Back in North Carolina

Well, I am back in the States, speaking English, sitting in air conditioning, etc. It's kind of weird.

Actually, reverse culture shock hasn't been too overwhelming yet (I'm still waiting for the big shock), but there have been little things that really get to me.

First, traveling back was kind of a nightmare. I had gone to a goodbye party the night before leaving Guanajuato, so I had slept maybe 5 hours before beginning the journey. In Leon, my flight was delayed two times so it left over two hours later than originally scheduled. Waiting to get on the same plane were 4 other Americans (who spoke English really loudly) who complained to the room in general the WHOLE time. And they were really rude about the inconvenience. It irritated me a lot, and I didn't have any desire to associate myself with them. Then, in customs in Houston, the line was reallyyyyyyy long and I waited over an hour (with my backpack that was about half my body weight) to see an immigration officer. During this hour there was a couple in front of me and a group of people behind me who complained the entire time about the inefficency of it all and threatened to write nasty letters to the airport, the government, their senator, Obama, etc. I could not believe how ridiculous it was for them to get so worked up about such a comparatively small thing.

I know I'm not being very understanding or gracious, but it was just such a disappointing way to come back to be around my own countrymen.

Currently, I'm trying to:
-not suffocate from the intense humidity
-not freeze from air conditioning
-not forget all my Spanish (I'm already scared about this)
-not be bored out of my mind from sitting at home...I have to find something to do/someone to visit

Although it's nice to be back, I still do miss Guanajuato.

Futbol Fever

Yesterday was the beginning of the World Cup (soccer). Like any other American, I knew/know extremely little about the world leagues of soccer...actually, probably even less than the average American.

However, yesterday the inaugural game was Mexico vs. South Africa. Of course, being in Mexico, it was almost like a requirement to watch the game. So, I dutifully woke up really early and walked the 30 minutes downtown to eat breakfast in the Jardin with Jenny and Mark and watch the game in the restaurant.

I actually really enjoyed it. Not only was I eating my favorite breakfast food (chilaquiles), but EVERYONE was completely focused on the game, wearing their Mexico team jerseys, and enjoying the atmosphere. In those couple of hours everyone was on the same side, cheering for the same team. There was a sense of unity and camraderie that I've never felt in the States (mostly because the Super Bowl invokes some intense rivalries). And you wouldn't believe the excitement when Mexico scored and the tenseness when it looked for a while like South Africa would win. I couldn't help being caught up in the collective emotion.

So, it looks like I will be following the World Cup in the States as well (but maybe cheering for Mexico)!!

P.S. Soccer players will always be hot. Period.

Last Minute Things

Today I officially turned in my last assignment! I'm done with school...well, for now. It's been an interesting year not studying my "real" major. I think it's going to cost me a little to get back into the whole music thing. Now the idea of trying to identify a key signature seems really foreign and far away. I should have taken the Praxis II when I still actually remembered my music theory.

And, all my gifts are bought! For those of you who know how much I hate shopping, this is quite the accomplishment. I'm pretty excited about them all and stayed relatively true to my list. I also got a couple of little things for myself :) Now, the issue is getting it all in my suitcase...

The days pass by so quickly now. Sunday is going to be here before I'm ready for it.

Coming Around Full Circle

The most common question nowadays: Como te sientes? (How do you feel?)

This question refers to me leaving in exactly 1 WEEK after having lived here in Mexico since July. Wow.

It's hard to answer, but I say that I'm okay with going home on June 13th. On the other hand, I would also be okay going home in another two months. I'm accepting the return date because that's what it is; my plane ticket won't change.

With that in mind, it's been strange how I've been coping with the prospect of going home. Living here in Guanajuato has become normal life for me after so much time here, but, recently, I've noticed that I'm experiencing Guanajuato more like I did at the beginning of the year. I notice when cowboys ride their horses up my street, I sit in the Jardin and people-watch a lot more, and I'm going out more with friends since it's the time of despedidas (goodbyes). It's like I'm becoming more and more an observer and less a participator as I get ready to go back to NC.

Although I think that the transition back will be pretty rough (apologies in advance for probably acting like a jerk), I have been thinking about things that will happen when I'm back. Some things I can't wait to be the same, but I'm also hoping to incorporate things that I have picked up here in Mexico. Such as: running a lot more, riding my bike and walking instead of driving as much, drinking tea without sugar, eating fresh fruit every single day, and, of course, speaking as much Spanish as possible :)

I don't know how I've changed this year in Mexico (although I'm sure I have), but I know I will have to re-adjust. On the other hand, I am also sure that there are lots more exciting adventures to come in the next couple of years. (Be prepared Dad, I've already got lots of crazy plans to go over with you!! Haha.)

National Running Day

Dear Creeper,

Thanks for cutting short Shannon's and my run this morning. You're lucky we're such nice people or else we probably could have told you quite a few things that we were thinking. Go creep on someobody else...or, better yet, not at all.

Other news:

-It's been in the mid-90s for like a week solid. Ugh. You step out of the house and the heat and the sun kills you. I have absolutely no energy after being outside all day and think I am continuously dehydrated. I know I've been an air-conditioning basher, but what I would give for some relief...or a giant pool to jump in.

-I have my German oral exam today. I'm going to try my absolute hardest to not slip into speaking Spanish. But it's going to be hard.

-I don't know how I'm going to pack all my stuff to comply with airline regulations.

-This picture makes me laugh every single time I look at it. It's from our bike trip to San Miguel. Jumping pictures will ALWAYS be the best. Period.

Because nobody wants to read about me writing my finals

This has nothing to do with what is currently going on in Mexico, but I thought it would be good to play some catch-up!

So, as a lot of people know, I have never had a pet. Leaving aside all sorts of arguments like something vital and essential was missing from my childhood, I have enjoyed having my adopted pets here in Mexico. The family I live with has a dog (Manchas) and three cats. Now, I have never considered myself a cat person, but Rita, the oldest of the cats and the only one who stays inside, and I have become good friends over the past year and she often keeps me company by sleeping at the foot of my bed at night.

One day wayyyyy back last semester I got back to the house one night and was informed that Rita had been taken to the vet for emergency surgery. Arturo had gotten back to the house and found her wounded and bleeding from her leg. Somebody had shot her when she had been wandering outside and there was a bullet still lodged within her!! Poor Rita had to have two surgeries: one to remove the bullet from her stomach and the other to sew up her leg. Thankfully she recovered fully and continues to shed hair all over my bed and my clothes...

This semester Chilipa (the youngest of the cats) was wandering around in the house and I mentioned to Octavio that she looked like she was getting fatter. Turns out she was pregnant and had four little kittens in the patio out back. They were soooo cute and I really enjoyed going out and playing with them after I got back from my morning classes. Unfortunately, we didn't keep them and Octavio found other homes for them as soon as they could eat by themselves. But, to make the signs he posted around, he did borrow my camera to take photos!

Cute, huh? Maybe my own pet won't be too far in the future!!

Sometimes it is good to not be as responsible and forget all about obligations :)

This past weekend I went to the beach, right before the last week of classes and with deadlines coming up within the next 10 days. But I went anyway :)

Shannon and Lisa and I went to Barra de Navidad in Jalisco which was really small, and with very few people...exactly what we wanted. I didn't take anything to do with schoolwork, but I did read two books in English!

So, the weekend was full of sun (I'm a little burnt) and lots of swimming. This was my third time in the Pacific Ocean (since I'm such an East-Coaster), and it is so different. It seems to me a lot rougher in general, and I have total respect for the ocean since it is so powerful, and if you lose control, well...that's it. We were constantly watching out for each other, probably a lot like worried moms, and made sure we swam when the waves weren't as big. Eventually, we figured out that where all the kids and families were swimming, closer to the boardwalk, was probably where we needed to be as well. Good choice.

Barra de Navidad:

So, my last viaje in Mexico was perfect. And, last night, Shannon and Lisa and I celebrated our last anniversary with coffee and cake. 10 months.

Now begins the times of "last": last anniversary, last trip, last class, etc. I can't believe it's all coming to an end so soon.