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
Monday, December 31, 2007
Me, Linda and Patsy
Me, Linda and Patsy. We are all students at University of Houston and we met at Kukulcan Spanish school in Cuernavaca, Mexico. We had so much fun sightseeing together. Now we are "Mujers de Jueves", meeting on Thurs when we can for breakfast!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Photos
Okay...I will be uploading my photos I take in Mexico on Flickr.com and some I will include in the blog. To see them all you will have to click on the link to the left "my photos on flickr". I am trying hard to find a smooth and easy way to upload as last time it was so difficult, I just stopped trying. I am going to try to blog more regularly for you and for me!!
"my photos on flickr"..use this link to the left to see photos not publish here....
"my photos on flickr"..use this link to the left to see photos not publish here....
Thursday, November 08, 2007
I am BACK on the blog
Well, it is been almost a year since I last added to this blog. Since then, I have taken more classes at UH, can now hold a conversation in Spanish, basic but I can do it, and went back to Kukulcan this past summer July 2007-Sept 07.
In January 2008 I am heading back to Mexico! I am so excited. One, as it will be more immersion experience and puts me closer to my goal of being fluent, and at the end of this semester I will GRADUATE from Univ. of Houston with my bachelors in Spanish!
This semester (fall 07)I have also started at University of Houston, Clear Lake for my teaching program. I picked UHCL as it is a much smaller campus and it is located about 8 mins. from my house. Unfortunately UHCL don't have the Spanish degree that I wanted so I have had to do the 30 mile commute for 4 semesters, except when I am in Mexico!
At UHCL I have about 12 classes to take to complete before I do my student teaching or as they call it here, student interning. So I have about 3/4 semesters going full time before I am actually in a classroom.
My dreams and goals are becoming a reality!! Who says hard work doesn't pay off!!! Because it does!!!
In January 2008 I am heading back to Mexico! I am so excited. One, as it will be more immersion experience and puts me closer to my goal of being fluent, and at the end of this semester I will GRADUATE from Univ. of Houston with my bachelors in Spanish!
This semester (fall 07)I have also started at University of Houston, Clear Lake for my teaching program. I picked UHCL as it is a much smaller campus and it is located about 8 mins. from my house. Unfortunately UHCL don't have the Spanish degree that I wanted so I have had to do the 30 mile commute for 4 semesters, except when I am in Mexico!
At UHCL I have about 12 classes to take to complete before I do my student teaching or as they call it here, student interning. So I have about 3/4 semesters going full time before I am actually in a classroom.
My dreams and goals are becoming a reality!! Who says hard work doesn't pay off!!! Because it does!!!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Oct 15-Nov 5, 2006 Weeks 4-5
Weeks 5 & 6
Oct 15 – Nov 5, 2006
Gotta get this blog caught up. What have I been doing these last couple weeks? Well, for one, surviving my “clase de español 4”. It has been the hardest of my classes so far. Mostly likely due to it being subjunctive, present and past. I basically understood present subjunctive, but had to learn the past! Lots of homework and studying. I managed B’s on all the exams, fortunately they also considered in my grade, homework and participation. So am pretty sure I am earning my A’s. I study so many hours for my B’s, I can’t imagine what I would get if I didn’t study 5 hours the night before my exams.
For fun, entertainment and speaking Spanish opportunities, I have done some sight seeing and some attempts. Two weekends ago, I decided to take my first journey alone. I wanted to see some Aztec ruins nearby. Sounded so easy. Rosalia, my host mom, made sure I knew which bus to take and what time. I was successful catching the bus the next morning. Problem was, since the name is in Azteca, I couldn’t say it, nor understand it if it was spoken. So I am on the big bus, heading out to the ruinas, except I wasn’t to sure where it would be so I counted on the bus driver stopping there and I was sure there would be a sign or something that would have the name. Well, never assume, right? Well after a hour bus ride, the bus stops, the driver gets up mumbles something I could barely hear, let alone understand. He walks the bus aisle, returns to his seat and starts driving away. Since I was a tad car sick, not really paying attention to what was going on, I peek out the window and see 2 taxis parked on the side of the road. Then I think, “Is that the stop?” after I see the taxis. I remember the tour book said, I would take a bus, and then go by taxi to the park. So I figure I will ask at the next stop. Well, that was 2.5 hours later, in some mountain town. So by then my panic has cleared, this is now an adventure. In this new bus station, I could buy a ticket to Taxco, another town I visited a few weeks back. I want to go back anyways for this silver armadillo that had seen but I didn’t buy it the first time. Also, thinking if I went to Taxco then I could have a round trip adventure, see the scenery. Wrong! I was so nauseated on the trip over the mountains to Taxco, I had my eyes closed the whole time (1.5 hours or so) trying not to barf, and I saw nothing. I was so happy when I arrived in Taxco! I stayed there about 3 hours, did some shopping, and bought my armadillo that will look so cute on desk at home! At 6pm, I got on another bus for Cuernavaca, and arrived back home about 8:30pm. My host family couldn’t believe my day and in the end never did see the Aztec ruinas!! I will try again in a couple weeks.
So..This past weekend, I visited Acapulco for 3 days with my host mom, Rosalia. She asked if she could come with me so that I would be safe and not be bored traveling alone. We had a great weekend, I think she really wanted to go, because she loves sitting on the beach as much as I do. Our hotel was nice, right on the beach; we had a room with a lovely view of the Pacific Ocean. We only did a little sight seeing and that was to see the cliff jumpers, that I remember seeing on TV when I was a little kid. That was the only touristy thing I wanted to do. Watching those 5 young men jump off the cliff was kind of worrisome for me as I know there are injuries from jumping, and I really didn’t want to see any blood! But they all dove safely into the water.
Aside from reading a book while sitting by the pool or walking on the beach, I was extremely content to just relax and enjoy the view. This past weekend was a national holiday for “El dia de muertos” or “Day of the dead”. So many Mexican families use this long weekend to head to the beach, just like me!! So to entertain all the tourists, there was an air show. The show lasted for about 4 hours on both Sat. and Sun. There was various planes of all ages, WWII vintage, to modern jets, performing tricks in the sky!! It was cool to sit by the pool and watch. Except for the final jet that did all these fly-bys and was so extremely loud, especially a few seconds after it pasted over. Then it really got loud!! I had to plug my ears!!
Since Rosalia doesn’t speak English, I had plenty of opportunity to practice. We didn’t have long in-depth conversations, as my Spanish isn’t that sophisticated, but we had many casual conversations over pina coladas and margaritas!! And…the hotel tried to tell me that breakfast was not included, well, in my best Spanish, I went to the front desk and demanded (nicely) my breakfast, as I had paid for them in my reservations. Since I got no where with her, I had to go find a internet café, and print off my reservations to prove my point. I returned back to the office lady, showed her my proof, of which she then gave my breakfast coupons. I was so proud of myself, that I achieved my breakfast goal, all in Spanish!!!
The best news of all…. is that Paul returned home last night (Nov 7)! The girls are thrilled to have a parent in the house. Caitlin wants free of taking care of everything and Korinn wants to be free of Caitlin running the house!! I am happy because I don’t have to worry so much about the girls. They have done really well alone, no major problems but it is nice to have Paul there, to handle any issues if they come up.
Till next time….
Oct 15 – Nov 5, 2006
Gotta get this blog caught up. What have I been doing these last couple weeks? Well, for one, surviving my “clase de español 4”. It has been the hardest of my classes so far. Mostly likely due to it being subjunctive, present and past. I basically understood present subjunctive, but had to learn the past! Lots of homework and studying. I managed B’s on all the exams, fortunately they also considered in my grade, homework and participation. So am pretty sure I am earning my A’s. I study so many hours for my B’s, I can’t imagine what I would get if I didn’t study 5 hours the night before my exams.
For fun, entertainment and speaking Spanish opportunities, I have done some sight seeing and some attempts. Two weekends ago, I decided to take my first journey alone. I wanted to see some Aztec ruins nearby. Sounded so easy. Rosalia, my host mom, made sure I knew which bus to take and what time. I was successful catching the bus the next morning. Problem was, since the name is in Azteca, I couldn’t say it, nor understand it if it was spoken. So I am on the big bus, heading out to the ruinas, except I wasn’t to sure where it would be so I counted on the bus driver stopping there and I was sure there would be a sign or something that would have the name. Well, never assume, right? Well after a hour bus ride, the bus stops, the driver gets up mumbles something I could barely hear, let alone understand. He walks the bus aisle, returns to his seat and starts driving away. Since I was a tad car sick, not really paying attention to what was going on, I peek out the window and see 2 taxis parked on the side of the road. Then I think, “Is that the stop?” after I see the taxis. I remember the tour book said, I would take a bus, and then go by taxi to the park. So I figure I will ask at the next stop. Well, that was 2.5 hours later, in some mountain town. So by then my panic has cleared, this is now an adventure. In this new bus station, I could buy a ticket to Taxco, another town I visited a few weeks back. I want to go back anyways for this silver armadillo that had seen but I didn’t buy it the first time. Also, thinking if I went to Taxco then I could have a round trip adventure, see the scenery. Wrong! I was so nauseated on the trip over the mountains to Taxco, I had my eyes closed the whole time (1.5 hours or so) trying not to barf, and I saw nothing. I was so happy when I arrived in Taxco! I stayed there about 3 hours, did some shopping, and bought my armadillo that will look so cute on desk at home! At 6pm, I got on another bus for Cuernavaca, and arrived back home about 8:30pm. My host family couldn’t believe my day and in the end never did see the Aztec ruinas!! I will try again in a couple weeks.
So..This past weekend, I visited Acapulco for 3 days with my host mom, Rosalia. She asked if she could come with me so that I would be safe and not be bored traveling alone. We had a great weekend, I think she really wanted to go, because she loves sitting on the beach as much as I do. Our hotel was nice, right on the beach; we had a room with a lovely view of the Pacific Ocean. We only did a little sight seeing and that was to see the cliff jumpers, that I remember seeing on TV when I was a little kid. That was the only touristy thing I wanted to do. Watching those 5 young men jump off the cliff was kind of worrisome for me as I know there are injuries from jumping, and I really didn’t want to see any blood! But they all dove safely into the water.
Aside from reading a book while sitting by the pool or walking on the beach, I was extremely content to just relax and enjoy the view. This past weekend was a national holiday for “El dia de muertos” or “Day of the dead”. So many Mexican families use this long weekend to head to the beach, just like me!! So to entertain all the tourists, there was an air show. The show lasted for about 4 hours on both Sat. and Sun. There was various planes of all ages, WWII vintage, to modern jets, performing tricks in the sky!! It was cool to sit by the pool and watch. Except for the final jet that did all these fly-bys and was so extremely loud, especially a few seconds after it pasted over. Then it really got loud!! I had to plug my ears!!
Since Rosalia doesn’t speak English, I had plenty of opportunity to practice. We didn’t have long in-depth conversations, as my Spanish isn’t that sophisticated, but we had many casual conversations over pina coladas and margaritas!! And…the hotel tried to tell me that breakfast was not included, well, in my best Spanish, I went to the front desk and demanded (nicely) my breakfast, as I had paid for them in my reservations. Since I got no where with her, I had to go find a internet café, and print off my reservations to prove my point. I returned back to the office lady, showed her my proof, of which she then gave my breakfast coupons. I was so proud of myself, that I achieved my breakfast goal, all in Spanish!!!
The best news of all…. is that Paul returned home last night (Nov 7)! The girls are thrilled to have a parent in the house. Caitlin wants free of taking care of everything and Korinn wants to be free of Caitlin running the house!! I am happy because I don’t have to worry so much about the girls. They have done really well alone, no major problems but it is nice to have Paul there, to handle any issues if they come up.
Till next time….
Monday, October 23, 2006
More photos
this is from inside the grand room we all lounge
around in, looking out into the garden.
from the lower level, looking up
around in, looking out into the garden.
from the lower level, looking up
photos.....
me looking down on the 2nd level of the school!
me w/my classmates, the second week of school.
The lady w/red hair is Claudia, who I did a lot of sight seeing with. She has now returned home in Quebeck.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Week 4
Oct. 15, 2006 - Oct 22, 2006
Hola Mis Amigas!!
I just returned from Mexico City. Had a really nice time. Saw lots. So much stuff it is crazy. My host family drove Claudia (other student in my school) and I over to Mex. City with them. The family took us directly to the hotel. Which was very nice, and we got a great rate at the hotel, the rate was $50 a night, so we split it. Juan Pablo, who works at school, got us some sort of deal, which was very nice as the hotel was normally very expensive!
I took lots of photos until my batteries died. I bought some new batteries from a street vendor. Unfortunately, they didn’t last long. I would post photos but my Internet connection is just to weak.
Our hotel was next to the Zocolo, or Constitution Square, middle of the historical dist. Wow, it is a really happening place. Concerts, street musicians, vendors etc. Stuff happening all day long and most of the night. Zocolo is basically the name of the major square of the district. Most every city/town here has a town square, all called Zocolo.
We took a bus tour of the city, on Sunday. There are some very lovely neighborhoods, artsy ones, and trendy ones. MC has it all. We went down one road that was the Rodeo Drive. All the expensive, exclusive shopping you could want if you’re into designer’s fashion. So many statues, monuments comminerating just about anything you can think of. There is a statue of George Washington, can't remember why but it was there!
I have shopped very little if at all for souvenirs. My house has to many souvenirs as it is, however, I did get a music cd in MC. This guy came into the restaurant I was at for lunch, he was playing an instrument very similar to a didgeridoo. You know that long horn thing from Australia. Anyways, this instrument is from the Mayan culture, and so it is native instrument from Mexico. Anyway, it was pretty cool music. On Sat. night I heard a street band, all Mexican rocking out w/ African drums. I have all the same instruments at home as they had!! Except we don’t know how to use them! They even had a couple girls doing African dances. It was cool to hear our drums in action!
Mex. City also has tons of museums. We visited the Museum of Anthropology, a huge incredible collection of artifacts from all the various cultures that have lived here over the centuries. The museum is huge, we only saw part of it, and that took 3 hours. Next time I will see more!!
Mexico is very proud of it ancient indigenous cultures especially the Aztec. Aztec is the general name of ancient culture, but the people were called, mexicas (may-hi-kahs). There are monuments to famous Aztecan leaders, words from the Aztecan language are everywhere. I can't say any of them either!
We only saw a small portion of this giant city, more to see next time.
As I finish up this 4th week and head into my 5th week. I am now starting to miss the familiar. Especially food. Everything I eat here has a name I know, but the food does not taste familiar at all. Drives me crazy at times. While in Mex. City, at a restaurant, I ordered "fillet mingnon" (sp?) thinking I would get a juicy steak...nope...I got an over cooked, chopped up beef, in some sort of gravy. I find it hard to believe that there was a steak in the gravy. I was so disappointed!! So I have told myself just deal with it. It is a foreign country after all. It will not be the same, no matter what, so learn to like it!! In fact, I spoke with a young man about it, and he felt the same way when he studied in the US. He said, US tacos just aren't as good as here, I had to laugh!! It is all in what we are used to.
School is going pretty well, but getting much harder. I am starting to study the little components of the language that make a sentence make sense. It is all so different than English. The students there that speak french, pick this stuff up so much faster than I. Mostly because the french language is structured exactly the same way. French conjugates verbs the same way, uses pronouns that same, and more. English conjugates so differently, english sentences are formed differently, there are just so many differences. I wonder if I will ever get it all straight in my head. Even though, at times, I just feel like a flop, I keep going...on and on...Never say NO!!
Forgive my spelling, my English and my Spanish somehow are merging. My teacher told me that is a phase of learning a 2nd language! First separate, then mixed, then separate, so I guess I am in phase 2!!!
more next week!
Hasta manana
Oct. 15, 2006 - Oct 22, 2006
Hola Mis Amigas!!
I just returned from Mexico City. Had a really nice time. Saw lots. So much stuff it is crazy. My host family drove Claudia (other student in my school) and I over to Mex. City with them. The family took us directly to the hotel. Which was very nice, and we got a great rate at the hotel, the rate was $50 a night, so we split it. Juan Pablo, who works at school, got us some sort of deal, which was very nice as the hotel was normally very expensive!
I took lots of photos until my batteries died. I bought some new batteries from a street vendor. Unfortunately, they didn’t last long. I would post photos but my Internet connection is just to weak.
Our hotel was next to the Zocolo, or Constitution Square, middle of the historical dist. Wow, it is a really happening place. Concerts, street musicians, vendors etc. Stuff happening all day long and most of the night. Zocolo is basically the name of the major square of the district. Most every city/town here has a town square, all called Zocolo.
We took a bus tour of the city, on Sunday. There are some very lovely neighborhoods, artsy ones, and trendy ones. MC has it all. We went down one road that was the Rodeo Drive. All the expensive, exclusive shopping you could want if you’re into designer’s fashion. So many statues, monuments comminerating just about anything you can think of. There is a statue of George Washington, can't remember why but it was there!
I have shopped very little if at all for souvenirs. My house has to many souvenirs as it is, however, I did get a music cd in MC. This guy came into the restaurant I was at for lunch, he was playing an instrument very similar to a didgeridoo. You know that long horn thing from Australia. Anyways, this instrument is from the Mayan culture, and so it is native instrument from Mexico. Anyway, it was pretty cool music. On Sat. night I heard a street band, all Mexican rocking out w/ African drums. I have all the same instruments at home as they had!! Except we don’t know how to use them! They even had a couple girls doing African dances. It was cool to hear our drums in action!
Mex. City also has tons of museums. We visited the Museum of Anthropology, a huge incredible collection of artifacts from all the various cultures that have lived here over the centuries. The museum is huge, we only saw part of it, and that took 3 hours. Next time I will see more!!
Mexico is very proud of it ancient indigenous cultures especially the Aztec. Aztec is the general name of ancient culture, but the people were called, mexicas (may-hi-kahs). There are monuments to famous Aztecan leaders, words from the Aztecan language are everywhere. I can't say any of them either!
We only saw a small portion of this giant city, more to see next time.
As I finish up this 4th week and head into my 5th week. I am now starting to miss the familiar. Especially food. Everything I eat here has a name I know, but the food does not taste familiar at all. Drives me crazy at times. While in Mex. City, at a restaurant, I ordered "fillet mingnon" (sp?) thinking I would get a juicy steak...nope...I got an over cooked, chopped up beef, in some sort of gravy. I find it hard to believe that there was a steak in the gravy. I was so disappointed!! So I have told myself just deal with it. It is a foreign country after all. It will not be the same, no matter what, so learn to like it!! In fact, I spoke with a young man about it, and he felt the same way when he studied in the US. He said, US tacos just aren't as good as here, I had to laugh!! It is all in what we are used to.
School is going pretty well, but getting much harder. I am starting to study the little components of the language that make a sentence make sense. It is all so different than English. The students there that speak french, pick this stuff up so much faster than I. Mostly because the french language is structured exactly the same way. French conjugates verbs the same way, uses pronouns that same, and more. English conjugates so differently, english sentences are formed differently, there are just so many differences. I wonder if I will ever get it all straight in my head. Even though, at times, I just feel like a flop, I keep going...on and on...Never say NO!!
Forgive my spelling, my English and my Spanish somehow are merging. My teacher told me that is a phase of learning a 2nd language! First separate, then mixed, then separate, so I guess I am in phase 2!!!
more next week!
Hasta manana
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Where am I?
I just realized, I not written anywhere on my blog...where I am...for those who don't know. I am attending a Spanish school called "Kukulcan", in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I am earning credits/units here towards my bachelors in Spanish from Univeristy of Houston. My classes are basically Spanish 3, 4, and 5. When I return to UH in January for the spring semester, I take Spanish 6, the final "learning spanish class". Starting Fall 2007, I start all my upper division courses, where it is expected that I will be more or less fluent as the classes will be Literature and history etc. If I don't have a good command of the language by next fall, I am in big trouble!! I have to do well here to achieve the progress I need to be prepared.
Cuernavaca is south west of Mexico City, about 75 miles or so. The nickname of this city is "eternal spring" as it is about 75-80 degrees in the day and 65-60 at night, year round. No humidity either!! This is the rainy season, rains most every evening, as well as thunder and lightening. It rains hard, but like Houston, not for long. Maybe a hour or 2. But since it really rains at night most of the time, it really doens't get in the way of much. I am in bed when it rains.
This city has a long history of being the vacation spot for all the elite of Mexico City. Many famous Mexican artists, politians etc have had homes here: ie: Frida Kahlo y Diego Riviera and many others. Cuernavaca is also the capitol city of this state, Morelos. So all the government offices are here. Naturally the politicans live here as well. They only way, I know there are around here as there is generally armed guards guarding the homes. All homes here are behind walls so one never knows what they look like. Unless, you walk by when the gates are open!!
The city is very pretty. Tons of flowering trees. Some are so beautiful. The color of the trees, just give the city such a nice feel inspite of the garbage issue.
Oh, I found out today, the garbage issue has only been happening for a month or so, and supposedly today it has a solution. So the mountains of garbage should be leaving soon.
Oh... I met another goal!! I finally all by myself, negioated my own taxi to get home from the mall. Now I know I can do it again!!!
hasta manana
Cuernavaca is south west of Mexico City, about 75 miles or so. The nickname of this city is "eternal spring" as it is about 75-80 degrees in the day and 65-60 at night, year round. No humidity either!! This is the rainy season, rains most every evening, as well as thunder and lightening. It rains hard, but like Houston, not for long. Maybe a hour or 2. But since it really rains at night most of the time, it really doens't get in the way of much. I am in bed when it rains.
This city has a long history of being the vacation spot for all the elite of Mexico City. Many famous Mexican artists, politians etc have had homes here: ie: Frida Kahlo y Diego Riviera and many others. Cuernavaca is also the capitol city of this state, Morelos. So all the government offices are here. Naturally the politicans live here as well. They only way, I know there are around here as there is generally armed guards guarding the homes. All homes here are behind walls so one never knows what they look like. Unless, you walk by when the gates are open!!
The city is very pretty. Tons of flowering trees. Some are so beautiful. The color of the trees, just give the city such a nice feel inspite of the garbage issue.
Oh, I found out today, the garbage issue has only been happening for a month or so, and supposedly today it has a solution. So the mountains of garbage should be leaving soon.
Oh... I met another goal!! I finally all by myself, negioated my own taxi to get home from the mall. Now I know I can do it again!!!
hasta manana
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