Hellen arrives!

Hey! Life is good. Hellen is here in Mexico with me! It's been a great first week. I met Hellen Rodriguez in Provo, UT when I had already made plans to move down here to Mexico City. Things ended up developing and as we chatted on the phone and messaging we decided to give things a try with her coming down here for a couple months of the summer. Hellen is soo good to me. It's been great to have her here and get to know her better. So I let my facial hair out for a little bit, but finally got sick of it. So here are some pics of Hellen and I of course and my vain little self with some facial hair..haha.



On the left here I decided to pose as Nacho Libre before shaving all of it off! haha










Here we are at the concert where it was confirmed that Mary-Ju-Wana is now legal in the great Country of Mexico....kinda sad really...I think they need to put regulations on it for the health of others just like Tobacco regulations...

Here are some pics when the Garza Family and I went to the Marquesa and a Mexican National Park. So for some reason I thought the States had a corner on the Christmas tree (pine tree) market and mountains and foliage....haha. I guess it was because souther mexico and northern mexico are like dry and desert like. But yeah Mexico City and the area is actually really pretty. These old buildings are like nunnery places and hermit camps for the ones who either misbehaved and had to live like hermits or maybe they just wanted to punish themselves!

Pretty sick, I got to ride on a horse for like 20 minutes! It was nice, smelly, and slow, but maybe next time I get an opportunity I'll get one that likes to gallop ;)

Playing Catchup

It's been a while since I've posted, for which I apologize. I have been busy....some work and some play. I hope I can capture the highlights...

I think I can some it up with four main topics:
1) Hellen my novia is coming to Mexico to live by me for a couple months this summer!
2) I got Gastritis from the wonderfully awful street vendors' grease and spice
3) Tourist visit to San Miguel de Allende
4) Work/Church update

Hellen Rodriguez, who I started dating in Provo a couple of weeks before my move is coming down here! I know we're crazy but hey, we thought it made sense to figure things out between us while we still had an opportunity. I think it's going to be sweet! I'm trying to help her get a job so that she can make things work while she is here like English classes or something.

So my ghetto residence has no microwave, oven, or stove. It does have a small fridge (half size?) but for like 20 people that live in this gutted house turned apartments. So I eat out a lot, so sue me. The food is cheap and for a really good meal at lunch/afternoon time, it's like 3 or 4 bucks. The street food is even cheaper...BUT Dang that chile and those ghetto taco stands that serve greasy--way good tacos--for like 45 cents!!!! They bring you in on the good smells and flavor and leave you with out beans and rice so you have too much grease and spice for a gringo stomach! The nice thing is that a doctor appt. cost me 2 dollars. And the meds about 10 or so dollars.. Gastritis So, I don't really know what that means. But I really need to stop eating so much of the spice and heavy greasy foods. I just can't handle it I guess. So my intestine is inflamada and I'm not contagious or anything (which is great because I get to go to church tomorrow ;) I DON"T HAVE THE FLU! They gave me some antibiotics and some medicine for the pain. Man, it was painful for a day or so though. I'm talking stomach attacks! I hope it starts working soon. I have to eat light food for a day or two and lots of liquids. But apart from all that, I'm fine. I need to recuperate. (this was a couple of weeks ago and I'm pretty fine now, just need to be careful to eat more of a variety).

San Miguel de Allende Basically this is a really touristy/colonial town the size of Provo, UT or Chico, CA. It's really cool with lots of old colonial style buildings/churches and tons of culture. Lots of Americans come and live there for 4-6 months out of the year. Like 20,000 North Americans out of the 140,000 population. Anyway, it's really a cool place with lots of cultural dances and songs in the center. Super safe town that is very accustomed to the gringo.

The thing that impressed me the most out of the whole weekend was meeting and hanging out with a returned missionary named Vicky.

So I was there in San Miguel for the weekend and I wanted to make sure that I went to church...so I did and was going to meet up with the Familia Garza at 5 in the center of town. Church got out at 12 so I had the whole afternoon to kill and I was hungry. I was lucky enough to score dinner with a girl I met in Sunday School. She was so nice! I went to her house though, and she was like no te asustes--don't get scared, but we are humble, or poor people here.

I had never seen a situation quite like it. It really threw me for a loop. Here is this girl that is a returned missionary 28 years old and she lived in a very humble place with her 12 siblings and her parents. I couldn't believe all of the kindness and love I felt there though. She was actually a convert of 10 years and none of her family had followed her yet into the church. But it was just really impressive how much she loved and cared for her younger siblings.

Anyway, I'm way glad that I could go to church there that Sunday.

Work
So I've been learning about how valuable English is here in Mexico and being from the US. Mexico city really isn't that dangerous for conscious gringos. It's interesting because I've thought about doing sales or promotions of somekind because everybody wants to buy from the gringo. There are some really nice perks to being a little different here. Anyway, for example like if I were to go in and tell someone that a product/process is better than another, or persuade, people will likely give me more benefit of the doubt because I'm different and have been educated in another place. Or because they think I'm "smokin' hot"....one or the other.

It looks like I'll get to be part of a consulting gig, which I'm way excited for as soon as I get some paperwork done. I think it will be a great experience. I have not been really impressed with the Mexican salaries that I've heard about here though. Some people get paid very little for how educated they are.

Here are some questions that I've gotten so far:
Where do you live? What do you like most about Mexico? Does anything surprise you about living there? Are you enjoying the food? You've probably been asked this a million times but is there still a scare over the swine flu? Do you go to a singles ward down there?

I live very close to the down town area in a colonia called Nueva Santa Maria, Delegacion Azcapotzalco in Mexico City (Federal District, D.F.) I live in a really safe area (during the day, at night I don't go out after dark much unless I'm in a car or in a group)
Food is great, but as mentioned above, it can make you sick. Surprises? Not really, except that the metro (subway) seems a lot safer than I thought it would be. I think it's better than in NYC, in terms of feeling safe as well as in terms of functionality and price. 2 pesos per ride anywhere. Which is about 16 cents USD!
Swine flu? Not really. I've heard of like 8 people in the Stake get sick, no deaths there though. If I get sick, I'll go to the doctor. There are more cases in Chicago than there are in most states in Mexico. The problem with Mexico is that people don't go to the doctor if they are broke. The economy is sucking it up and people die because of the circumstances.
Singles Ward? There are none down here. I hope to be able to help bring some fresh ideas to the stake/area around here though like activities that would be good for YSA.

First Interview---Checkk!!

Today was awesome! I get a little too excited sometimes about things and then they turn out to be not quite as cool as I think at first, but hey, I'm an excitable person I guess and life has its ups and downs. I think that's what ADD is, being easily interested/excited and easily disinterested as well.

So I had lunch with an hermano today that does Consulting, oh my goodness it was great! He is a really sharp guy, about 35 years or so. Anyway he asked me about all of my experiences on my resume for like 20 minutes or so. I don't think I ever had anyone as interested in my experiences as much as he was.

Anyway, he was impressed! He actually offered me a pretty sweet job --consulting. He wants me to go to an important meeting with his socio (partner) a couple of hours away next week to help give a presentation about what kind of Strategic consulting that "we" do for small and medium size companies. There will be a lot of important government and business people there from what I understand and I think I get like 20 minutes to speak!

This could be huge, because he has a sweet "in" with the secretary of state over the economy in the state of Veracruz (another state like nevada) and the government will pay 50-70% of the consulting fees. Anyway, his consulting business appears to be taking off as the company will be recommended and the sales should be easy.

So I'm pretty excited about that. He seems to be very well connected here and his partner (also a member of the church) even more so. Anyway, I'm really interested in what he is doing and really think that I'll take him up on his offer.

I get to do some training with him on Saturday. La unica cosa que no se puede ahora es recibir pagos, hasta que ya vaya empezando el negocio. Pero cuando yo haga ventas y luego se crezca la compania y haya asesores (consultants) bajo mi mando (ojala), voy a tener un buen sueldo como base tambien. Basically that means in english: commission only for a while and then a nice fat base check when things take off along with healthy commissions. He'd like me to be a manager over like 10 consultants when this takes off. But one step at a time eh like some paperwork and getting to know the gig before I actually start for real!

Anyway, I need to keep a level head about this all. I also need to make sure that I remember to let my personality that I have in English, shine in Spanish as well. Sometimes I'm a little quieter or more shy in Spanish. But I do feel like I'm up for the challenge.

So this is is few days ago when I found myself working for pesos on the dollar---haha---I was working sorta for el Hermano Garza-----I hope to find something else quickly. It's not much but but, yeah no paso hambre para nada, y si tengo ahorros de anos de la codera! jaja (meaning I'm not starving and because I'm a cheapskate I have a little cash saved away so I'll be fine looking for a job for a little while. But it does make me want to get a job quickly.

It's interesting that a lot of people don't have good basic computer skills here. I think that I may be average or even below average there in the states, but here, I'm a lot quicker than many others.

So, I'm basically just helping him out because he's hooked me up with food and cheap rent. But it is really making me want to use my time more productively and really get down to finding a good job so that I don't have to keep helping.

Anyway, i just got like almost 40% of battery up again. It seems like it took forever! The problem is that I can't plug in one of the ghetto "two hole ones" because I have a 3 prong cord. If that makes sense. So I have good plug ins up the stairs to my room, but not any reception with the internet up there. Kinda ghetto, but I'll get an adapter....

The job hunt begins--well officially in mexico

I just spoke with the manager at lds employment services. I think that I can get a job with a member of the church. not sure yet, but i´ll see..either in consulting small businesses or maybe even in a firm (venture capital) investing in startups. I hope to get in contact with these guys soon. The problem is that the city is kinda shut down right now and a lot of people aren´t going to work until further notice at least until may 6 so thngs may be slow until then.

It´s really been nice, though having the garza family help out so much. They´ve driven me everywhere so far, so that i haven´t had to take a taxi or public transportation yet. I´m glad so far especially because in mass transportation there is likely more of a chance for infection of the notorious virus.

I'M IN MEXICO!!! So I think this blog is going to be like an open journal for me and my friends and family that want to see what I'm up to and how things are going in "la ciudad mas grande del mundo" (the biggest city in the world in population size or some other demographic, not necessarily cooler than let's say Provo, UT or Live Oak, CA for example ;)).

Tuesday - Man I wish I had more sleep, I got to say goodbye to all of my friends Monday that were in town and close to me like Hellen, SQuebe, Sunhee, Calista and others in the ward an not. The days leading up to my departure from the US were so awesome, hanging out with friends and family. It was also tight to graduate with Steve Dutcher and getting to hang with Mckenna and their families. I also got to spend time with my parents and many of my brothers and some cousins and Aunt Dianne and Uncle Tiger.I really appreciate all of your love and support. I´m really sorry about Chance. It was sad and unexpected, but he´s in a better place.

Anyway I played hard on Monday night I guess, saying goodbye to all and then waking up at like 3:45 in the morning to catch my 7am international flight. Wow, was it a long day.

The flu epidemic scare:
On Sunday I started hearing about some wierd pig flu that's killing people in Mexico. I was told and advised to wait it out a week or so for my safety, but I didn't really feel strongly about not going so I decided to go through with it.

Additionally, I had given up my car to Gary-my brother and my cell phone (doesn't work in mexico unless I pay like $1.50 USD a minute - what a freakin' rip off). So I had sold my contract, practically moved out, had no job, no school, no cell phone, no car, no job, and no job....so I figured postponing it, did not make sense.

I'll admit though, that leaving was a bit nervous for me. I think that the first time that I actually got nervous was when I was walking mi amiga Hellen home and saying goodbye, or later that morning (5am) at the airport, realizing that I had not made a whole lot of plans for the trip.

Anyway, Steve Quebe you are a stud, thanks for alleviating some arrival concerns for me. It really meant (means) a lot to me. You are a true friend. So the plane ride was actually pretty normal until I got to Houston for my lay over. We had this huge jet, but only like 12 people got on, me being one of maybe 2 or 3 gringos (they were probably just white mexicans lol). Sure I was a bit nervous ;), but I am a bit loquito (loco for the gringos) and I was sure that if I practiced good hygiene, ate and slept well, that I would be just fine.

I made friends with a Mexican named David. buena gente. We ended up getting to know eachother quite a bit and he ended up helping me use the pay phones at the Mexico City airport to contact Ericka Garza, a friend that has been extremely helpful along with her family thus far. Arturo Morales was so kind enough to introduce me to her the week of graduation when she was visiting from Mexico to support him in his accomplishments.

Tuesday was a very crazy day. I stayed up till like 2 in the morning which was 3 in the morning from Utah time, and had slept next to nothing. Antonio Garza (Ericka's dad) is a really good guy. He's a high councilor in one of the 40 stakes (i think) in mexico city. He has let me stay in one of his apartments the last couple of nights and will rent to me for like $160 US a month. Its pretty nice, big as my room in condo row, but bigger bed. Also I'm up a metal (skinny) spiral staircase and the bathrooms are shared and downstairs. They are a little ghetto, but a lot nicer than average down here. The shower is best in class at least in one of the bathrooms. One I have avoided--bathrooms are just not the same :).

Anyway Antonio Garza is business guy that employs some freelance people to teach workshops that he creates (along with videos) for self improvement in the work place. So these workshops are taught to companies that are his clients. I think he teaches like leadership and other stuff. Anyway he is also trying to work on a project where he is using church materials and others to teach family principles courses. He wants it to be doctrine neutral so he can teach these courses to people of all faiths-as he has contacts in other religions as well.

So Tuesday I learned a ton, almost went on a vacation with their family to Acapulco in their summer home on a whim, but Antonio is being stubborn ;) --his family (Ericka, Antonio jr, and the mom, Luz Maria all would like to go, but he doesn't, not sure why exactly. At first I thought it was because of the safety issue---but there are way more influenza cases and deaths in Mexico city than anywhere else.

Today (thursday) I got to sleep in! Heck yes! and I went to a small super(market) and got some necessities. I feel pretty safe where I live. It's pretty sweet and there is a panaderia -mexican bakery- close to where I live! It's great, I had breakfast for like 60 cents!

The exchange rate right now is pretty good, which means that I get like a 30% discount on top of what the normal is, which is already pretty economical. But that also means that when I get a job and they pay me in Pesos, that I'll spend it all pretty quickly.

Today I get to go to the LDS employment services and have an appointment at 3pm.
FYI time here is Central (Texas) in the U.S.

Until the next post. Love you all. PEACE

Feel free to Facebook me anyone. Don't feel bad if it takes me a couple of days to respond. I hope to be able to get on the internet almost everyday.

Also my cell phone number is 55-59-40-52-66 --you have to dial either 001 or 011 to get out of the country then, 52- for mexico's country number first though.

My Move to Mexico City

I am so excited to move to Mexico in a week or so right after my graduation from BYU. I decided to blog about my experiences there so that all of my friends can keep in touch me and know what I am up to.

Life as I know it will never be the same!