El Fin

“I’m leeeeavin, on a jet plane! Don’t know when I’ll be back again…” Haha, yes, it’s 2:39 am. I have to be awake at 4:30, and that  song-turned-super-cliche is stuck in my head.  This will be my last post, from Mexico at least.  I’ve come to find that I like this whole blog thing… I think I’m going to start a new category for life back home. I’m starting my SENIOR year in COLLEGE (yes, it freaks me out just as much as you), so there are lost of decisions to be made, fun to have, and news to report, and this is a pretty neat-o way to do it. So remember me here at wordpress.com!

But in wrapping up Mexico, I find myself a little lost for words.  This trip has been an amazing experience, and I am SO happy I was blessed to have it.  It has left me feeling more comfortable with and passionate about my Spanish. It has left me more confident in my own abilities to be out in this world and feeling at least a little older. It has left me with friends and memories I will absolutely never forget. At the moment, it has left me sad.

I had to say goodbye to Laura, one of my official travel buddy and one of my best CEPE friends last night. That’s when the tears first started. My Georgia crew, the crazy wonderful, seriously indescribable amigos, who probably made this whole trip for me, left this morning around 5:30. You better believe we didn’t waste a minute of their last night here on sleep.  It was all I could do not to crawl in one of their suitcases, haha… I might have asked if I could once or twice though.   Then, Rosa and I went out for one more day of shopping together at this awesome cultural market we’ve come to call the “hippie” market.  Lucky for me, we go to the same school, so no doubts I’ll see her again real soon, but still sad to leave this house and the little family of sisters she, Marianna, and I have become.  And speaking of, then there’s Marianna… because I’m leaving so early, I had to say my goodbye’s to her tonight before she went to bed.  Oh my. She sat with me while I ate my late night packing snack and we had our last little dinner table conversation.  We talked about everything from packing, to how much I’ve enjoyed my experience here, my friends, her friends, CEPE, the Spanish phrases that I know have become a habit (just wait, you’ll hear them…), and how much I’ve learned since I’ve been here. It’s funny how things come full circle. The first night, I sat at that table terrified. It was all I could do not to physically run out of room. Tonight, I sat there and didn’t want to ever leave. We started with tears of fear and I’m leaving with tears of sadness.

I’m still stuck in that bittersweet limbo land I wrote about a couple of post ago. Nobody feel like I’m not excited to get home! I definitely am. It’s just such a strange, sad feeling to know that something you have, some experience, some part of your life, will never be again. Dramatic, yes. But true, nonetheless.  Wheel of the world, I suppose.

So yes, it’s been a sad day. All my bags are packed. Goodbye’s have been said. All that’s left now is the little journey home, and the cab will be here in 2 hours. So i guess we could say the hardest part is over. I’m not going to pretend like I’m not going to have to adjust a little when I get back home, though. Like I said, it’s interesting how quicly people, places, and things become your familiar. I’ve got a little life here in Guadalajara – a routine, habits, etc. that might cross the border with me. So, just for the record, if I do something weird in the next couple of days, I apologize! But at this point, I really can’t wait to be home. Back to my family, my best friends, my Bently Boo and Sammy Dog, my bed, car, apartment, bathroom, and clean, Arkansas air.

But anyway, I suppose I should try to get at least a little sleep before I start the trek home. However, first, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of you that have followed this blog over the past 5 weeks, left encouraging comments, sent encouraging and helpful emails, facebook messages, and most importantly, prayers. Thank you for listening to my ramblings about my experiences here that have meant so much to me. Overall, your interest and support have made me feel very loved and missed. I hope yall were at least a little  entertained .  Like I said,  I plan on keeping this little site going for a while, so please, check back from time to time! Ya never really know what I’m going to get into next… well, I don’t at least! I love and miss all of you! God bless, and I’ll see yall on the other side of the border!

Adios. 

Let’s Salsa!

By popular demand… Salsa pictures! We had our last class yesterday and Rosa brought the camera. Most of the class we started with has bailed (Rosa and I actually missed on Monday, too… shame shame, we know), so we were down to 2 guys,the instructor and about 7 girls. I tried to upload some video, but our connection is just way to slow here. So that will have to wait until I get home! Due to the embarrassing nature of the video, it probably shouldn’t be posted for all to see, anyway! haha, but here’s some photos!

Caleb and Kami

We needed more boys!

With our instructor, Raul!

Yep, I’m definitely going to try and find some salsa classes in central Arkansas… just to much fun to give up!

Defining Bittersweet

I’m leaving Guadalajara in 4 days.

I’ll be home in 4 days.

I think half of me is in denial, and the other half is counting the minutes. On one hand, I’m leaving friends, a new family, my school. It’s amazing how quickly people and things can become your familiar. We’re starting all our “lasts”… our last excursion, our last lunches with Marianna, our last day of classes, last shopping trips, last games of bowling, last night at Walstreet… all these lasts. It’s so sad to think about, but at the same time, it makes you really appreciate every minute. Guanajuato was amazing. I’m talking easier with Marianna than I ever thought would have been possible, and I love it. My crew and I are having a blast doing anything and everything, just because we know it’s the last time we’ll all ever hang out again… I actually won our last game of bowling tonight with a 125. I bowled a turkey and a 9 to finish out the game, lol. It was hilarious.

But, on the other hand, I don’t think 10 minutes went by tonight without somebody saying something they can’t wait to see, do, eat, or have. The givens: our families, friends, significant others. But also: our cars, beds, pets, radios, cell phones, and food. Oh my gosh, food. My friend Ross already has his first 5 American meals planned out. I’m sick again. AGAIN. I didn’t know you could catch this crap twice. So yeah, as bad as we want to stay, we want to get home too.

So, I’m just going to live up these next few days. Study hard, play hard, and sleep for 3 days when I get home! I’ve got my finals on Thursday, so please pray that they go smoothly and my classes wrap up well. Thursday night is just going to be a gigantic celebration, because most people start leaving on Friday and early Saturday, so please pray for everyone’s safety in that.

So yeah, it’s definitely going to be sad, but it’s not over yet!

And for those waiting for me back home… 4 weeks and 3 days down, 4 days to go!

So Much to Tell, So Little Time…

Apologies about the MIA status this past week! It’s been a crazy one, for sure, with oral presentations and the like. I’m happy to report that I did well on my midterms though! An 85% and a 98%! So yay for that!

Puerto Vallarta was unbelievable! One of the most carefree, fun, relaxing weekends I’ve had in a while. The resort was beautiful, with the coolest pool I’ve ever seen. The beach was of course gorgeous, and Vallarta is unique that it is in a bay with mountains, the scenery includes ocean and mountains. Hard to explain… so here’s pictures! I had a blast shooting around, of course. Ya’ll know me!

Happy little beach bums!

View from the pool area

View from the layout chair

Mexican Sunset

I have more, but it takes a while to upload, so I suppose I’ll save a few for back home!

It was a great week as well! Just class and hanging out in the evenings. It seems like right when I’m getting used to this place, it’s going be time to leave. I guess that’s just the way it goes!

So, fast forward a bit, and we have the final excursion to… drumroll please… Guanajuato! It’s a beautiful little historic town, and I pulled a super college student move and just packed a backpack, my camera, and left last minute to go explore and take some pictures! The school was taking a tour thing, but this time I just wanted to go explore and take my time. So, I just hopped the bus with the school group, crashed in my girl friends’ hotel room, and went out to get myself lost while they were touring around. According to my buddies, I made the right move… I guess the tour wasn’t too exciting. But my trip was! And I think I got some good shots… here’s a preview!

Typical street scene

From my favorite spot!

Pajaro

Again, I have more! Around 130 more actually, haha… but I’ll spare you. It was a fun day! I met up with everybody and did some more shopping, then later that night, we went out for my friend Schley’s birthday, and had waaay to much fun! We got some food, sang some karaoke and went dancing… super fun! Just a couple more…

Me and my girlie Lacey!

Mi amigos Zack and b-day boy Schley

So, as you can see…. I love Mexico! It’s going to be so bittersweet to leave. It hit me today that this time next week, I’ll be back home! And trust me, home sounds awesome. However, I’m definitely going to miss this place! No sense in dwelling on it now… I’ll revisit these thoughts on my last post perhaps.

I’m sorry this was such a general post! I have so much to tell, with so little space and time. But hey, I gotta come home with at least a few stories, right? Can’t have you guys reading it all hear and spoiling my fun! Things to ask me about when I get home:

Luis the waiter, the beggar kids, and the music wars. Haha, good stuff!

Hope everything is still great back home!!! Just to let everyone know that has been praying with my family, my beautiful cousin Leslie is a new mommy to her triplets!!! Gus, Kate, and Claire were born last Wednesday at 8:02. Now, they were in a bit of a hurry, so the 3 little ones get to hang out in the hospital for a bit. But, it sounds like they’ve already jumped over some major hurdles, and God’s hand is so amazingly apparent in their little situation, it’s awesome. So please keep praying! For them, and the brand new mommy and daddy, too. They have been so strong and faithful through this entire season, but I’m sure they are crazy tired, no doubt. So a big huge gigantic Congratulations to them! Know that all of you are in our prayers.

Aight… I’m out for now! Ya’ll keep holdin down the home front, and start the countdown!!! I’ll be home in 6 days, and I just know yall can’t wait. haha, loves!!

The Good, The Bad, & The Awesome

So which would yall like first? How bout we get the bad out of the way… it’s short. So here goes:

THE BAD:

Carmen the housekeeper was fired and replaced today. SAD DAY. But, honestly, it wasn’t unwarranted. She didn’t show up for work on Monday or yesterday, never called, and apparently this isn’t the first time. Marianna’s aunt said that it is common among “domestic help” to not show on Mondays, since they get paid on Fridays. As sad as it is, with Marianna’s condition, she HAS to have someone reliable. She says she never could cook to begin with, but her sickness has made it almost impossible. When Carmen didn’t show on Monday, Marianna tried to cook us lunch while we were at salsa class. Bless her heart, she tried so hard, broke her blender, and ended up with the saltiest soup Rosa and I have ever tasted. I don’t think we’ve ever eaten salt water that fast before… if it wasn’t for the broccoli chunks in it, it probably would’ve gone down in one polite gulp. She’s been joking about it ever since. She did make us some shrimp in white wine, which was actually really good, so the meal was recovered! This new lady, Isabel, is nice… we don’t know her quite as well yet, but it’s okay. She cooked lunch today, and it was pretty good, but we will certainly miss Carmen’s lunches. Lord bless her wherever she is…

THE GOOD: My credit and debit cards are in and fully operable!!! I’ve tested them both. HUGE relief! In fact, I bought myself my souvenir of the trip. I bought… get ready for this… cowboy boots! Yaaay! In case you didn’t know, not only is Guadalajara/ Jalisco (the state) famous for inventing mariachi music and tequila, but also the Charro! Or Mexican Cowboy. I thought it was a pretty nifty souvenir! They’re made here, and super cute! Several other kiddos bought a pair, too… My friend Ross got a cobra skin pair, my other friend Schley bought some bull neck (??) boots. Mine are just straight leather. Pictures will come soon! Haha…

I also bought a new bag. A big one, with bright colors – determined NOT to be left on the bus. It’s very Mexican and I like it! Kell… prepare yourself… you’re gonna hate it, haha.

Also, I had my first test today! I think it went well. Ya never know for sure, but I’m pretty confident. I should get my grade back tomorrow! I’ll let ya’ll know how it goes. If you read this before 10:30 tomorrow morning, I have my midterm for my second class around then, so please say a prayer for me! We just never know what to expect from these professors. But after that comes….

THE AWESOME!!!: And I’m sure you can all guess what it is. I’M GOING TO PUERTO VALLARTA!!!! And I don’t think I’ve been this excited since my first trip to Disneyworld. Oh my goodness, it’s going to be amazing! There’s about 10 of us going down a day earlier than the big group, and we’ll be hopping on the bus around 2:00 tomorrow afternoon. We’re staying at the beautiful NH Krystal Resort, and it’s going to be 3.5 days of beaches, pools, awesome food, dancing, hanging, and maybe one or two other exciting little excursions that I’ll save blogging about until after I get back, which will be late Sunday evening. Please pray for everyone’s safety and responsible use of sunscreen and alcoholic beverages, por favor! Everyone has been looking forward to this excursion since we arrived, and I would hate for someone’s to be ruined by a visit to la hospital. If anyone has been and has some last minute advice to shoot me, please comment!!!

However… I have to say that I will miss being in the States for the glorious 4th of July. Daddy and PD, I’m sorry I’m missing out on the fireworks shopping this year. Bryan and Lisa, I’m sorry I’m not bringing in Daddy and PD to the tent to buy those previously mentioned fireworks. It’ll be my first July 4th without Momma’s homemade icecream, Daddy’s grilled something amazing, or my favorite chance to satisfy my inner pyro. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing, delicious, mosquito-free holiday celebrating the freedom we all enjoy so much! We’ll break into at least one rendition of God Bless the USA on the beach Friday, I promise!

Miss you all and love you more! Tune in for the Vallarta Fun Report on Monday!!! Woo hoo!