November/December.

November and December ended up being  the longest months of the year. Sarah and I convinced ourselves that October was not going to suck, which worked out, but then November came and kicked booty. Many sleepless nights, a bunch of deadlines, exhaustion, tears, thanksgiving, then Christmas.  But we survived; not quite sure how we survived, but we survived.

That week off we had for thanksgiving was a blessing and a curse. It was the BEST because I got to go to San Antonio, Austin, LA, Indio, then Austin again. All in seven days. I got to see friends who I hadn't seen in months, family who I didn't think I was going to be able to see for many more months, and I remembered what it was like to be an irresponsible kid again. Unfortunately, that also means I wasn't in the working mood, and did not want to get back into the routine. Somehow I did, and even though it took some getting used to, it slowly got better.


As many of you know, your largest critic is you. Let me tell ya, I am my best and worst critic. The old Ceci has always been hard on herself, the new ceci  not only is hard on herself, but is now vocalizing her weaknesses even more and is believing them more and more. Luckily, I have Sarah to shut me up and remind me to keep it positive.  Even though I know that I have so much to learn, and I know very well that I am not the teacher who I want to be, I am starting to actually believe that it is going to get better. The two weeks before Christmas vacation it actually began to get better; I'm making better use of my time, I didn't bring home the pizza box full of spiral notebooks to grade, I planned a tad bit more effectively, and I made the kids write me letters on their favorite/worst part of math class.  It also helped that the last two days before vacation we had a Santa's workshop day and a Christmas party day. Then came Christmas vacation.

It was quite possibly the best Christmas vacation I have ever had. Every time I come back to Santa Cruz, after being away for a while, I appreciate it more and more. Out of all the places I've been to in the world (beside machu piccu), I'm convinced it's the most beautiful one. Granted, I'm super uuber bias but  that doesn't change my outlook on it. Home is home.  It was the perfect weather, not hot, not freezing, but cold enough to wear scarves and jackets. I got to enjoy the redwood Forrest with loved ones,  watch the sunset into the pacific, and best part about it, pretended like I had no responsibilities. It was wonderful. I am rejuvenated for the year 2012! I'm ready to teach math like nobodies business. Bring it.  Thank you to all my family and friends who made this trip worth every penny and then some. You da best!

November. De

October.

October. The time of the year when the leaves start to fall. Orange. Red. Brown leaves surround the roads. Chill winds hit your cheeks, at first it feels like a bitter slap, but then you are reminded that you are alive and feel the change of seasons. Well, that's what most think of when they think of October. Here in San Benito, Texas, fall means that the weather changes from 100 degrees to 89 degrees. It means we no longer have to sleep with the fan on high, but can go down to low. It means the sun rises at 7.15, instead of 6.56. It means the mosquitos are blood thirsty, and the sugar cane fields are being plowed.  It means that we have been in school for two months now.  It feels like it's been years.
The kids have gotten more comfortable and now don't hold back on behavior problems. Dumb. They also seem to be learning some, which I wasn't sure was happening beforehand.  I really have been blessed with a great school, great kids, great administration, and great coworkers. I'm learning a lot, probably more than the kids...don't tell anyone.

We have gotten in a routine that consists of oc nights and grading days.  We are trying to get away from the grading days, but we haven't learned how to do that yet.  I have to actually learn how to be a real teacher now, since Annelisa left Texas to live her real life in California. I'm getting used to it, but we sure do miss her. She made sure we would miss her, but making me a pillow out of one of her favorite dresses. Writing us lovely letters, and buying Sarah some awesome Tejano earrings. Our house is a constant reminder of her love and work. We would have a pretty ugly house without her. Tanks momma. We miss you.

Last Friday was our first Friday that we didn't go to the island. Sarah a had a school dance, and I was a little bit sick. I really wanted to go and dance with high schoolers, but my body wasn't going to let me. Bummer. The last couple of time we went to the island, it's actually been a little chilly. Crazy. But the water is still warm, we'll see how much longer that lasts. Not that it'll stop us from going into the Gulf.
Que mas? Pues, let's talk about the most recent additions to our family. We got ourselves of couple of kittens. Tejano and Chachi. Our friend's cat had kittens, and we got ourselves some kittens. we also finally got ourselves some chickens! We got them at la pulga de San Juan. We were told that they already lay eggs, but we haven't gotten anything yet. We think we may have to invest in a rooster. But who wants two roosters in one house? We were told that our other option would be feed with hormones in it. And who wants more hormones? Not us. But we really would like some eggs from Summer and Marissa.

The goats are still a large part of our lives. Even a bigger part now since they broke a hole through the fence. They now enjoy jumping on the pool table at five am and yell at Sarah. They also like playing with the wood in front of my window. I blame them for breaking my bike chain, but they refuse to own up to it.

Hmm... That's Texas in a bubble for the past five weeks. Come again next month to see if I've actually written a new note about life. That one is going to include Austin with Holly and Mya! As well as a planned spontaneous trip to LA slash Indio! Waaaahoooooo!

Peace and love.

Tomorrow is Friday!!!

9/15/11

Good Evening!

It is a beautiful warm Thursday in San Benito. 

The last two weeks have passed so quickly and not a post has been written...my apologies. 

This past Friday was one of the most magical yet. We always attempt to do something fun to celebrate a hard work week. We have been heading out to the island, and each time has held something new, different, or exciting. There were no fireworks (these ended the week before, Labor Day weekend), but there was a night swim on a very vacant beach on South Padre Island. The Moon was having fun with the ocean and we had the opportunity to play within the bantering waves. Sarah, Cecilia, Allie, Tizoc and myself let our skin soak in the salt for over an hour before running, dancing, and somersaulting on the sandy dunes until late in the eve. After realizing we had drifted about 1/2 a mile from our original beach towel location, we traversed a lengthy return that involved some wonderful imagination. Wish you all were with us...it was rather bewitching.

In remembrance of the ten year Anniversary of September 11, I would like to offer the reading suggestion of “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer. It offers a sad review of a father and friend, lost in a Tower. 

To catch up, I must not forget to fill you in on the teacher’s details. This past Sunday was, by far, the most stressful yet. Grades for the students in IDEA, Sarah’s classes, and for the students in A. Leal Elementary, Ceci’s classes, were due on Monday. The weekend was full of grading, documenting, and tracking....not to mention paper, stacking up everywhere (See notes 1 and 2). 

Note 1: Sarah is using laminated color sheets for much of her quizzes. She's preeeeety awesome. :)

Note 2: We found a wonderful Recycling Center in Harlingen that literally unloads you car and sorts commingled recyclable items. I was somewhat wary the first visit due to the appearance of the shady drive-through warehouse, there were about seven larger rough gentlemen awaiting my little Fit and waving me into the port. Yes, a murder movie set-up. The incident ended quickly, no pun intended, as the men unloaded my vehicle. 

Anyways, turning in grades did happen for both the girls, though some struggles did occur that included timing and the requirement that no child be given below a 50%, even if they deserved it (don’t worry, not many did). Monday was already doing a good job halting our high spirits and grade sending, but then the air-conditioner decided to take the day off...making the indoors a real scorcher. As Ceci retells it, there were multiplication facts flying everywhere, not because the students were emphatic about learning, but because they were being used for fans... 

We had another family dinner Tueasday night, not at our home, but at Will and Kara’s in Harlingen. French Toast, Fruit Salad, Cinnamon Rolls, and OJ...all wonderful. Talk about all of the other TFA struggles definitely made us feel like we are not in it alone.

This week will end with another visit to the island we hope, and maybe a stop at BOBZ, a tourist store on the way to our Island swim. 

For now. 

lets.

all.

just.

get.

along.

PAZ!

Welcome to the Chicken Ranch!

Hello All! 

It is I, Cecilia’s Chicken Ranch General Manager...ok, Annelisa.

Well, to kick off the new month, we had a smashing party last night (Wednesday). To be honest, we just invited a few TFA friends over for vegetarian potluck “family dinner.” It was wonderful to have the home painted and somewhat tidy. As Sarah gave an uninterrupted lengthy tour of the rooms and areas, I wouldn’t want to leave you out, so I most do the same!

These pictures were taken before visitor arrivals, so the girls were hard at work, planning lessons, in expectation of a late eve and early morning. 

Welcome! 

This is our porch with a wonderful free couch from the roadside. We often sit out here during our morning breakfast to enjoy the awakening sky.

Rojo wall in our lounge room.

View of our front room from the kitchen doorway. Note ventana, Mexican fireplace, and Jorge's artistry.

 Amarillo kitchen. With a chalk wall, courtesy of Cecilia and Arisa’s stylish notions.

Cecilia’s habitat!!! (“it’s like my room at home” she says)

  Sarita’s quarters.

...Other Happenings in the past few weeks...

Oh yes, the teachers!

Both Cecilia and Sarah are finishing their second full week of school tomorrow. 

You may have read that sentence rather quickly, and not thought much, but you must know, it has involved hours upon hours of work and preparation. Cecilia, 5th grade Math, has four periods, each ranging from 16 to 25 students. Tomorrow is the first real test for her pupils, so we will see how they do (great, i am sure!). Sarah has been teaching a variety of lessons to her 9th grade English High Schoolers. Some of what I have gathered from lessons has included Socrates, Spelling Bee vocabulary words, and even personal letters from each student. 

Most of our dinner conversations include stories of the day and thoughts of education so it is fun as well as inspirational to be around the enthusiasm of both of these first-rate educationists. 

Something our evening also includes, at all costs, is our sunset. We have a beautiful personal star that likes to bring us glorious evening of color, but demands one thing of its viewers, that we climb upon our rooftop to see him set. 

This is a picture of last night and some of our visitors that joined us to say goodnight to our star friend.

This is Monday Evening with our wonderful Miranda visiting.

Last words.

As far as our Ranch is coming along....no chickens or coop yet.

Our lovely goats are thriving though. 

 This is one of the two babies. Billy is the scary looker in the background..

We also have a new compost bin! Built from reclaimed wood and cloth. It turned out pretty big, to my amusement. I followed suggested size from an online source and wend for a 4 ft. by 3 ft., but in retrospect could have made it much smaller due to our lack of garden clippings (we haven’t planted one yet) and our small compostable kitchen remains. Oh well. 

In closing. 

Thanks for stoppin in and visiting our Chicken Ranch.

Please close the gate when leaving, the goats and Chloe (our Landlady’s dog) like to visit with neighbors. 

Come back soon!

Paz!

heat.

We’re trying this new thing where we don’t turn on the AC.  So far it’s been alright, we bought four fans and have them on all the time.  Although this very moment none of them are on, I’m just sitting next to the kitchen window, on our new kitchen table and chairs, feeling the nice breeze.  The wind comes from the west here, so that side of the house is nice and cool whereas the east side (my bedroom side) doesn’t get much of a breeze.  We want to add windows so that we can actually have a nice flow of wind throughout the house, but considering the sheetrock bends when we lean against it, I don’t think that’ll be a very good idea.

Sarah has been home for more than a week now, which makes this big empty house feel more like a home; despite the fact that it is still empty.  We’ve begun the painting process, we have painted Sarah’s room a nice earthy orange; I’ve painted half a wall a nice dark black (chalk wall!).  We still have much to go, but have all the paint!  We met a wonderful man named Oscar at the pulga who gave us such a deal!  Our color palate: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and black.  We’re going for a Central American/Mexican/rainbow house.  We bought some big pillows/cushions, suitcases, lamps, a wooden chest, fabric, rugs, all at the pulga and goodwill.  We also found a wonderful couch on the side of the road that is currently sitting outside waiting for the upholstery cleaner.  Slowly but surely this house will turn into a home! 

Enough about our home, let’s talk about the fact that in 8 days I am going to go into a class full of 5^th graders as Ms. Avila.  I’ve decided to go by Avila and not Avila-Gallo because I have already experienced the teasing of 5^th graders and roosters.  Plus in Texas they don’t even call you by your last name, just Miss, so I guess it doesn’t matter.  I went to go see my school for the first time this week, it made me scared poopless as well semi excited.  I hope these kids don’t actually find out that I don’t actually know what I’m doing.  Fake it till you make it.  I’m surely going to be faking it.  Fun fact, I went through some math training with my district and met a wonderful co-teacher who is new to elementary but has been teaching for 11 years.  I think I met my new best friend.  Also, I went out to lunch with some other teachers and our math mentor and he offered to help build our chicken coop!  I have full confidence in Annelisa chicken coop making skills, but it will be nice to have a man with tools! 

I’ve met three of my mentors so far.  It’s really great to have all this support. I’m sure going to need it! 

Welp, that’s all I gots for now.

Pictures to come soon.

Peace out.

-ceci

Week One.

 Today marks a week of living in San Benito, Texas.  Papi, Annelisa and I began our journey on July 21^st.  It took us about 10 hours to get to Orange County. Fun.  Then it took Papi and I another 4 hours to get to Indio.  Yay for taking 14 hours to drive 450 miles!  On the way down we got to say goodbye to Mya and Coco who drove and waited for hours while we were in traffic.  They are the best.  We arrived to the Guilin residence at about 10:30p.m. and Tia Tete had dinner waiting for us!  We were in dead stopped traffic in Palm Springs at 9pm due the highway being closed.  Who does that?

We then made it through Arizona and New Mexico in one day.  Speed limit is faster on the 10.  The scenery changes to nothing, to rocks, to nothing.  We ended up staying at Las Cruces after looking for a steak house for Papi.  Next stop Texas.  Texas is a whole lot of nothing.  However, the speed limit is 80, which was nice.  Baby Baluga took it well (that’s the Honda’s new name; thanks to Mya and Coco).  Baby Baluga also was a trooper because he was packed full of stuff. I have no idea how we fit it all.  We fit it all in the Fit!  Way to be Mami and Momma.  We dropped down after San Antonio and actually saw trees!   That was a nice little stretch. We were planning on going to my new little home, but then realized we didn’t have a bed, and we were pretty tired from driving 14 hours.  So we stayed at yet another hotel in the valley and slept in!  We had 99¢ breakfast burritos from the gas station, which they call tacos here because the distinction from a taco and burrito is the fold not the size.  Interesting. But tasty. 

We made it home around noon.  Met the wonderful landlady Maria, met the goats, saw what how much love was needed for the house and went to find a mattress.  Papi was trying to convince me to get the comfy expensive bed, I went to for the cheapest mattress instead.  I feel good about it.  Papi made me a bed frame so the scorpions won’t sleep with me in the middle of the night, and with the extra wood I got a bookcase!  Thank you Papi. 

I’ve been in training since Tuesday, which is a lot better than Institute.  It’s weird to be back, and nice to try and make it home here.  I dropped off Papi on Wednesday morning.  Thanks to me and cheaptickets he went from McAllen to Houston to San Diego to San Francisco.  Good flight.  It’s weird to be in a house with no furniture alone.  But Jesus has kept me company.  No, not a man named Jesus, the spirit Jesus; I guess that means the Holy Spirit. Whichever.  I’m not alone. 

We have a great group here.  Friends are easily made, and carpooling is the best! 

I should probably get back to work.  Or fake work.  I’m pretending I don’t have work yet.  That’ll kick me on the 22^nd.

Happy day!