Day 102: Weekend Overview Part 1

This weekend, there were 5 of the teachers that decided to go to Mexico City. I was a little leery of the idea at first but they convinced me to go. The huge reason for going? The temple. Remember that post I made where I mentioned the story of my brother being the awesome example and at great lengths going to the temple? Well, it was making me feel like if I didn't make the same effort, I'd kick myself later. So I went to Mexico City.

Our trip started out just fine. A little late getting out but fine. We were about to squish into a pickup truck. All five American girls, two children, their parents, and their grandma. As five of us squished into the extended cab part, the mom says, "Oh we're not all going to fit?" hahahaha No. So we ended up taking two cars. Which was fine and definatly more roomy.

Driving along, we got to see the active volcano located in Puebla. We were informed of the legend that goes with it too! Apparently, there were two volcanoes in love. One of the volcanoes was the daughter of the King. He didn't want them to be together so he killed her. There is a volcano that appears to be "kneeling" representing the man who lost his love. Sad story. But interesting.

It was getting late and we were starting to worry if the temple would be open or not. If it wasn't, I would've been kinda devastated. However, it was thankfully open! We were able to do a session of baptisms, enjoying the spirit in the temple. I actually had a little flashback while waiting for my turn. I remembered the day that Chandler, Brady, and I all went to the temple. It was Brady's first time. I remember watching him and thinking how awesome it was that we were all there as siblings. In that moment, as in many little moments of my life, I was very thankful for my brothers. I always am, there are just moments where I remember it.

Sometimes life will throw you strange curves and it can in turn throw you off balance. At the beginning of this trip, I felt like that a little. Going to the temple though is more peaceful than any yoga, relaxation, anything that I've ever experienced. They say that to get out of your problems, you need to get out of yourself and serve other people. It definatly works wonders. I'm thankful for Temples all over the world. I'm convinced they are all put in places where they are most needed. Good thing that there are still more being built cause I think every city deserves their own little piece of heaven on earth. I'm glad I followed my brother's example and got myself up there. Thanks Chanoodles. ;)

After a terribly uncomfortable taxi ride (never try to fit 5 people for more than a 5 minute drive) we went to our hotel. 

At this point, we all realized that we were famished. It was time to scavenge for food. We didn't get very far though because it was actually really chilly outside! So we settled for Burger King. 

Lucky for us, we were able to have a pretty good laugh while eating pretty mediocre food. We found Messi, a famous soccer player here, and Cassie found a new man in her life. Way to aim high girl!

After our meal, we headed back up, grabbing some popcorn on the way, to watch a movie. We ended up watching:

An entertaining version of Romeo and Juliet. 

I have to laugh inside at this story. Honestly, I couldn't fall in love with someone in a day, marry them the next, and then kill myself over them a few days later. Nope. It seems... a tad overly dramatic. Which is what the story is. 

However, I do think Mercutio is the one character that I could get worked up about their death. He's an intriguing character. 



And that was our adventure on Saturday. 
Love the temple like crazy.

Day 100: Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 100, seriously?? That's nuts to me. I've said it before, I'll say it again, time flies so stinkin fast!

Well, today is Thanksgiving as well as the 100th day that I've spent in Mexico. Perfect timing, verdad? 

As with every Thanksgiving, there is good food that is shared with friends and family. My immediate family is not actually here with me, but in spirit. I've also got good friends that I've made down here to keep the holiday spirit alive. 

Along with friends and good food, I am able to reflect of the things that I'm thankful for. 

I'm thankful for Beaches. It's a place where joy and peace come together for me. I can surf, play, be with family, as well as reflect quietly and peacefully. Maybe I'm am a little obsessed, but there's always something in everyone's life that they obsess about. 

I'm thankful for music. Music can express your feelings when simple words just don't work. It can lift you up, let your old feelings go, and bring back good memories.Concerts go up there not really because of the people I get to see perform, but the people I spend them with. Family, friends. They're what make the experiences fun and memorable. 

I'm thankful for books. Books like Harry Potter, Redwall, Secrets of Droon, Series of Unfortunate Events, The Time Machine, random books suggested by friends, books in general. The feeling of getting sucked into a book is one of my favorite feelings. My future house will most definatly have a library. 

I'm thankful for my education. Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to college due to different circumstances. Lucky for me, so far I've been able to get my Associates, and keep going onto a Bachelors. I may even keep going to a Masters... maybe a Doctorate... Dr. Miller sounds pretty good right? I would totally have people address me as Dr. all the time. Nevertheless, I'm thankful that I even have the option of achieving these things in my lifetime.

I'm thankful for Mexico. The experience, the culture, my host family, my kids, my friends, all of it. It's been the adventure of a lifetime, and I've loved it all like crazy! 

I'm thankful that I got brothers. 

A family that plays together, stays together.

I'm even thankful for crazy extended family.

I'm thankful for shared interests.

Like food.

And making funny faces. 

My Mamma! 

Me and Dad, doing what we do best together. 

I'm thankful for lots of things, but my family is always something I will be most thankful for. It's hard to be away from them during this holiday season, but I definatly haven't stopped thinking of them. I love my family like crazy. 

This, and many more things I'm thankful for. I love it all like crazy!

Day 99: No. I must dance!

So, if you know anything about me, you know that I love dancing. I have gone through mini-withdrawls as I haven't kept up with the dancing that I did in college. However, my lazy days are over! 

I'm currently going to take classes in the morning, night, and mid-day. All different types, and all so fun! I am really falling in love with all the different styles of latin dance. Banda, Cumbia, Salsa, and Bachata are a few of the styles that I've dappled in so far.

I've seen these pictures a couple of times. It totally describes me sometimes. 

That is all about this post. Love dance and love life like crazy!

Day 94: One Short Day

Friday was a good day for me. Yes sir. 

It started out as being my last day teaching Discovery early in the morning. Now, these kids were less than perfect, but they will hold a special place in my heart honestly... now that I'm not the one teaching them. 

Ana Paula

Looking at the pictures though, I'm glad I was able to get some of them being good for me. 

Right: Fatima  Left: Karime

Right to Left: Rafael, Me, Mauricio, Moises

Julian

They're cute. The girl with the pink crown, Ivana, it was her birthday. So, I brought the crown my mom had sent in my package and let her wear it for the day. Her eyes lit up and she was so excited to wear it, I'm glad that it could bring that much joy to a child. So there you go mom. You made a little girls day, and you're all the way in another country. :)

After the class, I walked away from the Discovery Kids and won't teach them again until their Christmas Program. I'll miss them. But I really don't like mornings, so I can't say that I'm completely sad to leave. 

Every Friday, we also have a culture class. It was quite fun cause it involved a common interest of all of us... FOOD.

There will be a separate post on this with pics and all. Currently there is this technical difficulty going on. Go figure. 

And.... Then I taught, went home, and packed for OAXACA! 

Love Fridays like crazy!

Day 89: Happy Birthday Sophia!

Sorry these posts are a little backwards. At least I'm getting all caught up.

We were excited to celebrate Sophia's 21st birthday! We ate cake....

Mordida! Mordida!

We've gotten really good at finishing entire cakes....

It was very delicious. 














After stuffing ourselves with cake, we headed out to San Lorenzo (little neighboring town) and chilled out at the pool. It was very relaxing... except the taxi ride there, in which we shoved 6 people into one taxi. 

I hope she had fun on her special day! 

Later, I got another funny child quote for the day. Leslie, Camila, and I were going to a movie and we were telling Camila that she had to stay with me. I was wearing my spiderman shirt so I told her, "Stay with spiderman!" to which she replied, "No eres spiderman!" (Oh it gets better). Few seconds later her parents were confirming that she understood who to stay with. She pointed to me and I asked her, "What's my name? Cual es mi nombre?" and she replied, "Spiderman". We all bust up laughing it was too cute. 

Love Mexico Like Crazy. 

PS: saw Wreck it Ralph in Spanish. It's cute. I like it. I'm going to have quite the list of movies I will want to see in English when I get back.