días 15 y 16!

I didn't get to post last night, because it was late! Here's a synopsis of what happened:

Yesterday morning: I read but was very very bored. Everyone was working and cleaning, but they don't let me help!!

Yesterday 1pm: mexico soccer game came on. it was a really frustrating first hour after a few hand-balls from croatia that weren't called! But then mexico scored three goals in a row, so the silvas were super hyped! Right after the third goal, the electricity in the house cut out and so did the tv signal! it was crazy, but super fun. We were all laughing about how animated the mexico coach is compared especially to the plastic croatian coach. 

Yesterday 4pm: we ate a delicious traditional mexican meal that Macrina cooked for lunch that she wanted me to try. I unfortunately didn't have enough storage on my phone to take any photos, but it was a tostito cracker of about a 2cm radius smeared with beans, to which we added lettuce and meat (chicken in my case) and sprinkled cheese. They also added chilies and sour cream! So good oh my gosh...I hope she knows how much I liked it, because I didn't eat a second one since the soup was also filling. It was a super rich chicken broth with rice! Lunch was nice, and it's fun to be with the whole family. Even though she doesn't speak english, macrina always makes an effort to explain jokes and conversations that I don't understand. 

Yesterday 6pm: zyanya and I left with her parents to go sightseeing at sunset (well we would have gone earlier if it weren't for the heat!!). We went first to Mario's workplace, which I believe is the federal courthouse, but we were just there so he could pick something up. We stopped at a number of government buildings to look around and take pictures. Much like phoenix, most of the buildings here were built within the last 100 or so years, so it's not like we were visiting ancient castles, but it was cool and fun anyway (cool as in neat not as in cold). We also stopped in an old church, and since they are catholic, they gave me a tour and explained the different saints and pointed out ceremonial items. We talk a lot about religion, which is fun and awesome to learn about new religions while teaching others about judaism. Macrina is familiar with a small fine arts college in the federal area, so she showed us around there. Afterward, we grabbed some respados (icies) from the place we always go to get food and snacks (and those bags of tostitos!). There, we ran into christina and her friends. They were all very nice. 

That's it for yesterday! We just hung around with some friends last night, which was fun, because some of them I hadn't met yet, even though it is cool how we've become closer with some of their friends. 

Today, all we have done is eaten breakfast! Instead of a sandwitch today (thank goodness I was feeling so guilty about not eating the meat and couldn't bring myself to complain), Macrina made a traditional mexican dish called nevermind I don't know, but it was made of something nevermind ahh I have no idea it was just a bit spicy and had a mushy texture but delicious flavor. If i had to guess, I would say it was soggy chips with salsa and tortilla and other stuff? She said she only put in 3 chilies, but for mario she adds 10 holy cow. I would probably choke! That would be an easy way to assassinate me! 

After we ate, instead of cleaning up right away, Macrina and Zyany and I chatted about all sorts of things including the program and differences between mexico and the usa. We laughed a lot, and I learned some interesting things. Macrina loves to tell me about Tasco, the town she is from, which is a touristy tropical area near cuernavaca, where Zyanya is from. They wish I could have stayed in Cuerna with them, since there are apparently sooo many things to do! I feel bad that they feel bad because they think I am bored since there isn't much to do here in Hermo. I hope they know what a great time I'm having when we are doing things, even just chatting. I hope someday I can visit them in cuernavaca!! Zyanya will be attending the university there next year, and will stay with her grandma while helping to watch for her younger cousins. I'm very excited for her, and I can't wait to hear about it. The girl I mentioned a bunch of times, Kristina, who ran with us and whose mother I spoke to at prom, is going to Germany (woah almost wrote Alemania) next year to study, which I think is hard for zyanya, knowing she will be away from her friends. But they're great girls and will make friends fast I'm sure! On our way to the park this morning, Macrina said it makes her sad to go that route, because it's the way she would drive zyanya and sarhoma to high school and then walk in the park which is just directly across the street. I definately know that feeling, and I think she will miss Zyanya. Anyway, we spoke about a bunch of other things, and if I remember something interesting, I will then try to remember to mention it. Oh, yeah. Ok so we were talking about Hermosillo's close proximity to the USA and phoenix, and how the us has influenced hermosillo and the difference between hermosillo and the heart of mexico. Macrina explained that Hermosillo is more of a sleepy little city, and that I must go down south to the corazon of mexico to really get a sense of the land and the people of this great country. After Mexico's futbol victory yesterday, we saw hundreds of fanatic citizens storm the central plaza in Mexico City in celebration from the television. I think they wished we could have been there to celebrate, too, and so did I, but we had a fun time, and I could feel the patriotism in hermosillo, too. 

Now it's 1pm! OMG! I am going to do something productive now, and I'll post my pics once I upload them, but I might wait until I get home to avoid inconveniencing sarhoma or zyanya. Hasta luego!

Fotografías de mi teléfono

Park at ures

Sunset on way back from ures!

Graduation ceremony from Mario's phone

Mario is a great photographer when his fingers aren't covering the lense

Pre-prom but we were rushing so Zyanya isn't smiling (don't worry she was happy!)

Lunch yesterday! 

Pear dessert

field trip!! 2/3

The USA lost today. It was awful (like any loss). I was sitting next to zyanya on a bench at a table in front of a flat-screen tv (which must have been the most technologically-advanced piece of equipment within 50 miles, beside Mario's camera) in a tiny but adorable pueblo 49min away from Hermosillo when Portugal tied the game 2-2 in the last minute. First of all, it is tough already being the only American, since it feels like everyone is watching me to see how I react to this and that, and ontop of it, I think other people in the restaraunt were rooting for Portugal. I mean they pretty expect me to be gung-ho about this soccer match my country is playing in when I don't even know all the rules to a game that's totally out of my control! They don't realize we aren't soccer fanatics like mexicans are. I was kind of glad to have only seen the end, because watching sports stresses me out. And, they kept saying that it was fine that we tied, but if we didn't win, we lost...so I guess both teams lost. Pessimistic, but true! 

Here's some background. At 2:45pm, Zyanya's parents, zyanya, family friends, and I left for Urus to grab lunch. The pueblo was adorable, and the drive through the desert looked just like the drive to Tucson (well we are in the same desert right), except there seemed to be a slight difference in the brownness of the bushes from SoAz (if they have SoCal, we can totally have SoAz) that only a phoenician would detect. The drive was a little bumpy at times... note to city officials: if you desperately want to slow down traffic, construct 50 speed bumps in a row each 10 feet apart (it works!!). Plus, it can even make the passengers feel sick!

When we pulled into the little restaraunt, I was glad Macrina had suggested I bring my camera! It was so cute and traditional-looking. We took a few pictures together, and I took some of the restaraunt (but they're on my camera still). I ate a burro with chicken (burrito) which was delishous it also had guacamole and vegetables yay so good! Before my drink came, I tried the salsa, and had to repress my tears as the chilllies stung my throat. We were with two thirteen-year-old girls, and I was already embarassing myself by trying to speak to them in spanish! It was fun, though. Zyanya always asks me for words that are hard to say in english, but it was so hard to think of some! 

After that, we stopped off at a park where a band was playing. There were games and bounce-houses for kids, so we hung out and ate popsicles. It was nice and really fun. I was going to dance with Macrina, but we didn't, which was probably for the better. Then we drove back and watched Clueless, which was cute. Mario asked why we were watching a movie in english since that wasn't exactly giving me a feel of Mexico, but it was pretty realistic since they really do watch movies often with spanish subtitles! 

Later, I read a NYT article on the futbol game that I literally watched and acted like I didn't care about (I need to stop telling myself I don't care) and looved the article itself. It was written by Sam Borden, and I just have to include this cool sentence as a part in remembering my mexico experience (sorry!!). "It was a thunderous strike, the ball whizzing over Dempsey—who wisely ducked—and curling devilishly in a way that even the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo would have to admire. Jones sprinted to the sideline as the ball nestled into the side netting, pounding the U.S. Soccer crest on his jersey as his teammates erupted."  Ahah such great writing! andd he finished the article with this quotation from one of the usa players, "I think we like to do things the hard way. It's the American way." On the other hand, I feel like the point in my opening the times was to read something meaningful about the world, but I guess the Times is always biased one way or another, so when I agree with the bias (toward the US), it is fine to read about sports. If that made sense. But it does seem wrong that I and so many others pass over the news for FIFA. 

Well, that's it for tonight, and this took so long, because I'm working on only pushing the spacebar with my left hand, since I'm accostumed to using my right thumb. I don't know why I enjoy frustrating myself, but I was surprised how it disoriented my other fingers! i feel like I should proofread, which I never do when I'm tired, so I just hope it all makes sense. Anyway, here I go, into the last week! Goodnight from Mexico!  

El Última Semana en Hermosillo! :)

It's past noon, and I woke up at 11 today! No 6am run, I guess, and anyway, the rubbing from the straps on the back of my heels revoked any progress my blisters had made :(. I organized some of my clothes, and now I was working downstairs until Macrina came in to make breakfast. Well, I still am working, because she doesn't want help with breakfast. Each morning, Zyanya will ask, "do you want to break fast," and although I'm we're supposed to correct each other, it was always too early for that, so I would just say yes and go downstairs. Finally, yesterday I told her it's "do you want brek-fist," because I think she sees it as breaking our fast haha. I really hope they are correcting my spanish!!

Sarhoma just came in—i didn't realize I was the first one up! It's hot downstairs, but Zyanya is still upstairs, so I guess the air has to stay on up there. I let Rohn in when I came down, and he was super excited to see me, because it is so hot out there! I like to bother him when I'm bored. 

Macrina said were leaving at 2:30 to eat lunch somewhere 45min away. Well, she said a lot more than that, it was a full conversation, but that's all I understood!! i think it's just our family, since Luisa's mom is working and Pamela's mom didn't respond. I don't know if we're meeting Ana Elena or what, but I guess we'll find out! That seems to be the theme: just grab some clothes that pass for casual and nice, see where you end up, and hope you don't embarass yourself! 

My plans for today were to watch the usa soccer, but apparently our one activity will be overlapping with the game. Darn, I've been waiting all this time for a soccer game I care about (like I've ever really cared about soccer though) and for once we leave the house! Anyway, Mexico plays tomorrow, so I'm sure there will be no leaving the house then. Actually, I think we're meeting the mayor tomorrow, but then again, what do they tell us anyway? 

From afar, I saw the photographer last night whom I had talked to at the Mass. He has been traveling the world for 20 years, going to a different Mass each month, and I suppose he works at other events like prom, too. That's so neat! I guess if he's single and employed, he can go wherever he wants. He asked me how I was so skinny—if I exercised a lot or didn't eat very much. I wasn't expecting that, because according to American standards, I'm not that skinny (which makes sense because I feel like I don't exercise that much and I eat a lot!). But it does seem like the optimal weight here isn't 90pounds with anorexia. 

Two random points: it's so funny, because when we're in the car (or at home sometimes), they play songs in English, and sing to them, that we don't know!! It's so funny to hear them singing it, but I guess it would be weird if we knew every song ever sung in english. Also, when we were driving to prom, we drove through at least three drunk-driver police checkpoints! I had never seen anything like that before, but it was nice to know they're checking.

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We just ate breakfast! It was the usual, but I feel reallly bad, because I didn't eat the chicken, but I just can't...I should probably just ask Macrina to have the sandwitch without it, I'm sure she would like to know :/. During breakfast, we chatted all about the prom and the dresses. Mario jokingly asked me if Americans do that too, but of course I said no, Americans never gossip. Now, Mario, Zyanya, and Sarhoma are watching a show where people fight in a wrestling ring with no rules. It's so barbarian!! I guess some people can enjoy that! 

ONE WEEK LEFT! Ciao! 

FIESTA!

Tonight was the school prom! It was super fun, and I'm so glad we were here to experience it! The actual party is held by the school at an off-campus location—the same place as the ceremony—from 9pm-2am. To be casually late, one would arrive at 9:30. Not the Silvas!! 10:15pm: Zyanya is finishing Sarhoma's makeup upstairs, Mario is getting dressed, and Macrina is preparing sandwitches and food for dinner. Well, we weren't exactly early, but better late than never,  right?! Typical. 

As we all fumbled with our belongings and somehow were secure in the car, I nudged Zyanya to move so I could buckle my seatbelt, jokingly (but honestly) saying "I don't want to die." In response, Sarhoma said, "you don't have to worry about dying with my dad driving." To that, I told her I completely trusted her father, but that I was actually wearing my seatbelt because of the other reckless, drunk (or not) drivers on the road on a Saturday night. She acknowledged my point, but I think that was the first time she had ever considered that the biggest threat came from the uncontrollable variable on the road. And it seems like being in a foreign country has made me impressed with American drivers'-safety awarness education! 

Anywayyy, when we arrived, the scene was a mixture of chaos and glamour. There were parents filtering into the building with bags-full of food and flowers, and there were students in BEAUTIFUL dresses floating around the lawn with their adorable dates, taking photos and greeting friends with hugs, kisses, and laughter. I mingled with Kristina and her date for awhile while Zyanya was in the bathroom, which was fun (hanging out, not going to the bathroom!). Kristina decided only to speak to me in spanish to help (MAKE) me learn, and her boyfriend was super nice even though we couldn't understand each other very well. We met up with some other friends, which was fun, but also awkward when I didn't know what to say to people I would be introduced to. They were generally super sweet and fun, though. But, I did receive a few "what are you doing here" glances with my light skin and short dress. 90% of the girls were wearing long dresses, which were crazy beautiful and classy (I can't even explain!!!), and one would think the model agency organized the event. 

After I sat down with Macrina and ate for awhile, Macrina took Laurel and me to dance with her and mario. It was so much fun!!! I am so lucky to have such a kind and fun host family. We danced there with them for about 10 minutes (it was terribly embarassing I'll be honest we can't dance to their music) before we headed outside to avoid further humiliation ahhh! We ran into haley, pamela, and luisa in the bathroom, and haley, laurel and I hung out for awhile after. They're such great girls, and I'm also so lucky to be in Hermosillo spending these three weeks with such amazing friends. After awhile, we went back to Zyanya's family's table and chatted. I went over to the other side ot the table to meet Kristina's parents, who were also adorable. Her mom, who I was talking to, is German, and we had a really nice conversation before they went back to dance. It reminded me of a huge bm party! 

Laurel, Haley, and I tried to go blend in on the dance floor, but I'm just going to say it didn't work out, and I'm not a super shy person, but we ended up practically running back to the table. OH MY. And yes, they all danced in rows. The music was American at first, but then changed to traditional Mexican tunes, attracting parents from all across the room lol. But the kids danced anyway, which was nice! Kristina's mom said there are some schools that have the proms with the parents, and some without them, it just depends. 

Well, I'm really tired. I guess I could finish this now, but it will probably get progressively more boring as I fall asleep, so buenas días, since it's technically sunday now! I'll post again and put prom pics soon!! after i sleep :)

continued from yesterday! sorry! and today actually...FELICIDADES !

After lunch, we finished the movie and cleaned up. Then, zyanya and I finally decided to make the cake mix. We had a few problems (to be expected with me in the kitchen), but the cake turned out fine...yay! We needed to mix three ingredients total: the mix, water, and butter. The measuring cup she gave me for the water was measured in increments of cups, starting at 1, but the recipe only called for .5 cups. So that's where it started off, with my tilting a huge jug of water over on my knees on the floor into a measuring cup, at which point I was guessing the amount. By the way, none of the families drink tap water, they only buy the huge jugs and use them for drinking and cooking (but it was still full on the floor). Then, when we took out the butter, we realized we were short 1.5 tablespoons and  hadn't yet buttered the pan ooops. Then, after we finally finished, Macrina walked in. Idk if she didn't realize the point of the cakemix is that you don't have to add ingredients or if she likes to get creative, but she began running around the kitchen and handing us stuff to add to the batter. Well, whatever, because it turned out fine!! 

Then, we were late. We're always late. We sit around all day taking our time, and the next thing I know, were making a cake and the Mass for graduation starts in 20 minutes lol. I don't care about being late here, since I don't know anyone, but it is stressful to walk into events that have already started and not be able to find Laurel and Haley ahh! It was a nice ceremony, though. I understood about 40% of it when I was listening, which was about 5% of the time. So, in other words, it seemed like a nice ceremony, because I don't really know what was happening. I just caught key words out of those two hours like 'family, parents, thank you, jesus, graduation, opportunities, god, lucky, school' you name the rest. Poor laurel and haley seemed so bored...Haley gave me a mint that she was stashing from Laurel's purse, and every time I looked over, one of them was opening a new mint. They were good mints, at least, maybe I'll eat an altoid now. 

ANYWAY, it was totally dejavu (spelling whatever) because I was wearing the same dress that I came here in and Zyanya was wearing her school uniform that she wore on the first day, and we went to the same ice cream shop (the patio) after the Mass! Laurel, on the other hand, was underdressed, because Pamela sometimes decides to with hold important information...like the fact that we were going to a nice service (jk love you, laurel;)).  On our way to The Patio, Macrina picked up Kristina, the one who runs with us, and we all went together. I had two scoops of vanilla ice cream, which was delishous, especially since we didn't eat dinner yesterday (it's so random and confusing!). The title of the last post refers to the fact that we made that cake and never tried it :/. all I know is that whenever I bake at home, half the batter is gone before it enters the oven (that includes fending charlotte off), and the other half is gone within the 5 minutes after it comes out. It's fine, though, because I'm sure we'll get to try some. Actually they offered it to me for breakfast, but I had already eaten the regular fruit/yogurt/sandwitch (which I don't like but I can't bring myself to tell her I'm don't like the sandwitch with the weird cream because I feel bad!), so I wasn't hungry. 

This morning was the graduation ceremony. We were late, of course. Pamela called to ask where we were sitting, and we were still in the house! Everyone was freaking out, but after a rollercoaster car ride, we landed safely at the graduation (which was well underway) and found seats. It was a really nice tradition that the parents sit on either side of their senior, and the other relatives sit apart. When the student is called up for the diploma or for an award, the parents go with, only they wait off-stage for their child to shake hands with all the administrators. I found the ceremony to be wwayyyy too long, but it was very nice, and I'm sure it would have been nicer had I understood more. Well, that's not quite true, ceremonies are boring even in English...especially in english. Sarhoma immediately took out her cellphone to text, and laurel and haley were playing a stupid game for awhile. Most people seemed pretty bored, but it was truly nice, and the speeches were great. 

Then, we took more pictures and split off from the others to head to lunch. THIS WAS THE MOST AMAZING FOOD I HAVE HAD IN MEXICO! We pulled up, tired, hot and hungry, to a tiny vegetarian restaraunt and were luckily able to get a table. They served us juice, which they always call water, which was more like a fruit smoothie it was so delicious. I finished mine as to not waste it, but they kept refilling it, so finally I gave up. First, we had a salad. Mexican food that looks boring is authentic, and mexican food that looks authentic is outstanding! The salad seemed boring and drab, but I ate it all right away, without seeming famished (well, that's what I thought but I probably did look famished). We were then given pea and barley soup WHICH WAS SO AMAZING!!! And I didn't have to worry about it having meat, because it was a vegetarian restaraunt YES . That's when I was full. But, next came a veggieburger which had lettuce, sprouts, and sauce. Ok, here's the thing. In america, people are obsessed with sauce..they drown everything in sauce until it is disgusting (in my opinion, sorry dad). Here, on the other hand, they smear on not mayo. not mustard, no. But a flavorful mixture of ingredients that just call out 'healthy' and 'delicious' as it's being chewed. Also, they brought sides of hummus which was super-delish. I really appreciated that food. I was so full at that point, that it was crazy, but we're probably not eating dinner, so it was either be sick of food or of hunger. They brought a small dessert (by the way, there are only like two options for each course) that I didn't really like, but the other one looked better. It was a pear slice in pear juice, and the other one that looked better was a rice mix, but I wasn't hungry so it didn't really matter anyway. Well, enough about food. 

We went back to the Silva home, and everyone took a nap. Sarhoma helped me upload my photos, and zyanya slept a lot. I didn't really sleep, but it was a relaxing afternoon, anyway. Zyanya and Macrina just left for zyanya's hair and makeup appt. Wait, nevermind, she just walked in with her hair curled, so the stylist must have come here.  I should go down, because the air is off, and it's getting hot!! ughhh summer. Zyanya's neighbor (omg i think I forgot to mention that hmm) made her a necklace for prom (well she bought it) which zyanya is now doubting to wear. I honestly agree with Z and think it's too big and bulky, but I bet she wears it, which will be pretty, either way. 

I'm so excited for prom! the whole family is going, and I can't wait to see how it will be. I better get ready, byeee :)

hicimos un pastel y no lo comimos

It is almost exactly 12 hours since my last update woahh! I'm super exhausted right now. It was a long afternoon, and we're sitting in Zyanya's room with Pamela and Zyanya on Zyanya's bed and Laurel and I on my bed. I just finished curling random pieces of hair out of boredom, and laurel watched me, falling asleep intermittently. We're quite the energetic bunch!!!

After the last blog post, I gathered all my things and peeked into Sarhoma's room to tell Sarhoma and Z that I was going downstairs, but Zyanya reminded me that the AC was off, so I turned back around and sat back down on the bed. Majorly exciting moment. Then, after Zyanya mopped the house, her mom came home to cook lunch. We watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (which has always displeased me but they love it) and we helped set the table. Macrina made a delicious meal, and I can't believe I forgot to photograph it...darn. It consisted of mac-n-cheese, salad, and a beef cake (i don't know what to call it). The mac-n-cheese, which I had to eat first to keep kosher, was an extremely flavorful light/whitish cream-covered pasta. I can't even explain the flavor, it was so good and something I had never tasted before. The beef was also good, and even though I wan't hungry, I was pretty much obligated to eat it, so I did... it was great, don't get me wrong! 

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That was last night, but I accidentally (well, it wasn't really an accident) fell asleep in the middle of it, so I will pick up where I left off, but I'm going to post this and continue on another one. :)