24 hours...

And I will be on a plane home!!!! Hooray! Look out Indiana, Karla is almost on her way!

EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing this trip has taught me is that I am the luckiest person in this whole world.

In a nutshell...

Well, here is a brief update.

The weekend was okay. We went to this bar Friday night that was pretty cool. Good times with fun people.

Saturday was a long day. I was pretty tired but we listened to the mariachis for a while and then went to one of the films showing during the film festival.

Sunday was a day to try to figure out how to get out of the house as in another living situation.

Monday was another long day. We have moved out of our original house and are staying in another host house with 2 other girls from our program. The Señora seems okay. It will be perfectly fine for the next couple days and anything is better than the other house. She has a pretty large house that is just gorgeous and she has 4 horses that run freely around the outside of the house. We can see them out of our window. Pretty cool.

What do I have left? I need to finish one paper and do a bit more shopping. Tomorrow (Wed.) night we have a farewell dinner with all the families and students in our program. It looks like we will be going with our new Señora to that.

The weekend was just a bit stressful, little sleep lately, and am looking forward to being back in Indiana. Now I will do my best to enjoy the next few days though. I just know that I will appreciate so many things so much more than before.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. It means a lot. :)

La bruja

Things are so stressful here at the moment. Crystal's cousin is here for the weekend so that is helping but our living situation is not that great right now :-\

I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone when I get back! Please be sending some good survival vibes to me during my last week!!!

Thanks ;)

Down to the wire

Well, it is Thursday. I have finished one paper and have started another. I need to put some finishing touches on my presentation for Monday but am confident that it will be good. My other paper will take me a little time but we don't have that class next week. So I have my History of Mexico class on Monday and have to turn in my paper and then I am done!!

Plans for this weekend: Crystal's cousin, Rodrigo, is coming into town for the weekend. We are going to see Cristo Rey, maybe one of the films in the film festival, and whatever else seems like fun! Chances are that we will be out of the house most of the weekend 1. because Rodrigo is going to be here 2. because our Señora is way too much to handle right now. We had another childish incident with her last night. Urgh. But! I only have about a week left here!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!! See you in a week :) EEEEEEEEEE!!!
Now...back to this homework stuff...

Some random things

Every morning when Crystal and I walk to class early in the morning we pass this little old man trying to climb up the mountain, always with a bag of pastries in one hand and a cane in the other. I just wish I could carry the little guy back to his home.

Walking to the downtown campus, I see some of the houses in Guanajuato against the mountainous background. On a day with blue skies it is really pretty. On a day like today where there is smog, fog, and clouds, it is very eerie and ominous.

Yesterday was a bad food day. For breakfast we ate cheese and chile tomales with atole. I liked the sugar tomales we had one night and I think I would like the ones with meat but this was just not a great choice for breakfast especially before we walk 20 minutes to school. Atole is a thick drink. It was just way too much for me to handle at 7:30 a.m. Then for lunch she gave us this meat cooked in something, red rice, potatoes cooked in the same thing the meat was then she took some tortillas and put them in the fat from the meat. Bleh. My stomach was very unhappy yesterday.

I think I am going to see "The Dark Knight" tonight because they have it subtitled and dubbed in two different theaters. wOOt! Although I do look forward to seeing it at IMAX ;) I think it would be a nice break from school.

The lab is open through Saturday! So now I don't feel as much pressure to get these papers typed out before Friday-hooray! Little by little they will get done.

Today´s plan: Meet up with a friend to work on some homework for most of the day. Maybe the movie tonight. Resting because tomorrow I will do it all over again :)

I can tell I am getting excited about coming home because I keep dreaming of walking past the security at the airport in Indy...haha. You can see where my mind is. Although I am pretty interested in this film festival going on. Who would've thought that Spike Lee would be in Guanajuato, México of all places? We still need to see a few things too.

Time to make the most of the day!!

Weekend stuff...

Friday: I decided to just walk around Guanajuato by myself. I explored some shops and different plazas they have around here. I happened upon a few really neat places. And as I was wandering through one plaza to another, I found a plaza with tents and tents of books. Cheap books, mainly used, some new but soooo many books!!! It was crazy!!! I found these old Mexican comics from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. I was pretty excited to find them because I think I can use them in my future classroom. I also found a bookstore that sells English books owned by a woman who originally came here on vacation a couple times a year. She returned to Wisconsin one day and realized she just loved Mexico too much so she bought a house and started a bookstore. The owner was talking to another customer when I walked in and he proceeded to introduce himself. He studied in Gto. 12 years ago and now lives here teaching English. After all the shops and things, I sat outside at a café, enjoyed a vanilla chai tea, and read some of a book. Very pleasant day. Then I relaxed and packed for the trip.

Saturday: We left about 8 a.m. and traveled to Morelia. Along the way we got to see an Ex-Convent and a church. Very pretty, as expected. We saw more churches, a Purépecha museum. Purépechas are native people that are still a large part of the population in Morelia. Pretty neat artwork, ceramics, etc. Then we got to our hotel, the Qualitel in historic downtown Morelia. It was pretty nice. Crystal and I had to wait 30 minutes longer than everyone else to get our room because they were still cleaning it. Ugh. And this was a bare room. Not very homey but it worked for one night. We walked around downtown a bit, saw some more churches...haha...and then some of us ate at this taquería. Mmmm...so good. Quesadillas, tacos dorados...so delicious. After that, Crystal and I watched some tv and went to bed because we were exhausted.

Sunday: We drove to Pátzcuaro and Janitzio. We saw some more churches but then we got to go to the island of Janitzio. It was about a 30 minute boat ride but the island was pretty cool. Bands, parades, a giant monument, plenty of stuff to buy...haha. Gorgeous though. We even happened upon a local basketball game by taking a back way down from the monument. All locals...very cool to see. Then we just had the long bus ride home. But on our way to and from Morelia, we drove through this lake. They constructed a highway through the middle because it is so big. It is the first lake the Spanish built-artificial-but still pretty cool.

Monday: Did lots and lots of homework. I had this delicious chocolatey coffee drink at the café we went to last night. Mmmm...very good. Today is another day full of homework. class, and more writing papers.

There is a film festival going on here this week so Crystal and I are going to try to check it out. They have a variety of movies playing all over the city in different venues, even the tunnels...crazy! Should be pretty sweet...as long as I can knock out these papers.

Only 10 days left here!!! Whoa...

Last weekend of traveling

I had a great weekend! I don't have time now to elaborate but I will tomorrow... I promise!

I have been working on some papers and for some reason it won't save in the proper format to re-open sometimes so I have spent much of my time today re-typing them so I can finish them. I feel like my eyes are going to fall out...haha.

In a bit I'm going to a café with some friends to do some more homework then home to get some sleep and tomorrow, I'm going to do it all over again!

Not much time left! Still a few things to see here, some things to buy, and some papers to finish! Definitely going to enjoy these last days here :)

Oh and it sounded like we might not return to the Valenciana campus...that we would just stay here until the end. I wouldn't mind either way. I don't know how classes are even going to work next week. I know that I have my presentation in my History of Mexico class on Monday-because it has been pushed back twice-but I am not so sure about my Hispanic Cultures. All we have to do is turn in our papers. There is nothing on the schedule so....? I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Well, I will write more tomorrow!!!

Thursday

Well, today has been fairly uneventful. I did talk to my Señora for over an hour this morning about lots of things. She even cried...I wasn't sure what to do. She is very lonely and is sad about her life. So I tried to help her see all the good things in her life, etc. Class was okay. We discussed the movie we watched on Tuesday.

I need to work on some papers this weekend. Saturday and Sunday we will be in Michoacán. We're going to a few museums and get to see parts of the cities. I hear it is really beautiful. We'll see how it goes!

I think tomorrow I am going to just walk around the city a bit and get a bit of work done too since the weekend is booked. I should be home Sunday night around 9 p.m. and then another week of classes! One week left at the downtown location then we go back to the Valenciana campus for the final week. I'm closing in on it!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)

Oh my

Well, things in Mexico are okay. Our Señora is a bit like a child in that she needs lots of praise and attention and her feelings are hurt easily. She is a bit of a handful lately but I know that the next 16 days I will survive. We had a little chat today over lunch and she was very pleasant. :)

School is going alright. Final papers and a presentation are coming up but really it isn't too bad. It has just been a little difficult getting up the motivation to do the stuff but I did start one paper today! haha Hope the trend continues...

This weekend we do have a trip to Morelia, Pátzcuaro, and Janitzio. We leave early Saturday morning and get back later in the evening on Sunday. Friday I might walk around the city a bit since I don't have anything going on. Friday night we might try to hear the university symphony play at Teatro Juarez.

Well, I think that is about it for now.

Good weekend

Friday we took our trip for my History of Mexico class and it was awesome. We got to see an old hacienda that used to stretch for hundreds of miles, a couple incredible churches, and a couple nice towns. Very cool. A long day. We left around 7:30 a.m. and got back to our house at 9:15 p.m. I ate some soup and went to bed and woke up around 10 a.m. Saturday. Glorious. Not having to set an alarm. Just amazing.

Saturday was a chill day. I did absolutely nothing. I took a shower, ate, watched tv, and slept some. Very nice indeed.

Yesterday we went to Leon. We went to this mall where all they had were shoe stores. Talk about an overwhelming slice of heaven. I did find a pair of shoes that are pretty cute. I also found a dress to match. We went to another mall after eating at Pollo Feliz. Let me tell you that I cannot even describe how excited our Señora was about this chain restaurant that isn't super nice. It was pretty good food but she was just crazy about it! It was hilarious. You probably had to be there. :)

I thought I had a presentation today but it is next Monday so now I have more time to polish it! haha I am just a bit tired today but doing well! I am already making some plans for Friday and basically the rest of my time here. I only have 18 days left!!!!

It is sunny weather here in Guanajuato. I hope it continues!!

Sun!

The sun is out and it is the last day of class for the week. I haven't been sleeping so well lately and school is a little busier lately. I have a presentation Monday that I need to work on this weekend and a response that is due Tuesday. Homework and relaxation with maybe a museum Saturday and Sunday.

Tomorrow's trip should be pretty fun. Long day though. We leave at 7:30 a.m. and return some time between 8 and 9 p.m.

Señora told us that she is making enchiladas today. That is the last thing I ate before I got sick the last time. I'm not so sure that I really will eat them...kinda scary.

No real other news. I did go see a movie yesterday and that was nice to escape from things for a bit. I think the closer it gets to me leaving, the more I want to come home. I am still trying to enjoy my time here but it feels like the initial charm has worn off a bit, unfortunately. I am sure more fun things will happen in the next 3 weeks though...I hope...haha.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Brick wall

Well, it is time for a break. I have been going and going and going. Now it is time to rest. This weekend there are no trips or anything and I am going to do homework and take it easy. I have gotten a bit overwhelmed with things and I don't want it to keep me down so...time for a break!

It is still raining here. It has basically been raining all day every day since Monday. Booo to that. Definitely doesn't exactly make me feel super cheery. The walk to and from campus has proved to be quite a workout. I should be in fine shape when I come back :)

I think today we might go see a movie to get away from things for a bit. Tomorrow is the last day of classes before the weekend. Friday we do have a field trip but it shouldn't be too intense.

While walking down the mountain to campus today, we saw 2 men and 4 donkeys trudging up the hill. Yep, I'm in Mexico. Not the resort, beach Mexico. Real Mexico where 10,000 roosters crow in the morning, men stare as you walk by, and you randomly see donkeys, cows, or horses.

I still feel like I'm not 100% healthy but I'm working on it.

Well, time to do some research and then climb back up the mountain!

By the way, now anyone can post comments on here :)

Monday

Oh my, I am exhausted today. I also think I am trying to fight off a cold or something. I hope that is all though.

The weekend was pretty good.

Thursday: We made it to the bus station in plenty of time. The ride wasn't too bad. We had one stop along the way. We also watched the beginning of TMNT and then all of Invisible, which was horrible in my opinion. The second part of the stretch we had a crying baby who cried for no reason. He just sat in his seat and wailed. Good times. We got to Guadalajara about 8:30 p.m. and Crystal's uncle, aunt, and cousin were waiting for us at the bus terminal. They were very friendly and hospitable during our stay. We chatted a bit that night and slept in the next day.

Friday: We had breakfast and hung out for a bit. Her uncle bought us tortas ahogadas for lunch. They are pretty good. I don't think it is my favorite mexican cuisine but it was good to try. Then we went with Crystal's two cousins to Tlaquepaque and Tonola to walk around. The center of Tlaquepaque was really pretty. They had a lot of stores -leather, art, glass- and quite a few galaries. We walked through a couple but mainly explored the area. Then we went back, had dinner, chatted for a bit, and decided to go out for a little while. It was fun but I was pretty tired by the end of the night.

Saturday: We didn't really do too much. Ate breakfast with the family then went with the uncle to see downtown Guadalajara. It is really pretty with statues, old building, monuments, etc. We took a nap when we got back and then went with the aunt to pick up one of the cousins. Right when we did, we got a flat tire. But it was all just fine. Then we just hung out the rest of the night.

Sunday: We went with the uncle to Chapala. It is the biggest lake in Mexico. It is a pretty nice town. Quaint I would say. I guess a lot of the rich people own houses there and some use them for summer homes. We stopped at this one little kitchen set up on the side of the road to eat. I didn't eat anything because I wasn't feeling that great but you see these places everywhere. Picnic tables set up and families cooking and serving food like a little roadside restaurant. After that we packed at the uncle's place and headed for Crystal's cousin's son's birthday party. It was a pretty nice home and the meat they cooked was excellent. We only stayed for about an hour and a half because he had to catch our bus. It was interesting to be at another family event and see how they act, etc. Good times. Then we had a very eventful ride to the bus station because traffic was heavy and we were running out of time. The important thing is we made it safely to the bus terminal and on time. The bus ride back was okay. We watched High School Musical 2...I hate how catchy some of those songs are...and then this movie called The Other Side of Heaven...I missed some parts so I didn't understand it all. But I did finish a book I was reading so I felt a little accomplished.

We got back around 10 p.m. and took a speedy taxi back to our house. Our Señora wanted to talk to us so we did for a while and then just went to bed.

Today: It is our first day at the downtown-central campus. I like it I guess. We have to walk 20 minutes downhill to get here which means about a 30 minute walk back up the hill but at least I am getting my exercise! haha I am only here for 3 weeks and then we are back in Valenciana for the last week. I can't believe I will be home in under 30 days! Craziness!

No big plans this week. Maybe see a movie. Maybe go see Cristo Rey if the weather is good. Oh, I do have a trip with my History of Mexico class on Friday that is all day but it should be really cool.

Well, time to finish a response paper and go home for lunch.

Keep in touch!!

Happy -almost- 4th!!

Well, not much has happened here but Crystal and I have our tickets to go to Guadalajara this weekend. We are going to just eat lunch at school and then take a taxi to the bus terminal. It should be about a 4 hours ride there and we leave at 4 p.m. We are going to say with her uncle until Sunday. I should get back around 10:30 p.m. I am hoping we get to see some cool stuff! There is quite a bit to do since it is the third largest city in Mexico. Hooray for another adventure!!!!

Well, I am sure all or most of you have plans for the big weekend. So have a fantastic weekend whatever you do and I'll check in on Monday!


:) Enjoy some fireworks for me ;)

Big weekend!

Thursday: Crystal and I decided to walk around downtown for a while. We ended up sitting and listening to mariachi bands for a couple hours. Apparently, there are about 15 mariachi bands that perform in El Jardin de la Union every Thursday afternoon so we might check it out again because it was amazing. We also met up with some people to share a couple pitchers of sangria in this outdoor cafe right in front of the theatre.

Friday: We left around 8 a.m. to head for Mexico D.F. We took a couple of those big, nicer tour buses straight to the Anthropology Museum. Oh goodness...they had sooooo much stuff it was insane. They had exhibits for everything! It even had 2 levels and a huge outdoor open area in the middle. Absolutely incredible...gigantic museum. Oh and it had these little garden areas outside...gorgeous. Then we got to our hotel, Palace Hotel. It was pretty nice. Very modern and decent accommodations. Then it was time for dinner so we went to a taqueria for some delicious, fresh tacos, quesadillas, and amazing salsa...mmmmm...Ruben and Professor Trejo were supposed to take us on a walk around the city a bit. It started to rain on us. Not just a light rain but almost hail...ridiculous. So we dashed into this theatre that was made of mostly marble. Really incredible. Then we continued on our chilly, rainy walk. We saw some people doing some traditional dances in random places in parks. We walked down El Zocalo a bit and then took the metro back. It only costs 20 cents to ride the metro here. Crazy. It was packed but a good experience. That night we just chilled in the hotel.


Saturday: We got up early to go to breakfast at this place that has been there for over a hundred years. It was pretty good. We were running late so we had to take a cab back and I almost had to beat the driver for my 30 pesos of change. From the hotel, we took our buses to the Frida Kahlo museum. It was pretty cool. It had a lot of her and Diego Rivera's personal things and not a ton of her art which was a little disappointing but it was good to see it anyway. Then we walked to this bazaar we were supposed to go to. It wasn't where it was supposed to be but there were still some vendors set up. It was definitely cool. It really is a bit like hippieville but cool :) Then we were supposed to take the bus to walk around Zocalo in the daylight. However, traffic was awful so we were going to walk. When we got closer to downtown, we realize that the Pride Parade was going on so our plans were a bust. It was really a neat experience to see it going on.

Then we had free time since our plans were cancelled. I walked around with Crystal, Juan, and some other people for a bit. We saw some breakdancers in the park and some traditional dancers in another part. Dinner time arrived and then the other three people wanted to go back to the hotel. We ended up watching part of this Aztec ceremony in front of El Templo Mayor. They said a prayer or something then had a police escort through the city. They put the guys playing the drums in the back of a pickup truck and danced in the streets in full traditional dress and make up. It was beautiful.

Then we were on a search for something to do that night so we tried a club in la Zona Rosa which was pretty chill and pretty fun.

Sunday: We left around 9:30 a.m. for Teotihuacan, the city of the Gods. I got to climb pyramids!!!! Look up the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon...I climbed those. :) The Pyramid of the Sun was the most difficult but I did it!!! We walked around the city for a bit and got to look into one of the ancient palaces and Quetzcoatl's monument. It was pretty freakin awesome. We ate lunch there and looked around some of the shops. Then back on the bus we went.

It was about a 6 hour ride back to Guanajuato with a 30 minute stop for dinner. Not a terrible bus ride. Then we walked home, showered, and went to bed.

Everyone was just exhausted yesterday...haha...a very busy weekend but wonderful :)

That is about all for now. I am still recovering from the weekend and am hoping that I am not getting a cold like I am feeling.

Just another cool and cloudy day here. Hopefully the sun decides to come out. :)

1 month!