Mi Lugar.

barf.

2008-05-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

it's final. this pirate is sailing back to the states TOMORROW..Leaving Xalapa at 7:30 a.m. arriving in Michigan at midnight. A long long LONG day ...

I hate goodbyes I think more than anything. Never have I had to say goodbye to someone knowing that I will probably never see them again in my life..after sharing an important experience, it makes me sick to my stomach. It really does..

me voy me voy..se fue se fue.....

2008-05-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's over and I have a stomach ache! I didn't sleep last night and have had irritable bowels for awhile. I have to pack today if I want to enjoy my day tomorrow.. Tonight is the last fiesta. It is a costume party..something about Pirates vs. Cowboys. I don't have my closet full of random clothing here so it's going to be a feat. Also walking through downtown to the party dressed as a pirate should be a hoot...or maybe I will hop on a bus and try to take it over or something pirate-like.

I don't have much to say. I am sad and I don't know if I am quiet ready to reflect on this experience yet. There are only 4 things that I think I will miss compared to the 1000000s that I will miss. They include...

mosquitos and/or those creepy bugs that make your legs swell

acne from the humidity

dirty feet from the moment you step out of the shower ( i could probably live with that..)

creeps, as in guys on the street (they don't stare at much now cuz of this tan that is now fading fading fading..)

yeah.. that might be all..

the equation is this..

2008-05-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Considering 100 degree weather and sunny skies.

5 days in the sand ( 5 ( 100g bag of cheetos) +3 L of sea water + un chingon of Rum - lack of water)/ 2 seperate groups of people =
runny orange poo, an asthmatic cough that won't pause for 30 seconds, no flip flops and lots of fun memories!! =)

...and maybe a broken camera!

5 more days.. I think I'm ready.

The end is near..

2008-05-14T08:08:00.001-07:00

..and I might be ready. I am getting anxious.. We all know that we are leaving within the next 2 weeks, so it is all that we talk about. I would rather just leave happy than have to wait for it..

I'm sick of seeing people and thinking that it might be the last time I see them..ever.. Or going somewhere and thinking that I will never ever be there again..

I want to come back.. but when? When on earth I am going to have the money to return here.. A couple of years. Will anybody still be here that I know? It's so crazy living somewhere for 4 months, knowing the bus system, knowing where the hot-dogs are good, knowing which convenient store sells cheetos (important things!!), which route to school is fasted, how to get bargains from the street vendors, being able to say hi to the butcher everymorning.. and running into people you know everywhere!!..and then having to leave it all forever..

Tonight might be my last party in Mexico.. One of the English girls rented out the upstairs of a club.. how classy, or it is posh?.. for her birthday. So my name is on "the list." I must get fancied up.

Last weekend I went to a French party and tried to take a picture with everyone there..

Because I am leaving I will interested in taking pictures with everybody tonight as well..

Beach weekend again.. We leave tomorrow (no school tomorrow because it is "Teacher's Day" oh mexico and your "days") and come back Sundayish.. With that said I need to finish my essays stat! as in today..like now.

El dia de la madre.

2008-05-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day everyone. It has been the weekend of flowers. I hope that everyone has recieved there flowers.. Let me know if you have.. (Mom, Ann, Violet). I also comprared a nice bouquet for Paty. Mother's day is always May 10th here.. and the Mom's don't work on their day.. How nice..! Who ever decided to put in a Sunday in the states was sneaky.. people don't ever work on Sunday..

Anyway.. Paty is making Lasagna today and the yellow cake that Mom recommended!..

I need to work on 4 essays..

I come home in less than 2 weeks.. =(

Beach Blanket Bingo!

2008-05-05T17:26:00.001-07:00

Just got home from spending Cinco de Mayo weekend camping on the beach in Villa Rica. We didn't leave the beach for 2 1/2 days..it was great. We played US vs. Mexico in futbol and put up good fight, ate a couple of bags of cheetos, bathed in the ocean, slept face down in the sand etc....

I only have 20 more days left.. I am going to make the best of it...if that means going to the beach everyday..so be it! I realize that all that I ever want is to go to the beach in the summer.. I have that beach right now..at my fingertips... I will miss it.

Finally.. Representing Detroit in Mexico.

2008-04-30T16:36:00.001-07:00

Our Family Fun day in Chachalacas!

Our ride.. 8 of us.. with coolers and bags.

Lunch was made on the beach.. Avocados...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..and tuna..

Our Futbol team.. The two girls on the right (Gaby and I) won...

And the results.. blood blisters on my toes. Apparently they don't get blood blisters in Mexico because they thought I was crazzzzzzzzzzzy!

My sisters and I.. playing in the water after the game ...in our clothes of course!!!!!!!!!!

Awkwardly trying to hold on for dear life..

My host mom fell off and had to hitch a ride back!

Posing like usual in front of the mar.. Representing Detroit in Mexico.

And now.. It is Cinco de Mayo weekend therefore I don't have school now until Tuesday! Tonight I am eating vegetarian tacos with Eli (my tutor)..Tomorrow I have Yoga and this weekend I am going camping in Villa Rica ¡¡¡¡free of charge!!!! Thankkkkkkkkkk god!..

Beach Party- Mexican style!

2008-04-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I went to Chachalacas con la familia!.. I wore my clothes in the water because that is what we do here in Mexico. We went tubing, played soccer, ate and swam!.. Here it is..
Well here's the thing...The pictures keep disappearing on my USB..
So.. here is another essay that I wrote. I know that there is somebody out there reading them...I hope.. So here I am, learning ..yay.

Enemistad- Guadalupe Duenas
La escritora Guadalupe Dueñas era una de las escritoras más importantes en México. Sus obras es muy popular sobre todo el mundo, específicamente en las universidades americanas y europeas. Escribía sobre el campo y la literatura fantástica. Casi todos de sus cuentos contenían algunos personajes animales. Un buen ejemplo de sus cuentos donde encontraba un anímale importante se llama Enemistad. Enemistad significa el tema de su oído por los gatos. El personaje principio tenia un gran oído por los gatos y todo el cuento describía sus experiencias, pensamientos y el término de su vida por causa del oído.
En la primera parte de las historia, Dueñas hablaba sobre la niñez de la personaje y que ocurría durante este tiempo. Explicaba que la persona nunca le gustaban los animales. También nunca tenía los amigos, los vecinos o las muñecas. Esta persona no tenia algo o alguien a compartir sus experiencias cual es un factor muy importante para sobrevivir una vida saludable. Pienso que ella siempre estaba lejos del mundo. Si estas cosas no estaban bastante, ocurrió una tragedia con un perrito que tenia un gran efecto en su vida también. El perrito se le murió en un accidente y ella lo vio. No podía comer por algunas semanas y no podía olvidarlo. Después esta situación ella descollaba su grande oído por los gatos. Su sobrina tenía un gato en su casa cual eventualmente conducía a su locura. Con la combinación de ambas experiencias este personaje tenía problemas por el resto de su vida.
Cuando leí la historia solo podía pensar en cosas psicologías. Para mí la tema mas grande del cuento es la Psicología. Cuando estuve leyendo, me dije “¿Que paso con esta persona? ¡Este bien loco! Gatos son amables y no van a estropean su vida.” Pensaba que el personaje tenía más problemas que el oído por los gatos. Porque estoy un estudiante de Psicología, querría investigar los sentimientos y pensamientos de esta persona más intensiva. Pensaba que ella tenia una fobia que producía una gran obsesión con los gatos o algo como la enfermedad se llama, en ingles, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” PTSD es una enfermedad que ocurrió después un evento muy trágico o traumático que tiene efectos extremos en su vida. Este evento puede atormentar o obsesionar el resto de la vida. A veces este evento es la causa de la muerte. PTSD puedo producir fobias de cosas con relaciones al evento también. Es posible que la tragedia con el perrito fuera el evento que hubiera producido su locura pero estoy segura que tenia una fobia extrema al menos.
Después leí este cuento, yo leí un artículo por Wikipedia sobre la fobia de los gatos. Es verdad que hay una fobia y esta fobia se llama “ Ailurophobia” (en ingles) es muy común en el mundo hoy en día. Se dice que la fobia es un miedo persistente y irracional con el contacto físico a los gatos, como los arañazos y los mordiscos. También es posible que hay relaciones con como los gatos están represando en obras de literatura. Dueñas menciona el escritor Edgar Allan Poe en su cuento. No hablaba sobre las razones mucho pero mostraba que pensaba que los gatos son malos. Edgar Allan Poe escribió sobre un gato sobrenatural. Su cuento se llama The Black Cat o El Gato Negro. Poe decía que los gatos son brujas en las disfraces. En su historia este gato le atormentaba porque el hacia algo ilegal y lo sabia. No podía entender el gato y los pensamientos malos hubieron hecho. Con la manera que Dueñas escribía el cuento, el personaje estaba parecido que el personaje en el cuento de Poe. En Enemistad Dueñas hacia compariciones con los gatos salvajes también a aunque ella había encontrado con los gatos domésticos. Ella usaba las comparaciones a mostrar la magnitud y la seriedad de su oído. Es muy probable que este personaje tuviera una fobia de los gatos.
En la parte final de la historia el principio personaje encontraba la última fuga de los gatos. Durante su vida ella trataba ir a los doctores y otra de las especialistas pero nada podía curarle. Ella iba a un lugar para descansar y decidía a descansar por todo su vida. La muerte sobre una cosa como así es muy triste pero comprensible. Si ella tuviera algo más que el oído de los gatos, no podía vivir con estas cosas. Nadie quiere vivir como así pero lo hace un cuento muy interesante.

"ven a verme!" -1/2 woman 1/2 Lizard

2008-04-25T16:30:00.001-07:00

Finally some time to up-date. It’s about time.
Last night I went to the fair. The fair is a normal fair that you would think of when somebody says “Let’s go to the fair,” but it’s Mexican. When I say it like that I mean it like that.. There were freak shows. I missed the rodeo (which was why I went) and the shark tank, but I did see a freak show. Only in Mexico will people pay to see a chicken walking like a penguin or a sheep with 5 legs. Or a dog without a nose or another dog without any hair..Or maybe a two-headed child. Or a ½ woman ½ lizard whose recorded voice repeatedly says “ven a verme” (Come see me) over the loud speaker. The thing is the animals had names and the “tour guide” was a young lady who was petting them and being sweet. I hope that they are treated ok… I am sure they aren’t.. It was really sad. The two headed child was a trick with mirrors which made me feel better. I didn’t actually see the child because it made me sick to think about.. Apparently my friends talked to him and saw that it was fake.. It was 11 pm though and the poor kids probably hadn’t eaten all day..They needed to be in bed. That was only 10 pesos (less than a dollar).. The next one which I refused to take part in was 30 pesos. I can only imagine what was inside. There were also hot-dogs 3 x 15 pesos (less than $1.50)..didn’t partake in that either… Only in Mexico. I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a donkey show. If you are unaware of what a donkey show is, keep yourself that way! What else? There were lots and lots and lots of unsafe carnival rides that were crazier than any in the states (I went for a spin on the Bumper Cars). Compared to Berkley Days this place was crazy! It was good start to my adventure weekend. Really warmed me up for the real thing. Six Flags or what we call Seis Banderas here in Mexico all day tomorrow. Yes, there is a Six Flags here and I am sure that it will be just the cultural experience that I had been waiting for.. It’s not really something that I would choose to do in Mexico, but we are going for Shauna’s birthday and I am actually excited. I haven’t been on a rollercoaster in a while and I love them. It should be a fun-filled day. We leave tonight/tomorrow morning at 3 a.m. on the “Six Flags” bus (yes, there is a special bus) directly to the park and the same bus will bring us back to Xalapa late tomorrow night. It’s like the old days when we would go the Cedar Point! Oh the old days.. Who wants to go to Cedar Point this summer??! Anyway, We paid the bus people 445 peso (about 40 dollars) and we get a ride there and back and park tickets! Pretty cheap.. really cheap. SO that should be fun. I wonder what kind of fun carnival food they will have. I will bring peanut butter and jelly.

So what else can I say?

Doing Yoga in Mexico is incredible. I haven’t felt this good about my body/self in a very long time. Cynthia, the instructor, is incredible. She reminds me of cousin Kelly in regards to Yoga and her “story.” She is married to a mexican who she met at a Yoga conference in Tulum (ohhhhh Tulum!), who is the director of one of the International Studies programs. So.. they live here in Mexico and teach Yoga and Salsa dancing. She went to school for Nutrition but is having a hard time figuring that situation out here. We talked about this nerdy website that gives you complete Nutrition profiles of different countries. I actually used in for my presentation the other day and kind of felt smart. Haha! I mean who knew that over 50% of the Mexicans diet is carbohydrates. It’s not like they eat a lot of tortillas or rice.. But anyway,we’ve been talking a lot about it and it has re-lit my firey passion for Nutrition…Some day I will make a decision… There are 2 of us taking classes from her. The other girl is from Oakland, CA and goes to school somewhere near Santa Cruz? I think. We are going to keep in touch, because I go to California sometimes! And I will go there again! We have done some pretty advanced stuff, it’s hard for me, but I love the challenge. After class I get to walk an hour home too.. no joke an hour. I like it though. I get to chill out and relax. It’s a nice walk.

Side note…I hate taking taxis and buses.. I think they are a waste of money (and I always get on the wrong bus) so why not walk? Nothing is rushed, everything is beautiful and it’s safe. Not too mention these hills do an incredible number on the calves.

School is winding down already. It’s weird. These next couple weeks are all about papers and presentations. We have a week break May 1-7 or something and then 2 more weeks of class. I come home on the 25th and I think I am ready, but I know I am not ready, but I think I am..but.. It has gone by way too fast. Waayy too fast. It’s time to get back to the real world…especially when I am about to start doing hippie hair wraps on the streets to make some extra money (they are popular here!). I could probably get 20 pesos for each one…

Good update.I hope it was anticipated.
Side note…I hate taking taxis and buses.. I think they are a waste of money (and I always get on the wrong bus) so why not walk? Nothing is rushed, everything is beautiful and it’s safe. Not too mention these hills do an incredible number on the calves.

School is winding down already. It’s weird. These next couple weeks are all about papers and presentations. We have a week break May 1-7 or something and then 2 more weeks of class. I come home on the 25th and I think I am ready, but I know I am not ready, but I think I am..but.. It has gone by way too fast. Waayy too fast. It’s time to get back to the real world…especially when I am about to start doing hippie hair wraps on the streets to make some extra money (they are popular here!). I could probably get 20 pesos for each one…

Good update. I hope it was anticipated.

By the way, I forgot to introduce my kids.

still here!

2008-04-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

I am still here. I have been pretty busy and nothing too exciting has been going on. The weather has been poopy and I have been sleepy!
This past week was full of traveling and visiting, but not a whole lot of excitement to tell stories with!
Mat arrived on Tuesday! I left for Mexico City Tuesday night and spend the early hours of the morning and the afternoon taking a tour of the Basilica de La Virgen de Guadalupe. It was beautiful and the story behind it is pretty incredible. She is the basis of Mexican-Catholism, which is a powerful thing here in Mexico. I will be sure to add that along with pictures real soon! Wednesday afternoon I met up with Mat and his Mexican adventure began. We stayed the night in the city trying to figure out where we were, what we could do and where we could eat then came back to Xalapa. We weren't very succesful. It is very polluted and huge. I kept thinking that we were in the right spot, but we never were... I guess you really do need to know something about the city to have a good time.We spent 2 nights in Xalapa, doing the Xalapa thing and going to Villa Rica. We then went to Veracruz and Boca Del Rio. We spent one night on the beach with an ocean view of a cold windy night and the next night in the Historical Center. The weather definetly could have been better. It was a good visit though. It was very good to see him. He reminded me of the real world that is back at home that I will soon have to return to. I am not so sure if I am ready for that!! We also learned that my Frommer´s 2008 Mexico book is a piece of crap and shouldn't be used!.. I planned the whole trip based on it and it didn't live up to the stars it gave!..

2008-04-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's hot today, and it's only going to get hotter tomorrow. The 90s is really hot. It's hard to walk back and forth 2 miles twice a day in this heat.. It's time to start taking the bus..which is probably hotter! The busses are crazy.. as you can see. The drivers pimp them out and play their music so loud. They put jesus on the back and dingle berries in the front windows. I sure hope jesus or someone is watching them cuz they drive like maniacs. Their horns are even interesting. Some whistle at you, others so the whole "waah ooo ga" thing. It's kind of an interesting experience, if you are willing to get lost, then willing to walk about the same distance to your destination from a different direction. I do that often. I also get stuck in the seats because their is no leg room. Buses only cost 5 pesos and 3 pesos with a student I.D card. So that is like 30 cents or something ridiculous. Taxis are cheap too and are also pimped out. They cost 20-30 pesos, which is 2 to 3 dollars. When I was in chicago I think it was about 12 dollars to go half the distance. In Detroit, who knows..do we even have taxis? Yes I know that we do...

Horray for public transportation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if anyone wondered....

2008-04-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

There really is a university here. Yea, with a campus and everything..

See!

semana santa dos mil ocho has come and gone.

2008-04-02T12:44:00.001-07:00

School started up again today. It's a good feeling. These past three weeks have been an incredible amount fun but I haven't accomplished much. I need to have some sort of feeling of responsibility. Last night I met with Elizeth for the first time in two weeks and we walked to el Cerro de Macuiltepetl, which is an old volcanic something or other in the middle of the city. It´s a beautiful walk and when you finally reach the top you can see all of Xalapa. It is almost breathtaking. Of course I forgot my camera, but don't worry, I will return! Afterwards I forced myself to visit that oh-so-foreign WSU website to make sure that things are going as they should. My summer classes are registered for and I am on my way to the finish line! If only somebody can teach me how to use PowerPoint things would be gravy! Afterwards I wrote a paper (and then realized today that I need two more pages!!) and went to bed early.
This morning I woke up early and finally went for a run. I ran to the train tracks then around Los Lagos. I haven't gone running since I've arrived here, but I just kept going. It felt good. The pollution and elevation here definetly does a number on the lungs, but when I get back to the states I will probably feel invincible! Then I went to school. Sat in class, didn't understand a word he said but still felt accomplished when I left! Now I am here trying to complete this paper about a movie that I saw 5 years ago in Spanish...trying to make something up about the social structure in Mexico and how it relates and..well...Bullshitting is difficult in Spanish. I used to be the queen of it back in the states when it came to papers and such.. Believe me, it's tough here..very tough!!!!!!!!!
more later..

el best western.

2008-03-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you America for the Air Conditioned hotels in Mexico! Mom and Dad are here for the long weekend and it is hotter than I might even be able to handle! I don't think I will complain.

It is there second whole day here and I think I have already tired them out three times over. I met them in Veracruz where I had spent the previous day practicing my guitar skills and soaking up the sun. We returned to Xalapa and yesterday we walked the city. Mom thinks that we walked 5 miles. I think I about showed them everything and didn't realize until later how much we really did do. It's crazy how I've become so accustomed to walking everywhere!

The highlight of the day was having dinner with my host family. We spent 3 hours over the table speaking spanglish. It was absolutely halarious! Alejandro, my host brother understands english and Dad likes to talk.. so Dad would go off on tangents about painting and construction and Alejandro swears to me that he understood everything that he said. If that's the case, he has been holding out on me! Sneaky kid! Gabriela and Daniela also made the recipe for the cake that Mom sent. It was adorable. I think it made Mom happy. Paty made tons of food and kept us eating crazy mexican fruits all afternoon. When we left everyone was happy. It was a good feeling.

Today I took them to Xico and to Coatepec. It was hot and we walked a lot. We didn't get a chance to get down to the waterfalls and swim, but I am sure that I will go again. We had lunch in Coatepec and now we are back in the hotel room where someone is already snoring. All of this walking is tiring them out.. I am not so sure what we will do tomorrow. Tonight we are going to Cafe Lindo to have some guacamole and cervezas. There should be live music and an entertaining atmosphere.

Then I will see them off as they return to el Best Western and I will party the night away with my havent-seen-for-long-time amigos for Gay Friday!

Topics of the Day.

2008-03-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

David the dog.

Tulum.

and Mangos of all sorts!

Tulum.

2008-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Tulum was incredible. I wish we could have stayed forever. The Papaya Playa was spectacular. Turns out that it was a nude hippie beach where everyone was beautiful and did yoga in the morning! I didn´t follow their lead, but it was beautiful!

My brian isnt working today. I am tired from the 22 hour bus ride (that was definetly worth it!) and haven't quite realized how to fit back into society.

Maybe I will have more later!

Picture Post.

2008-03-16T15:32:00.001-07:00

So much has been done within the past few days. I might just have to post all of the pictures.

Thursday- Last day of school for over 2 weeks (they just informed us that we don´t go back till April 2..soooo long!) Kareoke with Alejandro and his friends. It was a a discrete bar with very little people called La Cueva de Oso (the bear cave). It was very clean and tons of fun. Isabelle and I sang Britney Spears and Ace of Base. I think there a couple videos out there somewhere! We also attempted to sing in Spanish..

Friday- we fuimos to Villa Rica.. The most beautiful place that I have seen so far. Not only is it a beach, there are mountains, dunes, and ...my english has left me... The pictures will explain. Some friends met us there and we ended up staying till 11pm. We swam, played frisbee, played soccer, hiked, had a camp fire etc. It was incredible. Villa Rica is a very very small town that not many people know about. It´s kind of hard to get to, I´ve gotten lost twice getting there, but it it totally worth it. When we returned we had cena at Angels house. David made hot dogs wrapped in tortillas then fried them.... I call them Eggrolls Americana de Mexico. Kind of good after a long day at the beach without food.

Saturday- Went to a party again at about 2 pm and didn´t get home until just now. The people here can party hard.. It kind of scares me! I met Alejandro´s girlfriend. She is adorable. Had some psychology talks in spanish. Most of the Mexican friends I have made so far are Psychology majors.. Funny how that happens! Read somebody's thesis and comprehended it! Yay!.

Sunday- Today. Preparing myself for my Spring Break. Tomorrow we are going to Walmart to buy sunscreen. bugspray etc...then we leave at 9:30 pm.. 18 hour bus ride. I am soooooooooooooo excited!!!

The Mom and Dad come and I get to show them Mexico and all of it´s wonders.

Por eso, this may be my last post for about a week. I will return though!!

changes.

2008-03-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have much to update..going to do that in the internet cafe in about an hour.
but.. I changed the settings to anyone can comment even if you don't have an account (mom etc.) and i figured out how to block that spam! Thanks Kate.!

hasta luego..

for you reading enjoyment..

2008-03-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

Emily Lemke
13-3-08
Cultura y Civilización Mexicanas

Plantas Medicinales Mexicanas

A través la historia de México la gente usaba muchas plantas por muchas razones. Las culturas diferentes a través México encontraban muchas plantas diferentes a causa del clima y la tierra. Todas las plantas eran usadas por la comida, construyen, la ropa y también la medicina. Las plantas medicinas de Meso América eran muy importante por la historia de México. Las personas indígenas usaban las plantas medicinas por muchas anos pero fueron descrubido otra vez en las últimas décadas del Siglo XIX durante la época del Porfirito. Muchas investigaciones sobre las plantas ocurrían y el valor de los usos prehispánicos fue documentado. Ahora las plantas tienen las clasificaciones botánicas y son incluyen en aspectos de Farmacología. Hay algunas plantas que son incorporados con la medicina moderna y usan mucho. Algunas plantas se usan son Zoapatle, Zapote blanco, Nopal y la Guayaba.
La planta Zoapatle o Cihuapali (su nombre Nahua) que significa “medicina o remedio para la mujer.” En la época prehispánica las mujeres usaban esta planta cuando tenían problemas para eliminar el feto. También la planta era usada para regular el ciclo menstrual, como abortivo y para ayudar las contracciones durante el embarazo. Se usaban el extracto de las hojas del Zoapatle y se lo bebían. Ahora los doctores piensan que se puede usar Zoapatle come un agente contraceptivo pero los efectos son muy complejos y no usan mucho hoy. La planta necisita más investigaciones por uso seguro en el futuro.
El Zapote blanco o Cochitzapotl que significa “fruto que produce sueno.” En Siglo XVI el uso del esta planta era para antidiarreico, cicatrizante y somnífero. En el pasado dijeron que las hojas curaban las cámaras y las semillas, si quemada y pulverizada, ayudaban el sueno. Actualmente las semillas y hojas son remedios para la hipertensión y pueden producir el sueno. Hoy el Zapote blanco ha permitido a usar en la farmacología moderna. Sus efectos en las investigaciones no son buenos todavía pero usaban mucho en México prehispánica.
El Nopal de la familia Cactáceas era muy importante en la vide de la gente prehispánica. Su nombre original es de Tenochtitlán y que significa “fruta de la piedra y de la Nuchtli,” pero los Aztecas se cambiaron mas bajo el nombre por los Españoles. Ellos usaban el Nopal para problemas de la piel. Usaban en el caso de golpes, contusiones, quemaduras y para antinflamatorios. Recientemente las investigadoras ciencias habían descubierto que los Nopales pueden ayudar la diabetes. La planta es una gran fuente de fibra y por eso puede combatir la obesidad también y orto problemas como así. Después muchas investigaciones se habían descubierto que el Nopal no cura las enfermedades pero con otras cosas alimencias, puede ayudar mucho. Los Nopales son muy comunes en las vidas presente en todo de México hoy. Se puede comer la planta sola o se puede tomarla en tabletas, capsulas, polvos deshidratados, jugos y otros productos comerciales. El Nopal es una planta que usaba mucho en el pasado y usa el mismo ahora también.
La Guayaba o Xalcocotl (el nombre Náhuatl) es una planta que había usado en muchos países por muchos anos. El origen de la Guayaba es Mesoamericano pero a través los anos habían introducido a otros lugares. Se la usan en México, Ruanda, Nueva Guinea, Madagascar, Malasia, Bahamas, Perú, Senegal, Ghana y China. La Guayaba tiene tres partes que son usados; las hojas, las flores y las frutas. En el pasado las hojas habían usado para cura la disentaria. Ahora los mexicanos se preparan las hojas para la cura de diarrea, en la distensión abdominal, come antinflamatorio y el cólico intestinal. Comen las frutas regularmente también por las razones mismas. La Guayaba puedo ayudarlos porque tiene la acción antimicrobiana que tienen varios de sus compuestos sobre la flora bacteriana patógena que es el origen de la diarrea.
Durante los anos prehispánicos no había las doctoras científicas o las investigadoras que tienen hoy. Había personas que eran grandes observadores de la naturaleza y estas personas eran los médicos de los indígenas. Conocían las enfermedades a causa de los dioses y podían experimentar con las plantas que curarlos. Hoy el sistema de medicina es muy diferente. Hay más conocimiento y muchas reglas y leyes sobre esto conocimiento. Sin embargo, las plantas medicina que habían descubierto por los cultures mesoamericanos son muy importante in medicina hoy.

My first real paper in spanish.. probably looks like a 3rd grader wrote it, but i don´t care. I am happy with it .. until I get my grade..

the day of the woman

2008-03-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Apparently yesterday was El dia de la Mujer, which is supposed to be an international sort-of -holiday like Mother´s Day. My whole family here went out on dates, got flowers etc. There were a couple free concerts and things like that but the weather was not good. I don´t think we celebrate that in the U.S, but we should!!

This picture is from Coatepec a few weeks ago. I like it a lot!.. I am going there in a couple of hours with Elizeth to eat at a Vegetarian Buffet! I am super excited. Hopefully there aren´t mosquitos in the restaurant! I havent fully recovered from their bites..

The weather seems to be getting better which makes me happy. Hopefully it will truly be Spring in Mexico by the time my visitors get here.

Tulum is only a week away.. I can´t wait! I think we are going to take Scuba Diving lessons. I guess you take a class one day and have to prove that you can do 5 pool dives, then they take you out.. That would be incredible.. atleast to snorkle in the Caribbean. I am not so sure that I like Ocean life..but it would be an experience!!

Hermaaaaanos!

2008-03-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

Went to a fiesta with my brother last night. We had so much fun! I brought Michelle, Inge and Shauna and we played cards and ate hot dogs all night. Yes..i ate a hot dog or 3. I like them.

It´s so awesome how the guys can dance here and they dance together with no shame. Dancing is just the thing and I love dancing!

It is so freakin cold here today. I have sat in my pjs, socks, hooodie in bed and done homework. I am supposed to go to a concert tonight as Los Lagos which is a big lake park in middle of the city. I don´t have my winter coat though!!!...

Chipi Chipi all day long.

two words..

2008-03-05T17:15:00.001-08:00

....SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! March 17-24-- Cabaña on the beach.. Tulum. Mayan ruins on the Caribbean Sea..
Round trip bus ticket= 94.00 USD
5 nights in a Cabaña= 80.00 USD
MY EXCITEMENT IS OVERWHELMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No School Today.

2008-03-04T10:04:00.001-08:00

School was cancelled due to some sort of high wind advisory. It´s not even windy!.. This place is awesome!

Saturday

Chachalacas with Elizeth was fun! Her family is awesome. They own a beach house and have excellent taste in food. It was the birthday of her aunt and sort of a house warming party as well. We have traditional Mexican food, but all of the meat was made out of gluten! It was incredible! So many vegetarians in one spot.. I couldn´t even believe it.

The weather wasn´t all that great, a bit cloudy and windy, but we had fun. We followed a cow down the beach which is actually something that I DID expect to do while I was in Mexico. Random animals make me so happy. We played Loteria (the mexican version of BINGO) and I won almost 80 pesos!

Here are some photos from the day..

The Food.

2008-03-01T10:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was a good day. I found the best gaucamole I have EVER had in my whole entire life! it was perfect. I never knew that food could make you feel that way! ahahaha!! I couldn´t even wait to take a picture of it before we devoured it! Cafe Lindo is where it´s at! Mom and Dad we are going there when you get here.

Prior to the gauc experience, I found my favorites convenient store snack. Cacahuates Japones con Limon. They sell them everywhere. They are peanuts toasted with some sort of Japanese toasted shell with salt and lime. I could eat them forever!!!!

Gay Friday was sort of a bust. Alex was going to wear his San Francisco shirt (Alex in from England and has never been to the US, which makes it so funny!) but he copped out. Still the dancing happened which makes the night semi-successful!

Happy Cows come from Mexico.

2008-02-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

I have yet to eat a mexican cow. Those chickens on the other hand are deliciosa. I have a chicken friend that lives down the street. He only has one leg and has a string tied to his stump of the other leg. I am trying to find the perfect moment to photgraph him. He lives with a cute black and white kitty too. I think he might be the family pet which makes me very happy. There is also a set of stairs that goes up a steep hill behind my house where you can find chickens hopping up and down in the morning. I tried to photograph them as well but of course when I got there they were no where to be found.
Went to Parque de los Tecajetes with Elizeth today. It reminded me of a jungle. I took some pictures but need to upload them. There were a couple of ponds that were all connected by skinny canals throughout the park. There are also ENORMOUS goldfish and turtles. Turtles are cute.

Last night went to a party at the Casa de los British Girls. Sweeeeet house!.. If I would have known better I would have rented an apartment while I was here. It would be better financially but not culturally. Living with a family is nice. My spanish probably wouldn´t improve as quickly if I lived by myself or another Estados Unidos person. I miss cooking though and having space. Anway the house turned into 3 houses and we stayed there till the sun came up. Got to walk home in heels. (cobble stone streets...)

Today is Gay Friday which means we dress up and go to the gay club. Braque, Alex and I created it. It´s mandatory. Hopefully our professors will be there again! It is actually the best dance club I have been to so far!!

Chachalacas again tomorrow with Elizeth. Going to meet her whole family and her boyfriend.
Eat some traditional mexican vegetarian cooking. Tomar some sol and Sol. (tomar el sol=sun bathing, tomar Sol= drink Sol beer). it works!!

I think i have to go to the bathroom... Long walk home for that. YIKES!

and the week is off..

2008-02-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a family birthday. Gabriela and Daniela turned 18. We made cake (Mom`s chocolate recipe) and everyone loved it. We even decorated it with the M&M`s that were sent from Michigan for Valentine`s Day. We also had Tres Leches cake as a tradition. I believe it is just yellow cake with carnation condensed milk, cream and whipped cream (for frosting)? somebody clarify that for me.. I think Paty was freaked that my cake wouldn`t turn out! It was fun.. I was super tired all day though. I failed to take pictures because I was trying soo hard to fit in that I didn`t want to be noticed. I think they noticed me.
I then had my first salsa lesson, sin contacts or glasses. Dust got in my eyes on the way to class so I had to remove my contacts. I danced like nobody was looking..because I wasn`t or I couldn`t! It was fun.. a good work out. Still don`t think I will ever be able to spin it on the floor.
When I returned to the casa I had a time with the homework because my brain`s wheels were spinning too quickly. I woke up at 5:30 this morning to finish it. It worked out.
School today was the pits. I have my first exam on Thursday and I am really going to have to study because I have no idea what to expect.
I can`t wait till thurday.
Hopefully I can have another blastful weekend.

planning is over-rated.

2008-02-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

Spent the whole weekend having a blast.

Friday: Gay bar. Danced with my spanish professor who is 4 foot tall and flaming.

Saturday day: Took the wrong bus to Coatopec for a spur of the moment hiking trip. Legs are covered in mosquito bites. Huge mexican mosquito bites.

Saturday night: Played party games with The English, The French, The mexicans and some gringos.

Sunday: Took another wrong bus to the beach for a spur of the moment excursion. Met some locals. Made up some stories and drank some 40s.

HOT HOT!

2008-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Forgot the USB at home this time.. ! oh well.
Lots has happened since I last wrote, but I dont have much time. Need to get back for lunch.
I am starting to make some more friends.. People that are interested in the same things that I am. It´s quite comforting. I met my cultural assistant the other day! I made the mistake of telling here that I was in love with rather than I liked her.. It was embarrassing! OH language.. it´s a beautiful thing!! She is 23 and a psych major. She was raised by Vegans so she knows all about it! She is going to show me all the hot veggie spots!! I am excited! Her name is Elizeth. She is taking me to the beach this weekend!

I have to go home for lunch! I will update very soon.. A couple of hours from now!

love
me =)

Chipi-Chipi

2008-02-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Looks like rain today. Here in Xalapa they call the type of rain that occurs about once a day, Chipi-Chipi. I would compare it to a light drizzle..
Anyway I left home without an umbrella or jacket. I realized as I was 2 blocks away from home that I would be sorry! The one day that I didn´t bring them..it gets chilly and rains! When I say chilly, I think I mean about 60 degrees. Nothing compared to what ya´ll are dealing with!!
I am going to try to stay at school as long as I can.
I meet my tutor at 4.. Then they are playing a Mexican movie at 5:30. Hopefully after that it will be done Chipi-chipi (ing).

By the way, I was a bit lonely last night so I opened a few cards that were put in my "mexico survival kit" by Kaytee. I cried. I didn´t expect personalized notes like that! How did all of the go right over my head!!!! Kaytee, Mat, Mom, Dad, Jacob, Dave and even Peanut each wrote me a note.. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!!!!?? That was incredible. Thank you Kaytee. Thank you to all!

I left my flash drive at the Internet cafe with all of my photos on it! Luckily I am here enough that the guy kept it for me! No new pictures though! Hopefully soon!
ADios

here they are!!

2008-02-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

i think this is from the summer..but now you have faces for the names!

Shakira Shakira!

2008-02-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

You all know how much I love Shakira..

Well..today in Intensivo 4 we all got to love some Shakira! In order to practice vocabulary and listening comprehension, we listened to Shakira for about an hour and interpreted the music! It was incredible! We got to fill in the blanks on sheets of lyrics.. Lucky for me, I already knew most of the words!!! Then we got to share with the class all of our wonderful love stories..Turns out most of the girls in the class have boyfriends and the guys are single and looking! haha.

After the fun we were given about 15 pages of homework and are to prepare a 5 minute speech about the different foods, meal schedules, traditions etc. from our state or country in Spanish of course.

Michigan

-cherries

-apple pie

-hamburgers?

-corn on the cob

-potato chips

-faygo

???????

and.. we eat all the time..no matter when or where!..

phew..

2008-02-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

Long time no post. Many reasons for this. Sickness, school and crazy travelling. This weekend, not only was I as sick as a dog, I travelled over 24 hours in bus within 2 days.. Now that I am home and still alive I can say it was worth it. 12 hours ago..no.

On Friday morning, after a long night of salsa dancing (where dancing little took place..because i was too nervous!), Michelle, Inge, Shauna, Nancy and I headed for the mountains of the state of Michoacan. Michoacan is on the Pacific coast and is mountainous and beautiful. It is one of the few places in the world where the Monarch butterflies migrate from Canada for the winter. At first word of this, I wasn´t too excited. I like butterflies, but I was thinking that I could just go to the butterfly house at the zoo when I get home if I felt like I miss out.. NO way.. It is nothing like you will ever see in your life. MIllions and Millions of Monarch butterflies flying all around you as you climb to the peak of the mountian where there are even more.

The trip took 9 hours and 3 bus rides to Morelia..the meeting spot for the 10 hour tour. We arrived around midnight and took a taxi to the hostel. The hostel had 3 beds left and 1 full bed..barely enough. We slept for a couple of hours and left for the tour around 8. We took a curvy bumpy 3 hour car ride up the mountians with an older Texan couple and a crazy mexican driver ( he even commented on mexican driving and how they can get you past anything in the road..i believe it). Upon arrival we waiting in some crazy lines. One including a bathroom where you have to flush your stuff with a bucket of water.. 3 pesos for that bucket of water too. Then we were off.. had to hike about 2 hours upwards. The hike was nice. After sitting on a bus for so long I could have walked forever..even with a respiratory infection of some sort with kicked up dirt everywhere. As we climbed the scenery got more beautiful. We were taught tons of facts about butterflies.. they are very interesting little creatures. *The males die after mating because it takes so much of their energy, so only the females migrate back to Canada in the spring.

After the experience, we had to hike down (my shins-calves are feeling it today!). We were provided with a meal from a local family which included chicken mole, beans, rice, blue corn tortillas and nopales (cactus). It was pretty interesting.

The ride home is not worth talking about.. I will just note that I am not taking a long bus ride like that for a very long time! Thank you!

Words can´t explain the sight, and I am not sure pictures can either.. I´ll try..

P.S. Saturday morning I woke up without a voice. No voice at all. Never has this happened to me.. made life more interesting to say the least.

i´m still here.

2008-02-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

but i am sick sick sick. School started today. Classes seem interesting but difficult. I placed in Spanish 4 Intensive and am also taking Culture and Civilization, Contemporary Mexico and Literature. I am also involved in a cultural immersion program with another mexican student. We will have to meet 3 times a week and I will recieve 1 credit for that. I had a feeling that the teachers here would cut us a little slack with the spanish thing and speak slowly and clear, but nope. They speak so fast, it´s going to be tough. My Spanish 4 Intensive seems pretty simple, but I am too scared to jump into Spanish 5...I might wait a few days to see how it goes.
I feel like crap. crap. crap. Head hurts, throat hurts, stomach hurts, dizzy...blah blah. I am going home to sleep. There is a movie at 5:30 at school for free..we will see how I feel.

Pause the Mexico trip.

2008-02-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

I know there are atleast 3 of you reading my blog that this pertains to...(mom, katie, kaytee...)

Somebody Make me another one if these.. PLEASE!!!!

note: tulip pockets, ruffle trim

Protesting the Strike

2008-02-09T14:15:00.001-08:00

That is the entrance to my school.
That is the enormous flag covering it.

This is never going to end. We went to a house party last night and one of the girls there said that her mom works for the University and it´s not looking to good. We were all hoping for a Monday start to school. Not looking so good.. So maybe ..when?? I am going to start making up my own school work!!

Harry Potter!!

2008-02-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

After a dinner of hot cakes (pancakes) I hung out with my host family sisters. We watched Harry Potter 4. They wanted to watch it in English because they said the dubbed voices were ugly. So I tried to read the spanish subtitles. It was hard to follow that way. Hopefully I learned something!
Tonight is one of the girl´s birthdays from the school. We are going to try to go dancing later! I am alittle nervous. Michelle went salsa dancing last night and she said that it was incredible! Hopefully next Thursday I won´t have such a headache and can go!
This weekend we are talking about going to Xico, which is an old town with ruins or maybe a weekend trip to Veracruz...or even a spa with mud baths! Who knows.. Without school we can do whatever we want!
Hopefully school will start monday!

Word,
E
=)

Stupid Day..

2008-02-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

No school again today. The flags are still up in front of the doors. Ladies sit underneath them and work on their crafts and eat lunch. I can´t figure out if they are the employees of the university or not.. Michelle and I are thinking about protesting the strike.. Might work?
We went to the immigration office to turn in out Student Visa papers today and it turns out we have to go through a whole other process ..AGAIN. I need copies of everything..that mom has to send me some how or another.. Knowing this mail system, I will get deported before I recieve them!! I have to write a letter asking the governments permission to stay in their country in Spanish of course. I also have to get more pictures taken which cost an arm and a leg and pay a large fee. All of this has to be donw within the next couple of weeks. Nobody told me how much work this was going to be before I left..It´s tough stuff. Well more annoying especially with my broken spanish. THEN!.. I find out that my letters and cards are probably somewhere in the middle of Chihuahua because the postal worker gave me the wrong stamps. I sent 8 cards and letters that I wanted recieved by Valentines Day. So much for that.. I don´t even know where they will go!... I have a headache too.
Therefore, today was a day full of irritants and complaints!
No pictures today!
ADios..

strike.

2008-02-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

No school today.. The university employees are on strike. I can´t figure out why, but there are red, white and black flags over all of the doors so that nobody can enter. My host mom says that school will definetly start on Monday.. I am so ready. This type of thing happens here almost every year on February 2nd. Usually their conflicts are solved before now..but who knows. The director said that if this type of thing happens, our classes will be made up, so no worries! I am just soooo ready to start school.

Here are some more pictures from my travels..
Mayonaise with everything.. i don´t know why.

Dogs hang out on roof tops everywhere and bark!..locos!

Inge and I at Chachalacas in my sweet bathing suit skirt!

The view from Champigon..The Vegetarian restaurant we tried the other day..

This is the river at Chachalacas.. so cute!!
See the Cabanas in the back..

Chachalacas!

2008-02-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day! I got up early, had a good breakfast and went to the beach with Michelle, Julia, Shauna and Inge. We took the bus to a place called Cardel and then had to take the city bus to the beach town of Chachalacas. The bus ride there was hot, humid, bumpy and a bit sticky. I totally felt like I was in a movie. The whole place smelled of burning sugar cane. I sweet camp fire smell that I will never forget! Upon our arrival we were swarmed with vendors.. shirts..pants..purses..fruits..sandwiches.. Everything.. We must have stood out! ha! We rented a shaded table for 50 pesos (5 dollars) for the whole day (to keep our stuff, take a break, etc.) Then we dove in! Chachalacas is a really interesting place. The beach is on the corner of the meeting of the ocean and a large river. You have the option of swimming in both, but of course we chose the ocean!!! After a couple hours of sun, we decided to try the local food. A cabana restaurant was serving the menu of the day which included; shrimp soup, rice with platains and fresh fried fish. It was delicious... except for the soup.. the shrimp were peel and eat and still have their eyes.. I only ate one! After lunch we took the bus home and now I am waiting for Shauna to arrive and we are going to a local student hang-out!..
School starts tomorrow around 1.. so this is our last night!.. and my first actual night OUT!

Adios for now!
Emily =)

back tracking..

2008-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

My Mexican family is great! There is Patricia (mom), Alejandro (dad), Alejandro (son) 18 yrs, Daniela and Garbriela (twins) 16 yrs, and Australian Shepard, Tequila. The house is cute... A gate opens up into a set of stairs that leads to a large concrete patio. A garage is underneath the patio. Upstairs is the front door. Inside the door is the living room and dining room. To the right is a small bathroom and my bedroom. Another set of stairs leads to the master bedroom, 2 other bedrooms and a bathroom. Things a definetly different here... Can´t flush the paper down the toilet.. Windows never close.. I don´t even know where to go next. I am so overwhelmed with emotions about this place that it is hard to express them..but here are some photos of my house, view from house, and bedroom.

Well

..it worked but I can´t figure out how to post the pictures where I want them...but at least they are there!!

Carnaval de Veracruzana 2008

2008-02-04T10:46:00.001-08:00

Yesterday (Sunday), five of us girls from the school took the bus to Veracruz to see the ever so famous Carnaval!.. Here are some photos..

From left to right, we have Shauna, Inge, Emily, Ashley and Michelle.

estoy aqui!

2008-02-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

I am finally here and settled. After a long day of travel and chaos.. everything is working out. I don´t even know where to start.
On Wednesday our flight was supposed to leave at 8:13... That flight got cancelled due to weather conditions and plane malfunctioning.. We were rebooked to leave out of a different airline 2 hours later that when to Texas. When we got to Texas our tickets were lost and had to rebook a flight to Mexico City. Once in Mexico city they couldn´t find out information and we had to beg them to rebook. We finally made it to Veracruz at about 11 p.m to find that our luggage was no where to be found. We waited around and it turned out that it was left in Texas. Our ride did show up and took us to the bus station. When we arrived there my host family was not there. Blah Blah Blah.. I finally got to their house and was asleep by 3am.. in order to get up for Orientation at 7. Without any luggage...and I mean any luggage (no toiletries, clothes, meds...shoes...books...) I had to survive to days. I was a wreck..
Our luggage arrived this morning and I was so happy to see that everything was there and in order. My cute little room is all set up and I feel more at home. This place is incredible in so many ways. I am using the family computer so I can´t go into much detail or download the pictures I have taken yet. I will hit up an Internet Cafe tomorrow to fill in the details.
I will say for now that I am safe and having quite the adventure already!
love to all.
Emily

Surprises and final moments!

2008-01-25T19:03:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night is the big party. Kaytee posted this on the refrigerator door. What does it mean?
Mat is making dinner.. Goodbye Friday nights of making dinners of veggies and fabulous desserts. Only a short goodbye though.

60 degree weather change!

2008-01-23T19:29:00.000-08:00

It is bitter cold here in Michigan tonight. 19 degrees, snowy, feels like 11 with the windchill. On the day I arrive in Xalapa ,weather is predicted to be 76 degrees and sunny. YAHOOO.
I called my host family last night. First time I chickened out and hung up the guy that answered the phone. I tried a half an hour later and talked to Mama Patricia. I made a fool of myself and laughed after every word. I realized that I had never spoken to a woman in Spanish except for my Spanish teachers. There are 3 kids and a medium dog..and boy am i anxious!!.. 1 week from today and I will be there!!

11 days.

2008-01-18T08:15:00.000-08:00

11 more days until I leave for Xalapa. I am extremely nervous and so excited. It's hard to know what to do with yourself when you know you are leaving everything behind for 4 months. I am trying my best to prepare but I think I am putting myself into more of a mess.
Last night I made 4 different lists.
1. Phone numbers that I might need while I am there.
2. Things that I can't forget, that I commonly do forget.
3. An inventory of what I have purchased to take. (6 different bottles of hand sanitizer included)
4. Things I need to take care of before I leave. (paying off things..ordering..tying loose ends)
5. And a day by day plan of to-dos until i leave.
Now it is Friday and I have the whole day off. I am sitting here trying to think of more things that I can do. I will probably find myself watching episode after episode of Law and Order (my favorite past-time since January 1st).

I am stressing out about my host family too. I finally got the nerve to call them and they didn't answer 2 times in a row... They are all I think about and I don't know anything but their address.!

The party is a week from tomorrow. I am excited about that! It will be nice to see all of my friends together before I leave. The butternuts say that have it in for me. I will probably pee myself.. but what else are surprises for?

Matty and i are going out tonight. His brother and sister-in-law got us an American Express gift card for Christmas, so we are going to use it for a nice night out, just the two of us, before I go. No extra money will be spent, which is what I am excited about!

Time to complete the Friday list!
Adios.

A few that will be missed greatly.

2007-12-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

My Osito Bonito.. who is incredibly supportive and will visit me while I am there.

My butternut family, who hopefully won't forget about me while I am gone and this little angel and her sister Violet who's changes I await for when I return.

exactly one month left!!!!!

2007-12-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

And boy am i ready!!!!!!!!!!

About a month left.

2007-12-20T20:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I received an e-mail with the name, address and telephone number of the family I will be staying with in Xalapa. Now, it is my turn to make the move. I think I am going to send them a letter tomorrow to introduce myself and maybe send a picture. Then in about a week I will call. I am so nervous. It's scary enough calling someone you don't know and talking to them in english..but yikes! I totally get the Spanish Stutters when I don't know someone.
I am done with school and Christmas is on Tuesday. Hopefully I will be getting the things that I need for my trip. I have asked for PJs, a backpack, a water filter water bottle and few other things. I am hoping that I can afford a new computer before I leave. I can just see myself in an internet cafe trying to communicate with someone from home and CRASH.. my old lady Dell is done for!

De veras? Si, es la verdad.

2007-12-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

Well. It's true and official. This past Friday my Dad and I went to the Mexican Consulate in Detroit to apply for my Visa. I get to go back on Friday to get it. After that, that's it. Just waiting.. I don't have anymore paper work..or anything. I am getting very nervous but I am ready.
I just finished my last research paper for my Psychology Writing Intensive about 5 minutes ago so my mind is pretty blank. I feel like I have a lot to say but it's not happening ahora. Will write later. Just wanted to let you all know that I am still here and anticipating Xalapa!

Things are quickly falling into place.

2007-11-16T08:47:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile. I've been busy getting my life together for the end of the semester and preparing for my semester abroad. The plane ticket has been purchased by all three of us girls. We are leaving January 31st around 8am. The flight stops in Chicago and once again in Mexico City. Once we land in the Veracruz airport we take a short bus ride to Xalapa. There we will meet our families and vamos to our new homes. The flight cost $746, round trip, not bad. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to see that money leave my bank account. Next week I begin a 2 week house sitting stint paying 30 dollars a day. The money goes straight to the Mexico fund. I have about 4 weeks left of school, then I plan on picking up mad shifts at the Cantina. This trip is creeping up pretty fast, and I am as anxious as a mexican jumping bean. (?)
In the meantime, the cultural immersion has continued here in the states. A couple Saturdays ago I danced the night away at Los Golanes in Southwest Detroit. The discoteca is on top of a well known mexican restaurant and is very limited to the Latino community that resides in that area. I went with a couple of friends from work and one of the only "white" girls there. It was a little uncomfortable for me at first, as much as I would like to say it wasn't. After a Coronita or two I was ready to take the floor. It was a lot of fun! I am a huge fan of Reggaeton and can't wait to go back. Near the end of the night I was comfortably speaking Spanish and felt as though I fit in. A friend continued to tell me you need to become accustomed to this so relax and have a good time. I tried and I did.
Wednesday night Kaytee and I thought a night of Salsa dancing was a necessary plan for our evening. We showed up at Sangria and were both struck with bouts of self-consciousness. We stood around and watched, waiting for the Reggaeton to start. We danced a couple of songs and got out of there. We decided that Salsa lessons were near in the future. I can't get stage fright in Mexico, I just can't!
The anticpation continues..
Emily

a Mexico conmigo!

2007-11-01T16:56:00.001-07:00

Seems as though all of my super friends want to come visit me in Mexico. It seems as though I am telling everybody to visit me while I am there. How many people will really come? How many people do I really want to come? At this point, I want everyone to visit me! I want to be able to show them a good time. There are those that I will miss and those that I probably won't even think about. Old fashioned snail-mail is how it's going to be for those who want to keep in touch. Hand-writing letters is under-rated and is more meaningful than any e-mail en mi opinion. Bought a little green black book that's filling up quite quickly.
I want to get everyone together for a party before I go so that I can take a good memory with me! I am thinking of one of the last Satruday nights in January at Los Golanes in Southwest Detroit. That way people can eat, drink, and/or dance..whatever they fancy!
We still haven't purchases tickets. Shauna and I are waiting on Ashley. It wouldn't be fair for us to buy tickets together without giving her a chance. We both e-mailed her...so still waiting. I am getting anxious. Prices have jumped about 200 dollars within the past 2 weeks. I don't really want to spend over $1000. Seems like a silly amount for a plane ticket.

12 weeks left in the USA.

2007-10-31T15:36:00.000-07:00

I am going to mexico and never coming back!! adios

Adios Bank account..

2007-10-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Purchasing tickets today.. Yikes! I am looking at 700-800 dollars... Ah. It's a big step.. It means I'm really going.
Next week, I am going to try to apply for my visa. Then it's official.
I've been talking to one of the girls that is going..She seems really nice. We are going to travel together..Hopefully all three of us will travel together.

2007-10-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

Check out minutesfrommexico.blogspot.com. She's another student with the same name as me studying abroad at the Universidad de Veracruzana as well. incredible.

Met the companeros today.

2007-10-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Had the Xalapa meeting today. There are only 3 of us going. All girls. I almost wish there were some guys going. I feel like guys make things a little more fun and easier. There is no doubt in my mind that we will meet a lot of people when we get there. We looked at photo albums from the past groups and it looks like a blasT!. I am really excited. One of the guys talked me into taking a Salsa Dancing class at the University. He said it was an incredible work-out and it gives you a little basis for the Thursday nights at the clubs.. Waaaaahoo.. I am going to be a salsa pro when I come back to the states.

Voy a Mexico!

2007-10-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Mexico to study abroad in January!! I will be there for 41/2 months studying at the University of Veracruzana in Xalapa, Veracruz. I will be living with a family and living everything through Spanish. I am going to update my blog (for once, and remember my password) for all of those that care to keep up to date with my journey. Until then, I will keep you posted on how the travel plans are coming along.

Wednesday is the welcome meeting and the day that all the paper work is due. All of us going will be meeting each other and speaking with those that have participated in the program in the past. We will also discuss our travel plans. Hopefully we can all travel together, making this huge cultural leap a little bit less scary. I am also turning in my grant application. Hopefully I can get assistance to help me out.

Study time... It is too hard to concentrate on my current semester with the approaching one being an experience of a life time.

Paz y Amor

i love my sister!!

2007-08-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Da Beach

2007-08-07T20:57:00.001-07:00

Today Kate and I took a trip down the coast to Half Moon Bay and the famous surf spot called "The Mavericks." I got ketchup down my shirt like a child, but we had a blast in the sun and waves. Once again, another place where I could spend hours of my life just walking and watching. When we arrived home we went out for Vegan Indian Pizza with Tim and had a pitcher of Budweiser. Quite the combo..

Now we eat cookies.

Tomorrow I have a detailed plan for myself, but we will see how well I follow it.

I do know that I will come home with lots of new goodies!

good bye for now!

Beach House Cinco.

2007-08-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday at the Beach House at Bodega Bay and I've finally decided to create and manage a blog. I'm done with classes for the summer and I can finally take some time for myself. Due to serious difficulties we are now down to 4., but we are still partying hard. Our recent trip to the shore has re-instilled my love and motivation to live on the west coast. Jumping from rock to rock in between the tide pools made me feel like a child again, exploring things I have never explored before. I realized that I have never seen live star fish or the beautiful green sea urchins moving their petals in the waves. I've also never seen a crab that's not red and served on a platter with a side of butter and a sprig of parsley. I pictured myself a year from now, strapping on my i-pod and spending hours walking along the shore emersed in the life of the tide pools. I wouldn't even need my i-pod. The sounds the the waves and sea birds might be all I need.
The fact of matter is I need to move here. Now.
Time to eat pesto and enjoy the company of my california crew.
Pace.
Em