This is the third of five posts over the next ten days as part of Momalom’s Five for Ten. Each participant writes about the same topic everyday–today’s topic is about Memory! I thought that this would be a fun exercise to get to know other bloggers! If you want, you can go visit all the other participants. I hope you enjoy! I look forward to stopping by each of your blogs & getting to know you as well over the next few days!
In 2006, I signed up for a study abroad trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico. I arrived at the airport on May 24 scared & excited. At the airport I met some of the people going on my trip; my roommate, Jenny, & this jack-hole who got on my nerves within the first 30 seconds of meeting him. I boarded the plane, glad that I had a nice roommate & swore to have nothing do with the jack-hole if I could help it.
We landed in Mexico & loaded up on a bus & rode the hour & a half to Cuernavaca. It is a gorgeous city! And when May rolls around, regardless of where I am, I can close my eyes & smell the churros in the food carts or taste the ice cream I used to buy from the convenient store around the corner from school. I can feel the hot heat & then taste the rain. I can envision myself standing in the square watching the presidential debates or watching the Mariachi bands play music while families dance to their tunes on a Saturday night. I hear the little indigenous girls come up to me & ask if I will buy their jewelry or “chicle” (chewing gum.)
I can hear Jenny & I talking until late (or early) in the night, telling each other about who we are & sharing stories about our families, dreams, passions, & faith. And then the conversations would become lighter in topic & we would be talking about silly girl stuff, about boys & clothes. And then Jenny would fall asleep & I would lie there & listen to the water rush through the ravine outside my window & I would wonder about my life after Mexico. I would wish to be at home in my own bed. (And now that I’m in my own bed, I wish to be back there, funny isn’t it?)
I can see my beautiful host mother setting the table & I can hear her talking to me about love & life. She is telling me about her New Age beliefs & the energy that is in the smallest & biggest things. She is telling me about her career & her wealth & she serves me the best food known to mankind. She is my Mama Mexicana.
I can put myself back in Mexico City when Mexico’s national soccer team beat Iran in a World Cup game. I can see the proud nationals racing their cars around the square waving their flags & honking their horns & teasing us “Estadounidenses” (people from the United States) about having a soccer team that could never beat them.
I can picture myself at the movies with that preppy, jack-hole who I judged too quickly. We are standing in line laughing until our sides hurt & I’m thinking he’s the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen & I can feel the flirtation & attraction just floating in the air. It was nerve wracking, it was terrifying, it was exciting! (I married him by the way.)
Yes, May brings up these memories. May brings with me all of the excitement of meeting my husband. May makes me fall in love all over again & harder than I ever did the first time. May makes me happy.
Fast forward to May 24, 2007, exactly one year to the day after meeting, and we are applying for our marriage license and on May 24, 2009 we have just given birth to our first son.
May reminds me of the good memories made, the ones I’m presently making, & the ones I’m going to make!
See, proof that first impressions can be wrong…you married the jackhole. I am laughing my butt off! I love this story. Thanks for sharing your memories.
gah, didn’t you just about die when you saw her dress? wish i could say in my future that i’ll be waierng an alexander mcqueen. we stayed up till 5:30 am watching this, and i don’t regret doing it.
Thank you SuziCate! And I'm glad you enjoyed it!
This story totally made me smile!
Thanks Cheryl! And thank you for the email yesterday about online security! What you were telling me is right along the lines of what I was thinking. Thanks again!
This was great! And a perfect example of how first impressions can be deceiving.
Wow, May is a great month for you! I love how you really didn't like your husband at first. My in-laws were that way, and they always joked about those first few months of not really being able to stand one another.
And happy birthday – a little early – to your son! Amazing how fast a year passes, huh?
What a wonderful story. 🙂 Happy early 1st Birthday to your son!
Thank you for stopping by and making my SITS day so awesome. 🙂
SuziCate, C, & : PS…Todd (formerly known as the jack-hole) & I are constantly laughing about what we thought of each other when we first met. He didn't think too highly of me either!
C: Thank you!
Eva: Thank you for the birthday wishes! We are about to have a Dr. Seuss bday! I'm going to order the cake today & can't wait!
Jamie: Thank you for stoping by! I'm glad you had a great SITS day!
So glad you have an entire month to revel in these memories 🙂
WOW what an awesome memories loaded May have been for you! 😀 Love your love story btw!
Shoot, May really is a good month for you! What a thrilling experience. It changed your life in more than one way. : )
What wonderful memories! I studied abroad too and I totally understand the part about longing to be in your own bed. I love that your son was born in may on the same day you got your marriage liscense!! I'm interested to read about the security emails you got. I was going to comment yesterday but it seemed like you had enough emails. I'm being super careful with security, wish I didn't have to though.
I've never studied abroad, but wished I had after reading your post. Glad you had a month full of great memories.
Call me wind because I am aboesutlly blown away.
Well, Cuernavaca is the city of eternal spring 🙂 Never been there myself, but I wish I could someday.
Your memories sound so amazing. Great story!