What I’ve Been Up To

So the past few weekends I’ve taken tons of pictures to share with you guys! Things have been pretty busy at work, but I figure I’ll keep ya’ll updated. Here goes…

Last Weekend:

Went to my friend Dama's birthday party at Black Pub Friday night

Saturday: Went to another friend's birthday party, complete with palapa and a taco stand

My "gringas"... flour tortilla, pastor, onion, cilantro and pineapple

Saturday night: Burgers in a friend's backyard (it had very cool design, but I only managed to get a shot of this light-covered palm tree)

 

This Weekend:

On Saturday I bought this... I'll tell you why later!

Sunday afternoon: Puerto Morelos

Saturday night: Carnaval parade in Playa del Carmen (all pictures were either blurry or blocked by pedestrians, but the costumes were great!)

What did you do this weekend?

Only in Mexico

The president of my company sends out a daily e-mail with a Bible verse and Catholic lesson… and a prayer to “La Virgen”.

Why do I get the feeling that in the United States, this would result in a company-wide lawsuit?

Sometimes I’m not sure which country is weirder.

What I Miss About the US

In the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about things I miss from the States. Maybe because my mom came to visit. Maybe it’s just one of the culture shock phases. I dunno. Anyway, here’s a list of things I miss the most about the good ole U.S. of A. (Virginia and NC, in particular!)

-My family

-My American friends

-Sleeping cuddled up under a heavy comforter

-Tall trees

-Seasons (Fall, where are you?)

-Hills

-Well-paved streets

-Correct traffic signage

-Respectful drivers

-An internet connection that doesn’t lose signal every week

-Watching primetime TV shows on a television set (watching on the internet is nice because you can choose what time to watch it… but it’s much less comfortable)

-Watching movies/TV without subtitles

-Using an oven

-Not having to unplug appliances when they’re not in use

-Throwing toilet paper into the toilet, not the wastebasket

-Ukrops (Richmonders know what I’m talking about!)

-Target

-Arby’s

-American Eagle

-Bottom’s Up Pizza (another Richmond thing)

-Forever 21

-Victoria’s Secret

-Finding bras in something other than a B-cup

-Central AC and heating

-Wearing boots and sweaters

-Not having bars on the windows

-Dryer

-Walking around the house barefoot

-Being able to plan on purchasing something without someone saying “Let me call my uncle/cousin/neighbor. He can get it for you cheaper.” They rarely can, and if they do, it’s gonna take at least 2 weeks before they can get in touch with them.

-Starbucks Peppermint Mocha during Christmastime

-Cold weather at Christmastime

-Thanksgiving

-Smooth walls

-Not having tons of scary dogs barking at me when I walk down the street

-America’s version of Mexican food (I love me a ground beef burrito covered in sauce and mixed cheese! Mmmm!) Don’t even get me started on the nachos and salsa.

-Racial diversity (I get all excited when I see black people)

Overall I love living here. There are tons of pros (perfect for a future list!), but there are some things that I greatly miss.