M & M is the new R & R

The ritual of this New Yorker is to save up all summer to be able to take off during the coldest months of winter.  I went to Jamaica in December to run a marathon. Some people might call that torture not vacation.

Miami was the destination for January, which I met up with my two friends from high school. Then in February I snuck down to Mexico to spend the week with my mother who just became a part-time resident of the country known for its tequila. Ironically I didn't even drink one margarita.

These trips were very different from vacations I use to take in college and adolescence when partying was the main objective. Instead I found myself in bed by 11 most nights just to wake up and go for a run or practice yoga. The other ritual was drinking a fresh juice in exchange for the black coffee I start with in NYC. What the hell do I have to wake up for when there is a rooster and the smell of salt water to do it for me.

The trips to Mexico and Miami had many things in common. I was in the company of women who had supported me during rough times and new company that I got to meet at a high peak in my life. From the beautiful Anna and Christian who let us wild flower of friends sprawl into their loving space of life in Miami. The people of Miami are just like art at the Wynwood Walls- vibrant, diverse and capturing.

Miami has a high frequency heartbeat for life!!

 Our hearts exploded with joy when we took a boat out to the back bay of Miami and danced like we had been holding it in for a year. Bodies sway- swing- jump and bump while the bottle pop- fizz- pour and spill no concept of time when your mind is on fire- full of joy- whole.

Celebration was the main theme of January for three ladies who floated carelessly down the river before and now are driving their lives with a little more control. The direction is not important as long as we are awake and aware at the wheel. Consciousness-centered and wellness-wrapped these are the snapshots of life I will never forget.

Next thing I know I am back on a plane back to NYC. 30 days strategically planned before I get to see another beach. The first snowstorm of the winter hits and unloads 8 feet. My mom keeps texting me "can't wait to sit next to you with our toes in the sand and a beer in our hand." You got that right!

As the plane began to land the ocean greets the runaway 20 feet away from my window seat. Coming from 10 degrees to feeling humidity of Mexico's heat is like drinking a beer after running a marathon (greatest thing). Then you see your mother's face for the first time in 9 months and you think that is an even greater thing!

My mom only had one appropriate CD at her place and so it was Bob Marley for five days straight. He sang as we drove to different beaches, to breakfast, to the airport to pick up some more friends. We turned it up while driving home from a different live reggae show. 

We be JAMMIN

A live performance a day keeps the soul happy- it was quite a pleasant turn of events. The entire trip presented a side to the beachy village of Barra De Navidad that I thought I knew before. I came to see a more holistic and homey environment. Each day started with yoga and meditation in the morning and then surfing the wave by the jetty. We would meet friends for fresh seafood at a random beach then regrouping for sunset and dinner. I will retire and live this way soon. Living in New York is making me appreciate that place even more.

I kept telling myself the time here is so slow in effort for the day to go by slower because I notice when you say time goes fast it seems to go faster. The morning of departure my stomach was in knots and I knew it was separation anxiety from the woman sleeping next to me. I curled up in her lap like a loyal dog and told her how much I would miss her and this home of ours. She said that I should keep being grateful for the situation back in NYC that allows me to fend for myself and take these trips. Her words set in like concrete as I walked through airport security. 

¡Hasta luego!

 

=)

Hola Honduras: San Pedro Sula to Utila

Leaving Mexico City

Green that seeps onto green, the only thing different is the texture and the seed.

Small mountains scattered across the lush scenery. I always pictured Colombia to look like this.

San Pedro Sula Airport

Kim from Germany

Sunset at Happy Hour

Room at Bay Islands College of Diving

The warm air and loose clothes make it feel safe and easy. Rummaged my way through the crowds to the bus that is taking me to La Ceiba (say-ba). That was my first lesson. 

Second lesson was that people do not understand English, which is my fault I totally acted like a gringo. 

Made it though. 

List of souls

Timo Bakker, 22, rugby player 

Kim French, German rig 

Jeannie Guanaju, native 

Marvin, Honduran 

Errol, cooper boat captain

Dutch couple

...+10 more 

Interesting story I learned tonight. Utila is home to a rare species of iguana called the "swapper". They have a station here on the island to preserve to species. Trick is the way to get there is abundant of wonderment. I'm going to take pictures of the trail. 

I really like this island Utila. My first day I went snorkeling and was so impressed with the coral and sea floor structure. I saw so many big fish, schools of them. The dive team came across octopuses turtles and rays. 

I start my open water dive course tomorrow. After I tell people that they clap and get happy. It feels good coming here and seeing how much everybody loves what they are doing. The course cost 290 USD which included 5 dives, accommodation, air tanks, and a tank top. 

The exchange rate is 20 limperias to 1 dollar. Dinner cost 5 USD/100 L, beer is 2USD/40 L each .  I made up my mind to stay here for Christmas because my hotel decided to hook me up with two extra nights. Bay Islands College of Diving is my home. 

This is just the beginning. 

Mexico to Montebello: A Young Latina's Journey to Citizenship

Vroommm. The snow white Audi pulls into the parking space next to the single -wide mobile home.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Keys jiggle as they find their way into the lock. The petite woman steps into the living room. Her black, pin point Steve Maddens shine against the wooden floor.

"Sorry for the mess. I am never here, only to sleep," said Marisela Gutierrez.

Her walls are painted crimson; gold textured drapes covered the windows. She has just arrived from work. She lives on her own. The asphalt neighborhood in Carson, Calif. is quiet but the Christmas lights give it charm. 

"I feel safe here," she shares.

Even though, this statement is about here personal safety, it also means something else. On November 24, 2013, she became a US citizen. 

Most of her family moved here in the '80s from Jalisco, Mexico to Southern California.

"My mom and I came to have a better life when I was three (1993)," she said, "It's much easier to transition. It's not like your going to come here and not know where to go."

Marisela and Rosa, her mother

Rosa Gutierrez, her mother, soon found herself working two jobs at 19 years old. Rosa worked the night shift at a company who made products for hospitals. After getting off at 7 a.m., she would go work as a cashier at a restaurant beginning at 10 a.m. 

 "She did it for nine years. But it was still better then Jalisco. She left my dad. He was a drunk," she explains, "She wanted to be more independent."

Her mother's independence quickly rubbed off on Marisela.

"I would walk myself to kindergarten," she said. "I would have to change myself and do my hair, because I didn't want to wake my mom up."

School was a struggle at the beginning because of the language barrier. Everyday her discomfort came out in tears. Marisela didn't give up. She learned English so well that she eventually forgot Spanish.

Today, her love for spicy chilies remains. She cuts two jalapenos in half to roast in the saucepan.

Marisela's family pictures in her Carson, Calif. home

Around the time she was in junior high, she received her residency, aka papers, aka her green card. It allowed her to get the job at Popeye’s in high school and eventually drive the Honda Civic that she bought at 18.

"If one thing went wrong, say something in her (Rosa) investigation and she didn't get her residency... I wouldn't have gotten mine,” Marisela said.

"The day I got my citizenship, I thought to myself if it wasn't for my mom doing what she did... paying for an application to become a resident, which is almost $2000," she said, "What would I have done? Where would I be?"

Marisela's biggest battle growing up was becoming bilingual. If she didn't play by Rosa's rules, she would get hit.

"I had to speak Spanish at home only, I forgot English again," she said, "In my mind I can only have one language."

Fear from her childhood came back when she started contemplating the process of getting her US citizenship.

"I was so scared because I heard of a test you have to pass, and they are going to do a background check...and then I had to pay to become an American citizen," she scowls, "...for what. It didn't make sense to me."

It was not until she started working at an Orthodontist office, where she was making more money and had the possibility of getting benefits, did it make sense. She followed through once she noticed the price of applying was going up. It cost her $800.

"I submitted my application when I was 22 and weeks later I got my fingerprints appointment. I had to study for a test which had 100 questions but you only get asked ten," she said.

From the questions on the application to the ones on the test, it can be a very strenuous process. They want to know the exact dates for when you entered and left the country. They want to make sure you have not committed any crimes.

"I spent 40 minutes a night... it took me three weeks to memorize all 100 questions," she said.

Test day arrived on October 18, 2013. She went to the Immigration offices in downtown Los Angeles at 9:45 a.m.

"I skipped breakfast I was so nervous," she said. "Security was insane, I had to take my heels off because they thought they were weapons."

She arrived on the 10th floor. The administrator of her test was Latina. She hoped on making a friendly connection based on that.

"She was so rude. With her tone of voice... I felt I was wayyyyy lower," she confessed, "After passing the test, she went over my paper work two times.  I didn't know they had the option not to pass me, even though, I got the questions right."

The invitation was extended to Marisela to join the citizenship ceremony. Rosa was the first person she called.

Three ceremonies took place in Montebello, Calif. that day at Quiet Cannon Country Club.

Marisela and her certificate of
US citizenship

"900 people were there, mines was the second one. After waiting in line, they took my green card and made a hole in it.  I was like bye (to her card)," she joked.

"I got that piece of paper that people die for," she said, "We had to wait for the last person to sit down for ceremony to start. I felt good inside, I didn't cry. There was a lady and a guy on either side of me, both from El Salvador. The guy had no family there, so I pumped him up."

After being sworn in, watching a movie, and singing the pledge of allegiance, she was released to receive her certificate.

Ceremony took place in Quiet Cannon Country Club
in Montebello, Calif. Over 900 people in attendance

This was not about starting over like it was for her mother. It was about doing what was right for herself.

"It took 4 hours...in my heels. I wanted to get out of there and go back to work," she said.

Photo Credits:

1.Family Collage- La Rae Godoy

2. Up-close of Mari & Mother- LaRae Godoy

3. Mari w/ Certificate & Ceremony Picture: supplied by Marisela Gutierrez