Senorita G's Rants, Raves & Adventuras!

1 More Day!! Can't Wait!

2007-07-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

My last day.... I must do so much stuff. My flight leaves at 8am tomorrow. I cannot wait... as usual filled with anxiousness and anticipation. I want to leave already.
Today the day will be filled with cleaning, packing, last min. errands and tonight I have class. Last night I was at least able to sleep 7 hours since it has finally cooled off here.

Alright.... I will try to update while in the RD but no guarantees.

Annnnnnnnnnnoying!!!!

2007-07-09T22:02:00.001-06:00

I find it annoying that people (many of them) when I talk about the Dominican Republic a few , days, weeks, emails, conversations, mins, etc. later ask me a follow up conversation about Costa Rica.... what is the deal? I do not get it. They do not even sound alike... are in very (well kind-of) different locations.... WTF. Today it happened twice.... when are you going to Costa Rica again??? or whatever.... UMMMMM.... an hour from NEVER. I have never been to Costa Rica.... nor any other coutry that has two words that rhymes with Costa Rica. Is CR soooooo much more well known then DR??? Help me out on this one..... GRRRRRRRRRRRR!

AND what about PUERTO RICO.... at least that is much closer in spelling.... Its not like it say PR and they say CR..... no.....DR sounds very different people. Get with it!!

:/

5.5 days left....

2007-07-06T13:25:00.000-06:00

I leave on Thursday morning... and will be in Santiago, DR by dinner time. I would be there early if American Airlines had more daily flights to STI instead of SDQ... but no.... apparently that's not possible. I have about a 4.5 hour layover in Miami.... but that's ok as we know i love to people watch... especially 'latino people watch'!! ;)
It is really hot in Mpls this week.... supposed to get hotter over the weekend... they say 95. So, I have officially 'moved' over to my parents air conditioned house.... so, as not to suffer in my apt. that is so HOT HOT HOT.
I couldn't figure out what to bring for a few people... so, I decided that I will make a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and some brownies as a yummy gift.
I am trying to find a hat or something baseball related for W but since I am cheap and poor... Target is not really meeting my needs on this one. I'll check the prices at the mall over the weekend. Besides that I am all set for gifts... I cleaned out some stuff and am bring several zip-lock bags of make-up and other randoms stuff that I have that I never used.
Tomorrow morning I think we all (my fam, my aunt's fam and grandma) for breakfast at the Original Pancake House. Tomorrow night I will probably go out with L.... to the movie 'Knocked Up'.... fun fun fun.

Alright... enough babbling... Chau!!!

Not Malaria... thank GOD!

2007-07-04T19:04:00.001-06:00

I do not have Malaria. I have hepatitis A.... :( Which sucks as it just has to run its course and no medication that I can take for it. Though she offered to prescribe me some nausea medicine. She thinks that I would have contracted it in the DR.... which is quit possible. So, for now I'm just here.... getting thru. it. I leave next Thursday morning.... only 1 more week until the madness and until I get to see W. Though he said he was going to skip work to pick me up at the airport I told him 'NOOOO'.... we'll see if he listens. By the time that I get to the neighborhood, he would be getting home anyway.

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July....

Chau!!

Malaria?!?!

2007-07-03T07:25:00.000-06:00

I've been sick for weeks now.... I thought it might be one thing but it has been confirmed over and over again that it is not that. I have been getting sicker but only for half of each day..... I have been trying to ignore it. I thought I may be loosing my mind. Something normal is not going on. Some symtoms are getting more severe... and not good. I thought it was the temp changes, the food change, lovesickness, etc.... but I cannot rationalize what is going on in my body anymore. I need to see a Dr. as if it is what I suspect it is either malaria or some sort-of paracite... it needs to be treated NOW as it is serious and I am supposed to leave in 9 short days and need to be stable, health wise or I think my parents would committ me to ensure I don't set foot on a airplane now. Hopefully I am ok... and can see a dr. today.... and I don't loose too much dinero in the process. At this moment I do not have health insurance... I will see what I can get from the state as I have 'no income' and won't technically until late Dec.

Boringness

2007-07-01T18:08:00.000-06:00

I've been feeling down the last few days.... probably because I don't have too much to do right now. I go back to RD on the 12th.... so, I am not so paitiently counting the days. I have been talking too much on the phone to W. About every other day... sometimes everyday. Yikes!

There is really nothing going on in life.... I am taking my grammar class.... my mid-term is due tomorrow at 5pm... and as I am sure you can guess. I haven't even started it yet. I have slept a lot this weekend. Last night I went to a friends house and we watch my Sanky Panky DVD.... which is always interesting.

Besides that.... I have no big plans for the next 10 days. Just cleaning, hanging out, finishing up class and walking around the lakes to stay tan. Maybe we'll go to LPB next Fri, or Sat if we're up to it.

Alright... that's all.... CHAU!!

mis pensamientos...

2007-06-23T23:51:00.000-06:00

It's almost 1am.... I went to the movie 'Mr. Brook's' earlier this evening with some friends and was terrified beyond my comfort level. I was supposed to go out to night for a friend of a friend's bday bar-hopping kind-of thing... but i decided to clean.... yeah... so, i'm sure you can guess how i feel about this person if i choose to clean my apt. over them. Actually they aren't that bad... just someother chicks that were going to be there drive nuts... well, more than usual.

I am tired.... should prob. go to bed.... but just keep listening to music and cleaning... beleive this is not my natural behavior. I usually do every thing in my power to avoid cleaning/organizing/etc.

I have been doing lots of thinking about life lately. So, many people are stuck in the status quo or trying to fulfill it. They don't want to (CANNOT) go against the grain and do something that is not 'ok' with the publics idea of 'ok'. I am thinking about some things.... some decisions that I have made or am going to have to make it the weeks to come. Generally... I think way too much. I think about shit and never do it.... mostly because I am scared of what will happen but I'm sick of being one of my own victims and letting my fears and doubts take control of me and what I do with my life... because i want to 'be normal'. Though I have known for years that there is no such thing as 'normal' and that there is no reason should want to be like everyone else. So.... I will continue to think... though a certain individual close to me says that it is ok to think but i need to let some of my thoughts out and talk about them.... or i will go crazy. I agree.... i do need to talk about some issues and stop doubting the things that are going on around me and that i am seeing, feeling and experiencing as it is cutting into my life in a negative way.

Ok... must stop babbling.
Buenas noches....

Quick Update on La Vida

2007-06-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

Sorry for not updating.... I've been busy... very very busy!! ;)

Life right now is good. I'm taking a short summer course on English Grammar (sooooo much fun.... NOT!) and then I'm headed back to the DR. Santiago (the 2nd city) for the 6.5 weeks... should be interesting!!! Oh... and I have to give props to Amity... I will be visiting her in Cabrera. AND CARO??? & KARLA??? Any chance you will be en la tierra caliente this summer??

I have been having problems with my stomach lately (more than usual) and now have headaches because my lack of caffeine. It has been hot here and the lack of air conditioning in my apt and car has been a bit overwhelming at times. At least today it is a little cooler.

I am now 'officially' in a relationship. As opposed to unofficially..! :/ We will call him 'W'..... but he is in no way related to GW Bush the 43rd nor can he vote for him as he is a dominicano.

That's about all that's going in life. I am counting the days until I go back and that's about it.

I start student teaching in the Minneapolis schools on Aug 27.... and will be officially done with it and license will be pending with the state on Dec. 14th. I teach 12 weeks at a diverse urban high school on the South side and then will be places 3/4 weeks at a Spanish Immersion elementary school. AND then I am DOOOONNNNEEE!!!! And maybe headed to the DR to work!?!? Right, Amity?

Next week, I get to (read: was forced to) chaperon one of the two AFS buses to D-day. Yes... another year of AFSers has finished their year as exchange students and have to go home. So, I get on the bus 9pm on Monday... we get to Chicago early AM and then I volunteer all day and the bus leave Chicago for Minneapolis Tues at 4pm. It will be fun.... more than 700 kids going home.... there will be a lot of emotions flying... I remember what it was like to go home... I did not want to go... I couldn't even imagine going back.... and when I did arrive 18 hrs later days and months of major reverse culture shock followed. I do not think I ever recovered fully!! ;)

Alright... that's it for now. I'm headed off to dinner with Lena... we found a Colombian/Peruvian Res. en el barrio.... and we have to discuss the possibility of attending a Juagares (w/ secret guest Juanes) concert on July 1st. Oh... and I must remember to purchase a ticket to my future president's campaign kick-off on the 29th... yes, Barack Obama.

La vida...

2007-05-12T08:51:00.000-06:00

I'll be in the DR until June 6th-ish.... I will try to update but no garentees that I'll have internet access or electricity in the 'barrio fino'.... (i.e. da hood, the ghetto, etc)

Besides that everything is good... a little high strees as all the loose ends weren't tied up but hey.... I will be back in less than a month and can attend to things then.

Chaucito y besos a todos!

Chain Smoking Neighbor

2007-04-30T18:27:00.000-06:00

The chick that lives below me is a chain smoker... up until last Friday she just smoked cigarettes... but on Friday night when I arrived home early (before bar time). I walked into the building to the smell of pot... I thought maybe I was just really out of it but as I enter into my apt... which is above hers, with shared vents I was bombarded with the certain odor of marijuana. Lovely. What is really funny about it is... she and whoever she was with got silent when I got home and didn't talk for a long time... like a half hour... I think they were scared... Muuuuahaha...!! But being the nice neighbor I am... I didn't really care and was exhausted and drunkish... so, I was about to pass out anyway.

Now tonight she is standing on the front step... outside this time smoking cigs... which is annoying.... but again... I just shut the window. Hopefully, when I have friends over again at 3 or 4am... she won't come up and pound on my door and scream like crazy.... like last time. It was actually comical as she apologized to me a few days later.... but imagine dealing with Brazilian guys, that just yell at her and say... 'she just needs a good f##k' and to go away. Again... funny.

Alright... I have some work to do... and later some international phone calls to make via skype!! Yay.

Sleeping In

2007-04-28T06:12:00.000-06:00

I can never get enough sleep on week days... its like pulling teeth to get out of bed. I push the snooze button and struggle imensely.
On weekends... at least the last two Saturdays.... I cannot sleep. This week I woke up at 6am and couldn't go back to sleep. :( Which is annoying as I wanted to sleep in... but nooooooooo. So, I guess I'll go walk around Lake Calhoun now... and get some exercise before it gets really busy over there.

Domestic Violence

2007-04-26T14:17:00.000-06:00

I watched Dr. Phil today. It is about a husband who stalks his wife.
He holds hostage of this woman... mental, monetary and physical hostage.
It is crazy. He taps phone lines, reads her email, threatens her, follows her, ETC ETC ETC.

I worked in DV. I do not understand why people stay in these situations. Most DV advocates say that you cannot change a person until they are ready. You could tell them to leave 1 million times but until they are ready nothing you say or do will change. I cannot imagine how low this woman's self-esteem maybe that she just takes this shit and doesn't leave.

DV happens in so may forms and is not just physical. Victims must know that it is not their fault and that they deserve better and they can get out. There is a better life. If they are here illegally they can go to the police, they can get legal help to protect their children and regain control of life.

Life

2007-04-26T14:13:00.000-06:00

The week was almost over... I do not have any big plans for the weekend. I have to write all aspects of a curriculm unit for my class.... that's about it. Oh... and teach Spanish on Sunday which means I cannot drink too much Saturday night... which is fine at my local Saturday Latin night spot is closed this Saturday.

I am getting excited... less than 3 weeks until SD.

Virginia Tech Shooting

2007-04-16T17:20:00.000-06:00

Another school shooting. What is wrong with people? I do not understand how and why someone could do this. Nothing is worth killing so many innocent people. An individual would have to be entirely mentally unstable to do this. As everyone else is, I'm interested to find out the motive of this situation. Though the initial shooting seemed to have a domestic focus, I wonder if the later shooting was at a planned, premeditated location. I hear that most the deaths happened in a 1st German class. Which is scary. As a teacher... anything that has to do with violence in the schools scares me. Also, another thought... schools should have doors that lock on the inside. Most doors can only be lock via keys on the outside. Though this may not have much influence, it could save lives in the future.

Please pray and think positive thoughts for the people in the Virginia Tech Community and their families.

My life is so... BLAH!

2007-04-14T17:30:00.000-06:00

Procrastination filled weekend... I had good intentions... but yeah... nothing has happened yet in the studying/doing projects/lesson plans department yet.

I am however going to R's birthday party... that is promised to be very interesting. Imagine a whole bunch of angry women that are still in love with him in the same room. I think L and I will be the only ones that have never hooked up with him before... hopefully some hot new Brazilians I have ever seen before show up...

Alright... back to doing nothing.... my damn ipod froze... so, I'm listening to music on my compu and ponder life, men and friendship as usual.

Chaucito! Mando besos a todos.

I PASSSSSSSED....

2007-04-11T18:23:00.000-06:00

On March 3rd, I took the PRAXIS II Test which is required to be a Spanish teacher. It went ok... but was a really weird situation and everyone else that was testing had already failed several times. It was half oral and half written... for the oral part I had to speak into a tape recorder which is fine... but the problem was 3 other people answering the same exact question at the same exaxt time into their tape recorders. The questions were open ended, narratives, restatements, arguments, etc... and we had 2-3 mins to record our answers for each questions. There was no going back... just time to talk....
After getting a little thrown off on the first question... because I am SOOOOO easily distracted... and I could hear everyone around me saying things that I was about to say, or should have said, etc....I decided that I was going to pass this test and I didn't care who I took down in the process. So, my strategy for the rest of the oral test was to cover my ears and speak loudly.... yeah, I may have caused others to fail... but I got my results in the mail today and I passed on my first try. YAY!!!

2007-04-10T20:53:00.000-06:00

Update

2007-04-08T17:39:00.000-06:00

Let's see... I'm utterly exhausted... I haven't felt this run down in a while. I have been sleeping for almost 3 days straight... I wake up for a few hours... and then go back to sleep... I feel like I am just weighed down by this virus... not fun.

I did make to my families Easter festivities for less than two hours today. Had a little food... chatted with a some cousins and aunts then left.

At the moment, I am waiting for a calll about the show tonight... hopefully my friend forgot or died or something so I don't have to go... but I have never known him to pass up a party. Especially since I agreed to pay cover. AND I don't care how sick I am if there are dominicans (which there will be)... I am going.

I called my friend yesterday in DR... she started her pasantia... in La Vega last Monday... shit is tough... they moved from their apt., her husband doesn't have a job. There is something about the people in DR... at least the people that I know. They seem to have so little, have have many hardships, or constant hardships but yet they take each day as it is and seem to be happy and can enjoy things that people in my country cannot. They enjoy the little things in life; food, music, dominoes, rum... etc... and they get thru. it... So, when I think I have it rough and want to complain I need to reflect and realize that I am just being dramatic once again.

Sick, Sadness and Procrastination

2007-04-07T16:13:00.000-06:00

I'm sick with the flu or something wonderful. I has been coming on slowly since last Monday but didn't hit until late Thursday night... when I tried to go so sleep after dancing until 2:30am... I just keep coughing myself awake... then I spent the majority of Friday sleeping on my futon or feeling sorry for myself... and I woke up almost without a voice.

I'm sad because I talked to a friend in the DR last night and he told me that his wife had a problem during her pregnancy last week and their baby was born alive (only 20-21 weeks) and later died. My friend is trying to be strong and logical about it... thinking about it as a doctor (which he is)... what should have been done that wasn't and what can they change so the next baby makes it thru. the pregnancy. This is tragic... very sad and to make it worse I already gave them a baby gift.... what an idiot. I should have waited until it was born. I told him that they will learn from this experience and need to be strong and go forward... Sometimes it sucks to be soo far away from people that you care about as you can't just reach out and give them a hug when they need it.

Procrastinating... as you all know I'm an expert at this... I am actually not procrastinating at the moment. Working on some stuff for my online class.... but I really should be working on a lesson I need to present to my colleagues on Tuesday evening... as, I am going out tomorrow night and have family stuff during the day.... oh well.... if need be...I'll be sick Monday...

I'm going out tonight... I'm going the non-Latin route... as of the moment... Though things may change. I went out to 1st Ave Thursday night with R and some of his friends.... I had a great time.... and a group of Mexicana's want to hangout with me again soon... because I am so cool... and I am more Latina than them... ;)

Sick and Procrastination

2007-04-04T18:38:00.000-06:00

I'm sick... it's good I am pretty much not working this week... only 1-3 hours a day.

I need to study and getting working on stuff for grad school... but as usual I am not doing that... just avoiding it and getting overwhelmed thinking about it... I sure am crazy... but at least I can admit it.

We are preparing our Spanish classes for the end of the year show/presentation/recital.... mine are doing well... but most of the 1st graders (especially the ninos) think they are tooooo cool to sing. Though singing really isn't my preferred method of teaching, it is really the only thing that works (read: is aloud) for the show. Only a few more weeks. On a good note, at my private lessons at the really wealthy families house the two youngest girls are begging their mom to have me come at least once more each week. Tonight, when my time with the 3rd grader was ending she said to me...'how 'bout we make the lesson longer tonight.... can you stay until 10?'... I say no...'tengo q ir a mi casa' and she said...'pllllllease... how about until 9pm then'.... nice, right?!

Ok... must go do something that is not important at all...

2007-04-01T20:20:00.000-06:00

This is what I will be going after eating a nice Easter feast.....

Xtreme at Karma, next Sunday night.....

2007-03-30T16:49:00.001-06:00

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Nothing much...

2007-03-29T18:20:00.000-06:00

I alive... trying to figure things out. Nothing too new and exciting is happening. Not much work for the next 11 days. Which is awesome... just one or two hours a day.

I just got back from Happy Hour at Brits.... and I am headed out in a little bit again.

I want to paint my bedroom. I am just trying to figure out how I will do it. Lots of ideas.

That's it for now. Chau... y besos a todos.

G

2007-03-25T21:41:00.000-06:00

I'm sad. Having issues. Just when I think I forget... that I have moved on... it all comes crashing back. I do not think I am meant to move on until this is resolved.
AND now... when I made semi-permenant decisions nothing really can be resolved until late December... no, not possible new news...

I'm sick to my stomach and so confused. How have I let this happen again? It better be worth it.

Brain Clarity and BSing....

2007-03-25T12:17:00.000-06:00

Most people who know me well, know that I have a tendency to be good at BSing. Now... this has come in handy over the years. I know what people what to hear (especially professors) and can lay it on thick when necessary. Well... that time has come... after several coffees and mates my brain has suddenly gotten into BS-turbo mode and I am flying (ok... exaggeration... moving faster than a turtle) at this portfolio justifications and evidence now. Who knew my bachelors in BS would come in so handy today. These education professors won't know what hit them.

Back to writing and caffeinated drink land....

Astrology

2007-03-25T10:00:00.000-06:00

Am I a freak that I follow astrology and the min. I make a new friend I have to read up on their sign and see what they are like. I also read about aquarius' (my sign) and now recently I have been learning more about Chinese astrology... I was born in the year of the dog... two days before the year of the pig.... and then reading on what it means to be an aquarius dog. This might be a little strange but it helps me confirm some things about my personality and mind that I already know. Regarding friends... I get a bit freaked out when I read something about their sign... say 'they like books' and then out of no where a few days later the new friend announces that they really like books.

It is all made up or real?!? I am a believer.

Update...

2007-03-24T14:54:00.000-06:00

This week the universe was watching over me. Maybe because I have been doing positive things in life lately... except for the usual procrastination. I was supposed to present at pre-student-teaching portfolio to some grad school professors at Friday at 4pm. I had a whopping nothing done as of Wednesday evening... I was starting to freak out in my usual ways... multiple visits to the refrigerator... when I got an email. My professor has been double booked and needed to reschedule. Yes! My stars where lined up, and the meeting was moved until Tuesday at 8am. I have dedicated the weekend to working on it... which is fine... though I found myself cleaning instead of doing what I was supposed to. I can't believe my extreme avoidance tactics.

Besides that.... nothing too much new. I may be getting together with some people from my past in the up coming weeks because of my 'new' approach to people. Yes.... instead of just thinking and not doing... I do and think later. It has proved to work thus far.

I want to go on vacation.... but no money at the moment. Next week... after Tues at 8am, I will start working on drumming up people from Spanish lessons for this summer. And then depending on how that goes I may make some sort of decision.

I'm Here...

2007-03-19T18:07:00.000-06:00

Sorry for not blogging lately... I've been busy with life... but now I am procrastinating.... so here I am... doing what I am not supposed to be doing.

This are going well... a bit weird... but I am sure life will sort itself out sooner, rather than later. But then I see a full moon, listen to a certain song and have a nervous episoid... that makes me question all of my recent decisions and think that I am just running away... but from what exactly? I don't know.

I need to write a paper up and cook dinner before my peeps come over for a viewing of 'Borat'.

Tchau! Y beijos a tudos.

randomness

2007-03-10T18:12:00.000-06:00

I spent the day painting my apt... and putting things in their new places. There doesn't appear to be any hot water... which is not good. I painted my walls... a really bright blue... I'm going to get in trouble. OH WELL!!! If I cannot be somewhere by the ocean... I will bring it to me.

I'm a little sad about some decisions I made... but I need to get over it and grow-up I guess. I should be happy but as usual about a million...'what if's' are running thru. my head... and making me crazier than usual.

Now... I have to get the 'rents at the airport. They are coming in the Barbados.Their flight better be on time... or they are going to have to walk home.

Then I am going out for the evening.... it should prove to be interesting.... I hope. ;)

And then I have to turn the clock an hour forward... and get my ass to my private Spanish lesson with the extreamly rich people at 11am... yikes! AND without a handover this time... I hope.

Ho Hum...

2007-03-09T16:54:00.000-06:00

Overwhelmed as usual... not sure why.
The snow is melting quickly. Yay!!
I'm excited for tomorrow night...
Tired of avoiding some of my commitments.
Changes. Many Changes... is all part of the fun.

2007-03-06T06:34:00.000-06:00

my mind won't stop....
it's spinning....
too much input...
not enough output...
why do i do this to myself?

Listening to Aventura and trying to distract myself...

Necesiiiiiiiiito CAFE! Ya.

2007-03-06T05:56:00.000-06:00

It's Tuesday... I slept 2.5 hours... I think. I'm tired and not very prepared for the day. Maybe I will feel better after my daily dominican... coffee... not men folks.

Alright.... I will try to be productive... though it is 6am... and I am confused getting more confused by the moment.

Mando besos y saludos a todos!! =)

I Hate Monday's....

2007-03-05T06:52:00.000-06:00

I don't want to work today. I just want to stay in bed. I don't have patience to work with the children I work with. Not today. Maybe after a little caffiene, I'll be a little nicer but that is going to ask a lot. I will go to Dunn Bros. instead of Caribou this morning... I need something extra strong. I don't want to deal with 1st graders or middle schoolers today.

I'm having a little pity party for myself....

Issues...

2007-03-04T19:07:00.000-06:00

i have issues...
major issues...
some of which include...
changing my mind constantly...
the inability to make a decision...
making a decision and then deciding I want to do something else...
than throw in some constant obsessing...
some crazy fantasizing...
some more mind changing...
poooooooor dios...

The Shades of Perception...

2007-02-26T19:48:00.000-06:00

It is amazing how each person sees the same situation so differently and responds according to their perception... even if parts of this same situation are agreed upon by both people... the way they interpret the remainder is amazing.

Ideas confirmed and reevaluated in every moment...
with every breath...
with every thought...
and conversation...

my perception continues to change... gracias a la ayuda de unos amigos!

Que tiempo hace hoy??

2007-02-25T18:16:00.000-06:00

Es domingo y esta nevando, nublado y hace frrrrio!!

I snowed more than a foot in less than 24 hours. My shoveled twice... my back and arms hurt. Before it snowed it rained/slushed for about 4 hours... so... it is slushy, heavy, slippry slop that is out there.... yuck!!

Nothing is happening here... I went on an online shopping spree in the last week... I am out of control. I now need to start saving my money and not spending it on fun things I find online that I can use in my classes.

My parents lest on vacation yesterday... for a two week Caribbean adventure... in St. Lucia and Barbados... but then they got stranded in Dallas yesterday... and I am assuming they made it to St. Lucia today as I did not get any complaining phone calls from them.

Ok... me voy!

paz y amor

Oh no she didn't....

2007-02-21T19:53:00.000-06:00

So.... I have some theories about latino men.... some of my theories dictate how I approach relationships and latino men. I don't like men with really big cocky egos or attitudes (which is common in some groups)... and so, when latino men that I interact with get a bit crazy/cocky/egolicious....I be sure to to keep them in check.... not let the ego get toooo big.... Yes, people... this white girl has atttttttitude!! Daaaaaayyyyyuumm.

Wellll.... apparently I offended someone.... opps! But I think he was just offended because his ego was a little toooo big for me and I brought back down to normal size. I didn't offend him enough to not want to get coffee and go dancing.... ;) better luck next time!

Cute New Shoes = Temp. Happiness!! =)

2007-02-18T19:33:00.000-06:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

2007-02-17T15:49:00.000-06:00

Somedays I just get so frusterated.

I think I need to make a change. NOW!!!

Hice una decision... POR FIN!!!

2007-02-16T07:03:00.000-06:00

Es confirmado con un boleto de avion... voy a estar en Rep. Dom., el 2 de mayo hasta el 26 de agosto. Dicidi que no iba a hacer mi pasantia (student teaching) en Costa Rica.... iba a ser muy costoso... y la verdad es no tengo interes en este pais. Lo que dicidi es voy a hacer todo aqui en Minneapolis y empieza el 27 de agosto y termina en diciembre, la semana antes de vacaciones de invierno. Fue una decision medio facil, medio dificil... pero todo esta bien ahora... estoy contenta y tengo menos de 11 semanas hasta que voy a SD.

Bueno... ademas que eso no hay mucho pasando en la vida. Hoy tengo que ir al Mall of America con mi colegio (donde trabajo). Los estudiantes de sexto grado estan haciendo un proyecto de fisica... y tengo que acompanar los chicos auticos en las montana rusas y todo.

Esta noche voy al 'Carnaval Brasiliero' aqui en Minneapolis. Va a ser buenisimo... y ojala que hay hombres... brasilenos bellos alli. Vamos a tomar caiparihnas y bailar samba... y no se que mas.

Es un fin de semana larga... no hay clase lunes... por el ferido 'dia de presidentes' aqui en EE.UU. entocnes tengo mas tiempo hacer... NADA!!

Ok Srtas y Srs... me voy.... chau! Mando saludos, besos y paz a todos!

Sick but Excited for Carnaval 2007 this Friday

2007-02-13T22:30:00.000-06:00

I'm sick... I need to get better.... I'm going to Brazilian Carnaval this Friday evening... it should be great.... well, not as good as being in Salvador for Carnaval but the 2nd best thing ;)

Here is a link to the festivities... anyone out there in MPLS... I hope to see you there.

Beijos
>jcg

What do I need??

2007-02-09T19:48:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by Amity...

So, here is what I need....

1. Janet needs 500 more tiles (should I be re-doing a bathroom or something?)
2. Janet needs help (who doesn't)
3. Janet needs to do the damn thing (I need to do many damn things)
4. Janet needs to be terminated (somedays I think so ;)
5. Janet needs access to my science webpage (no I don't)
6. Janet needs to stop being so proud (oh hell no!)
7. Janet needs another cat (NOOO, I hate cats)
8. Janet needs to raise the bar (could be)
9. Janet needs to try to explain (what??)
10. Janet needs to fire her publicist (I didn't know I had one!)

So... about half of mine had to do with Janet Jackson... I guess I'm not the only famous Janet in the world.

Republica Dominicana

2007-02-05T19:03:00.000-06:00

4am- airport - flights - no working cajero - 20 mph on freeway -celebrating national beisbol championships by tying large chunks of scrap metal to back to cars, driving around, honking and yelling -brahma -police riads for underage club goers - long drive - Haitian border - tierra de nadie - Haitian witch doctor 'curring' the NY dominicanos - Haitian homebrewed Whiskey - dehydration - poverty - new born twins - huge gallo (rooster) fight - extreme poverty - happy faces - front row seat - fueding brothers - one agressive, lo mejor y otro no - bachata - brahma - merengue - brahma - merengue - dancin' (manly) dragqueens - locked in house - boys outside waiting - no beach or river - la gua gua had a problem - doctor's daughter - playing - dancing - a child's sadness of separated parents - brahma - aimless drives around the 'hood - visiting the dr's paitients - dra xiomara - Yenny's engagment - sick sister - waiting to see drs - getting the transmition fixed - family favors - more visits and tests for sick sister - a entire day en the taller - no logic - 29 mil pesos!! - more family favors and connections payoff - more visits to paitients - neighborhood salon - chicken bones - playing with nariz - cell phone fiasco - stomach ache - museo del hombre dominicano - malecon - early morning - muchos carros - turtle - Promed outting to Constanza - rum - dominos - karokee - rum- mama juana - river swimming - rum - mosquitos - rum - drunkeness - dizziness - passing out - - missed my set up with abogado's nephew - mosquitos - packing -breaking open the piggy bank - brahma - shopping - brahma - puertoriquena?? - CD's - brahma - lunch - fotos - speed dating dominican style - crazy packing - brahma - bachata -barely making it to the airport in time - delayed flights - intense airconditioning - 2am- HOME

Breathe

2007-01-23T17:27:00.000-06:00

I think I may have an anxiety attack... i keep having to remind myself to breathe... breathe... breathe girl. I feel overwhelmed (which seems to be a common thing at the moment).... I don't really know why... I know why I have anxiety... I feel out of control... like I'm going into the unknown... without clear knowledge of the outcome... I just have to be brave. Go with the flow... don't shut down... don't run away... I have to face the beast...

Fight or flight?? I must fight. I cannot run away because of fear... or do something stupid because I do not like to feel venerable. I am also freakin' 24 years old... it's about time I stand up and be a strong women (the crowd cheers)... do what I need to.

I am walking through a dark tunnel and do not know what is on the other side... although I am anticipating the other side. I am also nervous. I just need to stay clam (yeah, right!!) and breathe.

Things are going to happen.... my world is going to change in the next two weeks.

Princesa

2007-01-23T06:40:00.000-06:00

I am currently listening to this song on repeat and counting the days.... no hours until my trip... less than 4 days. My flight leaves Friday at 6am.... I can't wait.

Letras de 'Princesa' de Frank Reyes...

te recuerdo como una niña aquella de la escuela
la que se creia la reina del salon
la de ojitos saltones y Mirada traviesa
la que dejo en mi alma la primera illusion
te recuerdo como la niña aquella de las trenzas
la que me acortejaba a espaldas del professor
la que siempre supo encantar con su presencia
la que no paraba de escribir mi nombre en el pisarron,
hoy recuerdo la niña aquella la que pasaba todas las materias
la que mitad de quinto se fue y nunca mas volvio..
yo te veo y no me lo creo mira que bien te ha tratado el tiempo
y al mirate me dan deseos de hacerte reina de mi reino...
te ves perfecta me ha dejado alusionado tu belleza
tu Corazon no tiene dueño no me mientas no me quieras causar esa tristeza,
te ves perfecta me ha dejado alusionado tu belleza
tu Corazon no tiene dueño no me mientas no me quieras causar esa tristeza
princesa dime si aun quieres ser mi reina
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina(oh oh oh)
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina(princesa)
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina(princesaa)
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina(oh oh oh)
yo te veo y no me lo creo mira que biente ha tratado el tiempo
y al mirate me dan deseos de hacerte reina de mi reino...
te ves perfecta me ha dejado alusionado tu belleza
tu Corazon no tiene dueño no me mientas no me quieras causar esa tristeza
te ves perfecta me ha dejado alusionado tu belleza
tu Corazon no tiene dueño no me mientas no me quieras causar esa tristeza
princesa dime si aun quieres ser mi reina
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina
dime si aun quieres ser mi reina………..

Would you......

2007-01-19T21:13:00.000-06:00

want to push your friend around (and around and around) the Mall of America in a wheel chair?? When in a wheel chair, with a non-permanent injury who would be like... 'hey, best friend... lets go shopping.... oh, by the way... you are going to push my ass around since I broke my leg!!'

I took a little trip to the Mall of America this evening and in the duration of 30 mins. I saw more than 5 people pushing their friends and loved ones around in wheel chairs. All people appeared to have non-permanent injuries... and almost all of the people that were doing pushing looked tired, mad and deep-in thought (probably about think about why they agreed to go).

So... note to the wise if you broke your leg... arm... torso... tailbone...etc... go to the MOA in a few weeks... OR you may loose a friend.

Chau!

21 Bajo Cero

2007-01-16T16:30:00.000-06:00

21 Bajo Cero fue la tempertatura cuando levante..... estoy muriendo de frrrrrio. Por suerte estare en un lugar donde hace calor en pocos dias.

Nada nuevo esta pasando.... trabajo, trabajo, voy al gimnasio, trabajo, duermo, como, trabajo, etc. etc. etc.... asi es la vida aburrida.

Que mas les puedo contar?? Realmente nada. Desde el 2 de mayo hasta el 2 (o 3 ) de septiembre estare afuera de los estados unidos... Estare en Costa Rica haciendo mi pasantia en despues en antes... creo que ire a Republica Dominicana.... CREO.

En un poco menos de un mes cumplo anhos! No quiero tener 24 anhos... pero ya llegan. Tan rapido paso mi 23 anho en el mundo pero lo 24 sera mejor... ya lo se.

Bueno... eso es todo para ahora... Chaucito... Y mado saludos y besotes a todos.

paz y amor

Long Lazy Weekend

2007-01-13T12:13:00.000-06:00

No school Monday... it's MKL Jr. Day....

Today, I got up early and went to breakfast with my mom, aunt and grandma at the 'Original Pancake House'. It was good I ate tooooo much. I am going to BACHATA class in a little bit... to polish up my techniques! ;) Later I will go shopping... that's all I have planned.

I need to call a few friends... here and abroad. Monday I have a dentist appt.... that's about it. I guess I will just be working out... and hanging out this weekend.

I want to see the movie... 'Freedom Writers'...

Alright... off on the bachata goodness... !!

Chau!

Where has the Week Gone??

2007-01-10T23:20:00.000-06:00

It's Wednesday... I think... only two more days left of the work week! Yay!

I am avoiding making a decision regarding my masters program... tomorrow I will decide something... i guess.

I'm tired... and counting the days until my vacation.... 16 days...!!

Ok... Chaucito.

paz y amor

Stuff

2007-01-07T21:29:00.000-06:00

I am in the process of buying gifts for my trip to the DR. I am buying several. I asked my friend... the female doctor and newly wed, if she would like anything in particular as a gift. Or if she needed anything. I got an unexpected response... a fork, spoon and knife. I think she means like a serving spoon and fork.... but maybe I'll just buy a whole set. I guess I will have to price that. Besides that I am buying a few other things for her and her dr. husband. And a few other people... if they are nice to me... they will get a gift if not!! Hell no!! ;)

What else? That's about it at the moment. I'm tired... and attempting to psych myself up for 15 first graders at 8am. And a two-hour tutoring session tomorrow night. Kill me now.

Besides that I am trying to get ready for a really difficult semester... but then I will be done. Forever!! ;)

My Craziness

2007-01-06T21:26:00.000-06:00

I am mentally and physically tired.... my mind is racing I cannot stop stopping about two things. Two topics... two themes... that bare great influence on my life and how I feel and how things are and will be. I am just being obsessive... I cannot know nor predict with exact certainly thus I must (apparently) think about it non-stop until I can figure out the answer to at least of the things. I have 19 days until I will know... that scares me.

The other thing is something that must be determined from within... I must have to make a decision. Stop fearing things and just be. Be Strong and not give in.

Ok... enough babbling for now.

Chau!

Costa Rica and More

2007-01-03T22:00:00.000-06:00

This morning I had my 'interview' with the director of my master's program. I was approved to do global student teaching. I also got my dates today from the coordinator of that so.... May 28 thru. August 17 I will be student teaching in San Jose, Costa Rica... well, actually to be more exact some where called Tres Rios... but I am told it is part of San Jose. Now I just have to save money for the plane ticket.... but I must worry about one trip at a time.

So... I guess I will be spending the summer in Central America.... some where I really had not anticipated going. Then I get to come back and do 6 weeks of student teaching for Spanish and 6 weeks for ESL.... and by December 1, 2007... I will be licensed to teach K-12 Spanish and ESL!

That's it for now... I am exhausted. I started going to 'body sculpting' class yesterday. I was in major pain today and then went again this afternoon and then do two more classes tomorrow. Maybe I will rest Saturday.

Chau!!

New Years in Chicago

2007-01-01T22:20:00.000-06:00

Some more pics.... of my somewhat interesting weekend.

Fotos de mi fin de semana en Chicago. Chicago fue lindo... pero las chicas (menos Lena) fueron horrible, estupidas, innocentes, conservitas que no tiene que ir a una cuidad otra vez en la vida porq tienen miedo y no son bien educados en sus maneras de ser... Quizas notaste... no disfrute mucho... :/

Chinatown- Chicago

pissed (cara que mata... yo estaba enojadisima)

Waiting for the L

Esperando el tren.

No dejamos de tomar.

Can someone who is from Chicago explain this sign to me??

It says 'I see Black People'

We're Cute.

Hotties! Lena and I. Fabulous as usual.

Que sexy que somos. Lena y yo.

Las insoportables... :(

Borrachas buscando comida.

Borrachas en Walgreens.

Pase mi fin de ansiosa y enojada! Pero hable con un venezolano en el tren..... y un moreno me compro bebidas toda la noche. Las cosas que hombres hacen para una mujer. ;)

Ojala que paso el resto del ano con mejor compania, feliz... y bien fabulosa como siempre!

BESOS!!
Feliz ANO Nuevo!!

X-mas - Navidad 2006

2007-01-01T21:58:00.000-06:00

Here are some random fotos of x-mas....

J-Fabulous.... otherwise known as me! ;)

Scary Singing X-mas Tree

Cantando Arbolito de Navidad

J-Money (my bro)

Mi hermano.

Two Cousins

Dos Primos.... parecen contentos, no?

Me and the Boys. All the Cousins

Soy la unica prima. Todos mis primos.

Taking a Bath... he was not happy.

El perro banando... no estaba contento.

Feliz Navidad! Merry X-Mas!

Off to Chicago for New Year's

2006-12-29T18:34:00.000-06:00

I am leaving in the moring with a car full of ladies to celebrate New Year's in Chicago. I have no idea what we will do there but whatev.... something like drinking and shopping I suppose. My ride comes at 8am.

I'll be back on Monday with fotos to share.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year...

I know that 2007 will a great year for all.... (especially me!! wink. wink)!!

Mando saludos a todos. Feliz Ano Nuevo.

Besos.

A Sad Day in Suburbia...

2006-12-23T12:25:00.000-06:00

It is sad when the police are not fighting crime... instead they are sitting in their police car controlling the stop lights with the strobe flasher to ensure that the green lights are long enough for the shoppers going from Target to the grocery store across the street and vice-versa. Imagine a perfect place (ha ha haa) where there is no crime and this is what the police are payed the big bucks to do.

Suburbia is really starting to scare... as the soccer moms get vicious during the holidays.... also a lot of men decide (reluctantly) to go to the malls, where they do not know the proper traffic laws and start cutting people off, plowing thru. red lights, going the wrong way down the isles... it is quite frustrating.... AND of course you are the one doing the wrong things. Yeah right!!

Ok... off to brave to crowds... I have to run some errands.

Chau!!

I'm Finally on Vacation...

2006-12-22T09:43:00.000-06:00

I am freeeeeeeee until Jan 2.
I don't have many plans. Just to get oranized and relax.
I am going to Chicago on the 30th, for two nights.... that's about as exciting as it gets.

Haciendo Completamente Nada...

2006-12-17T15:12:00.001-06:00

Terminé mis clases jueves. Tengo q trabajar esta semana... bueno, lunes a jueves. El viernes tengo una cita cortar mi pelo... va a ser 1 o 2 pulgadas nada mas.... todos saben q tengo miedo cortar mas. Y el sábado, tengo q tomar examenes para mi maestría... toda la mañana.

Hoy no estoy haciendo nada... fui al gimnasio por la mañana. A las 5pm, tengo una cita con alguien q quiere clases de español. Después... creo (si, tengo fuerza) voy a ir a gimnasio otra vez.

Mi hermano llamó hace cinco minutos... el estaba aburrido en Washington.... entonces cambio su vuelo. Viene hoy a las 9:20pm, en vez de miércoles.

Estuve pensando leer un libro. Normalmente leo mucho, pero son libros q eligieron mis profesores... ahora voy a tener tiempo leer unos libros q compre y no he leído todavía.

Bueno... mando besos y abrazos a todos.

CHAU!!

Small World

2006-12-16T15:58:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, at the holiday party for one of my jobs... I started talking to a girl that was talking about shipping stuff to Argentina.

So, check this...

She is moving to Argentina.
She is married to a guy from Resistencia. (where I lived)
He is my age and I know his families business in the city.
She was an AFSer... to Finland... but same year, same departure.
She also has worked in the AFS office here and know alot of the same people I do.

CRAZY.

Today... instead of buying new shoes I found the cutest shirt ever. I bought it and will take a pic soon....

Two weeks until we go to Chicago for New Year's.
Less than six weeks until Rep. Dom.
I'm excited!

I'm Dooooooooooonnnnneeeee....

2006-12-16T10:22:00.000-06:00

I survived my semester... well, at least I finished all the tasks, projects, papers and lesson plans. Whether my grades will reflect my work that is not known yet.

What is new? Nothing much. I have clean everything now... neglecting it for more than a week has made things disgusting.

I have a semi-busy week next week and then just about nothing for a week.

I have started tutoring... el chileno en ingles and a hs student in Spanish. I have a few more that want lessons in the new year.

Today... I'm going to relax buy some new talcos.... AND WORK out.... less than 6 weekks until my hot bod has to make appearences at beaches on a tropical island en el caribe. ;)

BESOTES A TODOS!!!! Chaucito.

Avoidance Tactics...

2006-12-13T22:36:00.000-06:00

Eat
Watch TV
Make Lists of What I Need To Do
Think about What I Need To Do
Pluck Eyebrows
Read Magazines
Talk on Phone
Chat with People on MSN
Emaling

Just a few of the avoidance tactics I have used tonight.

So, let's see... it's 10:39pm... I have done about 8% of every thing I have to do by about 7am.... But I'm surprisingly relaxed and feel no reason to hurry.

I still have pleanty of time..... ;)

BTW... yes, I am officially insane... if you had any doubt.

47 Hours to go...

2006-12-12T21:56:00.000-06:00

and I am about to go to sleep... for the next 7-8 hours. I need to sleep so, I can be productive tomorrow... when semi-all-nighter-number-two of the week begins.

Ok... no more thinking about being productive. It just makes me exhausted thinking about it.

And now I just remember I have to evaluate a whole bunch of 1st graders Spanish skills... by Friday, 11am. Yikes.... and I have no idea where I put the folder with evals. I will worry about that 8am.... Friday!! ;)

To sleepy, sleepy I go.

Numb

2006-12-12T12:11:00.000-06:00

I am numb and just trying to make it thru. they next 60 hours....

I slept only 2 hours last night... actually I am not sure if I slept because I get nervous that I will sleep thru. my alarm....

I finished my urban field placement finally... thou. I'm pissed that he said that I'm often late. But I should not feel too bad about it as I look at the source that the critical words came from. I should not pass the blame, but I did receive the field placement 7 weeks after I was supposed and had to create a whole new schedule, take days off, drive around like a crazy lady to get stuff done.

Now... I am not done with what I need done for 5:30pm... but I have to go visit some Spanish classes that I am covering for a co-worker next week in a little bit.

I'm about to loose it... oh, and a whole but of people want private Spanish, ESL and Language Arts lessons like this week... now.. and I do not want to lose these potential clients.... but I really cannot take anything more on until Friday.

God, please give me the strength I need to get thru. this...

Self-Sabotage: A Reoccuring Theme

2006-12-11T19:43:00.000-06:00

Self-sabotage is what I do. I've been doing it for years.... probably since I was 10 or 12. I don't really know why I do it. Out of fear most likely.

My self-sabotage when it comes to this moment involves my studies and projects. I didn't do what I was supposed this weekend. Well.... I only did one-half of what I was supposed to do. And now... I am hurriedly trying to throw together a big project that is due tomorrow night. Now, I think part of the reason that I do this is because it does not interest me. I know that I can do a half-assed job and get an A- or B+ and that is perfectly fine with me... I have never been a perfectionist.

Self-sabotage has been a major theme of my academic life and occasionally my personal life. I also need major work on my time management skills.... and/or motivating myself to do things with more than 24 hours to spare. Maybe I get a thrill of waiting until the last min.... seeing how far I can walk that fine line of recklessness without actually crossing it and failing miserably.

I guess I need to learn more from my mistakes and stop repeating them.

Chau!

Grrrrrrrr....

2006-12-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

I went to see the apt... decided to move in and then decided against it. (Sorry L!)

I have a weird rash on the back of my neck.

I finished my linguistics final... though I gave up on one of the exercises when I could not figure it out for several hours.

Now I am working on a literacy 'strategy log' that is due Tuesday. My professor for this class is so annoying and treats us like kindergartners. And he thinks that his 2 credits class is apparently worth four because I am doing a shit load of work for it.

There are many more things I would like to complain about but I don't have time....

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....

Boring Weekend...

2006-12-10T09:14:00.000-06:00

I am studying this weekend. Working on final projects and exams. Nothing exciting just time consuming.

Yesterday, I met with a Chilean boy that I am going to start tutoring in English. He is an AFSer and having some difficulties with second language acquisition.... and needs to reduce his accent.... or so he says. ;)

Today... I continue studying. I am actually taking my studying on the road. This is so ensure that I will actually do it. I am very easily distracted in my home environment.

I am going to check out an apartment today. I am pretty sure I will take it... good price and location in Minneapolis. I will let you know of that decision later. I am having trouble making a decision as there are lots of unsure, unfinished things in my life right now and I do not know if moving is the right answer at the moment. But I do need change... and this might be just the thing I need.

Ok... I'm off.

Chaucito... y besotes a todos!

14 Bajo Cero

2006-12-07T06:37:00.000-06:00

Hace MUCHO frio.... 14 bajo cero hoy. :(

Necesito mudar a un lugar donde hace calor porq no puedo agunatar esta termperatura mas.

8 More Days...

2006-12-06T07:05:00.000-06:00

I need to just get thru the next 8 days... 9pm on the 14th I can finally relax. Before than I have to do about 2 million things... and really work on not procrastinating or things are going to get hellish.

8 more days...8 more days.... 8 more days.... 8 more days.........

Here.... wishing I was in the most perfect place I know

2006-12-05T22:25:00.000-06:00

Mi Mente

2006-12-05T21:58:00.000-06:00

Hay tantas ideas en mi cabeza. Ideas, pensamientos, sentimientos y temas cambiando cada segundo. A veces las mismas cosas; pero por poco tiempo. Hay tantas posibilidades. Nunca tengo una idea fija. Ninguna meta fija. No. No es posible. Todo cambiando. Quiero hacer tanto y poco en el mismo momento.

Cada momento nuevo.... así es vivir dentro de mi mente.

Why will you Settle?

2006-12-04T21:10:00.000-06:00

People settle for different reasons. I mean commit to someone, via marriage. Though the common reason is 'true love,' I really must question that. In the past few months I have seen people settle for various reasons. One for age. How old will you get before you just can't wait anymore? Will you just settle for who you are with at the time for the hell of it? For fear that you have waited too long and the perfect man won't come along? And truthfully know that he is not the one. It there that 'one'?? Or are there many? Who is right? Is there such thing as a soul mate? Others seem to settle for convenience. It seems right at the time... or semi-right... and they just seem to go with it. Live in the moment, why not? You can always get out of it later, right? Others fear being alone. They are willing to stay with with someone, anyone. Just to avoid themselves. There are many of these people... who have never been alone.... since a very young age. Others never seem to settle. They fear commitment or themselves. Perhaps, the sanctity of a committed relationship. Can it really work? These people avoid a settling down for a long time or never do. Constantly running. Too critical. Afraid of failure?

So, why will you settle? For 'true love'? 'Old' age? Convenience? Money? Fear? The 'One'?

I Need to Talk to Someone.

2006-12-03T23:04:00.000-06:00

Someone in particular.

My horoscope told me not to.

What to do? What to do?

Quede confundida otra vez?!?!

Reality

2006-12-02T17:47:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe that every person's reality is so different. To know that people who live only 15 short miles away from you have a totally different reality. I have lived in third world countries and come to realize their reality, daily life, reaction and ways are much different than mine. But 15 short miles away from my home is like visiting a whole different world.

A reality that involves violence, death, drugs, generational poverty, gangs, pregnancy, rape, abuse, runaways, murder, hunger, disease, lack of education, lack of understanding, anger, resiliency and basic survival. Where on a daily basis a 16 and 17 year olds have to make a conscious decision. Actually a lot of decisions... that I was never forced to make at that age. So many decisions that they should not have to be making at this age. Decisions that scare me.

What makes me mad is the people from my reality. The people that do not understand nor care to understand. They just pass the blame on the families, the schools and the communities. When the blame should really be put on their shoulders. As a member of society and a member of this city; I feel the responsibility to help, to do something.

People who really do not care. People who are stuck in their content white reality need to wake up. Some day these realities will colide and maybe not in a favorable manner if nothing is done to improve their reality today.

The people from my reality are quick to critically judge the people from the other reality... but not offer help, alternatives, ideas. This is maddening. Whether black, white, brown, yellow, purple or blue; you deserve an opportunity in this country. You deserve an opportunity to succeed. An opportunity to improve your reality, your life experience. You should not be stepped on. Forgotten. Left alone to destroy yourself or others.

Maybe I'm naive and young. But I want to make a difference. I want to give them that chance they deserve. The chance I was given. Education is a right. I believe that as a society we should not make excuses but try to fix the problem. It will take many years but we have time. The problem is getting bigger not smaller. Their reality will only get worse over time.

I know I will do what I can. After spending time there I see the hope in their eyes, the enjoyment the feel, the success they can obtain in one short hour. A safe hour where most are taken out of their reality and are in a safe place whether it is to learn or just be.

So, as I sit in my safe, warm, stable reality. I can't help but wonder what people are facing in a this evening 15 miles away. What decisions are they making that are going to affect the rest of their weekend, week or possibly life?

Noviembre Sin Ti

2006-12-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

La tarde se aleja,
el cielo esta gris
la noche aparece sin ti,
callado en la playa
te lloro en silencio otra vez
Me ahoga esta pena
no puedo vivir
las olas no me hablan de ti
sentado en la arena
escribo tu nombre otra vez

Por que te extrano
desde aquel Noviembre
cuando sonamos juntos
a querernos siempreme duele,
este frio Noviembre
cuando las ojas
cain a morir por siempre..

[Estribillo:]
Noviembre sin ti
es sentir que la lluvia
me dice llorando que todo acabo
Noviembre sin ti
es pedirle a la luna
que brille en la noche de mi corazon
otra vezz.. otra vez..

Quisiera decirte que quiero volver
tu nombre va escrito en mi piel
ya es de madrugada
te sigo esperando otra vez
por que te extrano desde aquel Noviembre
cuando sonamos juntosa querernos siempre
me duele, este frio Noviembre
cuando las ojas caina morir por siempre

Estribillo 2x]

Noviembre Sin Ti por Reik

Me Voy

2006-11-29T21:03:00.000-06:00

Porque no supiste entender a mi corazón
lo que había en el porque no tuviste el valor de ver quien soy
porque no escuchas lo que esta tan cerca de ti
sólo el ruido de afuera y yo
que estoy a un lado desaparezco para ti

No voy a llorar y decir que no merezco esto
porque es probable que lo merezco pero no lo quiero
por eso me voy que lastima pero adios
me despido de ti me voy
que lastima pero adios me despedio de ti

Porque se que me espera algo mejor
alguien que sepa darme amor
de ese que endulza la sal y hace que salga el sol
yo que pense nunca me iría de ti
que es amor el bueno de toda la vida
pero hoy entendí que no hay suficiente para los dos

No voy a llorar y decir que no merezco esto
porque es probable que lo merezco pero no lo quiero
por eso me voy que lastima pero adios
me despido de ti me voy
que lastima pero adios me despedio de ti

Me voy que lastima pero adios
me despido de ti me voy
que lastima pero adios
me despido de ti me voy
que lastima pero adios
me despido de time voy
que lastima pero adios
me despido de ti
me voy

Julieta Venegas - Me Voy

1st Post from my Nuevo Laptop!!

2006-11-29T20:53:00.000-06:00

Yay. I just went and got my new laptop. I drove over to the UPS warehouse and picked it up. It was a ways away but I rocked out to my newly burned CD (gracias hermano) and drove 70mph+. After 5 and a half years of my other dell... I was really ready for a new one. Now I have to start officially switching every thing over. And get organized.

Let the fun begin.... actually there will be no fun until Friday... as I have a huge load of homework, lesson planning and materials to prepare.

:]

My Beautiful Brown Eyes...

2006-11-29T17:08:00.000-06:00

Today I was told by one my autistic students that I have the 'most beautiful brown eyes'... 'beautiful very dark brown eyes'....

I enjoyed the nice compliment as most everything that comes out of his mouth is negative... which was what he said next... an insult....

AHHHH, the joys of my job! ;)

P.S.... if you want to check out my 'beautiful brown eyes' for yourself... they are featured a few posts down.

Chau! Besotes.

Procrastination & Pain

2006-11-28T04:52:00.000-06:00

The two p's....

I have a major procrastination problem... major. I had a long weekend with really basically nothing to do but study. Did I study? Hell, no! Then Monday night... I took my time sitting down to study. Went tanning, to the gym, ate dinner... and then finally thought I might try to study. I accomplished basically nothing... and by 9:40pm... realized I better go to sleep and wake up early to do my stuff. Now, I woke up at 4:25am... showered... and am slowly getting ready. I'll have sometime throughout the day but I think I am depending on that too much.

Pain. I am in pain.... for several reason. Mental and physical. Though the physical is what is I am feeling the most... my mental pain, confusion and anguish is something I can't really write about on here. I have two major wounds on my feet... one from the gym and the other from dancing and my heels on Saturday night. One on each foot... equally painful and infected (yuck!). I have been over doing it a bit at the gym... I decided that when it comes to the treadmill, the pain is just mental. Like marathon runners or runners in general... it's a mental game that you are playing with your body and you just have to push thru. it. Well, the problem is I am neither a runner, let along a marathon runner. So, I should not really apply weird wisdom like this to my workouts.... because I hurt.... Especially my hips. I knew it was bad when I awoke to go to the bathroom in the night and contemplated for several mins. how I would get up with the least pain. Oh yes, and the most annoying thing of all... I have been sick almost the entire month of November.... and just when I was almost back to tip-top shape, I have a really sore throat and now this morning it is really really really sore. :(

On a happy note....

3 more weeks of the semester left
I have leads and several private ESL and Spanish tutoring/instruction positions
I get to spend almost two full school days at my urban field placement.... instead of working at my middle school
I am going to Chicago for New Years
I am feeling slightly optomistic (this is not a normal feeling for me)

Ok... must study... must stop procrastination... must go now...

Felicidad. Paz. Amor.

Long fin de semana...

2006-11-26T15:24:00.000-06:00

mi primo Eric y su perro.

La otro mascota de Eric... es un ferret....

Eric y su querida mascota Marcelis. El animal tiene un oler fuerte y feo. No entiendo como el puede vivir con algo asi.

Fuimos de compras viernes a las 6 por la manana... el amanecer... y el shopping/centro comercial ya llena de autos(carros). El viernes despues del Dia de Gracias, se llama 'viernes negro'... todo esta en liquidacion.... y las tiendas abren a las 5am.

Mi hermano vino de Washington, D.C. por el fin de semana... el estaba molestando el perro.

cocine... :/ sin receta...Nadie gusto... acepto de mi!

Salí sábado con Lena a Loring Pasta Bar... noche de salsa presentado por Salsa Police.
Tuve una sola meta para la noche... bailar con MEXICANOSS!! ... ;)
Llegamos temprano... y quedamos tarde. Bebemos cerveza... yo Coronas, Lena varias otras. Una colega de mi trabajo estuve ahí. Hablemos con ella para un ratito. La noche fue llena de hombres... primero un guardia/miembro de seguridad q empezó hablar conmigo. Medio dominicano (del Cibao), medio puertorriqueño. Mi dijo q no sabia q bailar (MENTIRA) y pregunto si yo podía enseñarle (NO).
Después bajamos a buscar mas para tomar. Hablemos un poquito con Christie (mi colega) y su amiga. Pusieron un poquito de reggaeton bailamos... yo con un Ecuatoriano.... :[ después toco mas salsa... entonces tuvimos q esperar para algo mejor... y TOMAR MAS CERVECITAS!! Fuimos arriba otra vez... pero el hombre de seguridad no me dejaba en paz... que pesado q fue este hombre.
Lena y yo tuvimos q bajar a bailar cuando empezo Merengue y Bachata.... baile con varias hombres de Honduras. Ningún hablo ingles, todos trabajaban en construccion o fabricas... uno olia de marijuana... mucho marijuana. Después un moreno colombiano quería bailar. Vino de Chicago para el fin de semana largo... fue simpatico, bello, muy alto, educado... y no fue illegal como los otros. Nos invito a una fiesta para ano nuevo en Chicago después q decirle q íbamos estar ahí. El tiene mi numero ya llamo varias veces.... PELIGRO!!
En el fin no baile con ningún Mexicano :( ... aunque unos hombrecitos me preguntaron bailar... yo dije q no (si, soy mala)... Lena bailo con unos. YO no... quizás porq puse mis talcos q tiene 3.5 pulgas de altura... quede re alta... mas alta q todo ellos.
PERO nosotras disfrutamos muchooo.... mexicanos o no!

disappointed

2006-11-21T22:36:00.000-06:00

I am disappointed. Yeah. By an incident that happened in my state last night.

I think that an apology is in order. I apologize on behalf of the people of Minnesota.

I had hoped that the people of my state, airport and airline officials would not stoop to such a low and dark place. Apparently, people are more ignorant and blatantly racist than I thought.

And to the person that passed the note to the flight attendant. You should be ashamed of your self. Have you ever heard of freedom of religion, Islam, people of other cultures and races?? Don't over react next time. You wasted time, money and tarnished the image of six honorable Muslim men.

I would boycott US Airways too. They refused to give them and/or sell them tickets in the end.

Something needs to be done. NOW!

OR people's ignorance will continue to blind them.

Nada. Nothing. Zip.

2006-11-19T12:13:00.000-06:00

Nothing exciting is happening. 68 days until I go the Dominican Republic. Yesterday, I called a few of my friends there. Nothing much happening... except, my friend the lady doctor is getting married in December. And... no, she isn't pregnant! ;) Im sad that I cant go for the wedding but plane tickets are really expensive around the holidays. My other friend, apparently thought I was Canadian. Yeah, we're close. Can you tell?!?! Actually, its because I often say that Im from Minneapolis. And people give me blank stares... so, then I usually say well.... I live in the north central part of the US... near Canada. This is where people start to believe that I am actually from Canada. This is not the first time it has happened. In Argentina at the beginning many thought I was Canadian. It's hard when people outside of the country only know a few cities, such as New York, Miami and Los Angeles. But hey, can you name more than 3 cities in most countries you have never visited? I do not think I can. I am going to try to call another one of the drs but he is apparently working in the middle of a rural oasis with no electricity or phone reception... so, I doubt the call will go thru.

Besides, that nothing new. I am avoiding homework as usual. I am about to go to the gym. I already have one injury. You see... my entire life I have had issues with shoes, sandals, basically anything I must put my foot into. So, my left heel decided it didn't like my shoe... and now I have a large gapping wound on my foot. Lovely. I don't know what my foot's issues are but it's annoying. How can a pair of tennis shoes make you bleed? I think I just have over sensitive feet.

It's only a three day week!! If that... no morning Spanish this week. Though I get to go to the ghetto instead to observe for grad school. Yippee.

That's it for now.

mando paz y amor a todos

Gracias a Dios llego Viernes...

2006-11-17T08:52:00.000-06:00

Hmmm.... nothing much new. Nada nuevo.

Hoy tuve que llevar mi mama, tia y abuela al aeropuerto. A las 6 de la manana! Ellas van a Las Vegas para el fin de semana. Mi tio va tambien... pero mas tarde hoy va juntar con ellas en Las Vegas. Mi tia cumple 50 anos... van para celebrar... creo.

Hoy empiezo ir al gimnasio... :( La verdad es que me gusta... pero no tengo mucho ganas ir en este momento.

Que mas... hay una possibilidad que puedo hacer mi 'student teaching'... bueno 10 de las 16 semanas este verano en otro pais... tengo que fijar donde me mandaron... que cuanto cuesta. PERO si hago eso no puedo ir al pais dond estuve pensando pasar mi verano.

Ultimamente, he tenido problemas en el colegio donde trabajo con los chicos con autismo. Es un trabajo dificil... y una de las professoras priciapales q trabajan ellos es horrible. Y por eso los chicos piesan que puedan ser asi conmigo... no tener reglas... no es asi. Tiene q llevar un lapiz a clase... no me importa si van a llorar. Son basante intellegentes y gustan dejar la impression con son muy incapaz... para que no tengan q hacer NADA. Y la profe y tambien los chicos piesan quizas q yo estoy en octavo ano... y ellos no. Quieran yo hago su tarea, toman las notas, trabajos escritos tooooodo. Y me molesta que ya hice este ano en el colgeio ;) y ellos completamente pueden hacer lo necesario. Tengo un problema GRANDE con eso... y no puedo aguantar la profe ni los estudiantes que son asi. Pero el otro dia hable con unas colegas queridas... y ellas hablaron con la profe que no me guste... Y cosas estan cambiando rapido.

Que mas.. NADA. He pasado una semana y media enferma... primero el gripe despues estuve muy muy refriada... por fin casi estoy bien otra vez.

Bueno.... ADIOS.

paz y amor.

I Need a New Laptop...

2006-11-15T22:36:00.000-06:00

Any Suggestions??

Can't spend more than $1500.

Give me some ideas. Presently looking at Dell. I really only use MS Word, Excel, Power Point and need a lot of pic and music storage... that's about it. I'm not very complicated... i guess.

Ok... tell me what you think... or hate... or love when it come to laptops.

Gracias!

One Word: Confused

2006-11-15T12:13:00.000-06:00

Blah!

2006-11-14T19:59:00.000-06:00

Nothing new... just my yucky sickness continuing.
I was dizzy. Very very dizzy all day.
I got a head rush just sitting still.
It was like sitting on a non-stop roller coaster.

Tomorrow is pay day for one of my jobs. I might quit a different job. I am thinking. And trying to consider the +/- though at the moment every seems like a plus... like getting my sanity back... but hey who needs that, right?

Ok.... I'm going to go to bed. Yes.... at 8pm.... this is now three day in a row. Pathetic. I know.

Chaucito!

I'm Sick! :(

2006-11-13T20:01:00.000-06:00

I have a bad cold.
My throat hurts.
Cough. Cough. Cough.
My head hurts from coughing so much.
My eyes are blood shot.
My body aches.
I'm weak and shakey.
I'm tired.
My voice hurts.
I'm sad.

Leave me some lovein'

Besos a todos.

La artista loca y su perro....

2006-11-12T16:55:00.000-06:00

Soy una artista (ja ja ja)... aqui son unas de mis piezas q estoy haciendo en este momento...

3 estrellas... las vean?

rojo y negro... voy a poner un espejo en el medio.... para mirar mi bella cara..

tapas... tome mucha alcohol para tener tantas tapitas... y no soy alcoholica... y bueno, no lo creo...

Y eso es Ranger... mi maldito perro... encontre el en mi cama...

El no queria bajar... el enojo... pobre estupido perro...

ok.. nada mas.

Paz!

Blanca Nievas, no mas! Y unas fotos.

2006-11-11T13:29:00.000-06:00

Llegue a mi punta mas blanca del invierno... hoy empece tomar sol artificial en una cama solar
Nada mas esta pasando. Me duele la gargantua. Este fin de estoy preparando para mis clases de espanol y estudiando... aburrido!

Abajo baje unas fotas de la semana...

blana nievas... soy!! PERO NO MAS... voy a ser bien bronceada en una semanas....

sol mierocoles... despues q las democratas ganaron las elecciones en EE.UU....

Caribou Coffee tiene sus tazas descartables nuevas que dice 'Paz en la Tierra'... me gusta....

Viernes... por la manana... habia nieve en mi auto/carro.... :(

Sol por la tarde... que raro en noviembre

El centro de negocios de la ciudad de Minneapolis...

mis nuevos talcos llegaron... 3.75 pulgadas de belleza!! Ahora tengo q buscarme un jugador de basquet!!

Mi ensalda... pase mucho tiempo preparando la... y en el fin no lei la botella de salsa... y no pude comerla...

Quise poner mas fotos... pero el sitio no me deja!! :(

BESOS a TODOS!!!

Hoy es Martes... Martes, Martes, Martes

2006-11-07T12:32:00.000-06:00

5:15am... must vote.... today...

6am... cafe

me.... wearing my 'education is a right' not just for the rich and white shirt

9:07am.... scenic route to the middle school... driving around Lk. Minnetonka... its kind of foggy...

Stupid Republicans.... miles of illegal sign placement pissed me off

10:15am... voting....

VOTE. VOTE. VOTE.

2006-11-07T06:41:00.000-06:00

Vote for change today.
Your vote is your voice.

We fought for this right.... for a say in our country's policy... now use that right to force change.

Su voto es su voz.

Hoy es lunes... lunes lunes lunes

2006-11-06T20:09:00.000-06:00

Lunes. Monday.

6am....chocolate caliente....

6:30am....Pissed... the internet didn't work this morning.

7am.... Calm down Srta. Gerber... just drink another 30 oz. of cafe.....

7:24am....shit.... im late.... but first i must find earrings.....

earrings.... oh so many choices.... i forgot the backs to them and they almost fell off in my first Spanish class of the day....

9:15am.... after hanging out with 15 6yr olds... I needed more cafe.....

5pm.....avoiding homework....

7pm.... ready to work.... diet coke, water and my 4th HUGE cup of coffee for the day........ ;)

Avoiding HW

2006-11-06T17:14:00.000-06:00

Posting here in attempts to avoid a linguistics assignment and... oh, yes... Several assignment for my 5-12 literacy class.

Nothing too exciting or new today... um... i was annoyed with one of my jobs as usual... but that is my fault to continue the position though I am quickly being drove insane.

Alright... back to the libros...

Chau... besostes a todos.

Choices

2006-11-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

We all have to constantly make big and small choices. Some are obvious, like to brush your teeth or hair. Other choices we must make are much more difficult or seemingly impossible. Some choices we make are based on our morals and world views. Others are based on our feelings at the moment, be it lazy or energetic. Choices are something that we will always have and something that may not seem big at the moment... will in the future.

Choices to hold on. To let go. Choices to keep going. Or not go at all. Choices to see the truth... or walk blindly in ignorance or bliss. Choices to see things how they are. Or ignore it. Choices to travel. To stay grounded. To continue your education. To broaden your horizons. To meet new people. Or choices to stay the same.

It is okay to choose to be confused?

Choices is what we face day in, day out for our entire lives.

Love is knowing someone cares about you even though you are both not in direct contact at the moment.

Latinos vs. Gringos

2006-11-02T06:22:00.000-06:00

Ok... estoy hablando de hombres. Nunca he gustado gringos. Hay algo que ellos faltan que tiene la mayoría de latinos. Bueno, anoche... salí con mi amiga a un clase de bailes Caribe... pasamos la hora aprendiendo bailar merengue, que ya sabíamos bailar. Entonces... te digo que primer los hombres que estaban allí fueron tan asqueroso que casi no lo podía aguantar. Uno tenia un oler fuerte de frijoles y el otro un oler horrible... peor que mi perro. Mi clase de baile confirmo que los gringo son horribles... porq?
Falta confianza. Falta personalidades. No saben ser un líder. No saben bailar para nada. No saben tratar un mujer. Son insoportables.

Horrible pase mi experiencia... ahhhhh... donde esta un hombre latino cuando necesito uno!! ;)

VOTE BK ON NOV. 7TH!!!

2006-10-30T22:07:00.000-06:00

My past political efforts may pay off... two years later....

Two short years ago at this time, I was working for a man who was running for U.S. congress. Bryan Kennedy. Though we worked efortlessly to get him elected. Unfortunatly it was not his time... it was really no democrats time in the 2004 election cycle. Jim Sensenbrenner was who we was running against. An entrenched Washington Congressman... who did nothing to benefit WI's 5th district.

I was Bryan's Deputy Campaign Manager and before that the Volunteer Coordinator during the 2004 election cycle. I also know Bryan on a personal level... he was my favorite professor while pursuing my undergrad at UW-Milwaukee.... I think I had him every semester.

Anyway... unfortunatly I cannot be in the Milwaukee area this year. I may try to make it down to Milwaukee this weekend... if I can find somewhere to sleep. I want to help. If I cannot make it I will donate some money... I dont have much but the little I can give may help inform a few more voters.

So... why I am so excited about BK... he was endorsed by the Journal Sentinel... this is the first time in 24 (or is it 26) years that they have not endoresed Sensenbrenner. I agree that now is time for a change.

If you can donate money, live in WI's 5th and vote the 7th... know that BK is the right man for the job.

And for Bryan... Te mando Beijos y Muito Sorte Profe. Voce esta em meus pensamentos. Voce vai a ganar. =)

A Case of the Mondays....

2006-10-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

It's Monday. Yuck! I need coffee. I have a full week with all of my classes this week. No holidays, conferences, nada this week.

I start a new class tomorrow night.... 5-12 Literacy.

Wednesday... I start a Caribbean dance class with LENA!! We will get to do Bachata, Merengue, Rumba and something else... I forget.

That's about all that's going on. Besides that I talked to a lot of my hispanohablante friends on MSN last night.

Ok... Paz.

Weekend in Review

2006-10-29T14:28:00.000-06:00

Some fotos of my weekend... nothing too exciting

Driving into Downtown from NE Mpls. Yes, I was taking pictures while driving.

Minneapolis... la ciudad

Aguante Argentina! Laura and I and the Orono International Fair Friday evening.

One of the Mexican boys I talked to that evening... he wanted a picture of him wearing the sombrero... his older brother was sooo cute and told me... 'Estoy en Kinder y I speak en ingles todo el dia'. Que presioso.

Being confused... also apparently I look like I'm on crack... according to an unnamed friend.

Mad! I'm toooooo white now. I lost my tan. I am trying to hold out to go to the tanning beds... but I doubt I will make it much longer.

Dinner. I can cook. My colorful dinner or chicken, homemade red spicy sauce and aguacate.

New Heels. Top View. =)

New Talcos. Side View. I love new shoes.

That's my weekend... or at least some of it. Now I am cleaning ang studying. NOT FUN!!

Chau. Besos a toods.

Day & Night, Night & Day

2006-10-27T06:31:00.000-06:00

Today is going to be interesting... I will spend the entire day at my urban school placement in Minneapolis. It in NE, an area which has gangs, extreme poverty, and a lot diversty generally associated with it.
And then I head out to the suburbs... not just first or second ring... we are talking third or fourth. My Argentine friend and I, have a booth at the International Fair in a suburban school where we teach Spanish. It should be interesting.

I will let y'all know how it goes... maybe share fotos.

Chau! & TGIF!

Falta 3 Meses Hasta Q Llegue en RD!!!

2006-10-26T05:20:00.000-06:00

3 meses
92 dias
sol
mar
descanso
amigos
musica
comida
baile
paz

Counting the Mins. Until 9pm...

2006-10-26T04:55:00.000-06:00

I slept for 3 hrs. It's my fault. I take procrastination to an extreme. I always have. My linguistics exam is due today... I had two weeks to do it. Last night at 8:30pm... I finally decided to sit down and do. I was majorly avoiding... most likely out of fear that I did not know what was going on. I finished it at 12:30am. Went to bed at 1:30... well, kind of. Its kind of hard to sleep after drinking a pot of really dark Dominican coffee.

I am up again. Already showered... trying to pull stuff together for tonight. Secondary Methods class. It is taking up so much time. Too much time. But I am half way done. So... Im working on that until 7:15am... when I go teach my first ronda of Spanish of the day.

At 9pm... more like 9:30 when I get home... I get to relax and not work until Monday. Tomorrow... I get to spend the entire school day in the 'worst' school in the state. The most urban, colorful, troubled. Most cringe and tell me I shout buy a bullet proof vest. There is a bad name that goes with this school. Most are scared of the place... I actually like it. I am not scared and I really don't get the off hand comments of why I will be possibly 'never' be speaking with people again because I am spending time observing in this school. Yeah... people goes as far to tell me I will be dying in this school. Whatev. I just try to take away my own experience. Others negative thoughts should not influence me.

My goal of the day... not drink soooo much coffee that I make weird sound effects and talk to myself constantly. Yes, I am now officially insane from the amount of caffeine I am drinking.