Thursday

I absolutely love Thursdays. I don't have class in the morning so my schedule consists of getting up early, running for 40-50 minutes, drinking carrot-orange juice from the market, and then finally showering and eating breakfast. I love it when I can enjoy the morning, and I don't have to rush :) Too bad I'm going to be a teacher...that means about zero possibility to take my time in the morning.

Also, this is my first blog post as a 22 year old. It's still a little surreal; 22 seems so "adult" (which I'm probably not). I had a wonderful birthday, though. Saturday I went out with Shannon, Armando, Lisa, Jenny, and Mark to eat Italian (there was not a tortilla in sight!) and then we went to a bar afterwards where several other exchange students came to hang out. Then, on Monday (my actual birthday) Shannon and Lisa and I went to eat dessert and celebrate (a little late) 9 months in Mexico. (This led to lots of conversation about how you say 9 months to any woman and they will automatically think of a pregnancy. Awkward.) The next day was Shannon's birthday which means there was even more cake. And all of this dessert right before our race...not good timing.

Last night I had orchestra rehearsal and, since people were missing, I sat first stand with the concert master which was actually really helpful because we talked the whole rehearsal about how things are said in Spanish. My music vocabulary has already increased probably 500%!

Last night I was looking online at the University of Florida which evidently has a really good Masters program in Hispanic Linguistics. It looked super interesting. I wish there weren't as many options since I can never decide...and then I wish that I could take advantage of these options. Moral of story: I don't know what I want.

Tomorrow Shannon, Lisa, and I go to Mexico City. Half marathon: T-3 days.

A New Perspective

This morning Shannon and I went to run. It wasn't the best run in the world since we started really late and it was pretty hot. We were feeling pretty bummed about it since our race is in exactly one week. Then, however, we realized that we had gone 21 minutes before calling it quits (around 2.5 miles, at least), and, for the average person, that's a decent workout. So, it wasn't our normal 45-55 minutes, but not too awful.

Countdowns:
Birthday: 1 day
Half Marathon: 7 days
Beach Trip: 19 days
North Carolina: 56 days

Laugh for the Day

This is a true story:

Yesterday a guy told me that I have "precious eyes" (literal translation). He told me it was like I had spent too much time looking at the ocean on my flight over here, and that now the ocean was reflected in my eyes.

What can you possibly say to something like that?

I laughed a little (kind of awkwardly), probably blushed a lot, and then changed the subject.

Just one reason why life is really good

Every Tuesday in el Jardin de la Union one of my favorite Guanajuato traditions take place. In the center gazebo a small band gathers (saxophones, trumpets, a drum set) and plays for an hour or so while the "elderly" population dances.

Let me try to describe the scene. The benches around the gazebo are filled with grandmothers and grandfathers dressed in their "Sunday best." High heels, dresses, button-down shirts, and ties. As the band begins a song couples move to the "dance floor" and begin to do their thing. The couples rarely vary, everyone has their favorite partner, and it's fun to watch the different styles. There are no rules as to how people dance, and neither do the dancers themselves seem to care (believe me, there are some characters). They're just there to have a good time.

The other half to this weekly event is the crowd that gathers to watch. People sit on benches a bit further away from the gazebo to enjoy the show. There are families, students, other grandparents, everyone. The performers don't seem to mind, and everyone is smiling and clapping at the end of every song.

Life is so peaceful and happy at 7:00 every Tuesday, and it makes me smile just to be a part of it.

I think it's interesting to see how life turns out. One of my deepest fears, out of a couple, is being bored in life. Not the temporary boredom of "there's nothing to do right now," but the boredom of thinking that life holds no surprises and adventures. The thought of doing the same thing day in and day out just because I need to pay bills terrifies me. I sincerely pray that I will find meaning and purpose in what I do.

With that in mind, I was talking the other day on Skype with a good friend about what people's plans are for the upcoming year. They sound pretty exciting. People are going abroad to Europe/Asia/Africa, moving to go to grad school, etc. And as for me? I will be going back to UNCG for my last year of undergrad and then will be teaching four years in NC (assuming that I will find a job...). It all sounds kind of anticlimactic in comparison.

Depending on when you ask me and what type of mood I'm in, I can be pretty frustrated at this "lack of options." It seems that my life is just beginning like I want it to be, and the idea that I can't take advantages of the more "exciting" options feels restricting at times. But then I also have to be honest and admit that there will be lots of adventures in the next 5 years. I will be completely in charge of an elementary string program in the fall, student teaching in the spring, and then four years of working with middle or high school students (hopefully). I listen to stories of my friends who are currently teaching in public schools and I can't say that their days are boring...to the contrary, there is ALWAYS something going on. When I get past the feeling of being confined and restricted by these 5 upcoming years, I really do know that teaching in NC WILL be an adventure in and of itself, and I know I will learn and grow a lot during that time.

And after that time? Well, there's still lots of life left and lots of options...Fulbright? Grad school? Teach in another country? Learn another language? Learn how to organic farm? Have a family? Own a used bookstore? Move to another state? Become an ex-pat? Be a translator? Work for a non-profit?

At least life won't be boring.

A little of this and a little of that

I apologize in advance for the choppiness of this blog...I have a lot to catch up on :)

So, I had two weeks of Spring Break which is definitely awesome, but it's a really long time and it was hard for me to remember at the end of it that I'm really a student (although I think some people still doubt it, I DO go to class and do my homework).

The first week I traveled to San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas. I was by myself which was kind of weird at first (more and more I'm realizing my need to be around people) but definitely an adventure. I visited Luis and Arturo in SLP which was so cool. Three years later and friendships can still be maintained, and it gives me hope that I'll keep in contact with the people I've met here in Mexico as well!

In Zacatecas (which is kind of like a Guanajuato although definitely not as pretty) I toured a mine, climbed a bufa (see picture), and went to several free concerts since they were having their cultural festival (kind of like the Cervantino). This was the part where I definitely missed having Lisa and Shannon, my normal traveling companions, around but it was also cool to be forced to meet new people and rely completely on myself for things.

Then, Mom and Dad came to visit! It was kind of strange to have them here since it was the first time my US life and my Mexico life crossed, but I loved being able to show them around and introduce them to my friends. It was interesting for me (and hopefully for them as well) to see how self-sufficient I can be in this environment and for me to be the one who had to navigate/manage everything. I do think, however, that my translating skills could be improved quite a bit...
(Thanks again for coming Mom and Dad! I really did love having you here!)


So, after four cities, tons of new experiences, and doing lots of tourist-y things, I had the rude return of having to return to school and homework and such. This past weekend I wrote two papers (one a midterm exam) in three days. I think this speaks quite well of my Spanish, although maybe not too well of my self-discipline in not procrastinating. Ugh.

It is now 100% official that I am going to run a half-marathon. I've already registered and paid my inscription fee. I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Also, it is April 13th. This day (luckily it's not a Friday) signifies several things. First, it's Garret's birthday. Garret, I don't know if you read this, but, if you do...HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER!! On a sadder note, this marks exactly two months until I have to leave Guanajuato and Mexico. I don't know how I'm going to cope...

A Quick Update

Mom and Dad are here in Mexico!! I can't believe that 1. they actually came and 2. that we're going to be spending all week together. I'm super excited, although it's weird having to take care of them in a sense...what role reversal.

Also, yesterday I got back from a week of traveling. I went to San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, and it was amazing and incredibly random and awkward (of course). Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures and more details soon!