Campion Celebrity 2012

The power has been out all day in my apartment, so I'm at -- you guessed it --Starbucks to charge my computer and use the internet for a bit. (I really was working on one of my final papers until my computer ran out of battery!)

This is what I saw leaving my apartment (so hopefully it's fixed soon!):

Highs and lows of the day:

High: I went to my Chicanos, Latinos, Hispanos class for the first time in 4 weeks (had off for Day of the Dead, skipped for Jeff's visit and another class was cancelled). The professor even remember that he is my thesis mentor today! We also randomly discussed Thanksgiving, pardoning turkeys and the deliciousness of stuffing (brought up by the professor, not me).
Low: The professor gave the same lecture (with a few slight changes) from 4 weeks ago. I guess he forgot we already covered that topic? Also, his suggestions for bibliography for my thesis were less than desirable.

High: I went to the Facultad de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales to pick up my official letter confirming my thesis mentor. I also found out what I need to do to change my name and no longer be "illegal" in the UNAM system because my name doesn't match.
Low: I have to notarize my FM3 card, which means taking the time and paying again. Apparently it wasn't enough to notarize the first 2 pages of my FM3 booklet (even though the rest of the book was blank). Not sure why they couldn't have told me that 3 months ago. Now I have the FM3 card (yes, got the new one!)  instead of the book and need to notarize that. I also need to pay a 400 peso fine and turn in a copy of my birth certificate and course registration. Unfortunately, they sent them email today at 11:00 am (I heard about it in the office at 2:30 pm) and they want all documents by tomorrow. That meant it was too late to go to the notary today and, unlike in the US where it's on the spot, I have to wait a day (or 2) for it to be ready. Story to be continued....

High: I finally got my printer fixed today! The service center wasn't too far from my house (I just had to find out where it was first). He fiddled with it for a minute and magically it was working again. Apparently one of the mechanisms inside where the paper passes through was bent.

High: I bought a space heater! After sleeping in 2 pairs of socks, yoga pants, pajama pants, a tank top, a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt last night (plus all the blankets I have), I decided it was a very necessary investment. Now my room is much warmer!
(Note-- I also saw a mini Christmas tree which I was tempted to buy....)

Low: Still haven't found where to buy a new battery for my watch.

High: Made it to the market before it closed. Got a cantaloupe, (yellow) plums and something similar to tlacoyos but round and with cheese inside.

Once upon a time I thought that all of Mexico was hot. I mean, Texas and Florida are warm and Mexico is further south. Logical, right? That plus all the deserts and beaches....
Wrong.

So before I came I read up more and it sounded like there would be year-round moderate temperates. Works for me.

I got here and discovered the drastic differences in temperatures throughout the day -- chillier in the morning and evenings but hot in the afternoon. But more or less the same temps every day. Just be ready with layers of clothing to put on/take off throughout the day.

Then Fall came and it actually got chilly (aka me needing a jacket and not just a sweater). In the last few days it has been cold in the mornings/evenings, but relatively nice in the afternoon when the sun is shining. (According to online sources -- highs in the 70s, lows in the 30s-50s).

What I didn't think about was not having heat in my apartment. Or that the huge window in my room I love lets in lots of cold air. So currently my travel clock says its 64 degrees in my room (it's ranged from 59-64 today). I've been sleeping in a sweatshirt. And I just added a second pair of socks. Brrrrr....

I found an apartment!! Nothing is official until Friday, but I'm really excited about it. I'll be sharing it with a roommate from Mexico. I have my own room and we'll share the bathroom, kitchen and living room. It's in a nice area, across from a park and not far from the metro. Photos to come later in the week!