4.30.2012

Last day in Cali

Well today has been my last day in California. This weekend has been pretty busy. Today in itself we have had many errands to do and last minute things to finish. Both on Saturday and Sunday we had dinners/party's that some freinds held for us. It was really nice and also bitter-sweet. Yesterday lots of friends came over to eat, dance and say their goodbyes. I will miss several and am glad I spent one last time with them. I had fun too. We took pictures which I will definitely upload this week. Well, I have to finish getting our luggages and carry-ons ready. We will fly out from LAX at 1am tomorrow morning and arrive in Mexico City about 3 hours later. There is a two hour difference, so itll be around 5am when we arrive. I will include more details and pictures on the activites we do this week later on. I dont have my camera yet!! I had bought it about a week ago and was expecting it today or tomorrow. I was really hoping it wasnt tomorrow.
Anyways, tell others who would like to come visit to do so! I hope I hear from you guys soon!!


Lots of Love and Hugs!!!!!


Mizz Izzmir

4.28.2012

LAST DAY IN MEXICO

So today we are finishing our packing process. The long weeks that quickly became few, have come to an end. Last night we had my last Teen Night at the Blackwell's home. Afterwards, Ziv and I stayed with them and three other friends. We played Spoons, danced, and joked. Then we headed to a last minute sorta thing. 20 or more of us went to the Midnight Showing of The Avengers, and it was a pretty awesome experience. I had never done so before, and am  glad I did so before I left with the group of friends I have here.

Tonight we had our last meeting at the Mazatlan congregation and we took a group picture. I got emotional with like 3 people. I will miss the DLM's!!!! I cant believe its happening! Im moving away.
Well, also finished having a Mollete, yum yum. Before the meeting though, I was feeling extremely nauseus and sick. I had a friend join us at the meeting from the Spanish. Well, tomorrow we leave!! We will leave Rosarito around 7 or 8am. How crazy!

I am feeling nervous, uneasy and also excited. It feels so unreal. I feel as if its not going to really happen. I feel like Im staying here and will see my friends again tomorrow. I feel as if its not really goodbye. I know it is, but Its not either. Strange feelings.

Had a nice surprise this evening and also saw my grandparents. I will stay in touch with ya'll and you make sure to check my blog the rest of the week. Tomorrow my new journey and adventure will begin. Not just Baja anymore! Now it will include South America!

Stay Tuned!!!

4.20.2012

High School

So, I have very big news. They are humongous. Ginormous. Quadrilateral. Ok, that word didnt go in there, but I thought it sounded very exagerated. :)

Ok, so the news are:

Before I get there, I would like to say that  I have finally finished packing my two luggages. My carry-on is packed too, but I still have to get my backpack ready. I want to take my guitar also, but I think I can only take two things with me. I will make a decision soon.

Well, now that Ive said that here are the very important news.
DRUMROLL!!!!!!!

I have graduated. Yes, after years of schooling in public schools and at home, I have finished. I recieved my diploma through the mail today and am glad. I am not shouting for joy, like I thought I would. I feel relieved its over and I dont have to worry about schooling in Ecuador. That makes me happy. Finally done! Those are the news!

Hope you're good!

4.18.2012

Fotos de la Fiesta

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With Brenda! I will miss her a lot. She got a new haircut and I think it fits her!




With both our moms. This was at the end of the party.




My grandparents! The two in the middle are from my mothers side-Coello. The two others on the outskirts are my dads side-Velazquez. The Coello and Velazquez. I love both! So glad they showed up for it. Made me happy to see them together.




Woah! All the kids in the fiesta! Lots...made me happy. Ok..Ill include their names later.



These are all young ones from the Spanish congregation in Rosarito. Congregacion El Centro. Im glad Ive come to meet them and they came.


Oh and this picture is with Brenda and Argy. I love the lighting.

2 Weeks To Go!!

Two weeks from today we will be traveling through the streets of Mexico City and stay with some friends for 10 days. On Monday my family and I woke up having sore throats! Ugh, I really dislike it when I feel sick. We need Paradise! I know a few friends who are also feeling sick or going through trying circumstances. Lets continue steadfast-our reward is soon to come!

Well, I was on JW.ORG a few days ago and was looking into the Meeting tab on the Lookup link. I found out that there are only 6 English congregations in all of Ecuador. That is a small number, but I know that it is growing. Im excited to see the growth in Ecuador just like I saw it here. I will have to add the growth numbers too.
Last weekend the congregation had a gathering for us. More like a going away party. It was very nice to see the friends we've made over the years. I enjoyed the company and also the dancing. I took pictures too, so Ill include those soon.

I know this is brief, but I wanted to write. I will add more regarding the last week and a half here.

4.04.2012

Packing!

So this week we have been packing. Actually all last week and part of this week. We've been able to go out in service since yesterday to support the last days of the Memorial campaign. Im excited about how many show up for attendance. We will have our Memorial talk given by Robert Cobb and have it held at Salon Las Americas across from the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Ive enjoyed being out in service again. Within these two days Ive spoken with various people and have had great experiences. I think its Jehovahs way of reminding us that he appreciates our efforts and is blessing us. I am rambling a bit, but I can think much about what Im writing. Im letting thoughts and events flow. I need to continue packing!

I had already gone through my closet and supposedly gotten rid of what I didnt want. Well, in a way thats true. I did get rid of what I didnt want, but now Im going through it again and seeing things I havent worn, or that no longer fit me or I wont be able to use in Ecuador. I love the feeling of simplifying and also the act of giving to my other friends. I had so much clothes. I think it was preposterous. Sigh.

Anyways, we've been trying hard to sell our things, everything. And we've had some sort of success, but whats awesome is the fact that we actually have a man who just showed up and bought practically everything that was left to sell. I really hope he follows through. It would be wonderful! But, the downside it that I wont have a bed anymore starting tomorrow. :( Itll be temporary though. We've also told various brothers and sisters to just come and get clothes. They're coming and we are emptying out!

Well, yesterday I went out until like 4 or so and had a succesful day. We first went to the territory and I worked with Lusma Aceves. I really admire her family and their experience as to why they had to come to Mexico. Maybe in another post I will add more details about her family. I think her husband and herself are living examples of how Jehovah changes peoples lives. Its awesome, and I love being a witness to their progress. I was with her in the morning and learned more about her past and herself. For lunch we joined the Aceves couple, the Avila couple and Sara DLM. I spoke with Sara about our move, and also about her husband. We went to the field service meeting at 1:15 and had the Duran family join our car group for calls. After three intents, our car didnt start. We figured it was the gas, so both my mom and Nereida left to get gas in Nereidas car. Nereida is the Duran girls mom and has been in Mexico for about 5 years, maybe more. After that ordeal we began doing my calls. I wanted to make sure I would visit them all before tomorrow night and give each an invite. We first went to see this Otavaleno family who is originally from the Andes in Ecuador. They are actual indigenous people from Ecuador who moved to Mexico to sell artisan work. I think artisan is a word, excuse me if it isnt. I went to their Curio shop in the main blvd and was able to share with them the BT book in Quechua. I got it when I went to Walkill. Quechua is the second official language of Ecuador and is spoken by many indigenous persons that live in the Andes area. She read the cover and I was thrilled. I translated what I could remember it meant in spanish and promised to return. I also told them we are moving back to Ecuador in a month and they couldnt believe it. They were happy, but also wish it was them going back.

So, I know thats only one experience and there's one more I would like to share about yesterday but Im tired and will share it next time. I spoke with a Priest. Tonight we saw The Lorax as a Dad and kids night. I enjoyed it thought it was brief.

Ill write more for sure and also probably continue to write once I arrive in Ecuador. I might have to change the name of my blog!!!

Ok, hope you're all busy and have a succesful Memorial!!

Agape Love,

Izmir - Janai

4.02.2012

Some Pictures of the SAD

8 Pictures of the SAD.




This is Gus De La Mora Jr. (DLM for short)
He's and auxilary pioneer from our hall and the only teen brother used for mics, sound, reading, etc. Here he was keeping an eye on a room used by various brothers and the C.O.'s. Behind him you can see Luis Robledo, who is a Sub C.O. and married a Gilead grad. I look up to their example.


This is myself a few seconds after seeing Gus. I am with Hector Cardona and he lives in Playas with his family. He was able to RP for one year, but put it on hold to finish HS. His family has been living here almost 4 years and he grew up in Whittier. Their story and their move to Mexico is also so amazing. I think everyone has a wonderful story to share about the way Jehovah blesses us.





This is Brenda Cardona!! She is Hectors sister and is a RP too. She is awesome, I get along with her really well. She is going to Art School and is hoping to finish soon.


This is my twin! No, not really. Ana, and Edwin Rebolledo. They came from Las Vegas last year and have had to adapt to living here. She is pioneering with her sister. Edwin has begun working and also auxilary pioneers. Their parents recetnyl moved from the spanish to the support the English though they are not fluent. Ana is soon moving to Mexico City with the Cash family as their tutor.

Jaime, Victor and Zane. All Baptism Candidates and now new brothers. Jaime was an ex-gang member and I remember his first meetings. I love, love seeing his progress too. Victor is Ana and Edwins cousin who recently moved from Veracruz to Tijuana to live with them. He was able to focus more on his relationship with Jehovah here and take this important step! Zane. Zaney Brainy. I love him. He is little Cashito and is now in Mexico City.


The DLM kids. Jailine and Gus after the Assembly ended. Jailine is pioneering this month while shes off. Their family moved from the Spanish about almost 4 years ago. They had to learn the language, and now they speak it so effortlessly.


Awww!!! I love this picture. I cried, I cried when I hugged him. He is Rick Malet-Veale and he is our C.O. Ive known him, yeah, for 3 years. He was my PSS instructor and I grew to love him and his wife so much. I admire their example and find so much similarities with them. The way they had traveled abroad with their daughters and taught them. I cant express how much they've helped me. Me. That is his younger daughter who is now in Tijuana with her husband. They all are originially from Canada.


Oh, and this is Luis and Susette Robledo. Sub C.O.'s, but great potential for the real deal. He was the one who planted the desire to actually think about becoming a C.O. wife. Made me think about it. Because of the way he always was so sincere and I with him, I think he appreciated it. He smiles at me with content. Maybe, Im writing too much, but its a good feeling. I also didnt know his wife was an ex Missionary and I bombarded her iwht question the day we worked together. I seriously did, I think I gave her a headache. Oh, I just love them too.