Mexican Living: Daily Schedule of an Expatriate

I was wondering if you might be interested in what I do with my time as an expatriate and if I have any sort of real life. I guarantee you that I do. Here is an example of my life:

Monday-

?Get up at 7:45 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 2:00 and eat lunch.

?Write a 650-word column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch Simpson's.

Tuesday-

?Get up at 7:46 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 2:15 and eat lunch.

?Walk downtown to shop. Eat ice cream.

?Come home at 5:03 and write column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch Simpson's.

Wednesday-

?Get up at 7:30 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 2:10 and eat lunch.

?Write a 650-word column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch Simpson's.

Thursday-

?Get up at 7:55 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 2:05 and eat lunch.

?Walk downtown to shop. Eat ice cream.

?Come home at 5:05 and write 650-word column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch Simpson's.

Friday-

?Get up at 7:00 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Take shower early because maid comes on Fridays.

?Leave house walking downtown like zombies (no nap).

?Eat Mexican food in nice restaurant.

?Try to not to fart too loudly from consumed Mexican food.

?Get home by 3:30.

?Take Maalox. (Ate too much Mexican food.)

?Write 650-word column.

?Watch Simpson's.

Ah, the weekend! This is when we really wig out and do so much stuff that we are exhausted.

Saturday-

?Get up at 8:30 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 4:00 and eat lunch.

?Write a 650-word column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch same movie they played last Saturday.

?Write a feature article

?Too exhausted-turn in by mid-night.

Sunday-

?Get up at 8:34 and feed birds.

?Sit on couch in coma while wife fixes breakfast.

?Eat breakfast.

?Go back to bed.

?Get up at 4:08 and eat lunch.

?Write a 650-word column.

?Eat more food.

?Watch 40th rerun of The Lost World.

?Write a feature article

?Too exhausted-turn in by mid-night.

This is not as boring as it may superficially seem. If you will examine the schedule carefully, you will see that though it appears I do pretty much the same thing everyday the truth is I don't. There is variation in times when I get up in the mornings, get up from the naps, and when we come home from afternoon outings. This is an exciting schedule with much variety. It is an interesting life I lead.

What I no longer do as I did when I lived in the United States:

?Worry about terrorists blowing up a major U.S. city near us.

?Worry about my wife being killed by a drunken drive on Interstate 35.

?Worry about ice storms rendering us without power for weeks on end!

?Worry about keeping a hectic, insane, death-inducing schedule of mindless and meaningless events.

?Worry about all the worries in the Unites States that makes life itself worrisome.

?Worry

There you have it! The exciting life of an American Expatriate!

Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico.

His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241

---

Shakespeare and Human Nature

Isn't it peculiar how human nature evolves through environmental and socialogical conditions? It is evident that we, as Human beings, tend to characterize our capabilities, strengths and emotional intelligence through bonds of society.... Read More

Nessie, the Beast of the Loch

They were fierce hill tribes in what is now Scotland, and we called them Picts. The name seems to mean "The Painted People" for they were known to love bright body art and... Read More

Marilyn Monroe and Mary Jo Kopechne

I doubt Marilyn Monroe was anything but a confused star-struck drug-using individual with some gifts and talents that the Kennedy boys enjoyed. But she may have been so obsessed with them that she... Read More

African Americans: Get the Winning Edge

Everybody wants an edge that will give him or her a competitive advantage that will help him or her accomplish a goal faster, easier or better. Athletes will train harder and longer. They... Read More

Mexican Living: Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

I am sick. I don't know what's wrong nor if what I have has an official name. Maybe they call it, "Ah-ha-now-you-can't-breathe-well-and-feel-like-you-are-going-to-die virus. I don't know. I will probably go to the doctor... Read More

Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!

Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your money. But a painting can provide you with more than just viewing pleasure. It can be a financial investment. This... Read More

Archaeology and Spirit Guides

One of the northern derivatives of Hopewell of interest to a few scholars is the anomalous Effigy Mound culture of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. The remains attract attention because of the range of... Read More

The Original Nobility: Patricians and Knights

By "nobility" I refer to that class in society which once had hereditary political, financial and social privileges guaranteed by law. By "original nobility" I follow the German (and now internationally accepted) definition... Read More

Are You Embarassed by Your Civil War Uniform Impression?

"Authentic," "authentic," "authentic" is all you hear if you are new or a hard core reenactor. You look all over to find period Civil War Uniform articles. But when you finally get them,... Read More

Can You Hear My Secret Calling

A true love story"So, was it an eyes-meet-across-the-room-thing and you knew you were destined for each other instantly?" I asked my Mom. "No," she laughed, "it was a swinging-door-thing and once we met,... Read More

Books on Horsemanship - Xenophon Had it Right

Xenophon was a 4th Century BC Greek cavalry officer and military hero, student of Socrates, historian, author, and expert on horsemanship - a man of many talents. His horsemanship writings addressed the proper... Read More

Miss-story

Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by man. Some are attempts to make sense of a confusing array of real things man doesn't understand, others are created by those who would have... Read More

Astrology Signs and Planets Reveal Who You Are

But people are starting to take a new look at astrology.The well-known astronomer/astrophysicist, Dr. Percy Seymour of Plymouth University, wrote in his book "The Scientific Basis of Astrology," that "The resulting fluctuations of... Read More

A Maiden Trip

I belong to a hamlet called 'Konthai' which is in South Tamil Nadu, India. Twenty years back I was there as an unemployed graduate hunting for a job. Among the competitive examination the... Read More

Humans are not special, hate to break it to you

I hate to break it to you, but humans are not all that special really. I laugh at the self importance humans place on this species as if some how they are better,... Read More

Body Jewelry and Todays Stars

Body jewelry and body piercing practices have been observed by various groups of people all over the world throughout the centuries. For some tribes it is a rite of passage, for others it... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high degree of natural beauty, they have been considered to be among the most splendid of gems for many centuries.The people of India and... Read More

ML - CHI - Zadok and the Making of Gold

ATOMIC HIGH-SPIN TECHNOLOGY: - In 1950 B.C. there was a priest-king in Salem who understood the 'highward fire-stone' according to Gardner in 'Genesis of the Grail Kings'. His name was Melchizedek, and there... Read More

Insider Tips to Quadruple Your Art Show Sales

At a recent art show, I could not help but notice that not everyone's day was going as well as mine! As I experienced a constant stream of people flooding into my booth... Read More

Native American Astrology: The Hawk (March 21 - April 19)

The Hawk is the first sign of the Native American astrology, it heralds spring and the end of winter. If you are born under this sign, you were born at the "Time of... Read More

What is Y Ddraig Goch - the Welsh Red Dragon?

The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times. It is possible that the Romans learned of the dragon from the Persians. Initially the 'draco' was used as a standard by the... Read More

The Trafalgar Way - Devon Remembers the Battle of Trafalgar

During the third week of August 2005 the Trafalgar Way was officially inaugurated in Devon to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.The Lorna Doone, an original North Devon stagecoach visited inns... Read More

Dreaming of Love and Peace

She dreams of touring Europe and the US to sing of love and peace. That is her 'big ambition.' A rising star amongst Egypt's singers, Rula Zaki tells us in her best known... Read More

Your Stars 2

Leo Some tragic news hits you hard and makes you re-evaluate your entire life. Use this opportunity to think long and hard about the direction you are taking. It's also a great excuse... Read More

Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?

"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise: scene from the inside out" in which he draws comparisons between Physics and Improvisation. It made me think ? I know a little... Read More

Chinese Tattoos - Meaning of Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Chinese Tattoos have always been hugely popular. At one stage they were the realm of criminals and the mafia. Now it seems even Hollywood celebrities seem to have caught on to the mystery... Read More

Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert

The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the teacher of the deeper lessons of life. Therefore, what he demands is that you learn your life lessons so well that you will... Read More

Nelsons Last Words: Kiss Me, Hardy or Kismet, Hardy?

"Kiss me, Hardy" or "Kismet, Hardy"? Both versions are commonly used, the former being clearly more universal . The easy answer is that, whatever variation, these were not his final words (that is... Read More

The Automatic Champion

"Babe" Didrickson Zaharias was a phenomenal athlete. This Texan ran, jumped, rode horses, and played basketball and baseball-with tremendous flair.In the Olympic tryouts in 1932, she won five first places in track and... Read More