Magazine Addiction Revisited

I had an epiphany this morning as I cruised my favorite blogs as to why my magazine addicition seems to have almost disappeared: I am getting my fix from blogs. To prove my point, my two loyal readers may have noticed that I added a blog roll to this site. My blog choices cover everything I love to read about in magazines...style, size, work, interior design/decorating, food, travel, self-improvement, and new obsessions such as gray hair. I love nothing more than thoughtful/insightful commentaries. And let us not ignore the added advantage of keeping up with family and friends through blogs.

I read recently where magazines sales have decreased dramatically. The author attributed the decline to the economy which is certainly a factor. I submit that blogs and on-line availability of magazines have also contributed the fewer sales.

Luckily for the economy, I continue to purchase magazines. Careful readers will note that I said my magazine addiction has "almost" disappeared...

A post that is NOT about work

It may not seem like it, but I do have a life outside of work. (There are also those who say my job really does not seem like work anyway, but that is a topic for another day.) What may come as a big surprise to some people, one of my outside interests is growing things. To call what I do "gardening" is an exaggeration, but I like to have fresh flowers and herbs. Shown here is my fabulous gerbera daisy. My small, but hardy, rosemary plant can also be seen.

More than just flamingos...

The husband of this semester's visiting professor is a birder, has a good camera and a good eye. Here are some photos he took Friday. As you can see, I need to stop referring to Celestun as a "flamingo" reserve as there are many other birds to be found.

Flamingo Reserve: Always a good first field trip

As usual, the flamingos worked their magic during our first field trip of the semester. There is something about being away from the city, being on the water, and watching these magnificent birds that makes for a wonderful day.

In answer to Ilona's question about the field trips for this semester, there are a couple of new ones on the schedule to keep the program fresh. As for the group itself, they are evenly divided between sophmores and juniors with only one senior. They are also evenly divided between Spanish-speakers and non-Spanish speakers which has advantages and disadvantages. Only three or four have been out of the US before. Two studied in Spain on Central's program in Granada; they are the most independent and confident of the group.

The Pied Piper of Merida

Leading the way in downtown Merida. They are all mine for the semester!

I have been working....

Believe it or not, I actually did some work during the month of January. I returned from Ft. Wayne on January 1;the professor and her three students pictured below arrived on January 2 for a three week J-term program. Again, this was a first and another goal met. Kathy, the professor, was a Rotary exchange student when she was a senior in high school. She now teaches Spanish at St. Ambrose in Davenport. She (and I!) would like to see this become a regular J-term offering. We analyzed each and every moment of our time together so that next year's program is bigger and better. We worked well together as we have the same philosophy about study abroad and cross cultural opportunities. The program does not formally end until Friday night when they return from three days at the beach in Tulum. Yes, they are the ones with photos of sun, sand and blue sky, not me.

Catching up

Inspired by Naphtali's ability to post regularly on her blog in spite of her hectic and demaning life, I decided I need to play a little catch up. The first two photos are of the Fall 2009 group. They left on December 8 with nearly unanimous positive experiences and comments. Several students are already making plans to take the intensive language program in June as a way to spend more time in Merida. The group voted to have an enlarged copy of the photo taken above at Chichen Itza to hang on a wall of the Central House. The photo below was taken on the last day of classes and showcases our wonderful stairway and windows. In the time between the first two photos and the following photos, I spent a sad week in Ft. Wayne with Patti, Erin and Devin. Conrad's death at 54 from prostate cancer was tragic. May he rest in peace.

The next two photos were taken yet again in the grand "sala" of the Central House when it was used for a yoga workshop/retreat the weekend of January 8-10. Twenty people enrolled in the course led by a teacher from Mexico City. The sessions were inspiring, energizing and renewing....the perfect New Year's activity. The Central House lent itself well to the occasion in terms of space, light, and good vibes. The experience revived my yoga practice to the point where I am meditating daily as well as attending classes twice a week.

The workshop also met a goal I had set for myself when I started working in Merida. I wanted to open the Central House up to community activities and events when classes are not in session.
Finally, I last colored my hair in June. I was tired of the drama and anxiety that surrounded each and every hair appointment in Merida. I probably worked with at least 4 different colorist/stylist, but the results were always a crapshoot. In addition, the water here is full of minerals and God-only-knows what so my hair always felt and looked like straw. When I came back to Merida after my summer vacation in Iowa, I decided to just stop after at least 25 years of coloring. My mid-December hair cut removed the last remnants of blonde. I have to admit it was a good thing everything was closed for Christmas when I left for Ft. Wayne because I didn't know if I was ready to come out of the closet as a grey-haired woman.

Everything turned out alright because first, the trip was obviously not about me, and, secondly, the grey hair got rave reviews. I was so relieved and remain committed to my untreated hair.