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!