Tuesday, March 25, 2014

IT RAINED TODAY!

IT RAINED TODAY! 

Since the beginning of November I have only seen precipitation fall from the sky two or three times- all during the day and all for short periods of time. 

This last year I saw probably more rain than my whole life. In North Carolina we had all that rain (at least 3 weeks where we didn’t have a day without rain) and then I moved to Mexico during the RAINY SEASON. And now... its just so dry. 

I started to hear the rain fall and I didn’t believe it. Sometimes when the firecrackers for fiestas are set off and then the cars drive down my cobble stone hill it sounds like rain (believe it or not!!) but this time it was real!

I went and sat downstairs under an awning just to smell the rain and feel the breeze that came with it. Today it was over 90 degrees as it has been all week. Tonight it was beautiful, cool and perfect. 

It hasn’t really rained in 5 months. And when I arrived 7 months ago that is all it did! Tonight there was something about the rain that reminded me of my first days here. Of getting soaked while visiting Teotihuacan, helping Anna return home in our flood streets (because well they turn into rivers whenever it rains!) and having a storm come down on those of us gathered at my host families house during evening prayers. And I remember so many other memories with rain: stomping in puddles with my best friends, dancing in the rain as a child.... 


We still have a few more months of dry season left, but... IT RAINED TODAY!!!! :) and I can smell it :)

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Las Mañanitas

This last Friday I was able to celebrate my birthday with my Mexican host family AND my parents and brother that came to visit. I thought I would share the Las Mañanitas birthday song and the "biting of the cake" traditions that have been a apart of my experience here. 

The video is on Google Drive so you can click on the picture that will take you there. Below you will also find the words and translation (courtesy of wikipedia...) to the Mexican birthday song that my host family sings. :)

Haz "click" en la foto para ver el video de mi cumpleaños

I was very blessed to be surrounded by so many great people for my birthday celebration and I'm thankful for all the people that wished me a happy birthday from a far. So thankful for all my wonderful family and friends! :)


Spanish originalEnglish translation
Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David.
Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti.

Despierta mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció
ya los pajarillos cantan la luna ya se metió.

Qué linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte
venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte.

Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio.
Levántate de mañana mira que ya amaneció.
This is the morning song that King David used to sing.
Today being the day of your saint, we sing it to you.

Wake up my dearest, wake up, see now that the day has dawned. The little birds are singing, the moon has finally set.

How lovely is this morning, when I come to greet you.
We all come with joy and pleasure to congratulate you.

The dawn has come my darling, and the sunlight is here for us.
Rise and shine up with the morning and you'll see that here's the dawn.