I never look at my speedometer here.
Ok, very rarely.
Yesterday, I looked at it to see how fast I was going (50 mph) and it dawned on me that here, you're speed really doesn't matter. Staying safe on the road is the key.
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Interesting
Yesterday, one of the resorts in San Jose (where we live) observed the U.S. plight for independence through a fireworks show.
Craig and I heard the first loud boom and decided to get up from where we were sitting to go check it out. (Note: Every Tuesday one of the resorts puts on a fireworks show, we've dubbed it "Fireworks Tuesday." Original, I know. But it's cool, I mean, they didn't do that in Toledo.) Anywho, we stood out by my sister's pool (as we are currently watching her house and dog) and watched the fireworks.
Firework #2 was beautiful.
Firework #3 was lovely.
Firework #4 was gorgeous.
Then.
It.
Was.
Over.
Four fireworks on the 4th of July. No more. No less.
C. and I laughed.
We love living here. They acknowledged our holiday, indeed. Awesome.
Or, click here to see the dotphoto album thumbnails. (May be faster than the show above.)
Read more...
I have been looking forward to today for several reasons.
1.) I like Sundays
2.) I like to go treasure hunting at the beach
3.) I am solar powered and require sunshine at least once per week. (Yes, I wear like SPF 40 on my face.)
Anywho - there's no sunshine today.
Today is one of the six days a year that Cabo is overcast. Sad.
As I said on mi otro blog, Two Pretzels - there will be minimal blogging within the next little while. I am traveling home to see my dog, home and others.
Also, I am going to make a grand attempt of trying not to butcher the English language for the duration of my visit.
Note to self: Do not say, "Hola, Como esta?" to the customs guy in Dallas. That's a start.
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House update: They will be painting whilst we are gone. Every room will have a tan color with a brown-ish "wash" over it. Very "Mexico-esque." That way, we may be able to move in when we get back. I think our lease will start July 1. FUN!
...is Mexico's universal acceptance of styrofoam. It's everywhere.C. and I were discussing it and both believe that we should sell our Toledo house next spring.
We just don't need it. I'm not sure it's worth it to keep a house that we go back to MAYBE 6 times a year, for a total of 30 days maximum.
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It's really quite interesting how distance truly makes our hearts grow less fond. (When it comes to this one topic.)
We've learned that it's an everyday logistical pickle to deal with a home in another country. If it were a condo or something, that would be easier...
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Or maybe we'll rent it out. Hmmm....
Super fun beach day today.Soon enough C. and I will be moving out of Mykonos 201 B. Though the view is amazing, the location lovely - we're excited to move on.
C. has aptly named our home, "our room," for obvious reasons...
Things we will miss:
Walk into our place, our "foyer", if you will and you'll see this.
The kitchen. And our trusty water cooler at right.
Our kitchen. See the toaster oven in the left-hand corner?
Living room. See C.? Laying on the couch?
Our view of the 2 pools and the ocean.
Woke up this morning in Mykonos 201B to find that we had no water.
Let me map this out for you: this means no toothbrushing, toilet flushing, shower taking, leg shvaving, dishes washing, etc.
A few minutes ago I went down to the Mykonos Main Office to ask Olga what the dilly-yo was. As it turns out, a city water pipe has been damanged (i.e. broken) and therefore we have no water. However, we have cistern that is supposed to be always FILLED with water.
The question then becomes, is the cistern full?
Ah yes, let me answer this: No. The cistern, which is paid for by the homeowner's association to be full at all times for emergency situations is empty. Yes, empty.
Olga told me, "If we get water today...just try to use it sparingly." Olga. If you get water here today, I'll be happy to heed your request. If not, I might kill you.
The U.S. has softened their passport restrictions for the time being. See here.
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure.
Life is rough when you read, hang out in the pool and hunt for treasures every Sunday.
Background: C. has been living in Cabo for 5 months and 8 days.
Most exciting thing:
"That we'll be moving. Into a house. With our dog."
Newest thing you've learned:
"About the little development behind Fonatur, where we'll be moving."
Food issues/thoughts:
"I have no food issues. I love Mexican food."
Job Thoughts:
"Right now I'm just putting in my time, learning the market and waiting for my break."
Overall thoughts:
"I'm still glad we moved here. It's a chance of a lifetime, really. It's nice to live in paradise."
What do you miss?:
"I miss family get-togethers, friends, glass blowing, etc."
Overall Comments:
"I am looking forward to being able to do stuff on our new residence and have fun doing that, instead of spending the weekends in our hotel room."
The house is ours! It's a bit more expensive than we anticipated... But, they're getting in and doing repairs right now. :-) Wah-who! Should be ready in 15 days. I say 16 "business" days, so I bet by June 29th? Probably?
Read more...
If you're planning on moving to Mexico and getting the same Verizon plan I have - you can't.
They finally caught on to us. We're getting by with murder.
I pay $100 per month to keep my Ohio number and call anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. I also have 1000 free mobile-to-mobile minutes and some other perks. I use my U.S. cell constantly.
When I had Cingular - I paid something like $650.00 for about 200 minutes. Uh-huh.
So, I guess as long as C & I keep our plan, we're good to go. Awesome. Very good. I love when I don't miss out on a good deal.
At pilates, which is all-Spanish (and bits of English when I don't understand), I love it when Mara (the instructor) says:
We found a place to live.
My shamrock plant I got from my Mother just a month ago.
Planted these cute little beauties on Sunday.
(This is where I work.)
Today, Chloe and I had a nice time together. We washed my car and sprayed each other with the hose, then went to the Mykonos pool. As you can see from the pictures above, Chlo had a good itme "cooking". (I loved using kitchen stuff like that when I was younger.) Then, Unco C. joined us and we went down to the beach. Pretty fun. Nice day.
*Not so great quality of pics, they're from my camera on my p hone.
I miss home.
Well, we called several more contacts in San Jose to see if they had a.) anything for rent in our price range and b.) if we could have a dog. Here are the results:
Pros:
1. We're trying to figure out when we're going to go back to Toledo from June - October. Since it's about $1200 for us both to go at any single time, we're trying to plan appropriately so as to not miss showers, family get-togethers, important memorial golf outings, friend get-togethers, bachelorette parties and weddings. Eek. Not to mention, I'm out of conditioner and need my hair done. Badly.
2. We're also attempting to figure out where we're going to live. Although Mykonos has been very good to us (we're on the ocean/ beach!) - we require: a.) more livable space b.) a second bedroom c.) our dog to live with us and d.) a place that allows 2 cars. We're looking at a house in Cabo today.
3. Hmmm... that's about it.
Thought I'd give the rundown.
P.S. It's going to be so nice for me, C. and Nattie to all be together again.
...I am at home...
On the INTERNET!!!!
Yeah! I'm so excited. :-)
Today, I got the phone call that our DSL was now working. So, I went home at lunch time, not expecting it to be on, and guess what... it wasn't.
(No worries, I prepared myself before I walked through the door.)
So, I called Telmex/Prodigy and a lovely man, who spoke fantastic English, helped me along.
So now, it works!
Wah-who!!!!!!!
P.S. See that happy chocolate cookie thing? That's how I feel!
C. is on his way to Newport to visit his friend Bill.C. was at home today and apparently our home phone rang twice.
It was Telmex trying to figure everything out.
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I have to say that I'm pleased that they're even working on it.
I called Telmex again today. Apparently since my last report on Saturday they need 3 business days to work on the problem. Not just three days.
Oops.
My bad.
Each time C. and I go to the beach, we search for “treasures.” The beach near our place isn’t really a seashell type shore, instead it’s a bit more pebble-y.
Anywho, C. is a self-proclaimed “treasure hunter” (he explained just now he likes, “looking for booty”) and always seems to have an eye for sea glass. He found all the fun stuff you see above.
See that SEA-shell up there? C. found it yesterday and was uber-excited about, since shells (especially cool ones) are not an everyday occurrence here.
The flower in the little cup is from a tree in our little community. I ganked it. Anyone know what it is? They smell wonderful.
On Saturday, I went to the grocery store and bought a phone.
I then proceeded to phone Mexico City, specifically Prodigy.
I asked to speak to someone in English.
I spoke to someone who did indeed know some English, which was fine because I do indeed know some Spanish.
He proceeded to tell me that my DSL wasn't working (duh) and that it would be up and running in 48 hours.
It will be 48 hours today around 3 p.m.
At which point, I will call back with my reference number.
The internet WILL work. I will not give up.
Hello. I'm a broken record.
The phone guy yesterday never reported to Telmex that there was a problem, even though I paid him $400 pesos. Jerk.
SO, with help from awesome-work-friend-B., I got the phone number of Prodigy in Mexico City that I will be calling more than likely, Monday. I must go this weekend and buy a cheap phone and call from my phone line at home.
So. There you have it.
I shan't give up. Damn it.
\Without the help of an AWESOME co-worker and friend, I wouldn't even be able to handle this. B., that I work with, has been awesome.
So today, she calls an outside vendor who does phone line service and he comes to help me. He's there for 5 minutes, finds that he can't do anything because the phone line box at Mykonos (where we live) is locked.
So, I talked to Olga, the Czarina of the complex, and she gives me the name of Neto, who speaks just a BIT of English. So, B., (that I work with), calls Neto and I have an appointment with him at Mykonos 201B at 1:30.
Everyone. KEEP your fingers crossed. Say a prayer. Light a candle. WHATEVER.
Yesterday. That's the ocean. Straight ahead.
Yesterday my sister asked the Magic 8-ball in her office if I would ever have the internet again, it didn't look good. "Not likely."
Seriously, you have NO idea how INconvenient it is to NOT have the damn internet at home. It is just ridiculous. Do you want to go to a movie? Um... no internet to look up movie times.
Do you have to answer a work issue? No internet.
Do you want to shop online? No internet.
Do you want to blog? No internet.
Do you want to read other people's blogs? No internet.
Do you want to buy some of your pictures off of dotphoto? No internet.
It is KILLING me. Truly. It's making me angry and frustrated and just downright MAD.
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Apparently Telmex is going to come today to fix our non-dial-tone phone. Yeah. Right.
1. The beach
2. Salsa
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*Family is a given
(More to come as I think of it.)
We might actually get internet.
After one month.
Amazing.
THEN, dear friends & readers, I SWEAR I will start posting regularly again.
My horoscope* today, as told to me by my husband, was:
"What may seem like amazing good luck is actually a reward you've earned."
So...
Normally when grocery shopping in Cabo I get frustrated? Why? Because I can never find all that I'd like to find. Literally, when you go to the grocery whatever was there last week may or may not be there the next week. It's frustrating for someone (like me) who enjoys certain types of food.
Today, I was able to buy:
Today, there were two horses grazing in the grassy area by the glorieta (turn about) in front of Mega.
Awesome.
Nothing says, "Welcome to Cabo" like two horses just freely grazing around the most dangerous intersection in the area.
On my way back from Cabo to San Jose today there was a panhandler at the light by the Pemex station going from car to car requesting contributions to his living budget.
Ok, no biggie. Whatever. It's Mexico.
This particular entrepreneur actually was caring around his x-rays to backup his medical condition. Awesome. This truly is taking begging to a whole new level.
In our place, C. and I have been living without the networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) on our satellite t.v. At first, this was a big deal for me.
Now? No big deal at ALL. I'm all about the following non-network shows:
Why? To pick up things that I can't find here. This trip I bought:
Let me say, that after vacationing in the U.S. in a state where the temp didn't reach 60, I love it here. Yes, San Fran/Napa was awesome - however the constant sunshine does wonders for my demeanor. :-)
This weather is perfection. Really
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All is well here. Jobs are good. The end of high season is quickly approaching.
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We're on the SEARCH for a two-bedroom living abode. Why? Because we need a.) a bit more space and b.) it would be nice to have our dog. So, I'm keeping my chin up and onward and upward we go. (Although, I'll be honest, not living on the beach will be tough. We're so spoiled/blessed right now.)
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