Back at home. Things have been pretty amazing.  Let me first say that I think I have the very best landlady in all of Tulum- possibly Quintana Roo.  The is her home.  This is not a rental for her. She regrettably had to move to Cancun because her son is sick.  the people that lived here before us totally trashed the house.  There used to be a yard and some nice plants and all of them where trashed because the people had their cloths in the front yard.  the bathroom and tile in the shower is all screwed up and black.  I do not know if he was like a mechanic or what but WTF?!?!?!

Anyway.  We spoke to our landlord and told her about the improvements that we have already made.  She knows that she will have to paint when we leave and because she used the cheapest paint (I would have too) It is all messed up.  You cannot wash it or anything.  So she said that she would pay for the materials and that we could fix up the house a bit!!!

And the best part is that my mom and step dad are coming to visit me soon and so all of this stuff is going to get done soon!  We are painting, re- tiling the floors in the bathrooms and fixing the garden.  I am so excited. 

Posted at 3/24/2010 10:00:00 AM | | 2 Comments  

9 happy years

Okay, this has been a little while but here is my "hell yeah- Happy anniversary to me" post.

Ruben and I have been together for 9 years now.  For my website Tulum Living I write posts about the hotels and restaurants and what not that we try.  One of the hotels was kind enough to invite me to stay for a few nights so that I could review another one of their hotels. 



This was very exciting for me because- y'all I live here- and as cheap as the hotel rooms are here- we still do not make that sort of living- so seeing the hotels is not something that gets to happen as much.  We stayed 2 days at Azulik- a beautiful adults only hotel that sits right up on the cliff. 

When we first got there- we were amazed.  The whole hotel is beautiful.  I will be posting a review of the hotel on Tulum Living soon.

We are parents of 2 young children that do a great job of wearing us down and cutting in beautifully on our sleeping time.  The first night - we fell asleep at 5 and did not wake up again until just before sunrise the next morning.  Now I know this is horrible- I have lived here for over a year and a half and i had never seen the sunrise over the water.  I am from the West coast of the USA and I am used to the sun setting on the Ocean.  It was so beautiful to see it rise.  We had a nice breakfast but I must say... i have totally given up on finding Eggs Benedict here in Mexico.  I have even eaten it at some pretty nice places- It does not fly- oh well. 

We spent --literally-- the ENTIRE day- sitting on our little balcony in the sun that was not too warm- which was perfect.  We took a long walk on the beach- another thing we do not do when we have the kids. It was wonderful.  We found some great pieces of coral that had washed up on the shore. 

**JUST A REMINDER*** If you are here- well- anywhere for that matter NEVER touch the reef or the coral.  It is a living breathing creature that is rapidly being damaged by people who do not know or do not care.  The reef is not a souvenir.  Having said that... there are many pieces along the beach that naturally break off and come to the beach.  Feel free to take those- I do not know anything about on the plane or whatnot- but please- please - please--- do not touch or break the living coral that makes this area so amazing. ****


Anyway.  Friday night we went over to Zamas for live music and some great drinks!  It was great.  I love that after 9 years- we never run out of things to talk about or laugh about.  That is not to say there are not plenty of times when we get to sit back and not say anything.  It is  such a great feeling. 

The next day- Ruben went and got the kids as I prepared to head over to the other hotel.  The second hotel was Zahra- and although related to the first- was very different.  It was very low key and really nice.  Not fancy nice- but rustic simple and perfect for a vacation with the kids. 

Zahra is on a secluded section of beach - it was nice to just open the door and let them run crazy.  on Saturday night we headed over to Luna Maya and watched their amazing flamenco show.  It was great. The food was not all the impressive but it was for a wide appeal audience so- oh well. 

The kids go to bed normally between 8 and 8:30- so they were zonked out sleeping on the floor before the show even started.  Ruben walked the kids across the beach and put them to bed.  It was great because we could see our room door from our table.  The show was great fun to watch. 

The next day we got a real treat.  Ruben had set up for us to go on what is called a fun trip.  This is where tour companies will take you on a rapid version of their tour so that you can sell it at your location. We did 2 tours in 1 day so it was pretty fast.  It was great.

The first tour was Mayan Extreme.  It is a great zip line- well 3 in fact- 50-60 and 70 feet off the ground and 150 meters long.  I was very cool.  Then there is a repel.  A free base- repel.  I had never done this before and it was a great time.  I want to do more of it.  Then we went swimming in a beautiful cave.  That was the first tour.

The second tour was great also.  It was a snorkeling tour.  We went to a beautiful cenote and then to the lagoon in Akumal. it was like swimming in an aquarium.  This is the very first place i am taking the next person who comes to visit me.  It was incredible. 
They took photos throughout the day which was good because we did not.  jajaja

That afternoon- we went and got the kids from our neighbor.  We really needed a quick clean of the house so we did that too.  It was tempting to stay at the house- make some dinner and just chill- the kids have school early in the morning- etc.

Yeah- screw that.  We are incredibly broke people that have been given a free nights stay on the beach.  There is no way we are not going. So we grabbed the kids uniforms and headed off to the beach.

It was pretty cold and already pretty late.  We were sitting on the beach- on 2 wooden chairs- a kid on each of our laps wrapped up in blankets - a rum and coke in one hand and a smoke in the other (Ruben his and mine- mine jajaja)  I turned to Ruben and said... "there is nothing wrong in our lives.  there is nothing exceedingly amazing or wonderful- but everything is content.  The kids are happy and healthy, we do not have a lot of money but we have enough to have some sandwiches and a homemade cocktail, We are sitting on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world- and we are so happy. "
it is one of those moments in life when you see that everything is exactly as it should be.  Things are really heading in the right direction.

My school project is going to take off- I know it.  And I know that my calendar idea is a good one too.  Now I just nee to get everything together and executed.  I was always the kid that did the homework and did it well- but would not turn it in.  that cannot happen anymore.  I have  a lot of good ideas and I need to get them into action.

YEAH!!!

Posted at 3/23/2010 08:32:00 AM | Labels: , , , | 7 Comments  

Carnival and a night out with Margo

Carnival throughout Mexico and really all of Latin America is quite a site.  This year in TUlum was no different.   Our small little town made a showing. Ruben sort of chuckled and was like.. "what is this?  This is not Carnival."  I told him to zip it.  In no time we are going to be missing the small town feel of Tulum as it is already changing so much.  It was a really cute little parade- with trucks and vans all decked out and the feather boas flew high.

we took the kids to the festival part and gave them a choice.  They could go on 3 rides or get a toy.  Both are a total waste of money but I have come to learn that is just the way it is with almost anything in association with children. 

Akilean had a big night.  He lost his second tooth.   He has been waiting patiently for it to fall out and it finally did.  Corn on the cob and apples are apparently good for pulling teeth out.  So was one of my birthday cakes one year- huh mom!?! jajajaja

Anyway.  The fair was great like usual.  A few nights later I got to go hang out with Margo in Mexico.  She is a good friend that I met actually via the internet.  She is Margo in Mexico and I am Mindy in Tulum.  And now we are Margo and Mindy in Tulum Mexico.  We had a great night at Zamas listening to some of her favorite live music.  It was a really good time.

Posted at 3/20/2010 03:19:00 PM | Labels: , , | 2 Comments  

Call off the FBI- I am here!!!

Well, it has been a very interesting past few weeks. But before I get into the catch up and where the hell we disappeared to let me first say... Yes we are safe, fine happy and living in a small Mexican Caribbean town.  I dropped out of circulation for a week and my family got really freaked out. I am so sorry for causing concern.  But there is one thing that gave me a good laugh once all the calls where done.  Right on my FB info page is my Mexican cell phone number.  Again I am sorry for any scare.  We are just fine.  Better then that in fact.

Well, I quit my job.  They were willing to work with me on the part  days but there is a big problem.  I need 4 things to be in place for me to work, 1) school open 2) kids not sick 3) My friend picking them up 4)my babysitter.  If 1 of those things is not there (and that happens frequently) I have to run around and stress out about who is going to watch my kids.  And that is the life we ha in the USA and I live in Tulum, Mexico.  I do not need to be living that life here.  So with a little sadness but knowing it is the right thing I have quit the jungle tour. 


But this means I have to get going with Tulum Living.  And I have found what I want to do.  I am making a calendar of Tulum.  All of the Happy hours, live music, dj parties, yoga classes, community service projects etc all on one calendar.  This is leading into my really big project ... The Tulum Living School Project.

We have designed a 3 part community service project for the schools here in Tulum. 
1) Community: pulls together donations from locals, businesses, tourists and the online community to buy each school their big need. (most of these projects are between $5,000-7,000 dollars.)

2) School: as part of the donation we will get them recycling containers and set up regular pick up (our recycling center in Tulum is open again)

3) Kids: after school 1 afternoon the kids will walk the streets and pick up the garbage separating out recycling.  After the street clean the kids will be treated to a pizza/ice cream party. 

I used to work with Women for Children for  Doernbecher Children's Hospital and I remember my mom telling me that amazing things can get done by people who are willing to put in the time and get organized.  Well, I see a huge need and a huge community of people who are willing to help.  It was actually the kindness I received after the kids bikes that told me to kick this into gear.  I have friends willing to help pay for my kids bikes.  And while that is so sweet- we did get them new bikes- it took all our money which is why our cable and elec got shut off but it was totally worth it.  But anyway.  It showed me that there are people in the world who would love to donate to this project and these are not HUGE projects. 

Anyway.  There will be more on that later.

So I will update more about all the specific fun we have been having but let me say we have been having a great time.  I better go.  My internet was turned on yesterday and I have sooooooo much writing to do.

I am so glad to be back. 

Posted at 3/19/2010 08:22:00 AM | Labels: , | 7 Comments  

Okay- Lucky as hell!

Well, the past few days have been filled with everything wonderful.  I came home Friday night and got a lot of writing done - which I really needed to get done.   On Saturday- had coffee- sex- tacos - treats- then more coffee- then a killer day at work- Live music at Zamas on the beach- almost full moon and chillin' under a palapa.  Had WAY too many Margaritas.  Well, not really too many -- 5 really well made drinks- a quick smoke with the band on the sea the dancing on the sand.  The night was still pretty young so it was off to the Full Moon Beach party at Om.  I just did a quick appearance but it was great fun.  Most of my very best friends were there and Lucrecia and Jackie did a great fire dance. 

Then Sunday!!!! Yeah- that was all on Saturday.  Sunday I woke up--- to a day off and it was finally a clear day.  I was very happy.  I promptly gathered the kids and headed to Ruben's work.  The beach was as perfect as ever.  Sunny and perfect. 

I made the decision to tell the tour guide company that I can only work for them 3 days.  I mean, I live in Mexico- I do not need to be living the both parents getting home in time to do dinner and bed.  We left the USA- that is not what to do here.  I think they will say yes.  O am really good at my job- the only native English speaker and I get along with everyone.  I hope it works out.  Besides I have so much to write for Todo Tulum. 
Okay- I am really tired.  I am going to go to sleep. 

Posted at 3/01/2010 11:27:00 PM | | 4 Comments  

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