Orangina Bottles: Project 1

I am seriously addicted to Orangina. If you haven't tried it, it's basically carbonated orange juice. And it's amazing. There are a few different forms that Orangina is sold in, the run-of-the-mill plastic bottle, in a can (soda-style), and (my favorite) in gorgeous glass bottles. I buy these glass bottles of Orangina in six-packs at Trader Joes. Ever since I discovered these I've been trying to think of creative ways to re-use the bottles. I've come up with quite a list, but I'm just going to show you the first pr0ject I did using them. It's also definitely the easiest thing to do with them, other than the obvious vase option. But, I think we're all a little more creative than that, yes?








Step 1:
Buy Orangina and drink it (YUM.)

Step 2:
Remove the lid, the lid band (use sharp objects at your own risk as I did with my cuticle trimmers), and the label (it comes off very easily by peeling as much off as you can when it's dry, and then using warm water to scrub off the rest)

Step 3:
Find some sort-of cheap sconce . I bought mine a billion years ago at Walmart (I think) for next to nothing. They're not the fanciest, but they work.






Step 4:
Find something that you like the look of or that has some special meaning to you that will fit through the opening of the bottle. I have a soft spot for Maine so I used some sand from there as well as a collection of teeny tiny shells that I had collected.

Step 5:
Fill your bottles to your desired fullness. I didn't want them filled too much because I wanted the Orangina bottles to be as much of a star as the sand/shells.

Step 6:
Hang your sconces and set the Orangina bottles on them instead of candles. Voila. Wasn't that easy?

Mexico

I totally do!

This past March I had the enormous privledge of going back to an orphanage in Mexico for the second time. I went a few years ago for a spring break and I most certainly plan on going back for a third and a forth time! The orphanage is located in a small town called Ejido Uruapan. I learned that "Ejido" is actually a word in front of the town name that basically means that the town is owned by the government. Learn something new everyday, eh? The orphanage is fairly close to Ensenada, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The cruise ships take day trips out to La Bufadora, which is a great place to get souvenirs if you want good deals. Ensenada tends to be a massive rip-off, often charging three times the amount for the exact same items that they sell at La Bufadora.


The two places we went when we weren't at the orphanage!

The orphanage is different from what you normally think of when hearing the word "Orphanage". Many of the children have parents that simply cannot afford to take care of them. But unlike in a traditional orphanage most of these kids actually go stay with their families on the weekends.

On the trampoline with some of the kids (And they all fall down!)

I don't speak much Spanish (I'm in my second year of the Spanish in college), but I went with my friend Tiffany who speaks Spanish fluently and actually lived at the orphanage for 6 months a few years ago. So I definitely have an in when I go down there! I know all of the best taco stands/ bakeries/ souvenir stands (We have our picture on the wall of Big Burro, the best taco stand EVER) in Ensenada! Oh and did I forget to mention the hot springs right by the orphanage itself, in Uruapan! Bliss!

My major is Social Work, so going back down there was the most positive experience I can imagine. When I come back up to the States after being down in Mexico I'm always hit with an overwhelming appreciation for all those things that I take for granted. It also gives me such compassion for illegal immigrants. Things are not always as black and white as they seem, and I think being reminded of that is a necessary thing in my life! (Oh and if you think there's a ton of pictures on this blog entry then you shoulda seen how many I WANTED to add!)

Augustine (used to be called Frijolito, then Frijol, and now that he's all grown up he wants to be called by his actual name! CUTE!)


Making pizza with the kids! No easy feat when trying to bake multiple
personal pizzas for over 20 kids with only one oven!

The view from the orphanage!


Eating fresh churros and buying souvenirs from the car while waiting
in the endless line at the border!


At the beach in Ensenada!