Erin Miller

Dan and I headed to San Diego to visit his brother and old friend and new sister-in-law last week. They made us very comfortable and gave us a great place to enjoy sunny San Diego. Mid-week Dan and I headed south in search of even more Spanish-speaking warmth . We crossed the worlds largest border crossing into Tijuana. Walking into Mexico was really easy, there was just a small sign denoting where the U.S. ended and Mexico began and then a swinging gate that we walked through.

From Tijuana, I once again succeeded in dragging Dan on a 7 hour bus ride in a developing country, and I think it really helped to cement our relationship. Dan is starting to LOVE 7 hour bus rides almost as much as I do, especially the ones that don't have restrooms on board. I actually don't mind them so much because I cannot read on buses so it gives me lots of time to just look out the window and contemplate life. I have actually missed long bus rides and having the time to settle with my thoughts so long that they no longer discomfort me. Riding through Mexico looked strikingly similar to Honduras but more kids had shoes and fewer had swollen bellies. There were also more power stations and power lines. The 7 hour ride managed to push even my limits. The bus went right through the middle of nowhere. I would have been really scared but thankfully by burly boyfriend was there to protect me.

We arrived in San Felipe after somehow changing times twice, leaving us in the twilight zone, best we could figure, and the bus ride was just about long enough to get us there. San Felipe was warm and completely chock-full of mariachi bands, the number of which only increased as Easter weekend approached. We rented a great apartment from an ex-pat that had a beautiful outdoor kitchen and patio with a view of the Sea of Cortez. Dan diligently carted our snorkels and masks all the way to San Felipe, even attempting to explain their purpose to a military guard that stopped the bus en route and searched some of the bags. However, Dan graciously saved me the embarrassment of actually having to use them in waters that were way too cold and full of only sand and difficult-to-navigate fishing nets. We spent lots of time laying on the beach though and got to spend our last evening dancing.

Walking back into the U.S. was a bit more complicated than leaving, but it probably only took about a half hour to get through the busiest border crossing in the world. We finished up the last couple of days of our vacation relaxing in San Diego and catching a cold from one another which wasn't the greatest ending to our vacation imaginable, but worth it nonetheless.

view from our patio

Ingles roto

Margaritas in the sunshine. Dan delights in telling people how I actually got so hot that I moved out of the sun for the first time all vacation while we were drinking these.

a true pina colada

Just for people who might need a laugh...

The other day it was clear and warmish (still hat weather, but better than the depths of winter) as I left to take spot on her morning walk. I put on my work clothes and a spring jacket and we walked down to the park. The pups were running out of food though, and I wasn't going to be home in time to get to the store that night. So I tied Spot up to a post and ran in to get a 20 lb bag of dog food. As I walked out of the store it started sprinkling. But by the time I had gotten to spot and was fumbling at untying her leash, it started to pour. I hurriedly freed spot and we begin running towards my building. Me in my semi-professional clothes with a 20 lb bag of dog food over my shoulder and a standard poodle pulling me along excitedly as a sheet of rain opened up on us.

Today was a good day.

I got to wake up to an email from my wonderful boyfriend, which always helps the day start right. We don't get to actually wake up beside each other much, but its fun to read some of his thoughts first thing in the morning.

Classes went well and I managed to get in a few hours of studying for my midterm tomorrow. I also learned about some of the interesting public health efforts going on in Harlem, and was excited to learn that I officially live within Harlem's boundaries, though I apparently live in "west Harlem," which is much healthier than east or central Harlem.

Wednesdays are my wicked days "wicked Wednesdays" because I have classes from 10-4 and then work from 4-9, but work went well today. We have a great new office assistant working with the program and I was able to come back after a week out with the flu and things were running smoothly; very nice.

I got an email from my little sis asking for advice for an "argumentative essay on racial discrimination," or something like that. The language initially shocked me for its complete grown-upness (she is my little sister) then I remembered that she was 17. I'm pretty lucky to have siblings that are so much fun to talk to.

On my walk home from the subway I stopped by one of the Spanish markets as the workers were putting away their fruits and vegetables and I found big packs of strawberries for a buck fifty, and that was very exciting. I also found some bananas that look pretty good, which can be sort of a hard find in my neighborhood, though evidently not as hard as in central and east Harlem.

I stopped in to pay my tab at the bodega on my way home, which was awesome. Not because I had to pay it, but because I got to have a tab at my bodega, and Paul Simon sings about the bodegas along Broadway.

"She makes the sign of a teaspoon
He makes the sign of a wave
The poor boy changes clothes
And puts on after-shave
To compensate for his ordinary shoes

And she said honey take me dancing
But they ended up by sleeping
In a doorway
By the bodegas and the lights on
Upper broadway
Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes."

I swear the song is referencing the bodega under our building.

When I got home I found out that one of my roommates had taken my dog to the dog park. (Where Spot had actually behaved herself marvelously according to reports.) And another roommate had made me some extra dinner. Did I mention I had the best roommates in the world?

Anyway, just thought I'd share some of the experiences of the day. Thanks to anyone who might read this who had anything to do with my good day. Now its time for some studying and to hit the hay.

For anyone who might be wondering -- no, I am not completely over my illness yet, I started coughing so hard last night I couldn't sleep, but I am getting better. My coughing and general exhaustion kept me out of my dodgeball game last night, but the staff team pulled through in a huge way, and I hope to be ready to play by next week.