PAVEing a Blog

Oh yes, it has seemingiy felt like FOREVER that I have last posed anything, yet, no lack of adventures here.  No sirrrreeeee.  

Let’s roll with the what the awesomest, it is the first day of the weekend that is the official start of vacation for winter!  YESSSSS!  I can already feel it in my bones!  Being a half day yesterday, I was ready to run, literally, RUN out the door, and I get a call.  Answer.  What?  Well yes, I am available, but I had a check that needed to be taken to Intercam, and done.  Thanks to a driver hired by the person I was tutoring they were able to care of a major task as if it was nothing, that never ceases to amaze me!  So my first half day of vacation, I did indeed tutor until roughly 6:15 PM, and then the traffic, realizing how amazing it can be on a Friday night, spent roughly about 2 hours in a taxi, meeting my retired friend Tracy with HER friends Judy (former ASF teacher) and current teacher Dr. Lawrence.  We laughed over our experiences in the past months, rejoiced over the accomplishments of students, it was a great way to unwind after a 2 hour ride in a taxi in traffic in Mexico.

It is amazing to me, to see the application process to college start all over again this year, (the reason for my tutoring call) with the seniors this year, my third year at ASF and having  very close connection with them watching them these past years as ASF.  From schools in Chicago, to California, to Indiana, to all over, I can see the ASF’ers traveling to the likes of Boston U, Berkeley, Harvard, Notre Dame, just to name a few.  It never ceases to amaze me how we have this collection of amazing talent and before we realize it, or even want to, they disappear.  Yet, there is hope.  They come back.  They do remember.  From the visits I received from Ana who is in Canada, to Valeria who is in Philly, to Sofia who is just starting her adventure, I realized those were the best presents I kept receiving, seeing these students who had made such an impact on ME!  I was grateful that thye did come back and loved the comment Ana dropped on me in the library after just well, shocked to see her again…”Are you going to hug me or WHAT?!”  Love.  I realized how much I missed them every day, – it was funny how normal it seemed as they walked through the library door and my reaction was delayed about 2 minutes as I had become so used to seeing them as a part of my world, and then to have them not be, life is funny.

One of the most amazing arrivals this week has been the final outcome of the 2012-2013 Repentino. magazine that so many students from last year, and to be truthful, this year, put their time into.  Finally arriving, you want to talk about a Christmas present, wow.  It is funny when you see something in front of you that took up so much time, thought, and effort, you never quite can imagine what your reaction will be, yet, I just want to keep seeing the pages over and over to refresh my realization, that “Hey, this is actually here!”  It is exciting to realizing such a venture started with six students, and has now been realized by over 56.  While the staff has grown, so had the “Be everywhere and do so much” feeling that comes with it, so at times that can be amazingly tiring, yet at the end of the day, t is amazing to see how many real world connections can be tied to such a project, a center of involvement that so many students have a chance to do as much as they want, and often can do little, but the rewards for the time put in go way beyond the literal pages that you flip through.

Also another small amazing feat if wonderment is the behavior of Kinah, Wriggley, and Amaya, together as three Afghan Hounds in Mexico.  Amazing how they have come so far in the training of how they learn so much more to go the bathroom outside, cn be set loose from their leash and actually come back, and overall behaviors now in the house.  Before my very eyes I have seem them slowly transform into the model of kindness that they always have maintained, yet now the exhibit it so much more publicly.  I am amazed at how much the service of the Dog Walker has made on them through this transition.  This is an crazy story there with the three canines, a washing service, and a publication last weekend, so I will prepare for that story in a few hours for my next blog, as my reentry into catching up with some wild experiences begins on a vacation 2013 year, quickly winding down.  Get ready for some hilarity and reminiscing that will hopefully add to you holiday experience…:)

It IS here already, Thanksgiving 2013!  Whoa!  The last three years, for me, in a different country have been crazy eye opening for me as an individual, and as a newcomer to so many things that are happening on viewing my home from afar.  Without further ado – here’s my list…

I am so incredibly thankful for the family that has always supported me, inquired how I am, and continues to do so.

I am thankful for realizing that visiting sites on giving is much better than visiting sites on where to shop for Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for the amazing Father that always role modeled for me without saying a word, taught me what it meant to give even when the odds were not in your favor.

I am thankful for a Mother who stayed the course through the toughest of times and refused to give up!

I am thankful for the friends I made at Slippery Rock – and the amazing quality education and array of professors, experiences, and opportunities that opened doors wherever I went.

I am thankful for the amazing friends I had made at US Investigations, we had a special turkey one year, for the whole upper floor office, it was amazing and a treasured memory of mine.

I am so thankful to have been familiar with Pittsburgh as a city of my family, to be a Steeler, and to be able to follow them from before I can remember to now, when I still have problems remembering.

I am so thankful for the chance to be given a shot back in education, hence I would have never met the amazing Cross Country athletes that would give it their all, as well as the members of the Aloha Yearbook, Key Club, Relay for Life, and my colleagues that always supported me through all.  It made the toughest of times and decisions so much easier.

The amazing friends I left behind in DE, yet still are a part of what I do in everyday practice, you are the reason I am here today!

I am thankful for the amazing Repentino. staff I stumbled on as I came into a new country three years ago, and realized, I had lost a major part of my family in Seaford, DE, and all of the Repentino. staff made me feel at home from the very beginning, and continue to show they are not afraid to make changes that will impact the world, and the use of the word through art.

The amazing friends I have made while being at ASF – they have supported me, through tough and easy times, as well we just acquainting me with the changes that continue to occur in a country very different than the one I was taught it was in the states.

I am thankful for a home I can come back to and relax and veg all day and love to in that very apartment, the dogs that at first were a nightmare to maintain and now have become my family, the cats that were lost and have welcomed be every day I return at the end of a good/bad day, and the opportunity to understand another way of life, be it here in Mexico, be it in being able to travel to New York to experience new trends and methods, and having the freedom to think, read, and complain.

I am so thankful for friends that have enabled me to haver a turkey dinner today, and celebrate these major and minor aspects of what has led up to 2013.

I am so thankful that I can have the option of traveling when I want, or not at all, and seeing so much within a few blocks of my apartment, this city is amazing!

I am thankful for each one of you who has made this blog the success it has become, and supporting it with your ideas, suggestions, and offerings.

I am so thankful that I kept pursuing the things I thought were unobtainable, and then, without realizing it, a lightbulb would go off at the end, when I very least expected it! – This applies to my studies, National Novel Writing Month, and so much more.

I am thankful that I often have spare change that can be offered up for those that need it…

and now a small anecdotal story before I  leave you on your turkey football/family day!

I went into Papa Guapa yesterday. because I heard so much about it from my Dean at Upper School.  LOVED the old school, old style everything resembling the old-style kitchen, old style soda fountain bar, Hitchcock movie, everything.  Yet, not was early, kind of empty, and the waitress was not having a good experience.  I walked in, and they just let me kind of go, they were really just “whatever” that I was there, and the waitress through several comments just lightly made, rolls of the eye, etc could care less that I was there. (I get that a lot).  But this was the first time it occurred in a restaurant, and I felt uncomfortable.  I made as little of a hassle as possible, ordering quickly, as I truly felt as if I was a bother.  I order an amazing mushroom potato, (The papa Barlot) a thick fresa milkshake, and a Coke.  It seems as if the waitress was slowly becoming cordial, but that was just losing the eye rolls and glances away.  When I was ready, I left, (which I normally would not) a 30 pesos tip making it like a 20% tip above the total – and on a hunch, it did open her day up, she squeezed her eyes at me like as in a wink LOL, and was super happy, and it seemed to snap her into a much better mood!

Normally, there would have been no call to give someone that made you feel like you were an inconvenience a large tip, right?  But how often are we abel to take ourselves out of our own feelings and put ourselves into another’s despite how we are treated?  For me, very little if at all.  However, I would go back to Papa Guapa in a heartbeat as even I felt better as I walked out the door and helped improve the mood and outlook of someone else – which if I was and everyone was able to do more, these mini-Thanksgivings would change a lot in the world!

Thank you.  😉

Is it me, or does it seem as fast as you run, it gets harder and harder to keep up?  Hmmm, hopefully not just me but I am willing to fight the good fight – and try to catch up!  This current week has shown us many faces, the library is finally transforming with new bookshelves and a better arrangement of organization after many stumbles, obstacles, and challenges!  Additionally, so many amazing and proud moments!  We saw another Spirit Week occur, an amazing Moct look-alike 🙂

as well as being lucky enough to have a TWIN this year – Izabela AND Ms. Shannon!  Two for two!  🙂

Twins in the office?

It was GREAT!!!!!!  On top of that she interviewed a local hero – basketball coach and writer Adi Alsaid, who has written a YA book titled, Somewhere Over the Sun.  Currently, our Repentino. staff is canvassing local and national individuals and interviewing individuals from all artistic walks of life preparing for a new Repentino. magazine layout combining art experiences, as well as all the traditional and non traditional forms of art.     Speaking of contribution, TODAY, and amazing staff member (one of MANY) – Daniela, is having her edited video that she put together on the K-12 Online Conference!  (Scroll down until you see my name)   My name is there – but believe me, Daniela is the star responsible for this video – she is one on many amazing stars on the Repentino. Staff!  Please check out her video and leave a comment about the experience of how Repentino has brought so many talents together!

So talent, we have had tons, from the students all over creating events like the Halloween Candy Grams

to raise funds, working the soccer concessions thanks to the Bear Boosters for the past three-four weekends, Mr. Holderman bringing students together making posters and celebrating the sports at ASF, to Jason Schell!

Lets talk Schell! Jason Schell, and his mural in the Salto de Agua metro station, named “Trabajadores.” It is located at the entrance of Arcos de Belén and Dr. Valenzuela. It is a permanent exposition, so you are welcome to visit it any time. We were lucky to be a part of him premiering his artistic paintings at the metro and then having an awesome group of people…

…coming together to share this, are we lucky enough to be surrounded by artistic individuals or WHAT?  His premiere was great, and so was the fact that we were able to get together and share his success, way to go Jason!

WOW!  Did you realize that NANO (or NANOWRIMO) is approaching?  If you are age 98, or 8, we hope you will become a part of an international effort to put your first amazing piece of writing (or second, third, or fourth!) to writing ad come up with some support across the world for NANO (National Novel Writing Month) starting November 1st!  It will be exciting if we can can a record number of people checking in here periodically on a page I’ll make, just for Nano info, notes, comments, etc.  Would you be willing to do that?  I’d love to get all of my friends, family, and even those I do not know involved!  I realize how easy it is to slip past a few days and not write about events, but then realize even more how important it is to have those moments to record the days that seems important and HATE to lose them amid the rush of so many other events that happen every day, Nano is your chance to get it all down in a collection, the way YOU see it and want it to remain in your memory!

There are many more accomplishments, from Casandra’s amazing pamphlet she created for Repentino., to interviews with Mr. Trias on his travels abroad representing ceramics, to checking out the amazing exhibit with Ms. Patterson in the Fine Arts Center, then let’s talk about the TRI-Association Conference, hmmmm, okay, next post!  Stay tuned for updates and more updates on what has been great the last few weeks as we roll into a Homecoming Weekend!

I love the keynote speech given by Shannon McClintock, teacher, librarian, and Media Specialist, on the first day of the K-12 Pre-conference Key Note – and so excited to hear her amazing points just coming off the Tri-Association Conference we hosted here at ASF!  What is even more exciting is the details behind this post I made,

“Want to see what librarians, among others, can do to give students a voice? Check out Technology Specialist, Librarian, and Teacher Shannon Miller’s key note speech kicking off the opening K12 pre Conference video, where our own Repentino. students are a part of on Thursday, October 24th’s) morning here to see!

http://k12onlineconference.org/?page_id=1415     ”

Seeing a elementary student, Meredin, who started showing others how to do a blog, transposes to Daniela, one of our own students, whose video is featured on this Thursday’s Video Conference Day,  (October 24th) so please check it out, we are so proud of her! – (My name, but Daniela is the brain behind this video on Thursday)

Skip to the students Casandra, Fiona, So Yeon, Lucia, Alice, and many more taking the initiative, and creating awesome PR material, slideshows, interviews, videos, and more that do much more from Repentino., yes a magazine at first, representing ASF, then artists all around the world, then ultimately a social movement that will allow our ASF students to reach into social issues around the world, through artistic expression.  EXCITING!  What Shannon did in her keynote reaching and asking students what THEY want to get from THEIR own education, then implementing these suggestions to students is another example of what we can do daily to activate our students to a higher level.  Just so happens Shannon, as the librarian, shows what a librarian really does, excited, creates, and motivates!

On this day where our ASF went to visit the Dalai Lama, (even though Mexico’s President balked under controversy), be assured, while it has been a long time since I have posted, there has been so many events worth mentioning that I will trace, reflect on, leading you back to the last post dropoff, which was the new student retreat! (SO much has happened in the in between).  At the same time, you will definitely want to check out the new books on the scene (as well as stop by the ASF Wednesday coffee event (7:00 AM – 1:00 PM) to see our new items in the library, and grab a speciality drink, complimentary of the library! – as well as my blog on amazing awesome books and reviews – and a renewal of visits to amazing new restaurants in the area (updated by the end of the week).

So much to cover, so much worth reflecting on, and where is the time?  It is ironic that the time I find to catch up, is when I am in bed recovering from some strange stomach craziness, but excitement in what my students have been achieving trumps sickness any day…get ready for some amazing posts covering some amazing individuals, accomplishing amazing feats!

It is early in the AM, Wednesday morning, I find myself revisiting one of my favorite all time films clips from Vanilla Sky, and realize – I know finally what I think makes a TRUE educator (and not just a teacher…) at least part of the recipe…being able to let go.  When you have the ability to let go of the young minds that you have tried to shape, influence, and guide (NOT BRAINWASH, lol), and find yourself letting them go out into the world, yet it hurts deeply because you have enjoyed the ride so much along the way, I think you have made it to being an educator.

I look back on the recent, not so recent, and even beginning years of my teaching, and realize, the hardest thing was not going through those years trying to make my way though it seemed THAT was the hardest at the time!) – but detaching myself from teaching these very important people that I encountered all the things I hoped they would carry with them.

I find myself drawn to films like Meet Joe Black, Vanilla Sky, and other that escape me now, that carry this similar theme, the pursuit of more than just the average, almost surreal sometimes.  Then I realize, I think I might have had that all along thanks to the amazing students that have come, and thenI let go to prove themselves….:)  Bittersweet as expressed in yes, in one of my favorite movies, Vanilla Sky…:)

Already it is August 28th, a Tuesday, and before you know it, moments that define you slip away and honestly, at least for myself, the chance to talk, discuss, reflect and celebrate those moments is too important to let go.  I am sure every one has had those moments where they wished they would have written down or recorded their first moment of a cataclysmic event – for me it helps understand how I become the person I am, thanks to the people around me, so no further ado, let’s start from last Sunday…

…Fresh from surgery Kinah was not her usual Sunday self- laying listlessly after her surgery Saturday despot the familiar rattling of leashes indicating the ultimate walking experience outside on a weekend, yet, we trekked on after hugging Kinah, just the pups and I.  Funny it was not the same without Kinah and the puppies felt the same disappointment as we walked what we had to, and no more. Coming back after the walk and meeting Sandra and Susan at Parque Rio de Janeiro for Market 100, we all delved into the amazing richness of what we found, from blueberry crumb cakes, to vegan and vegetarian supplements discovered, to the fresh vegetables that were just being placed, it was exciting to see a general collaboration of farmers as a unified Mercado, endearing ourselves to Rio de Janeiro even more.

After filling our bags halfway, we decided to try the even larger and amazing market, Mercado Sobre Ruedas – and it was all that and more.  After Susan broke down and purchased a cart to carry her stash, and after making our way through countless vegetables, chicken, fruit and more we realized we had enough produce for barely three of us to make it back OUT of the market, yet we did.  I have to say, on the way through the market, I realized how nice  Sunday it was thanks to the fresh produce, the ease of going from booth to booth, an taking in the smells of vegetables, meat, and fruit just for the taking – and as much time as we wanted we could spend, as well as money!

On the way back, Sandra found an artisan who could specialize in specific tables and end tables she needed, then we trekked to the truck and dropped Susan with her stash to her apartment, then Sandra, and then we decided, why not!  Let’s try and extend the Sunday adventure further, by trying to find a strip of furniture stores on the Periferico as advised by Isabella.  I have to say, I had NO IDEA where I was going, at all – yet – thanks to Sandra’s advice, and the Mountaineer being larger than most vehicles on the road, we saw first signs for San Joacquin, then Queretaro, then 1 Cinqo de Mayo, and ohmygosh!  HOME DEPOT!  We stopped there, and I had to grab the Grape Icee!   (It has been ages!) – then – we made our way through many many outlet stores with TONS of furniture!  This was placed in my blog under Lingo and Things to Know since this was a GREAT place for furniture to note!  Thanks Isabel Duque for this information.

I have to admit, that night, after coming back – the day and being able to soak it in was exhausting and I passed out until MONDAY!

Out first full week of school!   Mondays are always hard, and I could tell I was tired, as I headed the wrong way on the Metro, and found myself in Balderas, having to turn around and make my way back to Observatorio – and amid crunches of arms, legs, and elbows, I MADE IT!   (Monday’s are not traditionally my favorite).

I found myself spending the beginning of the week collecting the Staff of Repentino. together, getting them ready for New York with permission slips, deposits, and also getting staff together on Trello – I have to say, the positive energy and excitement we are gathering already makes me ITCH for the year to start, and I know this was the general feeling flowing through returning and new staff as well.  Wow – Wednesday – what a day – At 11:30ish we received an email and then an announcement – we were being released early due to the manifestation, otherwise a HUGE protest that was going to be happening this afternoon, and I am assuming the potential of being in the middle of a violent protest, WE WERE GOING HOME EARLY…..so what to do on a day early – well glad you asked —  !!!

Wild woman Camila Dever, Upper School Counselor, Lucind Wiser, Sandra Shannon, all skipped town in a cab to COSTCO – and well, we made it in pretty good time! – where we began to explore the need to grab a membership – something happens when I step out with these staff, I spend money in areas that I do not expect – but it always seems to be things that will benefit me later than I do not know – so it is all good – I think   J.  Camila, Sandra, and myself ending up being on one membership, which I am sure will benefit us much later … Or open toe door for more spending…

My main job was finding dog food before I left for the new student retreat, but walked out with storage food containers that I split with Sandra, then I moved onto lunch meat to last me for the next three weeks, add Philadelphia cheese, bagels, bread and we have a little more than we expected – but it should last awhile and secretly I will be saving money.

After the shopping marathon, we realized we were STARVING, so we hit the food court, and another pleasant unexpected event – I have to say we started to discuss what motivated us, what made us happy, and before I realized it, we had shared aspects about ourselves that slipped out as easily as water under a bridge, and before we knew it, we realized the things that made up problems of our past, were just that, bridges of friendship of bad days gone by, and sharing these moments with each other effortlessly.  This is the thing I noticed, when around the right people, and when you feel perfectly at ease, problems are just that, be it the need to be a problem solver, have humor dictate the situation, or be someone that takes you away into new adventures, as well as being young no matter the situations that are dealt to you on a daily basis – when in the right company, anything seems possible.  I am lucky to be surrounded my current and an amazing group of new staff and they make me feel renewed every day – so with the occurrence of early dismissals due to protests, earthquake drills, an incidents of egg tossing (long story) on the first day of school – I realized I could not be experiencing anything and everything with a better bunch of family – and whether they realized it or not, we were becoming a part of the ASF family!  It is impossible to separate family from students as well in some cases, and seriously, HOW LUCKY AM I to have students that feel like family, as well as the new staff, as well as the familiar staff coming back that are there to always get your back?  Luck was the largest understatement of the year!

Yet, the day was not over!  After going two different ways in two different cabs, one to Polanco and the other to Roma Norte, we unpacked out collection of good, did the things we needed to do, and being movie buffs at heart, wanted to take in a film following the norm of dog walking, unpacking Costco good, etc, we began to see the possibilities – Heli, Snow White, Red 2, El Conjuro, what?

Sandra met me with Susan at the theatre, and I just had this inclination to see En Conjuro, a scary film yet something I often did not take in, but I found myself losing SUSAN – she was “tired” (I BELIEVED HER BUT….)…but I am afraid we lost her to the scary film aspect, so we made her promise to come Sunday night to a movie!  (She PROMISED!) – we bought the deal you can get at the theatre that gives you gives free refills, deals to special promotions, as well as other thigns and well because I was with Sandra, and it seems it needed to happen, we both got one, Sandra assuring me that when everyone settles in it will not seem as so many things are going to be purchased, right?

I passed out Wednesday night, got packed, in the AM for the new student retreat and here I am on the bus to Queterao, with the new ASF students!  To be continued!

Walking through the Park Rio de Janeiro – and seeing the free clinic for getting cats and dogs sterilized, I was skeptical.  Yet, official vets, official experts, within one hour I found myself with Kinah, phone my friends Sandra and Susan, asking them if they could detour to the Plaza Rio, to help me with getting Kinah and one of my little ones fixed, and yes, NERVOUS.  First I was a public place, and spur of the moment.

Despite the nervousness, Kinah a day later is amazing and even though Sandra and I carried her still asleep down the street back home, and Susan manhandled the two pups back it turned out GREAT!

We made our way to City Market, stopping at a restaurant named Madrilena  (DELICIOUS!) then City Market, then Sandra was able to get back to get her internet and cable hooked up, yeah!, then onto the film The Illusionists, and back and Kinah was exhausted but faring well!

More details of the above to come, but an overview of how much you can see and do in Mexico never ceases to amaze me!

That’s right, I asked you what your favorite book was, and yes, some of you gave me a motherload, so that is fine  (Always skirting the directions, love it!) If you do not know these, time to check them out (figuratively and literally!)  Thank you for participating!

Book Lover’s Day Responses – (August 9^th)

To Kill a MockingBird  – Harper Lee

Tuesdays with Morrie  – Mitch Albom

Catch 22 – Joseph Heller

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest  – Ken Kesey

Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White

The Prince of Tides – Pat Conroy

Rachel & Her Children – Jonathan Kozel

El Cuaderno de maya –  Isabel Allende.

Winnie the Pooh –  A.A. Milne

The Witches – Roald Dahl

Chronic City –  Jonathan Lethem

Better Angels of our Nature – Steven Pinker

The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith

The Prophet –  Kahil Gibran

Centennial – James Michener

East of Eden – John Steinbeck

The Boxcar Children  Gertrude Chandler Warner

Eat, Pray Love  – Elizabeth Gilbert

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

Twelfth Night – William Shakespeare

Tartuffe – Moliere (Richard Wilbur translation)

Collected Plays of Samuel Beckett

The Cantos – Ezra Pound

Selected Poems – Robinson Jeffers

The Gift, Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property – Lewis Hyde

Taoteching – Lao-Tzu (translated by Red Pine)

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Mark Haddon

Gun, With Occasional Music – Jonathan Lethem

Middlemarch – George Eliot

Black Beauty  – Anna Sewell

Angela’s Ashes  – Frank McCourt

Animal Farm  – George Orwell

Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

Three Musketeers  – Alexandre Dumas

Angels and Demons –  Dan Brown

As teachers and others are designing curriculum, I am attaching a calendar of events in September that are worth recognizing!  🙂

September 2013 Calendar events of outside school

Day 2 of In Service, as we learn to dance and plan, and ready for a new year!  🙂