this is why I started this blog

When I first started this blog, 3 1/2 years ago, I did it for a few reasons.  One, I wanted to have a place where friends and family could read about my experiences with living in Mexico.  And, two, I wanted to see if my views of life and my "situation" would change over time.

I never thought my opinions of living in Mexico would change.  And, I'm not a closed-minded person, but thought that my life was pretty much wrecked when I had to close up shop in Indy and move to some small town in the middle of Mexico.  As I have admitted, I didn't do it without my fair share of kicking and screaming.

I used to look at these pictures of the house we had just had built and get so upset.  Like a life was stolen from me.  But, now, I can look at them and it doesn't affect me at all.  I just remember them fondly.  And, I think one day, we can just do it all over again, if we choose.

So, sitting here today, after reading a friend's blog post, where she lists my blog and a description of it on her blog (She cracks me up!), I realized that my life has become "normal".  She wrote:

"http://bigvz.blogspot.com/ Valarie is the Martha Stewart of my blogging world. She homeschools, she remodels, she crafts, she cooks. And than she shares all of that with the rest of us. My husband still hasn't forgiven her for giving me the idea to paint our house. "

I have felt OK for quite some time, but I really don't think about it that much.  I guess with all my daily tasks, and all the other things that keep me busy, I just don't think about stuff like I used to.  I equated happiness, success, and a full life to living in the States.  And, while I do want to move back when we are allowed, I am totally fine living here in Mexico and I don't view the States as my only means of happiness.

I used to focus on what happened to us instead of getting past it.  Immigration has been a tornado for many people.  And, I think that being able to brush yourself off, and not dwelling on it is the only way to get your life back.  It might not be the life you were planning.  But, when does that ever happen?

When February 5th of this year came around, I didn't even remember that the day was sort of significant.  I just overlooked it.  February 5, 2008 was when Jorge was barred for 10 years from the US.  I used to dwell on that day as well as the day that I moved down here.  Sort of like an anniversary.  But, I don't anymore.  I don't think that should rule my life.  That is why I don't ever talk about immigration on this blog.  I have long moved on and started living again.

Basically, I just thought it was kind of neat, that in a list of blogs that Jennifer reads, when putting a description to mine, the words "Mexico" and "immigration" are not even a thought.  It is great.  And it loops back around to why I started this blog in the first place.  I have changed and it feels really good.

Now, of course, this is my journey. Jorge still feels the pangs when he sees the pictures of our house in Indy.  In a situation where I thought I would be the one most affected, he actually seems to have it much harder.  But, one of these days, I hope all that will turn around.  And, I try to make it as easy on him as possible.  As far as me, I am doing OK!

why I miss Kroger and a little recipe idea

I'm now used to how everything is here.  I admit that some things still frustrate me, but for the most part I have just gotten over the differences between here in my lovely grocery stores in the US.

There is one main grocery store that I go to here in Jalos.  And, for other things that I can't find there, we search elsewhere, like Costco, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart.

The grocery store here in town, Super Jigo, is just crazy sometimes.  Last night we went there to get our groceries and I saw this in the produce section.

How in the world can they put stuff on the shelves that look like that?  If you don't go there on the right days (which I still haven't figured out what days those are), you have the worst produce to pick from.  And, the way I cook here, most of my cart is fruits and veggies.  Pathetic!

This is one thing I will never get over and makes me appreciate how great the grocery stores are in the US.

On a side note, I made another item off of Pinterest the other night.  You know, I have made tons of stuff off that website!

I have never been a fan of Taco Bell, but the few times that I went with people, I would get the Mexican Pizza, MINUS the beans!  I hate beans!

And, Mexican pizzas are such a simple idea and I'm not sure why I never thought about making them at home.  So, while I just used the idea, the recipe is still a simple one you could follow.  And, of course, I left off the beans!

sneak peek and an unusual sight

Are you sick of me talking about my painted house, walls, wall art and such!?  I know!  I get carried away.  But, I LOVE it!  I love that the house looks like a home!

When I first moved here the house was as bare as could be.  We had the basics.  Nothing more.  Which is understandable since the only items I could bring down here are what fit in a cab of a friend's truck and in our Pacifica. 

Since then I have drove down a handful of time with the car loaded to max capacity and beyond. And, each trip I make to the States via plane, I go with one bag and come back with five.  It is a problem I have.  But, I have accepted it and moved on.  If you lived here or visited here, you might understand how hard it is to find cute, inexpensive stuff.  In any category.  So, I stock up every visit.

I remember having chats with people that were going to be moving down here to Mexico.  They inevitably ask what they should bring with them.  Knowing that I have lived her for a while now, that wasn't unexpected for them to ask.

I always tell people that the thing that made me most feel OK here was having my house feel like a home.  I want it to feel like mine.  A place I can relax and feel comfortable.  It has taken me a while to get to that point, but I am finally here.  So I always tell them, if at all possible, bring personal items not just things that are necessary.  I know logistically, that is not always possible. 

Or, check out the *original* living room we had.   There really was nothing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigvz/2476344733/in/set-72157604969268177

You can see we used to have only the couch.  Looks like Bella preferred a box over the couch.  The living room has come a long ways since those early days.

This might be a rental, and who knows if one day we will be asked to move.  But, for now it is mine.  And, I think it looks just like *my* place.  So, that is why I love sharing it with everyone because all the people that mean the most to me, that I want to show, can't come and see it.  I have to virtually show it to them.

Before picture -- no paint on the walls. (Our big TV was being repaired.  The small TV looks so funny there.)

And, since Jorge painted a few of the walls in the living room last night, I am beyond thrilled with it and wanted to give you a little preview.  We need to make another trip to Home Depot to get the accent wall paint color and another gallon of the color on the walls right now.

It doesn't look like a dramatic change in this picture.  But let me assure you, in person, it is a HUGE change!

And, on a completely different subject, when we were in Aguascalientes the other weekend, I was surprised to find this near the parking lot of Wal-Mart.

You just don't expect to see palm trees and an ice skating rink in the same picture.  But, that is how it is done in Mexico!  It was in the mid to upper 70's.  There was a fine layer of water on the top.  But not enough to slow down anyone.  They also had a Santa Claus sitting down the way.  I wish we would have taken the girls.  They would have loved to see Santa and tell him about all the things they want for Christmas.  Next year for sure!

bulk food problem

Yesterday we went to Aguascalientes.  I think that was the third week in a row that we went over there.  Not that I am complaining or anything.  Yesterday we had a bigger purpose than just going shopping.  Not that that isn't a big enough purpose.  We needed to take my sister-in-law, Erika, to the airport there.

And, since we were already there, we should hit up Sam's Club!  I seem to be a sucker for bulk food.  I think it is just that I have it in my head that we won't be going back to "the city" for a handful of weeks and I want to make sure I grab what I think I might need.  It's has become a problem.

We *had* to buy another shelving unit at Home Depot so I could put all my stuff somewhere.  There is no pantry in this house.  I have three small cabinets that I use for food.

One for boxed, canned and misc. items.

One for chips, pretzels and bagged stuff.

And, one for all my assortment of pastas, salt, vinegar and other such items.

As you see, those cabinets are small.  There isn't much room for all the things I buy.

Not only do I have an issue of bulk buying (I mean, it's Sam's Club, there is no other choice), I have an issue of when I find something in a store that I usually don't see, I buy tons of them.  (Notice how many boxes of cake mix I have.  It is because I saw strawberry cake mix.  You don't see that here hardly at all.  So, my thought was buy a lot and the store will see that they are selling.)

Here is the new shelving unit with all our extras. 

The worst is the fridge.  Or, more like the freezer. 

I just can't help myself.  I swear my mentality is like stocking up for a blizzard.  I just feel compelled to buy everything!   

Here are a few goodies that I got yesterday.

CHEESE!  Who doesn't love cheese?  And, in my local grocery stores, it is hard to find certain cheese.  Some of the Mexican cheeses are decent substitutes.  But, if I can find the original, I'm buying it!  I got mozzarella, Monterrey jack, cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan.  These are pretty big blocks.  I just cut them up and freeze them individually. When I need a block, I take it out of the freezer and stick in the fridge to thaw out.

And, this is really exciting.  I got a good recipe from a friend for some breakfast sausage, but I do too many things from scratch.  Finding something where it is like a shortcut is a jackpot!  So, this is great!  I had found some breakfast sausages at Costco, but they were the ready to serve kind.  Just warm them up.  Those kind aren't good for making biscuits and gravy because they don't produce enough fat.   As you can see, these are pre-cooked sausage! 

And, last, a new find!  Bagels!  I miss bagels.  And, I have looked online for recipes to make them, but they are all very involved so I have never tried.  Now I don't have to.  These keep in the freezer.  I pop one out, put it in the toaster and voila, you have a nice bagel ready for a frosting of cream cheese!  Or, the other day I made a bagel, egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich.  I'm wild and crazy, I know.

Oh, how I love Sam's Club.  Although, there are products at Costco that I wish I could find at Sam's.  I am seeing a membership to both places in the near future.  Just remember, I have a problem. 

night out on the town

I had mentioned that the Virgin was here for the first two weeks of August.  Well, that means more people than normal.  And, it gives everyone another reason to go downtown. 

Sunday night we joined some of those people.  We went to a bar that has just recently opened a new area of the building.  We sat on the rooftop so we could get a good view of the fireworks that were happening.

I stand out enough as is when I go anywhere here, so usually I avoid taking my camera to not draw anymore attention.  But, having an iPhone helps capture pics.  And, since I have the dinosaur iPhone, the original one, it doesn't take the best quality pics.  They are, however, good enough to share my evening with you.

Looking down on the crowd from the rooftop bar.

Another view looking down.

Jorge paid the band to play for us.

And, just so we are clear, I'm not a fan.

Jorge bought me flowers.  Sweet boy.

View of the church before the fireworks.

It looks like the church is on fire, but it isn't.  They put a strip of fireworks on the building.  Kind of crazy!

It is hard to get a shot of the fireworks with my phone camera.

Some of the fireworks.

This is so crazy that I felt it is worthy of being posted again. :)

playground

This past Saturday the girls were promised a trip to the playground.  We usually don't go that often because the few playgrounds that are here just aren't that nice.  The equipment is really old and fairly unsafe And since it is made of metal, it is usually hot to the touch since the sun is out most of the time.

Luckily it was getting ready to rain when we headed over so it wasn't too hot.  The girls were just happy because they like going there.  I just get frustrated that the State/Government won't spend money on new equipment.  Or, maybe they got the funds to but someone pocketed them. Who knows.

Here you see Emily, happy as ever, on the swings.  Notice the swing seat next to here.  It is missing the middle slats.

They just recently painted all the equipment.  I guess trying to disguise how old and crappy it is.  I didn't take a picture of it, but there are a total of 12 swings.  I think 5 of them are not in working order.  The metal has broken where the chain from the swing attaches to the top of the set.  Instead of fixing them they have tied the chain around the metal bar.  Not safe!

Here you can see how tall and unsafe the slides are.  And as I mentioned they are metal.  It is like having a frying pan to slide on.

Here is an older picture where you can get a better perspective of how tall the slides are.  Emily is attempting to climb up it.  They are just so steep and slippery that the girls will shoot right off the sides because there is no sides on the actual slide.

While I complain about how it isn't that great, I know the girls love going.  They are finally getting the hang of doing the teeter totter by themselves.

The equipment is long overdue to be replaced, but there is one nice thing about this particular playground.  They have grass!  Year round.   

There is an old man that comes and puts sprinklers out and keeps the grass nice and green.  He is really sweet and likes to talk.  This picture is from a while back.  Jorge was chatting it up with the guy.

That same old man is also responsible for feeding the ducks that live there year round. Each night he rounds them up and put them back in the cages where they sleep.

I should stop complaining and just appreciate that there is a nice green place to go here.  The girls really love it and if you go at the right time of day, the ducks will be your best friend if you bring bread.

a little about me and you

A while back I renamed my blog "This is Life".  When I started it back in 2008, after moving to Mexico, I had titled it "Life in Mexico".  I changed it because I realized it didn't matter where I was living and didn't want my focus to be on the fact that I am in Mexico.  Life is life no matter where you are located.

Of course I talk about it here and there, comparing things, even three years later, to how here is different from there.  But, overall, my life is not Mexico and I don't want to dwell on it.  There are more fun things to talk about than Mexico.

A few months ago I found a whole community of people that are in a similar situation.  And, that community is nice to belong to.  So, having said that, I am going to join the expat community in a blog challenge.

This originated at Lisa's blog, From One Country to Another.  She created a set of questions so we could get to know a little more about each other.  Even my non-expat readers could learn something about me.  If you want to participate, please do and link up in the comments.

1. How long have you been with your husband?
We have been together seven years and in September will have been married for 5 years.

2. Can you remember a funny miscommunication due to language barriers?
I can't recall any funny miscommunication.  But, there have been miscommunication, some due to the language barrier.  None stick out in my mind, though.

3. Where have you relocated?
In May 2008 I moved to Jalostotitlan, Jalisco.  If you find Guadalajara and Aguascalientes on a map and draw a line between the two cities, we are pretty much in the middle of those two places.

4. Do you have any children?
We sure do. As you might have noticed, part of this blog is dedicated to our crazy girls.  Annabella is 4 and will be 5 on December 31.  Emily is 3.  She just turned 3 on March 6.  They were 16 months and 2 months when we moved here so this whole "living in Mexico" thing is normal to them.

5. What is one thing that your blogger friends don’t know about you?
I would say the one thing they don't know is that I played clarinet from 5th grade through my senior year of high school.  And, just to clarify, I was NOT a band nerd! (That was for you, Marla.)

6. How did you stumble upon the blogging community?
Well, I stumbled onto a expat forum and was just looking around at all the questions.  Someone posted Leslie of Motherhood in Mexico's blog and she had a sizable list of "mexpats".  I commented on a few blogs and ever since I have joined the "community".  I have to say, I have "meet" a few people that I just have hit it off with and seem like there is definitely a friendship forming.  That is what I like most about it. 

7. Have you learned something new about yourself through the immigration process?
I already knew I don't like waiting, so I can't claim the immigration process allowed me to learn that.  I would say...that I do have the ability to relax a bit.  I can just take one day at a time and not worry about the future, too much.  I didn't think I could do that.  But, thanks to all this loveliness, I am doing exactly that.  It is refreshing in a way.

8. What is something that you love about your new country and what is something that you cannot stand (or greatly miss from your home country)?
I can't really say there is anything that I "love" about the country, but I do like that living here has allowed the girls to experience their Mexican heritage.  And the full immersion has produced two bilingual little girls.  It's really cute to hear them having conversations in Spanish with each other.  Also, I like that life is more laid back down here.

I miss lots of things.  I make up for some of them with a little thing called the US Post Office and a mother that is willing to box up stuff and mail it to me.  Of course I miss my family and friends.  Even though we get to visit the States fairly regularly, it isn't the same. 

9. Did you know your in-laws before moving? Has it been an adjustment being closer to them?
I had visited twice, once for a couple days and the other right before I moved here.  At first it was a HUGE adjustment.  We live, literally, down the street from my in-laws.  Now I rely on my mother-in-law to watch the girls for me.  They all seem very nice and have no issues with me.  That I know of. :)

10. If you were going to your home country next week, where is the first place you would go after seeing your family?
I'm not going next week, but I will be there in October.  I have a ritual for each time I visit.  My mom picks us up from the airport, we head to her house and I leave the girls with my parents and head straight to Target!  I try to squeeze Target in as much as possible on my visits!  Love that place.  But, who doesn't?  And, why isn't there any in Mexico!?
 
11. What is your favorite pasttime?
Being down here, in the house most of the time, I have to have many pasttimes.  My "favorite" changes from week to week.  Or month to month.  I might be on a reading kick.  Right now with my Kindle broken, I have been obsessed with the internet and food blogs.  I love finding new recipes to try.  It is a challenge because finding all the necessary ingredients isn't always easy.

nothing new

I have admitted that I didn't cook much when we lived in the States.  Here I cook all the time.  And, while most of the time I don't mind, sometimes you just get tired of it.

Going to the grocery store couldn't be more routine.  I always make a list of things I need for the meals I am going to make, but I am not sure why.  They usually involve the same ingredients, just different results happen.

The boring part is there are no good snacking type of pre-made items at the grocery store.  Every time we go, after getting back home and putting the groceries away, I always expect to open the fridge and see something good to snack on.

Nope.  Never happens. While I do like fruit and vegetables, they don't always hit the spot.  But, that is the majority of our shopping trip.

If you want something to snack on, you have to MAKE it!  Bummer!  Just take a peek into our fridge.

You see.  I swear I keep opening the door expecting to find something different. 

why I miss my kindle

We live in a small town.  When I say small, I am not talking about the small towns that you picture in the US.  The ones that have one or no stop lights.  The one that has Main St. and the one General Store on Main St. 

I remember when my parents came to visit they were surprised by the town where I live.  They were probably picturing the scenario above because I would complain about how small it it is here. 

I have always lived in Indianapolis.  And while it is no New York City, it is a city.  A decent sized one that has anything you could want.  So, moving here I got transported into a small town.  While we don't have any stop lights, we do have about 30,000 people.  But, we are all shoved into a considerably small area.

Anyways, I am rambling.  My point is that this is a commercial free zone.  Most of the stores here are the Mom and Pop type joints. You won't find any big grocery store or fast food joint or chain restaurant.

For all of our commercialization needs we travel about 1.5 hours to Aguascalientes.  It has most things that I need/want.

But, being that we are in Mexico, there are a small number of books in English that I have stumbled upon.  And, opposite of probably the small town image, you are picturing only one isle of a store with books that are in English. 

No.  No.  No.  It is MUCH smaller.  Take a look.

I wish I hadn't broken it.

margaritas and carne asada

That's a good combo, right?  Margaritas and carne asada.  I thought so the other day when we were coming home from Aguascalientes.

We were in need of a stock the freezer/pantry trip to Costco.  And you know I was in *need* of another trip to Cantia.  Also we saw a really funny movie, Zookeeper.  It was funny and sweet. 

We were driving back home and stopped in a restaurant in a town on the way.  We had never been there before so we were willing to try it out.

Jorge was looking over the menu and noticed they had margaritas.  Heck, let's try some.  They were really good!  A bit pricey for the size, but I wanted to ask exactly how the guy made them.  (I didn't...it's a shame).  Although as soon as I get my hands on some orange liquor, I am going to try out this recipe. I bet it would be pretty darn close.

We ordered carne asada that was for two people.  They brought it to our table in this little grill type device that had charcoal inside to keep it hot.  Very cute if you ask me.

It was a nice little dinner for Jorge and I.  We had a long, fun day in "the city" and came back happy and full!

overnight guest, take 2

I posted a few years ago that we had a Virgin stay overnight with us.  I knew nothing about her at the time.  I didn't even ask my husband about her.

Saturday I was sitting here at my desk working.  I looked out the window to see three girls knocking on my gate.  I saw that they had the fliers that the church passes out each week.  Usually the person passing them out just throws them in the patio area.  I was confused why these girls were knocking.

I walked outside and grabbed the paper from them.  One of the girls started to say something to me in Spanish.  You know that I don't speak Spanish.  There are lots of times that I understand what someone is saying but don't know how to respond. So, when she started talking I told her that I didn't speak Spanish. 

She surprised me because then she said, "oh, well, I just wanted to let you know that they are having church tonight at 8.  It's up there at this small place."  WOW!  I wasn't expecting her to speak English.  And so well.  No accent at all. 

About 10 minutes later she is at the gate again with a woman.  I go out and she asks me if I would want the Virgin that night.  I called Jorge so he could get the details and decide.  That kind of thing I leave up to him. 

Well, she is here now.  I asked Jorge, this time, who she is.  She is Our Lady of Fátima. 

Normally she would have been here overnight.  But, since we got her on Saturday, she stays until Monday. I guess they don't do the prayers and such on Sunday.  Not exactly sure. 

So, tonight there will be a gathering of people here in our house and they will pray and sing for her.  Then she will be on her way to the next house.

What is interesting to me is that when I posted the blog post about her the first time, back in March 2009, that is my most popular blog post of all times, by more than double the 1st runner up.  I wonder how that happened.  The title of the post is so vague.  It will remain a mystery.

just a question

I don't really have anything to post today.  But, I do have a question. 

Why isn't there any sweet corn here in Mexico?  Or, is there and I just can't find it?

I remember being younger and there was a family that lived down the street from us that sold corn.  Glorious sweet corn.  I mean, I did live in Indiana.  I believe that people not from Indiana think that all there is in Indiana is corn.  Which is not true.  But there is plenty of corn there. 

I want some of that sweet summer corn on the cob.  The corn on the cob here is hard as a rock.  I can boil it for a thousand hours and it never becomes tender.

Do any of you have tips on how to get the corn more tender or have knowledge of the whereabouts of some sweet corn here?  Send them my way if so.  Thanks.

good things in the kitchen

When we lived in the US I didn't cook much.  Ok, hardly at all.  I did have a KitchenAid mixer but sold it because the only time I used it was to make boxed cake mixes.  And that was only a few times a year.

Moving down here has changed a whole lot as far as what happens in the kitchen.  Now I have 4 mouths to feed and there are no short cuts around here.  Our frozen food section in my regular grocery store is one freestanding unit that is a little larger than my refrigerator.  The only products inside are frozen vegetables, fruit and some Tyson chicken items.

I regretted selling that mixer.  I would have used it ALL the time.  I make bread because there really isn't any bread other than the sliced sandwich bread and bolios (which are great) for making a torta or some other sandwich.  I love bread.  Rolls, muffins, baguettes, french and so on and so on.

A few months back a friend was driving down and I asked him a favor.  "BRING ME A KITCHENAID MIXER, PLEASE!"  You can find them here at Sears and Costco and I am sure a few other places but they are more than double the price of buying one in the US.

I went on Amazon, bought one and within a week I had this bad boy sitting in my kitchen!  Oh so happy!

Making bread is so much easier now.  I let the mixer do the work of kneading the bread.  And, everything else is so much easier to do now that I have it.  No more hand mixer.

So, when I want to make something like Croque Monsieur and there is no french bread at the store, I can just whip up a batch! Especially since I can use the Dijon mustard I found in Puerto Vallarta!

I have a recipe that I use for French Bread and it is really great!  It makes two big loafs, so if you want, half the recipe. 

And, since you are in the kitchen making something great, I have another VERY simple dip you can make.  I found the recipe here.  The amount of dip the recipe makes isn't much, so I quadruple it.  This one is a definite must-try!

Now I am hungry!