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Tag Archives: Civic Engagement

Hoy era un Día Perfecto (Today was a Perfect Day)

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Dr. Lisa R. Brown

Hoy Estaba un Día Perfecto

Mi Nueva Amiga “Pia” Rescatado mis Uñas Hoy.

Yo sé que es importante ir a fuera de la casa y estar abierto con reunirse con otras personas.  Es la manera mejor que se puede aprender cómo hablar en español y reunirse con gente nueva.  Por lo tanto, yo empiezo mi día con un viaje a la Plaza de Maule y la Superbodega.  Después de que he terminado mis compras, estaba claro que necesitaba tener mis uñas reparados.

Así yo caminaba en la plaza de Maule, hasta yo vi una tienda pequeña con un anuncio en la ventana que decía “manicures”.  Esto es cuando yo conocí mi nueva amiga Pia. Ella trabaja en City Hair Peluquería y Estética.  Ella hizo fantásticas mis uñas porque eran muy malas. No sabía que las otras mujeres en Athens habían usado un esmalte permanente en mis uñas y era muy difícil para la separación sin ayuda.  Ella hizo mis uñas hermosas de nuevo.   Nosotros hablábamos en el estilo Chilena de español (i.e., castellano) por más de una hora.  Yo aprendía nueva palabras y frases.    Pia era claro conmigo sobre como la lengua español era diferente de otras piases latino americano.  Le dije que cuando he terminado con español chileno, seré más sofisticada cuando vuelo a los EEUU. Todos nos reíamos, estaba una experiencia que buena. 

Estaba muy feliz tener una nueva amiga y aprender más cosas sobre Chile, América del Sur, y la cultura de Chile en general.   Mientras ella y yo hablábamos, algunas otras mujeres habían venido y unirse nuestra conversación.  Ellas me decían como obtener una forma menos costosa  de viajes llamado “”El Collectivo” y me daban el número. El Collectivo parece como al “Jitney” cual es una forma de menos costosa de viajes en las ciudades grandes que yo conozco, como Pittsburgh y Philadelphia en el estado de  Pennsylvania. Ellas me decían que este era más seguro que el autobús, particularmente si  yo llevo una bolsa conmigo. 

Finalmente, me encantó hoy y estoy entusiasmada por las próximas experiencias que tendré en Talca, Chile y más allá.

 

Sat1There is a lot of urban development going on in Chile and Talca is no exception.  Here is an area where I’ve been told new office buildings and businesses are being constructed.

Sat2It’s election season here as well and I saw this campaign bus parked alongside the construction site near the mall.  Can you say smart product placement? lol 😛

Sat3This billboard was advertising for new and safe luxury condominiums that I am assuming will be near the construction site I photographed earlier during my walk.  Isn’t it cool how the clouds on the billboard seem to mesh perfectly with the real sky?  I just noticed that in the pic.

Sat4This was a listing of current movies at the theater.  I really don’t stay up much with popular cinema (I’ve become more of a Netflix kinda person) and I didn’t recognize most of these movies.  I did notice that Marlon Wayans was present on one of the movie posters, however I had no idea he has a movie coming out (or currently out) that wasn’t a comedy.

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Roadside vendors are very common here, these folks were selling flags (Banderas).  A man who was a little further down the street was selling what looked like really fresh and juicy tomatoes.  Unfortunately, I had already completed my shopping for the week and had to tell him “No gracias“. 😦  There was also a man selling a bag of what looked like giant oranges.  I need to investigate further how safe it is to buy roadside produce as I really wanted that bag of oranges.

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I had to purchase some office supplies to furnish my new office space.  I also needed some cleaning products. I bought this purely because my name was on the packaging. It translates as: “Try the new no scratch Lisa.”  Hum!  They don’t even know me like that!  Hah hah 🙂

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Oh my word, this was the best pizza.  I had been looking for some good pizza and now I am happy to know I’ve found me a spot in the mall.  Unfortunately, I got distracted in another store and seemed to have departed without my leftovers.  The “Clumsy Gene” strikes again!

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My awesome manicure from Pia today.  (Doing the happy dance right now).  The highlight of my conversations with Pia today was when we both started to talk about US and Latin American actors and musicians that we liked.  She had me so tickled when she told me that Chileans love both Elvis Presley and Micheal Jackson.  That was a combination I didn’t expect, which left me cracking up laughing in my chair as my nails were drying. 😉

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Prayers for Peace and Love in Syria

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Dr. Lisa R. Brown

Prayers for Peace and Love in Syria

My good friend and hostess in Chile Carmen, offered me an invitation to attend her church today where other Christians came together on behalf of the deaths and injury to the people in Syria. It was an spiritually empowering experiences and the presence of the Holy Spirit was very clear especially in the singing of the congregates. I’m so happy I was able to share in the prayers and experience with them today.

I will add video of their beautiful singing and guitar playing shortly.

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Meeting with Ricardo Chacón Director of University Planning and Development UCMaule

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Dr. Lisa R. Brown

Meeting with Ricardo Chacón Director of University Planning and Development UCMaule

Starting the business day with a lovely cup of cappuccino is always a sign of a very good day! 🙂

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It was very lovely meeting with Ricardo this morning as we have very similar research interests in civic and community engagement as well as issues of access to higher education. I always enjoy sharing about my country, the University of Georgia, and of course, Spiral Dynamic Theory with anyone who will listen. I always get a very attentive and interested reaction from those who I am fortunate enough to discuss my research interest with while in Chile.

Everyone I have contacted so far in Chile has been very responsive to my research agenda. I sent an update email to the Dean of Humanities and Philosophy at the University of Chile, María Eugenia Góngora, letting her know I had arrived to the country.  She has already responded back to me very quickly (at approximately 10pm last night) reaffirming her support for my research. This kind of support is very reminiscent of how my dissertation Chair, Dr. Lorilee Sandmann and prestigious committee members, respond most rapidly to me as well. I feel very blessed and am convinced that I have the best doctoral dissertation committee in history. 🙂

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It became very clear to me that Señor Chacon is a very important person here at UCMaule as his telephones (in his office and cellular) are constantly ringing. I was happy he was able to meet with me on such short notice prior to his meeting with the University President (in Chile called the Rector). I also enjoyed a lovely lunch with his family meeting his wife Jimena and their two beautiful little boys.  Later in the week, I will meet with staff from the UCMaule Office of International Student Affairs here in Talca.  I also hope to get information about accessing the gym and Zumba classes.  I will be going to Pilates with Carmen tonight which I hope will hold me over until I can get to some weights and other exercise equipment.  I’ve really been eating a lot of good food here, perhaps a little too much! He he.

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My new office companions Veronica (who has the same name as my little sister) and José.

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First day on the mission and in my element. 🙂

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