The 1st Three Weeks

I've been living in Mexico City for three weeks now and it seems like three months!! I have learned so much in this little amount of time and still, there is so much more to learn...I'm beginning to realize the amount of things I took for granted in the states, which here, are all so much more complicated for me. First of all, not being able to speak the language makes things that much more difficult. Getting a cell phone, ordering food, giving a cab driver directions, going to the bank, driving, and not having running water at times are just a few of the obstacles that I have had to overcome in the short amount of time that I've been here. However, in a way, it's a bit humbling at the same time...These experiences have enabled me to be much more flexible, patient, and understanding, and especially be thankful for what I do have.

When I moved here I came with four bags full of clothes, shoes, and toiletries. When I moved into my apartment, I began to realize everything that i wish I should have brought that may have made my life a bit easier. The first night I had my mattress delivered and slept on it in the living room. The next day the furniture arrived and what a good feeling that was!! It started to feel like a home and the sense of ownership was quite invigorating:) I'm learning to live much more simpler and with less "things". However, the one thing I miss the most is a TV. I got so used to having background sound back home, that when it's not on, it's kinda quiet...thankfully I have itunes and internet:)

Since I've been here, I've eaten such yummy food! From the little tacos stands that sell tacos for 20 pesos or the restaurants with tamales, chile rellenos, quesadillas, chilliquiles, and huevos rancheros they are all so tasty. I'm in seventh heaven and I think I'm beginning to put on a few pounds of happy fat:) But who can resist when it's so cheap and so good at the same time!!

I started teaching last Monday and so far I'm really enjoying it. I kinda feel like a little fish in a big pond though. I went from teaching in a K-5 public school in Walnut Creek to a K-12 private school in one of the biggest cities in the world. HUGE transition!! The kids are great and very diverse! I've got kids from Korea, India, Canada, Scotland, Japan, and of course Mexico:) Most of them speak English, and today it was so cute. I was reading them the BFG and the story mentioned frobscottle, which is a type of soda in the story. I asked the kids what other words in their culture meant soda. One said pop, another said coke, and then one boy raised his hand and said refresco! His little accent and excitement was so cute that I couldn't help but laugh:) It's those times that make my job rewarding!

All and all, these past few weeks have been so memorable for me. I know I'll look back on this time in my life and laugh at the mistakes I made and be proud of the accomplishments I achieved. There are still going to be frustrating times ahead, but having support from family, friends, and teachers that I have met make all the difference! I look forward to what lies ahead and hope to continue to blog the experiences...

Work Visa

Who would have thought getting a work visa would be so complicated...?

Today I went to San Francisco, where I was born and had to get a certified copy of my birth certificate. I guess ever since 911 they're more strict with documents. The lady at customer service said the document was too OLD...ugh and that I'd need to get an updated one! Anyways, I got a new copy, then had to walk across to City Hall, such a beautiful building by the way and get the signature authenticated.

Next, I'll have to go to Sonoma State and pick up my transcripts. Those then have to get notarized by two different people at school. Hopefully I can stop and see the Deshazers while I'm there:)

Finally, I"l have to go to Sacramento to get my credential notarized by two more people...and finally to the Secretary of State building and get them all apostilled. You're probably wondering what the heck does that mean...I was justas confused, but have learned a lot already:) Basically, it's a way for all documents to be legalized in one country to be used in an international country. I guess it used to be much more complicated than it is now...who woulda thought...:) So far it's gone smoothly and I'm on my way!

The Beginning

This has been a lifetime dream of mine to teach abroad in a Spanish speaking country. After teaching for four years in the Walnut Creek School District I decided that this would be a great time to fulfill this DREAM...so I began researching places. At first, I thought about Spain, Argentina, and also Chile. Many of the programs required me to pay money to learn how to teach, but I had already done this. My step dad had mentioned Mexico City because he has nephews and nieces who work at an American School in the city. I decided to apply there and sent in my resume. A week later, I got an email from the dean and he asked me to have a phone interview! I was so excited and couldn't believe that my dream was actually coming true. A few days later I had a phone interview on my cell phone during my prep time of teaching. He asked lots of questions about my experience, my travels in other countries, strengths, weaknesses, and reasons why I wanted to teach abroad. After about a 1/2 hour it was over and he said he'd contact me in a few days...

A week went by and I hadn't heard anything...then the Swine Flu broke out in Mexico and I began to have second thoughts...I wondered if this was the right choice and if it would be safe to even go. I contacted him a few days later and he apologized for not contacting me and had said they were ordered to close the school down for a week. That explained the no contact:) He then offered me the job and that they'd send me a contract to sign.

Once I got the contract I then needed to write a letter to my district for a personal leave of absence. If the district approved my leave they would hire me back the next year, but couldn't guarantee me a spot back at Walnut Heights or my same grade level. It was a risk I was willing to take and I sent the letter in. Two weeks later they accepted my leave and a week later I signed the contract to teach in Mexico City. Whew...!

It's now summer and I beginning to tie up all the loose ends of my life before I leave. Setting up bank accounts, gathering all the documents for my work visa, getting a passport, paying bills, selling my computer, getting a laptop, visiting with as many family and friends before I leave, and gearing up to live in a foreign country for a year. It's been a whirlwind of decision making these past few months, but I'm excited and thrilled for the adventure to begin...HERE WE GO!!