11 days.

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.

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.