please help

Hi everyone, as you most likely know, the earthquake in Chile has been disastrous. There are many areas of the country that still do not have water, electricity, or any way of reaching loved ones. Now is the time when help is most desperately needed. I plan to purchase some of the products that are in high demand (powdered milk, soap, diapers, etc), and I am hoping that some of you will contribute as well. If you can donate any amount of money, whether it's $1 or $20, you can help make a huge difference. You can donate directly to the Red Cross (www.cruzroja.cl) or you can give me money (by sending it to my parents) and I will purchase what is most needed and post what I buy online.

If you do decide to donate through me, let me know as soon as possible how much you are thinking of giving.  I will be in Chile until the end of the month, so I will withdraw money from my account now in order to put your money to good use.

 Send me a message if you have any questions or if you want me to buy non-perishable items in your name. Thank you for your help!!!

February in Photos

I will hopefully write an update soon, but here are links to photos of my month :)

Earthquake

my brother in Chile

my parents in Chile

check it out!

After sending off any army of sock monkeys to St. Peter's College in New Jersey, I finally had time to put more products on my Etsy shop!  You can check it out here: Petunia's Products

I hope to add new items soon, so visit often.  I'm running a little low on sock-monkey energy after making 30 monkeys in 2 weeks, so I hope to create some jewelry next :)

Please spread the word about my etsy enterprise - help me make rent!  hahaha

Un nuevo año

Happy 2010!!  

In the days leading up to new year's eve, I was overwhelmed by the amount of street vendors selling only yellow underwear.  Apparently it's good luck to wear yellow underwear on NYE.... there are a bunch of other Chilean traditions/superstitions, such as eating a spoonful of lentils or one grape with each stroke of the clock,  but I didn't partake in any of them.  I enjoyed a nice dinner in the campo with Felipe's family and was in bed before 3am.  Hopefully I'll have a lucky year, even though my underwear that night were a pretty pink.

I've had an interesting start to the new decade.  After FINALLY finding a job at a cute hostel in Providencia, I decided not to take it.  The pay and the amount of hours available weren't worth it, especially since I am expecting a visit from my brother in February!  

Instead of working, I've been exploring this big city and going to cultural events.  I checked out the terra cotta warriors from China, which are on exhibit at one of the museums here, and have been going to different events for the month-long Santiago A Mil (a month's worth of cultural programming - concerts, plays, dance groups, etc).  A highlight so far was Step Afrika, a dance group from the US.  

I also went to the coastal towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso with the other HM volunteers and just barely avoided a close call with danger, thanks to the kindness and consideration of complete strangers.

I'm loving that Santiago is more culturally diverse than Chillán - it will make for a smoother transition back to the US.  In Chillán I found myself surprised whenever I saw someone who didn't look "typical" - that is, someone who wasn't medium height with dark brown hair and slightly tanned skin.  When the sub-20 women's world cup came to Chillan, I found myself wanting to join the crowds surrounding the buses from Africa and China, just so I could see a little diversity.

AND, I am dusting off my inner business woman (I know, I didn't know I had one either) and starting a shop on Etsy where I will sell my sock monkeys, jewelry, and other creations.   I'll include the link soon.