations (los lugares nuevos) in a more extensive and far reaching effort. The road (el camino) would call and I would head out, sometimes with friends (con amigos), some times alone (solo), but always heading out and returning to Richmond, to my family (mi familia) and my home (mi casa).

As I grew older, I had more opportunities to travel (viajar) all around the US, and have to date visited forty-three of the fifty states and have plans to finish my list (mi lista) before I turn fifty years old. I enjoy the freedom (la libertad) that one can get from moving around the US, and also from seeing the ways (las maneras) of living in the south, north, east and west. The diversity of terrain and the people is one of the things that make the US great, with its wide-open spaces (los espacios grandes), beautiful scenes, small towns, large cities and the roots of its inhabitants that extend to every other country around the world.

In addition, I have found that I enjoyed traveling both (ambos) in the US and other countries, and took the time to visit many wonderful locations throughout Mexico and Canada, as well as places in Europe, such as England and Scotland, and even to more exotic and far away places (lugares tan lejos) like Greece and Israel. By the time I made it to South America, to Chile, Argentina and even further south, to Antarctica, I knew that living away (afuera) from the US for a period of time, something that had only been a dream, could in fact be a reality (una realidad). With the five months afforded by the Fulbright US Scholars program, that dream (ese sueno) has indeed become a reality. This experience had also impacted me greatly and this immersion experience has taught me many things (muchas cosas), some good and some I need to change (cambiar), in both my personal and professional life.

The more I traveled, the more I felt connected to the world (el mundo), but also the more I began to understand (comprender) that here was and is not a single solitary way to do things in life. I believe we tend to live a bit sheltered and country-centric in the US, and that we often see our way as the only way, and consequently, somewhat unintentionally I believe, we (nosotros) from the USA try and impose our will and agenda on others, even in their own countries (sus propios países). This can lead to great frustration on both sides of these interactions, especially if there is a language barrier (una barrera del idioma) as well. I have found that the more I get around, the more these barriers disappear, especially if you are willing to change (cambiar) yourself and not inflict the need for change upon others.

Yes, I have traveled by plane (en avión), by train (en tren), by bus (en micro), by car (en auto), and by boat (en barco), on many journeys, some that were long and some that were short. Living in Chile for five months has had its challenges, many of which I have noted, and for someone who has a home (una casa), a job (un trabajo) and a life (una vida) in the US, this is a lot of time to be away. But sometimes in life, it is important to take some different steps (unos pasos diferentes), to gain a new perspective on your own life and on your own goals (sus propias metas) as well. Living, working and traveling in South America this past year has brought me to a new place, and it is that new place, that new perspective (la perspectiva nueva), which I look forward to implementing anew, once I return back home.

Más Tiempo Afuera que en Casa – More Time Away that at Home

2008-11-20T07:41:00.001-08:00

We count time (el tiempo) in years, in months, in days, in hours, in minutes and in seconds, and it seems that there is a continual struggle (una lucha continua) to have more time to get more things accomplished. In reality (en realidad), time is a finite and man-made mechanism that follows the rhythms (los ritmos) of the Earth, and provides a context for when to work, when to sleep (dormir) and when to play (jugar). Naturally, our bodies would follow a rhythm that follows the day, but with an awareness of time, we structure our days (los días) and months (los meses) and years (los anos) to have time to do the necessary things in our lives as well as the rewarding personal things we choose to do (hacer).

There are 365 days in a year, except for leap years, when there are 366 days, as an extra day (un día más) is added to the end of February (febrero), which I believe is done to make up for the quarter day that is extra each and every year (todos los anos). Whatever the case, the point is that the year is a measure of time, and as I get older, each year seems to move (mover) faster while I am desperately clinging to hold on to each day. To people that are young (joven), each day is a lifetime, but to those of us who are adults (adultos), each day becomes another step closer to growing up and to growing older.

Yet, in a past calendar year spanning from November (noviembre) 2007 to November 2008, I came to understand (entender) that I had spent more time in South and Central America than I had in North America, in fact, I had spent more time away from the United States than in the my home country (mi país). Beginning in November of 2007, I went to Santiago, Chile for a period of about 2 weeks, in December and January, I was in Argentina and Antarctica for a period of three weeks (tres semanas). Upon my return from this trip, I immediately went to Monterrey, Mexico and in the spring (la primavera) of 2008, I also visited Juárez, Mexico a number of times. In July of 2008, I left for Santiago, Chile where I have been until now. During that time (durante este tiempo), I have visited Argentina twice, traveled to the north and south in Chile and have also made it to Uruguay. When I stopped to count (contar) it up over the course of the year, I realized that I had spent closer to 200 days away (afuera) and only about 165 back home.

Whatever the exact numbers, the point (el punto) is that with this kind of experience, it certainly changes a person and begs for self-reflection and individual perspective (una perspectiva individual). I have had a chance to see the US from a distance (lejos), to learn about the news back home from other sources, some in English and some in Spanish. I have experienced a presidential election abroad and have also had to defend (defender) my country; our ideals and liberties, our politics (nuestras políticas) and our culture, and I think this has made me a better American, whether in the south or the north.

The question I have is, what kind of citizen (ciudadano) will I be when I return home? Will I have the patience to spend the time over the next year in my life (mi vida) in the United States or have I entered a new realm in which only time away will be rewarding? I think that my life will be changed, and I have to say (decir) that it already has, but I think my time will come, over the next calendar year (el próximo ano), to apply (aplicar) what I have learned back home and to model a new perspective (una perspectiva nueva) for my fellow North Americans.

El Regalo de la Libertad – The Gift of Freedom

2008-11-13T06:00:00.001-08:00

Freedom (la libertad) is something that almost everyone hopes to have in their lives and this can be manifested in multiple ways (en muchas maneras), such as freedom of speech, freedom of choice and freedom of religion. Freedom can be expressed in many ways as well, in the manner in which you dress (vestirse), in the type of music and entertainment you prefer or in the choices that are available (disponible) in a restaurant or shopping center. Having grown up in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave (casa de los valientes), freedom has been a constant and unwavering characteristic of my entire life.

Yet, with freedom also comes the ideas of the price (el precio) by which that freedom was purchased or garnered over time. By that, I mean that freedom itself is an ideal, and to be able to live (vivir) free is both a priveledge and an honor, something that not all societies can claim or express. For me, freedom has come through a legacy (un legado) of my own family, relatives (los parientes) who have served in the aimed forces and people who have participated in conflicts around the globe and throughout the ages. For example, in my own immeditate family (en mi familia), my grandfather (mi abuelo) participated in World War I, my father (mi padre) fought for freedom in World War II and my brother (mi hermano) was engaged in the conflict in Viet Nam. With current military engagements in the Middle East and with thousands (miles) of troops deployed overseas, the cost of maintaining freedom at home continues to be paid for us all.

Living in a foreign country also presents a unique perspective (una perspectiva única) on the idea of freedom, as being free in a society also implicitely implies that one understands the boundaries (los limites) of that freedom and the rules by which freedom is particioned. I mean, real freedom implies choice, an ability to relocate (trasladar), to redefine (redefinir) or to reinvent (reinventar) oneself, depending on your dreams and goals, your personal direction and beliefs (las creencias). In Chile, the freedom is often expressed in the way one can move about the ecountry, changing location and climate zone, mixing with new people in wonderfully unique locations, such as the deserts of Antofogasta, the lakes (los lagos) of Chiloé, or the hustle and bustle of the metropolis of Santiago. Chile offers a lot of choice, and hence, a lot of freedom, soemthing that has also been fought for and won over throughout the centuries (los siglos) of its existence.

Freedom is also a state of mind, to be free is to be unburdened, to be light (ligero) in this world, to hold things loosely, knowing that eventually all things fade away and become dust, including you and me. This is not something to despair (perder las esperanzas), but something to embrace (abrazar), to recognize that the liberties we enjoy, whether they be the freedom to travel, to vote or to choose our path (nuestro comino) in life can be facilitated in the spirito of freedom only if you have the guts to live free in spirit (en espíritu) and mind.

Un Mes Más a Ir – One More Month To Go

2008-11-10T10:42:00.001-08:00

There have been many milestones (los hitos) on my journey to Chile and many incredible experiences that I have been able to achieve (lograr) during this time here. I have been here now around 120 days and have 30 days left until I return to the US, one more month to go (un mes más a ir), a mere 20% of my time remaining. What seemed like an eternity (una eternidad) a few months ago, especially at the first 30 day mark, has now come to the other side (el otro lado), and as the days start to flee in Chile, the days in which I will be back home beckon me closer and closer (más cerca).

I can look back and remember the difficulties (las dificultades) I had in my first 30 days, in that I was but a child (un niño) here in Chile, seemingly with limited skills and experiences. I had to learn to walk (caminar) and to talk (hablar), before I could leap and converse, and over the next number of days, until about the halfway point (la mitad)at day 75, I was steadily gaining in experience and maturing into an adolescent (un adolescente). As I made it to day 100, I was coming into my own, with a sense of youthful bravado (bravuconería) and false confidence, signifying that my transition was that of a young adult (un joven).

Yet, today (hoy), as I sit on the verge of the final push toward the end (el fin), I am gripped by the revelation that I still have so much to learn (aprender) and seemingly so little time left in which to accomplish (lograr) it. At the same time, I do have to stop (parar) and push back on my reflections, and have to admit, even in my thoughts, that I have progressed (he progresado) quite a bit from where I began and hopefully am on the right track to where I need to be going. It also leads me to other questions (otras preguntas) as well, such as am I ready to return to the US? Will I be different when I get home? Will I be able to functions better than I did in the past? Will I fit in? Will I be able to apply what I have learned and not merely se this as an anomaly (anomalía) in my life?

These are the open ended questions (preguntas abiertas) that are part of the focus from here on out, as well as the need to finish (terminar) what I have started. I am a firm believer that it is harder to finish something than to start (comenzar) it, and I certainly remember the humbling efforts it has taken to get this far on my journey (mi viaje) in Chile that brings me to today. Yet, I see the horizon (el horizonte), and know that I have to finish strong, to continue (continuar) to redeem (rescatar) the time, to take advantage of what is before me, to stay immersed in each moment as it comes my way, as if it were the only moment (el único momento) I may get.

I know I still have a lot to learn, but do feel like I can contribute in a real way that is leading me to new places (los lugares nuevos). In that sense, I think I have grown as a young adult and although I still have room to grow (crecer), I am more excited about the contribution I can give rather than just the personal gain I can take from this experience. With 30 days left to go, perhaps (quizás) I am finally starting to grow up a bit as well.

La Vista de mi Terraza – The View from my Balcony

2008-11-09T10:30:00.001-08:00

There is a big world (un mundo grande) out there, and a big part of it seems to live (vivir) in and around Santiago. As I travel around the city, I am taken aback by the incredible amount of construction that is going on, as an old building (un edificio antiguo) is torn down and a new high-rise structure put in its place. This is surely happening all this area, as you can see the construction of new homes (casas nuevas), new shopping centers and new apartment buildings. Out with the old and in with the new, but the new is not only modern; it is also tall and high (alto y elevado). A dominant fixture in the new Santiago is this commitment to growing up and up, but one interesting aside to this all is the views (las vistas) from the top.

One of the things (unas de las cosas) I really enjoy doing when I am home is sitting on the porch and relaxing. At my home in El Paso, I can site in my chair (mi silla) on my back porch and look out over an area with relatively few people (poca gente), a view of the mountains and nearby open fields in reality dominating the scenery. In fact, there are more birds (los aves) to watch than people, and the tranquility (la tranquilidad) of the setting is one of peace and quiet, a serene location to reflect, to unwind and above all, to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life (la vida diaria).

My life in Santiago, as I have reported, is very different (muy diferente) from my life back home, especially in the view I have outside (adentro) of my apartment. While I don’t have a porch, I do have a balcony (una terraza), with sits high above on the tenth floor of this building, and faces the west (el oeste), with a nice view of the Andes in the distance. It also puts me in a position to see out over the city (sobre la ciudad), but what I am most readily confronted with is the other high rise apartment buildings that are all around me, and additionally, all the other people on all the other balconies, enjoying their own time (sus propios tiempos) of reflection and relaxation, and in some ways, looking right back at me.

This does not mean the spirit is invading or the glances (las miradas) in any way sinister, on the contrary, it is more of a view into the collective mass that is all around, and in some ways, you are privy to natural glimpses into the lives of your neighbors (los vecinos). You can see a family having dinner together, a woman cleaning her apartment, a man lighting the furnace to get the hot water (el agua caliente) ready, a dad coming home from work and greeting his family, as well as a friends showing up to visit (visitar) and enjoy company with others. You can take this on as a casual observer and wonder what the stories (las historias) are behind these multiple glances, that are going on not only in the building directly in front of my balcony, but in the buildings to the left (la izquierda), to the right (la derecha), and on down the street.

The view form my balcony also comes with the sounds (los sonidos) of the city, with the people moving in the street, with the cars screeching by, the trash truck picking up the garbage (la basura), the late night revelers singing their way back home, and of course, the constant high pitched shrills of the car alarms (las alarmas) that go off with regular occurrences. This is not something to confuse (confundir) with home, but it is something that has become familiar as well, and when I am back on my porch in El Paso, I am sure I will close my eyes (mis ojos) and will still be able to see the view from a tenth story balcony in Santiago.

El Proceso o el Producto – The Process or the Product

2008-11-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was invited, along with my friend and colleague, Claudio, to give a presentation at a conference for students in the natural science (ciencias naturales). The conference was for students (losestudiantes) who are studying to be teachers in high schools in the areas of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The theme (el tema) of the conference was similar to others I have attended in Chile, but the audience was a new group of students who happened to attend (asistir) a number of universities located some distance south of Santiago. The conference itself was held in the city of Chillán, east of the city of Concepción and north of the city of Los Angeles, and some 375kilometers south (al sur) of Santiago.

In order to get there (allá), we had to take a bus that left early in the morning (en la mañana) on the day of our presentation. Due to our work schedules and the date and time of our presentation, there was only time to be there for the day, which meant having to travel (viajar) all the way to Chillán, attend the conference briefly, give our presentation, and then work to return (regresar) back the same day to Santiago. In reality, this meant leaving home (la casa) by 7 AM to make it to the bus by 8 AM, and then to arrive in Chillán around 1 PM in time for lunch. As I set out for the local bus to go to the Metro to catch the bus to Chillán, I knew that I was in for at least a 10 hour total travel day with some 4 hours actually at the conference. At some point, I asked myself, "Why? (¿Por qué?)"

As an educator, I am one who believes that the process (el proceso) of education is more important then the product (el producto), and with working with students, this is critical, as each student's progress helps to shape (formar) their learning, and their experiences provide the anchors (las anclas) to understand and utilize concepts inpractical and meaningful ways. As a person who happens to be a professor, I know that my most effective personal characteristics are my persistence (perseverancia) to tasks and my willingness to take risks as an educator. This journey seemingly embodied both ideas, as the drive to spend 10 hours in total on the bus was not to give the presentation, but to experience (experimentar) the entire day, to live the process, and not focus on the product, which in the case would be the actual 1 hour presentation.

For me, the brisk walk in the morning to catch (tomar) the bus and the Metro, symbolized my motivation that I was set on taking an adventure, not merely on delivering a talk. On the bus, we were able to discuss (discutir) things about our work, to talk (hablar) about our lives, to read (leer) the paper and to revise (revisar) some ongoing writings. I was able to see the rolling countryside of Chile, a setting that had once seemed so foreign (extraño), and now looked familiar and inviting all at once. As we made our way into Chillán, the time to meet with other professors and discuss life and work (la vida y el trabajo), to relate to their perspectives on living and teaching in Chile, was a benefit (un beneficio) not seen at the outset, a learning opportunity not scripted, and possibly a part of the process that would have been missed, if the focus and been solely on the product.

The presentation went fine and the discussions with students were an added benefit that cemented the reason (la razón) for being there at all, to make connections with students and to help offer them someideas for their future as educators. With a stroll (un camino) around the plaza and through the Mercado, it was time to get back on the bus and head back the 5 hours to Santiago. After reaching the Bus terminal around Midnight, and catching a cab to get back to my apartment (mi departamento), I walked in the door at home around 1 AM, some 18 hours from when I left (después).

Yet, the day was not a burden, but a blessing (una bendición), and the emphasis on the process and not on the product, made for a more enriching and far-reaching experience than I could have imagined (me habría imaginado).

Los Juegos del Campo - The Games of the Country

2008-11-06T13:26:00.001-08:00

I enjoy a good game (un juego), whether it participating in competition in a sport such as golf, basketball or skateboarding. I certainly also (también) enjoy watching games as well, as I am fond of attending college football and basketball fames, watching (mirando) the World Series, College bowl games and the Super bowl on TV. I also enjoy playing games that can be done at home, such as the card games Uno or Gin Rummy. Even when I go to the Fair, I will participate (participé) in games on the midway, such as the basketball shoot, the ring toss or the beloved Wack-A-Mole to try and gain some prize (un premio).

Yet, I have never had the chance (una oportunidad) to play a traditional game in the country of Chile until one afternoon (una tarde) at the home of our friends, Jaime and Gladys. After a wonderful lunch, we set out to play a game that was a favorite of Gladys’s dad, who grew up in the country (el campo) and enjoyed playing a game called Frog (Rana). This is a table game that can be quite competitive, and from all accounts by Gladys, her father (su padre) was and still is quite a fierce competitor when it comes to this game. It is a game that harkens back to the past, to a simpler time (un tiempo más simple) in the country, to childhood aspirations reaching to adult challenges. In other words, it is a connection to the past (al pasado), to a part of Chile that is not always readily achieved in the bustling metropolis of Santiago.

In the table game, the object (el objetivo) is to throw a brass coin from a distance of about 15 feet onto a table with holes drilled in it. Each of the coins is about the size (la talla) of a US quarter, with more width and about 10 times the mass and you get 8 coins to throw on a given turn. Also on the table, there area couple of wooden doors (unas puertas de madera) that are hinged and cover slots in the wood, there is a pinwheel of brass blocking another slot, and in the center (en el centro) of it all sits a brass frog with a small opening in its mouth. The goal is to try and throw the heavy coins onto the table and have as many as you can fall through the holes (los agujeros), the slots or in the mouth of the frog. Each different area has a corresponding point value ranging from 200 points for a middle level hole, to 2000 points for sending it down the gullet of the frog on the fly.

Each person on the team (el equipo) gets a turn to throw the 8 coins on the table and see how many disappear into the scoring area below. After each turn, the entire group (el grupo completo) heads up to the table, to lift the heavy (pesada) and hinged top and to look into the maze of slots marked with the appropriate point values. Once the agreed upon total is reached, such as 10,000 or 20,000 points for the game, one team emerges as the victor (el ganador) and the other team is left in defeat.

My experience with this game was quite amusing, and I utilized a Frisbee influenced tossing method (método), much to the amusement of my Chilean hosts. As a team, Sarah and I split games with Jaime and Gladys, each winning a match (un partido) and leaving it at that, for all intents and purposes, a veritable tie. Yet, my greatest accomplishment (mi logro más bueno) was getting the coin into the frog’s mouth (la boca de la rana), not once, not twice, but 3 times, and thereby securing my connection to the champions of days past.

Seis Grados de Separación – Six Degrees of Separation

2008-11-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

There is a theory that you are only 6 people (seis personas) away from knowing anyone in the world, and this theory is often called the six degrees of separation. The idea is that you can find a connection between any 2 people at any time anywhere in a maximum (un máximo) of 6 steps, moving from friends, colleagues, relatives to others who have crossed your path, and thereby come to the sixth person at any other specific individual you identify in the world. The factor of separation had been promoted as six, and I have also heard that there is a game (un juego) where the challenge is to find, within the allotted six moves from person to person, from oneself to the ultimate social marker (el ultimo indicador), Kevin Bacon.

I also believe (también creo) that the more you travel around the world, to other countries and even within your own nation, this factor (este factor) seems to lessen, as I believe, the more you get around, the more connected you in fact (de hecho) become. In the age of the Internet, you can also become connected to people that you have never (nunca) physically encountered, that you have never really met in a human sense, and this type of interaction happens with greater regularity today due to social networking (las redes sociales) sites such as Facebook and MySpace. In this modern day and age (la edad) of computer connectivity, the links between people and spaces appears to have decreased, and again, the more available you are, the more connected to others you become.

Recently, I had an experience that verified this fact, at least to me, as I was reading in the paper a month or so ago, that the US band (la banda norteamericana), REM was coming to Santiago to vie 2 nights of concerts in November. I am a fan of REM and have seen the band a number of times (muchas veces) over the past 20 years, first in small clubs and later in large arenas, and the chance to see such an accomplished group in Santiago certainly appealed to me. On one of the 2 nights, REM was being joined by a top new band, the Mars Volta, who was opening up for REM and the roots (las raíces) of the band, as well as some of the members, hail from El Paso, Texas, and the city I currently call home. Interestingly, one of the band members has a father who is a colleague of mine at the university, a person I often interact with in meetings (las reuniones) and classes, as well as see regularly at the gymnasium.

Anyway, I thought that I might contact my colleague and see if he might be able to help (ayudar) a couple of displaced El Pasoans living in South America to see a great concert in Santiago as guests (los invitados) of the band. Through emails only, we corresponded and after talking with his son (su hijo), he put me in touch with the band’s tour manager. Over more email, we exchanged information until I received the best news (buenas noticias) of all, that there would be 2 passes for me waiting at the box office, and in effect, I would have VIP access to the show (el concierto). This really did happen, and last night, we got to see the Kaiser Chiefs, Mars Volta and REM tear it up at Moviestar arena in Santiago, and the music (la música) was great and the evening a lot of fun.

I am indebted to my friend, his son, the tour manager and the idea of this as well you see, that in reality (en realidad), this plan was born as a vision that became a reality, truly a dream (un sueño) come true, not unlike my selection as a Fulbright US scholar and my subsequent 5 month experience in Chile. My only question that remains in this chain of events (esta cadena de eventos) is the ultimate connection that links me to Kevin Bacon.

Las Elecciones Presidenciales – The Presidential Elections

2008-11-04T04:22:00.000-08:00

Today (hoy) is the day in the United States of America that is very important (muy importante) because the voting is being held in order to elect a new president in our country. In reality, this is also very important in Chile and in all the countries across the globe (en todo el mundo), because, as one person was quoted as saying, “When they are picking the leader of the most powerful country (el país más poderoso) in the world, we all take notice.” In this election, especially it seems that the sentiment is not only clear back from the US, but also here in Chile as well.

Recently among friends in Chile, I was posed the question (la pregunta) of whom will I vote for in the election – Obama or McCain? While this is a distinctly personal question, and one I avoid with great regularity among friends and family (amigos y familia), in some ways in a foreign country, I felt obliged to confront the issue (el asunto) and at times, even offer my thoughts and opinions. It is interesting because in Chile the vote is obligatory and if you don’t vote, you have to pay a fine (una multa), so participation is great and people are motivated and required to participate.

I have voted in 8 presidential elections and have picked the victor (el ganador) in less than half of them. Either way you go in this election, you have to vote (votar). Voting is a right in the US that is not obligatory, but should be in a personal sense. It is a great right to be able to vote, to be able to participate (participar) in the selection of our leaders, and was something so important that our forefathers fought for and instilled this as a privilege for generations to follow (seguir).

But in the US, the apathy (apatía) at the voting polls is only surpassed by the complaining heard after the results (los resultados) are posted from an election. I contend that if you don’t vote, you really have no right (el derecho) to complain, and if you do vote, well then you can. I also think that no matter the outcome (la resulta), especially in an election for the President of the United States, it is important for all sides and for all people to support the new leader. I am sure his will be tested in this election, not only at home (en nuestra país), but around the world as well.

Many people have also asked what the voting process is for a person living abroad during an election (durante una elección). The process is quite simple, but you do have to take the time to follow the directions and the time table (la tabla de tiempo). You have to register (registrar) with the US government and then they put you in direct contact with the correct form with you local voting precinct (distrito electoral), which in turn, sends you a paper ballot for you to fill out (para llenar) and return by mail (correo). We filled out our presidential and local voting ballots (las votaciones) in early October, soon after receiving them, and sent them off almost a month ago, with the hope (la esperanza) today that they are already there, waiting to be counted and added to the state and national totals.

Although the outcome of the election will be certain by the time this entry is posted, I am confident that change (este cambio) is coming to the US. And, amidst a time of war (una guerra) in the Middle East, a global economic crisis and continual social unrest both at home and abroad, the new leader (el líder nuevo) will get more than he probably bargained for in the campaign.

El Desarrollo de mis Habilidades Castellanos – The Development of my Spanish Abilities

2008-11-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have been here in Chile for about 4 months (cuatro meses), and I will acknowledge that I have readily increased my abilities to read, to write, to listen and to speak in Spanish in tangible and noticeable ways. Yet, the other day (el otro día), I came to the sudden realization that I have not really progressed at all. I hit some type of wall (un pared) and suddenly felt that I had forgotten everything I had learned, or maybe, upon reflection, I am just flailing away at this particular moment (en este momento). Whatever the reason, I was resolved within myself to understand the circumstances surrounding my apparent de-evolution.

It stared a few weeks ago when our friends from the US came to visit us and we spent the better part of 2 weeks (dos semanas) together, traveling around the country and living in close proximity. Don’t get me wrong, we had a wonderful time (un buen tiempo), probably the best time ever with another couple traveling, but what also happened as well is that we spoke English nonstop (sin parar) and all the time, the true first time I have been immersed in English during this full time Spanish (Castellano) existence in Chile. While it was great to talk, to converse and to banter in English with great friends, at the end of it all, I could tell that my abilities to communicate and understand in Spanish had decreased (he disminuido), or maybe in some way, they were buried under my re-engineered thinking in English.

I really recognized this after our friends (nuestros amigos) returned to the US, and Sarah and I had a day here in Santiago with our Chilean friends, conversing over an extended lunch time visit for many hours (por muchas horas), all the time in Spanish. I found myself struggling for words and the ability to complete my sentences (mis oraciones), as well as my thoughts, a skill I thought I had improved upon greatly. The more I struggled, the more I experience a loss in self-confidence which further helped to impede my progress (mi progreso). The transition from Spanish back to English we easy, but it was the move back from English to Spanish that inherently suffered. In some ways, I was extremely discouraged, and in addition, I was extremely tired, having to give a large effort (un esfuerzo grande)in regular communication once again, and this did make me feel that I was not advancing, but dramatically, regressing.

Yet, suddenly, I came to the realization that this was to a light (una luz) on my diminishing abilities and skills, but a glimpse into the world (el mundo) that was readily to come. In fact, this was more of a victory (un triunfo) that a defeat (una derrota), as now I understand what I need to do in order to improve my skills and to be flexible in mind when I return back home. The ability to function completely in one language (un idioma) and then to switch directly and function in another language is truly the skill I need to master. I have in effect been shown in these past few weeks what my work to come truly will be.

Sometimes what appears to be a set back can really turn into advancement, and it is not how many times (cuantas veces) you fall down, but how many times you in turn get up and try again. This has become my motivation for the future (por el futuro), about which I am more optimistic as I can clearly see the road to come (puedo ver el camino a venir).

El Largo y Sinuoso Calle – The Long and Winding Road

2008-11-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

There is one main road (una calle) through all of Chile, well almost all of it, because you have to take a boat to get through the lakes regions. Yet, stretching from the top to the bottom, from the north (el norte) to the south (al sur) is Route 5, which runs like the spine of the body of Chile. Route 5 connects the people (la gente) from Region I to Region X and all points in between, it is the way to move from La Serena to Valdivia, from Santiago to Ancud. It is the way to go on bus, in car (en auto) or on horseback; it is the historic trail throughout the country (todo el país) and is the main road. I would estimate in large parts that Route Five helped make Chile connected to itself.

The part of Route 5 (Ruta 5) in South America is known as the Pan-American Highway (Carretera Panamericana) and its official route turns east from Santiago and heads to Buenos Aires. There are 2 “unofficial” stretches, one in Chile and one in Argentina. The first unofficial part is in Chile and extends south past Castro, the capital of Chiloé, until it hits the town of Quellón, where the lakes region makes impossible to have any connected system of roads, where one can only continue in boat (un barco). The other part extends south from Buenos Aires to the southern tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina, a place know as the “End of the World”(“el fin del mundo) and where I spent some time before and after a trek to Antarctica.

So, I have been to the bottom of Route Five, which actually begins, or ends, depending on which direction in which you are heading, in Ushuaia, Argentina. At this point, there is a sign, that points to all things north, and this road crisscrosses (entrecruzado) Argentina before making a beeline north through Chile, and then by a series of sinews and connection, makes its way through all of South America, through Central America, through Mexico, up the Californian coast, and the Pacific Northwest, before ending some 30,000 miles (48.000 kilómetros) later in Fairbanks and beyond (más allá) to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. In total, it passes through a total of 13 different countries.

In Chile, this highway covers just over 2000 miles (mas de 3350 kilómetros) and starts at the border of Peru in the grasslands (las pampas) of Arica, where it then heads due south, passing through La Serena, making a huge impact in Santiago and ultimately to all points south. To know Chile is to know Route 5, and I have often daydreamed (sonaba) of a time when I might cannel the spirit (el espíritu) of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassidy and head out for entire length in Chile of perhaps one day, start in Ushuaia and head north until the end (el fin) in Alaska, but right now (ahora) , that is a dream for the future. Suffice it to say, that this great truly wholly and uniquely American, North, Central and South American, highway has brokered my journeys (mis viajes) in Chile.

A los Pies de los Gigantes – At the Feet of the Giants

2008-10-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

I had heard there were volcanoes (los volcanes) in Chile and of course my geology friends back in the US were quick to let me know that it was a fact. As well, if you look on a map of Chile, you will see a number of volcanoes, some of which are still active in a geological sense. When I was here last year (en el año pasado) in Chile for a brief visit, a Volcano erupted and even in January of this year, 2008, one erupted as well. The last real one to cause extreme damage (un daño extremo) happened in May of 2008 near the village of Chaitén, Chile, which actually destroyed the small fishing village and from which the 4000 residents had to evacuate. Volcanoes are no small thing, they are in one sense the power (el poder) of the Earth below, and the result of their push on the ground (la tierra) is the creation of giants.

On the northern road out of Chiloé and back across channel on the ferry, you pick up Route 5 once again and as you head north, the freeway (la carretera) opens back up into 2 lanes around the city of Puerto Montt. Just north of this area is the town of Puerto Varas, which we had heard had a great reputation as ecotourism spot (un lugar de ecoturismo) with great outdoors activities including hiking and sailing (navegación). We also heard there were Volcanoes in the area, and we hoped to see some while we were driving. The clouds (las nubes) and rain (la lluvia) of the south soon gave way to blue skies and as we moved ever forward, suddenly off in the distance, appeared these giants.

Off in the distance, you could clearly see 2 volcanoes, the Volcano Calbuco and the Volcano Puntiagudo, each of which made us stop in awe. In fact, we had to pull over and snap some photos, not because these giants (estos gigantes) might move, but we were all so impressed by their size (su tamaño) and respected power that we had to capture the moment. And with blue skies (los cielos azules), we knew that we had to seize the moment or these giants might be covered in the clouds once again, to retreat to the distance and perhaps seem as figments of our imagination (un producto de nuestra imaginación).

Arriving in Puerto Varas, the giants were already there (allá) to great us and the beautiful blue skies of the day, the still deep blue waters of the shore only accented the impressiveness of the distant volcanoes. Couple that with the fact (el hecho) that Puerto Varas is a very cool and fun town, in fact, it reminded me of Durango, Colorado from about 20 years ago, seemingly undiscovered, but well knows by the throngs (muchedumbre) of backpackers who dotted the city and inhabited the many hostels.

Yes, we stood in the awe of the giants, sitting at their feet (a sus pies) and understanding the each day in Chile, a new surprise (una sorpresa nueva) lies just around the bend.

La Romance de Chiloé – The Romance of Chiloé

2008-10-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

Some months ago, I was invited to a dinner (una cena) that featured the sights, sounds and flavors of an area called Chiloé here in Chile. What I remembered was colorful costumes made of sheep’s wool (lana de oveja), lots of seafood in a dish called Curanto and a spiced wine that was quite tasty, like Sangria with a spicy kick. I also remember that when I first got here to Chile, my friend Juan, who has lived in Chile all his life (toda su vida), suggested 2 places that I needed to be sure to visit and the first one was Chiloé. With all that in mind, as I found myself at the area below Valdivia, I turned my sights south (al sur) and set out for Chiloé.

Chiloé is really a large island (una isla grande) that is set within the lakes region of Chile and the only road that runs through it is Route Five. In reality (en realidad), as you drive south, you come to a crossing where you have to drive your car onto a ferry and travel some miles across the channel until you get to the island of Chiloé. Once you enter the island, you sense that you are truly in another world (un otro mundo), as the sights turned a brilliant green laden with bright yellow flowers (las flores amarillas) in bloom. The colors and scenery so unlike anything I had seen in Chile thus far, I knew that I was entering into an area both magical and serene.

As we moved down the road, I struggled to relate the scenery (el paisaje) of my past, it was like the rolling hills (los ceros adulados) of Appalachia, the river valleys (las valles del río) of the South and the fertile farmlands of the upper Midwest all rolled into one. The areas were dotted with homes, like small farms (las estancias pequeñas), set back off dirt roads and with pigs, sheep and cows grazing on the ever green grass. The rain began to fall, first soft and then with greater impact, and this signaled a change (un cambio) that would be ever present in this region. If El Paso is known as the Sun City for its 300 plus days of sunshine, Chiloé is known as the rain capital of the world, arguably one of the wettest regions known on the planet.

As we entered the town (el pueblo) of Castro in Chiloé, which is the capital of the region, we were taken aback by the wonderful architecture and brilliant colors of the homes. A number of houses were built on stilts (los zancos) and surrounded the inlet, where boats lay docked below, the fisherman nature of the region woven into the fabric of the history of today. After finding a place to stay and heading out across the beautiful plaza in downtown (el centro), we found our way to a dinner spot for a traditional seafood feast. The Curanto we had had some sausage, a pork rib and so many mussels and clams that I could not fathom how I was going to eat it all. The mussels were so large and mature that I swear some of them had beards (unas barbas), and I ate until I was full and then I ate some more.

Chiloé has a magical feel (un sentido mágico) that transcends description and as we headed out to the north, the gentle rain bid us farewell. I can understand why this area is so special for long time residents (los chilotes) and new found visitors, as the magic of its location, the beauty of its setting and the mystery of its ways are still waiting to be discovered.

Los Fuertes de Niebla – The Forts of Niebla

2008-10-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

After having rented a car, my third time (la tercera vez) in Chile, no small feat, and making it out of Valdivia, we headed out of town for some exploration of the coastal areas (zonas costales) nearby and hoping for a tranquil and serene setting from which to enjoy the coming afternoon and night (la próxima tarde y noche). What started as an exercise in exploration actually resulted in a series of happenings that I can only describe as extraordinary and incredible.

First, as we went out of Valdivia, we went past the local brewery (cervecería) of Kuntsmann, where the beer is brewed and bottled. This setting outside of Valdivia houses the brewery facilities (la fabrica de cerveza), the distribution warehouse and a wonderful restaurant and tasting room. Originally, the brewery was set on the shores of the Valdivia River, but was destroyed in the earthquake (un terremoto) in 1960. After many years, and with help (ayuda) from US breweries, the factory was set and up and running, reviving the German traditions (las tradiciones alemanes) of the Kuntsmann family and the recipes of old. This is definitely a travel destination and with traveling with 2 experts, Marcus and Trish, in hand-crafted brews we had both an experience and an education (una experiencia y una educación).

We then stumbled upon a set of cabañas that sat on the channel (un canal) overlooking the bay at Niebla. What started out as an excursion turned in to a memorable destination, as the views overlooking the sea were incredible, the local shores dotted with small fishing boats, the island shores in the distance seemingly our only neighbors (solamente nuestros vecinos), and the beauty and richness of the darkened sky gave way to the Milky Way and the Southern Cross. In my mind, I wondered if this is what it looked like in the Pacific Northwest in the 1950s, unspoiled and unpopulated (sin gente). With a woodstove (horno de leña) to keep us warm and good company to keep the conversations moving, we had a great and enjoyable evening.

The next morning (la próxima mañana), we got on a ferry and headed over to the Island of Corral for a look at the ruins of the Spanish forts (las fuertes españoles) which are the best preserved in all of Chile. What was truly remarkable was that the monument in all its glory is fully accessible and free of charge (gratis). This fort and others around the area were established to protect the channel that leads into the city of Valdivia. It is said to be one of the biggest systems of fortification established during the years (durante los años) of Spanish rule in Chile. In reality, getting a chance to walk in an area where Conquistadores were definitely present in the past was quite astonishing and for me, as someone who has lived in areas such as Santa Fe, NM, this might seem over the top.

Yet, by actually being able to climb on the canons, walk through the gates (las puertas), touch the shore and experience the views complete with sea splattered sprays, the experience both took me back and upon reflection, propelled me forward into a greater understanding and connection to the roots of Chile (las raíces de Chile).

En Todo el Camino a Valdivia – All the Way to Valdivia

2008-10-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Chile is a really long (muy largo) and incredibly slender (muy delgado) country that has over 6000 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific and borders both Argentina on the east and Bolivia and Peru on the north. It has arguably the driest desert in the world (en el mundo), Atacama, in the north as well as the wettest lands in the land regions to the south. It has the coldest areas in Antarctica and has rugged mountains (montañas escarpadas) to the east and beautiful coasts to the west. It has parts of 3 continents, the South American continent, The Antarctic continent and the Australian continent, with Easter Island, making it the only country that has parts of 3 continents (tres continentes). The saying (el dicho) in Chile is that when God was making the world, he took art of what was left over from everywhere else, put it all together, and called it Chile.

So, there is a lot to do and a lot to explore (explorar) here in Chile, and recently, with the help of our friends, Marcus and Trish, who were visiting from Colorado, we took it upon ourselves to head south to explore some of the Lakes region (la region de los lagos), beginning in Valdivia. This city was named after the Spanish explorer, Pedro de Valdivia, who also founded the city of Santiago. It sits some distance (mucha distancia) from Santiago, and in order to get there, we had to undertake a new method of travel, the overnight bus ride. We did some research and bought our tickets (nuestros billetes) at the bus terminal, opting for the recline-able seats (semi-cama) in the upper level of the bus, and after a 10 hour ride at night, we arrived at the bus terminal in Valdivia.

We checked our bags (nuestras maletas) at the bus terminal and set out to explore the city of Valdivia, and that meant heading toward the area near the Valdivia River. Here, there is a wonderful seafood market (un mercado) that hops to live with all kinds of fresh foods from the sea, such as oysters (las ostras), mussel (los mejillones), clams (las almejas), and fresh fish (pescado fresco), including salmon. The activity in the market is also enhanced by the numerous sea lions (lobos del mar) which sit nearby waiting for some delicacy to fall their way. Seagulls (las gaviotas) and other birds dot the area and make it for a wonderfully fun diversion for the day.

We also went across the bride and make our way to the University Austral of Chile, which has a wonderful Botanical Garden (una jardín botánica) that makes for a comfortable stroll and beautifully peaceful commune with nature. It came in stark contrast to my university experience in Santiago, which is dominated by activity including numerous students and people coming and going on the streets as well as on the campus. Here, there was a gentle stroll (un camino sencillo) along the campus, with students enjoying the day and a sense of calm all round. The feel of the area reminded me of other places I have visited that have a strong sense of history and a beautiful location (un lugar hermoso), such as James Madison University in the mountains of Virginia or Vanderbilt University in the river valleys of Tennessee.

The town and area has so much to offer and as it sits at the joining of the Calle-Calle, Valdivia and Cau-Cau Rivers before entering into the Pacific. With its strategic position and natural beauty (belleza natural), you can understand why the Spanish settlers of the past, the residents of today and the visitors from all over, continue to flock and flourish in Valdivia.

Los Artistas de la Ciudad – The Artists of the City

2008-10-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Santiago is a thriving city with a high concentration of people, by some estimates, one half (la mitad) of all people in Chile live within an hour of downtown. This mass of people means that as a large city (una ciudad grande), it also has to function in like manner, with loads of public transportation, public services (servicios públicos) and multiple options for goods. In the same manner, there are a wide range of people here as well, many from other parts of Chile, some from other countries in South America and of course, foreigners (extranjeros) like me from other points around the globe. Yet, Santiago has a vibe all its own, and its quintessential cool, much like that of San Francisco, CA or Vancouver, BC, belie a style that is both cutting edge and inherently hip.

This is never as evident as is seen in the art (el arte) all around town, which is expressed in many distinct ways including graphic arts, murals, music and film. You can’t help but be immersed in the art and impressed by it as well, as it is a truly all encompassing aspect of living (de la vida) in the city. When you take the bus anywhere in the city, often you will have the good fortune (la buena fortuna) to be entertained by musicians, who will sing songs, play instruments and take a goodwill offering from the passengers for their services. You can also hear poets, listen to comedians or be entertained by clowns in full make up. The point is that the art scene is truly seen, and it spills over directly into your lap, and demands you to participate (participar).

Another place you can see that art scene happening is on the streets (las calles), where there are countless murals (los murales) that dot the walls of buildings and line the roads. Many people might dismiss this form of art, simply calling it graffiti, but it is much more that that. It is an artful expression that integrates symbols of faith (de fe), of pain (de dolor), of suffering, of history and of creativity. I have taken the opportunity to photograph many different pieces of these murals all over town, and have shared it with my friends (mis amigos), as it is the kind of art that stops me in my tracks, magnifying the depth and breadth of the city experience, which seemingly explodes at every turn. There are also a number of incredible murals on the UMCE campus, done by students today and in the past, and they tell a story of struggle, of change (de cambio) and above all, of hope (de esperanza).

There are many other ways to see and experience art, on one option is to visit the many wonderful museums (los museos) through the city. In addition, there are public competitions for independent films, live theatre to see, concerts to hear and spoken word expressions as well. While I have been here in Santiago, I even had the opportunity to submit an entry for a contest called 100 Palabras (words), in which you had to write something that describes your own experience and perspective (su experiencia y perspectiva) of Santiago in 100 words or less. My entry, along with tens of thousands of other entries, I think I was in the 18,000s, was submitted for judging and possible publication. The organizers then choose the top 10 as winners (ganadores) and print posters with the words and names of the authors, which are then displayed in the subway, in the streets, in coffee shops, in bars and in restaurants. The top 100 entries are also placed in a small book (un librito), which is available at book stores, news stands and at times, free on the street.

Yes, the art scene in Santiago is unique and the perspectives communicated intense and memorable, and at least in my thoughts, this is something any visitor (alguna visitante) to Santiago can’t help but find impressive.

Un Maestro como un Estudiante – A Teacher as a Student

2008-10-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I have often said that I like to teach (enseñar) because I like to learn (aprender), because teaching gives you the opportunity to learn each and every day. There are new content ideas to learn in you craft, there are new skills (habilidades nuevas) to learn to help you teach, there are better methods (métodos mejores) of facilitation to learn, there are opportunities to learn more about your students on professional and personal levels, as well as lots to learn from your colleagues as well. Yes, I enjoy teaching because I like to learn and the fact that I still have a lot to learn is one of the main reasons (la razones principales) why I came to Chile.

I have had the good fortune (la buena fortuna) to work with Professor Claudio Pérez, who has been a physics teacher for many years. When we met many years ago (muchos años en el pasado), I found that we had much in common, with only the language barrier, meaning my inability to effectively communicate in Spanish, was the only real impediment (impedimento). As a constructivist educator in science and technology, I have had a number of unique experiences as both a professor and classroom teacher, but in reality (pero, en realidad), I have never had a regular mentor that could demonstrate the craft of teaching (enseñanza) to me directly and clearly. Claudio has a tireless work ethic that also translates into an open door (puerta abierta) commitment to students and faculty alike. He always makes time for others and guides them in their learning in a discovery based manner.

I feel that I have been a good classroom teacher and university professor, but certainly feel that I have a lot more (mucho más) to learn. I could, if I so desired, sit back on my laurels as a teacher and rest in my accomplishments (mis logros) to date. I mean, I have won awards for teaching, been recognized for outstanding accomplishments in teaching and have a large number of unsolicited letters (cartas) from students thanking me for my efforts as their teacher. Yet, in reality, I have a lot more to learn, and still actively seek out examples (ejemplos) and models that I can watch and learn from, even with my years of experience. There is an adage that says you teach how you were taught (enseña como se enseñaron), and I believe that this applies to us all, both the teachers of today and the future teachers of tomorrow. If any change (cambio) is going to happen in my own teaching, it really has to start with me.

That is what has brought me all the way to Santiago, Chile, to leave (salir) the comfort of my home in El Paso and to brig myself and my wife here, so that I can, among other things, find a new way (un camino nuevo) to energize my academic pursuits. Often in my work with Claudio, I get the unique chance to learn both content and process, to gain new ideas and to be supported in my growth (crecimiento) as an educator. He constantly makes time for me as well, his foreign student and colleague, and models ways for me to think about my overall approach to this profession.

Yes, I have come to Chile to teach and do research (investigar), but what I have also gained is the chance to learn at the feet (a los pies) of a master (un experto).

Cien Días, Mil Pensamientos – A Hundred Days, A Thousand Thoughts

2008-10-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

When I began to plan my journey (mi viaje) as part of my Fulbright experience, I had a number of deadlines to meet and miles to accomplish. Primarily, I had to apply for the award and this required a lot of planning and cooperation, both on my end, but also for a number of others (muchas personas) who contributed to my application packet. I had to get letters of recommendation, letters of support from Chile, letters (unas cartas) validating my teaching abilities, and forms validating my abilities to read, write and speak in Spanish. I had to fill out a formal proposal and supply samples of my work, both as a teacher and as a researcher (como maestro y investigador ambos).

In reality (en realidad), I began to formulate my plan in January of 2007 in order to submit my materials by the August 1, 2007 deadline. I had hoped to receive a 5 month appointment in Chile, which if you have been reading along, you know that I did receive (yo recibí). Yet, when I submitted my application back in August of 2007, it was some 4 months in December of 2007 before I received the first indication (la primera indicación) that my efforts might pay off in this unique opportunity, and that this might actually become a reality.

In January (enero) of 2008, I had to begin the year with a series of negotiations and facilitated agreements between my host institution (la UMCE), Fulbright Chile and the Fulbright Commission in Washington, DC. Over the next few months, I had to justify and defend my plan, as well as construct (para construir) a path of implementation that covered both my academic and professional goals (las metas). By March of 2008, all the institutional requirements were in place and at that time, I had to subsequently pass the medical clearance and obtain the correct visa so that I could work in Chile. After many visits (muchas visitas) to the clinic for physical exams and immunizations, along with a self-funded trip to the Chilean consulate in Houston, I was given the clearance to head to Chile for my Fulbright experience beginning in July of 2008.

Once I was sure I was going, it got really serious (muy serio) about the regular things in life, like finding a place to live near the university (cerca de la universidad). The commission suggests that you work with your local hosts, and this is some of the best advice to take to heart. With the help (la ayuda) of friends who went out of their way many times, I was able to secure a furnished apartment that put me a comfortable 15 minute walk to campus. The location was safe and secure, and also allowed for me and my wife, Sarah, to live, work and enjoy Ñuñoa.

Now, I am reaching another milestone (un hito) in that it has now been 100 days here in Chile, and I have about one third of my time, or 50 days, left here in Santiago. There is so much left to do, and the time (el tiempo) is quickly advancing. What at first seemed like an eternity (una eternidad) has become a rapidly moving reality. The time will only continue to progress, ad the value (el valor) of the time remaining will only increase. As I enter my final third of my journey, there are a thousand thoughts that enter my head, none greater that am I redeeming the time that I have been given? This is something that not only do I need to enact here, but also something that on which I need to reflect. In fact (de hecho), this needs to be part of my life from here on out.

By the time I get home (en casa) from this experience, it will be December of 2008, right before the Christmas holiday in the US. This will be a full 2 years (dos años completos) from the time when I had the entail inclination to reach for this Fulbright award. Although 2 years sounds like a lot of time, and in reality, it is, but when you get down to the final 50 days, there seems to be more to experience in the future, than there was ever in the past (el pasado).

La Belleza de Valparaíso – The Beauty of Valpairiso

2008-10-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

Valparaíso or Valpo is a port city of great history (gran historia) and equally one of undeniable beauty and culture. It was established in the 16^th century as a port for the Spanish Conquistadores and today (hoy) serves as the main port for goods that are shipped from Chile all over the world (al todo el mundo). The main export products in Chile are copper (cobre), fruits & vegetables (frutas y verduras), and of course, wine (vino), and the harbor at Valparaíso is filled with cargo ships from Europe, the Far East and points across the globe. While on the shore (en la playa) and looking out into the harbor, one can see ships from countries such as England, Russia, Japan and Germany.

Yet, the town (la ciudad) of Valparaíso also has a strong artistic presence, in part due to the impact of Pablo Neruda, the Noble Prize winner (ganador) for literature in the 1970s. Neruda had a home in Valparaíso, La Sebastiana, which currently is a well-visited tourist destination. The importance (la importancia) of Neruda and his meaning to Chile cannot be underestimated or undervalued, and view from the top of his home is a reminder that he sits atop the artist community (la comunidad de artistas) and consciousness here in Chile. His home, now a independently funded museum, sits high atop the hills (los ceros) of Valparaíso, almost all of which are incredibly steep and long.

The streets (las calles) are so steep, even more than anything I have traveled on the streets of San Francisco, that I had to stay in first gear on my rental car just to keep the RPMs high enough (bastante alto) to keep the car climbing. To offset this throughout the city, Valparaíso has a large number of elevators (los asesores) are located all over the place, and date back to the end of the 19^th and beginning of the 20^th centuries. Historically, these elevators were used to transport heavy materials, such as barrels (las barillas) of heating oil, furniture, and building supplies, up the hills to other levels within the city. The oldest (el mas antiguo) elevator is near Cerro Concepcion, and is still operating today, and for just about 50 cents US, you can take a ride up in the elevator, a trip that is timeless in its presentation and unprecedented in its value (su valor).

Ultimately, a trip (un viaje) to Valparaíso should also include a journey out in the water (en el mar), as this allows the visitor a change to view the entire city from a unique and important vantage point. From the docks, you can get a ride on a local boat for between $ 2-4 US, and you get to see all the various ships up close. You can also see the hills of Valpo very well, with all of the colorful homes (casas de colores) dotting the hillsides, like a brilliant painting on a huge canvas, a perspective of beauty that is both awe-inspiring and breathe taking. You can also see lost of wildlife, such as sea lions (lobos del mar) and pelicans (pelícanos).

To me, a trip to Santiago and this part of Chile would be incomplete without a visit to Valparaíso. The charm, the art, the views and the history (la historia) make it a must see for all.

Un Regalo Que Cambio Su Vida – A Gift That Changes Your Life

2008-10-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

Recently, I went to Buenos Aires and had the good fortune (la buena fortuna) to attend not one, but 2 great tango shows, which is something I highly recommend to anyone (alguien) coming to visit that part of Argentina. The tango is a dance (un baile) that is uique to Argentia, but there is so much more that goes with it, including the music and songs athat are rich in presentation and variety. One of the things that really got me to thinking was when I saw one of the members (unos de las personas) of the orchestra who used an accordion, and he was just killing it, having the time of his life why we were all there as witnesses (los testigos).

I could only imagine what it must have been like when him when he first got this instrument, perhaps as a young boy (un joven), probably not too sure of what to make of it, but seeing it as something fun to try (tratar) and learn. I wondered if he thought this might be a gift (un regalo) that would truly change his life (su vida). Watching him perform on the stage for an appreciative and supportive audience, it was clear that this gift not only changed his life, but it also changed his destiny as well (su destino también).

I feel the same way about this experience here in Santiago, in that I received the gift of a Fulbright Scholarship (la beca Fulbright), and honor that was bestowed upon me. When I was approached about applying for this program by my friend Nora, I was skeptical about the prospect of actually being chosen. I remember saying to her that I was not the type (el tipo) of person who was a good fit for the program and she chided me a bit and said that I was exactly the right type of person for the Fulbright program. I took her words (sus palabras) to heart and thought that I would give it my best shot and whatever happened, happened.

Yet, in reality (en realidad) this is gift has become a blessing (una bendición) in my life, as it is something that has changed my life, continues to change my life and will undoubtably have an impact on me in the future (en el futuro) as well. In may ways, this gift came in a form that I did not recognize or probably in a manner in which I could fully comprehend the impact. Yet, like an apprentice musician, I have to practice (practicar) my craft, have to recieve instruction and guidance, and have to learn how to use my abilites to gain new skills. I need to give my gift all my best, and this is something that can be applied not only here, but each and every day.

Una Visita a la Ciudad de la Luces del Sur – A Visit to the Southern City of Lights

2008-10-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires is one of the places that I have felt I had to visit (visitar) while I was in South America. I has a rich history, has strong ties to the rich culture of Spain, Italy, France and other Mediterranean countries as well. It has a great reputation as a tourist destination (una destinación turística) and rightfully so, as it truly is a unique and special place to see, a must visit for any traveler (alguno viajero) to South America. To miss it would be like going to the East Coast, making it to Boston, but never venturing to New York. If Santiago is San Francisco and West Coast, Buenos Aires is New York City and East Coast. So, with our friends (nuestros amigos), Juan and Taty, we set out for a 4-day, 3-night visit to the City of Lights in South America.

Once we arrived (llegamos) in Buenos Aires, you could feel the change in the climate right away. Located on the east side of the Andes, Buenos Aires was founded primarily as a port city, which had its roots (sus raíces) in shipping and trading. The climate was more humid than Santiago, and there was a gentle breeze (un viento sencillo) blowing in the day. As we climbed aboard the shuttle to head into the city, I was not sure what to expect, and gazed out the window (la ventana) as the sights of the city edged ever closer. Once I could see the Obelisk, the large monument resembling the Washington Monument in the US, I knew we were right downtown. In fact, the Obelisk (el obelisco) is used as a reference point throughout the city as a way to orienting yourself and as a marker for giving directions.

In the downtown (el centro), there is a lot to do, and there is plenty of shopping on the streets of Lavalle and La Florida, where it is more of a pedestrian mall, like you find on Calle Huérfanos in Santiago or such as the 16^th street mall in Denver. With plenty of stores (muchas tiendas) to choose from, we headed towards things that are difficult to find or expensive to buy in Santiago, especially music, books and leather goods. Argentina is know widely for its leather goods (cosas de cuero), and the stores in the downtown do not disappoint, with lots of jackets (las chaquetas), purses (las carteras), shoes (los zapatos), briefcases, portfolios and much more from which to choose.

We also were quick to hit up a lunch spot, and the one we found specialized in beef and potatoes (carne y papas). While this might not sound too appealing, for people who like steak, the bife chorizo cut of Argentinean beef was perhaps the best (el major) steak I have ever had in my life. A thick cut, it is named for the cut of beef between the shoulders of the cow, an area called the “chorizo” historically by the gauchos. It has not sausage in it, it is 100% pure steak, and man, was it delicious. It was so good; I made it a sub theme of my entire journey (mi viaje completo), having it 3 times in my 3 nights stay.

Ultimately, heading to Argentina to experience the culture (la cultura) means having to see a Tango show. The tango is unique to this area, with its origins in and around the streets of Buenos Aires, and the events we attended were a combination of dance, music, and songs (los bailes, la música y las canciones). We attended one show that was more of a modern tango, with highly athletic dancers and incredibly difficult choreography that was stunning to watch. The second show was a more traditional (mas tradicional) mix of tango dances and songs, along with music and dance inspired by the gaucho culture as well. The events were held in classic theaters and each show came complete with a dinner (bife chorizo for me of course) as well.

Buenos Aires is know for its night life (la vida nocturna) and café culture, so we made sure to also experience as much of the day and night as we could, pausing in our hotel only to get refreshed or catch a few hours (pocas horas) of sleep. Once the trip was over, we made our way back to the airport (al aeropuerto) and headed back to Santiago. As we made our ways back towards our little apartment in Ñuñoa, I could not help but feel refreshed, as if I had experienced something that once was a dream (un sueno), only to be awakened in the glow of the memories of Buenos Aires.

Una Vuelta Completa – A Complete Roundtrip

2008-10-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

Recently, we got up very early (muy temprano) in the morning in order to head out on another Spanish immersion experience this time courtesy of our friends (nuestros amigos) Jaime and Gladys, who had offered to take us on a tour of some regions north of Santiago along the coast (la costa). We had explored some of the area from Viña del Mar to south to Isla Negra, but had not turned north (norte) to check it out and this would prove to be a great adventure and an awesome learning experience.

There were lots of things in bloom, including California poppy (dedales de oro), which made the hillsides a bright yellow and even conjured up memories of El Paso, with its beautiful yellow wild poppies that grow in great abundance (en mucha abundancia) on the east side of the Franklin mountains. As we moved out of Santiago, through Til Til and Villa Alemana, we made our way to Viña de Mar on the north end and turned to head up the coast. The rugged coast reminded me of the area south (al sur) of San Francisco, especially the area around Big Sur in northern California, with the coastal highway right next to the ocean, the chilly Pacific waves (las olas) rolling in and sending cool breezes shore bound.

As we moved further north and deeper into Region V, we made our way through many beautiful coastal towns (pueblitos), including Reñaca, Concón, Quintero, and Las Ventanas. At our noontime destination, we made it to the coastal town of Horcón. Here there was a calm inlet, with a tranquil calm part (un parte tranquilo y calmo) of the Ocean resting in the bay, and we had a great time filled with lots of conversation, fresh seafood, and peaceful walks on the beach. We even made it to an artisanal market (feria artesanal) and also jumped along the rocks and felt the ocean spray. There were lots of fisherman (los marineros) and hippies, both young and old, all over the town, mixing together as they have for many, many years in this part of Chile. The day was perfect and the setting awesome, this is definitely a place that is worth an off the beaten path visit.

Spring (la primavera) is a time that means warmer weather, short sleeves, trees budding with leaves, flowers in the air, petals falling on the lunch table, lover heating bills, fresh fruits and vegetables (frutas y verduras frescas), 4 hour lunches, and sunburn. Spring is a time that brings the promise of new life (una vida nueva), and in this manner, I see it in this October sun, to be a metaphor for my own journey as well. In the same way, I am experiencing a transformation myself, learning anew to spread my wings toward the future with an increased understanding of where I have come from in the past (en el pasado).

Expresiones Útiles en Chile – Useful Expressions in Chile

2008-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Spanish is a language of great history (de gran historia) and is also a one that is widely used around the world. The Spanish dialect of castellano was brought to the Americas by the conquistadores and extends from top to bottom in Central and South America. From the point (el punto) at which you cross the Rio Grande and head into Mexico all the way to the tip of Chile and Argentina, if you exclude Brazil, everyone (todos) speaks Spanish.

Every Spanish-speaking region has its own manner of accents (sus propios acentos), which one would not find uncommon wherever you go, including the United States. As we know in North America, an accent in North Carolina (Carolina del norte) is distinctly different from that of New York or Boston, as well as in California or Wisconsin. The regional dialects and common expressions or slang phrases help to define a region and are part of the local flavor (sabor local) and charm. This is also true in Central and South America, as there is a rhythmic or musical cadence to Spanish in Mexico, a different accent on the “ll” in Argentina, like the sound of a “j” in English, as well as the loss of the “s” on may words here in Chile. Yet, Spanish is Spanish, the language is really one with a central origin from Spain, and whether one is in Mexico, Argentina, Chile or anywhere else, it is still Spanish (es todavía castellano).

Yet, like any language (algún idioma), Spanish continues to change and evolve with local influences and expressions, and as a result, a large number (un gran numero) of slang expressions are important to understand as well, especially here in Chile. For example, the expression “¡al tiro!” means to do something right away or immediately. The term (esta palabra) has its origins in the fact that at Noon (mediodía) on the Cerro Santa Lucia, at Noon, the soldiers would let go a shot (un tiro) from a cannon and this would be a signal to all the people that it was the noon hour. The expression is used all over Chile and is one specific term that separates Chileans form others in Spanish countries.

I have taken the liberty to expand on this and create a list of 10 other terms that I believe are important for the Chilean traveler to know in order to better understand and integrate into this society.

1. ¡Ándate al punto del cerro! – Get away from me, right now!

2. Saco de plomo – fatty, heavy one, load

3. Pololo, polola – boyfriend, girlfriend

4. Taco – traffic

5. Lukas – Cash, bucks

6. ¡Cachai! – Get it!

7. El descueve – very good looking

8. Me mande un condoro – a great error, a blunder

9. No estoy de ahí – I’m not interested

10. Super-bueno, Super-lindo, Super-importante – really great, really pretty, really important

The list could go one, but you get the idea. To effectively integrate into a society is to work to understand both the context and culture within a language and only by immersion can this really be achieved. I still have a long way to go, but I think I am on the way to becoming a super-estudiante here in Chile.

Un Conocimiento Pequeño es una Cosa Peligrosa – A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

2008-10-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like a real Chilean, a person who is a card-carrying citizen of Santiago (santiaguino). Yeah, I feel like all the other adults, going to work, meeting with people, creating projects, assembling new ideas and making decisions (tomando decisiones). Yet, in one brief and sudden moment, that dream was crushed and the reality of the fact that I am still just a stranger (un extranjero) living in a foreign land came rushing back full force.

The other day (un otro día), after returning from work at UMCE and heading home for some lunch, I was feeling like things were somewhat on cruise control, meaning I felt I was managing things well and getting my work done in an effective and timely way (una manera efectiva y en tiempo). Yet, when I came to the apartment building that day, I was greeted by the doorman, who looked at me with a dour expression and said that he had some bad news (malas noticias). He told me that a person had come to the building and cut off the electricity to my apartment. I asked him why and he just shrugged his shoulders and mumbled something about a bill (un cuento) not being paid.

After this, I ran up the 10 flights of stairs to get to my apartment, not wanting to wait for the elevator in the least, and sure enough, it was true. No lights, no power, nothing (nada). So, I tried to call my owner (la dueña) for information, but she was unavailable, as well as here assistant (su ayudanta), who was at the moment busy and unable to help. I then called Sarah who was practicing Spanish with her friend Nacho, who is from Santiago. Nacho told Sarah that we in effect had to pay (pagar) the bill, which to me contradicted all the arrangements we had previously made with the landlord. Yet, I took his advice to heart and after a series of phone calls and Internet searches, my job (mi trabajo) was to hit the road and pay the bill.

When I tell people here that I thought the owner paid the bills for services (los servicios), such as electricity and water, and then she billed me in turn, they just roll their eyes at me and say, “never in Chile (nunca en Chile)”. So, a bus ride away, I found myself at the cashier (la cajera) of the electric company and I paid the bill in full with the promise that I would have electricity (la electricidad) in about 5 hours. Funny enough, when I got back to the apartment (el departamento) and prepared for what I believed would be a much longer time and a night filled with darkness (con oscuridad), the lights came on within 2 hours, even before Sarah returned from her Spanish lessons.

Suffice it to say that I had another useful learning experience (una otra experiencia de aprendizaje) that verified the fact that although I have traveled far, I will have a long way to go.

Todo el Tiempo, Nada en Tiempo – All the Time, Nothing on Time

2008-10-12T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have written about time and organization within my journeys in Chile, and how I have had to adjust my habits (mis hábitos), manners (maneras) and ways (caminos) to better fit into the culture that is all around me. I mean, there is breakfast in the morning, lunch in the early afternoon and dinner at night, and in many ways to think in blocks of time (cuadros de tiempo), not just in specific increments of time is a much better paradigm to follow. I mean, the expressions of “Good morning” (Buenos días) or “Good afternoon” (Buenos tardes) are used all the time and they speak more to a range of time than any specific set time.

In Chile, especially here in Santiago, the days are designed with regulation, but there is always a negotiation that is flexible when it comes to the implementation of any exact schedule (alguno horario exacto). For example, the other day, I had to meet with a plumber (un plomero) in my apartment and he called a number of times in order to set an appointment. We agreed on 5 PM as the time, and on the set day, when he had not shown up by 6:30 PM, I decided to give him a call (una llamada), assuming he would not come at all. He told me he would be the in 15 minutes and a little after 7 PM he showed up, looked over the situation and decided we needed to schedule another visit to actually fix the item in question, which he in turn decided to do later over the phone (por teléfono). When he did call me, we had almost begun a friendship and on his next visit, the third to the department, I figured I should at least invite him to lunch, heck, he’s almost family (casi familia).

A while back (antes), I went to a conference and things were extremely well organized, with the meeting times and locations (las locaciones) perfectly defined and printed out on glossy tri-fold pamphlets. Yet, something that starts at 9 in the programs actually will begin around 9:15, which now moves everything just slightly (un poco), so that something that is supposed to end at 1 PM and break for lunch will actually finish at 1:30 PM. The time really is relative; I mean what is 15-30 minutes between friends, family and countrymen (chilenos)?

There also seems to be time for a little more all the time as well. For example, one of the groups of presentations that I attended was scheduled to end (terminar) at 4 PM and allow for a break (un descanso) so that the next group of presenters, including me, could set up their materials and await the next audience. Well, in the final presentation with about 2 minutes left, the presenter put in a 12-minute video, which he showed in its entirety (completamente), much to the delight of the audience, minus one fidgety attendee from the US. While the Chileans are perfectly patient in these moments, this impatient North American squirmed in his seat. This is something that contradicts my nature (en contrario de mi natura) and the management of this is probably one of the most valuable things to learn here in Chile.

In fact, people here make time for one another rather that cutting someone off, and to me, this is a great example (un buen ejemplo) of how to best manage the course of your day and to really effectively engage with people. So, all the time, where is nothing on time, but everything gets done no matter how long it takes. This is no the land of tomorrow (mañana), but the land of today (hoy), albeit a bit delayed.

Mis Cupleanos – My Brithday

2008-10-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of birthdays in my life, and now at the ripe old age of 46, I have the unique perspective of a man in his middle years, able to look back at my youth with discretion and forward to my old age with hope. I have had birthdays where I have gotten cool gifts, like a skateboard, a car or a trip to see the Chicago Bears play in person. I had had birthday cakes, I have had surprise parties and I have been wined and dined and spoiled at great length. Yet, I have never had a birthday in Santiago Chile, let alone in South America.

I can remember some birthdays well, and the celebration that a birthday brings is always my favorite day of the year. To me, I enjoy my birthday more than Christmas, more than New Years, and more than Thanksgiving. It’s not that I have problems with other holidays; it’s just that a birthday, especially one’s own birthday, is a solitary and special event, a unique day set aside to celebrate one’s birth and the incredible gift and you of life. A birthday marks your time and brings forward new and exciting situations and circumstances in your life.

As my birthday is in October, and this means the fall in North America, my birthday cakes were usually decorated with orange, brown and red colors, which seemed to represent the changing leaves gently turning in the beauty of autumn. My presents have generally been things that are associated with the fall, such as a football, or the coming of winter, such as a snowboard.

I have had birthdays that that signaled the freedom of adolescence (16 and 18), the acknowledgement of being an adult (21), the prospect of true adulthood (30) and the freedom of growing older (40). Even when I turned 45, this was just a point along the way, and now as I turn 46, I see myself cresting the hill and from my high vantage point, I can gain some perspective. Yet, somehow, the future does see different, but I believe the rest of the ride will be great.

I have never been too concerned with growing old, I just hoped that I would live long enough to see all the phases of my life. I see this birthday in Chile not as an end, but as a signal for a new beginning. For if I can still achieve a first on my 46^th birthday, there surely must be more to follow.

La Esperanza del Futuro – The Hope for the Future

2008-10-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Recently, I attended a conference (una conferencia) for students in science education, which was attended by upwards of 200 students from 10 different universities across Chile. Te students are all involved in programs that will lead them to be educators, primarily science teachers in middle schools (escuelas secundarias) and high schools (liceos) in Chile. The students were assembled for a three-day conference in order to improve their knowledge, to increase their abilities and to enlarge (engordar) their networks with other students and participating faculty members.

The main thrust of this event was to uncover concepts associated with constructivism (el constructivismo) and how this methodology can be implemented in the mostly traditional teaching climate found in Chilean schools. Constructivism is a learning strategy that builds upon students' existing knowledge, beliefs, and skills. Within a constructivist approach, as students encounter new information (información nueva), they work to synthesize new understandings based on their current experiences and their prior learning. In other words, the constructivist approach to learning states that learners of all ages build new ideas on top of their personal conceptual understandings. In this process (este proceso), students and teachers experience common activities, activate and build on prior knowledge and experiences. Learners construct (construir) meaning while continually assessing their understandings of concepts.

I was fortunate enough to participate (participar) in the event and deliver a presentation with my colleague and fellow constructivist, Claudio Pérez. We gave a talk which focused on our experiences in science education (educación de ciencia) and the use of specific methods and techniques that centered on practical applications in the classroom. In interacting with the students within the talk, at lunch and in 3 subsequent round table (mesas) discussions, I was given the unique opportunity to actually participate in a practical manner as both a teacher and a learner.

At times, this one hour presentation that turned into a six hour event was challenging, as I struggled to find the correct terms (las palabras correctas) in Spanish. Yet, I felt confident throughout in my habits of mind and abilities when it comes to being a constructivist educator. The discussions (las discusiones) with the students were rich and the analysis of the issues by the students quite profound. With a heart for learning and an ability to synthesize the issues, these future teachers (los maestros futuros) stand poised to not only contribute to the future of education in Chile, but to impact it greatly. I was truly blessed to have this experience and to see the future in education face to face (cara a cara).

Trabajo Más Inteligente, No Más Pesado - Work Smarter, Not Harder

2008-10-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

There is a saying (un dicho) back in the South where I am from which is “Measure twice, cut once”. The main idea (la idea principal) in this phrase is that you take your time, effectively plan what you are going to do, so that you do it right the first time (por primera vez). In that way, you minimize the waste of your materials and your efforts are leveraged so as to accomplish what you in fact intended to do.

There is also another phrase that I like to hold close that builds on this idea, which is “Go slow to go fast”. This has a more academic or professional feel (un sentido académico o profesional) that the “Measure twice, cut once” idea, but in reality, they mean the same thing. The main point is that you need to effectively listen and understand what is actually happening so that you can implement the most direct plan. The goal (la meta) is to get your work done in a manner (una manera) so that you do not have to repeat anything or worse, to have to undo things that you have done wrong, which I call negative work. A journey (un viaje) is never longer than when you have to back track or a project never more difficult when you have to scrap your work and start over.

As my days continue to move forward (se mueve derecho) here in Santiago, I am reminded that it is time to in effect build on these approaches and implement some new guidelines, specifically to “work smarter, not harder”. The effort I have had to put into place here has been rather (bastante) extreme at times, and this has truly tested me to the core and in many ways, has transformed me as well. Yet, to keep up this kind of pace and effort (esfuerza) is in some ways to be poised on exhaustion, to be used up and as a result, not to be able to finish with any impact what has been started.

Working smarter means learning from my mistakes and moving forward, but also, it means that I need to interact with the resources (los recursos) that are afforded to me, whether they are in technology or in the people that are all around. In other words (en otras palabras), it is time to pay even more attention, and to think and listen, not always speak and react. As my life in Santiago is most always in Spanish, let’s just say around 90%, and there are no subtitles (menos subtítulos), the skills of listening and learning to pay attention in each moment are practical skills that I can continue to refine in order to work smarter from here on out.

¿Qué es su Problema? – What is your Problem?

2008-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

One of the most important skills a person can posses in my estimation is the ability to solve (resolver) problems. In many ways, life is full of problems (lleno de problemas) and working to find a solution is a skill that we all must develop and in reality, implement daily. We have problems such as the need and availability of clean water (agua limpio), environmental impacts of traffic and pollution, and even the problem of choosing the best and most effective toothpaste for our home. Each day, we encounter problems in the real world that require each one of us to think (pensar), to analyze (analizar), and to work (trabajar) to solve in the most effective manner we can.

As a professor, I often use an approach to teaching and learning that is called Problem-Based Learning or PBL (Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas o ABP). PBL is an inquiry-based approach that can be defined as both a curriculum and a process. The curriculum consists of carefully selected and designed problems that engage (enfocar) the learner in the process of acquiring critical knowledge, developing proficiency in problem solving, engaging in self-directed learning, and participating in collaborative teams. PBL approaches give students the ability to retain facts though critical thinking (pensamiento critico) by working through problems logically and making connections to the real world. PBL features open-ended and cooperative activities that deal with real world issues and scenarios.

Recently, I sat in on a class here at la UMCE where students proposed solutions (las soluciones) with a scientific emphasis to the goal of creating a new city. The scenario was modeled on a rela world event of a volcano erupting near the city of Chaitén that happened in May of 2008, and caussed the evacuation of town (un pueblo) of approximately 4200 residents. The students did a great job defining the problems and proposing their own researched and well supported solutions to the problem of creating a new city (una ciudad nueva). The students posed questions, analyzed the issues, presented their findings and defended their positions with confidence and clarity.

I firmly believe that the ability to solve problems is a skill (una habilidad) that demonstrates critical thinking and emphasizes the abilities to analyze, synthesize and evaluate situations. In many ways, it is higher-order thinking. My father-in-law has a saying that we need more problem solvers than problem identifiers, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. Too often people see a problem and look to someone else to solve it or they just pass it along to another. Yet, in Santiago, Chile, this day, the indication (la indicación) from these students is that they are posed to be problem solvers today and this is good news for the future (el futuro).

La Empanada Completa – The Whole Empanada

2008-10-01T15:53:00.001-07:00

There are a number (un numero) of uniquely cultural things that are distinctly Chilean, like the cueca and Condorito. There are a number of unique personal characteristics (características únicas y personales) that are also distinctly Chilean, like a quiet determination and a respect for law and order. Yet, to me, nothing describes the passion and pride, the national identity (la identidad nacional) of Chile better that the empanada.

Life (la vida) is like an empanada. There is a lot of variety, and you can have it any way you like it. As it relates to the food, the empanada is a seemingly nondescript combination of folded dough that is baked in an oven (un horno) and served up hot to eat. Some have meat, some have cheese (queso), some have vegetables (las verduras), and in reality, the combinations are limitless. It ahs a basic structure, is portable and be served hot. It also has a regional flavor as well.

It is part calzone and part burrito, but it is truly a culinary favorite, one that all Chileans consume regularly and relate to a time of celebration and relaxation. Empanadas are served at national celebrations, parties (unas fiestas) in homes or at happy hours all across this country, they are profound in that they are a mechanism (un mecanismo) to celebrate friendships and to savor the best in life. If you want to start a party, pick up some empanadas and watch what happens.

The most popular empanada, at least to me, is pino. While this might sound like a fruit tart (una torta de fruta) that has pineapple, it is truly the furthest thing from that. The pino empanada has meat in it, and it also has a hard boiled egg (un huevo) cut up on the inside. As well, it has a special prize inside (un premio especial adentro), like a box of Crackerjacks, but it is not a decoder ring or a puzzle, but usually a black olive (una aceituna negra) complete with the pit. The combined tastes are both flavorful and delicious.