I love ALIA!

PS.... One of the best, actually the best best best interns I ever had is also just the funniest and sweetest person I have ever known! I was gmail chatting with her and she left me with this thought.... (to my dear friends and family she is the long lost sister of Justine I SWEAR!!!!!!!!!!!)

Alia: So my brother is now at FSU.... I taught him how to play beer pong with Odouls.... it tastes like pure piss...horrendous
Elena: Alia why did you fill your cups with them too?!?!?! hahahahahahahahahaha

______________________________________________________________

Alia: Nighty-night don't let the mexi bed bugs bite Bahahahahahahaha
Elena: ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Alia: Note-Cowbell Used
Elena: hahahaha idiot! Love you bye!

This is a relationship I know I will always cherish because jesus who knows what's going to happen next!!!!!!!

Love
E

Don't drink the water...maybe don't eat the food too!!

So as of Sunday I have been pretty much stuck in the house and very sick. We really don't know where it came from, if it was something I ate, from brushing my teeth, spores leaking from the sink, or even dust in the air that could be carrying Ecoli. Poor Ty was in a state of panic because i NEVER throw up ever!! I try to aviod it like the plague.. Ty was so great, running to the pharmacy and staying up all night with me! It's hard to be away from mom (and likewise I do believe on her part) when I am sick and in another country, but luckily after hours of resting and rehydrating, I am roughly at 75% and hoping tomorrow will be just what I need to get back at 100%

Besides that chaos this past week has obviously been a crazy one. I have decided not to work with Diamonds International. It's amazing when you live in such a small town. Everyone seems to know all the dirt on everyone! The job felt more like I was settling anyways and I am very happy with my decision.... It's back to the drawing board again for job ops!

The radio station is going GREAT! My boss believes in my talents and passion for radio! People around town that I have never met before have mentioned they recognized my voice or my name. I take this as a great sign because they listened long enough and didn't get turned off by my lack of spanish (still doing rosetta stone and reading my books!!) :D We are still working out the line up of when I am going to be on air. Right now I believe it's Monday, Thursday, and Sunday at 6:05 mountain 7:05 central, 8:05 eastern, 5:05 pacific. I am not 100% sure if monday will be a long term thing or not but either way I am more than excited to be apart of the station and do my part to give back! We have a lot of personalities, mixed with egos, and a bit of madness but that's the fun part of radio that many don't ever get to see!!

Ty and the chefs at Capella have another big wedding tasting on Friday! The last one was 3 days of tasting. The girl is spending $$$$$$$$$$300,000 JUST on catering and renting out the entire hotel. I guess some people seriously shit money because that's truly the craziest thing I have ever heard of in my life.... The cheapest rooms at Capella are roughly $$1500 and the most expensive villas are who knows because we can't even think about money like that.... either way this wedding is going to be well over a million dollars if not more!!!!!!! I'd really like to be a spectator! WEDDING CRASHERS..... Mexican Style!

Well I'm going to leave you this evening with this thought.... Why is it that feather pillows can be so comfortable while at the same time be just opposite? :D

Love
E&T

Tomorrow's another day!!

So as we all know yesterday was a little tough! When Ty got home he had a rough day at work too!! Everyone has those days, so we decided that we were going to eat some poor man's "Cup Noodles" (Mexican version of the delicacy Ramen Noodles) and tackle tomorrow when it gets here!

And here she is in all of her glory... Haven't named her yet but I am assuming, as all of my vehicles in the past, that she is a girl! Ann Caroline was always better at naming cars... so Ann I'm leaving that one up to you... Maybe something like Bandita! hahaha!!

So we set off for quite an experience around noon today to the Cabo San Lucas Municipal offices. We have to travel about 15 mins to get there and it's right at the edge of town when you are heading towards Todos Santos (where Hotel California is located.) A big difference here in Mexico compared to the United States is the way they document your "infractions." Everything is hand written and delivered to this building. Nothing is electronically entered until you make your paymet. Most of the time they take your liscense tag, tape the ticket to it, and you go to the office to retrieve it. It's actually pretty shocking when you get into the room where all these tags are held. I'm talking hundreds if not thousands of liscense plates and just sitting on tables. Apparently many people just don't care, don't pay, and obviously don't get their plates and just pay off cops as they get pulled over. This incident with Ty and I happened less than 24 hours before we got to the offices. The cops were shocked... So shocked that they gave us a discount, instead of paying $215 pesos it was $143 pesos ($11.44 us dollars.) So we went from room to room at the municipal building, talking to 1 person to find how much the ticket cost, the other side of the building to pay it, back to the previous room to retrieve my liscense..... not there. The cop, not aware of the mental damages he did to yours truly (and her mother) hadn't taken the ticket with my liscense attached to the municipal office. Instead it was at this ever so lovely, all the ac one could imagine, vending machines, drink machines, donuts, anything a money hungry, bribe accepting cop would need in life, building back in town. We drive over there and vawalah (sp?) they have my liscense! All is somewhat back to normal! Ty and I have a date with the Onapaffa tomorrow morning. It's where you can go to get Mexican liscense tags but they aren't actually tags but stickers. Either way it's legal and no mean cop can pull us over... at least for bad tags! I hate to think of more run ins with the cops here because no one ever wants that, but unfortunately many of the policemen here are as currupt and working together drug dealers, animal fighters, etc. Most of the time they don't have a legit reason to pull you over but just will.... it's going to be interesting to say the least! Luckily I go under the speed limit when I drive and always smile like a silly tourist :D

Who knew it was that obvious! :/

Walked around today to get somethings done and saw these two and even though they are a complete different breed, reminded me a lot of Kodie and Allie. It's terrible how the dogs are free in the streets running around, almost getting hit by cars, ripping garbage bags and making a mess all over town. Yesterday, before the ticket, I actually couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it but this dog straight up walked into the middle of the road (luckily it wasn't a busy one) and took a dump..... and the best part about it.... he gave ME the stink eye, as if I was in the wrong for disturbing him while pooping.... Sorry the moment wasn't captured on film... no need... the vivid image will forever haunt me!

These cute dumpster divers COULD be yours!!

All in all though these animals here in Mexico, whether big or small, are tough and obviously hold their own. **Knock on wood** I have yet to see any dead on the side of the road. I'm a little nervous for our two curious georges and their lack of social skills with other dogs but I would never ever ever let those two get close to most of these animals. Most of them are covered with mange, rabid, and so stir crazy that they will jump at your car at night if you are driving slow enough. My stun gun snuck it's way with me here to Mexico, and though I have never (LUCKILY) had to use it on a person or animal, the noize of the taze alone has made not only our dogs listen but others run away when trying to attack.

Hinds Sight... probably shouldn't have gotten this close but I didn't pet him mom!

So I have realized a lot in the short time I've lived here in Mexico. I do have some different views on things than others and obviously have a crazy strong passion for animals but that's why people from all walks of life are different and make this world the way it is! We can only learn from them and continue on! It's days like today that I step back and realize this place we are currently living in is a 3rd world country. The poor, currupt, greedy, and homeless are here stuffed between convenient stores, gynocologist offices, resorts, and even next to nice homes like the one we are lucky enough to have. We are fortunate to have families that have always provided us with nice things and teach us what's morally right from wrong. Lucky a support system at home and importantly here in Cabo, so when things happen like yesterday we can bounce back and be ready for what tomorrow brings!

Love you all

E&T

The end of a crazy day!

So I talked to an old friend from Auburn this evening and truly helped me get over a rather difficult day. We were talking about the radio station and she said that one of our old clients has been asking me to call in from Mexico to do his hour sponsorship of my old show live!! It's wonderful to still have faithful listeners and clients and hope for the businesses here in Cabo to be as receptive one day!!

E

Say hello to the Po Po.... Mexico Style

So today started out as any other.... getting up, having breakfast, and take ty to work. Our car is lacking 2 very important things to carry on here in Mexico. I guess you could say the most important thing missing is the validity and current status of our liscense plates and the other I find extremely important is the lack of air conditioning. You can see the obvious dilemma right.... I can't actually get the tags updated because I am still waiting on an FM3 or a working visa so Ty has to validate the car. I've been driving to and from the radio station and I should have known my luck was running short. Today Ty's friend Paco and I decided we would search around to various auto shops he is familiar with to ask about the car and see if it needs any repairs or just a simple stock up with freeon. Many places we drove to weren't open and others he didn't really trust. It was the last stop of the day and we were back at home. Well juuuuuuuust before we got to the formula 1 (like an auto zone) I saw the cops... we made eye contact... and just as I thought we were free from them..... I see the lights and know it's game over! The tags on our vehicle are from California.... obviously we aren't driving up the coast anytime soon to renew them there so they have a system here where you purchase a sticker tag and you have to carry around a mexican drivers liscense for roughly $250. To my very worried mother and father's relief I wasn't thrown under the jail but my liscense was taken by the cop. I am going first thing in the morning to retrieve it and after we are going to apply for this Mexican tag for the car! Not exactly how i thought the day would turn out and to mother's dismay I didn't learn any spanish out of it either. I told her "Honestly the entire time the cop was talking to Paco I was thinking 'pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease don't cry and pleeeeeeeeeeeeease don't take the car and pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease don't take my white ass to jail." Though spanish lessons weren't involved I do learn quite a bit today. You must always follow the law even in Mexico. Things expire and they must be renewed BOTTOM LINE! Finally, taking decent driver's liscense photos are as rare as they come... hopefully the Mexican government will take that into consideration and not lose this rather important card!

As far as my legality here in Mexico... It's a bit grey.... Either way tomorrow we are getting everything taken care of and hopefully very soon everything will be as normal as things can be here in Mexico!!!

Miss you all and will keep you updated on this situation!!

E&T

Life Since the Last Post!

So I've been a super bad blogger lately!! But I'm really excited to announce that I got a job with Cabo Mil. It's the only radio station here in Cabo and they are keeping me a bit busy to say the least!! Right now they are just trying to find the right fit for me. I'm filling in for a girl who is out of town and doing News in English which is very fun and keeping me in touch with community and worldly news!! I have also offered my internet "talents" to get Cabo Mil more in the lime light via facebook, twitter, ect (look for the "like" request in your inboxes soon) I looked like a total tourist doing it but I took some pictures of the studio that I wanted to share with you!

One of our amazing Engineers! It's a totally new experience not having to run my own board!

Everyday I'm so tempted to yell "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL" Maybe one day!

"On Air" Sign

Poster in the Studio!! You can actually hear our broadcasts around the world at www.cabomil.com.mx! For the rest of this month and a few weeks into next I will be covering the News in English Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm to 630pm (mountain time so 7-730 central, 8 to 830 eastern, and 5 to 530 pacific!)


The Cabo Mil Studio!! I love it's simplicity!

Things at Capella Pedregal ((www.capellapedregal.com) where ty works) are going very well. Due to extreme heats, hurricane season, and most residents just move back North for the summer, Cabo is in the middle of the slow season so as you could imagine things are much more quiet and the pace of things are quite a bit slower! Though business is slower it's so nice to be able to enjoy our time together! We get up late, go grab a coffee at our favorite coffee shop (Cabo Coffee) and we relax, chat about the day ahead, then around 1:30pm (Tuesday through Sunday) we walk together to work, say our goodbyes and continue on with the day! It's seems silly but that quality time is some that I cherish because when October comes around until February the Hotel is at 100% copacity and from there until May at 90% already! This is great for business but the life of a chef is hard on relationships (luckily I've been doing this for almost 6 years so I know what's to come.) Ty will really feel the stress as 10 hour work days easily turn into 18 or 19 sometimes for 2 weeks straight. We are really taking advantage of our time together now and our special coffee times will be even more important then!!


Last week we celebrated our good friend Alex Branch's birthday! We had such a great time and I posted pretty much all the pictures on my facebook page, if you haven't already checked them out! Alex was Ty's old roommate here in Cabo and has truly been wonderful getting to know! This was taken the Saturday night before his birthday at a fun club called Mandala! It's got that club feel written all over it and can compare to any major dance club in a big city with bottle service! The best thing about the clubs here in Mexico are the song choices. We are hearing songs now that really began their populairty in the states roughly 5 or 6 months ago and many songs from way in the past! It's always a blast when we go out and hearing the songs here and watching the locals love them (as it may be the first time some of them have ever heard the songs) is even more a reason to visit this club! No worries, we will take you there when you come to visit I PROMISE!!!

Death by Shot Glass!??

Working with the radio station has already given me a great outlet to the community! Local fire fighters are struggling for funding. They came to the radio as an outlet to let the people here in Los Cabos hear their cry for help. The equiptment they are working with is ill fitted. The fire fighters or "Bomberos" go out in all the elements (extreme heat, wind, etc) with uniforms that are 2 or 3 sizes too big. With the growing population of Cabo San Lucas they actually don't have plans for some of the communities that have delevoped in the past 5 to 10 years. This means if these 3, 4, 5, 15 million dollar homes go up in flames the trucks don't even have fire hydrants or an escape route in and out of the community. Obviously to most this is such a huge issue but unfortunately not much is being done. I was so moved by this story that I attended their charity event which was full of mexican culture and love. The second I walked in I of course noticed their precious Dalmation and took pictures with him and made my donations to this great cause! This is why I fell in love with radio. It's never been about the recognition ("fame" if you will), meeting celebrities, or any of the perks that go with the job. It's all about the community and giving back to the place you love enough to call your home. The pride to know that you can make a difference in the lives of others just through awareness! It's sooooooooooo incredible to be back on the air and I am truly honored to serve this community!


So Ty and I have been talking a lot... we have been ready to make the ultimate "investment," ready to put on our big girl and boy panties, ready for more special memories, and we are really excited, nervous, anxious, generally all emotions felt when making a big decision together! We bought a new camera!!! What did you think I was talking about?!?! :D Well...........we've talked about that too but children are very far in the future for right now! We of course want to be closer to the parents so when we want to go out on a date they can baby sit! hahahaha jk.... but seriously Haley and Mike.... genious! Back to the camera!! I may be a little rough with things from time to time.... cameras in the past just couldn't keep up, cracking the lense or the back screen while in my purse (of course not in its case,) somehow finding comfort in a 32 oz bud light cup (filled to the rim) from supper club... then while drying in a certain husband's jacket, get left at waffle house and subsequently stolen. Either way it was time to get a camera that was Ty and (more so) Elena proof!! It's an Olympus Stylus Tough!! It takes great pics, you can drop it from almost 7 feet... no problem! Going 30 feet underwater.... So is our camera! I really love it and it's nice to be able to know I can really do anything but run the camera over with the car and everything will be A O.K.!

My favorite picture of Ty and Alex! After I put this and the other pool pictures from Alex's birthday on facebook.... their boss Chef Marco wouldn't stop pestering them about how they look awfuly friendly with each other in the pictures! :D

All is still very well here in the beautiful Cabo San Lucas but I can't lie and say that everything is perfect. I had a moment last night where I couldn't control my tears. A huuuuuuuuuuuge part in our lives is missing. Kodie and Allie as silly as it may seem have always been there. When Ty was ever gone on his amazing adventures near or far I always had instant entertainment and companionship from those two! I was watching this inspirational video last night about this dog who was rescued before being put down at the shelter. No one wanted him because he only had his hind legs. Through his lack of "normalcy," his only way of survival was to learn to walk up right. The owner knew this dog was special and could share his story with others who also feel the pain of losing limbs like young war veterans. Here in Mexico it is hard as a MASSIVE animal lover to see dogs with mange, rabies, and homeless running loose in the streets. Our neighbors have lots of animals that bark and cry all night as well! All of this in my head + a bit of hormones mixed in with the batch = Elena being a big emotional ball of tears for like 20 minutes!!! It was truly rediculious but you know "those stories," the ones that you know will instantly take you to a place you are so pationate about. You know you shouldn't read, watch, or listen to them due to the physical toll it will put on your mind but you do it anyways! I am lucky that I have a husband that reassures me everyday we will have our babies here soon. Until then I am going to do my part in the community and volunteer at the Humane Society. I feel like this will help ease the time spent away from Allie and Kodie while also giving back to these animals who just want to feel special and given a little love! I promised Wanda, Adnan, Patti, and Steve that even though we have quite a large back yard, big enough to hold a few dogs, I will not adopt any animals while here in Cabo. I am fortunate to have 6 nieces and nephews spread between Arlington, Hattiesburg, and Atlanta all rescued from shelters and maybe one day we will be back on the search for another dog but not anytime soon!

We have each other now and that's all that any girl can ask for!

Quite a long post to catch you all up! I promise to be better and post more frequently!

~LOVE~

E&T

The evil cockroach

So I learned this evening that cockroaches can indeed sense fear. I've been doing so great killing them left and right but tonight one sneaky little bastard got away and it was because I totally let it take control of the situation...He totally caught me off guard and I freaked out!

Don't you hate when they win.... Those chills that go through your veins everytime you hear a little tiny pop or hiss in your room. You look up and it's the fan, or a pen dropping on the floor. These creatures totally take over you. No movements can be made, no bathroom breaks, no snacks or anything enjoyable until you have that sense of relief... a lifeless roach, on it's back, no movement, hopefully sending out a warning to other nasty worthless creatures... BEWARE!

Thank you Cabo. You alone are teaching me more than I ever wanted to or even needed to know about this spawn of the devil animal. Still trying to figure out their general good purpose in this world... any ideas?

6 shoes thrown + No dead cock roach = Elena needs to A) work on her exterminating skills or B) hire someone to do it for her.... I'm going with the latter :D

E&T

Hair Cut?

So yesterday Ty got his hair cut at a local barber shop and they did a great job!! I mentioned to him that since it is super hot here in Cabo, it may not be a bad idea to get my hair cut! His response:

Ty: Not even happening...

Elena: hmmm ok...I guess I should take advantage of a full head of hair now and I can have shorter hair when I am older...

Ty: You probably don't want to do that either... just think about it if you want to walk around topless then....at that age though, you probably need to grow it even longer since your boobs will be sagging by then.

Elena: Speechless

He's the best huh! :D

Cabo Update!

Hola!

Seeing my last post & using deductive reasoning, you probably figured out that it was laundry day here at the Thaxon home! I didn't take any pictures of the clothes on the line (ty's very shy about his underwear...wait he doesn't wear.. oh well no pics this time) but it was a sight to see! Luckily we do have a washer, so the actual process of cleaning the clothes is no big deal... drying takes a couple of days and while the clothes are drying you may or may not have to walk past the clothes and shake out the tree ants! :) Hahaha! Oh Mexico you are teaching me so much about myself and my potentials in life!

Our guest room is coming together nicely!! For all of you who were wanting to come stay with us this is where you will sleep!! If you don't mind... give us a few days notice so we can buy a Wall AC unit so you don't overheat in the night! Otherwise a lovely room not to mention rent free!

Ty had Tuesday off and we used the grill to make steaks for fajitas (of course paired with his famous guacamole!) I had 2 interviews this past week at Capella! Both went really well and hopefully we'll hear something soon! Still in contact with a few other job prospects and we're working on getting the puppies here soon! We're waiting for some quotes through various shipping companies but they are doing fine with Grumpa and Ya Ya in Atlanta!

It's hard to believe that we have almost been here 2 weeks now and that 4 weeks ago tomorrow we got married!! Time is really flying by!!

Ty hard at work cooking on his off day!

I may not be the best Sous Chef due to distractions!

Final Product!!


Love you all!

E&T

Ode to the Dryer

Dear Dryer...
Its true what they say... you don't ever truly miss something until you don't have it anymore. To long nights wishing you would dry faster so I could get to bed happy knowing half of my clothes were clean when mom was coming to visit...I thank you. To mornings when I was late for work and the iron was never an option you were there. Even living with boys... dirty, nasty, smelly, dirty, dirty boys... I knew I never had to worry about tree ants coming out with my clean clothes. The warm sheets you provided us with during the cold winter months were wonderful then but we don't really need that here in Mexico! Dryer we really miss you and hope one day we can be together again.... (Hey maybe when mom and dad come to visit!)

Love
E&T

Lazy days!!

So the past couple of days hav been a little slower but productive at the same time!! Got the resume out to more businesses and actually have an interview tomorrow!!!! Keep your fingers crossed!! It's tomorrow night (yes i said night...) 7pm with the boutique at Capella. This is my first interview in a reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally long time so I'm a bit nervous!

Ty unfortunately came home last night from work feeling under the weather, no Montezuma's Revenge but just aches and soar throat! I had to pull out some wife duties for the sick one like making sure he had a good breakfast, taking all necessary medications, and sent him off to work today feeling a little better! :D

I finally got a hold of my dear sweet cousin Susana today which is truly an act of god!! hahaha! We talked through skype and if you haven't downloaded it onto your computer it's amazing!!! Just go through the steps at www.skype.com and we can talk for free and actually see each other!!

Hopefully these lazy days will be filled with work, work, and more work here in the near future!! Ty is off tomorrow so it will be nice to enjoy the day together at the beach and then grill out here at the house! Miss you all and talk with you soon!

<3
E

Saying goodbyes are never fun...

But going out in Cabo is the best bon voyage any one can ask for... Last night we said good bye to the pastry chef at Capella. All the co-workers, plus ty and I, went out! We danced and danced and danced and danced!!! Plus since it was 80F degrees outside the bar it felt around 100F degrees inside so lots of sweating was involved!! I told Ty I was sorry that his wife isn't going to be pretty during the summer months here in cabo!! :D

Dear friend Jan (pronounced Yawn) who is leaving Capella

Ty's old roomie and good friend Alex Branch!!

The Guys loving on Jan

Hot Sweaty Messes

Lets just say things got crazy!!

Very Crazy!!

Poor Alex!!

My Favorite Antonio!!

Ty, Antoino, & Nicco

Oh it's just the beginning too!!

E&T

Oh it gets hot in Mexico?

Saturday I decided I was going to head to the beach and really got to feel some of that Mexican heat!!

This is the beautiful Land's End

Hot Tamales Anyone?

Yay for new bathing suit from Paris!! Ty still wants to vomit when he thinks about the price :D



ps... When you spend a few hours at the beach here in Mexico SPF 30 (or more) is a good investment!! I'm working on the base tan not getting fried!! :D

pps... sent an email out to an influential lady here in the community who also works with the english programming at Cabo Mil (Cabo's only radio station!) Wish me luck!!