Belize Day 1: Welcome to Paradise

Flew out of Chicago early this morning, Greg took us all to the airport since he declined to get a passport and come with us (sucker!  haha).  Had a layover in Charlotte NC where we took in breakfast; man I forgot how expensive airport food is! Ouch $17.98 for an omelet and hash browns. 
I won’t lie I slept most of the flights, it is kind of what I do.  I find being in the air so utterly relaxing and peaceful that I just drift off to sleep.  I did chat a bit with the girl sitting next to me, she was delightful.  Her and a group of 20 something's were going to Belize for a mission trip, this was her 3rd trip but first to Belize.
With the time changes we landed and deplaned in Belize around noon, so we still had a full day ahead of us
Renting a car turned out to be a disaster that took forever! Apparently Hurtz didn’t have any record of my rental even thought I my copy of the agreement in my hand!! Remind me never to rent from them again. We eventually got a rental through a local place that agreed to honor the Hurtz price (thank goodness) and away we went. 

Our Rental Car with a plus 1.  We however did not take him with us. 

As we left the airport we were welcomed to Belize by this fantastic sign. 

Our drive to the house took 3.5 hours as it was across pretty much the entire country of Belize.  We were staying in the town of Placencia which is actually a peninsula at the southern point of the country.  We few into Belize City at the northern end of central Belize.  We did however have to drive out and around through the center of the country because the Hummingbird Road that runs along the coast is 1. not paved and 2. full of highway men.  Yes you heard me correctly Highway men as is robbers from back in the day that jump out of bushes on horseback and rob your carriages, only now a days they jump out and rob your cars.   I have included a fancy pic of my own making in Paint to illustrate our trek. (you are welcome to be in awe of my mad skills)

There was a huge football (soccer for us American’s) stadium in Belmopan that had traffic backed up for miles.  Here a few pictures from our drive, we went through mountains, forests, open fields, the country’s prison, a few small towns & villages along the way. The areas are all very poor, I was shocked at how shady it was even right at the airport. And the part about the prison was no joke, you practically drive right through the compound on your way out of Belize City.

Belize Day 1- Drive VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

When we arrived in town we spent a lot of time just exploring the house, it was beautiful.  Later we went out and got some food at the local grocery.  They are all run by Asians, so just imagine any local Asian grocery in your area and that is about right; all run down shabby and full of expired foods.  The prices were also ridiculous!

It is hard to tell in the picture but that price tag reads $9.24, and yes we did buy them.

There was no fresh vegetables and very little meat as those are all supplied via the farmers markets and stands all over town but they were closed already for the day.  You can also get fresh fish/sea food everyday at the docks at the end of town. 

Belize Day 1 - The House VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Eventually we all settled in for the night, we were going on almost 2 days with little to no sleep.  Poor Judy was even falling asleep at the table before we went to the grocery. 

Well that is all for today, signing off and going to bed. 

Sláinte,
Kat

Taco Laco from Gloria’s Mexican Restaurant

 

Running late today because I hit snooze a few too many times, and a very grumpy older lady in line at the pharmacy I stopped by Gloria’s again on my way to work to grab a bite to eat.  I have already had my usual go to breakfast tacos here a few times so I thought I would try out something different and my roommates boyfriend recommended the Taco LOCO from there.  Actually his talk about his taco is what turned me on to the place to being with I just have not yet tried said taco because I was not sure what all I would find in it honestly.  But today I needed some thing a bit more substantial than my usual so I branched out and tried the LOCO.

It was a  good combination of flavors together in one place. A soft fluffy tortilla stuffed with the following:

Chorizo

Refried Beans

Scrambled Eggs

Bacon

Sautéed Onions & Peppers

Potato

 

My only issues was the bacon, it was an uncomfortable crunch in the middle of al the softer mushier (for lack of a better word) of food flavors.  It was a bit of shock when I first came across a piece in a bite. 

I added a little bit of salt after the first few bites, and it helped to bring all the flavors out and gave it a bit more of a kick to the taste buds.

I used the red hot sauce today vs my usual green sauce.  It was defiantly hotter in scoville temperature  than the green but I didn’t think it had as much individual flavor as the heat drown it out.  I will say this it helped to clear my sinuses as my allergies have been awful this week.

Because I was already running behind, I called in the order ahead, and it was ready when I arrived. I was greeted when I arrived by a waitress who was at a table taking an order.  I had to wait for her to get back behind the counter to pay and receive my food.  There were two younger children in serving aprons clearing tables and delivering drinks after the waitress had prepared them (as she was cashing me out).  I ordered the Small Taco LOCO and it was $2.99 they do have a larger one that is $4.99 that I have not yet tried.  This one was a bit larger than my usual potato egg and cheese taco and was enough to satisfy so I don’t know that I will ever try the large size. 

Sláinte,

Kat

House Hunting 101

Looking for a house before you live in an area is like smashing your face into a brick wall of stupidity. Now don't get me wrong I know that the economy sucks (I am a bartender I feel it everyday), but some of the rules and regulations they have in place now a days makes it nearly impossible for someone to relocate!

I have called and talked to at least 8 different management companies and attempted to contact 20+ apartment complexes and none of them are even willing to talk to me any more once they find out I am coming from out of state.

Things that make it impossible for me to find housing:
1. I have a dog (cats only)
2. I have a large dog (less than 20 lbs is all I hear)
3. I don't currently live in the area
4. I am a bartender so it makes #5 impossible to meet
5. I don't have proof of income at least 3x the rent amount (are you freaking kidding me!!)

• we don't accept out of state income
• we don't accept duel income, it must be provable on one statement
• we can't accept any income that is not stated on a pay stub (I am a bartender my pay stub is $30 if I am lucky!!)
• we don't accept letters of intent to hire that don't have your salary stated

6. The other 15 properties that I contacted never bothered to call me back ... apparently you are not that interested in filling your empty apartments
7. Having resorted to Craigslist:

• only 1 in 20 respond back to your inquire
• no one wants a large dog
• CATS only
• I have no idea what neighbor hoods they are talking about I have never lived in Portland before. 

I guess it has been a while since I have had to apply for housing, given that I lived in the same house in Ames for 5 years and moved in on a preexisting lease in Texas.  Even then the house in Ames was a move to a different rental but with in the same company so they didn't re-screen me so it has been a total of 9 years and things have defiantly changed.  Then now do a credit and background check, you have to have proof of income 3 or 4 times the amount of rent and the cost for having a pet is ridiculous.  That is if you can find a place that allows large dogs.   

Still looking but starting to feel discouraged.  Any one have an words of wisdom, or encouragement ...

Sláinte,
Kat

The Joys of Deep Cleaning ... NOT!

So as many of you may know, or have realized I am moving.  Yes again.  I know I seem to have a impulse control issue or something   No not really honestly I hate moving but as much as I have enjoyed living in Texas I just have not found what I was looking for here.  I have not found a job in my field and everyone I know, knows me as "Andrea's cousin" so I just feel like I have lost my identity some how.  Any way that is now that this post is about this post is about cleaning.  Since I am getting ready to move I have been doing a lot of deep cleaning, kind of room by room as I pack up my things so that I am not leaving a messy house behind me.  My other roommates are not moving out so its not a deposit thing its a principle thing.  This week I did the kitchen.  I actually didn't pack my kitchen things up yet because I am still not leaving till the end of May and I still need to eat but it really needed a good scrubbing so away I went.

We have a gas stove (which I love) but for any of you that also have one you know the grime that builds up on the burners is tough and nearly impossible to get rid of. Anyway while wasting them when I should have been job hunting I was on pinterest and came across this little tidbit for easy cleaning and thought I would try  it out.  Low and Behold it worked like a dream.  It was absolutely amazing how easily the grime and grease came off and now sparkly clean the stove burners were.  Here is an example of the before picture.  And just to give you some insight, I usually put these through the dish washer about once every other week or so.  They never look this good after!  EVER

Before

After

Can you believe that?? I was shocked and amazed.  I didn't even have to scrub all I did was wipe it down with a green scrubby and it all just came off.  Now how did I achieve this miracle you ask....

Ammonia

Yep that's it just 2-3 tablespoons of ammonia.  

Just put each grate in a 2 gallon zip lock bag with 2-3 tablespoons of ammonia for about 12 hours and wipe clean!!  I got the 1/2 gallon of ammonia at Wal-Mart for like $2.10.

what the ammonia in the bag looked like once I removed the burner

 

I would recommend putting yours on a cookie sheet or in a glass pyrex dish as it sits overnight because some of the ammonia fumes seeped through the bag and condensed again to make a puddle on the counter under the bags.

Any way that is my deep cleaning tip for the day.  I may have a few more before this move happens.

Slàinte,
Kat