PAVEing a Blog

Fourth of July – Freedom!  I love it!  🙂  Seeing Seaford in laid back and relaxed eyes is amazing, and I have to say, I love Delaware when I do not have to be pressed every minute.  I am so grateful for the people that have surrounded my lives – and influenced my lives – I cam across an article that I will share that to me, epitomizes everything I think education should be – and teachers could use it as a mantra!

Coming from Mexico to the U.S. was a tricky maneuver, rumors of shell shock from the narcotics shoot out at the airport, Terminal 2, has all kind of interesting situations coming back into the states, but WHEW – made it!

Coming into DCA airport, I did have a euphoria of what it would be like one year after I left – I was able to check into the rental car agency, and they Upgraded me for free to a Santa Fe – Waaaay cool!  My first time behind the wheel in ages felt wonderful, awesome, and just, good to be back!

As I crossed Alexandria, VA into Takoma Park, MD, I phoned my cousin who told me to brace for one heck of a storm, and BAM!  Out of nowhere, winds that could move the vehicle, and rains that had large cats and dogs (lol) came!  A tree two different times (not the same one!) came down – in the road, I went past them, around them, you know….for one minute I thought I was in a Flintstone’s care wash with all the trees and nature around me!

Arriving at my cousins, I realized they had no electricity – I did not doubt it after seeing the strength of this storm, welcome home!  🙂  Waking up, I was in a pace to get to the wedding, that is right, Kate Baltz’s wedding on Saturday, June both?  Was I excited?  ARE YOU KIDDING?  YEAH!  I rolled into DO, leaving my delelectrified cousins behind wondering when they would resume electrical power, what a home-coming storm?

I spent the day breaking in my BestBuy credit card getting the new Cannon Rebel camera, with lenses, and coming back to ready myself for the wedding.  All I can say is, THAT might have been the best wedding and event I have ever been to.  From the familiar faces – friends, students, and so many more, to representing the BlueJay Mascot in pictures and the dance floor, to just being a part of someone’s special day, I realized how much the Baltz’s had inspired me as a teacher as well.  Kate had truly been my first mentor for how I could channel all things from my Dad through me to others, and that gift would never leave – I would be forever grateful for this gift given.  I had so much fun, I would never forget the times I had as a part of Drew and Kate’s special day, this truly made coming home a special memory that would be one of the best.

Sunday – BEACH!  I loved getting my tanbark, smelling and tasting the saltwater, and just the smells, sounds an being a beach bum, I LOVE THE BEACH!

Monday – Tuesday I finally arranged little details of the beginnings of selling my household items, getting my truck ready for the road trip of a lifetime, and WEDNESDAY!  Yes!  Today!  Hitting the boardwalk with Tammy and Tuyet, Mom, and family, with Free Hugs shirts, appointments for matching tattoos,  🙂 and a Fourth of July that would rock the house because of the people around me.  Visiting Chapel Branch in the AM brought me to this awesome revelation –

Taking a year off from the Summer 5k’s was a difficult choice, yet, I have received over 15 calls from previous sponsors – vendors that want to be sponsors for the 5k’s we held last year!  WHOA!  When you don’t have 5k’s, and people call, that is kind of….AMAZING!  Looks like next year will be making up for not having 5k’s this year, so anyone interested in being on the mailing list, let me know…but – it gets better.  I had a dream of creating a nature center at Chapel Branch, to allow a running shoe store, center of running/sports activities, as well as a center for classes that bring the resources of the environmental classroom of the “Chapel” to students.  Someone contacted me and expressed an interest in helping sponsor this initiative, in a BIG way.  How exciting is that?  I feel the dream of bringing back students to work in such a project for the summers is exciting, and the possibilities are limitless.  🙂

Which brings me to a memory – one day  few years back,  parent blatantly said to me, “Someone who wants to spend more time with their students then outside the classroom has a major mental problem.”  Hearing this, I realized, I had always been mental, but – this motivated me to show people they were right, I DID have a problem, I cared more for my students that the relationships I could have that would not be as fruitful and rewarding.  No offense, being single – well to the public is a bad thing, but ever since I recruited and have worked alongside some students that have surprised me their selflessness and heart warming giving back, I realized, the time I have invested in them has been worth more time that I would ever entertain in a bar, trying to meet someone in hopes of a “relationship’, and honestly, the dividends back have been ten fold.  So to that parent who motivated me a long time ago, thank you.  Your actual negativity inspired me to dig deep and reward myself in ways I had no idea would occur!

This all came back to me in this article I came across for my studies for the 21st Century, obtaining course credit from the University of California and through NCTE.

Framing the text Using storyboards to engage students with reading

This article also talks about the value of teachers being there as role models outside of the normal curriculum.  In doing so, students become stable, and more appreciative of eduction.  I grew because of this philosophy and it has never steered me wrong.  My comments below about this article are below:

I loved this article in the ways that it was stressed this strategy could be overused.  I think this goes for any strategy, and shows there is a multitude of strategies available to educators that can achieve a states’ assessment goal.    By using storyboarding, personality is added to the assignments, and students understand there is life inside AND outside the classroom.

 I like that this is a subtle approach to art. Many people think using art is dragging out markers and colored pencils, when in reality, art is such a wider range if interpretation for so many mediums, such as film, fiction, and poetry.  This is a testament that technology can be used, but the simple tools such as Powerpoint, often considered antique, have its role when the creativity in a lesson is the true aim, not the technology. 

Overall, I have learned in so many more ways how to turn the jealousy, creativity, and negativity of others into something positive and blossoming.  I learned this from the best teachers around, my students.  🙂

Two great places to join events, and to meet some awesome people are the following:

http://www.internations.org/

and

http://www.meetup.com/Mexpat/

These will continue to have rolling events for meeting up and seeing Mexico!  🙂

Okay, this is the day I wondered about, returning to the states after my first year – mixed thoughts and emotions.

Honestly, I don’t want to leave.  I have found a new philosophy of life, work, and individuals that I only imagined about when I had in my mind, culture, multiculturalism, diversity, open mindedness.  I found it here in a place I never knew I would.  I can’t put into words the experiences I have had here and how they have exceeded what I expected.

I do miss my close friends and students in the U.S, alot.  However, I see myself returning to the U.S. with a different set of eyes, which allows me to enjoy the places, events, and scenery like I never have before, as I was too busy.  There is a statement in there that is a philosophy of life….:)

I am thrilled to be attending what I consider my first students’, (the first one that made me say, WHOA!) wedding, and some exciting things will occur as a result of that, I am super excited.  I love flying into my cousins in Takoma Park, it gives me a sense of calmness and excitement being able to enjoy the location of their place, I always tried to scape there when I needed to calm down and just recollect my nerves after how trying school became…the same feeling of calmness occurs there!

I plan to lay low and to just take in the scenery I often took for granted being in Delaware.  Beaches, the water, the seashells, the seafood, all of it.  I want to get my running game back, enjoy Chapel Branch in solitude and the quiet it offers, and just again, take in the things I never could because I became too busy.  I am excited to visit for sure, but I already miss some of the aspects of Mexico I will be leaving!

I began to go back and add the restaurants I forgot to add to my list of 100 in a year and although I did not reach 100 yet in a year, I made a good run.  You will want to check out the newest one I added today, as well as the ones I will go back and add that I did not yet.  The menu of those is to the right of this area – just the 100 restaurants in a year link, and you will see a wide variety – the cool thing was this did not turn out to be just about restaurants, but each restaurant revealed a piece of Mexican culture as well, I am sure there is a book in there based on that, lol.

Here’s the extensive list and dates of upcoming excursions!

Hi all,

Herebye we would like to invite you to our upcoming day trips, tours and holiday packages :-).

• This Saturday, 30th of June – Day trip to Africam Safari & Town of Cholula (near Puebla; great vulcano views!)
  • Why would you go to an African Safari in Mexico ?? Well, just to have one of the best days of your life !

  • Africam Safari is the most important Safari in Latin America. We are sure you will live a completely different experience from that of traditional zoos, as you can go deep into African-like paths in the fascinating wild world on a safari-like trip. It is YOU who will be observed by more than 5,000 eyes !

  • You will travel among several sections where we will drive among giraffes, antelopes, zebras, rhinoceros, deer, Bengal tigers and lions, among others, in refuges specially designed to resemble their natural habitats. Here you can live with more than 2,500 animals and 350 species worldwide into the wild !
  • After the Safari we take you to the lovely town of Cholula, home of the largest Pyramid in the world, with the beautiful Nuestra Señora de los Remedios sanctuary on top of it. We will also take you to the town center, were you can enjoy amongst others the 16th century monastery of San Gabriel. Be prepared for some amazing vulcano views !!
  • My Mexican wife Lidia Herrera & my self (Dutch) will join you on the tour to make sure that everything will go smoothly. The price of this day tour is 500 Mexican Pesos and includes transport and the entrance to the park.
  • Click here for a virtual tour / online pictures of Africam Safari and here for Cholula

• Saturday 7th of July – Day Trip to the beautiful Natural Water Park `Las Estacas`
  • The aquatic park Las Estacas came out of your dreams and became reality in the tiny Mexican state of Morelos. The park is sunny, breezy, lush, fun, and relaxing, all rolled into one. The focal point of this park is a sparkling, clear, cool, artesian fed river that borders on much of the bathing and sunning areas. There is a slow, steady current that makes floating delightful and swimming upstream exercise.

    The river is perfect for a lovely swim – right after you get used to the coolness, which makes it wonderfully refreshing. It’s not so cold that you get goosebumps; our “experts” guess that it’s around 75 to 80 degrees (23 to 26 degrees Celsius), or just a little cooler than a lap pool. The depth is around 7 feet (approximately 2 meters) in most areas and much deeper in pools. The pool in front of the rental area is 20 feet (6 meters) deep with a platform built for jumping or diving. Peaceful little fish ranging from 2 to 30 cm glide around the sparkling depths. Every few meters there are artfully constructed retaining walls with “stepping stones” below them that maintain the natural look yet provide easy access and exit points for swimmers.

    The design of the rest of the park supports enjoyment of the river and provides for activities pleasing to everyone. The sunbathing area has a perfect grass lawn for lying in the sun and a cement “boardwalk” equipped with ladders for exiting the water after invigorating cannonball leaps. It’s easy to move around the park, yet there are plenty of surprises as you round a bend into a new area. The landscaping is a balance of very tall, elegant palm trees and other vegetation creating semi-private gardens separating large, grassy open areas. The partially shaded grassy areas are perfect for kicking or tossing a ball around and make it easy to play. Every area is perfectly mowed and raked and you can go barefoot all day long.

    Despite the fact that it is perfectly manicured the park still feels natural, especially along the river because it is shaded by a variety of flowering trees common in Morelos.

  • My Mexican wife Lidia Herrera & myself (Dutch) will join you on the tour to make sure that everything will go smoothly. The price of this day tour is 570 Mexican Pesos and includes transport and the entrance to the park.
  • Click here for a virtual tour / online pictures of Las Estacas.
• Sunday 8th of July – Spa Day to Cuernavaca
  • Pamper yourself during a luxurious day in the best Spa in Cuernavaca !
  • You can use the 2 swimming pools and green zones of this 4 star hotel / spa; with free use of Tennis, Squash and Volleyball courts + the Gymnasium. Includes a free Temazcal (Authentical Aztec Sauna) + Jacusi + fresh fruits afterwards. You will return reborn !! Let us take you there for just 650 MXN; transport from Mexico City (just 1,5 hour away) and all the services and facilities mentioned incluided.
  • Have a look at our Online Pictures to obtain an idea of the excelent facilities.
• Saturday and Sunday 14th & 15th July – Weekend Tour to Morelia
  Ask for our program and price !!
• 20th to 22nd of July – Weekend tour to Guadalajara & Tequila Express
• Ask for our program and price

Holiday Packages (ask for the programs and prices):

• 7th to 15th of July – Riviera Maya
• 14th to 22nd of July – Huesteca Potosina
• 15th to 22nd of July – Chiapas Increible
• 4th to 12th of Agust – Oaxaca Natural
• 25th of Agust to 4th of September – Europe Tour !! (London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam + more 🙂

Offers 2 x 1 Flight and hotel to all mayor tourist destinations: ask for the programs and prices

More tours and holiday packages can be found on our website: www.AztecaTTA.com

Kind regards,
Peter & Lidia
Directors Azteca Travel Tours-Art
2621-0387 (Office) 04455-1308-3732 (cell phone)

Looking back in the drafts that I meant to post, I figured I would add this post and then try to catch everyone up in one day..:)

“The question is often asked – How do you come up with the ideas of things that you do ? It is amazing?! I have to say for once, I am blessed with genes that were handed down to go back and reflect deeply on my experiences growing up. I think we ALL have this possibility to do some amazing things, but how many people pay attention to those possibilities?

When I heard this phrase below from Glen Hansard – (CHECK HIM OUT!) it struck a chord….Time around 4:50 is so – it is casually said but full of conviction!

One of his quotes –  “I mean, everything that I’m doing today I imagined when I was standing at bus stops with my guitar on my back. And when I sat in the back of the bus and on my way to the city to go play music on the street; everything that I imagined at the back of that bus is what I’m doing now.

So, the imagination is a very, very powerful thing and it literally invents the path before you. And if your head is stuck in Facebook or texting or something – which is all fine – you might imagine yourself into a kind of a cul-de-sac, and I worry about that for people.”

This is a much better way to make create a life that is more enriching – pay to more attention to our life experiences and have them come out in a different, rewarding way – :)”

Father’s day and as of late I keep thinking back to my father –

“Dad’s are funny – what is the power a Dad has on his children?  I am not sure – yet I know I will never be the same since MY dad, who wasn’t the typical Dad – had done so many things in his own way for me to see. 8 tracks, Johnny Cash, auto motives, sneaking out in the night to help people, were just a portion of who my Dad was, and I still do not know the depth of who he was – yet – on Father’s Day today I am the better man because of who he was!”

Okay, rewinding, last week was the last official week I had to come in to ASF as part of the school year.  However, I felt my body tired, but gearing up for some things -moving into a new apartment, getting ready for returning to the states, having said goodbye silently in some cases to some very dear people I have met as teachers at ASF, as well as saying goodbye in other forms, add these all together and some days it’s difficult to get your body and mind ready for all these changes – but let me try.

Thursday – the 21st – was a bid nervous and anxiety-ridden for me, as for some reason (not really sure why to be honest) – I arranged for movers to come and get my furniture, and move to a new apartment that was a little bigger, to allow to keep the place cleaner with CATS!  🙂  🙂  I always said I wanted a place that would allow cats, but you would not have to smell to see them to know I have them! (meaning no loaded down chairs with hair, smells of litter box, etc)

I get home – and look to see an approaching storm – to save time, I took the couches and chairs out of the apartment, took the plants (I didn’t think I could carry them) down to the ground landing, under cover from rain, and began to move the rest of the furniture into the living room – and I was excited to see physically, I saved I think what would have been  at least 40 minutes of moving, and perfect ! – movers showed up at exactly 4:30, a driver and three others – and they used ropes to carry down furniture from the top landing – very efficient, – and wow – we were on our way and to the new apartment before 5:20 – and then arrival at 5:30 – I was laughing, I was looking at the wrong corner of the intersection  – wondering where the apartment was, and turned to the other corner, ta da!  LOL – we unloaded all items to the 4th floor – (UGH – NO ELEVATOR) – I was amazingly testing the limits of myself physically, HYSTERICAL with the one neighbor on apartment 6 (VERY ATTRACTIVE!) – asked if I was okay and I needed to take a breath, LOL…

Finally all in, I gave the movers chocolates that were in the fridge – and everything I could find to drink, myself grabbing every available drink of water, soda, juice boxes, lol and then amazed that all was IN! Including cats, lol.  I went back once to the old apartment and walked back with plants, items, etc and died in my sleep!  🙂

Friday, last day at work officially for 2012 !  🙂  I did as much paperwork and wrap up items as possible, and headed back to prepare for a send off party for Helen Kang and Alejandro Martinez – I arranged items in the apartment – brought back a few more items from the old to new apartment.  Late night, scrubbing, cleaning apartment, 🙂  There was something about the new apartment, a positive, good vibe, I felt good things would be able to be done from here…:)

Saturday – I spent the morning preparing for the gathering at ASF for Helen and Alejandro, Mr Gipson came and picked up two mattresses and he dropped me off at a nearby metro, as I made my way to ASF.  Arriving, I began to move items into the library to prepare for the send off, food ready – decorating in little ways, etc.  Students arrived, (not as many as I hope but yes, a bad time for arrivals with vacations, end of school, etc) yet the company was great – we laughed, reminisced, and enjoyed Helen and Alejandro – then – sum sum dum….the cat….:)

We saw the cleaning crew bring a carrier with a cat inside, well, heard it, meow meow meow – and Helen and group went to see it, and came back with a carrier   😦 – Deja vous with Dewey – and lone behold – we let the cat – VERY black, out, (deja vows!) and it (she or he?) stopped meowing and chilled.  This cat obviously had been domesticated, at least acted like it, it was so well-behaved.  After finding, it hiding behind books, and it running around and us chasing it, lol, we decided, it was no good to leave the poor kitten in a carrier all weekend – :9  – you know where this is going…lol…I brought the cat back – let him/her out in the apartment, and then proceeded to make trips to the old apartment to obtain as much and get it out in preparation of Sara arriving into my old apartment Sunday.  Despite the rain, I was determined to make some progress, and yes, walking to my old apartment three times from my new apartment, and then carry boxes to the next block Citio to take a taxi to my new apartment (three times, 3o pesos each time, (3.00 USD) and I managed to get all boxes and items into the new apartment! 🙂

This is the thing, new apartment – 4th floor – no elevator, I had started to feel sore the night of moving into the apartment Thursday, and since then – I just had kept moving, moving, and my muscles never truly had a break. However, I felt good that I was determined to work through the pain and I was able to keep going!  Yes I am writing this on Monday and am very slow to move, yet, I can see I improved physically by moving through the challenge and hope to be able to keep on adding to the activity and pick up my running schedule again  🙂

After getting all those items in, I went on to scrub the oven, sink, walls, etc to the foundation from a layer of grease that was, well, just to put it lightly pretty gross, but it felt so good to get all items cleaned and scrubbed to the surface!

Needless to say, I felt like I died when I hit the bed Saturday night – after mopping, scrubbing, sanitizing, organizing, I felt some major progress hd been made!   🙂

Sunday rolled around, I got up early, headed to the apartment after some follow up mopping and cleaning again at the new apartment, and retrieved the last items in the apartment, as well as on my way back I stopped and grabbed some Churros, flowers for the vase in the apartment – and a balloons to mark the apartment – made it to the apartment.

I headed to the nearest grocery store, and although narrower, loved it more – the bakery inside and just the feel of the store, I liked it much  more!  Carrying supplies for the party today for Helen and Alejandro, I finished last minute of de-hairing of furniture, cleaning floors, bathrooms, etc.  🙂

The crowd that arrived was a little disappointing, but I think the weather and time of year had alot to do with that.  However, the food from  Paulina, Deb was delicious.  Dean came later, and so did Moct, and overall, we just enjoyed each other’s company.  I was lucky to have met in my experience such individuals as these and was blessed to have a mentor like Helen and Alejandro while at ASF.

Looking back, it was amazing the amount of time it took to move into a new apartment, here are some views of it – I love the vibe of the place.  I love the air flowing in, and it just feels like you have the potential of walking into a new world with the view, the upbeat air of it, and I feel good things will happen while I am here – that is a good feeling to have with a place you live!

Cats – I love animals in general, and yes, it is easy to criticize that I am accumulating cats, this is the thing, with so many people in the world, is it too much to ask that if people can;t who generosity to other people, that they take care of animals?  This means not dropping them off and abandoning them, etc.  Call me crazy fine, but I see in cats, as well as other animals, the basic need for a home someplace that is reliable food, shelter, and just to enjoy life, period.  Is it that difficult a request to ask for that?  When I give this to animals, you can just feel the content factor roll off of them – and heck, that is what people should do for each other as well, let alone animals.  I could always see that trait in my Dad, he would patiently take in animals and just care for them knowing there was an unspoken promise to care for each other in general, and hopefully others would take that example.  It works out, and no, I do not plan on taking every stray that comes along, but I hope I can count on others to help stop people from just dropping cats off and instead, asking people if they know of someone that can give them a good home.  🙂

Which bring me to this question, a cat named Dewey, a cat named Decimal, lol, it feels wrong to name the new addition System, so what should be the name of this cat?  🙂

Help!

More updates on restaurants thoughts on returning to the states in a few days!  🙂

Whew!  Alot going on!  🙂

First, we are creating a place through The National Writing Project, titled Youth Voices, thanks to Paul Allison, where students can publish their voices!  I would invite anyone to let me know if they would due interested in being a part, and I will put under a page titled   American School Foundation and friends…of all things creative!  🙂  This is an example of a post from a student on Youth Voices – Amazing!

My life has changed dramatically in growing from the opportunities of writing, sharing, and creating opportunities for others to contribute their art and skills!  This August, will be a preview to the Novel Writing that occurs in National Writing Month in November  – but there is a Nano summer camp – to prep for the November version – check it out! –  I am a registered camper for August – so maybe we can share cabins!  🙂  I have not gone bad to the novel I wrote in November 2011 because I do not have my cord for my hard drive here – it is in DE – but when I make my journey north, I will edit it of the first time since writing it in November, and will being to post the chapters to see what you think, and looks like get ready for a novel continuation in August!

Our international magazine has been published!  We will be ready to market this first foray into all things art and international soon – we have a Twitter page, then Repentino on Facebook, progressing on a Repentino blog to be released soon,  and soon to be online version with a subscription to the magazine!  After recently being CSPA accepted, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, we will get a critique on the magazine and 2012 -2013 will be superb!

We will have Repentino representation at the Ofi Press Mexico Literary Reading this Wednesday, 7:30 PM with a few of our awesome ASF students presenting their works thanks to the Condesa literary night set up in the VFW!

Finally – educators should check out these offerings at P2PU – an amazing array of opportunities that are available for the summer – they will invigorate you!

As we are rebuilding and redefining the infrastructure of the Repentino magazine, I have to say, “The Future is so bright, I Have to Wear Shades!”

P.S.  A shout to my colleague Natalie Dorfeld who has been accepted to teach at Florida Institute of Technology!!  Woooooooooo hoooooooo! I am not sure there is a more deserving person for this, VERY excited for her!

Start a new list of your favorite Father Memory – Add them here, and this will serve as an inspiration to what Dad’s provide to your Father’s Day!

You favorite father’s memory would be a great addition to this blog, I will add mine last…:)  I would love to hear and read yours and have it on record!  🙂

One word came to mind today and a particular definition:

“Passion – boundless enthusiasm” – I love this.  Today seemed to be a record day for many reasons that honestly, I did not even realize until later – but think of this –

Less than a year ago – I uprooted everything I knew – after 6 years and moved to Mexico, having NO idea what I was getting myself into – yet – I found myself surrounded by teachers that had a passion and were from all over the world – I mean, where can you get something so exciting in an educational setting – and here we are today – many of these teachers are heading to Dubai, Portugal, Korea, and regions that are simply amazing to think about.  I have changed so much, and found, that I try to escape the formal goodbye’s because I do not want a goodbye to be a sealing end, I feel their strength and abilities will go to these parts of the globe and come back – they are that passionate about what they do.

It is so exhilarating to have been surrounded by a group of people that feel so – yes – passionate about what they do, what they see, and what they do to impact and influence others around them.  It’s funny, I am used to hearing the constant barrage of complaints, distress signals being sent out about this situation, that situation – yet this group of educators willing to push into the unknown, and go for what they see as improving the future – and having this risk taking of all parts of the globe, – I have to say it has been unlike any experience I have been involved in with education – and I have to say, my heart aches for gratitude with just being around these individuals for one year.

Let me go one step further, being surrounded by an amazing group of students, passionate about making a difference and taking risks, in less than one year I am hooked on being surrounded by such a talented young, hysterical, and fun group of individuals that I am quite amazed – yes, some come from amazing families that I just am in awe of, yet, each one of these young students have such an amazing set of talents – it would make the average teacher cry in disbelief.

I love the word passion – it is so general that it can take into consideration teaching, learning, leading, performing, expressing, and that is just the beginning…

I have been blessed with genes that still amaze me, I am able to not exercise then pick it up like I have been doing so and jump back into a routine and jump back into shape faster than I should be able to – my Dad’s energy, metabolism, and will to make a difference ebb in and out of my waking moments; I can never obtain a gift as generous as this that he gave me.  I have this knack for making some incredible friends I could never weight in gold – his gift passed onto me is perhaps one of the best things I have ever been given – combine this with a will of steel and an ability to see the good in others, the ability to have foresight and mike discerning decisions handed down from a long line of my mother’s genes – what could I possibly want more than I have been given.

No matter what the situation, no matter what the adversity, there is a huge difference between dealing with situations and working through them, and being passionate about them.  I am fortunate enough, through many twists of fate, to be immersed by individuals that are passionate about so many things, literally, my cup runneth over.  Yes, you may be moving to another side of the globe, but your spirit, your positive outlook, your contagious smiles and will to keep pushing forward definitely roll over any of the negative and pessimistic waves that exist – goodbye is not truly accurate – you have left a piece of yourselves thanks to your passion and optimism.  What possible gift could you possibly want to add to that? – In our heart of hearts, we always carry a piece of a person that has impacted us so much, add several characteristics of those people together, and there is NOTHING that will stop a vision, a positive attitude and passionate drive to achieve anything.

On the most negative days, remembering those that have come in our lives and affected like this make the day shift fast forward into positive – and the future is up for those willing to make the most of it…

Hey!  I promised a story about a Scottish man!  🙂  Okay, (this will sound like a joke, it is not, promise!)  – We are walking in Centro, a bright sunny day – and we are on a corner, and a man is walking towards us with a slightly confused and lost look on his face, and we enter into that eve cautious question – do you speak English?  Yes!  We end up walking to Centro, and find out he’s in the country for his job – we exchange details about living in Mexico, he shows us his beautiful little baby, informing us its his first time away from his child – we realize we have found an incredibly kind and gentle soul.  I am thinking – (and pinching myself) I am in MEXICO!  I am really in Mexico and – how can I ever rally truly process how cool this is with the amazing people surrounding me? – Alina – one of the most amazing students I ever met is in India right now – helping people less fortunate than most of the population, My friend Glenn is ready to travel there again for his second tour among orphanages, some of the most passionate (kind of like Pee Wee Herman’s word of the day when I say that!) – teachers I have met in a far are going to change the areas as far as Korea, students pouring in to be part of a magazine that will reach the far reaches of the globe – students that just are amazing when given a chance – and I am in MEXICO – sometimes it truly seems to be surreal – and then I realize, each of us has something deep down we are passionate about – and if we are lucky enough, we let it carry us to ideas we have only dreamed about –

I walked away that day from this man we met from Scotland realizing, there are so many people that we meet, by accident and by fate, that will change ourselves if we just let them – that to me becomes passion and defining moments rolled up in one, I am thankful for every one…:)

..that is right!  No one needs “stinking apartments!”  Here is a contact for someone that owns several apartments all over Condesa and the DF.  He is a good friend of Peter Winckers, Azteca guide in Mexico, and Mr. Basurto owns the Condesa Cafe as well.  His contact info is below:

Armando Prado Basurto      cell 0445536667370 armandoprado@hotmail.com          grupodespo@hotmail.com

Stay tuned for info n how we met a Scottish man in Centro  🙂  ,  more commentary on the new restaurants that have been posted, and finding yourself amid neighborhoods that you never knew existed!  More this week as we bring finals to a screeching HALT!  🙂    at ASF…

AND – just in case you want to PREVENT stinking apartments,  🙂  , here is some info about cleaning those apartments~

A reliable cleaning lady named Rosa (sorry, can’t remember her last name) and her cell number is: 0445515693246

She gets paid 350 pesos, and well worth it. She is completely trustworthy and always puts in the extra bit.

For 350 pesos she:

cleans apartment (very large apartment with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms)
changes bed linen.
does washing.
hangs out washing/folds washing.
irons clothes.
cooks, eg, enchiladas, soups, ensalta de nopales, other delicious Mexican food.
Rosa does some shopping if I don’t have enough washing liquid, or she needs food to cook.

“Those who can do, an those that can’t teach..”  Wow, if you think that, thin listen to this. and this!