Bday Shout 081009

Today is my 26th birthday.

Not quite sure how I feel about turning 26 since I always looked at it as so much older when I was younger. I had an amazing weekend hanging out with friends, going out to anthros, and jumping on the tequila train to Tequila. However, now that it's the actual day of my bday, I'm sadly stuck indoors working on homework ALL DAY. I'm hoping to finish up within one hour so that I can at least grab one glass of wine to celebrate.

One thing which did brighten my day was all the Facebook love I've received from my family and friends. Last night I came home from going out after Tequila feeling pretty down about turning 26. I must admit that at first I wanted to delete the bday notification in the first place.

After coming home from school and facing a couple hours of homework full steam ahead, I signed on to FB to see about 40 new bday messages. Since then, seems like I've received about one new message every five minutes. I'm pretty amazed with the power of social networking, Internet, and connections.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see an album created by my dad, a new FB member. He created an album consisting of about 30 pics from when I was kid. If anything, this made me happy, sad, and wishing I could be home for my bday with my family. This was undoubtedly the first moment during my entire trip where I even vaguely wished I were home. It's all so bittersweet.

On that note, happy bday to me. Thank you to all of the friends and family for sending me amazing bday wishes!

Besitos...

School's NOT OUT for Summer

I have been lacking on updating my blog due to the overabundance amount of school and homework I've had in the past three weeks. My classes consist of 20 students, all of which are in my same program and are from California. Every morning, Monday through Friday, my classes begin bright and early at 8 a.m. Depending on the day, I may take anywhere from two to three classes which are ALL IN SPANISH. Trust me, I am definitely not bilingual... YET.

I understand the gist of majority of my classes, but I definitely get caught up on phrases or words which completely stump me. I swear one of my teachers talks without even pausing or taking a breath!!

So, long story short... after school, I eat a big lunch, take a 15 minute power nap and get down to the grind with my homework. Majority of my homework consists of a few hours of readings in Spanish on theory and discipline and anywhere from 30 minutes - 5 hours of writing!!

But don't worry. I'm still finding time to squeeze in a bit of leisure time with salsa classes twice a week and going out at least once a week.

Bday Shout Out 080109 - BROTHER

A huge bday shout out to my favorite (and only) brother, PHILIP!! It's kind of weird being out of the country and not there for his birthday, so I'm hoping all of my shout outs via my blog, FB, and phone will suffice.

Brother, thanks for letting me call you brother. Thanks for always giving me what I wanted and letting me win when we were kids. Thanks for letting me bite you in the stomach and not getting mad at me when we were playing crocodiles. Thanks for tutoring me endlessly in Calculus for hours and hours. Thanks for being annoying when you drink. And THANK YOU for your secret indulgence and love for Gossip Girl and The Hills(oops).

HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY, SPILL-BOB!

The Cure to a Hangover

After a Friday night filled with attending my first University futbol game, a special on beers, and going out with classmates afterwards, I was not quite feeling up to par Saturday morning/night. During dinner, people kept asking what was wrong with me. I finally revealed that I had a "resaca." About 15 minutes later, here's what happened...

THE CURE TO A MEXICAN HANGOVER

Quick Update

As you can imagine, things have been insane during my first two weeks in Mexico. Landing in Puerto Vallarta with my family, spending five days along the water, onward to Guadalajara (where we took part in an intensive language program for one week), seeing ALL the sites of GDL with my parents, and finally starting school at Autonoma ayer...

I will definitely be posting about all of my excursions (the jungle where Predator was filmed, a secluded island off the cost of PV, tequila tasting in Tequila, and much more) fairly soon. Unfortunately I have been slacking on electronic contact because the host family I´m currently living with is charging per person each month for Internet AND making us pay for our own toilet paper! So... I´m probably going to cave soon and pay the $100 pesos, but I still think I´m getting nickel and dimed by the senora. That being said, beginning today I am going to begin to wander around con mi companera to find a fully furnished, decently priced apartment near the university. The downfall of getting an apartment is that we´ll have to fend for ourselves and do all the cooking and cleaning. Living in the Zapopan area of Guadalajara is also further away from actual "city life", but since we have class EVERY MORNING at 8 a.m., it´s kind of a necessity to be close to campus. However, I think I´ll feel a lot more comfortable and independent if we actually find a place.

Wish me luck!!

Puerto Vallarta - beaches, tequila and discotecas

I finally arrived in Guadalajara with my parents this past Sunday! We're staying with a host family for one week and taking Spanish classes at an intensive study abroad program here for a week before they leave me off on my own.

Prior to Guadalajara, we were in sunny, rainy, humid, tropical, and mosquito infested Puerto Vallarta for five days. I can proudly say that I now have a slight tan and had my share of tequila and Paloma's (a drink with lime juice and tequila) while I was in Vallarta.

During our stay in Vallarta, we took a "Predator" tour which took us to a tequila distillery and the tropics where the movie starring our governator was filmed. The tequila distillery was pretty cool, checking out all of the different steps in creating tequila and tasting about 5 different types (including almond, coffee with cinnamon, and regular). They also taught us how to check whether or not the tequila has too much water or sugar in the bottle based on the amount of bubbles! Pretty crazy.

After the tequila tour, we had a HUGE lunch and headed down to las cascadas (waterfalls/cascasdes between huge rocks). Philip decided to join locals and take the leap. My parents and I on the otherhand took the safe route and stayed up in the restaurant.

Aside from the humidity and 12 mosquito bites, Vallarta was an all around amazing trip. Pics to follow once I get Internet on my computer...

Bon Voyage!

The time is finally here - Mexico. I'm currently sitting at SMF with my family waiting to board my flight to Puerto Vallarta. We will be in Puerto Vallarta sipping margaritas on the beach and tequila tasting for the next five days. Then, we are saying goodbye to my brother and jetting off to Guadalajara.

Known as "The City of Roses," home of the mariachi, located in the state of Jalisco, not too far from the town of Tequila (yes, they invented tequila), will be my home for the next six months.

On that note, I'd like to say, "Nos vemos" with a quick video primarily of my friend Mia dancing on Cinco de Mayo...

Viva Mexico!