HAPPY!

Finally after more than a week of constant cloudiness and rain, there is an absolutely beautiful day! I’m sitting outside on my balcony right now and thinking about how I’m absolutely in love with Mexico (the good and the bad)… In my little private place here outside my room, I can hear the sounds of my neighbors working away on their traditional tapestry and although it’s Saturday that I’m writing this, I can hear the sounds of the bells from the church up the street. Someone is sweeping their entryway a couple doors up and I can hear the annoying toot of a horn from a vendor that’s walking through the streets selling this certain type of candy made from bananas. And although sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the noises here in the city: [the truck that sells gas (a super annoying song that for some reason includes a cow-like sound and ends with “EL GAAAAS!”); the water man that yells at 7:30 in the morning (“AGUAAAA!”); the constant ringing of our doorbell with someone selling pan dulce or tortillas or some sort of food; the sounds of people laying on their horns during traffic-jams on the highway two blocks away; or the silly subtle sounds of “CH-CH! CH-CH!” from some of the boys when I walk by] … I’m comforted and lifted up by the giggles of the kids playing in the streets; the daily greeting from the little two-year-old girl in my house who has learned “Good mooorning!”; the kissing-sounds of the cuijas (little lizards that visit me in my room and eat those annoying mosquitoes); the songs of the birds that sit in the tree right next to my balcony; and the now-oh-so-familiar sound of playful laughter as my Oaxacan friends tease and pick on me (I need to start working on my witty comebacks in Spanish!). Yes, today I’m in love with Mexico. And it’s funny because for some reason as I’m sitting here enjoying the sun and the slight breeze… there’s a feeling of home in the air. “Home” as in I feel comfortable here in this city but also “home” as in I’m reminded of Spokane. There’s a smell in the wind that whispers of autumn in Spokane. I can't really explain it but it’s so comforting and I feel happy. (Autumn in Spokane is my absolute favorite season!) You know when you smell something like a certain perfume or the smell of bread baking in the oven or some other sort of scent that suddenly opens up this dusty door in your head and a long-forgotten memory rushes in and greets you? It’s kind of like that for me right now… a swirled feeling of my new life here and my childhood memories of autumns in Spokane. :) Mmm … happy.

On a different note, I’m finally starting to feel a connection with my host family. It’s kind of hard because I had this stereotypical idea that families in Mexico were completely open and immediately accept you as one of the children… in reality, most families here, while having close relationships with each other, are actually closed off to other people and it’s hard to become a part of the family. Finally last Saturday, I went to coffee with Ana (my host sister) and it was really great to finally have some time to chat and get to know one another. The next day, for the first time, I had lunch with the whole family. It was so nice! (Although because I wasn’t used to it, I felt a little shy.) Afterwards I watched TV with Ana and Luis (her husband) while Camila (their daughter) played with bubbles. It was so nice and relaxing. It seemed to start the week off in a different light and I’ve felt this change, although subtle, in my relationship with the family. (Although Bruno, the little white fluff-ball of a dog who usually seems to adore me decided to pee in my room not once, but three times the other day … and my door was only open for maybe 5 minutes! Grrr.)

Quick story of my other new “pet” … whenever it’s raining (and remember it was raining all week this week), I have a little (well actually an inch-and-a-half long) friend that comes to visit me, traveling through the drain of my shower. Yep, my cucaracha. The first time he visited me, I was a little uncomfortable but thought, “Ok, whatever … I can get used to him.” The second time, he definitely passed the line of our friendship by surprising me late one night… I was holding my toothpaste about ready to take off the lid when I realized there were antennas come out from behind. Sleepily confused, I flipped the toothpaste over and there, practically in my hand, was Mr. Cockroach. Good thing I’m not a screamer (since everyone else in the house was sleeping) but Mr. Cockroach along with my toothpaste went flying across the bathroom. Tsk, tsk. Not ok with me. So now, although I’ve kind of gotten used to my new friend, I’m always a little apprehensive to go to the bathroom on those rainy nights, especially when I’m approaching the bathroom in the dark. (Always wear shoes in the houses here!) …. (Lauren… which would you rather have… our friendly squirrels who, while uninvited, made themselves at home with us ? Or nightly cockroaches?! Haha!)

So obviously I feel like talking, talking, talking today. But what’s with this one-way conversation??? I don’t want you forgetting about me ;-) EMAIL ME!!! please? I miss you guys! What’s going on in your lives? Tell me all the little details! Any funny stories or awkward moments in life you’d like to share? Well … I truly hope that all is well with each and every one of you, and I hope every once in a while something reminds you of me because it’s seems like every night I have a dream of someone different in the United States … so know that you are in my thoughts from time to time. Take care! And I REALLY hope to hear from you soon!

Much love all around!
Chao!