Happy Birthday Mary

Ok so the running joke in my family has been when we hear fireworks in mexico we yell happy birthday Mary. This is because while in Toluca constantly bombarded by fireworks, a local told us it was for Mary's birthday (actually the feast of the Immaculate Consumption)

Which brings me to this past Saturday. An O Liner from San Diego (Mexican/American) who speaks both languages perfectly gave me a tour of the "famous" iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, that was built on top of a Colutec (Aztec like culture) pyramid. 

The front face of the church of the Redeemer 

So once at the top we had the unique opportunity to partake in a saint feast day!! With all the normal necessities; Fireworks, a band, singing, and tons of Mexicans 

So they carried all these statues up a MOUNTAIN! The song was actually pretty catchy.

So after the excitement on top of the pyramid we climbed down from the church. Where I was blown away by this!!!

BAM!! Mexicans spinning around 50 times for rain! High light of my day

Rockwell aint got nothing on this place

So I am finally at my new school! Wow … I really made an upgrade!!! I don’t even know where to start.

The American dollar has made me very rich. Everything is cheap! I can eat almost any meal for 2-4 dollars. I have yet to explore

The campus had many beautiful pictures on line, this is however a sad point. This is because there is so much of campus that was not captured in this. You cannot begin to grasp how extensive it is until you visit! Imagine a beautiful college like Penn State; subtract half the buildings and 3/4ths the students... Oh ya and add tropical trees/weather and a volcano in the background.

Here is the last point I will make for today. Being an Azteca is nothing like any other football I have ever played. You are not to quote my favorite Dr. Jewel “a student first, and athlete second” instead you are a rock super star, then a student, then an athlete. You go in to a store and people say are you an Azteca?? Just this morning I ran into an ex-azteca. He was a member of the first football team here and has since done well for himself. He said he knew that I was coming and expects good things this season. He then saw my Steeler hat and concluded that I must really know good football.  When he found out I lived in the Pittsburgh area he told me of his business he owns and how he has season tickets in the  VIP section and how he will take me to a game of my choice when we get home in December! 

The Saga begins

Up until this point I have lived what most would consider a "normal" life. I grew up in a small town of 20,000, played football and track, and was a good student. For college I decided to go FAAARRRR away to school (20 minutes from my home) to one of the most conservative Christian colleges in the United States. Again 4 years of college majoring in Biochemistry and being successful with football.


Senior year I was fortunately invited to partake in the All-American Bowl game Tazon de estrellas in Toluca, Mexico.  This was the first step in a direction I never thought I would be taking. I met with an American coaching a Mexican college football team. Fast forward a few months...


It is now the middle of april and I have been offered and accepted a scholarship to play 3 more years of football for UDLA in Cholula, Mexico and earn my masters in Biotechnology (talk about a change of scenery). So I will again  be playing with a brand new team except this time they will be speaking a language I don't really know. Oh ya and my grad school is all in Spanish as well (If biotechnology wasn't difficult enough). And to top things off I am leaving for this foreign land on May 31!!


Obviously I am really excited, but you still go through the "first day of school syndrome": are the players going to like me, will I say something wrong in spanish like "I like your dog juice", Will I go to class in my UNDERPANTS!!? well probably not the last one haha but your get my point. 


So now I just have to finish off my last weeks here at Grove City and then to my new home for the next 3 years!