A few that will be missed greatly.

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!!!!!

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

About a month left.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Adios Bank account..

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.

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.

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!

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!!

Da Beach

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.

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