| Archived Monthly Musings |
| Where did the summer go? Jake and MK will begin school August 19th. That particular date also happens to be the day Mother Kat and Jerry fly into town for a week long visit - and we can't wait! This summer we've enjoyed long visits from Barbara and Taylor Johnson of Brevard, NC. And, Miss Abbie, from Fletcher, NC. We've also hosted for dinner on seperate occassions a few US visitors including Mitch Goodson of Marion, NC, Jack Lewis of Murphy, NC, and Bob Ward of Rock Hill, NC. We're genuinely thrilled to host visitors, especially english speaking folks!! To our friends and family, know that you have a standing invitation in San Andres Cholula, Puebla anytime!! August begins Jake's and my 5th month in Mexico. Can I just say - The honeymoon's over!!! As I've explained to friends in emails, the once "charming" unique things Mexican in some instances are just downright disgusting, inconvenient, and last but not least - corrupt. So far Keith and I have been stopped by the policia a total of three times being forced to pay 'mordidas' (bribes) twice for bogus charges. Because of these experiences I now never leave home without a cell phone AND the digital camera. When I'm stopped again (and I will be stopped, for the green importation sticker and NC plates are clear indications a gringo is behind the wheel) I intend to make a kodak moment of any would-be policia robbers!! No kidding - when the cop asks for money next time, I'm gonna ask him to say, "Queso" (cheese in spanish). I no longer intend to be a pitiful, gringo victim. But despite some quirks, Mexico is a fun, fabulous place to live! Our language abilities aren't what we had hoped they would be by this point, but we're earnestly striving to do better. No doubt as our language improves so will our social and cultural comprehensions - a must for truly feeling 'at home'. I've read and have been told to allow ourselves a good year; that being the case, we're well on our way to a successful acclimation. Sunday we drove Abbie to the Mexico City airport, and upon our return 'home' Keith and I were discussing the dynamics of our marriage and the effect(s) that our chosen nomadic lifestyle is having/will have on the kid's personalities and choices: We concluded either we've endowed our three with some awesome opportunities and chances of a lifetime or we've royally screwed them over emotionally!! lol ~ In the July 2002 "Oprah" magazine there is a wonderfully written article on "Extreme Living" by James B. Meigs....the context of the article is clearly written about adventure seekers (surfers, rock climbers and the likes), however, his words very aptly describe our adventures as expats: ..."What adventure must have, however, is the risk of failure. If the outcome is already known, one's journey toward it isn't adventure. It's the element of doubt - concerning both the obstacles you might face and your capacity to overcome them - that makes an adventure'"..."An effort worth trying with all your heart - I can't think of a better definition of adventure."... "Because in the end 'success' isn't the main point of adventure"..."They (adventurers) know that in the process of undertaking goals that require total commitment, they gained something more important than success; They lived completely." September: Labor Day � Harvested Apples in Hendersonville, NC � Clemson Football Games � Crisp Morning Air � The Beginning of the Changing of the Leaves; these things in addition to missing my family and friends, and hearing, reading and speaking all things English are adding to my mounting homesickness. September marks my 6th month in Mexico and while I�m still very enamored by many things Mexican, my newfound past times and experiences can�t replace time honored traditions and loves specific to my Americana particulars; both actual and imagined. Abraham Lincoln�s words and the mantra often declared by many well intentioned is; �This too shall pass�. However, even when offered with the sincerest of purpose, I loathe being the recipient of these words. OF COURSE the bad times will pass, along with the good times; with the good times seemingly passing at a remarkably faster pace than the bad. �Time marches on� (hey, there�s another one!)�for the life of me I fail to grasp the comfort of these words! ~ Anyway, I�m well aware that my homesickness will pass but I find little comfort and yearn no less for familiar Americana experiences knowing that eventually my feelings for them will wane. Despite what I�ve written above � know that things on the whole are quite pleasant here in Puebla. Our weather is divine. The kids are beginning their third week of studies and all�s going marvelously for them at school. For those that weren�t aware, Keith and I decided to retain Jake in 8th grade. While the decision was difficult, we now know it was best. Jake�s receiving encouraging reports so far, and has also made the colegio basketball team. Mary Kathryn�s schedule and classes were touch and go the first week, but with some tweaking of her schedule, along with meeting some wonderful new friends �prepa 3� (senior year) is pretty darn good at the moment! It�s Sunday morning and we�re anxiously awaiting Keith�s return home. He�s been in the states a week now for a seminar at the company corporate offices. He also had the pleasure and tasks of visiting with Abbie and spending every waking moment while not at work combing the stores for our list of �must-haves-but-can�t-find-here� items. I�m anxious to see how he makes out coming into the country with our things�a small sampling of the items include: Softscrub, Skittles, acrylic sealer (for my painting), size 13 sneakers (for Jake), Heath Ledger poster (for MK), wash clothes, Gap clothing, some American CDS, poppy seeds, rainbow sprinkles for icing (another MK request) and many, many more things! Mom and Jerry showered us upon their visit with grits, Duke�s mayonnaise and flavored coffees � enough to last us �til our trip home at Christmas. Wishing everyone the best � please keep in touch. Maybe because October is a month that is traditionally held as a time filled with �spirits� I am filling spiritually lifted. For all who bothered to read last month's musings, thank you for coming to my pity party. Last month marked my full 6th month in Puebla, and I was really quite homesick for all things Americana. I declare this each month so you�d think I�d learn to not be repeatedly astonished by the fleeting time, but can you believe it�s OCTOBER? Mary Kathryn will be celebrating her 18th Birthday on the 18th of this month (click here to send her a birthday greeting and/or to see how she plans to celebrate her special day).. A few things of note have transpired in a month's time. We celebrated Mexico's National Independence Day, September 16th, at the beautiful, (but hot and humid; think Charleston in August) Veracruz seaport. Veracruz is supposedly the first established seaport of the North American continent. As soon as I'm able I will post pictures from our trip. Also of note, I've taken a job! After much reluctance tempered with excitement and gratitude, I've accepted a position at a Montessori school teaching ESL (english as a second language) to children ranging in ages 3-6. The children are precious...there's Juan Pablo, Isabela, Begonia, Javier, Bosco, Victoria, and Enis to name a few and no one speaks English (yet). And for those that personally know me, how much fun will it be to hear little Mexican Nationals speaking "ingles" with a pronounced southern accent?! Keith and I have had more than our fair share of chuckles over the prospect. The Montessori director had hoped that I'd be available 5 days a week, however, I'm not ready to make that commitment at this time. My plans are to begin slowly and work my way into a more involved schedule. As I explained to the director, I'm feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable living in a foreign country and at this time I am not capable of taking on yet another 'foreign environment' (for which the Montessori method is to me). The director is very kind and open-minded and is determined to accomodate me. I'm grateful for the opportunity. Other news; because I relate this month to all things "fall" and because we're living in a temperate climate with very subtle changes in season I've had to take it upon myself to satisfy my desire for my favorite season by celebrating as I would in the States. I've taken to baking pumpkins (can't buy canned pumpkin pie mix) and I've also been baking apple pies. I've decorated the casa with traditional fall decor (ok - so the decorations are nothing more than dead leaves and weeds!!), but having done so I've greatly curbed my longings for a Sunday drive in the mountains of NC. But what I wouldn't give for such an afternoon. Keith and I will be celebrating our 28th year together on October 24th - the anniversary of our first date. Never in a million years could I have predicted our present circumstances way back in 1974. But this I could have told you...that through our love and honor of one another, and for living life as honestly as we are both capable, I knew that our lives would be filled with the blessing of mutual respect and self-content. We were then, we are still devoted to one another. Life is good! Best to all....donna |
| August 2002 - 5th Month as Expat |
| September 2002 - 6th Month as Expat |
| October 2002 - 7th Month as Expat |
| November 2002 - 8th Month as Expat |
| HOLA! I hope you didn't have too much trouble finding us this month. I've been working diligently to have many of the new pages published to this address. Being self taught in web design makes for very long hours. I can also tell you a thing or two about renaming files and pictures that have already been posted to the webpage...BIG MISTAKE! But the web pages have brought me a much needed diversion and purpose. I'm having a terrific time learning and playing. My goal is to make the pages appealing and informative, yet easy to navigate with quick uploads (for you dial-up modem users). Plus the site is advertisement FREE which is a big reason I purchased the domain. I'm allowing myself 'til the first of the year to work out all the kinks, so please bare with the changes and updates. Your suggestions for the site's improvement would be much appreciated. Last month I reported that I'd taken a job teaching ESL at a local Montessori. But, after only two sessions I knew that my decisions for accepting the position weren't compelling enough to see me through, and much to the director's disappointment, I bowed out of the job all together. By all examples I'm coping well living in a foreign culture, but I can't stress enough the emotional and psychological toll language and culture barriers cost on a daily (shoot! moment to moment) basis. The simplest and most mundane tasks often turn into major fiascos. The position at the Montessori was more than I could emotionally afford at this time. At first, I was embarrassed that I couldn't handle the position - afterall, it's a measly three hours a day, three days a week. But after some soul searching, I came to realize that the business of coping in a foreign environment is a 24/7 job; on top of which, I'm the emotional cheerleader for the rest of the family. So, I owe no one an explanation or apology for being all rah-rahed out! ~ Not until the dealings with the Montessori did I realize the depths of my emotional exhaustion. Know that I'm taking steps to replenish my emotional reserves and that my experiences and feelings are common and shared by many a first year expat. I don't have it in me this month to share how I feel about Mary Kathryn moving back to the states after Christmas. Her decision came the week of her 18th birthday....which by all rights has it's own set of 'issues'...just know that I've done my fair share of emotional wiggin' out the month of October, but I'm none the worse for wear. I'm countin' down the days 'til we head home for Christmas...until next month, my best to all! |
| Season's Greetings! The background music says it all for me this holiday season.....I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. Not since I was a little girl do I remember being as excited. Mary Kathryn and I are scheduled to fly out of Mexico City on Saturday, December the 14th. Keith and Jake will follow via car filled with all of MK's worldly possessions (read more about MK's move) beginning December 19th; with a tentative arrival to NC scheduled December 23rd. Even though the drive from Puebla to North Carolina is a long, four days, Jake and Keith are looking forward to making the trip together. I�ve so much to talk about this month; from the local�s apparent irresistible fascination of gringo Christmas d�cor (I especially find snowmen and icicles puzzling in Mexico) to my thoughts on the significance of �home�. I�ll begin by explaining how our particular neighborhood is shaping up for the holidays. First, understand that our neighborhood is regarded as �well to do� and my opinions and descriptions of this particular neighborhood are indicative of the more affluent Pueblanos (and only through corporate sponsorship are we able to live amongst the group). ~ Disclaimers out of the way know that THE ONE-UPPING in our vecino IS ON! As typical of the more affluent, the neighbors have no intentions of being seen performing manual tasks, so our �hood has experienced a steady stream of electricians, technicians, and gardeners earnestly preparing the large casas for the holidays. The most popular decoration by far this year are the dangling icicle lights coupled with a myriad of other blinking, twinkling, and blinding lighted objects; things such as snowmen, Mickey Mouse, Santa, reindeer, candy canes, sleighs and candles. ~ Rather than being delighted by the obvious gringo transformation of the casas (being that I�m longing for �home�), I am puzzled and oh so saddened... �saddened that these hard working, successful, proud Mexican neighbors seem to be loosing all sight of their heritage and traditions in lieu of the gringo crap stocked to the ceilings at Sam�s, Costco, and Walmart! For good or for bad, know that self-indulgent, brouhaha gringo consumerism is alive and THRIVING in the more affluent Pueblano �hoods. I�ll save my thoughts of �home� for January�s update, for I intend to spend the better part of the month in North Carolina. I�m looking so forward to spending time with my family and friends and to seeing, hearing, speaking, tasting, smelling, and UNDERSTANDING all things southern-american!! No doubt I�m going home a changed person. My changes will be most obvious once back in a familiar context�.I�ll keep you posted as I discover my new perspectives and perceptions. I wish for each of you a very merry Christmas. |
| December 2002 - 9th Month as Expat |
| January/February 2003 - 10th/11th Month as Expat |
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