LoNgER wAlKs, MoRe meN....

As you may have noticed I switched up my blog a bit. I noticed that my readers were no longer commenting which leads me to believe that I don't have as many readers because my blog was BORING. So.... I changed it. Just for you! =)

Well.... I finished up my first two classes with one A and and A-. Not too happy about the A- but it's not too bad for still being in summer mode. (i.e. the teacher was being generous) Kristine and I are now enjoying ten days free of school. Yay-hoo!!!! Tomorrow we are traveling to Tepoztlan again to enjoy the market. Monday and Tuesday we have plans with our Mexican friends and Wednesday we're planning on spending a day at the mall. Saturday and Sunday we are traveling to some hot springs with my family. Kri doesn't know it yet but she'll find out soon.....

Sooo..... last night right before my aerobics teacher was about to drop me off at my house she invited me to her house for coffee. I thought, why most certainly. She told me that it was best to advise my family but I said it was no big deal. I was thinking we would be maybe a half hour or hour more. Well friends, I arrived back to my house 2 hours and 45 minutes later. I apologized over and over again for missing supper and not advising my family. But since they have daughters my age it was easily forgotten and I was offered supper at 11:30 at night. 1) It was an honor to be invited to my teacher's house and 2) We had such great conversation. She says that it difficult to have conversations with people but she most certainly didn't have a problem chatting away with me. I really enjoyed her company. I told her about some of my desires, specifically about wanting to see some of the poverty in Mexico and she told me that she could take me. She likes girls our age because she wishes she had a daughter. She told me last night that if she had a daughter she wishes that she was as pretty as me. I find it so interesting that she sees the beauty in me and not really anything else. I mean, think about it. Aerobics- you're hot, sweaty, and nasty. Usually my hair is sticking out in all directions and I'm sweating from head to toe. All I can say, is NOT pretty. Anyways, I'm probably one of her worst students, she calls me a rebel. ha, I can't really deny it.

I think one thing that I have discovered more about myself is that men scare me. Even if they're not doing anything. For example....

#1. One evening Kri was getting ready to walk back in the dark. I told her to hold her keys a certain way so that she could use it as a weapon if she came across any bad guys. Then as she was getting ready to turn around and leave I just saw a man walking down the street and I screamed. Then.... Kristine screamed and jumped inside the gate. It was horrible..... I feel so bad for that man.

#2. One time Kri and I were standing around chatting with a friend. There was this man that was across the street and I watched him cross and approach us. But he just came so close that I gasped for air and jumped back. He just wanted to know the hour. Anyways.... my reaction was a bit over the top.

#3. One evening Kristine and I were walking with a friend of ours to go to the center of town. All of the sudden some man approached me asking me about the Lord's prayer. But I was frightened and so I jumped back and gasped for air. He was a little taken aback by my response to his presence.

I know I have more examples but I'm just not remembering them...... anyways... usually my reaction is jump and gasp for air. Not the most welcoming response.

Anyways.... I titled my entry longer walks, more men because now that I live further away I walk a lot more. I like it. But I don't like the men I encounter along the way. They always say things about my appearance and even when I think they're being kind I realize that they are being naughty.

Anyhow, today I left Kri's house as to get home before dark. It was dusk and my walk was going just fine until I turned to go up the hill leading to my house. My neighborhood is very desolate. As I was beginning my hike up the hill I noticed that a car was right beside me. I thought, just keep walking Violet. You're fine. Then the man started talking to me. I didn't hear him and so I just kept walking a little faster. Then he said in English, "Do you talk? Can you talk?" I thought I can talk but I most certainly don't want to talk to you. I don't know you. Then he said, "Will it bother you?" At that I replied, "Yes, I don't want to talk to you." All the while I was walking faster and faster and he was following me. I was so scared and was relieved when he zoomed off. But then..... he returned and drove by me again. My heart was racing so fast from the incline and that scary encounter. I told my family about it but Tono told me it was no big deal. That is how Mexicans are. I'm sorry.... I don't care if that is how they are. What would have happened if I did talk to him or if I did get in his car? Ugh..... anyways.... I won't be walking at dusk anymore and I will let my aerobics teacher spoil me and drop me off at my house.

Life is good here. I really am enjoying myself and I wish I wasn't returning to the states so soon. I will post pictures soon. =)

A long awaited update....

So much to tell and I don't even know where to begin..... Well, let's see. I just changed families yesterday which means I am now on my third family. I live a distance away from the school with a family of five. The parents and the three children ages 20, 18 & 13. The reason I changed this last time was because I was living with an elderly couple and I just felt like it was more of my duty to serve them and not be served by them. I'm really excited for all that is in store with this new family. I will keep you all posted. =)

This past weekend Kristine and I traveled to Taxco which is known for it's sliver. We spent about a half hour wandering around a church that was constructed by Jose de la Borda who also constructed Jardin de la Borda in Cuernavaca. It was the house that Maximiliano, the second and last emperor of Mexico, occupied. I was bored during the tour since it was like the millionth church I have visited but I was still fascinated by all of the work it must have taken to construct such a church. After our lovely tour we spent two hours roaming the streets shopping and saying no to all of the indigenous vendors that shove things in your face for you to buy. I have a hard time resisting the kids so I usually end up chatting with them only to end up telling them that I'm not going to buy their product. Sometimes I slip them a little money because it just is so hard to see these kids out on the street.

Here is Kristine and I at the right. We decided that it would be a good idea to take a picture of this town. Why? dunno.... Don't we just look gorgeous? ha, no.

But, I must admit that the highlight of the trip was when we went to the nearby Oxxo to buy snacks for the ride home. They were having a promotion and were handing out iced coffee. Kristine and I were sucked in to buying the delicious treat and when I approached Kristine as she was waiting for our drinks I got a laugh. There was Kristine holding this giant yellow di staring at the two young workers looking so confused. Kristine was given instructions to roll the di and then was given prizes. She just kinda laughed nervously and wondered what the heck the prizes were for. It really was nothing too exciting, just a promotion. But when you're living in a foreign culture and you don't quite understand everything, you learn to just laugh. Soooo........ we laughed!

Here I am at the right with my iced coffee and prizes. My prizes weren't as crazy as Kristine's but yeah.....

Anyways... two weeks ago Kristine and I traveled to Xochicalco and visited the pyramids. It wasn't too exciting and we were both in a bad mood. The sun was beating down on us and I just felt so silly with my hot pink sunglasses that I usually take pride in wearing. Anyways... we did get some good photos that we may look back on one day and thank ourselves for. Or we may look back and say, now what was this again? hehehe.... I think I'm getting a little puffed up from all the history that I'm being bombarded with.

As far as life goes...... I am happy. It makes me sad to think that I am almost halfway done with my time here. I feel like there is still so much to do and so many friendships to continue working on. I definitely feel like I have a little circle of friends here and it feels so good. I have my friend Cecilia, whom we see three times a week. She is a blast. Here we are above in a little mini photo shoot! Last night we went and hung out with her and her best friend. I hope that this is just the beginning of more friendships. =)

And I also have my friend Candy. She is the secretary in the school but oh so much fun. She is so hysterical. She's a little like me so we have fun together. =) I'm pretty sure she doesn't get any work done while I'm around but I think she probably finds it worth while, or so I hope! And she has a daughter. She brought her last Friday so I could see her. She is sooooooo adorable. Every time I see little kids it just makes me wish I had my own. I know, patience...... someday.

Also, I have my whole aerobics class. I went to aerobics class last week to tell the teacher that I would not be coming again and I ended up having to explain to everyone what was going on and then they all told me that I didn't have a valid excuse and that I would be coming. Sooo... my adventure with aerobics continues. I've actually become acquainted with some younger girls that occasionally come and they want to go dancing. So, we'll see what happens there.

Anyways, I'm writing this all very fast because I have so much to do. Please be praying for me. For the transition with my new family and for our finals week. I'm so totally still in summer mode which is NOT a good thing. I hope I skip out of it before I come home. Ahh.... anyways, I apologize for not updating all you faithful readers sooner and I'm sorry I've been brief but I'll write more during my vacation next week.