random favorites

So i've not been super creative in this post, but i figured something is better than nothing:)

Here are some of my favorite things so far this year back in tampico...in no particular order:

- school kids...the good ones of course;)

- zumba and yoga class with the girls

- cooking more new things

- re-watching LOST

- new electric gate for our driveway

- sunny days at the beach

- getting a sunburn in january

- warm showers

- cute boots

- funny friends

- painting and decorating

thats all right now:) i have some pics of my decorating fun, but they are stuck on my camera until i remember to take them off...jaja. So until next time!

Hopefully since my bday is coming up soon i will have a few photos from that time and others in the next few weeks!

besos a todos!

resolutions? goals? whats that!?!?!

The new year usually brings people to reflect on the past and seek out new goals for the next year. I've never really been into setting resolutions and actually have realized i'm not much of a goal setter in life at all. In fact, I kinda despise it. I've looked at this deeply and to answer your question, No i'm not afraid of failure. I'm not sure why i hate making goals so much.

I kinda think its my way of not letting worry get the best of me. I used to be a worrier...'when i was younger (childhood through teens) I would worry about everything...little things and big things. Then one year, i think at camp, i decided to take disciplined steps to stop worrying and viola IT WORKED! I really dont worry very much at all about things in life.

What does life look like for me now because of this? For example, I overhear people talking about the economy, politics, jobs etc. Do I care? OF course! But I let myself think of it, but then know I have no control so I let it go. Why dwell on the things that are not at all dependant on me or have honestly little effect on me. I still wish and wonder and hope, but worry?? not really.

Another example that comes up almost every day here in Tampico....I hear about fear. Fear of shootings happening---the what ifs abound! Fear of people leaving. Fear of so many things. Its a weekly topic of conversation with some people. My thoughts are: #1 this drug war isnt about me...i'm not a target. #2 If i'm in the wrong place at the wrong time, then that is where i am.

I can't predict the future, so I refuse to live in fear of the WHAT IF's in life. You never know if you'll be in an accident, or a loved one will get sick, or if you'll witness a horrible crime, or if you'll get bitten by a shark"** hehehe had to throw that in*** The point is....LIVE. Fear snuffs the life out of some people.

So while I'm not a resolution maker or a goal setter I do do something: I add to my LIFE LIST. I guess it's like a bucket list...place to go, things to do, things to eat/see/touch etc. I feel like the pressure of setting a resolution would result in worry so i do this instead.

I love looking at my LIFE LIST. I'm not a dreamer by nature--much too practical for that! haha--so this is my way of dreaming. I have serious things like see the Grand Canyon or ride an elephant in India, but i also have silly things like "stay up all night"and watch a movie trilogy in one day.

So if you're not into the resolutions like me---make a fun LIFE LIST!

fake

today i am annoyed and frustrated at how people can be so fake. I would think that by the time you are in your upper 20's, 30's and even 40's that you know who you are and how you want to live your life without making excuses. I guess maybe i expect too much of people and think the best until proven otherwise--which i will keep doing, But it is very sad when people prove you wrong.

I expect people to say and act like the real person they are---even if that person is a jerk or negative or anything----but be REAL and authentic. Even if i dont care for you as a person, at least i know who you are, what you like and dont like, and can trust that what you say matches what you do. It's ok not to please everyone, but respect us enough to be yourself and show us the REAL you.

I've realized I can't handle it when people talk one way and then do something contrary. I can't stand it when people back out of committments----on ANY level: a relationship, a contract, a job, a party, etc. It really bothers me that people make excuses instead of just "manning up"and saying Ï'm scared or i'm not cut out for this or i just dont like it or I am not ready for it . Instead they make excuses and try to sound noble, when the reality is different.

I don't vent like this often on here....I try to keep my blog about things that are important to me and things I think people wanna hear or should hear, but this one is for me i guess....to just vent a little of my frustration.

turkeyless thanksgiving

This last month FLEW by so fast! I'm amazed that in a little over a week I'll be headed back to the states (and the cold) for Christmas! Sorry for the lateness of this....being about thanksgiving, but i forgot! jaja no other good excuse:)

Well here is a glimpse of life in Tampico in November. To answer some questions: Yes, there are still shootings and drug related things happening, but not that often. No, I am not scared living in Mexico. Yes, I like my new job. Yes, the people are great here. Yes, I am learning more and more Spanish day by day. No, I never get sick of the warm weather.

Over Thanksgiving this year we had a whole week off of school, so my mom and dad came down for a road trip visit. We traveled to 5 different cities and enjoyed the scenery, the cities, markets, and of course the food:) On actual thanksgiving I was eating tamales, dad had enchiladas and mom ate chicken. It was a great time!

Here's some pics from the trip--enjoy!

Mom and dad at Las Pozas in Xilitla (Day 1 of trip)

Me up high on a staircase in Xilitla.

Dad being our "burro" (or pack mule) while shopping the market in San Miguel Allende. I got new glasses, shot glasses, dishes, and other fun things:)

Mom at Puente de Dios (Bridge of God) in Tamasopo.

Mom and I on the boat for our adventure to Cascada de Tamul (huge waterfall) courtesy of our random guide Cesar!

halloween happiness and fun

Here are some fun pics of this year's Halloween fun! School was decorated big again, and kids were dressed to the nines ! Check out some of the fun:

yep you see popcorn, cupcake, a barbie, and a blackberry---they always get creative!

The fridge, annoying orange, italian chef complete with table (in my class last year), queen of hearts from Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, and ALice behind her...so great!

Then we had a staff party with mostly foreign people and played some games USA vs. Canada vs. Mexico...it was a great time:)

our costume contest winners---Jon and Emily!:)

Team USA Midwest vs. Mexico Team #1----USA all the WAY!

Can we look more opposite? Crazy evil butcher vs. Sunshine

Fun times with Nicki, Meg, Catherine and Katie!

Carolina and cousin Fernando....being tough! jajaja...not!

Our hosts: Steve and Meredith--they switched costumes obviously!:)

Friends

It's been so fun getting to know new people this year. I've been deepening friendships with some I met last year, and embarking on new ones this year, both foreign and local people. It's amazing how friendships form sometimes with no effort, while other times it feels like you really have to put an effort into them. I've just been thinking of that the last month or so.

I dont have much to say, but i wanted to include some pictures of my friends here in Mexico--both new and old:)

me and meg

Jon as Miguel Hidalgo for independence day

Alyssa, Meredith, and Emily

Autumn, Alyssa, Me, Meg and Emily playing cards......we like games!

Mireya and Nicki celebrating Meg's bday

2 of my 3 neighbors: Jon and Dave

a whole bunch of foreigners with Pily and Carolina for some birthday fun

Me and Ricardo

Catherine, Nicki and Alyssa on Mexican Independence day!

Meg, James, and Steve at game night at my house

happy happy

do you ever have one of those days where for all logical reasons you should feel crappy or at least in a just okay mood? Well today should have been one of those. I literally slept like 1 hour cut into 5 minute increments last night (aka horribly), i'm trying not to let the frog in my throat become a cold, work is busy and kids go a little crazy sometimes, i had to go to the bank today (always fun huh) and so on....

but today instead of being in a bad mood, i felt an inexplicable happiness all day long. I felt giggly and fun, chatty and just like my face was going to explode from smiling. And the crazy part is honestly there is no specific reason.

Maybe it's everything in my life put together---all that important stuff that is deeper than the day to day happenings. Things aren't perfect and will never be, but i am happy and today was a day that i felt it fully, deep down to my toes:) Its a great feeling and i hope i have many more like it in my life and recognize them when they arrive.