It's the little things / Las cosas pequeñas

Most of the things I've written about here (or are planning to write about) are not Bogotá-based events - trips to the countryside, holidays in other countries, etc. 'My life in Bogotá' has become 'my life' faster than I'd expected. This is good (obviously) as I feel at home here, but I don't want to forget that I am, essentially, on holiday :D I also don't want anyone who's reading this outside Bogotá to miss out on the everyday pleasures of living here, or for me to forget what I get up to when I'm not having 'big adventures.' So, I've decided to post every week on the things that have made me happy. They may be specifically related to Bogotá, or they may just be cool things in general. They may even be completely forgotten about by the time next week comes along and it's time for another post :D

As everyone is talking about the Olympics, let's start there. One of the reasons I'm in Bogotá is to escape the Olympic madness that was predicted to descend on London this summer: the crowds, the transport problems, the even-more-expensive-than-usual prices, a shameful opening ceremony... I'd been planning to leave London during the Olympics since the games were first announced! Actually, it's not that bad! The opening ceremony was sweet, lovely, nostalgic, and just 'nice' in the way that I think only the English do so well. I'm so grateful that they didn't try to outdo the showiness of Beijing. Apparently the crowds in London aren't that bad either (everyone's probably escaped, as I have, or inside watching the games on TV) but I'm still glad I'm not there at the moment. Here I'm relatively unique, and one of the few Londoners available to be interrogated about asked whether we really do stop everything to drink tea at 5 o'clock, and if everyone is as tall as I am (I tell them I'm considered short in my country, heh heh). In London, I'd just be one of many, and all the foreigners would be able to see for themselves that actually we stop for a coffee break nowadays, and not just at 5pm.

So, although I'm glad I'm not in London right now, I'm even happier that I can still stay in touch with everyone over there. For the first time since Christmas I got to 'go' to a family reunion at my grandparents' house - travelling via Skype. I was sure I'd cry but in the end I was just so happy to see the majority of my family together, be able to listen in to my cousins fighting, hi-five my brother, and catch up on all the gossip that I completely forgot to be sad or nostalgic (I also forgot to wish my uncle a happy birthday, despite that being the reason for the party - sorry!). It was just lovely to 'be' there (although why did you all have to eat cake in front of me? Come on Skype, I want a cake/tea and biscuit transporter released in time for my birthday!). As much as I'm enjoying my time over here, I'm really glad that we are able to keep in touch. 

I've already put this on Facebook, but it's the best photo I've taken in 6 months, so I'm putting it here too:

My family: love you guys

The National Anthem / El Himno Nacional

At the weekend I had the honour and the pleasure of going to a Taekwon-do tournament (pictures and videos to follow) with a friend who was competing. As part of the inauguration ceremony they sung their national anthem. This is a big part of daily life here, as every day at 6 o'clock (both of them!) the anthem is played on all radio and TV channels. This prompts 'Oh, is it 6 already?' conversations from everyone, everywhere. The first time it happens it's a little eery to have everyone suddenly say the same thing at the same time. The second time it's amusing ('They still haven't worked out that this happens everyday and I'm the tourist?!'), and by the fourth or fifth you start joining in :D

(Missing the first rendition of the chorus as I really wasn't expecting it)

For the full lyrics in both Spanish and English, I refer you to (where else) Wikipedia. Colombians really don't need to click that link because, as you can hear in the video, everyone knows the words. It really puts the English to shame - not even our national squad can get through our first verse with confidence. So instead, I leave you with, not only the best version of our national anthem ever, but the only one we don't have to sing along to: God Save The Queen.

The Flag / La Bandera

One of the things that I love about the UK is the dear old Union Flag. It is, we like to think, instantly recognisable all over the world (although we don't like to admit why - colonialism and the Beckhams). In its natural state it's perfect for waving at royal weddings and decorating all kinds of tea-related merchandising:

However, on other occasions the flag can change its colours, but, as it has a unique geometry, it still remains inherently British and instantly recognisable (photos borrowed from google images):

Gay Pride:

Green Britain:

Quilt (want!):

(Photo borrowed from The After Craft)

I love the Colombian flag because it is the exact opposite. A simple three bands of colours, the most complicated part of the design is remembering that the yellow one is wider than the other two:

This opens up a world of different possibilities. No longer is your patriotism confined to mundane, flag-shaped objects. Instead you can decorate anything of any shape or form in these three colours, and everyone will know where your heart lies:

The ubiquitous manilla (bracelet):

The traditional ruana (poncho):

Scarves:

Military insignia (airforce):

Local products:

The obligatory tourist tat:

Traditional mochila:

Shops, cafes, banks, and all other kinds of public places:

Even the wildlife wear their national colours!

 So, I hope by now you have all come to the same conclusion I have, there really is only one thing left to paint in the colours of the Colombian flag...

The British one:

 (First photo I took in Colombia, before I'd even got to the immigration queue)

Values / Valores

New years and long journeys are always a time for reflection. Here are some things that I would like to take with me to Colombia and/or find them along the way:

Patience

It is impossible to communicate effectively all the time, we all suffer from misunderstandings now and then. With enough patience to ask or answer a couple of questions we can solve this and find out what was really meant. I hope the Colombians all have patience with me misunderstanding/getting lost/missing the point/comparing everything to London! However we also need patience with ourselves - as a teacher I am keenly aware that it is impossible to get everything right the first time. Why then, do I expect to be able to be perfect at something immediately myself? We may get it right the first time, or we may get it right the twenty-first. Whatever it is that we are trying to do will come to us eventually. Why should we feel bad for being incapable of something when we should be proud that we are trying something new and enjoying the process? I hope that I have patience in Spanish/ starting a new job/ cycling halfway up a mountain/everything else that 2012 throws at me.

Usefulness

One of the things I most love about my job is helping people to achieve their dreams and goals. No, I'm not saving lives or rescuing kittens from trees, but I am getting people one step closer to passing the exam they need to extend their visa/ getting accepted on the MA that will push them up the career ladder/ reading an entire book in a foreign language/ understanding what on earth their favourite band has been singing about all these years/ making friends from places that they wouldn't have been able to find on a map. Seeing the connections between people as they use language that I've taught them ("My round" is an excellent phrase to teach other people) or getting messages telling me they've passed their exam is a wonderful feeling that I hope I will be able to experience in Colombia as well. Whether or not I get a 'proper' job I have plans to volunteer - to give something back to the country that has already given me so much, even without setting foot in it yet! Hopefully with the elderly - more likely to drink tea and knit :D This need to do something productive spills over into my free time too - I find it difficult to just sit and do nothing (unless I've had less sleep than I'd like - then it's really easy to zone out in front of the tv!).

Joy and Love

It is incredibly important to find love, and therefore joy, in every day. Love does not have to be from another person - it should come first from yourself and what you do. As Steve Jobs said you must be able to look in the mirror and be happy with what you are going to do that day. If you do not 'feel the love' very often, then you should look for something else to do. He said and proved by example that life is too short to waste it on doing things that do not fulfil you. Personally, I intend to use this as an excuse to get out of hoovering.

Growth and Improvement

Back to teaching again (at least I know my chosen profession ties in well with what I believe in). They say you learn something new every day. No. You should learn something new everyday. You should try to be a little bit wiser (not the same as knowing more facts, although that's not a bad thing either) when you go to bed than when you woke up. Making yourself better physically is also important, but as another blogger said:

"Note:  sometimes it’s important to feel like a pretty lady with pretty things.

More Important Note:  it’s always important to feel like an intelligent, confident, and capable lady.  Don’t get it twisted." 

If there are any men reading this feel free to switch out a couple of words ;)

Gratitude

When someone gives you a present or a compliment it is easy to feel grateful to that person. It is also very easy to forget to be grateful to yourself. Why did we get a present? Why did we get a compliment? Because we deserve it! (Or they are sucking up, which still means that at least you're important enough for that :D ) We should not take anything for granted, but must realise when something is granted to us how wonderful it is, be it the ability to run for a gold medal or just a bus, the ability to see the smile of a loved one or just a blog on the internet. We must not forget what we already have.

Looking at this very hippy list, perhaps I should have chosen a monastery in Tibet not the capital of Colombia? :D

Summary / Resumen

2011 was an... interesting year. This blog is about going to Bogotá in 2012, and part of that is saying goodbye to London in 2011. 


January proved that there is indeed a silver lining in every cloud if you look hard enough. Because I was unemployed I was able to spend as much time as I wanted crafting. I knitted, weaved, cooked and sewed to my hearts content, including a purple skirt which I wore in...

February to a job interview, in a wonderful school where the students pay enough money that they actually listen to you (with the exception, of course, of the teenagers who get their parents to pay for them :D ) and where the teachers get paid a nice amount too.

In March I discovered that I look damn fine in skinny jeans, and have been wearing them ever since. I also got to eat at Nobu London, one of the best restaurants in the world, an experience that I will never forget (I sat two tables away from where Juanes had sat!).

April showers. I feel that "April pisses" would be far more appropriate. Nevertheless, when one door opens, another one closes, especially when you're the metaphorical doorman. I grew up a lot in April, and came a lot closer to working out what I really want from life.

May required some interior decorating as I was moving house, so I completed my first quilt. The matching pillow cases have French seams, just because it made me smile (for anyone who doesn't understand that term, just say 'wow,' nod appreciatively, then check this link).

June's summer holiday was a weekend in Wales. Apparently I once accidentally visited it as a child (wrong turning on a motorway), but since I had taken up knitting I wanted to visit properly to see sheep. I got rained on, I couldn't find a B&B in Cardiff as there was a big event on, when I did find somewhere to stay it was self catering (ie I had to go out in the rain again to get some food)... Is it despite or because of all this that I had an absolutely wonderful time? PS: I saw sheep :)

July was another sewing-filled month. I tried my hand at paper piecing on a cushion and mug rug, AND made a bag and skirt. I also conquered my fear of low level one-to-one classes with a smuggling Spanish grandfather.

August saw more of the old (more skirts) and a lot of new - cooking latkes (thanks Mum!) and having asados, getting my first visa, getting the crackle nail varnish *just* before everyone else in the UK (thanks Mum!).

In September I went to RUSSIA! The largest country in Europe! One amazing week split between St Petersburg and Moscow. Sadly I didn't meet the people (ex-students) that I had hoped, but I still enjoyed every moment and learnt a *lot* about Russian history. I spoke (and read) Russian - my 8th language and fourth alphabet!

October was unseasonably warm and I took full advantage of this. Picnics, walks in the park, and riding bicycles! Although I'd spent a couple of hours on a bike as a teen, I'd never really ridden one properly before. I went on roads and everything :D

November was quiet on the crafty front, but busy at work. By this point I'd been in full time employment and in full time IELTS. I was the person to go to for students and staff alike who wanted information about the exam. I think I even gave them the right answers :D A colleague who works for the exam board marked one of my practice essays and I got a 9 (out of 9). Take that, GCSEs!

December gave me the opportunity to achieve another sporting dream: ice-skating! Several laps around the Tower of London rink without falling over OR holding onto anything! Confession: I did fall over once, towards the end, when I decided I wanted to try speed skating. Maybe I should save that for next year? :D

Leaving London

As I and my flatmates are all going to be heading to Colombia soon (at least I won't miss them much) we've taken to doing cheesy tourist activities, ie: standing in front of things to have our photos taken. It's actually rather fun :D

Some photos, however, are cheesier than others.