Happy Birthday, Jordan!

Today was a lazy day.  A very, very lazy day.

I think I got up about 11 AM?  And then Christina and I basically stayed in our room watching Once Upon a Time until it was time to eat lunch.  But we were okay with that because we knew that later this evening we were gonna PARTY.  'Cause it's Jordan's birthday today!

But eventually, I got up and ready (probably about 1ish?  I know, I know.  But the important thing is, I looked fabulous.  Aka, tried a new hairstyle today):

Front view (obvs)

Back view
(Side note:  I discovered the other day that the light over the mirror actually works.  Ya just gotta turn it on manually.  And by manually I mean you have to pull the little string to turn it on.  Best discovery ever.  It is dark in that bathroom).

Anyway, after lunch (which was SO good.  For rizzles, I'm gonna miss the food here), we still lazed around.  I had intentions to write yesterday's blog.  But, yeah, that didn't happen.  Then I was going to work on my story, but then that didn't happen either (kinda fell asleep there).  BUT, at around 5 PM, Conner came over and we played banana grams!  It was intense.  We did Spanish and English words (it's really hard for my brain to think in two languages at once.  I almost won the second round).

After that, we headed over to Los Trompos at City Center to celebrate Jordan's birthday (we were a little late.  And by a little I man 30 minutes late.  I felt so bad.  But our bus didn't come, so we sat around waiting for a while.  And, when we got there, they had just ordered their food).  In case anyone was wondering, the food was delicious!  (Photo-graphical proof shall follow):

I got the bistek y queso combo.  Three tortillas.  Tons of delicious meat and cheese.

Guacamole!  The first time I've had it since I've been here.  I was super stoked so I took a photo (if you need more evidence, just as Profe, he was there to hear my, "Yes!  This is the first time I'm eating guacamole in Mexico!!")  

Yes, I took a selife in the restaurant.  Because...guacamole!   

My little self made taco.  They had three different sauces so I tried them all.  Two were not spicy.  The third was very spicy.  But I...enjoyed it.  Which was a first.  I actually liked the spiciness (what's happening to me????)  And it was delightful - well, as delightful it can be to have your mouth on fire.  I was pretty proud of myself).

I should note:  so, I was feeling pretty good about the spicy sauce and got a little too excited about it on the last taco.  If I hadn't been so stuffed, I think I would have finished it.  As it was, by that point my stomach was like, "Don't you remember...?  You're a gringo!!  Stop this craziness!"  So I stopped.  BUT I successfully ate one full taco with the hot sauce on it.  It was like deliciousness with fun pockets of hotness.  And yeah, totally took tums right after to keep the stomach happy.

After dinner, we went over to one of the girl's house (bout a five minute walk away) to party!  The MM of Jordan decorated the backyard so nicely (it was beautiful).  And we had cake (Hershey's cake...need I say more?) and Neapolitan ice cream  (which I haven't had in forever).  I don't know how I managed to fit more food in me, but I did!  And it was totally worth it.

After cake and ice cream I decided to go for a swim (Profe, his kids, Christina, and Conner did too.  Eventually Oliva joined us).  I practiced floating on my back (I floated for 1 minute at one point tonight.  Which is better than the 2 seconds I usually float).  I learned the backstroke.  And I learned how to swim with my face in the water (did a little exercise where I went under, blew air out of my nose, came back up, and took a breath.  What had previously been impossible for me is now possible).  I thought it was super nice of one of the girls to comment on how awesome I was for trying to learn how to swim (didn't know how to reply because I never know how to reply to compliments).  I never thought of it that way, but I guess it is kind of awesome :)  I don't know what it is, but this trip has definitely encouraged me to learn how to swim - I just have this passion and desire that I've never had before.

I think the best part of tonight was after everyone else had gotten out of the pool to play games (though there were people close by) and I just practiced swimming and floating.  It was funny because as I was floating, I couldn't help but giggle at the cool sensation of feeling like I was falling backwards, but knowing that I was supported by the water.  That and I was just so happy to finally be doing what I've always dreamed of doing (as tacky as that sounds).  My whole life I have never known how to float on my back.  But now, what was impossible for so long is now possible.  And it was so great to just float, look up, and enjoy the night sky.  I just have to say, I'm so grateful that God has given me this chance to have so many great teachers to help me learn how to swim.  And for helping me to slowly overcome my fear of the water.  I may not be a great swimmer yet...but I am definitely a great swimmer in the making.

After swimming (I think I saw for about 2 hours?  I may be sore tomorrow) and more ice cream, I finally headed home with Scott, Brandon, Conner, and Christina.  Unfortunately, the buses had apparently stopped running for the night (which we discovered after 30 minutes of waiting.  Strange, considering the buses were still running at that time last night).  Luckily, Conner had the number of the taxi service on his phone.  So after we walked to City Center, he called and ordered 2 taxis.  But we had to wait for about 20 minutes til they arrived.  So, we reverted back to our elementary days and played some fun games (quack-didali-oboe, alphabet game, and tag - which wasn't really tag since we were just sitting on the curb tagging each other).  Finally, one taxi arrived, so Scott, Christina, and I went home (first time in a taxi!  Twasn't very exciting.  Most of the time everyone was silent and we listened to a children's choir on the radio).  

Got home about 12 AM?  And MM got up and asked us what time we were heading to church tomorrow (9 AM) - she's so sweet.  Then we both got ready for bed, and I decided to catch up on my blogging (very exciting).

And now I am (finally) heading to bed.  #its2AM   

'Til Tomorrow.

R J Carr

PS The party tonight felt like a real Mormon college party (complete with swimming, food, music, and laughter - or, at least, how I always imagined a party to be.  Kudos to those who planned it!