PAVEing a Blog

…to eyewitness great events; to watch the faces of the poor and the gestures of the proud; to see strange things-machines, armies, multitudes, shadows in the jungle and on the moon; to see man’s work-his paintings, towers, and discoveries; to see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and within rooms, things dangerous to come to; the women that men love and many children; to see and take pleasure in seeing; to see and be amazed; to see and be instructed…”

The above comes from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but more importantly, the exciting aspect is this can be the mantra of all our lives if we want it.  I left the movies today after seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, with a breath of fresh air and the knowledge that the road is open, for our next move.  That move could be anything.  Some people do not delight in that opportunity, as after the first few times Walter Mitty goes into his daydreams of adventure, and I found being slightly annoyed as they increased, I was right with him when he decided to break from the mold that had always been his day to day life.  I loved him for the courage to make that break.

So yes, I celebrate this film, not for being like the book by James Thurber, but taking the path not taken, and showing  all those, willing to see it, change and adventure is around every corner.  I also like that Ben Stiller directed and starred in this film.  I think he is definitely saying what life can be and should be if people choose that path in life.

I loved jumping into the truck and taking off to Cuernevaca today, just a whim, but it was refreshing to feel the wind, air, and openness of mexico as you leave the city embrace you as you travel down the road, on you own time, in your own space, and with your own thoughts.  Life is funny like that, it can change on the turn of a dime, and it is even better when you are able to ride that turn and have no idea what is next.

I loved this film, not for the reasons love films, but for the message that can reach out and speak to each of us, and there is a definite statement of what happens to those that can get to a point and not try to plan EVERYTHING, and also throwing caution to the wind at time and seeing what life has to offer you.

On Christmas Day, in light of so many sad things that occur:

http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/fotos/tragedia-en-el-guardarropa-1385960913-slideshow/

I have realized the concept of gifts has changed for me as I have received a taste outside of the borders of the United States. Seeing children on the metro at 3:00 AM begging for a peso, people living on the corner covering up with cardboard in the park as I walk my dogs, and individuals in rags when I am struggling to put on my sweatshirt, I see the urge and need to be where the real life is, and not compete for box after package after want after device, to have as my own. I want a better life for those around me, and gifting now comes to me in the form of what can I do for others, what can;t be opened and received that competes with last year, but what can be given and last for years to come – that is what Christmas needs to become for others, for myself, and the idea of buying, buying, buying, and competing, and opening, and wrapping fades to the side. I am rich in friends and family that do not have to be near me to be appreciated, and only hope that others will realize the same when it comes down to how the world can be made better with us in it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! (from Mexico!)

Films, there has been an onrush of some amazing nonfiction films and here are the ones I have experienced… in one line.  (hard for me as I am HARDLY brief!)

Diana  I am disheartened due to the way Diana is portrayed, and thin there is definite lack of accuracy, but, what should stand out, is her commitment to others, this stood out about her despite the film not showing that enough (in my opinion).

The Butler (Loved, touches your very soul and heart, and is Forrest Gum x 10)

Gravity (Okay, fiction!) But, it stunned me and sucked me in, I like that about films.

Mama (and this one too!)  – A long time since I have seen a scary flick, and this one made my jump a few times, so it qualifies as certifiably scary!

The Conjuring  The crazy thing is this is true, yes, scary, yes haunting, and true, ohmygosh watch out!

Captain Phillips  Loved this.  Interesting that there has not been a film on this before, but you are on the edge of your seat several times!

Hunger Games: Girl on Fire – LOVED, privileged to see the premiere, then went to see the firs day of release, loved better than the first and thought not possible!

Soon: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty  OHMYGOSH, based on the trailer, I can hardly wait!

…Christmas Eve?  Since I had moved to Mexico, there were a number of firsts I never even realized were happening to me, and seeing myself three years into Mexico, I see a totally different person.  I am sitting here, Christmas Eve, my first ever time without family (actually I think I did this my first year here  🙂  ) so lets say second time without being surrounded by family, and a sort of famous question always comes at you, “What are you doing for Christmas?!”  and yes, in the states I was always feeling like I would be ostracized if I had an answer other than I am spending with my family….yet…

Since coming to Mexico, I have changed so much!  Deb posted this article,  and I have to say, I agree.  I used to have these insecurities about taking a risk, leaving dramatically, seeing the world as the WORLD instead of through an article on the web, and losing so much value placed on material possessions.  On top of all that, I find myself so much more independent and wanting to see things, experience things, and interact with experiences on my own, to ultimately learn more about myself, and I have found in the process, I have become a calmer, more contemplative person as I have gone through such an amazing experience as being overseas!

Overseas is a transformation of the whole person…had I known so much would be seen in a different light, my gosh, what would I have been like if I would have done this years ago?  I am amazed at how the city speaks to you when the noise of 117.41 million people, the 7th largest city in the world now, halts, and you see the city in a totally different light!  What I did not realize was all the things you realize about yourself if you allow the time for the city to speak back to you.

The independence I have gained truly has made me more excited to see what I am capable of.  There is always this stigma or stereotype that being alone on the holidays is bad.  Ugly.  Or abnormal.  Heck, when I was in the states the stereotypes of Mexico was that people were kidnapped everywhere, drugs abounded, and it was a typical scene out of a Clint Eastwood movie gone bad.  Wow.  I realized that most cities in the states are way worse than here, AFTER I saw what Mexico had to offer.

Somewhere in the three years, I stumbled across my confident self I had lost years ago in countless relationships I thought I needed to be me.  As years go by, I realize, I need these things…

Family is every important and needed and I am still able to maintain contact, just in different ways, friends, and challenges.  Sometimes they come in the form of friends, but more and more, I see the opportunities I relish being discoveries I make on my own, and that coincides with me having made the break for teaching overseas.  Coincidence?  Hmmmmm…

On a night that is quiet, peaceful, and full of promise, I have to say this Christmas Eve is one of the best in the form of how difference things can be, and yet how right they can be.  There is that feeling of nostalgia and magic that Christmas Eve brings, and if you let it in, it will impact you no matter where you are in the world!

I see the opportunities at our feet, if taken advantage of, will leave us never, ever with a feeling of emptiness and/or loneliness.  If those opportunities are not take advantage of, then, something vacant remains.  I have been blessed with family and friends that never leave a hole in my heart, holiday, or life, and what more could you ask for?

Happy Holidays EVERYONE and enjoy what is a complete celebration of ow lucky we are to have opportunities waiting for the taking.  I think the 2014 year will be full of many surprises – enjoy!

Now only a small percentage of you would recognize that heading.  That would be the small percentage that have played the second year of Fantasy Football with me this year. Last year I would up somewhere near 5th or 6th place overall, not shabby for the first year.  This year, I found myself researching more, changing, changing, and more changing the lineup, and well believe it or not, I found myself in the championship game and then look below:

…somehow I managed to win it all. I am still well, amazed, but I think I owe the credit to the song made in my honor last week, and please do not hesitate to listen to it here  😉 (2:45 starts the actual song, lol).  I honestly have no words – and I NEVER thought that John could put my name and team to a song…um, wow…

I think the amazing scores I had below,

were due to the researching for a defense, the weather, and then…

researching more about Wide Receivers, and geez, over 35+ hours of research – I have to say, I know so much more about football, but when it comes down to it –

the members of this league are AMAZING and I have to say, this is one of the best Fantasy Football Leagues, and I think so for last year as well, because, well, the owners are AWESOME.  The creator of La Liga, is to be saluted…we salute you!

Thanks for the final salute movie to the 2013 season!  Honestly, I just want some turkey, ham, desserts, appetizers, food, and some relaxing non-thinking football events for Christmas Day, and we are almost there….:)    Happy Christmas Eve everyone!  🙂

As things begin to finally wind down for the year – there’s so much that is deserving of contemplation.  After roughly six years of starting, partially working on, and moving towards a completion of my Mansfield School Library and Information Technology Degree, the final stages are arriving.  The last course, my Introduction to Electronic  Cataloging came to a close.  I have always been driven with a drive to strive for nothing less than an A, and yes, receiving a C in the course, I looked back after some anger, mixed emotions of putting in work that received all A’s, and missing the last two assignments due, that dropped me to a C in the drop of a hat, seconds.  Yet, as is true with so much, there was so much going on beyond just two assignments not being turned in on time.  Being able to get back into the Middle School classroom and teach a lesson on Scott Westerfeld, NANO, as well as finish a literacy lesson at the Lower School on paraphrasing, and maintaining the record of hours for my activity log, along with actually feeling there was an end to the semester of courses, and then in the background alot of other stressful moments working through, I had a talk with my own reasoning and realized…the C doesn’t matter in comparison to the knowledge I was obtaining, the time I put into give the Repentino. staff a boost, a push forward, the time I spent with students over the last few weeks and months, and so much more occurring, I realized this…

My view that anything less than a C was a waste, well I had to lay that aside.  The benefits I reaped along the way despite a letter grade in my course, and knowing I had really tried on all the assignments, as well as analyzing the other activities that occurred around me, I found myself wanting to look past the letter grade and beyond to other aspects, the same thing we want our students to do.  I could not trade the moments I shared with my students in the last few weeks as we saw the 2012-2013 came out, we worked through some issues the students needing working through, and so much more, the C now began to settle into the word content.  I find I still am learning much about myself through others.  Was it disappointing?  Yes, but, it is my responsibility to still keep learning what I feel weak in, and that can’t be defined into a letter grade, and I aim to finish with quality as I slowly close out this period of study that has seemingly lasted so so long.

Last week, I had had it with seeing the straggly hair on Wriggley and Amaya, and to be honest, Kinah was looking a little shaggy herself.  I was recommended from Cynthia Kaplan’s Lucky Dog to take in the services of the Doggie Bus, on the corner of Parque Mexico.  The patience, time, and care they took with Kinah, Wriggley, and Amaya, along with the price for such qualities, unmatched anywhere.  I came in around 1:00 and almost five hours later, some new looking canines emerged and were surrounded by spectators noticing!  The amazing job that they did, the care they gave the three, as well as the bandannas, all added to an amazing grooming experience for the puppies that had NEVER BEEN GROOMED since birth.  So you can imagine.

During the process, I was interviewed by Jean Guerrero, wait, not me, Wriggly, Amaya, and Kinah were publicized and photographed – as the celebrities that are (first Aeromexico Magazine and now the Beacon in Mexico) where I told them the story of Kinah, her pregnancy, and the crazy soap opera that has become the family of three now.

Smelling amazingly clean, and literally seeming like different dogs, we left and they seemed lighter as well as cleaner.  Being able to relax at Sandra’s apartment, the dogs LOVED every stretch of her apartment and immediately made themselves at home, lol.  She helped much with that too!

Alas, it seems they will stay celebrities and that seems fine with me as they had a rough history to get to the point of being polite and having major manners, thanks to Walking Dog as well, an overall collaborative effort!

Lots more to share but thought the limelight special would go well with the pictures I am taking of them wishing everyone a Happy Holidays!  Soon!  🙂

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!