Posada (Xma party) CODENI 17 Dec

We had our Posada, which is typical with families here in Mexico during Christmas time. It was from 9-1 in the morning and we had chilaquiles- a really yummy mix of soggy chips with spicy salsa. We gave gifts to all the kids and listened to music, watched the slideshow I put together and got to celebrate christmas time. I love that I am finally getting to know many of the families and which kids that attend CODENI belong with which parents. Here are some of my fav pics- starting with my favorite sisters Jessica and Silvia who took the first few pics.







These are fotos at a mall with a traditional christmas scene (they are everywhere here) and an awesome xmas tree. Then driving home in my friends car with the Basilica of Zapopan in the background.

Tapalpa Dec 10-11- El Pueblo Magico

About 150 Kilometers outside of Guadalajara is a little magical mountain town called Tapalpa. I went with a friend who works for Save the Children who has a house there and we climbed rocks, hiked to a waterfall, ate amazing tamales y drank atole while enjoying tequila the whole time.

Here are pictures to prove...

Lenore's Photos

A dear person in my life, a second mother to me takes amazing pictures of nature, people, and cities. Here is an article that was written about her in a local Menlo Park publication: http://inmenlo.com/2011/12/13/lenore-horowitz-explorer-with-a-camera/

Update of the Week

Well, I often don't post because things don't seem to be that exciting about my everyday life, but in general I would have to say that my life is exciting living in Mexico- because of the little things and the small things.

This last weekend was very low key, I worked on my thesis- I finished a 'what you can call a darft' of my introduction, problem statement and methods. But Friday was the exciting part. I went to the Feria Internacional de Libros (FIL) or the biggest book fair in Latin America in Spanish that happens every year here in GDL. I went with my friend and colleague Alondra, a short bus ride away on the 626 from the center of town to Plaza del Sol.

We went to Intercultural Dialogues in the AM from 10-1 with Gunther Dietz who is great with indigenous participation and education. Then had a nice lunch, chit chatted about work and the prospect of me staying on at CODENI and working in Mexico for a little while longer, then went to a conversation/presentation of a former colleague and friend from Global Exchange, John Gibler- who wrote a book about the social resistence movements from 2006 to now in Mexico, called "Mexico Rebelde." City Lights books in SF published it in english and Random House here in Mexico in Spanish. I definitely recommend it if you get a change.

Then we went to Stereo Total, a German band that was playing after a long day walking around buying, reading, and drooling over books. After the concert, my best friend Susy and her boyfriend joined us and we ended up going to a bar/live music venue called Scratch for beer only made in GDL called Minerva. Alondra, who is also my neighbor, and her boyfriend walked me home and it was a great day all in all.

Besides being sick and everyone at work being overwhelmed as we come up against the end of the year, planning our posada to celebrate Christmas, and finish semester evaluations- things are great. Plues my housemate, Oscar, just got a puppy. Yes, unfortunately it is a cow printed Chihuahua but little Pinga is pretty cute and has taken a liking to me...who wouldn't! haah

until the next exciting adventure...

Thansgiving in Mexico City 2011

San Miguel de Alende

What Are You Thankful For....

I AM THANKFUL FOR...


I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY.

My new cunada (fiance of my brother- Masha) for her sweetness and love for my brother.
My lil eleven year old brother- for being adorable, charming, and curious.
My Dad- who supports me unconditionally.
My stepmom MJ who is such a great skyper and keeps me up to date on everything!
My older brother who loves me so much.
My grandma who is so worried for me and my future.
My step grandmother Mary Ellen who is visiting me in Mexico!

I AM THANKFUL FOR MEXICO.
Traveling makes me so happy, learning new things and being in a new culture and country.
Practicing my Spanish is so challenging and great.
Latino men. That is all I need to say.
Food- enchiladas, huaraches, tortas, flautas, burritos, tacos, tostadas, tlacoyos...

I AM THANKFUL FOR FRIENDS.
Friends from grad school, studying abroad, college, mexico, SF and past jobs! Their support, encouragement, and strength has been amazing.

I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING I AM LEARNING.
This one encompasses all the previous ones, but also I am so happy to be in DF with friends from my program celebrating Thanksgiving and giving thanks for what I have and remembering how lucky I am in this life.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mexico City Nov. 18-20

REDIM (The Red para Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico / Network for Rights of Children in Mexico) had their annual children rights conference and a closing of the work we started in August- giving workshops to our children in CODENI about their rights of expression and identity in regards to the media. So colleagues from 8 or so states in Mexico brought three kids each to the conference and we had participatory conversations about what we want changed in Mexican society and how we can use our voices to makes changes. I felt so welcomed by the Mexican community and loved interacting with the kids (our kids from Codeni were: Lorena, Cristian, and Duilio).

I am staying with my friend Elizabeth who is in my masters program in Boston and we are up to a bunch of adventures...then we will be cooking for Thanksgiving on Thursday here in her apartment in San Miguel Chapultepec.