The Miracle of Life.

Yesterday, I had an experience that was absolutely amazing. And so very unexpected.

After we got back from dinner, Kayla and I decided that we should go stargazing 'since it was our last night together...

We always go down to the beach and sit in those chairs so Heidi and I got ready and got E. Silva and started walking down the beach, towards Kayla's bungalow.

We were laughing and being crazy as we walked along the beach, which is typical.
We were approaching Kayla and some others when a kind of notice a large mound in the sand. It is an object that looks like a rock.

But then someone says the words: "Be quiet, there is a sea turtle nesting"
What?

Heidi kinda freaks out (because of other things and not the turtle) and she screams. Not a good thing for turtles.
We cautiously move around it and meet up with others nearby (because we almost walked right into it...) and we start watching.

Mother Nature is amazing.

I was completely mesmerized by this sea turtle.

Unfortunately, words travels faster than lightning in groups like this so after a few minutes, there were lots of people, making lots of noise.

I did see the turtle laying it's eggs, covering them back up and then heading back out to the ocean.
It was all really fast though because she started a while before we got there. We even thought that we scared her off and that she didn't lay her eggs.

But once she left, the Turtle Man in charge came over and did his job, with an eager audience.
He showed a turtle egg, explained his job and process (he adds a little vial thing with his name and number in with the eggs so people know he's in charge) and then he built a little sand mound and roped it off with caution tape so people can't disrupt the little nest.
It was his first nest in his beach area so he was pretty excited.
And the whole time, I was absolutely jealous of his job.

Seeing that reaffirmed my love for aquatic animals and my want to study them.
It was such a lovely evening. Especially since it was so random.

And because it happened to be Mother's Day here in Mexico.
Best part of the trip, I would say.

(Even though people were rudely annoying during it.)
Such a splendid way to end our time in Mexico. :)

Cinco de Mayo

In America, we assume that the 5th of May is widely celebrated in Mexico.

It's not.

Only in Puebla is is actually celebrated.

Ironic that we celebrate it more in the States than they do here.

But, regardless, I'm in Mexico today so we're going to pretend like it's exciting.

Great.

So here are some fun numbers for you.

4- number of bug bites I have.
4-LDS temple grounds visited.
6- number of ruin sites visited.
7- the number of hotels I've stayed in in the last 13 days.
13- how many different roommates I've had, in 13 days.
50+- hours spent on the bus (maybe that's an exaggeration...)

I can't think of any other exciting things to share. Time to do homework. Woo.

Happiness.

Today was a good day.

I reinstated my Chacos tan. (What took me 4 months in Jerusalem I restored almost completely during 1 day in Mexico.)

Wandering the streets and having a free afternoon. Especially since we had a good (i.e. small) group. Plus, somehow, Kayla and I lucked out and had 3 (and then 4) men in our group. And there are only 7 on the tour...

The best part though was walking through the market. Which reminded me a little bit of the Shuk (still don't know how to spell that word... shuq? shuk?). And sometimes, it smelled just like the Old City. And everytime I got that familiar whiff, I would just start smiling. :)

I miss the days we spent walking through Jerusalem. I guess walking through various towns in Mexico is close enough.

Minus the Hebrew, Arabic, Dome of the Rock, the Jerusalem Center and the dreaded hike through up the Kidron Valley.

While on the bus today, I also found myself singing (in my head) the Hebrew alphabet. So great. :)

I think I have a new schooling plan in the works and I'm excited to see if I can pursue it. :)

Until next time.

Blessed.

Today, I'm so grateful for education.

And especially the fact that I have the opportunity to go to school and get an education.

Today, we had an privilege of going to the LDS Institute, here in Puebla Mexico and have the chance to meet with students who are a part of the BYU-Idaho Pathways program.

We ate dinner (delicious mole) with them and then we had the chance to participate in their classes with them.

It was seriously so great.

Seeing the BYU-Idaho learning model, in action here in Mexico is mindblowing.

The dedication that these people have is inspiring.

They're in their mid to late twenties (or early 30's) and the set so much time aside to getting their education, even though it cuts into their other activities.

They have jobs and families and they take time to learn English and get an education that will help their lives immeasurably.

I'm blown away because our life, in little Rexburg Idaho, is so simple and easy.

I am so grateful for all that I have. And meeting the students today, interacting with them and hearing their amazing stories has given me greater perspective.

They are truly amazing and I feel like the experience.at the little Institute building here in Puebla will definitely be one of my most memorable experiences of the trip.

Leavin' on a jetplane.

Tomorrow is the day.

After a weekend filled with Jerusalem reminicsing, delicious food and lots of laughter, all with Little Lottie, I'm going to get on an airplane tomorrow.

Off to Mexico City I go.

And I will return to this lovely city near Salt Lake in 25 days.

Just in time for my 21st birthday/Charlotte's farewell and bonding time with my new favorite family.

It's going to be great.

But in the meantime, I need to go and hang out with some manatees, sharks, rays and most importantly, see lots of ancient ruins.

I'll be back.

(I might or might not be updating my travel blog. Just fyi.)

Sometimes I feel famous.

{because I know famous people.}

Remember this day?

I mean, of course you remember when the day that I got engaged/married/whatever.

(Especially since he was 16 years old.)

But what I'm talking about is the very bottom.

Where I talk about my future grandfather-in-law.

Well, remember how I saw Victor Ludlow walking through the Jerusalem Center one evening? While I was being super studious and doing my homework?

Apparently, when I saw both Ludlow's walk into the Jerusalem Center office, they were going to to this.

When Poppa Hunts posted about this on facebook the other day, I thought that it was recent. But NOPE.

They recorded this on that October day when I saw Victor and Jared Ludlow walking through the Jerusalem Center.

The '60 sisters' that Marissa or Melia prays about?

I'm one of them.

Actually, this whole thing just warms my heart.

So great to hear their voices!

And to hear their testimonies and their love of the scriptures and the Holy Land.

And especially, their testimonies of Christ.

I love them all.

I forgot how much I missed that place.

(Okay, not really but maybe a little bit.)

And is it a coincidence that "Viva la Vida" (by Coldplay) just came on pandora?

(I love that song because it mentions Jerusalem. hahaha)

Anywho, I just figured I'd post this little thing. It's funny how famous all my Jerusalem professors are, in real life.

Love it.

I was also reminded today of Brother Skinner and his wise advice to not go on my MesoAmerica trip. Mostly because he had a bit of a traumatic experience trying to change his clothes, while in a sleeping bag, while on a hammock. So great.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) we won't be sleeping in hammocks. But if we did, I would undoubtedly think about him and his experience. haha

At this point.

Let's see.

I still feel like walking death.

I don't even want to go on my trip.

I don't want to go to class.

I can't even focus on anything.

I don't even want to watch movies.

Here is what I want:

I want to go home, to California.

I want to go to the appropriate medical facility and let them rip out my tonsils (or I guess do it nicer than ripping.)

I want to sit on the couch/bed and watch movies or tv shows all day long, while recovering.

I want to eat delicious smoothies and popsicles.

I want to be done with these stupid, swollen tonsils forever.

Unfortunately, I still have two point five days of school left.

And then apparently a three point five week trip.

Yay.

I can hardly contain my excitement.

:(