My potential garden is growing.

I’ve decided that I would like to start growing some of my own food, which is not a particularly practical idea considering that I’m thinking of packing my things and leaving Bariloche in about one and a half months. But why put off something that I want to start doing now? True, I don’t have a particularly spacious and well-lit apartment. True, I won’t be able to see the fruits (and vegetables) of my labors and good intentions in the time frame that I have left. True, I have never really done this before and would be starting from seeds, soil and high hopes. But life is about living, and I want to have some fun.

It started with an idea: introduce plants into my classrooms. On a whole, city kids aren’t familiar with the agricultural arts. I know from experience. In my mission to live a greener life, I feel an obligation to introduce the younger generation to options they might not ordinarily get exposed to.

My youngest class, ages 9 through 11, was the guinea pig class. We voted on the veggies we would be planting. Tomatoes, carrots, spinach, onion and green peas. I persuaded the director of the institute that it was a wise investment of AR$21 (equivalent to US$6) to provide seeds and soil to ten eager elementary English students.

Mixed results came from this project. Students were enthusiastic when their plants started to sprout, some more than others. They learned new vocabulary. And felt a sense of pride and responsibility of caring for another organism. But I found it difficult to incorporate the plants into the curriculum. With another class to keep up with and a textbook to follow, the plants were pushed into the background.

Meanwhile, I used leftover seeds and some new ones (basil and parsley) to accompany my vibrant hot chili pepper plant, Ludro, to create my own minigarden. Without a proper place to put the plants, they live perched precariously outside my front door. Nighttime temperatures dip below the ideal and this spring has been a mixed bag of unpredictable long days of rain followed by abundant sun. So far nothing is showing much response to my endless love and affection, except Ludro who is an expectant mother of 5 plump chili peppers. Yum.

My plan is to leave Bariloche on the second of January 2010. Amazing how I’ve now been comfortable in Bariloche for over a year. And you know what that means, a sappy looking-back-at-the-last-year blog post is sure to follow. Stay tuned!

news updates

The school year is officially coming to a close. But I still work until December 17th.

Newest plan is to leave Bariloche on January 2nd.

My basil, hot pepper, and tomato plants are growing!!

I had a nice blogpost written and saved onto a flash drive, but this computer won´t recognise it. So you´ll have to make due with this. I have photos also. I promise.

Getting personal

I would like to note that: Reading this blog is purely optional and you may choose to close the window of your preferred internet browser and stop reading at any point.

We Americans, I have noticed, have a fairly hard time talking about certain topics dealing with bodily functions. We are easily squeamish and tend to avoid those topics all together. In this blog post I would like to push your comfort level a wee bit and talk about…

MENSTRUATION!

Yes. It’s the joy of Aunt Flo’s visit each month that can get us out of phys ed class, give us sometimes crippling side cramps, and provide unflattering stains when unexpected. But it is a natural and normal process that all women must go through.

So why not have some fun with it?

I used to be embarrassed walking up to the supermarket or drugstore checkout line with a box of my preferred tampons or sanitary pads. My face would go red and I would feel the embarrassment of the cashier (and everyone else) knowing that I was at ‘that time of the month.’ Or, when going through my bag, a tampon would slip out and go bouncing along the floor for the whole world to see. Every guy that I’ve met turns his face into disgust when the topic is mentioned, as though we were talking about some rotting carcass. Yes, we are taught that a period is something to be dreaded.

And the infamous PMS symptoms… Cramps, bloating, and everyone’s favorite MOOD SWINGS. I cursed being born a girl, mumbling something about how guys had it so much easier…

But this month was different. I looked forward to the first sign of menstruation with gusto! I did the period dance, to ask the nature gods for a speedy arrival. I made many of my male friends uncomfortable with my constant chatter. Why?

Because I found the Keeper. By word of mouth, I was informed of the existence of a tampon alternative and, in my interest of living a greener life, I researched it. A small cup that sits snuggly in place of a tampon that collects the menstrual fluid and can be emptied a few times a day. It was at that moment I thought about the extreme quantity of waste produced by conventional products. Plastic wrapping, paper applicators, cotton products… month after month produce an unbelievable mountain of non-biodegradable garbage.

Meanwhile the Keeper is made with all natural rubber and can be rinsed, dried, sterilized, and reused for up to ten years! Imagine, also, the amount of money saved…

So I ordered one. With a 3-month money back guarantee, what did I have to lose? And then I waited rather impatiently for the arrival of Aunt Flo. Come on, come on!

Once the period started, the Keeper did take a little getting used to; I have to admit. Insertion, the feeling of something there, removal, rinse and repeat. But by the end of the cycle, I was a pro!

Now my period is not something to be feared, but something to look forward to. And it’s a plus to know that I’m doing my part to help the environment!

I hope I didn’t gross you out too badly! :)

Links:

www.keeper.com (also the Moon Cup, for those with allergies to rubber)

www.divacup.com (Diva Cup another alternative)