For the first time in my life, I am truly free! What an awesome feeling! And this is how I accomplished this feat………………

In another lifetime, I was the most sentimental person you could imagine. This dates back to my childhood when I was unwilling to part with dolls and toys that I had outgrown. In fact just this past summer I finally bid farewell to “Pinky”, my faithful pajama pal since I was in kindergarten.

Letting go is a process. I took comfort in “things” for a variety of reasons. Of course it took time before I realized and finally understood why I became so attached to “things.”

Definitely there was security when I had familiar items surrounding me. I would take comfort in them and recall happier times whenever I felt down.

Pinky is a good example. I remember going to Ashdown’s with my dad on a Saturday afternoon. He was looking for a tool and I discovered Pinky. My dad passed away thirty-eight years ago, but I always felt that he was there with me because I had Pinky.

My mom passed away eighteen years ago. I treasured all the silver, china, antiques and knickknacks that came my way. And I wrongfully assumed that my children would appreciate having these items.

Apparently something got lost between generations. That something can best be described as “sentimentality.” My children vehemently refused my offers of what I considered to be treasures.

When my marriage ended, these items found their way either into auction houses or thrift stores. And this past summer I disposed of everything that had been in my storage unit since I moved to Mexico more than three years ago.

I must admit that getting rid of the first few items was extremely difficult. But then it gradually became a frenzy of activity in emptying all the bins and boxes of their contents. And the more I got rid of, the better I felt.

I did take photos of many of the items. My friend Carolyn is enjoying the footstool my mom made years ago.

This is the rocking chair I nursed my babies in. This was left behind at the house I rented last summer.

This cup and saucer were always very special to me. Whenever my children and I went to my Aunt Jan’s for a visit, she served tea and dainties. When she passed away, this was one of the treasures she left me.

This Cloisonne urn was a wedding gift to my parents. I sold it on Kijiji to a collector.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. I don’t have a home in Winnipeg anymore, and a storage unit is just too costly. Let’s face it…..things are just things.

The other day my friend Donna sent me a picture of her granddaughter sitting in my childhood rocking chair. While I had always envisioned one of my own grandchildren sitting in that chair, it gave me great joy to see Donna’s grandchild rocking in that chair.

So how did these feelings of sentimentality evolve into feelings of ambivalence that enabled me to give away or sell items that had been in my family for years? Aside from the economic issues involved in maintaining a storage unit, my children also adamantly refused to store any of these treasures. They made it crystal clear that they had no interest in the antiques and collectibles.

Kudos to my son Kyle, though. I was able to convince him to store the family photo albums and framed pictures. And I did leave him a couple of small storage bins containing mostly gifts that my children had given me over the years. These I just could not part with. Perhaps they will grace my room in a nursing home later on in life, unless by some miracle I actually settle down somewhere for more than just a few months at a time.

And I have also spared my children the heartache of disposing of years of clutter when I am gone. I have vivid memories of doing this when my parents and two of my aunts passed away.

So here I am in Mexico with my life in two suitcases. And it feels great! There is absolutely nothing to tie me down anywhere anymore.

Things are temporary. But what is most important is very portable, and that is the love I carry with me in my heart.

This past weekend I made my annual visit to Tonola. I always think of my Mexican family when I go there. Juan and Lucila travel all the way from Culiacan to find treasures there. And it is a mere 40 minute bus ride from my house in Tlaquepaque.

Sundays and Thursdays are market days. This means that the main street and all the side streets are packed with vendors displaying their wares. This also means that the streets are barely passable with the throngs of tourists and locals who frequent the market on these days.

These figures greet you when you first step off the bus.

Tonola is known for the many distinguished artesans located here. Check out this beautiful glassware.

There are also some quite unusual creations as well.

Scattered amongst all these vendors are numerous food stands serving Mexican specialties from tacos to gorditas and everything in between.

There are also vendors selling fruit, juices, nuts and candies.

And if you prefer something other than Mexican food, there is always KFC.

If you are interested in shoes, clothes or accessories you are in the right place. I won’t guarantee the quality of some of these items though. They are definitely not in the class of Liverpool, a high-end department store here in Mexico.

Pictured below are some adorable baby items.

Flowers are also popular, whether real or artificial.

Many vendors have an array of religious articles for sale.

And a market just wouldn’t be complete without jewelry.

Whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find it in Tonola. Now if I only owned a home here and had somewhere to put everything I would like to buy………….

This is my fourth year teaching in Mexico and my third year living in Tlaquepaque, a suburb of Guadalajara. When I return to Winnipeg to visit, people often ask me if I get homesick. An interesting question as it is often the topic of conversation among foreign teachers here in Mexico.

I believe that home is where your heart is. Born and raised in Winnipeg, I have also spent most of my adult life there. But I have discovered a new life here, one that I have freely chosen, and Guadalajara is where my heart lies now.

Yes, there are many things I miss about Winnipeg. But each time I return to visit, there are so many more things that I miss about Mexico.

My nickname for Mexico is “the land of manana.” I lead a far less stressful life here. I do not miss hectic time schedules carved in stone. I enjoy being able to walk to my favorite restaurants and shops. Here is one of my favorite “tiendas”.

I love strolling down the streets in Tlaquepaque and total strangers always smile and say “Buenos dias.” In Winnipeg people hurry down the streets and seldom even make eye contact.

I admit it. The transit buses in Winnipeg are superior to the dilapidated vehicles in Guadalajara. But nothing runs on timetables here. I go out on the street and wave my arm and a bus stops. There are very few designated bus stops here, unlike the computerized stops in Winnipeg.

 

When it comes to groceries, I actually do most of my shopping at a “tiendis” or local market, rather than at a larger chain supermarket. Here I can buy anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to tools. Not only is the produce of superior quality, but the prices are more reasonable as well. And it is just too much fun bargaining with the vendors!

My kitchen boasts a vintage gas stove with four burners, a small fridge, a microwave oven and a two slice toaster. There is no dishwasher, no Kitchen Aid, no Keurig, no kettle, no electric frying pan, no electric can opener, no toaster oven, no breadmaker. The dishes and cutlery don’t match. There are a couple of pots and a frying pan. There are also minimal cooking utensils. Cooking here is definitely a challenge, but it is amazing what you can conjure up with such limited resources.

 

Eating out is inexpensive.  Two blocks away is Vic’s hamburger stand. Three nights a week he grills a delicious cheeseburger with ham, bacon, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, spicy pickled vegetables and a variety of sauces. It comes with a side of taco chips con queso. The price for this culinary delight is 25 pesos (at roughly 12 pesos to the dollar). He also cooks hotdogs that have all the above condiments for a mere 10 pesos.

Across the street a family cooks tacos and gorditas every morning. The cost is 5 pesos each. Every night the tamale truck circles the block with a variety of tamales that cost 4 pesos each. Four blocks away a lady rotisseries chicken. A quarter chicken with a bag of potatoes, a bag of tortillas and salsa is 25 pesos. A lady down the street makes menudo and another lady, pictured below, makes tortas ahogados.

Centro Tlaquepaque comes alive in the afternoons with a multitude of street vendors selling a variety of foods including salchichas, tortas, pizza, tamales, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled vegetables and even cotton candy.

And of course there are a variety of coffee shops and restaurants in the neighborhood as well.  

Fast food chains such as McDonalds, Subway and Burger King offer home delivery. Outback has a presence here as does Peter Piper Pizza, Starbucks and other American chains. I very seldom frequent these places as I prefer the local Mexican fare. However I was recently at an IHOP, where I met a new friend who makes balloon animals.

 

Guadalajara has a number of parks and green spaces. Unfortunately, many of the fountains no longer have water due to conservation and cost. But these areas are very tranquil and I often take along a book and read.

Mirador is my favorite with a breathtaking view of the canyon. The canyon is also a very popular place for hikers.

Zoologica Guadalajara is an excellent zoo. There are trains that take you to the various areas and a sky ride up above for a great aerial view. The Safari ride is a must in this zoo. An amphibious vehicle travels throughout an area where the animals roam freely. The giraffes love to stick their heads into the vehicle in anticipation of the leaves we are given to feed them.

 

Guadalajara is also home to numerous museums, historic government buildings and beautiful cathedrals and churches. Many of these are located in the Centro area.

 

Guadalajara boasts gorgeous shopping malls such as Gran Plaza, Galarias and Plaza Andares. These centres contain many high end stores such as Bershka and Hugo Boss, putting Winnipeg shopping malls to shame.

If you are interested in sports, professional soccer teams play here and bullfights are also popular.

Music abounds in this city, with everything from mariachi to live rock concerts. Pictured below is El Parian, a huge complex of restaurants in Centro Tlaquepaque that is home to some awesome mariachi every day of the week.

There are several Cinepolis locations, offering all the current movies in Spanish and English. If you prefer live theatre, a great venue is the Teatro Diana in Centro Guadalajara.

Guadalajara is a very exciting city to live in. Now if only the ocean were just a little closer………………..

Calle Zalatitlan was definitely party central last Saturday night.

The loud roar of motorcycles marked the beginning of the festivities. Here in Mexico a great celebration is held when a girl turns fifteen. It is common to see a stretch Hummer parading through the streets with a young lady’s head sticking out of the sunroof. My neighbors had something different in mind. One of the motorcycles had a sidecar as her chariot. And some thirty other motorcycles joined in the cavalcade. Some of the cyclists sported masks, so unfortunately I did not feel comfortable taking pictures. But it was definitely quite a sight!

About an hour later throngs of people filled the street throwing eggs filled with confetti. 

At the corner I noticed a woman holding a baby doll.

My fluency in Spanish isn’t the greatest, but she explained that this was a celebration of the Baby Jesus. She and her husband were the honorary godparents for a 3 year term.

Another woman held a large basket with several colorful smaller baskets, each filled with candies and peanuts. To my surprise and delight, I was given a basket!

I returned home with the lovely strains of mariachi music fading as the fiesta continued farther down the street.

The third party was a more somber event. When a person dies, a nine day mourning period follows. A large black bow is hung over the doorway. People come to pray in the afternoon and evening. The crowds who come to pay their respects to the deceased spill over into the street. The prayers are often followed by music. Out of respect I chose not to take pictures.

The fourth party on our street that night was the one held at my house. The first people arrived at around 10:30 pm and the last people left at around 6 am. Yes, in Mexico, parties start late and end late.

With the furniture pushed back against the walls in the living room, we had a great dance floor. The music was blaring and the tequila and beer were flowing. People of all ages mingled and danced together.

Two of my housemates also organized a game of beer pong.

I really enjoyed the dancing. I had my second total knee replacement last summer, and this was the first time I danced since the last surgery. And my new knees are awesome! But at 5:30 am I was ready to crash, lol.

So Zalatitan was a happening street last Saturday night. I wonder what this weekend will bring…………………….

For the past five years, I have lived in several different places for varying amounts of time.

When I first separated from my husband, I moved back to Winnipeg and lived in a small apartment. This was the view from my fourth floor balcony.

I had never lived alone before in my life and my daughter thought it would be a good idea for me to have a cat. So off we went to her friend’s farm near Manitou to select a kitten. I named her Vanessa and she was simply adorable!

She was great company. My already cramped apartment became even more crowded with all of her toys and a scratching post. As she grew, she became quite mischievous. Vanessa shredded the screens on my patio doors and bedroom windows. She ripped up the linoleum in the bathroom. And I can’t believe how high that cat could jump!

Vanessa was beautiful, but unfortunately not well suited to apartment life. I reluctantly told my daughter that Vanessa would have to go. Fortunately my daughter was living on a farm in Brunkild at the time, and was able to keep her. Vanessa was much happier running freely about the acreage. Actually, I think I would have been happier in that environment too, but I remained in the confines of my small apartment for a few more months.

Shortly after graduating from university, I found myself on a plane headed for Mexico  and my first ESL teaching job in another country. I lived in Culiacan, Sinaloa for eight months and taught secundaria at a private school. But more importantly, I found my Mexican family.

It was really difficult to leave Culiacan and return to Winnipeg. Reverse culture shock set in and the five weeks were very stressful. I have wonderful friends who took me into their hearts and homes, but it took a lot of moving around as I stayed with six different people that summer.

My next stop was Irapuato, Guanajuato. I was hired to teach primaria in a private school. I stayed only two months. There was no contract made available and no health insurance as promised. And the school added extra hours and activities. When I was offered a job in Tlaquepaque on a Saturday night, I packed hastily and was on a bus Sunday morning headed for Guadalajara.

I began teaching at a language institute where I had students of all ages. I had just settled into the house when the decision was made to move us to a house closer to the school. Time to pack my bags again!

I did stay in that house for just over six months. Until one Friday night I arrived home to find that the street was being ripped up the next day in order to replace the water pipes. Time to move again. I was waiting to have knee surgery and was in no position to navigate a torn up street. Here is what it looked like the day after I left.

With the help of my friend Alfredo, I was packed and in a taxi to Central Nueva within an hour. And then I headed to Culiacan to spend some time with my family.

Then I was off to Mazatlan for a few days of sun and sand.

A friend picked me up at the airport in Winnipeg and I stayed with her for about a week. My daughter asked me to babysit her cats while she was away and that turned into a three week stay instead of only one week.

I then rented a room in a house where I stayed for three months. It wasn’t the greatest environment for recovering from knee surgery. My walker didn’t fit through the bathroom door, the shower was in a bathtub with high sides and there were dangerous scatter rugs everywhere. There were steps at the front entrance that kept me housebound until I was able to give up the walker and graduate to a cane. The house was also in an area far away from my children and my friends. But I was very grateful to find somewhere to stay on a month to month basis for such a reasonable rent.

I then moved into a furnished apartment downtown for two months. It was nice to have everything on one level, including a washer and dryer. And it came with maid service as well.

And then I returned to Tlaquepaque. I moved into a house that I shared with four other people. 

I lived here for almost six months, before returning to Winnipeg via Culiacan and Puerto Vallarta.

In Winnipeg I was very fortunate to rent the most perfect house for recovering from a second round of knee surgery. It boasted a wheelchair ramp, a walk-in shower with a seat, a raised toilet and magnetic accordion doors. And I stayed there for the entire six months!

I returned to Mexico via Denver and San Diego. My goal was to spend the winter in Rosarito in the Baja Norte.

But the housing situation left a lot to be desired. Rosarito can best be described as a “poor man’s Vallarta.”

After five days I headed for Culiacan to visit my family. My nietos had grown so much in just a few months!

And then it was time to return to Tlaquepaque. I am staying in the same house as last year, but with new housemates.

As I write this, I have been here for two months. And I am seriously contemplating moving on in the near future. There is so much of Mexico that I still want to explore.

 

My son remarked that I am a nomad.

Am I? 

I am often awakened early in the morning by the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking. Here on Zalatitan my neighbors have roosters roaming in their yards and dogs that run freely through the streets.

 

I also hear the shouts of children as they hurry along on their way to school. Classes begin around 7:30 in the morning and finish early in the afternoon before the temperature soars too high.

The Zeta gas truck passes by, blasting the “Zeta Gas” jingle through loudspeakers. Overflowing with cylinders,  home delivery is the norm.

Other trucks with loudspeakers rumble through the streets, selling everything from mattresses to car parts.

The loud clanging of a bell announces the approach of the garbage truck, a daily occurrence.

Another truck appears and cries of “Agua” fill the air. Water is delivered to your home at the same price as in the store.

The sun shines brightly and it is another glorious morning in Mexico. I open the shutters in the living room to allow the heat and light to permeate the room. I settle down on the sofa to check my email on my iPhone.

Occasionally I am interrupted by someone calling out to me through the open window. Would I like to buy pens with lights on them? Do I need batteries? There is no end to what people will sell here. Just this morning a man passed by with pots and pans. He wanted to trade for gold jewelry! That was a new one for me.

The tinkle of a bell announces that the ice cream man is approaching. He pushes his cart slowly down the street in the afternoon heat.

A man on a bicycle sails down the street calling out ” Hoy! Hoy!” He is selling the daily newspaper. Here he is selling a paper to one of my neighbors.

And soon another truck begins his nightly rounds. “Rico Tamales!” echoes throughout the streets through the loudspeaker.

Another constant sound in the air is music. Everything from mariachi to English rock music is heard on the streets here. And it is often quite loud!

Another common sound is car alarms. A bus that passes too closely will set these off. And the loud bang of fireworks, especially on holidays, is always followed by the noisy car alarms.

What a wonderful symphony created by all these delightful sounds!

 

“To our children we give two things……One is roots, the other is wings”–Anonymous

I love this quotation. The meaning is timeless. No matter the age of our children, it always applies.

I recall when my son was a baby and attempting his first steps on his own. How I yearned to reach out and catch him rather than let him fall! But he soon mastered the art of walking.

And when my daughter was young and terrified of the water, I questioned my decision to register her for swimming lessons. But here she is, only days after starting the classes.

As the years went by there were more and more wings as my children grew and declared their independence. They learned to ride bicycles, obtained drivers’ licenses and eventually moved away from home.

I now live in Mexico thousands of miles away from my children in Manitoba and Ontario. While I bask in the sunshine, they brave blizzards and -50 degree windchills. I realize that to worry about them is pointless, as I have no control over the elements.

And yet the other day I found myself writing an email to my 33 year-old son advising him to take boots and warm clothing as he was headed to Atlantic Canada on a business trip in the wake of horrendous stormy weather there.

Not too long ago, Ontario had a crazy ice storm and there were power outages everywhere. When I finally was able to contact my daughter, she informed me that they were on their way to Toronto to pick up a new fridge. Shivers rolled up and down my spine as I silently prayed that the highways would be clear.

“Wings, Karen, give them wings!” I remind myself. They are adults and can function very well on their own. But in my  eyes, my children will always be my babies forever, no matter how old they are. Perhaps someday when they have children of their own, they may better understand my feelings.

Yes, my children often accuse me of being overprotective and worrying about them too much. And although they may humor me regarding my anxieties, deep-down I think they do appreciate my concerns for their well-being. And here are some more wings for them in the hope that they continue to soar peacefully through life……….

A

I have chosen to pay tribute to the year 2013 as my first post of the new year. As I reflect on all the memorable moments, I eagerly await the many new adventures that lie ahead.

January began in Mexico City with my amiga Angie and her family. We stayed with her son Ventura and his wife Liliana, pictured below.

We visited Liliana’s family first on New Years Eve and I was totally enchanted with their “mascotas.”

Liliana and her mother, pictured below, prepared a delicious meal for us as well.

Later in the day we arrived at Angie’s parents’ home. Here they are with Angie in the photo below.

Many of the extended family members joined us to ring in the new year.

The month of January flew by. I began teaching Business English for Ingles Corporativo and I travelled to Tlajomulco and San Juan De Los Lagos with my language partner Isaias.

February became busier as I taught more hours and also took on private students. Isaias and I continued our Sunday travels and went to Lagos De Moreno, Valle De Guadalupe and San Miguel el Alto.

We continued our Sunday travels in March and went to Atotonilco, Arandas, Jamay and Ocotlan.

I also ventured out to Zapotlanejo to do some clothes shopping. This city has street upon street filled with clothing and shoe stores. And yes, that is a live model in the third picture.

I also visited Zoologica Guadalajara, one of my favorite zoos. I bravely tried out the new skyride and the view was spectacular, especially when it turned at the canyon. And of course I rode the train and went on the safari ride.

April was a delightful yet bittersweet month as it marked the end of my third year in Mexico.

Isaias and I travelled to Sam Martin De Flores, Tepatitlan and Capilla de Guadalupe.

And my last night in Tlaquepaque was a final farewell to El Lugar Secreto after I taught my last class. Barbershop Rock Band were playing as usual and the music was great.

When the bar closed, it was time to pick up my bags and head for the bus station. Next stop Culiacan to visit my family.

Next I headed for Puerto Vallarta to relax for a few days on the beach.

Snow greeted me upon my arrival back in Winnipeg on April 27th.

But it did eventually warm up and the blossoms came into view.

I enjoyed a lovely Mother’s Day brunch at Montana’s with Kyle and Krista.

My birthday was in May as well, and Kyle and a friend came over for dinner to help me celebrate. It was great to have a kitchen to myself and be able to actually cook rather than just reheat food.

June was another busy month. I continued to enjoy visiting with friends. Carolyn, Brenda and I spent many happy hours at The Forks.

Donna and I visited the English Gardens and the Leo Mol Garden in Assiniboine Park.

Audrey and I often went out for dinner and went shopping together.

Glenda and I drank endless cups of coffee and tea and also went shopping.

I spent time with David in his garden, and also with Cookies and Creme.

I also had some great times with Joan, Cheyenna, Sheila, Alice, Nancy, Iris, Rita and Ethel.

Before I knew it the second round of knee surgery arrived. Then began the recovery process which included hours of physiotherapy and hours of watching movies. And I discovered Candy Crush on my iPhone!

A special acknowledgment to my son Kyle. I know how difficult it was for him to visit me in a hospital setting for many reasons. And I enjoyed our walks in the hallway in the evening.

And I am so grateful to Karen and Chad for providing me with such a great home in which to convalesce. The wheelchair ramp and walk-in shower were absolute blessings. And I really enjoyed your visits, especially when Josh came as well.

And I have the greatest friends in the world! Your hospital visits helped pass the hours. And once I was at home my friends continued to visit regularly, shop for me and even cook for me. And when I was well enough, my friends were only too eager to take me out.

And I added a new best friend……Handi-Transit. What a wonderful chauffeur you were! We went to physio, to medical appointments, to shopping malls and to visit friends.

The highlight of the month of July was giving up my walker and graduating to a cane! With my mobility improving, my spirits lifted as well.

In August Kimmy came for a short visit. I was delighted when she tackled her bins that had been in my storage unit for the past three years. Here she is with one of the treasures she discovered.

I spent a relaxing weekend with Rita at her cabin in Lester Beach in September. The weather co-operated for the most part and all the dogs definitely added to the ambiance.

October was a busy month as I finally waded through all the furniture, boxes and bins that had been in my storage unit. And I disposed of it all, mostly in the form of donations.

I also cooked my last Thanksgiving dinner in Winnipeg. Kyle complained loudly that I had prepared way too much food, but I know he enjoyed it just the same.

And then it was October 29th and I was on my way to Rosarito Beach via Denver and San Diego.

It had already snowed in Winnipeg although it hadn’t stayed on the ground. So the warmth and sunshine in Mexico were most welcome.

While Rosarito was a quaint place to visit, I decided that as much as I wanted to live near the ocean, this just wasn’t the place for me. So I headed to Tijuana, and then began a long bus trip to Culiacan.

The drive through the mountains was spectacular.

We also passed through Mexicali, Caborca, Obregon and Los Mochis.

I arrived in Culiacan in the wake of hurricane warnings. However the sun shone brightly and it was HOT! There was no rain at all while I was there.

I had a great visit with my family. Jose Agustin had just turned one and was trying to walk.

Juan Carlos enjoyed giving his brother a ride.

The time flew by and I found myself back on a bus headed for Guadalajara. And it felt great to be back home on Zalatitan in Tlaquepaque.

My favorite tiendas, cafes and street stands were still there. It was nice to see the neighbors again. The biggest change was the repaving and widening of the sidewalks. But it was comical when I heard that several buses had to be rerouted as they no longer fit down the streets.

I began teaching part-time and Isaias and I resumed our Sunday travels. We visited Tlajomulco and Acatic.

I also went to a communion party. I have no idea which animal’s leg I ate, but it was delicious! There was a bouncer for the kids and karaoke for everyone. Music and laughter filled the party salon. And I got to hold the sweetest little baby!

December arrived and people began preparing for Christmas. December 12th was marked with music and fireworks in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Stands filled the streets displaying Christmas trees, ornaments and nativity scenes. Work began on the skating rink in Tlaquepaque and the Christmas tree was set up in the plaza.

Isaias and I travelled to San Ignacio Cerra Gordo and J0cotopec.

As Christmas drew near, more decorations began to adorn homes and businesses. Pinatas were strung across the streets.

The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by music and laughter. Posadas were held in homes and in party salons. There were loud bangs from fireworks followed by car alarms that were set off by the noise.

I spent Christmas Eve with Isais and his family. But first we posed for a picture by the tree in the plaza.

There was a flurry of activity in our house as my housemates and I prepared a Christmas lunch together. The menu included baked ham, glazed carrots, mushroom beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, chicken salad, apple enchiladas and chocolate.

In the evening I went to church, and we all enjoyed a cena together complete with traditional ponche following the service.

The rain that began on Christmas Eve continued to fall right into the New Year. At times it was quite the torrential downpour, and my plans for visiting museums were put on hold.

Despite the rain, people flocked in the streets on New Years Eve setting off fireworks. And shortly after midnight children began swinging at pinatas. The festivities continued until 3 am when the music finally ended.

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope that 2014 is a great year filled with love and laughter! May all your wishes and dreams come true!

 

 

Dreams. We all have them. They may be fleeting or they may be vivid and haunt us for days. These nocturnal visions are often indicators of what is to come in our lives as well as what has already happened in our past.

And there are the other dreams we have. These are aspirations of what we hope that someday will become our reality. On many occasions we feel that these goals are impossible to achieve. Yes, subconsciously sometimes they have become goals. And if we allow feelings of defeat and helplessness to consume us, we continue to stagnate and become stuck.

As a young child, I recall many of my playmates stating that when they grew up they wanted to be a teacher or a mother with lots of children. These were never my dreams at that age, but interestingly enough that is the path I followed.

I got married very young and went from being a carefree teenager to a conservative and bored housewife. Several years later my children came along, and that was when I began to thrive again. Every single day brought new adventures into my life, and it was exciting to see my children grow through the various stages of life.

And it still is. But it’s from a very different perspective. I watch them flourish in their respective careers. Because I live in a different country miles away I have lost that feeling of constant involvement in their lives. But they have their dreams and I have mine.

And the time is now for me to follow my dreams. After years of putting my family first, I am finally learning to elevate myself to that status. And I sincerely hope that nobody out there pinches me and forces me to awake from this dream.

This is my fourth year teaching in Mexico. What began as a one year venture has blossomed into so much more. Despite the many challenges I have faced, I have grown and discovered incredible things about myself.

I have embraced a new culture and a new language. I have met amazing people and have had mindblowing adventures. I awake each morning with anticipation of a new and wonderful day.

My faith in God has been restored. And forgiveness now plays an important role in my life. This beautiful feeling of peace and tranquility fills my heart as I eagerly deal with issues that no longer have the ability to cloud my day.

I often reflect on the dreams I have today for myself, and ponder how to make these a reality. Many of them seem so remote and unattainable at the moment. But then I remind myself that just five years ago today I was stuck in an extremely unhappy and unhealthy relationship. And here I am now living in Neverland!

“Don’t be afraid to dream. Without wishes and dreams, life is a narrow road leading nowhere.” Anonymous.

And so I continue to dream. I know that I have the ability to direct the course of my life. And with faith and perseverence, I can make my dreams come true!

Another year has come and gone, and Christmas is fast approaching.

As a young child, my family did not celebrate this holiday as we were of the Jewish faith. Nonetheless I do have many happy memories.

On the last day of school before the holidays, our teachers in elementary school would give us candy canes. In junior high school we had concerts.

But there are other wonderful memories that I treasure. The one that stands out the most is one I shared with my father. He owned a small business and when the holidays approached he always remembered his loyal customers. He would individually wrap bottles of liquor, cartons of cigarettes and boxes of chocolate. And I would go with him all over the city delivering these gifts. I really treasure the hours I spent with him. We would listen to Christmas music on the radio and enjoy the colorful Christmas decorations lining the streets. And when time allowed, we would stop at the beautiful Christmas display that Carlings used to put on at the corner of Redwood and Main. What a magical sight that was! And of course there was always a box of my favorite Laura Secord cherry chocolates.

On Boxing Day we would visit my mother’s friend Florence. I was always given the honor of making a star for her tree. I also enjoyed playing her old pump organ. And her Christmas cookies were so yummy!

When I had children of my own, we still continued to celebrate Chanukah instead of Christmas. But as they grew older, 8 days of lighting candles became impossible with their hectic schedules. And we began to celebrate Chanukah on Christmas Day and even decorated a white tree. And then it somehow evolved into Christmas, complete with unwrapping presents placed under the tree. Of course the dog always received the most gifts!

On Christmas morning I would prepare a breakfast of bacon and eggs. My children would humor their mother and build a gingerbread house together. And we would play friendly family card games. After a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, we would watch Christmas Vacation together.

I also recall vividly the last Christmas concert I attended. My daughter was taking voice lessons and the students all performed holiday music. My daughter sang the most amazing rendition of O Holy Night, and it still brings tears to my eyes today. Her performance was definitely the highlight of the concert that day.

Here are two of the rare old photos that are on my computer. My son and I were about the same age when these photos with Santa were taken.

Christmas for the past four years has been a very different celebration for me. After having spent every Christmas of my life in Winnipeg, I have spent the past four holidays amid palm trees and cacti. I have been in Varadero, Culiacan, Mazatlan and Lake Chapala. And this year I have decided to stay in Tlaquepaque. And I must admit that at times I do miss that white Christmas, but only for fleeting moments. I took this photo of the tree in the plaza near my house, wearing only a sleeveless tank top instead of a parka.

The plazas often have beautiful nativity scenes, as does El Refugio right here in Tlaqepaque. This photo was taken at Plaza Del Sol in Zapopan.

Tlaquepaque’s skating rink has been open for a few days now in the Jardin Hidalgo. There are constant line-ups for this winter activity. Ice skating is quite a novelty here, and the rink is open for a limited time only during the holidays.

In Mexico, Christmas Eve is the true celebration for families. Ponche and pisole are traditional fare. Children parade around with sparklers. Music, dancing and fireworks are also very common. And there are pinatas filled with candy!

Because Christmas is so family-oriented here in Mexico, I really miss my children at this time of year. They live miles apart from each other in different provinces, and I live in a different country.While I have adapted to the idea of spending the holiday with friends, I really wish that I could spend Christmas with my own children. I long to show them my world and I hope that maybe someday this will be possible and we will all be together again.

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!