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.