the big 3

this week i have had 3 firsts. one im excited about, one was crazy and scary yet fun, and one was just unexpected and gross.

1) After i read Lydias post, I knew i had to ask my class if i could go up on the crane too. i teach a class to crane operators in the port and thought lydias pic of her way high up was pretty f-ing sweet. so i casually mentioned it to them on monday and wednesday they showed up to class hard-hats in hand. so, up we went in an elevator to the biggest crane in the port. we got up there, walked around, snapped some pictures (photos to come) and then waited for permission, for…something. i had no idea what we were doing but i was having a good time seeing the view from that high up. i was then ushered into the cab of the crane, taught how to handle the controls and then all of a sudden they were instructing me to “push that joystick forward” and “push the red button” and i was driving this insanely tall crane used by trained professionals to move containers onto vessels in the port. right…like this is safe or legal. after that, one of the pro’s took over and we proceeded at full speed out over the ocean. the cab has a glass/plastic floor to raise the fear factor just a touch more. the people and sea lions below looked like ants. never in a million years would i imagine myself doing something like this. (i havent mentioned it to my parents. i guess i will wait to show them pics to prove i survived). ok so that was thing one.

2) i was hired for my first ever full-time job. in any country. i am very proud of myself and excited to not be teaching anymore and cant wait to have a schedule, be able to walk to work (only 15 min!) free lunch, co-workers, and many other things. so today i started training and will begin early next week. yay!

3) i ate a piece of mystery meat and found out later it was tongue. ick ick ick.

so that was my week. last week i wrote a long post about how content i am with my life in general and feel good about things but i am bad at computers and it got deleted. but those feelings have only improved this week so thats good. looking forward to a good night with my favorite people and a relaxing weekend. today is pisco day in case anyone wants to celebrate. i bought 2 bottles at santa isabel on the way home from quitting the institute.