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!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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.
- 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.
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