I have this whole new family and Im in love with each of them

Just a few photos from last Friday...

I get to be in their wedding. You know, if. :)

Alot of the kids from Mexico have been sending out mass emails to all of us saying how they are. Then Ben sent this one. So funny:

Hi guys, it's Ben. The girl from the other group who put her name on our address list even though we didn't know her has managed to contact me. She's asked if I would forward her email to all of you. What follows is her email: (forwarded from whoamI@someemailaddress.com) " Hi guys, I hope all of you are doing very well. I've been trying to write all of you for a while now, but I could only find Ben's(I assume from his email address that his name is Ben) email address, and the first few times I wrote him he just wrote back 'who the hell are you?' Finally, when he realized who I was, or rather, as he says, who I wasn't(a person that any of you actually know), he agreed to pass along my email. I'm so glad I found all of you! It was so nice in Guanajuato, when I used the same office as all of you but didn't know any of your names or what you looked like. And I knew you didn't know my name or what I looked like. That situation formed for me, a special bond with you guys, even though Ben says 'It's not really a bond, it's just not knowing someone. In fact, it's almost the exact opposite of a bond.' I know he's wrong, because I miss you guys. When it gets really bad, sometimes I comfort my self by thinking that one or all of you might be nearby. After all, none of us would know it because, well, we don't really know each other. Sometimes when i'm in a crowd I call out one of your names, or what I think is one of your names, just to see if you're there. But it's hard because when someone responds, I never know if it's one of you or not, because when I ask "do I not know you?" the person always answers yes. Anyway it doesn't matter, because now I've found all of you. I've just been --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------." Hey guys, it's Ben again. I took the liberty of deleting the section where she let's us know what she's been doing. Obviously no one cares what she's been doing. Ok, back to her email: " So that's pretty much it. Now that I've done all that I hope to-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ;." Hey guys, Ben again. I also deleted the part where she tells us about her hopes and dreams. It was the most boring thing I've ever read, and I like you all too much to put you through all that. And after all, who cares? Nobody knows her anyway. Ok, sorry, back to her email: " So I guess you can tell from all that that I'm a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------." That's the part where she tells us who she is. I deleted that too because who cares who she is. Ok, sorry again, back to her email. " Well, that's it for now. I'll talk to all of you soon. My email address is-----------------------------." Who cares what it is. " My phone number is -----------------------." We don't need to know what the number is." For the next few months I'll be in-----------------------------------------." We don't need to know where she'll be for the next few months. "And then i'll be in ---------------------------------." Or any other time." I'll see you all in--------------------------." She won't see us.
Well guys, that's the end of the email. Sorry about all the interrumptions, but I think you all got the gist of her message. Later

you wont even believe it.

I want to go to a particular art show. Who wants to go with me?

Saw my first part of a Spurs game on Thursday night with Angela and some friends at a sports bar. When she first invited me I thought anything in the entire world would probably be more fun than basketball, but much to my surprise I was wrong. We were playing terribly but I cheered for both sides and it was kind of fun. We left at half time cause Ang had to get up really early the next day, and that was fine with me.
Friday I spent all day with my sick grandmother (type person) so my uncle (type person) could go to work. That was sad but at least I felt like I was helping. Friday night I had a nice dinner with my dad and then did some unpacking.
Saturday morning I had a nice surpirse breakfast with Lori. (She was such a good friend to me and Rachel that day.) Then I went to Rachel's baby shower. Wow. She was beautiful before, she looked incredible 6 months pregnant. I told my sister that if someone were trying to sell pregnancy they could use Rachel as a model. I wish her great joy.
Saturday night, a hilariously bad dinner at Chilis with the fam and Stephan. Then I went to (the other) Rachel and Gregs apartment for a little fiesta. I was the only single person there. I did meet a girl from Guanajuato, though, if you can believe that. Her name is Paula and she lives in DF now. She is the girlfriend of Gregs best friend Robert, they met in the Netherlands. She is only in town for a few days for his birthday. Anyway, a very funny time was had. God, nobody is funny like Amanda. I told her if anyone ever wants to fight me again I am so calling her. I almost hope it happens just to see it. She is awesome.
So, now its today. Im enjoying my coffee and fixing to go over to Kate and Stephans to pick up Lastat for the day cause they are both at work.
Dont forget to love your dad.
E

Ok, then.
Leaving Guanajuato was really sad. When I had around 19 days left I was ready to go but sometime shortly thereafter I realized how quickly the past 4.5 mos had gone and how soon I would be back in the US and I didnt want to leave yet... It was really hard to say goodbye to a lot of the people I met in Mexico.
But, anyway, the flight home worked out better than expected, given the obscene amount of luggage I had. I bought a big Mexican mirror without giving any thought to how I was going to transport it home. Amazingly, I was able to call it a carry on on both flights.
Then, dinner with the fam at Sompongs when I got back. Mmmmm, tofu... Sunday it was just me and the folks, ran a few errands, got to drive my car. Monday we had a welcome home, me thing at Carl and Maryettas and it was really nice. Our Columbian friends came, so I got to speak Spanish. And there was swimming, which is always fun... Im dog sitting for Katelyn and Stephan all week and last night Lastat(sp?) and I went over to their house. I think he felt better being home. Kenny and Chris stopped by. Poor Kenny had to fly back to Florida for a funeral earrrrly this morning. It was really good to see him again.
Hm. It appears that we have reached the present. I need desperately to clean my room (its still messy from 2 rounds of packing) and then *un*pack. Arg... and looking forward to coffee with Princess Angela at 5.
Have a good day.
Lovelovelove you.
E

Im home safe. :) More soon.
Lots of love
E

Alright. Today is my first official school free day. Sigh of relief. I am so glad. I got my conversation grade, which was a 95- yay! I only hope I do as well in my other classes.

Emily left early yesterday morning. Tuesday night was really sad. I wailed. Man, I hate that.

I absolutely can not express the extent to which I am in denial that my time in México is actually almost over. It definitely doesnt feel like I have been here anywhere near 5 months. I am so excited to return to my home and my family and friends (and car and air conditioner) but of course I am really sad because I know that the group of people I am leaving behind will never be reassembled. Even if I do come back to México one day, most if not all of the people who have been special to me here will no longer be here. This moment, this group, will never be recreated. And that definitely makes me sad. I havent had to deal with losing so many people at once ever in my adult life. I remember how sad I was to leave Germany and this is definitely similar, although I was too young then to grasp the full extent of what I was losing. Yeah.

So, 8 days.

I love you.

E

http://www.elzopilotemojado.com/gallery/Nuestros-Visitantes-Our-Customers/Picture_004

Where to begin? Well, today makes 6 days till Lori arrives and 12 till we both go homehomehome. Wow.
Got both my papers turned in Friday. Also got a 1 and 1/2 hour massage for $100 pesos. Tragically, the massuse (??) is returning to the states on Wed.
Friday night we had our ISA going away party (already!) and it was Danas last night. Almost everyone from ISA and Dana and Kelly and I went to some new bar called Carouso (??) there was much dancing and even some tequila to be had... then we went to Capitolio, this clubyclub kinda place which I usually am not into but, whatev. It was actually quite fun. I told some guy he was the most annoying guy I had ever met, or something like that.
... Saturday sucked a whole lot. I had a migraine. But we did see both the Interpreter and Star Wars. Both were good.
Sunday I worked on grammar all day. Only 18 pages to go before tomorrow. The highlight of my day was that I got to talk to both of my parents-yay! :P And I have a presentation to prepare for Conversation for tomorrow. Man, it really sucks that our semester is so much longer.
With that, Im off to work.
Lovelovelove
E
PS: Got 2 (count em, 2) new roommates yesterday (in my room-its crowded!)

I would like to apologize because my laziness is keeping you from seeing quite a few different photos. Maybe eventually.
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Hmmm... last week we heard mariachis. I expected it to be cool, but it was amazing. We were all sitting around this table in the outdoor part of a hotel restaurant. There were maybe 10 of us, and at least as many mariachis surrounding our table. Songs cost $100 pesos each. They were just awesome. Those photos *will* get posted as soon as I get them off Caties camera.
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In other news, another girl is living in our house. Her name is Kelly and she is 25. So, currently there more boarders (Me, Briana, Dana, Greg, Kelly) than family members living in our house. Although, sadly, Dana leaves Saturday.
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Dana, Kelly, Jen, and I spent the weekend at a hotel pool. They let us use it for free (Im told) because it makes the hotel look better if young Americans are seen lounging by the pool. Fine with us. :) They also brought us a free round of drinks when we first got there. And there was a waterslide. Slide!
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I dreamed I was going to be late for my going-back-to-USAA interview and so I called to see if I could reschedule instead and the guy said he was very disappointed in me for not coming back to work immediately after returning from Mexico. Ick.
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But, IRL, I am *not* returning to work immediately, and possibly not at all. More on that as I find out.
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I am going to visit Michael in Maryland around the end of June. We are going to go visit Boo in NY and see the DC sights and possibly a beach. And I will either go to NC mid-June or in August with my Dad... just need to figure out my work situation first. (And need to call Dad tonight to discuss this).
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Turns out history class is over in the sense that I no longer have to attend it, I just have to turn in my paper this week, meaning I could have gotten an extra hour of sleep this morning. Bah! ... We did a cool (albeit nerve racking) exercise in grammar where we all had to bring in an article in English. Then in pairs we went to the front of the class and read our articles aloud while our partner translated into Spanish. I called the Black Eyed Peas ¨Frijoles con ojos negros¨. Good times.
*
Ok, off to begin my final week of homework.
Much, much love.
E

Photo posting is more fun.

So, I am very ready to come home. Although I get all teary when I think about leaving Catie and Emily. Im a weeper.

I have a crazy ton of schoolwork to do before the end of the month, so that should keep me busy. Then I have 1 week to kill before Lori comes, but I will probably be running around doing last minute shopping/hanging out with people. Then 5 days of Mexican f-u-n with my best girl and then H-O-M-E. Wow. Exciting stuff.

Still hoping I might get 1 more visitor before I come home anyway.

  Er. What else? Had a lovely dinner at the Italian place with my Catie last night. I am so sick of Mexican food. At least the bland stuff we eat here. Maybe am going to get a massage from someone Ashlee knows tomorrow. Dana wants to go to the pool this week. Caties Dad is in town and we are going to go hear mariachis play Thursday night. And there is a possibility Dana and I will go to the beach this weekend.

Consider yourselves updated.
Much, much love from Mexico.
E

 

Poll #494866 Ah, the vanity.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 7

What color should I dye my hair when I go back home?

No email makes baby Jesus cry some more.

I remembered that Mom and I saw Cuban music performers and that was really cool... and something else that Michael and I did, which I subsequently forgot again...
1 month from today.
I am lucky I have so much to look forward to coming home to.
Yup.
E
PS, presentation moved to tomorrow