Soy horrible.

Buenos!

I went to an interview with Luis Diego yesterday. It was great, but I couldn't understand a word. I spent the rest of the afternoon transcribing Marilyn's endless interviews from Sweden. It's actually getting pretty interesting. There are studies on social networking that have been going on for the last ten years. From the CEOs and VPs of Ericsson, the future in mobile technology looks like this: television expanding and leaving the home, entering our mobile phones and other physical environments more than they ever have before. Broadband becoming as common as radio, television, and mobile phones. Social networking expanding more and more, but only if advertisers and social networking Web sites can find a way to advertise contextually and without offending network users. See: the demise of MySpace. Observe: the current (but everchanging) popularity of Facebook. Tell me I'm not the only one who has noticed the increased applications on Facebook, like notes, fan pages and other not-so-quiet methods of getting your words out there. And those small advertisements on the right side of the page? The future of advertising: tailoring the messages you receive based on your personal interests. Less intrusive and annoying? Maybe. Slightly creepy? Definitely. We are products of the 21st century, and I'm afraid there is no turning back. I'll probably post more on this later.

Rain prevented me from leaving the house for dance class Tuesday night. The guest speaker I was going to see last night canceled at the last minute, so I came straight home after work. Karen, our neighbor Mitzi, Natalie, Amy and I went to Pop's with Juan Carlos. I love that place. I could go every day. Brownie Dinamite, por favor!

Today, I didn't have to go in to work. I slept in until 8:30am. It was glorious. Amy and I went to the gym (no air conditioning! No me cae bien!) and to Las Lenitas for lunch. I ate the best quesadillas I've ever had in my life. The guacamole wasn't bad, either.

In the afternoon, Amy and I played fútbol with Brandon and his friend, Joan (Joe-On). Yes, I played soccer. I'll repeat that one more time...I played soccer, in front of the house, which just so happens to be made out of concrete, not grass. Brandon and I played against Amy and Joan. Latin Americans are so talented. Joan practically made a third teammate out of the concrete house wall. It was exhilarating. Then it started to rain, and that made it even more exciting. I won't tell you the final score, because I lost that badly, but I did make two goals. Ole!

In the past few days, I have made the worst speaking mistakes when I am tired. The other day, I said, "Nos comemos" instead of "No comemos" at the dinner table. We eat ourselves. Juan Carlos and Patri couldn't stop laughing.

Then, at work, I said, "Tengo dueño" instead of "Tengo sueño." Literally, I said I have an owner, but most people here use it to say they are taken, by a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife. I meant to say I'm tired!

Last night, I found a baby cockroach in my room. Well, I have a live-in terminator. I shouted to Juan Carlos, "Juanca, venga! Hay una cuchara! Una cuchara en mi cuarto!" There's a spoon in my room? Try cucaracha.

Today, while playing soccer, I told the boys, "Soy horrible." I am really, really bad at sports. Ask anyone I know. Karen later tells me that horrible is the equivalent to hideous. What I should have said was, "Soy muy muy mala con los deportes." I have so much work to do.

This afternoon, Patri, Juan Carlos and Karen put loud Latin music on. We spent two hours dancing around the living room. It was adorable. Karen and Juan Carlos won a father/daughter competition together a few years ago, and Patri obviously knows how to move. Amy and I had so much fun, following their steps and trying to move like they did (FYI - you can try, but you can never move like a Tico). We taught them the electric slide. I know it can't compare to salsa and reggae, but it was all I had to give.

Tonight, we're going to make a significant effort to finally make it to dance class. There are clear skies right now. Let's hope we actually go this time...

Word has just reached me that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have both passed away. I suppose Michael Jackson was already an idol; now, he will stand as legend.

Pura Vida,
Lauren