Saturday, November 22, 2014

3rd Month

It's crazy to think that the third month of your exchange is one fourth of the way through. It doesn't seem like it has been so long to be honest. Well, I mean in ways it does like when I look back to when I got here I think to myself "that was so incredibly long ago" but then I get into reality and I feel like it hasn't been so long.
My past month has been an ordinary month. Which I assume that's good because it means I have began to settle in. I go to school, then either go to practice for Miss JeanPi or go home and do my tiny bit of homework, then lay on my bed waiting until I fall asleep. Sometimes I get these huge rushes of homesickness but I have amazing friends in USA and Here that make it so much better (also tacos and chocolate help) On weekends lately it has been go to the supermarket and come home and watch a movie and that is it. But the weekend before Halloween I went to a costume party and danced my little heart out with some of the best friends I could have every asked for, It is crazy how different parties are here than in USA and I definitely prefer the parties here they are so much more upbeat and entertaining.
It is weird for me because when I first got here I didn't really realize many differences but the longer I am here the more differences I find. The more obvious ones like how here you greet people with a hug and a kiss on the cheek which I love more than I can explain, and in USA you just say hello. To the more "interesting" ones like the fact that here in mexico instead of poor people sitting under bridges they walk up and down the streets and knock on your car windows for money. Although there are many cultural differences here, you find that people are still people, they eat, cry, sleep, get angry. And through it all I can say over all Mexicans are some of the most caring people I met it makes it to where I am not afraid to cry because I am so homesick in the middle of school because everyone is there to be my shoulder to cry on.
I understand the USA and Mexico don't have the best relationship. It's just something about being neighbors. I know I don't always get along with my neighbors in Dallas haha. Because of all the stereotypes I had heard about mexico before I came I was a bit nervous to say the least. But the stereotypes really mean nothing I love it here, the way of life, the food, the personalities, and the way that everyone is so accepting. I believe also that I have broken many American stereotypes for the people here. I had a friend here tell me that she thought every person from the USA was very selfish, conceited, and unfriendly, after she began to tell me how surprised she was that I was so nice, and friendly, and really cared about other people.



MISS JEAN PIAGET HAS PASSED!
I guess this really just means I have watched another chapter of my exchange close right before my eyes. Yes, it's true, that last Thursday was the big day, the competition, the performance, the day I, along with 14 other girls, would dance and model in front of a crowd and on live TV. You could bet your butt I was nervous. I have to say that I honestly believe that this will be one of the best memories I will have here and I am beyond happy I decided to do it. I met 14 amazing girls and became very great friends with them. They helped me to learn Spanish and made sure I always knew what was going on. I couldn't be more thankful for Mafer Torres, my best friend here, I am beyond blessed that Miss JeanPi had made us best friends because without here I really don't think it would have been possible for me to finish the whole thing, and she always believes in me.


The reveal of our photo shoot pictures

Our dance we worked 2 months on together. Special thanks to Rodrigo our choreographer. 


Some of my lovely friends and I after the event


During the modeling part

Also a holiday has passed. The first of November was "Dia De Muertos" It was very interesting to get to see this holiday in person.










I guess I should explain the makeup. We are supposed to be "Catrines and Catrinas" "Dia de Muertos" means day of the dead. This day is when they celebrate their loved ones who have died. The catrines and catrinas are supposed to be people who are dead. They are traditionally not allowed to speak. Also on this day they put altars in their houses and put photos of their loved ones who have died along with things they liked and food they liked. I put my friend in our altar.



For now that is it. I will really try to update more often if I can :)

1 comment:

  1. This was posted just before our Thanksgiving. Did any of you manage to enjoy the traditional turkey and all the other goodies on Thanksgiving?
    We think of you all the time and it sounds as though you are having a great exchange. You will have so many tales for us when you return.

    Jerry

    ReplyDelete