Catching up and a little life perspective

I've had my share of crazy adventures over the past two weeks since arriving in Vallarta and in hopes of catching you up, here's a quick recap:

Flight cancelled, ate,walked, found a Spanish class, ate, listened to dad say he would walk, ate, watched a female dog in heat attempt to keep male dogs away, walked, found a great yoga studio, ate, saw a cool beach and ate a seafood feast, enjoyed a cerveza at another beach, ate, walked, hiked through the botanical gardens, ate, and had a waiter tell me that he could spend the rest of his life with someone like me. Oh, and I ate.  

All in all a decent couple of weeks, right?!  

While my time here has been a bit more involved, but the above is fairly accurate (full stories on request)! ;)  It's been interesting and great fun, to say the least.  Yet, I have found myself feeling behind.  Behind on the blog, behind on my research for "what's next", my email, and plenty of other "to-do's."  After realizing how ridiculous this sounded since I have a limited time here, I decided to give it up and just enjoy.  I'll get to it and "it" will be fine... whatever it is.  So, here are some of the realizations or friendly reminders that have hit me so far:

1.) Perspective is a funny thing - It really is about how one handles things and not about what happens.  On my way to the San Diego airport at 5:30AM on Jan. 2 to catch my flight down to PV, I learned that my flight had been cancelled and re-booked.  I didn't realize that I had been re-booked on a flight two days later until I was at the airport.  After a 45 minute wait with some seriously frustrated travelers, I was called to the counter.  I smiled and asked for help getting to Puerto Vallarta THAT day.  The agent initially didn't have any options until the following day.  After offering to refund my ticket so that I could find a way to LAX to fly a non-partner airline to PV, she miraculously found the best option that I had.  It was not ideal, but it accomplished my goal.  I flew to LAX and to PHX, before arriving in PVR.  The trip was a bit more complicated as I had to change terminals on two different occasions and barely made connecting flights, BUT, I made it!  Once at the airport all that I wanted to do was go to the condo and go to bed.  Unfortunately, I had to wait an hour for my dad to arrive with the car at which point we stopped to see Felipe and Teresa for a hour or two (I had given up at this point). Keep in mind that I was exhausted and recovering from a seriously nasty cold... and on about 5 hours of sleep.  After finally arriving at the condo building, I carried all of our luggage (4 bags - Yes, I over packed) down the 40ish stairs to the condo since Dad was nursing a hernia.  Once the bags were in, all that I had to do before heading to bed was to warm up the food that we had just brought home from Felipe's.  That's when we realized that the microwave was unplugged and dead.  Surprisingly, the Birria was still good cold :)
A few years ago, I would have been a hot mess and most folks that I came across during such a trip would have known it.  At the end of this day, I looked pretty tired, but I was just happy to have made it to PV and to bed.  Whether its age or perspective - Its an awesome feeling to know that I can choose what I put my energy into.

2.) I have an amazing family I just spent two weeks with my dad in PV (I kind of crashed his vacation - oops!).  It was awesome!  I mean, I can't speak for him, but I had a great time.  What am I saying?!  Of course he had fun - this is me we are talking about! ;)  Anyhow, I'm not sure that I have
actually ever spent this kind of time with my dad and to be honest, I was a little nervous going into it.  Funny enough, it was more of an adjustment when he left and I found myself here alone.  I'm grateful that my trip worked out to include that time with him and even more excited about moving closer to home.

3.) I LOVE the sun I might actually worship it.  I'm just sayin'...  I'm the first out of my chair when the bell rings for break at school.  Yes, there is a bell at school.  That sounds so odd, especially since the first week there were a total of 4 students.  Regardless, I am the first out of my chair because I can't wait to get outside... in the sun.  I love Nashville, but it is somewhat curious that I have made it as long as I have in a climate that is so cold.  I'm not much of a morning person, but I just about bounce out of bed in the mornings.  It's amazing how much easier waking up is when you know its sunny AND warm... it also doesn't hurt to have a view of the ocean, or a rooster!  I think this means that I am moving somewhere with LOTS of sun.... or a rooster?!

4.) I only have rhythm when I stop thinking and listen to the music... or drink alcohol?  Solexico, my Spanish school offers salsa lessons.  I, of course, am taking them.  Problem is... I suck.  Even the teacher says so!  Well, its more of a "mejor," "no, no," "Esta bien," "No, escuchar la musica!"  This all is with a lot of head shaking and a really sad look across his face.  He initially told me that I would leave the first class ready to head to JB, a popular salsa club in the area.  I think he has since retracted this statement.  I'm somewhat worried that this may apply to all dancing that I do, but its too late to start worrying about this now!  Instead, I plan to keep going because I will eventually stop thinking about what I am doing and listen to the music long enough to make it through an entire class or I will get wise and have a beer or two before class!  Either way - its fun!  

5.) I really can do whatever I want to... because I'm an adult! (Thank you, Jordan)  This can be overwhelming. Where am I supposed to be?  What should I do?  How will I know?  The only thing that I do know is that it doesn't matter as long as it brings me happiness.  Every now and then I have to remind myself of this through yoga or a walk (ask my dad - walking solves everything!).  The pressure of feeling behind and the lack of clarity comes when I fall out of rhythm or think too much.  When I let go or "listen to the music", I somehow end up with clarity.  I am not exactly sure where I thought I would be at 31, but it definitely wasn't here.  I'm happier than I could have imagined being a few years ago and I have done a hell of a lot more than I thought I would.  Yet, I still am unsure about what is next or how to add the missing pieces.  Ultimately, my choices are to listen to the music or have another beer ;)  

6.) I walk really fast  I mean really fast.  I could win fast walking competitions, if they existed.  Someone should get on that.  I mean, it is somewhat upsetting that fast walking doesn't translate to fast running.  Oh well... I guess we all have to excel at something.  Too bad mine just lends itself to random expats and locals commenting on my ability to move through a city.  Oh, and creates confusion as to why I don't like to walk with family and friends.  It isn't that I don't like you - I just walk fast!  I promise.  Ask the guy that I passed this morning on the highway. Oh, and while I'm at it - walking on cobblestones down a highway with the ability to reach out and touch a bus that is barreling down the road is quite an experience.  You should try it. Welcome to the way that I start my day.  This is after the rooster and the 110 steps down to the highway. I love every minute of it.

7.) Everything happens for a reason and I get further when I trust myself  I met a very eclectic girl in Spanish class this past week that happened to be from Seattle (coincidence... I think not!).  The girl wasn't someone that I would ever choose to spend my time with, and if I'm being honest, she irritated the hell out of me. :)  She had characteristics that weren't appealing, but she was a reminder to get my butt to yoga, and for that I am thankful!  On the flip side, last month I met this amazing guy while boarding my plane in PV and today, I met a well connected woman that recently moved to PV from San Diego and has stated a business here.  She may have an opportunity for me, but has already invited me to an event tomorrow night.  It's odd to think that if I had left the beach 20 minutes earlier, been on a different flight, or my trip had started a few weeks earlier or later, I might have missed meeting these people.  I'm not sure what will come of any of these experiences, but I am pleased to announce that the girl from Seattle has left Vallarta. ;)              

And Finally...

8.) Socks have an uncanny ability to hold things For some unknown reason, I put a sock over my face wash when I traveled to California for Christmas.  The ONE container that I covered with a sock, leaked.  Fortunately, the sock caught most of it.  Initially, I was planning to wash the sock and chalk the lost face wash up to a causality of traveling, but then I had the brilliant idea to put the sock in a ziploc baggie and use what I could in the shower.  I have used this "face wash" sock at least 10 times.  It's like the gift that keeps on giving.  I'm so excited by this experience that I had to share it.  It may be helpful to know that this face wash is sold in one store in Nashville, that I know of and is not cheap.  I promise I wouldn't be doing this if I could buy it at CVS... well, maybe I would ;)  I am my mother's daughter!  

I'm going to Vallarta... Me amo a Vallarta

I've never really enjoyed writing as it has felt more like a chore, but every time that I have taken the time to jot down some thoughts or detail my adventures, I have always enjoyed returning to the writing.  After a few folks suggested that I start a blog of my current adventure in Puerto Vallarta, I figured it would be fun to not only return to the experience at some point in the future, but to also share my experiences with family and friends.  Hopefully, these posts will be as amusing for you to read as they are for me to write.

So, here goes nothing...

Puerto Vallarta (PV)

Bay of Banderas and Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is an amazing place.  The people are friendly, the food is awesome, and the setting is breathtaking.  Located on the Pacific side of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta lives on the Bay of Banderas.  While PV is, in many ways, paradise, there is so much more history that makes each trip down here feel like I am coming home.  My father first came to Puerto Vallarta as a child, beginning in the late 1960's when Puerto Vallarta was a just a small fishing village.  My father's aunt married a man, Lou Foote, who's boat had been stolen and recovered in Puerto Vallarta in the late 1930's.  When Lou traveled to Puerto Vallarta to bring the boat back to California, he fell in love with Vallarta, and ultimately became an ambassador for the village, not to mention spending about 6 months a year living in the village.  During my father's childhood, he had the opportunity to spend three summers in PV with his aunt and uncle (Lou).  Many of his stories include a local boy named Felipe that was about 9 years his senior.  After a 15 year hiatus from Vallarta, my father reconnected with the city and his friend, Felipe.  Our families have become friends over the years and there isn't a trip to Puerto Vallarta where we don't at least see Felipe and his wife, Teresa.  In 2004, my parent's love of Puerto Vallarta finally culminated in the purchase of a condo in Amapas, a neighborhood overlooking the city.  Ultimately, we have incredible stories from Vallarta and some of my favorite family stories are from our trips to the city.    

November 2013, L-R: Sharon (my mom), Teresa, Felipe, me

First experience in PV

Villa Olivia formerly "Casa Mas o Menos"

My father has now been to Vallarta countless times.  He first introduced my mom to the city in the late 80's and my brother and I were introduced when my family rented a house called Casa Mas o Menos in April 1992.  I remember celebrating Easter searching for plastic eggs filled with candy and pesos that my grandmother had hid throughout the 4-story home.  That was also the first time that I tried to catch a gecko by climbing on top of a closet in my grandparents' bedroom, and the first time that I saw a douche.  I can still vividly remember my mom trying to explain what it was to me.  Funny how many times over the years, I brought that up to her as a kid.  I guess anytime you put 4 adults and 4 kids in a house in a foreign country, there are bound to be stories...  This particular trip was quite an adventure.  My brother, about 7 at the time, accidentally walked into the pool fully clothed, just before we were leaving for dinner. Another night, my parents agreed to leave my cousin and I in the house because we didn't want to partake in the evening activity and we locked ourselves out of the house as we explored what we thought was a fire next to the house.  It was just the neighbors burning their trash, but why would an 8 and 9 year old from the states know that?  Instead, we thought we should explore what was happening, locked ourselves out of the house, and were found wondering around the streets of Vallarta looking for someone to help us, while trying to figure out what to do.  While my parents weren't amused at the time, we definitely laugh about that evening now.

Back so soon?
Vallarta is the home where no worries exist for me.  After a few years away, I finally found myself back to visit in November 2013.  I had an incredible trip with my mom, met some wonderful people, and came back to the states with a sense of renewed self.  At the end of my first week back, I sat down to chat with Steven, the CEO of the company that I was working with, who happens to be a good friend.  After launching the Wannado app over the summer months in Nashville, we (as a company) decided to focus on the technology before preparing to scale, which meant that what I had been brought on to do was somewhat on hold.  After an incredible time in Vallarta, a renewed sense of adventure, and a very strong urge to leave Nashville (I was actually planning to move to Austin in May 2013 when I first met Steven), I figured this conversation and change of plans was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.  I was sad to be leaving such an incredible group of people, but the door was open in the future if I wanted to return... of course, if the timing was right.  It really is amazing how everything can change in an instant and usually, at the right time.

Why Vallarta?

Lux and Morgan... because everyone
should know who they are ;)

After some thought about what I wanted to do first with this new found freedom, I realized that I had always regretted not spending a few months in Puerto Vallarta learning Spanish.  I figured that I could always find a week or two for a trip to China, but finding a few months to live in Mexico may never be possible again.  I called my parents to secure the condo and booked my flights.  Not only would Mexico be an incredible experience, but there is no reason that I couldn't figure out where I wanted to move to after Mexico, while in Vallarta.  In one week, I had rented my town home, moved my stuff into storage, found temporary homes for Morgan, Lux, and my jeep, and said my first round of goodbye's to Nashville.  I would be back in March before actually moving for good, but two to three months was still a good bit of time to be away.