An Implosion of the Heart

It is only out of the places of despair that we can truly be rescued…

I have learned a tremendous amount about surrender over these past 6 months. Through the practices of presence, stillness, and intentionality I have pushed myself to a new edge of discomfort by letting go of control and consequently self-realization. 

For me, the idea of control brings comfort. It is a longing brought on by the human condition. To accept that one is out of control is to accept instability & chaos.. things that we can hardly tolerate beyond brief moments. Yet what I have learned is that if I am never out of control, or even in the occasional state of despair, I simply cannot be rescued. Nor can I be brought to a new place of enlightenment, as comfort perpetuates the status quo. 

The truth is, I want to be rescued (I NEED to be rescued)… because I am too often confronted by my own shortcomings. And my innermost being longs for more. 

In a recent experience caring for a suffering loved one, I was taken back to a place of despair. As I sat with her, watching her fully experience some of the deepest emotional pain, my stomach turned. She had made such an emotional pilgrimage over the past year, yet this setback felt as heavy as the trailhead of her journey. There was so much beauty in the freedom she found to use her voice and her body to fully express her condition, but to see her physically suffer from an emotional wound brought back so many memories… memories of her in a weaker state, memories of how helpless I felt to support and love her well, memories of feeling completely hopeless.  

There are times we choose to surrender, to give up control, to be brave. And then there are times when the reins are yanked from our hands. This experience was beyond me, and within moments I could feel her pain as if it was my own. 

Little did I know how I would feel just 12 hours later… That in her induction ceremony I would watch her step up and be initiated into a new season of life; that I would experience her reaching a milestone, the possibility of which was greatly questioned at one time. And in that moment I lost control, and my heart literally imploded. Every ounce of fear and doubt and sadness from the night before was exterminated from the inside out by the utter explosion of my soul in gratitude and awe. I was overcome by shock in that moment and I still cannot fathom how my heart could have survived such an extreme emotional tide. But what’s even more is trying to grasp how she had gotten to this place. How had her journey brought her here.. a place and an emotional state that once felt impossible.  

That day I looked G-d in the face. I had called Him a liar and questioned His ability to rescue her. And in His absurd and abundant grace, all He said back to me was, “Carly, I promise, I will redeem you.” And I knew that through His redemption of her whole entire earthly life, He was showing me a sign of what He has in store for me. 

In that moment, I was rescued.

Wells of Shame

I wasn’t planning on this time. To be alone. And I certainly wasn’t planning on how the Lord would call me to use it. Or rather, how He was going to use it.

Only in the past couple of years did I begin to uncover some of the truths about my soul wounds. First was understanding that they were in fact wounds. Eating disorders, self-loathing and deprecation just seemed like part of my human condition.  And while it’s true that they are a product of my humanity, I never believed they could be redeemed. I don’t expect they will ever go away. They have so permanently become a part of who I am and how I process the world. 

The vulnerability I experienced in my relationship with Chris sparked the first awakening of hope – that there might be an alternative way of living. Through his persistent ways, he began by showing me that the low and droning yet powerful dialog in the back of my head – the one that shaped and defined the filter through which I looked at the world – could both be seen and named. It wasn’t invisible like I had always thought. But rather it was exposed plain as day in my most vulnerable relationship and could be reached. Touched. Poked and Agitated. And brought to my awareness. And the idea of anyone having access to that sacred place, infuriated me. I was enraged that he could see and identify what was growing in that dark corner of my soul and I exploded in anger and self-defense. Subconsciously, I had so carefully lulled that dragon to sleep, locked him up in a dungeon far away but where I could keep watch and maintain control over him. The thought of waking him or worse, setting him free, seemed life threatening. To churn the peaceful waters and stir up the settled mud would make such a mess in the depths of my soul and seemed like a hopeless venture.

So why unlock these newly discovered wells of darkness? How did anyone, even G-d, think that was a good idea? What did He possibly hope to gain? Surely it was impossible to heal such a permanent cancer growing inside of me. And I began to grow agitated as that wound was poked with more frequency and the waters began to churn. And finally becoming paralyzed with fear I was left with only one alternative to defeat: surrender. Be they limp wristed, half-raised arms, I knew had to try to tackle the idea that there was a possibility for hope and even healing.

But where to begin? How do you process something you are terrified of, that you just recently learned exists? And the Lord has very gently begun to reveal his truth to me, in portions I can handle. Oswald Chambers shares his thought about overcoming despair in the face of our brokenness:

“The well of your incompleteness runs deep,

but make the effort to look away

from yourself

and look toward Him.”

This illustration made me realize that I didn’t have to jump off a cliff to get started in this healing process that feels so onerous. I just had to start by twisting a little deeper and testing my balance. As in yoga, I had to find the place where I could deepen my twist, trust my balance and begin to look away from my reflection in the mirror back over my shoulder.

The mirror I have been looking in my whole life reflects all of the shortcomings of my humanity. And what I have struggled with in this visage is that most of what is looking back at me is actually true. I AM limited in my humanity. I am going to fail people that I deeply love. Over and over again.  Where the brokenness and pain and wounds enter in this experience is around the implications of these truths... If I’m human and going to fail, am I hopeless? Do I just keep trying harder? And in the absence of an even bigger truth, this has always felt so defeating and led me back to the droning lull.

For this I have grown to be utterly disgusted with my humanity, all the while knowing it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to share Christ’s love and truth. My sentiment is so dichotic, I knew there was something broken about the way I was looking at it. 

Our pastor, Derek, recently preached on the “way of weakness” – how it is through Christ’s humility and weakness that we are made strong. He spoke about our natural reactions to weakness; humanism: overcoming and fighting against our weakness, and fatalism: enduring and accepting our weakness. And my entire life, my experience and reaction to my shortcomings and weakness has wavered on that scale.

Grace always seemed like a perfectly normal thing... for other people. I was always taught to put others before myself and since I didn’t hold them to the same standard, that wasn’t particularly hard to do. Extending love and grace and compassion towards others was something I always found the space for in my heart. I have accepted that others are limited by their human condition. In the external world I have learned how to see grace, blessing, power and control in the hands of our Creator. Surrendering to my external circumstances is an area where I have experienced tremendous growth in the past year and I have begun to accept that He reigns over all circumstances and truly has the power to fix, forgive, heal, save… 

... everyone but me. I’m too broken. Walking around with too much shame. Too many wounds. There’s no freeing this dragon from her dungeon. But Derek’s point was so simple yet profound, and brought me to the edge of a new place:

“If we resent our restrictions or weakness that result from our human condition, then we resent our own being.”

I HATE being second. Being sinful. Being created. And realized that I ultimately hate my own being.

Can that be reconciled? Even now it feels impossible. But in a very practical and real way, I was able to see this Easter that is exactly what happened on the cross. Not only were our sinful acts forgiven, but our sinful nature was redeemed. As if Christ were looking down on me from the cross and saying, "Carly, it is done. Not only are you free from your sins, but you are free from the expectation of perfection. You do not have to live any longer with shame or guilt or self-hatred. Your existence has been justified and your weakness is actually my strength.  You only have to invite me into all those cracks so that my greatness can be revealed to the world when you fall short. This is what I mean when I call you mine. Can you find the humility? Can you surrender your whole self?"

The journey seems long and daunting and endless as I think about ALL the places I have been protecting my heart from Him and from myself. I admittedly I am very early in the stages of awareness, let alone actually surrendering these things. But each day when I rise, I get to choose. And so the first step in all of this for me is to begin in stillness and dwell in the Lord’s presence. To remind myself of this truth that counters what I have believed my whole life. And slowly start to find my balance and begin to look away from the mirror over my shoulder and into the face of the Lord.  And choose surrender. 

All for the hope of one day being free.

Taking Back the Mornings

moving from awakening to active acceptance

 I recently made a resolution. Not so much a New Year’s resolution because I fear new year promises are surrounded by expectations that somehow psychologically set me up for disappointment. Rather this is a personal resolve to which I renew my commitment at the beginning of each day. I am resolving to relinquish control in the toughest area of my life: my most intimate relationships. This desire has been nagging me for months but not until recently was I pushed to a place requiring my surrender and quest for an alternative.

For me, the practical steps behind this mighty feat for which I do not feel strong enough begin with letting go of personal expectations. By relieving my closest relationships of the expectation that they would behave in a particular way and letting go of the fear that they would cause me pain through their action or inaction, I am free to trust. And trusting is horrifying, as it creates an immense black hole for disappointment and pain. But the alternative of being consumed by fear and angst, frantically grasping at and gripping everything dear to me, is crippling and unsustainable. And I have come to a crossroads in my life where I am exhausted trying to control and drowning in self doubt. Slowly dissolving these personal expectations not only frees up those around me, but it enables me to be bigger than my circumstance & move closer to personal liberation. 

At the onset of this practice (during which I feel very much like a toddler trying to walk), the “high” of an untethered experience opens me up to so many more possibilities. What if I chose to LIVE my life instead of worry and attempt to manage every interaction that has true value to me? my expectations would drown in the possibility of outcomes. And I might even encounter the joy that comes with experiencing present moments, extinguishing worry of the future state.

Only a short time after loosening my grip I realize I have so much energy that has become displaced - what was once spent wishing and planning and fretting is now free to jump from subject to person to goal. And as my life prana bounces between each of these alternative destinations, I connect my life experience to what I know to be true about G-d, and come to realize that there is only one space for this energy to comfortably land, to call home, that truly frees it from its wandering state. I begin to realize that the “freedom” experienced at the onset of this journey wasn’t freedom at all - it was a release but not a true surrender.

I realize that it’s not until that energy finds its proper home that I can begin to hope. Because hope is a guide rope, coming out of the future towards me, and is anchored in the ultimate foundation - the palm of our omniscient Father. Once the live wire of flowing current finds its true home grounded with the ultimate Source, I can begin to really let go of the flimsy untethered rope I was once gripping so tightly - a rope anchored only in the brokenness of humanity with no direction or place to land, whose future is merely a product of happenstance. Because now, I am not alone.

And this brings me to my role is this chaos: to actively choose. To choose to believe in G-ds promises. To choose to remember when He has showed up for me. To chose to trust others, not depend solely on myself. To chose to hope in a vision that so much greater and more secure than mine. And so, in taking back my morning, I am choosing to give that energy a home, where it will be nurtured, pruned and grown; and truly be life giving in the garden of our creator.

my role: choose. trust. hope.
His role: take care of the rest. 
my reward: freedom.

in. and out. and iiiiiiiinn. and ooooouuttt.

The Bigger Picture

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” - Emerson In the last 3 weeks, I have gone from feeling suspended in the air to being thrust, full force into what lies 'next' for me. In a matter of 2 days, I transitioned from a state of anxiousness and helplessness to an equally uncomfortable place, still helpless, but this time I'm barreling forward, filled with kinetic energy, full steam ahead. On Tuesday 4/10 I learned that the job I had been pursing and city I had been longing to live in was going to be my future. I was offered a job to join Google's Global Agency team in our New York office. The fulfillment of this desire and petition was such an answered prayer and a revealing journey about my nature. On Thursday 4/12 I learned that Dad was diagnosed with an large undifferentiated malignant mass in his abdomen. While confined to a specific area, this large mass will be the source of much pain and fear in the coming months. While my next steps are more clear, destination is still unknown. Seeking G-ds Lordship. Destination unknown. "When we take a day to simply be, to enjoy, to feel the warmth of the sun rays against our skin, the soft breeze through our hair, the weight of our foot against the sidewalk, against our world… what matters most? You already know what matters. It exists within you. It manifests in simple ways and often is staring you in the face, waiting for you to listen. It gives you chills when you hear it, a tingling when you feel it, and a warmth when you know it." - An excerpt from a favorite blog, Amber Rae

Floating

What an amazing weekend to celebrate! For my favorite holiday of the year, Chris flew out to California where we spent the weekend in Carmel experiencing and exploring the magnificent tapestry of the profound West Coast shoreline. Similar to Sedona last year, our adventures again led us to a unique place of worship on Easter Sunday: a Monastery by the sea that dates back to the early 30s. We also enjoyed hiking and driving along scenic Highway 1 in Big Sur - a truly spectacular view! It was the perfect relaxing weekend trip we both needed to recharge and reconnect.

As for an overdue life update: the best analogy I can draw to the ambiguity surrounding my existence since moving to San Fran is that it's much like being suspended in the air. Nearly every area of my life is filled with unknowns and is lacking short term definition. The place where I am today, shaped by both situational variables and personal decisions, is evolving for me the abstract Christian idea of "trusting G-d." What does it mean to trust Him? To believe that He will bring the resolution how and that you want? That if patient enough, you will ultimately be in His favor and your desires will be met? I think these assumptions totally disregard what I understand to be the nature of G-d. Having faith in His Lordship is finding rest and peace in the knowledge that we don't have to know what's coming next, just that we need to be present now. So what does that look like?

For me it has been messy, at best. Trying to center myself when my physical, emotional, professional, personal, relational and even spiritual environments are in flux has been an A-type person's nightmare. The back and forth between "trusting" and "fearing" that which I can't control has been a constant dichotomous energy drain. But I continue to try, thankful for grace. And I continue to learn. Specifically, I have begun letting go of a lot of guilt that once came with asking friends for favors. I would expect nothing in return for loving my friends and showing them hospitality, so why is my expectation that it would be any different the other way around? I am thankful for my incredible support system that has been built up over the years, now keeping me a float. I would absolutely not be able to do this alone.

Fate favors the bold. So I am daring to be bold, honest with myself, trusting in the plan, intentional in every action, and present in every moment. I'm hopeful for resolution and direction to come soon and will be sure to update as it does. Until then, I'm going to try to live each day as if it's on purpose.

A few things that aren't THAT bad about the life change

Well, I spoke too soon when commenting on my impeccable health in the last blog post. The day after I made the move out to SF, I came down with a sinus & double ear infection. I'm not sure if the temporary hosing, 6 hours plane flight, or living out of a suitcase is to blame, but needless to say it was a rough first week. 10 days in, I am now nearly fully recovered and trying to get my bearings.

In an effort to search for the silver lining in this less than comfortable transition, I thought I would highlight a few things that aren't too bad about the new situation I find myself in:

10. Tons of natural light
9. Having my own space to spread out
8. Heated toilet seats at work (mom - you know what I'm talking about..) This may or may not have been one of the big selling points when deciding to take the job at Google initially. You can imagine my disappointment on the first day of work in Boston when I learned this feature was only offered in our Mountain View office...
7. Excellent organic, locally grown, all natural, non-hormone injected, over priced produce :)
6. Boston Reunions! I think nearly 20 people who I worked with previously in the Boston office now live in MTV or the Bay Area
5-3... I'm struggling to come up with 10...
2. Work ski trip in Tahoe!! You really can't argue with a paid trip to ski during the second week on the job. It certainly beats any day in the office!
1. G-d's omnipresence... Although I feel very far from friends and loved ones out here, I find comfort in knowing that the Lord has no geographic limitations and is with me to buffer this transition and guide my search for community, comfort, sense of purpose.

Changing of Seasons

The title of this blogpost is multipurpose. Quite literally, I have been changing seasons in a very unusual order over the course of the last year:

Jan-March: winter in Atlanta (40°F)
April-June: spring in Phoenix (90°F)
July-Sept: winter in BA (50°F)
Oct-Dec: spring in BA (80°F)
Jan 2012: between Texas (45°F), BA (90°F), Sao Paulo (75°F) & New York (30°F)

It's a miracle I haven't gotten sick these past 7 weeks living out of a suitcase and rapidly changing climates (knock on wood). And the season is due to change yet again as I make a move to the west coast. After several months of tireless searching for my next career opportunity, I have landed an "uncomfortably exciting" role with Google's Global Local Solution team out of our Mountain View office. The work will be a much wanted shift away from the pure advertising world but a great opportunity to leverage my experience working with small & medium sized businesses. Our new team is tasked with solving some exciting challenges Google faces in providing the small business owner with our current and developing product offering. As we have grown, our approach to bringing new products to market has not and my job will be to rethink the best way to deliver local tools & solutions to this segment. In addition to the work being interesting, the leadership and talent on this team is fantastic! Each Googler's reputation precedes them & given my experience working with some of these talented individuals in the past, I'll be surprised if we don't have this problem solved by the end of the year!

From a personal perspective, arriving at this decision has been quite challenging. Over the course of my 2011 adventures, I began to envision a future, more settled life for myself surrounded by loved ones and community. I clung to this vision as it seemed to be a glimpse of hope that got me through the tougher days. But the life I had envisioned did not line up with the priorities I had been pursuing or the opportunities on the table at the end of my Argentina assignment. So I find myself at a cross roads of reevaluating my priorities & seeking the path of least regret. And I just feel so human. No doubt this experience is teaching me an in-depth lesson about seeking intentionality in all my actions.

So as I turn the corner of my 27th birthday, I'm headed for San Francisco. I feel thankful for each day I have been blessed with on this earth and I'm going to do my best to keep living for purpose, telling an awesome life story, and loving people along the way. Here's to trusting your intuition, being thankful for loyalty and love from those cheering you on, and most importantly having faith in G-d's divine vision for our lives and His ability to narrate our stories.

I'll be sure to share my new address when I finally settle down (likely in early March).

Much love,
Carly

Buenos Aires Operation Recap

Dear friends, mentors, and other personal stakeholders:

As I reflect on the last 6 months I spent working on a startup effort for Google in Argentina, I wanted to take a moment to share an update with you on my progress, what I have learned, and the overall impact I am trying to make on behalf of Google across Latin America.

After a brief stint in Phoenix where I learned how Google’s ETO Combustion Program works to outsource AdWords sales, I moved down to Buenos Aires to start up a similar long tail acquisition operation supporting all of Spanish speaking Latin America. My first two months were focused on working with Google legal to help select and on board a vendor business partner. During this process, I learned first hand about international contract negotiations, specifically the importance of attention to detail & understanding cultural context in these conversations. By September 1, with signed contract in hand, I had recruited & hired our first class of sales reps who were ready to begin the intense 4-week AdWords training program.

Today, only 3 months into the operation, I have recruited and trained 2 classes of vendor FTEs, making up the 30 sales reps who drive SMB client acquisitions across 17 countries in Latin America. To date we have acquired 675 new Google AdWords customers (76% to target) which will contribute to nearly one million dollars in our annual revenue for Latin America for 2012. The ramp up was quick but the good news is we continue to see weekly growth and progress as we partner with our marketing counterparts to launch additional lead sourcing campaigns. As I set out with the goal of building a sustainable new business acquisition operation, I had no idea what I would have the chance to learn along the way (you can read more here).

I am still searching for the next challenging & exciting opportunity here at Google for 2012. However I am hopeful that there is a team with which I can share what I have learned in this fantastic experience and continue to impact our greater organization. Thanks to each of you who have invested in me over the past 4 years.

"What is the one sentence summary of how you change the world? Always work hard on something uncomfortably exciting!"
- Larry Page

The Creightons Go South of the Equator

Apologies it has been so long since my last update. Work has been quite hectic, leaving little time for reflection and recap of my adventures.

The second week of October I had the pleasure of hosting the Creighton Clan. Mom, Dad & Emily came down for 12 days to experience my side of the world. We spent the first few days sight seeing in Buenos Aires and then took a 5-day vacation (finally!) to Mendoza to explore the vineyard countryside. It was incredibly relaxing and full of fantastic wine! We stayed at a lovely botique hotel, Bohemia Hotel, and some of our favorite vineyards included Andeluna, Achaval Ferrer, and Salentein. Let me know if you ever think of traveling there - I have lots of recommendations.

One of the most fun parts of the adventure was a cooking class at a boutique winery Finca Adalgisa. Mom and I sat under an old walnut tree around an outdoor clay oven with 10 of our new best friends drinking wine and learning how to make homemade empanadas and chimichurry. It was such a great experience fellowshipping with other travelers and learning about Argentine culture through cooking & wine – there are few things better in life!

We also went on a family hike one day in the Andes. It was a spectacular view and quite an athletic feat for the 4 of us. But we ALL made it to the top!!.. and then celebrated with beer and empanadas when we made it back to the base :)

As far as work goes, we are finally starting to firm up a stable infrastructure with our vendor. Most of the big processes have been established and the call center is finally becoming self-sufficient. This stability not only allows me maintain my sanity but it frees up time to think a bit more strategically about growth opportunities for the business. We continue to struggle to find our rhythm to get on track and hit our sales targets, mostly because we are still trying to prospect the right quality and volume of leads. However all of our inbound and outbound lead channels should be at 100% by the end of the quarter. Additionally we have just finished training our second class of reps and as of Monday we will have 30 full time employees (100% of staffing target).

I can hardly believe I have only 5 weeks left in this beautiful country. As far as what I will be doing in the new year, I am searching for my next move, both professionally and personally. Additionally, I am still looking for one last South American adventure. Stay tuned for more on both of these. ☺ In the mean time, I welcome any prayers and warm thoughts as I transition into my next life phase. Many blessings and thanks to all of my friends and family for your support throughout this chapter.

My Mid-Way Point

What an exciting week it has been. I had my second visitor this week, Miss Sara Beth! After a “small” fender-bender in the taxi ride over, Sara made it safely to my doorstep last Saturday morning & we spent most of last weekend perusing open-air markets. Saturday we strolled through the Recoleta cemetario, checking out some of the local fare & outdoor music. Sunday we enjoyed the San Telmo feria, exploring the birthplace of tango. Sara ate her first parilla, indulging in choripan sausage & I partook with a lomo sandwich. Mmmm… not many things better than street food (which is not regulated by the food & drug administration as Sara learned one of her tours).

As is true for all good vacations, the main theme of week was FOOD! Whether cooking in or dining out, our meals dictated the rhythm of Sara’s trip. A few of the spots we were able to check out included Croque Madame (French Café), Gran bar Danzon (simply amazing), Las Cabras (una parilla or steakhouse), Cumana (Argentine food del campo), & Como en Casa (favorite neighborhood café). Not to mention the ice cream we had delivered from Volta (they may or may not have had my address on file :). Thursday night we had a unique experience at Jueves a la Mesa. We were invited into the home of an expat and new acquaintance of mine to share a meal with 13 complete strangers. It was a beautiful event. We ate all natural vegetarian food (which is very hard to find in this city) and listened to a local band share some of their art with us. This city attracts some truly beautiful people!

In the professional realm, I reached a very important milestone for my operation this week: 18 sales reps graduated from their 4 week training and hit the floor last Monday. Getting this operation up and running on my own has been a lot of work to say the least, but I am very proud to say that nearly 100% of the reps I recruited, interviewed, hired and trained are now driving revenue for the outsourcing project only 4 weeks into the operation. I continue to be challenged in this role & it has been incredible to learn all of the facets and stakeholders involved in running a small business. In the initial phase, lesson #1 was to know my market (specifically when doing negotiations and business in a new country). Lesson #2 over the past couple of weeks has been to identify and leverage my key stakeholders. Things move very quickly at Atento (our outsourcing partner) and the art of prioritizing, delegating, plugging holes have been key skills I’ve been able to capitalize on in the past month. I am now focusing on how to maximize the project’s potential by identifying and working with some of our key internal and external partners: “How can working with team X make this more successful for Google?” Once I am able to understand that and build process to ensure strong channels of support and communication, this ship just might really start sailing!

Well, I spent the whole night fighting
Fighting with some ghost
And when the break of morning found me
I'd both won and lost

You see the question isn't are you going to suffer any more
But what will it have meant when you are through?
The question isn't are you going to die, you're going to die
But will you be done living when you do?

Yes, I spent the whole day running
Trying to catch the sun
But when the darkness overtook me
All my running had made me strong

So run till you cannot take a single step in strength
Then crawl on your hands and knees, till your hands and knees they ache
And when you cannot crawl
It will be me you call to carry you back home again.
- "Done Living" - Justin McRoberts

You are in our prayers, Sunday Ibok

Fall into... Spring??

My English is slowly deteriorating. Not just my spelling (which was bad to begin with), but my sentence structure. My vocabulary. Todo. When I get home from work some days I’m not sure that I speak any language at all. I guess that is part of the learning curve. Hopefully it’s the end of the learning curve.

Mmm... home cooking!

There’s been lots of change these past 2 weeks. Despite the adventure of it all, Chris ended his vacation and returned to NYC the first of the month. Though I miss his company (and his cooking) it was the right decision for him to be back home as the city melts into fall. In the meantime, my world is finally blooming with early signs of spring. The change in weather has been pleasant, as I can now sleep comfortably with open windows. There is something peculiar about spring weather during fall at home. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination and the thought of being back stateside for to changing leaves, bbqs, and football games, or if spring in Argentina really smells like fall.

The weather has not been the only change spring has brought. After hours of interviewing candidates, we finally built a solid team and launched our operation on Monday the 5th. Now, in the second week, our training is running smoothly and our “Nooglers” are studying hard to pass their exams so they can being selling AdWords. Additionally, we have begun making outbound calls to new customers across Central and South America. This start up is shaping up really nicely. I work long hours (very long hours) but am learning not just the art but the necessity of delegation. My next big objective – tackling Q4 targets! Stay tuned for more updates.

A New Perspective

With 5 bags, 2 backpacks, and a carpet bagger’s purse Chris and I successfully made the move from Puerto Madero to my new home in Recoleta on his first day in the city. Settled comfortably on the 6th floor of a brand new building, we find ourselves in the equivalent of a fully furnished flat at Park Ave and 68th. With heated floors, towel racks, and bidets, we are not deprived any luxuries. The modest 2 bedroom and 2 ½ baths leaves lots of room for visitors (hint, hint ☺).

Since settling in almost 3 weeks ago, we have been able to enjoy many of the conveniences of the new spot, namely reading in nearby coffee shops, going for runs in the various neighborhood parks, and experimenting with new scrappy recipes in our beautiful Italian kitchen. Our weekends have been devoted to adventures throughout the city. Last weekend we had the treat of seeing an opera at the world renowned Teatro Colon, to sample a bit of the high life. Sunday was followed by a leisurely stroll through the San Telmo antique market where we got our fill of the local flavor.

Yesterday, to take advantage of the 3 day weekend, Chris and I decided to go on an adventure across the Rio de Plata to Uruguay. Though easier to imagine the quaint town coming alive in the summertime, Colonia, Uruguay was very charming and lively, noone deterred by the crisp 40 degree weather. Chris and I wandered through the cobblestone streets, exploring every nook and cranny, finally settling at a riverfront restaurant for lunch. Despite the subpar (and to be expected) service, food, and wine, our joy triumphed with excellent conversation and the sun beating on our faces.

On a slightly different, but equally as exciting note, work is finally picking up. After an 8th month pursuit of the vendor and 6 weeks since my arrival, our business partner signed the contract last Thursday and we are excited to begin the recruitment process for my project. Beyond exploring the city, I finally feel I have a bit of a purpose in being here.
The last month has been an indescribable adventure for Chris and I and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to share it with him. While his departure date is still up in the air, it has been a blessing to have such incredible company and companionship. A few key lessons so far include:
- Delegate, delegate, delegate! As an individual contributor historically, I have learned I cannot do it all myself. Therefore, the sooner I can identify and delegate to top talent, the better position I am in
- Its important tobe strong out of the gate. The momentum I set from the get go will affect our performace moving forward so its important to set a good tone.
- Most people learn as they go so I shouldnt be so hard on myself. Finding humility in the mistakes and moving forward through the learnings is key to success in this operation.

If you want to check out more photos, click here

Bacon & Eggs

I have recently come to appreciate the lesson that many a successful Iron Chefs have learned over the years: the magic is in the secret ingredient! Living in a part of town that is primarily corporate housing and which attracts a lot of tourists comes with many conveniences. However, because if its transient audience, it doesn’t offer much to sustain life beyond the corner café or overpriced tourist wine shop. Hence, I have not yet encountered a supermercado since arriving in Buenos Aires. Thanks to a weekend crammed packed with downtime, I had the good fortune during my Saturday afternoon stroll of stumbling across a corner store stocked with none other than incredible, edible eggs!

At first thought, this may seem like a less than revolutionary find, however I can assure you that to encounter a protein other the beef is a rarity in this city! This, along with the recent addition of balsamic vinegar, has really rocked my kitchen experience. I gave the ole bacon & eggs my best shot for Sunday night dinner.

My palate encountered another South America rarity last weekend: vegetarian food. I have been CRAVING some quality hummus since arriving in early July and my friend, Mer, introduced me to a vegetarian restaurant in Palermo on Saturday. By vegetarian I think the Argentines really mean “not beef or pork”, since 60% of the dishes on the menu were from the sea. But the food was exceptional, the prices were reasonable, the ambiance was fantastic, and the company was top notch.

Other things my week has included are Indian food (yum!), a trip to China town thanks to my friend Caro for the sole purpose of feeding my Sriracha Sauce craving, finding a way to stream American films on my computer, and some awesome Google+ hangout and video chats with Sonenshine, Spence, Weej, Chris, Mom & Dad, and eve EASE! Keep ‘em coming!

This week is a busy one… after being here for nearly a month, things are getting ramped up with the vendor at work (operation inception is imminent). Additionally, I am moving to a new apartment and my first visitor arrives. :) Let the adventures really begin!

Bievenidos a Buenos Aires

It’s funny how things come full circle. I created this blog 2 ½ years ago during my first trip to Argentina. It was in April of 2009 that my love for Latin America reached a new height and I realized how deeply rooted my connection to and passion for the culture was. Ever since, I have been longing to reconnect. When I came across this opportunity last November, I knew it was something that could not be passed up. Rather it was the perfect opportunity for me to continue to pursue my Personal Legend*. So here I am. 26 years old and living out my life story in South America.

The transition to B.A. has been a fairly smooth one. Despite the flight delays from NY due to volcanic ash in Chile, I made it here via business class safe and sound. As far as work is concerned, things have been pretty slow as we are still waiting on the vendor to sign the contract so we can begin the operation.

My living situation is incredible. I secured a luxury apartment for 3 weeks in order to take some time to find a more permanent place. I am currently on the 36th floor of a brand new building in Puerto Madero, with a view of Uruguay off my balcony on a clear day. My commute to work is 5 minutes, which is incredibly convenient given the recent wintry weather.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Copa America quarterfinals and see Uruguay beat Brazil. For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Copa games are played every 4 years similar to the World Cup and are the next best thing for LatAm. Argentina was hosting the games this year. After Uruguay’s victory today in the finals, I feel as if my attendance last week had some bearing in their overall success on the games. Or perhaps it was the fact that I was on national television in Brazil during halftime last week when a crazy man began dancing around in the stands and the broadcasters captured it on camera, commenting on the confused look of the American girls on the front row.

Beyond that, I have begun exploring the city poco a poco, and liberally enjoying the fine wine and meat for which this country is so well known. The winter is fairly mind when it’s not raining and today was a beautiful day, 64 and sunny. I spent most of it reading and sketching in the park. One of my favorite things is the quality of the coffee. Beyond the flavor far exceeding anything Starbucks could offer, I have to admit I’m a bit of a sucker for the small cups and spoons. I don’t know who came up with the concept, but they are just adorable!

More updates to come as I get settled in my new place the first of August. Feel free to hit me up for a Skype date, Google+ hangout, or even a trip down to see the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. I will have plenty of room to host guests – just let me know!

*The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho. 1993.

Another Season... Filled with Blessings

All smiles for Emily...

The months of May & June were quite busy. I spent 6 of the last 40 nights as a US resident actually in my bed on Phoenix. Since my last update life has been full of excitement:

- Jamie & Christy visited me in Phoenix... girls' weekend
- My sister graduated from college (so proud of her!)
- My dear friend Ali got married to the man of her dreams
- I spent 10 days abroad scoping out my new home in B.A.
- I had a week of adventures in San Fran and the wine country with Chris, Stevie & Josh + my global Google family
- I visited my family and dear friends Nicole, Jodi & Sara back in Texas
- & I spent my final state-side hours with Annie, Roz, Chris & company in NYC!

Looking back it seems a bit crazy to have crammed all that into 8 week's time but for those of you who know me well, it's nothing shy of my character to fit as much as I can in the shortest amount of time possible (thanks for that skill, mom)! I don't have enough time to go into each of these wonderful experiences, but I am really grateful for having had the chance to catch up with so many friends and loved ones before heading south for my stint in Argentina. Thanks to everyone who offered their time and encouragement over the past couple months. It really prepared me to take this giant step...

Easter in Sedona, Arizona

The 40 day fast of the Lenten season and its culmination on Easter Sunday constitute what I would argue is my favorite time of year. There is something extraordinarily beautiful about making a sacrifice, a personal fast, in order to refocus on the true meaning and sacrifice of Easter. This holiday was always such a huge celebration for our family when I was growing up. It started with picking our favorite childhood indulgences (usually something with a high concentration of sugar) and committing to not partake in it for 40 days (plus or minus a few cheating Sundays). Emily and I were always kept honest in what we decided to give up because mom and dad obviously knew our greatest weaknesses, so the year I tried to give up broccoli Ken kept me honest by encouraging me to rethink the meaning of lent ☺ We received our ashes on Ash Wednesday & put together our mite boxes where we would deposit a quarter every time we broke our fast until Palm Sunday, when we would march around the church with banners and palm leaves & begin counting down the few days left until Easter. The big day was always celebrated by a tremendous egg hunt at Ease & Poppop’s house, 200+ eggs hidden around their yard, an enormous feast, and the freedom to eat as much candy as humanly possible (trying not to make ourselves sick).

This year I made the journey to explore the red rocks of Sedona on this momentous occasion. About 2 hours north of Phoenix, Sedona is best described as a small hippie town in Arizona’s high desert just under the southwest rim of the vast Colorado plateau. Filled with breathtaking red-rock formations, abundant hiking paths, natural energy fields (vortices), and some extremely interesting people, there is a lot to see in Sedona. Chris and I only had about 36 hours to explore the countryside but I think I speak for both of us when I say we weren’t disappointed at G-d’s splendor in this place. Among some of the things we experienced, were breathtaking sunsets & sunrise, winding canyon trails, awe-inspiring mountain top views, & the Chapel of the Holy Cross (pictured above). Even the view from Starbucks was incredible! Thankful that I could celebrate the holiday among G-d's sprawling beauty and with awareness of His Grace.

Hot Yoga in Phoenix is HOT!

As a fairly active yogini for the past 6 years, I have become well adapted to the practice of hot vinyasa, prana, & core power yoga. Yoga has become a huge part of my life, serving as a very important source of healing and relaxation emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. So needless to say, when my coworker told me about a studio he has been visiting, I was eager to check it out. To say that I nearly passed out during my first class does not do the experience justice! I lost probably 5 lbs in water weight and could barely drive myself home, like a wet & heavy mop with pruned fingers and toes. I have now completed my 4th session and am feeling much more acclimated to this desert heat.

Last weekend, Pam and I went hiking for my first official outing. Since the previous weekend’s hike was a bit of a failure (mostly due to rain) I decided accountability would help me complete the task of tackling one of Phoenix's better know hikes: Camelback mountain. In all, our 3 mile journey up and down the mountain (plus the 1 mile trek each way to and from the car) took us about 3 hours. It was quite a steep and rocky hike and with Pam setting the pace, my heart was racing. But we beat the crowd and were blessed with excellent weather. These factors, combined with great company, made for one excellent Palm Sunday. One hike closer to conquering Machu Pichu and the Inca Trail!

Tonight I went for a haircut. I recently began to notice some split ends and overgrown bangs as I approached my 6 month mark so when Tiffani offered to introduce me to her hairdresser, I decided it was time to pull out the shears. For those of you who know me well, you will not be surprised to learn that upon arriving, I provided a detailed explanation of how things were going to go down: “I really just want a trim… clean it up a bit… but not too short… shape the bangs… but not too thick… etc.” Thanks to Christy, Tiffani and the hairdresser were warned of my typical emotional reaction to changes in the mirror and I can honestly say when I called my mom on the way home to tell her I didn’t cry & I that I loved my new hairdo, I meant it!

Finally, for some great inspiration, insight and reflection as we prepare for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, here are a few sermons to check out (thanks Jarp!)
- Kairos Atlanta - Palm Sunday Sermon
- Reunion Boston - 66 words series

-3 hours: Mountain Standard Time

I first want to comment on the current title of my blog: "Blogging in Arizona is lame..." I always had plans to blog once I got to Argentina, mostly because communciation is a bit more limited and I thought it would be a great way to document my travels and stay connected with family and friends. While discussing this before leaving Atlanta, I made the comment that it would be lame (and rather narcissistic) if I were to blog during my 3 month stint in Arizona. After all, it's pretty simple to pick up the phone and call a friend to check in on life.

However after realizing how taxing my job would be on top of the fact that Arizonans are crazy and this is the only contiguous state that doesn't observe daylight savings time, I find myself waking up when my friends are already at lunch and calling my mom on my way home from work to tell her goodnight. Therefore, I decided a blog would allow people to check in when it was most convenient for them. Now the only problem is staying up to date with what's going on in each of your lives... please drop me an email, voicemail, or even snail mail so I can stay tuned in :)

Last weekend was my first weekend in Arizona & I had the privledge of visiting Scottsdale Gun Club. Thanks to 2 friends from DAC who are club members, I got to shoot a 22 pistol and a 9MM (like the one from those shoot-em-up video games). And while I was too afraid to shoot it, I did hold an AK-47. Nothing like a warm welcome form the state with the most liberal gun laws in America!

Today was my first day really exploring the tri-city area. I woke up early to one of the five rainy days Arizona sees all year, and hit the trails of South Mountain, just a few miles down the road. I then headed over to a local organic farm, The Farm at Stone Mountain where a beautiful outdoor wedding was taking place. After wandering the grounds a bit, I lugged the 5 books I'm currently reading to check out Cartel Coffee Lab and Essence Bakery. Nestled in the heart of ASU's campus, both exceeded my expecataions as cozy Saturday afternoon coffee & reading spot.

I rounded the day out with a trip to the farmer's market to grab the rest of the ingredients to make some tabouli salad. Key learnings: (1) think about portion size when you live alone & (2) it's is easier to make with a cutting board (not an Urban Outfitter's bag)...

Dinner tonight with co-workers and friends then back to the grindstone tomorrow!

A Facelift for C^2 Vamos

This blog was originally intended to serve one purpose... to display pictures and updates of my travels so that my family could read and see that I was alive and well, wherever I happened to be on the map. However, it has recently adopted a second function: to house the amazing memories I should be making on my life adventures but that I can't seem to remember once they happen. Therefore in addition to serving as a vehicle to update friends and family, "C^2 Vamos" will also become a depository in which I can store all my memories and look back on one day.

Carnival @ Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

About a year ago I made a list of the top 5 adventures I wanted to have before settling down. In no particular order, they included:

1) Living in Latin America
2) Celebrating Carnival in Brazil
3) Chartering a Boat through the Greek Islands
4) Climbing Machu Pichu
5) Visiting South Africa

So far, I have been blessed with opportunities to get a healthy start on this list. In addition to accomplishing #1 (which I will write about later) I was able to meet up with my dear friend Jodi in Salvador last month to celebrate Carnival. Jodi and 3 ladies she met living in the Marshall Islands made the decision last year to save their money, quit their jobs, and travel around South America together for 6 months. Their mission: to take a break from the sometimes all-consuming American lifestyle and be present in each moment of their adventures exploring South America's wonders.

My 10 day trip to Brazil was more than everything I had dreamt up during the 5 months I spent anxiously anticipating my departure. What I experienced was definitely a healthy taste of the Brazillian cultural: the food, the people, the language, & the feastivities & celebration surrounding the holiday were incredibly vibrant and full of life. However, while I was expecting to expend all of my prepared energy on these things, I never could have anticipated what the company I kept would offer: a renewed sense of positive energy that rejuvinated my soul. As if to prepare for the next big adventure in my life, I was filled up through the beautiful companionship I found in each of these 4 traveling spirits: Katrina, Jodi, Brigid, & Diane.

Through every bite of street food, every night dancing down cobblestone alleys, each smiling Brazilian face I encountered, every moment of reflection, quiet time, deep conversation, and even video chatting back to the states, I am eternally grateful for how I grew during this short yet transforming discovery.

To see the entire trip album, Click Here

June 1 - Acapulco

Last week was much busier than the first, naturally, having become more familiar with the office and the people I'm working with here. Most of my evenings were spent juggling my work back home with my new responsibilities here. However I definitely made time for fun on the weekend. Mid-week, it occurred to me that I couldn't come all the way to Mexico and not go to the beach! So Friday afternoon, 6 of us from the Mexico Google office packed our bags, rented a car, and headed 5 hours south to Acapulco!

We arrived late Friday night to the house we had rented, admittedly more glamorous in the pictures we had seen online. None-the-less is was perfect for our needs... 6 Googlers, 3 girls, 3 guys, 1 room and 1 bathroom! And... we had our own private infinity pool overlooking a beautiful rocky coast line - it was a breathtaking site!

Most of Saturday and Sunday were spent baking in the sunlight, when it popped its head out between clouds. And Saturday night we saw the town... Acapulco is a peculiar place. It has been a hot spot for tourists since the 1960s, and yet rarely updated since then. From the night fever music the serenaded us at dinner, to the extravagant chandeliers, infinity mirrors, and green vegas carpet at the discotheque, we felt like we were living in a never before seen episode of Miami Vice!

At some point over the course of the weekend, I unfortunately came in contact with an unfriendly bacterial infection (also known as "Moctezuma's Revenge" or "Turista") and therefore spent the last few days laying low and drinking lots of water. With antibiotic in hand, I am hopeful that things are looking up :) Only 10 days left... and so much exploring still to be done!

May 22, 2010 - Mexico D.F.

This week I began my adventure in Mexico City for a month with Google. I am spending my time supporting our Mexico sales teams since they are significantly understaffed, while continuing to maintain my responsibilities on my US team.

As you might imagine, the culture in Mexico is very different than in the States... even at Google. The team here is very short staffed (i.e. 12 people supporting the entire Mexican market) and they work very very hard! An average day in the office in LatAm is from around 9:30am - 8pm. To my disappointment, siestas only exist in the more rural parts of the country :( and with the exception of yesterday's office outing to the 'tunnel' taco stands (supposedly "real" mexican food), our lunch breaks are short. However, with hard works comes hard play. Last night's club experience was not the least of them. After an office beer & pizza get together on Eric rooftop deck, I learned the term "beer and pizza" is used very loosely here in Mexico. The event turned into more of a "tequila drinks, tequila shots, & mezcal - a form of agave liquor" - party. We then caravanned to Bulldog Cafe (a name which for me brings to mind a divvy burger joint in Athens, GA but to them is a very machismo posh establishment) where we had table service and listened to a variety of music, ranging from Green Day to Bon Jovi. And of course, the evening would not be complete without a stop on the way home to have some of " the best tacos in Mexico." Only pictures can describe this drive up hole-in-the-wall garage with over 100 people waiting for food at 3am. As true Googlers, the Mexico office really seems to enjoy their work, appreciate their play, and take care of each other!

The part of the city where I am staying, La Zona Polcano, is like 5th Avenue of NY or Michigan Ave of Chicago. It is one of the most active areas with upscale hotels and shopping and a variety of street cafes and restaurant, ranging from comida tipica de Paraguay to sushi & sake bars. Additionally it is only 1km from the office and the walk with Tobias along Parque Lincoln is really nice in the morning.

My afterwork activities as I get aquatinted with Polanco have not be devoid of good company. The people I have met at Google range from native Argentines, educated in the states, to Harvard educated Mexicans who grew up in the states and have since returned home, to Chilangos (the name for natives born and raised Mexico City). Our outings have included dinner at a traditional Argentine restaurant, a stroll around Polanco with some fro-yo, an upscale Mexican dinner, a visit to the local grocery store, and even the guilty pleasure of a night on the couch with hummus and a bottle of wine watching Glee, all with new friends.

This afternoon we have plans to visit Xochimilco, which is on the top 10 list for things to do while in Mexico City. Additionally I have hopes of visiting el Bosque Chalputepec and la Casa Azul, where Frida Kahlo lived. Much love to all and more updates to come as the adventure continues! Hasta Luego!

El Fin de Argentina... Trip Statistics...

• We took 8 flights, visited 5 countries, and stayed in 4 hostels in 9 days
• We got a total of 24 hours of sleep in the first FOUR nights!
• We walked 35+ km in 7 days and visited 10 different barrios
• We made friends with 2 Juans
• We drank 8 bottles of wine (and brought 6 home with us!)
• 20 cab drivers asked us "De donde eres?"
• We took 7 different forms of transportation (including the Juan-mobile!)
• Christy ate 24 desserts, mas o menos
• We made 35 new friends, only 2 of which were from the United States
• We brought back 28 souvineers, 12 of which were new outfits!
• We only officially took 5 days of vacation (though we milked it for all it was work)
• We saw 1 of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World!

Day 8 – “Sho Intiendo”

Shopping, shopping, shopping! – One of our favorite pass-times and something we had spent very little time (and money) on thus far during our vacation. Saturday morning we wandered around the streets of Palermo y Palermo Viejo all day long. The shops were endless, as each tienda had its own unique style and selection – much like the people of Buenos Aires. Two noteworthy purchases include a dress Christy bought which was made by a famous BA designer. It embodies much of the Latin flavor seen in Argentina! The second was a smoky topaz teardrop stone which Carly purchased. Semi-precious stones are very cheap in this region of the world, and it now sits beautifully in a ring I designed as a souvenir of our trip.

We shopped ‘til we nearly dropped (which is saying a lot for 2 pros) and ended up at Mark’s deli around 4pm for a quick bite of “lunch.” We wandered the streets a bit more, searching for last minute treasures to take back with us, and around 8 we headed back to our hostel, La Casa Esmeralda, to prepare for an ‘asado’ – the full Argentine BBQ experience. (Note: ‘asado’ should not be confused with ‘aseo’, which means bathroom!)

Our last night in BA began with an invite from our hostel owner to join him, the other guests, and 20 of his closest friends in a rooftop asado. The way it works is similar to a pot luck dinner in the states, and everyone brings different item. While we passed around various meets right of the grill, our dining experience was enriched by the many languages of communication that could be heard around the table. At any one moment, there were at least 3 different conversations happening in French, Spanish, and English. What an all around satiating experience!

We then headed back to San Telmo for our final night out on the town, hoping to leave the next day on our long journey home with a lingering sweet taste of Argentina …

Day 7 – “Las Cataratas”

Back to the agenda filled days….

We woke up early to head to the falls, and upon realizing we could not get a late checkout, we packed in a frenzy! On our way out the door the bellman handed me a note that read “Your mom called. Don’t forget to email!” Que Comico! Mom – do you know how old we are?

Finding an ATM, which was necessary before heading to the falls, was more of an adventure than we bargained for. After waiting in a line about 20 people deep, we learned this particular machine was only for people with local bank accounts, and we had to walk half-way across the town to stand in another line. Finally, with pesos in hand, we were off to the falls, bug repellant and all!

There are several different trails around the park giving visitors the option to have various views of the expansive wonder. Thanks to that power-walking class I took in college, we were able to do the entire 2 hour “caminato inferior” in 45 minutes, leaving time to ride the train up to “Garganta de Diablo.”

Iguazu Falls was one of the most amazing sites I have ever seen; more fantastic and expansive than any photograph could express. It is truly worthy of its place as a natural wonder of the world. How could one witness such a fantastic wonder and not believe in a higher power and mastermind behind creation?

This experience would not have been as enjoyable, however, if it were not for Christy’s foresight to rush ahead of the Brazilian band of women traveling in their matching T’s to catch a glimpse ahead of the traffic.

After our shuttle to the airport almost forgot us (well, they did forget us but they picked us up with just enough time to haul butt to the airport) we barely made our flight, stuffing our faces with a late lunch of jamon y queso. (Christy pouted the whole time!)

On the plane we noticed that all the attendants were wearing face masks. This was an indication to us that we may have been exposed to an outbreak of some sort during our stay at the falls (perhaps yellow fever or malaria???) We hit the internal panic button and assuming we were already doomed, Christy convinced herself that she wasn’t feeling well. (We later learned that she was in fact probably sick).

The good news: no yellow fever outbreak. The bad news: the precautions were due to the recent swine flu outbreak traveling around the world estimated to kill 250,000 people!!!

After all of this and due to the fact that it was Labor Day in B.A. and many places were closed, we decided to take it easy on night 7. Our hostel owner recommended a Vietnamese restaurant for dinner, and we were in the mood to change things up a bit from the traditional Argentine dining. Green Bamboo turned out to be a delicious find, and was by far the best meal we had on our trip. The spicy food and mango margaritas were a fantastic compliment to the very sheik atmosphere. We wander back to the hostel and went to bed around 1 (which was early for us) in order to prepare for the full day of shopping that was to come on Saturday!

Day 6 - “From Exhaustion to Exfoliation”

Prior to going to the falls, many people, Juan included, advised us that 3 days was too long to spend at a national park. After all, what else is there to do in such a small town besides see the waterfall? With a spa in site however, Christy and I knew exactly how to use every moment of that second day. Around 10am we headed to the falls and paid 120 pesos to get to the Sheraton hotel. This was outrageously expensive, but we would make up for it later!

Our pamper day began at the pool of the Sheraton hotel, with the shirtless Habana boy scrubbing the pool tiles with a toothbrush, and the world’s most spectacular waterfall served as a backdrop in the distance. We lounged in the plush pillow top chairs with toxic fruit concoctions in hand, soaking up some much needed rays en ‘piel pálida.’ We were then summoned to begin our self study on the seven pillars of beauty. The first pillar – H2O!

Unlike the usual Christy/Carly spa days, this one began with a circuit of water treatments. [Side note: This was also the portion of the trip when the submarine adventure began. Many thanks to our lovely spa hostess.] Succumbing to the power of whirlpool air jets and high pressure waterfalls, we rotated around the pool to loosen things up. Then the true relaxation began!

For the third time in the history of our friendship, Carly and Christy were able to enjoy a lovely couple’s massage, with side-by-side tables. :) We began with a full body 60 minute Swedish massage, followed by a fruity facial “a la natural”. We then received a reflexology treatment, which was a much needed indulgence for our swollen and tired feet. Luckily the sunburn from laying out the past two days didn’t set in until later that evening!

Our spa day continued with hot tea, wet and dry saunas (asthma attack), and journaling in the zen garden. We then finished off the day with a private water aerobics lesson (coincidentally with the same Habana boy from the morning!). He complimented our athleticism and stamina, probably because we were 30 years younger than his typical clientele. Mom, you would have been so proud!

We took relaxing showers in the locker room and in an effort to overstay our welcome at this hotel where we were not actually staying, we dined in the restaurant upstairs, chowing down on fresh salmon and filet minion (thanks Pop Pop!)

As we left one hotel for the other, the receptionist, having become so fond of us, slipped us a room key for free park entrance the next day. Haha park ranger – take that! Off to our second full night’s sleep with fresh sheets, a clean shower, and proper ventilation!

Day 5 - "Into the Jungle!"

Only 3 hours after we had gone to bed (potentially with bed bugs), this day started early! Our flight to leave for Iguazu departed at 7am, and because of our superior packing skills that we had down to a science after moving from place to place, we had an extra hour at the airport, with which we tried to figure out how to use the pay phone (we still have no idea how to make them work). Upon landing in Iguazu, we tried to contact the hotel to let them know of our early departure and subsequent check in, and as a result we missed the only shuttle to our hotel. We were instead forced to spend 70 pesos on a terrible cab ride, after a failed attempt to bargain with the local cab drivers (we weren't in Kansas anymore!).

Driving through the jungle trail to our hotel, Christy was intrigued to learn of the flora and fauna native in Iguazu, including but not limited to rhinos, bears, big cats (pumas), monkey, and deer. We had set very low expectataions of what this hotel would look like, given the fact that we had booked it from the United States based solely on Chinese travel reviews, however were pleasantly surprised. Upon arrival, we dropped our bags in our rooms and passed out by the pool, mouths' dropped open in a coma-like state, for a majority of the day. Our first moment or rest in 5 days!!!

After some much needed R & R, we once again tried to get help from the locals on how to use the phone. We finally reverted to paying 13 pesos for a 3 minute call to book our next hostel back in BA. Dinner back at the hotel was lovely (buffet style!), as was filled a bottle of wine and deep conversation about our futures and life ambitions, plotting to take over the world of course. With glowing sun-burnt bodies, we turned in for bed at 11pm for 10 HOURS of sleep (1/3 of our travel sleep count)! AMAZING!!!!