Irene

Well, I'm sure you've all heard all about (experienced) Hurricane Irene... She, in true female fashion, was quite the drama queen. Had everyone preparing for her arrival (a friend and I were actually making fun of over-enthusiastic milk purchasers and the bread aisle in the grocery stores were empty). Much like most dramatic women, her bark was worse than her bite (at least here).

In all honesty, though, I'm so thankful for the Lord's protection. We've made it through two natural disasters in the past week with minimal damage. If that isn't the hand of the Lord, I don't know what is! Don't forget to say a quick prayer of thanks today, because the damage was expected to be so much worse across the east coast.

Oh, Boy...

This isn't my story, but it's too good to keep to myself!
A friend of a friend worked at a summer camp this summer, and was sharing her experiences with some friends... Here's what she shared:
Every week, they'd take the campers to the Baltimore Aquarium. For those of you who have never been there, it's very large and wonderful. One week, they had a little autistic boy (We can call him Jimmy) in the group. Shelly (let's call her Shelly... I don't know her real name) was in charge of little Jimmy's group. She knew that she had to keep a particular eye on Jimmy because of his special needs, and was never very far from him... Except for a short period when she had gotten distracted by something else... Jimmy found his opportunity. He managed to isolate himself from the group.
Shelley found him in a corner, soaking wet, stuffing a (are you ready for this??) penguin into his backpack.
Seriously.
A real penguin.
In his backpack.
Undetected.
How does that even happen?? He ran away from his group, jumped into the penguin tank, CAUGHT A PENGUIN, and tried stealing it without anyone catching him! And how did they tell the folks who work at the aquarium?? "Hey, guys! See this penguin? Yeah, we almost stole it..."
However he managed to do it, I've got a new hero.

Just Call Me Nancy

Well, it's officially time to change the name of my blog... My days of teaching are over (at least for now). After a year and a half of hair loss and tears, I've decided to take a nanny position for a family at my church. Not 100% sure there will be less hair loss, but I think fewer cops will be involved (did I mention that my class was so bad last year that someone called the police on one of my students? It was an overreaction, but still... They're 10 years old. They should play with barbies and footballs, not fellow inmates and handcuffs). I'm sure being the nanny of a 3 year old boy will provide me with many laughs and stories.

I've got one more story about my days in Mexico. This one involves 3 boys (probably somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12).
All week I had seen kids running around eating this little yellow fruit. I had never seen it before, so every time they offered it to me, I'd say "No, gracias!" and they'd pop it into their mouths. Well, about half way through the week, these boys came up to me with a handful of nancies (this fruit) and offered me one. I said no, but they persisted this time. I finally gave in... And have regretted it every day since. It. Was. AWFUL. It was bitter and sour and gross. It still kinda makes me want to vomit a little bit. The boys LOVED my reaction and proceeded to offer me more nancies (every day for the rest of the week). My new nickname to these boys was Nancy. Seriously.

The next day, I went visiting with the missionary couple I was staying with. In the states, if someone offers you water, you expect them to bring you a glass of... Water. As an American, this makes sense to me. In Mexico, when someone offers you water, they bring you a glass of... Juice. I still don't know how to ask for a glass of water in Spanish. Anyway, this family offered me water and I said yes. The glass that was handed to me naturally had juice in it. Imagine my excitement when I took my first sip and learned that I was holding a glass of nancy juice!

I just wanted some water.

Mexico: Part 2 (Read: Dos)

- 2 lizards have taken up residence in my room (well, one is in the bathroom, but they're connected)-- Jose' and Manuel. I took a picture of Manuel, but Jose' is just too dang fast!
- I have a constant headache from trying to understand what everyone around me is saying... My understanding is much better than it was a week ago, though!
- You're not allowed to throw toilet paper into the toilet here because plumbing is awful. It goes in the trash can beside the toilet. I can now do this without thinking about it, and am a little concerned that I will have to re-train myself to do things in the true American way when I get home... Too much information? Sorry.
- I sweat. A lot. And my hair frizzes like nobody's business. I'm uncharacteristically good with these things. I don't really care if I smell and look bad these days.
- My love for reading is back! Currently reading: Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Things I Wish I had Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman. So far, I'd recommend them all. 2 of the 3 books are on my list, and I just finished another book that was on the list. Progress!
- Tomorrow is the birthday of someone VERY important to me. Happy birthday, Sister, I love and miss you! Eat lots of cake!
- My boyfriend is super attractive. This one doesn't have anything to do with the others, I just wanted to say it. You will survive, I promise. Love you, Boyfriend! :)

Lack of Motivation

Alright, folks, here's the deal: I'm becomming umotivated to finish my bucket list and I need to get going. Only 6 months left! I need your help! Here's what I've got left:

1. Take a cooking class
2. Learn to paint… Well.
3. Journal
4. Learn to juggle with 3 balls
5. Crochet a scarf
6. Find my way around the Library of Congress
7. Go shooting—actually hit my target!
8. Go to as many farmers markets as possible
9. Read 5 books on my “To read” list
10. Master a stick shift
11. Eat Moroccan food
12. Eat Thai food
13. Wear fabulous shoes at least once a week
14. Outdoor movies!
15. Visit a state I’ve never been to
16. Learn the Thriller dance
17. Deconstruct an old dress or shirt and make something new (that you would actually wear).

Anything sound fun to anyone?? I need company for some of these things... Going shooting (I promise you won't be my target), farmer's markets, outdoor movies...

Also, Mexico is HOT.

Hola de Mexico!

As you've probably noticed from previous blogs, I'm a list person. I LOVE making lists and crossing things off. That's part of the reason I'm loving my bucket list! :) Here's another list for you:

Things I've Learned So Far in Mexico

1. I'm an idiot. Seriously. Who thinks to themselves, "Hey, I think I'll go to drug infested Mexico for 2 weeks all by myself to hang out with a whole group of people who don't speak a lick of English!"? That's right. It's me.



2. Lizards make excellent chew toys. A dog taught me this lesson. And the lizard what the size of an iguana, not a gecko. It was huge. The dog caught it and started to play with it. It was disgusting.



3. Air conditioning is a blessing that should NOT be taken for granted. It's so hot and humid here, and the houses and church can't afford to keep everything cooled all day, and I smell a little bit like a man. I'm almost okay with this...



4. You don't have to speak the same language as someone to love them. I met an adorable little boy yesterday. The only thing we said to each other was "Como te llamas?" (what's your name?) and our names and we played together all evening (I'm slightly ashamed to say that it was during a meeting. Don't worry, though, I had no idea what anyone was saying anyway and he was less of a distraction when playing with me). I even got a kiss when it was time to go home! I have a new amigo, and we hardly spoke at all.



5. I was not meant to be a missionary. This one was a huge relief to learn! I was a little nervous (because my boss put the idea into my head) that I'd end up never going home because of my heart for these people. Good news, folks! I'm called to send people, not go! While I enjoy it here, and the Mexican people have been wonderful so far, my heart is in the states (well... I guess technically it is on a ship). I can't wait to go home to my crazy American people.



6. I belong on a beach. I don't think this one needs explaining. I mean, it's the beach.

I promise, I'm not done learning here. It's only been 3 days. I don't promise I'll remember to blog about any of it, though. Lo siento, mis amigos.

Adios!

OH! Just found a new lesson! 7. When in Mexico, Blogspot does spell-check in Spanish! All of my words are spelled incorrectly... Oops.