Oh, Hello October!

Sunday the 10th will be the 8 month mark of my travels.

I have found myself really busy with the teaching and preparation for my classes, but in a good way.  Maybe it's just me, but I really enjoy figuring out interesting ways to teach new concepts to students and making class entertaining but also useful for them.  I found a really interesting podcast called NPR Planet Money.  They are about 20 minutes each, and they have something to do with the economy or money.  I've created a listening guide for one podcast about the adventures of an economics professor giving his children an allowance, and I'm working on one about the history of Brazil's economy after 50 years of inflation and how it was solved with a new currency.

I now have my schedule worked out so that I have a few hours of free time a few days a week, and with that time I've been going to the store where people meet to play Magic.  Now that I have my binder of cards I find I talk to a lot more people there, and I have been trading and selling some cards.  I feel like I'm becoming more integrated there, and I have become more outgoing by striking up conversations with people even if they don't approach me first there.

It's hard for me to believe, but I will be seeing Linkin Park in concert here in Santiago in less than 48 hours.  I always thought in the back of my head that it would be cool if they came to Chile while I was here, and this time my wishful thinking came true.

To make it even better, they released a new album about 3 weeks ago, titled A Thousand Suns.  It is true to Linkin Park's style in that it pushes the limits as to defining their style of music.  The album has songs that are rough and angry to soft and inspiring.  They even have a few tracks that have a man speaking like he's giving a speech or protesting something, but it's set to music in the background.  One such track seems to me criticizing corporate America and portrays a man that is stuck in a system he knows is corrupt and immoral, but he cannot escape it without major consequences to his reputation and future career opportunities.

My favorite song off of the new album is called Iridescent.  It's about going through tough times and feeling down on yourself, and also holding on to feelings of anger and loneliness.  I know, it sounds pretty pessimistic.  But then it turns around completely, and they sing to remember how difficult and painful that was and to "let it go".  It's such a simple message, but the way that they combine it with piano, guitar, and eventually multiple voices is really inspiring.

I published the lyrics below, but they don't do the song justice.  You can hear it and see the lyrics by following this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpt7RJUGpdE

When you were standing in the wake of devastation

when you were waiting on the edge of the unknown
with the cataclysm raining down, insides crying save me now
you were there and possibly alone.
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up all the failiures all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go, let it go.
And in the burst of light that blinded every angel
as if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
you felt the gravity of temper grace falling into empty space
no one there to catch you in there arms
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up all the failiures all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go, let it go.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up all the failiures all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go,
let it go
let it go
let it go
let it go
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up all the failiures all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go, let it go.

I've been saving up for my plane ticket to come back to Santiago, and I'm really satisfied with what I have so far.  I've basically cut eating out out of my budget for the most part, and now I write out a menu on the weekend for the following week.  That way when I go food shopping I only buy what I need.  If I can keep it up I will have enough for my flight as well as money for gifts for Christmas and spending money for the time I will be back home.

That's all for now.