School!

I was supposed to start school August 15. After a week of postponed classes, I thought I would be starting school on Monday, August 22. Much to my surprise, schools throughout the area were called off Sunday night  for Monday because of storms caused by a nearby tropical depression. So, finally, on Tuesday, August 23, I went to school.
Tuesday was one of those days where you step out of the car and can't believe they are really leaving you here, a lot like Kindergarten. I honestly did not want to get out of the car. But I did, only to walk inside at 7 and have an employee tell me that I didn't have to be there till 9. I called my mom, she picked me up, and I was able to relax for a little while longer. Then it came time for me to get out of the car again. And again, it took all I had to actually step out of the car, and walk into the school. Here I was, alone at my school, somewhere completely foreign and knowing everyone knows I'm foreign, and not knowing a single person. Luckily, the first person I saw was an exchange student from Australia. She and another student showed me where to go, and then I took a deep breath and walked into a classroom. I asked someone if I could sit at their desk, and started to breathe again when she said yes. Teachers and school directors introduced themselves and talked about their classes, the school, why Centro Universitario Hispano Mexicano is awesome. After what seemed like years of this, we were given a recess to eat breakfast, walk around, whatever. And then: the cafeteria. I thought walking into the school was hard. I have probably never eaten lunch alone at school. I was not about to start now! I asked a girl if I could sit by her, which could not have been more awkward, and then we sat in more or less silence. Finally that broadened into a group of four, still pretty silent. When we returned to the classroom, we were separated into Engineering and Communications/ Publicity classes. More talking followed, and then we were told we were going to "have some fun". Part of my Communications/ Publicity class involves photography, so we had to take pictures in teams of an older student wearing shiny wrapping paper. I'm not sure what the point of this was, and it mostly was just awkward. I guess it was meant to break the ice, but it's really hard to be creative in another language. Class was dismissed, I called my host mom, and in 10 minutes my host dad came to pick me up. He dropped me off with my mom to wait for my sister at her school. Her school was crazy! There were so many kids and so much traffic and they all wear uniforms, it was just unreal! My host sister's friends came and said hi to me, I guess they have been "dying to meet" the white, blond girl living with their friend. We came home, and I slept. After a while, I woke up, ate some cereal, and just chilled in my room with the air conditioning on for a while. School in another country is a whole lot to process.

Wednesday we left my house at 6:40, because I really did have to go to school at 7 this time. I'm used to getting up and getting ready around that time at home during the school year, but I also go to bed at 10 at the latest. One of the perks of getting up this early is seeing the sun begin to rise over the ocean. The majority of my drive to school is along the ocean, and I look out the window to see gigantic barges, smalll boats, and the sun rising with the most beautiful background. I could get used to this. My mom dropped me off at school, and I walked into my classroom. I sat next to the same girl I sat next to the day before, and just like all first days of school, we had to introduce ourselves to our new teacher. The big difference is we did this every time a new teacher entered, and the entire class was exactly the same, so we had to do the same thing with the same people. The students don't change rooms here, the teachers do. That means I am in the same classes with the same people everyday. Everyone was a lot more social today, and it was jsut generally less awkward. My classes were Expresion Oral y Escrito, Psicologia Social, Teorias de la Comunicacion, and Sistemas de Computo 1. They all went pretty well, and although I don't understand everything, I get probably 70 % of what the teachers say, when I'm not staring at the wall zoning out. My mom came to get me, I got a nieve (more on this later, it's delicious), and we went to pick up my sister, Nora, from her school. The rest of the day was really good and we went to a Zumba class in the middle of a plaza. That was one of the most amazing things ever, seeing around 75 people dancing all together! We had some dinner, and went to bed to relax before Day 3 of school.

Live and Learn

Next Monday, I start school. I feel like I’m entering Kindergarten again. I don’t know anyone, I can’t speak the language perfectly, and I have no idea what I will be learning. More than anything, though, I’m excited because I love to learn. Also, I’m so happy for once to not have to worry about how this class will look on my college application, or that I had better join another club to get more involved. For the first time since I was little, it’s not about getting 100 % on a spelling test, or staying up late to make a paper “A” material; the only thing I have to do is make an effort. I just have to learn. It’s something we all know how to do, it comes naturally. Just observe: look and listen. At home, I was so sick of hearing people tell incoming freshmen (and younger) how this class or that activity will really impress admissions officer. That they might not like what they were involved in, but at least then they would look good to colleges. I wish that stuff had never mattered, but it doesn’t have to anymore. I think YOU are what looks good to colleges. If you go after what you want, and study things that interest you, then you are impressive. Being yourself is what will look “good” beyond college applications. I didn’t go to Mexico for a year because it will look good to colleges, or because I will be a more impressive job candidate.  I came here to learn- about another culture, about different people, about myself. And honestly, when you get down to it, that’s what life is about.

Food and Despedidas

I have only been here a few days, but I have already learned so much, met sooo many people, and tried so many different foods. I already had it in my mind to try everything that was offered to me, and I'm going to stick to that. I mean, really, what's the worst that could happen? Actually, I won't get into what's the worst that could happen... Anyways, I try everything. Some of the things I have tried include: picadas, gordas, tejuinos, dulce de leche, tacos al pastor, horchata, empanadas, squite, and so much more! Squite is corn kernels in a cup with a whole bunch of stuff like mayonnaise, chili, and I don't know what. It's really good! A lot of it looks strange, but you have to try it, because it's more than likely going to be one of the best things you have ever tasted. The one thing I'm not used to is how spicy food is, and I try it, but I have to be a little careful! Clueless, I dunked a chip into some salsa, put it in my mouth, and just about jumped from how spicy it was, and had to drink something real quickly. There really should be a sign when you enter Mexico that warns about the food! It's delicious, but it is spicy when you least expect it. I like almost everything that I eat, though, so I definitely won't go hungry! One thing I absolutely love is the water my mom makes. She puts fruit in a blender and then combines it with water. It is sooo good! I can't even describe how much I love this!
My host sister, Liz, is leaving for Germany tomorrow, so we have been super busy with packing her suitcases, and saying goodbye to everyone. Las despedidas, or goodbyes, are so hard to watch, because I just did the same exact thing. In all honesty, it's so difficult to leave everything you have ever known, all the people that matter to you, anything with a trace of familiarity and know you aren't coming back for a year. However, it is worth it. I can't tell you how the rest of the year will go, but being "lost" is a good thing. Your comfort zone broadens and all of a sudden, you just get comfortable being uncomfortable, and that feeling is beautiful.

I'm Here!

Today is my second day in Veracruz, and it's more than I ever could have expected. I don't know how to describe it. I love it all: the food, the people, the heat. It is different than anywhere I have ever been, and so perfect just because of that. It is complete sensory overload, and I honestly don't understand everything people say to me. I know I took 4 years of Spanish, but it's hard! I feel like I have a good start though, because I am able to understand a little bit of everything. Culture shock is amazing, such a crazy feeling. I feel so out of my element, but I looove it! I don't have a cell phone yet, I don't know anybody. I don't even have any local currency yet, but it doesn't matter. I have a wonderful family, I couldn't have asked for better. My sister, Nora, is soo sweet. My parents are awesome, my cousins are so nice. And Liz is great too! I honestly have no words other than awesome, wonderful, amazing. There are no words to describe it, and there is no way I will ever do justice to this place, or the feeling of culture shock. It's like free falling- you have no control over it, and it is incredibly exhilerating. I have entered a new, different, crazy world, and it only took me around 6 hours to get here. You think that somewhere so close cannot possibly be so different, but it is. People are different, customs are different. The way I greet people is different, the climate is different. I am literally sweating all the time, but so is everyone else. I will have to get used to the spicy food, but hey, I'm going to try everything. This is going to be one crazy year, and I truly can't wait to see what is in store!

Leaving in 10 Days

After I got my visa-d passport back from the Mexican Consulate in Chicago, I was able to actually book my flight. I will be leaving from Milwaukee on August 5th at like 6 in the morning, changing planes in Houston, and then flying into Veracruz at about 11:15 :)

I have been packing, which is really hard for a girl who loves lots of choices in her wardrobe. I am going to take one bag under the plane, one carry- on, and a "personal item" aka backpack. You used to be able to take 2 bags under the plane on international flights, but now you are charged for the extra bag, so I will have to limit myself on my packing!

Today I had a goodbye dinner with my aunt, uncle, and cousins, which really reminds me that I am leaving really soon! I have a really big family and it's really hard to say goodbye to them for a year, but it's just part of going away.

So I have 10 days to prepare mentally for an entire year in Mexico. That is ten days to say goodbye, to finish packing, to brush up on essential spanish, to buy any last minute gifts/ supplies, and to really get ready to leave.

It's going to be one great adventure!

Visa Visa Visa

Nope, I'm not talking about an unlimited credit card, but rather that longgg application to stay in a foreign country for a whole year. I only thought I was done with paperwork for my exchange! Just when I was finally relaxing, they sent me a huge list of requirements. So I have been working on my visa, working at our local pool, creating marvelous ideas for pins to share with other exchange students, and designing a perfect business card.

In my spare time, I also managed to graduate high school! Woooo!

I also received my host guarantee form; telling me about my host family, my host Rotary club, and my school.

In general, I'm busy, but I've got plenty of time for everything.... I think!

So visa packet has been sent to our travel agent, and our visa interview appointment is on July 7th in Chicago, my 18th birthday!

Life is awesome, I'm so excited, and I've got lots to do. Can't wait to get to know beautiful Mexico :)

I'm going to be living in BOCA DEL RIO, VERACRUZ, MEXICO next year!!!
It's a beautiful port city with tons of history and culture.
My host sister e-mailed me and she seems super nice, so I can't wait to get to know them.
Next year will be  a-m-a-z-i-n-g !