I spent several hours at Barnes & Noble yesterday but shockingly only walked away with four books, one of which is for Ibis (some Steven Hawking thing he loves). I bought my first vampire book so I can finally see what my online friends are always talking about, plus the latest Alice Seybold book and Drowning Ruth. My mom and I also scoured her basement library, and combined with the stack of writing books she bought for me, I think I'll be set for the next six months.
Before the bookstore we stopped in a sporting goods store to look for a collapseable grill (another Ibis thing) but of course I got sidetracked. Aside from trying on sneakers and testing every eliptical machine, I managed to get in a complete arm workout with the 8 pound hand weights. Please tell me I'm not the only person who does that? I didn't buy anything but there are several things I'm mooning over.
Today I'm picking up my new glasses - no more scratches in both lenses - and meeting my best friend's sister-in-law for lunch. AND, I'm meeting my friend's mom to pick up my burned copies of the first four seasons of Alias! I have breakfast plans tomorrow with the minister who married us, but other than that I get to just sit on my butt. My plan is to finally catch up on my blog reading, so expect a slew of tardy comments. ;)
ETA: I just remembered I need to read a book my sister loaned me before heading to Chicago Friday morning, so the blog reading might have to wait a bit longer.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
B-A-N-A-N-A-S
I'm back at my parents after several days of running all over Michigan. My dad and I may run up to the bookstore this afternoon (after we check out car parts, fun) but other than that I don't have much planned.
Since Friday I've seen several cousins, their children, my aunt & uncle, a couple more cousins, my gramma, sister, brother-in-law, a niece and nephew, and a long-lost friend. I haven't talked this much in months!
My family is big on playing word games - surprise - and my mom introduced a new one: Bananagrams. It's like Scrabble except there isn't a board and players only build on their own tiles. You start with a set number, then pick more from the pile as you complete words. It's fun because you can rearrange the words you've already built; you aren't locked into what's already been played like in Scrabble. Plus you're racing against the other players, and who doesn't love speed spelling? And the kicker - it comes in a cute little banana bag.
Do you have a favorite game I should know about?
Since Friday I've seen several cousins, their children, my aunt & uncle, a couple more cousins, my gramma, sister, brother-in-law, a niece and nephew, and a long-lost friend. I haven't talked this much in months!
My family is big on playing word games - surprise - and my mom introduced a new one: Bananagrams. It's like Scrabble except there isn't a board and players only build on their own tiles. You start with a set number, then pick more from the pile as you complete words. It's fun because you can rearrange the words you've already built; you aren't locked into what's already been played like in Scrabble. Plus you're racing against the other players, and who doesn't love speed spelling? And the kicker - it comes in a cute little banana bag.
Do you have a favorite game I should know about?
Friday, September 5, 2008
I'm Meeting a Soon-to-Be-Famous Author Today
My mom and I leave in an hour to drive across Michigan to see family. First we're meeting an aunt and a couple cousins (and their children) for lunch, then we're going to another aunt's house before dinner. The second aunt is Karen Dionne, she of Freezing Point, her debut novel coming out next month.
I can't wait to see her in person! We last got together a couple months after I moved to Mexico, but I hadn't started writing yet so we didn't talk about that. Now I can pick her brain a bit over dinner. :) That sounds a little gross, but you know what I mean.
We're all going out to dinner with my gramma, then mom and I will stay overnight at her house. It's so nice to be back. Although I could do without the rain. ;)
I can't wait to see her in person! We last got together a couple months after I moved to Mexico, but I hadn't started writing yet so we didn't talk about that. Now I can pick her brain a bit over dinner. :) That sounds a little gross, but you know what I mean.
We're all going out to dinner with my gramma, then mom and I will stay overnight at her house. It's so nice to be back. Although I could do without the rain. ;)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
I'm Here
My flights were fine and I arrived safely. My dad picked me up in Chicago this morning and now I'm at their home in Michigan.
I have an eye appointment in a couple hours, and the doctor's office is conveniently located next to a Mac Exchange. New keyboard & mouse (and possibly web cam and speakers...) here I come!
Did I miss anything while I was gone?
I have an eye appointment in a couple hours, and the doctor's office is conveniently located next to a Mac Exchange. New keyboard & mouse (and possibly web cam and speakers...) here I come!
Did I miss anything while I was gone?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hoo Am I: The Answers
Well I feel silly. Here I named my blog What Am I Doing in Mexico?, but I neglected to answer the question. The most popular question in yesterday's comments was just that, what am I doing here? I've blathered on and on about the food, the bugs, the police - yet I never fully explained how we ended up here.
But first, the other questions and answers, plus a bonus for the most flattering question. :) And let me just say, you guys don't mess around!
Colbymarshall said... What is your favorite Disney movie and why?
My first thought was The Little Mermaid, so I'll go with that. I love the songs, plus the idea of a woman reaching for her dreams even if it means a sacrifice on her end reminds me of my own situation. (which I JUST realized as I was typing this.)
Turkey Lurkey said... What food are you looking forward to eating when you go back home this week?
I've been most looking forward to a steak and didn't find out until last night that I'm getting one tomorrow! We're having some family over for dinner and my dad is grilling.
Also, I'm having Olive Garden on Friday, a ballpark frank loaded with grilled onions next Friday at the White Sox v Tigers game, and then a BBQ at my friends house with REAL hamburgers! Yum.
Oh, and I'll probably squeeze in a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup or twelve.
AC said... I'd like to know your family's initial reaction regarding the relationship. Not just because he is Mexican (they probably didn't have a problem with that), but the overall package. Someone who: at the time, was undocumented; had limited education (in terms of schooling); had limited funds and limited prospects.... How did they reconcile your decision with unapproving whispers?
They were surprisingly understanding. I've always dated foreigners so we passed that bridge when I was in high school, but the immigration issue was a new one. They have supported us all along - even paid for our legal fees - but have made it clear they will only do that if we follow the letter of the law now. Fair enough.
As for the education, my father left school early to join the Navy, then went back later; another thing they understand. Plus Ibis didn't drop out, per se - his family couldn't afford to pay for his school. As for his prospects, we were making the same amount of money before moving here, plus he had more assets than me. :)
Robin said... Did you or Ibis dive off of that cliff like they did in the Elvis movie "Fun In Acapulco" when you were there?
That would be a NO. But we did watch the professionals do it. I'd love to go back and see them at night because rumor has it they turn off the spotlights and dive with torches.
Erica Orloff said... What is your favorite Mexican dish? What do you miss most about the US, aside from family?
That's a close call, but I'd have to say molé rojo. Mmmmm.
Obviously I miss my friends and family the most, but I'd say we miss our basic way of life. Not the shopping, or Starbucks... but being able to be surrounded with other like people. People with similar interests (movies, dancing, politics, to name a few). We were just discussing the other night what we do to stay mentally stimulated here, and it's very difficult.
BONUS POINT QUESTION:
Stephen Parrish said... Is it just me, or are the two of you simply gorgeous?
Since that was the only sentence with a question mark, I'm guessing that's your question? lol. I'll say no, but thank you. As to your other comment, it's in the works.
Nadine said... My question would be - if you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live? Second question: what is your favorite book?
Right now I'd say Chicago, but I've always wanted to live in Spain. I minored in Spanish in college and studied the country quite a bit, plus I adore tapas. I've never been to Europe so this is purely off what I know if it, but yes, Spain.
I hate these types of questions, I can never pick a favorite anything. I'll say Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It spoke to me during a difficult time and I admire the way she pulled herself through her own rough period.
Janna Qualman said... Taking into account where you've lived before and your current situation, where would you live in the future? And a fresh question... How often do you worry for your personal safety in Zihua?
I'll twist this into what we'll do if we can't return to the US: we plan to move to Vancouver. It's another place neither of us have been, but between the weather, the location, the English, job opportunities, health care, it seems like something we'd like.
I don't worry about my safety very often, mostly because I spend a lot of time at home. I lived in Chicago for nine years so my sense of awareness is very high. I know ways to avoid being a rape victim, I know basic self-defense, I avoid scary alleys... If I let myself dwell on it I'd have panic attacks - I chose to get through my day.
Allen said... It seems to me that you've had the opportunity to experience what Ibis experienced when coming to the US when you moved to Mexico. Do you think that having a similar experience has given the two of you a new and better insight into the other?
It certainly has for me. He has very high standards for me; he always says I'm "so smart" that he doesn't want to accept that I can't do something. So when I have trouble with Spanish - the latest is me not wanting to call the cable company because they don't speak English - I have to remind him how hard it was when he first moved to the US.
btw, he kept insisting it was easy with the cable (we pay over the phone) but he didn't tell me there were package options, so now we have the lower version and don't have CNN, etc. That'll teach him. ;)
Spyscribbler said... I was curious about the story, when you left the States to follow Ibis. Was he deported? Did you follow right away? And leaving your job, your country, that's such a HUGE change! I think that's so brave. And romantic. :-)
Aaroncrocco said... I'm curious to know how exactly you ended up in Mexico. It seems like it would be an interesting tale. I guess I would tack on the question of do you ever plan on returning to the US?
Robin said... I'm being a major copycat and stealing from Spy and Aaron. How did you end up in Mexico? Will you guys ever come back to the States?
*deep breath*
Ok, here goes. Six months before we were married, Ibis' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He hadn't seen her in 12 years because he was in the US "sans papers," but knew he wouldn't let her die without seeing her. That year her health went up and down (this was the same time immigration took a front page nationally), we got married, and thought with the potential new immigration laws we'd get to stay. Three days after Christmas we got the call she was on her deathbed and we flew to Mexico, knowing he couldn't return.
He's been here ever since. I returned to Chicago for two months to shut down our lives there and start the process to get him back. My dad and I drove here in March '07, and Ibis and I lived with his family for three months in Lazaro Cardenas before moving to Zihuatanejo. Picture no running water, sharing a twin bed in a room with no door, and no one speaking English.
I'm here on a tourist visa so I can't legally work. We live off his salary as a hotel receptionist, plus any freelance I can find from the US.
We had his first immigration meeting last March (there are several posts that week about the trip), then he returned in April for the follow-up (link). Our lawyer thought our case was the strongest she'd seen, but we were told they need another 8-10 months to make a decision. That should come this winter, so for now, we wait.
We want nothing more than to return to Chicago. I don't want to say we hate it here, but we don't love it. An example: as I was writing this paragraph the power went out for half an hour. There's no storm, the sun is out, I can't see a reason for it, but that's how Mexico is sometimes. We want to move on with our lives but don't want to do it here. Sure, it's beautiful and people retire here all the time, but we were happy in Chicago and didn't want to leave. We aren't ready to "retire."
One note about his status. A lot of people assume that because we got married, he magically becomes a resident, but that's not always the case. If a person had a valid visa but it expired, then they got married, that scenario would be true. However, if a person never had a visa to begin with, the US government does not reward you with residency just because you get married. That is our scenario.
I think that about explains it. As I'm sure you've picked up over the course of my posts, my family has been beyond supportive. I'm sure they had other hopes for me, but they haven't turned away just because my life has taken a different path.
*exhale*
Thanks for the great questions!
But first, the other questions and answers, plus a bonus for the most flattering question. :) And let me just say, you guys don't mess around!
Colbymarshall said... What is your favorite Disney movie and why?
My first thought was The Little Mermaid, so I'll go with that. I love the songs, plus the idea of a woman reaching for her dreams even if it means a sacrifice on her end reminds me of my own situation. (which I JUST realized as I was typing this.)
Turkey Lurkey said... What food are you looking forward to eating when you go back home this week?
I've been most looking forward to a steak and didn't find out until last night that I'm getting one tomorrow! We're having some family over for dinner and my dad is grilling.
Also, I'm having Olive Garden on Friday, a ballpark frank loaded with grilled onions next Friday at the White Sox v Tigers game, and then a BBQ at my friends house with REAL hamburgers! Yum.
Oh, and I'll probably squeeze in a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup or twelve.
AC said... I'd like to know your family's initial reaction regarding the relationship. Not just because he is Mexican (they probably didn't have a problem with that), but the overall package. Someone who: at the time, was undocumented; had limited education (in terms of schooling); had limited funds and limited prospects.... How did they reconcile your decision with unapproving whispers?
They were surprisingly understanding. I've always dated foreigners so we passed that bridge when I was in high school, but the immigration issue was a new one. They have supported us all along - even paid for our legal fees - but have made it clear they will only do that if we follow the letter of the law now. Fair enough.
As for the education, my father left school early to join the Navy, then went back later; another thing they understand. Plus Ibis didn't drop out, per se - his family couldn't afford to pay for his school. As for his prospects, we were making the same amount of money before moving here, plus he had more assets than me. :)
Robin said... Did you or Ibis dive off of that cliff like they did in the Elvis movie "Fun In Acapulco" when you were there?
That would be a NO. But we did watch the professionals do it. I'd love to go back and see them at night because rumor has it they turn off the spotlights and dive with torches.
Erica Orloff said... What is your favorite Mexican dish? What do you miss most about the US, aside from family?
That's a close call, but I'd have to say molé rojo. Mmmmm.
Obviously I miss my friends and family the most, but I'd say we miss our basic way of life. Not the shopping, or Starbucks... but being able to be surrounded with other like people. People with similar interests (movies, dancing, politics, to name a few). We were just discussing the other night what we do to stay mentally stimulated here, and it's very difficult.
BONUS POINT QUESTION:
Stephen Parrish said... Is it just me, or are the two of you simply gorgeous?
Since that was the only sentence with a question mark, I'm guessing that's your question? lol. I'll say no, but thank you. As to your other comment, it's in the works.
Nadine said... My question would be - if you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live? Second question: what is your favorite book?
Right now I'd say Chicago, but I've always wanted to live in Spain. I minored in Spanish in college and studied the country quite a bit, plus I adore tapas. I've never been to Europe so this is purely off what I know if it, but yes, Spain.
I hate these types of questions, I can never pick a favorite anything. I'll say Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It spoke to me during a difficult time and I admire the way she pulled herself through her own rough period.
Janna Qualman said... Taking into account where you've lived before and your current situation, where would you live in the future? And a fresh question... How often do you worry for your personal safety in Zihua?
I'll twist this into what we'll do if we can't return to the US: we plan to move to Vancouver. It's another place neither of us have been, but between the weather, the location, the English, job opportunities, health care, it seems like something we'd like.
I don't worry about my safety very often, mostly because I spend a lot of time at home. I lived in Chicago for nine years so my sense of awareness is very high. I know ways to avoid being a rape victim, I know basic self-defense, I avoid scary alleys... If I let myself dwell on it I'd have panic attacks - I chose to get through my day.
Allen said... It seems to me that you've had the opportunity to experience what Ibis experienced when coming to the US when you moved to Mexico. Do you think that having a similar experience has given the two of you a new and better insight into the other?
It certainly has for me. He has very high standards for me; he always says I'm "so smart" that he doesn't want to accept that I can't do something. So when I have trouble with Spanish - the latest is me not wanting to call the cable company because they don't speak English - I have to remind him how hard it was when he first moved to the US.
btw, he kept insisting it was easy with the cable (we pay over the phone) but he didn't tell me there were package options, so now we have the lower version and don't have CNN, etc. That'll teach him. ;)
Spyscribbler said... I was curious about the story, when you left the States to follow Ibis. Was he deported? Did you follow right away? And leaving your job, your country, that's such a HUGE change! I think that's so brave. And romantic. :-)
Aaroncrocco said... I'm curious to know how exactly you ended up in Mexico. It seems like it would be an interesting tale. I guess I would tack on the question of do you ever plan on returning to the US?
Robin said... I'm being a major copycat and stealing from Spy and Aaron. How did you end up in Mexico? Will you guys ever come back to the States?
*deep breath*
Ok, here goes. Six months before we were married, Ibis' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He hadn't seen her in 12 years because he was in the US "sans papers," but knew he wouldn't let her die without seeing her. That year her health went up and down (this was the same time immigration took a front page nationally), we got married, and thought with the potential new immigration laws we'd get to stay. Three days after Christmas we got the call she was on her deathbed and we flew to Mexico, knowing he couldn't return.
He's been here ever since. I returned to Chicago for two months to shut down our lives there and start the process to get him back. My dad and I drove here in March '07, and Ibis and I lived with his family for three months in Lazaro Cardenas before moving to Zihuatanejo. Picture no running water, sharing a twin bed in a room with no door, and no one speaking English.
I'm here on a tourist visa so I can't legally work. We live off his salary as a hotel receptionist, plus any freelance I can find from the US.
We had his first immigration meeting last March (there are several posts that week about the trip), then he returned in April for the follow-up (link). Our lawyer thought our case was the strongest she'd seen, but we were told they need another 8-10 months to make a decision. That should come this winter, so for now, we wait.
We want nothing more than to return to Chicago. I don't want to say we hate it here, but we don't love it. An example: as I was writing this paragraph the power went out for half an hour. There's no storm, the sun is out, I can't see a reason for it, but that's how Mexico is sometimes. We want to move on with our lives but don't want to do it here. Sure, it's beautiful and people retire here all the time, but we were happy in Chicago and didn't want to leave. We aren't ready to "retire."
One note about his status. A lot of people assume that because we got married, he magically becomes a resident, but that's not always the case. If a person had a valid visa but it expired, then they got married, that scenario would be true. However, if a person never had a visa to begin with, the US government does not reward you with residency just because you get married. That is our scenario.
I think that about explains it. As I'm sure you've picked up over the course of my posts, my family has been beyond supportive. I'm sure they had other hopes for me, but they haven't turned away just because my life has taken a different path.
*exhale*
Thanks for the great questions!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Hoo Am I?
Colby had a great idea, and as I do with most good ideas I stumble upon in Blogland, I'm copying. :)
I do a lot of talking about myself here, but it's occurred to me that I might be leaving something out. Is there something you've wanted to know about me? Something you keep hoping I'll bring up... but don't?
Well now is your chance. Bring it on.
***
And because I can't help myself, here are more pictures from our trip.
I do a lot of talking about myself here, but it's occurred to me that I might be leaving something out. Is there something you've wanted to know about me? Something you keep hoping I'll bring up... but don't?
Well now is your chance. Bring it on.
***
And because I can't help myself, here are more pictures from our trip.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Scary Update
Back in May I posted about a raid in a town half an hour south of here, Petatlan, that ended with many people killed and one young woman kidnapped. Things have been pretty quiet since then, but we have avoided going to that town.
Yesterday at work Ibis discovered that the man whose daughter was taken (Man #1) finally took out his revenge. He sent men to kill the other man's (Man #2) wife and daughters. The wife's sister was also in the house so she was killed, too.
This morning as we walked into town the "radio cars" as I call them (vehicles with loudspeakers attached to the roof, blaring the latest news) were excited as always, but a couple words stuck out: cabeza (head), casa (house), and Petatlan. Ibis raised his hand to stop the questions about to burst out of me and listened as the car approached. He flagged the driver and held out five pesos for a newspaper.
Apparently the best friend of Man #1 disappeared yesterday and no one could find him. This morning his HEAD was found on the front step of Man #1's house.
The circle of violence continues. Stupid me looked at the paper and saw the head, close up.
Ibis was also told that Saturday afternoon a group of men attacked a truckload of federalies, killing several of them. This happened on the SAME road we were driving on, only a couple hours earlier. I guess the gunfight lasted for almost half an hour - or maybe just the spectacle - but there were helicopters and everything.
We passed a couple places where people were collecting money to pay the ransom for a kidnapped loved one, but no signs of a gun battle.
I think it's a good thing I'm going home for a couple weeks.
Yesterday at work Ibis discovered that the man whose daughter was taken (Man #1) finally took out his revenge. He sent men to kill the other man's (Man #2) wife and daughters. The wife's sister was also in the house so she was killed, too.
This morning as we walked into town the "radio cars" as I call them (vehicles with loudspeakers attached to the roof, blaring the latest news) were excited as always, but a couple words stuck out: cabeza (head), casa (house), and Petatlan. Ibis raised his hand to stop the questions about to burst out of me and listened as the car approached. He flagged the driver and held out five pesos for a newspaper.
Apparently the best friend of Man #1 disappeared yesterday and no one could find him. This morning his HEAD was found on the front step of Man #1's house.
The circle of violence continues. Stupid me looked at the paper and saw the head, close up.
Ibis was also told that Saturday afternoon a group of men attacked a truckload of federalies, killing several of them. This happened on the SAME road we were driving on, only a couple hours earlier. I guess the gunfight lasted for almost half an hour - or maybe just the spectacle - but there were helicopters and everything.
We passed a couple places where people were collecting money to pay the ransom for a kidnapped loved one, but no signs of a gun battle.
I think it's a good thing I'm going home for a couple weeks.
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