Well, I officially have 2 more weeks left here in Mexico. It would have only been one, but luckily I was able to very cheaply change my flight so I could stay an extra week. Thanks to the research grant that I'm working on through Mizzou I have the money to stay for an extra week at my school and with my amazing family here. I thought about traveling that week, but most of my friends will be at the school and I'd really rather spend as much time with my friends and family as I can before I leave.
I have been spending the vast majority of my time latley with the family. Last week was Spring Break for a lot of my friends at UNINTER, so I didn't have Carla or my other guy friends to hang out with. I do not think I will ever be able to express to Judy how grateful I am for having me stay in the home that I am. I have really felt as if I am a part of the family and know that these feelings will not subside once I return to the States. They have taken me in as their own and have made my experience here one that has been life changing.
Last Saturday was my Dad, Guzno, 's 82nd birthday and the family had lovely celebration. My favorite part of living here is all of the family gatherings we have. I have become so close with all of them -- and have loved getting to know all of my 'cousins' and 'aunts and uncle's'. We had some great food and it was so wonderful wasting the afternoon away sipping on cold beverages and gorging ourselves on fantastic food and conversation.
Andrick, the grandson of the family I'm living with, is looking at colleges and has decided to come and visit Mizzou to look at the degrees they offer in Economics! Anne Deaton offered to have Andrick meet with her husband Brady (what an awesome opportunity -- the chancellor!!) to talk about the economics programs and what Mizzou has to offer. I'm checking with the international center to see what sorts of international student scholarships he could possibly receive. Helping the family with this really reminds me of my time searching for Universities! I am excited to see how it all turns out. But for now, I'm hoping to add another Tiger to the family!
I've started getting a little bit back into work for My Glass Slipper. Fred e-mailed me and wants me to do a little bit of research while I'm down there. We finally launched the new site about a month ago. It looks fantastic and we're already seeing great results which is awesome because it was a rough few months before the launch! Check out the new site: www.myglassslipper.com. 3 websites (Prom Shoes, Bridal Shoes and My Glass Slipper) all easily accessible from one page! I have been thanking God everyday for having this job. I am about 90% sure that I am going to sign on with him full-time. After reading the NYTimes this week and hearing that the unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 24 years is a little unsettling -- especially for a girl that is pretty burnt out on school and ready to move on to the next chapter in her life!
The students from Mizzou have also been keeping me busy with their market resarch questions. I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to do all of this research while I've been here. Dr. Ha-Brookshire was right -- I think I would have gotten bored if I only had my language school to do while I'm here. I have met some wonderful people and have learned so much about the retail industry here in Mexico. My passion is now running stronger than ever to support the textile and apparel industry in Latin America -- and now especially Mexico! Its going to be excited to watch their industry grow in the coming years.
I am ready to enjoy the next two weeks to the fullest. I feel a little traveling, a little shopping, and a lot of late nights ahead of me. I just can't believe reality has to slap me in the face in only two weeks. I know that I will be taking with me a new family, new love, and new friends. :o)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tepozlan Carnival
I forgot to mention in my last post the carnival that I went to on Tuesday of this week in a town that is about 15 minutes away from Cuernavaca called Tepozlan. There are huge carnivals that take place all around Mexico during this time (well...actually right before Lent begins -- which was this Wendesday -- so all of the festivals and carnivals end the day before Lent begins).
I am posting some pictures from it becaus it was such a wonderful experience! The great big drink my hand is a liter of Corona with lemon juice and the rim is covered in a sweet chili poweder. It's called a michelada.
The streets are lined with vendors selling literally anything you can think of -- belts to hats to pizza and even q-tips. It was insane!
The costumes that people dress up in are specific to Tepozlan and are worn every year during these carnivals. I went to this event with 4 of my Mexican friends from school and we went and joined the whole group of natives dancing in the town square! Certianly an amazing night!
I am posting some pictures from it becaus it was such a wonderful experience! The great big drink my hand is a liter of Corona with lemon juice and the rim is covered in a sweet chili poweder. It's called a michelada.
The streets are lined with vendors selling literally anything you can think of -- belts to hats to pizza and even q-tips. It was insane!
The costumes that people dress up in are specific to Tepozlan and are worn every year during these carnivals. I went to this event with 4 of my Mexican friends from school and we went and joined the whole group of natives dancing in the town square! Certianly an amazing night!
Visitng Parents & Extended Stay
My lack of blog postings in the past two weeks is a true testament to how busy things have been here in Mexico. Funny how I always find a way to keep myself wound up...even when I'm in the most tranquil places.
It all started two weeks ago when Jim and Judy Eliott arrived here in Cuernavaca. It was so great to see them, and they were also accompanied by many other students (all a part of OSHER - some 'life long learning' program that Judy is involved with) and also Ann Deaton (who is Brady Deaton the Chancellor & President of Mizzou's wife). It has been so great having them here -- a little Mizzou spirit anywhere is always a nice addition to an already wonderful place!
Last Tuesday I had another interview in Mexico City, this time with a company called Aztex - a texitle manufacturing company here in Mexico. The interview was amazing. The two people I met with spoke perfect English (a nice contrast to my first interview in Mexico City) and had so much wonderful knowledge of the textile industry to share with me and the students in the United States. I know that they will get so much out of it! A lot of interesting changes are taking place in the industry right now. One really cool example: Aztex went to a trend conference in Europe a month or so ago and the person who was giving the conference on upcoming trends for Generations Y & Z was from Columbia Records - telling all of these big textile and apparel companies to look to certain musicians and music groups for the styles that are going to be popular. INSANE!
Wednesday I stayed in Mexico City and waiting at the airport for Mom and Ed to arrive. What a wonderful blessing it was to have them come down and visit. Mom of course freaked out when she saw me -- I think that this is the longest we have gone without seeing eachother and apparently she took it pretty hard. Haha. We had so much fun while they were here. We visited Xochialco (some old ruins) and Taxco (an old silver mining town with TONS of silver shops!) plus I took them around downtown Cuernavaca. Mom came to one of my spanish classes with me in the morning and she did very well! I think being here has infected her with the "love of Spanish learning" bug. haha It was great, though, because she was able to meet with some teachers at my University and talk about possible exchange programs that could be set up with Mizzou and my University, UNINTER. In any case, Mom and Ed went back to the States on Sunday with a little sun, some pesos in thier pockets, a few new Spanish vocab words, and some wonderful memories!
This week has been the week of Market Research for me and my students at Mizzou. And what a week it has been! I have done over 20 interviews this week with Mexican consumers and have a TON of great research for the students completed. I am really hoping their projects turn out well and that I am able to do enough to help them get the market research they are needing to make this as legitimate a project as possible. Needless to say I am a little worn out from it all. If I wasn't interviewing I was responding to the students questions with my own experiences (each group gave between 15-30 questions and there are 7 groups). I should be finished with this first batch by Sunday evening!
SO! I think that brings us to today, right?!
I have decided that I am going to stay an extra week in Mexcio. I have commited to be back to work at My Glass Slipper on March 23, but had nothing planned the week between then and when I was supposed to return. Thanks to the grant at the University I am able to afford another week at the school and living with my amazing family here in Cuernavaca. I changed my flight today so now my offical return home date is March 21. Suprisingly, it only cost me $100 to change my flight -- I thought it would be so much more!
I can honestly say that this is the happiest and most content I have ever been in my entire life. I am loving that I am doing this on my own, yet feel so blessed to have such a strong support system here in Mexico and back at home in the States. This has been a life changing opportunity for me, and I couldn't be more grateful for every single moment.
It all started two weeks ago when Jim and Judy Eliott arrived here in Cuernavaca. It was so great to see them, and they were also accompanied by many other students (all a part of OSHER - some 'life long learning' program that Judy is involved with) and also Ann Deaton (who is Brady Deaton the Chancellor & President of Mizzou's wife). It has been so great having them here -- a little Mizzou spirit anywhere is always a nice addition to an already wonderful place!
Last Tuesday I had another interview in Mexico City, this time with a company called Aztex - a texitle manufacturing company here in Mexico. The interview was amazing. The two people I met with spoke perfect English (a nice contrast to my first interview in Mexico City) and had so much wonderful knowledge of the textile industry to share with me and the students in the United States. I know that they will get so much out of it! A lot of interesting changes are taking place in the industry right now. One really cool example: Aztex went to a trend conference in Europe a month or so ago and the person who was giving the conference on upcoming trends for Generations Y & Z was from Columbia Records - telling all of these big textile and apparel companies to look to certain musicians and music groups for the styles that are going to be popular. INSANE!
Wednesday I stayed in Mexico City and waiting at the airport for Mom and Ed to arrive. What a wonderful blessing it was to have them come down and visit. Mom of course freaked out when she saw me -- I think that this is the longest we have gone without seeing eachother and apparently she took it pretty hard. Haha. We had so much fun while they were here. We visited Xochialco (some old ruins) and Taxco (an old silver mining town with TONS of silver shops!) plus I took them around downtown Cuernavaca. Mom came to one of my spanish classes with me in the morning and she did very well! I think being here has infected her with the "love of Spanish learning" bug. haha It was great, though, because she was able to meet with some teachers at my University and talk about possible exchange programs that could be set up with Mizzou and my University, UNINTER. In any case, Mom and Ed went back to the States on Sunday with a little sun, some pesos in thier pockets, a few new Spanish vocab words, and some wonderful memories!
This week has been the week of Market Research for me and my students at Mizzou. And what a week it has been! I have done over 20 interviews this week with Mexican consumers and have a TON of great research for the students completed. I am really hoping their projects turn out well and that I am able to do enough to help them get the market research they are needing to make this as legitimate a project as possible. Needless to say I am a little worn out from it all. If I wasn't interviewing I was responding to the students questions with my own experiences (each group gave between 15-30 questions and there are 7 groups). I should be finished with this first batch by Sunday evening!
SO! I think that brings us to today, right?!
I have decided that I am going to stay an extra week in Mexcio. I have commited to be back to work at My Glass Slipper on March 23, but had nothing planned the week between then and when I was supposed to return. Thanks to the grant at the University I am able to afford another week at the school and living with my amazing family here in Cuernavaca. I changed my flight today so now my offical return home date is March 21. Suprisingly, it only cost me $100 to change my flight -- I thought it would be so much more!
I can honestly say that this is the happiest and most content I have ever been in my entire life. I am loving that I am doing this on my own, yet feel so blessed to have such a strong support system here in Mexico and back at home in the States. This has been a life changing opportunity for me, and I couldn't be more grateful for every single moment.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
CANAINTEX Meeting, U.S. Futbol & A Job Offer
On Tuesday of this week I went to Mexico City for a meeting early Wednesday morning with the Director of Foreign Commerce in the Mexican National Chamber of the Textile Industry known as CANAINTEX. This meeting was a part of the research grant that I am a part of, and the meeting was set up by our partners at Cotton Inc. Unfortunately no one from their office could accompany me, so I was able to bring along a friend, Carla, from school -- which was wonderful! In the meeting we talked about the North American Free Trade Agreement, and its impact on the importing of U.S. cotton in Mexico and the textile industry as a whole. I have 44 minutes of video footage that I'm sending to the States now, but also trying to do a little bit of translating. As I walked in the director started speaking in spanish so I told him "Yo entiendo poco espanol" and he said "Yo entiendo poco ingles!" YIKES! Haha. We worked it out and another person came in to help do a bit of translating. He was quite impressed with my Spanish speaking skills, however. I have proof -- its on the tape!
After the meeting Carla and I headed back to our home sweet home Cuernavaca to watch the U.S. vs. Mexico futbol (soccer) game! It was AMAZING condsidering we went to watch the game with 2 Mexican friends from school, and we were literally the only people at the bar cheering for the States. Another hilarious event that happened -- at the bar we were in there was a Corona promotion girl, handing out coozies, those big balloon type things that you smack together to make noise, blow horns, etc. Her boss was there and she came over to me halfway through the game and offered to hire me on as a Corona girl for pretty decent pay. I seriously thought about it for a while, but politely declined considering I would have to work every weekend and I only have a month left! My first Mexican job offer -- haha! In any case, I'm really starting to enjoy watching soccer! I think its impossible not to when you are living anywhere other than in the U.S. The States kicked butt for two reasons: 1. the Mexico team really sucks this year and 2. They played in OHIO! When they first started showing pre-game footage it was a horrible rain storm with winds blowing rediculously strong. Mexicans don't know how to handle crazy cold like that! haha I told my Dad in an e-mail earlier this week that watching U.S. sporting events in Mexico has never made me more proud to be an American. When we watched the Super Bowl and they played the national anthem it was all I could do but hold back the tears from my eyes and restrain the goosebumps all over my skin! It was the same when they played the national anthem for the futbol game.
The rest of this week went by rather quickly. I am learning preterit and imperfect right now in my grammer class and it is pretty difficult. I am feeling more positive about my classes this week, however am really just enjoying speaking with my Mexican friends in Spanish more than going to class.
Judy and Jim got in last night! I wasn't here to see them however I think we are all going to have breakfast together this morning. I am really looking forward to seeing them and meeting the other lady (the director of OSHER I think) that is living in my house. I'm really looking forward to the next 2 weeks! Next Wednesday Mom and Ed are coming down for 5 days, and on the 27th my friend Sam is coming for the weekend! It's going to be SO incredible to have friends and family share this awesome place with me. I have fallen in love with Mexico and even though I have some great things waiting for me back at home I am really going to miss living here. I have hit the halfway point so its all downhill from here!
Today is Valentines Day and I'm sort of sad that I'm not at home. Last night, though, I was out with my friend Carla and two of the guys that came in her group from SUNY Brockport on NY and one of the guys bought roses for Carla and I! It was so sweet and made me really happy. I bought Valentines Day presents for all of my family -- my parents, Candy, Pon Chin, Ratton & Yvonne and Andrick. I'm going to give them to everyone this morning! :o) All of Ratton's family is coming today and there are going to be like 40 people at our house and in our garden. I'm looking forward to meeting a ton of people, having some great food, and perhaps a few refreshing beverages. I was told last night that I have to wear red or white -- I have a red shirt, but I think I may go to the mall this morning and see if I can find a cute red dress to wear.
Love to everyone!
After the meeting Carla and I headed back to our home sweet home Cuernavaca to watch the U.S. vs. Mexico futbol (soccer) game! It was AMAZING condsidering we went to watch the game with 2 Mexican friends from school, and we were literally the only people at the bar cheering for the States. Another hilarious event that happened -- at the bar we were in there was a Corona promotion girl, handing out coozies, those big balloon type things that you smack together to make noise, blow horns, etc. Her boss was there and she came over to me halfway through the game and offered to hire me on as a Corona girl for pretty decent pay. I seriously thought about it for a while, but politely declined considering I would have to work every weekend and I only have a month left! My first Mexican job offer -- haha! In any case, I'm really starting to enjoy watching soccer! I think its impossible not to when you are living anywhere other than in the U.S. The States kicked butt for two reasons: 1. the Mexico team really sucks this year and 2. They played in OHIO! When they first started showing pre-game footage it was a horrible rain storm with winds blowing rediculously strong. Mexicans don't know how to handle crazy cold like that! haha I told my Dad in an e-mail earlier this week that watching U.S. sporting events in Mexico has never made me more proud to be an American. When we watched the Super Bowl and they played the national anthem it was all I could do but hold back the tears from my eyes and restrain the goosebumps all over my skin! It was the same when they played the national anthem for the futbol game.
The rest of this week went by rather quickly. I am learning preterit and imperfect right now in my grammer class and it is pretty difficult. I am feeling more positive about my classes this week, however am really just enjoying speaking with my Mexican friends in Spanish more than going to class.
Judy and Jim got in last night! I wasn't here to see them however I think we are all going to have breakfast together this morning. I am really looking forward to seeing them and meeting the other lady (the director of OSHER I think) that is living in my house. I'm really looking forward to the next 2 weeks! Next Wednesday Mom and Ed are coming down for 5 days, and on the 27th my friend Sam is coming for the weekend! It's going to be SO incredible to have friends and family share this awesome place with me. I have fallen in love with Mexico and even though I have some great things waiting for me back at home I am really going to miss living here. I have hit the halfway point so its all downhill from here!
Today is Valentines Day and I'm sort of sad that I'm not at home. Last night, though, I was out with my friend Carla and two of the guys that came in her group from SUNY Brockport on NY and one of the guys bought roses for Carla and I! It was so sweet and made me really happy. I bought Valentines Day presents for all of my family -- my parents, Candy, Pon Chin, Ratton & Yvonne and Andrick. I'm going to give them to everyone this morning! :o) All of Ratton's family is coming today and there are going to be like 40 people at our house and in our garden. I'm looking forward to meeting a ton of people, having some great food, and perhaps a few refreshing beverages. I was told last night that I have to wear red or white -- I have a red shirt, but I think I may go to the mall this morning and see if I can find a cute red dress to wear.
Love to everyone!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
70 Degrees Feels SO Cold!
Buenos Dias!
This has been quite a week here in Cuernavaca.
The weather has been "cold" -- only getting up to 73-75 degrees the past two days. I'm starting to really realize how used to the weather and spoiled I am when I whip out my sweatpants and sweatshirt when it's under 70 degrees outside!
I am really struggling with my classes right now at UNINTER. I did fine in my grammar class this week - I had a new teacher named Berenice, and she was really wonderful. I felt like I learned so much more under her than I did under my past grammar teacher Pamela. The way classes are set up here (at least for beginners) is that we have 3 hours of grammar in the morning and then 2 hours of conferencia and 1 hour of curso. The last 3 hours of the day are supposed to reinforce what we learned in the morning. Unfortunatly the things in my classes in the afternoon were so much more difficult and covering topics I hadn't learned yet like preterito and imperfecto and when to use each of them. I went and talked to my teacher after class and told her I didn't understand. She suggested that I stay back a level next week instead of moving forward. I was a little upset by that and spent most of the day yesterday trying to figure out why. My entire lifetime of being a student, I have always struggled with not understanding certain topics. I would feel stupid, be worried about grades, dissapointing parents and teachers, etc. Through talking with my Mexican friends, family and other leaders at UNINTER I have realized that I really have none of those things to worry about here. Learning a foreign language is hard and I've come a long way in 3 weeks so I'm not stupid! I'm not taking any of these classes for a grade, so I need not worry about "passing", just comprehension! And I don't think I'm dissapointing my parents or teachers by being down here and trying my best to learn a new language! :o)
ENOUGH OF THE SCHOOL TALK!
Mom and Ed are coming for a visit Februrary 18-22!! What a great birthday present! Judy Elliott (who is the reason why I'm here and with such a wonderful family in Cuernavaca) helped convicned them to come down! Judy and her husband Jim are coming down in a week or so. It will be so wonderful to have so many friends and family from home here! I'm sure we will have a great time and I look forward to sharing a little bit of my Mexican life with them!
Everything else is going well here. Still meeting a lot of new people each week and have made friends with a lot of Mexican students that go to my school. It's actually great because they usually won't speak English to us. My friend Omar and I are going to start going to coffee once a week for a little language exchange -- I will help with his English and he will help with my Spanish!
Today I am going to be studying as much as I can. I am determined to understand everything that I've been doing up to this point. I'm going to start a vocabulary diary (which apparently we were supposed to be doing the entire time but our old professor Pamela didn't tell us about it) which should help me retain vocab, and also try and figure out all of this learning how to speak in past-tense stuff.
Love to all of you! Happy Februrary. Only 5 more weeks to go!
This has been quite a week here in Cuernavaca.
The weather has been "cold" -- only getting up to 73-75 degrees the past two days. I'm starting to really realize how used to the weather and spoiled I am when I whip out my sweatpants and sweatshirt when it's under 70 degrees outside!
I am really struggling with my classes right now at UNINTER. I did fine in my grammar class this week - I had a new teacher named Berenice, and she was really wonderful. I felt like I learned so much more under her than I did under my past grammar teacher Pamela. The way classes are set up here (at least for beginners) is that we have 3 hours of grammar in the morning and then 2 hours of conferencia and 1 hour of curso. The last 3 hours of the day are supposed to reinforce what we learned in the morning. Unfortunatly the things in my classes in the afternoon were so much more difficult and covering topics I hadn't learned yet like preterito and imperfecto and when to use each of them. I went and talked to my teacher after class and told her I didn't understand. She suggested that I stay back a level next week instead of moving forward. I was a little upset by that and spent most of the day yesterday trying to figure out why. My entire lifetime of being a student, I have always struggled with not understanding certain topics. I would feel stupid, be worried about grades, dissapointing parents and teachers, etc. Through talking with my Mexican friends, family and other leaders at UNINTER I have realized that I really have none of those things to worry about here. Learning a foreign language is hard and I've come a long way in 3 weeks so I'm not stupid! I'm not taking any of these classes for a grade, so I need not worry about "passing", just comprehension! And I don't think I'm dissapointing my parents or teachers by being down here and trying my best to learn a new language! :o)
ENOUGH OF THE SCHOOL TALK!
Mom and Ed are coming for a visit Februrary 18-22!! What a great birthday present! Judy Elliott (who is the reason why I'm here and with such a wonderful family in Cuernavaca) helped convicned them to come down! Judy and her husband Jim are coming down in a week or so. It will be so wonderful to have so many friends and family from home here! I'm sure we will have a great time and I look forward to sharing a little bit of my Mexican life with them!
Everything else is going well here. Still meeting a lot of new people each week and have made friends with a lot of Mexican students that go to my school. It's actually great because they usually won't speak English to us. My friend Omar and I are going to start going to coffee once a week for a little language exchange -- I will help with his English and he will help with my Spanish!
Today I am going to be studying as much as I can. I am determined to understand everything that I've been doing up to this point. I'm going to start a vocabulary diary (which apparently we were supposed to be doing the entire time but our old professor Pamela didn't tell us about it) which should help me retain vocab, and also try and figure out all of this learning how to speak in past-tense stuff.
Love to all of you! Happy Februrary. Only 5 more weeks to go!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Yo hablo espanol!
Hola mi familia y amigos!
I am preparing to start my thrid week of classes here tomorrow. As my Mexican mama Tere predicted, I would be speaking quite a bit after my second week. I am able to understand Mama, Candy our maid and some of what Papa says (he sort of mumbles and speaks really quickly). We laugh about it at the dinner table. The rest of the family has been impressed with my speaking skills, and I try my best to speak as much as I can around them.
I've become friends with the grandson of the family that I'm living with. His name is Andrick and he's a senior in high school here in Cuernavaca. I went over to his home the other night to watch the Mexico vs. Sweden futbol game and listen to some awesome latin music. I've downloaded some music from iTunes so I can start listening to music with Spanish lyrics -- its actually really helpful because I am picking up a lot of words! The artists that I've downloaded are Mana (the latin american version of U2 in terms of popularity), Gian Marco, Alejandro Sanz, Ricardo Arjona, Luis Miguel, and Winsin & Yandel. It's all fantastic!
Classes are going well but getting progessivly harder as the weeks go on. I'm going to have to really start studying this week. It's hard for me to have motivation to study for the written exams because I am not recieving credit for my work in these classes - so theoretically it doesn't matter how I perform on the exams. I am more interested in learning how to speak and I know that learning the grammer is important in learning how to speak correctly, but I really get more out of my culture and conversation classes than I do the 3 hour grammer class in the mornings. Also, there isn't a whole lot of homework. I have never been one to be a self-motivator with my studies, so that is also a challenge. I have decided that I am going to ask my professors to give me some extra work to do outside of class so I am forced to study! haha I'm also finding myself burning out on speaking spanish. It's hard because right now I have to think so much in order to say the simplist things. I know it will get easier, but I've been struggling a little bit with speaking as much as I should. I feel like my head is exploding sometimes with all of the new things I am learning and being forced to use day in and day out.
I have met some really wonderful girlfriends while I've been over here, which has been such a blessing. I have posted a picture of us out at a nightclub called Borakai. It is incredibly classy -- and outdoor setting with white couches and black tables with a live band. I am really falling in love with the city; the culture, nightlife, and the people.
I am planning on going on more excursions around Mexico soon. The school takes us to some awesome places, so once I go I will be sure to post pictures and let everyone know how they are. I'm looking forward to learning more about the history of Mexico and getting a better understanding of the culture.
Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and my friend Steven and I are going to try and find a place to watch it here in Cuernavaca. I'm rooting for the Cardinals!
Love to everyone.
I am preparing to start my thrid week of classes here tomorrow. As my Mexican mama Tere predicted, I would be speaking quite a bit after my second week. I am able to understand Mama, Candy our maid and some of what Papa says (he sort of mumbles and speaks really quickly). We laugh about it at the dinner table. The rest of the family has been impressed with my speaking skills, and I try my best to speak as much as I can around them.
I've become friends with the grandson of the family that I'm living with. His name is Andrick and he's a senior in high school here in Cuernavaca. I went over to his home the other night to watch the Mexico vs. Sweden futbol game and listen to some awesome latin music. I've downloaded some music from iTunes so I can start listening to music with Spanish lyrics -- its actually really helpful because I am picking up a lot of words! The artists that I've downloaded are Mana (the latin american version of U2 in terms of popularity), Gian Marco, Alejandro Sanz, Ricardo Arjona, Luis Miguel, and Winsin & Yandel. It's all fantastic!
Classes are going well but getting progessivly harder as the weeks go on. I'm going to have to really start studying this week. It's hard for me to have motivation to study for the written exams because I am not recieving credit for my work in these classes - so theoretically it doesn't matter how I perform on the exams. I am more interested in learning how to speak and I know that learning the grammer is important in learning how to speak correctly, but I really get more out of my culture and conversation classes than I do the 3 hour grammer class in the mornings. Also, there isn't a whole lot of homework. I have never been one to be a self-motivator with my studies, so that is also a challenge. I have decided that I am going to ask my professors to give me some extra work to do outside of class so I am forced to study! haha I'm also finding myself burning out on speaking spanish. It's hard because right now I have to think so much in order to say the simplist things. I know it will get easier, but I've been struggling a little bit with speaking as much as I should. I feel like my head is exploding sometimes with all of the new things I am learning and being forced to use day in and day out.
I have met some really wonderful girlfriends while I've been over here, which has been such a blessing. I have posted a picture of us out at a nightclub called Borakai. It is incredibly classy -- and outdoor setting with white couches and black tables with a live band. I am really falling in love with the city; the culture, nightlife, and the people.
I am planning on going on more excursions around Mexico soon. The school takes us to some awesome places, so once I go I will be sure to post pictures and let everyone know how they are. I'm looking forward to learning more about the history of Mexico and getting a better understanding of the culture.
Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and my friend Steven and I are going to try and find a place to watch it here in Cuernavaca. I'm rooting for the Cardinals!
Love to everyone.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Late Night Tacos and Good Friends
I have made it through my first week in Cuernavaca! I took my first exam for Spanish School and got a 97/100! Esta muy bueno, no?! I passed the oral exam and also had to submit a one page paper describing "mi salon de clase" or my classroom. I am learning so much vocabulary -- today I will be making flash cards so I can quiz myself and my friends.
I am making some wonderful friends here! My closest friend is a girl named Carla who is from New York and goes to the University of Buffalo. We had class together all week and have met up at el Centro for dinner a drinks a few times. Her roommates and friends are wonderful, and we have enjoyed getting to know eachother. I don't have any roommates, which I feel is a good thing. My mama and papa are able to give me a lot of one-on-one practice and attention in helping me speak Spanish. We are also making friends with some of the Mexican students at the University. That also helps because they like to help us with our Spanish and we help correct their English.
An interesting part about studying abroad at UNINTER is that there are always people coming and going. It's sad, but a blatant reality check that this is not real life, and it is not going to last forever! Alas, for the time being I am really enjoying myself and trying to get the most out of this experience as possible.
Last night after spending some time with the girls who are leaving, my friends and I went to this taco stand called La Gringa. I think there are a few of them throughout Cuernavaca. I have posted a picture of me eating tacos al pastor. If you google image search "tacos al pastor" you can see a picture of this huge chunk of meat that rotates on a pole. It seems gross and my stomach is a little upset this morning, but it was totally worth it! They were the best tacos I have ever had!
This week I start having contact with the students at Mizzou who I am helping do some primary research for. Their project is to come up with a U.S. brand that could be brought into Cuernavaca. I am excited to see where the students take this project, and am ready to go out and do whatever I need to do to find the information that they need. And if that means going to the shopping malls a few times a week, I think I'll be able to handle that!
Today my girlfriends and I are heading to Plaza Cuernavaca to get haircuts and go shoe shopping. I hope all is well at home. As for now, here is to another wonderful week in sunny, beautiful Cuernavaca!
I am making some wonderful friends here! My closest friend is a girl named Carla who is from New York and goes to the University of Buffalo. We had class together all week and have met up at el Centro for dinner a drinks a few times. Her roommates and friends are wonderful, and we have enjoyed getting to know eachother. I don't have any roommates, which I feel is a good thing. My mama and papa are able to give me a lot of one-on-one practice and attention in helping me speak Spanish. We are also making friends with some of the Mexican students at the University. That also helps because they like to help us with our Spanish and we help correct their English.
An interesting part about studying abroad at UNINTER is that there are always people coming and going. It's sad, but a blatant reality check that this is not real life, and it is not going to last forever! Alas, for the time being I am really enjoying myself and trying to get the most out of this experience as possible.
Last night after spending some time with the girls who are leaving, my friends and I went to this taco stand called La Gringa. I think there are a few of them throughout Cuernavaca. I have posted a picture of me eating tacos al pastor. If you google image search "tacos al pastor" you can see a picture of this huge chunk of meat that rotates on a pole. It seems gross and my stomach is a little upset this morning, but it was totally worth it! They were the best tacos I have ever had!
This week I start having contact with the students at Mizzou who I am helping do some primary research for. Their project is to come up with a U.S. brand that could be brought into Cuernavaca. I am excited to see where the students take this project, and am ready to go out and do whatever I need to do to find the information that they need. And if that means going to the shopping malls a few times a week, I think I'll be able to handle that!
Today my girlfriends and I are heading to Plaza Cuernavaca to get haircuts and go shoe shopping. I hope all is well at home. As for now, here is to another wonderful week in sunny, beautiful Cuernavaca!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Salsa Dancing & School
I am halfway through my first week in Cuernavaca! It is unbelieveable to me how quickly time seems to be passing.
Today I finshed my thrid day of school, and I seem to be progessing at a decent pace. I am able to speak more and more everyday. My classes are all in Spanish and my family only speaks to me in Spanish so literally at least 8 hours out of the day I am only hearing Spanish. I am realizing how much French I know as when I am at a loss of how to say something in Spanish I tend to throw out some random French phrsases. So I guess right now I am speaking some sort of FrenSpanGlish. Right now I am trying to focus just on learning vocabulary, as the larger that gets the easier it will be for me to speak.
Yesterday was an exciting day as I took my first salsa class and went out on the town in the evening with some friends. The salsa class was awesome. The school I go to is also a regular University for Mexican students, and so the class has both international students from the Spanish School and also from the regular Universtiy. The teacher is a sassy young Latino who is an amazing dancer and literally make anyone feel like they are an amazing salsa dancer. The classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4, and I plan on going every week. It's a great workout!
Last night I went to el Centro with some friends that I met at school. We went to an outdoor bar called Los Arcos which is a common hangout for the international students that are living in Cuernavaca. There was a live band that played salsa music. I wasn't ready to debut my dancing skills in public, so I declined a few offers to dance. After Los Arcos we went to an American dance club where they played classic songs like Hanson's "MmmBop" and NSync's "Bye Bye Bye", as well as modern favorites like Brittany Spears "Womanizer". It was fun being out with my friends but I ended up getting home much later than I had hoped. Plus the cab driver siffed us, charging $120 pesos to take three of us home that live within about 4 blocks of one another. Most cab rides, even at night, shouldn't be much more than $40 pesos. (Just to give you an idea, right now pesos are exhanging with U.S. dollars 14-1)
It has been wonderful staying in touch with my friends and family at home. I've had a few Skype dates, and luckily have been able to call and check in a few times as well. I am so thankful that I have wireless internet capabilities at my home. It makes the 1,400 miles I am away from home seem much more manageable.
Today I finshed my thrid day of school, and I seem to be progessing at a decent pace. I am able to speak more and more everyday. My classes are all in Spanish and my family only speaks to me in Spanish so literally at least 8 hours out of the day I am only hearing Spanish. I am realizing how much French I know as when I am at a loss of how to say something in Spanish I tend to throw out some random French phrsases. So I guess right now I am speaking some sort of FrenSpanGlish. Right now I am trying to focus just on learning vocabulary, as the larger that gets the easier it will be for me to speak.
Yesterday was an exciting day as I took my first salsa class and went out on the town in the evening with some friends. The salsa class was awesome. The school I go to is also a regular University for Mexican students, and so the class has both international students from the Spanish School and also from the regular Universtiy. The teacher is a sassy young Latino who is an amazing dancer and literally make anyone feel like they are an amazing salsa dancer. The classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4, and I plan on going every week. It's a great workout!
Last night I went to el Centro with some friends that I met at school. We went to an outdoor bar called Los Arcos which is a common hangout for the international students that are living in Cuernavaca. There was a live band that played salsa music. I wasn't ready to debut my dancing skills in public, so I declined a few offers to dance. After Los Arcos we went to an American dance club where they played classic songs like Hanson's "MmmBop" and NSync's "Bye Bye Bye", as well as modern favorites like Brittany Spears "Womanizer". It was fun being out with my friends but I ended up getting home much later than I had hoped. Plus the cab driver siffed us, charging $120 pesos to take three of us home that live within about 4 blocks of one another. Most cab rides, even at night, shouldn't be much more than $40 pesos. (Just to give you an idea, right now pesos are exhanging with U.S. dollars 14-1)
It has been wonderful staying in touch with my friends and family at home. I've had a few Skype dates, and luckily have been able to call and check in a few times as well. I am so thankful that I have wireless internet capabilities at my home. It makes the 1,400 miles I am away from home seem much more manageable.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Mexico City Excursion & School
I am starting to really enjoy my time here in Mexico!
My family is amazing, and I love spending time with my Mama and Papa. They are so patient and kind with my lack of Spanish -- but starting tomorrow there is no more English in the house! This is probably a good thing, and I know Mama will be patient with me and help me understand even if I have to ask her to repeat something 100 times. She gave me a list of vocabulary words that I have started to memorize. Tomorrow I begin school at my University and I couldn't be more ready to sit down and start learning this language so I can communicate!
Today I decided to go on my frist school excursion by myself -- I didn't know anyone else who was going on the trip but decided it was something I shouldn't miss...and boy was I right! We went to Mexico City and visited 4 awesome places. The Metropolitan Cathedral, which is second most important cathedral in America (second of course to the Bascillica); Palacio Nacional, which is the national Palace that houses the murals of Diego Rivera; Templo Mayor, which is the main temple of the Aztec town Tenochtitlan which is now Mexico City; and the Anthropology Museum which was simply unbelieveable. I took almost 100 pictures just today and can't wait to share them all. The group of students that went were all very friendly and I made some new friends. Most of them are much better at speaking Spanish than me, so I probably won't be in any classes with them.
Tonight when I got home (around 6p.m.), all of the extended family was over at my house. They had grilled out for dinner so one of my parents sons fired up the grill and made me a hamburger. After talking to everyone in rediculously broken Spanish, I stayed outside with their grandson for about an hour talking about school, life, and Mexico. He is a senior in high school and speaks great English. He said he would show me around Cuernavaca and I think we may start going to exercise together at the gym that is right down the street. Oh I guess I should mention -- where I live there are 3 houses on the property. #1: Mama, Papa, and myself #2: Son + grandson #3: Daughter + Husband.
I must be off to bed to get a good nights rest for my frist day of school tomorrow! Soon enough I will start posting in Spanish!
My family is amazing, and I love spending time with my Mama and Papa. They are so patient and kind with my lack of Spanish -- but starting tomorrow there is no more English in the house! This is probably a good thing, and I know Mama will be patient with me and help me understand even if I have to ask her to repeat something 100 times. She gave me a list of vocabulary words that I have started to memorize. Tomorrow I begin school at my University and I couldn't be more ready to sit down and start learning this language so I can communicate!
Today I decided to go on my frist school excursion by myself -- I didn't know anyone else who was going on the trip but decided it was something I shouldn't miss...and boy was I right! We went to Mexico City and visited 4 awesome places. The Metropolitan Cathedral, which is second most important cathedral in America (second of course to the Bascillica); Palacio Nacional, which is the national Palace that houses the murals of Diego Rivera; Templo Mayor, which is the main temple of the Aztec town Tenochtitlan which is now Mexico City; and the Anthropology Museum which was simply unbelieveable. I took almost 100 pictures just today and can't wait to share them all. The group of students that went were all very friendly and I made some new friends. Most of them are much better at speaking Spanish than me, so I probably won't be in any classes with them.
Tonight when I got home (around 6p.m.), all of the extended family was over at my house. They had grilled out for dinner so one of my parents sons fired up the grill and made me a hamburger. After talking to everyone in rediculously broken Spanish, I stayed outside with their grandson for about an hour talking about school, life, and Mexico. He is a senior in high school and speaks great English. He said he would show me around Cuernavaca and I think we may start going to exercise together at the gym that is right down the street. Oh I guess I should mention -- where I live there are 3 houses on the property. #1: Mama, Papa, and myself #2: Son + grandson #3: Daughter + Husband.
I must be off to bed to get a good nights rest for my frist day of school tomorrow! Soon enough I will start posting in Spanish!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Welcome to Cuernavaca
I have made it safely to Cuernavaca! Yesterday was a really productive and exciting day.
Dr. HB and I ate breakfast at our hotel. They had lots of American-type food, but also some Mexican stuff. I had potatoes with cactus and bacon! haha We went to our meeting with Cotton Inc., and got to meet Jaime and Olivia who are the two people that will be helping me get in contact with factories to interview for my cotton research. They were so helpful, and have suggested that one of them accompany me on the visits that I make. This made both Dr. HB and I feel a lot better, as that was a conern of ours as I do not need to be wandering around Mexico City (where most of the factories are) alone. They suggested we may be able to do dinner meetings, which I guess is a common way to do business in Mexico.
After leaving Cotton Inc. we made our journey to Cuernavaca via bus. It took about an hour and a half. The city is beautiful, and the hotel we are staying in is absolutly amazing - Hosteria Las Quintas. I called my "mama" (Tere...the mother of the family I am going to be living with) when I got in, and she was so excited to hear from me. After talking for a bit she said "I'm sending kisses your way...look forward to seeing you tomorrow!" I can't wait to meet her and her husband Alfonso.
We decided to begin our market research and went to Plaza Cuernavaca to look at their stores and analyze their visual merchandising. We also looked at the country of origin for the products and suprisingly so many of them were made in Mexcio (espeically in JC Pennys). JC Pennys and SEARS were about the only two stores that were the same as what we have in the states but the merchandising is awful compared to our standards. There are clothes everywhere...in the asiles where you walk, and jam packed into each section. The electronics were right next to the baby clothes, so the product placement was a little off as well.
After leaving Plaza Cuernavaca we went to dinner at La India Bonita, which was reccomended to us by Hosteria Las Quintas. The food was decent and I had my first Corona of the trip. We were seated in the gardens, and the weather was simply perfect. About 73 degrees and overcast. After returning from dinner we came back to the hotel and I was able to check in via Skype phone with some friends. Dr. HB and I had drinks and dessert at the hotel, and enjoyed trying to figure out how to explain to the waiters what we meant by "dessert" because neither of us knew what the word was! haha
I am feeling so comfortable and at home here. I get to meet Tere and Alfonso - my family - today at 3:00p.m. after Dr. HB and I do some more market research -- this time at a higher end shopping center called the Galariea. I am excited to see my room and get everything unpacked and settled in. Tomorrow I take my entrance exam at Universidad International, and I'm looking forward to getting the tour of my school and maybe seeing a little more of Cuernavaca.
Dr. HB and I ate breakfast at our hotel. They had lots of American-type food, but also some Mexican stuff. I had potatoes with cactus and bacon! haha We went to our meeting with Cotton Inc., and got to meet Jaime and Olivia who are the two people that will be helping me get in contact with factories to interview for my cotton research. They were so helpful, and have suggested that one of them accompany me on the visits that I make. This made both Dr. HB and I feel a lot better, as that was a conern of ours as I do not need to be wandering around Mexico City (where most of the factories are) alone. They suggested we may be able to do dinner meetings, which I guess is a common way to do business in Mexico.
After leaving Cotton Inc. we made our journey to Cuernavaca via bus. It took about an hour and a half. The city is beautiful, and the hotel we are staying in is absolutly amazing - Hosteria Las Quintas. I called my "mama" (Tere...the mother of the family I am going to be living with) when I got in, and she was so excited to hear from me. After talking for a bit she said "I'm sending kisses your way...look forward to seeing you tomorrow!" I can't wait to meet her and her husband Alfonso.
We decided to begin our market research and went to Plaza Cuernavaca to look at their stores and analyze their visual merchandising. We also looked at the country of origin for the products and suprisingly so many of them were made in Mexcio (espeically in JC Pennys). JC Pennys and SEARS were about the only two stores that were the same as what we have in the states but the merchandising is awful compared to our standards. There are clothes everywhere...in the asiles where you walk, and jam packed into each section. The electronics were right next to the baby clothes, so the product placement was a little off as well.
After leaving Plaza Cuernavaca we went to dinner at La India Bonita, which was reccomended to us by Hosteria Las Quintas. The food was decent and I had my first Corona of the trip. We were seated in the gardens, and the weather was simply perfect. About 73 degrees and overcast. After returning from dinner we came back to the hotel and I was able to check in via Skype phone with some friends. Dr. HB and I had drinks and dessert at the hotel, and enjoyed trying to figure out how to explain to the waiters what we meant by "dessert" because neither of us knew what the word was! haha
I am feeling so comfortable and at home here. I get to meet Tere and Alfonso - my family - today at 3:00p.m. after Dr. HB and I do some more market research -- this time at a higher end shopping center called the Galariea. I am excited to see my room and get everything unpacked and settled in. Tomorrow I take my entrance exam at Universidad International, and I'm looking forward to getting the tour of my school and maybe seeing a little more of Cuernavaca.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mexico City: It's HUGE!
I am officially in Mexico!
It's hard to believe that this morning I was packing up my things, petting the dogs, watching TV in ENGLISH -- and now I'm here! The trip has been really great so far -- the flights were quick and easy. Both about 2 hours and smooth sailing the entire way. Our flight from Dallas to Mexico City was from 5-7 so it was dark when we were flying into Mexico City. On the airplane at the moment I started seeing the city lights was when I had my first "freak out" moment. MEXICO CITY IS HUGE! Once you see lights they don't stop for as far as the eye can see. Our taxi driver from the airport to our hotel told us that Mexico City is the second largest city in the world. Considering Chicago...or I guess L.A. are the biggest cities I've been to -- this was just crazy.
Our hotel is absoloutly amazing. I am going to try and figure out how to post pictures here so you can see this awesome room! Luckily the hotel has free high-speed wi-fi so I'm able to connect with friends/fam and of course update the blog.
Tomorrow is meetings with Cotton Inc. from 9-11:30, then Dr. Ha-Brookshire and I will try and make it to Cuernavaca which will involve a taxi ride to the bus station at the south side of the city and then trying to buy tickets for the right bus to take us to the "city of eternal spring". :o) Will check in when I can.
Love to all -- and thank you for your encouragement and prayers -- they are really helping me with this whole 'adapting' process!
It's hard to believe that this morning I was packing up my things, petting the dogs, watching TV in ENGLISH -- and now I'm here! The trip has been really great so far -- the flights were quick and easy. Both about 2 hours and smooth sailing the entire way. Our flight from Dallas to Mexico City was from 5-7 so it was dark when we were flying into Mexico City. On the airplane at the moment I started seeing the city lights was when I had my first "freak out" moment. MEXICO CITY IS HUGE! Once you see lights they don't stop for as far as the eye can see. Our taxi driver from the airport to our hotel told us that Mexico City is the second largest city in the world. Considering Chicago...or I guess L.A. are the biggest cities I've been to -- this was just crazy.
Our hotel is absoloutly amazing. I am going to try and figure out how to post pictures here so you can see this awesome room! Luckily the hotel has free high-speed wi-fi so I'm able to connect with friends/fam and of course update the blog.
Tomorrow is meetings with Cotton Inc. from 9-11:30, then Dr. Ha-Brookshire and I will try and make it to Cuernavaca which will involve a taxi ride to the bus station at the south side of the city and then trying to buy tickets for the right bus to take us to the "city of eternal spring". :o) Will check in when I can.
Love to all -- and thank you for your encouragement and prayers -- they are really helping me with this whole 'adapting' process!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Preparing to Depart!
I leave for Mexico on Wednesday of this week! I cannot believe how quickly time has passed and that this beautiful journey is ready to begin! I have been so blessed to see my family and friends the past few days, and have found it difficult to say goodbye. I suppose I should get used to this, as the next 2 days are just going to be more of the same.
I haven't started packing yet, but have made a few fairly extensive lists as to what I need to bring with me. My favorite item on the list...sunscreen! Haha. This 30 degree Missouri weather with frigid nights is something that I am not going to miss.
Here is the rundown for my first few days in Mexico. I will do my best to check-in with a few people once I safely arrive, but it will be a few days before I will have regular internet access and the ability to Skype, check/send e-mails, etc.
Wednesday 1/14: Depart St. Louis International Airport around 12:30p.m., head to Dallas, then onto a flight that heads into Mexico City -- we should arrive around 8:30p.m. (Mexico is in the same timezone as Missouri!!)
Thursday 1/15: Dr. Ha-Brookshire and I will be meeting with our representative from Cotton Inc. at their Latin American headquarters in Mexico City at 9:00a.m . Our meeting is scheduled from 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m., then I believe Dr. HB and I will be doing a bit of traveling around Mexico City with the help of someone at Cotton Inc. Around 3:00p.m. we will depart via bus to Cuernavaca. We are staying at a beautiful hotel (I will be sure to take pictures).
Friday 1/16: A friend of Judy Elliott is going to be showing us around the city of Cuernavaca during the day on Friday. We will be going to some cultural spots, and hopefully a few shopping centers so Dr.HB can get an idea of the market I'm going to have access to (I will eventually end up interviewing some local Mexicans about their consumption of cotton products). After our tour I will return to my home where I will be staying for the next 8 weeks. Their names are Alfonso and Tere Payen - an older couple (I think in their 70's). I'm really looking forward to meeting them and seeing my 'digs'.
Saturday 1/17: I have to take an entrance exam at the Universidad International to place me into the proper classes for my first week. I should tell them just to put me in the lowest level! haha After that I think I will be able to spend time with my family and explore Cuernavaca a bit. By this time I should be starting to get settled in!
Well, that's the scoop! I will be sure to post more as I can and do my best at responding to e-mails. If you'd like to get in touch with me, below are the best options. I have toyed with getting an international phone while I'm in Mexico (supposedly their quite cheap) but for now we will bank on me only being able to call out!
E-mail: emilyestoll@gmail.com
Skype: emily.stoll
AIM: eesxb6
Love to all of you! Next time I post hopefully I will be safely in Mexico and ready for this amazing journey!
I haven't started packing yet, but have made a few fairly extensive lists as to what I need to bring with me. My favorite item on the list...sunscreen! Haha. This 30 degree Missouri weather with frigid nights is something that I am not going to miss.
Here is the rundown for my first few days in Mexico. I will do my best to check-in with a few people once I safely arrive, but it will be a few days before I will have regular internet access and the ability to Skype, check/send e-mails, etc.
Wednesday 1/14: Depart St. Louis International Airport around 12:30p.m., head to Dallas, then onto a flight that heads into Mexico City -- we should arrive around 8:30p.m. (Mexico is in the same timezone as Missouri!!)
Thursday 1/15: Dr. Ha-Brookshire and I will be meeting with our representative from Cotton Inc. at their Latin American headquarters in Mexico City at 9:00a.m . Our meeting is scheduled from 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m., then I believe Dr. HB and I will be doing a bit of traveling around Mexico City with the help of someone at Cotton Inc. Around 3:00p.m. we will depart via bus to Cuernavaca. We are staying at a beautiful hotel (I will be sure to take pictures).
Friday 1/16: A friend of Judy Elliott is going to be showing us around the city of Cuernavaca during the day on Friday. We will be going to some cultural spots, and hopefully a few shopping centers so Dr.HB can get an idea of the market I'm going to have access to (I will eventually end up interviewing some local Mexicans about their consumption of cotton products). After our tour I will return to my home where I will be staying for the next 8 weeks. Their names are Alfonso and Tere Payen - an older couple (I think in their 70's). I'm really looking forward to meeting them and seeing my 'digs'.
Saturday 1/17: I have to take an entrance exam at the Universidad International to place me into the proper classes for my first week. I should tell them just to put me in the lowest level! haha After that I think I will be able to spend time with my family and explore Cuernavaca a bit. By this time I should be starting to get settled in!
Well, that's the scoop! I will be sure to post more as I can and do my best at responding to e-mails. If you'd like to get in touch with me, below are the best options. I have toyed with getting an international phone while I'm in Mexico (supposedly their quite cheap) but for now we will bank on me only being able to call out!
E-mail: emilyestoll@gmail.com
Skype: emily.stoll
AIM: eesxb6
Love to all of you! Next time I post hopefully I will be safely in Mexico and ready for this amazing journey!
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