It's Only Just Begun// Acaba de Empezar

My final reflection paper on the entire experience of Mexico...what a blessing this journey has been.
Em

That one time I went in a Hot Air Balloon.....

Did you just read that right? You should read that again. Yeah, it's true....yesterday I went in a HOT AIR BALLOON! Not just any hot air balloon, but a hot air balloon in Mexico. I know it's incredible; I'm still relishing in my excitement and disbelief that it' really happened!

Basically, Mary is amazing, and she was able to find a SUPER great deal where we paid to go to Tequisquipan (a city in Queretaro) and got to have a night in this sweet apartment, two meals paid for, and a ride in a globo (Spanish for hot air balloon; easier and more fun to say). So,  13 of us (including Brad's parents) left Friday night for this bucket-list- worthy adventure. We spent quality time eating, talking, playing ping-pong, jumping on a trampoline, and enjoying late night conversations all for a very great price.

Yesterday morning, we headed out at 5:45 to leave for the balloon site. When we got there, it was ridiculously foggy and I feared we weren't going to go up. However, after waiting an hour or so, the fog cleared, and we lifted up into the air and had this amazing 360 degree view of the countryside, Pena de Bernal, 13 other globos and a gorgeous skyline dotted with cotton-balled clouds. I felt like I was flying...oh wait...I was!!! :) But really, I felt like a feather floating into the horizon, and for a good 30-40 minutes, we flew around, rising, lowering and hovering over the beauty of God's creation. It was SO vale la pena (worth it), and I am thankful to have had this opportunity!

Freezing at 6 am in the Morning

Our groupieee

My lovely, lovely Laura

Excitement shot #1

Excitement shot #2

Bestyy

Familia

This is Mary: professor, director, mother, friend

Brad casually lifting up our balloon

Um. Yeah, this is real life...aren't the colors amazing!?

Just chillin' in the sky

Me, Ainslie, Melissa and Kara

The other side of the Basket

This is what we survived on...

With the fog we had an incredible horizon

A view of Pena de Bernal which we climbed the 1st month in QRO!!

Our side of the Hot Air Balloon Basket....girls+ Brad's parents

Stoked on life to have had this experience

Our Balloon

 

Heading inside the balloon once we landed

Post- morning relaxation...done right:) 

The Life of a WIM student

 Anyway. I've had other fun experiences in my time here in WIM, but this is definitely one of my most memorable, simply because it's not everyday that this gets to happen:) 3 weeks left...time's cutting down fast. Happy Sunday, and have a wonderful week!!

En Una Semana// In One Week

En una semana.....

• I will be living in a new country, a new state, a new town, a new community and a new house.
• I will be joining in  the family life of Irlanda (mom), Jorge (dad), Andrea (15) y Jorge (12).
• I will be relying solely on the 6 years of Spanish I have taken since 7th grade to communicate.
• I will be pledging to speak Spanish at all possible times in order to improve my linguistic skills.
• I will be rejoicing in the reunion of a team of 16 amazing Westmont in Mexico friends.
• I will be embracing the Mexican culture while better understanding my identity in my own culture.
• I will be "uplugging" from all forms of social media- including all but Skype, Email and Blogging.
• I will be studying 16 units worth of Mexican art, history, culture, dance, and language.
• I will be devoting my heart, soul, mind and strength to the will of Christ in this four month journey.
• I will be beginning a new and exciting adventure abroad. 

I cannot believe that in just 7 short days I will be leaving for such a radical journey abroad. As I have been preparing myself mentally and spiritually, through talking with close friends, praying and just losing myself in my own thoughts, I realize just how BIG this adventure is in my life. A year ago, around this time, I was preparing myself to go to Westmont, to start a new chapter in my "grown-up life" by moving  two hours away to Santa Barbara for school. I once thought Santa Barbara was far from home, but now,  instead of just 129 miles, an entire 1,693 miles will be separating from the place I call home. Crazy...I know.

But yet again, I have no fear in leaving for Mexico, nor being in Mexico for four months, because I think God is going to do great things through my time abroad. God knows how much I love to control my own life, as I am always planning, planning and planning some more. Yet, I cannot plan this trip, nor how it is going to turn out. I have no idea what my time in Mexico will look like, how it will effect me or how it will shape me. But hey, even better... because the smaller I become, the bigger God can be in my life. That is what I look forward to: letting go and letting God. 

So, pray with me, pray for me, and follow me in this adventure as I learn about myself, my God, and about the Mexican culture and people. 

Con un abrazo grande,

Emily

También//also: I plan to update this at least once more before I leave for my trip, with more details about my location, my schooling and my family... and weekly when I arrive in Mexico.