December 31, 2006
They speak of México ...
...in many different ways, both positively and negatively. With as much comfort as talking about the United States and as much mysticism as talking about a land far, far away.
“They should all be shot,” says one woman at a diner. “What a great/beautiful place to travel to,” says another. “They don’t speak ANY English?” asks a friend from high school. Everybody’s response to México is different.
My father tells me I’ll have a great time. He was in México studying 30 years ago.
México has always been a subject of conversation here in the United States (and particularly now, more than ever with the recent immigration issues); we hear of and see México in literature, in politics, in the working class, and today, in film.
Yesterday, I went with my family to see Mel Gibson’s movie, Apocalypto, a story of the Mayan’s inevitable self-destruction. The movie opened with the quote:
“A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.”
—W. Durant
While the movie skirted past exactly how the Mayan empire collapsed, we got a deep, dramatic view of the highly civilized, advanced society. It was so interesting to see a fictional account of the Mayans and their economic, social, and religious practices. And what’s important to remember is that they still exist. The Mayan’s are not all gone. The live (a modern life) in México.
And meanwhile, during my break, I’ve been reading Sandra Cisneros’ book, “Caramelo”, the story of a Chicano family that returns to México to visit their grandmother. When the family arrives in México City, they have problems adjusting to Mexican life. Are they American? Are they Mexican? Are they somewhere in between? I’ll keep reading to find out.
I’m definitely excited to leave tomorrow…
My bags are packed. I’m ready to go.
Posted by jlsumich at 01:47 PM
December 25, 2006
Christmas
Well, today's Christmas. I'm less than a week away from heading to Mexico. All of my boxes and bags that I sent over from Michigan finally arrived in N.J.; I've been unloading the boxes and repacking many of my things for Mexico.
It's been nice to be home and spend time with family and friends before I depart again-- and not have school work to worry about. Christina, a good family friend, just stopped over. As I was talking to her, I was getting really excited about next week-- she's well traveled and is very well spoken about her experiences. I think it's great that my family has done a lot of traveling and I think my trip to Mexico will really open up my awareness of other people and perhaps the things I take for granted on a daily basis... We'll have to wait and see.
For right now, it's been nice to do some casual reading on Mérida and the Yucatán.
Here are some things I discovered:
• Mérida is known as the "white city"
• it's also the Capital City of the State of Yucatan
• Mérida is app. 60% mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian descent) and
• 30% Amerindian (indígena - including Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha)
• The Spaniard Francisco de Montejo founded Mérida on January 6, 1542. When the Spaniards arrived, Mérida was a large Mayan city known as T'ho, situated on what is now the Main Plaza. It was conquered by the Spaniards, who dismantled all the pyramids and used the huge stones as the foundation for the Cathedral of San Idelfonso (1556-1599), the oldest cathedral on the American continent.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with Mexico’s geography, here’s where I’m headed:
That’s all the info I have to give right about now... I just finished my "culture shock" quiz online through Rutgers. I think I'm set.
After completing a successful semester in Michigan, I'm really looking forward to the new and more challenging opportunities that await…
On to a week of packing, visits, and shopping...
Feliz Navidad…
Posted by jlsumich at 05:22 PM
December 16, 2006
Welcome, ¡Bienvenidos!
“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”
Rosalia de Castro quotes (Galician writer, 1837-1885)
It's December 16th, 2006 and I welcome you to the first of many MBlogs. Before I begin sharing my thoughts, allow me to clue you in on what this is all about:
I am a second year student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying both Spanish and English. Next semester, I will be participating in a study-abroad program with Rutgers University in Mérida, Yucatán. This MBlog was designed to have a twofold functional purpose: first, it will be used to record my experiences as a personal keepsake. At the same time, I hope that it will serve as a medium to keep in touch with my family and friends here in the United States.
* * *
As I sit here in my room this Saturday morning, it's hard to believe that my dream of studying abroad will come true in a matter of days. And although I don't know if it's totally "hit me" yet, I am right now both nervous and excited to begin my semester in México.
I think-- or rather, I hope-- that studying abroad will be a great opportunity for me; I've always been interested in learning more about other cultures. And I've always been interested in learning Spanish--ever since middle school. I find the prospect of becoming fluent (or at least significantly more proficient) to be extremely rewarding. Finally, I'll be able to put to test everything that I've learned...
Besides taking classes at la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and traveling, I'll also be doing extensive reading and research on my own. I'll compile the research into a project for the Spanish department and LACS department here at the University of Michigan which will be due upon my return. I think that the project (which I primarily designed) will be a unique way to make the most of my study-abroad experience.
Little by little, I've been reading about Mérida and the Yucatán. The area sounds amazing... To learn more, see the site: http://www.mayayucatan.com.mx/
Viajaré por México on January 1st, 2007...
and I have so much to do before then: seeing family/friends, packing, shopping. But for the moment, however, it's important that I concentrate and start studying for finals. I also have to move my stuff out of my dorm for the last time. Because yes, I'm proud to say that next year I'll be living in an apartment.
I'll leave you with an image of Ann Arbor, my college home.
Saludos and happy reading. JLS
DISCLAIMERS AND NOTICES:
*comments will be closed until I reach México
*All entries will be written as a stream-of-consciousness and will include personal thoughts, selections from texts that have interested me, quotes, etc. In most cases, proper credit will be given to outside sources included in my blog.
*This blog is not meant to be read as an academic or professional text, but rather as a live student journal, reflecting personal emotion and reaction to particular events.
Posted by jlsumich at 10:16 AM