tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35674663307658752412024-03-13T06:44:39.405-07:00Reunited in QuerétaroUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-22259209231883005112012-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:002012-04-24T08:58:42.509-07:00Jesus is my GANGSTA BOOThe title is a play on the early 2000s craze of the t-shirts that said "Jesus is my Homeboy." I should have bought one of those t-shirts years ago, haha.<br />
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Anyway...This morning I decided to get up at 6am to write an article response, take a few minutes nap, prepare for the day, then head off to school on the bus. Admittedly I should have left a little earlier, but I was at the bus stop at a good time. Of course the roadway became a little crowded right when my bus was coming, thus it passed me. A lady waiting on a different bus was passed right after me as well. I think her bus could have made it to the curb to get her, but that is just my opinion. Again, why are they not riding near the curb to pick up passengers!<br />
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After waiting in the early morning chill longer than I'd planned, another bus comes. I sit down in the first seat. After realizing my surroundings through my morning autopilot phase, as if the brisk winds outside didn't do their job of waking me up, I noticed that the overhead dash of this bus was remodeled and fixed up nicely. In the center of the dash was the word "gangster", below was a new radio/tape deck/CD player, and just below that were several speakers delivering a crisp, but not loud sound. The music selection for the morning - 90's 2000's Rap/R&B tunes that I haven't heard in years. Because I was passed by the earlier bus, I kept checking my phone to calculate whether or not I would have enough time to stay on the bus the whole bus ride or if I would have to walk from the mall near school. As we approached the huge intersection near the mall I looked at my phone one more time and decided to take the ride. Once I made my decision I tried to relax and reminisce with the music. I also convinced myself I made the right choice by saying I trust this bus driver. He was a young man I've ridden with before (you know that's bad when I know the bus drivers on different routes :D). I like him as a person from what I've observed on several encounters with him: his driving is fast, but not reckless; he stops for everyone; he goes out of his way to stop for or drop off a passenger in hectic situations; he doesn't try to run over pedestrians and allows other vehicles to pass in front of him; and he has a mild personality and doesn't cackle or yell to the guys at the check point, he says what he has to say and moves on.<br />
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I promptly arrive at my bus stop across the street from school at 8:15am, class is at 8:35am. Enough time to maneuver the morning rush at the express print computers in the library to print my article response. Even before I told him to stop at the bus stop he began to slow down and looked back at me as if to say, "I know this is your stop." I thanked him, as is the custom here when getting off of the bus, and he said "hasta luego/see you later," which is the phrase the bus drivers use with their patrons. I thought this guy is good! Right when I got off of the bus I had a "duh moment."<br />
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Here it is:<br />
Yes, I had to wait a little bit longer in the cold to get my bus, but it was the right bus for me at the right time. I enjoyed music in the midst of agonizing over the time. What I should have done was relax completely after coming to terms with trusting the bus driver, based off of past experience. Just like when we put our trust in God, we still doubt even though we know what He is capable of - we continue to check the time unsure of when we will reach our destination. Once we turn something over to Him we need to FULLY turn it over. It defeats the purpose of the blessing if it is received with less than 100% faith- the blessing is deprived of the appreciation that it is owed. So instead of being on the bus and thinking everything will work out fine, I got off of the bus saying NOW everything is ok, which is not too late, but human nature - that is our challenge as Christians, having 100% faith before the outcome manifests itself.<br />
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As usual I never intend to write about God on my blog (mainly because it is for school), but when He moves He moves and I can't help but to share (another Christian duty). Even when it is just the simplest thing like getting to class on time on a bus with great music and a great bus driver, I can't help but to smile and say, "Jesus you R my GANGSTA BOO!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-66798283815087341322012-04-18T08:38:00.001-07:002012-04-19T20:42:54.037-07:00Snapshots of Spring Break/Easter Week/Semana PasquaEvery year in Mexico spring break is during the week preceding Easter Sunday. The week is called Semana Pasqua. I wanted to go down south to the states of Oaxaca or Chiapas, but it did not work out. Instead I went to Ezequiel Montes, Alma's hometown, to spend the weekend with her and her family. It's a small town north of Queretaro that welcomes you with an overwhelming smell of manure from the farming. To me it smells more like weird dog food, hahaha! Another interesting aspect is that many of the farmers' wives dress in Michael Kors, Coach, Gucci, etc. I asked Alma's sister why everyone is so obsessed with buying designer clothes. Alma and her sister, Giulanna (sounds like Yulianna), explained that it's a competition between the women there in the town to see who gets which clothes. They told me that some of the families build houses as big as Alma's family's ranch, which is a decent sized ranch. So my idea was to pitch a show called, "The Real Housewives of Ezequiel Montes." I think it would be a hit!<br />
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So here is the week at Alma's in photos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WtAPhQooxM/T47XLHiFcCI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/mHIEeLAM8dc/s1600/IMAG0549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WtAPhQooxM/T47XLHiFcCI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/mHIEeLAM8dc/s320/IMAG0549.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So our project for the week involved lots of cooking and practicing our homemaking abilities... For this particular dish I was in charge of squeezing the limes we picked from Grandma Bele's lime tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oFwrXdTne9Y/T47XPf_uC1I/AAAAAAAAAUY/2flE4dYb9Xs/s1600/IMAG0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oFwrXdTne9Y/T47XPf_uC1I/AAAAAAAAAUY/2flE4dYb9Xs/s320/IMAG0550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are a bag of tiny potatoes that are similar to our redskin potatoes, but these are a more natural version.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3cYyEuUJSQ/T47XTHf4DCI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2VXfkq91VuY/s1600/IMAG0551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3cYyEuUJSQ/T47XTHf4DCI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2VXfkq91VuY/s320/IMAG0551.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Alma washed that potatoes, put them in a skillet with chiles, chicken broth powder, and the lime juice I squeezed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewX3e1PxO34/T47XYHwa1cI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kczMLIgGZA0/s1600/IMAG0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewX3e1PxO34/T47XYHwa1cI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kczMLIgGZA0/s320/IMAG0552.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She also made Nopales Asados/Grilled Cactus. This is the edible cactus that is very common here. It's shape is very thin and looks like fins. She sliced them vertically, brushed the grill with oil, and light salted the cactus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AESUYhy8Bs/T47XcpwqZ-I/AAAAAAAAAUw/BHbXvh7FQM4/s1600/IMAG0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AESUYhy8Bs/T47XcpwqZ-I/AAAAAAAAAUw/BHbXvh7FQM4/s320/IMAG0553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They turned out great. They are very tasty. They have a similar flavor of tangy green beans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJK0M1Ipg1w/T47XfujeoTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/4mXw3F0cn5Q/s1600/IMAG0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJK0M1Ipg1w/T47XfujeoTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/4mXw3F0cn5Q/s320/IMAG0554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Homemade dressing Alma learned how to make from a salad making class, lol. CUTE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiU9MTeIJcs/T47Xkdb478I/AAAAAAAAAVA/cyFRxVlLS1o/s1600/IMAG0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiU9MTeIJcs/T47Xkdb478I/AAAAAAAAAVA/cyFRxVlLS1o/s320/IMAG0555.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Veggies for the salad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUmRR4zPzAk/T47Xp8yx9QI/AAAAAAAAAVI/eSvpb3mh6dk/s1600/IMAG0556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUmRR4zPzAk/T47Xp8yx9QI/AAAAAAAAAVI/eSvpb3mh6dk/s320/IMAG0556.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A traditional drink here is called Jamaica. It is basically tea made of Jamaica leaves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyCQjwINZSE/T47XtGkmq_I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/M2ZmtK7hPV8/s1600/IMAG0557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyCQjwINZSE/T47XtGkmq_I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/M2ZmtK7hPV8/s320/IMAG0557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have never seen an apple corer/slicer in action until spring break! Yes, I am easily fascinated. :D</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KD_WWnylIQ/T47Xx7yKF0I/AAAAAAAAAVY/5H4S_dhwqns/s1600/IMAG0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KD_WWnylIQ/T47Xx7yKF0I/AAAAAAAAAVY/5H4S_dhwqns/s320/IMAG0558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here chile goes on EVERYTHING! The red liquid is made of fruit and is called chamoy. Then the red chile crystals is a little sweet as well. They come in a twin pack. My favorite is the powder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUnkYPfDtRQ/T47X2NCZ_eI/AAAAAAAAAVg/QUH5IitEFEk/s1600/IMAG0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUnkYPfDtRQ/T47X2NCZ_eI/AAAAAAAAAVg/QUH5IitEFEk/s320/IMAG0559.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Information/Description around the corner from the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcrOeZZVvhY/T47X5rPRvyI/AAAAAAAAAVo/XujuhI0eZ3M/s1600/IMAG0560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcrOeZZVvhY/T47X5rPRvyI/AAAAAAAAAVo/XujuhI0eZ3M/s320/IMAG0560.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A tortilleria. Fresh tortillas!!! The tortillas here are lighter in color and weight than in Queretaro.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WozjCMUOS9Q/T47X98HtRAI/AAAAAAAAAVw/P7-gFIv7Z00/s1600/IMAG0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WozjCMUOS9Q/T47X98HtRAI/AAAAAAAAAVw/P7-gFIv7Z00/s320/IMAG0561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our table setting for our kitchen concoctions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GvV24HPcD0/T47YB4rcGWI/AAAAAAAAAV4/rHpCaQL2Hlw/s1600/IMAG0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GvV24HPcD0/T47YB4rcGWI/AAAAAAAAAV4/rHpCaQL2Hlw/s320/IMAG0562.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My plate. The potatoes were beyond delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbgPVcfAsvg/T47YGIm3h6I/AAAAAAAAAWA/gGbkkJqOknE/s1600/IMAG0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbgPVcfAsvg/T47YGIm3h6I/AAAAAAAAAWA/gGbkkJqOknE/s320/IMAG0563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ok...this is where the week took a drastic plunge...above is our attempt to make cookies from scratch. We did not wait for the butter to completely soften by room temperature. Alma thought it would be ok to heat it in the microwave for a bit. Bad idea. (I know a few people reading this will be seriously disappointed in me, haha, sorry guys)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm2eaBR_dJo/T47YJNlA_7I/AAAAAAAAAWI/BAlLkB3LrPg/s1600/IMAG0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm2eaBR_dJo/T47YJNlA_7I/AAAAAAAAAWI/BAlLkB3LrPg/s320/IMAG0564.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our dough that is way too sticky because of the butter incident.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-pdlD9sQsY/T47YMb41NsI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/t4ixPxgMmRU/s1600/IMAG0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-pdlD9sQsY/T47YMb41NsI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/t4ixPxgMmRU/s320/IMAG0565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Later in the evening we went to the town square where they started the reenactment of Christ's last days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yc6EsNmSw/T47YP9JZoyI/AAAAAAAAAWY/GZj2BahlQtc/s1600/IMAG0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yc6EsNmSw/T47YP9JZoyI/AAAAAAAAAWY/GZj2BahlQtc/s320/IMAG0566.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Alma and her nephew Emiliano (Guli's son) in the town square. I love this kid. He's 8 months but wears 18 months clothing. HUGE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtzulkeBaXE/T47YSFwIuDI/AAAAAAAAAWg/l4M8Jkt8LCI/s1600/IMAG0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtzulkeBaXE/T47YSFwIuDI/AAAAAAAAAWg/l4M8Jkt8LCI/s320/IMAG0567.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The main church (1 of 2 in town).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtGUF_RbPBQ/T47YVCEZX9I/AAAAAAAAAWo/psAL9jwvt2w/s1600/IMAG0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtGUF_RbPBQ/T47YVCEZX9I/AAAAAAAAAWo/psAL9jwvt2w/s320/IMAG0568.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Guy cooking up tacos, burritos, hamburgers, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFwVmsGYp2g/T47YYMsLouI/AAAAAAAAAWw/gQPW3BqRa0Q/s1600/IMAG0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFwVmsGYp2g/T47YYMsLouI/AAAAAAAAAWw/gQPW3BqRa0Q/s320/IMAG0569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Maria Paula (Guli's oldest) at the restaurant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ3FlkFxAa4/T47Ybd-_ZaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ko7kQU3uhGQ/s1600/IMAG0570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ3FlkFxAa4/T47Ybd-_ZaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ko7kQU3uhGQ/s320/IMAG0570.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The restaurant is called Maclonos, a play on McDonalds, haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJBQOLBB9S0/T47Yehn3AMI/AAAAAAAAAXA/VKlkNvhPfmg/s1600/IMAG0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJBQOLBB9S0/T47Yehn3AMI/AAAAAAAAAXA/VKlkNvhPfmg/s320/IMAG0571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I ordered a burrito...My first burrito here in Mexico. I'm glad I waited to have one in Ezequiel Montes. I was skeptical at first because of the salsa verde/green salsa, but it was so tasty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--yDkanKnuDs/T47YhqSf7HI/AAAAAAAAAXI/5Sl_nYRDeIk/s1600/IMAG0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--yDkanKnuDs/T47YhqSf7HI/AAAAAAAAAXI/5Sl_nYRDeIk/s320/IMAG0572.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My main man Emiliano. I think I made a rap for him after we were done eating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KX4-tjpSjE/T47YlkWko1I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/yz6mwDutVZg/s1600/IMAG0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KX4-tjpSjE/T47YlkWko1I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/yz6mwDutVZg/s320/IMAG0573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Next time in the kitchen we attempted to make homemade, marshmallow fondant. Our guidance was a YouTube video.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwNhRce1D80/T47YqHqlHMI/AAAAAAAAAXY/v7106yu6uNs/s1600/IMAG0574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwNhRce1D80/T47YqHqlHMI/AAAAAAAAAXY/v7106yu6uNs/s320/IMAG0574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Coloring the fondant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgdUIi0GriI/T47Yu58J-uI/AAAAAAAAAXg/IJFZE65krz0/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgdUIi0GriI/T47Yu58J-uI/AAAAAAAAAXg/IJFZE65krz0/s320/IMAG0575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pretty colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyoiPmi604c/T47Y0Lk7DcI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Izq_CjHsUzw/s1600/IMAG0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyoiPmi604c/T47Y0Lk7DcI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Izq_CjHsUzw/s320/IMAG0576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pictures of the family ranch. These pools are non chlorinated and filled with natural well water. The large pool has the natural algae on the bottom and the water is very hot because of the water coming from way underground. The smaller pool they scrub and keep clean and the water is much cooler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzDDDJdlYEI/T47Y51F2dTI/AAAAAAAAAXw/5hxZ2DRO4-U/s1600/IMAG0577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzDDDJdlYEI/T47Y51F2dTI/AAAAAAAAAXw/5hxZ2DRO4-U/s320/IMAG0577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is the best swimming pool experience I've ever had in my life! So relaxing and natural.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB4EXaNYKag/T47Y_ZZg76I/AAAAAAAAAX4/AUvmoSNxpnU/s1600/IMAG0578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB4EXaNYKag/T47Y_ZZg76I/AAAAAAAAAX4/AUvmoSNxpnU/s320/IMAG0578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9wHXHNvmFw/T47ZD01W2hI/AAAAAAAAAYA/y3OFpXKfXXY/s1600/IMAG0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9wHXHNvmFw/T47ZD01W2hI/AAAAAAAAAYA/y3OFpXKfXXY/s320/IMAG0579.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poolside luncheon with Alma's family from her mom's side. Alma brought our salad, we made more potatoes, and I made Middle Eastern salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, white vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper...My salad was a hit and the ladies asked me for the recipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2XiO80hjo0/T47ZJDQovMI/AAAAAAAAAYI/SiszFQZLGWk/s1600/IMAG0580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2XiO80hjo0/T47ZJDQovMI/AAAAAAAAAYI/SiszFQZLGWk/s320/IMAG0580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3XsvAOf-Co/T47ZNGasmmI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/-wsEnq-B-l0/s1600/IMAG0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3XsvAOf-Co/T47ZNGasmmI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/-wsEnq-B-l0/s320/IMAG0581.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emiliano with Alma at the ranch.</div><br />
I really enjoyed being with Alma's family that week. They were so welcoming and made me feel like I was a part of their family.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-15940899326239133692012-03-28T15:56:00.002-07:002012-03-28T22:29:11.816-07:00Hay Muchas Cosas (There are many things)It has been 20 days since the last post. So sorry about that :D. I have been very busy with school the last couple weeks. Here is quick run down of a few major events:<br />
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3 weeks ago I was a bit under the weather. I went to the school <b><i>medico</i>, </b>described all of my symptoms, understood my prescription for antibiotics and cold medicine, and went to the store to pick up my medicines ALL in Espanol. I must say that was pretty good for feeling terrible, but having to keep my composure and not break down - "I just want to speak English and go lay in bed!" Not to mention it was exam week and had to teach in the evenings. But I made it!<br />
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2 weeks ago I weighed myself. My friend Vickey and I weigh ourselves once a month to track our weight loss/gain. We both decided to do this because she is on a weight loss quest and has been doing a great job! Also we both live with host families. Just like the freshman 15 (15lbs), it is common that people who live with host families gain weight because the families keep you nice and full, lol. So on March 15th I weighed in at 142.2lbs, which is down from 146.4lbs on February 17th. Not bad for just going to Pilates class 3 days a week!<br />
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Last week Maurice came to visit me! We had a great time walking around the centro/downtown and hanging out with friends. On our 1 year and 3rd month-a-versary Maurice decided it would be a great idea to propose to me!!! We were at a sushi restaurant with Alma and Itziar (who knew). After we were done eating he starts to sweet talk me and say he has to get something off of his chest. My brain started putting things together and I just freaked out. He drags me out of our booth and I'm just hysterical and start hugging him. He gets on one knee to ask me to be his wife and I think I said yes before he finished his sentence, lol. So now I am engaged. I feel old for some reason and all grown up, haha. Immediately people asked when the date of the wedding is. I told them I have no idea, I JUST got engaged like 5 hours ago. The wedding will probably be in 2 years or so. We both are going to graduate school this fall and need to follow the plans God has for each of us. So we will have to wait and see :D. Also during the week Maurice was here I had presentations/group projects due and papers so that was a lot as well.<br />
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</div>Today we had the second fitness test for Pilates. You have to run 6 laps, do situps for a minute, do pushups for a minute, do a 50m dash, and flexibility test. All of my marks improved from January!!! That is great considering I haven't seriously trained. Also it sucks to run at such a high altitude. Although, this time I pushed myself and ran 3 laps straight (don't laugh I am a sprinter/jumper), I walked a lap, then ran the last two laps...This week is supposedly my last week teaching my beginners English morning class (we will see what happens for real). Then next week is Semana Santa/Easter Week/Spring Break. After spring break there are only 3 more weeks of school left at the TEC. At first time seemed to crawl. Then all of a sudden time flew by. Now I just have to finish the semester strong and make my mark! <br />
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***Oh SHOUT OUT to my <a href="http://www.coeduc.org/" target="_blank">Cooperative for Education</a> family for having me prepare <b><i>botiquins</i></b>/first aid kits for the tours to Guatemala during my internship with them last fall. I was on the bus a few weeks ago and saw a first aid kit and I started laughing to myself. Despite the huge red cross on the white tin box, I knew exactly what botiquin meant and what the box should have in it! To this day I smile whenever I see one :DUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-47906591371526559822012-03-07T21:08:00.000-08:002012-03-07T21:08:16.872-08:00The halfway mark!Ok so it's been 2 months since I arrived to Queretaro. At first the days seemed to crawl, but once February hit the weeks rolled by. I have had a few adventures, mostly on the bus since I spend most of my time commuting, and I have met many new and interesting people.<br />
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A couple weekends ago a few of us got together to celebrate Alma's friend's birthday. Her name is Marina and she is in Queretaro for a couple months after spending time in Namibia being a teacher. She is also teaching here. Once she returns to Germany she will start her professional life and enter a teacher's rotation program. If I remember correctly her specialties are English and History. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HTKfs4U5-U/T1g3oaMKc3I/AAAAAAAAAS0/r9OylHE1Wos/s1600/427660_10150829429489852_631564851_12732322_608450521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HTKfs4U5-U/T1g3oaMKc3I/AAAAAAAAAS0/r9OylHE1Wos/s320/427660_10150829429489852_631564851_12732322_608450521_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alma and I in the club Margarita Blue for Marina's birthday celebration in the up and coming/ritzy neighborhood called Juriquilla where they buy/sell the houses in US Dollars...crazy...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend the International Programs office coordinated a trip to the state of Puebla. We left early Friday morning and traveled to a small city in the hills of Cuetzalan. There we went hiking to see waterfalls, repelling (which I didn't do), and caving. Saturday We went to Cholula to walk around the largest pyramid base in the world and to shop the local market. Afterwards we went to the city center of Puebla , which is similar to Queretaro, but much bigger and more European. Not to mention the lunch we had in Puebla was the best food we had all weekend! It was truly beautiful to see everyone out with their families, the balloon vendors, and Girl Scouts selling chocolates on a very nice day. We rested our heads at a lodge that was really nice and would have been a little better if it weren't raining and if we could spend more time there. But we rose early Sunday morning to go see another waterfall and do outdoor activities (rope bridges and zip line). On Sunday we were supposed to go horseback riding or biking in the valley near the waterfall, but because of the rain from the day before it was too damp and dangerous. So we had lunch early and headed back to school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Left: Me next to some tree sculpture in the center square in Puebla. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right: The girlies walking the streets of Puebla. It almost looks like a movie set!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIWQrK1ldlM/T1g3pu1RjMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/H27SRU4OrBE/s1600/431013_10150700274705490_618780489_11711268_1711015923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIWQrK1ldlM/T1g3pu1RjMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/H27SRU4OrBE/s320/431013_10150700274705490_618780489_11711268_1711015923_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The girlies by the waterfall early Sunday morning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to my adventures and meeting interesting people. Today I met a young American girl from Miami, FL whose parents are Argentinian (dad) and Cuban (mom). She is recently engaged to a Mexican whose parents are friends with her parents. The young lady sat in on one of my English classes, because she may become a teacher soon as something to do on the side. She's really nice and only 22/23 as well. She's a physiology/physical therapist/massage therapist person and looking to open up shop here, but manual labor stuff doesn't pay well in Mexico so she doesn't know how its going to pan out and might have to work in a hospital, but many don't have rehab centers here. Her fiance teaches english at a school and he's a pastor! I might try to visit their church this Sunday because it's a Christian church. They dont have many members since Catholicism is the dominant religion here. In the United States there is a wide variety of religions and there is a variety here too, but nowhere near as religiously diverse as back home.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-89487949978569448612012-02-25T10:30:00.000-08:002012-02-25T10:30:34.091-08:00Speaking of Ethics...It's starting to be consistently warmer as we move past the rainy, cool winter weather. Just like at home warmer weather means more folks coming out! The whistles, stares, and stupid lines, "Ay guapa (hey good looking/sexy)," are increasing! It seems that heat is a catalyst for foolish behavior. During my internship in DC a couple years ago I took a course called Peaceful Solutions and we discussed catcalling. I think there is a different culture in Mexico in comparison to the United States, but I feel like women are annoyed either way. At home in Cincinnati men make stupid comments or stare....extra intensely and it bugs me. And here in Mexico it's like 10x as frequent, but either way I'm bothered...So does that make it right whether it is more socially accepted here...I'm going to go with no. I talked to a group of English students in class the other day during their lesson about the same subject. First, they are all men. Second, they said oh that's normal that is just the culture. Then I asked them if they know if that annoys women or not. I told them it annoys me. One student asked, "How about if a guy says you look nice today or something like that?" I replied that I wouldn't mind that at all and that that is a much better approach. But then I really baffled them when I said, "But that rarely ever happens..." Sad story I know.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">This week for Ethics class we broke up into groups by major and had the assignment of filming an ethical dilem<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">ma in our field of study. Our group, International Relations, decided to do a spin on an actual event. Congresswoman Barbara Lee D-CA was the only one who voted against the </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists (AUMF), which would allow former president Bush to target any persons he thought posed a threat to the United States. This resolution gave him broad powers in a time when there wasn't enough information regarding who was responsible for September 11, 2001. Barbara Lee had to make an ethical decision when considering how she would vote on the issue. Her words are below:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jykVhE-5njc/T0f_6lZcjgI/AAAAAAAAASU/8yXO1kkvar8/s1600/110215_barbara_lee_ap_328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jykVhE-5njc/T0f_6lZcjgI/AAAAAAAAASU/8yXO1kkvar8/s320/110215_barbara_lee_ap_328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Barbara Lee</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I voted no not because I opposed military action but because I believed the AUMF, as written, granted overly-broad powers to wage war to the president at a time when the facts regarding the situation were not yet clear. I warned my colleagues to be 'careful not to embark on an open-ended war with neither an exit strategy nor a focused target.' "It was a blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the September 11 events—anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nation's long-term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit. In granting these overly broad powers, the Congress failed its responsibility to understand the dimensions of its declaration.... The president has the constitutional authority to protect the nation from further attack and he has mobilized the armed forces to do just that. The Congress should have waited for the facts to be presented and then acted with fuller knowledge of the consequences of our action."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_550242838"></span><span id="goog_550242839"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jGUDFUcV99I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our video...sort of funny. It is a bit hard to hear because of background noise from filming at school, sorry about that. ENJOY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBXAGmvCTE/T0kn6HLArAI/AAAAAAAAASc/6LPeFE8sOoc/s1600/IMAG0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBXAGmvCTE/T0kn6HLArAI/AAAAAAAAASc/6LPeFE8sOoc/s1600/IMAG0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>*****<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">New hair do by Vickey Wall...I look like a little kid, but oh well, lol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBXAGmvCTE/T0kn6HLArAI/AAAAAAAAASc/6LPeFE8sOoc/s1600/IMAG0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBXAGmvCTE/T0kn6HLArAI/AAAAAAAAASc/6LPeFE8sOoc/s320/IMAG0479.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CS931B0snEs/T0koDSqm5HI/AAAAAAAAASs/sQPwWQkK_ro/s1600/IMAG0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CS931B0snEs/T0koDSqm5HI/AAAAAAAAASs/sQPwWQkK_ro/s320/IMAG0483.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knIRABLMnjE/T0kn9oqAr8I/AAAAAAAAASk/K1aQF1oLMPY/s1600/IMAG0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knIRABLMnjE/T0kn9oqAr8I/AAAAAAAAASk/K1aQF1oLMPY/s320/IMAG0481.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-3118750420177256202012-02-14T10:57:00.004-08:002012-02-14T11:01:28.041-08:00Happy Valentine's Day & Happy First Sunny Day in Weeks!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlLj_ge30c/TzquD4le6FI/AAAAAAAAASM/ydyKllPTYrM/s1600/423379_3322983837660_1360275295_3264941_300937243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlLj_ge30c/TzquD4le6FI/AAAAAAAAASM/ydyKllPTYrM/s200/423379_3322983837660_1360275295_3264941_300937243_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
My Philosophy regarding Valentine's Day...is that EVERYDAY is an opportunity to show love to your loved ones!...Although the anticipation of receiving and passing out Disney Valentine cards in grade school was an awesome feeling :D.<br />
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First things first...I am seriously going to try my best to keep the posts as short as possible from here on out...Seriously lol. <br />
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Last week: Last week was exam week. The school here coordinates when exams will be, like midterm exams. There are 3 exam weeks and then there are finals. I think I did a good job. I will get one test back this coming Friday, one this afternoon, and for Spanish I got my exam back yesterday I did a great job! So that is nice. It was a little stressful because I started the English job last week.<br />
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This weekend: Saturday Alma invited some girls up to her hometown, Ezequiel Montes, which is really close to Bernal. She mentioned me being a bridesmaid in her wedding before, but Saturday morning she gave a formal little speech about how we all are important people in her life and she would be honored if we would be her bridesmaids for her wedding! In March she will have the civil wedding and August will be the full fledged wedding with tons of guests, the flowers, the food, and all that jazz. As it has been for weeks now, it rained all day Saturday and a little on Sunday. Sunday Alma, 2 other girls, and myself had breakfast with her whole family (her brother and sister and their families and her parents), visited her grandma's place and went to Bernal to hang out before leaving town. Right after breakfast Alma's sister was so fascinated with my hair and started playing with my tiny curls, then Alma's mom joined in, and Alma's sister had her daughter join in against her will. They were too funny and super enthused!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvbuB4rf8Mg/TzquCU6W8WI/AAAAAAAAAR8/h6YIA4nxqD0/s1600/405658_10150790624179852_631564851_12603341_1109064406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bepm3m2ZY6k/TzquC67qTPI/AAAAAAAAASE/XA64BJxVH8g/s1600/420715_10150790657219852_631564851_12603474_306633279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bepm3m2ZY6k/TzquC67qTPI/AAAAAAAAASE/XA64BJxVH8g/s320/420715_10150790657219852_631564851_12603474_306633279_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvbuB4rf8Mg/TzquCU6W8WI/AAAAAAAAAR8/h6YIA4nxqD0/s320/405658_10150790624179852_631564851_12603341_1109064406_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Above are pics of the bridesmaids with mini bridesmaid(just missing Itziar who is in India) cupcakes (L) and then a pic of Alma, Marina (her friend from Germany who is in Queretaro for a couple months), and myself at Bernal (R). It was so foggy there you could barely see the mountain when looking from a distance.<br />
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This week: Yesterday I taught a 7am English class! Crazy I know. I definitely got lost on the bus and was late to the class. I normally come from school and coming from home was so different. Then I had to catch an unnecessary second bus. I was not happy, but I made it and the class went well. I am picking up some extra classes of students who need English for the companies they work for. Sadly, my schedule does not match their desired course schedule so I am not sure how long I will be teaching these additional classes. I may just be working with them until March when they can get the schedule they want with another teacher (who is yet to be hired), but for now I am playing things by ear, which I sort of don't like just because I like to have a set schedule. I don't mind being told things the day of, but it makes a difference when you have your own transportation and can get places faster and save A LOT of time on traveling. Ah well, again...more classes = more experience. I shouldn't complain.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-51682766738367786022012-02-08T13:18:00.000-08:002012-02-09T09:17:45.643-08:00"Just Because He's Good" (Title of today's entry in the Our Daily Bread publication)It's been a little over a week since the last post...Sorry about that, but honestly I got a bit lazy :D. At home in Cincinnati I am always busy, like nonstop ALL THE TIME, even when I'm at home. Here I have a lot of down time and I am appreciating it. I'm sure my host family probably thinks I'm a loner, but I think a semester "off" just relaxing is much deserved after almost 23 years. <br />
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But of course God won't let me sit completely still. Last week I mentioned I interviewed for a position to teach English at a conversation center. What do you know, I got the position to teach 3 nights a week! Last Wednesday was my first day and I co-taught with the director Alex. He's really nice! He's probably only a few years older than me and started the company 5 years ago here in Queretaro, I think he's from Queretaro. The company teaches other languages besides English and they try to get native speakers in the languages they teach so that students can hear the language spoken naturally. Last Friday Alex brought in 2 of his friends who were visiting from Australia to sit in on the class so the students can be exposed to a different accent. They had a hard time with that, but it was definitely fun. I lead the entire lesson so that was cool. I've always wanted to teach English as a second language and this is an awesome opportunity to do it in another country. Only down side is that it's across town...well really there just isn't a good way to get there. It's like trying to find a good way to get to College Hill from UC...depending on where you are going in College Hill you have to figure out do you want to take Ronald Reagan West, Hamilton Ave, or Winton Road, hahaha.<br />
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Anyway in reflecting on how God is constantly working in my life, keeping me safe, and sane I would like to share a few insights:<br />
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The first is that latest module we have been studying in Philosophy is the existence of God. We look at how popular rational thinkers of the last few centuries argue that there is no way a rational person can believe and have faith in God (or any other deity) because there is no proof of His existence and that things about Him just don't add up. On the other hand there are theories that support his existence like miracles and how everything about earth had to be just right for human existence. A few philosophers even said that it would not be a good idea not to believe in God just in case there is a God. If you choose not to believe in Him and it turns out he exists then you are out of luck, so it is smart to just believe in Him. My favorite argument for the existence of God is that trying to have understanding without faith will only get you so far. If you believe you are taken to a whole new level of understanding that knowledge cannot get you to alone.<br />
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My second experience ties into philosophy class and that God puts us in different situations and somethings are so coincidental that they have to be orchestrated by a higher being. Last Thursday I went to Vickey's house to hang out with her and take out my braids. On the bus ride home I sat in the front next to a middle aged man. He was a bit shifty in his seat. He puts his head back on the seat and then asks me in Spanish what do I put in my hair to make it smell so good. I told him I didn't understand and asked if I speak Spanish or English. He then repeated his question in English and I laughed and told him just whatever I wash with and put in it daily (I really wasn't trying to go into it and talk about how I use a shea butter based product...but for you natural hair people out there try Shea Moisture products on your hair :D). He said it smells really good! Then he asked me what I'm doing here in Queretaro and then he goes into how he lived in Louisiana and somewhere else in the States for a bit. Low and behold he was a part a first responder crew that went to New Orleans right after Katrina hit. He was there to build railroads so that supplies could get to the area. He told me about how soon after Katrina there was another huge storm that came in and that everyone had to be put up in hotels and that it was a scary experience for him. I was so amazed by experience and I thanked God for letting me hear such an unexpected story.<br />
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Thirdly, even more unexpected is that Friday the director of the Master's program I applied to at University of Kentucky emailed me asking me for additional documents that he needs to complete a nomination application on my behalf for a scholarship. I have not even been formally notified by the school that I have been accepted! Then again this is also the man who told his students at the annual conference the department does that he is trying to recruit me, haha...Whether I choose to go to University of Kentucky or not for my Master's I can see that God is trying to give me hope through this whole graduate school process.<br />
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Since I have been here I try to read the Our Daily Bread publication my mom sneakily stowed in my luggage. Honestly I always have a hard time keeping up with it. But for some reason just like reading a horoscope the days I do read it it directly corresponds with what I'm going through that day. The day my boyfriend had a music audition I prayed for him then I turned to that day's entry and it was titled "Thank God for Music." Then last Sunday I talked to my friends from back home and one of them I haven't seen or heard his voice in a looooong time and day's entry was titled "Genuine Friends." This past Monday my mom and I were talking and I told her I was so grateful for things in my life and that I know it was God's doing and she was happy that I knew that..Monday's title was "Consider the Source." And the title of today's entry as referenced in the title of today's post is "Just Because He's God." Everyday, whether I read the Our Daily Bread or not, it is important to know that what we go through God is good. In Philosophy we read parts of the Book of Job. In chapter 38 God rhetorically asks Job does he really know of His true powers and how He coordinates the rising and setting of the sun daily and all the great things He does. Even when we are challenged by a situation we should not feel forsaken by God or question Him as Job did when he was pushed to his limits. Yes there are trying times, but indeed we should keep the faith in the One who is beyond our comprehension and all powerful.<br />
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So with that I pray for the best for the readers of today's post. I love you ALL (yes those who I know and do not know).<br />
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Pictures from this weekend: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHZO2sDdvh8/TzLotT_V0mI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/HEZj8trjhl0/s1600/IMAG0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHZO2sDdvh8/TzLotT_V0mI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/HEZj8trjhl0/s320/IMAG0446.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Nw8xf0-ik/TzLoqhjnjzI/AAAAAAAAAQs/K3coxHuKdYI/s1600/IMAG0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Nw8xf0-ik/TzLoqhjnjzI/AAAAAAAAAQs/K3coxHuKdYI/s320/IMAG0445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAUHZeEwfio/TzLov8E-7zI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Sbh12kHwS1Q/s1600/IMAG0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAUHZeEwfio/TzLov8E-7zI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Sbh12kHwS1Q/s320/IMAG0450.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The three pictures above are from the school musical on Monday "Las Ranas," which means the frogs. I went with my friend Rachael (from England). It was neat because the students used all of the area around the pool and there was some synchronized swimming as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pictures above are of Blanca and me making something called Panocha. It is not a traditional Mexican food, but something that her family makes as a tradition. It is wheat flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and cinnamon kneaded together. Once all mixed together we rolled pieces into balls of dough. Instead of using a rolling pan to flatten them she uses a cool press thingy. You place the dough between plastic for easy clean up then press the lever toward away from you. That makes perfect tortilla sized pieces of dough. After that brown both sides of the dough on the stove just like you would to heat up tortillas. Wait for the cooked panocha to cool and enjoy with tea, coffee or spread jam, honey, whatever you like on it. Blanca spread peanut butter on hers. The dough is not very sweet so it does not interfere with whatever you decide to put on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctqFsJh_edE/TzLoyt9YejI/AAAAAAAAARE/4znnLvx6IoY/s1600/IMAG0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctqFsJh_edE/TzLoyt9YejI/AAAAAAAAARE/4znnLvx6IoY/s200/IMAG0451.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSD-X-25nQc/TzLo1r1xurI/AAAAAAAAARM/-VA8SNfPmRE/s1600/IMAG0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSD-X-25nQc/TzLo1r1xurI/AAAAAAAAARM/-VA8SNfPmRE/s200/IMAG0452.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--M210cphdHM/TzLo4CEAeTI/AAAAAAAAARU/Kkk43cyHePM/s1600/IMAG0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--M210cphdHM/TzLo4CEAeTI/AAAAAAAAARU/Kkk43cyHePM/s200/IMAG0453.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGcKw3gIuzQ/TzLo6IyqCsI/AAAAAAAAARc/c2RTQ3z6oE0/s1600/IMAG0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGcKw3gIuzQ/TzLo6IyqCsI/AAAAAAAAARc/c2RTQ3z6oE0/s200/IMAG0454.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-5298895465027305162012-01-30T16:51:00.000-08:002012-01-30T17:18:25.098-08:00There are hipsters in Queretaro!So last week was not too eventful. I finally picked up a pilates class. I asked last Monday to join and the instructor told me that Wednesday's class would be the fitness test. I say oh ok. I really did not want to take it because I will not be using the class for credit. Anywho I show up Wednesday morning at the track. We do the sit up and push up test. When I reported my numbers all the girls said, "wow!" I told them I used to work out...We all stretched then hit the track for the Cooper's test. I was not aware of this part of the test. The Cooper's test consists of running 6 laps! I am a retired track and field athlete who has not worked out in over a year and whose knees still crack when they bend or pop with a tinge of pain when going up the stairs (I'm old I know). Anyway the instructor says, "tres, dos, uno, sale!" My first thought was ugh...By lap 3 everyone started walking except for one girl who ran the whole thing. I just kept telling myself I can do this, I can finish...Ok please finish!...Let's just say I did make it in one piece. It was a little difficult to breath for me because Queretaro is at a higher altitude than I am used to. Even climbing the stairs to the bridge on my walk to the bus is a slight challenge.<br />
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So basically after the fitness test I was super tired, but wait..there's more. Salsa class is on Wednesdays also. As if 6 laps, a sprint, push ups, sit ups, and a sit and reach test at 10am weren't enough I had to catch up on Salsa steps and combinations and dance for 1.5 hours straight. I survived. I'm really glad I made it to Salsa because I like to dance. I picked up the steps very quickly too and they seem a bit advanced for basic Salsa.<br />
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Thursday night Itziar picked me up then we got Alma and we headed to Maria y su bici restaurant. To my surprise we joined Eli and her boyfriend Pedro who grew up in Columbus, OH and went to UC for a semester. I also haven't seen Eli (who is also someone I know from DC) since I've been in Queretaro. Later on Oscar and a girl named Carol joined us. I met Carol from DC as well, but I did not see her often. <br />
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Saturday Blanca and Jorge threw a little get together for their friends. We set up tables and chairs in their patio area. There was also a white screen set up so that Jorge could project his presentation of pictures and videos from their winter trip to China to visit their oldest son and his family. Their friends were really nice and funny. They were cackling, telling jokes, and playing a game similar to Taboo as if they were back in their 30s! We sang happy birthday and ate cake for Blanca's 66th birthday. The cake was really good. Someone asked where it was bought and ironically whoever bought it answered "Sam's Club." I laughed a little inside because Sam's cakes in the U.S. are really good too, lol.<br />
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As everyone began to leave the house I got a call from Sergio inviting me to the movies. I asked if Vickey could tag along. After a long voyage to the movie theater we were late and so was Ivette and her friends. We ended up at the movie theater across from Centro de Comercial Galerias (the mall I think is better than Kenwood Mall). I was told were seeing a movie with Antonio Banderas...That is not what we saw. Instead we saw the movie Tree of Life with Brad Pitt...WARNING: Do not go see that movie. It has won awards and all and I'm not really sure what for, but just take my word for it. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! OK enough of that. After the movie Sergio took Vickey home because she's not sure on the rules for her host family about staying out late. Sergio and I joined Ivette and her friends for tacos. I had a gringa for the first time. It is not in reference to an American, but it's just the name of the taco, lol. We decide to hit up a mini art exhibition/party. There were a few prints displayed. They were pretty cool and made you think. One of them said: "Life is what happens when you're texting." The party was interesting to say the least. I felt like I was back in Clifton hanging out on Ludlow watching the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipster_%28contemporary_subculture%29" target="_blank">hipsters </a>. Apparently there is a hug hispter crew in Queretaro. Ivette said most of them were there lol. She told me I dress like a hipster but I told her I am not one. Hipsters are know for their "eclectic" looks of boots/sneakers, cut of jeans, scarves, vintagey clothing, and kind of a laissez faire attitude.<br />
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Yesterday I just lounged around the house all day doing absolutely nothing and I loved it! It started raining later in the evening and continued to this morning so today was kinda gloomy and really cold. I heard today was a beautiful day in Cinci. I would like to say our bad weather here will never be as bad as the winter days in the Midwest so I shouldn't really complain. Sunday I also got the chance to talk to two of my good friends on Skype. It was really cool because we are all in different countries. One friend is completing an MBA program at Grenoble in France, the other is in prestigious fellowship program that puts them on the track for being hired with the company they work for, and then I'm in Mexico. I had a little moment because I thought that was really cool and that I know people doing awesome things at the age of 22/23. <br />
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Right before I started writing this post I received information for an English teaching opportunity! I am really excited because I wanted to get information about a place close by the house, but now I know this other place is actually in need and contacted our international student facebook group so that is promising. I have a meeting tomorrow to get more details, so I will do an update tomorrow evening about what the position entails. One thing I know it will keep me busy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-35289249551518604692012-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:002012-01-23T09:25:48.321-08:00Inquisitive stares to walking like a...Teotihuacan?OK this post will really be mostly pictures!<br />
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Thursday my friend Vickey braided my hair into a faux hawk. I got plenty of stares that night and Friday. Walking around campus nobody stared. Friday I had Vickey braid the loose ends. When I left her house Friday night a man walking in front of me looked back at me. He looked back a few times. As I passed him he continued to stare. I'm not really sure when it became polite to literally stare at someone while they are looking at you watching them be rude. Once at the bus stop a girl my age walked by with her boyfriend and she said, "Que padre!" Literally it means "what dad," but it is slang for "how cool!" I appreciated her comment even though she did not say it directly to me. Friday morning I even received honks and waves among the blatant stares. That was probably the first time I felt different. Yes, in high school I wore crazy outfits that I thought were creative and cutting edge, but nobody ever stared at me. This is the first time I did not feel comfortable in my skin. Even before my hair was braided people here stare me down as if I cannot see them. Friday when I got home I talked to Blanca (in Spanish) about the stares. She said people are curious and have not been exposed to such a thing. I know that...but that didn't stop me from exclaiming "really" out loud to the guy who kept turning around to stare.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--68TUK9Krmg/TxzwwxmZwgI/AAAAAAAAAOI/elKA7_rM-Pw/s1600/hair+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--68TUK9Krmg/TxzwwxmZwgI/AAAAAAAAAOI/elKA7_rM-Pw/s320/hair+4.jpg" width="239" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday's hair do </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsXM-HmeIFQ/TxzwkHHospI/AAAAAAAAAN4/zcv4dvr90NA/s1600/hair+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsXM-HmeIFQ/TxzwkHHospI/AAAAAAAAAN4/zcv4dvr90NA/s320/hair+1.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxMAvf70Dns/TxzwrNf7-uI/AAAAAAAAAOA/Kum_-w7YHuw/s1600/hair+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxMAvf70Dns/TxzwrNf7-uI/AAAAAAAAAOA/Kum_-w7YHuw/s320/hair+3.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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Friday's hair do<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOA1Qvnoam8/TxzyOmKI7MI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/4586obmFwM0/s1600/IMAG0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOA1Qvnoam8/TxzyOmKI7MI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/4586obmFwM0/s320/IMAG0383.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday night's dinner. A traditional Mexican dish called Pozole (Pa-zo-lay). It is the consistency of chili except instead of beans large kernels of a specific type of white corn are used. It is usually made with pork but Blanca used chicken. On top you add lettuce, onions, freshly squeezed lime juice (my favorite), freshly crushed oregano, and radishes (I just put a few on the side).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GM6JW4Z6V8g/TwpzwY7dRvI/AAAAAAAAAFY/n7dFP-5IVu8/s1600/IMAG0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GM6JW4Z6V8g/TwpzwY7dRvI/AAAAAAAAAFY/n7dFP-5IVu8/s320/IMAG0315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CORRECTION:</b> Initially I called these borrador. That was a mistake on my part. Borrador means eraser :D. The dish is called <b>Benuelos</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Saturday the international students headed to Teotihuacan where the pyramids are (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan</a>). Many students said they did not recognize me at first and that they like my hair. Granted I did have my contacts in so that is a decent transformation. Anyway, the trip to Teotihuacan was great! It was very hot yesterday too.I was pretty amazed by the complexity of the structures and the belief systems and rituals of the people at that time. They were very in tune with the sky - the water cycle, constellations. The pyramids were made to reach the sky. The structures on the ground were a reflection of what the people saw in the sky. I began to think about the pyramids in Egypt and how vastly different the materials are of each civilization and how you go inside the Egyptian pyramids and you have to climb the outside of the Teotihuacan pyramids. Then I got to thinking about how blessed I am to have experiences with the Egyptian and Teotihuacan pyramids that I can reflect on the differences between them. God has truly blessed me with great opportunities in life that many are not fortunate to have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mHrv0jbDa8/TxzySTji0kI/AAAAAAAAAOY/CrP40EcZ25E/s1600/IMAG0384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mHrv0jbDa8/TxzySTji0kI/AAAAAAAAAOY/CrP40EcZ25E/s320/IMAG0384.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Adriana and I on the bus headed for Teotihuacan early Saturday morning with our breakfast in our laps<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipD1x6a7RwA/TxzyVCdqAVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/QxglSNYjYTw/s1600/IMAG0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipD1x6a7RwA/TxzyVCdqAVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/QxglSNYjYTw/s320/IMAG0385.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3v3Gq-uM4HU/TxzyX_jTA4I/AAAAAAAAAOo/zN8XLT8QBuw/s1600/IMAG0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3v3Gq-uM4HU/TxzyX_jTA4I/AAAAAAAAAOo/zN8XLT8QBuw/s320/IMAG0386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They provided us with breakfast which included a huge juice box, shaved carrots and a lime (of course packets of chili and salt were included for that), a puffed rice bar that was lightly sweetened with molasses, raisins, and nuts, then there was a sandwich with beans, cheese, and ham. They weren't tryin to play! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwROFp7Gn0NG7h6DdLGMuRLJZGssc4lom84tO-vLwBexvBCANYptXlBifvtTEK5TR4nK1G7-dF7-QrgVOP3MQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The tour started with a show of a ritual. Men climb up the pole and position themselves on mere rods of wood and tie ropes to their waists. The man in the middle plays a song while the men spin and gradually descend. There are 13 rotations. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbjvscDN31w/Txzyc66wWxI/AAAAAAAAAOw/aOCmduKu6Yk/s1600/IMAG0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbjvscDN31w/Txzyc66wWxI/AAAAAAAAAOw/aOCmduKu6Yk/s640/IMAG0394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What you see to the left when you first walk onto the park grounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sc6_Aiox5M/TxzyhvnYPoI/AAAAAAAAAO4/uUujYNBvE1I/s1600/IMAG0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sc6_Aiox5M/TxzyhvnYPoI/AAAAAAAAAO4/uUujYNBvE1I/s640/IMAG0396.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this is the Temple of Quetzacoatl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTSjj2wU6PM/TxzylFahJ3I/AAAAAAAAAPA/Q31HUkDuawo/s1600/IMAG0397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTSjj2wU6PM/TxzylFahJ3I/AAAAAAAAAPA/Q31HUkDuawo/s640/IMAG0397.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My tour guide Aldo holding a solid piece of obsidian. Obsidian is found all around that area and is very plentiful. Many of the wares/souvenirs are made out of obsidian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvyOvoEFEMY/TxzypVKP2PI/AAAAAAAAAPI/8tiJbLD7a88/s1600/IMAG0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvyOvoEFEMY/TxzypVKP2PI/AAAAAAAAAPI/8tiJbLD7a88/s640/IMAG0413.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There is a small museum that breaks up the outside tour. Here is one side of the city layout. The pyramid closest to the railing is the pyramid of the sun and the furthest one away is the pyramid of the moon. There is another half to this map/layout! It is thought that 200,000 people inhabited the area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zchqHTX6gU/TxzysaeTA6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/r2he6ysaIAM/s1600/IMAG0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zchqHTX6gU/TxzysaeTA6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/r2he6ysaIAM/s400/IMAG0415.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXxFoPB4vNM/TxzyvJYE9VI/AAAAAAAAAPY/5G28k24iMzo/s1600/IMAG0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXxFoPB4vNM/TxzyvJYE9VI/AAAAAAAAAPY/5G28k24iMzo/s400/IMAG0416.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a bit hard to see, but these are excavated men (left) and women (right). The people sacrificed and practiced cannibalism for their rituals. The men that are sacrificed have necklaces on and the women are adorned with earrings. I thought that was interesting.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyF5M1CABFU/Txzy8qNo3kI/AAAAAAAAAPo/Nl5QbB69keU/s1600/IMAG0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyF5M1CABFU/Txzy8qNo3kI/AAAAAAAAAPo/Nl5QbB69keU/s640/IMAG0426.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyrP1y5GuWk/Txzy0E9SDqI/AAAAAAAAAPg/wMgk8OGFlVY/s1600/IMAG0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyrP1y5GuWk/Txzy0E9SDqI/AAAAAAAAAPg/wMgk8OGFlVY/s640/IMAG0424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztWQ47KGKjk1qcmwl_rW2EM_IYpkfgALdekO0aEIA5iSopqmbsbFoJp5V9xlztstom_ZGjBV2aNFLpPBEvKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pyramid above is the pyramid of the sun. It took a serious climb up the aged stairs, but I made it all the way to the top. What a view! I did a little crappy 360 video as well. In my defense it was very crowded up there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8zk_J_AQIQ/TxzzBMvvctI/AAAAAAAAAPw/OffZ0x7iZXk/s1600/IMAG0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8zk_J_AQIQ/TxzzBMvvctI/AAAAAAAAAPw/OffZ0x7iZXk/s640/IMAG0428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View of the pyramid of the moon as we walk down the Street of the Dead</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lJ9_7jPMEg/TxzzHl_6QmI/AAAAAAAAAP4/cFf8gWH98sU/s1600/IMAG0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lJ9_7jPMEg/TxzzHl_6QmI/AAAAAAAAAP4/cFf8gWH98sU/s640/IMAG0431.jpg" width="640" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxN4TEDbsmpxBKsIOpXOLdwhrUhEl8ws1cXSvPFYkcrd_Bev1WLZ6znh7c61sXCZartG-Al3ccYSetETHufFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the hotel for lunch. You walk through a nice lobby of smiling attendants and see this beautiful patio and pool area with pretty green grass. It literally was like seeing an oasis in the desert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zduv5lj9guY/TxzzQ2jmsgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/eJhYvoOeTOA/s1600/IMAG0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zduv5lj9guY/TxzzQ2jmsgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/eJhYvoOeTOA/s320/IMAG0434.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ciFdGxolG2E/TxzzUm93dwI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/CigYYkq0ots/s1600/IMAG0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ciFdGxolG2E/TxzzUm93dwI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/CigYYkq0ots/s320/IMAG0435.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a buffet style lunch. On my plate I have thin cuts of chicken, rice, chicken with potatoes and carrots, broiled pork, veggie salad - green peppers, onion, cactus, then there was a cold taco that was topped with lettuce and crumbled cheese which was really good. For dessert there was a rice pudding garnished with strawberries (fresas) and starfruit and I got cake that had something like ambrosia between the layers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK4GMjSoU-A/TxzzY8_EoJI/AAAAAAAAAQY/e9b3tr-Kd4A/s1600/IMAG0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK4GMjSoU-A/TxzzY8_EoJI/AAAAAAAAAQY/e9b3tr-Kd4A/s320/IMAG0436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Mariachi band playing and the singer waved for my picture, lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPXNpOPQYG0/TxzzddMAElI/AAAAAAAAAQg/_82fNKVpLP4/s1600/IMAG0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPXNpOPQYG0/TxzzddMAElI/AAAAAAAAAQg/_82fNKVpLP4/s320/IMAG0438.jpg" width="180" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxRMsWdf8bUn3z015FWKuYUhXGy5ERU1AwTxAWWFZVzBrolgm25pKbnSyqNQArdRnvycSo0IdeOENLocs89XQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above is a picture and video of traditional dancing and drumming</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-32867543164931375242012-01-18T17:55:00.000-08:002012-01-22T18:55:28.007-08:00Hoy es mala onda!!!!The title of today's post says "today is not cool!!!!" Today literally was a series of unfortunate events. I'm not sure what stars aligned or if I was supposed to learn a lesson today and what for, but it was one thing after another.<br />
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Before I get into sharing the few strange events of the day I would like to take the time for a few shout outs.<br />
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<b>To my family: </b>I would like to thank my mom and dad for always having faith in me and telling me to have faith in myself. They support everything I do whether it be summer camps where I go caving in Kentucky, to changing majors from engineering to international affairs, to deciding "hey it's a good time to study abroad in Mexico." Whatever it is they are there. To my extended family I thank you for all of your prayers and support throughout the years and specifically for my trip to Mexico. I greatly appreciate all that you do for me.<br />
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<b>To my friends, family friends, and previous co-workers:</b> Today a co-worker from my most recent internship with <a href="http://www.coeduc.org/" target="_blank">Cooperative for Education</a> skyped me and said they enjoy reading the blog and learning more about me. It is awesome to know there are all kinds of people following this blog - friends, family, work mates. My family friends have supported me just as much as my family has and I am thankful for that. To my friends, thank you for following and I hope my experiences will inspire you to travel and/or study abroad at some point in your lives. <br />
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Now for the unfortunate events:<br />
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1. Today I did not have class until 1pm so I lounged around and took my time getting ready. I arrived at the bus stop right before 12pm, probably not enough time before class, but hey I should be fine right? After waiting a little bit I think to myself "hmm, I bet the bus will pass me today," random thought I know. Sure enough the bus passed me and another lady waiting with me because it was on the opposite side of the road and would have had to pass 2 lanes of traffic...As a bus driver wouldn't you ride near the curb lane to pick up passengers? Oh wait that is common sense. The other lady and I had a brief conversation in Spanish, which was more like her talking and me responding in few words as possible... The next bus stops for us and we hop on..a little down the road the bus driver passes a woman waiting by herself then passes another woman waiting by herself. Ironically he was riding in the curb lane and still did not stop for them, but he did stop at a stop past them that had a lot of people waiting at it. We round the corner and ride up to one of these sort of shady check points that men wait at all day to time stamp each bus driver's route. Who pays these people? One guy I see everyday mans the check point in a deserted street and his huge black SUV is parked behind him with the decal "Hecho en Mexico" diagonally plastered on his hood...I tell you. Oh and earlier on in the bus ride I realized the driver is the same guy who ripped me off on my first bus ride with Blanca. Seriously what are the odds?!<br />
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2. I have an agreement with the Salsa class teacher that I will show up every Wednesday for class because I cannot make the Tuesday part of the class due to my Philosophy course. A girl in my Spanish class told me Salsa starts at 4:30, but everything else I've seen says 4:00. I decide to wait in the gym near the classroom a little before 4. Nobody came around 4 so I waited for 4:30. Still no one...I run upstairs to check the cultural course board. The proper classroom is 9001 and I was waiting at 9101!!! Ugh! I run all the way from the top down to the bottom floor almost killing myself because I tripped going down the stairs. I find the classroom and see that they already started...I decided not to walk in because the class already started, the door was at the front of the class, and after all of my confusion I'm not sure if the class is at 4 or 4:30 and at this point it was 4:35...So basically I'm a chicken!!! After all of that I walk out the building with my head hung low and feeling down because I was so excited for Salsa today.<br />
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3. Luckily Alma text me during my Salsa confusion letting me know she will meet me at my house so we can go pick up my gift for my host family that I had framed down the street. I head to the bus stop and I wait an unusually long time. Once on the bus I kind of zone out on the ride home. I see the aqueduct/los arcos which is near my house. I get prepared to get off. I press the button and walk to the front of the bus to make sure I get off at the right place....and we pass my stop! Why America (in a Bernie Mack voice, R.I.P.)?! I told him a qui/here and he tells me no, I will let you down out there (there=a whole block away). He dropped me off right in front of Alma's job. I call her hoping she is still at work. She already left work, but told me to stay there and she was coming for me. Thank goodness!<br />
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4. Alma and I pick up the frame and go to Soriana, which is the equivalent to Kroger until I saw I lady getting her hair colored in the middle of one of the large aisles in a Wella station. Anyway, we get back to the car and I open her trunk to get my book bag out and the trunk door falls down and hits my shoulder...Again, why?!<br />
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After a weird day it was nice to come home to a meal and conversation with Blanca. I told her about my woes using my terrible Spanish and we laughed. But better than that I am in the comfort of my own room safe from the craziness of today's world and hopefully from my crazy brain activity or lack there of I guess...*sigh* I crack myself up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYmawPm6t7s/Txd2N3jOR3I/AAAAAAAAANw/hRloSZb7O2I/s1600/IMAG0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYmawPm6t7s/Txd2N3jOR3I/AAAAAAAAANw/hRloSZb7O2I/s320/IMAG0381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the frame I had made for 3 prints from a local Cincinnati artist, Joanne Honschopp. I chose views that exemplify Cincinnati - Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, downtown skyline, and the fountain in Fountain Square. Luckily, the pictures were a good choice because my host family collects magnets and ceramic plates from their travels. This should be a nice addition to the other artwork on their walls...I just gave it to them and they love it! Blanca said she has to think of a special spot on the wall for it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-45974056565455488832012-01-16T21:33:00.000-08:002012-01-16T21:39:41.210-08:00Rachael's Goodbye and San MiguelWhat a weekend! I know the last post was super long (sorry). I will try to keep this one brief. It'll be a bunch of pics really.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">**I forgot to mention that during orientation I met Brett who is the UC student here in Queretaro. We were both looking at the extra curricular courses board and he said hey and we found out we are the 2 students from UC (he's originally from northern Kentucky). He told me was enrolled in Intermediate Spanish and next thing I know in the middle of last week he switched to Basic Spanish because he didn't remember anything he took a couple years ago. Small world I suppose.</span><br />
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After being told she was going to leave, Friday night Adriana and I went out to the centro with Rachael so she could buy souvenirs for her family and friends in preparation for her trip back home Saturday. We headed out to the centro for the evening of shopping the vendor stands. To end our long night of walking half way to the centro then taking a taxi and trekking all around downtown we indulged in a new frozen yogurt place before going home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcCUCEv0IgY/TxTyjoNymmI/AAAAAAAAAHo/WTKLACtv-Lw/s1600/IMAG0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcCUCEv0IgY/TxTyjoNymmI/AAAAAAAAAHo/WTKLACtv-Lw/s320/IMAG0338.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIc9GBVfADc/TxTyhxMfi3I/AAAAAAAAAHg/_nzLWbK7k-M/s1600/IMAG0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIc9GBVfADc/TxTyhxMfi3I/AAAAAAAAAHg/_nzLWbK7k-M/s320/IMAG0337.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3en__u07vw/TxTyfONBgHI/AAAAAAAAAHY/B8J-bWZaxOY/s1600/IMAG0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3en__u07vw/TxTyfONBgHI/AAAAAAAAAHY/B8J-bWZaxOY/s320/IMAG0336.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course mine is at the bottom with mango, strawberry, and granola!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZnBcWSeIms/TxTyb-nrVAI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/an9K9QrW-B0/s1600/IMAG0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZnBcWSeIms/TxTyb-nrVAI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/an9K9QrW-B0/s320/IMAG0335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adriana, Rachael, and Me! Yes they are tiny because I'm not that tall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dycjVLYNpc2GieXEuv-Odvd3hMUi2S5B_RT2FMRtrnY12CSpygci8U3zU5kIyPJeg64D3WPtniYHhUwZVf-4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traditional dancing in Plaza de Armas in the centro<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Saturday Adriana and I headed to San Miguel de Allende with my old roomie Itziar and some of her acquaintances. The drive from Queretaro is maybe and hour/hour and a half...didn't really pay attention to the time, but I know the way (a.k.a. follow the signs) :D. Saturday evening we ate at the rooftop lounge/bar/restaurant at a new, super swanky hotel called the Rosewood. Later that night the other girls went out to dance but Adriana and I stayed behind. We ventured to the biggest Starbucks I have ever seen! We split a bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam. Sunday morning we ate breakfast, witnessed some religious ceremony that involved deafening sounds and some dancing, then we bought churros from a bakery owned by an old actress whose name I did not get, but she was there chatting it up with customers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kS31oFDVrEw/TxT9VvPmSyI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2xGUbch-zqc/s1600/IMAG0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kS31oFDVrEw/TxT9VvPmSyI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2xGUbch-zqc/s200/IMAG0366.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLDQ7iocQbo/TxT9ZbQaJRI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Tp-FVhMjK2c/s1600/IMAG0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLDQ7iocQbo/TxT9ZbQaJRI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Tp-FVhMjK2c/s200/IMAG0367.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-J8OfxAR0A/TxT9SM6WwWI/AAAAAAAAAKY/fHmtV_--hwk/s1600/IMAG0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-J8OfxAR0A/TxT9SM6WwWI/AAAAAAAAAKY/fHmtV_--hwk/s320/IMAG0365.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Entrance of hotel</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xv9KypyyPDQ/TxT77VvF1MI/AAAAAAAAAHw/u-J5y6EhUHQ/s1600/IMAG0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xv9KypyyPDQ/TxT77VvF1MI/AAAAAAAAAHw/u-J5y6EhUHQ/s320/IMAG0339.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0sVas1YLZw/TxUAxf47ROI/AAAAAAAAAMY/rfURPq4PjeU/s1600/IMAG0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0sVas1YLZw/TxUAxf47ROI/AAAAAAAAAMY/rfURPq4PjeU/s320/IMAG0357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Adriana and my room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPnirdeJlvs/TxT8HiydBNI/AAAAAAAAAIA/fST2PKypTp4/s1600/IMAG0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPnirdeJlvs/TxT8HiydBNI/AAAAAAAAAIA/fST2PKypTp4/s200/IMAG0341.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCPQHczhI4A/TxUA79Wd36I/AAAAAAAAAMo/5ZyIAifFnE4/s1600/IMAG0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCPQHczhI4A/TxUA79Wd36I/AAAAAAAAAMo/5ZyIAifFnE4/s200/IMAG0371.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROGg3Ob5zS8/TxT8Ab5TU9I/AAAAAAAAAH4/6F4xuHSiOTo/s1600/IMAG0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROGg3Ob5zS8/TxT8Ab5TU9I/AAAAAAAAAH4/6F4xuHSiOTo/s200/IMAG0340.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-0QGwYpbBA/TxUGUQOmfUI/AAAAAAAAANI/0qwkwF4VY6Y/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-0QGwYpbBA/TxUGUQOmfUI/AAAAAAAAANI/0qwkwF4VY6Y/s320/IMAG0368.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
courtyard<br />
I also saw a large poinsetta tree/bush. I'm not sure if it is native to Mexico but it flourishes here both in the ground and in potted plant form.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap0xOH94SIs/TxUAs9JQ0AI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/39xnUr8llX4/s1600/IMAG0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap0xOH94SIs/TxUAs9JQ0AI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/39xnUr8llX4/s320/IMAG0352.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUuWMwuiWtk/TxUAq9wv-lI/AAAAAAAAAMI/nI5Be9r0ItI/s1600/IMAG0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUuWMwuiWtk/TxUAq9wv-lI/AAAAAAAAAMI/nI5Be9r0ItI/s320/IMAG0351.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rooftop restaurant and the view from it </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQedMSbndzU/TxUA_u5TVfI/AAAAAAAAAMw/GRYpGGmCxQw/s1600/IMAG0376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQedMSbndzU/TxUA_u5TVfI/AAAAAAAAAMw/GRYpGGmCxQw/s320/IMAG0376.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ci-HNCE62U/TxUAoag3SFI/AAAAAAAAAMA/uapRgTbcaXQ/s1600/IMAG0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ci-HNCE62U/TxUAoag3SFI/AAAAAAAAAMA/uapRgTbcaXQ/s320/IMAG0348.jpg" width="180" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me walking in town/delicious chocolate filled churro/church in the town center </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Later Sunday evening Jorge and Blanca invited me out to the movies! We attended the 6pm showing of Sherlock Holmes 2 at a theater close to the house...It was in English with Spanish subtitles! After dinner I asked Jorge if they always go see movies in English. He replied that they usually do because the translated Spanish versions can get a bit annoying with the different voices/dubbing, but at the theaters you have the choice between going to the English or Spanish show so I thought that was interesting...Oh and the movie was $50pesos ~ $3.75USD! Can't argue with that.<br />
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Today after school I talked to Blanca in about 90% Spanish! We had lunch together and sat in the kitchen after that just talking. I struggled and she corrected me, but we agreed that my Spanish is awesome and that I've only been here 2 weeks and I've progressed rapidly. I'm really excited about that because it gives me hope for continuing with the language after I leave Mexico. She asked if I have someone to practice with when I go home and I said no, but I will do my best to continue practicing Spanish in graduate school and formally learning Arabic.<br />
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Oh this week starts extra curricular courses. I have Spanish and Salsa! Guitar class went well today despite the fact the man didn't speak a lick of English. So now I know the Spanish words for parts of the guitar. Oy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-21515570796343121632012-01-13T11:20:00.000-08:002012-01-13T11:20:19.663-08:00Overview of the first week of school at the TecThis week has been beyond hectic! I do not have a heavy course load because of the transfer of semester credit hours to the quarter system, but it was difficult get the few classes that I did. I was pretty much set in taking Spanish 1. After that I needed to figure out a good fit of courses for my other two classes. Besides class issues, there have been an interesting turn of events in Rachael's life after she moved in with my host family. Despite being busy with scheduling and such, I did find time to spend with friends. Well more like they just come pick me up and I'm surprised by their arrival...So let's begin with the recap.<br />
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<b>Monday: </b><br />
I had only Espanol Basico 1 (Basic Spanish 1). I felt like the class was in warped speed. We conjugate a couple verbs and did common questions and responses. For example, what do you do? Where are you from? What is your last name? The teacher is very energetic, maybe even overly energetic like she's a grade school teacher and we're her budding 5 year old students. During the day I met some girls from England and Ireland who were here last semester and they told a group of us that things are just "different" here. Not bad, but "different." And everyone seemed to share the same sentiments, lol. No matter who you spoke with the same word arose - "different."<br />
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Rachel wanted to move in on Monday, but the housing coordinator said to wait until Tuesday to give the host mom time to adjust. Adjust for what?! So Rachel waited until Tuesday to move.<br />
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<b>Tuesday:</b><br />
I have all of my classes on Tuesday (and Friday). I arose at 6am to get ready for my 8:30am class - Professional Ethics. The professor for Ethics is awesome! Weird guy as in his mannerisms, but a great and dynamic teacher! I'm really excited to be in his class, but I'm not sure if I'm ever going to get over how during his breaks how he slowly walks around ever so slowly with a coffee mug in hand. The sight of him doing that makes double over with laughter every time! Immediately following Ethics I make my way to The Study of Islamic Movements in the Middle East. I thought I would take the course because it's possible that it would have a different take on things than in my Terrorism class I took at the University of Cincinnati (UC) this past summer. After going through the syllabus and enduring the 6 person class discussion I realized that I did not want to sit through that for a whole semester. After all I am in Mexico for an enriching, life changing experience. Two hours later I went to Spanish class. At 4pm I went to Perspectiva Internacional (International Perspective). I signed up for this course thinking it would be a general outlook on the world from a Mexican international relations point of view (no the syllabi were not available when I was choosing courses to take back in the Fall). Turns out the course is the same exact course as one of the entry level course for International Affairs/Political Science majors at UC. Because we did introductions at the beginning of the class, the professor knew I was a last semester student and refused to have me in her class for a lack of a challenge and imminent boredom. After class she personally escorted me to the international programs office to vouch for me wanting to change out of her class. The academic adviser sent me the list of classes to choose from to select replacements for Islamic Movements and International Perspective. Funny thing is out of the three non-Spanish courses I thought I was going to drop the Ethics class, but that was my favorite. My goal for the evening was to find one course to replace the other two course. I found another class and Filosophia (Philosophy) which is also taught by the Ethics professor.<br />
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Mind you, after my 4pm class I'm running around trying to change courses and Rachael is too. We finally rendezvous and we ride the bus to her house to pick up her luggage. We get to her house and it is completely uninviting and eerie. The host mom did not greet us or even peek out of her room to see who was coming into her house. Instead a young girl working on her homework in the kitchen said hello and greeted us in the traditional Mexican way: a kiss on one cheek and a hug. After we bring everything downstairs, Rachael says her goodbyes to the house mom who reminds me of the house mom in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha (check it out for a reference, good movie too!). I'm trying to mind my own business and take the suitcases to the door. I go back to say good by to the lady and she says something to Rachael in Spanish that I didn't catch. On our way out Rachael said the woman told her, "Oh great, now I can go on vacation!" When Rachael first got to Queretaro her host mom told her that she was her work...Ya, bad news.<br />
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We take a taxi to my host family's house and eat dinner and have a quiet evening.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYMaGOXEpQs/TxB9J-kuxlI/AAAAAAAAAFg/oqhTm-v_1C8/s1600/IMAG0318-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYMaGOXEpQs/TxB9J-kuxlI/AAAAAAAAAFg/oqhTm-v_1C8/s320/IMAG0318-1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday is laundry day. Blanca washed, line dried, folded, and neatly arranged my clothes for me on my bed. She also changed the sheets! Mommie I'm gonna be so spoiled! </div><b>Wednesday:</b><br />
I spend the morning waiting on giving the immigration lawyer paper work and money for a student visa that I was told by the Mexican Consulate in Washington, DC I didn't have to get. It costs about the same amount of money, about $56USD. For anyone interested doing a program in Mexico that is 6months or less, be prepared to pay that money, because I wasn't.<br />
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After the lawyer I talk to the academic adviser to sign me up for Philosophy. She tells me I need to talk to the professor because the class is full. He then tells me the Humanities Department head is the only one that can physical enter me into the class and to tell the adviser that so that they can call the department head. I go back to relay that message. The adviser phones the dean, but has to leave a message because she was out teaching class. After my Spanish class I go back to see if there was any word about my class, but I forgot there is a break here from 2-4p for administrative offices for their lunch break. So I wait for almost 2 hours to be entered into the course. So that's finally settled. Later in the evening I email the professor for the syllabus so I can get the information for the right folder of readings at the copicenter (place on campus that has all of the student workbooks/readings organized by professor and students go there to buy books like at a book store or you can just make copies of books from the library or anything else you need).<br />
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Suddenly the doorbell rings and it's Alma and Mauricio (her fiance). They want to go out for dinner. I had no idea they were coming over!!! But of course I went out. We went to the Galerias Centro Comercial/Mall so Mauricio could look for shoes. We planned to eat a place people like to go to for sushi called SushiRol. Monday through Wednesday they do buy one get one free sushi and the place was packed! We ended up leaving and going to the centro/downtown. We ate at a place that has traditional Mexican food and is a diner kind of style. I finally got a chance to get horchata, which is a traditional drink made of rice milk...mmmm yummy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z9FpXBQ-fk/TxB9LfiWg-I/AAAAAAAAAFo/b6bBCD2uu90/s1600/IMAG0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z9FpXBQ-fk/TxB9LfiWg-I/AAAAAAAAAFo/b6bBCD2uu90/s320/IMAG0320.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Various chilies at the restaurant in the centro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zr-3vsvF_kY/TxB9MQOuERI/AAAAAAAAAFw/x3V5dAHbtzQ/s1600/IMAG0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zr-3vsvF_kY/TxB9MQOuERI/AAAAAAAAAFw/x3V5dAHbtzQ/s320/IMAG0321.jpg" width="180" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Horchata - rice milk drink </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrjyF7TwO8M/TxB9NuHxXPI/AAAAAAAAAF4/QRtgTGinn4I/s1600/IMAG0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrjyF7TwO8M/TxB9NuHxXPI/AAAAAAAAAF4/QRtgTGinn4I/s320/IMAG0322.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Paris Restaurant that is part of a hotel in the centro. At night they have live jazz. This is the place I walk past that reminds me of Maurice playing. :'( *tear* The bass player is some younger guy too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wOO5PVb9Gw/TxB9PJwJf5I/AAAAAAAAAGA/Di4_yC2Z-ks/s1600/IMAG0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wOO5PVb9Gw/TxB9PJwJf5I/AAAAAAAAAGA/Di4_yC2Z-ks/s320/IMAG0323.jpg" width="180" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cotton candy I bought from a street vendor. It tastes like it was made with 'sugar in the raw.' After all that is how real sugar tastes! </div><b>Thursday:</b><br />
I had just Spanish class again, but I spent the morning going to the copicenter to get the reading packets for Philosophy and Ethics because I wanted to be sure those were my classes before I bought everything. After getting the copies I went on a witch hunt for a binder on campus...No such thing! Right off campus is an Office Max and an Office Depot (you'd think I was in the U.S.). I bought a binder and notebook paper. You will not find notebook paper like in the U.S. All the paper has separate boxes at the top for your name, course name, date, and whatever else you want to put up there and it's often square paper/graph paper. The closest I could find to regular lined paper was dark outlined paper that has no blank space at the top or the space for a header that I am used to seeing.<br />
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For Spanish class she told us to prepare a 1min. introduction of ourselves and to have it memorized to present to the class. I definitely wrote mine on the bus on the way to school :D. I'm not really sure why she had us do that..I know it was for the practice, but our class was barely able to successfully complete the Spanish alphabet nor could we count very well! Anywho, she did a random draw of who had to present and I was selected. The other half of the class will do their presentations on Monday.<br />
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After class I went to the gimnasio/gym to finalize my extra classes, but of course the person I needed wasn't there. So I had to wait until 4:30p to drop futbol/soccer class (advice I took from my father. love you dad <3) so I won't have to buy shin guards and all. Sadly all the other athletic classes are full so I can't sign up for spinning or pilates :( Now I just have salsa and guitar. I hope the salsa instructor will let me stay in the class because I will only be able to make 1 of the 2 days each week.<br />
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While I waited to change my extra classes I read for Ethics. After changing the classes I headed over to the library to type my response paper for the article. I did not know how to sign on in the lab nor did I know how to print..The greatest feat was the fact that keyboard was not the same. I struggle for the longest trying to figure out how to type the @ symbol. All of the punctuation marks and special characters are in different places. Now I know how to do things for the next time!<br />
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After the library I rode on the bus with a girl that's in the Islamic Movement class I attended. She asked me where I was from and I said the U.S. And she responded that she thought I was African. I'm not really sure why I took offense to this in my head...I told her I am African and that my dad is African and my mom is American. And I asked her where she is from and she said Hong Kong...To her defense I do have an afro (not that that is a real reason to thing I am African) and she studied in France before. In France there are a lot of Africans and that she probably experienced Africans there...I don't know I thought in my head and I just drop my inward analysis of her assumption.<br />
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Of course when I got home I Skyped my parents and Maurice and next thing you know Alma rings the doorbell to go out. This time I knew she was coming but did not know what time. If anything that woman will keep me on my toes. I had Blanca heat my dinner up because I planned on waiting for Rachael to get home to eat, but she told me to go ahead without her. Thinking that I had time I did not eat right away. So I took my food with me because I did not eat soon enough. We went out to a place called Kuku Ruku in the city center. It's a hostel/hotel/apartment building that Mauricio's friend opened. It's sustainable/green. The rooftop has an amazing view, the decor is contemporary chic with stone native to Queretaro and original tiles from the colonial period. It was my kind of place...oh and the food was goooood! My meal was $130pesos (soup, extra avocado, my drink, and tip) and I kept thinking to myself that it was so expensive...definitely only $9.75USD lol. I feel like pesos just fly out of my hand, it's ridiculous. $750pesos for my visa, $4950pesos/month for housing, etc...but when you calculate costs with the exchange rate it's a steal!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9KKmQU_MxE/TxB9QLMaI3I/AAAAAAAAAGI/SLpTdSpV5ew/s1600/IMAG0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9KKmQU_MxE/TxB9QLMaI3I/AAAAAAAAAGI/SLpTdSpV5ew/s320/IMAG0324.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbbAJ4f0kbg/TxB9SXnpRNI/AAAAAAAAAGY/zLhHBk0cMlc/s1600/IMAG0326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbbAJ4f0kbg/TxB9SXnpRNI/AAAAAAAAAGY/zLhHBk0cMlc/s320/IMAG0326.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>Kuku Ruku hostel/hotel/apartment complex</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4XB9GlIfH4/TxB9RNN-99I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/_NpYAMS3pEE/s1600/IMAG0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4XB9GlIfH4/TxB9RNN-99I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/_NpYAMS3pEE/s320/IMAG0325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>Kuku Ruku hostel/hotel/apartment complex</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joRTXJroqhI/TxB9T5rUWhI/AAAAAAAAAGg/URVIZRoD7-4/s1600/IMAG0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joRTXJroqhI/TxB9T5rUWhI/AAAAAAAAAGg/URVIZRoD7-4/s320/IMAG0327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>My meal: Tortilla soup with extra avocado<b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaJwWhLq2ik/TxB9U8Ra0vI/AAAAAAAAAGo/jopfxxI1S0A/s1600/IMAG0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaJwWhLq2ik/TxB9U8Ra0vI/AAAAAAAAAGo/jopfxxI1S0A/s320/IMAG0328.jpg" width="180" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alma's cactus dish. Cactus is used for cooking at restaurants here </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdH4gKdn1dU/TxB9V2ZGuYI/AAAAAAAAAGw/t6xn2SM5hx4/s1600/IMAG0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdH4gKdn1dU/TxB9V2ZGuYI/AAAAAAAAAGw/t6xn2SM5hx4/s320/IMAG0329.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Itziar's dish. Almost like sliders. They sandwiches had beans, chicken, cheese, and potato on them. The bread was brushed with a red sauce for flavor. This was really good!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAfmYrvDALE/TxB9W7EF8DI/AAAAAAAAAG4/qozyPnbwNaI/s1600/IMAG0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAfmYrvDALE/TxB9W7EF8DI/AAAAAAAAAG4/qozyPnbwNaI/s320/IMAG0330.jpg" width="180" /> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h85EDn5SJjM/TxB9X3KI9nI/AAAAAAAAAHA/iRO0WheL6Cc/s1600/IMAG0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h85EDn5SJjM/TxB9X3KI9nI/AAAAAAAAAHA/iRO0WheL6Cc/s320/IMAG0331.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mauricio's quesadillas that had hamaica flower in it. Hamaica is used to brew a unique and yummy flavored tea. Blanca made hamaica tea the other day. When I tasted it I realized I had it before, but not sure when, why, or how. </div><b>Friday:</b><br />
Today I have just Ethics and Philosophy and there is a International Programs Welcome Lunch at 2p.<br />
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Ethics was great. I'm so going to enjoy it!...After class though, I received terrible news. I saw Rachael walking across the courtyard and told her to come join me. She broke the news that she decided to go home tomorrow morning! She has been debating all week on whether or not she should stay in Mexico or go home. Since day one she has had nothing but signs telling her to leave: arriving in Queretaro at 11pm and not having her host mom pick her up nor is she at the house to greet her, her host mom did not create a good environment for her, the day she moves in with me Standford contacts her to say that she has been invited for an interview for medical school, University of Wisconsin Madison tells her no matter what she takes it won't count towards her Spanish degree (she double majored in Spanish and Biochemistry), the school told the Tec to charge her for the 4 classes she took this week, but the Tec said no. So she moved her flight for tomorrow.. I was excited having her at the house but I guess it was not meant to be. It's sad that her school is screwing her over on this because she could have gone to the interview for Standford and come back to Mexico afterwards, but sadly that is not the case.<br />
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From now on it's me on my own, lol...lone soldier hahahaha. Who let's me out everyday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WupEnr23Mk/TxCDXZLzNzI/AAAAAAAAAHI/I06yw56aMYk/s1600/IMAG0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WupEnr23Mk/TxCDXZLzNzI/AAAAAAAAAHI/I06yw56aMYk/s320/IMAG0332.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Rachael and I on campus hanging out after she told me she is leaving. Of course I had to get a picture of us! I will miss her a lot even though I've only known her for a couple weeks. Bye Rachael <3 </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-89026941382412784472012-01-08T21:48:00.000-08:002012-01-08T21:51:40.339-08:00Un Aventura: de Iglesia a Bernal a Taquisquiapan a casa con nueva amiga RachaelThe title of this entry says "from church to Bernal to Taquisquiapan to the house with my new friend Rachael." Rachael is an American girl I met Friday who was part of the group of girls who were trying to figure out how to set up bank accounts and such. While we all talked about our host families she shared disturbing news of a negligent house mom. The lady is nice and cordial but is gone all day and made Rachel buy her own cereal because she doesn't like cocoa pebbles cereal. She also goes behind Rachel and turns out the lights even if Rachel is in that particular room using her laptop. And there were other things. I told Rachel that my host family has more rooms if she'd like to stay with me. I asked my host family that night and they'd love to have her and invited her to Bernal with us for today.<br />
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This morning the four of us went to Catholic mass. It was interesting for me because I am not Catholic. I've been to a Catholic church twice before but for special occasions not during a service. So not only was this my first real Catholic experience, but it was in another language! Rachael understood the order of service because she is Catholic and I could only understand some of the bulletin. Overall it was a good experience. Not sure if we will go every week, we'll see.<br />
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To get to Bernal it is about a 40minute drive. We took pictures on the side of the road as we were approaching the town and when we were closer. At the base of the mountain there are little artisan shops and the center of town is colonial style with little restaurants and shops as well. Rachael and I did a short climb then returned to the base of the mountain. Afterwards, we ate at a place that served traditional gorditas, which is what Bernal is known for. Later we traveled to a place called Tequisquiapan where we walked through a market that had sweets, jewelry, and textile goods. Once we got home we made a pastry called borrador. It is similar to churros, but crunchy because it is less dough. After the dough is dropped using a form you let it brown for a few seconds, take it out the oil and let it cool before coating it in sugar and cinnamon.<br />
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Below are pictures and a video from today.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr align="center"><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TedzoLbq3Ik/Twpyj9suwDI/AAAAAAAAADQ/4Vj6w4bGb_M/s1600/IMAG0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TedzoLbq3Ik/Twpyj9suwDI/AAAAAAAAADQ/4Vj6w4bGb_M/s320/IMAG0297.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Approaching Bernal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ2y4avfDgU/TwpyuJDnrjI/AAAAAAAAADY/IPEZ3zCCQvw/s1600/IMAG0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ2y4avfDgU/TwpyuJDnrjI/AAAAAAAAADY/IPEZ3zCCQvw/s1600/IMAG0298.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ2y4avfDgU/TwpyuJDnrjI/AAAAAAAAADY/IPEZ3zCCQvw/s320/IMAG0298.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNBoWSlZSB0/TwpyyYjOxiI/AAAAAAAAADg/1bU3i34zRwY/s320/IMAG0299.jpg" width="320" /> Approaching Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy9O9J6qbXk/Twpy35XkZzI/AAAAAAAAADo/SIDSinVrnLQ/s1600/IMAG0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy9O9J6qbXk/Twpy35XkZzI/AAAAAAAAADo/SIDSinVrnLQ/s320/IMAG0300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Base of Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Es4ihcudRBU/Twpy990XfEI/AAAAAAAAADw/vbTJAJocjM8/s1600/IMAG0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Es4ihcudRBU/Twpy990XfEI/AAAAAAAAADw/vbTJAJocjM8/s320/IMAG0301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Base of Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm4dwqgTo2w/TwpzD-gnNPI/AAAAAAAAAD4/cpVSFFH1Aes/s1600/IMAG0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm4dwqgTo2w/TwpzD-gnNPI/AAAAAAAAAD4/cpVSFFH1Aes/s320/IMAG0302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ascending Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcExH4TfJZE/TwpzJ_HG7nI/AAAAAAAAAEA/yQ86T2pqGaY/s1600/IMAG0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcExH4TfJZE/TwpzJ_HG7nI/AAAAAAAAAEA/yQ86T2pqGaY/s320/IMAG0303.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ascending Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXpb4n4LHpA/TwpzPgpldYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ByeeSelDeFs/s1600/IMAG0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXpb4n4LHpA/TwpzPgpldYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ByeeSelDeFs/s320/IMAG0304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Descending Bernal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_IvrjIN22y0/TwpzSkQgN1I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/tXsdBJKqtSc/s1600/IMAG0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_IvrjIN22y0/TwpzSkQgN1I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/tXsdBJKqtSc/s320/IMAG0305.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Restaurant that served gorditas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msG80K_vJD0/TwpzWGNyK9I/AAAAAAAAAEY/aUoZc72lWjo/s1600/IMAG0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msG80K_vJD0/TwpzWGNyK9I/AAAAAAAAAEY/aUoZc72lWjo/s320/IMAG0306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gorditas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5nzJElrYI4/TwpzY7yX6tI/AAAAAAAAAEg/VALsGcJUQ8A/s1600/IMAG0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5nzJElrYI4/TwpzY7yX6tI/AAAAAAAAAEg/VALsGcJUQ8A/s320/IMAG0307.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gorditas con cactus y queso y frijoles (with cactus, chees, and beans)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3m89S_0GN0/Twpzc4K1wEI/AAAAAAAAAEo/SDQXFmOVxn4/s1600/IMAG0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3m89S_0GN0/Twpzc4K1wEI/AAAAAAAAAEo/SDQXFmOVxn4/s320/IMAG0308.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Center of Bernal the town a little ways from the monolith</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2VAoyd4FeI/Twpzidi2XeI/AAAAAAAAAEw/_eJ1lU-T9Z4/s1600/IMAG0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2VAoyd4FeI/Twpzidi2XeI/AAAAAAAAAEw/_eJ1lU-T9Z4/s320/IMAG0309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Outside of the artisan market in Tequisquiapan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SlOnkCIt9g/Twpzlh9RYDI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wrToqTCLUbs/s1600/IMAG0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SlOnkCIt9g/Twpzlh9RYDI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wrToqTCLUbs/s320/IMAG0310.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jorge preparing to fry borrador</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNxm098yXtY/TwpzovwWCGI/AAAAAAAAAFA/z3Ls0fAQAVM/s320/IMAG0311.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Frying set up in the kitchen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zR3yvfVcjs/TwpzqjEcYFI/AAAAAAAAAFI/zxKCGSBpxFM/s1600/IMAG0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zR3yvfVcjs/TwpzqjEcYFI/AAAAAAAAAFI/zxKCGSBpxFM/s320/IMAG0312.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Cooling area next to the bowl of cinnamon and sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TI-KgMHNiqw/TwpzrLJdRvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8cIOf5QSFco/s1600/IMAG0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TI-KgMHNiqw/TwpzrLJdRvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8cIOf5QSFco/s320/IMAG0313.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Awkward picture of us in our aprons after frying borrador</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GM6JW4Z6V8g/TwpzwY7dRvI/AAAAAAAAAFY/n7dFP-5IVu8/s1600/IMAG0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GM6JW4Z6V8g/TwpzwY7dRvI/AAAAAAAAAFY/n7dFP-5IVu8/s320/IMAG0315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All fried and ready to eat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGV4pwpge7KuYmQ4yAa63tNThaBRnS2T1nIwkG0BHieGB_lFC_pA62cD-aBjz4EESd3Lx3ZxbDpWEPCWFC4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check it out> Here is a video of how to fry borrador!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well that was a lot for one day!!! Oh ya we also got lost driving Rachael home so that added to today's adventure. Anyway, I have Spanish class tomorrow and that's it. I think the extra curricular class don't start until next Monday. Also Rachael will probably be moving in tomorrow! I'm pretty excited because I will have another young person in the house and she speaks Spanish. I will learn quickly with her around I think. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-82577861753583338902012-01-07T21:24:00.000-08:002012-01-07T21:26:20.272-08:00Maria y su bici and Itzi-Bitzi-Ar's BirthdayLast night I finally got to see Sergio! He and I were really good friends when we were in DC. He swooped me up yesterday evening and we hit the town..OK we didn't really hit the town. He gave me a driving tour of Queretaro which was really nice. The main part of the city is basically a circle and there is a main road that cuts it down the middle. After the tour I got a better sense of the city. We then went to the historical city center and walked around a bit. Sergio's tour of the city center added to what Oscar showed me on Wednesday night. On our walk we passed beautiful hotels and restaurants that were nestled in colonial buildings. I also heard some jazz-ish music at one restaurant which made me think of my boryfriend, Maurice, so I felt a bit nostalgic. After a while we settled on a place to eat, Maria y su bici, which means Maria and her bicycle. The restaurant and many others in Queretaro have foods from other places in Mexico. At Maria y su bici they served food from Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca) which is in the southern region of Mexico. There food is more "daring" for example they use more spices and eat things like roasted crickets. Since we were in an adventurous mood Sergio tried some dish that I have no idea what it was and we tried a drink that is made up 7up/Sprite, fresh lime, orange, and grapefruit juices served in a wide, thick, ceramic bowl. The fruit is left in there and sprinkled with special chili powder that is not very spicy and used mostly for fruit. To top it off you pour in a tiny shot of mezcal which is similar to tequila. Tequila is made from blue agave cactus and mezcal is made from the maguey plant/agave americana.<br />
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After our Oaxacan experience we went to Itziar's friend's house to celebrate Itziar's 26th birthday, which was last Friday. There were a few friends there and they were having a great time. Once the party died down a little bit the few of us that were left had a mini dance party which was beyond hilarious. The girls were very nice and included me in dancing and wailing at the top of our lungs to American songs. One thing that will always make me laugh is hearing people sing songs in languages not native to their own. For some reason I enjoy seeing how passionate they are about the song and the fact that they probably know more of the words than I do. The last dance that wore us all out is a traditional Mexican dance and type of music called Banda. It is high energy and takes some skill. That being said I was literally wisked around the room by one of Itziar's guy friends. I've seen Sergio and Alma dance Banda in DC, but I did not learn it until last night. Needless to say I was a terrible dance partner.<br />
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Today I did not do much. I talked to Maurice on video chat for the first time since I've been gone (cue Kelly Clarkson's "Since you've been gone"..ADD moment). It was good to see his face and I got a little sad there for a moment but was so happy to see him at the same time...Luckily my host family called me downstairs to show me their pictures from China when they visited their son and his family for the Christmas holiday. Although Jorge speaks English he explained all of the pictures in Spanish. I missed some details, but I think I did a pretty darn good job understanding. Afterwards we went to the Centro Comercial/the mall. Blanca went to look for a purse to match a dress she ended up returning. I helped her try on other dresses, but nothing worked out. Then we walked out of the mall with a baby gift for her friend's newborn grandchild. Blanca jokingly apologized for going in for one thing and leaving out with another. On the way home we went to the city center to buy churros (flash fried dough coated with cinnamon and sugar). The day with my host family was nice. They are such a cute couple and you can still see the love between them after so many years. Jorge was critical of every dress Blanca tried on and she just dismissed him. They told jokes to each other and made witty comments. I enjoy being around them because they are genuinely nice people and I am grateful that they have opened up their home to me.<br />
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After a whole day I finally got in touch with the girl Rachel who does not like her host family. I told Blanca and Jorge about her and they would love to have her stay here as well! Jorge even invited her to come with us to Bernal tomorrow...After a little planning Rachel will come with us to mass and we will all go to Bernal. Bernal is a town outside out Queretaro and has the third highest monolith of massive rock in the world (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernal,_Quer%C3%A9taro">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernal,_Quer%C3%A9taro</a>)...Jorge also told me it is home to great gorditas which is the same as tortilla but just thicker.<br />
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I'm excited for a family filled day tomorrow. Now to hit the hay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-63587801630107969062012-01-06T15:26:00.000-08:002012-01-06T17:30:10.412-08:00Día de los Santos Reyes aka EpiphanyYesterday was the day of festivities, Día de los Santos Reyes aka Epiphany. It is the day to "celebrate the Biblical New Testament story of the arrival of the three wise men who each brought a gift to the Christ child. Traditionally, children receive toys and people buy a pastry called rosca de reyes. Anyone who bites into the bread and finds a figurine of the Christ child must host a party for the Day of Candlemas, which is February 2nd" (Wikipedia). I also heard that whoever finds the figurine has to buy tamales for everyone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4BhpV_K8IU/Twd2Se6NbnI/AAAAAAAAACI/44mh-csLIRY/s1600/IMAG0285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4BhpV_K8IU/Twd2Se6NbnI/AAAAAAAAACI/44mh-csLIRY/s320/IMAG0285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> rosca de reyes pastry - a sweet bread with slices of fruit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcliOcnFKYo/Twd2VoChsrI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZzufGYwSLvY/s1600/IMAG0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcliOcnFKYo/Twd2VoChsrI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZzufGYwSLvY/s320/IMAG0286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tamales - corn meal/hominy filled with either fruit and nuts or meat and spices, and can vary in spice level. you peel off the paper it is cooked in and enjoy! tamales are not just for the holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After eating tamales for dinner, my friend Oscar who I also know from my internship in DC took me to the city center. The city center is the colonial/historic part of Queretaro that is the main attraction. This is the Queretaro that I cannot wait to experience especially during the spring season when it is warm, the trees are lovely, and everyone is at the square. Oscar and I tried to meet up with the other international students but they were not all at one place and it was hard to find people. We decided to go to a funky little spot whose name I cannot remember, but I'm sure I'll mention it another time. We had drinks and talked about career goals, our studies, and what he's doing now. I am very impressed by everything that Oscar, Alma, Itziar, Sergio and the others are doing. They all have a sense of passion whether it is industrial design, sustainability issues for rural development, or entrepreneurial interests. It was refreshing talking to Oscar last night and having him encourage me to find my passion and set goals for my graduate studies and career. If nothing else, I think my time in Queretaro will challenge me and open my mind to new opportunities and interests. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpJfUEPGaKI/Twd2YPBWDtI/AAAAAAAAACY/GNm8L8_eXuY/s1600/IMAG0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpJfUEPGaKI/Twd2YPBWDtI/AAAAAAAAACY/GNm8L8_eXuY/s320/IMAG0287.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> side street in the city center</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEVYMHSC14Y/Twd2bNQiOHI/AAAAAAAAACg/LKw_NYbniCo/s1600/IMAG0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEVYMHSC14Y/Twd2bNQiOHI/AAAAAAAAACg/LKw_NYbniCo/s320/IMAG0288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> fountain at plaza de armas. if people meet up in the city center it is at this plaza.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlHMvTf0Yc/Twd2eWgbJHI/AAAAAAAAACo/K9r_-dB05EM/s1600/IMAG0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlHMvTf0Yc/Twd2eWgbJHI/AAAAAAAAACo/K9r_-dB05EM/s320/IMAG0289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the old governor building across the plaza from the fountain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQCNTybGpy8/Twd2jlQ7XwI/AAAAAAAAAC4/EDOd8gwD6Vc/s1600/IMAG0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQCNTybGpy8/Twd2jlQ7XwI/AAAAAAAAAC4/EDOd8gwD6Vc/s320/IMAG0291.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ae1rgI9YOg/Twd2hJwke4I/AAAAAAAAACw/Cq3fsrGCx4Q/s1600/IMAG0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ae1rgI9YOg/Twd2hJwke4I/AAAAAAAAACw/Cq3fsrGCx4Q/s320/IMAG0290.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> other plaza in the city center where there were men dressed as the three wise men, vendors, and kids playing. there was also a huge Christmas tree in this plaza. </div><br />
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Today...Today was/is a good day. I was a few minutes late to the general assembly this morning, but I took the bus all by myself. I met a guy at the bus stop this morning who lived in the States before, but is from Queretaro. He was really nice and gave me a few pointers about the bus. It takes 45min-1hr to get to school in the morning because the bus goes all through town and has many stops, but it takes 15-20min to get home from school...I really want to walk to school to save money, but I live far from school. A girl I met today, Rachel, was trying to figure out if we can walk to school together, but I'm not sure how that will actually pan out.<br />
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The general assembly was basically another introduction to the Tec and the culture of the school - to be passionate about what you are doing inside and outside the classroom. We also had the opportunity to do a team building exercise based off of a video we watched of an a capella choir> <a href="http://youtu.be/yjbpwlqp5Qw">http://youtu.be/yjbpwlqp5Qw</a>. Our challenge was to work in the groups to present a song using our bodies and a few tools (tongue depressors and plastic cups). The group I was in had the Macarena. We did a great job then we had to teach the other teams our song and we presented the Macarena as a whole. Afterwards we were asked to reflect about the collaboration and how what we learned can be integrated during our time at the Tec. It was very touching to hear people from all over the world who do not speak the same language have similar reflections of inclusion and peaceful collaboration despite language and cultural differences.<br />
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After the general assembly we had the opportunity to sign up for fitness, music, and sports classes/teams. I signed up for basic guitar, basic salsa, and soccer. Many of the classes conflict with the Spanish classes. All levels of Spanish are at the same time so many of us are missing out of fun dance classes, but I should be ok with the classes I picked. I will go next week and see if I like them. I also have to finalize my class schedule. I will be in Spanish 1 and the Islamist Movement classes for sure and I'll need to pick one more between International Perspective and Ethics.<br />
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<b>Helpful Travel Tip regarding money:</b> get a AAA travel money card!!!! I swear it saves lives! A few girls I met today and myself went to the bank on campus because they had questions regarding opening accounts so that their parents can wire them money. The travel money card works like a debit card. You can put a desired amount of money on it before going on a trip. While you are away someone can add money to the card for you at the AAA and it will be available right away or they/you can add money to the card online and it will be available in 2 business days. Just like traveler's cheques, the travel money card is covered and your money is not lost when you lose it. My favorite thing about the card is you can use it in ATMs and it automatically uses the currency of the country that you are in...Being with the girls at the bank made me realize I did well planning ahead with my mom and making sure I was financially prepared before traveling.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-59198600240452240402012-01-04T16:57:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:42:45.962-08:001st Day of Orientation: Part 2I take back everything I said about making friends! I think since orientation was early in the morning people were not social. After the break we had a few dry, but necessary presentations for immigration, email set up, and course registration. The group AMI, which does intercultural programs and sponsors the big brothers club, divided everyone into groups to do activities around campus. I met nice people from Australia, Korea, France, Canada, and Brazil in my group. Having the small groups helped and then the rest of the day was really nice. People were inviting and in a better mood than this morning and rightly so.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7r43StNXuIs/TwTzLgorEdI/AAAAAAAAAB4/srPVksqmLRM/s1600/IMAG0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7r43StNXuIs/TwTzLgorEdI/AAAAAAAAAB4/srPVksqmLRM/s320/IMAG0282.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My face Mexican flag face paint for the first group activity of taking individual pictures and group picture with the Mexican flag and sombreros.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPJLYc5Dc-Q/TwTzOy_BeiI/AAAAAAAAACA/_bc7wwjhKq4/s1600/IMAG0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPJLYc5Dc-Q/TwTzOy_BeiI/AAAAAAAAACA/_bc7wwjhKq4/s320/IMAG0283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My terrible ID picture. These things never turn out nicely.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The most exciting things about today are that my class schedule is awesome and that all the classes in the recreation center are free/included. So I can take any kind of rhythm class from salsa to tango, pilates and other group fitness, singing to piano/guitar lessons! Because I can only take a limited amount of credits at ITESM due to the conversion between semester and quarter credits, I will have plenty of time during the week to participate in classes at the recreation facility. Overall I am really excited to start classes so I can meet new people and better my Spanish. Later this afternoon Blanca and I spoke for a long time just in Spanish regarding my class schedule, so this language learning process may be easy after all. I feel sorry for the Australian girl Natasha I met who doesn't know ANYTHING in Spanish and her host family does not know ANYTHING in English. Her host mom just keeps talking at her and teaching her a few words here and there. I think Natasha will pick up the language after a while especially once we have been in the basic Spanish class for a while.<br />
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Anywho, Alma is picking me up shortly to go hang out with her friends so that will be nice.<br />
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Oh there are a few house rules from Blanca:<br />
1. Visitors can only stay until 10pm<br />
2. Visitors can not go on the second floor of the house even just in my room<br />
3. I can stay out as long as I want, but just be quiet when I come in<br />
4. Don't help wash the dishes if she is home, only when she is out can I help <br />
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I also found out today from the housing coordinator, Claudia, that my host family wanted a girl this year because for 20 years they've been doing this they had mostly boys stay with them and have not had great luck with that. I thought they asked for a girl because they have 2 sons and 2 grandsons and wanted the presence of a girl. I hope I don't get on their nerves and that they enjoy my stay with them as much I enjoy being here.<br />
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Hasta luego!<br />
~ASTUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-43600885041161757662012-01-04T09:43:00.000-08:002012-01-04T09:43:14.308-08:001st Day of OrientationYesterday I was on the go the entire day and I did not even sit/lay down on the bed until I went to sleep. What do you know, the bed was hard as a rock. I think it had a little more give than a rock. It took some getting used to, but interestingly enough I did not wake up with any pain or anything. When it gets warmer I will sleep on top of the thick blanket and that will add a little cushion, but for now it is too cold not to sleep under it. It is pretty cold in the morning and at night and the houses here do not have heat, thus I slept in my hoodie too :D. I think February it will get back to consistent warm weather.<br />
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I woke up at 7am to shower and prepare for the day. I have my own bathroom on the first floor. The hot water, of course, did not last too long, but I didn't completely freeze to death. Today is Jorge's (my host dad) day to cook. He had me help dice tomatoes, onions and tortilla which he fried together with eggs. He also fried beans to go with it. I asked if the dish had a name and he said no we are eating a no name dish, lol. I'm supposed to make up a name for it. I'm glad I got to help Jorge cook. Blanca will not let me help her cook or clean the kitchen if she's there. If she's not at home I can wash the dishes she said.<br />
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9am started orientation...it is like any other orientation except it was in Spanish and English. Some countries have a large presence like Austria, Colombia, Germany, a few from Argentina, and a few other large groups. There are only a few Americans, Canadians, and a couple people from Finland, Belgium, and a couple other countries. I feel so under accomplished because I only know English and very little Spanish, but to my credit I do know a little French and Arabic is my main language of study. After being with Blanca yesterday I have picked up a lot and I am already able to say basic, but whole sentences. Once classes start next Monday I think taking the Spanish as a foreign language will speed up the process of learning the basics.<br />
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Anyway, I think it is going to be difficult to make new friends right away because everyone is sticking either with people from their country/home university or by themselves. I met one person named Jorge from Colombia. He sat at the table with me for a couple minutes while we were using our laptops so that's a start. Once classes start, I get into activities on campus, and go on the trips and do the programs that the International Programs office hosts it will be smooth sailing from there. There only 5,000 students on campus so it will not be hard to get to know people.<br />
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Well I have 20minutes left until the end of break then it's back to Orientation.<br />
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Hasta luego!<br />
~ASTUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567466330765875241.post-27677498046586982072012-01-03T19:30:00.000-08:002012-01-03T19:32:59.604-08:00Reunited!...and Exhausted.What a day!<br />
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<b>2:45am</b> - woke up to get ready for my 6am flight from CVG.<br />
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<b>4:10am</b> - arrived at CVG only to find out that the ticket agents and TSA people aren't even at the airport!<br />
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<b>~6:20am</b> - depart from CVG...finally.<br />
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<b>11:00am</b> (central time) - arrive in QRO. I meet my host family Blanca y Jorge. They are a cute, older couple that I already adore. They are 65 and have been hosting international students for 20 years.<br />
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<b>1:30pm</b> - Lunch...I was really hungry too!<br />
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<b>4:00pm</b> - The bus fiasco...So Blanca showed me how to ride the bus to ITESM Queretaro today. The fare is 6.50pesos and out of 20pesos the driver only gave me 7pesos back! I told Blanca that wasn't enough change. So later on during the bus ride she confronts him and he gives up MY change :D. From now on I will try to give exact change!<br />
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<b>6:30pm</b> - Reunion: Soon after we get back from visiting the school Alma arrives at the house! I was sooo excited to see her after over a year. She drove me around the neighborhood a little bit. She lives and works a few minutes away, her fiance lives near by as well, and she showed me Itziar's workplace. When we got back to the house Itziar was waiting inside for me! What a surprise! I knew I would see her, but not this soon. It was great catching up with both of them. They are both young professionals and are doing well. It is amazing that just a year ago they were my roommates in Washington, DC for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. I cannot wait to meet up with our other friends from Queretaro who were also in the program in DC.<br />
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<b>8:00pm</b> - small dinner.<br />
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<b>9:30pm</b> - trying to finish this entry and talking to my boyfriend on Skype then getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is the first and longest day of orientation at ITESM Qro.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0