The Quest for Authenticity: Distinguishing the Real in the Convoluted Capital of Costa Rica; or How a Recent Liberal Arts Grad Went from Sticking-It-To-The Man to a 9 to 5 in Less Than 30 Days; or San Jose for Dummies / There Are No San Jose Beaches, Idiot

I have now been graduated from USC for 36 days.
I have now been in San Jose, Costa Rica for 10 days.
I have now been working in the corporate world of Human Resources for 7 days.
I have now been understanding how to drive around in fairly large city with no street names for 0 days.


Costa Rica is (I mean, do I really need to say it?) a beautiful country.
All that they say is true: friendly people, easy-going pace of life, Planet Earth-worthy nature scenes, and delicious fresh fruit at the beckon call of your outstretched arm picking the mango off the tree.
But San Jose isn't necessarily what they mean when talk about Costa Rica.
San Jose has all of aforementioned perks, but mixed with in a confusion of dirty streets, colorless building fronts, and American fast food chains.
But I am finding little nuggets of sparkle spots.
Oh, and I really like being here!

In accordance with my love for maps and drawing, The Hand Drawn Map Association is a treasure trove of a website. They even published my Chilean map from awhile ago:
http://www.handmaps.org/location.php?ID=chile

Hurray for those creative ones.

Top 10 Barista's Secrets

I was recently inspired by an article in my Yahoo news feed (which is no CNN by the way), called "13 Things Baristas Won't Tell You." My coffee expertise is rather extensive if I do say so myself: I worked for Starbucks for 2 years, received their intensive and thorough training on coffee preparation and completed almost enough coffee seminars and tastings to qualify for Coffee Master. I then moved on to Ground Zero, an independent student-run café on campus where I learned the art of manually pulling espresso from an Italian machine and the real way to make a Macchiato. I also drink coffee (at times more than 1 cup) daily, prepared either in my own french press or from a cafe, but always dark and bold, preferably a Guatemalan or African blend. Not only this, but I have probably spent way more of life than is necessary complaining, sympathizing and sharing stories with fellow baristas all over the world, thus I have the general opinion of hundreds, even world-wide. This gives me enough street cred to write my own version, right? 

Top 10 Barista's Secrets 

1. Drip coffee has more caffeine in total than espresso. It's true that, "...the content of caffeine per milliliter are much higher than with a regular brew*," but let me tell you, you are not impressing me with your Quad-Venti Americano sir, because I just downed a 22 oz drip coffee in 10 minutes and will last all night. 
Drip 115-175 (7 oz cup)

Espresso        100         1 serving (1-2oz)
Brewed          80-135     (7 oz cup)*

*www.coffeefaq.com

2. For the most possible amount of caffeine, try combining a shot or two of espresso with your coffee (a "Black Eye" or "Red Eye" respectively). Even black tea has enough to give you a boost, so don't discredit teas as being weak sauce. Getting a chai tea latté (which is black tea base) with espresso will also do the trick (at Ground Zero, that's an "All Nighter"). And ordering a Cafe au Lait, which is brewed coffee with steamed milk instead of that small latté will do the trick more effectively!
Coffee           80                (5 oz. cup)
Black Tea        40                (one tea bag)
Green Tea        20                (one tea bag)
White Tea        15                (one tea bag)
Herbal Tea       2                 (one tea bag)*

*www.ehow.com

3. Even decaf coffee has some caffeine in it, it's just less than the regular. Again, thank you coffeefaq.com, "Decaf should range somewhere in the 2-4 milligrams of caffeine per cup range." So if you really don't want caffeine, try an herbal tea instead. By the way, "Currently used solvents for decaffeinating coffee include, H2O (water), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), Meth, Chloride, and Ethyl Acetate." Questionable.

4.  A tea bag should brew in the water for at least 5 minutes to achieve its fullest flavor and strength potential. To ice a tea, the tea should be brewed double strength (twice the amount of bags, etc.) for at least 5 minutes and then poured directly over ice. No other water should be included.

5. At Starbucks, a Grande (16 oz) and Venti (20 oz) espresso drinks both get 2 shots of espresso, unless it's an iced Venti drink, which gets 3 shots. Both Grande and Venti teas get 2 tea bags. Thus the only difference is the greater amount of milk, water and sugar in the two sizes. This goes also for many other coffee places I have seen. Also the single shot of espresso you get in a Tall (12 oz) at Starbucks is almost worthless in comparison to the ratio of the other solvent (milk, water or ice).

6. Most places allow customers to use soy milk for free instead of the half-and-half or milk at the self-serve station. Just ask nicely and you shall receive.

7. If you tip you WILL get better service. Even if it's just a few coins. I know this seems ridiculous to tip on top of your over-priced bev, but a little bit goes a long way. If you order a complicated drink or many drinks, a tip is almost mandatory. 

8. What and how you order is crucial to the barista's resentment or appreciation of your drink.  And believe me, you don't want certain baristas annoyed at you while they're making your drink. Some pointers:

      -Wait until the barista looks at you and addresses you before speaking your order.

      -Beginning with "please" makes us feel less like we're your slave. 

     -If you are ordering anything but a drip coffee, do not begin your order with, "I'll just take a..." Just implies that is is simple and low-maintenance, but a double-tall, half-caff, 2%, no foam, with room latte is not simple.

     -It's ok to ask questions, but if you can try to look for the answers on your own first. This may be in the description of the drink on the posted menu or on a sign placed around you. Educated yourself with a pamphlet on the drink recipes or nutrition content found at Starbucks. After you have looked a little deeper and still have no answer, then ask. Asking unnecessary questions holds up the line and ignoring for-your-information signs frustrates those behind the bar. 

     -Say everything that you want in your drink right up front before the barista repeats it back to you. Do not wait until after he or she has rung you up to define your milk preference or desire for sugar-free syrup. Just put all your requests out there right in the beginning. Especially do not ask over the counter to the barista making your drink after the process has begun, unless you forgot something crucial. There is a specific order in which we prepare each drink, and even one little change might make the drink void and we'll have to start over which also costs you time. It is also extremely uncool to try to avoid the up-charge of certain add-ons.

Good: 

-You: "I would please like a carmel latte, with soy milk, decaf espresso, sugar-free   carmel and no foam on the top."

-Me: "Ok, that's a decaf, soy, sugar-free carmel no-foam latté. $4.50 please."

Bad:

-You: "Give me a latté."

-Me: "Ok carmel latté. $3.25 please."

-You: "Oh, can you also make it with soy milk? And no caffeine? And sugar-free syrup? And no foam?"

-Me: "Gr!!"

9. It's wonderful to try to order with health-consciously, but just because we put non-fat milk in your milkshake or sugar-free syrup in your mocha does not make it healthy. For an actual low-calorie drink, order a coffee or tea and exchange the sugar for honey. Or just enjoy the treat anyway. 

10. Always end your order and drink pick-up with a smile and thank you and we will do the same! Forming positive relationships with your baristas makes our day. We treat our kind regulars with special perks that no coupon can get you. My regulars are the reason why I have worked as a barista since I was 16, and I know that is the favorite part of the job for many others too! 

Happy 1 Year Anniversary Chile!

My various yoga poses throughout Chile in chronological order to commemorate: 1. Centro Cultural first week of my arrival, pre-earthquake; 2. In Patagonia in front a glacier; 3. On the beach of Viña del Mar; 4. On ancient Inca ruins in San Pedro de Atacama; 4. In the Museo Nacional in June when my friends Rachel and Benny visited.

Remember when I celebrated my monthaversaries when I was in Chile? Well now it's been 1 year since arriving and 1 year since the earthquake. Can you believe that? I cannot. You know what this means? Reflection time! 

-1 year since I doubted God's goodness, God's importance and God's plan in my life, I fully understand the chains that were holding me captive to my distrust and disbelief and I am pursuing freedom.

-1 year since I had never experienced even a small shaking of the earth, I now am prepared for the big LA quake that is coming... knock on wood!

-1 year since I searched made my identity into someone that I was not and looked for my identity in things that were not me, I am now more confident and unashamed in who God created me to be. 

-1 year since I first arrived an innocent and trusting young woman, I know when to be direct and stand up for myself with fuerza.

-1 year since I hadn't noticed the magical of everyday life, I am now painting the experiences that revealed this to me.

-1 year since I understood the feeling of entrapment in my own selfish pursuits, I want to put God first, others second and me third in everything I do. 

-1 year since I didn't comprehend the impact those surrounding me on my life, I value more the true fellowship, deep friendships, and genuine people that I love.

-1 year since I didn't realize how important maintaining open and close relationships with my family is on my own well-being, I value our relationships more and take better care to stay connected in distance.

Even thought I left 6 months ago and arrived now 1 year ago, I still have a special place for Chile and the Chilenos in my heart, and God is still teaching me about my experiences there...still! It looks like I'm still not over it ;)

"You don't ever leave home, you take it with you. Or else, you're homeless."

-James Baldwin

Feliz Día de San Valentín

In this movie, Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, poor ol' Jim has the worst slap-in-the-face Valentine's day ever. 

While I could be single and sad, I chose hope. I chose to embrace the holiday of love and celebrate the love I do have in my life. 

It doesn't matter if I don't have a valentine; at least mine didn't run off dancin' with my best friend/biggest competitor while I was singing the love song I wrote for her.

Poor Jim.

Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore

I'll admit first off that I did not read the entirety of this book, but for 1 hour explored thoroughly the introduction, beginnings of several chapters and the close. Speed reading! While this is not a Christian book it was written by a former Catholic monk of 12 years with degrees in philosophy, psychology, musicology, and theology. He provides a secular philosophical perspective on cura animarum, the care or charge of the soul. Although not necessarily a novice topic or idea-- after all, it is a form of self-help-- I found some tidbits in the book poignant and would like to share a few lines:

"The great malady of the 20th century implicated in all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially is loss of soul. When soul is neglected, it doesn't just go away; it appears symptomatically in obsessions, addictions, violence and loss of meaning." -p. i

Definition is an intellectual enterprise; the soul prefers to imagine." -p. i

"Humility in the artist in his frank acceptance to of all experiences, just as Love in the artist is simply that sense of Beauty that reveals to the worlds its body and soul." -Oscar Wilde, p. 266

"We care for the soul solely by honoring its expressions, by giving it time and opportunity to reveal itself, and by living life in a way that fosters the depth; interiority, and quality in which it flourishes. Soul is its own purpose and end." -p. 304

I think the author is missing that we ourselves cannot save our own souls, even though we might be able to take "charge" of them. While he speaks truth in Western society's loss of interest and recognition of soul, I do not believe true satisfaction can be attained merely through self expression and honoring self-truth.

Can I go ahead and put it out there that every single painting class I've attended this semester so far (6: 3 hour sessions twice a week for the past 3 weeks), I have cried during or after? My final class of painting, the highest level, the brightest artists, the intimidatingly knowledgeable professor, the blank canvas, the rough start, the critiques comin' in hot, the feelings of embarrassment, of shame, of disgust, the inability to convey, the inability to identify what it is I want to convey, the feeling that I know nothing after all these years of art instruction...


I came across this quote and I want to take the liberty to apply it also to my situation in Fine Arts 405_3323:

“We write (paint, create, express) to find out what we know and what we want to say.” 

 -William Zinsser, Writing to Learn 

Just keep swimming, just the swimming, swimming swimming...

Today I was telling my story of the Philippines and how I worked alone and independently most of my internship to a man also working in the Philippines right now. His response was unlike anything I have ever heard before, but really struck me. 
He said, "Well, working alone teaches us more about dependancy on one another."
It hit me because while I am running around trying to serve ourselves, I am missing the truly important concept of being in community or fellowship. 
Without a place to belong, self-gain is worthless. And it feels like it after awhile, too.
Which is why we need each other, no matter what the context.




(PS...This is my 100th post!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Although I'm not in Indiana enjoying my family this Christmas, I enjoyed the dessert sun and small family gathering to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. 

Although I will not be with family on New Years, I will enjoy being with another special person too.