Day-Light Savings

So, unbeknown to me, day-light savings exists in Mexico....and it existed TODAY. I showed up to church this morning at "9 am" for the 9 am service. Well, the ONLY other people there were 3 other AMERICANS and a sweet lady sweeping the patio. She kept repeating in her sweet manner "church starts at 9am"....

So that "extra" hour of sleep....yeah, I did NOT get it!

Why didn't anyone think to tell the AMERICANS about day-light savings???

O Blueberries, Where Art Thou?

Fun fact: Blueberries do not seem to exist in Latin America. In fact, there is not even a word in the Spanish language for blueberries. Most Mexicans know what you are referring to when you describe blueberries as the "small, round, sweet, blue fruit", but they simply respond "No tenemos mora aca". (Meaning: "We don't have blackberries here.")

I answer to "Lucy"

So apparently I have Lucille Ball tendencies and mannerisms. I have NEVER before been told this in my whole life; until now. Several RUF members, and even Peter, have commented on how similar my mannerisms and facial expressions are to those of Lucille Ball in "I Love Lucy". They have even made me watch the show to prove their point. I'm not sure I totally agree, but until further notice I will continue answering to "Lucy", as that is what I am called here more often than "Lara". Who knows, maybe one day I'll star in "I Love Lara"!!

"El Clasico"

On Sunday I attended "El Clasico" between El America de Mexico City and Las Chivas de Guadalajara. The two teams play each other twice a year and when they play the game is considered a "classic" because they are huge rivals. I knew I just couldn't miss my opportunity to see Mexican soccer at it finest...so I waited in line for about an hour to get tickets. The atmosphere was incredible and the Mexicans' passion for soccer was very apparent!

So the stadium seats 120,000 people!

The mascot of El America is the "eagle" and at halftime they brought a live eagle onto the field and it chased a soccer ball.

Haircut...Mexican Style

Ok...so my hair really doesn't look that different than before. I just needed a "shape-up" since my last haircut was a "bob" and it was cute short, but not so cute as it was growing-out. I cut about an inch off the front, a centimeter off the back, and added layers....well, actually the hairdresser did it for me. The most exciting thing about getting a haircut in another country is simply accomplishing the task. It's scary wondering as they take scissors to your hair if you expressed your desired outcome well in your FOREIGN LANGUAGE!

35th Wedding Anniversary Party

After the Corrida Nocturna, Alheli invited me to a "family and friends lunch" after church the next day. I happily agreed to go! Turns out, to both of our surprise, that lunch was actually a 35th anniversary party for some of the family friends. I have definitely decided that I LOVE Mexican parties...they really know how to celebrate! We began the afternoon by eating lots and lots of yummy food and then spent the rest of the day dancing to a live band! Later in the evening we ate cake and more food and I was finally dropped off at home around 11 pm. Whew! What a fun day!

As I mentioned before, Alheli is a new Christian, and she is the only Christian in her family. It was so neat for me to meet Alheli's family and family friends, and for her to be able to connect her family with one of her Christian friends that she has been telling them about. I was also able to learn about and participate in several traditional anniversary celebration activities at the party. The more I learn about the Mexican culture and traditions, the more I love them.

Corrida Nocturna

On Saturday evening the UNAM hosted the annual "Corrida Nocturna" (Night Run). It is an 8 Kilometer race for UNAM alum and current students. About 17,000 participated this year. One English Club member, Joel, was going to run it, so I joined the "team" and encouraged a few more to come along with us. One girl in particular, Alheli, ran it with us even though she did not run at all prior to the race. Alheli became a Christian last year, by way of meeting RUF members through the English Club. I figured the race would be a fun way for us to deepen our new friendship as we "suffered" through an evening run! I LOVED every minute of it...and we did laugh a lot!

Yes! Those are ALL people...pre-race.

The English-Club'ers who ran (Joel, Lara, Alheli, Carlos)

About to start...and it's getting dark.

Alheli at the beginning of the race when she was still smiling!

At this point she still thought running was fun.

Joel

Mid-run action

The COOLEST thing about this race is that you finish IN the Olympic stadium on the UNAM's campus that that was built in the 1990's when Mexico hosted the Olympics; and where the Pumas (UNAM's professional soccer team) play. So above we are entering into the BRIGHT stadium.

...entering into the olympic stadium! SO COOL!

The final part of the race was a lap around the track.

Finished!

Post-Race group shot!