I made my way back to the gym today. As I was signing in and paying for the next three months, the guy standing next to me (who I assume was the owner of the place) suggested that I take the physical examine to determine my fitness level. It started out like most of these sorts of things do. There was a girl who was helping the trainer translate since I didn't know most to the exercises words. One of the questions what, "why do you want to work out?" I answered with my most honest answer, Because I want to do it for my health, I don't really care if I lose weight but I would like to be in better shape.
After all the testing was over and they had made me max out on push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, I was reading over the information that they wrote down about me (that had been translated from my English into Spanish) and I saw something that caught my eye. It read, "Ella quiere un buena figura."
Ha!
Translated - She wants a good shape.
Like, I want to have a bangin' body. They thought I said that I wanted a better 'shape' or figure instead of being in better shape! I guess some thing just don't translate!
Continuing the Adventure!
Liz
Playlist:
Zak and Sara by Bens Fold Five
Mi Vida Loca by Pam Tillis
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Yes!
I watched a movie tonight (yes, we watch movies in Guatemala) with two of my good friends. After discussion of what to watch, we finally settled on the recent Jim Carey hit, Yes Man.
I hadn’t heard much about this but after watching it, I highly recommend it. The basic story line is about saying ‘Yes’ to life. With this, he encounters some very interesting situations but he is forced to get out of his box and live spontaneously.
This made me think about my life and how easy it is to slip into a comfort zone, whether I am here in Guatemala or in the states. I am happy to say that I haven’t reached that point yet (goodness, I have only been back for less than a week!) but I know there will be a time when I do. It happens to everyone regardless of where you are. So, in retrospect, it was a great reminder to get out and live life because you never know what situation is going to lead you to your new best friend or an incredible memory that you will be talking about when you are eighty!
So, next time you are faced with a decision to make, make it a YES! Ha!
Viva la Vida,
liz
I hadn’t heard much about this but after watching it, I highly recommend it. The basic story line is about saying ‘Yes’ to life. With this, he encounters some very interesting situations but he is forced to get out of his box and live spontaneously.
This made me think about my life and how easy it is to slip into a comfort zone, whether I am here in Guatemala or in the states. I am happy to say that I haven’t reached that point yet (goodness, I have only been back for less than a week!) but I know there will be a time when I do. It happens to everyone regardless of where you are. So, in retrospect, it was a great reminder to get out and live life because you never know what situation is going to lead you to your new best friend or an incredible memory that you will be talking about when you are eighty!
So, next time you are faced with a decision to make, make it a YES! Ha!
Viva la Vida,
liz
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The first few days back....
I have been in Xela for only one full day and I feel like I never left. This place has that effect on you. It continues to amaze me how easy it has become to go from one culture to another. I feel like I have two totally different lives that only exist when I’m present in the local place. My life in the US has quickly become a fond memory that I think about it passing, much like a dream that I had last night, trying to recall details of people and places. And in the same way, it’s like my life here just had a six week void that was quickly filled in with conversations of school, Spanish blunders, and coffee. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
The experience that I am gaining and the opportunities that I am able to take advantage of are priceless. There is no way I could gain the life experience that I am in any other setting. To be able to live in a place filled with such loving people and caring friends and to know that I have the support of those back ‘home’ in the states. It is truly a blessing that I hope I will never overlook. Of course there are sacrifices of being here. I am not able to communicate with those closest to me as often as I would like but it allows me to really value that time when I get it. I don’t have a car down here so it takes longer to get places, but I get to be outside and see the local people, the local dogs (which I have a few favorites!), and the local eateries! And it helps with the waistline that could easily increase with all the delicious coffees and sweets! You never know when the power is going to go out but on the flip side, it adds a little adventure every time I decide to straighten my hair because I could be left mid-blowdry and look like Bozo the clown for the next 5 hours! It’s a good thing I have a plethora of baseball hats down here!
When it comes down to it, I have many ‘homes’ in this world. It can get quite confusing when I leave home to return home but I wouldn’t do it any other way!
I hope this finds everyone doing well. I am going to try to keep up with this a little better so be ready for more quirky happenings and random thoughts!
Viva la Vida!
Liz
The experience that I am gaining and the opportunities that I am able to take advantage of are priceless. There is no way I could gain the life experience that I am in any other setting. To be able to live in a place filled with such loving people and caring friends and to know that I have the support of those back ‘home’ in the states. It is truly a blessing that I hope I will never overlook. Of course there are sacrifices of being here. I am not able to communicate with those closest to me as often as I would like but it allows me to really value that time when I get it. I don’t have a car down here so it takes longer to get places, but I get to be outside and see the local people, the local dogs (which I have a few favorites!), and the local eateries! And it helps with the waistline that could easily increase with all the delicious coffees and sweets! You never know when the power is going to go out but on the flip side, it adds a little adventure every time I decide to straighten my hair because I could be left mid-blowdry and look like Bozo the clown for the next 5 hours! It’s a good thing I have a plethora of baseball hats down here!
When it comes down to it, I have many ‘homes’ in this world. It can get quite confusing when I leave home to return home but I wouldn’t do it any other way!
I hope this finds everyone doing well. I am going to try to keep up with this a little better so be ready for more quirky happenings and random thoughts!
Viva la Vida!
Liz
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
DMB
I had the privilege of going to one of the most amazing concerts. While I was with my family in Wisconsin for a family reunion, my cousins got us VIP tickets to the Alpine Valley Dave Matthews Band concert. Luckily, this venue is one of Dave's (yes, we are one a first name basis!) and he played for 3 hours straight plus a 1/2 hour encore! It was truly incredible! Below are pictures!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Time flies when you're having fun!
Almost two months have past and all you have heard from this blog is silence....
.....
....
...it's about time I give a short update!
I have had an incredible summer in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Colorado! I arrived in the states Jule 10 and return to Guatemala July 22. I have NO idea where the time has gone but what I can say is that I have learned more about myself in this short amount of time than I have in a long time. (More on that in a future blog, that one will take some time to process and write and quite frankly, I should be packing right now, not writing a blog!)
I was able to see everyone that is near and dear to me except my Texas crew. To you guys, I love you and I'm sorry I didn't make it down. Time ran out and I was exhausted by the time I had three days to get down there...it doesn't change how I feel about y'all!
I'll post a few pictures that have been taken this summer...
Love you guys! Start looking for more updates coming your way shortly! I know that as Principal, I will have some inspiring stories to tell!
Livin' the crazy life!
Liz
lyrics that will always remind me of my "Home sweet 'homa!"
"These are my people
This is where I come from
Were givin' this life everything we got and then some
It ain't always pretty
But its real
It's the way we were made
Wouldn't have it any other way
These are my people" -Rodney Atkins
.....
....
...it's about time I give a short update!
I have had an incredible summer in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Colorado! I arrived in the states Jule 10 and return to Guatemala July 22. I have NO idea where the time has gone but what I can say is that I have learned more about myself in this short amount of time than I have in a long time. (More on that in a future blog, that one will take some time to process and write and quite frankly, I should be packing right now, not writing a blog!)
I was able to see everyone that is near and dear to me except my Texas crew. To you guys, I love you and I'm sorry I didn't make it down. Time ran out and I was exhausted by the time I had three days to get down there...it doesn't change how I feel about y'all!
I'll post a few pictures that have been taken this summer...
Love you guys! Start looking for more updates coming your way shortly! I know that as Principal, I will have some inspiring stories to tell!
Livin' the crazy life!
Liz
lyrics that will always remind me of my "Home sweet 'homa!"
"These are my people
This is where I come from
Were givin' this life everything we got and then some
It ain't always pretty
But its real
It's the way we were made
Wouldn't have it any other way
These are my people" -Rodney Atkins
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