Here's to a strong 2011 ~

1/11/11 ...  January is upon us once again.  This past year has come and gone just as fast as the one before and just as fast as this next one will.  Our family has made some significant changes, some milestones, some steps forward and some steps backwards.  In lieu of my annual December letter (or book as some would describe) I will sum up our year here ...

As most of you know, we relocated to the Mayan Riviera the beginning of November for a 6 month period.  Prior to this, we introduced our kids to Spanish by meeting with Jay's cousin once every week.  We prepped our managers (and their wives!) to run the business while we are away.  We enrolled Hunter in city soccer so he would be ready for this country's national sport!  We met with the school here to ensure the kids were placed in the appropriate grades and activities.  We alloted "x" amount of dollars to live here from November to the end of April.  And, we tried to mentally prepare ourselves as much as we could for what was to come.

In March and August of 2010 Jay and I both met the 40 year milestone and celebrated accordingly!  I can't speak for Jay but turning the big four-oh wasn't so bad ... in fact, I am enjoying it and what it has to offer!  Yes, I have more "smile lines", more jiggles and more and more sayings from my mother but it is what it is.  Other than caring for my skin and body and making a conscious effort of what I do and say there isn't a lot I do about getting older other than taking it all in.  When I was 20 I thought 40 was sooooo old ... my mom was 38 and dad 40 when I was 20 for goodness sake!  But now that I am here I don't consider us old at all!  Times have changes - similar to a lot of our friends, we got married and had kids later in life compared to previous generations. 

Over the past year, we did alot with our kids.  We participated in all of their activities (Hunter played hockey, soccer and ball last year and Emersyn continued with dance, gymnastics and soccer in the spring) and this tended to mold our social lives.  We travelled with our kids (without as well!!) and we tended to hang out with friends with kids similar in age to ours.  However, to maintain adult and couple time we utilized a variety of friends and family which enabled us to travel to Jamaica for a work related week, to Maroma Beach for Jay's birthday celebration and to New York for an incredible Oprah Live Your Best Life weekend. 

Emersyn entered Kindergarten and was very ready for it.  She enjoyed the bus every morning at the beach however hasn't quite gotten the same love for getting to Kinder 2 here in Playa.  She cries every morning when we get there but thank goodness when we pick her up at the end of the day she is happy and her homework book has nothing but positive reports.  Its so hard leaving her crying (and sometimes screaming) but we have to keep consistent and strong.  I hope as the days and weeks go on the crying will lessen and eventually cease.

Hunter is in grade 2 at both schools.  He is adjusting well and is learning some heavy duty addition and multiplication, hand writing and what prepositions and adjectives are here!  He continues to be our worry wart however this has greatly improved since late summer (thanks to a fabulous psycholigist Dr. Kristi Wright).  Both kids had their tonsils out the beginning of June and their health (and snoring!) has improved 10 fold!

Jay joined the Wascana Golf and Country Club and continues to golf here once or twice a week.  Extreme Hockey continues to grow and meet the needs of the hockey players in and around Regina.  Jay's love lies within sales and marketing, especially in the corporate world.  He has grown this by becoming more involved with a fantastic company Exotic Travel here in Playa.  Not only can it provide financially for us Jay has learned an invaluable amount from some of the best sales people he has been in contact with.  Jay's health is so much better while in the heat and humidity.

I remain a stay at home mom however have started to dabble in writing articles for Regina's Fine Lifestyles magazine.  I started by writing a four page advertorial for our store and was subsequently asked to write for others.  I love it - doesn't take up much time, I collect a little spending money and I can do it from home ~ both here and in Saskatchewan.  I volunteered for Hunter's hockey team, the beach preschool and coached ball during the last year.  I also assisted a local personal trainer set up a kick a#s bootcamp at the beach .... I got into some type of shape, I was faithfully going three times a week, I started running and then I fell off the bandwagon on August 11!!  I remember vividly the last time I worked out and it happens to be 5 months ago today.  TERRIBLE!  I am slowly setting myself up for a reunion - I have commited to attend the classes next week while we are home, I have found a great little yoga studio here that just happens to have a class that works with my schedule and my new running shoes have arrived from New Balance.  I have NO reason NOT to start up my love affair with fitness again.

Our families remain active in our lives.  For the most part they are all happy and healthy and both sets of parents have flights booked to experience our lives here.....and to share in part of our strong 2011. 

what I/we take for granted ...

With the busy Christmas season, having friends here for ten days and the kids being off school for three weeks, I've neglected something that I love to do ... my daily blog.  And then when I finally return to my morning routine of dropping the kids off, taking the dog out and sitting down with a coffee I was without a "blogging" idea!  I happened to be texting back and forth with my GF Heather so I asked her to quickly give me a suggestion ... and here it is!

We are heading home on Wednesday for a ten day visit full of friends, family, hockey and "old" routine.  Emy is having a sleep over at Nan's the night we arrive, Hunter is off on the bus to our Regina Beach school Thursday morning, Jay is having a staff lunch meeting Thursday to discuss inventory, I am meeting four of my BFF's to get indulge in drinks, appetizers and a fun girlfriend photo shoot Thursday evening and Friday we leave for a three day hockey tournament in Saskatoon.

At this time last year these would have been "normal" day to day planned activities in our lives.  Nothing out of the ordinary ~ other than five girlfriends getting all beautiful and posing for a photographer of course!!  Sports, school friends, sleepovers, family and close friends ... these are all things I now realize I/we take for granted.

Yes the kids are involved in soccer, dance and gymnastics here in Playa del Carmen but going on a three day tournament at this point just wouldn't be the same.  We have established a weekly school routine and we have some friends here but again, its just not the same as back home.  After being here 6 1/2 years (time we've been in Regina Beach) and getting to know the language and community better who knows, we may be at the same point we are there.  But, as I prepare for and think about our visit, I know there are many things we have become very comfortable with and will cherish that much more after having them for this short period.

Friendship is the biggest.  All four of us are excited to see our close friends!  Hunter can't wait until he sees Parker on the bus, Nile tackling him with a hug Thursday morning at school and all his classmates and team members!  Emy is so excited to see her Nan (and all the other family members but she knows she is seeing her first!) and especially her best friend Rhett and his little brother Kade. 

People back home have experienced a tremendous amount of snow and cold temperatures.  I can live without the -35 degrees any day but we really are excited to get on our skidoos and tobaggans and enjoy the weiner roasts and cook shacks!  The kids want to take lots of pictures to show the people here what snow looks like in Canada!  The majority of people here have never seen snow ... again, something we take for granted (but would be complaining about if we had to deal with it for 5 months I know!).

Familiarily is something I take for granted living in a small Saskatchewan community.  I know the town administrater Lynette.  I know the postmaster Judy.  I know the convenience store owner Gloria.  I know the septic truck driver Don.  I know the restaurant/bar owners Sam and Denny.   I know all the neighbours on our street.  I can chat with the water delivery guy and Purolater driver.  I know the school secretary and principal on a first name basis.  My Leaderpost newspaper is on my front door step every morning and I enjoy reading it from front to back.  I can pop into anyone's house for coffee wearing my pajamas any morning without question.  I can call a babysitter for our kids and they love staying with any of them.  These are all people and situations we are very comfortable and familiar with.

And family ... we will see my parents, brother and his three kids, Jay's parents and one brother and sister in law all in Saskatoon next weekend!  Jay and I have not had a lot of alone time here with the lack of family and babysitters.  Understandably the kids aren't overly comfortable staying with babysitters here ... and we have sure come to realize we rely on our family for childcare whenever we need them!   We are very grateful for that.

And, one last thing that I personally take for granted and miss dearly ... although can surely live without ... is a good Vietnemese meal!!

nine weeks in ...

Well we've been in Playa del Carmen for nine weeks today ... 63 sleeps to be exact.  I am not counting the days and weeks in a negative way ... don't get me wrong.  I am keeping track to see a) how far we've come; b) how much time we have left and c) what we still want/need to accomplish before we head home.

Laying in bed last night I silently recapped what I expected prior to living here, what we have experienced thus far, how I have felt and what I want our family to do prior to leaving in May.  I laid awake for over an hour before I forced myself to fall asleep.  We have gone through so much, we have done so much yet we hope to do so much more. 

We left friends, family, a school, a community and a business on November 3 to reside in an area we had vacationed several times over the last five years.  We knew the city, the state and knew enough people to start our new "temporary" life.  But, I'll tell you, I wasn't anticipating the array of emotions I have felt over the last nine weeks!  But, looking back, I'm guess that was naive of me ... my family left what we knew to experience something completely different.  Of course we'd all go through a thousand emotions ~ sometimes at the same time, sometimes several different at the same time and sometimes more than one all in two minutes!

Nervous - Yip, the night of November 2 after everything was packed in the trailer, the house was quiet and we'd said our goodbyes.  "Holy sh*t are we REALLY doing this?!".  Pulling up to the school parking lot on November 8, watching Hunter go into his new classroom and then into an assembly.  I could've puked to be honest.

Embarrassed - The kids and I went to the public beach for our weekly "family Sunday beach day" ... Jay was in Regina and the beach was packed full of families, workers taking their lunch breaks and tourists catching some rays.  It was wavey but nothing we hadn't experienced before.  I went in for a cool down while the kids built a sandcastle.  As I stood in knee to hip high water a huge wave got me, knocked me down and whipped my bikini bottoms off.  Yup, right in front of 5 guys also cooling down.

Confident - When I was admitted into Hospiten with a bowel infection I'm not sure if I was to the point of desperation or just confident that I would be taken good care of.  Someone asked me if I was scared by the Mexican health care and I can honestly say I wasn't worried one bit.

Sad - Carrying Hunter into the car the second day of school hearing him scream "I hate it here, I want to go home, I hate my new house, I hate my new school, I miss my friends...". 

Lonely - With so much family time, friends or family visiting and the amount of contact I have via email, facebook, phone or texting I really haven't felt alot of loneliness.  However, after talking on the phone for two separate hours to my girlfriend Heather one day I started writing a blog about how we met and how our friendship has flourished.  I really missed her.  I still do but I talk to or text her daily and will see her in January and February.

Scared - Jay was home in Regina and the three of us were all asleep.  It was about 2am and I was woken by a loud repeating bang - sounded like it was either in my bedroom or on the deck outside our sliding doors.  I had just spoken to a neighbour that morning about how she was broken into the first week her family was in Mexico (not in this area but still .... gets the mind thinking!).  The banging continued for what seemed to be forever.  I bit the bullet and walked throughout the house - if someone was breaking in surely they wouldn't allow that loudness go on for that long.  I couldn't find the cause so I went to bed and put up with it til morning.  That night and the next day was extremely windy - ahhh, the cause of a skinny sickly 2 inch round palm tree to sway and knock into our clay roof - right outside our bedroom window.

Proud - Day 20 of living here, 2 1/2 weeks of kids being in school, Emersyn's class (along with 3 or 4 others) put on a production for the anniversary of the Mexican revolution.  She learned a dance all explained in Spanish, she followed the other children and performed in front of about 50 parents.  Although I could see was nervous and scared out of her mind she did it and made me so very proud.  Every Tuesday and Wednesday I can over hear Hunter and his Spanish teacher during his tutoring hour.  The amount he is picking up makes me more than proud.  Christmas Day one of Emersyn's coordinators was at the same dinner party ... I though she asked if Santa came to her house but when Emy answered what he brought her I knew she understood what she has said to her in Spanish.  When both kids strutted around in their winter festival costumes and danced the dances and sung the songs like they were raised here ... all very proud moments.

Excited - Counting down the days til the Krzysiks arrived and waiting for them at the airport.  Going home next week for the first time in 10 weeks.  Watching our kids perform on stage for their festivals.  Hearing my kids speak words in Spanish or helping me talk to someone in Spanish.  Finding out that the cool Desigual button up shirt I fell in love with was 40% off.  Finding a great English speaking French hair stylist.

Happy - Hearing my kids refer to here as "home", answering phone calls from back home, seeing my kids meet new friends, seeing Jay near pain free, hearing people speak English, taking pictures of new things, blogging, finding a good new restaurant, finding a good deal on cool clothes or shoes or jewelry, booking flights for family to visit, seeing people's photos on facebook ...this list could go on and on.

Bored - Hmmm can't really say I have been bored yet.  Between being a full time untipped taxi driver, online translator, vacation planner, school event/activity attender, bed and breakfast operator and Mayan Riviera temporary resident there is no time or need for boredom!

Relaxed - Sitting by the pool, under the palapa, near the water fall.  Laying on the beach, listening to the waves, watching the kids run and play.  Having a full body massage by our fantastic masseuse Yamily.

Frustrated - There have been many feelings of frustration but I will sum them up into two words ... language barrier!  Whether its trying to tell the cashier that my credit card in NOT being declined I just need to enter a "NIP" or telling the new security guard at our gate that we live right there I am just driving a rental car or our van that still needs one more sticker or trying to find out where our power bill is (apparently they are delivered to houses and either put in a mailbox, on a car, on the step by your front door or on the sidewalk!  Are you kidding me!?).  To call the power company you have to speak Spanish and have an account number.  The bills come every 2 months and we've been here since November 3 so I am awaiting a power cut off any day!!

Annoyed - See above.  When in the middle of a phone conversation the lines go down (sometimes for days), the lack of a postal system, when my kids argue, pick at each other or fight, when I have to repeat myself two three or five times, when I see clothes laying in the middle of the floor (might be bedroom, kitchen, bathroom ... ARGH!), when I have to repeatedly log into the internet in the middle of one email and when I have to repeat myself two, three or five times!

Grateful - Every day when I awake in the morning, see my kids and husband, hear from friends and family or visit with new friends here.  I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience what we are experiencing.

Surprised - When I found out that Paris' bath, brush and nails were only 260 pesos, Emy and Reese's pedicures and manicures were 340 pesos ... total for both, a huge bunch of basil was less than 6 Canadian cents, a huge bouquet of lilies, gladiolas, daisies, carnations, babies breath and about 4 different types of greenery was 110 pesos and power for 2 months if you run your AC full time is close to $1400 Canadian dollars!

Generous - When our family gave Anna, our cleaning lady, 3 shirts for Christmas.  She was so appreciative and proud when she opened her gift.  To us it wasn't a lot but I could tell it was more than that to her.

I am pretty sure there will be many more stories to add to the above emotions over then next 4 months ... but that's all part and parcel for continuing on our adventure.

what I'm looking forward to in 2011

I didn't make and document "formal" resolutions on 1/1/11 but I did ponder what I want to improve upon, learn, achieve, acquire, do and see during the next year.  365 days to accomplish these tasks seems like a lifetime but given how quickly our soon to be 9 weeks in Mexico has flown, I know a year will go by quicker than I want it to. 

So, in saying that, I am starting NOW ... I am acknowledging what I am looking forward to and not necessarily what I need to do, accomplish and improve ... for now anyways!

First, I  can't wait to see friends and family back home during our 10 day January visit!  Hunter is playing hockey in a Saskatoon weekend tournament, we are celebrating a belated Christmas with our families, we are having dinner with dear friends, I am getting my BFF's together for a "photo shoot", we are catching up with doctor, vet and dentist appointments and the kids are returning to South Shore School for the week!  I am looking forward to hugs, visits, laughs and stories!!  I am excited to see my mom and dad aka Nan and Pops, Jay's parents aka Grandma and Papa, my brother Rob, Jay's brothers and sister in law, our nieces and nephew Eden, Esme and nephew Dylan and our many friends at the beach and in the city.

Second, I am pumped to be reunited with my workout regime.  I am disappointed that I have swayed from this routine but I know it happens and I just have to get back on track ... one day back and I know the feeling of being hooked will return.  I plan on finding a yoga class and getting out my skipping rope, weights,  DVD's, my training programs and new Forerunner watch!  I am going to reunite with my 530am "bootcampers" at the beach while we are home and hope this will fuel the fire to continue on as I did all last year!  I am not going to set a weight goal or inch loss prediction - I just want to feel energized, toned and healthy.  So ... here's to sweat, pain and  a tight ass (there's always the power of positive thinking and wishful thinking)!!

Third,  I am looking forward to getting our IPad hooked up so I can download my People magazines and a Spanish program.  I am going to learn this language if its the last thing I do!!  As most of my friends know I am a People Puzzler fanatic (and enjoy the magazine itself as well) so because I am a subscriber I don't have to wait for friends to bring me the latest news I can read it online via the IPad!

Fourth, I am excited about our family's next 4 months in Playa del Carmen (actually with us being in Saskatchewan for 10 days January will slip away and we'll be down to 3 ~ yikes).  Our kids are starting to understand more and more Spanish and will hopefully start speaking more and more too.  They are comfortable in our surroundings and their school environments.  We are meeting very nice and interesting people, we know lots of people that are coming down for vacations, we have guests coming in Jan, Feb and March (still wide open for April if anyone is interested!) and Jay is learning so much in the travel, business and marketing world.  We want to travel up to Holbox for a weekend and make the trek down to Belize for a few days as well.  So much to explore and take in.   The kids have become fish in the water, have begun to play with each nicely rather than relying on other friends and we have taken advantage of a lot of family time.

Fifth, I want to write write and write.  I am hoping to obtain  the opportunity for a few more articles for the upcoming Fine Homes and Finelifestyles Regina magazines as well I am inquiring about writing for the Exotic Travelers magazine here in Playa.  I will also continue with my daily blog.  I know this will not make me a rich lady but I love doing it and love receiving the feedback from friends who truly appreciate our stories.

 Mostly, I am content receiving each day as it comes.  I can't predict or control tomorrow and I can't change yesterday.  I can only live day to day to day.  I am striving to be as patient, open, forgiving and positive as I possibly can be.  This will ensure a great 2011!! 

Resolutions

Article written for the Finelifestyle Regina's winter magazine..

New Years is the only holiday in which we celebrate the passing of time. Maybe that’s why we become introspective; reflect, examine and set potential self-betterments. Making resolutions dates back to 153 BC and continues to be a popular tradition today.   

Annually, we tend to use the first of a new month, within a new year to create a fresh start, altered habits and a new direction in our life paths. Recently I have reflected on what my yearly resolutions have been. To my surprise, or lack of, they really haven’t changed much. Not too sure if this is because I consistently gave up on these resolutions or if they simply remain important in my day to day life and have become a part of my wellbeing!

Albeit media realms promote and push “New Year’s resolutions” towards retail and material commodities, pondering and setting goals can and must be fun. If the goals are not personal and attainable they will be dismissed, set aside for another time or forgotten all together.

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing ~ Dale Carnegie

As I get older, more mature and hopefully wiser my goals appear more quality based and not so much quantity. “My home needs to get better organized” versus “I want to organize my closet once a month” or “I want to become healthier” versus “I want to lose 8 lbs”. Living a healthier lifestyle is generally a lot more fun than stepping on the scale every Monday morning to discover I’ve gained 2 pounds rather than losing.

My resolutions also seem to incorporate living an overall better life rather than completing specific tasks within a certain timeframe. Although I have wanted to read John Irving’s “A Prayer for Owen Meany” for the last ten years, I am no longer setting myself up for failure. I want to better myself with reading a variety of materials but because I don’t get to a certain book doesn’t mean I am not reaching life success.

We hear so much about self-improvement in our personal and professional lives and relationships. Self-help books, CD’s, DVD’s, seminars and groups are becoming increasingly popular and goal setting within employment worlds are customary. Thinking about my own life and passion for “living my best life” I came up with five themes within resolution making.

I notice well that one stray step from the habitual path leads irresistibly into a new direction ~ Franz Grillparzer

                                     

Living and being healthier encompasses a wide array of areas; losing weight, exercising three times per week, eating clean, consuming less alcohol, smoking less or not at all, having annual physical, eye and dental check-ups would provide for an excellent bill of health. But, for many, these are great obstacles to face. Choose one to start with or improve. Walk, join a Boot Camp or yoga class, cut down on sugar or alcohol intake or simply take smaller portion more times a day.

Being more environmentally friendly is a responsibility that society as a whole is being pushed to adopt. Ways to help include: recycle paper, cardboards, glass or cans, carpool with someone, purchase organic and/or eco-friendly cleaning products, and invest in high efficiency appliances, light bulbs or vehicles. We owe it to ourselves, our children and our children’s children to sustain the most healthy and viable environments.

Getting organized will help de-clutter your home, emotions and overall life. It can also decrease stress and improve your day to day production. Getting rid of material items you don’t use or need has a way of increasing closet or shelving space but also lifting weight off your shoulders! When I struggle with the decision of throwing something in the garbage, giving it away or saving it I like to remind myself that “life’s important things aren’t always things”.

                

Building, maintaining and improving relationships is also multi-faceted. Our lives have become so busy, technology driven, materialistic and goal oriented. But both our city and province encourages and enables strong relationships with close proximities of schools, recreational centers and/or parks, numerous restaurants for families or quaint gathering spots for groups of friends. We as Saskatchewanians are friendly and open to modeling the “small town versus big city mentality”.

Make a point of going to a date with your spouse, friend and/or family but leave the blackberry, DSi Excel and IPOD touch in the car. Smile at, hug or wave to each person you recognize all week. Meet a new parent or grandparent on your son’s hockey team or in your children’s classroom.    

Improving wealth/finances also has a way of improving self esteem, self worth and freedom. Try to pay off or lower your debt, take advantage of interest rates and purchase a home, increase savings, purchase RRSP/RESP’s, invest in rental property or a piece of land. Comparative to other urban centers we have lower living costs and can take advantage of personal financial improvement.

Start by doing what’s necessary; then what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~ Saint Francis

                    

Whether you are a resolution maker on January 1st or a goal setter once a month, do one thing different to change and improve your life.