It has been over a year....since my last post. I am now not only a student but a real live student teacher. My internship is in a local elementary school. My class is 2nd grade ESL. This internship has fallen perfectly into place, I got what I wanted and I am so happy. I am working with the sweetest group of kids and most are ELL's. There are at least 4 different first languages among the students; Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and English! My mentor is kind, helpful, supportive and a wonderful teacher.
In 1 week I will substitute for the first time for my mentor. I am excited and terrified all at once. I have never substituted before and I am going to jump in and see how it goes!
After all these years of going to school, I am closing in on the end, well, the teaching part. I still have 2 classes and another internship to complete my masters.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Fall 2008 is over!!
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
I am just so proud of myself. I just hope I can keep it up!!
Yipppeeee
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.
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