"...And be a champion."

Mr. Cox, who was the principal of my high school during freshman year (and several years before that), used to end his morning announcements with that sentence.

Today, I can definitely say that I feel like a champion. I was able to truly see the things I've learned in Mexico at work, and I was proud of the changes I've made in my life.

Before I continue, let me apologize for taking an extended absence from blogging. I have worked too much. I've been fighting and lost vision.

The story picks back up today with my trip to the immigration office here in Mexico. I'm still fighting with them for a visa, and yesterday I received a notification stating that I should present myself this morning.

Last night was spent mostly in worry. This morning, I took a taxi to get there as quickly as possible. It's been nearly a year since I took another memorable taxi ride.

Back then, I was going to a job interview for a German teaching position. I took the train to a station near Sor Juana avenue, and, not knowing the way exactly, I took a taxi. I gave him 50 pesos in advance and asked if he'd have change. He told me to relax and not to worry about it.

First of all, I was struck by his extremely unprofessional attitude. Sor Juana is a well-known street, and he played it dumb. He stopped to ask police officers for directions and between those stops whistled at women passing by. He boasted to me about his sexual adventures and how much money he made every day. At one point, I told him I would be fine on my own, but he said that he could not let a customer just walk to his destination. As I tried to open the door, he hit the gas.

He asked me to call the interviewer, and I replied to him that I had no credit on my phone. He asked to look at it and dialed a number, explaining that it was a customer service line. I was an idiot. I took the bait. As it turned out, he was trying to rob my phone credit by making a transfer. Luckily, I had nothing.

When we finally found the place, the receptionist was in the street waiting for me. The taxi driver threatened me and wanted me to pay him double what I had paid originally. I said that he was being ridiculous, and he threatened to beat me. Not wanting to be seriously injured, I paid up.

Fast-forward one year. I'm going down the street and notice the taxi meter is not counting the trip, so I asked the driver to check it. The traffic was horrible, but luckily, I know a few side roads to get around most of it.

We arrived fairly quickly at my destination, and he tried to charge me more than the taxi meter read. He said it was because it had not counted the first kilometer, and I said that he was ridiculous. I took my money and threw it into the front passenger seat and got out, while he cursed at me and told me I was an idiot. I simply replied, "Likewise," and closed the door.

Arriving at the immigration office also brought a new adventure. My visa was denied. I looked over the document, asked three different people what I had done wrong, and they asked me to go to the department head.

She insisted that the problem was that my translation wasn't signed, but I asked her how she expected me to have my translation signed by the Secretary of State of Kentucky. She then took a different approach, and I showed her all the paperwork that was necessary.

She looked uncomfortable. She was the one who had signed the rejection, and I insisted that this be dealt with without me having to restart the immigration process.

After 30 minutes, I walked out with an appointment on Monday morning as soon as the door opens. Victory for me.

I am tired. I have dealt with problem after problem, but I've come much further than most would have tried to come in doing these things. I've learned a lot.

I've mentioned in this blog a difficulty for me in developing self-confidence, but every day it grows. Sometimes it lags, but today I feel like a very competent and accomplished person, and I am proud of the lessons I have learned by choosing my own path in life and sticking with it.

Perhaps this can inspire you. Don't give up. Do right by others, and don't let them do wrong by you.

Love, always,
-Buster

Getting My Act Together

Private classes, working with English for a Business World, immigration documents...These are the main occupants of my mind these days.

I was having a tough time for a few months. One thing, however, that we've seen consistent with history (both of humans and animals), is that an inability to adapt leads to downfall. Luckily, I managed to figure this out in time and put myself on feet, even with a few huge setbacks (namely, a public university delaying its pay for more than 3 months...still waiting, by the way).

Through a few friends, who led me to a few contacts, I have managed to sell my time for an excellent (and rather tiring) work schedule. This schedule gives me the chance to have Thursdays and Fridays relatively relaxed, a few classes on Saturdays, and increase my income to a level that is about 2 times more (a little more or a little less, depending on the month) to the costs listed in my monthly budget (student loan payments, food, rent, service costs and transportation). That way, I budget about 40% to savings (30% toward a car, and 10% for an emergency), and I have the extra 10% as a cushion.

I'm also learning about reducing grocery costs and general money-saving advice from a website called www.moneyning.com, which is a good place for you to take a look if you're interested in improving your financial situation. With its help, as well as advice from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace book, I have managed to absorb the shock of being in a slow time as far as work goes (maybe 11 hours per week) and the disappointing shock of not receiving punctual pay from the business I mentioned before. When that money finally comes, I'm buying myself that computer I've been needing for a while...

I've also been doing some shopping for a new place to live. Currently, I'm checking rooms in the nicer areas of the city (Colonia del Valle, Roma, Polanco, La Condesa), so if you're one of my worried parents or a concerned friend you can definitely check those places out online to see the type of neighborhood I'll be living in. The move will probably take place next week, saving me time and money (though costing a bit more in rent).

So, I have to say, that for me working hard (I'm out in the city maybe 50-60 hours per week, though a good deal of that is spent in the commute) and disciplining my spending habits has been a huge blessing. I'm now working toward starting a business, which will be a source of passive income and only require administration from me.

So, in short, things are on the up and up. Since I came to Mexico a year ago, I've increased my monthly salary by about 2.5-3 times of the amount I was earning in the beginning, while working fewer hours. It's about taking your resources into account and keeping an eye open for possibilities, being reliable, and also, knowing how to talk politely to people.

In my personal life, well, not a lot is going on at the moment. Until very recently I had my nose to the grindstone to pay back those big problems, and now I've got the ball back in my court, and that's where it will stay. Because of that, with the new computer and a more controlled budget, expect to see a lot more posts about different adventures around Mexico City. Plan on visiting. Thank you for keeping up with me.

Love, always,
-Buster



Welcome, Summer! Welcome, Mexico City's Rainy Season!

It weighs heavily...

I have made a tough decision, I think. It's not easy, and I'm not necessarily happy, but I think this is for the best in the long run.
But get ready. You're about to see what I can really do.

At least I have some ideas...

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. I've been lacking inspiration. Right now, my mind is set on one goal: working hard and making more money. It's not that I care that much about having the stuff, it's more that I want to overcome financial obstacles.

My goal is to become my own boss. To start investing some money in small business pursuits, get myself into grad school, and then...?

I have a few ideas. But we'll talk about those later. :)

-Buster

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Reminding myself today of the value of patience, and also of laughter.

Why take life so seriously?

At times I feel bad, but the thing to remember is that it doesn't last forever. Last night I was annoyed by a video I saw, and it made me think about a lot of stuff. Then I started thinking about good things I remember.

The truth is that simplicity is best. I'll be proactive about the things I can change and passive about the ones I can't.

It's better to let things air out rather than let them fester.

Ta da!

llena, pues, de palabras mi locura

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue.

At one point, I had to start crying. I'd have chosen to avoid it had it been avoidable, but feelings repressed do not disappear.

Call me what you will. An over-emotional thinker? Someone lost out in the world?

I can only feel as I'm programmed to feel and think as I'm programmed to think. Tell me to stop thinking, and you'll provoke a good day or two of the same in me.

Chilly nights in quiet streets watching people groggily shuffle by, walking over paths beaten down by centuries of history, that's where I want to be.

I want to look at the city in the distance. I want to re-live the bonfire from the last night in Germany, feel again that rush of fear and wonder as I discover something that was always mine, and have mud wars in a pond filled with worms that make the experience slightly gross.

I want to be who I am with the people who know and love that person. I want to learn more about those around me. I want to learn from my students, learn from my teachers, and learn from the bus driver who shouted at me last night.

I think I'll stop putting on neckties. What good are they anyway?

These are only blotches on a canvas.

Good night.

I need to be outside...

It's one of those lovely spring days when I want to be barefoot in the grass. Unfortunately, Mexico City is mostly hostile toward barefoot enthusiasts and grass lovers. Sigh.

I cut a pair of jeans to make myself some shorts, pulled out the pair of sandals that I brought from Kentucky, and planned to go hang out and the dreaded "Ah es que ya no voy a poder" (Ah I'm not going to be able to) presented itself again. I hate cancelled plans. It really gets my blood boiling.

In other news, I am about to get a bunch of new classes. This is definitely something to be happy about.

This weekend I worked at my roommate's restaurant. He let me try "Mexican caviar" (escamoles...for those of you who know what I'm talking about). These are none other than ant eggs. They're prepared in like butter and garlic (I think) and served in tacos. I tried one, and though it was mostly edible, I began to realize that anything (including a pile of poo) might taste good if you mix it with the right ingredients.

The restaurant job was stressful, but also fun. Until my new classes start, I'll probably be working there a bit to keep myself sustained.

Other than that, I'm a very tired young man today. It has been a day that has both exceeded my expectations and disappointed me. Oh well, I've still got a smile on.

In fact, this song, which was popular when I first got here, has got me smiling again. Enjoy.

Love, always,
-Buster