PIRATES!!!!! Aargh!!!

from November 12, 2010
in the morning, I wrote ~ Tonight is the school’s pirate-themed Fun Fall Festival.  It is the school's main fund raiser.  Somehow today I need to figure out how to transform myself into a homemade pirate with no Super Walmart, no fabric store, etc…but, only with the contents of my humble apartment.
THIS is what I came up with ~ using only a pillow case, a headlamp, a cardboard box & duct tape! 

before bed, I wrote ~ I took almost 400 pictures this evening at the Fun Fall Festival! Everybody involved did such a great job preparing for it & running it! It was SO much fun!

Here is a handful of the pictures I took,

to give you a hint of what today was like.

Getting TO Church = DIFFICULT!!!

I’ve had troubles getting to church many times here in Oaxaca!  I have tried both mototaxis & taxis, but I've gotten lost SO many times!  It shouldn't be this hard just to get to church!   

Here is an example from November 7th, when I got totally & completely lost!

First, I spent 45 minutes apparently walking in the wrong direction, looking for a mototaxi…eventually, I gave up & got in a taxi. Before I got in, I gave the driver the names of the cross streets I needed & asked if he knew where the street was. he said he did, but it turns out he didn’t. We got to the neighborhood & drove all around with him pulling over & asking a dozen different people where this street was. Finally, I recognized where I was & pointed to the correct street. At least I DID eventually get there, but I only caught the last 10 minutes of the service.

I was told by a missionary, who has lived here for about 20 years, that “Mexicans will tell you what you want to hear & not consider it lying. It is a different culture here.”


I don’t get that, seriously… I responded by saying, “Americans do that too, people here & there might be accepting of it, but it is still the opposite of telling the truth.”

The taxi drivers & mototaxi drivers have gotten lost SO many times now (AFTER telling me that they knew where the address was), that I’ve stopped asking them if they know where an address is. 

Please, continue praying for my safety...as I'm traveling alone, with these male drivers...& getting lost too often...& having no idea where I am... 

Regulating Temperatures ~ The Old Fashioned Way...

from November 6, 2010

Last night, I actually got cold for the first time in Oaxaca!
I knew it was bound to happen, as "winter" was coming...my students, who have acclimated to the weather here, have been wearing jackets for a couple weeks now.  They were SHOCKED to see me come in with a sweater today! 

So far, my only experiences here have been with HEAT!  When I was here for 7 weeks, last Spring, it was during the hottest time of the year.  It was in the high 80s to low 90s every day & didn't get much cooler at night...at least it didn't seem like it cooled down much!  Keep in mind, the only air conditioning here is INSIDE the newer CARS!  There's none in the houses.  Although the house I was staying in had a ceiling fan in my bedroom, I'd lay in bed nearly every night, sweating.  There was just no way to cool off.

Well, it's a similar issue when it's colder in Oaxaca. 
YES, it does get cool in Oaxaca, Mexico! 

Usually, I keep the windows open all night long to bring in the “cooler” breezes (making the temperature in my bedroom go down to between 75 – 84 at night). Then, as soon as I wake up, I close all the windows to try to keep the cooler air IN.

Well, last night was the 1st time that I closed the windows just before bed.

Now, at 9am, even with the windows closed all night, it is only 60 degrees inside! 

That might not seem "cold" ~ but, keep in mind that just like there's no air conditioning here, there's also no heat here.  So, the only ways to warm up are to layer your clothing, drink hot drinks, or use the oven & then leave the oven door open! 

Personally, I'm excited about the cooler temperatures coming!  Bring it on!!!!  :)

A Oaxacan Wedding Celebration

More Sights From Downtown, During Day of the Dead ~ Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos ~ Day of the Dead

from October 30, 2010

Today, I got on the bus, by myself, in my neighborhood, for the first time, to go downtown to explore the sights and sounds of the cultural experience Day of the Dead. 

Because I wanted to know more about this cultural festival, I talked with several Mexicans, a few missionaries, & did my own research online on like 10 different sites.

According to my research from the past few days, it’s a celebration of the lives of loved ones passed on. A site that had a really detailed explanation was www.dia-de-los-muertos.com
I met up with 2 of my friends downtown in the zocalo (town square) where there was a sand art displayed. 

Then, we went out to lunch.

Then, we walked to the San Miguel Cemetary to see the beginnings of the decorating of tombstones.

Wildflowers in Oaxaca...

from October 27, 2010

Just this week I've noticed these beautiful wildflowers are blooming on the sides of roads. 

 When I noticed them for the first time Friday in Mitla & then again Sunday, I wanted to take a picture, but we were driving past too fast...Then, I noticed on the way to/from school Mon & Tues that there are some on that road too.  So, I thought I'd walk out of school during one of my free periods & take a few pics.  Who was I kiddin?  Anyone who knows me knows that I work straight through every single break I have!  SO ~ today was an especially long, tiring day...when my Wednesday ride picked me up & we were walking to the car in the parking lot, he asked me how my day was.  I replied, "It was ok, but it was long & I'm tired."  I didn't feel like smiling, I didn't feel like chatting...  So, we get in the car & are driving down the first road & the wildflowers caught my eye again.  I said to him, "Those flowers are so pretty."  He smiled & said, "Yes, yes they are."  I added, "I wish I could pick them!"  He said, "Do you want to?"  Before I knew what was happening, he was reversing & parking the car!  We both got out of the car & picked a handful!  He gave his to his 5-year old daughter.  I gave her one of mine & then held them the entire 25 minute ride home, with a huge smile on my face!  It literally made my day ~ maybe even my week?  Suddenly, I was in a better mood & we chatted & laughed the whole way home.  I just couldn't believe it when he suggested actually picking some, & I was even more surprised that he picked some too.  They are just so pretty!  :)

A Quote & A Prayer...

from October 25, 2010
“Wherever you are, be all there. Live life to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
(a quote of “modern martyr,” Jim Elliot, 1927-1956, not a long life, but a FULL one!)


Dear Lord,
May my only ambition always be to fulfill Your will for my life, Lord. Let my desires & my dreams, my hopes & my plans, be planted & approved by You.
Your Daughter,
Jenn