1 year since I left

It's been 1 year now since I returned to the USA after what I thought was the end of my time in Mexico. And one year later, I'm happy with my decision to go back and continue teaching in that country south of the border. Right now, I'm back in the USA for my summer vacation - and to attend my little brother's high school graduation party...which was excellent! Mom did a great job party planning and it was very nice to see family and friends. (check out the video I included) The rest of my time in the USA was spent eating food I had missed (Jet's pizza, Panera Bread, Coldstone Creamery ice cream...) and watching ESPN. Dad and I also went to a Tigers game. It was a beautiful night at the ballpark, we won, and we even got to see Jim Leyland ejected!

About a month ago, I went to a tequila distillery in Mexico. It was really cool! We got to see the entire process of how tequila is made - from cooking the agave plant to bottling the alcohol.

The last picture is of me and some Mexican friends out one night.

Spring to Summer

Another month has passed and there's no shortage of news to report from Mexico. First of all, it is HOT HOT HOT here. In the high 90s every day. A fellow Mexican teacher told me that this past week was the hottest she could ever remember. Luckily, it is dry heat, so we dont have to deal with any humidity.

About a month ago, I went to the Estruendo (Air Show) at the local Metropolitan Park. It was just okay. I guess my expectations were higher (I wanted more tricks and death-defying dives!) but I have to remind myself to lower my expectations in Mexico.

A new ordinance has passed in the city that has left one of my fellow male American teachers quite insulted: On the city trolley, there are now separate compartments for men and women. The female section is even designated with pink silouettes on the outside of the trolley! The ordinance was passed because apparently women were sick of being "bumped" or "touched" by other men while riding. Personally, this had never been a problem, but I have to admit that I like the ease of the new ride.

So how did you all celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the USA? By eating chips and salsa and drinking a margarita? Well good for you, because that's not the tradition here in Mexico! Actually, the Holiday (which commemorates the defeat of French troops in the city of Puebla and NOT Mexican Independence Day (which is Sept. 16th)) is not really celebrated here. Students get the day off school, but that's about it.

Although Mexicans dont celebrate Cinco de Mayo, they do celebrate Taacher's Day! My boss treated all the teachers to a nice brunch at a buffet restaurant. The lunch was even followed by a prize round! (I won a bottle of wine, unfortunately, as I wanted the microwave).

A few weekends ago I went to another teacher's birthday party. It was a nice casual get-together in her front yard (which is about the size of my parents' bedroom) equipped with a karaoke machine. I impressed some of the other Mexicans at the party with my DJ selections of current regional hit songs ;-) haha At the party I also tried 2 new foods:

• tacos al vapor - these are basically your normal soft tacos, but they have been steamed in a big vat. Yes, they are a little soggy, but I actually prefer them to normal tacos! And you can put basically anything you want inside them (potatoes, sausage, beef, cheese...)
• agua loca - this is simply tequila mixed with flavored water. Not surprisingly, it is the choice of alcoholic beverage among the Mexican student population since it is so cheap to make. It's really delicious!

Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy the long weekend! Have a cookout and eat some hamburgers and hotdogs for me!