Update to "Who said this was going to be easy?"

Life still is challenging…

I worry about having regrets at the end of the semester with feeling like I missed out and didn't take advantage of being in Mexico. However, the fear of not leaving enough time for my papers for Bowling Green is a greater concern and therefore studying takes priority over everything else.

I have come to accept that I am a grad student and that is my life. That means I don’t have the time I want to spend with people, and therefore not necessarily the energy for random people, that lately I have said no to several invitations, that I won’t have very many people I keep in touch with when I leave, that I won’t develop any deep relationships this summer. Not ideal, sometimes very discouraging, but I am accepting it more and more. I am a grad student, who just happens to be living in Mexico.

In summary, I have turtled in, trying to protect myself, my needs, and my time first and foremost, in order to “survive,” to the exclusion of the outside world.

Usually…This past week included a little more people time: last weekend going to Kino (see previous post plus there are pictures!), going out for lunch with the family on Valentine’s Day, planning a trip over spring break with a dear college friend, having a healing reconciling conversation with a friend (thank you!), getting to hang out with Vero and Carlos today. All of which meant lots of studying on Friday and Saturday, and tomorrow it's time to get back to serious working.

Yes, there are moments of joy, happiness, and peace here…just often hidden, buried, or scattered. More importantly, despite all the challenges and loneliness, I still have no regrets about being in Mexico.

Kino in February

My reason for not updating last week: a mini-getaway to Kino, the nearest beach 2 hours away in bus.

I had worked hard during the week pulling an almost all-nighter, up until 5:00 a.m., trying to finish paper #1 for Bowling Green. (It’s finished although unsatisfactorily. For now, I need to move onto the other nine, and then if I have time this summer I will revisit it.) So, to reward my hard work and take a break, I had decided to go to the beach.

On Saturday my friend Carmen and her son went with me, and then I stayed overnight by myself, and on Sunday hung out on the beach and (a book for class) and came back to Hermosillo. In all, I had a little bit of everything I wanted: to hang out with a friend, eat good seafood, solitude, a chance to leisurely read, and above all the beach...(see last comment)

The beach with its shells, interesting rocks, and the above all the sound of the waves are my nature here, my new “mountains.” Very relaxing and good for the soul.