10 personal things I loved about New Mexico....inspired by John L.

I went to Albuquerque, NM for much of June and July 2005 on a business trip.  I was so excited about it as it was somewhere I always wanted to go.  I want to write (type) it all down so I never forget.

1.  I was pregnant with my daughter Mia when I went.  It was the first moments we "spent" alone together on a big marshmellow bed.  (The Marriott). 

2. The people....of whom I cannot say enough.  Beautiful, friendly, connected people.  I was hugging strangers,  making new friends, seeing new faces.  I even met my neighbor's mother who was living down there.  Beautiful people.  I also spoke to a man from Bethlehem in the flea market.  (Mia's grandfather is of Bethlehem....yes, the Bethlehem)

3. The Sandia Mountains.  I was speaking on the phone with someone about my visit.  I was asking her why the Sandia Mountains were named what they were (Watermelon Mountains?) and she said look outside...now!  I opened up the curtains of my hotel room and like a miracle the mountains were bathed in watermelon red....from the sun setting.  I felt like the color was waiting for me.  I felt special.

4. The browns, the reds, the greens.  People told me they were bored of it but I thought it was beautiful. 

5.  My "fertility pen".  We went to a place, I believe it was called old town.  I bought a kokopelli pen because I liked the rock that was on it and my partner got the same thing.  Next thing you know, the whole office is pregnant.  6 new babies to date.  Thankfully the pen is out of ink.

6.  On July 4th we went to a park with hot air balloons.  Some many wonderful things to see and do....but my favorite part was at the end.  I was so hot and tired....and pregnant.  So I laid on the grass and soft dirt and I looked into the big sky and saw lots of beautiful fireworks....but more than that even I felt so small in the universe and yet nestled in the hand of the Earth.  And it was over and people were leaving but I laid there and stared at the vast sky only wishing someone was there to hold my hand so I would not fall off my spot.

7.  It was that night that I had the idea to name my daughter Mia Esperanza.....my hope.

8.  It was in NM where I first felt her move.  I had the idea in my head that it somehow connected us to this place.

9.  I saw a lizard on a house.  No really... A giant lizard adobed on a house.  It was way cool.

10.  Green chiles in everything and Horchatas in every flavor.