Xapa to the World

Author: xapatotheworld

  • 48 Weeks!

    On June 26th, 2012, my boyfriend’s parents renewed their vows on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama, after 30 years of marriage. I was floored when they invited me to come with the family on vacation, but I was even more excited to be part of their special ceremony. It was lovely, at dusk, and we were all dressed up for it. I was the designated photographer, trying to get photos of everyone from different angles. It was really sweet.

    My boyfriend and I have been together, officially, since mid-January 2012, but our second first date was December 2, 2011.

    I know. I know. That sounds weird. It’s true though! Here’s the gist:

    About 5 years ago (sadly, neither of us can come up with the specific date), we were set up on a blind date by a friend and her mother. We went on it, seem to remember having an ok time, but neither of us really being that interested. I’m blaming myself, really. He might have been more interested, but my priorities were completely different back then. It took a trip across the world to teach me that I desired a husband with a servant’s heart rather than a ministry job title.

    Regardless, it didn’t go anywhere. We became friends on Facebook, but that was the extent of it. Over the next five years, both of us went in and out of other relationships, I finished college and traveled to Japan, came back to work in a couple different fields.  We casually observed each other over that time and didn’t think much of it.

    In November, we began talking again and then talking some more. We decided to meet up for a second try at a first date. After all, so much can happen to a person in 5 years, it’s almost like meeting a brand new person. We had a great time. Chose an art festival-type event called “First Friday” up in Middletown, OH. It’s a fledgling art community, but we had a great time and there was plenty for us to talk about and see.

    We decided to keep dating, just to see if it really was going well. It was and we decided to become an official couple in January of the next year. I’ve loved our relationship so far. I have never felt so comfortable or at ease with someone else. I felt like I could tell him anything and I wouldn’t face any judgement.  When I have an important decision to make, he lets me work it out on my own, giving me his opinion, but not hounding me with it. I respect him for that.  Also, I can be the most silly thing with him and it just makes him love me even more. I try my best to return the favor and really, I’m so glad that he can cut up and be goofy without apology. With my family, that is a necessity! None of us really take ourselves seriously.

    So, after the vow renewal was over, Matt and I decided to walk down the beach while the sun slipped further below the horizon. His brother needed something out of his car, so I didn’t think anything of it when he returned with Matt’s keys before we really took off on our stroll (he was really grabbing the ring from a secret hiding place).  We walked a good way down the beach, the sky getting darker around us. I was just getting tired enough to decide to walk back to the condo when I heard Matt call out my name from behind me. When I turned around, he was down on one knee, holding out what I could just make out to be a ring, saying something about “love, heart, life, would you, me.” He had to repeat to me what exactly he had said later because I was too tickled to really comprehend the actual words. I just knew he was asking me to be his and plopped that ring on as fast as I could.

    Let me tell you that I am so glad I was miles away from most everyone during the first few days after being engaged. We waited to become FBO (Facebook Official) about half a day until we could make phone calls to the necessary people and send out pictures of the ring. Once we did, though, our Facebook profiles went quite a bit crazy. But, being that far away from home (southwest Ohio), it was easier to ignore the phones and just enjoy being engaged to each other. Of course, it was super fun coming home and seeing all the special people in our lives for the first time and celebrate the event over and over.

    I’m going to try to be diligent and blog about each week as we prepare for the wedding. We are shooting for June 1st, 2013 (pending reception venue), so as of right now, we have 48 weeks to go. I’ve not been very good about keeping my blog the last year, but that’s because my creative writing reservoir was being used up elsewhere. I hope that I can be more proficient at this. We have an official “Wedding Website” set up, but it’s not completely finished yet, so you will have to wait a little while until we can get that put together. Until then, you can hop over to my Wedding Bells board on Pinterest and see what fun things I’m scoping out. Be sure to click on the “Getting Married” category for more posts about my wedding prep and process.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Sarah ><>

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    I’m getting married to my, you guessed it, best friend on June 1st, 2013! Matt and I are super-excited and since we have quite a bit of time to plan this thing, I decided it’d be fun to blog about it. Well, maybe not always fun, but at least informative and it might give me a welcome distraction. You can find all the posts by clicking the “Getting Married” tab on the right of this page, or by clicking here. Thanks for stopping by!

    My Pinterest Wedding Board

    Our Wedding Website on WeddingWire.com

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  • Culture Shock Notes

    I have gone one a few trips overseas and been to a variety of countries with varying levels of similarity to American culture. With that said, I am not an expert on culture shock, and I tend to have more shock when I come home than when I go to another country…but I have found some things to be true when dealing with the possibility of culture shock. I’ve compared notes with other vagabonds and we seem to agree in the basics.

    Also, most of my trips have been for religious/missionary reasons, so the notes that follow have that bend as well. Some would be universal for anyone traveling from home, but some are specifically for those who are Christians. If you are not a Christian, I ask you not to run away and hide, or lash out irrationally. We each can find a way to live together, but I would say that having my faith with me and knowing that God is right there with me wherever I go has been key to getting over any culture shock I have had myself. (Psalm 139:9-10)

    These points are great for groups who are going on a mission trip together, but can have application for other trips as well. I hope it is helpful!

    (Also, I did mention that I tend to get reverse culture shock, which is culture shock when you’re returning to your own culture from being in another for an extended period of time. I’ve found these points helpful for the return as well.)

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    Culture Shock 

    What to watch for: 

    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Sleeping for extended periods
    • Headaches
    • Nausea Diarrhea
    • Anger
    • Apathy or irritability
    • Anxiety
    • Feeling highly critical of everything

    Keeping a Journal 

    In this, you should include your daily experiences, recaps, expectations for the day, reflections on your devotion, etc.  Your journal will be your best friend and the place for you to express your joys, vent your frustrations, and anything in between!

    Listen to familiar music 

    Do this sparingly.  I would suggest only for about 15 minutes or so.  If you have some music in the local style, listen to that as well!  It’s a good way to help you acclimate to the new culture a bit more.

    Prepare yourself to experience a different culture 

    Things are going to be different.  Get that into your head now!  The food will taste different (even if you looooooove Mexican food here).  Customs will be different.  Personal space is something that is handled very differently too.  There are going to be smells that you are not used to.  Dirtiness and cleanliness will be something you just have to deal with on your own.  You can be grossed out all you want, but try not to let it show to the locals – they will be offended.  Hand sanitizer can be your best friend, but again, don’t use it every 5 minutes in front of the kids – they will be offended.

    Keep healthy! 

    This is very, very, very important.  First priority is water.  You must stay hydrated. Carry around your water bottle with you at all times.  Bring a nice durable one that you can set on the ground anywhere (preferably with a belt clip).  If you think you may have trouble, then take individual powdered Gatorade packs with you.  Electrolytes are your friend.

    Also, do not be afraid to eat the food.  You need to stay healthy and strong.  Try new things, but if you’re having a hard time stomaching something, take some snacks/comfort food in your suitcase to munch on.

    Lastly, PRAY! 

    God’s grace covers all things.  He will give you strength to get through whatever is troubling you.  Pray for teammates.  Have times where you pray for each other in a group or by yourself.  You will be amazed how much better you will feel after you have blanketed yourselves with prayer.  And don’t forget that you have people at home who are praying for you diligently.  You are loved and cared for, especially by God.

  • Photos and Words

    I have a little book that I write various quotes/Scripture/songs/poems and such in. It’s pretty fun, and I thought, why not share them with others by inlaying them on photos I’ve taken over the years? So here are a couple I made early this morning. They’re on Pinterest, so if you click on the image, you will be taken to my board and able to repin it. Enjoy 🙂

    (ok, this next one’s not my photo)

    I’ll try to get some more on here soon. It’s pretty fun!