Why I Love Monterrey This Week

1. English Christmas songs translated into Spanish
2. tacos, quesadillas, sopes and tostadas
3. Posadas...name for Christmas parties...that literally happen with every group of people you could ever find an excuse to throw a party with (I've lived here for a year and I was invited to 7-not because I'm popular. That's probably a small number).
4. Meeting sweet ladies at a church garage sale
5. Chispa...roommate's new puppy that I am quickly falling in love with
6. I have a sweet friend who doesn't care a whole lot about the Lord, but is going through a hard time. This week she sent me this email, "Starting looking up old church songs I sang when I was younger. I really wanted to share them with someone and I thought of you."
7. The bible study girls I have been blessed with
8. My roommate/neighbors asking me, now on a regular basis, how church was and what I got out of it.
9. After a very brief and vague interaction, a Starbucks barista asked me yesterday if I was fluent in Spanish. I told him I was working on it.
10. Mexico is close enough to the U.S. that I can go and visit and see my family and friends for 2 whole weeks over Christmas.
11. Talking with a coworker about the differences in the Catholic church and Protestant church, and about what she thinks a genuine relationship with God should look like compared to how she was raised.
12. God's endless provision and sense of humor, even when I doubt.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, same as last year, I worked today. My Thanksgiving involved baking pumpkin chip cookies for my kids. When I passed out the cookies the kids were pumped, as homemade cookies are pretty uncommon here. One kid in particular just kept going on and on and finally said, "Will you marry me?" When I turned to look at him, I realized he was talking to the cookie. He later referred to his wife digesting in his tummy.

Also had a kid ask this during a Science lesson about the digestive system: "So, do babies pass through the intestines too?"
Answer: "Nope. Ask your mom."

I hope you had a great day...now go do some serious Black Friday shopping for me!!

Highs and Lows

I feel that my life as of late would be best expressed in Bible Study Ice Breaker fashion. Ladies and gentlemen, my high and low for the week:

High: Krispy Kreme is opened in Monterrey TODAY only a few miles from my house. I drove by it today and there was a line of about 20 cars trying to get into the parking lot. I might have to wait til the newness wears off, but I'm sure I'll make it there sooner rather than later. I'll take pictures.

Low: My car wouldn't start this morning. CAN YOU PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SWEET CAR if you think about it? It has been to the mechanic 5 times in 3 months- to two different mechanics. My friend convinced me that my ability to choose a mechanic is weak so she insisted I go to the one she and her family go to. I took it tonight and they were super helpful (and there was an antique Rolls Royce being fixed. For some reason, that gave me comfort).

Also, two sweet friends from college lost their dads this past weekend. To my knowledge, both had massive heart attacks. So if you could also remember Margaret (and Bill- they are siblings) and Jessica and their families.

When the bee stings (and when the Spanish isn't quite there)

Below is an email I sent to some of my friends during the dog bite saga. After it happened, I talked about it with my neighbor, Chava, because the dog had previously bitten his sister Katy. I retold it to the school nurse and then again to my vice principal when they were helping me find a place that would give me the tetanus shot.

So I was talking to Chava last night about the dog biting Katy and I said, “Y el perro se mordió a Katy verdad?” And he answered my question and continued on with the conversation. This morning I said it again…”Y a mi amiga se mordió tambien.” THEN I was in the office with Cynthia and Martha and overheard Cynthia on the phone saying, “Y anoche la mordió…” and I said to Martha, “Wow, I’ve saying ‘se mordio,’ so I’ve been telling people that the dog bit himself haven’t I? Or that Katy bit herself?” And Martha died laughing in affirmation.

All that to say, that while I speak Spanish on a daily basis and can communicate effectly almost all of the time, I still have a few things to learn.

When the dog bites...

So ever since I moved into this apartment, I have been afraid of the neighbor's dog. Every time I walk by there it barks at me like I am the most evil person on the planet. Anyway, it thankfully is behind a gate and can't get to me, but it does scare me. Anyway, a few weeks ago my friend and I were walking by, the gate was opened, and it started running at us ready for attack. My friend yelled and stomped and scared it, but it made me pretty nervous. It made me afraid to walk by there again, and my friend even tried to give me a crash course in scaring dogs.

Last Tuesday I went for a walk alone and decided to take the risk to walk by the house. The gate was closed when I passed by, but when I turned around and was coming back, I noticed the gate was open. I had to walk by in order to get back to my house so I just went for it. When I turned, the dog was running after me Sandlot-style. I tried to yell, but it just became higher and higher pitched until I realized I was screaming for help in Spanish, and also realized that the dog caught my elbow with its teeth (technically it bit me, but its never even hurt). The family came running out of the house and got the dog under control. I started sobbing uncontrollably and told them I wasn't hurt, but then launched into a tearFULL monologue about how much their dog scares me. They were nice but I know I'll have to worry about this dog (Coco, a waimaraner) everytime I exercise. We're going to report it but I don't think anyone will take action.
All that to say, I'm not really known to be afraid of dogs, and I think its safe to say that that was the most terrified I have ever been in my entire life. Ever. Period.

A Carolina Wedding

So I went home a few weeks ago which was a huge blessing! I got to celebrate the marriage of my dear friend Meredith and her now husband Rankin. I got to stand in front of the church in a pretty dress with the bride and a handful of other dear, dear friends. I got to spend time with my family, including my awesome sister who turned 30 yesterday! Family time seemed to mostly involve eating all of my favorite foods. I also got to meet Elijah, my OTHER dear friend Meredith's new baby.
It was a great weekend of family and friends (and of Merediths' apparently...Can I also mention that I saw my OTHER dear friend Meredith at the formerly mentioned Meredith's wedding? Grand total of Merediths=3)

My next trip home will be in two months, just in time for my cousin's wedding!

Trip to the Bull City!

I'll be in Durham next week to celebrate Meredith and Rankin's marriage with these fine ladies...
And to see this new mommy and meet this little man