sarah friedlander

Imperfect perfectionist living life to its fullest.

  1. Happiest Dog Ever

    I need to post a lot of pictures and an update about my incredible weekend for the national holidays of Chile. I was lucky that my friend Marcelo brought his camera to the beach this past weekend and was able to shoot a lot of pictures of Aidan. He really captured Aidan in his element and I have to share this one picture. I think the best way to capture it would really be “Happiest Dog Ever”.

  2. Spring in Santiago

  3. Clases de español a Mujer de Marketing / Spanish Classes to Marketing Gal

    I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, but I have barely spent any time on my blog talking about my job in Chile, or rather what keeps me occupied for way too many hours each week.  When I first came to Chile I spent the first two months enrolled in Spanish classes.  Although I know I needed to beef up my Spanish classes, I also felt like the classes helped give me some structure during my day:  I had to be up and showered in the morning and then after class I had the afternoons free to discover the city (or in my case, shop).
    He querido hacer esto desde hace mucho tiempo, pero han pasado varios meses desde que hablé en mi blog de mi pega en Chile, o más bien de lo que me mantiene ocupada durante muchas horas cada semana. Cuando llegué a Chile pasé los dos primeros meses en clases de español. Aunque sabía que eran necesario as para reforzar mi conocimiento de este idioma, también  sentí que las clases me ayudaron a darme un poco de estructura en mi día, que era darme una ducha en la mañana y luego después de la clase, tenía las tardes libres para descubrir la ciudad (o en mi caso, las tiendas).

    Sadly it feels like those few months of class went by way too quickly.  I spent a lot of time obsessing about decorating my apartment, indulged in way too many afternoon naps, bought and ate lots of fruit on the streets of Providencia and generally did a lot of nothing (besides the Spanish classes).  It always feels like it is so much easier to be productive with less time than the other way around.
    Lamentablemente se sintió cómo esos pocos meses de la clase pasaron muy rápido. Tuve mucho tiempo obsesionada con la decoración de mi departamento, tomé demasiadas siestas, compré y comí mucha fruta en las calles de Providencia y en general hice un montaña de nada (aparte de las clases de español). Siempre me siento como que es mucho más fácil ser productiva con menos tiempo que a la inversa.

    Before coming to Santiago I was fortunate enough to be well networked which led me to a few job interviews at potential companies.  One company was a big well-known brand in the United States and the other less known.  I went on a few interviews (which compared to the interview process in the United States seemed to move much more quickly).   In the end I chose the “less-known” brand because of a few reasons:
    Antes de llegar a Santiago tuve la suerte de estar bien conectada, lo que me llevó a una entrevista de trabajo en algunas empresas. Una de las empresas era una conocida marca en los Estados Unidos y los otras eran menos conocidas. Fui a un par de entrevistas (que en comparación con el proceso de las entrevistas en los Estados Unidos parecía moverse mucho más rápido). Al final he elegido la “menos conocida,” debido a varias razones:

    1. The job role was quite varied and would push me to become a better marketer.  I knew I wouldn’t be pigeonholed into doing the same thing everyday.  
      El puesto de la pega era bastante variado y me empujaba para convertirme en una vendedora mejor. Yo sabía que no sería encasillada en hacer lo mismo todos los días.
    2. I really enjoyed my interviews at the company.  Everyone I talked to before I accepted the job was passionate and didn’t feel like they were half falling asleep in the interview.  They actually wanted to talk to me and were interested in my responses.
      Realmente disfruté de mi entrevista en la empresa. Todas las personas me hablaron antes de aceptar la pega que tienen pasión y no estaban medio dormidos durante la entrevista.. Que en realidad querían hablar conmigo y estaban interesados ​​en mis respuestas.
    3. Job flexibility and overall approach.  I always had jobs in the past that expected me to act like an adult, keep my own hours and not expect my boss to babysit me.  It was also important to me to have a boss that understood that I may need to work remotely from the US at times and just because I am not sitting in the office does not mean I am not working hard!
      La flexibilidad laboral y el enfoque general. Siempre he tenido puestos de pega en el pasado que en los que esperan que actúe como un adulto, tener mi propio horario y no esperar que mi jefe que me cuide. También era importante para mí tener un jefe que entendiera que podría tener que trabajar de forma remota desde los EE.UU. a veces, y sólo porque no estoy sentada en la oficina no significa que no esté trabajando duro!

    I accepted my job at the end of December and started work in early January.  What a whirlwind it has been.  Before I know it I’ll be a year in to being a good little marketing gringa in Chile!
    Acepté mi pega al final de diciembre y comencé a trabajar a principios de enero. Lo que ha sido un torbellino. Antes que me dé cuenta voy a cumplir un año como una “buena chica de marketing”  algo gringa en Chile!

    Anyways, I feel now that you know a good history of my job process, but nothing about my job!  Or should I say jobs! Because at times I feel like I have almost 3 roles!
     De todas formas,  siento ahora que tú sabes de una buena historia de mi proceso de pega, pero nada acerca de mi pega! ¿O debería decir puestos de pega! Porque a veces me siento como si tuviera casi tres cargos!

    While in each role I work as a Marketing Manager, each company has a different business model.  They are (and the names):
    Mientras que en cada papel de Gerente de Marketing, cada empresa tiene un modelo de negocio diferente. Estos son (y los nombres):

    • First Tuesday is a nonprofit initiative driven by Endeavor Chile. First Tuesday is has been present in Chile since 1998 and operates under a license granted by First Tuesday London to different countries in Latin America. Between 2008-2010 there have been more than 35 events in different formats for the activation and development of entrepreneurship in the country. First Tuesday Santiago is a non-profit project designed to strengthen the environment for entrepreneurship in Chile. First Tuesday organized meetings meetings, seminars and activities to promote entrepreneurial culture around entrepreneurship.
      First Tuesday es una iniciativa sin fines de lucro impulsada por Endeavor Chile. First Tuesday está presente en Chile desde 1998 y opera bajo una licencia otorgada por Londres a First Tuesday Américas para múltiples países en América Latina. Entre 2008-2010 se han realizado más de 35 eventos en diferentes formatos destinados a la activación y desarrollo del emprendimiento en el país.  También, First Tuesday Santiago es un proyecto, sin fines de lucro, destinado a fortalecer el entorno de emprendimiento en Chile. Organizamos y convocamos reuniones, seminarios y actividades para emprendedores y promovemos cultura emprendiemiento.
    • The Founder Institute is a technological hotbed currently preparing to launch over 600 companies per year in 17 cities around the world. The program identifies high-potential entrepreneurs using predicative social science evidence, and then guides them through weekly sessions on how to start a business together with 400 CEO mentors. Everyone involved in the program, including founding CEO participants and mentors share the wealth generated by companies formed by the program. Participants also have access to a wealth of free and discounted services and do not have to leave their current day job.
      El Founder Institute es un semillero tecnológico actualmente preparándose para lanzar más de 600 empresas por año en 17 ciudades alrededor del mundo. El programa identifica empresarios de gran potencial usando pruebas predicativos de ciencias sociales, y luego los guía por sesiones semanales de cómo iniciar una empresa en conjunto con más de 400 Mentores CEO. Todos los involucrados en el programa, incluyendo los fundadores participantes y mentores CEO, comparten del patrimonio generado por empresas formadas por el programa. Además, los participantes tienen acceso a servicios gratuitos y descontados y no tendrán que dejar sus pegas actuales.
    • Tigabytes is a company dedicated to software engineering, and developing systems for large web 2.0 companies. A year later, thanks to the vision of its partners, Tigabytes becomes Google’s first partner in Latin America. By 2008 Tigabytes partners decide to push the company to exclusively do marketing and sales of Google products. Currently, Tigabytes is a leader in the sales of Google solutions, both in Chile and throughout the region, in a position that they work hard to maintain.
      Tigabytes es una empresa dedicada a la ingeniería de software, desarrollando sistemas web 2.0 para grandes empresas. Un año más tarde,  gracias a la visión de sus socios, Tigabytes se convierte en el primer partner de Google en Latinoamérica. Ya para 2008 y teniendo certeza de la excelencia de las herramientas,  los socios de Tigabytes deciden empujar la empresa hacia la comercialización y venta exclusiva de productos Google. Actualmente, Tigabytes es líder en venta de soluciones Google, tanto en Chile como en toda la región, posición en la que trabaja diariamente por mantener.
    • Top Secret Start-up:  Coming soon!
      Puesta en marcha de Top Secret: ¡Pronto!

    And there’s my run down of the job scene in Chile.  I know that for many people it is incredibly difficult to find a job in Santiago and I was very lucky.  Chile seems to be a country of networking – you won’t get anything (or very much) just by filling out the standard application.  Everytime you are in a social setting, make sure to spend time networking and getting to know others – they could be your key to your next job!
    Y ahí está mi visión general sobre mi pega en Chile. Sé que para muchas personas es muy difícil encontrar un pega en Santiago y tuve mucha suerte. Chile parece ser un país de la red – no hacer nada (o mucho) con sólo llenar el formulario estándar. Cada vez que se encuentren en un entorno social, asegúrense de pasar el tiempo creando de redes y conocer a otras personas – que podrían ser la clave para su próxima pega!

  4. Sleepy Aidan on Sunday


    This picture was too cute not to post. After a haircut Aidan looks quite handsome as he slept his afternoon away.

  5. Dining in Santiago: Quinoa Restaurant

    There aren’t quite a lot of vegetarian restaurants in Santiago, mostly because people in Chile have quite the love affair with their steak.  And I totally get that because quite frankly the beef in Chile is way better than in the United States.  All that’s needed for a great steak here is a little bit of barbecue salt to make the true flavors shine.  But I digress …

    There are days where I don’t want to eat meat.  Sometimes it’s nice to have a meal where you leave feeling “full” with just crisp vegetables, tofu or cheese.  There’s a fantastic restaurant in Providencia, El Huerto that is pretty much the vegetarian place in Santiago.  When my parents visited in February we went there twice in the same week – yup, it’s that good.

    I heard about a new vegetarian restaurant (open only lunch hours and closed on Sundays) in Vitacura – Quinoa Restaurante.  Supposedly it’s owned by the daughter of the owner of El Huerto (not sure if this is true).  After a pretty grueling workout at the gym this Rod and I decided to check it out.  We were absolutely blown away.


    My über handsome date.  Yes, I just used the work über!

    For starters, the restaurant is gorgeous.  They spent a lot of time with the decor so it feels warm, cozy and at the same time organic.  So many little touches made this place great including:

    • Blankets on each of the outdoor chairs (to keep warm)
    • Fresh flowers on each table
    • An herb garden that was both pretty to look at and useful
    • Dried roasted red peppers as decoration in the restaurant
    • Beautiful wood wall interiors
    • The door handle to exit the restaurant was a large spoon painted red
    The list goes on … (and I haven’t even gotten to the food!)

     

    Gorgeous seating (both indoor and outdoor).  You can see some of the design touches I mentioned above.

    The food, oh my god, the food.  It was heavenly.  I was trying to explain earlier today to Rod why I both like and dislike going out to restaurants for a steak.  At a steak restaurant you know exactly what you are getting – there’s no “surprise” element to a good meal.  At a great restaurant you are blown away by the food combinations.

     


    A photo of the full menu can be found here.

     

    We were both blown away by the food – lots of “mmmmms” and “oh soooo good” were muttered throughout the meal.  I can’t recommend Quinoa enough – I know we’ll be coming back here soon.  It will probably be our “place to go” after a good gym workout.  Total price for 2 natural juices, appetizer, 2 entrees and dessert (with 10% tip) was $25.300.

     

    Pictures below for your enjoyment.

    Fresh warm bread and “pebre”

    Goat cheese with olives (Appetizer)

    Spanakopita and Tiropita (Main Course)
    Duo of two empanadas with phyllo dough accompanied with a Greek salad.

    Crumble of Apple, Pear, and Quince (Dessert)
    Accompanied with ice cream

    Quinoa Restaurante
    Luis Pasteur 5393
    Vitacura, Santiago
    Reservas al (56) 2 9540283
    Horario de Atención: Lunes a Viernes (8:00 a 19:00 hrs) Sábados (9:00 a 17:00 hrs)
    www.quinoarestaurante.cl/

  6. Custom, Modern Furniture in Chile: IKEA Hemnes Bookshelf (Hack) + Kitchen Shelf

    I wrote a post at the beginning of February called Interior Design in Chile & IKEA Hemnes Shoe Cabinet (Hack).  I’m still blown away by its popularity and the amount of people that continually write to me and ask for contact information for my maestro (the man that makes my furniture).  If you do want his information just fill out my contact form!

    At the end of May I finally organized myself enough to ship all of my possessions from the US to Chile.  The goal I had in mind was to consolidate my life in one place.  My apartment in Santiago is not large by any means and shipping a full palette of items simply was not going to fit.  A lot of the things that were shipped went into my storage shed in my apartments’ garage (think music books and Christmas decorations) but a lot of items (favorite books, music boxes and of course my beloved kitchen pots & pans) needed a new home.

    Once again I enlisted my incredible maestro, Miguel to help create the furniture.  My plan was to have all of the furniture built and installed before my palette from the US got to Chile so I would have space to organize and put everything away.  June and July seemed like a whirlwind.  Between designing the furniture, installing it, going to France and Greece for vacation, and work it didn’t feel like a long wait for all my “things” to finally make it down south!

    I had Miguel create two items for me: (1) bedroom Bookshelf and (2) extra kitchen storage shelf.

    Bedroom Bookshelf
    The first item was a very slim bookshelf.  I wanted something across from my bed that could hold a few picture frames and then store books, knick knacks, CDs and DVDs.  Apartments in Santiago are not large so I needed the bookshelf to be super thin.  I ended up making it 8 inches (20.32 cm) and a little bit shorter in length than the bed frame.  It matches perfectly with the bed frame and I love being able to look at the artwork on top of the bookshelf from my bed..


    The IKEA Hemnes Sofa table in black-brown mixed with the Pottery Barn Chloe Console table were my inspiration pieces.  I loved the slimness of the Chloe table and the lines of the Hemnes table.  With photos of these two pieces, precise measurements and a few quick sketches I got my dream bookshelf.


    Here are two pictures (above and below) of the bookshelf showing the contents + design.  I love how it turned out and how much I can fit on the shelves.

    Kitchen Storage Shelf
    My kitchen is setup so that technically you could fit two stools on each side of the counter.  I opted awhile ago to buy only two stools and on the inner part of the counter use it for storage space (Aidan’s food storage, food and water bowl, garbage can, step stool).  With all of the additional pots and pans arriving from the US I wanted something that would match the wood color of the kitchen and not look like an additional piece of furniture.  I also needed a shelf that didn’t have to be nailed into the wall – I am a renter!  Miguel was great at matching the color exactly – I’ve had many people think it is part of the kitchen (and not an afterthought).


    The shelf in all its glory.  The color matches perfectly and I think its actually pretty cool to showcase off the Le Creuset and KitchenAid Mixer.  I also love how much the shelf looks like it came with the apartment as opposed to being an addition created by the renter.


    Shelf side view – kitchen porn!

    ~

    As always Miguel’s furniture is solid, looks great and is extremely well priced.  Living in Santiago and are dying for some IKEA or modern inspired furniture?  It’s not impossible if you have a great maestro!

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