"We're thinking of getting another dog..."

Before going to Mexico, I understood that life would go on in Wisconsin without me. The seasons would go from summer to fall to winter to spring, just like they always do. My siblings would get taller. My family would go on trips and make memories without me. The highway construction project would continue. They would finish repairing the steeple of a church in town. It all made sense, I mean we all know that time doesn’t just stop.

                Now that I’m in Mexico, I like to think that time has actually stopped in Wisconsin. That it’s still summer, my siblings have not changed at all, all construction and advancement in general has been postponed, and everything would stay exactly as it was. I realized today when my family decided to get a puppy, that this is not the case. Just a couple days ago my mom happened to mention that she was thinking of MAYBE getting a dog. Today I get an e-mail from my little cousin that clarifies; my mom knew she was going to get a dog in the next day or so. It’s one thing to be with your family when they tell you there’s a new pet in the house and there in front of your face is a real, live dog. But it’s very different to be in another country, see a picture of a dog, and be able to grasp the whole concept. So here I am, saying, “Oh, what a cute dog! Puppies are so cute,” but it hasn’t sunk in that when I get back to my house sometime next summer, there will actually be a real dog there. This is not really that big of a change. My parents could decide to move to another country, or do something truly drastic. Buying a dog is not traumatic in any way, shape, or form. I like to imagine going on walks with this new family pet, being good friends. I also have a fear it will hate me and refuse to let me enter the house. Anyways, my point is:

It is really easy to go and do and accept that you personally will change from all the new experiences in your host country. It is not quite as simple to believe that your family will also change, they will have new experiences because of your absence, and that life goes on. I will have to accept it, though, because it’s happening. Life won’t stop because I’m not there, and that’s a good thing. Youth exchange isn’t really just a year of transition for the students; it is a transition for the entire family. At least my family got a puppy instead of moving and forgetting to tell me.

Mail!

2 Months in Mexico!!!

Before I left for exchange, we had an assignment from Rotary to read "The Exchange Student's Survival Guide", which at the time was almost painful. I literally fell asleep everytime I opened the book. Now, though, it has become a prized possesion, and I can read chapters as if they were the most interesting thing ever written. According to this sacred book, from the end of the first month until the fourth month students experience culture fatigue. Also known as spontaneously bursting into tears, getting angry for no reason, falling asleep at any time, etc. Let's just say that book somehow managed to exactly pinpoint how I feel now, at the milestone of 2 months in Mexico. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am very, very happy in Mexico. I have an awesome host family and I have lots of fun here. I do not want to come home, so no one try to tell my parents they need to come get me. I would tell them thanks for visiting, but I'm not leaving. SO, everyone understands I'm happy and don't want to leave? Alright, I'm glad we are all on the same page. But, being an exchange student can be tiring, and sometimes you just miss your home- it's all you have ever known, after all. In fact, besides my family, I miss things like going to the grocery store or renting movies on TV.

Luckily though, the mail has a way of arriving just when you need it. Today I received a package from home! I am now the proud owner of 2 beautiful ball point pens, a brand new book, a book borrowed from a friend, and some awesome ties for my eco friendly, closet's best friend shoes. Mohops, look them up, they are amazing. Anyways, whenever I receive anything from home I make a scene. For instance, when the mail man walked to our door today and asked for Taylor, I hurdled over furniture and nearly tripped on my computer cord to get there, I guess I thought if I didn't hurry he would leave. Anyways, I had to sign for it, and it took me like 3 tries to understand where. (I do understand Spanish, I promise, I was just so excited!) In my excitement I forgot to notice that he said my name right. 10 points to the mail man! ALSO, I got a card from my mom! She sent it the same day as the package, so it makes sense right? Coming from the US perspective of mail gets to its destination on time, and if you send a letter and a package the same day, they get there the same day, you would think it's normal. Apparantly not though, because the letters I sent on the same day -three of which are to the same town- somehow got separated and are arriving one by one. Seeing as I have been in Mexico for 2 months now, I was shocked to discover I got not only a package, but a letter too! So, in conclusion, getting mail is awesome.

 I love it. If you're bored one day, write me a letter, and I will be forever grateful. I would take a picture of my gifts and letter, but I can just imagine the stereotypes I would create on both ends, "Did you see how excited that white girl got about mail? Americans are so crazy, no one loves mail that much." or, "Why did they send her books? No books in Mexico? Don't they have pens in Mexico? Oh, they write on stones, don't they?" But, to be honest I love mail, books, and pens. Yes there are pens and books in Mexico, but that's beside the point: I love mail!

(Just in case someone actually is interested in sending me mail:

Francisco Villa 6-A Col. Flores Magon

Boca del Rio, Veracruz, Mexico 94290)
And last but not least,

Happy, happy, happy birthday to my mom in Wisconsin!