Tag: Mexico

Vacation or School?

zombiegxrlLeave a comment

This week I’m writing from Mexico. The crystal blue ocean, the coarse seashell-filled sand, and the clear scorching skies surround me. I’m missing a few days of school to take this vacation, which has really got me thinking. As I splashed in the waves and sipped down cold, icy drinks, I had a realization. Right now, I could be sitting in class, sipping on stale water from the cafeteria, writing an essay about a book I’ll forget I even read in about a year. Sadness drapes over me like the heat of the sun when I think about the stress I’ll soon have to return to. I don’t want to go back to the boring, cold, and monotonous life that school induces. I sit here in Mexico, doing the same schoolwork I would be doing in class, but instead I’m outside, enjoying myself. I envy homeschooled kids who can do this all year round. Travel, be outside, be free, but still learning. Many kids claim that being homeschooled isn’t ideal because it’s difficult to make friends, but I think I’d be fine if I joined a few clubs or sports. Anyways, I’m not homeschooled nor will I be. For now, I’ll just be content knowing I’m not sitting in class and I have freedom for a few more days. When I’m back at school and sucked back into the dreaded lifestyle of a high school senior, just know, I’ll be wishing I was back in Mexico.

Picture Credit- Google

Whale Watching

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

I love the ocean.  But I’m reaaaallllyyy lazy when it comes to actually getting into the water.

Today it was hot and sunny and absolutely beautiful outside.  But I had no motivation to get in the ocean.

My mom probably asked me 7 times to go paddle-boarding with her.  I think I just took a nap instead, I can’t actually remember.

But when I finally stopped being so sluggish, I agreed and we got in the water.

We paddled out and I absent-mindedly started singing “Starlight” by Muse.

All of the sudden, I heard a strange whooshing noise to my left.  I turned and saw a baby gray whale, staring at me. I freaked out and almost fell off my board into a kelp bed I was so excited.

“MMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!” I screamed, I yelled so loud some of the surfers nearby gave me a sideways look.

“Loookkkeeeyyy!” I exclaimed, pointing frantically at the foamy white water where the whale has just disappeared.

She turned just in time to see the whale poke his head up at us.  He seemed to wink, one large eye closing just before he went back under.

“Follow that whale!”

We tailed him long enough to see there were two adults with him.   They each let out a happy spout as they traveled up the coast.

No doubt they were heading for the food-rich waters of Alaska.  They gray whales pass up the California coast each year, an annual migration from Baja, Mexico up where they breed to Alaska, where the feed.

After a while, we lost them in the blinding reflection of the late afternoon sun.

We waved goodbye and started paddling back home.  But after about 5 minutes, I saw a shining black flash peeking out from within a cresting wave.

“MMMMOOOOOOOMMMMM!” I yelled again, pointing and bouncing up and down on my board.

She looked, only to see the bubbles of its disappearing shape, as it dove deep beneath the surface.

We started back again, seeing another pair of whales as we got closer to the beach.  They were far out in the distance, surfacing and playing in the middle of a swarm of seabirds, their dark backs glistening in the sun.

We got so excited about seeing them that we watched a documentary on gray whales after dinner. It was truly an amazing day.

I LOVE WHALES!

What Holds Me Together

yrreskrap4 Comments

High above, amongst the stars,

God checked his watch,

and realized it was time.

Time to make a story,

my story,

mine.

He wove together a string of trinkets,

some rusty,

some silver,

some gold,

and some of precious stones.

Of those trinkets,

there were many places.

Houses and apartments,

studios

and condominiums.

Restaurants, schools, corners and alleys.

There was a bit of Mexico.

Koreatown, too.

Some wormy grass,

and golf courses where the deer roamed at night.

And of course,

tied closely to these homes,

was my mother’s cooking,

my father’s laughter,

my sister’s pranks.

And there were my fears.

My anxieties,

all intertwined with my passions,

my soul,

and whatever else that stirs me and moves me and lifts me..

My friends and enemies,

my lovers and ex-boyfriends.

Teachers, mentors, coaches, neighbors.

Mailmen, taxi drivers, pilots, a Marine.

There was much joy.

But,

there were also tears and hardship,

loneliness and strife.

Yelling and screaming,

punching and throwing.

The threads mangled and fried.

But soon enough,

God, with his knowing hands,

his fingers so gentle,

created a piece.

And those loose threads,

they all straighten out to create

one magnificent picture.

One that is unique.

One that is me.

mine.

From home to school, the transition

r3t5nomLeave a comment

View of Land's End arch on the Southern tip of...
Image via Wikipedia

Going from a beautiful place like Cabo San Lucas, which has beaches that stay in the 80’s Farenheit, to a weather bipolar place like Ojai Valley, California, is not an easy change to go through . My home is a paradise, and the people and food there are fantastic. OVS is a great school and there is no doubt in my mind that this school has helped me grow in many different ways while I’ve been here. The truth is that as much as I try to convince myself to make this like a second home for me, I can’t, because a home is where your family is.

Our Drugs on That?

bedghostLeave a comment

Drug smuggling has played a big part in our everyday world. Even people who are not directly involved may be affected in some way indirectly. But have you ever wondered how drugs get into the country? With all the border patrol the government provides? Well apparently some crafty groups have developed the most unusual methods of contraband. To say the least…

Well it turns out drug cartels, like the Gulf Cartel, have researched for various ways to avoid all the new methods, gadgets, and security that impose a potential threat to their narcotics not being able reach the market. They have gathered the brightest minds they could find, and came up with some of the most astonishing and silly methods to avoid getting caught and make that big buck.

Here are some examples:

Human Carriers

This method involves a person literally becoming the “suitcase” that carries the drugs. They do this by warping narcotics with plastic, the size of pills, and then literally swallowing various of these plastic capsules. Since external drugs are exposed and internal drugs are not. This is method is very effective, but has many consequences and can be deadly.

Parasite Crates

It is as it sounds. Drug Cartels designed crates that could be attached at the bottom of ships. Without creating drag, so many, ships may not even be aware they are caring narcotics across the country. When they reach their destination a team of 4 or more can detach the crate without port harbor authorities ever knowing.

There are many other ways ,but why waste your time reading when you can watch it here.

Little Pea

therightliberal1 Comment

He was expected to be great, but not this soon.

This past summer, Manchester United signed Javier Hernández Balcázar, also known as Chicharito (which is “little pea” in English). His nickname comes from his father, who also was a professional soccer player, named Chicharo. The last three generations of his family have played for Chivas, a very impressive family tree.

United signed him at age 21, a young but very mature player. Chicha had been on the Mexican team that won the U-17 World Cup. He also scored two goals for Mexico in last summer’s world cup.

When he was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United fans were surprised. Chicha was not a well known player in England and although he had proven himself playing for Chivas (leading the Mexican Primera with 17 goals) he was not being hailed as a prodigy.

But as usual, Sir Alex Ferguson showed his brilliance. Chicha is the second leading scorer for Manchester United with 10 goals in the Premier League.

10 might not seem like a huge number but Chicha has only played in 20 games. Even more impressive, those 10 goals came off of only 37 shots, a very good rate.

In all competitions he has 29 goals in 80 games, an absolutely incredible record.

The EPL is very different from the Mexican Primera where Chicha was playing but he has adjusted beautifully. He is an exciting player to watch and is already showing leadership among some of the most famous players in the world.

In United’s most recent game against Marseille, Chicharito scored two goals, winning the game for United.

Manchester United's Javier Hernandez scores the opening goal

Chicha brings a Latino American soccer style, one that is flashy and exciting, to Manchester United. He looks to be an extremely promising player, a goal scorer and leader. With his skill, Manchester United has a lot better chance of winning games.

Cruise Gone Wrong: Almost 4,500 Stranded

yrreskrap1 Comment

Cruise Ship

This Wednesday night, a Carnival cruise ship will be expected to pull into a Mexican port in Ensenada, allowing its thousands of passengers access to electricity. An engine fire had broken out on Monday.

Fortunately, none of its 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew members were injured in putting the fire out. However, electricity, air conditioning, heated water, and phone service were down due to the fire.

The U.S. Coast Guard is in the process of bringing the immobile ship to the port in Mexico and has deployed aircrafts, ships, and alerted the U.S. and Mexican Navy.

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