Off We Go To Mexico...

Many of you thought we were moving to NYC around this time. And we were. However, after realizing we could really go anywhere since Caleb works online and I am jobless as of the end of July we decided, pretty much on a whim to move to Tulum, Mexico. NYC will still be there, and we are foot loose and fancy free at the moment.

So here we are. After a grueling move and a heartbreaking good-bye to my kids ( aka the kid's I nannied for and love, love, love) we are in Mexico. Tugboat got stopped at customs for not having the right rabies shot and we had to wait for about three hours for the customs agent to find a vet available on Saturday to drive to the airport and vaccinate her (again). Thank God, the customs guy was so patient and nice. Tugboat had to pee so bad, poor dog, since she'd been in her carrier for close to 10 hours! She's a trooper though and we had no accidents. I partly owe that to the sedative she was on too.
We then had to hire a pricey car and made it to Tulum by about 7:30pm. A trip we expected to take 6 hours or so, ended up being about 16, what with a delayed flight and a rabies threat dog. It's amazing the things one is capable of on two hours of sleep while pms-ing.

We made it to the beach yesterday. We have bikes and are both relearning how to ride them. We are about 3km to the beach along a straight and dusty road bordered on both sides by jungle. It really is jungle, not woods. Vines, and palm trees, and leafy vegetation that just entwines into each other. Pretty neat and a bit intimidating. Like if my ball rolled into the underbrush, I'm not sure I would want to go scampering after it. I also saw a really big lizard. We were soaked in sweat and dust by the time we first laid eyes on the turquoise waters. By then we felt like we'd earned it. Words are not enough to express how intensely beautiful the beach is. The soft white sand and palm trees, and blue, blue water and big white fluffy clouds with a gentle, salty breeze....heaven. Especially with a cold beer and a fun bed lounge thing on the beach. The water was warm. So warm that there was not a moment of adjustment really. We jumped waves, and laughed and were weirded out by the strange leafy seaweed we kept stepping into. I kept hoping I wouldn't run into any stingrays. I've done too much reading....

We rode back home and rescued our baking dog from our apartment. Which by the way, the place we are renting is great. Very charming, brightly colored and in a real neighborhood. We have airconditioning, but are trying to use it sparingly as the cost of electric here is outrageous. No scary critters yet in the house, for which I am so greatfull! We have an arsenal of bug killing devices, so hopefully we will remain critter free.

Some small adjustments: You can't drink the water, or flush toilet paper, and wearing clothes at all feels like punishment. The upside: We can get shrimp, ........oh, my gosh! There's a lizard in the house! Wow... it's small and very fast... hold on, I'm going to try and let him outside.

Ok, I'm back. Lizards are very fast. I have no idea how he got in, and Caleb was wondering if we should treat them as pets or like rodents, but anyway, he's back outside now.

As I was saying, the upside is that we can get a large plate of shrimp, octopus, and conch ceviche for $7, drink mojitos on the beach, and read all day long. Sounds fun, huh? It is, but it is also a bit of a treck to town and the beach and we are tired and adjusting. However, overall we are loving it. This place is pretty amazing. Really, God is amazing for making this all happen for us and for creating such a beautiful place. I'm so thankful!

I will continue to post regularly and update you on our adventures.

Leaving

We are leaving Rhode Island in eleven days. The past two years have been challenging, but I've learned a lot. Foremost, I've learned that God provides for us every where we go. Above and beyond our expectations. As hard and lonely and frustrating as it was that first year, I now have a group of friends that I dearly love and would have really missed out on knowing had we not moved here. I've learned a lot from these women - all RISD grad student's wives. I admire them, their individual strengths, and perspectives. We are all so different, but they are my sisters. Hey, moving cross country and supporting your husband through grad school is no small feat!
I've also learned a lot about myself. Something happens when you confront your fear. Loneliness is one of my big ones. I didn't overcome it all heroically, but I did learn that God won't let me suffer forever and that really, I can do it. Yes, the first seven months here sucked, but that first meeting with the RISD wives (when we finally all got together!) was like finding an oasis in the desert. I also learned about communicating better with my husband. There is no doubt that it was rough on our marriage that first year. However that summer, we recouped and fortified ourselves for the following year, and I can honestly say that this past year was great. Mostly we talked, reprioritized and made sure to date each other more. Also we prayed together.
I can honestly say that I am glad we moved to Providence. Never thought I would say it - just thought I would try to get through it.
I should also mention the two little people who captured my heart these past two years. Anna is now 2 and Franklin 3 1/2. I love them so much. I have been deeply challenged by them in so many ways! Children make you see yourself in a whole new light. You thought you were even tempered and patient? Have kids. If you still are then God bless you. They challenged me to be better and to care more and to see the world as a child again. I wore out several pairs of jeans at the knee just from playing on the floor so much! Franklin today asked if God was Superman. I told him, 'Pretty much'!
I don't know how to leave these children of mine that are not mine. They will always have a piece of my heart. I will miss their sweet smell, sticky hands and delightful smiles. They are my dearest and I will care about them for the rest of my life.

Beautiful Michigan and America's Birthday

I went back to Michigan last week unexpectedly because I missed family so much. Funny how things like that come in waves. You get used to being away and living life, but sometimes it just hits you that you are missing out on so much and these are the people that matter the most but you spend the least amount of time with. Upon Caleb's urging I bought a ticket and spent the week with family.
I had forgotten how beautiful Michigan is. Especially where my grandparent live. It's rural and green and full of deer and Amish and tatertot casserole, and lakes, and red barns and homemade pickles, and horses, and pie. I love it. I visited 19 relatives (which was a bit crazy) and tasted cherry wine, and went to the Beaverton town 4th of July parade. I saw a boat race of cardboard boats held together with duct tape, ate a purple snowcone that dripped on my feet, got a sunburn and talked about horses and looked at old pictures with my Grandpa. My Grandma made rhubarb custard pie.

November 4th

I have never been so nervous and excited about an election. I feel proud to be American for the first time ( a big deal since moving from Hungary). Tears streamed down my face as Obama gave his acceptance speech and history was made. I helped make a difference. I voted for change.

Just Snoozin'

I was a Petco yesterday to pick up some food for Tugboat and as usual, I checked out the other critters for sale. The mice always make me laugh, but yesterday this rat was the funniest thing I've seen in a while. It's sleeping upright with its little cheeks wedged between the wall and the water bottle. So cute.

Boats.. a View on my way to Work

Seattle at Sunrise