Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The past week or so
Comiendo tacos en la calle! Que rico!
Shannon y yo en el centro.
Celebrando dos meses en Mexico con postre y cafe.
Clara y yo en la playa!
Todo el grupo en el Oceano Pacifico en Ixtapa
Esnorkel en la Isla de Ixtapa
Y, por fin, tengo mi visa de estudiante! Nunca tengo que regresar a San Miguel de Allende, salvo por gusto :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Really Good Day
Today was a relatively normal day but there were just lots of little things that made it great! First, I got to sleep late because I didn't have class until 11. I went downtown before class to buy tickets to go to Ixtapa this weekend with Lisa and some other exchange students. Yay for the beach!! Then I had fonetica y fonologia which I have now decided is my favorite class that I'm taking (which is surprising because I didn't like it at first). Afterwards Clara and I went downtown for milkshakes and sat and talked, in Spanish, for over an hour. When I got back to the house I had a letter (thanks Mom) and a package (thanks Petey) waiting for me! I love snail mail :) I had a really good violin lesson this afternoon; I'm so glad that I have the chance to continue playing my violin here because, otherwise, I would miss music a lot (who would have ever thought I would say that?). Then I met up with the group going to Ixtapa to finish talking details for this weekend's trip. To end it all, I ate dinner with Eloisa and Octavio and we talked almost the whole time about bull fights. Haha.
Although this might seem rather boring (and it's really just a list of what I did today), all of the things combined to make an awesome day!
Although this might seem rather boring (and it's really just a list of what I did today), all of the things combined to make an awesome day!
Monday, September 21, 2009
San Miguel...Fail
Well, today I went to San Miguel de Allende to try to pick up my student visa to no avail. They told me that it hadn't arrived yet and I should give it until Wednesday. FAIL. So, as of now, I am still visa-less which I find pretty ironic since I, as an American, don't have the proper documents to be in Mexico. Oh well.
Since I didn't want to completely waste the trip, I explored around downtown which mainly consisted of me going to the many Catholic churches that are on every corner. I knew, of course, that Mexico was extremely Catholic, but I didn't realize just how many churches there would be. The architecture is beautiful and there's lots of religious artwork everywhere. The one thing that I've noticed, however, is that in every church there are tons of depictions of the Crucifixion. This is all well and good because I realize that it's like the essential part of Christianity, but I can't help feeling really depressed every time I leave the churches. I think that it's because in every picture Jesus and/or the numerous saints look like every second of life is miserable. I prefer to think of Jesus laughing a lot because so much of life is so absurd/random/awkward. Who can't help but laugh at it?
In other news, as I was exploring the streets of San Miguel, I randomly saw a sign that read "Garrison and Garrison Books." Books? Well, of course I'm going in. It was a used book store run by an American lady originally from Seattle. Most of the books were in English (San Miguel de Allende has a huge percentage of Americans that live there), but there was one shelf of books in Spanish. I found a book (in Spanish) for 80 pesos and immediately bought it because that is SO CHEAP for Mexico. There were books of all sorts and I saw among them "Anne of Green Gables," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Kite Runner," and "Water for Elephants." (In case you don't know, this means major kudos to the quality of literature in this bookstore.) I really enjoyed spending time looking through all the books AND there was jazz music playing in the background AND an espresso machine in one corner. Perfect. Discovering this bookstore was worth the trip to San Miguel, if nothing else.
Since I didn't want to completely waste the trip, I explored around downtown which mainly consisted of me going to the many Catholic churches that are on every corner. I knew, of course, that Mexico was extremely Catholic, but I didn't realize just how many churches there would be. The architecture is beautiful and there's lots of religious artwork everywhere. The one thing that I've noticed, however, is that in every church there are tons of depictions of the Crucifixion. This is all well and good because I realize that it's like the essential part of Christianity, but I can't help feeling really depressed every time I leave the churches. I think that it's because in every picture Jesus and/or the numerous saints look like every second of life is miserable. I prefer to think of Jesus laughing a lot because so much of life is so absurd/random/awkward. Who can't help but laugh at it?
In other news, as I was exploring the streets of San Miguel, I randomly saw a sign that read "Garrison and Garrison Books." Books? Well, of course I'm going in. It was a used book store run by an American lady originally from Seattle. Most of the books were in English (San Miguel de Allende has a huge percentage of Americans that live there), but there was one shelf of books in Spanish. I found a book (in Spanish) for 80 pesos and immediately bought it because that is SO CHEAP for Mexico. There were books of all sorts and I saw among them "Anne of Green Gables," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Kite Runner," and "Water for Elephants." (In case you don't know, this means major kudos to the quality of literature in this bookstore.) I really enjoyed spending time looking through all the books AND there was jazz music playing in the background AND an espresso machine in one corner. Perfect. Discovering this bookstore was worth the trip to San Miguel, if nothing else.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Study Abroad=Vacation!
Sometimes it's really hard for me to remember that I'm actually still a full-time student. Haha. "Study abroad" actually translates to mean that you can do pretty much anything you want to do (hang out with friends, travel, sleep late, etc.) and ocasionally you might read something academic.
For example, this week was pretty much a week of holiday. I had one hour of class on Monday and 3 hours today and that was all! The reason? Mexican Independence Day! Wednesday was a national holiday so classes were cancelled and many businesses were closed. Tuesday night was "El Dia del Grito" when the first call for independence happened (supposedly). There were Mexican flags everywhere and everyone was wearing red, white, and green. I went with a group of exchange students to a restaurant downtown and then to the Plaza de la Alhondiga for the official governement ceremony and fireworks! At 11:00 everyone began yelling "Viva Mexico" (el grito). Very cool.
So, because of all the festivities, I have done about nothing productive this week and it's been great. It's going to be a crazy-hard transition back to UNCG.
For example, this week was pretty much a week of holiday. I had one hour of class on Monday and 3 hours today and that was all! The reason? Mexican Independence Day! Wednesday was a national holiday so classes were cancelled and many businesses were closed. Tuesday night was "El Dia del Grito" when the first call for independence happened (supposedly). There were Mexican flags everywhere and everyone was wearing red, white, and green. I went with a group of exchange students to a restaurant downtown and then to the Plaza de la Alhondiga for the official governement ceremony and fireworks! At 11:00 everyone began yelling "Viva Mexico" (el grito). Very cool.
So, because of all the festivities, I have done about nothing productive this week and it's been great. It's going to be a crazy-hard transition back to UNCG.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sometimes I Don't Know What to Think
This past weekend I had the chance to talk to several people in the US (good) but, unfortunately, that meant quite a bit of speaking in English (bad). While it was good to talk to everybody, it triggered memories of the past three years. I love Mexico and I've gotten over being homesick but there are random moments when I remember specific things that I miss.
Here's a list (of course):
-NC fall. The leaves on the trees here don't change colors and I'm going to miss walking around campus looking at all of the beautiful trees.
-Glenwood Tutoring. Today's the first day of tutoring for the year and I can't believe that I'm going to miss out on picking up Jason and Jessica and playing knockout every single Tuesday.
-Wreaking Havoc. I was talking with Katie today about all of our past antics in the I House and public places throughout Greensboro (namely, Steak and Shake) and I miss being able to make a spectacle of myself.
-Barnes and Noble. There's not an equivalent in Guanajuato that compares with walking in an entire store devoted to books, music, and coffee. What a brilliant combination.
-UNCG. It's sometimes hard to know that life goes on in Greensboro, even when I'm not there. I miss the I House, Tate St. Coffee, and even the School of Music.
-My family. It seems kind of obvious, but I haven't experienced homesickness since I was probably 7 and so I've realized the past two months how much I appreciate them.
I realize that this post sounds like I'm miserable and want to go home right this second. That is not all the case, so, to balance the tone, I'm going to list some things I DON'T miss.
-My car. I can honestly say that I haven't missed driving once. (Just another sign that I'm meant to live in a city with lots of public transportation!)
-My schedule. It's amazing how I can sit here in a cafe for hours talking with a friend and not have to look at my watch and think about how I have to be somewhere else or do work or something. It's such a great way to live!
-American food. With the exception of all the white bread I eat, I love the food here. And since my host family is pretty health-conscious, I eat lots of Mexican fruits and vegetables which are great!
-English. This is somewhat surprising because when I first got here I would have given anything to speak in English. Now, however, I've really fallen in love with the Spanish language and it irritates me to speak in English with people in Mexico (whether they're Americans or not).
I'm realizing that I've adapted pretty well, I feel, to living in Mexico but, at the end of it all, I'm also American. I think that my life and heart is divided between the two countries.
Here's a list (of course):
-NC fall. The leaves on the trees here don't change colors and I'm going to miss walking around campus looking at all of the beautiful trees.
-Glenwood Tutoring. Today's the first day of tutoring for the year and I can't believe that I'm going to miss out on picking up Jason and Jessica and playing knockout every single Tuesday.
-Wreaking Havoc. I was talking with Katie today about all of our past antics in the I House and public places throughout Greensboro (namely, Steak and Shake) and I miss being able to make a spectacle of myself.
-Barnes and Noble. There's not an equivalent in Guanajuato that compares with walking in an entire store devoted to books, music, and coffee. What a brilliant combination.
-UNCG. It's sometimes hard to know that life goes on in Greensboro, even when I'm not there. I miss the I House, Tate St. Coffee, and even the School of Music.
-My family. It seems kind of obvious, but I haven't experienced homesickness since I was probably 7 and so I've realized the past two months how much I appreciate them.
I realize that this post sounds like I'm miserable and want to go home right this second. That is not all the case, so, to balance the tone, I'm going to list some things I DON'T miss.
-My car. I can honestly say that I haven't missed driving once. (Just another sign that I'm meant to live in a city with lots of public transportation!)
-My schedule. It's amazing how I can sit here in a cafe for hours talking with a friend and not have to look at my watch and think about how I have to be somewhere else or do work or something. It's such a great way to live!
-American food. With the exception of all the white bread I eat, I love the food here. And since my host family is pretty health-conscious, I eat lots of Mexican fruits and vegetables which are great!
-English. This is somewhat surprising because when I first got here I would have given anything to speak in English. Now, however, I've really fallen in love with the Spanish language and it irritates me to speak in English with people in Mexico (whether they're Americans or not).
I'm realizing that I've adapted pretty well, I feel, to living in Mexico but, at the end of it all, I'm also American. I think that my life and heart is divided between the two countries.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Dear Mexico,
I realize that as a white female from the United States I should expect some questions/differences, but, since I've been here a month and a half, I think it's time to clear some things up.
First, it is absolutely not necessary for you to whistle/yell/comment from your car about me. I appreciate the compliment but I'd rather not feel everyone's eyes on me as I walk down the sidewalk or get on the bus. Along with that, I don't particularly want to talk to you if you're going to come up to me, ask my name, verify that I'm not from Mexico, and then ask me out for drinks. Thanks, but no thanks.
Second, I understand that it's sometimes frustrating to have to repeat yourself, but I promise you that I speak enough Spanish to get by. If I don't understand something the first time it is not necessary for you to try to say it in English (especially if your English is worse than my Spanish). I am in your country and want to speak Spanish; chances are I just need to hear the question a second time to process it.
Finally, yes, I am an American but that doesn't mean that I personally know President Obama nor am I an expert on the policies of the US government. I don't know much of anything about the immigration policy or what steps are necessary to get into the US. And, yes, I was around when Bush was President (but I couldn't even vote). I might be one of the least politically-inclined people I know so I'm definitely not the person to ask about these things.
Other than that, things are going fine and I'm having a great time.
Thanks,
Veronica
I realize that as a white female from the United States I should expect some questions/differences, but, since I've been here a month and a half, I think it's time to clear some things up.
First, it is absolutely not necessary for you to whistle/yell/comment from your car about me. I appreciate the compliment but I'd rather not feel everyone's eyes on me as I walk down the sidewalk or get on the bus. Along with that, I don't particularly want to talk to you if you're going to come up to me, ask my name, verify that I'm not from Mexico, and then ask me out for drinks. Thanks, but no thanks.
Second, I understand that it's sometimes frustrating to have to repeat yourself, but I promise you that I speak enough Spanish to get by. If I don't understand something the first time it is not necessary for you to try to say it in English (especially if your English is worse than my Spanish). I am in your country and want to speak Spanish; chances are I just need to hear the question a second time to process it.
Finally, yes, I am an American but that doesn't mean that I personally know President Obama nor am I an expert on the policies of the US government. I don't know much of anything about the immigration policy or what steps are necessary to get into the US. And, yes, I was around when Bush was President (but I couldn't even vote). I might be one of the least politically-inclined people I know so I'm definitely not the person to ask about these things.
Other than that, things are going fine and I'm having a great time.
Thanks,
Veronica
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Photo Update
Walking in a crater...que padre!
It rains here ALL the time.
An old mine (Mina de la Luz)
A compost pile in Mexico! Sweet!
A night view of the city.
Parade in Calle Juarez
Lisa with ? Hahahaha.
Queretaro with Eva and Diana
Visiting Angie!!!
Angie asking for her stomach to get better.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Mas Vacas???
Ok. So I think I'm going to have to re-format this blog to just talk about my encounters with Mexican cows.
Today was El Dia del Estudiante (an entire day to honor university students-pretty cool!) and so there were no classes and tons of free concerts and parties. I hung out in downtown for a while and then came back in the afternoon to do some homework (yuck). After working for a while I decided I needed a break so I took Manchas, the family dog, out for a walk on a trail a little higher up the mountain.
I'd like to pause here to say how much I enjoyed walking with a dog and I think that this is something to consider when I return to the US. Hint hint.
Anyway, Manchas and I were walking along, minding our own business, when we rounded the curve and saw like 7 cows grazing on the side of the trail. Once again, I started laughing (I'm not sure why I find cows so funny) and Manchas and I passed by. On our way back to the house we passed by them again except this time they were DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL. One was making a lot of noise so I tried to give it as much distance as possible, and then I had to zigzag through three other cows (all with horns) and the whole time I had visions of my death in Mexico by being attacked by a cow. I can't even begin to do justice to the situation and how ridiculous I must have looked so I hope you have a good imagination.
Today was El Dia del Estudiante (an entire day to honor university students-pretty cool!) and so there were no classes and tons of free concerts and parties. I hung out in downtown for a while and then came back in the afternoon to do some homework (yuck). After working for a while I decided I needed a break so I took Manchas, the family dog, out for a walk on a trail a little higher up the mountain.
I'd like to pause here to say how much I enjoyed walking with a dog and I think that this is something to consider when I return to the US. Hint hint.
Anyway, Manchas and I were walking along, minding our own business, when we rounded the curve and saw like 7 cows grazing on the side of the trail. Once again, I started laughing (I'm not sure why I find cows so funny) and Manchas and I passed by. On our way back to the house we passed by them again except this time they were DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL. One was making a lot of noise so I tried to give it as much distance as possible, and then I had to zigzag through three other cows (all with horns) and the whole time I had visions of my death in Mexico by being attacked by a cow. I can't even begin to do justice to the situation and how ridiculous I must have looked so I hope you have a good imagination.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
At Least I'm Literate (Barely)
I just finished my first-ever novel in Spanish se llama "El niño con el pijama de rayas" (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas). It had a grand total of 217 pages but I literally spent a little over two weeks reading it. It was so different from reading in English where I could finish a book in a day if I didn't have anything else better to do. Here, however, it takes a lot of work for me to read. Maybe there's some merit, though, in taking time to read a book because I really enjoyed it and it was a completely different pace for me.
Speaking of the book, you should read it. It's about a friendship between two boys (one a German and the other a Polish Jew) in Germany during WWII. Definitely worth the two weeks.
P.S. In other news, I left the house this morning to walk to the bus stop, and when I turned the corner out of my street I almost ran straight into a bunch of cows standing at the side of the road!! I was so surprised that I stopped in my tracks and then, of course, burst out laughing. That might become one of my top memories EVER.
Speaking of the book, you should read it. It's about a friendship between two boys (one a German and the other a Polish Jew) in Germany during WWII. Definitely worth the two weeks.
P.S. In other news, I left the house this morning to walk to the bus stop, and when I turned the corner out of my street I almost ran straight into a bunch of cows standing at the side of the road!! I was so surprised that I stopped in my tracks and then, of course, burst out laughing. That might become one of my top memories EVER.
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