It all begins here- Sunday, June 8, 2008

I started this blog to document my experiences in my Quarter Abroad Program in Oaxaxa, Mexico for Fall 2008. It is now beginning of summer, end of spring quarter, and the journey has already begun, since I am already enrolled, gone to all the orientations, and have paid for a significant portion. Here is how it all began.
So it the finals week of Spring quarter, I am a 1/4 done with finals, and am scared. I am on academic probation, my acceptance into the program is conditionally, and I cannot screw this up. Yes, I am openly confessing that I am on academic probation, I got a 1.99 GPA last quarter, and if that D+ would only have been a C, this wouldn't be a problem. I have never been on academic probation, or on any sort of academic default of any sort-EVER. But my anxiety and stress had taken its toll and now I am dealing with the consequences.
I have placed a little bet on myself- I paid for my ticket to Oaxaca for my study abroad program last week. It is a non-refundable flight, so if for some reason I cannot go to the program, I have to eat some of the costs of the ticket. I also invested in a piece of really nice luggage, so I can feel like a jet setter on my journeys. It is a sweet ass piece of luggage, if I do say so myself. I am invested in this 100%, I am trusting myself and in my ability to do well in school this quarter. A 2.0 is easy, I could do it with my eyes closed, and I have no reason to doubt myself, as I am not a repeat offender of this heinous crime, so why worry right? Hee hee, no worries.
Well, back to work. I have 3 more exams that must feel the intellectual fury that is Samantha, so will check back in a week. I really hope I have good news next time I post. Oh God, I hope its good news.

Yeay for me!! From Monday, June 23, 2008

So I got the grades I needed to solidify my plans to Oaxaca! No more doubts, I am going on this trip! I am relieved, but also a little scared, because there is nothing stopping me anymore. Weird, something I really wanted is now in front of me, and I am like a deer in headlights. I am also adding on time to my trip- Extended family invited me to stay at their home in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco. Jalisco...aka...tequila, mariachis, basically, home to everything the world knows about Mexico. My parents are starting to get excited for me too, as my mom bought me a nifty travel purse. AS SEEN ON TV!! Seriously, it is pretty handy and I like it. Nothing says American like a bright green, Chinese leather good.It is a big deal for me that my parents are supportive of my decision to travel to Mexico, especially Oaxaca. My parents are Mexican immigrants-Dad came with his family in his late youth and Mom came illegally in her teens. They are informed of the news and current events going on in Mexico, but the lovely American media has influenced the Spanish-speaking American media outlets to also sensationalize the news. My parents met here in the US, and are from two distinct regions of Mexico, Dad is from Parral in the state of Chihuahua and my mom is from Culiacan in the state of Sinaloa. While Dads region is generally safe, Moms is the narco capital of the world. So when my Mom, who grew up around drug trafficking and mafiosos, heard I was going to Oaxaca, she flipped. Apparently, drug related murders and crime is nothing compared to riots. There is a history of political unrest in Oaxaca, and violent riots have occurred there a lot. Mom thought it was foolish of me to invest time (and all the $$$) in traveling to Oaxaca, since I would surely be a victim of a homemade bomb. And it is true, that in 2006, the first year of the Oaxaca program, the UCD students were evacuated from the city of Oaxaca. But things are cool now. Plus- the UC would never allow its students to travel to unsafe areas, right? Right.So now that the grades in check, the luggage and purse are in my possesion, and the folks have hopped aboard the Samantha train, its on!
Posted by ~*Samantha*~ at 6:56 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 8, 2008