A Januarymas Miracle! (18 Jan 2010)

Monday 18 JAN 2010

A miracle happened today. I woke up, turned on my laptop and... had internet signal!!! IN MY ROOM! It's like a Christmas Miracle in mid January! (No wonder so many people still had their Christmas lights up!)

I got online, with baited breathe, just waiting for something to go wrong and the internet to shut itself off as mysteriously as it had turned itself on. As of today (21 Jan 10) it is STILL on and going strong!!

I video chatted with some of the friends. That was so fun. It's almost like being there when I can see them and their expressions and just sit on the video chat talking about nothing and not worrying about using phone card minutes and racking up long distance bills.

Then I got to skype with my dad and brother. That was REALLY nice.

Today was my first time to visit my new school. My teacher, Kristan, took me up there to show me around. There is a whole graduate section with graduate only classrooms (two of them. heh) and a graduate student computer lab. That made me feel fancy. I am glad I won't have to debase myself and mingle with the peasant undergraduates! (Kidding. ;) haha. I love my students!)

After we had seem the important parts of the school, Kristan took me to buy a cell phone. I got the cheapest one and it is tiny and adorable. I named it Chiquita (little one).

The Frutique

We then went by the AMAZING fruit stand (nick named the fru-tique). I got some carrots, apples, mandarins, and Queso Oaxaca (it's kinda like mozzarella or string cheese). Kristan asked me if I wanted some mangoes. I never really cared much for Mangoes but the way she said it it seemed like anyone who is anyone would want a mango. I try not to give into peer pressure (especially when it involves produce) but for some reason I wanted to join Kristan on the mango train. You have to understand that Kristan is basically one of the coolest people I have ever met. She just exudes this indescribable COOL aura and I am pretty sure that I would even consider walking on hot coals if Kristan suggested it.

The Frutique

To make a long story short, I got two mangoes.

why am i so gross?

Next on the agenda was laser hair removal. Most of you probably don't know this but I am one HAIRY lady. I guess its because I have a lot of testosterone (I haven't been tested but that's my personal theory). I have a lot of thick, coarse hair that grows in socially unacceptable places (like on my neck, chin, and lip). I have a pretty healthy self esteem (I'm awesome and I know it) but the hair growing all over me it the one thing I really can't stand about myself. Back in the states laser hair removal is really freaking expensive ($500+ up to $1000s). Here in Mexico a lot of things are cheaper.

Corn Parfait

On the way to the laser hair removal clinic that Kristan had found we passed this guy selling this strange corn... parfait... thing. Layers of fresh corn, mayo, weird white cheese, paprika and, of courses, fresh squeezed lime juice. I like to try new things so I got an order. The guy seemed pretty impressed by me and gave me an extra glob of mayo on top. Thanks corn parfait man!

The corn parfait was... mm.. how do I explain... interesting. Yes. Interesting. I'll leave it at that.

Kristan and I made it to the laser hair removal clinic. It's located inside the Plaza Toluca (the mall the Bocas Platas and I hung out at.) For my neck, chin, and lip... the total was LESS THAN $200!! The same thing would be $1000 back home. SOLD!

Mad scientist!!

Prepping me for laser hair removal

A small lady in a lab coat took me into a room with a hospital bed and a diabolical looking machine. She put me up on the table and hovered over me with what appeared to be a Walmart price scanner. She put tanning glasses on me and shot me over and over again. It didn't hurt but it felt like a little bit of a sting in some places... like if someone was poking me it a little needle. The whole thing was over in 15 minutes and I was heading back home.

On the way home I passed by the little bakery on my street. I needed some bread to go with the turkey I had just bought so I stopped in. The man and I chatted in Spanish. He asked me where I am from and I told him, Dallas Texas.

DING DING DING!

His face lit up.

“I love Dallas Cowboys!!” the proudly told me. I smiled indulgently.

“Me, too!” I semi-lied. That sparked a whole futbol americano conversation that I was definitely not ready for. I passionately defended the Cowboys and told him that I thought we should cut Tony Romo some slack. Then I think I told him that I favor the Saints in the Superbowl because I really like the city of New Orleans. I might have told him that I love to eat peach pie for all I know for sure.

the end.

Chiquita y Yo