Back in the U.S.A.

I'm back from Mexico and living in the U.S.A. again now so there won't be any more regular updates on this blog (but you never know when a special might one might appear). However, if you ever have a question about life in Mexico or want to see pictures and hear more about it, you can always write a comment on the blog and ask. In fact, if you are a kid in Tallahassee or Birmingham, maybe I will even see you soon in person! This fall, I will also be teaching again at the same elementary school I taught at before going to Mexico. :) Hasta luego!

Sunny Days and Umbrellas

Here in Fresnillo, the sun can be pretty intense at times. Because we are at a high altitude, it can often feel hotter than it actually is. Something I have noticed a lot of Mexicans do here is use umbrellas...on sunny days! They use them like the old-fashioned parasols and carry them when they are walking to protect themselves from the sun. Apparently, it provides a nice spot of shade from the blazing sun. I always thought parasols were really neat when I was younger so maybe I should look for a cute umbrella and try this idea out myself. :)

Back to School Time

Because we work on Saturdays, Mondays are our day off. Today in the middle of the day, I went for a run. As I was running, I was struck by how much traffic there was. I also noticed lots more people than usual milling around throughout the streets. I was wondering if today was a national holiday that I had somehow missed when I realized that today was the first day back to school for most of the students here in Fresnillo. I was running right around the time the kids got out from school, and so I saw lots of moms or dads meeting picking their kids up after school on foot or by car as well as older students walking home on their own. The last couple of weeks, the stores have also had all sorts of school supplies on sale and and on special display. It reminded me that even though in some ways it's different (the language, the school itself, the schedule, etc.), there are some things that are the same in any culture. I think that the ritual of "back to school" is a monumental day no matter where you live.

I also want to give a "shout-out" to my old fourth-graders (the most recent ones, my class 2008-2009)...they just started their third week of middle school today. I miss you all and hope it's going well! I am sure you are each doing great! :)

Road Trip, Mexican Style

Recently, we had to drive to the border of Mexico and Texas for a few work-related things. Although I had driven this way once before (when I first arrived in Mexico about a year ago), I think I was more observant this time around. I thought I'd share two things with you...

On our way up to Texas, I was struck by how mountainous Mexico really is! The Sierra Madre mountain system has some very large mountains. I tried to take a few pictures of the mountains from the car, but the pictures really do not do the grandness justice.

Also, crossing the border itself is always somewhat fun and exciting. One thing that is neat is that on one part of the bridge, there is a sign that shows the exact dividing line between the two countries. So, the people in the front of the van can be in the U.S.A. while the people in the back of the van are still in Mexico! :)

the mountains in Mexico

on the road again...

crossing the border...

Mexican Money

In Mexico, the currency they use is based on a peso. Currently, one U.S. dollar is worth about 12. 3 pesos. So, one peso would be worth less than a dime but more than a nickel. I usually try to estimate in my head about how much things cost. For example, if an item costs 120 pesos, I know that's about $10 U.S. dollars. Tonight I went out to dinner, and my meal cost $87 pesos or about $7 U.S. dollars. One fun thing about the money is that the bills are all different colors. You can see a few different coins and bills below in the picture.

Dia del Amor y Amistad

A few weeks ago, we celebrated "Día del Amor y Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship) here in Mexico also known as Valentine's Day. On Sunday afternoon, February 14th, we had a big party for all of our Club kids to celebrate God's love. We had a lot of fun doing all kinds of activities with them: face-painting, a coloring craft, relay races, singing, and more. At the end of the party, we had a special drama to the song "La Niña de Tus Ojos" ("The Apple of Your Eyes"). The song is based off the verse Psalm 17:8 that says "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." Here are some pictures from the day...

Me, with Chely, Alondra, & Juliana

Some of the 5 and 6 year olds coloring their craft

About 150 Club kids!

Elizabeth, Oscar, y Fatima begin the drama

Club Christmas Drama

Every year, there is a Christmas Drama that all of the Club kids are invited to participate in. We have two practices, and they have to come to one of them in order to be able to be a part of the drama. Their families are all invited to the drama, which was on Sunday afternoon, December 13th this year. The 3 & 4 year olds and 5 & 6 years old are all sheep, the 7 & 8 year olds are shepherds, the 9 & 10 year old girls are angels, the 9 & 10 year old boys are wise men, and there are a few special, speaking parts as well. It really is a precious and beautiful sight to see so many children gathered together joyfully singing about Jesus' birth.

The ovejas

Practicing our song, "Maria Tuvo Un Bebe"

The Club Christmas Drama