May the drama continue...

Thursday's teaching day was like any other good day.  I was thankful it was like any other good day instead of any other bad day.  While teaching, Maribel had called to tell me that I had some tests and certificates to pick up at the office if I could stop by.  She also told me she had good news; she had talked to Mabel and would have my birthday card from Ashley soon.

I grabbed my Canal Tres bus to downtown and hopped off at my normal stop to go home, but three blocks from the English office as well.  I am happy that I now feel comfortable enough to hang at the office whenever.  My stack of tests and certificates was covered with Diego's jacket that had been left in Maribel's car, along with his tie that he would need on Friday for escolta, their competition team that marches and carries the flag and also that participates on Monday morning honores (pledge, national anthem, etc).  I told Maribel I was interested in the details.  (She had already told me earlier in the week that she had investigated prices in Mabel's neighborhood and whole condos were renting for 4000 pesos when I was paying 3000 for basically a room.)  She said that she had called Mabel in to discuss work things.  Apparently she's not doing her lesson plans or attending meetings.  Maribel has told me on several different occasions that she doesn't return phone calls.  They first discussed the school stuff and of course it didn't go over all that well.  Being "gotten onto" is never fun.  It's really no fun when you deserve it and you know it.  I think we've all been in inaccurately accused situations, and those where we deserved it.  They're both awful.  But you know what I'm trying to say.

Then she said she started asking questions about my moving out.  Mabel was very defensive and said she had done everything she could.  That I would just come home and close the door and not talk to her.  And that I would leave without telling her.  And that if I had a problem, I should've talked to her about it.  Mabel said she was really flippant about it, yet also very mad.  She decided not to bring up the fact that she had taken advantage of me with the rent.  (When I was in the office the week before, it was discussed that Mabel had mentioned to everyone having anything to do with the Fulbright Exchange, myself included, that she would like to house the next participant.  I wondered how Mabel lived on so little work.  Now I know!)  Then, she broached the topic of the missing birthday card.  She made sure Mabel was on the same page on the rent that I owed (thought she)/didn't owe (thought I).  I had sent Maribel (at her request) a copy of my Excel spreadsheet of my daily expenses in Mexico.  Apparently Mabel thought I was paying 3000 pesos for the 3 days I was here in August.  I suppose we should've communicated that better.  I, however, assumed the first three days would be a free, getting adjusted period, or else it would go from month to month starting the 27th of each month.

Maribel said she got really flippant about the birthday card.  She didn't want to press any further, but made her promise to bring it by the office or else she wouldn't get her tests for March as well as her certificates.  Wow.  Power play for sure.  I still don't think anything will come of it, but I do appreciate Maribel's care and concern.

She also said that Mabel asked twice where I was living with whom and that she didn't tell her.  And that on more than one occasion she referred to "those friends of" mine with a turned up nose.  I think that reconfirms my thought that she was jealous.  I think there's a little more to her than that, but I think the jealousy was playing a big part.

Running Around Town

Wednesday was our first day back from a four day weekend which should've equalled disaster.  The good news is that it didn't!  I had my first graders only Wednesday and was thankful.  I'm very nervous thinking about the end of the school year when I have finished everything with them and wonder what to do each day.  I suppose I'll spend some dough and patience and do those creative things I do at home.

School was good.  As I left home in the morning, Alma's mom had left me some freshly squeezed orange juice in a plastic bottle for me to take with me to school.  Too sweet!  I walked out the gate and Vasito followed me.  Thankfully I had seen Alma let him out and leave him, so I knew it was okay.  He's so stubborn that even though I tried not to let him out, he got out.  He followed me all the way to the bus stop, and then turned around and went back toward the house.  My own little body guard!  Of course he's super harmless, even to dogs he comes across, but he's so big that he scares people.  I'm in a great area, but if something were to scare me, he looks scary enough that people usually cross to the other side of the street to avoid him.  

My bus for my way home stops near the English office, so I decided to pop in for a visit.  Ana Luisa had told me in December that she'd love to see me just hang out whenever I could.  That's more of that Mexican culture that I have mentioned before.  Hanging out is so valued.  

As I was walking, I was thinking about something I could make for them one week to munch on.  I'm thinking puppy chow (if I can find the supplies) or benedictines and pimento cheese.

We'll see if I get motivated.

I dropped in and was warmly welcomed by all.  I stayed for about an hour just chatting and chilling.  There were four or five enlaces plus the office staff.  We joked around and talked about the US and all kinds of things.  Finally it was time for me to go home.  

On my way to the bus stop, I saw some crazy guys running.  There's no other explanation.  I was sweating in my tank top and skirt, and they were running in running pants, JACKETS with their hoods on, and some of them had toboggans under their hoods.  WHAT?!  I sweated looking at them waiting for my bus.

I got home by 2 and Mamá Alma had lunch ready to go.  I don't remember what it was this time, but I tore it up.

By the time lunch was over and Alma went back to work, I didn't do much before getting ready to go for a jog.  I haven't done any running since before I burned myself, so I'm going to try to get back into it.  That way, I'm doing something almost every day.  I also wanted to explore the neighborhood, and what better way to do it than with an iPod?

As I walked out, Vasito again decided he should go with me.  He didn't last the whole time, too many things to smell and mark.  Where I am has a great loop (although there are some intersections and terrible sidewalks that I'd like to change) that circles around to La Lomita, the big Catholic church on the hill behind my yoga place.  I walked and ran for about 30 minutes until I arrived there.  I climbed the 136 stairs running up the stairs and walking at each landing where it leveled off before a new set of steps.  At the top, I enjoyed the cool breeze and view of a city that I'm going to miss.  (Why am I nostalgic already?  Good grief!  I have four more months here!)  I did some ab stuff and some arm stuff after stretching my ridiculously tight hamstrings from my climb up.

I walked back down the steps, taking it easy on my 60 year old knees.  When I got to the bottom, I remembered that there was another route home.  Before Christmas, Mabel and I had gone to Mayrita's birthday party passing La Lomita.  I decided to test my memory and add a few more minutes to my loop.  I was right!  It's funny.  The cat calls here are a part of the culture.  And they're not nearly as prevalent as you're always prepared for.  Sure there are honks, whistles and cars that slow down for a good look.  But it's not anything like I remember being prepared for in Spanish class (or maybe I'm just too accustomed at this point, or maybe they don't give me as much attention as other people!).  The fact that they haven't cat called as much as I was prepared for, coupled with the fact that the dress code here for women is very immodest for this southern belle and very very very (got it?) tight, surprises me that when I venture out in my workout gear that I get looks like people have never seen a human being before.  I get looks, whistles, and whiplash victims!

Anyway.  Long story short, I found my way around my neighborhood very easily.  I liked the route, and I loved that I got to stop at the top of La Lomita for some peace and cool while resting my legs for a bit.  

I took my shower and graded some tests, expecting Alma around 9.  I watched some tv and read a little of my GRE book.  At 10, I figured she had stopped at Lenin's or somewhere on her way home from Navolato (she teaches English in that town, 20-40 minutes away everyday from 4-8).  She walked in just as I got upstairs and into pajamas.  She looked absolutely beat.  She said that Mayrita was going over to Iván's house if we wanted to go, but we both decided it was already late and we were tired (and I was dressed for bed).  She had had to stay a little later in Navolato, and had driven Karina (birthday from Saturday night) home.  We called it a night.

It was a very running, running day.

Fun fact.

I now have a dog!  I live with a giant dog and I'm sure some of you "dog people" will know what kind it is.  His name, though it doesn't really suit him, is Vaso de Leche (glass of milk, or milk glass, I suppose).  His nickname, though, like all Mexicans have, is Vasito.  Vasito is his own man that's for sure.  He is very loving and just chills most of the time.  He never met a stranger, and he doesn't bite or bark.  Here he is, just sitting in my room.  He followed me up one day and just lay down for awhile.  You know he's special if I let him!  As the weather gets hotter, apparently he will get a summer shave.  Alma's mom says he kind of loses some of his personality with the haircut.  He's a proud dog, and very stubborn.  Because there are no leash laws here (or if there are, they are not followed!), Vasito just comes and goes as he pleases.  There is a front gate to the house, but if he wants out, he just goes when someone leaves or arrives.  His size, though is enough to scare people who don't know him.

I don't love him yet, but he's pretty likable.  

Running Errands.

Tuesday we had a plan.  Alma had slept the morning (and day) away every day since I had moved in, so she said at 10 on Tuesday, we would get going.  That we did.  We first drove around to find the path of my buses and where they would connect with Canal Tres.  It turns out it won't be that difficult.  And my coming home connector will drop me off a block from the English office.  That will be convenient!  

After we figured out each route, we ran by the bank to pay for my Spanish classes that will start March 9, just in time for me to go to one week of class before missing another week for mom's visit!  I don't mind!

All that running around (ha!) wore us out, so we headed home to chill before we were supposed to go accessory shopping with Mayra for her wedding stuff.  She ended up never calling, so we ended up napping!  It was an accident for both of us, but I think it was needed.

Tuesday was another day off, so we each did nothing most of the day.  At night, I walked to yoga (I hadn't walked to yoga yet, so I wanted to make sure it was as easy as I thought!) and had a GREAT class!  The most exciting part of class was tree pose, where you hold one foot perched on the opposite thigh.  Eventually, you try to let go, bend over to the floor and touch with both hands before balancing on the one ball of your foot.  You basically look like you're sitting Indian style propped up on one foot.  I DID IT!  I have always been too scared to try it because it's not a great one for people with bad knees.  However, I wanted the hamstring stretch, so I was going to just do that first half.  I ended up doing it all!  I was SO excited!

When I got home from yoga, Alma told me that we were going to try Slumdog again.  I got all cleaned up, but this time, I put on my pjs, knowing that after the movie was over, I needed to be ready for bed.  After all, the next day was a school day!  

The same crowd watched the movie on a different DVD player.  It was really good.  I had only heard rave reviews, so I was afraid my expectations were up too high.  I do think maybe the Academy got a little carried away, but I did enjoy it.  

I made sure that the night wasn't going to last until 2 am again.  I think I was in bed and fast asleep by 11:45 (with my wretched alarm set for 7 am).

Just Another Manic Monday...

Or should I say the opposite of Manic!  Being in a new house with new people, I wasn't yet sure of sleep protocol.  I always wake up once at a normal teaching time (around 8 if I don't actually have to teach) no matter what day it is.  But being in this new house and not knowing what the plan was made me wake up early even though I had no alarm set.  Alma's plan apparently was to sleep until 2:00!  That was fine.  I got up, chatted some, organized my room, got a shower, and heard from Tania.  She wanted to go get coffee later.  I told her that I had yoga at 7, but could do it on the way to yoga.  She was down with that.

Alma woke up for lunch and we all ate together.  Alma's mom, also Alma, is a really good cook and I asked her to teach me some of the dishes she makes.  Of course, no one is ever home, but if there's a chance, she said she'd be happy to!

I ended up taking a nap at one point, and then suddenly it was 5:00 and time to give Tania directions to my new house.  Ha!  Thankfully, Alma had written it out for me.  She still ended up getting lost, but Alma was awake in time to help her out.  Goodness knows I couldn't have gotten her here!

We went to get "coffee," and I of course had horchata.  There was nothing appetizing that wouldn't mess with me for yoga.  We had a great time.  She had spent 4 days in DF at a test-writing convention.  She filled me in on all that, and I filled her in on all of my moving drama.

She dropped me off at yoga and it was a great class.  Cecy was there and asked me about my new house and how things were.  I walked home and it took me 14 minutes from the door of yoga to the door of my house.  I pass Marco's house on the way.  And at one point if I walked to the left one block, I'd be at Mayrita's house.  

I came home (sweaty and disgusting of course) to a very full house.  The priest from Alma's church was there with three other people and he was fixing his famous spaghetti.  I was introduced to everyone, and then I bolted upstairs to get a shower!

When I came back down, the house was somehow fuller!  Lenin, Mayrita and Mayra (the one who's getting married) were there, chowing down on their spaghetti.  Alma quickly served me up a plate and it was definitely delicious.  It was thinner than I like spaghetti, but for the runny kind, the flavor was really rich.

Lenin had bought "Slumdog Millionaire" earlier in the weekend, so we were going to watch that.  The Oscars were showing here (a day later), and I was sad that my boy Will was translated over and I couldn't laugh hysterically at everything he said.  After the Oscars went off, we were excited to watch the movie that had won so many!

We put it in and got about 20 minutes into it when we had to pause it for some reason.  When we went to start it again, it wouldn't start!  Something had gone awry.  That was around 11. Mamá Alma was taking the priest home, but thought that might look shady, so Mayrita went with her (that's why we paused it!).  It was after 11 when they got back.  Since the movie was a no go for the time being, Lenin went on home.  The girls and Alma's mom stayed up talking until... 2 am.  Can you believe that?!  That's life in Mexico!

Birthdays all around

Forgive the abundance of pictures on this one.  It was a fun party, with all people I knew, with plenty of photo ops.  And again, it's very Mexican to take a gajillion pictures.  

Front row (L to R): Liliana, Marisol, Rocio, Mayrita, Karla, Chapo, Karina, Karina's friend.

Back row: Iván (Rocio's boyfriend), Jair, me, Alma, Lenin

Front: Mayrita, Karla, Jorge Luis (birthday boy), Marisol (his GF), Rocio, Liliana, Renato

Middle: Chapo, me, Lenin, Alma, a couple I don't know, Mayra's brother, Iván, another guy I don't know, Mayra's other brother (Sergio?)

Back: Topete

Liliana, Karla, Me, Mayrita, Alma, Marisol, Rocio

See what I mean about Mexicans loving pictures?

Front: Liliana, Marisol, Mayrita

Back: Me, Alma, Karla, Rocio

Lenin rocking the ping pong.

Roommates!

Jair and Mayrita

Alma, Mayrita, Karla and Marisol check out the pictures and video footage thus far.

Marisol, the birthday boy's girlfriend, pats out the hamburgers with a tortilla press!

Dancing to the Banda karaoke (Banda is awful Mexican music with a German flavor.  Trust me; it's awful!)

My girl Liliana- so much fun!

Unfortunate that the birthday boy has to cook the food for his guests!  I will not be carrying on this tradition in a few weeks....

Teaching the girls a variation on the electric slide.

Chapo and Topete rapping.

Hilarious.

Chapo and Topete with a little more Mexican flavor!

Karina's actual birthday was Sunday, but we celebrated on Saturday.  Juan?  Jorge?  I don't remember his name, but he's Marisol's boyfriend.  Juan Carlos maybe.  Not sure.  Anyway, his birthday was Monday, but he was celebrating on Sunday.  All teachers had Monday and Tuesday off, but people with "real jobs" had to work.  So on Sunday, we packed up in Lenin's car to head to the rancho where I went back in the fall for Liliana's birthday (only back then, I didn't know anyone!) and they had water soccer.

We drove to a gas station to meet up with the rest of the gang.  From there, we all headed to the party.  I LOVED this party because we arrived, sat down and just chatted for awhile.  The guys huddled around the ping pong table and the girls sat and gossiped.  I knew everyone at the table, and I even knew most of the characters that they were talking about.  Later, the middle school dance feeling changed and we were a little more interspersed.  Topete had plenty of stories as usual.  He and Liliana pretty much went head to head, competing for the microphone so to speak.  The guys played ping pong for a really long time.  Chavo (Carla's boyfriend, who likes to practice slang English with me) kept winning, so he stayed at the table for a LONG time.  Finally they tired, and finally we complained enough!  The girls started to play.  Bless their hearts.  After they had all had their turns, I stepped up.  It was kinda hilarious hearing the guys gasp in shock that I knew what I was doing.  Thanks Columbia Avenue Church Camp Ping Pong Tournament.  Usually I would make it to the finals and then Andy would just cream me.  How I can have hand-eye coordination in this "sport" and in no other activity (yoga doesn't count because it's slow), I will never understand.  I of course took it easy on my friends.  After I had played through the girls twice, some of the guys decided to play.  I beat Renato (Liliana's dancing boyfriend) fair and square (only they only let the girls play to 5), and I think I beat Lenin (I know there was a second one I played and beat, but honestly can't remember who is was).  Then Chapo came to the table.  He took it easy on me, but still beat me quickly.  My streak was over.  It was fun though.  Later, the girls dragged out a jumprope and played for about 30 minutes.  I felt no need to get out of breath and sweaty, so I just watched!  

After the jumprope, there was a piñata.  

In the midst of it all, we ate grilled hamburgers.  I hadn't had my annual burger in over a year I think, so I actually enjoyed it (there was no other option, so I guess it's good that I partook!).  Of course, Mexican hamburgers are different.  I'm sure the meat is a bit different, but that's not exactly what I'm referring to.  The hamburgers fresh off the grill come already fixed with mayo and cheese.  The extra options were barbecue sauce, ketchup, onions, lettuce, guacamole, mushrooms, and it seems I'm missing something.  Everyone I saw loaded their burger with all of the above.  When in Rome...

I am a very plain eater.  I prefer to think of it as easy to please.  I eat salads without dressings.  I don't like a lot of condiments.  I'm simple.  However, since my burger already had mayonnaise on it (bleh!), I decided to cover that flavor up with everything else.  It was delicious.  I especially liked the guacamole and BBQ sauce (I used ketchup for chips since I figured BBQ and ketchup might be overload).  This was also apparently the day for my chips consumption.  I prefer something sweet any day to chips.  They seem like a major waste of calories and fat to me.  I'd rather consume that in chocolate any day!

Back to the jumprope and piñata.  Given that we were all adults breaking this piñata, it broke within the first three or four people.  The candy is another very Mexican thing.  I would fill a piñata with chocolate (see previous paragraph) things.  Here it's all sugar candy.  Mostly fruity, and lots of suckers.  I ate a chewy sucker and that was it for me.  No temptation there!

As it got later (around 5 or 6, with the party starting at 1 theoretically), the karaoke started.  Marisol and Liliana totally hogged the mic (which didn't bother me of course).  They sang the entire repertoire of some Mexican singer (I think Paulina Rubio?).  Then they sang some more.

By this point, the beer had run out, so the guys went for more.  I knew it was going to be a long night at that point!  

Again, as with all karaoke nights, I got roped in.  There's no option really.  Well, when I saw that within the limited English selection was "Air Force Ones," well it was settled.  I jammed.  It was hilarious!  Halfway through, Lenin decided to join me.  He might have been way over-served at this point.  Lenin speaks about three English words, so obviously an English rap song was not his best bet...  He grabbed the second mic and started rockin' with "wachu wachu wah wachu wachu wachu wah."  It made me laugh so hard that I completely lost my jam.  Oh well.  It was worth it.  I can only hope he got caught on camera!

After "Air Force Ones" and "our" standing ovation, I sang "Walk Like an Egyptian" again.  This brought the house down (okay, so maybe everyone but Alma and I were over-served!  Everyone got up and started doing the walk-like-an-Egyptian walk.  We took pictures and everything.  It was really funny.

More karaoke ensued and around 8:30 we were all hungry again.  Well, I wasn't really hungry, but it was time to eat.  They fired up the grill and rolled out the rest of the burgers.  Well, like I said before, I like about one burger per year, so fat chance I was going to eat two in one day!  I passed at meal time (I wasn't starving, so no biggie).  About an hour later, the coals were still hot even though the fire was out.  I took that opportunity to toast a bun and some cheese.  It wasn't your typical grilled cheese, but it hit the spot!

The rest of the night was more singing, dancing, etc.  Around 11:30, we started packing up the party.  The karaoke machine had to be loaded into a truck to be returned.  The food all had to be put away.  The ping pong table had to be stored.  

As we were standing around (the girls), the guys did all the labor.  Fine by me, of course.  Liliana gave me a big hug (repeat after me: over-served) and said, "Laura, don't leave!  You should stay here forever!  Let's find you a Mexican boyfriend and you can stay here forever."  Ah, Liliana.  How much you still have to learn about me!

By the time we got packed up, said our goodbyes (everyone kissing everyone before being allowed to leave takes some serious time), and got home, it was close to 1.  That's an early night, of course for Mexicans!  However, it was Sunday night and not a normal weekend night.  It was also the third night out in a row.  We were beat.  

We got back to the house and Alma asked me if I had my key.  I said yes and scurried into the house quickly.  I thought she and Lenin maybe were headed over to Marisol's house (that had been discussed as we were departing), but it seemed out of character to do something without dragging me along!  Turns out she had been upset with Lenin most of the party and needed to discuss that with him (until 4 am!).  Thank goodness I decided just to go straight to sleep and not wait up for her...

Another Saturday Night...

Part of the birthday party

In the very front is Mayrita, who helped me move.  Karina the birthday girl has a tiara.  Rocio (Ana Luisa's daughter) is in red.  Lenin is the only guy and to his right and behind Rocio is Alma.

Maybe ignore my dance moves here, but can I get a compliment on my newly yoga-toned arms?

Yeah, I'm fishin' for a compliment.  No shame.  I've been working hard!

Another Saturday night...and I ain't got nobody.  I got some money 'cause i just got paid.  Jimmy Buffett anyone?

So last Saturday night was like any other, only this time we only had one party to go to.  Karina, who is one of Alma's good friends from Centro de Idiomas and one of the girls I went out with that first weekend here, decided to celebrate her 20th birthday (that's right, 20- they start working right out of high school here while getting their degree) at a new pub called Bavaria.  Apparently you can reserve the back room for parties/dancing and that's just what she did.  Lenin had been at the house earlier in the day and we had decided that he would pick us up at 10:00.  Apparently some signals got crossed.  At 10:45 when we called him, he was almost there.  He was thinking 11 for some reason.  That was fine with me because this party was mostly dancing, which I enjoy, but it was mostly Mexican music, which I still don't.

Bavaria is a new place, so it has to close at 1.  Apparently, after places that serve alcohol have been open long enough, the liquor companies basically go to bat for them with the city (I guess) to allow them to have longer hours.  Supposedly all places close at 2, but most of the places I have been to don't close their doors until 3.

There was a span of about 25 minutes where they played all English music: Spice Girls, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Usher, Outkast- stuff I could dance to basically.

I was proud of myself because in a loud club, I managed to have several conversations and understand them about as well as I would outside in the quiet.  

The night ended with a trip to Burger King.  After, several were going to Jair's house (one of the guys from the first weekend out) for more partying, but as it was 3 already, I was out.  We went back home to prepare for, you guessed it, another birthday party on Sunday.

Ugh.

I hate being a week behind!  I have so much still to catch you up on.  I hope to do that this afternoon.  Right now, I'm beat from a party that left me arriving at home at 4:30...

I'm going to nap and if I get the chance this afternoon, my goal si to catch you up to yesterday.  We'll see...

Starbucks & Celebrity

After a week of not much internet access and more stress than I had realized (avoiding confrontation, being confronted, confronting, an English event and no teaching [which stressed me out since I'm so behind], not to mention some other things along the way), I decided to spend Saturday at Starbucks to get my internet fix and to chill out.  Alma had a funeral to go to, so she dropped me off in the morning and told me to text her when I was ready to come home.  At this point of course, I had just arrived at her house and had no idea how to navigate myself to and from.  

I did my thing (and ate way more than I should have) for several hours.  Around 2, I texted Alma to let her know that I'd like to go to the bank and then grab some sushi at Forum.  If she wanted to join me please do.  While at Forum, I told her I'd check out internet at TelCel, my cell phone company.  

I went by TelCel first upon arriving at Forum to scope out the line.  It was forever long, so I decided to grab my sushi.  Mmmmm.  Going to miss sushi.

As I was finishing up, Alma texted me saying she'd be there in 30 minutes or so.  I trekked over the the TelCel store and it didn't seem awful (it didn't look great, either, but I figured I had thirty minutes).  I got in line and was helped within 15 minutes.  I asked the guy at the counter about internet and he gave me all the details.  He needed my passport to make the transaction, but I didn't have that with me.  I kind of just thought about getting information while I was at Starbucks.  I was not my most prepared.  About this time, in walks Alma and shakes the guy's hand across the counter (the one who is helping me).  I thought, "Whoops, there I go again.  I missed the social protocol of shaking his hand when I came up to the counter."  Turns out she knows the guy!  Figures.  And remember it's not what you know but who you know.  He ended up making the transaction on the basis that I bring my passport within 24 hours.  Done.  Love that Alma knows everyone.

The whole process from start to finish took about an hour, so that was not so cool.  In Mexico, there are lots of lines and to me (A gringa), it often seems some things are done inefficiently.  I'm sure they have their reasons.  Anyway, after chatting to him for a long time, then I had to go to another line (I was at least in the VIP aisle) and pay.  Then I came back and we had to fill out mountains of paperwork.  I had to sign a bunch of times and then we were good to go.

I felt bad for making Alma wait another 30 minutes, but if I had done it earlier, it wouldn't have gotten done due to the missing passport.  If Alma hadn't known the guy, same deal.  I figure it's her fault!

Ha.

Add that to the thousands of reasons I am really happy being around her.

Longest day ever. Truly.

Okay, so I realize that any day longer than three hours would seem long to me at this point.  Hardy har.  But, Friday was a seriously long day.  Let me count the ways...

So Friday was our big English event.  The teachers from the entire state were receiving diplomas from the TKT (Teacher Knowledge Test), which assesses their English knowledge as well as teaching pedagogy, etc.  The one review session I went to was miserable.  Anyway, since my student Diego was a minor star of the show, we had to be at the Museum (location of the event) early.  Maribel and I met up with Diego at school at 8 am.  Supposedly it was set to start at 11.  Diego, his mom, his friend Francisco (who was accompanying him to keep him company, and whose sister works in the Inglés en Primaria office), Maribel and I boarded the bus for downtown.  Diego's mom paid the 20 pesos for all of us to ride.

We got off the bus and Diego's mom went belt-shopping.  Maribel told the boys that while she knew they were old enough, she was responsible for them and she didn't like being downtown.  She grabbed their hands and we crossed several intersections.  We arrived at the museum by 8:40.  We were the firsts ones there.  So early, in fact, that the janitor questioned us before letting us in!

We went in and scoped the place out.  We waited on the other two kids (the emcees) to get there before we started practicing with Diego.

It was really boring for over an hour.  In came some enlaces, people I have met time and again, but haven't hung out with much.  Cecy and César were the two that were there for most of the time with me.  Maribel filled them in on the living drama and they both of course said that I could be paying their whole rent twice over for what I was paying for a bedroom.

At some point early on, Maribel asked me if I needed a Diet Coke.  I said not yet, so she told me to let her know when I did.  Well, within an hour, I walked up to her with my wallet in hand and she said, "Ready for coca light?" and I responded, "Nope, I'm ready for chocolate!"  She, Cecy and I walked up to the Oxxo to get our chocolate and caffeine fix.  On the way back, we saw lots of people we knew.  There were English teachers buzzing about everywhere considering they had the be there at 10:30.  Around 10, we got word that the event would be postponed until 12.  All the enlaces, however had their whispers about 12:30.  There's nothing like waiting for four hours!

And wait we did.  Unfortunately, Diego's mom had to leave for work at 12:15, so she missed it all.  I got everything on video and plan on burning it either onto a DVD for her or else onto her USB.  I also got some photos, but there was a music stand in the way, so mostly all you see is Diego's head.

Diego was fantastic.  I must toot my own horn and pat myself on the back a little.  It was easy teaching him because he's a willing learner, but my method was really good.  Maribel suggested I help the two hosts with their parts (Bless their hearts; they practiced all day on Thursday and then on Friday they showed up and everything had been changed.  Fortunately for them, the got to read, while my all star Diego had his part memorized.) since I had done such a good job with Diego.  It was simple, really.  I just broke it all down into word by word repetitions.  Then we graduated to logical phrases with pauses within the sentences.  Then I would have him repeat me with the whole sentence.  When he came across a word that he didn't pronounce well, we would repeat it again word by word.  After we got one sentence down, we would move to the next sentence, word by word/phrase by phrase/whole sentence, until he could say both sentences with a near-native accent and fluency by memory.  I was really proud of him.

Finally at 12:15, César called us all to our seats.  We sat.  And waited.

The presentation was good.  The two host children somehow pulled it off.  And Diego was amazing!  There was a man who went on and on (there's always one, right?)  and the Secretary of Education, before the event was even over, was "suggesting" to his assistant Mayra that they get going.  I wanted to tell him that he could wait five minutes until it was over if we could wait 2 hours for him!

After the event, Maribel had picked up her girls from school and one of her friends.  She snuck away right after Diego.  (He was impressive enough that some of the English teachers told Maribel that he spoke better than they did!)  All five children piled in the back and Maribel and I chatted away up front on our way to lunch.  Those invited were those who participated, and consequently those who knew about it.  It was a free meal and it was good!  It was a traditional Mexican plate with a tostito, gordita, and a taco.  The dessert was a white cake with strawberry sauce.

I had more fun with Cecy, Maribel, and César.  I also met a girl from Mochis, which is a town about 2 hours from here.  She has applied for the Fulbright Exchange for next year and completed the interview in DF.  I was excited to meet her and want to chat with her when she finds out she got it.

Ana Luisa told Maribel to let Rocio (the big boss) take Diego back home because she lived in the neighborhood.  Maribel happily obliged.  From there, we went to Maribel's house because she didn't want me to feel awkward in my own house until Alma could come and pick me up.

Around 5, Alma texted me saying since she had to work until 8 in Navolato (20 minutes away), that her friend Mayrita would come pick me up and move me.  Oh, Mayrita.  Bless her heart for not knowing what it means to move me!

Around 7, I got the call from Mayrita that she was on her way to Maribel's house and I let Maribel give her directions.

We headed back to Mabel's house and it was empty.  Well, except for the new headboard, mattress, bedside tables and lamps she had bought for her room.  Looks like my rent had come in handy.

We made a mad dash to get it all out.  Really and truly bless Mayrita's heart.  I had heavy bags.  And at this point I'm not sure how I'll get everything back to the US!  And I still have lots of traveling and buying to do!  Anyway, we got that done and I went back in one more time to get my birthday card and decorations from Ashley and to leave money for the bills (and justification for the rent- Mabel seemed to think I still owed her money).  Ashley had told me earlier in the week that while she was here, she had given Mabel a birthday card and decorations for me.  Typically, when we were in Cozumel for my birthday, Ashley would go all out with piñatas and a cake and all kinds of streamers; she comes from one of those families where your birthday is the most important day of the year.  This year, for her birthday, since I knew I wouldn't be there, I left decorations, a piñata and her gift with "the other Ashley" to give to her on her special day.  (Toot toot-ing my own horn here!)  Anyway, I returned into the house to get the card and decorations, and they were not there.  Interesting.

Off we went and arrived at Alma's house, where her mom, also Alma (my friend Alma is typically called Almita) helped me carry everything up to my room and unload.  The room was still being used as storage, but I didn't mind.  I made myself at home rather quickly (and rather sweatily).  

I sent Mabel a text at some point asking if she knew where Ashley's card was and if she did, could she please get it to Maribel or me somehow (Maribel is also her enlace, so she sees her on a regular basis).  I continued unpacking until I heard my phone.  Her response was, "Not until you pay me."

Wow.  I tried again to explain that I had already paid all of February's rent around January 20 because that's how we dod it at home; we pay before the first of the month.  She still wasn't getting it.  So I dropped it.  I wish I could have that card, but I'm going to have to live without it.

Alma got home around 8:30 and we both got showers and got ready for TWO parties.

The first one was for English enlaces (and their guests).  Diana the singer was there, but was "resting her voice" for a wedding of a prominent family the next day (prominent as in the major department store throughout Mexico, not as in drug lords- at least I don't think!).  Resting her voice meant singing only five songs instead of 25.  Man can she sing.  They decided at some point that we would go around the circle until all had sung karaoke.  Neither the crowd nor I was drunk enough for me to sing karaoke, but after about 15 chants, I gave in.  What was I thinking?!

Alma sang with me.  We chose Walk Like an Egyptian.  I think The Bangles were one of my all time favorite bands as a little kid.  I have memories of singing either that song or Eternal Flame while at Honey's.  And I can picture Stacy there.  I'm guessing they were the ones who actually liked The Bangles.

Somehow we got applause.

From that party, we went to a birthday party (big shocker, right?) of a high school friend of Alma's.  I had never seen a single person at this party.  We were with Lenin (Alma's boyfriend), Cristian (Lenin's cousin), and Mayrita.  We pretty much kept to ourselves.  It was fun enough, but by 3, I was glad we were heading home.

See?  Longest day ever!

A New Friend

Cecy has been my yoga friend since the beginning. She’s the one who told me how to ride to the border and then cross on foot to go to Tucson. She’s also the one who without fail will give me a ride home. She has a pretty good grip on cultural issues.
She suggested back in the fall that I move closer to downtown. I remembered this and texted her this week to see if she had any information on people who were renting. At any rate, I always love seeing her.
As she and I were catching up, I heard Cristina(teacher)’s sister speaking really good English to someone. The whole family apparently spent time in the US and they all speak really well with great fluency and accents. The girl responded in a native accent. After I finished my conversation and she hers, I saw that she was looking at a Spanish English Dictionary.
“Where are you from?”
She said Indiana is the place she’s lived longest.
“Why are you here?” She’s in the orchestra. Cool.
We chatted for a bit about why I was here and how long. Turns out she arrived about 3 weeks after me and will leave about 3 weeks before me. She asked if I knew a place where she could take Spanish lessons. She has learned quite a bit (and actually mostly through yoga), but wants lessons. Do I ever know.
I texted Alma saying I had given her her number to call about classes at Centro de Idiomas, where I will be taking my classes too. Then we both exchanged numbers. I hope there’s a time we can hang out. She said it would be nice to get away from orchestra people occasionally.
I bet.

Phone Calls and Down Dogs

I got home and killed some time packing a few things before yoga. Yesterday was Dad’s birthday, but my day did not go as planned. By the time I got home from Alma’s it was 10:30 my time, making it after midnight in Naples, making my phone all already a day late. I decided to wait until a civil hour. I called while walking from my house to the bus. We had a brief chat, but it was good and I was glad my credit lasted!
I have started really enjoying the walking part of my journey to yoga. Instead of waiting downtown for the second bus, I just ride my bus a little farther and still get there at the same time. The walking is much more pleasurable than the bus. I can’t really put into words why. Alma’s house is about 4 blocks from yoga, so I will be able to walk always.
Yoga was increidible today for some reason. I know that no one cares about my yoga thoughts except Mom and Amanda who have the same admiration for the “sport” if you will as I do. Ashley probably also enjoys it more or less since when it totally would kick my tail in Nashville, I would call her and complain. It usually brought a laugh or two. Anyway, I think the combination of being somewhat stressed out this week (Sandra asked Maribel if I were okay, that I had seemed sad all week), good hydration, and a really hot and humid, full room, made my class amazing. I was able to hold all the poses in a more or less correct form. I feel like I’ve progressed a whole lot in just the four weeks I’ve been back at it since Christmas. I love that feeling of accomplishment! (Note- Be looking for the next yoga entry where I hate everything about it and couldn’t do anything! Such is the rollercoaster love affair with yoga.)

The Engineer

As I’ve mentioned before, titles are very important in Mexico. The man I helped yesterday (Wednesday) is an engineer. When his secretary called me, she said, “Is this Laura? Were you expecting a call from the engineer? I’m putting you through to the engineer.” I find it somewhat humorous.
Turns out, through further conversation with Maribel today that the person she tutored who didn’t pay had some sort of Canadian connection. The only thing my guy (The Engineer) and her guy have in common are Rocio (the coordinator of the English program who called me to set it all up).
As Maribel and I are walking to the office from our bus stop, I hear my phone. I realize at this moment that “The Engineer” and I had decided the day before that he would send Carlos to pick me up at school around 12:30. It was about noon as my phone was ringing. It would be no problem (and probably easier for him to come to the English office). I answered and the call girl (ha!) told me that “The Engineer” wanted to know what I wanted for lunch. I didn’t even know what to suggest. So she suggested Chinese food, carne asada, and I stopped her. Carne asada sounded great.
I also ask if we can change the time from 12:30 to 1 since I’ll be in the office and want to be “Mexican polite” (it wouldn’t be considered rude in the US-in my opinion- to run in, say hello, and run out). She says that’s fine and I pass her off to Maribel to get good directions. Again, I have no idea where we’re headed.
Carlos picks me up and the car ride is awkward again because we have nothing to talk about. I get to the office and “The Engineer” is not there. Uh oh. More awkward waiting. His wife calls me into his office and she explains that he wants to change his registration. I try to make the call, but after a minute and a half of ringing, it would go to this busy-ish signal and then disconnect me. Once I got a voicemail, but as I was finishing, it started ringing again. Then a man picked up and said, “Bueno.” Hmm. Weird.
The food arrived and the wife left me alone in the office to eat in peace I suppose. The food was DELICIOUS. I love carne asada! Then there was the awkward waiting period wondering if I was supposed to go back out to the lobby and tell her I was finished or what. Shortly after, “The Engineer” came to the office and we began our pronunciation or websites. It was very similar to what we did yesterday, so he decided we were good to go. He suggested that he write a list of questions that he has for the EXPO people, registration, and anyone else he may encounter so he can just hand them the paper. He’s going to email it to me, and I’ll translate it and send it back. Of course, this is all on moving day and with a trip to Starbucks probably to ensure internet. That’s okay, though because the day ended with a 600 peso cash payment. Right at ten bucks an hour, which is unheard of here.

Maribel, I mean I love her. Who do I not love here?!

Maribel, having lived in the US understands me. She’s 40, married and has two precious daughters, but she’s much like me I think. I like to think. Anyway, I think she feels guilty that she can’t do more for me than she already does. I’m more than grateful for all she already does.
Today she showed up at my school as promised and we pulled Diego from computer class. We went to the empty 6th grade room (since they were in the aula de medios and practiced. Since at the end of the school day yesterday, Diego was under the impression (as was I) that the event would be on Wednesday, he had only been required to memorize half of the paragraph, and he had gone ahead and memorized three quarters. He spoke again this morning with a relatively heavy accent due to practicing for hours by himself yesterday. However, after several rounds of repeating, he sounded pretty good. By the end of the day, there were parts of his sentences that honestly sounded native. I was so excited!
We practiced with him twice before recess and gave him a break between to go back to the computer room. At recess, Maribel and I went to get our coca lights, and she bought him a juice and some chips to motivate him.
After recess, we practiced again, this time with a marker microphone. We took out a part that tripped him up without fail and he ended up sounding really good. We worked out details for in the morning- where to meet, what to wear, etc.
It’s going to be great!
While we were waiting between practice sessions before recreo, Maribel started asking me some questions about my living situation. I had told her the day before that I was probably moving and would be seeing Alma’s house later. She got really worried for me and upset that I wasn’t happy. Of course I’m not super upset or I would’ve let someone know sooner, but at the same time, I am unhappy enough to move. Anyway, we had begun the discussion on Wednesday and she was in complete agreement that I should move. She hadn’t understood why I was here to begin with since we are so different (you’ll remember I was trying so hard in the beginning to find similarities and thought I did, but it was evident to other people that we were not similar). No one here seemed to know how I got my housing arrangement, so no one asked questions. If we had all been in communication sooner, things would probably have been different much sooner.
As it turns out, she asked me how much rent I was paying. By now, I’ve realized I have been put through the ringer (that’s not the right phrase for money…what is it?). I told Maribel and she almost fell out of her chair. And then she got mad. She said that for a place like where I am, at the very most, if someone were taking advantage of me for being a foreigner, the most I should be paying for a room is 1000 pesos. I pay three times that. Of course, with the increase of the dollar and with the price of everything else here, I am still coming out ahead. The money isn’t (for once) the issue, but the principle behind it seems to be a big one!
She told me that she and Ana Luisa had been discussing it and that they thought I was probably paying more than I should, but that it was probably 1000. That’s it.
Maribel had returned to the office yesterday and brainstormed with all the enlaces about where I could live. Ana Luisa is Diana(the singer)’s mom. Diana pays 1800 pesos per month for a one bedroom apartment in Montebello where I teach. That’s one of the very nicest parts of Culiacán. Maribel said Ana Luisa offered Diana’s place, but of course it’s a one bedroom.
Basically, I’m happy I’m moving in with Alma, and the way everyone talks they won’t be charging me rent. I plan on paying at least 1000 per month to cover my costs of living there and to say thank you. Maribel told me that if she saw me on Wednesday and I was still living here, she would not be speaking to me until I did. She was visibly upset.
After we finished with Diego, it was still a little early for dismissal, but too late to teach my last class. So we decided to go to the office. I had yet to visit the new office. It is actually on my bus route and right behind a really good bread place. Convenient.
She wanted me to visit the office and be familiar with its locations o I could stop by whenever I wanted/needed to. She also wanted to report to Ana Luisa how well it had gone with Diego. Finally, she wanted to let Ana Luisa in on how much rent I’m paying. Ana Luisa said it was “abusive.” I had no idea, of course, because I am not from here. I feel embarrassed that they think it is so bad and I had no idea. And truth be told, it was never the money.

Por Fin (Finally)

I got home from my tutoring session and watched some episodes of The Office. I mean, new favorite show! I got a text from Alma around 8:30 saying she was on her way, was I home? I said yes and would see her in a bit.
She picked me up and we chatted the whole way about the day’s events, etc. She told me that her mom wouldn’t be there because her mom is as vaga (literally, like homeless, but it’s more like we would use maybe free spirit- comes and goes) as she is. Her mom is a secretary at the Catholic church right down the street from where she lives. She was at a prayer meeting and then would be eating with them. But she said she didn’t want to cancel on me again! So, we got to the house and she has a huge and harmless dog. Strike one. Just kidding. It is like any other sniffy dog, so I don’t love it, but it really does nothing but stand out front.
The inside of the house was HUGE. From the outside, it looked like any small Mexican house. From the inside, it was a really nice size. What’s more, it felt like a home. There was old furniture everywhere. The den was clearly used for hanging out. Mayrita (have been to her house for a party and Alma is good friends with her) and Karla (Chapo’s girlfriend-neither have been mentioned enough for you to remember) stopped by to say hey and hang out for a few minutes.
The third bedroom, where her brother lived before he married and had kids, is big enough, with a nice sized closet. The bed is a single, which will be a change, but I use the other half of my bed here as storage. Perfect.
The room does not have air. I saw two fans and wasn’t going to ask, but Alma said that since it will be getting to be hot season soon, she would sleep in her mom’s room and I could sleep in her room, or we could move my bed in her room. She has a window unit. Her brother’s bedroom had one, but it got taken out some time ago.
The bathroom looked nice. The kitchen was spacious and she says her mom is a good cook. The area is not as easy bus wise as where I am, meaning I’ll probably have to walk several blocks to get on a bus and then I’ll have to take two to get to school. However, I’ll be able to walk to yoga and I will also be able to walk to my Spanish classes that start in March. (375 pesos for three months of Monday through Friday classes. I kind of can’t believe it.) Marco and Mayra live within walking distance, and when we went to the party at Marco’s house, Demien commented that we were in Beverly Hills. That seems to be a good sign. When we were inside, it seemed quiet, and it’s off from the main street. Maribel wanted me to live with someone. She lived in KY for at least a year and visited off and on for nine years. She lived with a family and she wants me to be as happy here as she was. I could probably rent alone (Cecy from yoga gave me three suggestions for elderly ladies to rent from) and be happy, but I think I will have lots of fun living with Alma. And she works all day until 8 at night, so my afternoon life wouldn’t be changing much. I think it’s going to work out great. As we were leaving her house to go pick up Mayra so they could go to another Mayra’s house to talk wedding plans (Mayra #2’s), we saw Alma’s mom pulling out of the church parking lot. We stopped and I met her. She’s precious and ready for me to move in. We picked up Mayra and then went on the search for a bus that would intersect with my Canal 3 route since that is the only bus that goes by my school. Mayra was getting all nervous thinking I had to have the route by tomorrow. Once she realized we had a little more time, she relaxed a bit. It was hilarious.
I’m now at home, realizing I must be cute and put on makeup tomorrow so Maribel doesn’t ask me what’s wrong! On that note, I must get in bed.

Sushi and Starbucks

Mabel and I haven’t gone to the grocery store in a week or more because we haven’t needed anything. I also decided that since this weekend we’d be traveling and after that I’d be moving out, there was no need to stock up on stuff.
At any rate, we don’t have anything at this point. I’m almost out of yogurt even. I hadn’t eaten breakfast this morning, which typically leads to a popsicle at school or something from the snack lady. Today, though Maribel was there, so I offered her a coca light and that satisfied my hunger. However, when I left school to go home, I was very hungry. I’ve been eating later than usual lately (around 3), and I’m not sure why, but I figure go with it. Well, today I wanted to get on the internet, and I wanted to eat some sushi, so I rode the bus home. I grabbed my computer and headed back out to Forum. I was going to use the internet there if it worked, but I’ve been having trouble there. I ordered my sushi (emperador natural- shrimp on the inside and raw salmon on the outside [delish] with a crab topping [Tampico] and a sweet sauce= freaking incredible) for 64 pesos (2 rolls and a small drink) and enjoyed every bite. I couldn’t connect to the internet again. Oh, well. I decided I could go for a beverage at Starbucks after and waste away my afternoon there as I had done so well on Monday.
While I’m chomping on my delicious sushi, I get a phone call from an unknown number. A girl asks if I am Laura and tells me that she’ll be putting me on the line with (fill in the guy’s name- I already forgot), the engineer. Cool.
So I talk to the guy (Rocio’s friend) and he is interested in pronunciation help. Like right now. So we set a time (today at 4:30 in front of Starbucks) and he will send someone to pick me up. Awesome. I’m nervous about the whole not paying thing. I’m also nervous about the strange assistant coming to pick me up. But I’m being a big girl.
I finish my sushi and pack up my useless-in-Forum- computer and head over to Starbucks. I’m not hungry, though I know I’d love a dessert in about an hour. I decide instead on a fruity frappuccino. Mango something or other. It was good.
I do my internet thing for a couple of hours and then I see a relatively attractive young man (how old am I?!) in front of me asking if I am Laura. Yep, off we go.
I’m taken at least to a part of town I’m familiar with. I was relatively close to where Mabel’s dad and Marisela live. That was comforting.
I waited. And waited. After about 25 minutes, he arrived at the office. I followed him into his office and we got started right away. He said he’d pay me 150 pesos an hour, which I feel is more than sufficient considering that I make more in one paycheck in the US than many people here make in a month. And I’m on the lower level of the income chain. Also, after I realized what I’d be doing, it became a much better deal for me. I don’t have to teach anything! His business is in digital signage. He is going to some EXPO in Vegas next week and wants to be familiar with the pronunciation of the terms. I would read a paragraph and he would translate it into Spanish. Most of the time he had a really good idea of what it meant. Often, he understood better than I because it was all tech talk. Regardless, it was 2.5 hours of work and we set up a time for tomorrow, too. The most helpful thing I ended up doing, however, was explaining some things like “101.” One of the seminars was something-or-other “101,” so I explained that in the US in universities, 101 is the entry level class to explain it all. That made his day because that was what he was looking for. Tomorrow, if he registered for the wrong thing, I’m going to call for him and help him change his registration.
I ended up learning some things, too, so it was a fun afternoon. I’m not interested in doing something like that daily, but it was fun to kill time. And tomorrow, when I’m 600 pesos richer, I’ll think it was super fun.
What’s more, there may be another bus strike tomorrow if the results were not satisfactory from the first one. He will be sending someone to my school to pick me up at the day’s end. And he’ll feed me lunch. Life is good.

First Grade

It was pretty much enough to make you want to quit teaching today. At least, in the US it would’ve been enough. Here, it seemed to just be enough to shrug my shoulders and move on (plus a small rise in blood pressure).
I walked into Anabel’s class and half the hellions (the ones who aren’t actually hellions) cheered and started getting their books out. There were some sighs and some groans. But it didn’t seem as terrible as it had before.
Calos Jovany, my precious little hellion that was new back in October or November (I had a physical battle with him to show him who was boss- that sounds abusive. I had to restrain him from hitting me. How’s that?), asked me if he could go to the bathroom. I said no. That’s my policy. We don’t leave language classes (here or there) to go to the bathroom. Our time is too precious as it is for you to miss a minute. (Note: I’m decent at reading a sincere emergency and there are exceptions to my rule. Few and far between, but they exist.)
I look up the next minute or two and Jovany is returning to the room. Oh, no he didn’t! So I start to ask him if he heard my response when he asked permission. He goes into the fact that I hadn’t started class yet. Blah blah.
Long story short, on about fifteen different occasions, I had to go pry Jovany’s hands off another student. Twice they were around a girl’s neck.
This is where a huge difference in education takes place. He would’ve been snatched out of that classroom at least for the day, if not suspended or expelled. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. And there is no support, no help, no answers.
I left there feeling deflated. (I didn’t have makeup on today after a sleepless night; I’m blaming it on the coffee candy I ate right before bed? The no makeup doesn’t do anything for me when I’m already tired, but I hadn’t felt like it or had time this morning since I reset my alarm about 18 times!) Maribel noticed the deflated, but thought I was either sick or tired. I just decided to forget all of that as soon as possible instead of reliving it. The thing is, the kids here live that way. It is such a weird environment. It’s not weird to them, of course, because it is their life. But I cannot imagine growing up in this chaos. It helps explain some other things that are “different.”

Bursting my Bubble

I got to school today to some first graders running around. After asking what was up, I realized their teacher wasn’t there. So their class would be cancelled. As fate would have it, this was the class I loved. Figures. More on the other class in the next. But as I was finishing up with the 1st grade class, Maribel appeared in my doorway. She was here to work with Diego since we would have a four day weekend and the event would probably be Wednesday (the day right after we got back).
I was feeling very deflated from that class and it showed in my face!
Diego was at some competition, so he wouldn’t be back til recess. Now my free time from my other class was going to be taken up with Maribel, but that was fine because we had much to discuss. And we did. The most important thing she told me was that these people that Rocio hooked me up with for English help are not good for paying. She said she taught them for a while and never saw a penny. She wasn’t sure if Rocio got paid and she didn’t or what. But she wanted to make sure I was going to get paid and make that known. She also said I should charge 200 pesos per hour. We’ll see if it even materializes.
It ended up taking Diego much to long to get there, so she left after recreo. On my way home, she called me to say that the event had been rescheduled for Friday. Thank goodness I had worked with Diego when he got back and given him homework for memorizing half of his speech. Granted, he’ll have to memorize the rest of it tomorrow! Maribel is coming with me to school all day to work with him all day. What a bore it will be! But we’ll get it done. And hopefully in the end he’ll look really impressive. It’s funny how quickly and easily kids learn. He read very well yesterday, but with definite accent issues. Today, after repeating me all day yesterday and most of the afternoon today, he sounded almost fluent during some parts of the sentences!

The Phone Call

I don’t know why I was tired but I felt the need for a nap this afternoon (Tuesday). Not the wonderful kind where you sleep for hours on end, but the kind where you fall in and out of a daze while the tv is on. Well, the nap gods wanted no such thing today. Every fifteen minutes I heard my cell phone. Mostly it was texts. But around 3, I got a phone call from Rocio, the director of the State’s English program. She was the first English teacher at my school. She was calling because there is a couple interested in English lessons from a native. They are friends of hers, so she wanted to call me and clear it with me first. Then she wanted to let me know they were good people and I could trust them, etc. It’ll be interesting to see if anything comes from this. This weekend they’re going to Las Vegas for some sales something or other and wanted my help with some pronunciation. I wish they wanted my help with travels!
The other exciting part of the conversation was that she said I was sounding more and more Culichi. That my accent had changed. Hallelujah!

Practicing with Diego

As I signed in at school this morning (Tuesday), the Principal beckoned me into his office. He said he had heard from Maribel that I needed to practice all day with a student for some event. He seemed about as clear on it as I was! I told him yes and that I thought I would be able to work with him in the mornings and then have classes after recess. I couldn’t imagine 3.5 hours straight of reading over the same paragraph. Granted, we wanted this memorized and there was a Spanish version and an English version. However, I always memorize better by working for a bit and then separating myself from it and then returning again. Little pieces lots of times as opposed to big hunks.
I went to the 6th grade teacher to ask for Diego. Remember that at this point, no one knew what was up. I hadn’t seen these kids since the previous Tuesday. Diego came with me, I explained what was up and we began practicing. I realized just how right I had been! This was really boring. So we practiced first word by word on pronunciation. Then clause by clause more or less. Finally sentence by sentence. I then let him practice the whole thing. That took about 40 minutes, so I sent him back to his class saying I would come get him ten minutes before recreo to practice one more time for the day. In the next few minutes, I sent an email to Maribel asking her details: Where is the program? What time? How should we get there? Would Diego just be responsible for getting himself there? What should he wear? Etc.
I texted her so she would know she had an email and she called me back within a few minutes. She said that she and Ana Luisa would be making a visit to my school after recreo to answer all my questions and talk to Diego (and my suspicions were that they wanted to hear how he sounded, too). That blew my plan for teaching my afternoon classes. Time for plan b. I left Diego in his class until recreo, knowing I would need to be working with him when they got there. After recreo, I asked Guille to send him to me again. This time, the computer room (my office) was occupied by my less favorite first graders, so practicing pronunciation would be borderline impossible. I took two chairs from inside the computer room and set them outside near the play area.
This practice was still boring, but boring with a purpose. He was already at least a little familiar with the words and it was more about correcting pronunciation than introducing words.
About 20 minutes into our practice, my phone rang and it was Maribel. “Bad news,” she says. I realize she’s not coming. What she thinks is bad news I actually see as good news. The event for Thursday has been cancelled. This way we have more time to practice and it won’t be as high pressure.
We finished out the day practicing and I sent him on his way. I made my way home and got there about 20 minutes earlier than usually due to my random day.