Monday July 20, 2009   3:27pm

I have had one heck of a first week here in Mexico. I am finally getting around to writing now, because I have been so busy. My Mexican brother had his baby, and named her Carla, after his wife. He says she is doing well. Let me catch up on what I have missed out on:

Friday I only had my grammer class until 12pm. I then went on a walk to find the gallery my Mexican sister and her husband owns. My friend Jack and Jourie came with me, and since it was closed, we ended up talking for a while outside and then finally went home. My friend Jourie left to go to Salamanca, Mexico with her family for the night. I went with Jack and my other friend Abby to some bars around the city. The bars here are like the bars in the Short North. (nice. nice. niiiice!) Not that I've ever actually been in those... ANYWAY. We saw Jacks mexican brother, who is probably the funniest as well as probably the most inappropriate 25 year old I have ever met. He kept telling Jesus jokes, cursing up a storm, so on and so on. Nonetheless I really couldn't help but laugh at him. He was hilarious. 

Saturday I took a lot of sleep time. My friend Jack and I went to see Harry Potter, because all our other friends had either already seen it with their family, or had a party to go to that night. The movie theater we went to is in a mall and it has both a McDonalds and a Subway. Good to know for when I get American food cravings later on. The cab ride to the mall (a 5 min drive) was only $3US. We had the option of seeing the movie in Spanish or in english with subtitles. Of course we chose english. Surprisingly enough, a lot of other people did as well. I kinda liked this Harry Potter, but since I haven't read the books I was mad it ended so quickly. 

On Sunday I went shoe shopping with Abby. She bought some cute silver gladiator sandals for only 14US$. It's a steal. Everything here is very cheap, but I have restrained and not bought ANYTHING (besides water and drinks at starbucks) because I'm afraid my $700 is not going to go very far this semester. Later last night I went over to Jourie's house with my friend Jack and played bingo. Jourie's family's entire family was at their house playing. They play for money. They don't joke around here in Mexico. I, of course, lost. A lot. I only got a bingo twice, and every time had to split the money at least 3 ways. My life in a nutshell, I swear. 

I went to the pharmacy and told the lady I was having stomach pains (probably from all the constant starch in all foods) and she gave me these pills that I have no idea what they are, but they sure do work wonders! My Mexican mom said they were ok to take. Don't worry Mom and Dad, I'm not going to come home addicted to something. 

This weekend we travel to Mexico City. I am excited to go, especially after Prope class today (our class about mexican history/culture). I didn't even know Mexico City was built on a lake. Apparently everything's sinking and they can't build transit easy because they keep hitting old ruins and pyramids that have sank (although we were told the transit in Mexico City isn't safe and therefore we shouldn't take it). We are going to be staying in a hostel. That will be the first hostel I have ever stayed in. I'm actually pretty excited.  

Well I'm about to go meet up with my friends at the cafe. I'll write more later. 

PS--- the Starbucks is currently playing gold-digger. Not the Kanye West version however, the old school version. The good version.