Christ is...

In Luke, when it is talking about Jesus's birth, it says that an angel came and announced "glory to God... and to men peace on earth."  It is sweet that God provided this way for men to find peace. 

Lord Jesus, be my peace everyday!

End of November

So, today is Dec 1.  That means that November is over and my month long challenge of writing things that I am thankful for is over... well, almost.  I have to post the last two for the 29th and 30th.  So, here goes:
I am thankful for my health.  Human bodies can be so fragile and yet I have been blessed with one that is resilient and strong.   I hope that I can learn to take my body and my health less for granted.  Thank you Lord, for such a gift.
I am thankful for my family.  I have wonderful parents that raised me to be generous, positive, curious, polite and respectful, healthy, loving, God-fearing, patient, adventurous, and so much more! They did this through their example, which means so much more than just words.  I have two amazing sisters that I wish with all my heart that I could spend more time with.  They inspire me through their example to experiment with food and eat "weird" healthy things.  They are funny and sweet.  They are strong examples of what I want any daughters I might have to grow up to be.  I have a husband that I couldn't imagine a day without.  We are learning more and more what it means to rely on each other in a healthy way.  As much as I hate to admit it, I love the way he does something annoying every 10 minutes.  He reminds me not to take myself so seriously and supports me through my crazy food, craft, and DIY ideas.

So that's it!  30 things that I am thankful for!  ::pat on the back::

26, 27, and 28

I can't believe its already been 3 days since I blogged last.  I also can't believe there are only 2 days of November left after I write these three things to be thankful for.  So, let's get to it.
I am thankful for music.  Music that sets the mood, builds the atmosphere, keeps the energy, flows through the body, and calms the nerves.  I love how music can help me put my emotions in check.  I love how music makes the most boring thing interesting. 
I am thankful for God.  His mercy, grace, and love are beyond what I deserve.
I am thankful for restaurants.  Especially when I am hungry have to be back at work in a short time but the gas ran out 5 minutes into putting the rice on the stove.

22, 23, 24, and 25

I am thankful for many things!  Especially, during the past 4 days, 2 thanksgiving feasts!
On Thursday we had a thanksgiving comida with coworkers at Suzanne's house and it was nice because they are the people who I am connected to through our foreign experience here in MX.  With that key detail in common we come together and form various friendships and acquaintances.  It feels really good, and I am so happy, to have a support system in this place far away from home. 
Saturday I made a feast to eat here at home.  Israel invited his friends and I invited some friends from school.  We all ate at one makeshift long table.  We said what we are thankful for before we ate, we broke the wishbone, and we played games.  It was a great Thanksgiving and I am thankful that I have friends who help me to make the general Thanksgiving traditions come alive in our new home as well as friends who are willing to learn about my traditions.  And as long as they are willing to help me make Thanksgiving my way, I don't care if they bring salsa verde
The above counts as 2 thankful things.  the following is the the third thing i am thankful for.  I know I have already said a variations on this but this time I am thankful for my ability to cook and my desire to actually cook.  For the Saturday Thanksgiving i made many dishes:
turkey
gravey
green beans
corn bread
dinner buscuits
sweet potatos
deveiled eggs
pumpkin pie
pumpkin cheesecake
whipped cream
And for the most part they turned out well.  Cooking and preparing food has become one of my favorite pass times and stress relievers.  It is funny because I was the one in the family that stepped aside when things had to be cooked in our house, it was always my sisters that cooked and helped in the kitchen.  No matter how it began I am thankful for the basis that my family provided for my interest in good and interesting recipes and food.
Finally, for #25, I am thankful for comfortable home-ness.  Today we went to the market after a few weeks of not going, and our normal venders welcomed us back with smiles and comments about how its been a while.  Its nice to be known and recognized in the place that i am making my home.

20 and 21

I am thankful for my interest in learning.  We are starting a unit on genetics and I really am enjoying remembering all the interesting things I hadn't thought about since high school.

I am thankful for my kitchen.  I must admit I covet kitchen things on a regular basis.  But I also have seen MANY mexican kitchens that I am thankful not to have.  Although I do not have as much room as I would like to organize the things in the kitchen- I do have some cupboards and a box in the storage room not far away. The long thin layout is just barely big enough for me to pass my husband to get from the refrigerator to the sink, but only if we are both sideways and I make myself as small as possible--that way we get to be close and friendly.  My oven doesn't hold heat well, especially now that it is wedged closed by a piece of folded cardboard, but it usually gets the job done.  I know it sounds like I am complaining about my kitchen, but really, really, I am thankful for what I do have. 

18 and 19

I am thankful for peaceful, clean, and not crowded nature.  Yesterday we went in search of a waterfall.  The search took us on a drive through small towns, hill, trees, dirt roads, cactus, dry corn fields, and huge pot holes/rocks/washed out roads.  Finally we decided not to push the car any further, who knew what would come next, and walk the rest of the way.  On our walk we found silence, cow bells, trees, stone walls, walking paths, families of children leading goats, beautiful river scenery, green flowing water, fields, hills, rocks, and so much more!  When at last we made it to the waterfall it was beautiful and a nice destination, but i would say it wouldnt not have been worth the time and effort without the hour + walk to get to it.
I am also thankful for the love between my husband and me.  It isn't 100% happy and peaceful but it is comfortable, fun, strong, caring, and understanding.

16 and 17

I am thankful for my husband.  I could say so much about him, but basically the fact that we share our lives is enough.
I am thankful for new friends.

#15

I am thankful for a sister who motivates me to workout even though she lives in a completely different country.  I did some booty butt kicker routine on Tuesday and I could barely walk yesterday and today.  But, today, with my little sister's voice in my head, I got down to business and started the next video.  I must say, I was feeling a little better after the first few minutes!  I will have to get back to you about my walking abilities tomorrow though.

13 and 14

I am thankful for the internet and the useful ways that it allows me to keep in touch with family and friends.  I use my cell data plan to text locally and internationally.  I use social media to find out what is up with people i never talk to as well as the people that I do talk to.  I use an internet phone service to talk to people, sometimes even video chat as well!  I just wish I used the first and last option more often and that people remembered to talk to me too.
I am also thankful for muscles.  Today, after i did one 10 minute crazy workout yesterday, I notice the ones i have from my butt to thighs and hamstrings.  And although I cannot touch the ground or change between sitting and standing with out groaning, I am thankfully comforted by the fact that its just because I could, can, and will use them that they hurt me right now.

11 and 12

I am thankful for the time I get to spend with my husband.  Many of the little things are what make me most happy, but I forget them when I need to remember them the most.
I am also thankful for new adventures in food.... Today it was thin crust goat cheese and artichoke heart pizza.

9 and 10

I am thankful for independent 6th graders.
I am also thankful for time to lay in bed on Saturday mornings, even if it is only for 30 minutes.

#8

I am thankful for the sun.  in fact i am in love with it.  REALLY a sunny day is the best thing in the world.

#7

I am really quite thankful that I am happy.
I could delve into lots of details about being happy, but really its just that i am happy and i dont like being bitter, angry, or grudge holding.

#6

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to be lazy.  I take advantage of it often times, but its better than being stressed about not having time to finish all the things I need to do.

4 and 5

I am thankful for...

4) a husband that cooks.  I mean, he doesn't always just relegate the "female" jobs to me.

5) a job in which I am challenged and pushed and supported to succeed on a daily basis.

Month of Giving Thanks, Days 1-3

I have started and documented a few challenges here that were less than successful.  Maybe, I will keep this one up.... Maybe.  If anyone reads this and sees that I am forgetting a day let me know!

I have been recently working really hard on seeing the positive and not getting bogged down in negative talk.  I don't know why or how but I feel like since I moved to Mexico I have slowly and surely gotten more negative and allowed myself to complain too much.  I don't know if it is really outwardly apparent, but I just FEEL more negative than I used to be.  So, what better way than in the month of November, the month of Thanksgiving, to spend an entire 30 days being thankful for what I do have.  I will try not to repeat things.  I will not necessarily go in order of most important or meaningful.

Since it is already November 3, I will begin this post with 3 things I am thankful for:
1) I am thankful for days off school/work when I really need them
2) I am thankful for open-minded friends
3) I am thankful for hot water that comes out of the faucet

What are you thankful for?

hair challenge fail

It has how been almost two weeks since the post of week 1.  and I'm sad to say i failed the challenge.  In these 12 days i have only done something to my hair 4 times.  which means... i didn't even finish week 2 and I am suppose to be on week 3.  and next week doesn't look so good either.  So i am officially pulling out of my own challenge.  

I could talk about how disappointed i am.  or analyze all the underlying meanings of this failure, but instead I'll just share the last 4 photos.

suppose to be the perfect bun.  i was disappointed.

inside out, or dutch, braid!  i have been dying to try this and then for it to work!  I'm so glad it did

i don't even remember what it was suppose to be.. but this was taken a few hours after i did my hair, at least i have that excuse.

you can tell from my face I'm not sure how i feel about this new hair cut... bangs?  I'm still getting use to them.  maybe that's why i haven't taken more pictures of my hair the past few days.

food pictures, stories, and potatos!

we bought a kilo of eggs.  ALL of them were twins. 

 So.. now on to things that happened in my kitchen on purpose:
potatos:

slice the potatoes without going all the way through

stuff the slits with alternating butter and cheese

after you sprinkle some salt and pepper and olive oil (if you want) on... bake them.  they will end up looking like this.

when they are just right, pour cream over them.  i would suggest finding a way for the cream not to fall out of the potatos.  and top with more cheese (of different variety if you choose) and stick back in the oven for just a few minutes.

you dinner will end up like this :)

"tater tots"

make cauliflower mashed potatoes.  add cheese. and flour? you better look at the original recipe. they are good without frying but frying just make them light, slightly crispy airiness.  yum :)

orange chick and fried rice.  hehe finally something my husband really really likes.

and those are some of my kitchen adventures on the summer.  what about you? have you had any adventures?

take that rainy season!

At the beginning of rainy season this year i decided that i would try my best not to let it change my plans or keep me in my house.  So far it hasnt been too heavy of a season so its been pretty easy sticking to this goal, but today....  well let's just say Rainy Season tried its best!
I'm sot sure if you need this many details, but i consider it an interesting story.  but you can skim if you want to ;)
There are lots of things that complicate life here in Puebla during rainy season.  It can change from sunny to pouring in a matter of minutes.  You might think you'll make it without getting wet and then... WHOOSH.  or if the heavy huge rain drops don't bother you, maybe the frequent hail will.  If you are lucky to be safe inside a car.... think again, the flooded streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and fields are quite a nuisance too.  to top it all off, brown outs and black outs are relatively common.
So, that's where today's story brings me.  Rainy Season.
This morning I awoke to a beauitful sunny day!  blue skies and whispy white clouds in the sky.  the sun warmed me from the inside out.  I was in heaven :)
After lunch i knew i was going to have to go to the grocery store for some baking supplies (chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake for a friend's birthday).  I knew it would rain sometime in the afternoon but I wouldn't let that stop me.  I changed into more appropraite rain clothes.  listened to the astonishingly loud thunder.  I waited for the rain to come so it could stop and i could leave.  I wondered if i could make it there and back before the rain came.  and finally i decided to just go for it.
it was sprinkling while i walked to the store.  I prayed that it wouldnt be raining any harder when i came out again. 
While i was gathering the cheesecake ingredients i noticed that the lights kept flickering.  The thunder had not settled down.  and i did hear some rain pounding on the aluminum roof. oh well, nothing i could do about it now.
Finally, I made my way to checkout line.  I noticed right away none of the lanes had open lights on.  then i noticed that only 1/2 of the overhead floresent lights were on.  it looked like the electricity had gone out but the store was usuing a generator to keep checking people out.  good.  I waited in line.  I had to push my items over the conveyer belt because that was not something tha twas connected to the generator.  I payed.  my receipt printed.  and the cashier was reaching down for the cash drawer to open when.... the system lost power.  man!  how lucky was I?  the cashier manually proped the cash drawer open and gave me my change. 
as i walked outside i noticed that the rain had slowed down to the same sprinkle as when i had gone in.  pretty good i'd say.  the rain tried its best and still i got home safe, dry, and with all the things i needed.  pretty good i'd say.  pretty good.

Hair Challange week 1

 I tried to wave my hair... i didn't like it very much... fail :(

 Fishtail Braid.  I twisted each side to come together into a basic fishtail.

We had some water troubles so...my hair was quite greasy.  Here is my attempt at using a head scarf.  Not bad... i mean, better than any previous attempts in my life.  I actually left the house like this.  

 My go-to hair style.  slightly sideways french braid.  this time i tucked up the end so its an updo.

 Regular half up.  You can't see it, but I did tease the top to give a little more volume.  Im going to have to practice the teasing thing.  It wasnt bad, but it was almost non existant.  Also, you can see what is left of my rainbow tips :( i'm kinda sad it only lasted a week.  it looked cool.

 Side fishtail braid.

 My first attempt at the waterfall braid.  Interesting, but needs lots of practice!

Two french braids that meet to make a bun. 

"new" clothes!!!

I often lament the fact that I dont have enough/new/good clothes.  But usually this lamentation is quickly followed by the realization that the possibility of me being able to purchase new clothes is very slim.  We could go on forever about why the size of the possibility is the way it is... but basically there are two reasons.  

1) I have a genetic block towards spending money on clothes unless they are unreasonably inexpensive.  

2) Decent quality unreasonably inexpensive clothes do not exist in Mexico.

But then... I can't remember if I was looking at pintrest, stumbleupon-ing,  or just considering my clothes when... I remembered the packets of cloths dye that I always see in the grocery store (and think they are something completely different than get confused as to why they are in the paper goods aisle).  So what do i do?!?! I grab some clothes, a bucket, some hot water, and some dye.  Let my closet of wearable clothes grow!!!! 

 
 This used to be a light pink dress.  I used, supposedly dark, red on it.  I'm happy with the results.

 This used to be a white tshirt dress.  I liked it, but i didnt know what to wear it with.  I was afraid i would stain it.  I had to be VERY careful with all underclothes.  Now I am 200% more likely to wear this dress :)

 

This didnt actually change color much...and thus I would like your input.... It is a  long women's blazer I got from a thrift shop once upon a time.  I've had it tailored a little so it is a slightly fitted.   It used to be a dark olive green color.  Now it is darker olive green/grey/i dont know.  But i'm not satisfied.  What color should I dye it now?  Bright Blue?  Burnt Orangish?  Green?

on my way...

recently i have been realizing that i live in complicated place of not being able to decide where i am.  part of the reason is that i notice a few things that i like and assume the whole package is aligned with my moral philosophy.  another reason that i am in this state of confusion is because i have been looking to other peoples role models instead of deciding where i, myself, want to end up and heading there.  the biggest problem with other peoples role models is that because i didnt evaluate them for myself they disappoint me--also, they might not be 100% in line with what i want... you know? 
Things like this remind me that even though i'm 27, married, a teacher, and a responsible adult i have SO much growing up to do.  but I have no desire to be like most of the adults that i see.  this complicated place? --working out what parts of "grown up" makes sense for me and which ones are just frilly space-fillers that i dont want.  i need to grow up, and by that i just mean, solidfy my own personal values and stick to them- dont let others convictions waver my own.

can i call this luck?

im not a particularly unlucky person. nor would i call myself lucky.  but today I had a couple surprisingly lucky things happen.

1) i had a meeting in an office to which I had never been. On my way i misinterpreted my surroundings and turned a couple corners i wasnt intended to turn.  Luckily i still ended up on the right street and found the office without difficulty. Good huh?

2) i had 70 pesos in my wallet when i left my house.  I went to the store and spent 40 something.  I paid with my 50 peso bill.  I got handed 450 something change.  When i mentioned the mistake the clerk didnt believe me! she called over the manager to tell him that i insisted i had payed with a 50 but she recieved a 500.  she asked me like 5 times.  Man, why do i have to be so honest?

maybe thats not enough to call it a lucky day but after the day i had with my students its nice to know the universe isnt all bad and out to get me.

i need a car

some people might think i need a car to get around.  that a car is essential, especially during rainy season, in order to be able to get out of the house and do things.  Some people might think that a car is important because you are more freedom to move around the city or area you live.
not me.
I need a car for music.
When i had a car it was one of my favorite things, drive and listen to music.  watch the world move past me as i was engulfed in the feeling, sound, and feeling of the songs.  this is one reason why i like air conditioning, so i can close the windows and really seal in all the good sounds.  although at night with the dark quiet air coming in through the open window is definitely just as good.
I was just listening to a shakira album, Oral Fixation vol 2.  and i could just see capital blvd with food lion shopping center, target, up the hill, down the hill, the Y with luisburg outside my window and over the steering wheel.  When i listen to, or even think of, Don Omar's album King of Kings i am driving on 540 in the middle of the night.  no other cars around.  certain songs from Cascada transport me to new bern rd and the drive to the bennets house.  the back roads to Francis's mom's house hold some of the most calming and enjoyable moments ill ever remember.
This is why i need a car.  I need to make these types of memories, here, in my new home.  I know i wouldnt even drive that much- but the option of hopping into the car and choosing the cd and just going somewhere.  this is my new home and i need to have my music driving therapy to make it that much more a home.

DIY necklace organizer

I made a thing to hold and hang my necklaces on.  Here is the short version of the process...

I found a piece of Styrofoam and cut it to a size I thought would be appropriate

These are the materials that I envisioned the final product to use.

I stapled and glued the cloth to the Styrofoam.  This held really good

Here you can see the beginning of my huge mess being created in the background. In the foreground are pushpins that indicate where the screws will go.

This was (what I thought was) the most difficult part of the project.  I had made the holes for the screws before putting the cloth of the base and then I cut a small slit with the scissors so the screw did not get caught in clothe while being pushed and twisted into position.

Finally, I glued buttons onto the heads of the screws to make it look cute!

Sadly, I had forgotten to make a specific plan for how to hang it on the wall.  here is my first attempt. it failed.  all the necklaces fell on the floor after about 30 seconds.

see??! it looks NICE!! right?!?!  it failed.  all the necklaces fell on the floor after about 30 seconds.

do you see something different? besides the fact that all the necklaces are hanging?

Yeah.  After three failed attempts with the first base and creation I had to start from scratch.  New everything. 

Here is the final product next to the earing hanger I also made.

politics

I dont know what to do with the world.  Something needs to be done.  but I just dont know what to do!


1) I am very sensitive to immigration, especially when it separates families.  I personally know people who go to the US to make a better life for themselves and either leave their family behind or are forced back to their country and have to leave their family in the US.  Both make me so extremely awfully sad.  Families should not be separated.  Husbands stay with your wives! physical presence that she can get comfort, joy and strength from is worth so much more than the money you send.  isnt it? shouldnt it be? mothers stay with your children! they need you to show them how to be strong, how to survive, how to love and be loved.  the money you make might feed them, but wont their heart ache more?  its true I might not know what i'm talking about because i have never lived in desperate conditions- but I do know its not how it SHOULD be. 
and Government: can't we figure out how to let everyone have a chance?  a chance to have a life, so no one feels desperate enough to risk so much just to have citizenship.  if they know the risks and take them on doesnt that mean something? doesnt that show how desperate they are?

2) Why do we need laws about gay or same sex marriages?  why does that have to be part of the basis of a government that claims to be separate from religion?  If it is already a law was it necessary to put it into the constitution?  I am not gay.  I would never even suggest that i begin to understand what ridicule or issues someone who is gay has to deal with.  But, why do WE have to decide if its "ok" or not for a girl to have a girlfriend.  according to my parents no one should have a girlfriend!  but does that mean they condemned me when i chose to go against that idealology? did they shun me when i chose to live my life in a way that is not their preferred way?  did they lock me up for what i decided would make me happy because they didnt want to have to explain it to their friends? no, and i am so thankful for that. 
Who decided that gay marriages is a worse sin than teenage rebellion and disrespect to their parents? ok, ok  i'm working myself up and maybe i'm not making sense anymore...Maybe if someone explained to me why they thought it was necessary it could make a little more sense.  I really would like to hear arguments in favor of the NC marriage amendment.

putting aside the law for a moment, can i just ask all the teachers and parents to let kids be kids? Dont worry about them being gay or straight.  they are kids and they get enough judgement from their peers.  Let the 3 year old boy dress up in his older sisters dress up toys!  let the 6 year old girl follow her daddy around in the garage! and can you do it without commenting on how you are worried they might be gay when they grow up?

3) Elections.  Please dont treat them like a sports team favorite.  if you want a sports analogy, maybe you can use the draft from pro sports.  cause that is as close as it comes to choosing someone (one person) who will work to make you better as a whole.  if you are going to discuss who you think might be the best person to win an election dont have your number one argument be "because I am a ___ and he/she is a ___"  choose the issues you care about and choose the person who you trust to make decisions as close to the ones you would make.  if you can put yourself into on political parties box of issues- good! but dont hate me if i dont agree with all that parties stands for.  WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT!!  we can still talk, maybe even hang out, its possible to even be friends. 


the end. I dont now when my list of things that i have had on my mind changed into my pleas for social understanding but i think ive stood on my soap box enough for today.  after some recent conversations and experiences i just needed to get some stuff off my chest. thanks for reading.

I am amazing!!

I am so proud of this thing.  I had this idea from a random blog I stumbled upon and quickly whatsapped my little sister to tell her of the project.  Then when a chance to go to a wedding at home (where there are many thrift store options) came up I couldn't resist to put my genius to work! 
I quickly made an appointment with little sister to make sure we would have time to hit as many thrift stores as possible.  I told my mom of my idea and she told me to keep my wardrobe options open...just in case it didn't work quite as well as I had planned.
But I knew I could do it.  and I knew it would be awesome!
So, I headed to the airport to head to the States to head to a thrift store.  I mean, I only had a few days and the wedding was on Saturday!!
My sister and I headed straight to the men's shirt section of the store.  We started pulling out shirts that had nice or interesting patterns and colors.  We found quite a few.  So we headed to the dressing room.  (Yes, my favorite thrift stores have dressing rooms.)
Now here are some pointers if you would like to copy my inspired craft project.

• When choosing a shirt you should make sure that the pattern/color transfers well into the women's clothing too.
• You should have a shirt that is not tailors too much that it wont fit around your hips.
• It shouldn't have too long tails or you'll end up doing more sewing to make the hem nicer.
• But unless you want a mini mini dress, it should have some length.
• If the shirt has a seam across the shoulder blades, it looks a little strange.
• If it has one of those loops in the middle of that seam it looks really strange.
• A material that flows is nicer than one that is really stiff.

After discovering all these pointers through personal trial and error I finally had the shirt for me!  I took it home and to the "ooh"s and "ahhh"s of my mother I presented my trophy and we started working.

I have four arms!!!

Wrap the arms around the back and tuck and pull the back to fall into a cute sort of buttoned "train"

We made some adjustments to the front, this is only necessary if you are looking for a more formal look, like I was.

We flipped up the collar to make some pleats and darts

The collar is lain down to hide all the folds and adjustments.  I think this shirt was MADE to be a dress!

This is how to attached one arm of the shirt, heavy duty Velcro!

we attached the other arm with small hooks.  The Velcro worked better...

this is the back of the dress all put together, the buttons of the shirt are used for the skirt part then the arms cover the back of the bodice.

And here is a view of the front of the dress!

 I ended up doing more than is necessary because I wanted a more formal dress.  I was wearing it to one of my best friend's wedding.  I cut the arms to attach them more neatly.  I added a hem.  oh, that was all.

If I ever live in a place that has thrift stores I will most likely do this again, but make a simple summer dress instead.  My little sister found a perfect light flowey silk-type shirt without shirt tails that would have been amazing as a summer dress.  Just put it on, button the buttons and tie the arms.  It was perfect for her because she is shorter and slighter than me.  I'll just have to put this on my list of things to do when I do move back to the states.  Anyone with me?