Normal

So as an educator, normal is not a word that is allowed.

However, I wanted to make a list of things that seemed different to me when I arrived (or before other Latin American trips) that now seem normal.   And since they are actually the norm, I figure I can say normal?

Driving

-seatbelts are so optional

-car seats don't exist

-there are no defined lanes on most streets and roads, but that actually makes life easier

-drivers observe their own personal speed limits

-u-turns are (almost) always okay

-places in the median for left turns can be occupied by up to three people at a time in each direction (this saves the left lane from having to stop and wait)

School

-the school day in public school is 8-12:30 (ish)

-private schools typically have a longer day (at least at the elementary level) lasting until 1 or 2

-kindergarten is not obligatory

-elementary school (primaria) includes grades 1-6

-middle school (secundaria) is grades 7-9 (called first second and third!)

-high school (preparatoria) is grades 10-12

-there are two school turnos, or shifts, at most schools

-many teachers teach both turnos, but typically in different buildings

-morning shift and afternoon shift schools in the same building go by different names

-all classrooms have direct access to outside (instead of a hallway) and are usually not all located within one building

-English teachers piece together their schedules to "fill up their timecard" as opposed to working all at one place all week

-nothing starts on time (this is not really unique to school, but it applies)

-every Monday morning is the designated time for honores (pledge, national anthem, announcements) and the whole school gathers in the central PE area

-child supervision is optional (as a matter of fact, there was a conversation during recreo the other day about how teachers are not responsible for anything- harm that comes a kid's way, etc)

Food

-Mexicans eat a hearty breakfast and lunch with an optional light dinner.

-breakfast might be when you wake up, but more likely it's closer to ten

-lunch is at 2pm at the earliest

-dinner is at 8 at the absolute earliest

-Culichis (being from Culiacán) love sushi

-sushi can be served fried if you wish

-vegetables are a rarity in the Mexican diet

-lettuce in Mexico is often limp

-taco meat comes in many varieties including head (cabeza) and stomach (tripa)

-refrigeration is optional for most things (boxed milk, leftovers, lettuce, eggs)

-lemon and salt flavors are preferred to sweet things

-chocolate is rare

-on the rare occasion that a Mexican wants something sweet, their preference is typically a fruit flavored cake or treat

That is all for now.  I will include more "normal" things in different categories later!

Going out with Alma

It didn't happen and I'm not sure why.  She told me she'd call. I  could've called her to confirm (which is probably what I should've done since that seems to be Mexican custom), but in truth I was happy to not have to go out.  I would've gone if they'd called- and I would've had a good time, but I was glad to have an excuse to just be home, tidy up a teeny bit, and get in bed with no obligations of dressing cute of putting on makeup!

I slept in this morning until about 10:30 and stayed in bed catching up on my New York Times articles.  I decided to go to the bus station to look for some Christmas gifts for you people because there were stands set up the entire length of the bus station with vendors from all over Mexico when I left for and returned from Tucson.  There were scarves/gloves/mittens sets, ice cream, pots and pans, Mexican looking embroidered shirts, pottery, jewelry, candles, and anything else you could think of.  I drove to the bus station (so much faster in a car-15 minutes compared to the hour I allow by bus with a transfer downtown) and made it there with no errors!  I was very proud.

I pulled into the parking lot noticing that it would be 17 pesos for up to an hour.  I went in an immediately noticed the empty feeling.  I guess the market had closed shop.  Knowing I had about 58 more minutes of parking for my pesos, I decided just to walk and examine the shops that are in the bus station.  I don't have a lot of leisure time when I'm there usually, or else I'm loaded down with suitcases and a much too heavy backpack.  These stores are full of the typical cheap stuff that you don't want: food, cell phone cards, candy for piñatas, piñatas, shoes, and clothes.

I stopped in the piñata/candy shop because I saw posters.  There were about 20 different posters that were ideal for teachers.  I bought 8 posters (15 pesos each) for my classroom at home.  They have just Spanish on the front, and on the back there is the same picture with Spanish and English.  I got one on body parts, seasons, body systems, transportation, and four others that I can't remember.  Not bad for 10 bucks.  I can't wait to take them home, laminate them, and use them!

Since I had a late breakfast, I'm going to try to jump start my exercise program again.  I was going to just enjoy life until I got back after Christmas, but while shopping for my husband yesterday, I found a scale, too.  I'm not happy with the result.  After all my hard work with yoga and eating habits all last spring, I'm back to where I started.  I am not happy with that!

So, I'll be attempting to do something moving every day (which I should be doing anyway), and I"ll be attempting to cut out those popsicles at school and unnecessary Oxxo trips for sweets.  My llanta (tire) won't go away by Christmas, but maybe it'll figure out that I mean business and be ready to go away in January or February!

Wish me luck- the food down here is SO INCREDIBLE.  It's hard to pass up!

At long last, I found my husband!

After the Raspacho, I decided to head to walmart.  There were a few things I still wanted for my room, including a lamp to get rid of the Blair Witch feeling when I video call.

In all of Wal-mart, no lamps.  Weird.  And not a lot of help either.  I asked several people and they said possibly where the lightbulbs are, but they looked at me like I was crazy for asking for help!  I had scoured the lightbulb section, so I left lampless.

I did, however, find my husband.

When I conveniently have internet service at the house, sometimes I have to sit "just so" to make the signal stronger.  I have battled with using my laundry basket as a (too-high) desk.  I have sat on the staircase sweating to get a few emails or chats sent.  But typically, I'm sitting on my bed with my Tempur-pedic pillow as a back support.  Any of you with Tempur-pedics know that they form to your head when you sleep.  Obviously the same happens as a back support.  My pillow continues forming itself to both me and the iron rods behind me that serve as my headboard.  Eventually I'm pressed up against the rods and have a serious aching in my back, not to mention a strain in my neck from the angle of my laptop and sensitive abs from trying to hold everything in the right position (though the ab "exercise" is doing me no good physically!).

I have thought since I got here that I needed a pillow to use on my bed much like the one I have at home: the kind that has "arms" and you rest up against a wall or headboard for support while sitting.

When I was a freshman at Lipscomb, I met some girls early on who had completely coordinated their dorm room.  They were a random match (meaning they didn't know each other before), but were perfectly suited and had gone to great lengths to have a cute room.  On their beds were these pillows, matching or coordinating, I don't remember.  At any rate, they are the ones who first introduced me to the term husband for these pillows.  

So I found my husband, light brown and 150 pesos (less than 15 bucks thanks to the exchange rate!) at Walmart.  I am a much happier blogger these days (when I have service!).

Raspacho's

That's the name of the "company" that has the stands that sell the drink raspados that I love so much.  They're the icee like things.  You can get raspados from lots of vendors (and individuals out of coolers at their own stands), but Mabel says Raspachos is the best, and based on the other two places I've tried them, I believe her!

I got a hankering for one yesterday.  I usually do whenever we visit Papá, but Mabel is usually driving.  The stand is not on a main street and it's several turns from Papá's house.  I decided to be brave again and attempt to make my way around Culiacán.  I knew I could make it to Papá's; it was the turns and small streets that would follow that I was worried about!

I was traveling down Malecón (I'm not sure if that's the official name of the street or just a description indicating by water) and my plan was foiled!  The road was closed and I needed to go a little farther before Papá's exit.  I veered off to the right and saw familiar stuff but wasn't really sure why it was familiar.  Mom, you feel me here.  I was in the far right lane, so even though I knew at one point Mabel and I had taken a left at this intersection (and that that should line me back up in the direction to Papá's), I couldn't turn left.  I stayed straight knowing I would pull a u-y (how do you spell that?  youee?  who knows...) to get back to where I was, and what did I see?  The Raspachos stand.

The first one I ever had was plum and it was good.  I branched out a few trips later and tried the pineapple-phenomenal.  This time, I wanted pineapple, but also wanted to be adventurous.  I got mango and was a very satisfied customer; not only had I made it to my destination, but I was rewarded with a delicious new concoction!

Winter Wonderland

Being in Mexico, music is more important than ever.  I was never an iPod maniac in the US, but I really put mine to good use here.  I listen to it on the bus or on trips.  I have downloaded several Spanish songs that are popular here right now.  In the touch of a button, I can feel like I'm in Nashville, or I can prepare my brain for Spanish speaking.

iTunes has an amazing feature of a free song each week.  You know I take advantage of that sucker!

This week was Tony Bennett's Winter Wonderland.  I just listened to it to get in the Christmas mood; it's hard to get in that mood with spaghetti straps on.  Mind you, in Nashville, I'm a bit of a scrooge.  I love Christmas.  I love making my list to give to Grandmother, but more so I love making my list of what I'll buy for my friends and family...  I love wrapping and decorating (my Christmas wreath stays up well past Valentine's Day!).  

I do not love Christmas Carols.  They are reserved, in my mind, for Mom's house on Christmas Eve when the Thurmans are over.  They are not meant for the malls, the radio, and definitely not for before December 1.

However, I enjoyed listening to Tony this morning.  I don't plan on hearing his voice daily, or even weekly, but it was fun getting in the mood.  I've assembled both Christmas lists (what to ask for and what to buy) and I've made progress on my purchases.  Maybe I'll knock a little more out today!

Cumpleaños tras cumpleaños

The birthday girl is seated dead center.  Alma is to her left beside me.  Karina is standing second from left and Ocyé is beside her in the yellow shirt.

Alma, don't remember his name, me, Quinanzia (key-NANcy-uh), don't remember his name

Quinanzia and I had plenty of conversation which was fun.

Seems like it's one birthday party after another.  If it's not for one of Cosette's classmates, it's a dinner party for a friend of Mabel's or Alma's.

There was an era (must've been my first senior year) that I would give Kate Whitfield a lot of grief because it seemed literally every time I called her or she called me that she was out with friends at a 21st birthday party.  It happened so often that for at least a year after that I would answer her calls not with hello, but with "Whose birthday party are you at right now?"

That's sort of how I feel here.

Which is fine.

So while at Forum today, Alma texted me about the birthday party of a friend of hers from her Saturday job (PISI- not sure the actual letters, but it's the English program on Saturdays for elementary kids in the city) at Wings Army, a restaurant across from Forum.

At 9:45, she was calling me and was outside the house.  Pleasantly surprised at her promptness, and luckily ready, I double checked for my house key and left.

We headed straight there and it was good to see her again.  I haven't seen her since the beginning of October!

We chatted on the way to the restaurant and I must revise my statements about how no one does anything during the week in Culiacán...  Alma was in Mazatlán all weekend for some conference with these PISI people and then was out every night of the week with one friend or another until 1am.  I just live in the early to bed household.  I'm not going to say that I'm going to go out every weeknight, but I'll be willing to do it if the opportunity presents itself.  I was tired this week, and I ended up still having one of my (if not the) best teaching weeks so far in Mexico.

So we got there and joined the table of 8 or so.  We of course went around the table, met each person and gave the saludo (greeting) kiss.  Then we sat and ordered.  We split an order of lemon pepper chicken fingers, celery and carrots, and french fries.  it was delicious I must admit.  It was bar food, but it was upper end bar food.

More people came, including Karina and Ocyé (these are the girls that I went out with in September dancing when I first met Alma).  They had another engagement, so they had to leave early, but not without telling me to ask Alma to go to Kuvva (the place we danced last time til 4am) and not without telling Alma to get me to go out with them tomorrow night.

Too funny.

Someone had brought a cake, so we sang Las Mañanitas (the actual traditional happy birthday song) and enjoyed it with our hands (since it's a wings and chicken fingers place, they have no forks-interesting)!

On the way home, Alma and I discussed the plan for tomorrow night, which was for me to wait to hear from her.  It should be fun.

I was tired and doubting that I really wanted to go out tonight (or tomorrow night), but I'm so glad I did and I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.

I feel like I don't have my own friends here.  I'm happy, and Mabel's family is amazing, but I have felt like a visiting friend if that makes sense.

When Mabel left for Tucson, I felt like we were becoming actual friends instead of roommates for a year because she was so excited and such.  I think when she gets back, we'll have fun going through her purchases and talking about the US, like friends.

Alma is Shania's friend, and that's why she "does me the favor" of letting me tag along, but it felt like I was starting to make them my friends tonight.  The PISI folks were all strangers, and I may never see them again.  But when Karina and Ocyé came in and greeted me, Karina said, "What a miracle to see you again!"  They were as excited as I was to see them.  I think we'll hang out more now.  Which is exciting.

Tomorrow will no doubt be a late night with interesting stories.  I better rest up!

This weekend

I texted Alma (Shania's friend, not the sister) to let her know I was in town for the weekend and was up for hanging out (even though sitting on my bum, cleaning my room, and napping all sound really good) and she texted me back saying there is a birthday party at a restaurant called Wings Army tonight at 9:40.  To invite Mabel and she could come get me/us if need be.

I told her Mabel was in Tucson but that I'd like to go.

Based on Alma's past behavior, I'm guessing she'll come pick me up about 10:30.

Since it's Friday and not Saturday, and she works tomorrow, I think it'll be an early night (early=before 4am!), but who knows?!

Tomorrow is the baptism of Papá's godson, and I may go with him and Maricela.  We'll see.

That's not until 2:30.

My plans for Sunday are church and lesson plans.  If I don't do much tomorrow with Papá and Maricela, I might do lesson plans then and take a day trip somewhere on Sunday.

We shall see.

Hello Kitty, Goodbye Kitty.

Thursday is a day I'm supposed to have 5th and 6th grade.  Yesterday, however, I got caught up in 5th grade, we were doing a tricky activity, and time slipped away.  I only had about 7 minutes for 6th grade, so I just didn't go.  I asked the 5th grade teacher if I could go to 6th grade on Friday (a day I don't normally have them) instead of 5th since I'd missed them.  She said that was fine.

When in DF, Jen, a Fulbright teacher in Jilotepec (a very small town north of DF) shared a Thanksgiving book with us.  It's Hello Kitty Gives Thanks.  A few days later, she emailed us the whole book that she had scanned.  I had my doubts, since my kids don't do well with things they're not familiar with!  I'm excited to do a TPRS (teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling) lesson with this, which basically means you simplify the text and repeat key phrases that you want the students to learn (writing them on the board for further exposure).  Then, you have them help you re-tell the story using the notes you've taken on the board.  Finally, you let them make a story board with pictures and text.

It works really well, but it is a lot of work on the teacher.

I got to 6th grade today, knowing I would have less than 20 minutes with them due to the early dismissal plan.  I got the computer set up (they have a projector as does 5th grade) and pulled up the front cover.  "Hello Kitty!" they all shouted!

I was glad they recognized it.

We only had time for about 4 of the 18 pages, but they were more than attentive.  They loved reading the words, and I did my best to act out some of the pictures for them for clarification.  After those pages, I asked them how much they were understanding.  A little bit was the general response.  Given that I only read the book to them instead of presenting it in full TPRS form, I was proud.  I had been hesitant and really nervous to do this lesson.  Now I'm very excited to have the opportunity to continue it.

As I was getting into Mabel's car at the end of the day, I saw some 6th graders.  "Miss Laura, are we going to keep reading Hello Kitty on Monday?"  "Yes."  A huge smile followed.

What a successful day.

4th grade

Recreo was low key.  It was overcast, so all the teachers sat outside chatting.  I was pretty mellow (I'm still tired from Juan Show and from waiting in the Forum parking lot last night) and Martha (other 1st grade teacher who took me to bus station for my first trip to Tucson) asked me if I were okay, that I seemed serious today.

I told her I was just tired and needed ice cream, so I got a popsicle.

I went from there to 4th grade, where I started a project with them.  The fourth grade Spanish club at Lockeland is writing a book in Spanish to my students.  My students will write a book in English to them.  This is all part of an initiative by the International Reading Association (or maybe Tennessee).  They gave me $200.00 to spend on materials if I would help them and let them see pictures, etc of this book exchange.

I quickly bought up $150 worth of big books for my classroom.

Now, I'm so thankful for those books.  And the kids are so excited (while also dreading having to actually use their English) to be in contact with my students.  I got to discuss some of the differences with them (class size, school building, classroom contents, etc), and that's fun.

In the middle of this lesson, they told me that school was ending at 12.  How could I forget that it was the end of the month and they'd be getting their checks and leaving early to go cash them?!

Ugh.

2nd & 3rd grade happenings

I gave back tests in second grade and had a really good lesson with them.  Probably they were energized from playing for an hour before I got them.  Also, some parents were still outside the door.  Maybe they were putting on a show.  After the parents left, though, it continued to go really well.  I felt I knew all their names, they were attentive, and I taught the lesson in the book without teaching from the book.  They have learned 8 professions and are having to learn to use "not" correctly.

They have no previous use of sentences.  I started by drawing myself on the board and wrote: Miss Laura is a __________.  I put my hand up like I had a tray in my hand (our motion to symbolize waiter) and they played into my hand saying "waiter."  I pointed back at my sentence and drawing and asked if Miss Laura is a waiter.  "No!" they all shouted.  "Miss Laura is a ______," I reiterated and they said "teacher."

Done.

I asked for examples of some of their parents' jobs and they offered nurse and waiter.  I drew the pictures of their family members and wrote the sentences.  "Dayana's mom is a ____.  Jesús Eduardo's mom is a _______."

They easily filled in the blanks for me.  I then changed the word in the blanks.  "Dayana's mom is a chef?" I asked?  "No!"  

From there, it was easy to incorporate "She is not a police officer.  She is not a chef."

It felt good to be successful while teaching what I should from the book without using the book.

These are the kind of things that you can plan, but plans usually don't cut it.  Teachers' best ideas (in my mind) come in the moment.  The beauty is, you can use it again the following year (usually, when not on a one-year assignment).

Time flew with this group (also a good sign), so I journeyed on to third grade.

In there, we're studying clothing and the grammar for the unit is "______'s wearing a _____, _____ and ______."

Getting them to use the complete sentences is a hard task in whatever language, but I was encouraged from second grade and ready to take on anything.

Again, I didn't let them get their books out (They have a tendency to be overly ambitious and try to do the work without listening to the lesson or waiting for me to explain- obviously this causes comprehension problems!  I have found that if I can start teaching before they even think to get their books out, that they learn so much more and listen more attentively.) and started by pulling up students one at a time and asking the class what they were wearing by name (What's Rosita wearing?  What's Gerson wearing?).  When they answered me, I put it in a complete sentence on the board.  I wrote the question on the board and continued through about 5 students.  Of course all wanted to participate, but with uniforms, I had to choose those students out of dress code (which has no consequence here).  They did a really good job with it and the book actually had a decent comprehension activity.  I was very proud of them (and myself!).

While I was in the middle of that lesson, Anabel (the 1st grade teacher who is so funny but doesn't always seem to be attentive to her kids, who knows quite a bit of English and who uses yelling as her first and only line of defense) came and asked me if I could step outside for a second (here is where they put thumb and forefinger almost together like "a little bit" and in Mexican that means can you come here for just a second).  I did and she said they were working on math today in her class.  In the pictures of the math books were school supplies.  Their word problems, I suppose, included school words.  What are we currently studying in 1st grade?

She said that Carlos Jovany (the one I wrestled with on his first day) and Lucano (my little twerp) and some others were calling out the names of the items in English.  And they were having so much fun with it.

That, combined with two amazing classes and opening good communication with the parents, made my day!

2nd grade mamas

As I said, when I got to school, there were kiddos all around.  The 2nd grade moms had a meeting with Rocio their teacher and the principal.

I was early, so I sat down to email and the principal came in and asked if I could join them.  I got all nervous, but of course obliged.  

He gave me a few minutes to explain what my English class was like and what I expected from the kids.  I explained how I was grading (since their tests grades are atrocious).  They had some suggestions that I was unaware were even possible (posting a class list with their grades outside- illegal in the US, but standard procedure to keep the parents in the loop here) and we ended on a very good note.  Rocio asked if I could bring my yearbook to show the parents the difference between Lockeland and Rafael Buelna.  The principal had some nice things to say about how lucky they were to have me and how he hoped the parents would help the kids take advantage of a year with a native speaker.

Then Rocio got up and complimented my teaching.  She ended up saying that she yells more than I do, and I disagree.  I feel like she walks in and the angels sing, but I took it as a compliment.  She's probably right because I try not to yell at all.  That's so not a good idea in the US (not to mention it's bad management), so I give them time to do what I've asked.  Then I repeat a mantra (I can't listen to you; you didn't raise your hand.  I can't listen to you; you didn't raise your hand.) until they get it.  In her mind, I probably do yell less.  In my mind, they don't listen until I raise my voice, and I do it way more often than I would ever even consider in Nashville.

But I'm getting there.

Driving to and from school

Based on last night at Forum (again, the anticipation!), I was a little scared to take the car out this morning.  But I did it anyway.  That's why Mabel left it for me.  If she hadn't wanted me to use it, she wouldn't have offered, and would've left it at her dad's house.

I enjoyed driving to school, though my route was much more direct than the bus (I had to think about where I was and which way to turn).  Morning traffic is not my favorite, and I don't know if I'd want to drive to school everyday, but I did enjoy it.

As I was pulling up to school, there were no parking spaces so I parked on the street and prayed the car would be there at 12:30.  There were kids everywhere even though it was 8:30.  There was a parents' meeting for 2nd grade, so the kids were all about unsupervised.

Coming home, I really enjoyed just getting in the car and driving to the mall.  It was faster and quieter, though I got caught up in some u-turn situations.  I was thinking as I was driving how I would feel more like I lived here if I had a car.  I by no means need one, with Mabel driving me hither and yon and with a growing knowledge of the bus system, but since the bus is something I never do in Nashville, it emphasizes that I am not here forever-that this is not my life.

It felt good to just get in my car and drive home (or to the mall), like I do in Nashville.

The car behaved, by the way.

Tests

This week has been test heavy since I've given a test to both groups of 1st graders as well as to second grade.  I would like to be giving more tests to get it over with (I'm very behind in all groups besides 1st), but I hate the tests, so I don't hurry to get to them!

I thought the tests were getting better as I was giving them, but the results showed me why I hate the tests.  The tests are just ten questions and they're kind of obscure.  The students have to read and respond (I read it to them, but they're just not used to that, so it doesn't seem to help much).  In class, I don't teach in a read and write format.  I expose them plenty to the written word, and they have to do some writing in their workbooks, but my class is mostly listen and understand coupled with speaking.  This is a culture of read, write, copy, memorize, so it's hard for me to teach in a way that they can be successful on a read, write, copy, memorize test and still be successful in my classroom and speaking.

I'm putting my eggs in the actual communication basket, though, and not looking back!

Forum

By the time the gas man left, I knew I was too tired to go to yoga, but I wondered if I'd be able to sleep through the night if I went to bed at 5:15.  I decided to venture into the city and see if I could find my way around.  The way the streets are set up, you have to do a lot of U-turns to get where you're going, so it seems bigger than it is.  I was surprised and just how small and maneuverable it was.

I made my way back to my side of town and decided to hit up the internet at Forum mall for a bit while I could.  I pulled into the free parking area (which is farther of course than the paid parking) and headed to the food court.  I chatted some and then headed back out to my car.

That was another adventure, and I ended up typing another blog entry in Word while in the car.  I didn't get it copied and pasted at school, so you'll have to wait until Monday to read about it, but the anticipation with be worth it!

The Damsel in Distress and the Gas Man

Around 4:30, I heard a knock on the door and was glad to hear it!

I re-gave them all the information: how much I wanted, what type it was, the name on the account.

I also asked if they could light the pilot for me when they were finished.  Gas is a scary thing in my book, and I don't want anything to do with it even in TN, where I can confidently read all the warnings, etc.  They said sure and then climbed on up to the roof.

Within ten minutes, they were ready to light my pilot.  

One guy went to another house to give them gas while the second guy helped me.

He went out back and asked for a lighter.

Aw, gees.

Um, where could a lighter be?

I couldn't find one anywhere.  Not in the kitchen, not in Mabel's room, and not even in the car!

I asked the guy to kindly wait (a big favor in my book) while I ran crazily around the neighborhood in search of a lighter.  I had a cold shower on my mind and was willing to do just about anything to avoid that!  Finally I found a stranger across the street who was working in her "yard" and asked her.  She was not the least bit friendly, but she did have a lighter. 

I went running back to our house and gave it to the guy.  Mabel had told me that sometimes it doesn't take when they've just put gas in.  But I needed gas!

:)

He had a terrible time getting it to take, but eventually it worked.

I was excited about the possibility of cooking my portobellos and veggies, not to mention a hot shower!!!!

Thanksgiving Thursday, cont'd

Mabel was leaving yesterday for Tucson at 2pm on a charter bus (I remembered the word this time!) from Walmart, conveniently located on our street.  I got home around 1:05, as usual, to an empty house.  She had borrowed my extra large rolling duffle from LLBean that I had bought specifically for this trip in case she went shopping crazy.  It was next to the door with the rest of her things (study guides for the English test she will have to take for a scholarship for which she's applying for next summer, fruit-I hope she knows she has to eat it all before the stops in the towns, two sandwiches, and some warm clothes for the bus).  Around 1:30 she came running in and it was really funny to see her scattered.  When I was getting ready to leave for Mexico, Megan was surprised at just how scattered I could get, since I typically have a much more laid-back persona.  That's how I felt with Mabel yesterday.  She was just flitting about and wondering if she needed her pillow (I demanded that she take it) and grabbing her drinks from the fridge and on and on.  Around 1:45, we left the house to drop her at McDonald's.  This is her first time out of the country.  I am so excited for her, even if it is just a shopping trip to Tucson with 40 other Mexicans.  I think she'll take advantage of her English (and maybe she'll see what it feels like).  

In the Walmart parking lot, we said our goodbyes, gave our despedida (the opposite of a salutation, the act of saying goodbye) kiss, and I left with her car.  She told me she had left me with it in case I wanted to go to a bar, the super, whatever.

Cosette was with her dad's parents all weekend.

I left Mabel there and got gas (she left it empty, which is fine since I use her gas all the time) before heading to Mega, the huge super that's kind of like SuperWalmart without being Walmart (though knowing Walmart, it's probably owned by them!).

I spent over an hour there, just browsing.  I knew I wanted to buy some things- vegetables mainly, but mostly I just wanted to see what they had to offer.

Well, I found it.  I bought a Christmas CD, a Shel Silverstein book in Spanish, Spanish Uno (lose a turn, etc are in Spanish, too), as well as portobello mushrooms, peppers, raisins and cheese for my salads, and a new box of milk.

I spent more than I had intended, but I figured I'd be glad to have the non-food stuff.

As I left there, I called the Gas Man because we were out of gas.  Mabel had told me that on Wednesday night.  There would be no hot showers or cooking until they came to refill our gas on the roof.  I called them and gave all the information: how much we wanted, what type of system we had, the address, the name on the account, etc.  They told me they would be there that afternoon.  Tarde is afternoon in Spanish, but it means pretty much from 1 pm until what we call night-7ish.

I was exhausted from Juan Show the night before, but didn't want to sleep through the gas and have to have a cold shower, so I busied myself cleaning my room and such...

Meet the Fam

Well, I've done plenty of talking about them, so you might as well see their faces while you read about them.  The big picture to the left is: (L-R) me, Mabel, Alma, Maricela, Papá Jaime.

This is taken in their "garage."  They have a gated driveway, which is not like it sounds.  I suppose it's more like a carport with a security gate.  It's still not like it sounds, but it's too hard for me to explain.  Maricela and Papá had painted some very large clay pots a few weeks ago.  I think Alma was a helper in making it into a garden so to speak.  So that's where we are.  This was taken before Juan Show.  Carlos (Mari's boyfriend) took the picture.  I'll give you a snippet about each, just to jog your memory.  

Mabel: 28; I live with her; Cosette is her only daughter; recently divorced; super early to bed; super early to rise; While she goes to bed long before 9:30 on weeknights, she saves up her energy and parties until late all weekend.  Even if it's not a "party," she likes to hang out, smoke a few cigarettes and drink a few beers after a long week of working.

Alma: 25; although this picture may not do her justice, she is striking; works as a dancer (All types from ballet to salsa to whatever is needed in the theater) but earns extra cash as a model; hilarious story-teller; was engaged until this summer when she called it off because she loved her work too much (her ex is form Culiacán and she would've had to have moved back), lives in Mexico City, is always willing to teach me something new; is so much fun!

Maricela: 22, "Mari"; has boyfriend, Carlos; is also striking, though I think that's obvious in the picture; takes care of her dad (cooks, cleans, pays the bills with his money even at restaurants), is a dental student who will graduate in January and wants to move to the border to set up a clinic.

Papá Jaime: 57 (58 on Sunday); anti-Obama; wants me to "know" Culiacán and makes sure I experience everything possible-mostly food; is a retired ob-gyn but still practices out of his house; is either a little crazy, a little older than his age, or is more affected by beer than he thinks.

So that's the fam.

When Mabel went inside to get something, Papá demanded that we keep taking pictures.  So here I am with the two other sisters, first Maricela and then Alma.

They all look so different to me, and none of them really like Papá Jaime or the picture I've seen of their Mom.  

Of course Cosette was at the neighbor's house when we went out, so she didn't make it into the family portrait.  But I have plenty of pictures of her and I'm guessing there will be many more to come!

Juan Show

So when we were at Papá's house on Tuesday, he was pumped up about the Juan Show.  Apparently there's a guy who impersonates someone named Juan Gabriel (I think) who is a famous Mexican singer.  Once a week he impersonates him at this bar and sings and does a comedy act.  Supposedly he sounds just like him.

We were supposed to get there at 9.  At ten til 8, Mabel poked her head into my room to suggest an 8:00 departure time from the house.  She had just dropped Cosette off at a neighbor's house.  I scurried to get ready (just had to change clothes since I was pretty from school that day).  I decided to wear a new $8 dress I had bought in Tucson.

We left the house and got to Papá's around 8:20.  No one was there.  Not one soul.  Not Maricela.  not Alma.  Not Papá.

Interesting.  

In we went and sat.  Mabel didn't have any credit on her phone, so she called Maricela from my phone to see what was up.  I hear her laughing, suggesting that someone is pregnant, and then telling her to hurry.

I grill her after she gets off the phone.

Maricela and Alma have gone to Malecón (where I used to run) to buy some papas locas (crasy potato chips- and they WERE crazy, though typically Mexican with lots of stuff mixed in) and some icee-like beverages with chile (chili powder which they put on LOTS of things).

Papá was at some friend's house.

Alma and Maricela came in and were ready but had non-straightened hair.  They got to straightening it and Carlos walked in (Maricela's BF).  Alma started telling stories fmor tehir childhood.  They all had their own beds, Mabel has told me, but they were all in the same room.  Alma started talking about how their mom used to straighten their hair on the bed.  They would have to hang their heads over the sides of the bed while she did it.  They would roll over into new positions to make sure she got it all.  There were some very funny parts to the story, and as Alma is a master story teller, we were all in the floor laughing at her.  One story led to another (including a visit to the Consulate to secure permission to go to Chicago one year with her mom), and thought Carlos and I were outsiders, we got a laugh out of it, too.  The girls laughed way more than we did, but we all enjoyed ourselves.

Papá finally waltzed in around 10, having been at the house of his new god-son.  The girls let him have it for being as old as he is (56, 57 on Sunday) and just now becoming a godfather again.

He changed his shirt and off we went.

Carlos has a pregnant truck as Bridget likes to call it (four door-the kind with a backseat), so we all climbed in.  Four girls in back; the men up front.

We got to the place, found parking, and headed in.  Papá, as usual, paid the cover (50 pesos a head).  Maricela, the genius, had brought a basically empty purse because it looked cute, but without her ID.  They said she could go in , but no one could order while she was there until she went back home to get it.  We went in while Carlos and Mari returned home.

We decided on a table where we would be able to see.  At this point there was NO TROUBLE seeing as the place was EMPTY.

We sat and Alma ordered some chicken wings and fries for the table (she was who Mabel was accusing of being pregnant for her hefty appetite- I figure she's just starving from being on a dancer's diet all her life- coupled with her light-headedness she had complain about to Papá) as well as carne fría.  That sounded interesting: cold meat.  Hot dogs.  Everywhere I go they're eating hot dogs!  It was cut up hot dogs, cut up processed ham, cheese and olives served with toothpicks.  Bleh!

Mabel ordered her signature winter drink: tequila and squirt.  The rest of the table got a bucket of beers.  Alma poured her beer into a glass of lemon juice, soy sauce and something else, rimmed in chile.  Also yuk.  I tried it.  Not a fan, though it doesn't taste like beer.

I had a Coca Light.

ARound 11:25, still no Juan, so Papá asked.  He was supposed to be there in 20 minutes.  Rrrright.  Mañana.

They ordered another bucket of beers.

At 12:15, in he walked.  He was not my favoritre singer, and aside from the fact that humor is hard in another language, he didn't speak very clearly.

Papá and Alma were not big fans either.  Alma has been ruined by "the big city" so that no show is good enough, but if I were a dancer in a Broadway equivalent, I would be the same.

During the show, Alma kept us entertained with more stories.  All her stories are about DF, which could be annoying if you were so proud of Culiacán and disappointed that your sister had moved.  They just laugh at her stories about getting stuck between people on the subway so that you get dragged off at a stop you don't want to just because it's so full you can't move!  She had gestures to go with, which makes the story!

She also tried to teach Carlos to salsa at Maricela's request.  While she was teaching him (he must've looked really bad), a waiter came up to "relieve" Alma and danced with her.  Obviously being a trained dancer, she's pretty amazing!

I had visions of my lessons in Guatemala with Diego and I was not nearly as coordinated or graceful, and I was in tennis shoes; she was in super-high heels.

That was fun to watch.

After as much as we could handle (Juan Show and alcohol) we left around 2.  He was still going strong, but some of us had to work on Thanksgiving!

:)

I must go to bed now because this week has taken its toll: starting in Tucson and ending at 2am with Juan Show.  I have more tomorrow-photos of the fam with explanations.

cows

On the way home from school today, I looked out the bus window (I was in quite a daze and didn't even notice when the girl beside me changed into a guy, but more on my late night last night later) and saw the same thing from last week with the pig, only this time it was with a cow.

YUK!!!!!

There was a guy standing in the street outside a truck in boots and a white t-shirt and no gloves or anything.  I saw the cows in the truck.  Then out came a man in a supposed-to-be-white shirt.  He slung the cow up over his shoulders and carried it in.  We pulled out before he came back for another.

I think I will keep refraining from buying meat here (at least the raw kind).

Mi maestra preferida

In the middle of my 3rd grade lesson today, a quiet girl on the front row, but off to the far side raised her hand to show me a picture she had drawn. This is not rare. Any time something pops into their head (oh so very often during my teaching) they tell me about. The difference here is that this little girl raised her hand and waited patiently, whereas most students just get up and come tell me. They’re learning. Poco a poco (little by little). After I looked at it (I was suckered by the raised hand into thinking she wanted to answer), she gave it to me. It was just a regular drawing with colored pencils, but she had written at the top, “Para Miss Laura, mi maestra preferida” (For Miss Laura, my favorite teacher). Wow.
I was touched because as I said, she sits off to the side, keeping to herself. She causes no problems, rarely participates, but demands no attention. She’s the good student that falls through the cracks not academically, but in relationship with the teacher (we always get to know the troublemakers!). I asked her to put her name on it. The purpose of course was two-fold: I wanted her name on it for my scrapbook, and I had no idea her name. Rosita. This is the class that is huge and gives me trouble often, so I only know about 10 names. I am happy to now know hers, and I doubt it will ever slip my mind.
This is what I love about teaching, here or at home. There are days when you KNOW you’ve touched a student. You know that the lesson you taught encouraged them because they could participate when before they couldn’t. Or you know that they’d had a bad day and something you said made them smile. Or you know that they love you because they tell you while hugging you. Other days, you think you’ve failed and still a student lets you know in his or her way that you did something right. Granted it’s just one student, but like I said before- poco a poco. Sometimes, even though you don’t know the student’s name, you’ve touched her.

Alma (sister)

Today (Tuesday) at school was another good day. It wasn’t amazing like yesterday, but it was good enough. It was my long day, so I had to give tests to both first grade groups (kinda a nightmare since they don’t “get” test-taking yet, but I think they all did well-easy to do when you’re copying!) and review second grade for a test before recreo. In the middle of my second grade review, the 6th grade teacher came to get me for our school picture. It was a group picture of the teachers. Yep, that’s right; we left the whole school alone in the classrooms. I gave my second graders Mexican homework: I had them copy 3 times each the vocabulary words for the test. We had only covered 5 at this point. I leave them working and head to the picture which of course is not ready. After about 5 minutes, a 2nd grade girl came to tell me kids were fighting. I marched up there and of course had no authority because I had seen nothing and had no idea of the truth of the matter. I told them to copy the words 15 times each. That did it. They worked quietly until I got back (and still had plenty more to do). I softened up and told them they’d get extra credit on their tests if they brought the words to class on Thursday.
During recreo, I was a bit anti-social and stayed on the computer filtering through junk mail and such. After recreo, I had 3rd grade and it went so smoothly. We’re learning new clothing words and they’re pretty receptive so far. They’re still too loud and don’t all pay attention at the same time, but I’ve figured out how to compromisingly manage them. I think it’s working.

From school, I came home and needed another nap. Fist I recorded 1st grade’s grades from the first test (I’m terrible at this official teaching stuff since I have no grades at home!) so I would be ready to record the others the next day. Then I started reading to fall asleep. It worked.

At 4, Mabel came by (as promised via text) with Alma who is in town visiting for three days; she won’t have a Christmas break, so this is her chance to see family before the next show’s season. The four of us went to eat sushi and then to Papá’s house to hang out (and so I could do laundry since I’ve been out of town the past two weekends). When Cosette, Alma and I walked in, it was dark and he wasn’t excited to see me. I wasn’t offended, but it was weird. So I set my stuff down and Alma turned on the light. “Laura!” he said. “I thought you were Mabel! How are you? How have you been? Where have you been?” We caught up. He and Cosette played and he put on a Frank Sinatra album. He went on and on about Sinatra and did I know who he was, etc. We had an Obama conversation again (so what’s new, right?), and he tried to feed us dinner. Mind you, we had just come from eating sushi.
He also decided that we would all go out (the grown-ups) on Wednesday night to hear Juan Show? Apparently he’s a singer in Culiacán who plays at a bar here. Our reservation is for nine o’clock pm! He just knows I’ll love it. We shall see. He may not know me well enough to know that I’ll be sleeping through the second half!

It was good being with Alma again. I just love this family! Alma is a great, hilarious story teller. She and I shared stories about Tepoztlán and climbing the ruins, etc. I think when I return to DF during Semana Santa (2 weeks of Spring Break), I’ll see if I can stay with her, since she will no doubt be in town and working. That way I can come and go on buses with as little or as much luggage as necessary.

Exchange Rate 11-24

Life just keeps getting better. I’m noticing that you can’t really believe the signs in the windows of the banks; the exchange rate they give is not necessarily what you’ll encounter once inside, for better or for worse. However, my bank- Santander (which is affiliated with Bank of America, an account I opened up just for this trip to avoid ATM fees)- never has a posted sign. I have to just go get money when I need it and deal with the rate.
Since the end of the month is coming up, and since Mabel is traveling to Tucson Thursday for a shopping trip, I needed to take out rent money: 3000 pesos. I checked my account to see how much was in there, and decided to go ahead and take out a little more. I had some money from a withdrawal at the bus stop (this bus line only took cash), but didn’t want to have to return to the ATM again in the same week. The bank isn’t far, but it means getting off the bus on the way home, which usually means tacos or churros, and let’s be honest; I don’t need that!

I took out 4000 pesos and was interested to see the rate I got. I didn’t have internet, so I had to wait until a trip to the mall. It only withdrew 280 dollars. I got a rate of a little more than 13.9! Wow. If I’d had more money in that account (or my other for that matter), I would have withdrawn more more more! As it were, Comexus still owes me for my roundtrip ticket from Nashville to here as well as my ticket to DF. Since I paid both of those with my own money, I’m living peso to peso for the next month. Don’t feel sorry for me. It’s easy to live peso to peso. Also, I have access to my savings if I want it. But Melanie knows; I’m not going to tap into that until absolutely necessary. I can’t imagine it’ll ever get higher than that, but I didn’t think it would get higher than 10.79!

Pigs and Tamales

Before I left for Tucson, I had to pick up something for Turner. You can’t arrive empty handed. At least La-La can’t. I decided on a straw hat in the Mercado and while I was there, I picked up some Revolution things (a red, white and green belt for a dress up day at Lockeland, earrings, etc). In case you’re wondering, Turner was too good for the hat. Oh, well; I tried.

The point of the story, however, is not the hat. As I was walking, I decided to explore the market market (where the food is), since my new goal is to cook some in the Spring semester. I always walk in in the meat section which totally grosses me out. My sense of smell is lame, but the smell of raw meat-and lots of it- is overwhelming! I scurried past and checked out the veggies, fruits and cheeses. Why we don’t grocery shop here some, I don’t know (except that it’s mildly inconvenient). As I was leaving there on search of the hat, I saw pigs. Real pigs. Dead pigs. They were in the back of a semi-like truck and were being hauled in, one limp body at a time, to the market. I didn’t stick around to see how they handled a whole pig. I imagine, seeing as how it’s their job, they cut them up quite nicely. I may not eat pork for awhile…
The second part of this entry is about tamales. Whenever I travel, by bus or plane, I pack a goody bag. No need to pay expensive airport prices for mediocre food, right? Well, in Mexico the prices aren’t high and the food isn’t mediocre, but I still do it out of habit…
When I left Tucson, I had taken whoppers (at Amanda’s suggestion to “make room for the Thanksgiving turkey in the fridge”), granola bars, a peanut butter sandwich and a bagel. Some of it was for use after I got back. We also ate lunch before I got to the bus station, so theoretically I would only need dinner and a midnight munchie or two. My lunch was salad and veggies to get in that crunchy US lettuce while possible.
I got to the bus stop at 1 and we pulled out shortly after 2. We were at the border at 3:15 and waited to cross. It took longer than it would have by foot, but no matter; I couldn’t leave Nogales before this bus made it to the bus stop. At the border we had to take off all luggage and push the traffic light that decides your fate. If it turns green, you get back on the bus with a smile; if it’s red, you must be searched. I was green. I assume most were green (I was second in line) aside from maybe one person, because we seemed to wait awhile. As I was boarding the bus, I saw a man and woman selling tamales out of a cooler and grocery cart just outside customs. This is a typical Mexican site. Selling of anything is allowed anywhere. Food is a common product. I heard the magic words: “Tamales de carne y elote.” (meat and corn tamales!) I love tamales. And like Mabel says, homemade is best; don’t buy them at a shop. I wasn’t hungry, but I figured I would be at some point. And since we were waiting, I hopped off and got one of each. I really only wanted elote, but I took one of each because I can never seem to find them in Culiacán. I must admit: they were delicious, and I wasn’t even hungry! They were 10 pesos each, so it was highway robbery (no pun intended). I was a satisfied, stuffed customer.

Thanksgiving

It seems absolutely ridiculous that tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  If I hadn't taught a lesson on it today, I wouldn't believe it.  It's not cold here.  I'm not thinking abotu food at Grandmother's.  Mom isn't downstairs making stack pie (I still think I need to learn even though I don't like it to pass on the tradition).  It's just weird.

But after having taught about it today, I came to the mall to chat.  Amanda reminded me that she's cooking for all of Tucson.  Mom is heading home to make only one stack pie this year due to a sparse crowd.  I got an email from Ashley about their family's departure to Cincinnati.  It is, in fact, Thanksgiving.

I have many things to be thankful for.  I am so thankful for my health.  I'm upset that I'm a "healthy girl" now due to eating everything I have seen in Culiacán, but I shouldn't complain considering others have not enough to eat.  I'm thankful that I am in Mexico.  This experience already has been one that will change my life forever.  I see myself changing in many ways, big and small.  I'm still me, but the way I think about things is changing.  My goals and thoughts and ideas are changing.  I'm thankful for the gift of speaking another language.  I think it's a gift anyone can obtain, and I realize (daily as it's pointed out to me) that I'm still working on my gift, but I'm thankful that speaking Spanish gave me this opportunity.  I will seek out more opportunities for speaking Spanish now, even in Nashville instead of being so timid about it.  I'm thankful mostly, though, for my family and friends.  Most of you are sad that I'm here.  You're so happy for me, but wish I could be in two places at once.  I miss you guys as much as I should (that is to say, I don't ever find myself sad here, though I know I'll be home in three and a half weeks, so what's to be sad about?!) and I'm thankful that you're happy for me.  Happy with me.  

Love and hugs from Mexico.  And since there is no Thanksgiving here, Happy Thursday!

Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo, Qué ves ahí?

In my Kindergarten class in Nashville, my first unit is the Bill Martin, Jr. book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?  This teaches my students colors and animals quickly while only speaking Spanish.  Then they have learned vocabulary, but have also memorized a whole book and can produce something at home for their parents.  Finally, in unit three, we're discussing colors.  I will not have the luxury of time to create a whole book with these kids, but I did read it to them during our whole 50 minute class today.  We reviewed color words, I read the book slowly so they could learn the animal words and motions to go with them, we listened to it on CD and I read it again for them to help read along.  It was GREAT!  I have had a really good three days this week.  I wonder what it is, but I'm trying not to question it too much.

We have been discussing the plans for December festivities.  It seems there won't be too much class in December either.  I have three weeks of class in December, but the last week will be a complete wash with Posadas, productions and the like.  

Tuesday morning at 8am, I will have an "Open Class" for parents to come and see what English class is like.  It should be interesting.

Today was another day where we had recreo start early so we could have a faculty meeting (to discuss our December festivities!).  That was a wash for one of my classes.

I'm still frustrated with the internet, but I'm dealing.

Sorry

bout the boring text and no pics. Had to copy and paste at school with no service at home. If I have service and time, I will add better fonts and pictures later.
Love from here!

Magnificent Monday

It should’ve been a terrible day. I had been on a bus all night. I hadn’t slept much. I was missing my Turner. I had been awake since 6:30. I was bus-riding dirty.
I got to school with a strange sense of energy (usually my exhaustion doesn’t hit until day two, so this isn’t too weird). I signed in and out and went to get my stuff ready for first grade. I had received their tests about two weeks ago, but hadn’t had two days in a row of teaching them to review and then give the test, so I decided today would be review. We played some games with flashcards. While they needed a bit of herding, they did amazingly well. They were entertained and even remembered some stuff from a long time ago.
At recreo, we all sat in the special ed room (the one where we can “watch” the kids-and be prepared if a supervisor stops by) since it’s no longer miserably hot. We discussed the upcoming festivities for Posadas (the story of Jesus’ birth and no room in the Inn). There would be food, candy bags, a piñata, etc. We set the date for Dec 18. We talked forever about what the school would buy vs. what the students’ money (50 or 60 pesos) would pay for. The conversation went in circles for some time and the answers changed. But the conclusion seemed to be that the students would pay 50 pesos to cover the cost of anything other than pizza, drinks, and cake, which the school would provide. Since the ideas had changed so many times, everyone was confused, and at one point I got to explain to a Mexican what was up. It was kind of hilarious. Rocio, the second grade teacher who has her act together, seems to have been teaching a while, and is stylin and cute said, “Just ask Teacher, she knows,” and we all died laughing. It was really funny. Usually in those situations, I’m so confused and there’s so much going on that I totally tune out. This time, I had listened while everyone else was talking instead of listening. Too funny.
After recreo (that didn’t end until 11:30), I played a game with 3rd grade, too. There just wasn’t time to get into a brand new lesson. All classes needed a review, really, since it’s been almost a month since I was there on a regular basis.
6th grade was a bit more boring, but it still went well. Today was another one of those amazing days. I’m so glad I’m here and I do cherish this experience, even if it gives me headaches sometimes (like tomorrow will inevitably be).

Turner Time

CHEESE!

Sweet moment with Mom.

He knows just what to do and when; I managed to not cry this time!

La La and Turner at Mt. Lemmen looking for snow (we didn't find any)

As if there were any doubt why I love this kid!  How sweet is he?!

I managed to get a photo WITH T this time!  Outside the Children's Museum

"Operation" at the Children's Museum

Officer Turner

The block house we assembled (I was proud!)

A and T play soccer, but Turner wasn't a fan of the concept of goalie.

Watch out David Beckham!

I walked out to the car and Turner greeted me with a jolly, “Hi, Wa-Wa!” He got out of his seat while A ran in to get some breakfast. I held him and asked him how he’d gotten so big. (How does that happen?) His response, without hesitation: “Cuz I eat all my green begetables.” He let me hold him with his head rested on my shoulder- a perfect fit- until Andy came back out. As Turner was getting back into his seat and I was latching him in, he asked, “Hey, Wa-Wa, can you sit in the back wif me?” I told him that was sweet but that I’d sit up front with daddy. “Well, I want to touch you. Can you sit back here cwose to me?” Who can argue with that? Not La-La, that’s for certain.
We rode the hour or so back to Tucson where Andy had to go to work. Turner and I spent the day (after my shower) playing play dough, cars, and other little kid things.
Around 3, Amanda came home and we spent more time together. I put T down for a nap, but miraculously didn’t fall asleep myself! I did some blogs and such until we woke him up for dinner later that night.
Again, my days are all confused….
But over the course of the four day weekend, Turner and I played soccer (another child fooled into thinking I’m sporty!), went to the Children’s museum, checked out a new dessert spot with Amanda, went to Mt. Lemmen, and just enjoyed each other’s company. He was a typical three year old a few times (this is so rare for me to see!), but he knows when it is mandatory to be sweet. On Sunday, I had to be at the bus station around 1 for my 2pm departure from Tucson (heading south is easier at the border). That morning, he had asked what day it was and when I answered “Sunday” he said, “No it’s not. It’s not time for you to go yet.” Then at the bus station, he let me hold him for a long time, hugging me and telling me he loved me. Asking me why I was crying (though he knows the leaving La-La drill all too well!), etc.
The bus ride back was not as fun as anticipated. We seemed to stop every ten minutes. Literally. We stopped at Oxxos even when we had just made a bathroom stop or a town stop to change passengers. It was a full bus that wasn’t as nice as the ones I’ve taken before. I think it’s luck of the draw meets schedule with the buses. The ones that leave later in the night have fewer stops, but the issue there is that I’d have missed all of Sunday with Turner. I wouldn’t trade it.