Rainstorm in San Pedro

Just had a crazy night, another good memory. Some friends and I went downtown to do some shopping and get dinner not realizing that we were about to get inundated with a massive rainstorm! When we came out of the shopping mall there was torrential downpour, part of the street had turned into a river and there were no taxis to be seen! We ended up eventually getting one after waiting for about three hours. I had to roll up my pants to get to the taxi, the water was right up to the doorline. Monterrey has a very poor drain system as they're not used to getting so much rain, so quickly. In some areas, cars were completely submerged! We ended up driving for an hour and a half before getting home. We got stuck on a bridge and ended up having to drive backwards. During the time it was only slightly hilarious but now we can all laugh about it!

Zoos in Mexico

Well, yesterday some friends and I went on a zoo safari with other students from the University. It was quite the experience. It turned out to be a really wet, and humid day- that feeling of when you walk around outside and your shirt sticks to you. The safari trip was great, many times the animals would come right up and eat out of your hands, whether you liked it or not! There were zebras, monkeys, gazelles, camels (of course), and even bats. It was a lot of fun, the only downer for the day was when I decided to go down a massive slide, crashing and getting a bloody knee. The blood wasn't the bad part, it was all the mexicans that were laughing at me! Look at the funny gringo.

"...now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

"...These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

La alberca

This past weekend it was hot, as usual, so a group of us decided to find an outdoor pool. After cramming into a car and getting lost in traffic downtown Monterrey, we found the pool. We ended up staying at the pool for most of the day, of course we played uno, and met some more locals. It was a very relaxing saturday and we found that taking the bus is the best solution to getting around the city. this was short-lived however as on sunday we all woke up sick...something in the water was not completely right...haha. We'll survive though. Happy swimming.

Not so far from Home

As I sit here on the patio of Starbucks and do my homework, I feel as if I am back at home for a brief while. With my iced Americano in hand, my spanish dictionary and a essay due tomorrow morning, I am partially comforted by the aroma of coffee and textbooks. For a time as this I enjoy the result americanization and that fact it exists right on campus. guilty.

Rappeling in La Huasteca

Today was a great day, I went rappeling in La Huasteca, a suburb of Monterrey that reminds me of the grand canyon. Massive peaks and jagged cliffs, very stunning. The descent wasn't more than 50ft but it was a great time getting to know other students and then watch a thunderstorm roll in for a brief period. I also found a lizard, it wasn't that big at all but had a really long tail, it was quite the creature and didn't seem to care that I was climbing up his rock-he just sat there and watched me scramble.

Playing Tourist

Well, its been two weeks since I made my journey to the city of mountains. The first week of classes went really well. I am enjoying my subjects, Int'l Negotiations, Int'l Marketing, Mexican Studies, Communications, and salsa. I've found them a bit easier than classes back in the U.S., we'll see if that continues. This weekend I played tourist, it was both a fun and educational experience. I went to the Marco Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Monterrey, the building in red with the sculpture outside. I saw two amazing exhibits featuring Thomas Sanchez, a famous Mexican painter who has painted some controversial works in response to global contamination and protecting the environment. The other exhibit was in appreciation of the TEN architects, a firm that is in a league of their own for contemporary architecture. Being an architecture junky myself, I found this exhibit fascinating as well. From everything from blueprints, to exploding waterfalls, this museum had it all.
Some friends and I also went out for lunch and dinner in the downtown district. This area is wall to wall with cafes and restaurants for every budget. We found a great Greek Restaurant one block from the museum, I love Greek food and my Greek olives were quite splendid, something I have missed. The picture infront of the statue was taken downtown, it was 105 degrees outside, a little hot for running around the city, nevertheless it was nice for the outdoor market. Downtown there is a market, although slightly tourist-tacky, we enjoyed window shopping and looking at the ridiculous things that tourists buy. I bought myself my first spanish book, 1984, by George Orwell which is definitely still American literature, but it was an impulse buy. I am very excited to read it, its a classic that I seem to have missed out on in my childhood- plus it was only $4. This is the Catholic Iglesia downtown, Monterrey. It has beautiful artwork inside, unfortunately there was a wedding going on at the time so I thought it rather tacky to be taking pictures.

On Sunday my buddy Orlando and I went to a local Baptist church a few miles away from the University. It was a small, quite conservative church yet the people were very kind to us and the pastor made sure that I understood his main points in the sermon by repeating them in English to me...que gringo! a bit embarrassing. Nevertheless it was nice to go out and meet with others, and then eat some amazing tacos! I have found my favorite type of taco: Barbacoa. I have yet to figure out what exactly makes barbacoa taste so good and what exactly it consists of, but its one of the most delicious things to ever grace this planet...similar to barbequed beef but in a spicy taco form. yum.

I started reading 1 Peter this week and have been encouraged. The pastor on Sunday spoke out of 1 Peter as well, he read this verse, naturally it was the only thing I understood through his rapid Spanish, but God has encouraged me with it. The glory that I seek on this earth is so temporary and useless, but God is a rock that is a constant- the one who deserves the glory. In James chapter 1 it talks about our lives equaling that of shifting shadows, but that the Father of lights is forever. Thanks for being my constant God.

"All me are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

Universidad de Monterrey

So here are some pics I took of the University the other day. I have a bunch more that I will probably put up on facebook. This first one is the dorms where I stay. They are nice for sure and a quick walk to class.
I can't get enough of these mountains! they're amazing! They surround the city and boast some pretty good hikes and views. Can't wait til october when the weather cools down so we can go hiking and climbing!
This is the plaza outside the community building. I am here a lot because this is also close to the cafeteria, Starbucks, my salsa classroom (yes I am taking salsa!!), and also the international student office where they take care of all my immigration paperwork which I am finishing processing as we speak- so many variables!
This is the front of the university, the administrative building, where I pay my bills! Again, note the montains. The school is very beautiful.

Well, here are some of my first photos in Mexico. the top photo is the Hostel Monterroco, where I stayed when I was waiting to find a place to live. It is run by a really awesome dude and I met some great people, most of whom are international students at UDEM. Just a two minute walk to 7-11 and to some amazing taco stands! Surprisingly I haven't gotten sick, except for the one night we went to the mall and I ate Chinese food...NEVER eat chinese food in mexico!!!

The other photo was taken outside of the Art Mueseum in Barrio Antigua, the downtown district. It reminds me of Antigua a little bit, cobblestone streets, beautiful statues and art; it is full of museums, restaurants, and clubs. Lots of fun. That is the entire group of international students for '08 at UDEM. A great group of people from around the world!

Bienvenidos a Monterrey Mexico!!! For those who are not familiar with the area, Monterrey is on the northeast side of Mexico and is called the city of mountains for obvious reasons! Beautiful sky-scraping fingers that boast beautiful sites from everywhere in Monterrey. This is a picture of my dorm, its quite nice. My initial plan was to find a host family to live with, however families in Monterrey are not very open to hosting foreigners, nevertheless I am enjoying the residences-and for two reasons, my cool roommate Miguel, and air conditioning! It is 97 degrees outside right now, which is normal and it doesn't cool down beyond 85 at night! I'm adapting to the heat though, and loving the lack of rain. I am attending UDEM, also known as Universidad de Monterrey, a catholic school of about 8,000 students. They have an awesome business program and I am enjoying those courses as well as the Spanish language courses as well. Apparently it was blessed by the Pope too-not too shabby!

I am taking two Mexican Studies classes, one for culture and civilization and the other focusing on the politics and economics of Mexico. I am also studying Int'l marketing and Int'l Negotiations...and salsa! I am a bit nervous to start salsa, quite honestly, the girls look like they've been taking salsa since they were little! UDEM's campus is quite beautiful and boasts a better starbucks than most places, no joke! It is a little piece of Seattle that is down here for me. Classes started on the 4th of August, which was a quick adjustment for me, coming from a quarter schedule. It was a short summer but its nice to have the routine of classes to keep me focused. God has blessed me with a great school.

Summer Camp

I had the opportunity to spend this past summer at Lake Retreat Camp. It was one of the best summers of my life. I was stretched, encouraged, and learned more about myself in two months than I have in the past three years of college. I have come to realize how big of an impact Christ can have in life, that He really has been graceful to allow us to take part in this journey of life and that He would grace us with the opportunity to be apart of His work- serving the needy: the young, the elderly, the broken. This summer has taught me that we are here to be a service to those around us and to share the love and forgiveness of Christ with everyone- to be a man of God and to stay focused in this race regardless of who happens to be on the sidelines.

"So then, Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colossians 2:6-7