Way to spend an afternoon

The weather has been nothing short of absolutely gorgeous lately. So how did I spend my time? Thought you'd never ask ...

Giving in to the inviting hammock.
















Surrounded by color.



Sipping on ice cold fresh coconut water, while trying to decide if I should eat the fresh fig or the pomegranate first.



Deciding that eating the soft fleshy inside of my coconut was the way to go.

Random Information Friday

• 
• The science of kissing is called philematology.

• The fear of kissing is called philematophobia.

• In Naples, Italy in the 16th century, kissing was an offense that carried the death penalty.

• You burn 26 calories in a one minute kiss.

• A simple pucker uses two muscles, the upper and lower orbicularis otis surrounding the lips. A passionate kiss uses all 34 facial muscles.

• The Catholic church declared kissing to be a mortal sin in the middle ages.

• The average person will spend an estimated 20,160 minutes kissing in their lifetime.

• International kissing day is February 5th.

• A study at Princeton University in 1997 concluded that our brains are equipped with neurons that helps us find our lovers lips in the dark.

• Canadian porcupines kiss one another on the lips.

• 50 % of all people kiss before they turn 14.

• In Indiana it is illegal for a mustached man to habitually kiss human beings. In Hartford it is illegal for a man to kiss his wife on Sunday and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa it's a crime to kiss a stranger.

• In the middle ages a person who could not write/read would sign documents with an X. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually the X came to represent the kiss itself.

• A kiss can contain 278 of different bacteria. 95% of which are non dangerous.

• Couples transfer an average of 9 milligrams of water, 0.7 milligrams of protein, 0.18 milligrams of organic matter, 0.71 milligrams of fat, and 0.45 milligrams of salt in an open mouth kiss.

Oh Brother!

My brother reminded me today that his birthday is coming up. (April 24th) He will be 16 years old. 16 going on 30 but that's just my opinion. He thought that I may want a list of things he would be interested in getting for his birthday. He wants to make shopping easier for me, yeah right. His big ticket item is a car, well, hum... talk to mom and dad about that because it isn't coming from me. The rest of his list consisted of clothes, shoes (specifically a pair of Adidas's he has his eye on and a pair of converse), an itunes gift card (but an itunes account would be even better) and of course the gift that always fits: cold hard cash.

Once we got the birthday thing out of the way, we got down to some serious conversation.

Bro: do you think it hurts to get your penis pierced?
Me: I don't have a penis but I am guessing it does, why?
Bro: I'm thinking a diamond might look cool but what about pain and infection?
Me: ewww an infected penis would be bad.
Bro: yeah plus I hate needles. Do you think it's true that girls have a g-spot?
me: why, are you looking for one?
Bro: (laughing) just wondering. Did you read about the guy whose muscles blew up because of steroids?
Me: nope, where did you read that? stay away from steroids btw.
Bro: I saw it in a video. I'm working on my abs and looking caliente!
Me: prove it, I wanna see.
Bro: I don't take my shirt off for just anyone, there has to be a reason.
Me: shut up.
Bro: are you going to buy me something expensive for my birthday?
Me: Yeah a book that tells you about g-spots, steroids and penis piercings.
Bro: can't you just buy me new sneakers?
Me: I love you
Bro: what's not to love.

Turning 16 could be interesting.

Beliefs

In the 3 years I have lived in Puerto Rico, I have seen many rainbows, many incredible sunrises and many firefly's. Last night as I watched my cat chase a firefly, the annual Good Friday procession was slowly working it's way up the mountain. There must have been about 50 people, each walking with candles, swaying back and forth, working their way up the mountain to church. It struck me rather funny, that they looked like fireflys (really big ones) in the darkness of the country road.

My isla has been virtually at a stand still this week, in honor of Holy week. (Even my idiot neighbors have been quiet) At night there has been an strange stillness, except for the sound of hymns being sung in the night. Living on this mountain top, in the country, evenings are very dark. Illumination comes from either the moon, or the street lamp outside my house, that only works on some nights. In the darkness, every time I hear the sounds of hymns or chanting going past my house, I have gone outside to watch "the masses" make their way towards the church that sits roughly a mile from my house.

I don't relate to the rituals that encompass so much of the island at this time of year but I do respect and admire the devotion and the celebration that takes place. I don't speak much about religion on this blog. It's such a multi-faceted topic that it would require it's own blog. This week I have quietly watched as those around me celebrate Easter with much religious fervor and I sit quietly, not participating, eating my easter candy.

I was brought up a good Catholic girl. I don't remember when I stopped being a good Catholic girl but I do know I have not participated in any Catholic church for a great many years. In recent years once in while I attend mass, and then quickly regret doing so. The Catholic church and I do not see eye to eye on many things. Sex, abortion, and homosexuality to name just a few. Rather than be hypocritical, I don't go to church. My views on organized religion maybe a tad agnostic and perhaps even a little on the atheist side but I certainly to not hold anything against anyone's right to practice their faith.

I won't go into my disdain or opinion on people who use religion to justify hurting others, or those zealots who think killing for a deity is OK, or even tell you my feelings about Tibet and China. Those thoughts I'll leave for another day. Today the focus is me because well, it's my blog and most things here are always about me. (ha)

This island is primarily Catholic. This week has been filled with rituals. I've watched several of them from my balcony. I've had complete strangers "bless me". I've smiled as many family members question why I don't go to church. I've tried explaining in short simple sentences not because I doubt their intelligence to understand my explanation but because who wants to bring to question someones "god" during holy week? Not I, because even a non believer plays it safe this week.

So what do I believe? I believe in being the best human I can be. I believe in compassion, charity, and unconditional love. I believe in respect for others and the planet, laughter and joy. I believe in not taking life for granted, good, bad, or indifferent, it's the only life we have. I believe in my right choose, and the freedoms I am afforded by living here. I believe there is a lesson to be learned around every corner. I believe that despite any grief, pain or injustice I may have suffered, I am fortunate to be here. And I believe in Easter candy.

Random Information Friday

Pigs, that's todays topic for information Friday:

Celebrity Pigs: Miss Piggy, Piglet, Babe, Porky, Wilbur, Arnold Ziffle, Gordy, The 3 little pigs, Napoleon, Pippo.

Pigs do not have sweat glands so they roll around in mud to keep cool. (and to keep bugs from biting them)

A mother pig is called a sow, a father pig is called a boar, baby pigs are piglets and a group of pigs is called a herd.

There are pigs on every continent except Antarctica.

A pig's orgasm last 30 minutes.

All pigs have 44 teeth, can live up to 15 years, and are the fourth smarted animal group.

Insulin from the pancreas of pigs is used for diabetic humans.

Random Information Friday

I'm thinking this is a new Asylum thing. Random Info Friday. This Friday it's all about me, some Fridays it may actually be helpful or useful info. Then again maybe it stops here, who knows.

Dahlias are my favorite flowers.
I learned to drive, and ride a bike as an adult.
"El vacilon de la manana" cracks me up, every time I listen.
I love caramel.
I love rain and thunder storms when I am home and in bed.
My Ipod and my computer are sometimes my best friends.
I have problem solving skills that beat the hell out of any super hero.
I meditate.
Hiking is one of my greatest joys.
I have known many extraordinary men and very few idiots.
Weak woman make me want to slap them.
I once broke a beer bottle on someones head in anger.
I have had verbal altercations at a video store, a supermarket and a hospital that required police intervention.
Champagne in the morning is a fabulous high.
I am absolutely addicted to coffee.
My favorite toy as a child was what is now known as a sock monkey, only mine had a red hat.
Sweat freaks me out.
I have never seen a baby I thought was cute.
I have protested for many causes.
I am pro choice and I don't care who doesn't agree with me.
I hate that people go hungry and sometimes it weighs heavily on me.
I wouldn't go back to high school for all the tea in china.
I don't believe in heaven or hell, unless of course I am living through one or the other.
I love cheap candy.
I make a killer cheesecake.
I hate soup.
I love sushi.
I can clean and fillet fish, I can also clean and cook octopus.
I love cheese and bread and if you add wine to that, I swoon.

Got any random info you want to share?

Still here

Inquiring minds have been wondering where I am. Estoy aqui, right here, busy doing stuff, trying to live life and be true to my self in the process.

It's not easy being green me. Life sometimes gets in the way of blogging, but I haven't been ignoring you. I have read all your posts, gotten your emails and read your comments. But I have been silent while doing it.

Much has been happening here on my little island. There is a teachers strike, which is volatile and has caused much turmoil among the natives. It's an election year, and you know what that means, the idiots are out causing havoc. The neighbors are as stupid as ever and court action seems to be my next recourse. The asylum has been dealing with stray cats (still) and pigeons (still) and barking dogs (still).

There have been many appointments for many things, farming to do and repairs to be made. I have washed all the windows and screens. I am having trouble with my camera and am thinking I need to replace it. My Ipod is having breathing problems and I may have to replace it as well. The car needs new breaks and a tune up, as well as it's inspection time.

I have many things I want to post about, like island politics, Papito Rei, friendship, love and sex. Friendship, love and sex being completely unrelated topics. I have also been tagged with several memes which I still haven't gotten to, and I got a couple blogger award things which I haven't thanked people for.

I have been doing a little soul searching because sometimes a girl has to re-evaluate where she is in life and where she might be going. I have had some emotional highs and some lows. I have been doing some hand holding with those I love, at times long distance. (you would be surprised how even with an ocean separating you, you can hold someone close). I may be rekindling a friendship and losing another. The freedom to be yourself seems to always come at a cost, it's how high a price I am willing to pay that sometimes keeps me silent, frozen even.

I still made time to take some new pictures (even with my injured camera) for new blog headers. (this months header is a peek at what most of our cemeteries look like here on the island). I still listen to my Ipod before I fall asleep even if my sweet Ipod is dying. I still made time to smoke a nice cigar, do my hair (notice the lovely new flower headband), nothing makes a girl feel prettier than flowers in/on her hair. And today I made time to say "hello" to all of you!

I am here, my little huckleberries, still holding down, fighting, pondering, searching and loving all the craziness at the asylum.