Another fast-paced February

Wow! February flew by and yet, the Boston trip seems like ages ago.

With all the races and ridiculousness, I am happy to say that there are only a few more months to go before summer vacation and I am looking forward to the laziness of the upcoming one.

Made pumpkin, sweet potato and banana curry tonight. I don't know what I am going to do when I leave this place as far as access to food. I walk into the grocery store and can get any kind of spice for less than a $1 no matter where in the world it's from. I can get fresh herbs such as mint, coriander, dill, carraway, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and amazing roots like ginger, bulb vegetables like lemongrass, etc. And none of it is in a jar or watered down, it's all relatively fresh. On one hand, it's been on an airplane for however long to get here, but it's beautiful given that trip it's made. I look forward to cooking in Venezuela and think that while I might have to send a box of spices from here to there before I leave, the produce quality will be overall higher. Yes, I am a cooking nerd, but if I get bored over the summer, I decided a good way to potentially make a quick buck would be to do some catering.

Other then that, I am looking forward to March, a few good shows. 2ManyDjs next weekend, Paulo Nutini is the following weekend, St. Patrick's day celebrations, fun times.

Hope I have an exciting food, teaching or exploration post next. Potentially, hitting up Corsica for spring break, wherever it is, I know Steph, Lisa and I will have a blast.

A new move

So, after a whirlwind, overstimulating weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have a new destination.

Caracas, Venezuela.

And though, the decision was tough, it was between Johannesburg, Shanghai and Caracas. I wanted Munich, mainly for the PYP training, but I realized that when a door closes another opens and it truly has for Spanish, for introducing Asian food to a different part of the world, for traveling adventures and so much more.

It is potentially a way to reconnect with old friends in the US and also to have new adventures with friends that I have collected over my years abroad. There are endless possibilities.

On top of that, I restored a lot of faith in self and my profession. From current and former heads to discussion of what I have been doing over the last two years and how much it has taught me and how much I can talk about what I do and make connections and see multiple perspectives. It just reiterated that I am good at what I do and that I do it for a reason and that it does actually stimulate me and challenge me to be funnier and smarter.

So, now, I guess I have to make a list of things to do before I leave Dubai, including go to Jordan, go up in the Burj Dubai and so much more.

And then, a list of stuff to take care of before Dubai and summer plans. My life actually might extend past the next 6 months. Ha. I was so nervous when I was flying back from Beirut because I couldn't see what my future held after this fair and couldn't make any plans and now, there's hope and possibility and I love it.

Entonces, no puedo esperar estar en America de Sud. Necesito mas estudiar espanol en proximos meces.

Besitos y abrazos!