Spring Cleaning

last book i've read: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert
music currently caressing my ears: Jamie Cullum, Twentysomething
general mood: contemplative, happy
quote i just thought of: "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." --Albert Einstein

Spring break was fabulous. Mexico was amazing - my cousin Isaac and Roxana took Melissa and I to Acapulco for four days, Puebla for one, and Mexico City for three. Acapulco was gorgeous - Isaac's friend Chucho has friends who owned a penthouse apartment there, and we stayed there for one night. Otherwise it was our broken hotel room the first three nights - broken fan, broken toilet flush, and broken lock. The first night was spent at El Alebrije, a well-known nightclub in Acapulco that was bursting with other spring breakers and good music to dance to. All right, so Melissa and I had some to drink, Amaretto sours, sangria, and some other yummy concoctions, yet remaining in control of our bodies at all times. That is necessary considering the company of American boys that only know how to grind and not really anything else.... ew. The next night was Barbarroja, outdoor salsa and dance bar. The music was more traditionally Mexican, and we still danced 'til early in the morning. The next night was the penthouse, playing games in Spanish and making friends with people I may or may not see again. I also enjoyed the sun as much as possible, getting somewhat more tan.

Puebla is where Chucho is from, and his family was so very welcoming and warm, making us a home-cooked meal of milanesa (one of my favorites), and treating us with respect and housing us for that night. After Puebla we once again returned to Mexico City, where I got to spend quality time with my aunt and uncle Elda and Azael. I love them so much, and wish I could have brought them home with me. In Mexico City, we really got a taste of authentic food, such as tacos al pastor (another favorite), alambres, authentic tortillas, good frijoles, and numerous sopapillas that were delicious. My family also did a great job at making Melissa and I feel welcome, loved, and cared for. I can't help but want to go back to those warm, strong people in Mexico.

Back on campus, classes are already filled with lots of reading. I also cleaned the living room of the quad, and the room Sarah and I share.... which we're about to not share. She's moving out due to a desire to concentrate more fully on her academic pursuits, and I also know it will help her socially to be in a single. The single is in Hiett, so she won't be far anyway. I can only hope that it will be a positive thing in her life and make things easier for her final term on this campus with grades, partying, and doing the things she wants to do that roommates inhibited her from doing to some extent. If she thinks it's good for her, I can't have any more confirmation than that that it will be good.

Not only spring but many new, good things are coming about this term. I hope that it continues to be warm. New blossoming friendships, regrowth in old ones, a chance to start over anew. I fare thee well.

Androgyny

Your Brain is 53.33% Female, 46.67% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

I can only hope I am this androgynous. Androgynous people are well-balanced and secure about themselves, their beliefs, their behaviors, etc. It's so interesting to me how American society puts pressures on males and females to engage in certain gender roles that are literally impossible to sustain.... I'll take the middle road, thank you.

a hint of things to come

last book i've read: From Child Sexual Abuse to Adult Sexual Risk: Trauma, Revictimization, and Intervention, edited (not solely authored) by Linda Koenig, Lynda Doll, Ann O'Leary, and Willo Pequegnat
music currently caressing my ears: Nick Drake, the best 70's singer/songwriter that died before he was truly famous. I miss him.
general mood: excited and thankful
quote i just thought of: "I could have been your pillar, could have been your door. I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more...." --Nick Drake

It's tenth week at Lawrence, and for once, I'm not feeling extreme amounts of pressure. This weekend I had the best time at PKT formal with Wayland. It was one of the best times I've had yet, with an excellent dinner, a dance afterwards, and free glasses to remember the night by. It was crazy good fun. With respect to my homework, I did the worst of it all today and last Friday: had a Spanish quiz, a 5-7 page paper, a Spanish composition, and a presentation to do. All of that was done by today. I feel like a free bird. And the best part about it is spring break in Mexico City with Melissa for 10 days. Oh man, it's gonna be great. I'll miss Wayland, wish he could go, but he'll be in California, which will also be gorgeous. At least I'm going somewhere somewhat different than previous spring breaks. My cousins in Mexico are thrilled to have us, and they already have spots picked out for us to go, like Acapulco. Ohhhhhh yeah. Also I've been hanging out with Linkie more, and she's proving to be a good friend. "You're a good friend, and good friends are so hard to find...."

I've never felt better about the end of a term. I'm glad things are going so well. If only I could wait for this.... better now than never.