Life Lesson #1,345,038,529.4…

So basically? I left my brain in Arkansas. In the apartment, the car, Bentley’s cage… I don’t know, but after today I am positive that it’s not in my head, functioning properly because I’m just dumb. I’m talkin’ Loyd Christmas over here. Guess who left her little travel bag on the BUS… the MEXICAN CRAZY PEOPLE BUS… today? Me. And was my debit, credit, and school I.D. cards in it? You betcha. I won’t give you the whole crazy story because all that really matter is that I’m now stuck in Mexico, with seriously limited cash and canceled Vallarta plans. I’ve never felt more like a valley girl in my life… lost in the world without her plastic. I mean, nobody worry or anything, I have enough cash get along for now, and because my mother happens to also be the smartest woman in the world, I have an emergency Visa with my name on it making its way to Guadalajara. It has just been a big ol’ headache.

However… I’ll never forget me and our little housekeeper Carmen, heading out to try and track down the bus (which is super close to impossible, P.S.). She speaks NO English, I speak limited Spanish, both standing in the middle of the street trying to figure out what to do. She definitely came to my rescue, I felt like I had my very own little Mexican Dobby (yes, Harry Potter reference…). We jumped on this bus here, that bus there, enlisting the help of any bus person we came across… And I swear it’s amazing what comes out of your mouth when you absolutely have to get a point across. I think I said things I didn’t even know I could say. I think I played the best game of charades in my whole life. I think at some point I probably said something completely embarrassing. BUT… in the end, we all had common mission. Find the purse… save the plastic. Human communication just amazes me. It really does. So life lesson #1,345,038,529.4? ALWAYS check your bus seat, now matter how scary the bus driver is driving.

On the upside… (Life lesson 53,968,234: There’s always an upside.) I got to eat American food today and go bowling and walk around a new part of the city for a little while. So fun! I got last place in bowling, but I’m okay with that! In my heart I knew that if we were Wii bowling, I’d be killing them all. It’s a rare talent I have. Wii bowling and wiggling my ears.

I also had my second salsa class today. Still not enough boys, but it’s okay, the ones that are there get lots of practice. We learned some fun little moves today, and tomorrow, we get to go try them out! The school is having a little welcome party for everybody, and then we’re going with our salsa instructor (who’s also a CEPE professor) to this great club called Wallstreet that’s becoming quite popular amongst us gringos. And every Thursday is salsa night! It should be a good, slightly awkward but in a funny way, time! You know that scene in Along Came Polly where Ben Stiller takes over the dance floor and Salsa dances his way into Jennifer Aniston’s heart? Yeah… just wait until I get home.

Anyway, please say a little prayer for me and my friends here if you think about it. Not only the card fiasco, but if any of you know me very well you know I deal with a bit of back pain and let me just tell you that the beds here double as torcher devices. Also, the air here is a lot dirtier than we’re used to, and it’s really getting into a few of our heads. Oh, and several students will be traveling this weekend, so please ask for the Lord’s blessing in safe and easy travel as they head out. And lastly… join me in thanking Him for giving me such a wonderfully patient and forgiving momma and daddy, and a housekeeper so gracious and quick to help me in my time of need. Oh! and while you’re at it, my wonderful little roomie is traveling around Spain with quite a few UCA kiddos, and it’s getting to the end of their trip, where it can get pretty physically and emotionally taxing. I’m sure they would all appreciate it. Gracias, my prayer warriors! I’m off to get some shut eye… Miss you all, and love you more.