life after college.

you have to be an adult.

i haven't updated this blog in a year? sorry to my way too many followers, sarcasm.

I went to Guatemala: this is from when we climbed to the top of Tikal (Old Mayan Ruins,
personal favorite). How did I feel about Guatemela? It was a little crowded and a little dirty. Overall, not my favorite country yet. Some of the views were amazing. Especially when we hiked to Tikal. The ruins were composed of 5 different sites, the biggest one is the pyramid we were pictured in to the left. We climbed in the POURING RAIN for most of it. We were only in Flores for two days so we had to hike that day if we wanted to do it at all. We were soaking wet and freezing. When we got to the top, we realized it was perfect.
I learned interesting things from Guatemala,like all about tourist traps and overpriced tourist prisons in general. I have never seen so many "guides" appear out of nowhere ready to show you where to go...but really telling you some kind of drawn out tidbit and taking your money while putting you on a 15 person taxi van. Although it may seem like it, I am not complaining or criticizing. There are plenty of other places that I have been to with the same problem and I think it comes down to the economy. I think it's a sign of the desperation in the people; which overall: is a little heartbreaking. So if you are even in Guatemala City or Flores just remember to be careful and don't fall for a scam. Eat local, the people will be beautiful to you. Even if it's a hole in the wall place , just go for it. Shop at the markets. People sell things every day. Don't forget to haggle and see the good in everything.


After leaving Guatemala, we went on bus into Belize. We arrived at Holy Cross School and got settled in and started working immediately. The school was in the middle of building new bathrooms for the children so we started to help put up sheet rock and install the toilets..all of that good stuff. On Sundays Eric volunteered in the road project. Belize homes in the lagoon aren't very developed. There are no roads for transportation. Ole Miss students have volunteered to help with the design and construction. It is a neighborhood project and a big self esteem boost for the community. I love that I got the chance to participate.

The rest of the year was filled with the rest of my 2010 Accomplish List going into fruition. I got a "grown up job" in October. It's not a bad gig. I signed my first lease on my own. I live in a one bedroom apartment in Midtown that I have been furnishing from hand me downs and giveaways to thrift store bargains. Little by little it is finally taking shape 4 months later, ha. Just last night I added a little splurge item from Pier One...on SALE. I am quiet the budget queen, which was another thing I wanted to accomplish in 2010.



Frugal spending = More money for travel which brings me to my next accomplishment: NEW YORK CITY. My best friend and I flew into the city and saw the city highlights. Yeah we are wearing the same scarf because apparently it is FREEZING in New York in December so we went into the nearest Gap and bought the warmest scarf possible. New York in December was the coldest I have ever been. I would do it all over again though...maybe. We stayed in hostels near the park and also one in the city. Took the subway, had breakfast at Tiffany's, walked down 5th Avenue, through Strawberry Fields in Central Park, just the regular tourist things. FREEZING.


My last 2010 accomplishment: CHRISTMAS. My family decided to give Sara(my youngest sister) the most memorable Christmas ever. We usually celebrate just for her, bu this time we went all out which includes me going a little present overload at my apartment <---- I couldn't' help it. We usually make it a point to not focus on presents but this year I just WANTED to. It was great though.
P.S. No I am NOT a Memphis fan. The ornaments were given to me from my mom because I decided to have a tree on December 14 and I didn't want to spend a million dollars on tree trimmings.




Accomplishments from 2011: so far I just want to stay on track with the frugal spending so that I can have enough money for school and solo living so I won't have to have roommate, go to a different country and another city on my list in the US. READ all of the books on my shelf and stop buying more. Go skydiving.

update.

A lot has happened since my last post. I came back to America(bleh) and picked up life where I left off. My boyfriend came back from Thailand! We lived in Oxford while I did some last minute school things, not his favorite. He got restless after a while and embarked on a last minute adventure, he's learning jui jitsu in Guatemala. We visited Chicago to see the city before I made my final decision on law school. I loved it. I know it may be cold and I may not be used to it at first but there's something about the architecture, deep dish pizzas, and Mr. Obama's house down the street that made me fall in love with it.

I finally graduated, got accepted into med school, deferred a year, and applied to law school as well. I know I want to do something to help, but what to do is the problem. I want to do everything.

I am waiting to go to Belize. I leave July 14, my sidekick and I are couch surfing in Chicago for a few days. I think I may apply for some temp jobs and look at apartments. I arrive in Guatemala a few days later, visit Tikal and the beautiful lake then I will be in Belize helping at Holy Cross school for children and volunteering at the local clinic. I cannot wait. I'll be updating more now that I have something to write about!

10 km and 100 years from Acapulco: Pie de La Cuesta, Guerrero, MEX

We arrived at night.

This is what we woke up to, paradise.

Our hang out spot.

My personal Corona commerical.

Cute child flying kite.

My favorite part of this beach, were the waves. They were huge. My favorite part of waves: when it gets to the point right before it's about to crash and the tip of it is right about to bend over and the sun shines on it and it becomes the prettiest turquoise I have ever seen. It's beautiful.

They were pretty fierce, we didn't get in until the last day in the morning when they were calmer.

Kind or romantic.

Horseback riding at sunset!

I just like this picture.

I saw this blog by a photographer named Tom Robinson and him and his travel partner girlfriend or wife took pictures of their feet everywhere they went. I thought it was so cute because I have a tendency to do that. So I am going to try to make it a point now.

No words. I love the beach at sunset.

This is what went on all weekend and no one bothered us. It was great. Just what you need before finals.

We found this family owned restaurant that we kept going back to. We went back for breakfast lunch and dinner. It was run by a father and daughter. They were really nice. Took care of us and greatttt food!

Cacaxtla Murals.

My love for murals and ruins combine, ah.

Murals!

As we are walking down the mountain, looking back.

The view, it's beautiful.

Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico

Cuetzalan was a very traditional indigenous city. It was the first time I have heard the aztec language Nahuatl used regularly. I love indigenous languages. I really want to see if it's possible for me to take a class on Nahuatl next semester. I would love to learn some. We had a fun experience. Stephanie, Nick and I went. We stayed in a $10 hostel and it was an interesting experience. As soon as we got there the water went out. There was apparently some type of plumbing problem. All night we didn't have water so we couldn't flush the toilet.... then the next day we couldn't take showers. It was raining all weekend so I was wet and my hair got all greasy! It was horrible, but over all a hilarious experience. The ruins in Cuetzalan were amazing. They were really different from any of the ones I have seen in Mexico as of yet. The views were beautiful. We took a long ride in a van to the top of the hill and you could see for miles. On the way back, after the fog went away we saw some amazing scenery from the car ride. It was just beautiful. It was one of my favorite places that I have visited. It was just really quaint and you could tell the only thing that kept the town alive was hard work and it's hard working people. Artisans, farmers and etc.

The guy driving the van stopped so we could take in this view. It was beautiful.

The church in the middle of town, very small and traditional. Beautiful.

The market on Sunday, something I hope to take advantage more here. Fresh fruit and helping the local economy.

She made Nick's shoes, interesting concept.

On some ruins.

October Faves.

Beer on campus, right in the middle of courtyard...still new to me!

We got to meet Nick's FBI mom! She was amazing. Great lady with a lot of good stories! We had lunch with her in the Zocalo in Cholula.

flowers from thailand, i had a bad week.

I saved my new form of transportation from a bike junk yard pretty much. It is kind of shitty, but Im getting a new paint job and it already has new tires. Has a lot of character. Can't wait to have adventures.

Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead

I went away with some girls this past weekend to the city of Oaxaca in the state of Oaxaca. It was really fun! It was a good cultural experience. I love this holiday. Here are some pics:I took this the first night. They had sand murals in the Zocalo.

I took this while standing right in front of my hostel.

We may or may not have just gotten in the back of a pick up truck and gone up a mountain. We met a nice man though.

open road, i love it. Where are we going???

I just thought this place was so beautiful. Pictures could never capture it.

We met this family when we climbed to the other side of the mountain. They were so sweet and seemed really interested in talking to us. When Amy and I got in the truck to go home, they ended up getting in the same one with us and we had a great conversation with their grandfather about world adventures and meeting men. Great family, they were from Mexico City.

Oaxaca is known for it's grasshoppers and chocolate as far as food goes. The hot chocolate was really rich and amaazzzziinngg!!!

Some of the altars were really interesting. Everyone had decorated with pictures of their loved ones and food and flowers that they would have loved. I really enjoyed this holiday because I feel like they are not sad bu celebrating the life of someone they truly miss and have loved.

grasshoppers, i ate a few. they were spicy!

The graveyard completely decorated for day of the dead celebrations.

The usual symbolic figure for Day of the Dead.

traveling sisterhood.

I want to go to every archeological site within reach of me. They're so interesting.

"Conquistadora" of ruins yet again of course. Behind me is the City of Oaxaca. It's beautiful....