moving on?

It has been over a year now that we have been living in this small town of Jalostotitlan in Mexico. It has been a rough transition because EVERYTHING is different. My entire life (minus my college years) I have lived in Indianapolis. There you could find anything you wanted from groceries to activities.

Mexico does not lack those *luxuries*. You just can't find them in small towns. Here are only locals so the need for a variety of groceries is not even a thought. The lack of rain creates a lack of green space, nice parks and outside activities. Being the only American causes constant stares, which is extremely annoying now.

Jorge's work hours cause another problem because he is gone most of the day. Between that and the fact there is no where to go I am stuck in the house all the time. I try to keep myself busy so I don't think about it, but it is almost impossible. I start to feel guilty because it effects the girls' lives. They are just as stuck as I am. They can't even play outside because there is nothing but a sidewalk and a street. Even during the rainy season it is not pleasant because no one takes care of the landscaping so all the plants and grass grow so fast it looks like a jungle.

I have been thinking for a long time about moving to a different place. We are stuck in Mexico not Jalostotitlan. I didn't really mention it to Jorge because I didn't know how he would feel about moving away from his family. The other day I decided to bring up the subject because he is always talking about going back to the States. I asked what he thought about moving to the beach. Living there would allow me and the girls to get out during the day, play outside and feel a little more relaxed being out of the house. Plus, it is FREE, the beach that is!

I started to narrow down where we might look to move because it is not as easy as the US to move. We don't have tons of websites with apartment rentals. There isn't a Penske or U-Haul down the road for us to rent a moving truck and it obviously takes money to get it done.

I finally narrowed it down to Puerto Vallarta. There are quite a few reasons.

• the beach!
• an international airport (the tickets are half the price of the airport I currently use which is an hour and a half away)
• close enough to here so we can visit Jorge's family
• it is a resort town so hopefully I might finally get some visitors (other than my parents...we like your company but want more!)
• very likely to find products that I love and miss since many Americans live/visit there
• entertainment/activities in the city we would live (we won't have to drive 1 1/2 hours one way to do something)
• tropical environment means we will get to see green!
• playing outside & at the beach with the girls and my husband (what a perfect way to end the day!)
• I am pretty sure I would be a lot happier because I could go somewhere by myself
• job opportunities for Jorge (speaking Spanish & English should really help his chances of finding a better job that hopefully pays more!)
• did I mention the beach? :)
• overall a much better life

There are a few kinks to work out to allow us to do this. I just hope we are able to because my hopes have been growing. I am just ready to feel like I am not trapped in my life. I know it might seem silly that I think moving to the beach would change my life, but it just feels like it will.

And, this is a little drawing I found last night that Jorge did. I am not sure he meant for me to see it, but it is really sweet.

I am crossing my fingers that we are able to do this!