¡Feliz Navidad!

I love this time of year, always have. I was raised in a vegetarian Hindu household so never really had any traditional celebrations. Just time off from school/work that allowed the family to come together and enjoy the holiday cheer. We didn't exchange gifts within the family but my mom always made sure to gift our teachers every year and she helped us gift friends. I continue the tradition of gifting those around me but it's never been a stressful, overtaxing endeavor. This year, Kenya helped me by wrapping gifts for the chicas that work here, my friends, and my sister. It's been fun!

I invited both of Ana's girls over for x-mas eve. I gave them their gifts (coloring books with crayon boxes), and they loved it. We had a blast laughing, playing, and goofing around. At one point, Diego started playing his drum and the girls went giddy. Here they are with black sapote on their hands.

Ana made us lovely & delish salads. Sarah and I made guacamole dressing (fresh guac thinned down with grapefruit juice)- so yummy. All in all, it was a super sweet day.

Wishing everyone holiday cheer!!

The good times keep rollin...

A week after Sofí left, Sarah came to stay with us. She is another young traveler that Sofí met at the local waterfalls. She speaks Spanish brilliantly and is helping me improve my speaking. She is also great fun to gab with and is v interested in Astrology. I have been giving her astro lessons, which is a pleasure. And in the evenings, we've begun watching Season 1 of Sex & the City. She has never seen it, and it's way entertaining to watch again.

Last Wed., I went to my first social event here in Coatepec. The neighbors organized an evening posada (gathering) for us to get to know each other. People brought snacks & refreshments, and I enjoyed the homemade warm fruit cider. It was sooo cute, I had no sooner sat down then all the young girls (ages 5-10) at the party gathered around, anxious to meet me. In their excitement, they all started shouting their names out at once. I laughed and asked them to go one at a time. Each was a sheer delight to meet. Sarah later remarked what a total magnet I was for the kids. I have always loved kids and it warms my heart that they love me too :))

The weather has been oh so wonderful. Bright, sunny days with highs in the mid-70's & lows in the mid-50's. I am amazed that the weather is sooo nice in Dec. I LOVE it!!

This Saturday, my sister & her best friend are coming to visit for a week. I CAN'T wait!! I miss my sister terribly and it will be a blast to spend the week with her.

The Navidad festivities are in full swing around here with lights, carolers, and warm fruit cider. Did I mention? I LOVE it here! :))

Livin la vida buena :)

It's been 3 months since I last posted, and time has just flown by! Let's see...in October, I celebrated my 36th birthday, and it was a really sweet day. I started the day early with a strong workout. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and I felt sooo good that I decided to commune with the divine cactus which added a joyful sparkle to my day. A fellow expat, Jay, stopped by just to say hi. He drives a comfy, red SUV and though I love our old VW Westie, I was eyeing his car for a joy ride. I mentioned it was my bday and how fun it would be to tour the area. Jay was game, and I got to take in the beautiful sites around town for the first time. Later in the afternoon, I got a massage from Andrés whose touch always leaves me feeling stronger and energized. We ended the day with friends gathered around me & my homemade fruity chocolate pie singing happy birthday in Spanish. It was a yummy good time!!

Then in mid-November, we had our first visitor. An old friend, Jen, sent me an email in Oct. saying that her baby sister (19 y/o) would be traveling solo thru Mexico and asked if she come visit us. Of course, your sister is my sister! Sofí stayed with us for 3 weeks, and we had a fab time!! She was very caring, and it was sooo nice having another female in the house to connect with. Here she is happily smiling by the local waterfall in Coatepec.

The last few months have also been about finding labor to assist me and help our household run smoothly. The right people have fallen into place, and each is a delight to have around. We started with Olga who helped us move in and continues to work here cleaning our house 3x/week. I LOVE the fresh feeling she gives the house. Then there's Ana who I consider to be our kitchen angel. She works 6 evenings a week to prep our raw foods. She makes fresh mandarin and grapefruit juice, cuts up ripe fruits such as papayas & pineapples, and creates scrummy, artistic salads.

She also brings one of her two precious daughters with her: Casandra, 3 y/o & Cynthia, 6 y/o. I love spending time with them, and we have a blast! I bought coloring books, crayons, a sketch pad, color pencils, and a bouncy ball for fun times at casa de shayla :) Ana also comes in the mornings 3x/week to help me take a shower and tend to any girly needs I have.

Last but certainly not least is Kenya, a 19 y/o who is shiny pretty and very industrious. She is a kind of jack-of-all-trades and helps us with different projects around the house 3x/week.

Recently, a new career has found me. I started studying astrology back in '97 and it has remained a passion of mine. In Sept, the opportunity came to write astro articles for a website. I took it and even amazed myself at how solid my astro skills are. I also had my first astro client and gave her a reading thru online chat, aah the internet...

I love it here, and I am the happiest I've been in a long time. Estoy muy contenta :)