Thoughts and Rambles: May 2008

Thursday, May 15, 2008

4:35am:I have the greatest friends ever

I know I only pick good people to have in my life. But this was further realized as I called on some of them while I was in a pinch. The greatest people ever. Nice to be reminded that the people in my life are amazing. They insisted on helping me pack, jumped right in and helped me when I suddenly had no movers, took my living room furniture when the buyer canceled, stayed up late to help me deliver boxes and my bed to my storage place, called me in for a late night party to wind down, gave me lots of hugs. Then there's Amy who graciously opened her house to me for my return! (although I dream of not coming back...) Nearly everything is moved out, and I feel more free and ready than ever to go off to find my adventure.

I love all of you, and a huge thank you for what you have done for me as I could not have made this move without you: Alex, Stacey, Adam, Nick, Jen, Amy, Brittany, Christian, Jason, Jake

XOXOXO

I am so lucky to have such great folks in my life.

and of course, I have not forgotten the rest of you lovelies in my circle!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Guanajuato, ya voy!

As I looked through my photos from Guanajuato and chatted with friends still living there, I couldn't fathom skipping a stop there. And the idea of a stop turned into a complete change of plans. But it does seem to make sense, good friends, great teachers, why not go back to the city I fell in love with? With the ticket purchased and the changes made with the language program, I feel great knowing that I head out to central mexico this coming sunday... wow! And that 8 weeks in that magical town will be followed by another 8 near the ocean in Quintana Roo, I really am about to have the best time ever - what a way to learn - in wonderful places!

No time to brush up on the verbs and tenses, I have to pack up the whole apartment and move out in the next couple days... And with the trip counter telling me I will be gone 116 days, this is really feeling right.

PHOTOS

All photos in this blog are those I have shot myself (unless, obviously, I am the subject, in which case I will cite the photographer - except for a couple cases where I simply handed the camera to the person next to me to capture me in the moment- unfortunately there are a few of those where I do not know the person's name). I currently use the Panasonic DMC-FZ28. It is a great camera with a quality lens and good portability, and I get really nice shots with it.

It's not the most advanced or powerful camera, and it's not a large fancy SLR, but I've found that the trick to getting a good shot is not always just about the camera. As a photographer I can achieve great shots by keeping in mind composition, angle, and understanding the computer inside the camera and how to manipulate it for what I want in the final shot.

Perhaps one day I'll have my dream camera, but until then, I'm doing alright with a really great "almost SLR".

As you read the blog, enjoy the photos I insert here and there to help you visualize my stories. I have so many more photos, but only so much space for them on this blog.

Life... or Lifestyle?

thank you Allie, for this story, which reminds me of why I tend to feel so frustrated with the traditional American rat race…

There once was a Mexican fisherman who would get up in the morning and go fishing. By lunch time he had caught enough fish for the day and would come home, sell the fish, eat lunch with his wife, spend the afternoon playing with his kids and napping in the shade and in the evenings he would go down to the bar and play music with his friends.

One day he met an American who asked him, "Are there more fish out there that could be caught?"

And the Mexican said, "Yeah, but I catch enough before lunch so I stop fishing and come home."

The American said, "You should fish all day and catch more fish so you could increase your earnings."

The Mexican asked, "And then what would I do?"

"You could then buy another boat and hire another captain and catch twice as many fish and earn twice as much. Then you could start to sell your fish to the large corporations."

And the Mexican asked, "And then what?"

"You would keep adding boats until you had an armada and then you could build your own fish factory and ship your fish world-wide! Then you, of course, wouldn't be able to fish any more, you could move to the US and run the company. You would be making tons of money!"

And the Mexican asked, "What would I do with all that money?"

"You would save it!"

"What would I be saving it for?"

"So one day you could retire, move to a Caribbean island, fish in the morning, eat lunch with your wife, spend the afternoon playing with your grandchildren and napping in the shade and in the evenings you could go down to the bar and play music with your friends!"

And, there's the rub. My mother used to tell a story like this, except it was about an African fisherman (appropriate, as my father is African and this story was a comment on how one can trade the good life for a promise of the good life). Is it the African Connection that draws me to a similar lifestyle in Mexico?

Now I am living with and in the experiences, enjoying each day, and loving the moment.

I shared this sentiment with folks and they say "well, sure, but then there's reality."

Whose reality?

Should I find a way to live, really live, and enjoy and learn and love each day, whether it is in the States or in Mexico or elsewhere, I will always remember to embrace each moment and find a way to enjoy those moments. I refuse to continue on the rat race so that one day I can find my paradise, whatever it may be. I may not have a lot for show, but I love each day, and this is what is really important.

Thoughts and Rambles

Thursday, May 15, 2008

4:35am:I have the greatest friends ever

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Guanajuato, ya voy!

PHOTOS

About Me

Guanajuato, Mexico at sunset

Life... or Lifestyle?

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