I survived the semester, my first in Graduate School!! It was one of the hardest ever, but for me that is probably true every semester. I am really proud as for the first time ever in my academic career, I earned a 4.0 GPA.
I am just so proud of myself. I just hope I can keep it up!!
Yipppeeee
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Long time no Blog!
School started at the end of August and just as it was starting to gel, Hurricane Ike hit. An unplanned vacation, then start over again. School started up in double speed. I now have so much homework. I have to do some daily or I very easily get behind. I am doing about 3-5 hours a day. It is crazy to be doing this much but it is the only way.
It has been 4 weeks since the hurricane and for us, life is back to normal. Our community, the City of Seabrook, however, will be years. I drove down one the streets the other day that is along the bay and I thought it was the "street of broken dreams". It is so so sad. Some homes are literally gone, washed away. The remaining are pretty beaten up. Only a hand full of new construction survived with minimal damage. The area is more cleaned up than it was but there are still few people around. A block or 2 in from the beach is "old town" most all of that area flooded. Seabrook has survived many a hurricane and areas that have never flooded, flooded this time. 4-6 feet of water in most of the homes and businesses.
What is the saying, "there by the grace of god goes I". If the surge had been bigger it could have been us. While I was driving down the road by the bay, I took a moment to look at one of the homes that I pestered Paul to consider buying when we started looking for homes out here. It is still there, that is about all I can say. It is pretty beaten up by the storm, no front porch, the underneath is stripped bare, windows blown out and more.
My doggies want to be fed....
Hasta manana!
School started at the end of August and just as it was starting to gel, Hurricane Ike hit. An unplanned vacation, then start over again. School started up in double speed. I now have so much homework. I have to do some daily or I very easily get behind. I am doing about 3-5 hours a day. It is crazy to be doing this much but it is the only way.
It has been 4 weeks since the hurricane and for us, life is back to normal. Our community, the City of Seabrook, however, will be years. I drove down one the streets the other day that is along the bay and I thought it was the "street of broken dreams". It is so so sad. Some homes are literally gone, washed away. The remaining are pretty beaten up. Only a hand full of new construction survived with minimal damage. The area is more cleaned up than it was but there are still few people around. A block or 2 in from the beach is "old town" most all of that area flooded. Seabrook has survived many a hurricane and areas that have never flooded, flooded this time. 4-6 feet of water in most of the homes and businesses.
What is the saying, "there by the grace of god goes I". If the surge had been bigger it could have been us. While I was driving down the road by the bay, I took a moment to look at one of the homes that I pestered Paul to consider buying when we started looking for homes out here. It is still there, that is about all I can say. It is pretty beaten up by the storm, no front porch, the underneath is stripped bare, windows blown out and more.
My doggies want to be fed....
Hasta manana!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
My technology masterpiece!!
Hi,
I had to make this for my technology class so I thought I would share it with ya'll!! It is a autobiography montage to introduce myself to my online classmates.
Enjoy!
kathy
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=6cdbecdffaa1a17a158789&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
I had to make this for my technology class so I thought I would share it with ya'll!! It is a autobiography montage to introduce myself to my online classmates.
Enjoy!
kathy
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=6cdbecdffaa1a17a158789&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Missy Wilson Marie
She is so happy when she can play with water droplets. She loves it when we swim and splash for her. She doesn't like to swim, just bite at the water!! Silly doggie!
Monday, June 09, 2008
SS Wilson
Beached in Bangladesh
Paul and a few of the crew beached the SS Wilson on the beach in Bangladesh. The ship was sold to scrapers that gradually tear it apart for the steel. Paul says this scraping business is vital to the regional economy.
Now he is off to met his next ship....after a couple months of vacation!
Paul and a few of the crew beached the SS Wilson on the beach in Bangladesh. The ship was sold to scrapers that gradually tear it apart for the steel. Paul says this scraping business is vital to the regional economy.
Now he is off to met his next ship....after a couple months of vacation!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Life at Home
I have been home now little over a week, almost 2 weeks. I am in the throws of my 3 week algebra course which is proving to be much more difficult than I imagine. First, nothing and I mean nothing is familiar from my last class 5 years ago and it is so compressed and fast. I will be spending lots of time in the math lab this week.
So my adjusting to culture shock hasn't really happened. No time! I find myself saying "no gracias" a various times and the people in the stores look at me weird. It is still strange that everything is in English. In general, everything is just so big and large. Especially the food, eating out, the massive amounts of food that is served is just overwhelming. The food is huge, full of fat and sugar. Since I am finally back to goal at Weight Watchers I am gonna have to fight against all the huge food that I see everywhere...like a giant monster!!!
I couldn't stand the thought of never using my Spanish again so I have signed up for a conversation course at UH-Clear Lake through the continue education dept.. I decided that I have to do something, I just can't let all my time, money and effort slip away due to lack of use. I also discovered Spanish language conversations on podcasts that I can listen to in the car or while walking the dogs.
Also, I interviewed to work at Weight Watchers as a receptionist at one of the "spanish" meetings. That is suppose to start in a few weeks.
Feels like I have a number of things going but really not to many of them are really going except school. This Spanish adventure is certainly turning out to be a significant part of my life and I am addicted! I can't stop!
Paul will be returning home in just a week or so. It will be nice to have him home, I am alone so much of the time now. The girls are all out and about and no time for the mom.
adios para ahora
I have been home now little over a week, almost 2 weeks. I am in the throws of my 3 week algebra course which is proving to be much more difficult than I imagine. First, nothing and I mean nothing is familiar from my last class 5 years ago and it is so compressed and fast. I will be spending lots of time in the math lab this week.
So my adjusting to culture shock hasn't really happened. No time! I find myself saying "no gracias" a various times and the people in the stores look at me weird. It is still strange that everything is in English. In general, everything is just so big and large. Especially the food, eating out, the massive amounts of food that is served is just overwhelming. The food is huge, full of fat and sugar. Since I am finally back to goal at Weight Watchers I am gonna have to fight against all the huge food that I see everywhere...like a giant monster!!!
I couldn't stand the thought of never using my Spanish again so I have signed up for a conversation course at UH-Clear Lake through the continue education dept.. I decided that I have to do something, I just can't let all my time, money and effort slip away due to lack of use. I also discovered Spanish language conversations on podcasts that I can listen to in the car or while walking the dogs.
Also, I interviewed to work at Weight Watchers as a receptionist at one of the "spanish" meetings. That is suppose to start in a few weeks.
Feels like I have a number of things going but really not to many of them are really going except school. This Spanish adventure is certainly turning out to be a significant part of my life and I am addicted! I can't stop!
Paul will be returning home in just a week or so. It will be nice to have him home, I am alone so much of the time now. The girls are all out and about and no time for the mom.
adios para ahora
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Emotions and more emotions
2 days and counting. I can't believe I am on the verge of leaving my life here. It is so comfortable and warm it is incredible the 4 months are up.
Even harder than leaving here is the fact that after 8 years of taking Spanish classes, I have graduated with my Bachelors in Spanish and there isn't one Spanish class in my future. It is a very odd feeling. Now I have another challenge, to somehow find ways to practice my Spanish, or slowly it will all go away. It is strange to think how much money, time and energy I have spent to learn Spanish and with very little effort it can all be gone.
I am going to try to find ways to use it though either school, volunteering or work but it will be difficult while going to school full time, running a house etc. No matter what, none of it will be the same as living here in Mexico.
I hope that when I start teaching not only will I be able to use it but hopefully make up lost skills and grow from it. I have changed my teaching major from Bilingual education to ESL: English as a Second Language credential. I realized recently that if I was to go for a bilingual credential I would be competing against native speakers, and it would be a struggle since most of the classes are in English and my opportunities to use Spanish in my world are limited. So ESL seems like a more reasonable alternative. Also, I am really ready to get to work so ESL give me a direction and hopefully in 18 months be working.
I get home on Thurs, May 15th and on the following Monday, I start my 8 weeks of algebra classes. My math skills are a fine example of "don't use it, lose it". I am retaking algebra after only about 5 years, I have forgotten it all, not even a little memory of it!
I am really going to miss Mexico, it is has been such a wonderful experience!
más tarde...
I
2 days and counting. I can't believe I am on the verge of leaving my life here. It is so comfortable and warm it is incredible the 4 months are up.
Even harder than leaving here is the fact that after 8 years of taking Spanish classes, I have graduated with my Bachelors in Spanish and there isn't one Spanish class in my future. It is a very odd feeling. Now I have another challenge, to somehow find ways to practice my Spanish, or slowly it will all go away. It is strange to think how much money, time and energy I have spent to learn Spanish and with very little effort it can all be gone.
I am going to try to find ways to use it though either school, volunteering or work but it will be difficult while going to school full time, running a house etc. No matter what, none of it will be the same as living here in Mexico.
I hope that when I start teaching not only will I be able to use it but hopefully make up lost skills and grow from it. I have changed my teaching major from Bilingual education to ESL: English as a Second Language credential. I realized recently that if I was to go for a bilingual credential I would be competing against native speakers, and it would be a struggle since most of the classes are in English and my opportunities to use Spanish in my world are limited. So ESL seems like a more reasonable alternative. Also, I am really ready to get to work so ESL give me a direction and hopefully in 18 months be working.
I get home on Thurs, May 15th and on the following Monday, I start my 8 weeks of algebra classes. My math skills are a fine example of "don't use it, lose it". I am retaking algebra after only about 5 years, I have forgotten it all, not even a little memory of it!
I am really going to miss Mexico, it is has been such a wonderful experience!
más tarde...
I
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Me and the rug makers
I am with Josefina and her husband. This is their business. She told me they only sell to biking tour clients. They are the 2 that mainly make the rugs on the loom as it is such hard work. Read below about my bike ride and the rug makers. More photos on flickr.
"Cincuenta menos uno"
I told my host, Esmeralda that I think my new birthday number is ugly, so she suggested 50-1! I think that is cool and much nicer than just 49!
She surprised me with a birthday dinner and a very special one. She cooked all day making "Chanclas" for me. Chanclas are a tradition poblano dish and are hard to find in restaurants. She invited her husband, daughter Erika and her cousin Mercedes to dinner.
They sang me the traditional birthday song in Mexico, Las Mansanitas and then chanted "bite bite", it is a tradition to take a big bite out of the birthday cake! I took a little bite!
Photos on my flickr page show the fun!
I told my host, Esmeralda that I think my new birthday number is ugly, so she suggested 50-1! I think that is cool and much nicer than just 49!
She surprised me with a birthday dinner and a very special one. She cooked all day making "Chanclas" for me. Chanclas are a tradition poblano dish and are hard to find in restaurants. She invited her husband, daughter Erika and her cousin Mercedes to dinner.
They sang me the traditional birthday song in Mexico, Las Mansanitas and then chanted "bite bite", it is a tradition to take a big bite out of the birthday cake! I took a little bite!
Photos on my flickr page show the fun!
Happy 49th!!
Actually, Esmeralda reworded my birthday number to "50-1" as I told her that 49 is such a ugly number. I really enjoyed my day!! In the little bowl is a serving of¨"Chanclas", little bread sandwich with this delicious sauce over the top. I was so surprise that my host, spent her day cooking for me.
¡Mi vacaciónes final en méxico! May 2008!
Day One:
My amiga Beth and I just spent 2 whole days in Oaxaca. We had such a good time. I did more shopping in these 3 days than I have done in all my 32 weeks that I have spent in Mexico over the last 18 months.
Oaxaca is the poorest or one of the poorest states in Mexico but amazingly enough it got to be the artsy of them all. There are so many artisan markets. There are ceramics, textiles, woodcarving, and paintings. It is just amazing.
Our first unique experience was taking the 2nd class bus to a small pueblito outside of Oaxaca central. Ever been 4 wheeling in a large bus, well, I have now! It was really something else. The roads were more or less okay, topes or speed bumps were always a challenge. The parking areas in the bus stations were where the fun really began. We would go through these amazing deep potholes and wheeeee we were bouncing. A couple times, I think I flew up in the air about a foot or more. Sometimes it was like being on a rollercoaster. I was dizzy when I got off the bus! For the first time in Mexico, I was really thinking there was gonna be a chicken or some kind of animal aboard but alas, none, darnit!
We took this bus to a small town called Mitla. I scored some real deals in the markets. They tended to ask more than I wanted to pay but it was the easiest of negotiations, I would make an offer, they would say no, I would say "adios" then within seconds, I would hear, okay okay! I wasn't trying to rip them off, I was trying to keep them from over charging me, as I know what I have paid in the past and I knew they were asking too much.
The cool thing in this little town was the public transportation. Little golf carts, although they were gas engines, they really zipped along. I thought they were so cute and economically they are really smart. I am sure they only used a tiny bit of gas and they could zip around all day. They held really 2 adults or 3 skinny ones. They are called the "mototaxi's" and our fee to go about a mile or so was .50 cents for the both of us!
Day 2
Oaxaca, Mexico, The story of Josefina
Our second day, Beth had an idea; lets go biking riding. So we investigated two places for a biking tour. So we found ourselves a guided tour of approx. 15 miles through the countryside with a stop at a place to see how wool rugs were made and a mescal company. I was a tad nervous, as I haven't been biking in many many years! I do walk a lot and exercise but biking 15 miles seemed a lot.
We got started at 9am and after about 90 min. of biking (plus I had a bike breakdown plus a flat tire) we made our first stop, the wool rug place.
It was just fascinating, amazing and so unique. We meet this family, first I noticed they weren't speaking Spanish, they were indigenous, they spoke, Zapotec. Josefina, the wife/mom/businesswoman showed us how they spin the wool (she spoke Spanish as well). She and her mom showed us how they card the wool first, then separate it and spin it to make wool thread. Incredible to watch on a traditional old fashion wooden spinning wheel. Then she proceed to show us how she makes the colors for all the wool.
Reds are made with this little bitsy bug that lives on the nopal cactus plant. She squished one in my hand, and it is bright red. The dried bug makes a different red than the live bug. She also could add baking soda to the red juice and it makes another shade. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Yellows comes from a flower, that I think we would call a mum. The varying shades of yellow in the flower create the different shades of yellows.
Green came from moss and lichen. I never imagine moss as a fabric dye but I guess it works.
Browns came from a certain kind of nut. The shells were one shade, the meat another, the leaves another.
White came from naturally white wool and black came for naturally black wool, both direct from the sheep!
Being an old sheep mom, I was just stunned by the simplicity of it all; the creativity to make all these rugs and the incredible amount of work that goes into making them. She said depends on the size but it can take any where from 1 month to 5 months to create a rug.
Once the thread is made and color, they then go over to the big loom and manually start creating a rug. They create their own designs or use traditional designs from the Zapotec culture. Just watching her husband run the loom, I could see carpal tunnel syndrome! It is very fine motor skills and the constant movement over and over.
I was just so impressed to see the results that came from this humble little family. I couldn't leave without buying something. This family home was, by our standards less than a shack, Josefina did a lot of work down on her knees in the dirt; most of the family didn't wear shoes. I don't think they had electricity or running water. But in spite of the poverty, they were gracious, kind, humble, didn't ask for anything, they were just please to share their craft and the traditions.
As I considered what to buy and how much to spend, I suddenly realized that whatever I bought that the money would feed this family. I could make a difference and help them all the while I would get a completely handmade wool rug with unattainable quality that I could never get in the USA.
Our bike guide told us how he came across Josefina and her little business, one day she saw his truck that drives behind us tourists. His truck carries the tools for breakdowns, spare tires/tubes, water and fruit. So she took the initiative and called him, worked a deal so that he would bring his clients there for a demonstration. He said he was impressed by her work and that she was willing to spend time and explain her work to the clients. He said he has been approach by others wanting to do the same but only she was willing to share her craft with the tourists. He said he felt it was important for his clients to see and understand the trade. Josefina said that she only sells to the biking tour clients. Considering how remote she is, I believe it.
For the first time, I could really see why Paul comes home with all the stuff he does as once you meet the artist and what goes into it, plus knowing your purchase is helping the family survive, you can't just buy one. So I bought 2 rugs, one quite large and one smaller. Spent over $400 USD, but I know I did a good thing for that family. It was probably one of the best experiences of all my times here, maybe in my life.
After our time with the family, it was time to get back on the bike and continue on. Oh my, did my rear end hurt by this time. I will never ever understand how men can bike on those tiny little rock hard seats. The last section of the ride was rockier than the first and a few more hills, I was really starting to slow down and with every rock I was getting more and more uncomfortable. Finally, we reached the end!! Hurray, I did it!! I was so tired but very proud that I completed the ride!
I am putting photos on my flickr page and a link to Josefina flickr page as well.
Day One:
My amiga Beth and I just spent 2 whole days in Oaxaca. We had such a good time. I did more shopping in these 3 days than I have done in all my 32 weeks that I have spent in Mexico over the last 18 months.
Oaxaca is the poorest or one of the poorest states in Mexico but amazingly enough it got to be the artsy of them all. There are so many artisan markets. There are ceramics, textiles, woodcarving, and paintings. It is just amazing.
Our first unique experience was taking the 2nd class bus to a small pueblito outside of Oaxaca central. Ever been 4 wheeling in a large bus, well, I have now! It was really something else. The roads were more or less okay, topes or speed bumps were always a challenge. The parking areas in the bus stations were where the fun really began. We would go through these amazing deep potholes and wheeeee we were bouncing. A couple times, I think I flew up in the air about a foot or more. Sometimes it was like being on a rollercoaster. I was dizzy when I got off the bus! For the first time in Mexico, I was really thinking there was gonna be a chicken or some kind of animal aboard but alas, none, darnit!
We took this bus to a small town called Mitla. I scored some real deals in the markets. They tended to ask more than I wanted to pay but it was the easiest of negotiations, I would make an offer, they would say no, I would say "adios" then within seconds, I would hear, okay okay! I wasn't trying to rip them off, I was trying to keep them from over charging me, as I know what I have paid in the past and I knew they were asking too much.
The cool thing in this little town was the public transportation. Little golf carts, although they were gas engines, they really zipped along. I thought they were so cute and economically they are really smart. I am sure they only used a tiny bit of gas and they could zip around all day. They held really 2 adults or 3 skinny ones. They are called the "mototaxi's" and our fee to go about a mile or so was .50 cents for the both of us!
Day 2
Oaxaca, Mexico, The story of Josefina
Our second day, Beth had an idea; lets go biking riding. So we investigated two places for a biking tour. So we found ourselves a guided tour of approx. 15 miles through the countryside with a stop at a place to see how wool rugs were made and a mescal company. I was a tad nervous, as I haven't been biking in many many years! I do walk a lot and exercise but biking 15 miles seemed a lot.
We got started at 9am and after about 90 min. of biking (plus I had a bike breakdown plus a flat tire) we made our first stop, the wool rug place.
It was just fascinating, amazing and so unique. We meet this family, first I noticed they weren't speaking Spanish, they were indigenous, they spoke, Zapotec. Josefina, the wife/mom/businesswoman showed us how they spin the wool (she spoke Spanish as well). She and her mom showed us how they card the wool first, then separate it and spin it to make wool thread. Incredible to watch on a traditional old fashion wooden spinning wheel. Then she proceed to show us how she makes the colors for all the wool.
Reds are made with this little bitsy bug that lives on the nopal cactus plant. She squished one in my hand, and it is bright red. The dried bug makes a different red than the live bug. She also could add baking soda to the red juice and it makes another shade. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Yellows comes from a flower, that I think we would call a mum. The varying shades of yellow in the flower create the different shades of yellows.
Green came from moss and lichen. I never imagine moss as a fabric dye but I guess it works.
Browns came from a certain kind of nut. The shells were one shade, the meat another, the leaves another.
White came from naturally white wool and black came for naturally black wool, both direct from the sheep!
Being an old sheep mom, I was just stunned by the simplicity of it all; the creativity to make all these rugs and the incredible amount of work that goes into making them. She said depends on the size but it can take any where from 1 month to 5 months to create a rug.
Once the thread is made and color, they then go over to the big loom and manually start creating a rug. They create their own designs or use traditional designs from the Zapotec culture. Just watching her husband run the loom, I could see carpal tunnel syndrome! It is very fine motor skills and the constant movement over and over.
I was just so impressed to see the results that came from this humble little family. I couldn't leave without buying something. This family home was, by our standards less than a shack, Josefina did a lot of work down on her knees in the dirt; most of the family didn't wear shoes. I don't think they had electricity or running water. But in spite of the poverty, they were gracious, kind, humble, didn't ask for anything, they were just please to share their craft and the traditions.
As I considered what to buy and how much to spend, I suddenly realized that whatever I bought that the money would feed this family. I could make a difference and help them all the while I would get a completely handmade wool rug with unattainable quality that I could never get in the USA.
Our bike guide told us how he came across Josefina and her little business, one day she saw his truck that drives behind us tourists. His truck carries the tools for breakdowns, spare tires/tubes, water and fruit. So she took the initiative and called him, worked a deal so that he would bring his clients there for a demonstration. He said he was impressed by her work and that she was willing to spend time and explain her work to the clients. He said he has been approach by others wanting to do the same but only she was willing to share her craft with the tourists. He said he felt it was important for his clients to see and understand the trade. Josefina said that she only sells to the biking tour clients. Considering how remote she is, I believe it.
For the first time, I could really see why Paul comes home with all the stuff he does as once you meet the artist and what goes into it, plus knowing your purchase is helping the family survive, you can't just buy one. So I bought 2 rugs, one quite large and one smaller. Spent over $400 USD, but I know I did a good thing for that family. It was probably one of the best experiences of all my times here, maybe in my life.
After our time with the family, it was time to get back on the bike and continue on. Oh my, did my rear end hurt by this time. I will never ever understand how men can bike on those tiny little rock hard seats. The last section of the ride was rockier than the first and a few more hills, I was really starting to slow down and with every rock I was getting more and more uncomfortable. Finally, we reached the end!! Hurray, I did it!! I was so tired but very proud that I completed the ride!
I am putting photos on my flickr page and a link to Josefina flickr page as well.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Fort San Juan de Ulua, Veracruz, Mexico
More evidence of modern development along side ancient development in Veracruz, Mexcio
San Juan de Ulua
San Juan de Ulua, is a fort that was started in the time of Cortes (late 1500's) as a protection of the new port of Veracruz. Over time and various leaders it grew in size till is basically finished in the 1800's. This fort, even though it was to guard the port from enemies of Mexico, it has been occupied by the Spanish, French and the Americans at one time or another in it's history. It started out as a wall, and now it is quite large. Also, the Mexican government used it as a prison in the late 1800's, since it was such a nasty prison the government closed it in the early 1900's.
When Paul and I came here in 1985 it was surround by weeds and I don't remember anyone visiting it but us. It certainly wasn't a big tourist attraction that it is now. Now it has a museum and most of the 2nd level is closed to the public. I remember walking the outer edges of it and now they seem to be falling apart and closed to the public as well.
It was a trip to see so much development around it, completely surrounded by ship yards, container yards and a navy base. At the entrance is souvenir carts, a entrance fee and lots of taxis and tour buses, and lots of tourists.
Veracruz looks completely different now than when we were there but it still has the same relaxing coastal atmosphere that I remember. It doesn't have the nice white beaches of Acapulco but it isn't as touristy nor as hectic. Next time I need a beach fix, I am going back to Veracruz.
click on flickr for more photos
When Paul and I came here in 1985 it was surround by weeds and I don't remember anyone visiting it but us. It certainly wasn't a big tourist attraction that it is now. Now it has a museum and most of the 2nd level is closed to the public. I remember walking the outer edges of it and now they seem to be falling apart and closed to the public as well.
It was a trip to see so much development around it, completely surrounded by ship yards, container yards and a navy base. At the entrance is souvenir carts, a entrance fee and lots of taxis and tour buses, and lots of tourists.
Veracruz looks completely different now than when we were there but it still has the same relaxing coastal atmosphere that I remember. It doesn't have the nice white beaches of Acapulco but it isn't as touristy nor as hectic. Next time I need a beach fix, I am going back to Veracruz.
click on flickr for more photos
Mi piña
I ordered this drink on the beach in Veracruz, thinking I would be getting this plastic cup of some little drink. Well, after a while I couldn't figure out why it was taking so long. After about 15-20 min. I received this full size pineapple filled with various juices. It was so huge, we were all shocked at how big it was. It took all of us to finish it off.
Us, being, Amanda, Kathy, Richie and me!
Us, being, Amanda, Kathy, Richie and me!
Save as Draft
Monday, April 07, 2008
Can't remember what week it is any more!!
Well, it has been a few weeks since I posted. Not sure who is reading this if anyone at all, so maybe I am just writing for me!!
For spring break, Paul, Melanie and Korinn drove down to Queretaro, which is about 4-5 hours north of me, I took the bus up there and met them. We spent a full day exploring Queretaro. Melanie stayed with her girlfriend Gabby, who she met in Brazil. We had dinner with Gabby and her family. It was a lovely evening with them at Italian restaurant and the food was yummy.
The next day, Mel off with Gabby for the week, Paul, Korinn and I headed to Acapulco. It was a long drive, took about 7 hours. We were lost at least an hour or more in Mexico City. Finding the exit to head to Cuernavaca was tricky when there isn't any signs to be found, eventually we found a sign, but not on the freeway!
Did a quick drive through of Cuernavaca, showed Korinn my old stomping grounds there.
Acapulco was very crowded! Took a while to check into the hotel, turns out because, they didn't have any rooms with 2 beds, as I had reserved. So they gave us an upgrade of a room with a view of the ocean with a king bed and a roll away for Korinn. It was a big room, with a large patio and beautiful views of the ocean and beaches.
I was in Acapulco a year or so, and what a difference. Last time, it was so peaceful and relaxed. This time, very hurried, jam-packed and the locals screaming at you in English, "hey, where you from" "you wanna buy" etc. Lots and lots of young people too. I would say most of the tourists were Mexican but a good smattering of American tourists as well, even a few Europeans.
We spent one day hanging around the hotel and the next day we went on a snorkeling excursion. It was fun, I thought the water was cold, Paul said I was crazy. We had a good time snorkeling and saw a good variety of fish. After that, we just R & R, had dinner out at a yummy seafood restaurant.
Since the hotel gave us the upgrade they managed to re-coop their cost. I had our laundry wash, and checked the complementary box, thinking that it would be free. Surprise, we got a $65 bill at check out. Needless to say, that didn't go over well and we left feeling like we had just been ripped off. It is amazing how a wonderful 3 days can be tarnished in just seconds.
After Acapulco, we had about 36 hours here in Puebla. We stayed in the historical district, so we were able to park the car and not use it while we were here. On our only full day here we walked all over the historical area, visited a museum, watched the Good Friday procession through the streets and had a nice dinner at my host, Esmeralda home. Paul and Korinn met her, her husband Rafael and her 16 yr old grandson, Luis. Luis was a good sport about having dinner with us, he and Korinn did chat a little. He does speak English but very shy (as are most 2nd language learners). Overall a very nice visit.
The next morning at 8am, Korinn and Paul headed out to fetch Melanie and continue on up to Houston. The were at home at 4:30am, which is amazing time.
Now I am just back at school doing what I normally do. It was so strange to say goodbye. I didn't want them to leave. School is going well enough. I can't believe it is almost over, about 6 weeks to go.
Well, it has been a few weeks since I posted. Not sure who is reading this if anyone at all, so maybe I am just writing for me!!
For spring break, Paul, Melanie and Korinn drove down to Queretaro, which is about 4-5 hours north of me, I took the bus up there and met them. We spent a full day exploring Queretaro. Melanie stayed with her girlfriend Gabby, who she met in Brazil. We had dinner with Gabby and her family. It was a lovely evening with them at Italian restaurant and the food was yummy.
The next day, Mel off with Gabby for the week, Paul, Korinn and I headed to Acapulco. It was a long drive, took about 7 hours. We were lost at least an hour or more in Mexico City. Finding the exit to head to Cuernavaca was tricky when there isn't any signs to be found, eventually we found a sign, but not on the freeway!
Did a quick drive through of Cuernavaca, showed Korinn my old stomping grounds there.
Acapulco was very crowded! Took a while to check into the hotel, turns out because, they didn't have any rooms with 2 beds, as I had reserved. So they gave us an upgrade of a room with a view of the ocean with a king bed and a roll away for Korinn. It was a big room, with a large patio and beautiful views of the ocean and beaches.
I was in Acapulco a year or so, and what a difference. Last time, it was so peaceful and relaxed. This time, very hurried, jam-packed and the locals screaming at you in English, "hey, where you from" "you wanna buy" etc. Lots and lots of young people too. I would say most of the tourists were Mexican but a good smattering of American tourists as well, even a few Europeans.
We spent one day hanging around the hotel and the next day we went on a snorkeling excursion. It was fun, I thought the water was cold, Paul said I was crazy. We had a good time snorkeling and saw a good variety of fish. After that, we just R & R, had dinner out at a yummy seafood restaurant.
Since the hotel gave us the upgrade they managed to re-coop their cost. I had our laundry wash, and checked the complementary box, thinking that it would be free. Surprise, we got a $65 bill at check out. Needless to say, that didn't go over well and we left feeling like we had just been ripped off. It is amazing how a wonderful 3 days can be tarnished in just seconds.
After Acapulco, we had about 36 hours here in Puebla. We stayed in the historical district, so we were able to park the car and not use it while we were here. On our only full day here we walked all over the historical area, visited a museum, watched the Good Friday procession through the streets and had a nice dinner at my host, Esmeralda home. Paul and Korinn met her, her husband Rafael and her 16 yr old grandson, Luis. Luis was a good sport about having dinner with us, he and Korinn did chat a little. He does speak English but very shy (as are most 2nd language learners). Overall a very nice visit.
The next morning at 8am, Korinn and Paul headed out to fetch Melanie and continue on up to Houston. The were at home at 4:30am, which is amazing time.
Now I am just back at school doing what I normally do. It was so strange to say goodbye. I didn't want them to leave. School is going well enough. I can't believe it is almost over, about 6 weeks to go.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Buen Noticas (Good News) more or less week 8
Friday night, I was chatting in Spanish with my host senora, Esmeralda. She says to me, extremely unexpected by me, "your spanish is so improved since you first got here"! WOWOWOOW, I was so surprised and shocked to receive such a nice compliment. No one ever says my Spanish is any good!! I hear other people get compliments all the time by the teachers at school, but it is never me. Esmeralda is a retired high school history teacher and is a non-nonsense kind of person, so when she said that to me I believed her. In fact, she went on to tell me, that she wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true!!! Of course, the entire conversation was in Spanish.
Later on the the evening we were chatting again and once again, she told me how improved I am and then went on to share, how "terrible" my Spanish was when I arrived. Hows that for honesty!! I just sheepishly responded, "that is the process of learning", she agreed.
So I thought I would share me good news....I am learning and improving and YES I do speak Spanish!!! I appreciate how the young people I meet here have no qualms about saying they speak English, when I know full well their English is about as good as my Spanish. So I need to have as much confidence as they do!!
Other interesting thing: At my internship, I got to cook last week. It was really interesting. We took this plant, called "huazontles"
which is also the name of the dish. If you all saw the plant you would think it was a weed! But anyways, we washed it, took only the bud part of it, squished it up, stuffed some cheese in it. Meanwhile, whipped up some egg whites, then added the yolks, whipped more. Rolled the cheese stuffed buds in flour and then rolled it in the whipped eggs, then fried them. More or less, it is a chile rellano, just no chiles. Then we made a sauce which is drizzled over the giant fried plant rellano. I was unsure about eating this plant thing but it was very very good. Maricarmen called it "poor people food" or comida pobre! Meaning, out in the countrysides, then can just pluck this plant from the fields and cook it up.
6 days till I see my husband and girls!! Yeah...and vacation!!!
adios
Friday night, I was chatting in Spanish with my host senora, Esmeralda. She says to me, extremely unexpected by me, "your spanish is so improved since you first got here"! WOWOWOOW, I was so surprised and shocked to receive such a nice compliment. No one ever says my Spanish is any good!! I hear other people get compliments all the time by the teachers at school, but it is never me. Esmeralda is a retired high school history teacher and is a non-nonsense kind of person, so when she said that to me I believed her. In fact, she went on to tell me, that she wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true!!! Of course, the entire conversation was in Spanish.
Later on the the evening we were chatting again and once again, she told me how improved I am and then went on to share, how "terrible" my Spanish was when I arrived. Hows that for honesty!! I just sheepishly responded, "that is the process of learning", she agreed.
So I thought I would share me good news....I am learning and improving and YES I do speak Spanish!!! I appreciate how the young people I meet here have no qualms about saying they speak English, when I know full well their English is about as good as my Spanish. So I need to have as much confidence as they do!!
Other interesting thing: At my internship, I got to cook last week. It was really interesting. We took this plant, called "huazontles"
which is also the name of the dish. If you all saw the plant you would think it was a weed! But anyways, we washed it, took only the bud part of it, squished it up, stuffed some cheese in it. Meanwhile, whipped up some egg whites, then added the yolks, whipped more. Rolled the cheese stuffed buds in flour and then rolled it in the whipped eggs, then fried them. More or less, it is a chile rellano, just no chiles. Then we made a sauce which is drizzled over the giant fried plant rellano. I was unsure about eating this plant thing but it was very very good. Maricarmen called it "poor people food" or comida pobre! Meaning, out in the countrysides, then can just pluck this plant from the fields and cook it up.
6 days till I see my husband and girls!! Yeah...and vacation!!!
adios
Friday, March 07, 2008
Week 7-
My big excitement this past week was going with my director at my internship on trip to a little town to promote Unarte. It was a very enjoyable time for me and a day to practice my Spanish. Maricarmen doesn't speak any English, so I got to do a lot of practice. Sometimes though, we would laugh so hard at our miscommunications. She knows a few words but that is about it.
We visited 5 different schools. Basically she would stand before a class of seniors and promote Unarte. At one of the schools, once she was done with her 10min speech, then kids were filling out a information form, and the next thing I know is that Maricarmen is telling me that they want me to speak English. It was such a funny feeling, never in my life have I had a skill or ability to do something that was worth a request! I had a trick, I could speak English!! It felt very awkward but I managed to say a few things to them. They wanted to know about Houston. I told them Houston is hot! Well, I forgot, in Spanish, there are two kinds of hot, 2 words, one for heat hot and one for sexy hot. By my staying Houston was hot, they though sexy hot! After a good laugh, Maricarmen explained it was weather!!!
The rest of the day wasn't quite as exciting but still enjoyable. We got back to Puebla about 5:00pm and so we chilled at Maricarmens home for a couple hours, then we went to a art exhibit opening. 2 professors at Unarte and about 7 students had their art on display. It is pretty cool stuff, very abstract but cool. Going to art opening was just as I imagine. All kinds of beautiful and interesting people sipping wine, snacking on hor'devores to sweet live jazz music in the background. A grand day.
Over the weekend I took a bus to the fiuqa (fi-u-ka) which is a huge market place that sells just about everything under the sun. It was very crowded so I didn't stay long. I was just please I found it via the bus without any problems.
Mostly I just did homework. This whole week (first part of March now) is just about all homework. Next week I have 2 large tests.
Paul and the girls will be heading down in less than 2 weeks so I am very happy about that!! I can't wait to see them. I am meeting them in Queretaro, a town north of Mexico City about 2 hours. We will be there for about 2 days, then we head to Acapulco for 3 days, then to Puebla to bring me back. Paul is bringing me lots of supplies and clothes for warm weather. Then I can send home with him what I am not using here and all my winter clothes. Hopefully that will really lighten up my luggage for when I get home.
Weather here is still spring like, although, we did have two days that we actually had a rain shower in the evenings. Very rare I hear, it only lasted a hour or so.
Adios till next time!
My big excitement this past week was going with my director at my internship on trip to a little town to promote Unarte. It was a very enjoyable time for me and a day to practice my Spanish. Maricarmen doesn't speak any English, so I got to do a lot of practice. Sometimes though, we would laugh so hard at our miscommunications. She knows a few words but that is about it.
We visited 5 different schools. Basically she would stand before a class of seniors and promote Unarte. At one of the schools, once she was done with her 10min speech, then kids were filling out a information form, and the next thing I know is that Maricarmen is telling me that they want me to speak English. It was such a funny feeling, never in my life have I had a skill or ability to do something that was worth a request! I had a trick, I could speak English!! It felt very awkward but I managed to say a few things to them. They wanted to know about Houston. I told them Houston is hot! Well, I forgot, in Spanish, there are two kinds of hot, 2 words, one for heat hot and one for sexy hot. By my staying Houston was hot, they though sexy hot! After a good laugh, Maricarmen explained it was weather!!!
The rest of the day wasn't quite as exciting but still enjoyable. We got back to Puebla about 5:00pm and so we chilled at Maricarmens home for a couple hours, then we went to a art exhibit opening. 2 professors at Unarte and about 7 students had their art on display. It is pretty cool stuff, very abstract but cool. Going to art opening was just as I imagine. All kinds of beautiful and interesting people sipping wine, snacking on hor'devores to sweet live jazz music in the background. A grand day.
Over the weekend I took a bus to the fiuqa (fi-u-ka) which is a huge market place that sells just about everything under the sun. It was very crowded so I didn't stay long. I was just please I found it via the bus without any problems.
Mostly I just did homework. This whole week (first part of March now) is just about all homework. Next week I have 2 large tests.
Paul and the girls will be heading down in less than 2 weeks so I am very happy about that!! I can't wait to see them. I am meeting them in Queretaro, a town north of Mexico City about 2 hours. We will be there for about 2 days, then we head to Acapulco for 3 days, then to Puebla to bring me back. Paul is bringing me lots of supplies and clothes for warm weather. Then I can send home with him what I am not using here and all my winter clothes. Hopefully that will really lighten up my luggage for when I get home.
Weather here is still spring like, although, we did have two days that we actually had a rain shower in the evenings. Very rare I hear, it only lasted a hour or so.
Adios till next time!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mis amigas
Myself and bunch of the gals from my program out for a evening of bowling and fun. Laura (2nd from the right) was celebrating her birthday as was Kelly, standing next to me!!
Semana 6 (week 6) Ride the first bus I see!!
Friday night I went out bowling, dinner and a birthday party with a bunch of the girls (and 1 lone guy) from my program. We were celebrating Laura's birthday and Kelly's too! Bowling was very fun. The alley was the nicest one I have ever been in, new, clean, no stinky bars etc. Of course, all the scoring was completely electronic, so problems there. I bowl so horrible keeping score really isn't necessary! Afterwards, we had dinner at VIPS at Mexican chain that is owned by Walmart. I have learned Walmart owns a lot of businesses here from the upscale to the bargain. VIPS is a level or two above Denney's. I had a "Italian" food and can't tell you how delightful olive oil and balsamic vinegar can be when you haven't had it in a while.
After dinner we all walked to Laura's friends house for a fiesta. We played games, ate yummy cake and learned to salsa and cumbia dance. I got home around midnight, a first for me here!!
On Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 I decided to adventure out to see the downtown area alone. My host told me about a museum that I decided I must see! In the spirit of my pledge to ride the first bus I see, I got on one, and before I knew it I was going in the wrong direction. OK..no problem, just hop off and find a new bus! Fortunately, I carry my map with me so I could figure out what direction I need to go in, so then I set out on foot till I find a busy enough road to find a new bus. The cool thing is, in my explorations of buses, I am starting to recognize numbers and where they go!
After a hour I made it to the zocolo and was able to find the museum. Museum Ampro, it was incredible, a mixture of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern art. It is of very high quality, well organized and just about all the information about what you see is in both English and Spanish. From there I went on the hunt for a cool coffee bar I have heard about and it was pretty neat. Wondered some artisans markets and finally went to the movies.
On my trip home, I was standing on the side of one of the busy streets trying to figure out what bus to get on, since it was getting dark, I didn't want to be taken off somewhere to far off my path. As I am standing there, a older gentleman says to me in English "what bus are you looking for" and I truthfully said "no sé (I don't know). He spoke English, I mostly spoke Spanish. He asked me how I got to where I was, I didn't know that either. So after a few more minutes, he went off to his bus. So then, I just hopped a bus figuring if it turned before the next major cross street I would hope off. So about 2 blocks up it turned and I hopped off! But like a miracle, the very next bus that came around the corner was one that was labeled "ZAVELETA" my street! How wonderful, so I hopped on it and 20 mins later I was right by my house! I was quite proud of my success!
Sunday, myself and 3 other gals from my program went to tutor the indigenous students. We successfully broke up into small groups and went to work communicating. In my group, I was trying hard to get them to talk, asking all the basic questions. After that, I went after family stories, actually got a good one. One of the girls, said her great grandmother and father were in the Mexican revolution time period, which is about 1910-1920. From my classes here, I have learned just about everyone was affected one way or another during the Revolution, it was a very very bloody and violent. This gal shared that her grandparents had to live in caves under the group to escape the soldiers. Also, her grandparents hid all their money in the walls of their little house and unfortunately, the military blew up the house and the money too. I actually got her to say all that in English. She would say it in Spanish, I repeat in English and then she repeats in English. Also, I chatted with the students about Dia de Muertos, The day of the Dead holiday. As I suspected since they are from the rural areas it is a big deal in their families and communities.
One last thing of note, my host Esmeralda invited me to go out to late lunch with her and her friends. What was really unique was after dinner we stopped by a place in this little town called "Container City", yep, it is a little shopping area within this town and it is all shipping containers. They are stacked every which way, double decked too. All are painted a delightful pastels and random quotes are painted on the sides of the containers from the Beatles. The ambience is very upscale, trendy, hippy'ish, mother earthy etc. There are clothing shops, tea, coffee, beauty salon, tattoo parlor, bookstore, even a yoga/massage shop. I gotta go back and take photos!
I posted some bowling photos on flickr.
I have started my level III grammar class. No stress. So far I like it, it certainly has a whole different atmosphere. My new teacher is much more laid back which is good for me. Not feeling so stressed it is easier to learn.
Friday night I went out bowling, dinner and a birthday party with a bunch of the girls (and 1 lone guy) from my program. We were celebrating Laura's birthday and Kelly's too! Bowling was very fun. The alley was the nicest one I have ever been in, new, clean, no stinky bars etc. Of course, all the scoring was completely electronic, so problems there. I bowl so horrible keeping score really isn't necessary! Afterwards, we had dinner at VIPS at Mexican chain that is owned by Walmart. I have learned Walmart owns a lot of businesses here from the upscale to the bargain. VIPS is a level or two above Denney's. I had a "Italian" food and can't tell you how delightful olive oil and balsamic vinegar can be when you haven't had it in a while.
After dinner we all walked to Laura's friends house for a fiesta. We played games, ate yummy cake and learned to salsa and cumbia dance. I got home around midnight, a first for me here!!
On Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 I decided to adventure out to see the downtown area alone. My host told me about a museum that I decided I must see! In the spirit of my pledge to ride the first bus I see, I got on one, and before I knew it I was going in the wrong direction. OK..no problem, just hop off and find a new bus! Fortunately, I carry my map with me so I could figure out what direction I need to go in, so then I set out on foot till I find a busy enough road to find a new bus. The cool thing is, in my explorations of buses, I am starting to recognize numbers and where they go!
After a hour I made it to the zocolo and was able to find the museum. Museum Ampro, it was incredible, a mixture of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern art. It is of very high quality, well organized and just about all the information about what you see is in both English and Spanish. From there I went on the hunt for a cool coffee bar I have heard about and it was pretty neat. Wondered some artisans markets and finally went to the movies.
On my trip home, I was standing on the side of one of the busy streets trying to figure out what bus to get on, since it was getting dark, I didn't want to be taken off somewhere to far off my path. As I am standing there, a older gentleman says to me in English "what bus are you looking for" and I truthfully said "no sé (I don't know). He spoke English, I mostly spoke Spanish. He asked me how I got to where I was, I didn't know that either. So after a few more minutes, he went off to his bus. So then, I just hopped a bus figuring if it turned before the next major cross street I would hope off. So about 2 blocks up it turned and I hopped off! But like a miracle, the very next bus that came around the corner was one that was labeled "ZAVELETA" my street! How wonderful, so I hopped on it and 20 mins later I was right by my house! I was quite proud of my success!
Sunday, myself and 3 other gals from my program went to tutor the indigenous students. We successfully broke up into small groups and went to work communicating. In my group, I was trying hard to get them to talk, asking all the basic questions. After that, I went after family stories, actually got a good one. One of the girls, said her great grandmother and father were in the Mexican revolution time period, which is about 1910-1920. From my classes here, I have learned just about everyone was affected one way or another during the Revolution, it was a very very bloody and violent. This gal shared that her grandparents had to live in caves under the group to escape the soldiers. Also, her grandparents hid all their money in the walls of their little house and unfortunately, the military blew up the house and the money too. I actually got her to say all that in English. She would say it in Spanish, I repeat in English and then she repeats in English. Also, I chatted with the students about Dia de Muertos, The day of the Dead holiday. As I suspected since they are from the rural areas it is a big deal in their families and communities.
One last thing of note, my host Esmeralda invited me to go out to late lunch with her and her friends. What was really unique was after dinner we stopped by a place in this little town called "Container City", yep, it is a little shopping area within this town and it is all shipping containers. They are stacked every which way, double decked too. All are painted a delightful pastels and random quotes are painted on the sides of the containers from the Beatles. The ambience is very upscale, trendy, hippy'ish, mother earthy etc. There are clothing shops, tea, coffee, beauty salon, tattoo parlor, bookstore, even a yoga/massage shop. I gotta go back and take photos!
I posted some bowling photos on flickr.
I have started my level III grammar class. No stress. So far I like it, it certainly has a whole different atmosphere. My new teacher is much more laid back which is good for me. Not feeling so stressed it is easier to learn.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Total eclipse of the moon
About 7:45 pm (February 20, 2008) one of the son-in-laws came in to tell us about the lunar eclipse happening. Paul had told me earlier in the day but I didn't really pay attention as most of them are in the middle of the night so I never seen them. Well, here since it was so early within 20 minutes or so the entire family was on the front lawn watching the eclipse. All of us adults in lawn chair watching the moon, while the oldest grandson (16) runs around with all the little ones (2- 3 yr olds and 1- 4 yr old). It felt like the 4th of July. Everyone out on the lawn watching the sky!! I called Paul as we didn't know if it was a full or partial, it's a full! So for about a hour we all sat outside and enjoyed nature at it's best.
Meanwhile, Paul really wanted to see it, can't due to the fact it is raining in Houston, but Caitlin went up to Houston to a free rally to see former President Clinton. If I had been in Houston that is where I would have been too. I really encourage the girls to go, how often do you get to see either a future, current or past president of the US. All in all, a really memorable evening.
My really fuzzy eclipse photos will be on flickr.
Week 5'ish 20th of February 2008
February 17, 2008, Happy Birthday Miss Melanie, she is entering her final "teen" year, the 19th birthday! She sounded happy on the telephone and her dad made tuna casserole as requested!! I was able to really enjoy a very nice conversation with her, so that made my day!
On Saturday Feb. 16th I went up to Mexico City with the kids in my program to visit the home of Frida Kahalo and what I thought was the home of Diego Rivera, the incredible muralist. I have been to Fridas house before but we didn't see Diego's home we saw some sort of huge giant lava rock building, sort of castle like that was apparently created by him to hold all of his pre-Hispanic artifacts. This was a building full of rooms with about 20-30 foot ceilings and he made mosaics in each of the ceiling of figures from the Aztec culture. All the floors were made of marble. Up on the balcony he created more mosaics out of the marble, more of the Aztec symbols along with his fave communist symbol. I was a bit baffled as to why a supposed communist would create such a grandiose building to hold stuff that belong in a real museum not personal one. I guess that is the dichotomy of artists…?? Supposedly he died before the completion of this building and so it was finished by his pals, and open to the public free of charge.
Sunday, Feb 17th, I went with Mercedes, (my host Esmeralda cousin who asked me to tutor indigenous college students English). She picked me up at 9am and as we drove the 20 min. to their dorms, I really doubted that a bunch of 20yr olds would be getting out of bed to practice English. Boy, was I wrong. Slowly but surely, there ended up being about 15+. All with eager faces and seemingly genuinely interested. Between Mercedes trying to explain to them in her broken English what I was saying, my Spanish, we all ended up having some really good laughs. About half of the students kinda understand really basic English and the rest don't really understand anything. I tried to engage them in speaking but just like me, they would get all embarrassed and shy about it (although I am way better about that now). They seemed most puzzled about past tense so I practiced a bunch of irregular verbs in present and past tense!
Overall, I was there with the students for about 90 min. and I told them that next Sunday, I hope to bring 3-4 friends from my program so that we can break up into small groups for conversations. I was so impressed by their interest, enthusiasm and the fact they got out of bed at 9am on a Sunday morning. For this next Sunday they have requested 10am! I am okay with that too! 10am works better for my friends in my program, I think I have recruited 3-4 gals to go with me next week.
School part is going fine. I finally got approval to drop down from Level 4 grammar class to the Level 3. I am very happy about that, less stress. I also just found out that Level 3 is the writing class and had I known that I would have taken it in the first place as I really wanted to focus on my writing skills. Better late than never. So starting next week, I will be writing small essays every week which I believe will really improve my writing and I hope also my speaking skills.
My speaking skills are coming along. Although at times I think that I am caught between basic speaking and intermediate. At times my sentences get all tangled up but somehow I get my point across anyway. This trip I am so much braver about speaking than ever before. I do still get nervous and intimidated but I just push through it and go for it! My supervisor at my internship, Maricarmen tells me that I am improving, so I will take her word for it! She took me out Sunday evening to see a art exhibit, but it was closed, so then we wanted to go to the movie but all the good ones were way to late, so we just strolled the mall and ate some dinner. I just enjoyed visiting with her and practicing my Spanish.
I am posting photos on my flickr acct as my internet speed permits….
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentines Day
To all my friends, family, my darling girls and especially my dear patient husband. He wrote me the sweetest card and I got emails from the girls!!
Candy and chocolate was really flowing at school today. Once again I had really forgotten the date again, but my host Esmeralda wished me a Happy St. Valentines day and I thought it was tomorrow!! I am really calendar challenged here.
Hope you all have a Valentines full of love and chocolate!
xxoo
k
To all my friends, family, my darling girls and especially my dear patient husband. He wrote me the sweetest card and I got emails from the girls!!
Candy and chocolate was really flowing at school today. Once again I had really forgotten the date again, but my host Esmeralda wished me a Happy St. Valentines day and I thought it was tomorrow!! I am really calendar challenged here.
Hope you all have a Valentines full of love and chocolate!
xxoo
k
Monday, February 11, 2008
Week 4
Week 4- Surprises Sunday, February 10, 2008
Happy 30 years to my darling husband..we met 30 years ago today at
Teen World USA in Redding CA and have been together ever since! I was
greeted to a surprise phone call from Paul wishing me "happy 30
years", I was thrilled and ashamed to admit it, I not only didn't know
todays date was but hadn't even remembered!! I am so glad he
remembered and called me, really made my ordinary Sunday special.
Anyways, I really thought this past week would shape up to be nothing
but school, boring! A lot of it was, but things improved on Friday.
First, after not really having much homework for a week or so, that
completely changed, I now have about 5 assignments to work on over
the weekend all due next Monday, Tues or Wednesday. 3 essays and bunch
of reading!! Not that homework is really a improvement but the other stuff that follows was the exciting part.
Friday was my internship, I took my bus to Unarte as usual, and as I
walked up to the school, I see my supervisor, Maricarmen leaving in
her car! I yell out her name, she sees me and says for me to get into
the taxi that some students are getting into. Off we go and I have no
idea to where!! Soon we approach at large private high school named,
American School. Which coincidentally is where all the grand kids of
my host family go to school, but only one is in high school, the rest the kids
are in the lower grades at different campuses. Soon I am helping set
up a display table. Unarte is part of a college fair being hosted at
the high school. Mostly I visited with Maricarmen and help with
setting up and tear down of the display. Afterwards, she drove me out
to one of the larger universities here, I can't remember the name
though. The campus is quite large, looks like about 5-6000 attend. Has
all the sporting facilities, including a US style football field. Then
back to Unarte to unload all the stuff. Then I was free to go! So I
walked to zocolo just to see what there is to see, took me 45 mins or
so. Then I decided to figure out my way home on the bus. I only got
lost once but the driver pointed to where I needed to go and so I
found the correct bus and made it back home.
Yesterday (Sat.), Mercedes, my host Esmeralda's cousin, who works for
a non-profit agency, asked me if I would be interested in teaching
English to some students on Sunday's. All the students are from very
rural areas, indigenous and very poor. Her agency gathers up the
financial resources and gives these kids 100% scholarship to come here
to go to university. There is about 30 of them, they all live together
in 2 houses (3 kids to a room) and I will be going out to their houses
and I guess, sit in a room and teach or converse in English to whoever
is interested! I am thrilled and I start next weekend. Apparently,
they are all in English classes at their university but they are in
their first year, so none of them speak English. All the kids speak
Spanish and some speak their native indigenous language as well.
I told Mercedes I was very excited about doing this, then asked her
how to say 'excited' in Spanish, she told me that if I said "excitado"
in Spanish it would mean "excited in the romantic way". Oops.. so the
way to say excited in Spanish is "emotionado" emotional! Another new
word and culture tidbit learned.
Today, I was surprised by Esmeralda, she invited me to go out
sightseeing a little. She took me to the central part of the city, but
we went to the part of city that is the very oldest. So we visited a
mall where they have taken the old walls from the 1800's factory and
incorporated them into modern buildings. It was amazing, basically the
frame of the entire mall is the original brick walls from a 1800's
tannery factory. What was the coolest, was this huge glass area in
the floor of the mall and beneath it revealed rooms of the tannery
and stuff that was dug out during the archaeology excavations years
ago. So you can see where the tannery workers worked, the tools and even a water
system. It was like a museum under the floor of the mall! It was
really fascinating and interesting. After visiting the mall we walked
around a bit, wandered across the street to a little restaurant with a
live jazz band where we enjoyed the music and lunch. The area around
the restaurant seemed to be the art district. Paintings, drawings, and
other art were displayed and for sale up and down the street. I am
planning to go back another day!
Time to get back to my tarea (homework)…it is always looming….
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Italian Coffee Company
The largest coffee chain in Mexico. This particular one is on my way to and from school. I pop in almost daily to get a Moka Frappe and use the wireless internet. It is the strongest connection I can find.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Red Blue and Green
If there was a theme to this weekend it was the colors "red, blue and
green". I went to Jalapa, not Oaxaca. As it turns out, violence in
Oaxaca turned up again a day or so before our trip and our director
suggested we not go there at least for now. So we went to Jalapa.
Guess what the citizens of Jalapa are called??? Jalapeños!! Yep, you
got it, guess where the pepper gets its name from… the region of
Jalapa. Small world!!
What about red, blue and green??? As it turns out, I was with 4 other
students, Amanda (Washington State), Kathy (Univ. of Nevada, Reno),
Lloyd (Cal State, Humboldt) and Richie (Univ. Nevada, Reno), ages are
19-22. Kathy and Richie are taking photo classes here in our program
and their assignment for the week is to take photos with the
subjects/objects containing the colors red, blue and green. Soon after
we arrived as we wandered the streets, we were all spotting this color
combination everywhere. So there was lots of stopping and
photographing going on. It was quite fun actually and really gets one
to think about what is around them. So I was even trying to get artsy
shots too, finding colors, textures, lines etc to photograph. I have
put my few attempts at art on my flickr page.
We arrived into Jalapa around 1:30pm on Fri. 2-1-08 and checked into
our hostel, Hostel de Niebla. All 5 us had a room together, 3 sets of
bunk beds. I had my doubts about this hostel but all were unfounded.
The rooms and bathrooms were extremely clean. The hostel provided a
free breakfast or we could cook ourselves in the kitchen. My top bunk
was comfie and I can't complain. All for around $10 a night per
person. The hostel was right in the center of town so we were in
walking distance of all we wanted to see. Friday was just wandered
around to see what there was to see. We found a nice art museum and a
café outside. The café served the best ever cappuccino I have ever
had. I didn't know it, but the state of Veracruz, of which Jalapa is
in, is known for coffee. OMG, is it good!!! I saw several coffee
roasting shops so I had to buy a pound or so of coffee, $3.80, I
couldn't believe how reasonable priced everything was.
We had the best dinner ever on Friday night at a local Italian place.
I had a very yummy plate of pesto pasta and salad. So so good! Went
back on Sunday for lunch as well. I think, just about everything on
the menu was under $5.00, in Houston these dinners would run easily
over $15-20 a plate. The quality and flavor was just incredible.
Saturday we all visited the Anthropology Museum. The state of
Verazcruz is where the famous "Olmec heads" were found and are on
display in this museum. It is believe that the Olmecs were the first
civilization in the Americas. The information in the museum is
overwhelming at the least but just seeing all that history is amazing.
How did these ancient cultures create such large detailed carvings.
Since Richie is a archeology major and Lloyd is a geography major,
both of them had lots of additional facts and experiences to share
about some of the stuff we were seeing and that helped make some sense
of it all.
My travel companions are really delightful young people. All of them
take their education seriously, all want to go out into the world and
make a difference. I wasn't sure I was going to fit in with them, but
we all had very interesting conversations, most of them have traveled
quite a bit, so we had that in common as well. We nickname Richie
"Meriwether Lewis" from Lewis&Clark as he is such a explorer type. He
spent last summer working in the forests of Alaska doing some sort of
archeology surveying or something, so he had earned the role as the
lead explorer in our pack. He and I both had a copy of our Lonely
Planet book with us, so we would find something of interested and head
out. His edition was newer than mine and had much more interesting
descriptions of places. Our favorite was "the fertile drinking
grounds". Friday night, they all went out looking for a club/bar that
was described as "fertile drinking ground". They showed me it the next
day, was a pretty scrappy looking nightclub.
All in all are really successful trip and lots of fun and laughs.
Hopefully we will eventually make it to Oaxaca. Back to reality and
school tomorrow.
Jan. 31, 2008, Week 3 just ending….
Tomorrow I leave for 3 days to visit Oaxaca. I have heard it is very
colonial and beautiful. Last year there were a number of protests and
such but supposedly that is all done now. I am going with 4-5 of the
other students, all around 20 yrs old. Funny to think they are the
same age as my girls but I don't feel at all motherly towards them!
They are all planning to stay in a youth hostel as it is very cheap,
but I will have to wait and see. If the quality is below my standards,
I will be at a nearby hotel. I can rough it if I have to, but if I
don't well… I don't. Sleeping in a huge room with 15 people just isn't
appealing. Some perks do come with age!! Not sure what I will be doing
there but I hear there are museums and ruinas (pyramids), zocolo and
incredible craft markets to visit. By Sunday, the question will be
answered.
Things at school are going well enough. I have so much I should be
reading to prepare for various classes, but I can't get motivated.
One, the deadlines are still a week or so away and it is just boring
stuff, puts me right to sleep! I have decided that level of Spanish
here, is much higher than anything I taken a Univ. of Houston. Much of
the time I feel like I am treading water…..
My one of my favorite classes is Seminar of Spanish, it is really just
a communication class. How is the language used in advertising,
literature, plays, newspapers etc. Today we went on a field trip to
the local office of the largest regional newspaper. Very interesting.
Computers everywhere. We toured the various departments that cycle
through all the various sections of the papers 24 hours a day. Least
newsworthy stuff like social, entertainment go to press around
midnight and throughout the night the various sections based on
importance go to press, then at 3 am is the final section, the front
page. Then the around 4-5 am it is delivered locally and outlying
areas. Some areas as far as 4 hours from here. One cool thing the
local paper does here is that it publish every Sunday a magazine full
of ads of high dollar condos, cars etc and photos of the social elite
of Puebla. The proceeds from this ritzy glossy magazine goes towards
publishing a small version of the paper that is delivered for free out
in the very rural areas, not sure if it is delivered daily or weekly
but it is nice that they want to make sure all economic levels get the
news.
Congratulations go out to my Melanie, she got her drivers license today!!!
Los Lagos in Jalapa
2 big lakes with large walk ways all the way around them. To see more photos hit the flickr link on the left.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
My casa
The front house is my house and the 2 houses behind belong to two daughters and their families.
Universidad de Iberoamericana
Here is looking at the building with some sort of statue in the front of the school. My university here is a Jesuit school therefore there is a catholic church on campus and few statues too.
Check flickr for more photos
Check flickr for more photos
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Looking into my bedroom
Here I am standing in the door way. To the left is the bathroom, to the right is my bed. Outside the windows, to the right is my "private patio" that is really a walkway. Although the cute little dog, Pamela, stares at me through the window!!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
More thoughts...
Yesterday I bought air time for my cell phone. I gave the guy at the
cell phone store, $200.00 pesos ($20) and went off with my little card
with the the code that I put in my phone to update my airtime. Well,
the little number wouldn't work. Kept saying, "incorrect" numbers. So
after walking to 2 different cell stores today, I found out that my
card is a stolen card. I ask them "does their cell phone stores
normally sell stolen phone cards", of course no. Since the clerk at
yesterday's store failed to give me a receipt, I have no proof I
bought it for a refund. Lesson learned. From now on, when I buy the
card, I use it then and there. If there is a problem it can be get
fixed.
cell phone store, $200.00 pesos ($20) and went off with my little card
with the the code that I put in my phone to update my airtime. Well,
the little number wouldn't work. Kept saying, "incorrect" numbers. So
after walking to 2 different cell stores today, I found out that my
card is a stolen card. I ask them "does their cell phone stores
normally sell stolen phone cards", of course no. Since the clerk at
yesterday's store failed to give me a receipt, I have no proof I
bought it for a refund. Lesson learned. From now on, when I buy the
card, I use it then and there. If there is a problem it can be get
fixed.
Cell phones are so frustrating. I bought a new $100 USD cell phone
the other day in the hopes that when Paul calls me, the reception
would be improved. NOPE!! Still is always gamble if he can even get
through to me at all and if he does,"will the quality be good enough
to carry on a conversation or not?". Just never ever know.
Fortunately, I have Skype. Oh, and if I call home with my cell phone
here, the quality is perfect but only cost $3.00 a minute or so. Back
to Skype.
I went to my internship yesterday. We had a nice chat about what I
doing there, my jobs etc and we got it all worked out. So I am helping
Mericarmen, she is their marketing director, I am helping her by creating a student
directory. So I am to go around on my day there getting students
names, etc. That gives me a opportunity to use my Spanish. So I
started that yesterday, then she took me out to lunch, then we went to
Walmart, bought stuff to make a Postolé, a type of soup/stew, went
back to school and made soup. Did some more work, then ate soup and
went home. Over all, it was a very enjoyable day and totally in
Spanish!! I change my hours there from twice a week to only Fridays,
so that makes my schedule easier.
Occasionally, Mericarmen goes on trips to various other cities to
market this art college to high school students and she said if any of
the trips work out to be on a Thur afternoon to Friday she will invite
me. Sounds like fun to me!!
Homework is starting. Here it is either you have none or a ton. No in
the middle. This weekend I have a 14 page packet to complete, read a
40 page story written 100 yrs ago in very old, complicated Spanish and
write a 1 page essay on a legend that comes from my hometown. Since I
couldn't think of any, I have picked Paul Bunyan. I know he isn't
really a CA story but visiting Trees of Mystery on the CA coast when I
was kid made a impact on me. The huge statues of Paul Bunyan and the
Blue Ox were just so cool and seemed so real.
Okay, back to my tarea (homework)...
Week 2
Week 2- Adjustments
I am finally settling into a routine and feeling more comfortable
about what I am doing here. My classes are going well. I really enjoy
my cinema and seminar of Spanish classes. Both relate directly back to
my communication degree that I earned back in the day at Chico. Cinema
is watching movies made by various Latin American (all countries)
directors, generally about social issues. Which I am learning is the
trade mark of a Latin film- documentary form about some social or
political issue.
Seminar is about using the language to communicate in advertising,
writings in books, newspapers, magazines etc. We are going to be going
to visit a newspaper office in the next couple of weeks.
My days are now set. Monday is school till 1 pm than off to the
internship till 5pm. Tues, early day, out at 2p, Wed. long day, out at
5 pm, Thur. early, 2p and finally Friday. No school, just internship
all day 9-5.
Over the past weekend I spent a good deal of time learning the various
bus numbers in my area so that I could use them more comfortably. (I
know Linda….TAXIs!!!). I walked around a lot too. Writing down bus
numbers and watching where they went. I finally figured out.. any bus
that has "Zalvaleta" on it will be on my main cross road and will get
me close enough if not exactly at my cross street. I finally figured
out…if I get on the wrong bus, don't panic, just get off and find
another!! I haven't used any taxis here as they are considerably more
expensive here than Cuernavaca. I hear it is pretty much $5.00 or more
to go any where and apparently there is a big issue with overcharging
foreigners. I am sure I will use them eventually, but not sure why, I
am just a walking/bus kind of gal!! I like the exercise and the
challenge of the buses, maybe I am just strange! So far, I am never in
a hurry, so I have the time for exploring.
In my walking/bus adventures, I found 3 large shopping malls and
Walmart! They have the nicest malls here and on the weekends they are
packed. Also, as part of my work out (walking) I take my computer
everywhere with me! So I am always packing a 8lb or more backpack. I
gotta burn those calories somehow! I digress…I take my computer so I
can surf the internet or use it to call home on my Skype phone.
Mexican businesses seem to be ahead of the internet game than the US,
wireless is everywhere. In the mall when I check for wireless signal
there are so many to choose from. Some, like Starbucks (my old
Starbucks in Cuernavaca was free) want to charge but many others are
free. Italian Coffee Company, the largest coffee chain in Mexico is
free internet at all locations. Fast and efficient too. They are my
main source and the university as well. Many restaurants here have
wireless but only for customers, meaning they provide a password. So
when I am in the mall, I can't use those, only the free connections.
Home life is also settling down. Now that I am adjusting to Esmeralda
ways of doing things, I am starting to feel more comfortable and
visiting with her and her family more and more. She different runs a
different kind of household than my last family and that was kind of a
culture shock in itself. I was so used to being the honored guest and
here I am a guest but I wash my own dishes. My last family kind of
dotted on me, so I felt more of a obligation to go home a lot. My new
situation allows me to come and go more freely, which is a nice
change. Having the grandkids around all the time is okay now too. Time
really does help the adjustment process!! The last few evenings I
have had the nicest long conversations with Esmeralda or her
daughters. It is nice to get to her/them and her/them me, but to also
practice my Spanish. Some days I think "wow, I can really speak
Spanish", others, I think what I am doing here!! I will never get the
hang of this. Today is a good language day!!!
Now lets hope the my adjustment at the Internship takes a turn to the
positive. Monday I was there 2-5p. I was assigned to this lady, named
Mericarmen. She took me to her office, on outside of the building,
somewhat removed from the main part of the school. Had a nice 20-30
min. visit with her. Then she showed me some papers that she wanted
typed into a word document then left. So I typed for 3 hours in a very
cold room, ALONE. Tuesday I went to my program director and told him I
wasn't comfortable about being alone all my time there. Of course, he
said "give it time" and he will talk to them. What is hard is that all
the other students doing internships in my program here are in a
orphanage teaching English to kids, and they are frustrated as they
don't know how to go about it since they are told to just do it. I
could really get into developing a mini program to teach English. That
would be so fun!! Darn it….. Being a teaching major, it is difficult
that I can't be in place working with kids and teaching. Oh well, I
will give it more time and if I continue to be the lone typist I will
rethink things. Hopefully next week or so things will be much more
interactive and enjoyable. Oh, and the lattes aren't free after all.
Not sure why that one was free but the rest are a $1.20. Still can't
complain and they are tasty!!
Overall, a successful week of adjusting…
Spanish tidbit: You know what puzzles are called in Spanish?
Rompecabezas….which means "broken head". I thought, how appropriate..
puzzles always made me head hurt which is why I don't like them!!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Paul and I
We took a 2 day trip to see Austin and San Antonio before I left. Here we are visiting the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.
Main Cathredal
Main Cathredal
Most every Zocolo has a cathredal next to it. This is Puebla. Puebla was the first city established by the Spaniards when they invaded in the 1600's. Since they were eager to convert the locals, there more churches in Puebla than any other city in Mexico.
Most every Zocolo has a cathredal next to it. This is Puebla. Puebla was the first city established by the Spaniards when they invaded in the 1600's. Since they were eager to convert the locals, there more churches in Puebla than any other city in Mexico.
Zocolo in Puebla
Every Mexican city has a central square that is called "Zocolo". It is generally a central meeting place for lots of activities. Yesterday when I was there, lots of people, venders selling whatever and several bands playing. Always a great place for people watching!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
My Internship
Ignacio the director of my study abroad program drove me over to my
new "job" yesterday (Fri 1-18-08), doing some sort of technology at a
small art college called "Unarte". I tried to explain to him my tech
experience at Alcott Elementary in Redmond was over 10 years ago. I
have no idea what he has told the school owners. He kept saying I am a
expert! I am thinking what on earth is he telling these people. I
asked him why he didn't put me in a school with children since that is
my most current experience but he said once he read my resume and saw
that I had computer experience he saw a place for me!!
new "job" yesterday (Fri 1-18-08), doing some sort of technology at a
small art college called "Unarte". I tried to explain to him my tech
experience at Alcott Elementary in Redmond was over 10 years ago. I
have no idea what he has told the school owners. He kept saying I am a
expert! I am thinking what on earth is he telling these people. I
asked him why he didn't put me in a school with children since that is
my most current experience but he said once he read my resume and saw
that I had computer experience he saw a place for me!!
He told the ladies of the school they had to help me find which bus to
take home after work. So one of the teachers drove me home. Sat in her
car on the corner of my street and the main blvd, watched for a
passing bus and when she spotted one, we followed it! Fortunately it
went in the direction of my new job! I now have a way home!! Question
that is still unknown is how do I get to the art college from my
university! I guess, that is Mondays problem.
So I spent my first afternoon entering book bibliography type info in
a computer in the school library. One of teachers asked me if I can
"make programs", is that what Ignacio told them??, that I am a
programmer?? I said NO, I only use them!! She left, I return to
entering book info into a word document. If this day is any
indication of my future there, I don't think I will be doing much,
since I am not a programmer!! But I did find out I get FREE lattes at
the snack bar!!
The school does kinda have a cool, eclectic, artsy atmosphere.
Students are doing; photography, plastics, jewelery making, painting,
metal works of some sort. The ages of students vary from young to
older than me. That was nice to see! Since I am the only "mature"
student in my university that I have seen.
I will be working Monday afternoons 2-5p and all day Fridays. I will
try to take photos next week of the school. It is a pretty cool
looking building.
I sure hope I am not the school librarian!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Week One
Week 1
Once again I have gotten through the first week whirlwind of things happening all around me and not even sure what I am doing.
Monday (Jan 14, 2008)The flight down was fine. I met a few girls on the plane heading to the same program. My biggest concern was if Mexican Immigration would write the correct number of days of my trip on my tourist visa. If they wrote my days in Mexico less than my trip, I would have to go to the Immigration office here. I haven't heard a good thing about that process. Fortunately, the woman at the immigration desk was friendly and I suggested 150 days (my trip is 120) she asked me what I was doing, I told a student for a semester, so she wrote 180 days!!! Wow, I was thrilled! I later found out that if she had written 150, I think I would have had to go to Immigration anyways. She saved me a lot of headaches.
I met my "mom", Esmeralda at the school around 9:30pm. She seemed like a very nice lady. Hard to tell much after only a few minutes! I went to bed pretty much right after I got home. School the next day was very long. 8am-6:30pm.
Tues- Orientation about all the rules and regs of the school, how things work in Puebla and the school. Tour of the school, tour of Puebla on one of those double decker buses. At the end of the day, I was exhausted and still didn't know what my classes where or how the schedule worked. During the orientation I took a Spanish placement exam! Those generally don't bring me good news!! If I place below my level that I signed up for then they want me to drop down or sign a contract saying I understand I am in classes above my level, I accept whatever bad grade I earn!! Isn't that nice!!!
Wed.- Finally find out about my classes. I have registered for 4 classes via Univ. of Houston. 3 are required for my bachelors, the 4th is a spare! Due to time conflicts I had to drop the spare but since I still open times in my schedule, I added 2 more classes, which is really one. It is 2 advance grammar classes, one is 7 weeks the other is the following 7 weeks. So once I got my schedule all worked out, I have classes Mon-Thur but different classes on M-W and Tu-Thr, with gaps between classes so I can email or do homework.
Mon-Tue-Thr I get out of school either at 1p or 2p, but Wed. I am there till 5pm. I have Fridays off!!
Oh, my placement exam place me at level 2! I am signed up at Level 4!!! Oh well!! I am staying at level 4. If I wasn't in over my head then it wouldn't be normal!! I told the director, my testing issue is that I don't write very well as the program at UH doesn't really have a writing component . Consequently, I have done very little writing, therefore, my grammar isn't that great. But I will do level 4, work very hard and I will survive!!! So far he hasn't presented me with the contract, maybe today!! I found out I won't have to sign the contract (I think) since this advance level 4 classes is audited. Meaning I receive no grade!! Just experience!!
All of my professors stress how "advance" these classes are, the level of Spanish required is very very high!! It seems to me, every step of this process is very advance and if it wasn't advance it wouldn't be worth taking. My disadvantage is my small vocabulary and grammar weakness but I can make up for it in hard work. Today in a state of mild confusion, I decided this is my education, my money and my time. If I want to be challenge than I will do it! There!! So I get a C- in these classes so be it! I will know I tried my best and that is all I can do!! But I won't quit!!
I found out what my internship will be. I will be the 'tech lady" at a small art college. I was stunned. Apparently after reading my resume, that I submitted, they saw my job at Alcott Elementary and decided that I would be a fit! Yikes, my time at Alcott was 10 years ago!! Once again, hold my breath and jump! I go over to the school tomorrow (fri) to meet the owner/boss. More to come!!
There are about 25 students in the program from all over the US. Including one guy from Humboldt State and a Japanese exchange student who attends Chico State! Small world!
Also one of my professors told us, her husband is a PhD from Univ. of Texas, Austin, she has one daughter attending Chico State, one in college in Germany and one in college in Scotland! Her 4th daughter is here in high school.
I am the only student in the program (and I think the whole school) over 25! Other tidbit, of the 25 or so kids here in my program only 4 are guys!! Lots of girls!!!
Time to head to school.
Once again I have gotten through the first week whirlwind of things happening all around me and not even sure what I am doing.
Monday (Jan 14, 2008)The flight down was fine. I met a few girls on the plane heading to the same program. My biggest concern was if Mexican Immigration would write the correct number of days of my trip on my tourist visa. If they wrote my days in Mexico less than my trip, I would have to go to the Immigration office here. I haven't heard a good thing about that process. Fortunately, the woman at the immigration desk was friendly and I suggested 150 days (my trip is 120) she asked me what I was doing, I told a student for a semester, so she wrote 180 days!!! Wow, I was thrilled! I later found out that if she had written 150, I think I would have had to go to Immigration anyways. She saved me a lot of headaches.
I met my "mom", Esmeralda at the school around 9:30pm. She seemed like a very nice lady. Hard to tell much after only a few minutes! I went to bed pretty much right after I got home. School the next day was very long. 8am-6:30pm.
Tues- Orientation about all the rules and regs of the school, how things work in Puebla and the school. Tour of the school, tour of Puebla on one of those double decker buses. At the end of the day, I was exhausted and still didn't know what my classes where or how the schedule worked. During the orientation I took a Spanish placement exam! Those generally don't bring me good news!! If I place below my level that I signed up for then they want me to drop down or sign a contract saying I understand I am in classes above my level, I accept whatever bad grade I earn!! Isn't that nice!!!
Wed.- Finally find out about my classes. I have registered for 4 classes via Univ. of Houston. 3 are required for my bachelors, the 4th is a spare! Due to time conflicts I had to drop the spare but since I still open times in my schedule, I added 2 more classes, which is really one. It is 2 advance grammar classes, one is 7 weeks the other is the following 7 weeks. So once I got my schedule all worked out, I have classes Mon-Thur but different classes on M-W and Tu-Thr, with gaps between classes so I can email or do homework.
Mon-Tue-Thr I get out of school either at 1p or 2p, but Wed. I am there till 5pm. I have Fridays off!!
Oh, my placement exam place me at level 2! I am signed up at Level 4!!! Oh well!! I am staying at level 4. If I wasn't in over my head then it wouldn't be normal!! I told the director, my testing issue is that I don't write very well as the program at UH doesn't really have a writing component . Consequently, I have done very little writing, therefore, my grammar isn't that great. But I will do level 4, work very hard and I will survive!!! So far he hasn't presented me with the contract, maybe today!! I found out I won't have to sign the contract (I think) since this advance level 4 classes is audited. Meaning I receive no grade!! Just experience!!
All of my professors stress how "advance" these classes are, the level of Spanish required is very very high!! It seems to me, every step of this process is very advance and if it wasn't advance it wouldn't be worth taking. My disadvantage is my small vocabulary and grammar weakness but I can make up for it in hard work. Today in a state of mild confusion, I decided this is my education, my money and my time. If I want to be challenge than I will do it! There!! So I get a C- in these classes so be it! I will know I tried my best and that is all I can do!! But I won't quit!!
I found out what my internship will be. I will be the 'tech lady" at a small art college. I was stunned. Apparently after reading my resume, that I submitted, they saw my job at Alcott Elementary and decided that I would be a fit! Yikes, my time at Alcott was 10 years ago!! Once again, hold my breath and jump! I go over to the school tomorrow (fri) to meet the owner/boss. More to come!!
There are about 25 students in the program from all over the US. Including one guy from Humboldt State and a Japanese exchange student who attends Chico State! Small world!
Also one of my professors told us, her husband is a PhD from Univ. of Texas, Austin, she has one daughter attending Chico State, one in college in Germany and one in college in Scotland! Her 4th daughter is here in high school.
I am the only student in the program (and I think the whole school) over 25! Other tidbit, of the 25 or so kids here in my program only 4 are guys!! Lots of girls!!!
Time to head to school.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
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