My Mexicans go home

The time finally came for my Mexican friends to go home, que triste! On Friday night, Ivonne and I hosted a farewell party at our apartment and it turned out great! It was like a marathon party, and we did the most random things until early the next morning. Our party started off as a potluck dinner and it quickly evolved into a balloon fight, talent show, dance party, ghost story telling, and finally saying goodbye. Now they are all back in different parts of Mexico and I miss them dearly; it may have been one of the best months of my life and I am so lucky to have met such wonderful people. What made these people and this time so great?

For one, these Mexicans I became friends with were so accepting! I've wondered why it was so easy and comfortable to be with them and realized that a big part of it was because I felt accepted and loved. They liked me for who I was and it was easy to relax and just have fun. They were this way not only to me, but to everyone they met. Also, they seemed to have unfailing optimism and good spirits. Even when we got up so early to go to Whistler and they had only slept for 3 hours the night before and we spent all day being active and busy, they were still happy and fun! What a great example to learn from; to choose to be our best selves even when we physically don't feel up to it. That's tough but it made a huge difference in our trip.

There are so many memories I hope to never forget. The dinners we made in Fairview, licking things off the floor (Doooo it!), sliding down the snowy hill, singing together Don't Worry and Te Voy a Besar, playing Ultimate frisbee with four people, walking through the forest late at night to the beach, rollerblading to Gage, playing cards, the Whistler trip, hot tubbing, birthday cakes, and so much more. Really, it didn't matter what we did because anytime we got together, we would make it an adventure. And that is the way to live life!

Yet even though I had such a great time and I may never see these people again, I don't feel too sad. I know that our existence here on earth goes through phases, and there are times where we feel loved and accepted and other times where we may feel lonely or discouraged; there is a time for crazy adventures with friends and there is a time to settle down and raise a family. I echo the advice of Elder Worthlin to "come what may, and love it" because each stage will bring a different kind of happiness. But heck, we know that sometimes it's difficult to appreciate what we have and not compare it to others! Still, I am learning that when we have high moments, we can enjoy them for what they are and not feel too much nostalgia when they pass. God will always provide us with another way to His joy and peace; a way that is best suited for our needs.

These are some pictures that show some of my favorite times with them...

We spent many hours in the kitchen: cooking and then cleaning afterwards!

This was a very common scene at Fairview: Christian and I in the kitchen washing dishes!

This was the ice cream sundae that I made him... it looked really good!

Whistler village, so quaint!

This exemplifies our Whistler trip. I didn't need to look at a map; all I need is the north star. Even in broad daylight

Hot chocolate on top of the Peak to Peak at Whistler

My map of the hotel room. It was so fancy, look at all those rooms!

The rollerblades were stuck! That's because they were my rollerblades and they didn't belong on his feet...

Salsa dancing in the living room

Classic Cait and Christian

Classic Christian and Cesar

Massive balloon fight!

"See-food"! I am so immature...