So... my students don't know I'm LDS (Mormon).
Today they're doing research in class about different cultures' ideas about death, ceremony, and the afterlife (this was somewhat inspired by my recent conversation with Aunt Susan about a "Celebration of Life" ceremony that one of her friends had for their son) Anyway...
Two of my students were arguing about something and so they decided to bring it to me to solve the problem. One student, F., said, "what's it called when people have a lot of wives?..... Mormonism?"
Oh dear.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Revelation
Oh how God loves us.
Warning that this blog has become something of a journal, so if you do not want to read my personal daily/weekly thoughts, this may not be for you.
Today was hard. Mostly because I count down every day until I can go to church again and be with the saints, then when church is over, I am sad that I have another week to count down until I can go again.
Also because I feel so lost at work, like they've given me a huge task without providing me the tools and materials I need to accomplish it. So I feel like I'm drowning every day at work and every day after work as I try to plan for the next day.
But I went to an extra meeting this evening for church, about missionary work. It seems to me that the Spirit speaks Spanish. I really am starting to believe that because everything I hear said at church here seems so much truer and more fresh and spiritually potent. It's like the things I've always known, and tired somewhat of hearing in English, have become more applicable and necessary and beautiful in Spanish. Plus, being in a family ward is such a different and beautiful experience from what I have had the last few years.
After the meeting I asked to meet with the Bishop and told him all of my fears and concerns regarding my being here. He is very young, but I have no doubt that the Lord carefully chooses His bishops and grants them the strength and power to lead and protect His people.
The bishop spoke to me about some of the realities of my situation; living in Mexico amongst the other concerns I brought to his attention. Then he gave me a beautiful blessing. I am certain that the Lord granted me the gift of tongues to understand all that was said, or perhaps I didn't hear the words at all, only heard the Holy Ghost telling me what I needed to hear.
For those of you concerned for my safety, know that I have received two powerful priesthood promises for my safety while I live in Mexico. God has promised that those who would do me harm will be removed from my presence or I from theirs.
For me, I was granted the peace that I am in the right place. I am 100% certain that I am in the right ward, where I can serve and bless lives in a way I could not otherwise do. And I am in a place where I can do more good with my experience and testimony than certain other options in my life.
The Lord blessed me to know that I can accomplish what's ahead, so here I go!
Warning that this blog has become something of a journal, so if you do not want to read my personal daily/weekly thoughts, this may not be for you.
Today was hard. Mostly because I count down every day until I can go to church again and be with the saints, then when church is over, I am sad that I have another week to count down until I can go again.
Also because I feel so lost at work, like they've given me a huge task without providing me the tools and materials I need to accomplish it. So I feel like I'm drowning every day at work and every day after work as I try to plan for the next day.
But I went to an extra meeting this evening for church, about missionary work. It seems to me that the Spirit speaks Spanish. I really am starting to believe that because everything I hear said at church here seems so much truer and more fresh and spiritually potent. It's like the things I've always known, and tired somewhat of hearing in English, have become more applicable and necessary and beautiful in Spanish. Plus, being in a family ward is such a different and beautiful experience from what I have had the last few years.
After the meeting I asked to meet with the Bishop and told him all of my fears and concerns regarding my being here. He is very young, but I have no doubt that the Lord carefully chooses His bishops and grants them the strength and power to lead and protect His people.
The bishop spoke to me about some of the realities of my situation; living in Mexico amongst the other concerns I brought to his attention. Then he gave me a beautiful blessing. I am certain that the Lord granted me the gift of tongues to understand all that was said, or perhaps I didn't hear the words at all, only heard the Holy Ghost telling me what I needed to hear.
For those of you concerned for my safety, know that I have received two powerful priesthood promises for my safety while I live in Mexico. God has promised that those who would do me harm will be removed from my presence or I from theirs.
For me, I was granted the peace that I am in the right place. I am 100% certain that I am in the right ward, where I can serve and bless lives in a way I could not otherwise do. And I am in a place where I can do more good with my experience and testimony than certain other options in my life.
The Lord blessed me to know that I can accomplish what's ahead, so here I go!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Inevitable
This week the inevitable happened....
I survived!
While it was touch-and-go there for a little while, I did survive my first week of full-time contract teaching. Now to make a slightly longer-term plan so that I don't have to desperately think of ideas every night for the next day at school. My plan is to spend today planning at LEAST the bimester (two months) but I'd ideally like to get the big picture for each of my classes for the whole year, then more specific for the semester, then even more specific for the bimester, then actual specific plans for at least the week. We'll see how that goes.
I got a cold!
It was bound to happen with all these PEOPLE I'm interacting with. I have about 70 students, and at least one was blatantly sick, so I'm not terribly surprised that I've gotten sick. I am not, however, terribly pleased either... I slept for like 12 hours last night, which should prove helpful. I'm going to run down to the market today and get me some more meds to see if I can't mask the symptoms.
And Gabriel came to visit!
He was so nice to drive down from D.F. and help me look for a place to live. We called every sign on the streets we could find, and saw like 10 houses in one afternoon. It was a big job, and I was grateful to have a friend (and his car) to do it.
So now, the big decisions... I think I've decided where I'm going to live, but I told a colleague I'd come look at a place he is renting out. I'm hoping to see his place this weekend, then on Monday go back to see the place I think I've chosen for one last look before I sign my life away for a year... It's set up the same way as the majority of the houses on the hill, with 3 bedrooms, two upstairs and one on the main floor, and 1.5 baths (the half bath is under the stairs). This one comes with pretty faux wood laminate flooring, and a nice dining table and chairs and a tv. So I'll have some furniture to buy. But the nice thing is that this house is set a little further back in the complex, so not close to the road, and right outside my front door a pretty little ramada area with tables and chairs so I can work outside when it's nice. There's also a well cared for pool, which is nice. So yeah. We'll see how it looks again on Monday, then I'm probably going to hurry buy something I can sleep on, and hopefully move in! If you know anyone in Cuernavaca looking for a roommate, I'd take a nice one :) I don't really need a three bedroom house to myself...
I survived!
While it was touch-and-go there for a little while, I did survive my first week of full-time contract teaching. Now to make a slightly longer-term plan so that I don't have to desperately think of ideas every night for the next day at school. My plan is to spend today planning at LEAST the bimester (two months) but I'd ideally like to get the big picture for each of my classes for the whole year, then more specific for the semester, then even more specific for the bimester, then actual specific plans for at least the week. We'll see how that goes.
I got a cold!
It was bound to happen with all these PEOPLE I'm interacting with. I have about 70 students, and at least one was blatantly sick, so I'm not terribly surprised that I've gotten sick. I am not, however, terribly pleased either... I slept for like 12 hours last night, which should prove helpful. I'm going to run down to the market today and get me some more meds to see if I can't mask the symptoms.
And Gabriel came to visit!
He was so nice to drive down from D.F. and help me look for a place to live. We called every sign on the streets we could find, and saw like 10 houses in one afternoon. It was a big job, and I was grateful to have a friend (and his car) to do it.
So now, the big decisions... I think I've decided where I'm going to live, but I told a colleague I'd come look at a place he is renting out. I'm hoping to see his place this weekend, then on Monday go back to see the place I think I've chosen for one last look before I sign my life away for a year... It's set up the same way as the majority of the houses on the hill, with 3 bedrooms, two upstairs and one on the main floor, and 1.5 baths (the half bath is under the stairs). This one comes with pretty faux wood laminate flooring, and a nice dining table and chairs and a tv. So I'll have some furniture to buy. But the nice thing is that this house is set a little further back in the complex, so not close to the road, and right outside my front door a pretty little ramada area with tables and chairs so I can work outside when it's nice. There's also a well cared for pool, which is nice. So yeah. We'll see how it looks again on Monday, then I'm probably going to hurry buy something I can sleep on, and hopefully move in! If you know anyone in Cuernavaca looking for a roommate, I'd take a nice one :) I don't really need a three bedroom house to myself...
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
So... today was our first ACTUAL earthquake
It was really just the leftovers of the big earthquake in Mexico City today. We had to evacuate twice during the same class, but I think the building we were in is the least stable because some people didn't even feel the first one to evacuate, and only the two classes in our building evacuated for the second one. It wasn't my first earthquake (Was it Sister Boyer or Sister Heiner and I that woke up screaming when our bed shoved across the room in Oakland?), but it was the first one where I was in charge of the lives of 16 children... It didn't quite occur to me what to do because it was such a small earthquake that I figured it had passed, but my lovely 7th grade students informed me of the importance of evacuation. Haha, I'm an awesome care-taker....
More about this week to come, but just a thought as I finish grading and get ready for bed-- it seems I never learn. I was trying to diagnose my students' English levels based on their interactions in my classroom on the first day or two. It never fails that I tag a shy student as being low level, then get his test and he's one of the smartest in the class. You would think I would learn.....
More about this week to come, but just a thought as I finish grading and get ready for bed-- it seems I never learn. I was trying to diagnose my students' English levels based on their interactions in my classroom on the first day or two. It never fails that I tag a shy student as being low level, then get his test and he's one of the smartest in the class. You would think I would learn.....
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Day 4 of Mexico- Saturday
This morning we got up early to go look at a studio apartment. It's in a really good neighborhood, very safe and very pretty, only one entrance covered by a poli. The house the studio is attached to is beautiful, but inside the studio I was slightly less impressed. With a bit of extra love and elbow grease I could probably make it okay... Here are pics of that one. It's near Angela's neighborhood (colonia tlaltenango), so about a 10-15 minute drive up to school (which is in lomas de ahuatlan). http://casas.trovit.com.mx/
I wasn't convinced, but Angela wanted me to be, if only for the quality of the neighborhood.
After that we went straight to the school where I finally got something in mind for the first day. Now to plan Day 2 haha. I took the public bus (the ruta) home from work for the first time. It was about a 20 minute ride, then a half mile walk uphill to Angela's house, but overall, not bad.
Possibly tomorrow I'll go look at an apartment that I absolutely love (the pictures at least), but it's very far away. If I had a car I think it would be at least a 35 minute drive to the school, mostly on the freeway, which I'd be willing to do. But by bus, who knows how many years it would take... :) It's in a colonia called Quintana Roo.
http://rentar-casa.
I honestly think Angela is ready to have me out asap, even though she continues to be nothing but helpful and supportive and kind. Anyway, so I'm really hoping I meet people at church who can either take me in for a bit or who can help me find a good place.
I wasn't convinced, but Angela wanted me to be, if only for the quality of the neighborhood.
After that we went straight to the school where I finally got something in mind for the first day. Now to plan Day 2 haha. I took the public bus (the ruta) home from work for the first time. It was about a 20 minute ride, then a half mile walk uphill to Angela's house, but overall, not bad.
Possibly tomorrow I'll go look at an apartment that I absolutely love (the pictures at least), but it's very far away. If I had a car I think it would be at least a 35 minute drive to the school, mostly on the freeway, which I'd be willing to do. But by bus, who knows how many years it would take... :) It's in a colonia called Quintana Roo.
http://rentar-casa.
I honestly think Angela is ready to have me out asap, even though she continues to be nothing but helpful and supportive and kind. Anyway, so I'm really hoping I meet people at church who can either take me in for a bit or who can help me find a good place.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Earthquake?? Not literally...
So, I heard a rumor that there was a big earthquake in Mexico City today-- if anyone felt it down here, I didn´t hear about it.
Today was another long day of meetings, mostly "team building" brought to us by La Familia Michoacana... (that one´s for David:) In reality, they are a family from Michoacan that owns a resort and does team-building on the side... haha
I was expressing some of my thoughts and ideas to the English teacher who was originally less supportive (when I asked her if the classes were collaborative she said, "no, they´re every man for himself"). She said she thought I looked like I was about to cry (which I wasn´t even close haha) so she took pity on me and helped me through getting my books and materials and telling me some very important things that everyone had failed to mention. I think a lot of things like that will come up, because there´s not a very clear teachers´ handbook, not as organized as some parts of the ELC, but the other teachers really seem to appreciate the freedom to do whatever they want in their classes... I must not be the creative type :)
Yesterday Angela was wearing a button up sleeveless blouse, cut-off short shorts with leggings underneath. I asked her what was generally acceptable for dress-code at the school. I told her Daniel had just told me to be professional. When I asked about jeans she said they are fine, and I think she might have been offended when she told me her outfit was fine for teaching and I gasped aloud. Haha, probably not my greatest moment... :) So she said the only things you shouldn´t wear are flip flops so you look like you´re going to the beach.
I got my lesson plan calendar today, and started filling in my schedule. It´s beautiful and color-coded. That won´t last more than a week haha
We went to look at a house last night, and it was very dirty and dark and too big for me. I said no thanks.
A lady who works in the office told me today that her sister in law or aunt or someone rents out a room in her house and she feeds them and stuff (like how danny lived i think). She said she´ll call us if the room is open. She said there was a french couple there but she thinks they are leaving.
We bought a map of cuernavaca today (which will help me immensely) and we{re going to look for houses on the internet tonight. Angela is a saint to help me so much with everything. She took me today to get a cheap phone to last until I have my work visa (which you need to get a contract). I´ve at least got that now, so if anyone wants my Mexico cell phone number, I don´t know how it works with cost, but I can send you my number if you email me...
Today was another long day of meetings, mostly "team building" brought to us by La Familia Michoacana... (that one´s for David:) In reality, they are a family from Michoacan that owns a resort and does team-building on the side... haha
I was expressing some of my thoughts and ideas to the English teacher who was originally less supportive (when I asked her if the classes were collaborative she said, "no, they´re every man for himself"). She said she thought I looked like I was about to cry (which I wasn´t even close haha) so she took pity on me and helped me through getting my books and materials and telling me some very important things that everyone had failed to mention. I think a lot of things like that will come up, because there´s not a very clear teachers´ handbook, not as organized as some parts of the ELC, but the other teachers really seem to appreciate the freedom to do whatever they want in their classes... I must not be the creative type :)
Yesterday Angela was wearing a button up sleeveless blouse, cut-off short shorts with leggings underneath. I asked her what was generally acceptable for dress-code at the school. I told her Daniel had just told me to be professional. When I asked about jeans she said they are fine, and I think she might have been offended when she told me her outfit was fine for teaching and I gasped aloud. Haha, probably not my greatest moment... :) So she said the only things you shouldn´t wear are flip flops so you look like you´re going to the beach.
I got my lesson plan calendar today, and started filling in my schedule. It´s beautiful and color-coded. That won´t last more than a week haha
We went to look at a house last night, and it was very dirty and dark and too big for me. I said no thanks.
A lady who works in the office told me today that her sister in law or aunt or someone rents out a room in her house and she feeds them and stuff (like how danny lived i think). She said she´ll call us if the room is open. She said there was a french couple there but she thinks they are leaving.
We bought a map of cuernavaca today (which will help me immensely) and we{re going to look for houses on the internet tonight. Angela is a saint to help me so much with everything. She took me today to get a cheap phone to last until I have my work visa (which you need to get a contract). I´ve at least got that now, so if anyone wants my Mexico cell phone number, I don´t know how it works with cost, but I can send you my number if you email me...
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Days 1-2 of MEXICO!
Well then. First things first-- I´m using a Spanish keyboard, and I don´t like it because none of my punctuation buttons are in the right place. So.... get used to the weird punctuation, because it has taken a LOT more effort than I´m willing to give in order to get these first few sentences grammatically correct.
Secondly, I´m sorry this will be lame words instead of filled with exciting pictures-- I haven´t had the chance to take any pictures yet-- I need to get on that!!!
Okay, so timeline:
Tuesday of last week I heard about this job for the first time.
3 days later on Friday of last week I accepted it.
I spent the weekend in Salt Lake with a VERY loving mother who helped me sell all my belongings.
Four days after accepting the job, and about 7 from when I first heard of it, I left AZ, on Tuesday, flew to Dallas, had to land halfway through the flight because of weather, but got back up and arrived safely.
Yesterday morning, Wednesday, I flew to Mexico city, took a bus from there to Cuernavaca, and arrived in Mexico City yesterday, and took a bus to Cuernavaca, then got a cab to the school. I still haven´t figured out if I{m supposed to sit in the back seat or the front seat of the cabs. I should probably be sitting in the back, shouldn{t i... oh well. At the school the director met me, took me around a quick tour of the campus, gave me my assigned laptop, and sent me home with a teacher. She{s 29, Swiss, extroverted and has been very helpful and kind. She even started the house hunt for me (which I think is partly selfish so she can have me out of her spare bedroom). All the teachers appear to live either alone with their dog, or with their significant other. Roommates do not appear to be a normal thing. We{ll see if the institute can enlighten me further... Last night after Angela brought me to her house, she and her boyfriend invited me out to the movies. She said she knew how I felt just showing up and knowing no one, so she wanted me to get out and feel like I have friends. Her boyfriend sensed, i think, that I would have rather been sleeping, but it was nice of them all the same.
Today we went to an all day training at the school. Half the teachers were Swiss or German, half Latino of some sort. There are 3 other Americans there, two of which teach English with me. When I first walked up to the meeting (which had a social coffee time before it started) some lady just kept asking me who I was replacing. I kept telling her I had no idea, but she kept asking again and again as though my answer would change... Perhaps there are some language barriers with some of the teachers... :)
I got my schedule and I´ll be teaching 6 hrs/wk of 5th grade English, 1 hour/wk of remedial 6th grade Spanish. After 6th grade they have 3 levels of secundaria (junior high) and 3 levels of prepa (high school). I{ll be teaching 5 hrs/wk of Sec 1, 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 1, 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 2, and 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 3. (7th grade, sophmores, juniors and seniors)
All the Sec and Prepa levels have been split into two groups. The way advanced, and the slightly less advanced. I have the less advanced for all my sec and prepa classes, except in Prepa 3 they gave me BOTH levels in one classroom. They keep insisting that this will be very difficult and was a grave mistake on their part, but make no suggestions for how to go about it or how to get through it. That´s okay though-- it´ll be an adventure!
Today they served wine with lunch-- that was a little bizarre for me... Not used to seeing alcohol in a primary school...
Secondly, I´m sorry this will be lame words instead of filled with exciting pictures-- I haven´t had the chance to take any pictures yet-- I need to get on that!!!
Okay, so timeline:
Tuesday of last week I heard about this job for the first time.
3 days later on Friday of last week I accepted it.
I spent the weekend in Salt Lake with a VERY loving mother who helped me sell all my belongings.
Four days after accepting the job, and about 7 from when I first heard of it, I left AZ, on Tuesday, flew to Dallas, had to land halfway through the flight because of weather, but got back up and arrived safely.
Yesterday morning, Wednesday, I flew to Mexico city, took a bus from there to Cuernavaca, and arrived in Mexico City yesterday, and took a bus to Cuernavaca, then got a cab to the school. I still haven´t figured out if I{m supposed to sit in the back seat or the front seat of the cabs. I should probably be sitting in the back, shouldn{t i... oh well. At the school the director met me, took me around a quick tour of the campus, gave me my assigned laptop, and sent me home with a teacher. She{s 29, Swiss, extroverted and has been very helpful and kind. She even started the house hunt for me (which I think is partly selfish so she can have me out of her spare bedroom). All the teachers appear to live either alone with their dog, or with their significant other. Roommates do not appear to be a normal thing. We{ll see if the institute can enlighten me further... Last night after Angela brought me to her house, she and her boyfriend invited me out to the movies. She said she knew how I felt just showing up and knowing no one, so she wanted me to get out and feel like I have friends. Her boyfriend sensed, i think, that I would have rather been sleeping, but it was nice of them all the same.
Today we went to an all day training at the school. Half the teachers were Swiss or German, half Latino of some sort. There are 3 other Americans there, two of which teach English with me. When I first walked up to the meeting (which had a social coffee time before it started) some lady just kept asking me who I was replacing. I kept telling her I had no idea, but she kept asking again and again as though my answer would change... Perhaps there are some language barriers with some of the teachers... :)
I got my schedule and I´ll be teaching 6 hrs/wk of 5th grade English, 1 hour/wk of remedial 6th grade Spanish. After 6th grade they have 3 levels of secundaria (junior high) and 3 levels of prepa (high school). I{ll be teaching 5 hrs/wk of Sec 1, 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 1, 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 2, and 5 hrs/wk of Prepa 3. (7th grade, sophmores, juniors and seniors)
All the Sec and Prepa levels have been split into two groups. The way advanced, and the slightly less advanced. I have the less advanced for all my sec and prepa classes, except in Prepa 3 they gave me BOTH levels in one classroom. They keep insisting that this will be very difficult and was a grave mistake on their part, but make no suggestions for how to go about it or how to get through it. That´s okay though-- it´ll be an adventure!
Today they served wine with lunch-- that was a little bizarre for me... Not used to seeing alcohol in a primary school...
Monday, August 12, 2013
Last thoughts in the US
I've been having a lot of "last" thoughts. Ya know, "this'll be the last time I do ___ for a year." Here are the highlights:
Last time for a year that I:
--understand exactly what's going on in church
--get to select what kind of gas station to go to, and pump my own gas
--use a public restroom for free
--stay in the house I grew up in
And all sorts of other sappy things...
BUT-- there are a lot of exciting FIRSTS that I'll be discovering in the next few days:
--first time I'll go to a city alone where I don't know a soul and get to start literally from scratch!
--first time I'll get on a bus to a destination just hoping someone is at the other end!
--first time I'll; who knows what other exciting FIRSTS are in store?? I'm excited for this new adventure to find out!!!
Last time for a year that I:
--understand exactly what's going on in church
--get to select what kind of gas station to go to, and pump my own gas
--use a public restroom for free
--stay in the house I grew up in
And all sorts of other sappy things...
BUT-- there are a lot of exciting FIRSTS that I'll be discovering in the next few days:
--first time I'll go to a city alone where I don't know a soul and get to start literally from scratch!
--first time I'll get on a bus to a destination just hoping someone is at the other end!
--first time I'll; who knows what other exciting FIRSTS are in store?? I'm excited for this new adventure to find out!!!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
New Job!!!
I've signed the contract, it's official! I'm moving to Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico on Tuesday-- that's 5 days!!! I'm feeling a little crazy and a lot nervous, but I'm excited to try a new country out for a year. It sounds like it's a beautiful 75*F year round, and home to more swimming pools than the rest of Mexico combined... It's about an hour from my Mom's favorite Mexican city, Taxco, famous for it's SILVER, and it's about 3 hours from the beach at Acapulco! In other words, if you're looking for an awesome vacation in the next 12 months-- come see me!!
Now for the job info. I'll be teaching ESL at a K-12 International Baccalaureate Swiss-run school, Colegio Suizo de Mexico. It's technically a German/Spanish bilingual school, with a third language option of English. It sounds like it will be a really neat opportunity to be involved in IB, and to teach ESL to various age groups. I'm excited!!!
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