2012 - A look back...

2012

The year that brought us many things, from Call me Maybe, the Presidential election, Gangham Style,   Olympics, Hurricane Sandy proved that this year is quite unpredictable and perhaps the future will be as well.  Oh yeah, I am living in Ferrol.

I will be posting my New Year's Resolution in another blog post.
This is basically to recap my favorite things and blog post in 2012.

I am posting this early because my flight leaves at 0900 in the morning!

CLICK HERE for last year's 2011 - A Look Back 

Favorite blog's this year:

January - Big Island Adventure

February - HI to FL - Old/New Friend

March - TravelTalk - Dominican Republic

April - MusicTalk - Yuna - Live Your Life

May - HI to FL - Equestrian Weekend
June - FriendTalk - Happy Graduation Class of 2012!

July - TravelTalk PicTalk - The most important PHOTO you will EVER TAKE!!

August - TravelTalk - South Korea

September - SpainTalk - Ferrol vs. Hawaii

October- SpainTalk - Getting Adjusted

November - VideoTalk - Oskar, the blind kitten.

December - Ferrol English Dinner Club - November meeting

This year I wrote more Tech blog posts than usual, dominating the top two slots!

Here are the top 3 most viewed blog posts of 2012:

2nd runner up - English Dinner Club in Ferrol!

1st runner up - Nook Friends!

WINNER - TechTalk - Set up MMS and Internet on Samsung Sidekick 4G on Simple Mobile

My favorite software tech this year.
Nudgemail
Pocket (Read it Later)
TunnelBear

Favorite TV Shows
Parks and Recreation
RuPaul's Drag Race
Modern Family

Top 3 favorite pictures this year.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TechTalk - Deleting Instagram Account

One of the reasons I really loved Instagram is because it is an alternative.  

I don't like Facebook - I really don't like Facebook.  

I should have known that Instagram would change as soon as it was purchased by Facebook.

No, I am not worried about privacy.  I write a public blog.

What I do not like is companies thinking they can do whatever they want.

(believe me when I say - I'm quite stubborn)

Anywho - how to delete your account.

There are various guides out there on how to delete your Facebook.

One thing that is surprising is that you cannot delete your account from your application - you must use a web based browser - on your mobile or on your computer.

Head to instagram.com - if you want to store your photos that you have posted 

CLICK HERE for Instaport - a way to retrieve your Instagram photos

First, head to edit profile - then on the lower right - click on "I'd like to delete my account."

Tell Instagram - why you hate their guts!

Enter your password and "Permanently deactivate your account!"

VOILA!

I have deleted my Instagram account.  

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Ferrol English Dinner Club - December Meeting

Aloha everyone!

Last night was the 2nd meeting of the Ferrol English Dinner Club.

CLICK HERE for blog post for November Meeting.

This meeting was great!  Smaller venue, 19 people, no chairs!

What did you think of the restaurant?!

Practice your English and write a review (in English!!):

El Refugio Google + - CLICK HERE

Here are some pictures from the event - along with my favorite dish of the night.

I ALWAYS forget to take pictures of the dessert - probably because I'm pretty hammered by then.  o_O

Special thanks to everyone for coming!  iHeartU

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - WEEK11 - Christmas

Hello hello!

Sorry for posting the lessons for this week quite late - this week has been particularly hectic with school deadlines corresponding with various social functions.

Have a safe and fun-filled holiday season!

See you next year!

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK11 - Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

This week's were primarily based on Christmas topics.

For Advanced 2 students - sorry for the surprise test this week, but I think its great practice in strategizing and learning to understand the instructions and format of the test.

Some of you have asked for some things to read, so I'll be posting some of my previous papers with various topics ranging from Public Health to Environmental Issues.

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson.

CLICK HERE for a paper on Kyoto Protocol.

CLICK HERE for a paper on Polio Vaccination. 

CLICK HERE for a paper on Medicare and Aging Population.

CLICK HERE for a paper on NGO networking in Guatemala.

UPDATE: Including a paper I wrote over the holidays - thanks to my school semester actually ending on 12/30!  Received a 98%  =]

CLICK HERE for a paper on HIV infected individuals on ADAP waiting list.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

My First Christmas Present - 2012

Aloha everyone!

This will be 1st of many post - I've finally gotten some much needed rest and I'm ready to blog!

It's official - the holidays have started - this past Ferrol English Dinner Club (post upcoming) I received my first Christmas present!  WHOOO HOOO!!

Doesn't that just look delicious?!

Mele Kalikimaka everyone!  =]

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Christmas 2012 - First Christmas Giftwrap

Wow. Considering that it's 03:00, I am really surprised, I was able to wrap (not really), if I had more presents to wrap I could pull an all mightier wrapping presents. This is one of the very few presents that was not purchased online =]

Anywho, Christmas is near and days are just getting busier and busier. Just finished my draft proposal for my term paper earlier (around 02:30ish).

Well, I have to be up at 08:30 for a day of teaching, caroling and dinner-ing (not a real word)

Zzzzzzz

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

A little bit about Christmas...

Now living in Spain, a lot of people have been asking about Christmas in Hawaii. 

The scenery is a little different, but everything else is about the same.  

Friends - check.

Family - check.

Food - check.

Food (again) - double check.

Christmas tree - check.

Laughs, jokes and love - priceless.

This year, I will not be in Hawaii nor Spain, I'll be visiting my dad in California.

I truly do love Christmas - I've been blessed to have people who love me for me.  Sometimes, I get caught up with life and forget these very people I cherish very much.  Hawaii is quite far!  =P

Speaking of Christmas - let me share some of my favorite Christmas things...

Here are some blogs about my favorite holiday from last year.

Christmas Tree 2011 - CLICK HERE

Christmas Bash 2011 - CLICK HERE

Christmas Day 2011 - CLICK HERE

Christmas shopping is actually one of my favorite things to do.  While people completely hate the idea of being around people, traffic, etc., for me its one of my favorite events.  No, I don't spend a lot of money, but  its just looking around, finding the right present for the right person.  While I'll be forgoing a lot of shopping this year, sending out Christmas cards is something that I have not forgotten (and probably will never forget!)

Favorite Christmas Songs - EVER!
While my Christmas CD collection has grown the past years (Katherine McPhee, I have a couple of songs that I have to listen to every year.

Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you!

Britney Spears - My only wish

Katherine McPhee - What are you doing New Years eve?



Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - WEEK10 - Storytelling

Storytelling is an art-form.

One of the ways you know you have mastered a language is to tell a story of a mundane activity and capture the attention of your audience.

Seriously.

It was an epic battle, the giant man grappled it with his strong hands, yearning.  However, his opponent was strong.  He called for reinforcements and asked for help from his global network.  Each attempted - each failed.  When the odds appeared to be against him, he mustered all of the strength he had left, yelling as if to ask for the help from his ancestors - alas!  The jar of honey was finally opened - and the world was at peace again - for now.

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson.

Speaking of honey - my favorite honey in the world is organic white honey from Hawaii - only $18.90 for a small jar... o_O

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK10 - Poverty Part II

This week our lessons is a continuation of our discussion regarding poverty.  

While we can probably discuss the issue of poverty around the world and its cause for hours on end, I wanted to focus on the positive things we can do to combat poverty.

Poverty exists around the world and also here in Ferrol.  

How can we help?  Its really easy.  It can be something small; such as, asking the person begging for money outside of the grocery store if they are hungry and buying them something when you're shopping - such as a loaf of bread or a bag of rice, neither costs more than .75 Euros.

While giving material things may not be your cup of tea, you have your health and perhaps free time.  Volunteering is a great way to help those in need.  There are countless NGOs around the world and here in Ferrol that could use the help.

NGOs are not perfect, one of the problems I see with NGOs is the lack of communication between them, duplicating services is common within an area.

There are NGOs that I completely believe in and support, such as Kiva.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Kiva (if you would like an invitation, send me an email)

CLICK HERE for my report in NGOs in Guatemala - in Spanish

CLICK HERE for my report on NGOs in Guatemala - in English

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

MusicTalk - The Lumineers - Ho Hey

One of my favorite songs on my playlist at the moment is this song.

The Lumineers - Ho Hey.

While this has been in my iPod for about 8 months, I find myself listening to this song more and more (I think primarily due to the fact that it has an upbeat rhythm that is not composed of electronic beats) - that and they can actually sing.  

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Winter wonderland - Honolulu, Hawaii.

Apparently, sleep is something I don't need much of and I discovered this blogger app - so this will be my first blog using this application.

It seems to cover the basics, but no embedding, links, etc.

So, winter wonderland. Guess what the temperature is in Hawaii? Go ahead - ill wait.

Well, lets just say you take the temperature of Ferrol and multiply it by 2.

Ok, I think the sandman is on his way.

Night night.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

FitTalk - Training for Ferrol 1/2 marathon

Though I signed up for this event last week, I was a bit apprehensive about running a half-marathon. 

Considering, I've been in lazy bones mode and I've ran twice (including this one) in the past 3 weeks.

What's the best way to make sure you can run a half-marathon event?

Running a half-marathon.  This past weekend to run a half-marathon.  

The weather was great, and the sites were awesome!  

I need to add some pictures which I have taken from my run.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - WEEK9 - Travel and Fashion

The lesson this week ties in our last two lessons regarding travel and fashion.

How you you describe the fashion at the Les Miserables world premier in London yesterday?

CLICK HERE for world premier pictures.

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson

How would you describe the picture below? 

Let's just say this picture was taken before 2000. 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - 61.3

About a month ago - 63.4 CLICK HERE.

Now 61.3.

Considering, I am eating more than ever, losing weight is something will hopefully plateau in the near future.

I need a 20 oz. steak. =]

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK9 - Poverty

With the holiday looming around the corner, this is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the things we have and to even help those that are less fortunate.

The lesson for this week is poverty.

There are many ways to support individuals and marginalized groups in poverty-stricken countries, but I have found that Kiva, a non-profit organization has created a system of helping those in need help themselves.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Kiva.

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

VideoTalk - Galician Style - O Lar de Toxos (Part II)

Yes, I am posting this blog at 0953 this morning, which is really quite amazing because I got home at 0600 this morning.  People don't believe me when I say I am unable to sleep in.  Even in a completely dark enclosed space, my body just wants to get up early in the morning and start #productivemode.

While going out here in Spain involves staying up really late - well, I actually left earlier than expected - or staying up really early, depending on how you access the situation.  This is actually my first time going out in Ferrol and I have to tell you - Yes, the city is small, but the spirit of gathering together, and partying until the wee hours of the morning (in some cases - afternoon) is not lost in translation - even in smaller cities.

For my non-Spanish friends, this video was taken at a restaurant at 0130 in the morningISH.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Ferrol English Dinner Club - November meeting

Aloha all! 

Sorry I haven't posted in some time, just adjusting to a busier schedule.  Hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving (I still need to post pictures!) and an awesome Black Friday.

Though I'm here in Spain, I was able to participate in some Black Friday fun!  I purchased a couple of things online!

Last night was the first Ferrol English Dinner Club and let me tell you, it was such an awesome time.

While there are many photos on this blog (primarily of food - of course),  the company, fun, laughs and the energy of the room can't be encapsulated on film.

To Ferrol.

 
 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - WEEK8 - Dress Codes

 This week we will continue our discussion regarding fashion - specifically dress codes.

While not having a shirt on may be appropriate at the beach, in most places clothes are required for service...

Hmmmm... warm weather.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK8 - Fame

The subject for this week is about the world of celebrities.

>>Why is the guy below not a celebrity?

=]

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

FitTalk - Ferrol 1/2 Marathon

I will be signing up for the Ferrol half marathon, which takes place in about 3-4 weeks.

This morning, I decided to run and see how far my legs could take me.  Considering that this is my first run over 45 minutes, I was surprised I was able to cover the distance due to the elevation changes.

Ferrol 1/2 marathon - here I come!

PS.  For those of you with smartphones and want to track your running, walking, cycling, etc.  RunKeeper is the best application, I've been using it for years (available on iOS and Android).

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The older I get, the more amazed I am with the tremendous support, love, and encouragement that I receive from family and friends - truly, without you, your love and support traveling would be that much harder.

This year has been full of ups and downs.  Losing the person I considered to be my best friend has made me realize that I am blessed to have many close friends that I could add the same title to.

Whether its backpacking throughout Guatemala, stuffing my face with two types of gelato in Italy, or running a marathon in Alaska - you will be in my thoughts. I want to take this time to tell you, how blessed I am and grateful that you are a part of my life. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

PS. Sending you my virtual baked goods.  

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Siesta

This photo was taken in the middle of the day in Ferrol.

No, there was not a zombie apocalypse.  

In Ferrol, and most of Spain nearly all businesses are closed in the afternoon, roughly between 1400-1630, depending on the business.

For me, as someone who loves afternoon naps, the schedule really works for me.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - Week 7 - Fashion

The topic for this week is fashion.

How would I describe my fashion?

1) Athletic - Because of my training (running, cycling, etc), I prefer clothes with a certain type of material that serves more for function as opposed to style.

2) Colorful - when not in an athletic environment, I prefer clothes with color especially in formal environments which seem to always lack color.  

3) Comfortable - this is probably due to the fact that I've lived in warm climates all my life.  I prefer to be in tank tops, shorts and slippers.  

  

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Autumn

In Hawaii, we do not generally have an autumn period.  It´s either summer or spring.  

Always generally warm, unless the occassional storm comes along.

My surrounding provided a reminder what season it was - autumn.  

The colder, crisp air, the brown leaves which has covered the streets, my breath as my exhale would create a fog.

Yes, its cold outside. 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK 7 - Thanksgiving

This week's lesson is related to Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?!

I am thankful for so many things.  Thankful for the support of my family and friends.  Thankful for my health which allows me to share the aloha spirit.  Thankful for Ferrol and my students and their desire to learn English - for without which, I may not be in Spain.  

In addition to the Thanksgiving activity, there is a related activity about food to tie into last week's lesson as well as a quick introduction about Black Friday (my 3rd favorite day of the year).

See you in class.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Churros con chocolate.

Churros con chocolate.

Many people have tried to duplicate it, but the best is here in Spain.

I've had churros con chocolate in California 

(the churros were just enormous and overpowered the chocolate).

Needless to say, when in Spain - go eat some churros con chocolate (nom nom nommmmm)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - TechTalk - Downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7.

For those of you that have been using computers for some time, you should remember the dreaded blue screen of death.

The blue screen is back - along with a sad emoticon face.  

Considering the fact that I use my computer for basic computing, media and photo storage I am rather surprised to be receiving this error roughly 2-3 times a day, which requires a computer restart.

Windows 8 - nice try.  I will download again once a service pack has been released.

#EPICFAIL

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - M

Magic.  Medicine.  Mirror.  Monument.  Max.

There are many words that start with M.

Why did I choose this picture?

Funny story actually, I went to a local pub to have a drink with friends (gin and tonic - to be more specific).

M in the U.S. = male

M in Spain = Mujer

This was the sign on the bathroom.

I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

VideoTalk - Oskar, the blind kitten.

It has been quite some time since I shared a video and Oskar just won his way into my heart.

I am allergic to cats, but I still love all animals (I just admire cats from afar).

Well, this video was taken shortly after Oskar (a blind cat) was adopted.

I think the video speaks for itself.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA1 - WEEK 6 - Stereotypes - Part II

This week is a continuation of the lesson regarding stereotypes.

However, stereotypes covered today will cover a wide spectrum of topics.

Pancakes.  Yes, Americans love them - in large quantities.  YUM

 

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA2 - WEEK5 - Music

Aloha all,

Small snafu with the lessons.  Sorry I forgot to post last week's!

The lesson for the previous week is music.

This is one my favorite songs and guess what?! It was filmed in Hawaii!  =]

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - PicTalk - I said, "Brrrr, it's cold in here!"

I said, "Brrr! It's cold in here, there must be some toros in the atmosphere!"

Ha ha, anyone guess that movie?!

Today was a pretty cool day, I  took a walk around 9am and thought I was going to freeze to death.

5 hours later, it was sunny (not warm), but a lot nicer and manageable!

Whew! Made it before the midnight deadline!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA2 - WEEK 6 - FOOD

Wow, another week already!  How quickly time flies by.

This week the lesson will be about food.

I have a major craving for sashimi right now (YUM).

Speaking of English and Food, you may want to check out http://ferroldinner.com 

It is a monthly dining club, I am starting where you can practice English in a non-school setting.

See you in class. Link to lesson below!

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

English Dinner Club in Ferrol!

Please visit http://ferroldinner.com or fill out the information below to join the English Dinner Club newsletter.

Invitations will be sent out monthly.

Date, time, location will depend on participation and restaurant availability.

Why a dinner club?  Well, this is a great opportunity to mingle with other English students at EOI as well as a great opportunity to practice speaking English with other native speakers.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Popcorm

Wow.  I went to go see the movie SkyFall and it was my first movie in Spain.

This was not the first time I've watched a movie overseas.  I remember watching Midnight in Paris last year when I was in Paris, watching Bridget Jones' Diary in New Zealand, Harry Potter in Guatemala (the last movie on opening day) as well as a movie in Australia - which I can't remember the name, but I remember a catch phrase from the movie - "Lower your eyes!" I recall watching that movie with Andi.  What was that movie?!  This movie was the first however, that I watched completely in Spanish - without subtitles.  The Harry Potter movie had Spanish subtitles but the vocals were in English.

The picture today is of popcorn!

Wow!  This is the biggest popcorn container I have ever seen at a movie theater - so of course, I had to have it!  YUM - and I washed it down with a large orange Fanta.  =]

The movie BTW was rather blah, I wouldn't recommend it - It is definitely a rental!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.