I left Zihuatanejo, Mexico on the first week of April and returned from Oregon the first week of May. During the entire month in Oregon my head and chest were congested, my nose ran constantly and I had a nasty cough that just wouldn't let me alone. I felt tired, rundown and confused. After being back in Zihuatanejo for less than a week my head, chest and mind are clear and the cough is gone. I feel the summer heat coming on strong and I believe that it is good for me.
I had a nice visit with Ivone's family on Mother's Day and I believe that they have accepted me as being part of their future. Ivone tells me that she is still pinching herself daily because she feels like this is a dream. I pinch myself now and then too. We laugh a lot, we talk a lot and it is so good to be back here walking on the beach together. Even though our communication skills are still a bit limited we are making great progress on both fronts (English and Spanish).
It is also good to see some of the American and Canadian folks who are year round residents. They will be a great help as I run the gauntlet of Mexican bureaucracy heading toward my "resident visa".
Not much else is new except perhaps a higher sense of happiness, contentment and fulfillment.
What a wonderful birthday. Ivone surprised me with a party at her mother's house and it was just perfect. She made a very healthy carrot cake with pineapple topping - yummmmmy. The tradition here is to have the celebrant take a bite out of the cake before it is cut up. I did that and it was fun. Before the festivities began they all sang Las Mañanitas for me.
