What a day!

So I made it to Toronto, barely lol

My day started off well. I was packed, the house was clean, I made it to the airport on time.

When I arrived at the airport I checked in at the Aeromexico counter. I had to pay 789 pesos for my luggage. (About $65 for 2 suits cases.) I expected the charges and brought 1000 pesos with me to cover it. I paid for my luggage and then...

I was told I couldn't board the plane with the dog unless I paid 1000 pesos for her ($85). Apparently I paid for Karma to be on my flight with Air Canada from Mexico City to Toronto ($100) but I was also suppose to pay for her to be on the flight from Manzanillo to Mexico City. So off I ran to the ATM machine to get some cash (I don't have a credit card). I put my card in, did all the things you're suppose to do and wouldn't you know it no money came out of the machine! My receipt said the transaction went through but no cash came out. Now I'm freaking out, my plane takes off in half an hour and I can't take the dog on the plane without giving them their money. I then committed my first act of fraud of the day. I used a friend's credit card number and signed their name. I was given the okay to use the number in case of an emergency. I considered missing my flight an emergency and signed her name without hesitation. With only a few minutes to spare Karma was allowed to get on the plane, phew!

The flight was uneventful. The sunset was amazing.

I arrived in Mexico City a little over an hour later. I had 2 1/2 hours to wait until my next flight so I took Karma outside for a walk. When it was time to board the plane I headed to the gate. Now for the next problem. Karma wasn't on my boarding pass! I specifically asked at the Air Canada counter when I arrived in Mexico City if she was on my ticket and they said yes. Well she wasn't. So they wouldn't let me board. They said to go back to the Air Canada counter and have them change the ticket to say pet in cabin. Off I ran, the plane was taking off in 15 minutes and I thought for sure this time I was going to miss it. When I got to the Air Canada counter it was closed! I was on the last flight of the night and they thought their job was done, there wasn't an Air Canada rep anywhere. So me being the resourceful person I am, I grabbed a pen and wrote on the boarding pass 'Pet in cabin'. I ran back to the gate with it, the guy looked at me and smiled (I think he knew what I'd done) but he said go! I ran like hell, last passenger on again but I was on the plane - with Karma!

What a crazy day - but I made it!
Adios Mexico, hello Toronto. Adina's back. :)

Why do I spend winters in Mexico?

I keep being asked why I'm taking so much time off work and spending winters in Mexico. Well here's why...

2 years ago I was told I needed decompression brain surgery to relieve pressure on my brain, spinal cord and brainstem. After a lot of research into the complications and risks of surgery I decided not to have it done. I also decided it's time to start living the life I want to live. It's time to live in the moment, be grateful and have some fun. Mexico is a part of that. 

I have a neurological condition called Chiari Malformation.

You wouldn't know by looking at me that I had a problem but if you hung out with me long enough you'd see me trip here and there, drop things, you'd see me get wicked headaches and you'd see the weird look on my face when my vision suddenly gets fuzzy or if I turn my head too quickly and my eyes suddenly freak out. It's called nystagmus and it scares the heck out of me when it happens.

This is a comparison of a normal brain and my brain. My problem areas are circled.

This condition shouldn't kill me. Although my neurologist said a serious bang to my head could be life threatening. So I don't do any activities that could cause me to fall and I don't do anything that shakes my head up too much. No skiing, roller coasters, bungee jumping or sky diving for me. There are still lots of others things that I can do. I'm ok not doing anything too risky. Although I do still want to ride a mechanical bull...hmm I'll have to figure that one out. Maybe they can set it to slow motion granny speed for me lol

Even with limitations I still live the best life I can. I plan on being here for a while and I plan on not having surgery unless it's an absolute necessity. When I first opted out of surgery my neurosurgeon had quite a negative reaction to my decision. As I walked out of his office he said "Okay, I guess I'll see you for surgery when you suddenly can't swallow any longer." That was not the time or place for sarcasm. I was unimpressed and found another doctor. The second surgeon was much more understanding and recommended that due to the risks that I could wait to do surgery until I can't stand my symptoms any longer. I agreed. I can live with headaches and various other symptoms but I can't live with having meningitis, spinal fluid leaks or a stroke. The gambler in me is betting on the condition not getting any worse. I hope I'm right. I have an MRI yearly and so far, so good. Next one is on October 9th, wish me luck.

So that's the why.

In spite of it all - life is still good. I'm choosing to focus on the things I can still do, not on the things I can't. Heck I woke up to a beautiful Mexican sunrise this morning. Damn right life is good! :) 

Open mic night

I had a great time at the open mic night at La Oficina in Melaque.