Bitter Sweet Symphony

I am finally legal! Casey, Becka, Aly and I went to San Miguel on Friday. Casey and I are now legal to be in Mexico and won't get deported haha. We have until mid July before we have to leave, but I am sure that I will be back before then for work and my internship. It could not have come at a better time. Late Friday morning or early Saturday Casey was informed of a family emergency and booked a flight last night to go home until next week. She left around six this morning. The lucky part is that when applying for a student visa you cannot leave the country until you get your documents back...she could have left today-but not been able to get back in on Sunday. So lucky we went Friday. I already miss her! I cannot and do not want to imagine what is going to happen when we all have to say goodbye for real. We are all so close already. That was the sad part of the weekend...
The good parts. Had an awesome workout Friday, it was the best I have worked out since I have been here. Saturday we woke up and drove almost 5 hours to the Monarch Butterfly reserve. It was incredible. In the forrest and so beautiful. There were millions and millions of butterflys! If you just looked up you could see them all swarming and flying above you. The trees looked orange like in fall because there were so many on them and the branches were heavily weighed down by having so many on them! Pictures do not do justice but I wish I could post some just to show how crazy it was. The only bad part was that at the bottom there were also a ton of red wasps and they stung two people. It got confusing trying to figure out if a butterfly was on you or wasp...we tried to walk fast through that part. The driving was not too bad-I mean being in a van for that long...however the roads. ha They have speed bumbs EVERYWHERE. Its really annoying and so randomly placed. Its like those replaces stop signs, slow signs, speed signs and yeilding. and they are no little bumbs you just zip right over either. Last night we went salsa dancing! Casey went with us to say goodbye to people and left early to pack while Alex and I decided to stay longer. At three or so we then decided that since the salsa bar stayed open until 5 we would stay there until then and go see Casey off...love our random ideas. We ended up staying until after 6 and then seeing Casey off. It was actually a ton of fun even though I was tired for a lot of it. The "boys" there can dance so well its crazy just watching them, but then they make it fun for the people, like me, who cannot dance well. I will say though that people we telling me I was doing really good...yes....My favorite part last night was prolly two of the better dancers, both guys, and some of the nicest I have met here, were dancing together. "Pollo", thats what we call him, is a tiny little cute guy and took the girl role while Armando was the man role-even though he is equally short, but doesn't have so much of the cute little boy factor that pollo has haha...they were so crazy good that even a people circled around them to watch so they had their own space on the dance floor! While it was super fun and a lot of the people that stay that late are really cool, there are some really crazy people too. Everytime someone broke a glass...prolly happened three times in the last hour I was there the whole place(especially people working, owner and friends) would break out into a loud song to embarrass the 'tonto' who broke the glass. Slept a few hours and I was going to work out, but I definately did not sleep enough for that so now I am trying to figure out the rest of my Sunday!

Look at everything through the eyes of a child

Its like I am a child all the time here and everything is new! Today I had coconut yogurt...its prolly possible in the States, but never seen it and it is SWEET. Yesterday during class Andrea and I started pouring the plaster on our sculptures late so our professor asked us to stay later and finish...that means close to 9 pm, and thats is kinda late since not very many buses come after about 8:30. Anyways, he gave us a ride to a plaza close to our houses and it felt SO weird to be in a car, and we almost got hit twice, not that it is funny to get in a wreck in Mexico, but pretty humorus at the same time. First time in a car since the day I left the states...and on the bus up there-it was so crowded I was on the steps with my head bent towards the windshield. Gotta love Mexico. Anyways I also lost my cash wallet that had prolly close to 80 American dollars in it. Good job Lisa. Today I had an exam and it was a lot shorter than I thought it was going to be, but still hard since I could not remember the words to explain stuff during the essay question-what did I do? Oh I drew pictures, seriously. Again, I am a child haha. During my next class we were talking about flags and a guy from Korea knew that the stars represented the 50 states, and asked if I could name them-so with a little help of my fellow Americans-we did. He couldnt believe it and said his friend in Korea that is American must be stupid because he couldnt haha. This is all pretty boring, if you arent here, but its entertaining if you cant communitcate with others much here. ha. seriously.
Tonight we went to a cafe after working out (all the men sitting on the machines and talking instead of using them-reaccurring theme maybe?) and started to officially plan our spring break road trip with a destination. Pretty darn exciting. Apparently students get 1/2 price bus tickets, but of course there are lots of stipulations with that. And Saturday we are going to the Monarch Butterfly reserves to see the migration-apparently there are MILLIONS of them and they cover everything. I am stoked. Coldplay is playing in Mexico City this weekend too-sold out already, Muse is playing too...I want to see them! Moreso Coldplay however. Tomorrow I have class again, blah and Friday back to San Miguel and hopefully I will be legal, for real. I need my visa to go to Belize!

p.s. I got a 92% on my test-I only missed one question and I even knew the answer, but I got confused as to what it was asking. Lame.

Belize Bound

It has been a crazy week. Monday's really long class actually went okay since the professor pretty much said that he did not care I couldn't understand anything. He just wants me to do the reading so that I know a little about what they are discussing...sweet deal-how am I going to write papers? I have not the slightest clue. We apparently will deal with that when we get there. We also moved rooms Monday and it smells much better! I like our room a lot, even though it is much colder since it is less connected to the main house. Tuesdays are always busy because I do not have a lot of time between classes and comida, but I managed a workout in there. Wensday after classes Casey and I went to a convent that also runs an orphanage and volunteered there. We are trying to teach a nun english, but she knows more english than I do spanish I think. I didn't say a whole lot the whole time. But I guess next week I will get to meet all the kids. I am excited about that. We worked out after a nap and comida. There are so many people that just sit on the equipment and don't use it-so frustrating when its already crowded and you have a time schedual. I guess its kinda the same in the states, but I am less intimidated there since I can talk to other people haha. Thursday I had class and it was raining again! Wensday too actually. It does not seem like a big deal with the rain and all, but its so cold and you have to walk in 3 inches of water all the time-so you get even more wet. And there is no heat in any buildings so you stay cold. Both Thursday night and last night I stayed at Casey's. Last night we started with a roof session: guacamole, Coleman playing guitar and blankets. It was pretty much perfect. We could see the stars and were just listening to Coleman's musical talents-pretty awesome. There are two yellowish stars and I think those are planets-or what I have been told, but I am not entirely sure. Anyways after Coleman left we went downstairs to upload pictures since my internet is too slow at my house, and watch Mrs. Doubtfire. The movie stopped about halfway through and after over an hour-none of my pictures loaded. I really do try, but it just is not happening here apparently. Today we are gunna go to Leon and see what we can find. I gotta get my laundry from the lavendaria, because I wanted my clothes to actually dry-or I wont have them until Monday! That's about it I think...oh and we got the forsure okay on going to Belize for spring break...35 days away!

All yah need is love.

Just Kidding, we didn't go to D.F. We did other stuff instead, like Friday we went to Dia de los Deportes-or day of sports. They have a GINORMOUS facility up by one of my campuses. Like huge diving pool, basketball courts and soccer feilds, they have a really nice set of beach volleyball courts and even teach zumba classes and stuff outside. Oh and a kinda small rock wall. So Casey, Kelsey and I went and played beach volleyball. It was pretty slow since the only girl that knew what she was doing was trying to teach everyone-she plays in Norway. But I did fairly good for me and my hand even has a purple spot from hitting the ball! it was going flat and hurt. When we went to leave, Coleman had gone to the rock wall and brought his climbing stuff-SO HE TAUGHT US HOW TO CLIMB!!! and I made it to the top. After, he taught Casey to bule(dont know how to spell it) but I was the second security so if I didnt feed her rope Coleman couldnt come down, and if he tried to drop a little, she would be lifted-it was pretty funny...they were swinging and messing around with it and stuff. It was sweet. Yesterday we hiked up to the taller crusita...higher than the bufa and WAY harder. Took us about two hours to get to the top-at least and we crossed a fault line. Plus Alex forgot the right way so there was part of the mountain we literally went straight up. But it was fun and more difficult with my bag on. We had a picnic and then came down-the view was amazing though. Casey couldnt go because that morning she took a cooking class from Alex's dad, who owns a resaurant, and the soup spilled on her feel leaving pretty nasty blisters...they are still there. Then we watched The Boone Dock Saints and went to el Bar for dancing...oh wait, I even fell on my face while dancing to "I like big butts"-so classy and embarrassing. Pretty sure no one is going to let me live that one down.



Today....is V-day. Oh man is it a huge huge huge deal here. Imagine all the Valentines day stuff you have seen and multiply it by ten. ITS EVERYWHERE. Stores, street venders, restaurants-EVERYWHERE for like a whole week. and people get super super into it-even the boys-they do crazy stuff supposedly and even propose and stuff! haha. but really. All the resaurants and bars were all decorated and people are everywhere. There's even more making out than usual! I went to church this morning with Aly and Elvis. There church is outside and 1/4 the people are deaf so the whole service is also in sign language. SUPER cool. pretty small but it was easier because it was not as long-not such a brain overload. It also doesnt start till noon which is also motivating to wake up for...I dont really have to. Then I borrowed a dress from Kelsey and shoved two tostadas in my mouth at my house to go to a Valentine's get together with the salsa instructors and a few exchange students-where I ate again...this time a sandwhich, veggies, chips and salsa. Ten minutes before we left we were served desert...chocolate cake with strawberries on the side and hearts drizzled in carmel on top as well as a dessert with yogurt and whipped cream with brown sugar on top and frozen fruit in it-strawberries and peaches. Super amazing and fresh. From there we went straight to our dinner reservations where me and Kelsey split a tuna fillet and the other girls had pasta and oh wait, we walked around and had MORE dessert. All kinda shared our chocolate fans, cheesecake with pb and choco chips and 4 layer choco cake with dark fudge frosting...hello gym, again. So now I have to clean up my stuff so that when Mari and her friend move my stuff into another room it will be easier. Buenas Noches.

Shuga Shuga

Saturday we watched professional dancers at El Bar, the salsa bar and continued to dance the night away until after 4! They are so so so good. It was a lot of fun. I also lost my phone...aka someone stole it out of my jacket, but left my money so I already had to get a new one. Sunday we went to different places and watched the superbowl and did not do much anything else. Monday I went to San Miguel to pick up my papers, really early to get back for my history class and missed both grammar and conversation. Not successful, I was not able to get my papers back...but I was forewarned a little so it was not too much of a dissapointment. The bus station is by the circus and I saw a bear there, camels, mini horses and alpacas. I did not actually go in, just when driving by. My history class is sooo long. And boring. However, before class Casey and I found a dulceria, or candy shop...oh boy is that bad news. Not only was everything amazing in there the girl working was really nice and gave us samples of EVERYTHING. She would even open packages so we could sample. It was amazing. So during class everytime we got sleepy we would eat something sugary...we ate a ton of sugar. I felt so sick and had such a bad headache. Not that I never eat too much. I eat all the time and I always want to eat more! I cant figure out if its because most food here is not that healthy...um, unhealthy actually-mostly all carbs also, so I want more unhealthy food or if I just want bad food all the time because its here. For example-I crave a lot more sweet things here than I do at home. Its weird. The class location does not help either-we are pretty much in a cold dungeon with no windows and little lighting. Yesterday I had my sculpture class again and it was not as cold, but I went prepared with lots of clothes on-we even slowly started our self portraits. I also worked out pretty good and I am getting sore. We even saw the cows that leave all the poop everywhere. Class was easy today and Im so glad since I hung out way to late last night....
People have been getting sick! Amy was sick all weekend, Alex went to the doctor with an abdominal infection Monday-she is much better now since all the drugs and Kelsey was also really sick Sun-Mon-Tues. But they are all better now, I hope I don't get sick! I have been venturing out a little and trying different food so I REALLY hope that doesnt bite me in the butt. Today I had a tamale-amazing and monday a gordita in a made-right-in-front-of me corn tortilla. I could just eat warm tortillas all day long. And they always smell so good. Its so nice to walk by the places that make them. Its probably my favorite smell here. Especially since most stuff smells really bad...all the time.
It is possible that we will be going to D.F. this weekend. D. F. is Mexico City, the capital, but everyone here just calls is D.F. (sounds like de effe) I will be so excited to get out and go somewhere-I like excursions and I want to travel quite a bit while I am here. Its also supposed to start raining again and I want out of it. Spring break is two weeks...its a possibilties that some of us will go to Belize. So amazing. And I think the plan right now is to go to Cuba when finals are over...illigal country for my birthday! YEAH!!!! jaja. but it would be really cool.

Rain, Rain Go Away...

I don't mind the rain if it isn't cold, but its been freezing here! Today I had to get my supplies for art class and my jacket, snow jacket, got soaked through so I changed before class and was wearing 3 shirts, a zipup hoodie and a water proof layer ontop of that with my hat. To bad my 3 1/2 hour class was outside under a cover so I was freazing the whole time. By hour two my hands were two stiff to draw...oh yeah, I'm also an art student in Mexico now. Im taking sculpture-we'll see how this goes haha. It was rediculus...Also with all this rain, without dryers, clothes do not dry so its been two days since I did laundry and they still arent dry! Shoes dont dry from the rain, neither do jeans, towels from showering or even my backpack! its pretty rediculus, actually reminds me a lot of Oregon except there isnt as much water in the streets that you have to walk through in Oregon. Talk about getting soaked. However, if it doesn't rain now, then there will be no water this summer so Im trying really hard to be tollerant.

I bought a gym membership and have taken a few classes-Fusion, Spinning, Step and Pilates...Fusion includes Zumba which I cannot move my hips at all-meaning that I cant do most of it. All the other times I just look retarded. The only other hard part is getting yelled at in a language you dont understand. Think its hard to listen to a conversation? Try excersize classes. ha much worse. Even the treadmill has to be translated because the speed and everything is in the metric system and I dont know how far or how fast I'm running. Sweet deal. But Im excited to start working out again and get into shape. Although, with all these hills my legs will be so buff when I leave.

I love three day weekends:) So appreciated! Sunday night a few of us stayed at Caseys again and in the morning she made crepes while Coleman made omelettes...SO MUCH FOOD. I wasnt hungry again until after I had worked out for two hours at almost eleven. But it was fun anyways. The best part was the Nutella...hello gym.
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to register for my classes finally and then its Thursday already! Gah the weeks seem way shorter when there isnt class Mondays...I like it:)