The Yucatan!

Here are some highlights from my trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.  

Thursday Feb 25:

Flew into Cancun, rented a car and drove down to Playa del Carmen.  We spent the evening exploring the endless souvenir shops and ate at a delicious restaurant which had the BEST salsa that I have ever eaten in my life.  I made sure to inform the guy who seated us that I whole heartedly approved.  I would buy an airline ticket all over again just to go eat that salsa.  I also bought a virgin miami beach - a piña colada and strawberry daquiri mixed.  The restaurant had a live band and salsa dancing soon ensued.  
Our evening ended with a lovely night time walk down the beach. 

Friday Feb 26:

We took a ferry over to Cozumel first thing in the morning.  The boat rocked a lot on the waves and I got sick.  I threw up in a bag.  Awesome. Below is me 5 or 10 minutes before I lost it. 
I hated that ferry with a passion by the time we docked but I had to get directly onto another boat that took us out to the reef where we would be snorkeling at.  I forgot how much I L-O-V-E snorkeling!  While snorkeling I saw a large school of fish about 30 feet below me, came within 7 feet of a baracuda, saw some ridiculously large angel fish, and practiced equalizing the pressure in my ears so I could dive down a bit.  I have never been able to hold my breath very long under water, but it's amazing how easy it is to forget about your desire to breathe when there is abundant sea life to distract you!  I managed to dive down 15 feet.  It'd be awesome to dive down the 30 like my tour guide did. 

After snorkeling, I went shopping.  I walked into a man's store and within 5 seconds of seeing me, he said in Spanish, "Ya'll are Mormon aren't you?"  I was shocked.  I asked how he knew.  He said there was something different about us, we walk differently, we talk differently, there's just something different and it's hard to explain.  That was a cool experience.  He was very helpful in explaining the symoblism on the Mayan masks I was looking at.  I found one I liked and bargained him down from $35 to $25.  But, I hadn't shopped around at all and told him I wanted to look a bit before buying it.  I went into the next store, with the sole intention of figuring out if $25 was a good deal or not. I found a mask similar in size and workmanship and inquired the price.  The sales guy sized me up and said $140.  Confused, I asked him if that was American Dollars or Pesos. American.  I laughed.  I don't even know if I said anything in response, I only remember turning around laughing out loud, genuinely amused, and walked away as he called after me, "Wait!  Señorita, how much do you want to pay?" I went directly back to the first guy and told him I'd give him the extra dollar (he very begrudgingly went down to 25 from 26), because I like his customer service.  Still laughing that the guy tried to get me for $140 I went on my merry way with a beautiful mask to hang on my wall.

Becky flew in and met us at our hotel that evening.  It was a joyous reunion after a 4 month absence.  We celebrated by going out to dinner and sharing a seafood platter of fish, squid, shrimp, and octopus.  It was delicious!

Saturday Feb 27

We drove out to Tulum and marveled at seeing Mayan ruins for the first time.  There is a temple right along the cliffs of the Caribbean and it was incredible.  The water is turqouise and took my breath away.  After thouroughly exploring the ruins, we spent the afternoon lying on the beach and swimming in the warm, crystal clear waters. 

Eventually we booked it on over to Coba to see more ruins, but got there at the exact minute that they stopped letting people enter for the day.  Instead we stopped by the lake that my guidebook advised us not to picnic at because of its large crocodile population.  We spotted a croc and snapped a few pictures before heading off to Valladolid. Along the way we stopped by a cenote along the road.  Cenotes are humongo sink holes that are found throughout the peninsula.  Anciently, many were used to make human sacrifices to various gods.  The cenotes we visited are rather impressive.

Sunday Feb 28

After exploring the colorful colonial town, we headed off to church.  We asked people along the way where the Mormon chapel is located and they consistently pointed us in the same direction.  When we finally came to a street corner in a shady neighborhood, all that was there was the Jehovah's Witnesses church.  4 people in a row were under the impression that Jehovah Wintesses and Mormons are the same thing.  I found it extremely amusing and then proceeded to hail a taxi to take us directly to church, since we were now going to be late.  He drove us across town and took us to the correct building.  The picture on the left shows our feelings upon arriving and finding the gates locked and grounds empty.  After standing around a bit, confused as to what to do and wondering why nobody was at church, a man came up and told us they were all away at conference.  Of course.  Stake Conference, which is in a city hours away.  There was nothing to be done about church and so we went on our way to Chichen Itza and sang hymns in the car to make up for our missed church attendance. 

Chichen Itza was INCREDIBLE. Huge pyramids, observatory, cenote, ball court (think Road to Eldorado) and mayan souvenir venders galore.  Here are some pictures of the highlights: 

Monday March 1

Everyone but Becky and I flew home.  We relocated to The Westin and marveled at our ocean view room with plush white beds.  We spent the afternoon at the beach, experiencing Cancun for the first time.  Cancun beaches get an A++.

All in all, despite getting conned by the Mexican government, I very much enjoyed my trip!  I was most excited about seeing Mayan ruins for the first time but was also blown away by the Caribbean Sea.  Yucatan Vacation = Success.

Conned by the Mexican Government

I will happily tell of my Mexican vacation after this post.  But first, I will tell of the nightmare of a time I had getting home.  

Becky and I stayed at the southern tip of the Hotel Zone in Cancun on our last night at The Westin - a 4 star resort.  We had an ocean view room, feather pillows, and an inredibly white and soft bed. Understandably, it was hard to tear myself away from lying and listening to the crashing waves below and get ready to catch my flight.  I had planned on taking the bus to the airport since that is typically the cheapest option.  Unfortunately, all of the buses turn around right outside our hotel and head back up north along the hotel zone.  The airport however, is located 10 km west of the Westin.  Both a city bus driver and hotel employees had informed me that buses do not run to the airport, but I refused to believe it.  Turns out, I could in fact take the bus but it would involve taking the bus about 15 km north, then about 5 km west, and then about 20 km south again, basically making an incomplete 3-sided skinny rectangle on the map.  This would take, at best, 2 hours.  I did not have that sort of time and was therefore obligated to pay the set rate of 270 pesos for a 10 km ride to the airport - or about 6 miles for $22 USD.  Annoyed, I walked outside and got in a taxi, already grumpy from skipping breakfast because I refused to pay $7 for a bowl of cereal at the resort. 

I arrived at the airport and was pleased to find a relatively short line at the check-in counter. I then proceded to wait for almost an hour as they consistently helped the other 2 lines of "preferred passengers" instead of the ever-growing long line of apparently un-preferred passengers. When I checked in they asked me if I had my immigration form from when I arrived in Mexico.  I did not.  They sent me to the immigration office.  I entered the room, closed the door, and told the man at the desk that I did not have my immigration form and asked what I need to do about that.  He asked if I was sure about that because there would be a fine of 525 pesos to give me a new one.  My mind flashed back to a couple of days before when I had thrown away a bunch of paper that tends to accumulate when you travel - boarding passes, brochures, maps, etc. and I recalled very clearly looking at that immigration paper, checking to make sure my social and/or passport number wasn't on it, and seeing that it was only my name and b-day I tore it in 3 pieces and dumped it in the trashcan.  I told the man I was positive that I did not have that form. Not wanting to pay $43 USD to leave Mexico, I told him it was just a piece of paper and asked if there was anything I could do.  He said no, and told me that they would either ask for that form there in Cancun or in Mexico City before I boarded my connection to San Antonio.  He then kindly directed me to an ATM outside the door.  Unhappily, I stomped over to the ATM (okay, maybe I was only stomping in my heart, I probably just walked dejectedly) and withdrew the money.  I paid the guy 525 pesos in cash, took the newly signed form and went on my grumpy and hungry way through security wanting to cry about the cash I'd just forked over first to the taxi and now to an immigration official for a form that nobody told me I needed to keep. 

My luck wasn't all bad though.  On the flight from Cancun to Mexico City, someone had either a bottle of beer that shattered or a can that exploded in the overhead compartment above me.  I was awakened from my slumber as a result of a commotion directly in front of me.  It smelled like beer and I noticed that the guy in front of me had something spilled all over his face and clothes.  The exploded beer from above had leaked out onto the passenger in front of me and missed me and my stuff by about 6 inches.  I felt bad for the guy that was now sticky and smelling of beer but sent up a silent thank-you that it wasn't me. 

In Mexico City I was hungry and had 100 pesos left.  I wanted food and had about 15 minutes to find some before I boarded my next flight. However, all I could find was perfume, watches, and tequila.  As my stomach became increasingly angry at me for not paying the $7 and eating cereal this morning, I finally found a lone food venue.  I examined the menu, calculating how to get the most bang for my buck.  I finally decided that I would get the most food by buying a hot dog and french fries.  I ate them happily, using my ketchup sparingly as they were very stingy with handing it out and then boarded my flight to San Antonio. 

I landed in San Antonio, went through customs and was picked up by my mother.  Not one person had asked me for that immigration form.  And to add to my irritation, upon examination, the back of the form states clearly, "this document and its issuance are free".  Looks like I was tricked into contributing $43 to Mexico's fiscal budget for 2010.  Or maybe the immigration guy pocketed the cash.  Who really knows. 

The Vacation Gods Love Me

Here's why:

1) Becky bought her ticket a bit after I did.  Since she's flying out of SLC, it worked better for her to get to Cancun a day after the San Antonio group, and leave a day later as well.  I was a bit bummed, and wished there was a way to stay the extra day to have more time to visit with her since we live 1,500 miles apart and all.  Well, the other day I received an e-mail saying my flight had been changed.  After speaking with a very helpful Indian customer service guy, he informed me that my connection in Mexico City on my return flight had been moved up and I would need to be on the flight from Cancun to Mexico City at 11:20 AM instead of the original 1:45 PM.  He asked me if this was okay with me.  I very politely told him that I actually was not very happy about it, that I had scheduled my flight in the afternoon for a reason, because I wanted to be able to spend the morning in Cancun, and that I was not pleased at my vacation being cut 2 1/2 hours short.  (Hey, I really wasn't pleased.  And I saw an opportunity to get a better deal out of the situation). As he attempted to think of a solution that would make me happy, I asked him if there was any way I could just leave a day later, so as to not cut my vacation short.  He spoke with the airline, and promptly returned my call.  "Yes ma'am, that is not a problem at all".  Now I get to crash in Becky's already reserved 4 star resort and we have an extra day to spend at the beach.  Thank-you vacation gods. 

2) I have only been working at my current position for about 3 1/2 months.  Therefore, I have only accrued about 3 days of paid time off  (this of course played a large role in my decision to schedule my vacation so that I would only miss 3 days of work).  I get paid while on vacation and at that time my PTO will be up to a little over 32 hours, or 4 work days... exactly what I need to cover my extra day at the beach with Becky.  Thank-you vacation gods. 

3)  I have been fretting about the ever increasing costs of checking luggage.  I was originally planning on just taking a carry-on sized suitcase and a backpack.  It's only 5 days at the beach, no need to haul my entire closet to Mexico.  But then I began to think of the complications.  I need to bring sunscreen, aloe (because we are sure to get burnt), bug repellant, and 4 days at the beach makes a razor absolutely necessary.  I could go out and buy lots of empty 2 oz. bottles and carefully funnel my liquids and gels, but there wasn't much I could do about bug repellant or a razor.  And I certainly didn't want to spend my vacation time scouring Mexican grocery stores for silly toiletry items.  As I resolved myself to the fact that we would all just have to split the cost of checking one bag and throw all of our deadly-airplane explosive-sunscreen bottles into one bag, I logged on to Mexican airlines to see how much they were going to charge.  Upon investigation I discovered that economy class passengers are allowed one FREE checked bag.  What?  Really?  What is this, the stone age? Moral of the story: Mexican airlines can have my business anytime they want. AND... the vacation gods STILL love me.

3 White Girls with Hip Hop moves

So one of my new year's goals was to make time for exercise again.  I know, I'm one of about a billion people who made that resolution.  But I'm serious.  It was really bothering me and I was becoming unhappy because I need physical activity to keep my life in balance.  Thankfully, soon thereafter, my entire work place decided to pursue a similar goal.  We suddenly have a "Biggest Loser" contest going (which I am not a part of), and a running group, which plans on running the Komen Race for the Cure this year.  We are working out M-Th right after work at the 1/2 mile track near our office.  This has been great because I feel safer running at night with a group, and it's directly after work so I don't have the temptation of getting home and not going back out.  Well anyway, since it's been rainy and cold this week we have resorted to workout videos in the GED classroom after work.  The only workout videos I've ever used are for pilates and yoga, which suits me because any sort of aerobics type activity that involves moving to a rhythm is far too complicated for me. 

This is why hip hop abs was so fantastic.  I hope you can tell from the cover how great it really was.  Cheesy hairdos, cheesy ryhmes, and cheesy smiles.  My favorite part was when our IT guy, John,  joined us for the workout.  In his work clothes. 
The whole time I couldn't stop thinking of how great each move would be at the next Institute dance.  Bring on that hip hop music, I will blow everyone away with my newly learned hip hop moves that are always carried out awkwardly and off beat.  Maybe I'll even be like my boy Shaun T. here in the video and lift my shirt up a little bit and run my fingers over my almost-existant abs to explain how each move is contributing to my 6-pack.  I think that would really bring in the dates.  We're working out to the video again tonight. I'll let you know when I've learned to dance like Britney Spears and J-Lo. And when I have the body to prove it.

Taking the Opportunity

1) I am taking the opportunity to utilize my blog. I'm going to take ya'll somewhere, and maybe I'll make next year's 2010 S&M awards. In that same spirit, I believe my blog design needs an overhaul and I don't know the first thing about creating cool blog designs. Any websites ya'll would recommend?

2) I have accepted the opportunity to be the Institute Council President for the San Antonio metro area. This is a regional calling and is a pretty huge deal apparently. Last year we ended enrollment with 480 institute students. With a new semester, we had to start all over. Last I checked we were up to 300, with a goal to get to 600 by the end of the semester. It's an intense calling that is actually a huge blessing. I had a rather large desire to serve a mission but finally got a firm "no" for an answer and was able to let it go and move forward. Soon after I got my "no", I received this calling which allows me to be a missionary constantly. We're making cold calls, I'm visiting different wards and meeting with leaders and getting referrals, my council and I put forth large efforts in fellowshipping and meeting new people each week... besides the fun missionary opportunity, I also get to direct the planning of large activities and have been honored with people referring to me as "President" in place of my first name. It's been rather fun and I look forward to continuing to spread the gospel among young single adults in the area!

3) I was just informed that a case manager position has opened up at work. As I have worked with these kids from the poorest area in the city, I have become extremely frustrated at times. We provide a great program here at Good Samaritan Community Services and it is a really great opportunity for these kids to get an education, get work experience, and receive much needed guidance that for the most part is absent in their homes. Well anyway, I get frustrated as I meet with kids who tell me they can't work because they would lose their Social Security benefits, or kids who take 4 years to get their GED, among lots of other annoying habits. I have developed a desire to have a greater role in their lives and have the opportunity to teach them rather than just provide basic employment support during their internships. For this reason, I have applied for the position and we'll see what happens. If I get the case manager position, I'll be able to have a greater positive influence in these kids' lives, AND get a $2 raise.

4) I took advantage of the opportunity to fly to Cancun for $261. I had been considering it for weeks and when my boyfriend of 2 months broke up with me, it was the last thing I needed to convince myself to take a vacation. I bought my ticket with the hopes that others would want to come to. It was meant to be, now I have 4 friends coming with me! The next 2 weeks can't go by fast enough! I'll be in Mexico February 25 - March1.

It's a long trip alone.

I successfully traversed the country, making the 24 hour drive back to Utah, alone. There were really good parts actually. I flat out refused to drive through west Texas and New Mexico and so I went through the panhandle and Colorado instead. Instead of ugly desert, my drive was filled with TX farm land, oil rigs, cowboys, herds of buffalo, herds of sheep blocking my road, beautiful sunsets, deserted ghost towns, daisy-lined highways, tree covered mountains and many other picturesque and awe-inspiring scenes. One such scene was a large thunderstorm north of Amarillo that I feared would turn into this:
To my great relief, it didn't. Now I am in Utah. I have one class, which meets for an hour and a half twice a week. I live with Sydney in her parent's basement, in Highland. I appreciate their hospitality greatly.
In other news, I must voice a hearty "AMEN" to Sydney's last identity-crisis post. I am also living in limbo. I feel like I keep taking two steps onto 50 different paths before retreating to the fork in the road over and over again. And you know what? I find that fork in the road quite intimidating so I think I'm just gonna hang out here for awhile.

Directions

Specifically life directions. Isn't it great how you never know where life will take you? You can plan all you want but when it comes down to it, unexpected opportunities and challenges always interfere with those plans. At least, this has been the case with me.
I am embarking on a new and exciting time in my life and I would like to share it with those who care to read about it. So, I will attempt to catch the reader up in my life so that he/she may understand why I'm heading in the direction I am heading.
This Summer has been a unique one. The first part was filled with traveling: Phoenix, Arches, Portland, Boston, New Hampshire, Maine, NYC and then home to San Antonio for the rest of the Summer. 2 weeks after returning home, I found my dream job, requested an interview, and was hired. I've spent the Summer in San Antonio working full-time for a non-profit called Good Samaritan Community Services. I've had the opportunity to work with at-risk Hispanic youth and have found purpose and joy in my work.
Just last week I returned from attending graduation ceremonies in Provo. Unfortunately, I have to return to complete a 6 week class. This annoys me greatly. I am very content with where I am at and where I am heading and Provo was not in the plans. But, C'est la vie.
After Provo I intend on throwing myself full force into the non-profit world by moving to the D.C. area. I want to work with Latino immigrants and refugees and assist them in achieving educational goals and economic self-sufficiency.
That's my life in a nutshell. As the Summer draws to a close I have been reflecting on the things that I have learned recently. I'd like to share some of these things with you:

1. People are very important. Living for others brings satisfaction, happiness, and joy. Also, strengthening relationships with people (socially speaking, not romantically) provides abundant opportunities to learn and grow. It also puts you in the right place at the right time to be an instrument in God's hands and provides opportunities for Him to bless the lives of others, through you.
2. I thrive off of diversity. Once, in New York, I looked around the metro car and realized I was the only Caucasian aboard. I was in complete bliss. I love being around people of different race, culture, and language. It makes life colorful and interesting and beautiful.
3. While one may learn a substantial amount from books, and I love reading, experience is the greatest teacher of them all. Experience allows one to stretch one's abilities, knowledge, dedication, patience, and willpower to completely new and higher levels. Experience helps to specify and define goals, interests, and talents.
4. I'm an idealist. I suppose I always have been. I remember writing a paper in an 8th grade English class, I talked about wanting to make a positive difference in the world. At that time I thought the only way to do that was to go on some sort of humanitarian trip to Africa or become a teacher. I've thought about how funny it is that I ended up choosing a major, accepting an internship opportunity, and seeking employment that have all placed me in a position to realize that goal. One day earlier this Summer, I was discouraged by job hunting and scoffed at myself. Who in their right mind wants to work in NON-PROFIT and make a living off of it? What was I thinking? It seemed hopeless to be able to do what I wanted and get paid for it. Since then, I've discovered tons of resources and organizations. And I smashed the self-doubt and narrow vision. Hello World and Opportunity.
5. Optimism and confidence go a long ways. I am reminded of a quote from general conference; "Your future is only as bright as your faith". That made a very large impact on me. Also, when I read "Left to Tell", a book written by a Rwandan Holocaust survivor, I learned about how important it is to envision that future. With faith, confidence, hard-work and vision you are the master of your fate.

That's all for now. Until next time!