Linda's in Oaxaca, Mexico!: 09/20/2010-DAY 2 POST!

NOTE: THIS POST WAS PRE-WRITTEN YESTERDAY!

I felt that today was a much better day than yesterday mood-wise for me because after dinner last night I was a bit homesick. It was kind of hard to socialize with the people, but I realized that I was just thinking too much. There’s nothing wrong with observing and just listening to others.

I have to say that dinner last night was AMAZING. We ate at this restaurant called El Importador and the dinner was NEVER-ENDING! Crazy! It was so good though! The dessert … eh… not so much…People wanted to go to this hookah café after dinner at 9pm, but I was just so exhausted last night I wanted to go home. But, I didn’t want to be a party-pooper, so I said I would go. It ended up pouring HARD with thunder and everything! So, we tried waiting for the rain to stop and it didn’t! It was good though because I got to talk to a small group of people and just chat casually. It was a lot of fun! People started ordering drinks at the restaurant and I eventually ordered my first alcoholic Pina Colada, not that I had a virgin one before or anything. Didn’t taste too good in my opinion with the alcohol inside, but everyone else seemed to think otherwise. In the end, people were like, “LINDA! How can you NOT finish this? It’s so good! Drink it!” LOl! So I ended up finishing my drink, and it turned out to not be AS bad if you drink it fast. I preferred Allyson’s Sex on the Beach better though. IT was DELICIOUS! I also tried tequila for the first time! David, who drank 3 Mezcals (which I believe is STRONGER than tequila), taught me how to drink a tequila: SALT, SIP of TEQUILA, then chaser. It felt stronger than whiskey. Man! Haha! At the end of the night, my homesickness was gone.

I’m starting to get to know more of the people in this program and learning just to let loose and be myself. I think it’s the extreme type A inside of me that makes it hard for me just to let go. My boyfriend always tells me, “no pressure, no worries. Just be natural.” But, it’s always a very hard advice for me to follow. However, I’m learning and making an effort to be that way. I’m also getting to know the area a lot better now! Well, not a WHOLE lot better, but at least I can get to Becari by myself now!

Anyways, we had to meet in front of Becari at 9:30am again for continuation of our orientation. My housemate Erica and I decided to take another route; however, it actually took longer than we expected since we were not sure of the street names. We still made it on time though I was already drenched in sweat at 9:30 in the morning. I decided to wear my $40 flats from Aldo for clinic today to walk in. BAD IDEA. It rubbed against my heels and so my heels are so raw and painful now. I also have a couple blisters! How am I supposed to wear them to clinic? Orientation was good though. I was much more attentive today. I think I’m adjusting more to all this walking. We did a couple ice breakers and then had a lecture on conflict resolution. I couldn’t help think about the Office episode ON conflict resolution where Oscar hates Angela’s picture of a baby. So the way Michael solves it is by making Oscar wear a T-shirt with the picture on it so Oscar can’t directly see it but Angela can. Haha! Anyways, the lecture taught me a lot on resolving conflicts. I found out that I use a bit of each conflict resolution technique to solve my issues. I could definitely use the tips when I am upset with my boyfriend because often times, I just have a temper tantrum and that just makes him retreat more, which as a result, pisses me off even more.

We also met our medical director Dr. Herman Tenorio. He is such a lovable guy! I already love him! He’s so adorable! I love it when he smiles because his eyes crinkle. He’s like an old grandpa! I definitely want to talk to him more because he seems like such a knowledgeable yet approachable guy!

Nothing much happened after that. Just came back to our homestay for la comida, which is the main meal of the day. It is usually a late lunch around 2 or 3pm. Today was the first time I had rice and beans. Well, I had chicken and potatoes too, but it was the first time I had rice and beans in Mexico, and it was delicious! Went to Becari again afterwards and found out that I start Spanish class tomorrow! I’m pretty excited because I love Spanish class! I also went to use the internet since the internet at home is down due to a broken modem =(. So it’s been hard to update my blog.

Everyone’s at La Candela now. I am glad I have the free time to relax and journal. I am following Wayne’s advice on this one. If I don’t feel like going, I won’t. No biggie. There are plenty of other chances to socialize with the people so no worries. Though, I must admit, it did stress me out a little. I know I should go because it’s a great cultural experience, but I am just so tired. I told Erica that I get tired easily too so if I wanted to come home early after dinners or whatever, she didn’t need to feel obligated to walk me home…even though that IS a bit dangerous. But, I am just NOT a night person. I am glad to know there ARE others like me in this group, just maybe not as easily tired as I am.

PICTURE TIME:

champulinas (sp?) yep.