Dear Blog,
I am watching one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time--Elf (a.k.a. El Duende, in Spanish). I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to watch it this holiday season, since I couldn't find it anywhere and hadn't seen it on t.v. Alas, I just happened to be flipping through the t.v. guide and saw "El Duende," but I didn't know it was "Elf" until I read the synopsis! I'm so happy.
On Friday, my Christmas vacation officially began. After work, Juan and I finished some last minute things before our Christmas party. He invited his staff over on Friday night, and we had a good time. Somehow, we ended up playing the Matchbox 20 c.d., which (as some may recall) is not my favorite. I was reminded of how Gretchen lost her c.d. and it ended up that my sister had it--I think. Anyway, I thought that c.d. was out of my life, but it has resurfaced.
Yesterday, Juan and I watched season 4 of Lost. We haven't finished it yet, but we spent most of the day watching it. I love vacation.
Tonight, we are going to go to the Zocalo. We are going to go to mass, see the ice skating rink, and eat some dinner. I also have to do a little last minute shopping. It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Merry Christmas,
Jenny en la ciudad
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dear Blog,
Today was the last day for the kids! Only three more days, and my Christmas break begins--I can't wait! Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday we have conferences with the parents, which shouldn't be too bad.
Let me see...What else has happened since I last wrote you? On Saturday, Juan and I went out with some of his co-workers from D.C. We ate at a restaurant called Villa Maria, which serves typical Mexican food. I ordered a margarita, and it was the biggest thing I've ever seen, so Juan and I shared it. On Sunday, I went Christmas shopping, but I didn't really get much. Yesterday, the electrician came and fixed our stove. For the first time in Mexico, I have a working stove!
Guess what else? Juan's co-workers brought us season four of Lost, so we are going to begin a Lost marathon on Saturday, when my official break starts! I can't wait...there are so many unanswered questions.
Well, I am gonna smell my nativity scene now. Ahh, that smell always takes me back...
Love,
Jenny en la ciudad
Today was the last day for the kids! Only three more days, and my Christmas break begins--I can't wait! Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday we have conferences with the parents, which shouldn't be too bad.
Let me see...What else has happened since I last wrote you? On Saturday, Juan and I went out with some of his co-workers from D.C. We ate at a restaurant called Villa Maria, which serves typical Mexican food. I ordered a margarita, and it was the biggest thing I've ever seen, so Juan and I shared it. On Sunday, I went Christmas shopping, but I didn't really get much. Yesterday, the electrician came and fixed our stove. For the first time in Mexico, I have a working stove!
Guess what else? Juan's co-workers brought us season four of Lost, so we are going to begin a Lost marathon on Saturday, when my official break starts! I can't wait...there are so many unanswered questions.
Well, I am gonna smell my nativity scene now. Ahh, that smell always takes me back...
Love,
Jenny en la ciudad
Friday, December 12, 2008
My Christmas Posada
Dear Blog,
I have had a busy week this week. I had to write 32 student evaluations, and I had to translate some into English. So I came home every night and wrote evaluations and more evaluations. Yesterday, I stayed late at work and helped set-up for our big Christmas fiesta. I have to say that some of the decorations I put up were tack.
This morning at my school, we had a traditional Mexican Posada, which is a celebration they have here around Christmas. The purpose of a Posada is to knock on people's doors and ask for a place for baby Jesus to be born, just like Mary and Joseph did. Now, people don't actually knock on doors (except in small towns); instead, everyone sings a song and lights candles. The children also performed for their parents by dancing to some Christmas songs. At the end, the children broke a big piñata, and then everyone ate a lot of food. I had a good time.
I also have exciting news--I put up my nativity scene! Juan and I bought a shelf and it is set up right in the middle, sitting on a red placemat. It smells as good as ever, and Gretchen might be disappointed to know that the baby Jesus and the Wise Men are already in place--HA!
Juan and I are going to have some Christmas parties next week, so we are just going to get things ready at our apartment this weekend. I'll write you soon!
LYLAS,
Jenny en la ciudad
I have had a busy week this week. I had to write 32 student evaluations, and I had to translate some into English. So I came home every night and wrote evaluations and more evaluations. Yesterday, I stayed late at work and helped set-up for our big Christmas fiesta. I have to say that some of the decorations I put up were tack.
This morning at my school, we had a traditional Mexican Posada, which is a celebration they have here around Christmas. The purpose of a Posada is to knock on people's doors and ask for a place for baby Jesus to be born, just like Mary and Joseph did. Now, people don't actually knock on doors (except in small towns); instead, everyone sings a song and lights candles. The children also performed for their parents by dancing to some Christmas songs. At the end, the children broke a big piñata, and then everyone ate a lot of food. I had a good time.
I also have exciting news--I put up my nativity scene! Juan and I bought a shelf and it is set up right in the middle, sitting on a red placemat. It smells as good as ever, and Gretchen might be disappointed to know that the baby Jesus and the Wise Men are already in place--HA!
Juan and I are going to have some Christmas parties next week, so we are just going to get things ready at our apartment this weekend. I'll write you soon!
LYLAS,
Jenny en la ciudad
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Christmas tree--the sequel
Dear Blog,
I have had a good weekend. On Friday, Juanty and I just hung out in our casa. On Saturday, we went with some friends, Eduardo and Sandra, to get our second Christmas tree of the season. That's right, our first tree took a turn for the worse. To be honest, I don't think we got a healthy tree the first time. I didn't notice until we got it home, but it was a dud. It didn't drink any water the first few days, a sure sign that it was on the downward spiral.
Anyway, on Saturday, we drove out of the city to get a new tree. It was so nice to leave the city and get away from all the pollution. We took Monty with us, and he didn't even throw up in the car! Once we got close to the Christmas tree farm, we stopped for a bite to eat. Apparently, it is a tradition to get the tree and eat some rabbit, so we ate some rabbit al pastor (marinated in a chili sauce). I have to say that I had visions of Noel (my deceased pet rabbit) hopping through my head as I ate. I would also like to note that rabbit--wait for it--tastes like chicken. Big surprise, right? I have decided that if it tastes like chicken, you should just eat chicken.
After we ate, we drove about thirty minutes up the mountain to get our tree. Once we got there, however, the farm was closing because it was getting dark. So, we went to the little shop, which was a lot like the Farmer's Market in Asheville. We got a big reindeer made of branches. After we left the store, we picked up an already-cut tree by the side of the road.
When we got home, we redecorated our tree. I had to move all of Juan's ornaments because he doesn't space them properly. Juan made some eggnog and we listened to Christmas songs. Little Monty tried to eat the tree and the reindeer. It is the most wonderful time of the year!
Much love,
Jenny en la ciudad
I have had a good weekend. On Friday, Juanty and I just hung out in our casa. On Saturday, we went with some friends, Eduardo and Sandra, to get our second Christmas tree of the season. That's right, our first tree took a turn for the worse. To be honest, I don't think we got a healthy tree the first time. I didn't notice until we got it home, but it was a dud. It didn't drink any water the first few days, a sure sign that it was on the downward spiral.
Anyway, on Saturday, we drove out of the city to get a new tree. It was so nice to leave the city and get away from all the pollution. We took Monty with us, and he didn't even throw up in the car! Once we got close to the Christmas tree farm, we stopped for a bite to eat. Apparently, it is a tradition to get the tree and eat some rabbit, so we ate some rabbit al pastor (marinated in a chili sauce). I have to say that I had visions of Noel (my deceased pet rabbit) hopping through my head as I ate. I would also like to note that rabbit--wait for it--tastes like chicken. Big surprise, right? I have decided that if it tastes like chicken, you should just eat chicken.
After we ate, we drove about thirty minutes up the mountain to get our tree. Once we got there, however, the farm was closing because it was getting dark. So, we went to the little shop, which was a lot like the Farmer's Market in Asheville. We got a big reindeer made of branches. After we left the store, we picked up an already-cut tree by the side of the road.
When we got home, we redecorated our tree. I had to move all of Juan's ornaments because he doesn't space them properly. Juan made some eggnog and we listened to Christmas songs. Little Monty tried to eat the tree and the reindeer. It is the most wonderful time of the year!
Much love,
Jenny en la ciudad
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Dear Blog,
I had a good week last week. I didn't do too much, just went to work and hung out with Monty, really. Juan was in Oaxaca for most of the week, so Monty and I went on long walks in the afternoon. I was bummed about missing Thanksgiving, but there aren't any Pilgrims in Mexico. I told the story of Thanksgiving to my kids, so I celebrated in my own way. Next year, I think I will dress up as a Pilgrim and act the story out, Chris Mathews-style.
Over the weekend, we got a coffee table and a rug for our living room. Our apartment is actually starting to look furnished. We didn't really do anything else over the weekend. Next weekend, however, I think we are going to go ice-skating. That's right. There is an ice-skating rink in the Zocalo, and it is made of real ice. Every day is in the seventies, and there is still fake snow and an ice-skating rink. Only in Mexico. I'll let you know how it pans out.
I am going to give Monty a bath, so he is nice and clean before bed. I'll write to you soon.
Love,
Jenny en la ciudad
I had a good week last week. I didn't do too much, just went to work and hung out with Monty, really. Juan was in Oaxaca for most of the week, so Monty and I went on long walks in the afternoon. I was bummed about missing Thanksgiving, but there aren't any Pilgrims in Mexico. I told the story of Thanksgiving to my kids, so I celebrated in my own way. Next year, I think I will dress up as a Pilgrim and act the story out, Chris Mathews-style.
Over the weekend, we got a coffee table and a rug for our living room. Our apartment is actually starting to look furnished. We didn't really do anything else over the weekend. Next weekend, however, I think we are going to go ice-skating. That's right. There is an ice-skating rink in the Zocalo, and it is made of real ice. Every day is in the seventies, and there is still fake snow and an ice-skating rink. Only in Mexico. I'll let you know how it pans out.
I am going to give Monty a bath, so he is nice and clean before bed. I'll write to you soon.
Love,
Jenny en la ciudad
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