games

had 9 kids in the shop yesterday for about 2 hours playing 'battleship' and 'connect four'. i think i might have a new career in an 'after school program'. what fun!

thugs

sometimes my friends are thugs and sometimes they don't come home.
i miss you tony.

things that happen here

my feet are almost always dirty.
i can shower outside.
most people don't wear shirts or shoes and are still served.
dogs are welcome. and i haven't seen a service dog.
no one seems to have allergies.
buying feminine products at the corner store never seems embarrassing.
i can wear the same cloths for a week and no one treats me differently.
someone else can wear the same cloths for a week and i don't treat them differently.
unrefrigerated eggs are the only kind.
sweaty cheeks kisses happen more often than not.
i eat outside 99% of the time.
my friends tell me it's worth it to cross the boarder illegally to have more money for their family.
most 'street' dogs have homes.
i have seen more than 8 funeral processions in 9 months.
i have friends that want revenge for a murdered cousin. i hope he comes home.
kids play outside more than inside. sticks and sand are toys.
there are a lot of old people. most are men.
i don't see car seats.
people don't use seatbelts.
we drink in the street.
we J-walk.
we don't have 'walk' and 'don't walk' signs. and we are still alive.
there are no stop signs.
some of my friends have dirt floors in their houses, thatched roofs and outdoor kitchens.
people smile often.
people laugh before any other reaction.
pitbulls are kind.
some poodles are really mean.
i don't always pick up my dog's poop. and it's ok.
loud music is best shared with your neighbors.
roosters do not have an internal clock.
it is fun to sit on a street corner for no reason.
relaxing is encouraged.
when people work. they work very hard.
touching people is a given.
saying hello to everyone you see is normal.
walking seems to be the most effecient mode of transportation.
i shop everyday at a corner store for my meal(s).
street food has not made me sick. ceasar salad at a restaurant has.
news is sometimes broadcast from a stereo attached to the top of a car.
yoga taught in spanish is a lot like yoga taught in english.
there are lots of critters.

... off the grid

i haven't been writing. even though i have been grateful every day... i have not felt the need to record it. not sure if this is a phase and i will come back or... i'm done. time will tell.

all is well in mexico. after 6 months down here and a trip back home... i am where i am supposed to be. mexico fits.

love

i am thankful for april and her generous nature. tonight after pizza, wine and birthday mousse i got to see april's teenage son give her a hug goodnight. "night ma. i love you." "i love you, too." such a sweet sweet moment. i admire her parenting and friendship.

birthday

this year... my best gift was telling important people in my life, "i love you!" i am grateful for leslie, beth and all those that wished me a happy happy birthday. woo hoo!!! 37 is awesome!

taxes

i am thankful for taxes. it was a GREAT year!

party

thank you for all my portland peeps that came out to see me, while i was in town. i had a great time and am so thankful for all of you!!! (and spicey tots with bbq sauce)

out

got to have some really great mexican food here in portland. YUM! later that night met up with the girls and i am so thankful to have been sitting in that chair... when the music was playing... they were singing and dancing... and i got to be there.

lauro

had dinner with april, susanna and kyle at 'lauro'. wow! i forget how rich and fantastic food is. it was wonderful to indulge. i am so thankful for april; let me stay at her house, be in her space and just being able to spend time with her again. i love it!!

wednesday shop/hang

i ran some errands and got to go 'shopping' with april. it was such a nice afternoon... just hanging out. we met up with erin at 'dingo's' for enchaladas and margaritas. YUM! i am thankful to have great friends to hang out with, where ever i go. lucky girl!

tuesday travel

i had my favorite breakfast, said goodbye and got on the bus. it was a lovely, slow ride to PV. pretty uneventful all the way to LAX. i gave myself a 3 hour layover and after customs/immigration i had enough time to pee and buy a very expense sandwich. it was strange to use a credit card again, move at a faster pace and be around so many people. got to portland and greeted by april. so great!! we stayed up til 3am chatting. i am really enjoying hanging out at her house. i am thankful for her generous nature and letting stay at her house. it is so comfy. especially on the couch.

monday pack

i'm a bit behind... being grateful. monday was another wonderful day. i did get my stuff all organized and prepped for my trip to portland. i am thankful that i can go up to portland, when i want to.

electricity

i am thankful when the power goes out! yesterday a car hit a power pole and a line dropped in the street and the power went out. i went out later that night, to find it still out and everyone in town. most of the restaurants were still open, just no lights and there were enough musicians around to keep the square lively. it is reassuring to find that night life continues even when the power is out.

beautiful views

i am thankful for my time up on the hill. i can see the stars, fireworks, the ocean, the hills, town and enjoy the quite time from the other side of town.

drop by

thanks to brian and tenare for dropping by the shop. when did i see you last? geez. so cool to see familiar faces down here. i am also looking forward to my visit to portland and la to see more of you. big hugs and some sunshine coming your way!!

a cold

i am thankful for having a cold/cough in a warm climate and not a cold one. it is much better.

complaints

joshua and i both had the best complaints today...

joshua... "i took the wrong board out to surf today."
marilee... "i want to get some new cloths. these are falling off."

i am thankful that we have amazing complaints. joshua has too many boards to choose from and i'm too skinny for my cloths. we are living our lives... and had a big laugh at our silly complaints today. if only everyone had our problems...

sunday - monday

feeling sad. i am thankful for taking risks and living where i do. i have never regretted doing something i wanted to do... only crap i wanted to and never tried. (which is not much)

leslie

my heart just broke. my dear friend leslie was just told today that she has brain cancer and 3-12 months to live.

i am thankful for leslie.
please send out a hug, prayer, grace, love, healing, kindness and peace to her.

tequila

i am thankful for a fun tequila night and a not-so-bad-post-tequila morning.

sayulita days

i have no idea if this was the last day or the first of the festival... but it was crazy. there was a parade at 8am and then everyone was in the plaza until about 5pm. my day at work was a bit hellish with 5 different banda bands playing over each other a half a block from the shop. i made it through without my ears bleeding but i did have a headache. so what did i decide to do with my evening?? go to the rodeo with my guy friends and listen to more banda. the good thing about being at the rodeo was... beer, buddies, dancing, bull riders, tranny-clowns, dirt, peeing next to cars, burgers with bologna, hot dogs, cowboys that can dance, surfers in cowboy cloths, seeing all my mexican friends, cock fights across the street... i am thankful for all things mexican.

sunday - wednesday

this is one of those weeks... where so many wonderful things have happened and yet i didn't find the time to make it to the computer. BUT i did go to sleep every night with thoughts of gratitude and love. i am thankful for so many things; they happen unexpectedly, with out warning, naturally and i love it!!

dancing

one of the few times in my life where i completely disconnect my brain from my body is while dancing. tonight i was smiling so much my cheeks hurt... and sometimes one of 3 people dancing on the dance floor. i don't like public speaking or karaoke... but put on some dancing music and i will put on a show. uninhibitated... liberated... free... joyful... playful and passionate. me. i am thankful for the gift of dance. anytime, anywhere... if the mood is there... so am i. i love my body in motion...

connections

my latest connection is with a lovely woman who lives here in town and gotten to know over the past couple of months. it just keeps getting better. it's real, it's easy, it's nonjudgmental, it's mutual, it's interesting, it's not attached, it's open, it's... a nice place to be. i am thankful for her and her friendship.

random friends

i am thankful for guera's good taste in people. she wondered off and into a neighbors house with tourists from washington. we chatted and had a couple of drinks and lots of laughs. what a lovely way to end an evening. thanks new friends, enjoy mexico!!

send off

i am thankful for my mother's first visit to sayulita. it was a sad goodbye, but i think she will be back. it was nice to have her in town. i can see how she would fit right in.

last night

mom's last night. what a great night. we found 'churros-man' and had a fantastic dinner at 'tierra viva'. celina and 'chief' waited on us and we circled the plaza saying good bye. to maurillo, his mother, beto, josue and our other local friends. what a GREAT week with mom. she did so little and so much... a true vacation.

valentine

i am thankful for my valentine. joshua took mom and me to the best tacos in town. WONDERFUL!!

churros

another cruise around town and some rockin' thai food. had know idea mom was into the curry and pad thai. awesome!! i am thankful for all these little, mellow, day to day experiences with mom. bummer we couldn't find 'churros-guy' to top off the night. 'cake-lady' filled the sweet spot... but not quite the same. there is always tomorrow!

beach walk

mom and i walked to 'muertos' beach via the jungle route. it was quite lovely. i am thankful for new little adventures in a small town. (and pork tacos)

ken and phyllis

i am thankful for wonderful meals and good company. thanks for coming to town, ken and phyllis. i love seeing dear friends in new environments. what a great day.

market

i am thankful for the market that overwhelmed me... and i got to watch my mother float through, taking it all in and looking for more. i love that she is in mexico!!

mom

wow! mom is in mexico. i can't believe. AND it is like she lives here. she is so adaptable... i knew this, but really... in less than a few hours she is walking around like she lives here. enjoying the market, the food, the people and venturing around just enjoying life. i am so grateful for my mother and friend. amazing!

what day?

i am thankful for forgetting what day it is.

neighbors

i am thankful for neighbors that cook and show movies. the commute home was nice. thanks for all the laughs.

sun

fell asleep on the beach today. it was so nice to feel the sun after a couple of days of overcast. not sure how i managed in oregon. i am loving the warmth of the sun and i am grateful for how beautiful it makes everyone look and feel.

dance

last night was a great reminder to get out of my head and into my body. i've been thinking a lot lately and forgetting to feel. it felt so good to move my body and feel the music. i am thankful for my love of dancing and remembering what it feels like to feel.

sneakers

i am thankful for sneakers and socks... and a scarf and 3 layers on top and jeans. i can't believe THIS is mexico. ha ha. i will be wishing for this day... come august.

cool and cloudy

what a weird day. it is the 3rd day since we moved here, that we have had clouds. today was almost fully overcast. it felt and looked so weird after more than 4 months of sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. mexico looks better in the sun. i am thankful for the 'cold' day and will remember that when i don't stop sweating for 3 months this summer.

dinner party

i am thankful for dinner and drinks at tamara's. it was full of interesting people and good wine.

rico sauves

i am thankful for all the mexican boys in town that flirt with me. it is fun to have the attention. (it reconfirms all the great and wonderful things my boyfriend says.) today, i felt extra good looking!

date night

i had such a great time having a 'date night' with joshua. what fun it is to have dinner made, fun tv shows to watch and wonderful company. we are going to have to have those evenings more often. i am grateful for good times with my man.

rodeo

once again, i was one of four 'whites' in a crowd. i love being the odd one out. tonight i went to the rodeo. it amounted to 4 different guys on 4 different bulls, (only one injury) a random dog, 5 guys on dancing horses and lots of beer. (mostly drunk by the guys on dancing horses). OH... and more banda music. i am thankful for the daily reminder... "i live in mexico. i am surrounded by mexicans. the US is not the center of the universe. But dancing horses just might be."

reflection

i am thankful for time and space to reflect and see things more clearly. what i miss... what i don't miss... what i want... what i don't want. enjoying the pause between moments.

comfort

i am thankful for having enough energy today to comfort someone that needed it. good luck matty.

hot shower

i am thankful for getting home before sunset and having a hot shower, pasta and a movie.

jenga

a great day... i am thankful for a great game of 'jenga' with selina and new friend valeri (7 years old) it was a wicked match and loads of fun on an evening sans puppy. i also had a beer with rick, my neighbor, that never goes out and saw some great music at 'red dragon'. ALSO... some amazing tacos at 'ivan's.' mom? i can't wait for you to try these amazing tacos. (pork with pineapple) and a random salsa move in the street.

bus ride

i am thankful for mexican bus rides. i was coming back from bucerias and the bus was packed! at one point the bus driver offered his lap. (smiling through his silver capped teeth) awesome! even though it was packed, everyone was smiling and we kept picking up more people. we followed a wobbly watermelon truck for a while. (convinced there were going to be melons dying all over the road.) then we followed a truck with a whole, quartered cow in the back. (skinned). beth... it was very fresh trunk meat, just baking in the sun and waiting for the perfect person to sell it to. (i thought i saw bob waiting at the bus stop in the next town. better check your freezer.)

avacados

i am forever thankful that i can get killer avacados, tomatoes and limes in the middle of winter. i can't think of a better dinner. YUM!!

mac and cheese

i am grateful for 'annie's' mac and cheese. that i didn't have to cook and was eaten while watching 'modern family'. it was a great evening. thank you!

peaceful

i am grateful for a peaceful day. it was possibly the nice walk or cleaning some boards at work... maybe the good sleep the night before. who knows.

just ask

i know the universe answers me... even when i don't ask out loud. "I NEED FRIENDS". today they appeared when i needed them. i had 7 people on my stoop showing love, interest and gratitude. and am so thankful for all of them. they brought me love from everyone... past, present and future. and i could feel that love and it felt good. i am grateful for life. with all it's twists and turns. "float more" "fear less" and savor the moment and i can hear the waves crashing. life IS good!!! every moment is perfect.

marilio

just when i think i've fooled everyone. and the reality is, i am having a bad day. and marilo brings me a treat from his restaurant. thank you marilio, for the lovely gesture, i am grateful for it.

other side

i am thankful for my walk up the north hill and the great view from there. peaceful, quiet and lovely change of perspective.

sellina

i had dinner at my friend, sellina's house. what a wonderful time with friends and lovely view of the town and sea. i am thankful for a wonderful time together with dear friends that put a smile on my face and bring me joy. (and remind me... "i live in paradise!")

san pancho

went over to san pancho this morning to see some of the surf competition. it was pretty cool to see some of our local guys make the finals. it was warm and sunny and lovely to sit on the beach with my friends and enjoy a new view after 3.5 months. i am thankful for other towns near by to check out. mexico is so beautiful!

cloudy

woke up to clouds today. what are those puffy white things in the sky? i am thankful for a cool morning with clouds.

sleep over

cori, gena and zoraya went home for the holidays. (to minnesota) and gena is driving the car down and cori and zoraya took a plane home. she wanted to know if i would have a sleep over for a couple of nights. it has been a lot of fun. (sans family for a couple of nights and having girl time in a king size bed) woo hoo! i am thankful for cori and sleep overs.

seth and jess

i know i am talking up my new friends... but they took me out to dinner tonight and i got some great family time and got to know my sister from another mother. (and my daughter to another mother) redheads... i am grateful for them and their loving nature and generosity.

jess and seth

i am thankful for my new friends... seth and jessica. they have been a joy to see everyday. i will miss them. dinner with them tomorrow will be great!

huh

tuesday, tuesday, tuesday... i am thankful for tuesdays. that is all i got for this one.

basque

today in the shop, a couple from the basque country came in. WOW! it was so cool to hear someone speak basque and for them to get so excited that i not only knew where that was, but had a tattoo, took language classes and grew up wanting to be basque. i am thankful for my new euskaldi friends that know when i say... "aupa! zer mo duz?" they have an appropriate response.

saturday

i am thankful for my puppy, again. she is getting so big so fast. my little marshmallow is turning into my little tank.

friday?

i am a little behind on my gratitude... but i am guessing that after a long night out with the girls, i am thankful for some sleep and lots of water.

alicia and bernice

what an amazing girl night. dancing, drinking, making new friends and staying out late. my hats off to two ladies that can shake it on the dance floor and melt hearts by the dozen. i am grateful for strong, loving women in my life!

kevin

today i had breakfast with my friend kevin. another lover of chilaquiles. i am thankful for my friend, kevin, who shares my love of this famous mexican breakfast dish... we are working on a rating system for all the chilaquile dishes in sayulita. right now we know of 6 restaurants that serve it and hope to have a review for all of them. it is good to have a project!

"Chilaquiles. Chee-lah-KEE-less! I mentioned I wanted to make chilaquiles to a Mexican friend the other day and you should have see the smile and look of rapture that came over his face. This is true Mexican comfort food, what your mom made you for breakfast when she had some stale tortillas that needed to get used up. Chilaquiles are basically corn tortilla pieces that are fried, cooked in salsa, and sprinkled with cheese. They are often served for breakfast with eggs and a side of beans."

paula

i am grateful for paula and our wonderful conversation in her shop. what a lovely woman. thanks again for new friendships and big smiles!

waves and a good year

i am thankful for a wonderful first 3 months in sayulita. we have had a very successful first 3 months at the shop. the dream is true. we are doing it. struggles and all.

beth

i am thankful for beth.
thank you for all your love and support. i miss you. if you were here, i can only imagine all the jokes and laughter you would bring to my mexican dream. what fun we would have. i can not wait to see you in march and give you the best side hug. seriously.

1 year

so i think i have made a post for everyday of the year 2010. (even though it says i have 361 entries) either way... i am thankful for my year long projects. i have done 2 years of a self portrait a day and a year of gratitude. i think i will continue with my thankfulness and see what project finds me next. thanks to all of you who read my blog... i hope you have seen the things in your life to be grateful for.

there will always be someone with less and always someone with more. so be happy with what you have and share what you can.

new year's eve

i am thankful for fireworks. joshua woke me up in time to walk down to the beach and see all the craziness in full swing. music, drunkenness and fireworks. they were so beautiful. right over our head and 'snowing' into the ocean. a year ago today... i couldn't have dreamed of being where i am right now. paradise!!