recent thoughts....

I really am happy to be back home and it is exciting to be able to wear all of my winter clothing and walk in the crisp chilly weather. But today I feel solemn. I don't understand how it is that I was so excited to come home and now that I am at home I feel like a part of me is missing. I don't get it.

It is not like I am aching to go back to Mexico because it feels right to be here but I just feel like my thoughts are somewhere else. I feel distracted. I feel not wholly me. I don't like this feeling and I hope that it is not as obvious to those around me.

And... I really miss speaking Spanish. I already feel like I am losing it. And that scares me. (sigh) I just don't know what I feel...

a day in violet´s shoes...

So I figure the least I could do for all of my faithful readers is write about my remaining days and the adventures they contain. Here goes....

Yesterday as I peered at my closet I realized that the only remaining clean clothing that I had was a pair of slacks and a little sweater. It is probably one of my favorite outfits and I reassured myself that I would most certainly make sure to make room for it in and amongst all of the gifts I am bringing back.

I decided a pink and brown combo would be perfect for the gloomy weather outside (a unusual sight in Cuernavaca). Anways.... running low on time I just decided to put mousse in my hair and be on the run. Well... when I looked in the mirror two hours later I happened to detect that half of my hair was in pretty curls while the other side was one giant poof ball. I put it past me convinced myself that I could just tell people that I accidently put my finger in a light socket that morning. But luckily, nobody asked.

Anyways... after classes Kristine and I went to town. She then departed and left me alone to do some errands. As I was walking towards one of the main streets I noticed that the sidewalk was a little sketchy and that a police car had parked a bit close. But... I figured that I could squeeze through, no biggy. As I began to pass through I felt may pants being tugged I turned around to see a few men nearby and half of my rear end being exposed. Don't worry... I was wearing pretty panties. I quickly pulled up my pants and unsnagged them from the fence that had caught them. I decided to try passing through again so as to not have to turn around to face those I had flashed. As I began walking again this fence began to fall and tugged on my pants harder pulling them down further. I tried to hold up my pants while unsnagging them, ignoring the looks that were happening around me. After unsagging my pants the whole fence just fell on the police car and I quickly scrambled around as to not be seen and pretend like nothing happened. Needless to say that my pants got torn and I will not be bringing them back with me. =(

After my errands I decided to take a taxi to my house because it was raining and I didn't really feel like squishing in the bus with all the bags I had to carry. After I quicly ate lunch I hustled to meet Kristine at the church. As I was walking down the street I happened to look up and see a bird just as it began to drop some droppings. I quickly moved to the other side of the street to keep my distance. But I thought about it, how often to you see birds going to the bathroom. haha.... that was strange.

I don't know what it was but yesterday I swear that the majority of the men I crossed paths with checked me out from head-to-toe. It really hasn't been that obvious to me in my time here but yesterday it was definitely obvious. Especially when a truck drove by that contained like 20 men standing in the back. They did their catcalls and told me they loved me all the while me trying to give them the fiercest glare possible. But when I furrowed up my eyebrows they just laughed out loud and I found a smile sweeping across my face as well.

Well..... I did survive yesterday even though I almost got hit by a car. hehehe.... =) Oh.... I forgot to mention the most awkward experience I have had yet with a taxi driver. Oh well. Time is running short and I must get going. I do hope that you get a laugh out of this as I most certainly did.

Kristine and I will be flying in at 11pm on Saturday. Please pray for safe travel and that the next few days go smoothly as we begin to say goodbye. Over a week ago I was super excited to come home and I even started talking to my host mom in English. But now... it is sinking in that in a few days I will be saying goodbye to people who have loved me that I may never have the chance to see again. Anyways.... thank you thank you for your love and support!

it's already that time of year, again???

Dear Friends and Family!!!

I told you that I would write come Monday. Aren't you proud??? I so cannot believe it. It's almost December and in 13 days I will be home. I sat in disbelief Friday morning as I waited for Kristine. I was greeted by a sweet pine scent.... her family had already decorated for Christmas. I sat on the couch looking at the decorations and then I stared outside to where the sun was already beating down. And yesterday as we left hot and muggy Acapulco, I caught a glimpse of a gigantic Christmas tree in the center of town covered with Coca cola decorations. Well.... it truly is that time of year again, but it really has been a bit weird to see Christmas decorations up when it seems as if it were summer. I am glad that I will be home to cold rainy Oregon where I will be able to cuddle up with my family and friends and sip hot cocoa and enjoy the cold but jolly season.

Well... I told you all that I would write about my adventure to Acapulco but there really is not a whole lot to tell. My weekend consisted of laying on the beach, drinking way to many pina coladas and swimming. It was hot and muggy and at times I really wondered why I take a liking to basking in the sun. But after dipping in the ocean I felt ready to endure the blazing sun again. Acapulco really is not that pretty of a city but it's beaches are gorgeous and it was amazing to be waited on hand and foot while sunbathing. The picture below describes our weekend in a nutshell. There were a few other events but yeah.... I don't know of how much interest they are to you!!!

Knock on Wood

Sooo.... it is late right now. And as I write I look around my room wide eyed every ten seconds to make sure no critter has made it's way near me. I feel the need to share this with you, seeing that my blogging will soon come to an end when I arrive home in two weeks.

So, I tried going to bed at eleven, and as many of you know (past roommates) I have no trouble falling asleep. The minute my head hits the pillow I am out. Well... after about 20 minutes of just tossing and turning and letting my thoughts go wild I thought I might as well get up and do some homework.

As I opened my laptop I happened to look up and see a giant spider that was a good 2-3 inches in diameter. I gasped for air and ran out of my room. By then it was already 11:30 but I couldn't bare the thought of entering my room again, let alone killing the spider. Soooo.... I made my way upstairs and was lucky to encounter my parents only half asleep. My mom made her way down stairs, found some insecticide and grabbed a broom. I waited outside my room.

A few minutes later, she presented me with the bad news that she had not killed it but she sprayed insecticide and for that reason it would soon be dead. She told me, well, "Usually during this time we have scorpions, so it's good that we haven't encountered any of those." I nodded my head in agreement.

Anyways... my mom left the broom for me and I laid it at the side of my bed. Ready to defend myself from any bug that dare enter my territory. Anyways... I got to writing and then all of the sudden I looked up to see what??? A scorpion crawling down my wall of cards. I thought..... oh great. She has already gone to bed and there is no way I'm going back up to say that I encountered another bug. So with my broom I began to beat the bug and after about 10 hits I finally smashed the scorpion to pieces. Feeling quite proud of my accomplishment I retreated back to my computer to work. Then I heard foot steps. "Que paso, Violeta?" It was my mom, she had heard me beating the bug and came down to see what the matter was. I kinda laughed and told her about my accomplishment. She checked the floor and after searching and finding the mutilated bug, she indeed confirmed it as a scorpion.

Anyways... I thought it was funny. And... just so you know. I just came face to face with that giant spider who did NOT die from the insecticide. I think the only one affected by it was me! Anyhow, I began to beat that spider, too. But it was too fast for me. It began to run back into my room and since I knew I would not be able to kill it with one shot I thrust it across the room where it scrambled under a couch. Well, at least I know that I won't be sleeping with that spider tonight, that is... if I do sleep.

oNly 3 wEekS!!!

Wow, I can hardly believe it! Kristine and I only have three more weeks here in Mexico even though it seems as though we just arrived. Last night I had both Kristine and Cecilia over for a sleepover and Cecilia was telling us how much she was going to miss us. I will miss her as well, but this past week the realization came to me that I think I am going to be ready to go home. I love it here in Mexico. Don't get me wrong. But I have so much to look forward to upon my return and I guess I'm just starting to see some of the things about this culture that kind of annoy me.

I am definitely looking forward to the next three weeks and all that is in store and I know that it will be hard to say goodbye, but I also know that that nervous excited feeling is going to come over me as Kristine and I enter PDX. I cannot wait to see the faces of those I love so dearly and begin to share my experiences face to face. Although it is difficult to see what growth I have made here, I know that this experience will leave me changed. This time here in Mexico has truly been a blessing to me. I have been renewed and I feel refreshed and ready for what lies ahead.

Anyways.... I don't have any exciting stories to share. I've just been up to my usual routine. But, yesterday I did go to the city market with Soco. I guess I can share this story with you. It is not that exciting but I got a laugh out of it because it just goes to show how brainless I am at times. =) We wandered around the market and gathered all that we needed. Then Soco offered me a drink at a little juice station. She pointed to a big barrel that said "Cerveza de Raiz." For those of you who are unaware, "Cerveza" is beer. My eyes got really wide and she immediately told me that it did not contain alcohol. I nodded my head in agreement although I was racking my brain to figure out what the heck this drink was. When I took the first sip I was pleasantly greeted by a sweet flavor. Soco and I ended up chilling in the car for awhile enjoying our "cerveza" and some dried bananas. I really didn't think too much about the drink the rest of the day, but then, today it all of the sudden came to me. I was drinking "Root Beer." Or so that is the conclusion I reached. But I just contemplated for a minute and thought how funny it would be if I offered a friend from another country "Root Beer" and then to see their eyes get really big as if it were a sin to say the word. Hahaha..... oh how funny it most have seemed to Soco.

Well.... this next weekend Kristine and I will be spending the weekend at the beach. And Ramiro, the director, was so kind as to permit our friend Candy to accompany us. Her and her family will be taking us. Anyways, I'm super excited and I will be sure to update you come next Monday!

where shall I begin???

Well friends, November has now arrived and I am on the homestretch. It is so hard to believe that I only have four more weeks left here in Mexico. It makes me sad and yet excited to think about coming home. It makes me sad to think of the friendships I am leaving behind and yet excited for the opportunities that lay ahead of me. Although I don't know how I will do it, I am very excited to get back into the busy routine as a college student. And I believe that the moment I step off the plane and feel the cold winter chill seep in, I will be thrust into the reality that I am no longer on vacation. Technically I am not on vacation at the moment, but... the warm, sunny weather seems to keep me in summer mood. Which sadly, has affected my school performance here. Although I would love to go to school where it is sunny all the time I believe it would have a serious impact on my studies. I never thought I would say that I was thankful for rainy days. But, for the sake of my academics I am thankful that I live in Oregon where there are many rainy days. =) The first photo is me with my friend, Candy. And the above, is my current teacher, Ana Maria. We decided to take a little break from class to work on our photogenic-ness! =)

So much has happened in the last couple of weeks and I have not shared any of it. Please do forgive me! Okay, here goes....

Back to Halloween, October 31st. Here in Mexico, traditionally Halloween in not celebrated. But sadly, as many Mexicans say, the US has influenced Mexico and now, as of about 7 or 8 years ago, the youth have begun to dress up and go door to door asking for treats. The youth go door to door starting on the 31st and ending on the 2nd of November. Here in Mexico, "El Dia de los Muertos" is celebrated. Translated into English would be, "Day of the Dead." November 1st and 2nd are very important days in remembering the deceased. Families put together "Ofrendas" or "Offerings," for their deceased loved ones. They place flowers, photos, food, candles and much more on the offerings and then after the 2nd they take the food that has been collected and divide it up and give it to their neighbors. Sadly, this once strong tradition is now kind of fading out. Not that many people take it as seriously and if they do celebrate it, it is to a much lesser degree. My host mom put up an offering for her parents, her sister and my host dad's little brother. It was very small and simple, but part of the tradition.

On November 1st, Kristine and I were blessed with the news that after our first hour of class we would be going to the city market to collect some items to place an offering for Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican hero. We were in the middle of a test when Irma approached us and insisted that we go. Kristine and I eagerly accepted, gleeful to postpone our test-taking. =)

The market was swarming with people. It was so much fun! We wandered around and picked out fruit and candy to place on the offering. The only not so fun part was when we walked through the meat section and I turned around only to be faced by a hanging pig's head. Ohhh..... yuck! I can't stand the meat section of the market! Anyhow, here is a picture of another head just hanging around. Below are the pig's feet.

After buying fruit and candy we made our way to the flower section. Traditionally, these flowers that Kristine and I are holding are placed on the offering. We wandered around the flower section for almost a half hour seeking out the best flowers although they were all the same. Finally, Irma just let us choose and we were on our way. Irma shared with us that sometimes when students leave Universal they like to buy their teachers flowers. She said that on more than one occasion students have bought these flowers. Usually the teachers just say thank you for the thought and kind of shudder because these are flowers for the dead! hahaha So, here are Kristine and I holding flowers for the dead! =) And here we also are arranging the flowers to make the cross for the offering. The flowers were kind of stinky.... Above, you can see the offering that Kristine and I put together. Sadly, we took so much time at the market and putting together the offering that we didn't get to attend our classes. =) But... we still had to finish the tests that were scheduled for the day.

The following day Kristine and I headed off to Puebla, accompanied by Ramiro, the school director, and Esteban, another student. Friday we stopped in Cholula, Puebla and visited one of the oldest pyramids that dates back to one of the five mother cultures, the Olmecas. The pyramid dates back to before Christ. The pyramid was unlike any other we have seen. In actuality, it is three pyramids. And although much of the pyramid has been destroyed we were able to explore the second pyramid through tunnels. Here I am at the right. =) It was really exciting to think that thousands of years before, a culture that I learned about had been occupying this area.

After arriving in the colonial town, Puebla, we were released to venture off and do as we wished. Kristine and I decided to rest up a little and I must share this one story to admit how awful we are. Kristine insisted that I figure out how to turn on the lights in our room so that she could use the bathroom. So, I ventured off into the hall to find someone who could assist me. One of the maids kindly showed me that all I had to do was do one flick of the switch and then the whole room had lighting. As she left the room I saw that Esteban was just standing in the hallway. I thought, hmmm... that's weird. Oh, well. And as I closed the door I shot him a little smirk. Kristine and I rested up and played around on our computers but after about 40 minutes we received a knock on our door. Kristine opened it to find Esteban asking if we were going to be doing anything that afternoon. Not realizing or believing that he had actually been waiting all that time for us, we giggled, grabbed our stuff and accompanied him to the market. This was the only time the three of us actually hung out together during our free time. Personally, one afternoon was enough with him. And since I think I took so much time shopping, he realized that he may have been better off on his own. =) Anyways..... he'll be accompanying us to Acapulco in a couple of weeks and I just hope that it is not completely awkward since the majority of that trip will be sunbathing on the beach.

Anyhow, Saturday morning was filled with boring museums. Uh-hum... I mean interesting museums. =) And that afternoon Ramiro again, allotted us free time. Kristine and I decided to wander around the Zocalo first as to avoid the possibility of running into Esteban. Then we returned to the hotel to freshen up and head to the market again. On our way to the market we encountered a small strip of vendors and spent some time there. We also ran into a henna tattoo station and decided to get tattoos. Here I am at the left with my tattoo artist. It was a really good opportunity to practice our Spanish because we were surrounded by young men. Actually, we met two young men at the station who we ended up spending the evening with. That is another story, for another time. =)

Surprisingly, the men always showed up late to our meeting times. Kristine and I would spend like 5 minutes waiting on this blue couch that would suck you in the moment you sat down. And since 5 minutes is soooo much time to wait, we usually pulled out the camera to document our moods. Here, Kristine and I took this photo to show Ramiro how angry we were. Just kidding! But I do look angry, don't I? haha

On Sunday, we had planned to visit an Animal Safari, but after talking to Ramiro and Esteban and them being really excited that the Chivas were going to be playing in Puebla, Kristine and I decided that one soccer game wouldn't hurt us. So, on Sunday we headed off to the stadium to cheer on the Chivas. The Chivas is the most popular, professional soccer team because they are the ONLY team with all Mexican players. When Kristine and I arrived we decided that we should probably sport some team spirit. So we wandered around in search of the perfect attire. Ramiro was so impatient to enter the stadium and get good seats that he just handed us our tickets and told us he would see us after the game. Kristine and I found our team spirit attire and arrived 45 minutes later only to discover that Ramiro and Esteban were sitting virtually alone in their section. Yeah, there were people but not so many as to be in a rush. So really, Kristine and I could have probably spent more time wandering around outside the stadium. Instead, we sat with Ramiro and Esteban as the sun beat down for two hours prior to the start of the game. The game was actually quite interesting. The only thing that drove me crazy was the fact that there were absolutely NO garbage cans. People were just tossing their garbage on the ground and I couldn't even get the courage to gently set my garbage down in a pile on the ground. Instead, Kristine and I carried our garbage around until we were told that we couldn't enter the stadium with all that garbage. Duh! We didn't want to. Anyway.. we were directed to like the ONLY garbage can in the entire stadium. Whew!!!

Anyways... life back here in Cuernavaca is just as exciting! Our weeks are filled with classes, aerobics and hanging out with friends. This week I decided to do something kind of random and crazy. I went with my host sister who has lots of piercings and pierced my tragus. For those of you who don't know this official term you may better recognize this definition offered by one of my good friends, "little ear flap thing." lol... Many people have asked me if it hurt and to be completely honest, I think it hurt less than my other piercings. Kristine and my sister came with me to document the event and here is the result, the picture at the left! I was a bit nervous but it hardly hurt at all!

Here at the right is my good friend, Soco. She is, as many of you know, my aerobics teacher. God has really blessed me with this friendship. I really could have never imagined even being friends with her. Considering that I am probably one of her worst alumnas and that she intimidated the heck out of me. But, the friendship I have with her is a really special one. She invites me over to her house a lot and we have shared some really good intimate conversations along with some outbursts of laughter. Sadly, I leave the day of her "Boda de plata," a celebration of 25 years of marriage. But I really do believe that of all my friendships I have formed here, this will be one that I continue to pursue.

This evening I got to thinking... my closest friends here, the friends that I tell most anything to, are all older. I probably spend more time with my older friends than I do with friends my age. Yeah... I have probably turned up some really good opportunities to form friendships with other youth, for example: turning down my sister's offer to go out with her and her friends to a bar. Actually it was more like pleading... but, instead here I am writing. I know that some of you may look on this with suspicion as some do here but I would like to take a moment and explain myself.

I'm not really considered "normal" here. Most students that come down from the U.S. party it up. They don't have a problem going out and dancing and drinking. I have been faced with this temptation more than once. I would love to say that this has never sounded appealing to me, but it has! I am a youth and I do live in the 21 century where all of these activities are looked on with approval. The fact that I don't do these things, sets me apart. And sometimes, I don't really want to be set apart. I would love to go out with my sister tonight, but I fear that if I partake in these activities, I may find them appealing and so, rather than putting myself in that position, I have chosen to stay home, I have chosen to accept lunch invitations from the women in our aerobics class rather than going dancing. Anyways, all this to say that yes, I do have friends my age but I spend more time with my older friends. I still get the questions and the pressure to go out and be a kid, but that is a lot more easy to manage than actually being with a group at a bar or something.

Well friends, I will attempt to be better about updating but I most certainly hope that you have enjoyed what you've read! =)

And to see more pictures just check out this link! http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesavioleta/

i aM aLIvE!!!

Hi friends and Family!!! Currently I am in Puebla for the weekend and I will inform you of all my exciting adventures come Monday. But this blog post is way overdue and I thought that if anything I should at least post the pics! (your welcome dad)

Life is good! Kristine and I have been up to a lot this last week. Last weekend we visited Mexico City! Here we are at the left with a walking dead person on stilts! haha... Not funny, I know. Bear with me though....

We visited the Dolores Olmedo Museum and enjoyed taking pictures in the garden. I think that the guards were somewhat amused by us. They would look back at us and sneak and glance and then start giggling which in turn made me giggle. But if any of you know me well, you know that my giggles soon turn into roaring laughter that calls the attention of onlookers. I don't know what happened to me. I used to rarely laugh and now I am always being hushed. This evening I began to laugh in the lobby of the hotel and Ramiro, the school director left. I asked him if I embarrass him and he told me that my laughter does embarrass him a bit. I have no idea as to why I am sharing this because it is NOT something I am proud of. Anyhow.... here Kri and I are at the left. And abovet is me just sitting on a little bench staring off into space. =)

Kristine and I have officially concluded that we will be losing weight when we return to the states because the food is not nearly as tasty. Here Kri and I are sipping away at some frappes at one of our favorite Cafes.

Back to last weekend... I almost died! No not really, but I have to share the story. Here goes.... we left for Mexico City around 9:30am and we ended up returning around 8:00pm. That is almost 11 hours and I think we spent almost half of that in the car. Which for me, means sleeping. =) Anyways... after we finished visiting the house of Frida Kahlo we got to visit the nearby Zocalo. It was also this day that we learned that although food smells amazing on the streets it is usually not that great. Okay, back to my story.

After visiting the Zocalo, Kristine and I followed Irma, the program director, back to the car. She was practically running as Kristine and I were trying to walk as fast as we could while at the same time enjoying our snacks that weren't so great. Irma approached a busy street and began to cross even though Kri and I were a ways behind. We decided to start sprinting and figured we could probably make it in time to cross as well. Well... off we went sprinting and as we neared she suddenly stopped. Only problem was that we didn't stop. At this point my world seemed to go in slow motion. Irma thrust both arms to the side as to stop us from crossing and as gravity carried us a little further a taxi was forced to slam on it's breaks. It seemed as though no one moved for a minute or so. I was kind of embarrassed but what can you do? Soo... I laughed and then we crossed the street and I began to reminisce about my almost near death experience. Just think, had something happened that afternoon you wouldn't have this lovely face to look at! ha, just kidding!

Anyways... check for another update Monday! I already have so much to share and I will post pictures as well! Blessings!