Ode to Sarah

For her confession, and my quote of the day:

"If we were cockroaches, I'd have all 3,000,000 of your babies!"

I love that kid.

Return Address

Today Yadira and I signed the lease (and paid the deposit and 1st month's rent) for our new Apartment!

I move in Monday or so and will only have a few days in it before December, but I officially have a closet to store my stuff in. I even have my home phone number up and running.

Let me know if you want the details so you can start sending me things. I accept flowers, cards and cash donations (please no checks).

Runaround

The financial state of moving to a new country is a little ridiculous. For example:

I'm about to sign the lease on an apartment and need the deposit and first month's rent. I can't write checks in dollars to people here (it would take 21 days to confirm authenticity even if they did take it). I can't wire a transfer unless I do it in person in the US. I can't open an account in Mexico without a visa and proof of an apartment. I checked into opening a CitiBank account (they have affiliate branches here) so I can transfer money or do withdrawals here, but the fees are ridiculous and it looks like it's more of a headache than it's worth.

At this point, the best option is to withdraw large sums of money and pay for everything in cash. On that note, I found out from my bank that the maximum per day is $500. When I went to the ATM, though, the maximum withdrawal was 3000 pesos (about $300). So, I had to go to two ATM's to withdraw the $500 and I will have to do the same tomorrow, just to pay the deposit. I may have to do this every month to pay rent!

There has got to be a better way.

Initiation

I got sick for the first time today, so I'm official.

Cultural Tourism

Since I got here, my rule has been to always accept invitations to go out and see new things. Often I have no idea where I'm going (or where I've been), but it's been a good way to see the city. Sunday went a little like this:

Wake up
Breakfast
Brunch
Flea Market
Bookstore
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's house (Casa Azul)
Market at Coyoacan
Pizza
Video: Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind

It was a good follow up to Saturday's escapades, but not the best rest day. This is a pic of the fam in front of the Casa Azul to whet your appetite for more adventures.

Mask Madness

I spent most of Saturday morning hunting down a mask for the evening's masquerade party, to no avail. In the process I got to know the local mall, artists bazaar and market. I bought some paper and resigned myself to making a mask until I found one at the supermarket. Who would've thunk?

Made it to the party. The crowds made up for the lack of furniture and I had a good time. It was an early night, though, after all the mask-hunting. Here's a pic with me and Andres in superhero mode:

Taco Belly

Thursday night was the fateful night of my first authentic tacos (as authentic as you can get without testing your stomach on street tacos). Not quite the night of dancing we'd set out for, but fun all the same.

Here's Ivan and Sam showing me the ropes:

Favorite child

If you think I'm being spoiled, check out Canelo (Cinnamon). Here he is sporting his "pant suit," though he has plenty of other outfits to suit the occasion.

Wilma Blues

The Latin America VMAs and related events were cancelled for Hurricane Wilma. I hope everyone's safe.

If you're reading this and you're anywhere in the storm's path, LEAVE NOW!!!

Deep Thoughts

Thought of the day: "We are all whores to the dream of success"

Coming soon to a bumper sticker near you.

ps. "What would satan do?" (WWSD) temporary tatoos and bracelets are also in the works. If Ashoka doesn't work out, at least I'll have this to fall back on.

Manic Monday, Wish it were a Sunday

Here's a play-by-play of my first weekend (Sunday, really) in Mexico:

After a morning of jogging in the park (I didn't make it very far with the altitude and smog), Miguel Angel, Alma Christina, Yolanda and I had a big Sunday brunch.










After brunch, Miguel Angel and Yolanda, my adopted family took me sight seeing in the north. First, we went to see they pyramids at Teotihuacan. My legs are tired from all the climbing, but I love my ancient cultures. Here's the temple of the moon (left) and of the sun.



On the way back, we stopped by a 16th century convent.





This is the outdoor altar where they tried to preach to the natives

Finally, we stopped by the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe where we saw lots of people and religious relics, but mostly the main Basilica.

If all weekends are like this, I'll never get any rest.

Viva los Borregos!

1st Mission complete: I made it through my first presentation in Spanish about the program I haven't yet created. I don't know if they understood, but at least they appreciated my attempt.

On the plus side, I got to see a little of Monterey (rainy and cloudy, especially for my visit). I spent my last free hours visiting Tec de Monterey (a great university and potential partner). Not sure when or if I'll be back, but it was nice to return to Mexico city aka, the DF (distrito federal). Here are some pics:


Tecnologia de Monterey - main campus

A misty Monterey

Poco a Poco

I'm here in Mexico, safe and sound, though everything takes some getting used to.

My Spanish is improving daily, but I'm still working on the altitude effects. An apartment and friends are in the works. We're moving offices next week and I should have a place in Polanco by the end of the month and I'll hopefully have some friends to invite over by the end of November. Phone and other such logistics should come together by early next week.

Here's what's in store next:

October 14-15 Monterry
October 20 VMALA party in Mexico City (not Cancun) - CANCELLED
November 1 Move into new apartment!
November 7-19 Delhi meeting and DC stopover
(GMAT and applications somewhere in here)
November 24-29 Fellow meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay
December 1st Move into new office
December 21 - January 12 Home for the holidays (some work in DC)

As you can see, I'm whittling down my crazy travel schedule so I have time to get settled. There's lots to do still, but I'm doing well and, though I miss home, I think I'll settle in soon.

As I relearn everything, I will keep you posted. For now, here's a quick *hug*

Commitment

The pieces are falling into place and it's almost official:

I have tickets for Tuesday, a laptop (my new baby), hiring forms, benefits, and all of those other details that bring me one step closer to a new life in Mexico. (I am also equipped with tickets and a visa for India.) I have a roommate-to-be in Mexico city and a newly-identified office-to-be in Polanco. On the logistics front, I'm doing ok.

I have not, however, prepared to leave (packing, goodbyes, etc.) . There are too many people to miss and there will never be enough time. It seems dumb, though, to say goodbyes when I know I'll be back for a few days in November and again in December. I therefore officially decree that there shall be no goodbyes said over the next few days. Note: "farewells" and "I'll miss yous" are, however, acceptable.

If any of you have Skype, you can call or message me for free. My username's "lorrainels." Just keep in mind that I'll be on Central time.

On that note, keep in touch and I'll see you soon!