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Sunday, March 22, 2009

I went to Mexico... No big deal.

1 comments Posted by Ryan James at 3:34 PM





 










 


To get away from this years craziness, I went on a Mexican Riviera  cruise with 200 of my fellow Utah State Students.  It all started when there was an invite back in November to go on a Cruise for spring break for a week for only $350.  Hmmm... I thought to myself, OKAY!  So for the past four months I have waited patiently.  For I had never been on a cruise or to Mexico! Yayyy two for the price of one! Look at me spending my money wisely during these dark financial times.  So we drove to L.A and boarded our ship Saturday morning and we were off!  The ship was huge and there was plenty to do.  We were at sea for about two days and It took some getting used to being on the water that long. I mean, I'm a pretty tough man, but I felt like I was drunk the first 24 hours. I was offered Dramamine and other vicarious drugs to ease my pain but NO! I refuse! Pirates and Columbus didnt have the luxury of ear-drum, balancing drugs! Why should I?!  I am a pirate and an explorer for a week! Argggg!!!

We pulled into our first port, Cabo San Lucas, on monday. We only had about 8 hours to be on land so we found a water taxi, and grabbed some snorkel gear, all for $10.  The day was spent on lovers beach, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. The fish there were beautiful, but i've seen better in my travels.  I got bored of looking at sea critters so I decided to go on the north side of the beach to tackle some waves.  They were practically yelling at me and mocking me so I had to man up and fight them.  Now when I say "fight" a wave, I mean wait for the swell to form then dive right into at and punch anything that gets in my way.  So I go a few rounds with some waves when the ocean decides to send in its top fighter, " El diablo" as I like to call him. So the wave swells up, big and mightier then the rest. I hesitate for only a millisecond.  I must defend my country, I must fight back. The scene all of a sudden slows down like a an epic battle scene. Two Titans run at each other, each with their muscles glistening in the sun. I see the evil in the face of my oppenent but I keep my composure.  The wave has reached its peak, 12 massive feet it rises into the air. I leap from the sand soaring toward the wave.  My arms pulled back and my face roaring like a lion! Wham!!! We collide with thunderous sound! I'm immediately surrounded by water and I thrash to make the wave feel everything I got. Without warning I'm slammed into the ocean bed. Ouch, I think to myself. That one hurt.  I arise from the water yelling profanity, for "El diablo" cheated and brought his homies to take me down! No fair "El diablo" NO FAIR! Long story short, I found out by the cruise doctor I dislocated my rib. I'm fine though.


So that was our day in Cabo, next day MAZATLAN! The city was very cool and we spent half the day in the flea markets. Then the other half relaxing on the beach. I was still sore from the previous day.  Nothing too exciting happened there but we did eat some delicious tacos and my spanglish improved.

The day after we arrived in Puerto Vallarta.  This was my favorite place by far. The city was lush and in the heart of a beautiful mexican forrest. We also had all day to spend there so we made the best of it.  We spent the first half doing an excursion where we went 20 miles south of the city and went zip-lining  over the canopy and repelled off waterfalls. It was stunning, the other half was spent in more flea markets and walking on the pier. A great day! The rest of the ship time was on sea back to the states. It was such a cool experience and one I'll never forget.  By now my family is jealous that I've travelled more then most of them combined.  All I can say is... get used to it! Love ya!




 

Thursday, March 5, 2009

We're in the Clear...

1 comments Posted by Ryan James at 12:22 AM


So me madre had, what is hopefully, her FINAL surgery last thursday and I have to say it was the most nerve racking seven hours of my life! She was moved to the University of Utah's hospital earlier last week to be operated on by only the best surgeons.  There was a look in all of my family members eyes the day of the surgery that expressed our worry. There wasn't much talking between us and the mood was pretty solemn.  Sometimes my mother would just look at one of us with half a smirk and she would do her best to hold back from crying.  Nobody really wanted to talk like we were going to lose her and I think it's because we had faith in Heavenly Father to keep her around us for a little longer.  When she went in for operation, I couldn't stand being in the hospital, so I left to Temple Square and Gateway mall.  What's wrong with a little spiritual boost and window shopping right?  I then went back to the hotel and slept off the afternoon.  About five hours after she went in I went back to the hospital to join my family only to find out she was already done! My family was just waiting to hear from the doctor.  So in comes Dr. Glasgow and he tells us that the surgery couldn't have gone any more perfect! He had to admit, he was a little worried about this operation but my mother passed with flying colors.  Crazy part of her surgery was the removal of both her spleen and stomach. Yep. No spleen.  No stomach.  They attached her small intestine to her esophagus and... thats pretty much the way the cookie was going to crumble. The small intestine adapts and takes over the digestion that the stomach would normally do.  Other then three to four small meals a day... mom is going to live a normal life. No more feeding tubes coming out of her abdomen, no more bed rest, no more worry.  She'll have a tough recovery of course,  but I believe in my mother just like all of you did. Which brings about my thanks to all of you who supported us and prayed for us.  The world of medicine truly has its miracles and I'm so glad my mom is going to be around to show off her GINORMOUS scar...

 

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