GPS adventures

We have had a bunch of interesting driving experiences since we got our car just over a year ago.  Gratefully, none of them have been of the breaking down type that we had with the other car... but I won't get into that now.  Now, I am talking about the interesting sites we have seen when following google map directions.  So- my question here is:
Is it worth it?
Using google maps/gps gets us off the beaten path, that can be good. We have seen some sweet scenery and interesting pueblos, definitely good. But smaller roads are usually up kept badly and have lots of curves and slow vehicles, which makes our driving time even longer, that's not so great.  Plus, I have anxiety when it comes to being on the wrong road, I think its a mix of guilt about making a mistake and dragging others into it and a instinctive desire to find the shortest route.  Anxiety is not so great.
I think my conclusion is that, yes, it is worth it.  Writing this forced me to lay it all out and I think the pros out weigh the cons, especially when our goal when buying the car was to "just get in a drive, see what we find." 
It keeps us grounded- knowing what the real mexico is, a place where lots of people still live very simple lives. Towns not built by architects but the people themselves. Neighbors talking in the street seemingly oblivious to the fact that their tiendita is on a stretch of interstate highway but then they give it away that they do know it by smirking at the gringa in the passenger side of the obviously out of place car.
Last week we had just these kinds of experiences.  Heading to the beach we passed through a tiny town that had some pretty bad roads.  It was Sunday and the street was full of women dressed in traditional pleated skirts and petifores, bling-ed out with lots of sparkles, their long black braids woven with and  tied up with a long ribbon to match.  Not to mention all the green mountains and valleys and farmland and lakes and train tracks that wound back and forth on either side of the highway, so beautiful!
On the way home from the beach, I thought Maps was taking us the same way, but it took us on a little detour.  We still saw the green, and takes, and train and I think we saw a different road in the bad road shanty town.  But after that, we got sent down an even smaller two lane highway.  The only thing on this road was a town that we had to pass through.  This town was really interesting because i had heard the news coming out of Michoacan a couple years back, news about towns that had taken self control of their local government.  So, this was a town that has thrown off local government and created their own security force.  The security force was obvious when we saw the guard houses set up on the highway entering and leaving the town.  while driving through the town, we saw home made banners announcing numbered "fogatas" every block or so. One said "fogata 1 activa" all were weathered, torn, and prominently displayed.  The police uniforms do not have the Mexican flag on the shoulder and instead are proudly announcing that their authority comes from the people.  In fact all throughout the state we saw evidence of this, a truck labeled patrulla ciudiana , a police station called fuerza popular.  I saw a couple murals talking about staying strong for "the cause" and how the government does not help them.  Anyway, when we got home I had to do some research.  Below are two links that I thought were pretty interesting.
cheran article, video is subtitled in English
another cheran article, scroll down about halfway to find the 4-5 paragraphs.
So, what do you think? Is google maps worth it?

Every year.  New Years.  I guess that's when there is enough talk about starting new things, doing the things you want, forming habits that I begin to think of the things that have fallen off my priorities list.  For example: I have actively forgotten to exercise for the last two weeks.  But I just can't get away from the feeling that i want to exercise- that is, until its time.
     Another example is blogging.  maybe you've noticed, it was January of 2013 when I last posted.  (p.s. I did not finish reading the Bible- but I did make, and kept, a commitment to pray with a friend once a week.  I did get a diplomado, so that's good.    I still am trying to finish the 30 day pushup challenge.)  I like blogging.  I like writing.  I like words.  But, it always seems to be pushed through the cracks of other things I have to or want to do.  But, now that it is time for new beginnings- I'm here again.  Hello :)
     One last example of new things, is my list of 30 day challenges that I want to try.  Right now on my list is photo of the day.  And I mean a photo of me.  Today was my first.  I don't know if it is actually a good thing or not.  Often I am too judgmental about photos of me and my clothes- so if I am looking at outfits, will these photos make me lock certain clothes away forever? or will it expose me as a brilliant, interesting clothes chooser/wearer?

My last thought here is this: I am definitely the kind of person who needs to live in two calendars.  Every 6 months I get a chance for a new beginning because ... ITS A NEW YEAR!! In January- its a new year along with the rest of normal population.  and in August- its a new school year, with a new job, new students, new team members, new problems and new ideas as to how to make myself a better person.  So, I guess-- I'll see you back here in 6 months for the next set of  new beginnings.

this is how i begin 2013

so at the beginning of 2012 i mentioned that i wanted to do 3 things. one of them i will have to finish in 2013 (read the whole Bible), but it was a good stepping stone to achieve the real goal- more GOD.  the second thing was more or less a failure... most of the time (spend only 30 minutes on the internet).  Although perhaps it was more of a success that i originally thought if i take into account all the vacations in 2012 when I made many projects and the books i've read.  And the third thing i wanted to check off my list in 2012, i couldnt do anything about- fingers crossed for 2013(start my masters)!

And now, 2013.  instead of making a list of resolutions i will discuss where i would like to be one year from now - personal growth wise.
1. I would like to cultivate my spirt. I can do that by finishing to read the Bible through.  Hopefully I can find spiritual companion(s).  pray more, I'll use a prayer notebook.  listen to more uplifting music... hymnal.net for example-- or if anyone has a suggestion for online listening i'd appreciate it!
2. I would like to become physically powerful ;) inspired by pole gymnasts and just amazingly strong people.  I want to stop being so flabby weak.  Perhaps i'll be able to do a full pull-up for once in my life! basically I want to stop the disgusting flip flopping of skin/fat/useless muscle under my arm.
3. I am always looking for a way to learn a little more and grow mentally stronger.  i would like to have a new certificate or advancement in some academic sense, hopefully begin my masters- but that's not really up to me.  For now, I will focus on reviewing advanced Spanish grammar.

SO- check back with me in a year and i'll let you know how i've done.  How will you improve yourself this year?

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.