MY VACATION...

Well.... my week of vacation is nearing an end. I only have three more days left before I resume classes. I'm not totally thrilled about starting back up again but I feel that this week was a really nice break. Kristine and I got to hang out and do a lot of fun activities with our Mexican friends. Tomorrow we'll be attending a concert with Cecilia and Katia and on Saturday we'll be traveling with my family to some hot springs. We'll be spending the day in the sun. =)

Anyhow, I've definitely taken some time to think during this past week. I know, who doesn't, right? Well, what I mean is that I've been able to look back and see how things have come together and I'm really happy that I'm here in Mexico. I wish we weren't leaving in seven weeks but I do realize that that is a big chunk of time. So, I'm hoping to make the most of it!


Anywhoo..... my week. On Monday, I stopped by my aerobics teacher's house to drop off a card. She begged me to come in for a while and I ended up chatting with her for a couple of hours. Then I made my way to the school to do my rounds of visiting. Later that afternoon Kristine, Cecilia and I went and saw a Disney movie in the theatre. We thought it was going to be in English but it wasn't. I really didn't mind except the fact that sometimes I feel like the translations and the voices of the translation don't really match up that well. Anyway, that's being picky. At the right is a picture or Kri and me with our aerobics teacher, Soco. I really like her. She's one of my good friends that I can rely on.

Tuesday, Kristine and I spent the afternoon with Katia, our friend from our aerobics class. She invited us over to lunch at her house and after indulging in tasty food we made our way to the school where we spent the afternoon soaking up the sun, swimming and taking photos. She wants Kristine and I to help here with her English but she really doesn't speak any at all and I think more than anything she just wants our friendship. As we were walking to our aerobics class a car full of guys approached us. The tried talking us into going to a party. They even got out of the car and greeted us all. It was quite the experience. I blame it on the little spandex shorts Kristine was prancing around in. hehehe

But, reality has hit me in hanging out with Katia. Her house is super tiny. There is a kitchen and a living room, two bedrooms and one bathroom/laundry room. Katia shares a room with her two brothers that are both teenagers. I guess it just came as a shock to me. This situation isn't too common in the U.S. so even when there are families that live like this it is a shame to the family. But here.... it just seems normal. Her family told us that there house was our house and that we are welcome at anytime. I'm am awed again and again by the generosity and love of the Mexican people. Also, today Kristine and I went shopping for toys. Because in order to get a ticket for the concert you have to purchase a toy and exchange it for a ticket. I think that concert is for some kind of benefit. Anyways... I could see that it was a struggle for Katia. Money is a struggle. She spent a little of $10 and then later commented that she spent like a million bucks. I don't know..... little things like that get to me. I guess this is just an opportunity for me to see how it is Mexicans truly live. I'm being privileged to have a snapshot of what life is really like for many Mexicans.

Oh, I happened to see my first Senora on Tuesday, as well. I was walking by her house and she was right beside me in her car. I decided to wait and say something to her. I said, "Hi, good afternoon. How are you?" At that she replied, "I'm fine, thank you. Bye." And as she was entering the gate she was like, "this is how it is." I turned around probably with the biggest look of disgust but luckily there was no one there to receive all the words my facial expressions were expressing. Anyways.... It was disappointing. But, I'm happy now with my new family. I also ran into my second Senora today. We chatted for a little bit and she adjusted my off the shoulder shirt the way she wanted it. Anyways... it is good to know that I am still on good terms with her.

On to Wednesday......Kristine and I went to the Galerias where we had a little mini coffee date and then wandered around the mall. It wasn't the most exciting event but it was relaxing and nice to just be out doing something. On the way back home I noticed that our Taxi driver was dozing off a bit. When Kristine got out of the car I began to talk to him. I was seriously afraid that he was going to fall asleep at the wheel. I was watching in the rear view mirror as his eyes would open and close. I asked if he was tired and he admitted he was. He shared with me that he works 12 hours a day, seven days a week and maybe he takes home $20 for his family. I can't believe it. I make that in two hours. It was a really good conversation but it just served as a reminder that Mexico is not the U.S. I guess I just don't really understand these differences..... (sigh)

Later that evening we had coffee with Cecilia and one of her friends, Josue. As we were walking to meet them we were stopped at a red light. I couldn't help but stare at a woman who was across the street digging through the garbage. I know we have this in the U.S. but it is just so hard for me to watch and to see. I found it interesting that at lunch my family had been discussing hunger in Mexico and how the richest man in the world happens to be from Mexico. Mexico has money and sources of income. The problem is that there is just poor distribution. Conversation was a bit slow with Josue and Cecilia but it was good to get to know somebody else and practice Spanish. After our coffee session Kristine and I attended our aerobics class. Here we are at the right after one of our classes. Usually I'm drenched in sweat. yuck!

Today..... Kristine and I spent the evening shopping with our friend Candy. We went to Plaza Cuernavaca. We were accompanied by her one year old daughter as well. =) Candy is a firecracker. I have so much fun talking to her and she is just soooooo wonderful!. Here we are being silly with my pink sunglasses. We passed them around and took silly pictures! haha...

Anyways.... life is good here in Mexico. I am really enjoying my time here and I hope that the next seven weeks are filled with fun, learning experiences. Please just keep Kristine and I in your prayers. We still find ourselves having rough days and not always being understanding of the other. But, thank you for all your support and prayers that you have thus provided me with. I know that they have really benefited me. Know that I am truly happy and excited for the next seven weeks. Sometimes I find myself thinking about life post graduation, I wonder if I'll ever even come back to Mexico. It makes me so sad to think that I may go back to the U.S. and never return. I know that the things that I have seen and learned here will always be a part of who I am, but I just find it so unsatisfying to think that I'll live in the U.S. for the rest of my life. I don't want to. I hope God has other plans in store for me....

NevER beeN KiSsEd...

Well, it is true. I have never been kissed and I turned down one of my most promising chances today. Kristine and I traveled to Tepoztlan and spent the day shopping and wandering around the cute little town. We made it just fine to Tepoztlan with the help of my Mexican dad but I wasn't quite sure how to go about getting home. Kristine and I asked a few different traffic directors but no one really knew. Or should I say, we didn't really understand them.

Anyhow, the last person I asked happened to be a younger gentlemen. Probably in his twenties. He asked me if he could take us there and I gladly accepted his help. We ended up having to walk a ways. He asked our names and why we were here alone in Mexico and for how long and so on. He told me he was a Hair Stylist and at that I replied that Kristine has interest in beauty. I was successful in pawning him off to converse with Kristine. For those of you who know me, I did what I normally do with guys. I just kind of went on my way not really paying a whole lot of attention to the conversation.

Anyways, he learned my name, what I study, that I'm a Christian, that I haven't met many Mexican boys, that I'm here for another two months, that I'm single and that I don't go out. I didn't even learn his name.

Anyhow..... stick with me. We cross the street all the while him telling me to not kill myself and to be careful and then he kisses us on the cheek and says goodbye. After saying his little goodbye he comes over to me and tells me that I am extremely beautiful and that he is attracted to me. Then he turns to Kristine and says, "You're pretty too. But I'm more attracted to Violeta." He then looks at me and asks if I have taken offense. I was quite taken aback, a little flattered and said no, that I was not bothered. He then proceeded to ask if he could steal a kiss from me. Not fully registering what he was asking I kind of nodded my head and he began to cock his head as to get ready for the kiss. Then realizing that it wasn't going to be kiss on the cheek because he had just done that, I replied, "I think not." At this he said okay and took my hand and kissed it saying thank you very much. I really didn't know what for. I was taken aback, flattered and yet totally confused as to why he found me attractive when all the while I was not really giving him the time of day. As he turned around to leave I said, "Now what do we need to do here?" He explained to just find the right bus and then he turned to leave.

I know I did what was right in not kissing him but I wish I would have at least taken down his name. He was quite good looking and he was sweet, too. I also wanted to kick myself for being so snotty. Soooo..... I guess I can still say that I have never been kissed.....