The American Pastime . . . in Mexico?!

So I have not been to a baseball game in forever, may that be MLB or triple A and lucky for me the great town of Ciudad del Carmen now has a baseball team . . . and a professional one at that!! The Ciudad del Carmen Delfines (Dolphins) are part of the Liga Mexicana de Biesbol (LMB). The stadium right now is nothing fancy just the stadium for the university here but it does not matter because they is finally something to do here besides work!! Our company has some "box" seats and I was finally asked if I wanted to go which I jumped at!!

It ended up being a stormy night and it rained some but that did not stop us or the game! The Delfines played against a team from northern Mexico - Monclova. It was actually a pretty exciting game and we ended up pulling out the win!! But the best part had to be being so close to the field and players!! I could have easily gone up and touched the players of the other team in the duggout because there is not really security and the layout of the stadium is very open. Being so close and in a very open stadium made me be very aware throughout the entire game because if a foul ball was hit there is not really any protection to help save you!!

The most interesting thing about the game though had to be the chants! I felt like we did every chant possible even though it did not make sense at times!! We did the tom-a-hawk of the Braves, "charge" with a twist, and a couple of other chants that made me laugh because how they changed it!!

The food is also a lot different . . . there are not hot dogs, peanuts, or cracker jacks but instead tacos, chips w/ hot sauce, and churros!! All good but not the same, hahaha!!

Rainbow after the rain finally passed!

Watching the game with Fili and Tejeda in our "box" seats.

Delfines at the bat and you can see the lack of protection!!

Dugout for Monclova that I could easily throw things in!!

Win for the Delfines!!

Pizza and Puzzles

So when I am finally on land and in the office for a while being able to do fun things with some of my colleagues is a must!! A lot of time we just end up going to the movies, but this time one of the older engineers asked if I wanted to come over his house for homemade pizza!! Of course I said yes to homemade pizza because that is probably my all time favorite food, especially my Mom's homemade pizza!! This engineer was the one that when I first arrived to Carmen asked many questions to get to know me and when he found out that I can make homemade pizza he wanted the recipe to try it out! He made it for his wife the first weekend he could and said that it was a moderate success. After a couple more times he finally invited me over to try out my recipe. He said when he made the dough that he had an accident while making one of the batches, so he was afraid that it was not going to work. When we got to his house after work to start cooking the pizza, he went to get the dough that was left rising from lunch and gave out a little scream. I had no clue what was happening and then he brought out the 2 balls of dough. One had risen beautifully, overflowing the bowl and the other did not really rise at all. He asked if it was normal for it to rise over the bowl like that and I said yes, that is what is supposed to look like!! He was so excited because he has never been able to get the dough to rise like that, and it just so happens that the "accident" dough ended up being perfect!!

After the dough ordeal we made the pizzas! It was interesting seeing what Mexicans think as a good topping combination . . . they definitely have a very different opinion on what flavors go well together then me!! We put homemade sauce, cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, chorizo, Mexican sausage (pretty much hotdog), ham, bacon, pineapple, red pepper, and goat cheese. I do not think I would ever put that combination together, but it tasted great!! And again it was just nice hanging out with people and socializing!!

Chef Krusty making one of his masterpieces!!

Final Product . . . Mexican Style Pizza on my crust!

After some very good food, we decided to finish a 3000 piece puzzle that they had started earlier. We were just going to do it for while since two thirds of it was not finished, but then seeing the progress we could not stop until we finished it!! Somehow we did . . . it is funny how proud you feel after completing a puzzle no matter how small or big it is!!

Team Puzzle Force after completing the 3000 piece puzzle!

Hopefully, we will be able to hang out more and start a tradition of eating/making food at someones house every Sunday!! We will see if that every comes true!!

New Year, New Apartment

With the new year came another change. I had to move right before I went to my ACTive course because our contract on the house had ended and the other 2 girls were moving out so I did not want to be in a big house all by myself!! My roommates moved out because one got married so she got a place with her husband and the other was transferred to another location in Mexico. I was sad to see them go because they both are great friends and it was fun making dinner and having movie nights with them!!

I did not really have much time to find a place but with luck one of the older engineers in my group was being transferred and she lived in an apartment 5 minutes from the base. When I was at home for Christmas I told her I would move in there sight unseen so she set that up with the owner!! When I got back from Christmas I meet with the owner, signed my contract and saw it for the first time!

The apartment is a loft style apartment, so a very open floor plan which I like. There is a small kitchen, living and dining area, and full bathroom on the ground floor, and the bedroom, half bath, closet, and area to do laundry (outside) in the upstairs. It is a perfect size for me (possible a little to big) and works well for what I need it for! Another positive is that I can walk to work in the morning (I get a ride back at night since that would not be too smart to walk in the dark) . . . I get exercise AND I do not have to get a taxis!!

Right now I do not have much in the apartment. I have a bed, hammock, tv, and a dining room set that I bought from the engineer that lived there before. I also bought a washing machine from her which is nice to have!!

When I moved in I realized that I am living by myself for the very first time in my life!! It has been nice because it is my space and I do not have to worry about disturbing anyone but it is hard because now I am in charge of now of paying all the bills!! It is hard to sometimes pay the bills because I cannot get my online banking to work for my Mexican checking account and I have been offshore like crazy this year!! In my first 4 months in the apartment I have actually only slept in my apartment for 15 days (stories about that to come)!! Evidence of my not living in my apartment came when my first electric bill came . . . it was only $4!!

 

 Picture of my empty apartment which to date is still the same!

Thanks Lizzie for the hammock . . . it has come in handy since I have no furniture!!

Oh man for Oman . . . part 2!

After a full 1st day in Oman, we decided to pack in lots the 2nd day as well! We slept in for a little bit then hit the ground running! Since Saturday is a normal workday there (weekend is Friday and Saturday in UAE and Thursday and Friday for Oman) we were on our own the first part of the day while Salim worked. We went first to the grand mosque of Oman located in Muscat. It was really interesting going to another mosque to see the differences in the architecture and design. The grand mosques of UAE and Oman are very different. The mosque in Oman has more wood and ornate ceilings with lots more color than the grand mosque in Abu Dhabi. I also did not have to wear the full traditional garb but still had to wear a head scarf in Oman. The grounds are also a lot different too since the gardens are more green and complete in Oman.

Jeff, myself, and Rolando in the gardens of the grand mosque in Muscat.

The ceiling in the main prayer hall. The picture does not give justice to the detail and color!

After spending a couple of hours at the mosque we worked our way down to the marina/port in Muscat. The port is surrounded by mountains with forts on every peak. The main fort was also there since just over one mountain is home of the king or sultan of Oman. On one of the peaks is also the largest incense burner in the world. Unfortunately it was closed for maintenance so we were not able to climb on it. We walked around more around the area and climbed up to some of the fort outposts and the main fort. I am not completely sure we were allowed to do this but there were no signs or locked doors that prevented us to go up on them!! Many moments that day God showed his face . . . the beauty was unbelievable and it was so different than anything I had ever seen.

Largest Incense Burner in the world

Jeff and I in front of the principal fort at the port which we later climbed up on.

Checking out the beautiful view on top one of the fort outposts. The water was so blue . . . I could spend hours looking at the contrast of the smooth, blue water and the rough, tan dirt of the mountains.

Rolando checking out the floor of a fort which is on a cliff that is starting to recede into the water.

After a late lunch we hung out a little, resting and cooling off while until Salim arrived. While waiting for him Rolando and I (while Jeff took a little nap) had some VERY interesting conversations with a Pakistani and Omani that just stopped talking to us!! I wish I had a video camera to record all that was said . . . I can't even start explaining all the random things that were conversed!! Once Salim arrived with his wife we went to a museum about the city and Omani culture that was very interesting. After a couple hours at the museum we headed to the other side of the mountains to palace of Oman. The palace is where the sultan of Oman lives and many Omani's take a pilgrimage there to touch the gate that enters the palace.

Jeff and I showing off our height compared to Rolando outside one of the gates to the old city of Muscat where the palace is located.

 Outside the Sultan's Palace

The 2 women of the group, Salim's wife and I, outside the gates to enter the palace.

After a quick trip to the palace it was dark so we went to a place in the city to see fireworks that were going on for a week long festival of the Omani culture. At the fireworks we had to say goodbye to our great hosts and headed to the airport to get back in time to be in class in Sunday.

Thank the Lord for such an awesome experience in another interesting culture. It was a quick trip but I can not wait to go back someday and really get to dive into what Omani's and middle eastern culture is really like. And thank-you Salim for taking time away from work and your family to take a group of westerners around for a couple of days. It was fun seeing being around someone that truly loves their country and is excited to show a piece of it to us and let us in on the secret that is Oman. You were an unbelievable host and even better friend!!

Oh man for Oman!!

The last free weekend of my course Jeff, Rolando, and I decided it would be fun to go to Oman. Jeff originally was supposed to work there but then he was changed to Saudi. He had already done a lot of research and knew quite a few people there so the whole course he was asking if anyone else wanted to go. I wanted to go because when else would I get a chance to go to Oman . . . one because I did not have any visa issues like many of the other people in the class and two why not!! Rolando also decided to go since we had a visa to work in the UAE. Normally Mexicans only have a visa to enter UAE once but since he had a work visa for UAE it allowed him to leave and return to UAE without any problems.  

We fly to Muscat on Thursday night and when we arrived one of Jeff's friends picked us up and went for dinner. The next day we met up with the cousin of one of Jeff colleagues in Saudi. He was kind enough to be our tour guide for the day. He drove us to the out skirts of Muscat where you can see forts on every hill and mountain. Oman looks so much different then  UAE. There is actually mountains though they are dry and have no plant-life on it. The mountains were so different then I was used to I kind of fell in love with them . . . especially when an oasis of palm trees sprouted from nowhere. After a couple our drive we arrived toan older city that had a large market and fort in it. When we first entered the city (which was walled and gated like you here in the Bible) there was a large market. Since it was the weekend everybody was out selling their goats and sheep, birds, guns, you name it. It was soooo much fun because I finally felt like I was really experiencing Middle Eastern culture. It is different in UAE, it is all about what you have and is very modernized. I could have spent hours walking around this market and just soaking the people, smells, and culture.

Veggie market with Omanis in traditional dress. (they do not wear scarfs but have really cool hats)

 Awesome shop in the old city!! At some moments I felt like I was in Biblical time!

Camels ready to be sold at the market.

 The gang with the best tour guide and friend ever, Salim!!

Salim and Jeff ready for battle.

Jeff and me at the top of the fort.

Normal "fastfood" meal on the road. Rice and lamb with your hands!!

Hiking on a river bed that at the moment is completely dry!!

 Just one day in Oman and I love it and can't wait to see more!! I wish pictures could give justice to the beauty that I saw!!

Weekend in Dubai!

The second weekend of my course everyone in the class decided to go to Dubai since many had never been before. Oh course I went as well though I had been before, because who wouldn't want to go to Dubai. It is such a different and interesting city. The first day we a couple of us walked around the "old city" which is located in the middle of the city in the midst of towering modern office buildings. The "old city" had a market place and other cultural places to visit. Gustavo and I had a fun time trying on different traditional garb. We both ended up paying some head scarves, and I bought these really awesome handmade shoes . . . I was sooo surprised that they actually had my size!!

After a very fun time walking around the "old city" the whole group went to on a desert safari!! I had wanted to do this since the first time I went to Abu Dhabi for school but never got a chance to until now!! You ride in this pimped out Toyota SUVs and go dune bashing/4wheeling. Then you have time to take pictures of being completely surrounded by the desert . . . just you and sand and the beautiful sunset!!

Group shot . . . we were almost all jumping at the same time!!

Two middle easterners talking it out?! Nope just a normal conversation for an American and Mexican

I'm the king of the world!

Finally got to ride my camel too!!

After a very full and fun first day, we went more for a relaxing day the next day! We went to one of the beaches for a couple of hours. It actually was not warm enough to really go swimming. Go figure that would ever be the case in UAE when temperatures can exceed 120 F. After that we went to one of the huge malls which was great for me becasue my camera just happened to die during the trip :(. After almost 5 years of having it and traveled to 10+ countries it was sad to see it go. Thankfully it did happen in a place that cameras are readily available for purchase!! I ended up not being camera-less that long so I did not miss any of my adventures in traveling!!

Picture of the fountains at the mall with my new camera . . . not bad I say so myself!!

After another very fun weekend in Dubai, it was unfortunately time to go back to work! Good times with great people . . . God is good!!

One inch away from winning!!

So during my weekend in Abu Dhabi, one night we went to Marina Mall to eat dinner. During that day there happened to be a festival for one of the stops for the Volvo Ocean Race (a sailing race around the world). We missed seeing the sailboats leave the port by a couple of hours but there were still booths open so we decided to go for a little bit and see what it was all about.

One of the booths happened to be a golf booth. The next weekend happened to be the HSBC Championships (golf tournament at the Abu Dhabi ) where all the big names in golf were going to be there. The point of the booth was to chip the ball into the hole on an island floating in the water. You had two chances and if you holed it then you would win a week vacation to an island resort in China (another stop in the Ocean Race)!!

My first chance was actually not bad at all . . . I was a couple feet right of the hole. I was so nervous because there were a lot of people watching, and I was using a club that I am not used to. Plus the helper at the booth asked if I new how to use the club which kindof irked me a little bit (gender profiling anyone)!! I then asked him what degree club it was and he had know idea, hahaha!!

The second try I was less nervous and now understood the wind and the roll on the island. When I hit the shot it felt sooooo good and everyone was silent! The ball hit about 2 yards in front and left of the hole and then it started to roll directly towards the hole. Many people started to encourage the ball into the hole but it ended up 1 to 2 inches on the left side of the hole!! How sweet it would have been to hole that shot!! So much for the vacation to China!! To be honest I probably would not had time to go anyway, however it would have been a nice present to someone!!

 My beautiful golf swing!!

Watching my shot miss by an inch!! Look at that follow thru!!

I do work!

So many times my blog is of my travels and the fun things I do but I really do study and work when I am at a course, hahaha!! To prove it hear are a couple of pictures of me working on the fiber optic tool!!

Working with the Colombians, Carlos and Edwin, on the CT head!

Kind of funny that the 2 Mexicans were the ones stuck working inside the small reel for a couple of hours!! Thankfully the reel that I have to work in is a lot bigger and I can actually fit into it!

Instructor Cabe assessing our work!

Oh, and I have to say I look pretty good in orange don't I ;) Who would have thought I would ever be in an orange jumpsuit!

Oh just hanging out in Abu Dhabi . . . part 3

So I have finally gotten used to traveling from the airport to the training center in Abu Dhabi!! I finally know I was not cheated by the taxi driver because I knew actually where I was going and could tell him what exits to take!! It is about time I figured all that out, I mean it is just my third time going through this process!! 

This time around my trip to Abu Dhabi was for 4 weeks. I thought that it might have been a little repetitive and boring but it actually was the most fun I had of the all 3 trips. This was mainly due to the fact that there were other people in the class that wanted to do/see things and did not mind planning things for the group . . . I finally did not have to be the mother of the group, hahahaha!! In all there was 8 of us in the class . . . myself, an American that works in Saudi Arabia, an American that works in the US, two Colombians, a Mexican that works in Abu Dhabi, a guy from Bahrain who works in Saudi, and my friend Gustavo who I worked with in Reynosa.

Every weekend we would go on an adventure . . . first weekend Abu Dhabi, second weekend Dubai, and lastly in the last weekend some of us went to Oman! Besides the weekends a group of us would go to a new restaurant and had some REALLY good food!! It was nice being around others that appreciate good food and good company!!

For the Abu Dhabi weekend we went to the mosque which I had already been too but it was nice to go again. When I was there I learned how to wrap the head scarf correctly!! It was also interesting people watching. There were people from all over the world, some tourists like me and some using the mosque the way it should be used.

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Stylin in the head scraf again!!

Having some fun playing with our camera settings on a beautiful day and beautiful place.

 

The group outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 

We also went to Ferrari World which I had already done before as well but again it was great. It helped that there was a lot less people then the first time I went on my birthday so we were able to ride the fastest roller coaster in the world a lot of times without ever really waiting in line!

Gustavo and I sitting up front ready to go on the fastest rollercoaster.

After some fun at Ferrari World we went to eat at one of the hotels on Yaz Island and then decided to walk to the Yaz Marina. It ended up taking almost an hour but it was a beautiful day. It was so different than the last time since the last time it was the middle of the summer and you would melt if you were outside that long! By the time we made it to the marina where there is also a really interesting looking hotel and the Yaz Island Formula-1 race track which actually goes underneath the hotel, the sun was setting. It was a nice end to a nice weekend!!

 Yaz Island Marina at sunset.

The adventurous gang eating at one of our favorite finds . . . Prego's in the Beach Rotana

New Look for a New Start

You could say that I have been working like crazy lately and my blog is taking the brunt of it!! I am sooo behind in all my storytelling that I thought I might need a little change. I needed a new look so that maybe it would kick me in the butt to get up-to-date and start being more consistent in posting!! I think the new look is much better than before!! What do you think?

I'm going where . . . again?!

On my way back to Mexico, I was waiting for my connecting flight in Houston when I checked my emails. I got one from my boss that told me I was again chosen for a course for a special fiber optics tool that we run on Coiled Tubing. And guess where that course was being held . . . if you guessed Abu Dhabi you guessed right!! I was going to go to Abu Dhabi for the 3rd time in 6 months, and I would be leaving in 2 weeks!! This time the course was going to be 4 weeks long so in all I would have been in Abu Dhabi for 13 weeks total for the year. I guess I should be calling that my home now since I had been there longer than I had the US (5 weeks) in the past year!! This news came as a shock since I was already preparing my mind for starting up work again, but no I now was going to another course! I definitely was not sad about going but I dreaded the flight a little!

Speaking of dreading the flight, I decided to see exactly how many miles I flew this year in the past year because my travel schedule was crazy this past year . . . I have been on over 35 flights!

So after looking back at my tickets, I have flown a grand total of 68,287 miles!!!


That equals:

2.75 times around the circumference of the earth

22.75 times the length of the USA

136.6 times the length the state of North Carolina

284,259 times the height of the Empire State Building

62,079,090 times the height of me!!

And most importantly, it equals to 17,071.75 Krispy Kreme Challenges which equals to 204,861 glazed donuts eaten!!

That is a lot of donuts!!