Day 30

Today´s post wraps up my 30 days of small celebrations. My celebration today is about my independence. I sometimes cannot believe that I live in a foreign country and am raising a child here. I cannot believe that I have a job that I like (most days) and such a great support system here. I cannot believe how my closest friendships back at home have been preserved even though I´ve lived abroad for 3 years now.

I have learned (an still am learning) so much about myself these past 3 years. I NEVER imagined myself living abroad----I never even imagined myself leaving Utah. It´s been hard, but I´m keepin on keepin on. I don´t want to live here forever, but who knows if I ´ll want to go back to the U.S. either. Maybe Canada? Brazil? You just never know!

Enrique and I celebrated 4 years of marriage this week. It´s been quite a 4 years. It sometimes seems like just yesterday we were planning our entire wedding on the spur of the moment in Veracruz, and now here we are living in one of the largest cities in the world 4 years later....crazy. This unpredictable thing called life is crazy indeed.

I have so many goals I want to achieve. I want to write a book and have it published. I want to travel around the world. I want to have another child. I want to give Gabby the best opportunities in the world. I want to own my own business here in Mexico. I will keep working hard to try to achieve my dreams. In the mean time, I am going to keep celebrating the ¨small stuff¨that gets me through each day.

What are your dreams for the future?

Days 28 and 29

My small celebration for days 28 and 29 goes together for both days. Monday I was so stressed about going to get Gabby´s passport on Tuesday. I don´t like conflict and it seems that every ¨official¨thing I do here consists of running into conflict in some way. Sometimes I think it must just be me. Then I talk to other foreigners (and some Mexicans) and I find out that, in fact, it´s stressful to take care of business (so to speak!) here in Mexico.
I was so stressed on Monday I could barely eat. I don´t think I slept more than 2-3 hours last night. I couldn´t eat breakfast this morning and I was running on empty most of the day while we were in the passport office.
We spent about an hour at the office when we were told that they couldn´t read the doctor´s name on one document, so we had to leave and cross the entire city to get another copy from the doctor. We had 2 hours to return and still have a shot. Luckily, and I do mean luckily, we made it back and waited another hour or so before we left with the passport. I just kept looking at it over and over. I still can´t believe we got it with so few problems (and for 6 years this time!). I can´t imagine not having the stress of passport renewal next year.......I am looking forward to it tho! I think that even though that stress will be gone, another stress will fill it´s place. That´s the funny thing about stress. Just when you think it´s gone, something else comes along!

I guess my celebration is about the universe conspiring and working together (along with God answering prayers) to help things turn out well for somebody. We got lucky by getting allowed into our appt. 1.5 hrs early, then we got lucky that we had an awesome attendant the first time who didn´t make a big stink about my name, then we got lucky when the boss gave us 2 hrs to go get the new paper and return to continue the process, then we got lucky when nobody rescanned our paperwork (to make a big stink about my names), and then we got lucky when we actually received the passport! That´s a lot of luck.

However, Enrique was in such a hurry when we returned from the doctor´s office that he backed into a pole and damaged our rear light and the back of the car. When we arrived back home, he was eating a peach and bit the pit by accident and chipped his tooth!

They say bad luck comes in threes. We definitely hit our 3 quota today. But, man o man, look at all that good luck we had today. The good outweighs the bad today for sure! We´ve always got to accept that along with the good comes the bad. I don´t know why those bad things would have to happen to Enrique, especially today, but I guess the Lord never gives you more than you can handle, so I guess he´s up for the challenge!

What ¨good luck¨or ¨bad luck¨have you experienced lately?

Day 27

My celebration is today is having enough. I feel very thankful that we can go the grocery store each week, purchase what we need, and stress out too much. Of course there are times when money seems tight, but we never have to go without what we need. Of course there are things I want (a new living room set, bedroom set, nicer apt., etc...) but we have all that we need. I feel thankful that we can take Gabby to the movies or enjoy dinner out once in a while. I don´t feel like we do without and I am grateful for that. I often get caught up thinking about the things I want and don´t have, but today I am going to remember what I do have and be thankful.

Day 26--Health

Today´s celebration is my healthy family. We have been very fortunate to have a good pediatrician here for Gabriella and she has had good health! Her hemangiomas are going away and her check-ups are always good! We visited the Dr. recently for a check-up. Gabby got a clean bill of health. The Dr. said she´s very tall for her age and right on track for weight. She does need to start visiting the dentist, so hopefully we´ll get her in there very soon!
Here´s to good health!

Day 25

To things working out!
I think all teachers have worked out the kink and we are good to go for the upcoming school year! What a relief!
I think it´s so cool how things work themselves out and things happen how they are supposed to. It´s hard to just follow by faith and know that things will happen as they are supposed to, but usually in the end it all works out!
Here´s to things working out!

Day 24

Thursday was a stressful day. My school sends out proposals each year to the teachers (tells you about your raise---if any--and any other changes they´ve made to your contract). I am thankful that Gabby is going to receive her same scholarship as we were awarded this year. I am working hard each day to give her only the best and I am happy with her in the school and program she´s in.

There are some concerns from other teachers about their proposals and I don´t want to see anyone leave, so I hope it all works out!

Wednesday, Day 23

Today I am thankful for my tutoring students. I love having class one on one and being able to reteach concepts and help turn on the ¨lighbulb¨so to speak. The boy I tutor on Wednesdays has been so quiet (I´ve been working with him for 2 years now) and he is really beginning to come out of his shell! He is having longer conversations in English and boy does he have a good sense of humor! We only have one more class left this year and I´ll look forward to working with him next year, I hope!

:)

Dat 22

Today is gave the teacher´s course. We talked about cooperative learning, the writing process, the 6+1 traits of writing, and writing workshops. The class was perfect. Teachers were participating, asking questions, and most of all, they seemed to enjoy the class. I always dread giving the classes and in the end they always turn out great! I am proud of myself and proud to share the tricks of my trade! I haven´t been teaching too long, but I´m glad I am able to bring new ideas to teachers in Mexico.

Giving the classes also helps me get re-energized and helps me remember that I do LOVE teaching! This is the time of year I, and maybe other teachers out there too, get totally burned out. Now, I hope I have enough juice to finish out the school year strong!

What accomplishments are you proud of today?

Day 21

Monday is the beginning of the work week. I knew this week was going to be busy and boy was it ever! Monday flew by and I rushed home to prepare a teacher´s course I was giving on Tuesday. It was the last course and I was tired. I didn´t want to prepare anything. I did prepare the class, though. My celebration is pulling through something even when you don´t really want to.
We´ll see how it goes tomorrow!

Day 20...Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday over Memorial Weekend. We had a barbecue (hamburgers and hotdogs...all American) and it was delicious! There might not be any smell better than that smokey smell of the barbecue when cheffing up delicious treats!
Barbecuing also reminds me of Utah. Memorial Day signifies the coming of summer, school getting out, and warm weather. Here in Mexico it´s been super hot already and the rainy season is coming. Hopefully, we´ll be headed to Utah in July to see family and friends and hopefully enjoy a few barbecues! I also spent some time thinking of my daddy. How I miss him so! I think he´d be very proud of me!

How did you spend your Memorial holiday weekend?

Day 19....new lives!

I went to a great baby shower today for a good friend here in Mexico. She´s expecting her second child and she just glows with motherhood. She is so happy and bubbly and I am so jealous! Enrique and I have been thinking alot about whether or not we can/should have another child. Of course I want Gabby to have a sibling or two, but we just don´t know if we can afford another child (tuition, clothes, traveling, etc....). I know people make it work, but could we? Having children can be stressful and I feel like we are just settling into our lives here in the big city....ho hum! Will Gabby resent us for not giving her a little brother or sister????? How much more time do we have to decide? I am only 31 after all......

It´s always exciting to welcome a new member into your family! Congratulations Danny and Nicole! Can´t wait to meet the newest member!

Friday, Day 17

Today´s celebration is definitely about spending time with friends. It´s always nice to invite people over and share some smiles and laughs. We enjoyed pizza, beer, and wine at my house and the conversation was great as always!
How boring life would be without my friends!
Who are you thankful for spending time with?

Days 13-17

Well, Day 13´s celebration was all about Gabby time! We had a great day spending time downtown! We ate some yummy oaxaqueña food (I had a tlayuda) and that was a whole new experience for us! It´s nice that Enrique and I have the schedules we do because we are able to spend nearly every weekend together doing something!

Day 14 (Monday´s) celebration was all about my great teaching staff. I feel so lucky to work with each of them and we have had a great year! I hope we´re all there together next year!

Day 15´s small celebration was my success of teaching another professional development to some teachers. This school invited me nearly 2 years ago to give some courses on cooperative learning, writing ideas, SIOP, etc... and I am still privileged to be giving courses there. Each time I give a session, I feel so lucky and I learn so much from the teachers!

Day 16 was Wednesday. My day´s celebration would definitely be watching the final episode of Oprah. What an inspiring woman. Self-made and so generous. I enjoyed how her final show was all about life´s lessons. What really stuck with me was being sure that you´re in just right the place doing whatever your calling may be, doing service for others, and having a spiritual connection to a higher power and giving thanks to that power. I know those lessons stuck with me because those are things I am struggling with right now. One other thing Oprah mentioned was that before she makes any decisions, she pauses and ¨listens¨to be sure she makes the right choice. I´m going to focus on doing this, too.

Thursday´s celebration (Day 17) was all about laughter. I watched some super funny videos online and laughed for at least 30 minutes straight. Laughter is the best medicine. Life is too short not to laugh around the way!

Day 12 Celebration

Today´s celebration is definitely about how lucky we are to have the neighbors we have. It was their grandson´s birthday today (he and Gabby play together every single day and are pals). They cooked a delicious dinner consisting of stuffed chicken breasts topped with a pineapple curry and pasta. Holy cow was it good! Of course there was cake and coffee and food galore, but it was the company that was especially great. They are always so kind to us. When I need the gas tank changed and Enrique is gone, they are right there to come change it for me; each day our neighbor comes up and combs Gabby´s hair before she leaves for school (since it would be Enrique´s job otherwise); anytime we have a bbq or party, our neighbor (who is an amazing chef) whips something delicious up and is willing to help out in whatever way possible.
It´s so nice to have ¨family¨here when I don´t have any extended family here in reality. I think it´s going to be sad when we move out of our apt., but hopefully we´ve made life long friends. There is a reason our paths crossed, I am sure of that.

ooopsssss! celebrations from the last 6 days!

Starting with Sunday´s celebration....that´d have to be about family time. It was nice to hang out with my cute little family all day today! We didn´t do anything too exciting, and that was in itself exciting! I know I had a busy week, so it was great relaxing. I even took a 30 minute nap! Yes...a NAP! When you have a three year-old, napping doesn´t happen much. I´ve gotten out of the habit, but Sunday´s nap was great!

Monday is was appreciative of being appreciated! It was Teacher´s day in Mexico on Sunday and it was pretty much celebrated on Monday. My amazing students showered me with gifts throughout the week. I got many edible items, some gorgeous jewelry, and lots of hugs. There are many rewarding things about being a teacher and being so appreciated by students and parents definitely tops them. What a great feeling!

Tuesday´s celebration was when I didn´t have to wait in line for 4 hours to order my daughter´s uniforms for the upcoming school year! After a super busy day, I passed the director on my way to get in line. She told me that I definitely shouldn´t have to wait and she told me to speak with the uniform ladies and tell them that I´d be in Wednesday afternoon on my free time to take care of the order! Yippee! When I left, there were probably already 20 families in line and they had just begun doing the orders! Yeah for connections!

Wednesday´s celebration was meeting new people and re-meeting others. Wednesday the teachers at my school were given an awesome luncheon by our awesome room mothers! We had sushi, rice, tempura....wine & tequila! There were prizes galore, karaoke, dancing and best of all....good company! It was quite a celebration! It was great to talk with the moms and learn just now ¨normal¨they are even though they lead such different lives than my own. Nice to connect on some level.

Thursday´s celebration came when our internet and phone service went out for the entire morning! I was supposed to conduct an interview via skype at 9:15 and I have to say..I was not in the mood (due to the celebration the evening before....). I am usually swamped with emails by about 9:00 in the morning and now that I´m teaching again and coordinating, it´s hard to stay on top of everything. It was soooo nice to not have to deal with any emails for about 5 hours. We rescheduled the interview for Friday and everything worked out perfectly! I think the school receptionists and secretary really enjoyed the down time, too!

Today´s celebration is all about quiet time. I am currently sitting at home browsing the internet and blogging while my hubby is off with Gabby at a birthday party! It is soooo nice to have some time all to myself! Life gets so busy, it´s nice to slow down and take some time for myself once in a while. It´s on days like today that I get to have phone conversations with my friends for longer than 5 minutes (thanks Lisa) and that precious conversation time was much needed today!

Day 5--Good Friends

Today´s small celebration is all about my network of friends here in Mexico City! We had our Teacher´s Day celebration (provided by our school) today and it was so fun! The lunch was delicious, ambiance was fantastic, and the company was even better! I truly enjoy spending time with my co-workers (lucky for me, they also happen to be my good friends). Surprisingly enough, I don´t think we said two words about school! We did, however, talk about EVERYTHING else! It was such a nice, relaxing afternoon!

It is easy to sometimes take the people you see everyday for granted. It is nice to see them out of the normal realm. In our cases, it´s nice to remember that we are all people besides just being teachers. We all have lives outside of school and it´s nice to catch-up! I, once again, feel very blessed today. I lucked out working at the school I work at and am very lucky to have my teaching staff! They make my job more enjoyable, enrich the lives of the students we work with, and they also enrich my personal life.

Days 4 and 5

I was lying (or is it laying) in bed with Gabby last night. We were whispering to each other reasons why we loved one another (she didn´t want her Daddy to know she was awake so late). In her quite, cute, little voice she said, ¨And you know why I love you mommy?¨¨Why?¨I asked. ¨Because you follow directions and I am happy with you.¨Too cute. Do you think school is rubbing off on Gabriella??? :)
My day 3 celebration is my time with Gabriella. I might not have as much time with her as I´d like, but I sure do treasure our time together. I really love it when my mind is clear (not thinking about work, paying bills, planning our summer vacation.....) and we have little conversations. I am so lucky.

Day 4´s celebration goes back to the phone! Today I successfully ordered a pizza from Domino´s pizza. Yes, it took me 3 years, but people speak so quickly over the phone and it´s so hard for me to understand....I´m always asking them repeat this and that, it gets confusing...I get frustrated....my Spanish gets worse.....Today I did ask the guy on the phone to slow down (I told him, ¨Please slow down. I am just learning Spanish¨). Or course he didn´t. He did speak more loudly, even though I could hear him perfectly clearly. Oh well. It took less than 1 minute and I believe the pizza is currently en route. Good feeling. I mean, it´s got to look good on a resume right???? CAN ORDER A PIZZA IN TWO LANGUAGES......

:)

Day 2....and Day 3.....2 Celebrations!

So, of course, I totally forgot to blog about yesterday´s small celebration of appreciation. Yesterday was Mother´s Day here in Mexico. I woke up to a beautiful balloon and 2 pairs of new earrings! My celebration is definitely having such a loving family. I also got to talk with my cousin over the phone for about 2 hours----uninterrupted (mostly!). It was awesome! I guess that is 2 celebrations in one day! If you live far from a loved one, you know how valuable ¨connection time¨is whether it´s on the phone, skype, text messaging, or bbm!

Today´s celebration is coming home after an extremely long day (10 hours) and having dinner made already! My husband had a yummy dinner ready and waiting. Where we live in Mexico the garbage truck comes by once in a while, usually mid day, and you have to line up with your trash, then tip the driver/workers. Neither my husband or I are home during the day, so my husband gets the tedious job of loading up the trash and hauling it to the garbage dump site. I am very appreciative of all he does! What a blessing indeed!

After only 3 days of ¨counting my blessings¨I am finding it is a nice way to relax each evening. Nice to have something positive on the brain when unwinding from the day and getting ready to go to sleep!

Can´t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
XO XO XO

This is what I am going to try and focus on for the next 30 days. I´d like to post one celebration each day for thirty days, so I´ll start right now.

Today, I´d like to celebrate my husband calling and scheduling my daughter´s passport appointment. It seems trivial, but living in a foreign country I am so THANKFUL to have my husband (who of course speaks fluent Spanish) to be able to take care of business over the phone. I can get by, but it takes longer, and usually results in some sort of confusion for the person whom I am calling. I will never take for granted the ability to communicate over the phone! The internet is awesome (especially with the ability to schedule appts via the internet) but the internet has it´s limitations. I don´t know if my world could eliminate the occasional need to speak to a human being to resolve an issue, schedule an appt., wish someone well, etc...

It´s a small celebration today, but I am thankful nonetheless. My life has been so hectic lately I have lost touch of all the small celebrations I could have each day....I´m going to be aware and celebrate something each day for the next month.
Cheers! What do you have to celebrate today?

One of my favs.....

This is one my favorite cel phone pics......I knew she was too quiet!
About a year ago (my, how time flies!) I captured this cute pic of my lil´marker face! I think she had a good time....while it lasted! :)

Luck or Lucky?

Welcome to 2011! As the year commences, I, like millions of other people am taking a closer look at my life and thinking of resolutions to complete this year. Every time I think of something I want to change/improve in my life, it turns out that I am focusing on what I don´t have, rather than focusing on what I do have.

For one thing, I want to make more money (or win the lottery) so I can have a nicer car, a nice house here in Mexico, dress better, etc... This resolution comes from the fact that I don´t have a lot of money. But what about what I do have? I do have a car. An apartment. Plenty of clothes. Food to eat. Cable TV and internet access. What more do I actually need?

I also want to get in shape and lose some weight. This focuses on the fact that I don´t have a dream body. But again, what about what I do have? I have no health problems, a strong body, and the ability to exercise in any way I wish.

My new New Year´s resolution is to focus on what I have, not on what I don´t have. I have a beautiful daughter, an awesome husband, and our life is good. We go on vacation and enjoy each other´s company. I have a good job and many wonderful friends. I have a super supportive family who loves me unconditionally.

Sometimes I think I lack good luck and am not a lucky person because I haven´t won the lottery or fallen into a cushy job based on who I know. However, I hope this year I can truly learn that I am a very lucky person who has had (and will hopefully continue to have) good luck.

Happy New Year. May your year be full of good luck and may you find that you are very lucky indeed.

:)