Colorado Briefing with Lola (Jessica) and Mandy.
Awesome Gals! I will be working with them this year in our team! Mandy is my roomie and Lola has a couple schools with me this year!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pix of the STINT US chicas!
Colorado Briefing with Lola (Jessica) and Mandy.
Awesome Gals! I will be working with them this year in our team! Mandy is my roomie and Lola has a couple schools with me this year!
September 15th = Independence Day! = 1 BIG LONG Party!
There are two main types of people found in Mexico during this great event. Those who are VERY patriotic! They wear the outfits, the decorations, and truly celebrate in their hearts the great truth that they are an independent country! Last year, I had the privilege to celebrate in a VERY patriotic home the traditional feast during the special occasion. The house was decorated and the family wore festival outfits. The entire family gathered together in their grandmother’s home; aunts, uncles, cousins, and even new found friends! Food!!! I think food really brings family together! Honestly, there are tons of dishes of food laid out on the table. It is impossible to enjoy each dish that was specially made by the hands of individuals because by the time you finish the 5th dish (for example), you are too full to savor the rest. Oh how delicious it is! Posole – a traditional soup with corn kernels and chicken with spices! Then there is tostada one can fill with different types of toppings; chicken, ground beef, pork, … Then bread and tortilla to fill up those tacos! (I know I am not giving justice to truly the taste and work of these chefs – forgive me!) Drinks: sodas, jamiaica (hibiscus flower drink), hochata (rice milk w/ cinnamon), tamarindo (I don’t know how to explain this fruit drink), oh and yes … the alcohol! Many Mexican families drink, it is very common to socialize with a glass of Tequila (made specifically from Guadalajara, Mexico)! After the food, while it begins to settle down, there is dancing and fireworks! Fireworks! I am just going to mention… the illegal ones are AWESOME!! Hehe (And yes, I was careful!). Oh and I don’t want to forget the ‘grita,’ the grita is a shout out to Mexico usually at 11pm. This is when the president of Mexico will share words such as “Long live…” and all of Mexico will yell out “VIVA!” Last year, we watched the occasion occur in the Zocalo (central) on TV. This year, I had the privilege to experience the real deal!
Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to see the greater half of Mexico - la fiesta! Many MANY Mexicans love parties! It isn’t a bad thing per say, but yesterday is and shall always be the best day one can party in Mexico City!! (I don’t think I was physically prepared!) Prior to going to the Zocalo, each person in our team had a certain task to do for the evening party. Cactus Salad was my task (and it is so much better than it sounds!!). Others had to bring the decorations, games, tostadas, beans, ground chicken, dessert, candy, soda, and drinks… I went to the grocery store, made my little side dish, and TRIED so very hard to take a nap. I laid there for a good hour, no luck! I guess I was too excited or something! Then prepared our home – our new apt (since we have a good living room space) – for the party!
At 10ish (later than planned) we headed to the metro stop Eugenia to meet up with a group of friends. Unfortunately, the micro system wasn’t on top of it, so we tried hailing for a taxi. After 15ish minutes we found one! Our dear friends had actually waited for us since 9pmish. Off we went to the Zocalo!
Oh how excited Mandy and I were! This was our first experience out for the grito. Of course we had heard the precaution of the large amount of people so we took our bare necessities: phone, little money, and keys. Outside the metro we went walking towards the Zocalo. It had just sprinkled a little so many people were selling umbrellas and raincoats made out of trash bags. We also passed many stands selling foam, shiny glittery hats, headbands that lit up the colors red and green, anything that represented Mexico was on sell! And not to forget we also passed stands of food! Corn on the cob (so delicious with chili and limon!!), candies, quesadillas, tacos, tamales, etc. Finally we found ourselves at a LONG line to get into the Zocalo. Our friend went by to check out the length of the line as we waited… not good. All of a sudden we noticed the firecrackers going off! That usually means that the ‘grita’ had JUST been done. BUMMED, but not going to miss out on the cool show, we headed to the field holding hands! A couple of times, even though holding hands we broke away from one another and had to wait to find our friends. IT WAS EXTREMELY PACKED!! Of course we noticed a lot of young people kind of “high” for the night. Although I tried to escape from the cigarette smoke, it was super hard!! “cough!” After the show, we headed back home – to the fiesta!
I know our “fiesta” would not be the same as others since it was a mix of three cultures trying hard to live up the Mexican side! We arrived at my house at around 1 am!! Can you believe it a fiesta beginning that late? I was already tired, so I thought “Maybe coffee would work.” NOPE. I was and probably shouldn’t have been a drag in the party, but I was EXHAUSTED! Poor friends had to deal with my ‘melted’ body as I just watched them enjoy themselves till 4am!!
Honestly, I wished I had the energy to really embrace the joy of everyone. We played the Mexican version of Bingo called “Loteria” with prizes. We snacked on coconut candies and sweets while waiting for the food to warm up. Then, the food arrived. Oh, had I wished at that moment that I had a large belly to savor every bit. Honestly, I took a little of four dishes and hoped for leftovers from the rest! It was delicious!! Then we had picture taking, dancing, and drinks on the side, as I watched and enjoyed the happy atmosphere. All in all, it turned out very well. I just think I probably should have realized and prepared that my bedtime that night would be at 4am and not midnight! I slept in my clothes – I was too tired to change!
And today, the next morning … I think I need a nap! Am I getting old or WHAT?? Hehehe
Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to see the greater half of Mexico - la fiesta! Many MANY Mexicans love parties! It isn’t a bad thing per say, but yesterday is and shall always be the best day one can party in Mexico City!! (I don’t think I was physically prepared!) Prior to going to the Zocalo, each person in our team had a certain task to do for the evening party. Cactus Salad was my task (and it is so much better than it sounds!!). Others had to bring the decorations, games, tostadas, beans, ground chicken, dessert, candy, soda, and drinks… I went to the grocery store, made my little side dish, and TRIED so very hard to take a nap. I laid there for a good hour, no luck! I guess I was too excited or something! Then prepared our home – our new apt (since we have a good living room space) – for the party!
At 10ish (later than planned) we headed to the metro stop Eugenia to meet up with a group of friends. Unfortunately, the micro system wasn’t on top of it, so we tried hailing for a taxi. After 15ish minutes we found one! Our dear friends had actually waited for us since 9pmish. Off we went to the Zocalo!
Oh how excited Mandy and I were! This was our first experience out for the grito. Of course we had heard the precaution of the large amount of people so we took our bare necessities: phone, little money, and keys. Outside the metro we went walking towards the Zocalo. It had just sprinkled a little so many people were selling umbrellas and raincoats made out of trash bags. We also passed many stands selling foam, shiny glittery hats, headbands that lit up the colors red and green, anything that represented Mexico was on sell! And not to forget we also passed stands of food! Corn on the cob (so delicious with chili and limon!!), candies, quesadillas, tacos, tamales, etc. Finally we found ourselves at a LONG line to get into the Zocalo. Our friend went by to check out the length of the line as we waited… not good. All of a sudden we noticed the firecrackers going off! That usually means that the ‘grita’ had JUST been done. BUMMED, but not going to miss out on the cool show, we headed to the field holding hands! A couple of times, even though holding hands we broke away from one another and had to wait to find our friends. IT WAS EXTREMELY PACKED!! Of course we noticed a lot of young people kind of “high” for the night. Although I tried to escape from the cigarette smoke, it was super hard!! “cough!” After the show, we headed back home – to the fiesta!
I know our “fiesta” would not be the same as others since it was a mix of three cultures trying hard to live up the Mexican side! We arrived at my house at around 1 am!! Can you believe it a fiesta beginning that late? I was already tired, so I thought “Maybe coffee would work.” NOPE. I was and probably shouldn’t have been a drag in the party, but I was EXHAUSTED! Poor friends had to deal with my ‘melted’ body as I just watched them enjoy themselves till 4am!!
Honestly, I wished I had the energy to really embrace the joy of everyone. We played the Mexican version of Bingo called “Loteria” with prizes. We snacked on coconut candies and sweets while waiting for the food to warm up. Then, the food arrived. Oh, had I wished at that moment that I had a large belly to savor every bit. Honestly, I took a little of four dishes and hoped for leftovers from the rest! It was delicious!! Then we had picture taking, dancing, and drinks on the side, as I watched and enjoyed the happy atmosphere. All in all, it turned out very well. I just think I probably should have realized and prepared that my bedtime that night would be at 4am and not midnight! I slept in my clothes – I was too tired to change!
And today, the next morning … I think I need a nap! Am I getting old or WHAT?? Hehehe
Monday, September 14, 2009
Culture CLASH
Missionary work – going somewhere OUTSIDE your own home is a challenge. It amazes me each day to see the differences that I have not only with the Mexican culture, but the culture of my teammates. I love them dearly. I wish to be molded in such a way so that I can fit JUST right, but there are differences that must be worked through.
Today in our staff meeting we spoke about our top values.
Mexico Values: Relationships, Hospitality, Service, time flexibility…
MY biggest struggle is time, task, and productivity! I have found myself certain – down days, where I guilt myself with the not working HARD enough since I don’t seem to have much to show for myself. I love getting tasks done! I love finding myself doing much… BUT I have learned and am still learning that I can’t do 10 things in one day IN Mexico. I still have to learn that So and So may not meet up with me even after scheduling 3x… and that it isn’t a personal issue. I still have to learn to not rely on text messaging and emails. I still have to learn to plan not only an A plan, but a B plan AND even a C plan! Most of all, I STILL have to learn that self is the biggest struggle I deal with in taking those initiative steps in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all I am around!!
I am learning…that there is still so much yet to learn!!
Please pray for me!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Phil 4:4-7)”
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