The End.
Decemeber 5th 2009
Today I hung out with my friend Sam, his girlfriend Alma and her sisiter. We were in this place downtown called Tianguis Cultural. It was kind of cool, but also not my kind of place. It wasn't a building, it was just alot of tents set up with stuff. Some of the stuff were of bong pipes and incense, clothes, anime, books, sunglasses, piercing stuff, etc etc.. A lot of the people there were either emo, gothic, or had dreads in their hair, so this really wasn't my kind of place to be, especially the way I was dressed. There was some BMXing going on. It made me scared for the bike riders because the stunts they were doing made me think that they were gonna mess up and seriously injure themselves. I came home and talked to my host family before they left for somewhere. I asked my host dad if I could have a party tomorrow (sunday) and invite my friends from school because I've been wanting to have a going away party, and he agreed to it, so I've already invited friends over for tomorrow to the house and we're gonna have one last goodbye and make it a good time. So I cleaned the house up here for tomorrow. I have pictures of my last day of school, but my laptop isn't working properly, so I am using my host dads, as soon as mine works with internet I will upload pictures (that may not be until I return back to Kansas), but I will take more pictures from the party so that way I can upload a lot more.
The End.
December 4th 2009
HELLO READERS! I am REALLY sorry for not posting anything in forever! I haven't really had anything big enough to blog about. Well, let me fill you all in on the latest news. I'M COMING HOME! I will be home on Tuesday the 8th. Well, actually on Wednesday the 9th because I land in Kansas City the 8th but will be staying the night in Kansas City with my parents because my flight will be landing at 11pm. Now, today was my last day of school because since I leave on Tuesday from Mexico City. I will be on a bus from Guadalajara to Mexico City, Monday late at night to catch my flight in MX City at 11am Tuesday. It was a sad day though for me at school because I will miss my friends dearly. My AFS Volunteer from Kansas gave me some post cards of Kansas before I left, and I've been giving those out to friends with a special message on the back of each on of them that I wrote. Just so they have a little something to remember me by. We didn't have Orientación Educative today, but we had Filosofía. Our teacher brought in one of his friends that plays guitar so that guy played guitar. He was kind of a funny and crazy guy. At the end of class I gave my goodbyes and had many long hugs from people. I wish I could pack all my friends in my suitcase and take them back to Kansas with me. BUT! Alas, I cannot. I made a decision to return home early and I made it because it seemed to be the right thing to do, and I still stand by that decision. I have to many things to do and it's not the best idea to stay until January. I will miss Mexico dearly, I will not deny that. This experience has changed my life in different ways and I don't regret coming here one bit! Honestly, I wouldn't mind living in Guadalajara where I am now because I really love this city, but I would only move here if my family were to choose to do so, but that most likely won't happen. I will come back though in the future to visit. Hopefully I can get one of my friends from here to move to Kansas or attend KSU! :) Like I said, I will miss my friends dearly as they will me. They will always be in my thoughts and in my heart. I will never forget them and all that they have done for me and taught me. God has blessed me by allowing me embark on this experience and putting me in this wonderful city! He has given me memories that I can never forget! For that I am GRATEFUL!
The End.
November 10th 2009
HOLA! I finally feel better from my sickness. The doctor said I had a Respiratory Infection and Bronchitis, but I'm ALL better now! I went back to school yesterday (monday) and started fresh again. It was just like any other day. I did have people ask where I was. I told them I was sick and they thought that I had Dengue (den-gay). It's a disease passed by certain mosquitos during the day. Luckly, I haven't been bitten by mosquitos for quite some time now! :) Today at school is one of those boring days in class. And when I say class, I mean Ecology. The teacher makes me want to sleep everytime. I should ask him to come over and talk, that way he'll help me get to sleep quicker.. jajaja :D Psychology isn't as boring. Today we had to get into groups of 4 and it we did role plays that was over the homework (I was gone last week so I didn't have the homework), but I still participated! And of course, I did my part in spanish like everyone else. I'm not quite sure what the homework was over, but I think it was over certain "crazyness's"? 3 of us were the actors while the other was the kind of narrator describing the symptoms and stuff for this crazyness that one actor was performing (I wasn't the crazy person, just saying). Me and this other girl were asking our friend if he would like to join us at a party. He was acting weird anyway when we asked him, and so he came. We got there and then he just gets crazy and starts hallucinating mosquitos and stuff in the air. We try and calm him down, but it doesn't work. So that was what OUR skit was about. Ok, now I have a situation that I need to tell you readers. Right now, I have no idea when I'm coming home. It could be in a couple weeks, or a month, or a few days after Christmas. The reason it could be in a few weeks is if they close the schools down because of Influenza, this is just a rumor right now. My intentions for Christmas is to spend it with my liaison and her family in Ciudad Juarez which is at the border of Mexico and US. For me to go I'm not sure how much it costs right now, but we believe that AFS should be the ones to pay for it no matter what. AFS Mexico has been lacking in organization we have noticed. They NEVER gave the Medical ID Card that could have been useful when I was sick. There are many reasons also behind the lack of help as well not only for me. I am going to offer AFS a deal that I think and others think is a good one too. That they pay for my trip to Juarez and then I will end my trip once I'm there and my parents said that they would come from Kansas to El Paso to pick me up a few days after Christmas. If they DON'T pay for it, I have no where to go for Christmas and I'm just going to tell them to send me home by my choice. If I were to go home for Christmas, AFS would have to pay for the way from Guadalajara to Mexico City to Miami, which would most likely cost a heck of a lot more! So my deal is from Guadalajara to Juarez, then end my program once I'm in Juarez and they won't need to be responsible for me. So I need to get all the details sorted out of "How much from GDL to Juarez, etc etc" and then we will call/email AFS Mexico. Hopefully they will make the right choice. A lady from the Manhattan AFS Chapter thinks that AFS Mexico should have to pay as well and was not happy about the unorganization for the Medical Card situation as well. We will have to find out in a few weeks to see what will happen.
The End.
November 2nd 2009
If you haven't already noticed, THEN RUB THAT SLEEP OUT OF YOUR EYES, I changed the layout of my blog. I hope you like it. I noticed a couple butterflies at the top and that girl sitting, well I'm ignoring those because I like London, so thats why I chose this layout. If I knew how I would edit them out, but sadly I don't know how. I'll give an update here. On Halloween the host family and I decided to go to a little "play" in one of the cemetaries. It was cool, even though I didn't understand EVERYTHING the lady was saying. I wouldn't exactly call it a play though, but it only consisted of one lady dressed as one of the "dead". I understood a lot of what she was saying, so that was good. It was at night when we went to see this event. The downside to what's happend lately is I've been sick for the past 3-4 days. I've been coughing, runny/stuffy nose, had a sore throat, had a headache, believe I have a fever too. I'm trying to get a hold of my liaison to try and get me to see a doctor by tomorrow (Nov. 3rd). There is something that you all should know as well. There has been a rumor around my school about the schools closing by November 20th due to the N1H1 flu. Right now its in the yellow zone and if it hits the red zone, they will close the schools. If this ends up happening, I will be returning home early. I will still stay here for a little bit because I've been wanting to see some friends that I made at the Orientation Camp and I haven't seen them since August. So hopefully I can go see them, and make a trip to Mexico City to visit someone else before I return to the states. I probably won't return until early December so that way I have the time to visit these people. BUT! This isn't a for sure thing yet, its not only been said in my school, but I mentioned it to my host family and liaison and they said that they were aware of this. **IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, GO LOOK AT MY PICTURES!! THANKS FOR READING!
The End.
WARNING! ATTENTION!
THROUGHOUT MY BLOG THERE ARE WORDS THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED, DO NOT CLICK ON THEM, I DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY ARE HIGHLIGHTED. THEY TAKE YOU TO A WEBSITE THAT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. JUST REMEMBER THAT ALL MY PHOTOS WILL ALWAYS BE ON THE AUGUST 30TH POST!!!! THAT IS THE ONLY THING THATS HIGHLIGHTED THAT YOU SHOULD CLICK IS ON THE AUGUST 30TH POST! THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
The End.
October 28th 2009
Ok, I'm going to update you about a couple days. On sunday I went bike riding with my liaison. We rode ALL the way to Tlaquepaque. I. WAS. SORE! But it was worth it, I've been to the town of Tlaquepaque before, but there were dances going on that I got pictures of. They were ancient dances, so the people were dressed like back in Aztec/Mayan time.
Tonight (28th), I went with some friends after school to this haunted house thing that was going on. There were quite a few people who went. It WAS AWESOME! I got TONS of photos. They will be in the album "Haunted House" and the other new ones will be in "Tlaquepaque" and "Prepa 5". We waited for like an hour and a half in line just to get in, but it was cool inside. I couldn't see ANYTHING in some places because it was pitch black! All I kept saying was "NO PUEDO VER NADA! ESTOY CIEGO!" I was at the front of the line and my friend Moni was holding on to me so tight because she was scared. It was very cool in there though. They made it scary. We noticed people sweating when they got out of there while we were in line. We were sweating too when we got out. Like I said, I'm going to upload ALOT of photos, so go look at them!! Thanks for reading!
The End.
October 23rd 2009
Hola Todos! Sorry it's been awhile. :( I'll give a little update here. Well, since my host dad will be in Puerto Vallarta from Dec. 13th-30th and my host mom will be working as well as on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I would have HATED to spend Christmas alone. I just wanted to spend it with someone. First thought that came to my mind was that maybe I could go home early since I will be going back home on January 15th anyway. I had a talk with my liaison and she said that I may spend Christmas with her and her family. I am OVER joyed to spend Christmas with them! I am really anxious to meet her family. Her mom is from El Paso, TX and if she comes to Guadalajara, then we'll stay here, but if not, then we're going to Ciudad Juarez (VERY DANGEROUS CITY!!), I'm ignoring the fact that it is dangerous because I would be spending it with her family. It is possible as well that I may go to El Paso with her mom for a day or something. Now, about today, after school I went to Las Fiestas de Octubre with my friend Jenny and her tia and prima. We went to go see the Yuridia concert. Her opening was Blanca Fernandez. So now I have 2 new musical artists that I like! Yuridia was REALLY good and so was Blanca Fernandez!! The Auditorium was packed with people, my legs were so numb because we sat on the ground. After her concert we walked around for awhile. I really enjoyed myself!! PICTURES TO COME REALLY SOON! TOOK PICTURES AT CONCERT AND WILL UPLOAD SOON!
The End.
October 16th 2009
Sorry its been awhile. First off, NEW PICTURES!! GO TO THE "PREPA 5" folder. I'll shorten up whats been going on/happened. Yesterday I was making breakfast, then all of a sudden I hear this meowing. I ran upstairs and grabbed my key to open the door, and what do you know, a little tiny kitten is at the front door. I don't know where she came from or anything, but I have a hint though. A week ago I was outside (night time) petting a female cat, she was grey and white. I believe she lived next door. And the kids who I gave the puppy to I think live there as well. SO I believe that this little kitten belongs to that cat because they're both the same colors. I think the they dropped off the kitty as a thank you for giving them the puppy. The kitty is cute and all, but I don't have time to train her or anything. She's a little wild, but likes me. She's only about 2-3 weeks old. So we're going to find her a home, until then she's with us. Moving on to today. There was the voting in school for the school president I believe. There was 2 teams "Rojo" and "Morados", they came to our class and gave BETTER speeches than what STUCO gives at MHS (sorry but its true). I say better because their speeches are cooler. Anywho, we voted today (I don't know who I voted for, I just wrote down a name, apparently I voted for Morados). There was a type of Prep Rally going on as they counted the votes. Team Rojo won, and when they announced it, the Morados ran over to the other side and was about to start a fight, I believe one was started at that time. There were a few fights that broke out because of this. Even a few people from Team Morado were crying! I guess it's a bigger deal or something here than STUCO is for us, because we don't start fights if we lose. The police were even called to the school later when we all were OUTSIDE of the school. Before they arrived, people started running around the corner because I think a fight broke out. When my friends and I got to the corner everyone started running back. I take it that some police went over there.
I was planning on going to a Belanova concert today. I asked if anyone wanted to go with me, but no one really likes Belanova nor did they want to go. So I ended up not going because I REALLY hate going places by myself. To me, going somewhere by yourself is one of the most boring things there is. It's not as fun as it is if you have someone with you. So I came home and tended to the kitty and uploading pictures for this blog and facebook. I'm even going to start working on my presentation that I have to present when I return to Kansas. This is all I have to say for right now, but GO CHECK OUT THE PICTURES!! THANKS!
The End.
October 11th. 2009
Today I was going to hang out with Ana downtown and go to a parade. When I got to the train station, I heard a barking sound, and in the trash can was a puppy! :'( I felt so bad for him and I asked the security guard if it was hers, and she said no. So I took him out and turned around and walked home. I wanted to give him some food and water. I put him outside on the patio, but when I'd shut the sliding glass door, he'd bark/whine, but I had to go downtown. So I left and went downtown. No sign of Ana. I waited and waited, so then I decided to just go back home. I bought some dog food and gave him some. I tried to bathe him because he smelt like coffee, but he didn't like that and only whined and barked. I had to clean up his pee about 6 times and he pooped once and I cleaned that up. He was a cute dog and all, but I really didn't want to keep him if he was going to whine and bark constantly if I put him outside and if he was going to poop and pee in the house alot. I didn't want to add MORE responsibility here than what I have, and if we kept it then the dog would have gotten really attached to me, so once I leave he wouldn't see me again. This puppy was following me all over. Except he couldn't climb the stairs or want to go down them. I wanted to wait til my host family got home to see where we should take him because I really didn't want to put him back in the streets. Luckly, I was outside with him and these kids walked by and I asked them if they wanted him. They ended up taking him. I gave them the small bag of dog food I got too. So hopefully they ACTUALLY got to keep him as a pet.
The End.
October 6th 2009
Well, after my spanish classes today I decided to head on over to Sirloin Stockade. I never head home after my spanish classes, I'm trying to save my Transvales because I'm using more now due to taking the bus to Chapultapec and Av. Hidalgo. Anywho, so I went to eat at Sirloin to see if it would be as bad as ours, and they have some different things on the buffet (some mexican things if ya know what I mean ;)......) So I ate my food and then I did a little judging. I said to myself "Yup still gross food at Sirloin". It was better food than our Sirloin in Manhattan I will admit that. The only delicious food there was the dessert section as well as the one in Manhattan. Moving on to school. This week I had/have 4 tests! One was actually a surprise one today, so originally I only thought I had 3. They all have a metaphorical "F" on them already. Not that I want them to be an F, I can't understand pretty much all the questions. Took 2 tests today from that 4, and the Ecology one was bad, but I actually did better than one of the people in my class! So I feel a little sense of accomplishment. As for the Psychology test, well, let's just say I did my best. I don't know what my score is on it yet, but I just know that I tried my best at it, even thought I'm positive it's not good. Have a Literature test tomorrow and a Philosophy test on Friday. I'd study, but have no clue WHAT to study, and if did know, I wouldn't understand WHAT I'm studying. Let's here some GOOD news now! WONDERFUL NEWS! I DON'T HAVE TO SWITCH HOST FAMILIES ANYMORE!! WOOHOO! And a bike ride on sunday downtown. Every sunday theres a BIG thing where people can bike ride or something down certain streets they block off. So I'm going to go and bike ride on sunday!
The End.
October 3rd 2009
Nothing really happened DURING the day, so I'm going to skip to the evening part. When 6pm rolled around, my host dad and I went to go pick up my host mom from work. I told them the night before that I wanted to take them out to eat, so when we picked her up thats just what we did was go out to eat. They asked me what I was hungry for and I just said anything. So we went to this Italian restaurant which was pretty good. I had some sort of grilled chicken with herbs, but it was good. After we had left the restaurant, we went downtown to see an "Obra" (play/musical). It was free entrance and the building it was in was still undergoing construction, so you could see behind the stage (there were no curtains, it was no fancy stage or anything). The way to discribe this musical/play is that it was more of interpretive dancing. I didn't understand what the whole thing was about. Just that they were dancing around and stuff, but it was overall pretty good. I didn't take my camera because I wasn't expecting to go there, so I guess I need to start taking my camera everywhere! THANKS FOR READING AND CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON FOR MORE UPDATES AND POSSIBLE PICTURES!!
The End.
October 1st 2009
Today was a heck of a way to start the month. I'll start at the beginning of the day. I got up as usual and did my dishes and shower. I left the house by 10am and headed downtown. Went to use the computer for an hour, then went to another part of Guadalajara that I've been to once before when I first arrived. I went to a place thats like a BIG flee market. The place is called San Juan De Dios. I went and walked around for a while. I did buy something, but this place is a WONDERFUL place to go for souvenirs. I even found a Mocajete for my mom (that I need to buy). After I left there, I decided to go ahead and go to school, even though I didn't have to be there for another 2 hours. I just sat at a table at school and was doing some writing. I did meet a few new people though. One actually speaks english. I think shes the first person I met who speaks the most english at my school. I am practicing my spanish alot though. Got out of school REALLY early today because our Psicología teacher had something else better to do? Fine by me I guess. I just hung out with some friends near the school. At 8pm I left the school area to go downtown for the Language Club. Got there and Ana was waiting for me, but there was nobody even there! So her and I just talked. She said to me "I have some bad news, you have to switch families." I asked why, and she said to me that my host mom called her saying the someone broke into our house again, but this time took stuff. It really scared me. This person got in the same way as the first. They couldn't take the frame out this time. So they had even MORE limited space to get in. They took the TV and 3 watches. I don't know when, who, or where I'm having to move to. I want to stay in Guadalajara because I like it here and I love my school and friends. I didn't want to switch families, but I don't know if I have a choice. The rober tried to get into our rooms, but didn't succeed. Which is good, because if I left my door unlocked, they would have taken my laptop, camera, and ipod touch. Hopefully I won't have to move families because I have felt a REAL difference/change these past few days and want that to continue!
The End.
September 25th 2009
I went downtown with Ana today to go to the Language School that I'll hopefully attend. I'm supposed to go back on monday for a "Test Class" to see if I like it or not. Ok, let me back up just a little bit. Before we went to the school, we stopped next to the church where I have been going. She wanted to buy some fruit and a drink. I bought a Chocolate Ice Cream and then went next door to the Panaderia. All the desserts looked DELICIOUS in there! Well, I've seen most of the things in there before, because I've been to the Panaderia in Topeka many times, so I recognized most of what was in there. I did buy a few things. As a matter of fact, I'm eating one of the things I bought as I type this. YUUUMMMM!! Now, over to school. I get to school and I was a little late, or so I thought. I get there and I see some of my classmates next to the OXXO, and they were telling me (in spanish) that we didn't have class. I was thought "WHAT?! I RUSHED TO SCHOOL TO FIND OUT I COULD HAVE TAKEN MY TIME!?" I met up inside the school with a couple of my friends and then we just sat in La Biblioteca. We were being fools. Taking pictures of one another without each other really knowing. One of mi amigas took a picture of me on her phone, and I was stretching my mouth because it was hurting from smiling to much, and she took a picture of me and I looked so stupid! JAJAJA! When we had Filosofia, our teacher had brought this musical group in. We each payed 30 pesos for them to come. During their performance, one of the guitar guys was saying something to me during his performance because he knew I spoke english. I couldn't hear what he said and he said to the class that I don't know english (in spanish). It was funny though, then he said "Are you timid?" I was like "HUH?" because I don't use the word "timid", then he said "timido" which means shy and I said no. I guess he wanted me to make a noise like an animal. While he was playing, he had the class repeat after him the following "Mother Nature Gives Me" and he was telling the how to pronounce it. I don't think he really was an english speaker, he probably only knew somethings in english. Over all it was cool and funny.
**SOME NEW PICTURES IN THE ALBUM "PREPA 5"
The End.
September 24th 2009
Did the normal routine in the mornings. I woke up, did the dishes, took a shower, and then I left the house. When I left the house, I went downtown like usual. I went to that church and spent my time with GOD again, and then I left and just walked downtown some more. I decided to walk down a little bit further than usual, but not to far because I had school in about 1.5 hrs. and I didn't want to get lost. Now, I'm going to skip to school. In Ecology, the teacher was talk (about the same thing as he does everytime he comes to our class) and about half way through the class, something started to make me cough and I noticed many others were too! Turns out someone or something sprayed Pepper Gas from the outside of our room through the window I think, I'm not sure, but we all left the classroom because we were all coughing! So we got out of class about hour early. All we could do is hang out and wait for our next class. Then some of the kids in my class called me over to them. They were asking me lots of questions about where I'm from etc, and some of those being very personal questions as well that I didn't tell them because I felt that they were none of their business. Of course they didn't speak english, but for the most part I understood them. One thing thats VERY different about his school from Manhattan High School is that A LOT of the kids here smoke! :( And its allowed to smoke in the courtyard in the school and to smoke right outside of the school. Unlike MHS, students who smoke can't smoke on school grounds. Which is good that we can't smoke on school ground, I don't think people should smoke period, but thats just me. After school. I headed back downtown to meet up with my liaison. We were going to that Language Club thats every Thursday night. There was NOT alot of people like the first time I went, but it could also been due to the fact that I was raining pretty bad for a little bit.
The End.
September 22nd 2009
Today I went to one of the many churches here in Guadalajara. Something about this church was calling to go into it. The others didn't seem to call me like this one. There wasn't a mass going on, but I went and spent some time with God. I have been longing for this time with Him. I miss having this time with God! I was told that there's a trip to Oaxaca on October 7-11th, but I'm not sure. I was told by someone I met at camp who works for AFS, she said that they will email us the information. Hopefully I can go! Today at school in Psicologia, we did this thing to relax and get rid out our stress. Our substitue played some music and had us close our eyes. I think she was telling us to imagen that we were somewhere else with more details, but I didn't understand her. I felt better afterwards because I think thats what I've been feeling lately was stress. And next weekend I think my liaison and I are going to her grandparents beach house for a couple days. The house is near Puerto Vallarta. I'm going to be honest when I say, I do miss good Ol' Kansas. I don't believe I'm homesick though, but I do miss home. I think Christmas is going to be a little hard this year, but I'll make it through. I won't be celebrating Thanksgiving this year because they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Mexico. I LOVE you all and miss you all and can't wait to see you again and all the new things in Manhattan waiting for me when I return! **I'LL TRY AND GET MORE PICTURES UP SOON!
The End.
September 19th 2009
Today was a pretty good day I have to say. This morning I took the train to downtown so I could go to this language school and take a test and see what spanish level class I can take. I could have taken a bus to Chapultapec from the station, but I decided to walk. And that was about a 20 block walk by my estimate! I could only remember Chapultapec from the bus, but never walked there before from the train station so I thought I got lost, but I didn't! I asked for directions and I was going the right way! Once I got to Chapultapec, I walked a couple blocks until I got to Chapultapec and Av. Hildalgo. I found the school and took the test. I felt pretty confident on it because I knew almost everything on it, except a could questions I wasn't sure what it was asking me to do, but for the most part I think I got ALOT of them right! When I was done I headed back to the train station, but this walk seemed ALOT shorter than my walk there! So I came home and watched SELENA on DVD and then later my host father and I went to one of his little cousins or nieces birthday party. It was nice, there was at the outskirts of town and it was like kind of a small farm because there were goats and chickens in there (but gated up). I was feeding the goats! Then I sat down and visited with his family members that I met before, and they don't speak english at all so I was using my limited spanish. :) There was a karaoke machine that has the music already programed into it and there was alot of music, it was like a karaoke machine and a plain music player because there were ALOT of music albums on there that weren't karaoke. A couple of my host fathers Aunts went to it and did alot of karaoke. EVEN I DID SOME KARAOKE!! The only karaoke I did was Selena! Mainly because thats the only karaoke on there that I knew! haha.. But I got up and sang to Selena! It was pretty fun! I enjoyed that. When we were going to leave, we were going to take his Aunts to the train station and as we were leaving, outside there was a guy that was getting the heck beat out of him! I was kinda scared at that moment because these people were drunk and this guys face was bloody. :( I don't know where these people came from because I didn't see a bar near by, but its more violent outside of the city. I am so fortunate to live in a neighborhood that is quite and safe. Nobody really bothers you if you walk home at night, and there's usually still alot of people, even children, out at night after 9pm! But that's the only thing that scared me was seeing that guy getting beat up over there. I guess that goes to show you what could happen when people are drunk when you mess with them. For the most part though, I believe that I will always be safe and won't have to worry about being in that kind of situation.
The End.
PICTURES!! PICTURES!! PICTURES!!
Posted MORE pictures! They are the CHAPALA and INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE albums.
*If you forgot where to find pictures or are new to reading my blog, look to the side of the posts and go to August 30th!! ALL pictures will be on the August 30th post. :)
*If you forgot where to find pictures or are new to reading my blog, look to the side of the posts and go to August 30th!! ALL pictures will be on the August 30th post. :)
The End.
September 16th 2009
For this post I am borrowing my host fathers computer, my laptop is messing up.
TODAY IS INDEPENDENCE DAY!! WOO! First, my host dad and I went downtown to the parade that was going on. I took photos of some of the parade, it was cool, VERY long so we didn't stay for the whole thing. Then we came back home and stayed here for a while, then we went to Chapala, it's a small town, but it is VERY pretty! Many retired Americans live there! I've enjoyed the day because I had no school today and saw a parade, and went to Chapala! Sounds like a good day to me! I have taken pictures but won't post them until my computer is up and running, but as soon as I get them posted, I will let you know!! THANKS FOR READING!
TODAY IS INDEPENDENCE DAY!! WOO! First, my host dad and I went downtown to the parade that was going on. I took photos of some of the parade, it was cool, VERY long so we didn't stay for the whole thing. Then we came back home and stayed here for a while, then we went to Chapala, it's a small town, but it is VERY pretty! Many retired Americans live there! I've enjoyed the day because I had no school today and saw a parade, and went to Chapala! Sounds like a good day to me! I have taken pictures but won't post them until my computer is up and running, but as soon as I get them posted, I will let you know!! THANKS FOR READING!
The End.
September 15th 2009
Right now, things are a little hard, but I have no doubt in my mind that they will get better real quick. AFS says that I NEED extra curricular activities, and to a few it seems I'm trying to push them away. I'm really not! I WANT to do something, but can't really make up my mind on what I want to do! I've spent way to much time in the house on the computer and watching TV. I'm not really allowed too much time on the computer anymore in the mornings until night time when I get home from school or from hanging out. I've taken the biggest step in my life by doing this experience. So far this is the longest I've been away from BOTH of my parents. I kinda think sometimes "Did I get in way over my head by taking this big step? Should I have given a lot more thought before taking this experience?" Apparently I was ready if I wanted to come, was ALLOWED to come, and had support from others. I LOVE Mexico, and even though I haven't done a WHOLE BUNCH of things, I've already felt some change. As for the extra curriculars, I'm going to become a volunteer at my host moms school for english classes (I'll be helping out), on Thursday Nights my liaison and I will be going to this Language Club downtown where most of the people there are here abroad in college, and a couple times a week tutoring session with my liaison. Those are the things I plan to do. I haven't been getting up until late, but now I have to get up by 8am and do something (hopefully the extra curriculars). I got up this morning by 7:30 and did the dishes then I went downtown. I stopped to eat at a Chinese Restaurant then walking through some of downtown. I stopped at many bookstores because I need a History Book, but couldn't find the right one. I even got lost and just kept walking for awhile til I stopped at this bookstore and asked for directions (IN SPANISH!), and I understood what the clerk said too!
The End.
September 11th 2009
Sorry I haven't updated this lately, nothing has really happened.
Today at school was cool. In Orientación Educativa, we did this thing where we put a paper on our back and go around to people in the class and we had to write something on their paper (something nice). I decided to write mine in English. :) Even though they didn't know what they said, but I told most of them to come visit me in Kansas. I did write to a few people in Spanish because they told me to, so I did. After that class was Philosophy, which myself and a few others had to leave because we didn't have copies of the book? I'm not sure, I bought a book but was given my money back like many others. For what reason why some of us didn't get a book or had to leave? I have no idea. So we just sat in the courtyard for 2 hours until school got out. Before school was over, I decided to go to the 7-11 across the street (its an open campus, just to let you know) and a little cute puppy came into the school!! It was a street dog, and it was VERY CUTE! I picked him up and took him across the street with us. I went in to get me something to drink and wanted to give the dog something to eat, but didn't know what!! I know not to give him chocolate and didn't want to give him candy or chips. So I got a small pack of little donuts and gave him one, but he didn't eat it. The dog liked me though. I sat on the ground and he layed next to my leg. Some little boys brought him some water. I just wanted to take the dog with me and give him a home!! :'( If I see the the little dog again, I might just do that!! ;) After school I went to my friend Paulina's house for a bit. We have plans on going to the mall, sorry, ONE of the malls here on Sunday the 13th. CHECK BACK AGAIN!!
The End.
September 6th 2009
NEW PICTURES AVAILABLE! Look in the Guadalajara folder and the Fire Show folder.
*To view ALL pictures I post go to the August 30th it will take you to my photos.. :)
THANKS TO ALL WHO READ MY BLOG! IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO ME.. :')
*To view ALL pictures I post go to the August 30th it will take you to my photos.. :)
THANKS TO ALL WHO READ MY BLOG! IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO ME.. :')
The End.
September 5th 2009
Today, We cleaned house a bit. I cleaned the car. The plan that was for tonight was to go to a Theater for a play or something. Angel (host dad) and I left the house about 5:30pm to go pick up Patty (host mom) from work. We got there, picked her up, then headed to the Theater. We got there and was waiting for Patty's friend. Come to find out, the show was SOLD OUT!?! So then we decieded to go to an Art Exhibition. We got there and come to find out, THEY WERE CLOSED AS WELL!! So we went downtown to an event that was going on. It wasn't to far away from the American Embassy, so I saw the American Embassy here. :) There were some people giving a speech at this event, but I don't know what the whole event was about, but then when they were done, there was like a Fire Show. People juggling fire on a unicycle and on their feet. There was even a girl dancing with the "fire sticks?" It was pretty cool, I have pictures that I will post within the next 2 days.
The End.
September 4th 2009
My apologies for not updating this for a few days, there hasn't been much happening here, but I will update this on September 6th or 7th. I have plans for Sunday, so I will update this then. As for these past 2 days I've been going to school, met some more people and found out that some of the kids in my class do speak little English, they were just holding out on me, jajaja :D I'm enjoying school, still not understanding the concept of what the teachers are teaching me, but I'm understanding more though! I had bought a sucker (lollipop) at school and it was watermelon flavored, but it had a weird taste to it, that's because there was some chili added to it. Mexicans (and I'm sure most Hispanic countries) like some fruits with chili powder. I personally am not crazy about it, but its ok with the sucker. I had tried watermelon with chili powder and I didn't like it, but to Mexicans and other hispanics they like it and its considered candy to them. Yesterday during and after school it was raining. I hung out with a few friends just down the street from school at this small chinese restaurant and then all of a sudden it started POURING rain!! When it finally stopped, we left to head next to the train station. Theres a convenient store thats like 7/11 called OXXO and we were standing there visiting a few others. Then one of them said that the train was shut down!! I wasn't sure how I was gonna get home, but I ended up taking the autobus with another kid in my class, and it dropped me off at my train station. It was already dark outside, so I walked home at dark hours, but nobody really bothers you here. It might seem scary, but nobody really bothers you in the area that I walk from home to the station. **PLEASE CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON FOR ANOTHER UPDATE(S) AND POSSIBLY PICTURES AS WELL, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE PICTURES! I WILL PUT IN MY NEXT POST IF THERES NEW PICTURES THOUGH! :)
The End.
August 31st 2009
It was my first day of school today. So, I met up with Ana at the school so we can choose my elective classes. Turns out, they weren't going to give me elective classes because there wasn't many left I think? So I don't go to school until 3pm now. :) From 3-7pm!! When Ana and I were there, there was a Lucha Libre going on in the courtyard!! With a real wrestling ring and stuff! I believe it was to promote drug prevention which I thought was really cool since I'm in a drug prevention group at my school in Kansas!! When Ana left me by myself, I was alone for a few hours before class started. Nobody talked to me, I didn't know what to do, so I just sat down somewhere for awhile. When 3pm came along, I went to my class and asked the teacher who was there something (not my teacher), and I told her I was new at the school (she didn't speak english either), so she told the few kids who were in the room to saw Hi to me and introduce themselves. NOBODY SPEAKS ENGLISH!! I was in shock!! I thought the kids my age knew english or were at least ok in it!! Not even my teachers knew english, and my Literature teacher, she looks American!! She doesn't look anything like a Mexican, not because of her skin color, but she actually looked American!! Moving on.. I did make a few friends in the class. :) 2 of them speak a little english, but I've made a few friends who don't speak english.. Right now its hard to understand what the teacher is teaching. I understand somethings here and there, but as for the concept of what their talking about, I have no clue! Hopefully soon I will be able to understand MUCH better!! CHECK BACK AGAIN FOR UPDATES!! :)
The End.
PICTURES!! PICTURES!! PICTURES!!
Here are some pictures taken so far of my AFS experience in Mexico. :] Be sure to check back often for more updates!
AFS MEXICO PICTURES (Click Here)
For starters, I depart from Kansas City Airport on August 20th at 7am to fly to Miami, Florida for the Gateway Orientation with ALL the kids from USA going to a Latin American country. I will be the only one there going to Mexico. :) As I sit here typing this Blog, I've been thinking of how my experience will turn out. Will it be wonderful? Will something go wrong? Will I make many friends? Just so many things race through my mind. The only things that worry me about my absence here in Kansas is my family and few of my friends. I am VERY excited to begin this journey and learn a new culture and its language. In the past few weeks I've been gathering things together that I'm taking with my and putting them on my desk. I've been wondering if I'll OVER pack at all.. hahaha :D
Now, a little about where I'll be staying in Mexico. I'll be living in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. It is a suburb of Guadalajara. I'll be taking a train to school everyday. :) The family I'll be living with seem like a very nice couple. This is their first time Hosting, so I hope to make it the best experience for both of us!
I've already told people that that I can't keep much contact with home. This is to prevent homesickness and to keep me submerged in the culture. I'll try to update this blog sometimes and I'll be on facebook at times. To whom ever read this blog, let me tell you this, you may still send me messages through facebook or any other way, but I'm not going to guarantee you that I will respond. I will promise you that I'll read them. :) This doesn't mean that you can't message me, you can try and I might reply.
I'll do my best to update this blog with pictures and more stories.
ADIOS!!
AFS MEXICO PICTURES (Click Here)
The End.
August 27th 2009
We went to the school today to get my schedule. Their school system is WAY different than what I'm used to! At the end of this post I'm putting my schedule. When my liaison, host mom, and myself were finished we were outside and then my liaison had to go back in for something. While my host mom and I was waiting, some mexican girl that goes there just came up to me and grabbed my arm and took me over to 2 of her girl friends and guy friend. They didn't speak english at all. It was awkward for me because I wasn't used to some random person coming up to me and taking me over to their friends. I wasn't sure of everything that they said, but I understood some. I told them my name, where I am from, and why I was here. They we're kind of confused about the whole Exchange Student thing. I don't know why? Maybe they haven't really had Foreign Exchange in their school before?
LUNES:
LUNES:
15:00-16:00 -- Literatura I
16:00-17:00 -- Literatura I
17:00-18:00 -- Historia Nacional
18:00-19:00 -- Historia Nacional
MARTES:
15:00-16:00 -- Ecología
16:00-17:00 -- Ecología
17:00-18:00 -- Psicología
18:00-19:00 -- Psicología
MIÉRCOLES:
15:00-16:00 -- Filosofía I
16:00-17:00 -- Literatura I
17:00-18:00 -- Historia Nacional
18:00-19:00 -- Historia Nacional
JUEVES:
15:00-16:00 -- Ecología
16:00-17:00 -- Ecología
17:00-18:00 -- Psicología
18:00-19:00 -- Psicología
VIERNES:
16:00-17:00 -- Literatura I
17:00-18:00 -- Historia Nacional
18:00-19:00 -- Historia Nacional
MARTES:
15:00-16:00 -- Ecología
16:00-17:00 -- Ecología
17:00-18:00 -- Psicología
18:00-19:00 -- Psicología
MIÉRCOLES:
15:00-16:00 -- Filosofía I
16:00-17:00 -- Literatura I
17:00-18:00 -- Historia Nacional
18:00-19:00 -- Historia Nacional
JUEVES:
15:00-16:00 -- Ecología
16:00-17:00 -- Ecología
17:00-18:00 -- Psicología
18:00-19:00 -- Psicología
VIERNES:
15:00-16:00 -- Orientación Educativa
16:00-17:00 -- Orientación Educativa
17:00-18:00 -- Filosofía II
18:00-19:00 -- Filosofía II
Ok, so this is my schedule at Prepa 5 (Cinco). I (myself) don't start school until 3pm and I end at 7pm. I should be going from 1-7pm, but they didn't give me electives. But this school system is WAY different from what I'm used to as you can see.. They go by groups, and I'm in Group 5*B, so I start at 3pm and EVERYBODY who is in a Group together has the same classes together. I'll be in the same classroom with the same kids all day. The teachers are the ones who move to different rooms, we don't.
16:00-17:00 -- Orientación Educativa
17:00-18:00 -- Filosofía II
18:00-19:00 -- Filosofía II
Ok, so this is my schedule at Prepa 5 (Cinco). I (myself) don't start school until 3pm and I end at 7pm. I should be going from 1-7pm, but they didn't give me electives. But this school system is WAY different from what I'm used to as you can see.. They go by groups, and I'm in Group 5*B, so I start at 3pm and EVERYBODY who is in a Group together has the same classes together. I'll be in the same classroom with the same kids all day. The teachers are the ones who move to different rooms, we don't.
The End.
August 24th 2009
Today I woke up and then Patty and I left to walk to the train station (and that’s about 10min away from their house!!). I’m going to have to take that EVERYDAY to school, but she took me downtown today and showed me around MANY places! We stopped to eat at a restaurant she likes and it had Mexican food and American food. One of her friends met up with us there. There were old guys playing dominos and I guess that’s popular for them to do there, and it was funny because at one point, an old man stood up over there and was mad about something, probably because another old guy cheated, it was funny. After we were done eating, then we started to really go through the city. We went inside a REALLY old and nice Catholic church, in a library that used to be a church AGES ago. She showed me around the stores and a place that’s kinda like a HUGE flea market. Throughout our walk through the city, there will be MANY people coming up to you trying to sell you something (that most likely was stolen), but all you have to do is ignore them or say something like “No Gracias or No Tengo Dinero”. I even saw one the street MANY people one the ground or something needing money. I felt so bad for them, but I was told that most of them are there ONLY to make money and aren’t really homeless or filthy poor. I saw this elderly lady on the ground and I just felt SO bad for her! I kinda felt like at least giving her a coin, but I didn’t. And at one point I saw these children on the ground and one of them sleeping, but people will ask their friends to borrow their kids so it can seem like their poor. We got on the buses and those things are CROWDED! I didn’t like the bus experience, because not only did I have to stand up like many others, but I was like so close to many people. I didn’t like riding the bus AT ALL!! **KEEP READING MY BLOG FOR MORE UPDATES!!
The End.
August 23rd 2009
On this day we all departed from our families. We had breakfast and then headed to the buses to be taken to either the airport or the bus station (for me and some others it was the bus station). We got there and waited for a few hours until our bus would take us to our places (3 other kids and myself we’re on the same bus to Guadalajara, but they were placed in Colima, Jalisco). We were on that bus for about 7 HOURS!! On that bus ride I made two more friends with kids I hadn’t talked with during the camp (a guy from Germany and a girl from Norway). I was happy though that one of my New Zealand friends was on this bus ride. Once we arrived in Guadalajara, we went got in a taxi to take us to this little outside patio restaurant called “Las Sombrillas” and let me tell you this, YOU HAVEN’T DRIVEN UNTIL YOU’VE DRIVEN IN MEXICO! There’s like NO rode rules really. Not a lot of lines on the street, people ALL over the place, honking none stop, make what we would call “Illegal turns” because there’s cars that might turn right, but they’re like 4 lanes over from spot were it would be safer to turn. Pedestrians do NOT have a right of way, don’t think that just because you’re able to cross the street that a car will stop for you, because they most likely won’t. After awhile at Las Sombrillas, my host family showed up there! So I went my separate way from the others. We came to their home and I was shown around a bit then I went to bed.
The End.
August 22nd 2009
Ok, today was the official day that we started camp in Cuernavaca. I was shy at first because I didn’t know ANYBODY and everyone seemed to at least know somebody because they we’re from their country. Once we started the activities, that’s when people started socializing with me and me socializing with them. I am VERY happy for today because I made MORE friends!! They come from New Zealand, Norway, and Belgium and a few from other countries. So far this has been a GREAT experience for me. Tomorrow we all depart for our families, but let’s talk about today. We did various activities today and tonight after supper was the Talent Show. Everybody did something from their country (it was usually ALL the kids who were from that country did something together). Since I was by myself, I decided to sing the United States National Anthem. I think that I’ve accomplished something so far. Many asked if I was the only American because they couldn’t really believe it. Whoever we talked to we asked questions about one another’s country. In the end, I’m just really glad that I’ve made “foreign” friends! :)
The End.
Departing Kansas City/Gateway Orientation in Miami
**Ok, I'll be writing this for the days of August 20th and 21st.
I woke up at 4am and then went to the airport a little after 5am. My parents and I arrived at the airport and I was nervous/sad/excited ALL at the same time!! After I checked in, we went to sit down until it was time. I kept looking at the clock. When it hit 6am, I still wasn't ready to separate from my parents. I waited another 5min. before deciding to get up and go through the gate. We got up there and then I broke into tears when giving hugs to my parents. My flight was supposed to leave by 7am, but the weather in Memphis was too bad, so all of the passengers just sat on the plane for more that an hour! Once we finally left and reached Memphis, I hurried to switch planes and sat on there for about 30min before leaving AGAIN because they needed to fix something. When I finally arrived in Miami, I grabbed my luggage and waited outside for the Embassy Suites bus to take me to the hotel. I got outside and I saw one, but the driver said she was full. So I waited for like 30min and it was HOT!! I got on the bext bus and met a couple other AFS kids. I've met about 12 other kids who are here at the Gateway Orientation going abroad. Many of them are going to Ecuador and a few to Dominican Republic. The hotel was REALLY nice (I'll post pics later) and I had a pretty tight roomate from Oregon. A lady who got to talk to us with AFS, I found out that SHE WORKED FOR THE KANSAS AFS!?! I think Manhattan, so I thought that was cool. The next day (21st) got up at 8am and ate breakfast and filled out a couple of papers. We even opened a couple Sparkling Apple Cider bottles and "clincked". After we got all done, we got 2 hours of free time, so during that time I was writing what to say on here since I didn't have internet so I wrote it down. Later we're supposed to watch a video, have lunch, do games, and the Ecuador kids will leave at 2:30. :( At 2:45 the rest of us (4-5 ppl) will have movie/free time and head to the airport at 4:30. My flight to Mexico is at 7:55pm and I'll land in Mexico at 10:10pm. Then I'll have a 2 day oriendation w/ a little over 100 kids placed in Mexico. KEEP READING MY BLOG FOR MORE UPDATES!!
I woke up at 4am and then went to the airport a little after 5am. My parents and I arrived at the airport and I was nervous/sad/excited ALL at the same time!! After I checked in, we went to sit down until it was time. I kept looking at the clock. When it hit 6am, I still wasn't ready to separate from my parents. I waited another 5min. before deciding to get up and go through the gate. We got up there and then I broke into tears when giving hugs to my parents. My flight was supposed to leave by 7am, but the weather in Memphis was too bad, so all of the passengers just sat on the plane for more that an hour! Once we finally left and reached Memphis, I hurried to switch planes and sat on there for about 30min before leaving AGAIN because they needed to fix something. When I finally arrived in Miami, I grabbed my luggage and waited outside for the Embassy Suites bus to take me to the hotel. I got outside and I saw one, but the driver said she was full. So I waited for like 30min and it was HOT!! I got on the bext bus and met a couple other AFS kids. I've met about 12 other kids who are here at the Gateway Orientation going abroad. Many of them are going to Ecuador and a few to Dominican Republic. The hotel was REALLY nice (I'll post pics later) and I had a pretty tight roomate from Oregon. A lady who got to talk to us with AFS, I found out that SHE WORKED FOR THE KANSAS AFS!?! I think Manhattan, so I thought that was cool. The next day (21st) got up at 8am and ate breakfast and filled out a couple of papers. We even opened a couple Sparkling Apple Cider bottles and "clincked". After we got all done, we got 2 hours of free time, so during that time I was writing what to say on here since I didn't have internet so I wrote it down. Later we're supposed to watch a video, have lunch, do games, and the Ecuador kids will leave at 2:30. :( At 2:45 the rest of us (4-5 ppl) will have movie/free time and head to the airport at 4:30. My flight to Mexico is at 7:55pm and I'll land in Mexico at 10:10pm. Then I'll have a 2 day oriendation w/ a little over 100 kids placed in Mexico. KEEP READING MY BLOG FOR MORE UPDATES!!
The End.
Preparing for my 5 month Journey to Mexico
For starters, I depart from Kansas City Airport on August 20th at 7am to fly to Miami, Florida for the Gateway Orientation with ALL the kids from USA going to a Latin American country. I will be the only one there going to Mexico. :) As I sit here typing this Blog, I've been thinking of how my experience will turn out. Will it be wonderful? Will something go wrong? Will I make many friends? Just so many things race through my mind. The only things that worry me about my absence here in Kansas is my family and few of my friends. I am VERY excited to begin this journey and learn a new culture and its language. In the past few weeks I've been gathering things together that I'm taking with my and putting them on my desk. I've been wondering if I'll OVER pack at all.. hahaha :D
Now, a little about where I'll be staying in Mexico. I'll be living in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. It is a suburb of Guadalajara. I'll be taking a train to school everyday. :) The family I'll be living with seem like a very nice couple. This is their first time Hosting, so I hope to make it the best experience for both of us!
I've already told people that that I can't keep much contact with home. This is to prevent homesickness and to keep me submerged in the culture. I'll try to update this blog sometimes and I'll be on facebook at times. To whom ever read this blog, let me tell you this, you may still send me messages through facebook or any other way, but I'm not going to guarantee you that I will respond. I will promise you that I'll read them. :) This doesn't mean that you can't message me, you can try and I might reply.
I'll do my best to update this blog with pictures and more stories.
ADIOS!!
Labels: AFS, Foreign Exchange, Mexico
The End.