Um . . . are we in a gay bar?

Um . . . yes we were.  lol.  And it's not like I have a problem with gay bars, it's just that we had no idea until we'd been there probably like a half an hour.  Oh well, it was still the best piña colada we'd had, as well as the best atmosphere.  Oh the adventures you seem to have when your less than proficient in a language :D

Good Morning! Have a shot!

That's right.  A shot.  Of tequila.  At 10:30 in the morning.  Lol.  It's my abuela's husband's birthday (who I have yet to meet) and a neighbor brought over some traditional "ponche" or tequila aged with pomegranate.  Yep, so she brought it into the kitchen, and she was like, "You have to try it!"  She explained to me that is is a very traditional drink in Mexico, usually drank at Christmas time as well as on special occasions.  So we drank.  And it was STRONG.  I'd never taken a shot of regular tequila before either, so I really didn't know what I was getting myself into, lol.  But I took it like a champ, and she was like, "Did you like it?", and of course I was like, "Yes.", and she was like, "Oh, you'll have to take some home to your family!"  Lol, merry Christmas Jessica!!

Wonderful Teaching Methods

So in one of my classes we are reviewing "los mandatos".  So one of the ways were practicing is by also learning the body parts and then telling other people how/what to move.  It's a good way to practice.  But then my teacher was like, and now were going to have a modeling competition.  So she broke us into groups and then the groups decided who was going to be the model.  I fought it tooth and nail, but unfortunately I could not get out of it; my group chose me as the model.  So I was asked to leave the room with the other models while our groups prepared they're commands to try to make us mimic a model from an advertisement.  When all the models came back in, my teacher made my group go first.  Ugh!  So I'm just standing there waiting to be told what to do, and the first command was to place my foot on a trashcan they had put in front of me.  Naturally, my first thought was Captain Morgan pose--not because of any alcoholic tendencies--but because of the ships and sailors game we play with the kids at work, lol.  So anyway, I said it out loud and lots of people chuckled, but I was kind of embarrassed (at least more than I was just from the situation in general) because I was really just thinking it, but it came out of my mouth too.  Anyway, I thought to myself (self) ((my tiny blog tribute to good ol' Mr. King)) as embarrassing as this was, it was very entertaining, and also a very good teaching method.  I need to steal this idea for my eventual class.  So I wrote it down so I would not forget :)

Sometimes You Have to Learn the Hard Way

I had lunch with my abuela today, like always, but today went a little different.  Normally we just sit and eat and talk a little, but today we were talking about vocabulary, and she was like, oh I can help you.  So she left for a minute and came back with a huge box of flash cards.  They were for her grand daughter to practice English, but they work for my Spanish too.  So we sat there and she quized me, and did know lots of them (but really there like a first grade vocabulary, so I should know them)  but there were some I didn't so now I have a huge pile of them to look up and add to my flash card deck on my computer.  (Also, my abuela was very fascinated by this app.)  Anyway, in addition to the vocab lesson, I also got to have "agua de Jamaica" today.  It's this juice/ water from a flower from Jamaica--thus the name.  After I had that she asked me if I liked tamarind, and I said I didn't know, so she got some out for me and was like taste it.  It's sour.  But she said it in Spanish, so, "Pruebalo.  Es acido."  But I didn't know what "acido" meant.  I mean I guess I could have guessed, but I wasn't really thinking about it.  So I tried it, and obviously it was very sour.  And, in English, I was like "Oh! That's sour."  And my abuela was like, "Yes, I told you.  Es acido."  So I guess I'm learning lots today.  Some the easy way and some they hard.  lol

A Facebook Convo. to a Scotty Who Had Already Signed Off

I know your off line now, but i wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that your the best thing God every put in my life and your are the only thing I desire.  In class today we were working on the subjuntivo, and the teacher asked us what we desired, and all I could think of was to be with my novio, to merry him and be by his side forever.  This is the most painful thing we've every had to do.  It's not even the days we've already spent apart because those are few, but it is the looking ahead into the prolonged future that is the next 15 weeks.  And wondering what will become of the love I have for you that is burning so passionately now.  I think I know that it will only grow stronger.  But then the doubts creep in.  I pray to God that this time apart will only bring us closer.  You are my best friend and the love of my life, and after God so wonderfully introduced you into my life, I can't bear to live without you.  I miss you more than you can know and the only thing I desire is  (you + me) = same place.

( I wrote this to Scotty right after he signed off for the night because I just wasn't ready to let him go yet.  I didn't mean for it to turn into that, just a quick I love you . . . but that posted above is what poured out.  I only posted this because it is raw, and real, and part of the journey for me.  One can not know joy without pain, so I figured I may as well keep these alive.  I knew that this trip would not be easy, and that is becoming even more evident now as I continue to look forward.)

I can feel God working in my life . . .

Okay, so a quick story I wasn't sure if I was going to share it on my blog, but now I figure it's my blog and I can do what I want (lol)--so here it goes:

When I left Scotty on Saturday for the last time until I see him in December (which was obviously excruciatingly painful and very tearful and awful in every way imaginable) the song that was on the radio when I finally got in the car was "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller, and if you don't already know it, you should listen to it.  It is so scarily applicable to my situation (at least I think so).  I don't know, I guess I've just kind of felt the whole time while I was planning this trip like it was going to be more than a just study trip for me, especially after my good friends John and Connie told me how they felt about my trip.  And that some how, despite the pain of being separated from the love of my life, I would find a way to serve and glorify God.  And it all kind of came together yesterday because when I went to school, I was informed that they have two volunteer programs, one at an orphanage and one at a hospital, that I can work for twice a week.  I haven't gone yet, because it doesn't start until Thursday, but I really think that this is part of the reason I am here.  I guess we shall wait and see. 

(Those were just my thoughts on this personal issue.  I know it's not really a narative of awesome adventures or anything, but this is also personal journal for me, and I felt these feelings and thoughts were worth writing down for my own sake.)

I had class today.

I had class today.  It was mostly just talking and a little bit of review over present subjunctive, because somehow, no mater how much I study it, I always seem to forget.  Anyway, I think it is the most diverse class I've ever been in--which is really refreshing.  There are only nine people, and the breakdown is like this: three Japanese, one Korean, one German, two English (both from London), and two from the U.S.  But we didn't have any homework today, so I didn't have a whole lot to do.  Luckily, the other girl from the U.S. in my class also lives just two blocks away from my house, so she, her roommate and I hung out for a couple of hours this afternoon.  We went to the dollar store to buy school supplies, and then stopped at a corner store for pops.  It was good.  We spoke English the whole time though which I kind of regret, but hopefully soon we'll feel more comfortable conversing in Spanish.  And that was all I did today.  Oh I signed up for the latin dance class and also volunteering at the orphanage at the school though, so hopefully those will be fun and take up some time.

Classes. And more food.

I went this morning to the university for orientation and my placement exam.  There are probably only about twenty to thirty students, at least that's my best guess.  Anyway, I took my placement exam and it was just like every other Spanish test I took last year, so I figure they put me in the right level.  I'm taking level 5 and 6 for this five weeks, and then hopefully next session I'll test into 7 and 8 and so on.  (There's only 10 if you were wondering.)  Today I got home around 12:30, which should be about normal I think, and my host mom made me eat a sandwich.  She is seriously shoving food down my throat.  I was still full from my breakfast of scrambled eggs with bacon and tomato, refried beans and two pieces of toast!  And then at two today we are going over to her daughter's house so I can be introduced to her whole family and then eat the big meal of the day.  But I'm still full, lol.  I seriously can't even think about food.  But I don't want to be rude either.  So I guess I'll keep eating.

She made me eat lunch.  A traditional "lunches" or something.  It was a sandwich kind of thing, pork or something on bread with tomato, cheese sauce, and salsa (not U.S. salsa, Mexican--almost like straight tomato juice--salsa) I can't eat another thing. . .

Oh my God I'm here.

Okay so there is officially no turning back now.  I am in Guadalajara at my new house in my new room, and thankfully, on the internet ;) But, we have to back track because I wrote down my feelings as the day progressed so, from the beginning--around five a.m.:

8-22-10, 5:00 a.m, Omaha.  So, it was a very emotional day-before for me.  I left Scotty around 12:30, which as obviously a very tear-filled endeavor and still brings me to tears when I think about not being with him, and then I came home and left with my parents for Omaha.  Every ten minutes I was on the verge of tears, but you know, I guess I was already kind of expecting that from myself, and really I was planning on being like that the whole week, so all in all, I think I did a pretty good job of keeping it together.  But, in addition to the sporadic crying, I was really irritable (which I regret, because that's no way to be with your parents when your not going to see them again for fifteen weeks, or for those of us who are counting, 100 days.  Also, I only slept about three hours :(  Hopefully though, I'll be able to get some sleep on the plane.  Oh yeah, and my bag was over the weight limit by ten pounds.  Whoops!  Lol, damn embargos; I couldn't even just pay extra for it. I just had to take out ten pounds worth of clothes and goods and cram them into my backpack.  I almost got it all in too, I just had to abandon ( and by abandon I mean leave with my parents) two pairs of jeans and a hoodie.  Not bad, but I will definitely be bringing two suitcases back to accommodate all my things, plus all my gifts for everyone :)  On the plus side, leaving my parents wasn't as bad as a thought it would be.  Not to minimize there importance in my life, it's just that 1) I'm exhausted already, and 2) I think I'm all cried out.

8-22-10, 9:22 CST, 7:22 what ever Arizona time is, Phoenix.  Well, the flight was long.  I was in and out of sleep for most of it, but it still seemed like it went on forever.  Got through the airport okay though, which was something I was really nervous about.  Fed and watered myself and now I'm just waiting.  I don't think the magnitude (if I can use that grand of a word here) has really set in yet though--mostly because I have no idea what to expect.  Shit.

6:45ish CST, Guadalajara. Okay, so the flight to Guadalajara from Phoenix was even longer than the one from Omaha, but I got through it okay.  Well, actually, it was the same amount of time, it just felt exponentially longer.  Customs was a breeze, I found my bag right away, and as soon as I walked out I found my host mom.  It all really went off without a hitch (Thank God!!)  It was about a thirty to forty minute drive to her house and we talked about lots of things; in both Spanish and English.  I'd say it was about 50/50.  She was talking to her daughter (the one with the grandson my age) on the phone for a while and she kept saying how cute I was and how her grandson and I were going to be good friends.  I laughed.  Then she took me to her house (which is very nice--I have my own room and bathroom--see the pictures below), we brought my things in (also, might I add (although it was difficult for me) my host mom was very impressed that I only had one bag), and then we went out to lunch, and thank goodness because I hadn't eaten since nine a.m.  We went to this seemingly nice sushi place and it was really good.  Even though I felt bad because my mom made me promise not to eat any of the fish, but I couldn't really help it.  Now I'm just praying it doesn't come back to bite me in the butt.  Anyway, so that was good.  Then she took me to meet her grandson.  He is also 21 and he is in med school.  He was very nice though and invited me to do lots of things with him and his friends.  It was really nice just because I really don't know anyone down here, so it's nice to at least have a recognizable face.  So, basically that was my day thus far.  I'm exhausted though, so I hope it's almost over.

8:30 CST, Guadalajara.  I just had a very exciting culinary experience.  For my dinner I had: cut up apple with strawberry yogurt on top and fruit tomales: strawberry and pineapple.  Interesting already 

 

I have a home!!

I am officially no longer homeless!  I will be living with a very nice family, a mother and her son, only eight blocks from campus.  Although I'm not sure if I'll have a roommate, I did look on the map and see that there are several other students staying in homes right next to mine, so that is a plus.  Basically that is all.  I haven't contacted my new family yet, but I think I will do so tomorrow (with the help of my wonderful friend Yoli) and I am very, very excited :D

my house

my room

 my host mom

Knock Out! Michelle 1: Caotic trip 0

So far so good.  I've pretty much rocked at knocking things off my to do list (and if you happen to see it, it's long, and I swear for every one thing that is there, there are two more that just came up) But anyway, the list is now considerably shorter . . . as is my time left in the states.  Eek!

-- in Kearney I have to:
                                       • buy a filtered water bottle (at Cabella's)
                                       • buy ear plugs (again at Cabella's)
                                       • pick up my check from financial aid--yay, big money! ;)

-- Anywhere/Anytime ASAP I have to:
                                       • call my new family (whenever I get assigned one!)
                                      

I'm homeless!

Okay, so if you've been following, I've been trying to contact my host family.  I sent them a letter with no reply, and then started calling them repeatedly with no answer.  Finally when I got through yesterday, I was told that my family (I was talking to the new owners of the home) had moved far away from campus and didn't want students to live with them.  So I was officially homeless.  I emailed Mónica, my admissions advisor, slightly panicked, and she quickly responded that she had just found out as well and was working on finding me a new family.  Later she emailed me back with a family--who smoked.  I was displeased, so I emailed her back and said it would be very difficult for me to live there due to my allergies.  She kindly obliged and is currently on a mission to find me another family.  She promised they'd be nice :)  So hopefully by Monday I'll have a home again!

Packed! . . . Well, started :)

I packed today!  I got everything (I think) into one huge suitcase and one carry-on size.  Pretty good I thought.  I started really early because heaven knows I'll think of more things as the days pass.  Tomorrow I'm going to go grocery shopping to stock up on things like toothpaste etc.  So any way . . . the ball keeps rolling on this thing . . . I guess there's no turning back now.

Wow there is a lot to do!

Okay, so I may have underestimated all the things I need to do before I leave . . . so now with my new and exponentially expanded list, I really feel like I've covered everything.  But I've said that a number of times now, and every time my list just gets longer, so I guess in a few days I'll be posting another--even longer-- list. 

• go to Verison about my cell policy
• oh yeah, I never heard back from my family in Mexico, so I'm still on a very serious mission to contact them
• buy filtered water bottle
• buy ear plugs
• get all my prescriptions to cover me for the trip
• buy charge converter
• fix my camera program
• call financial aid to finish up my loan arangement
• pick up my scholarship check from the finance office
• finish reading the books for my summer ELL class
• clean my room
• get my car washed
• pack

I realize that all of these things really need to get done, but I took the liberty of bolding the ones that are of the highest priority.  Mostly for me, but also for your own viewing pleasure :)