The front house is my house and the 2 houses behind belong to two daughters and their families.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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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