Tuesday, January 28, 2014

100% Mexico

Skater Dress | Persun mall
Necklace | Christopher Straub
Specs | Free People


100% Natural + Mexico's Cuernavaca City Center = 100% Mexico

100% Natural is now my favorite restaurant in the world, not that I've been to every part of the world or anything. I've actually never been to a restaurant where the food was truly all natural.  I was beyond pleased.  This food was not only DELICIOUS, but it was super affordable for the quality and service (that cheesecake slice was under $4USD).  Also, there is complimentary bread and appetizers!

In the city of Cuernavaca's city center/downtown there are stairs where people congregate and "platican ambos" (chat together).  It's so nice to just sit, and watch people go about their lives.  Every day there were actually preteen boys who practiced their skateboarding in front of the stairs.  Aside from the beauty of this society, I also found sadness.  There are very young and very old people selling things.  I felt bad and bought from a little boy and though, "Aww, you should be playing or studying, not selling chili covered tamarindo lollipops at 6pm."  I thought a similar notion of the 70 year old abuelitas selling jewelry they beaded or begging on the side of the sidewalk.  Mexican people are very hard workers, but I think it had become integrated into their being because they have had to work very hard and diligently in order to feed themselves and survive. Work means income means survival.  With such small incomes, this means that people would have to work all their lives.  I'm no expert at all, but  my thoughts are this: If this were not so, all the children would be playing and all the old people could be relaxing.  The whole situation was saddening yet inspiring.  Do you appreciate your opportunities?


Remember your blessings,
Christine

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Mexico: Top of the World

Cutest couple ever!

Okay, so my climb today was in no way "top of the world" however, it was quite spectacular! I climbed two pyramids, Luna and Sol in Teotihuacan, Mexico.  These are the city's remains of the pre-Colombian MesoAmerican Teotlec people who lived  around 100BC.  It is so amazing to be able to see places that I had previously only known in books.  What was cool about climbing these pyramids and learning about the lives of the people in the past is that I was able to transport myself and imagine what a girl just my age may have been doing in that same exact spot.  Although I will never know if I was right, it's nice to imagine what the world was like. 

All of the architecture was planned out so carefully, and all of the details of the city amazed me.  They had plastered floors and their entire pyramids were painted with natural pigments, originally.  All of these details showed me how people of all times try their best to build something grand and awe striking for their gods.  It reminded me how I need to remember to give my best to God's glory in all that I do!  I'm never perfect, but I need to keep striving to be my best in this confusing and wondrous world.

 I also got a little work out climbing up the pyramids, I ended up running up them...until there were too many people in front of me to continue running. Oh yes, and the steps are very steep sand narrow, so I ran/stealthily went up and down the steps in a zig-zag motion.  :p



Wishing God's Grace in your Life,
Christine


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Streets of Mexico

Jewelry | Mexico
Top | My mom's closet
Jeans | Maruices
Headwrap | Free People
Wedges | Marurices



Travel. Explore. Learn. Inspire. Grow.

Okay, so I went to see FROZEN here in Mexico (of course in Spanish) and I have to say that was SUCH am amazing movie.  The trailer does not justify the incredible job the CGI and voices created in this world of FROZEN.  There have been ups and downs of my trip of course, but I shall share some super positive points!  I went to visit a school for indigenous children, and they children there are all so cute and fun.  I taught them how to use my fancy camera and pretty much ran after them for an hour as they snapped 400 photos on my camera.  

"It brought me so much joy to be able to teach children 
who have never used a camera like mine, photography.
I loved that these children found as much joy in photography as I do." 

It was actually just what I had expected to happen, but of course better. It just confirmed to me how people are people, no matter what race, place, or economic class.  I think the music I placed in this post is as liberating as the feeling I felt when the kids were taking photos.  Have you ever found someone that found as much joy in something you love and it touched your heart in a way you will never forget?


<3 Remember, this world is meant to be shared. <3


Que dios te bendiga,
Christine

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Mexico: My New Backdrop

Photo Credit: ViniegraRe

Dress and Slip | Free People
Necklace | Element Style Boutique
Bracelets | Ann Taylor
Wedges | Marshalls

As my first blog post from Mexico, I have to thank God for getting me here!  It was only through God that I was able to accomplish all that I have which has now led to others providing for my trip to study Spanish in Mexico! Heeeeey!

The best part so far was waking up super early today, going for a walk, followed by pilates, attending New Year's day mass (in Spanish, of course), then going out for a nice run.  It was all topped off with photography and an ethical fashion and human trafficking abolition discussion with my dear friend, Safra (blogger at BASI and Tea n' Hunny).  This was pretty much, the epitome of my life (Best Day in a LONG TIME!)  It was so nice to just take care of myself for at least a part of the day.  The best part of Mexico is nature.  The flowers and trees are so tropical and beautiful, all while being in a non-humid climate, I love being surrounded by God's beauty. :)

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, 
to receive glory and honor and power, 
since you created all things, and because of 
your will they existed and were created!”
Revelation 4:11

And of course, Happy New Year's to all of my followers! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your feelings on the topics I write about.  You all help me grow as a young woman of God.  I wish you each a blessed new year, and am praying for your blessed new year.


Tantos besitos,
Christine

P.S. Please like my Facebook page for daily inspiration and giggles, I'm almost to 400! O.O