I'm Back!

I apologize that it has been sooooooooo long since my last post. The last week in September, I got very sick. My symptoms included severe stomach cramping, nausea and diarrhea. I have never been so sick in my life. All I could do was lay in bed...for two weeks. I hardly had anything to eat or drink during that time. Grady was very worried about me and did not want to send me to a clinic in Mexico. With advice from a few of Grady's professors and Gary and Mary Hines, we were able to determine that I probably had a parasite.
It was decided that I would return to the U.S. for medical treatment. On October 7th, I flew to Oklahoma City. Grady's mother was there to pick me up and take me to the doctor. The diagnosis was that I had amoebic dysentery. The antibiotic I was taking really did a number on my digestive health. I was also very dehydrated which seemed to be a big concern for the doctor. I was finally able to begin eating soft foods and now am eating solid foods. Lab tests showed that the amoebas are all gone. I am feeling so much better now and am so thankful for my good health.
Grady is continuing to do VERY well in school. I am just so proud of him!

it's an amoeba!

Grady came home from class this morning, flung open the door and said, "Good morning my little pooper trooper!" How sweet.
I'm laying on the couch, still sick. It's now been eight days of stomach cramps, nausea and severe diarrhea. After consulting with one of his professors, Grady told me the consensus is that I have an amoeba (amoebic dysentery), probably from consuming contaminated vegetables or water. Grady's comment: "You reap what you sow" (referring to my eating of vegetables). Ha!
Moral of the story here: if I would just eat ketchup and bologna sandwiches like Grady, I wouldn't be in this predicament. :-)
Grady purchased metronidazole (you don't need a precription here to buy medicine) and I should be feeling better in a few days.
Grady is absolutely incredible and has taken such good care of me. He is going to make a wonderful doctor!
Thank you for your prayers regarding my health.

Five days later...

and still sick. As stated in my most recent blog, I became very ill Sunday evening. It is now Friday and I still feel terrible. I have not left the apartment, cleaned the apartment or even brushed my hair in five days. This is the worst stomach illness I have EVER had. I lay in bed most of the day with severe stomach cramping and nausea. Grady comes home for lunch, brings me dry toast and gatorade and then goes back to class. Yesterday evening, he was able to buy cypro (an antibiotic - no prescription needed here). I started taking that and hope that will cure whatever this is.
Meanwhile, I have a paper due to UCLA at 6 p.m. today so I better get started. Ugh.

Ugh!

I apologize for not posting a blog in the past several days. I became very ill Sunday evening, I think from eating bad food. It has been three days of nausea, stomach cramps, the works.
I haven't gotten out of bed, the apartment is a disaster, Grady is now eating cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has even had to iron his own clothes (which, by the way, he is doing such a good job at ironing, I may have to put him on permanent duty).
I made the mistake of trying to eat something yesterday. Since then, I have reverted back to my water and cracker diet. Yummy!
On the bright side, being sick has forced me to slow down (well actually, my life has come to a screeching halt). I have been able to do a lot of reading and studying. Grady has been so wonderful. It is so nice to be married and be able to take care of one another when we are sick.
Well, I hope to be up and at it tomorrow!

Just when I thought there was nothing to blog about...

Things have been kinda quiet lately and I was beginning to wonder what I would blog about...then the hail storm came. Grady and I were walking home yesterday evening when all of a sudden (really, all of a sudden) it started raining heavily. The winds picked up and then it started to hail BIG pieces of ice. I have never seen a hail storm like this before. Had I been inside watching it from the comfort of my home, I would have enjoyed it. However, Grady and I were about a mile from our apartment. With no shelter to take cover, we got soaked. We were so wet, our clothes were barely hanging on. We started running but since we had just eaten, Grady said he couldn't run or his stomach would ache. Moments later the hail came down in bigger pieces and with greater frequency and we were running whether we wanted to or not. Hail covered the streets. Tree branches were snapping and crashing to the ground. I got pegged in the face, head and arm with hail. We were able to briefly take cover under an awning but then the wind changed direction and we were getting hit by rain and hail again. We ran the rest of the way home. Once inside, we realized we had left the windows open (there's no such thing as air condition here) and water had poured inside. With the electricity being out from the storm, we fumbled around in the dark for clean clothes to wear and towels to clean up all the water. What a weekend to remember!

Thursday's Medley

So what's new this week?

Grady and I are now taking medication for worms. Don't panic...we don't have worms...yet. The produce is poor quality and apparently, getting intestinal worms from the produce is common here in Guadalajara. We are taking the medication once every six months as a preventative measure.

As if Grady needs one more reason not to eat his fruits and vegetables right?

Speaking of produce, I created quite an commotion at the grocery store last week. I was leisurely shopping in the produce section when I looked down and saw a HUGE insect-like bug on my forearm. I let out a conservative shriek and quickly brushed the bug off. The bug landed on a lady next to me, who then also screamed. Next thing you know, there was an uproar in the produce section over this one bug. It was quite a scene. I told Grady about it when he got home. His only comment was, "Why am I not surprised?"

Do you remember our "washer" and dryer"? Well, I am putting it to good use these days. We had been using a laundry service that is near our apartment. Ramon would pick up our clothes every Tuesday, wash, dry, fold and return them the same day. We are charged by weight for the laundry. We had noticed the price steadily increase week by week as our clothes seem to weigh more now. Interesting. So now I wash what I can by hand in the sink. It's not so bad.

Next week, I may have the opportunity to tutor students after school...for pay! Finding legal employment here is nearly impossible if you are a foreigner. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope it will turn out. I'll keep you posted!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Today, Grady and I have been married two years. It has been two years of growth, discovery, thinking together and then thinking alike. It has been wonderful. Happy anniversary Grady! I look forward to each year ahead - the challenges, the opportunities and growing closer and more in love with you.

night out on the town

Yesterday, Grady finally got his anatomy exam grade. He made a B (there were no As given; Grady had one of the highest scores in the class; many people failed). Grady, like most medical students, had been feeling stressed this week. The good news of his exam grade provided such relief. We decided to celebrate with a "night out on the town".
We had dinner at a taco hut a few blocks from our apartment (I use the term "hut" literally). Although the waitress tried to entice us with pig tongue or cow brain tacos, Grady and I settled for beef (as least that's what we think it was). We made a pact to eat light in case we got sick. This morning we woke up feeling fine so I guess we're in the clear. Our meal was $3 each and very good.
On our walk home from the taco hut, we were chased down the street by a group of adorable school children with improvised musical instruments (one boy had a basketball and stick that was his drum set). They offered to play a song for us. Wise to their scheme, I asked how much it would cost. We agreed on one peso (about a dime). They played their instruments and sang La Bamba while Grady and I clapped and smiled. We gave them TWO pesos for such a good job. They thanked us profusely and ran off to find someone else to play for.
What a night!

Negrito

This is a picture of the side of a vending machine that is common in Guadalajara. I believe the advertisement is for some sort of chocolate cupcake.

Tasty? You bet! Politically correct? not so much.

at the grocery store with grady

These are some of the more interesting products that we have found at the grocery store.

Isn't Zuky the Zebra cute? This cereal provides the necessary sugar rush your child needs to start the day (azucar means sugar in Spanish).
This is a common household cleaner. Everytime I get the bottle out from under the sink, Grady (in his animated sportscaster voice) yells, "MR. MUSCULO!!!"

quote from Grady: "Apparently obese children in superhero outfits really help to sell cookies here in Mexico."

The luchador does seem to be quite popular here. We once walked down an aisle at the grocery store and a young man was handing out free samples of a sports beverage...wearing a luchador mask.

Quote

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain

History Lesson

The following is a summary of the history of Mexican Independence Day. Why am I posting this? Grady and I will celebrate our 2nd anniversary on September 16th - Mexican Independence Day!

The Grito de Dolores:
In the early hours of September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest in the small town of Dolores, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish Crown, thus initiating Mexico's War of Independence. The country did not achieve independence until 1821, but it is this event, known as the Grito de Dolores which is commemorated every year with the Grito in town squares across Mexico.
Independence Day Celebrations:
The largest Independence Day celebration takes place in Mexico City's Zocalo, which is decorated from the beginning of September with red, white and green lights and flags. On the 15th, at 11 pm the President of the Republic goes out onto the central balcony of the National Palace (Palacio Nacional), rings the bell (the same bell Hidalgo rang in 1810) and shouts to the people gathered in the square below: Viva Mexico! The crowd responds: Viva! Fireworks light up the sky as the crowd cheers.
The celebrations continue on the 16th with civic ceremonies and parades - the largest taking place in Mexico City, but perhaps the most touching festivities are those in small communities in which school children of all ages participate.
Independence Day foods:
Like most festivities, certain foods are considered representative of Independence Day. A favorite is pozole, a soup made of hominy and pork. Other foods have the colors of the Mexican flag - red white and green, like chiles en nogada.

Potpourri

Today's blog is a potpourri of stories and news.

- Grady took an anatomy quiz yesterday afternoon. He had to label various muscles, bones, etc. of a real cadaver. Personally, I prefer to take my quizzes the pencil and paper method. Grady passed his quiz so now we're 3 for 3!

- Grady got a haircut this morning. He asked me to go with him to translate. I told the lady to "trim around the ears, back of the neck, short on the sides...and give him a new style...something modern". Grady had no idea what I had said to the lady but was surprised when she spun him around in the chair and Grady came face to face with himself in the mirror...with a miniature mohawk. Apparently that word modern has a whole new meaning in Mexico. His hair was still wet so I quickly matted it down to look a little less "modern". We paid and left. Once we got home, I did a little "damage control" to his new style and it actually looks pretty good now.

- We are spending the weekend preparing for Grady's anatomy test. Grady is reviewing old exams while I am putting together note cards to quiz him with. He's going to do great!

- On three separate occassions this week, I've been stopped and asked for directions. Since I do a lot of walking, I know my way around pretty good and was able to give accurate directions all three times. I then tell the people asking for directions that I've only been in the country for a month. They look shocked. Grady was with me and wonders why people don't ask him for directions. Poor Grady!

- Grady and I went to the dentist...just a routine cleaning and check up. After receiving numerous recommedations, we made an appointment to see Doctora Tavizon (she is Mexican but went to school and worked in the U.S. and speaks fairly good English). I went first while Grady waited nervously in the waiting room. Doctora Tavizon was very friendly and did a better job than any dentist I had ever been to in the U.S. (she also charges a lot less). She gave me some nitrous oxide to relax me and said she'd be back in a minute. A few minutes later my arms got really heavy and I couldn't stop laughing. Doctora Tavizon re-entered the room and said, "Ay, Racquel, I've given you too much wine!" and turns down the NO. She finished the cleaning and didn't charge me anything! (Grady has a few funny stories that involve me and nitrous oxide).

- Obtaining legal work in Mexico is nearly impossible. According to the Mexican government, a foreigner has to prove that the job he/she is applying for, a Mexican cannot do. This doesn't leave many job prospects. I have had a few interviews for teaching English but the schools are across town (two or three bus rides), pay very little, offer only a few hours of work each week, and pay "under the table". It's been a little depressing. I am just used to working (sometimes two and three jobs at once - I guess it's my personality). After talking with Grady, we decided that if I cannot obtain work here, I should go back to school! It has been a goal of mine for quite some time to earn a masters degree and eventually a PhD. I am currently enrolled for two courses with UCLA. In the meantime, I am applying to the masters program with Fielding Graduate University in California. This is a great opportunity. More on that later.

- What else? Just the usual. In Mexico, every day is an adventure.

Aqueduct

Grady and I wanted to share pictures of the aqueduct that is near our apartment. Someone told us the aqueduct is still working today but we are not certain about that. It is beautiful and adds artistic form to our neighborhood.

Fashion Statement

I had accidentally left my sunglasses in a friend's car last week. Not knowing when I would see her again and not wanting to go without sunglasses, I bought another pair at the dollar store. I didn't want to pay a lot for them and there wasn't much selection so I settled on a pair I thought would provide functionality at a fair price. The sunglasses were black and green and had lenses so big that when I smiled, my cheek touched the bottom of the rims. I think the sunglasses with the big lenses must be in style now. Personally, I think they make one look like a fly. But... they were comfortable and shaded my eyes from the sun and so I was content. As I walked home from the store, thankful for the sunglasses, I met Grady at the front gate to our apartment (he was just coming home from class). "Hi sweetheart", he replied. "What happened to your eyes? I didn't know you had an eye doctor appointment today. How can you see to walk with your pupils dilated?" I hadn't a clue what he was talking about at first but then realized he thought my sunglasses were the big dark glasses one has to wear after seeing the eye doctor. I still wear the sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Grady has decided that his brown loafers go just fine with his black athletic socks and gym shorts. We had to run a quick errand the other day and because Grady's gym shoes were dirty, he decided to wear his loafers. Wow! We spent the rest of the afternoon wondering if the people we passed on the street were giggling about Grady's outfit or his perseverance to speak Spanish with his limited proficiency (do they sell el dr. pepper-o at the 7-eleven?).

Needless to say, I don't think the fashion shows of New York and Paris will be calling to invite Grady and I anytime soon. Whew...one less thing to worry about.

2 for 2!

Well, we are 2 for 2! Grady passed his second exam (biochemistry). Way to go Grady!!!

Making Friends

One thing I have quickly learned is that in Mexico, if someone does not like you/does not feel like helping you, he/she will not. There is nowhere to go and file a complaint. You don't ask to speak to a manager to reconcile the problem. Bottom line: you are at the mercy of the person behind the counter. They decide whether or not they like you and will help you. This applies to just about every business, store, or service here.
Prime Example: the immigration office
Grady and I had made numerous trips to the immigration office to pick up his visa. After being told on the phone that the visa was ready to pick up, we would walk nearly an hour one way, stand in line and then be told (by the same person we just spoke to on the phone), "No. Come back tomorrow".
There is one lady at the immigration office who seems to be the most helpful. Wanting to acknowledge my gratitude for her hard work, I wrote a letter to thank her and express my appreciation.
The next day, I was provided with her home phone number, her cell phone number and her personal e-mail address. She told me she would take care of us. The next day, I picked up Grady's visa.

Pedestrian Pacman

Stay clear of the buses! Grady and I learned that forty-six pedestrians have died as a result of being hit by a bus. The interesting thing is that it was the same bus driver every time! To our knowledge, the bus driver was not arrested, did not have his license revoked, and is still out there driving a bus. He showed no remorse when he said he couldn't slow down because he has to stick to the bus schedule. WOW! Everytime I see a bus now, I get nervous.

A Real Eye-Opener

Grady and I went to dinner yesterday evening with a seventh semester medical student and his wife - Ernie and Emily. We had a good time and learned a lot about what it's REALLY like to be working at the clinics, hospitals and future semesters in medical school. Ernie is very bright (in the top of his class). He offered encouragement for Grady and shared his experiences from previous semesters.
He told us about the time he was performing a gynecological exam on a patient and the lights went out at the hospital. Ernie had to use the light from the doctor's cell phone so he could complete the exam.
He told us there is NEVER soap and sometimes no paper towels in the bathrooms at the hospitals.
He told us of completing part of his ob/gyn round (two weeks of hanging out on the beach and delivering one baby after another).
He told us of making casts for the patients with whatever material was available (you have to be resourceful and creative).
He told us of patients dying because the hospital simply ran out of a certain medicine.
He told us of mothers delivering their babies out in the hallway (with no assistance or medicine) because the rooms were full (mothers are not taken into the delivery room until they are actually giving birth. The hospitals do not provide epidurals).
He told us about one ER room being so small that he was practically sitting in the lap of a patient he just stitched up while helping the next patient.

It was an intense and exciting conversation. Definitely an eye opener into the life of a medical student at UAG.

GRADY PASSED HIS FIRST EXAM! SCORE: 9/10!!!

Slug Bug

If you plan on playing "slug bug" in Guadalajara, you better wear your football uniform. There is an overabundance of Volkswagon Bugs here. One day while out walking, Grady and I decided to play this fun game. After twenty slugs in two minutes, I was ready to give up. Another interesting game to play: how many Mexicans can fit into a bug? Grady and I recently had Bible study with a wonderful group of people. After our study, we escorted them out and were surprised to see that all SEVEN of them got into the same VW bug (four adults and three small children). Really quite a site to see.

House Call/Other

This past Wednesday, Grady was at the clinic again, working with Dr. Ramos. This time, Grady was sent on a house call - a man complaining of severe stomach pain. By the time Grady arrived at this man's house, he had already been taken to the hospital. It turns out, the man was suffering from gastritis.

On another note, Grady and I are glad it's Friday! Friday evenings are usually reserved for Grady and I to relax and spend time together. Tonight, we are having dinner with Ernie and Emily. Ernie is a 7th semester medical student. Emily is his wife, who I met one day at lunch. Since Grady got to decide where we will eat, we are of course going to a restaurant that serves sandwiches. :-)
I had to walk nearly an hour (one way) to pick up Grady's visa at the immigration office yesterday. Needless to say, I went to bed early last night. Grady, on the other hand, decided to drink a large cappuccino at 8 o'clock last night. He finally fell asleep at 4 a.m.
Aaahh, it's FRIDAY!

Neighborhood Sites

Earlier today, I had to walk to 'Plaza Terranova' to get a few things at the grocery store. I intentionally walked slower than my usual pace to take in the sites. I passed a man who was mowing the lawn with one of those motorless lawn mowers from the 50s. He was polite and waved. I kept walking down the street that is lined with lime, orange and a few coconut trees. They really are beautiful. A few minutes later, a fire truck drives by. The firemen are not wearing the typical fireman's uniform that I am used to seeing. Even the fire truck was interesting to see. It was big, red and had a loud siren but it must have been at least thirty or forty years old.
On my way back from the plaza, I stop to visit with an elderly man that Grady and I have come to be friends with. He is the maintenance man at the apartment building next to our's. He told me it was his wife's birthday yesterday and they had a big party for her with their family. He asks about Grady and offers some encouragement.
I finally arrive home and open the laptop to blog about my walk to the plaza.

Grady's First Medical School Exam

Well, Grady had his first medical school exam today (cell biology). The exam covered an entire textbook (of which Grady had three weeks to know backwards and forwards). The exam was 80 questions in 80 minutes. I am sure Grady did well. We will get the exam score on Friday. Grady is just happy to have that behind him. He is now studying for his next exam, which is on Monday (biochemistry). ibuena suerte!

the wife of a medical student

So, maybe you're wondering what it's like to be the wife of a medical student.

*The other morning, while on his way out the door to go to class, Grady turns to me and says, "I'm experiencing some (ten syllable word) in my (scientific name for throat). Do you think you could pick up some (ten syllable word)? Translation: I have a sore throat. Can you pick up some throat lozenges today at the pharmacy?

*Grady comes home at 5 p.m. every day, smelling like formaldehyde.

*Grady says the cadavers remind him of beef jerky. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'll get back to you on that.

*One evening while studying, Grady says, "Hey Rachael! Come look at this!" (while pointing at his textbook). I was dumb enough to actually look. Haven't slept since.

*Grady was watching a human dissection video on his laptop. I accidentally walk by and caught a glimpse. Nearly passed out.

*Grady has asked to practice his patient exams on me.

*Grady asks me what the verb "padecer" means in English. I go look it up in our Spanish-English dictionary. It means "to suffer". Why does Grady want to know? I suddenly wonder if this has anything to do with my being volunteered for patient exam practice.

*While cleaning Grady's office, I noticed one of his textbooks opened. Seeking to satisfy my curiousity, I go over and look. BIG MISTAKE. New house rule: "textbooks remain closed when not in use".

*I announced to Grady what was on the menu for dinner one night. He replies, "I need to get my vitamin T for the day". Vitamin T? What's that? I took a nutrition class in college but I had never heard of it. Maybe this is a special vitamin that only doctors know about. Is it a newly discovered vitamin? Does our dinner provide the necessary vitamin T intake? I later find out that the vitamin T being referred to is "Tortillas". Very funny Dr. Kaiser.

Random Facts

So I was just thinking about all the random ways life in Guadalajara is different from life in College Station and decided to compose a list to share with you.
1. There is no such thing as a 'one-way street' in Guadalajara. The more appropriate name is 'anyway you wish to go street'. Although there truly are one-way streets here, they are often ignored (as well as stop signs and other traffic rules).
2. Smoking in restaurants and other public places is allowed. There is an anti-smoking law in College Station so I am not used to seeing people (and here, it's almost everyone) smoking.
3. Many people in Guadalajara mistake me for one of the locals. This can actually be a good thing as I am less likely to be overcharged for a cab ride, etc.
4. People begin working as young as ten or twelve. I am not sure if there is actually a law in Mexico for the age to begin legally working. The boy that sacked my groceries the other day is twelve years old. I told him I was from Texas and that my first job was sacking groceries. I also told him that in Texas, you have to be at least sixteen to begin working. He thought this was very strange (he also thought sixteen was 'really old').
5. The sackers at the grocery store dress very formally - women in long skirts and knee-high socks and the young men in a cardigan and tie (it looks similar to a private school uniform).
6. You cannot drink the water here (not even the locals drink the water).
7. You can't put toilet paper in the toilet.
8. There are security guards everywhere! They carry these huge guns with them and stand for hours outside of jewelry stores, banks, etc. Although they look unapproachable, they are really nice people, just doing their job.
9. You can't wear sunglasses or a hat inside a bank (found this out the hard way). I guess if you walk into a bank without having taken your shades off first, they assume you are wearing a disguise and are there to rob them.
10. Mexican spaghetti is vermicelli with hot dogs and ketchup mixed in. Yuck.
11. When you order a pizza, they give you extra ketchup packets. You also get an order of french fries with your pizza (that's an interesting combination).
12. A general belief of the Mexican people is that people from the U.S. are not very friendly. I am told over and over that northamericans are very serious and unapproachable people.
13. The people in Guadalajara, in general, seem to be very outgoing and friendlly.
14. Many things in Guadalajara are just as, or even more, expensive than in College Station.
15. No one here in Guadalajara is ever on time. If a Mexican says they will meet you at 8 o'clock, you can almost count on it being 8:30. Some of the Mexicans even think our punctuality is even a bit peculiar.
16. All the buildings (offices, houses, etc.) are gated or walled in. It is like this everywhere. If someone comes to visit you, he/she has to 'buzz' you to be granted access in. It's quite secure. Grady and I have to go through two locked doors before getting to the door to our apartment.

That's all I can think of for now. Although life in Guadalajara is, of course, very different than our life in College Station, Grady and I really like it. It is much simpler and more laid back.

We are already three weeks into an eighteen week semester. Grady is studying constantly. He is a sponge - soaking up knowledge from doctors, textbooks, notes and computer tutorials. I have no doubt Grady will do well this semester.
This morning, after worship, we went to a coffee shop and studied for four hours. We took a break to eat and grocery shop. Now we are at home and Grady is back to studying.
No matter how much studying Grady does, I am impressed that he always makes time for us. During the week, Grady and I go running together in the morning before class starts. We are also usually able to eat lunch together. Dinner time is also set aside just for us. On Fridays, we usually just relax and watch a movie. Saturdays, we treat ourselves with lunch or dinner out.
So, three down...fifteen to go!

Never in a million years!

Never in a million years would I have imagined Grady and I crammed into a car full of Puerto Ricans, listening to Spanish rap music (with the Puerto Ricans singing along). BUT, that is exactly where Grady and I found ourselves yesterday evening.
Grady had his first assignment at a clinic (located far from our apartment). I went with Grady this first time to assist with translating or whatever else he may need. He wasn't told anything about the clinic, other than to be there at 4 p.m. We knew there might be other medical students there and were looking forward to meeting them and possibly arranging a carpool situation.
We arrived early. The doctor (Doctor Ramos) at first, did not appear friendly and does not speak English. A few minutes later, the other medical students arrived. They are all from Puerto Rico and do not speak English very well (in fact, the whole four hours we were there, they spoke almost entirely in Spanish). Grady looked nervous. I situated myself in the waiting room and began conversing with the patients. They were all very friendly and thought Grady was THE doctor. One man in the waiting room asked me to tell Grady to pull his tooth for him and asked how much it would cost.
A few minutes later, a Mexican man in a white coat began talking to me. I was reading a book. He asked me why I was reading? He said, "Don't read a book. Come talk to me!" I later found out that this man was Dr. Ramos (I didn't realize it at first because he was telling me dirty jokes and asking me which 'bad words' I knew in Spanish. As a joke, Dr. Ramos approached Grady and said a bad word in front of him (to which Grady looked blankly at him and replied, "Si" - oh no! Poor Grady).
Dr. Ramos told me not to wait in the waiting room and escorted me to be with Grady for the remainder of the evening at the clinic. Dr. Ramos also informed me that Grady should get a "novia mexicana" (mexican girlfriend) on the side so he could learn Spanish.
Dr. Ramos, as it turns out, is a graduate of UAG and a very distinguished doctor in Guadalajara. He has a very laid back personality (in case you haven't realized that already).
Grady saw two patients - a young man with a cold and a young woman who was wanting an abortion (Dr. Ramos does not perform abortions). Grady took the patients' temperatures, blood pressures, etc. I am so proud of him! In between seeing patients, Grady would study with the Puerto Rican medical students. They were very nice and said they would take care of Grady and help him learn Spanish.
It was dark when we left the clinic last night and there didn't appear to be any taxis in sight. One of the Puerto Rican students offered us a ride home and we were glad for that.
Grady will be at this clinic every Wednesday for the next fifteen weeks. I look forward to updating you on his experience there.

Quote I'd like to share

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..."

I love this guy!

This is Grady, my dear sweet husband. I love him so much!

This post is specifically for David and Mary Lou.

Question:How long did it take to meet an Aggie in Mexico?

Answer: one week!

Our neighbor, David, is originally from Columbia but graduated from Texas A&M University. Gig 'em!

tour of aparment on video

Here is a tour of the apartment on video, complete with audio. I really do like our apartment a lot and am so thankful for it.

room with a view!

This is the view from our bedroom window...what a view.

Bedroom

This is the bedroom. There are actually two bedrooms but we are not using the other one.

The Living Room

This is the living room. Our apartment came furnished with everything you see. It is handmade furniture. Nice? yes. Comfortable? no.

and the dryer!

The "washer"

When the owner of the building (a very sweet, elderly Mexican lady) was giving Grady and I a tour of the apartment, I asked her if it came with a washer/dryer. She said, "Oh yes!". This...is the washer.

The Kitchen

This is our kitchen. There is no microwave, blender, dishwasher, etc. However, I much prefer this simpler way of living. A lady from California decorated our kitchen as a gift to us. She even made curtains from a tablecloth! The oven that you see there is a MAJOR safety hazard. You have to turn the knob while lighting it, all while trying not to singe your eyebrows off.

iBienvenidos a mi hogar!

Welcome to my home!

Apartment Building

As you can see, the building is gated and secure. The lady who owns the building only rents to medical students. Grady and I live on the third floor.

The Wives Club

Today I was invited to attend lunch with the Guadalajara Wives Club. The name alone was enough to make me not want to go. But I did go. And I had a great time. Lunch was at Yaritza's home. She has a beautiful boy and a very nice home. It turns out, Yaritza and her son sat in front of Grady and I on the plane from Houston to Guadalajara on July 15th - small world!
There were about ten or so wives in attendance today and about fifty kids... ha. ha. Just kidding. There were a lot of kids though. Myself and one other wife were the only ones without children. We ate lunch and got to know each other.
I am very glad to have this network and look forward to the next meeting.

Grady's grocery shopping story

Grady and I went to the grocery store together this past weekend. Since Grady does not know Spanish very well, he usually just looks at the pictures on the packages and decides if he wants to buy it.
While shopping, Grady sees something he wants and adds it to the cart. I was not paying attention at the time and we continued shopping.
Two days later, I finally understand why we have grape flavored soy milk in our refrigerator. Grady comes out of the kitchen and asks me why his grape juice looks funny. He tries it and says it tastes horrible.
I love to blog. :-)

just another day in guadalajara

This morning I awoke to the sound of rain. Usually when it rains here, the lights go out but this morning was different. That's a good thing too because I was cooking breakfast for Grady and I. We get up around 5:30 a.m. even though Grady doesn't have to be to class until 8 a.m. This gives us time to spend with one another and study the Bible.
Once Grady is out the door, I take the laundry to be washed. We don't have a washer/dryer but there is a lavanderia about two blocks from our apartment. They will wash, dry, and very neatly fold your clothes all for 14 pesos/kilo. They also deliver the clean clothes to your home the same day.
I then take a taxi to Plaza Galerias. The taxi driver's name is Carlos and he is very nice. He tells me about the one time he went to Chicago. We talk about the differences between American and Mexican culture. There are many Mexicans that think Americans are not very friendly. Carlos tells me I am very nice.
I arrive at Plaza Galerias. There are many store here including Sam's Club, Sears and Mega (the Mexican equivalent of a Wal-Mart). I buy a few supplies for Grady and then cross the street to but groceries at Mega.
I tote all the bags to the curb and manage to acquire a taxi. This time the driver is not so friendly. The taxi rounds the corner on two wheels as I cling to the passenger door. Riding in a taxi in Mexico is truly an adventure.
Thankful to arrive home in one piece, I carry all the groceries and supplies to our third floor apartment.
Five minutes later, Grady comes home for lunch. Perfect timing! I enjoy a relaxing lunch with my husband before he goes to Anatomy class.
Later, Grady and I take a bus to the international student affairs office to pick up his visa. Then it's at least a thirty minute walk back to our apartment. The weather is nice (about 80 degrees!) so it is a nice walk. It also gives Grady and I time to visit about our day.
I cook dinner while Grady begins reading.
In the evening I iron clothes and help Grady prepare for class.
Aahh, just another day in Guadalajara.

a ride in a taxi

I know this may sound weird but one of my favorite things to do in Guadalajara is to ride in a taxi. The drivers are very polite and entertaining and the ride itself is comparable to any ride at Six Flags.
Grady and I experienced our first taxi ride from the airport to our hotel. The driver's name was Hector. He was very polite and sociable. I like to talk to the taxi drivers (to improve my Spanish speaking ability and also to be polite). As I began talking to Hector, I realized it was a mistake. We are driving down a busy road and he turns all the way around in his seat to have a conversation with Grady and and I (who are in the back seat).
We also took a taxi ride with Arnold who had a wonderful Arnold Schwarzenneger impression. Although Arnold and I tried to get Grady to do his famous impersonation of Schwarzenneger, we were unsuccessful. Arnold (the taxi driver) did not speak English but he did know these two phrases: "I'll be back" and "Hasta la vista baby" (which he said over and over again to us until we reached our destination).
Our most recent ride in a taxi was with Jose. Jose is around 80 years old. He wouldn't stop bragging to us about his three wives, twenty children and fifteen grandchildren. Oh, and his three girlfriends. Hmmm...

You always hear people say that everything's cheaper in Mexico...not true. While some items are less expensive and others are more expensive than in the U.S., overall, there's not a huge difference.

Things that are more expensive in Mexico than the U.S.:
peanut butter (nearly $4 USD for a small jar)
hair dryer (range from $40 USD to $400 USD)
microwave (the microwave we paid $50 for in the U.S. costs $90 here)

Things that are less expensive in Mexico than the U.S.:
electricity (but then again, it doesn't work when it rains)
books (we got all of Grady's medical school books (used) for $130 USD!)
tortillas (of course)

Hello everyone! Well, Grady had his first day at medical school! So far, it's going great. Since the campus is across the street from our apartment, Grady is able to come home for lunch everyday. It's so nice to have that time with him in the middle of the day.
I've been very busy setting up our apartment, taking care of Grady and orienting myself in the city. Once things settle down, I hope to acquire a work visa and pursue a job at a school or language institute.
Life is very different here but Grady and I are enjoying the new cultural experience. Pictures of our apartment are coming soon!

iGuadalajara!

Grady and I have arrived in Guadalajara. We have been blessed with safe travels, good health and daily provisions. It has been a busy time but we are enjoying every minute of it. We are thankful for this opportunity. This week, Grady attended orientation to medical school. As part of orientation, he took the hippocratic oath and received his white coat. I am so proud of him!