RPGs, Los Kioskos de Luquillo, and El Yunque!

I love how fast paced things are right now! This week has been intense, and I don't feel like slowing down!

The day after graduation, I started my Pathfinder campaign. It went tremendously well! I got to show off my acting and storytelling finesse, and all the players loved it. I have lots of ideas for the game. I think it'll be epic. On this session, the players met in the market square of the city of Enyalie. There they fought a pack of vampire spawns that attacked the market. Then they went to the Unseen Ones headquarters. Tassadar met with his father, and later they all met Prince Tyaro.

I can scratch two things off my List today! The crew from the Museum took a field trip to Luquillo to go to El Yunque. We also ate at the world famous Kioskos I'm going to miss those guys so much!

Anyway, the journey was arduous! We got to Luquillo late at night. Our first stop were the Kioskos. I had some of the best oysters I've ever tasted!! We played pool and danced a for a bit. We finally made it to the house, and I don't think I've ever seen that house so full of people! We were 10 people, and we were packed like a box of matches. The next day, we went to El Yunque, the most celebrated mountain in Puerto Rico. We started at the bottom at around 10:00am, we made it to the top at 3:14, and then back down at 5:00ish. I love climbing that mountain. I've gone dozens of times, but it's still magical. This time, I went to some part I'd never gone before! I rained quite a bit, but that is part of the rain forest experience. It felt really nice. We weren't able to make it to the waterfall, but that just gives me an excuse to go back before I leave!

After the great descent, we went to los Kioskos again! My favorite kiosk was closed the night before, but we got to go this time! I have an Alcapurria, an Arepa, and an Arepa stuffed with shrimp. It was heaven in my mouth. As a matter of fact, I've decided to to scratch the Kioskos off the list officially. I really want to go back!!!

Doctors, Honors, GRADUATION!!! and Vaca Brava

So many things have happened! On Monday I had to go to the allergy doctor. Not only did he give me not one, not two, but THREE shots, he also made me sit in that waiting room ALL morning on an empty stomach. He has to be one of the slowest doctors I've ever seen. And he wants to give me MORE shots. It was a very odd visit. He asked me what I'm allergic to. I told him: cat fur, dust mites, pollen, blah, blah, blah. He says: Oh, we should run some tests to see if you really are allergic to cat fur, dust mites, pollen, blah, blah, blah. Dude, I've lived in this body my whole life! I can faithfully guarantee that I'm allergic to all that stuff!!! That's why I came to see you! It seems I'll be seeing more of him during the summer. Hopefully, I'll come out of it with clear sinuses. 

As I said on the last post, the High Honor Students Recognition Ceremony (Reconocimiento de Altas Distinciones) was also on Monday. It was a very lovely evening, although the History Department faculty was sorely under represented. Only the director and his assistant were there. Lots of professors from other departments were present. And on top of that, they barely knew anything about the two History students being awarded with High Honors. I don't think he even knew my name before he read it. All the other professors gave a little summary of their students' achievements and performance. Oh, well. I still got my medal, though!!

Today was my GRADUATION! It was great! I still can't compute that I'm a college graduate. I have a degree!! Now, some highlights of the occasion. I had to stand in line for some 45 minutes in high heels! No matter, cause I met up with lots of friends while we waited. I was grouped with the other Summa Cum Laude from the School of Humanities. We were the only ones who had their names called out. Of course, the Dean misspelled my name (just as I thought he would). Once again, the faculty from the History department was minimal, but at least the director recognized me this time and shook my hand! The togas worn by the professors were really colorful and cool! 

The Tuna and the Choir performed during the intermissions. They were awesome. I really hope this wasn't the last time I got to see them! I The ceremony itself was of a pretty comfortable duration. There was no guest speaker, so that might have helped speed things along. Thank God it didn't last 4 hours like some others have!! The energy was really great. We cheered, and screamed, and sang. It was fun. I don't know why so many people decide not to go. 

I'm really happy I got to graduate with my friend Tinnytina! We've been through some great times during these past few years, and I'm glad I got to share today with her!! 

But the real stars of the evening, at least in my eyes, were my Mom and Dad. Without them guiding, encouraging, and inspiring me, I would never have accomplished half of the things I have until now. They are the wind beneath my wings, and I can only thank the Fates for giving me such incredible parents.

To finish off a great day, we went to Vaca Brava with Tinnytina's family to celebrate. Scratch that one off the list! Delicious food!! I finally got to try "El Tendedero", or the clothesline of meat!! And I had mofongo once again!! Heavenly mofongo balls! God, I'm going to miss mofongo!!!!!! I ate to the brink of bursting, and we had so much leftovers!!

Movies, Call of Cthulhu, and Downton Abbey S2 Done!

So, I finished Season 2 of Downton Abbey. It's so odd how much I like this series. It's nothing like the shows I usually watch. But the dialogue is clever, the acting is great, and the characters are very interesting. I think, unlike in the usual science fiction and detective/police shows I gravitate to, the slow pace of plots like Downton Abbey allows the viewer to get to know the characters much better. A single situation can last the entire episode! Looking forward to Season 3!

Also watched The Hangover III. I haven't seen The Hangover II, but I really liked it! Good ol' American humor. Some parts I didn't find funny at all. There are certain things that, for me at least, one shouldn't make jokes about or make fun of. But the rest was quite good. I'm told it was better than Part II. It was a friend's pre-birthday outing. We had tons of fun.

Today I saw Hyde Park on Hudson. Now, I love a good historical drama. They're actually my favorite genre. This one in particular I'm not sure how much I liked it. It wasn't what I was expecting. The acting was superb, as was the dialogue. My favorite characters were King George and Queen Elizabeth. They had great chemistry. However, Roosevelt was hard to care about, as was Daisy. They had barely any chemistry at all. And the whole multiple conceding mistresses thing was just ridiculous. I understand the point of the story: human flaws, secrets and seeing what one wants to see. I can't argue with historical facts, of course, but I found most characters unsympathetic. Still, it was an enjoyable film, if only for the dialogue and acting.

Finally, I read H.P. Lovecraft's Call of Cthulhu. I loved it! I really enjoyed the sort of detective feel to the story, the descriptions, the language. Most of all, I enjoyed the references to anthropology. The only part that left me a little disappointed was when the monster appeared. The way it was described made it seem much smaller that I thought it was going to be. And I'm not sure I understood how he was imprisoned again, if he was at all. But that makes it more fun, I guess. I'd never read anything by Lovecraft before, but I definitely will read more! I think I'll look more into the whole Cthulhu mythos.

On another note, today was my last day working at the museum (I think). It was a hard day!! Two art workshops at once, and both of them full! Not to mention some very difficult people who think they have run of the place. We had our hands full. I'm glad I don't need to work any more Sundays! Anyway, that part of my life might be over. I worked there for over two years. I'm sad to see it go, but I'm off to new things. I might be starting work at Sears soon!

Tomorrow there's an activity for students graduating with honors. They sent an engraved invitation and everything! Not sure what it's all about, but we'll see. Graduation is on Wednesday!