Mexican Chapter

Congratulations to Detroit and the fans of the Tigers for having such a successful baseball season.

It was amazing to see Mexicans in Monterrey wearing the Old(e) English D, which is the logo that has become symbolic of the entire Motor City. Likewise, Mexican Americans in Metro Detroit experienced a surge of civic pride within their communities as they watched Latinos lead the team to the World Series. Though the team did not triumph their final competitors, the story of the Tigers is still unfolding. The second chapter of their resurrection will be written next season.

Life is like a book.

Each day is a new page, and each significant experience is a new chapter. If our every action and word was recorded with the stroke of a pen, would we be pleased or ashamed? Will you allow a tragic or hopeless chapter in your story to define and reduce the grandeur of your book?

Too often our present-day page becomes a mere facsimile of the previous day’s page. Our lives become so controlled by normality and tradition that we forget to explore new things. As young children, we explore everything. As we age, our inquisitions subside. How can we experience the remaining thrills of life, if we remain in our familiar territories?

To escape our familiar territories, we need not travel the world, but instead discover those things around us. Dare to be different. Eat a new dish or new style of cuisine. Confront your fears. Listen to someone with opposing views. Live life without regret. Slow down because life will bypass you anyways. And lastly, before your pen has made its last stroke, ensure that your story is complete with a moral.

Nevertheless, others should not dictate your life. No story is more tragic than the story of living one’s life to please others. I believe that my deity and savior, God, has created each person with an individual purpose. The outcome of your purpose will be flawed, if others are allowed to tamper with it.

I embrace advice and wisdom, but would rather make mistakes than live life burdened with regret. Family and friends have questioned my motives. I have received suggestions that I should make my aspirations more “attainable.” Or others have said, “stop trying to take on the world, you have a lifetime to do these things.” However, I have not lived up to the climax of my lengthy, adventurous story. It’s only midway through the introduction.

The past cannot be erased. But the future is yet to be written.

¡Viva México!

¡Viva México! – “Long live Mexico!” This is the phrase that will resound and echo from the mountains on the morning of September 16. This is the day that Mexicans will enthusiastically shout at the strike of midnight and celebrate their Independence Day.

The northern metropolises in Mexico, especially Monterrey, tend to be Americanized, reflecting heavy influence from the United States. Nonetheless, the residents of these communities love their culture, and admire foreigners who appreciate their culture.

My culture, the black or African American culture, extends far beyond the realms of delicious “soul food,” basketball, and music. Likewise, Mexican culture offers much more than tacos, nachos, and Latin dances. The multiple cultures of Mexico cannot be easily defined or summarized. Nonetheless, the Mexico that is portrayed in American media is often a skewed, misrepresentation of Mexico.

Those who hold the power to decide which television images are allowed to enter American households shape the image of Mexico. The American media portrays Mexico in two exaggerated extremes – as a must-see paradise and a crime-ridden desert to be avoided. During spring break, young people are bombarded by images on MTV of young, carefree college students partying on the white sand, clear water, and palm tree-dotted beaches of Cancún. The television touts Taco Bell and the latest salsa dance moves.

Nevertheless, with a couple clicks on the remote, a television viewer can find news broadcasts falsely “alerting” Americans that Mexicans are the root problem to the American drug epidemic. Viewers are told that Mexicans are actively kidnapping Americans for ransom. Or that the economic impact of invading “illegal” aliens from Mexico will cause the United States government to utterly collapse. A news story is only as credible as its writer.

I have spoken with a few Mexicans that have radical perceptions of the United States. Their perceptions have been formed by a combination of media from both nations. In Monterrey, the college students seem to know my beloved Detroit for its cars and airborne bullets. However, their negative perceptions extend to the very fabric of our culture. They have expressed pity for a perceived weak American family structure, love of money, and other aspects that they perceive as self-destructive and superficial.

In spite of the grievances that Mexicans or Americans may have for their respective governments, both nationalities should be appreciative for the aspirations and values of the two countries. A perfect nation has never been founded. We must accept that our nations will not become perfect. Just as we accept our individual quirks, we must forgive the past faults of our nations. At that time, Americans, Mexicans, and citizens of other nations, will gain a greater respect and pride for their land and culture.

Long live each of our lands!

Monterrey: Livin' la Vida Mexicana

On Monday, July 31, 2006, I arrived to a humid and extremely hot Monterrey. Upon stepping outside of the airport, I was greeted by temperatures hovering around 105º Fahrenheit and a spectacular view of the mountains.

I do not know which struck me harder – the heat or the inability to communicate. Nonetheless, I fell in love with this exotic, culturally rich land called Mexico. I was instantly enveloped by a paradisiacal, euphoric sensation.

A fellow schoolmate provided me transportation to the campus of the university. Thereafter, I dined with some of the approximate 650 international students at a nearby restaurant, which offered a smorgasbord.

In the late evening, after ten o’clock, a couple emerged from the darkness as they entered the lobby of the student center. They were my host parents, Julio and Martha. Though neither they nor I were provided photographs, we each new that we were family.

I nervously uttered a few Spanish greetings and phrases, but failed to comprehend any of their responses. Moments later, I was joined in the car by one of the other two international students living in our home.

Two nights later, I celebrated at a couple discotheques in Monterrey and San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico’s answer to Hollywood. During the next 24 hours, I traveled about 11 hours south to the artsy city of Guanajuato.

The severity of culture shock has been minimum, because Monterrey is heavily Americanized. However, I accurately predicted that communication would be difficult and awkward. The host family speaks no English. Fortunately, the other two international students, both from southern California, have occasionally assisted me as translators. I need to be careful not to use them as a crutch.

I have a year to delve into the culture and learn the language, but precious time has already evaded me. To truly experience all the sights, tastes, and sounds of Mexico, an individual would need to devote a lifetime to the effort.

¿Habla inglés?

For months, I have been preparing for my July 31 relocation to Mexico. I have read dozens of tourist review Web sites, encyclopedias, and other articles. I already feel familiar with Monterrey. Am I ready to fly away?

Umm…

There is just one problem.

I currently do not speak Spanish very well. Actually, I speak it better than I can comprehend it. That means that I have one-way conversations. I can talk to someone with hopes that they do not respond.

Of course, I do not really want this to happen when I arrive to the home of my host family. Nonetheless, after asking, ¿Cómo estan?, the subsequent question to them will be the following: ¿Hablan inglés?

My primary purpose for studying in Mexico is to learn the language and culture. However, if there are no English-speakers in the household, communication will be difficult and awkward for the first several weeks.

In spite of how long it takes, I will master the language and return home a Spanish-speaker with a newfound appreciation for Mexico.

No longer will Mexico simply be the land below our southern border. It will be the land of my other home…

…The land that has survived…
…And the land with people who have endured.

Detroit to Monterrey

Greetings!

Thank you for reading Detroit to Monterrey.

I plan to study at the Tec de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico during the 2006/2007 academic year courtesy of Michigan State University's numerous study abroad programs.

Every decision and action has an equal consequence or reaction. Therefore, I know that moving to Mexico for nearly a year will be life changing, potentially altering the outcome of my life. By no means will living in Mexico be an extended vacation. I expect to experience various degrees of "culture shock." I know that I will have hardships and difficulties. And I know that there is crime and danger.

However, I also know that Heavenly Father will use the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and protect me. I know that Christ was crucified at early age, so that I could accept salvation and honor Him with long life.

Though most of us desire long life, longevity should not be a person's primary goal. A person should live his or her life to the fullest every day. The quality of thy days has always been more important than the quantity of thy days. If your next breath was not given unto you, how would you be remembered? Moreover, how would God judge you?