Steps forward, backward, and sideways

We had to rework the certification in order for it to be acceptable (which led to working till 2 or all night several times), but it is currently under review with the state board of education. We're hoping it gets their approval and that way this summer will be the first summer we offer something that is officially recognized.

In other news, my in-laws returned to Peru early in February, but my mother-in-law fell quite ill almost upon arrival, so my wife was very anxious to go and be with her. We decided that a visit of about two weeks was in order, since as long as she was going, she might as well spend some time. We finally arranged for her to leave, but without realizing that Mexicans can no longer enter Peru without a visa, which now applies to my wife as a naturalized Mexican, even though she is originally from there. So we looked up information about getting the visa, and the website said that it would take 72 hours to process the visa. She was supposed to leave on Sunday, so with an appointment for Monday, she wouldn't receive her visa until Thursday (between 2 and 3 PM, the site said), so we changed her Mexico City-Lima ticket to Friday (and moved the return flight to a week later), since the only flight with the airline we chose leaves at 2:50 PM, which would not be enough time to get to the airport from the embassy. She still flew to Mexico City on Sunday, naturally, where she is now, but, surprisingly, they were able to give her the visa today. Now she doesn't want to be stuck in Mexico City for the rest of this week, so we're going to change the ticket once again, to tomorrow. Fortunately, her uncle and aunt agreed to help us with this ticket change ($130USD), so at least the expense isn't something we have to worry about for this part of it. It looks like her mom is doing a bit better, but a) my wife wants to make sure everything is really okay and to be there if she has a relapse and b) we already bought the tickets, which, though I think they can be canceled, would cost us to do so. So it looks like I'll be all by my lonesome for the next 2-3 weeks. I've got plenty of work to keep me busy, though.

I already talked to the university about the fact that we're planning to leave this summer. The only thing keeping me from being sure of it is that I don't yet have a job lined up in the US. The ideal would be in Monterey, CA, where I want to study, but I'm also looking into just having a job for now and worrying about the studies a little later.

And I might as well mention, though it isn't really my news, that one of my brothers is getting married in early August, so I'll have to be there for that!

New challenges

For those of you who didn't know, we lost Robert in January. He was born in the early hours of January 6 (very premature) and died in the afternoon of January 8. He is buried here in town. My wife thinks about him fairly often. She would like another baby, though we're trying to wait until we move before trying for another.

Also in January, I passed off the responsibility as English Coordinator to someone else (the new native-speaking teacher), so now I'm just a regular teacher with a few extra responsibilities, basically helping when she needs it. My wife and I have been planning to leave here for a long time, but we keep postponing the date. However, if I can finally get her papers worked out and sent, etc., we should finally be leaving this summer. Now that we've been married two years, the permanent residency won't be provisional.

In the Academy, we've more or less removed ourselves from high school, etc., again, because it was a lot of work and wasn't really the direction we want to go, especially since the high school will be separating from the university at some point. We've been wanting to make a Bachelor's degree for some time, but haven't been able to. That is still in the plans, but for now we're trying to make a "tecnica" (like some kind of vocational certification), which is similar but shorter and less work. Then we'll take what we've done for the tecnica and use it to make a Bachelor's. At least that's our plan, though the administration doesn't seem to want a Bachelor's in English right now. I speak as if I'm going to be here, even though the plan is for us to leave, and I know that. Either way, I'll be interested in the wellbeing of the academy, I'd say.

Right now we're in finals week (starting tomorrow, technically), so I'm rather stressed. I'm also stressed because we're supposed to have the tecnica ready by the time we leave for vacation. I decided to blog to try to relax a little.

Classes end next week, but here, vacation is only 2 weeks per year, not whenever there are no classes. I've accumulated a little more (with days off I didn't take, etc., and days left over from last year). We've decided to start our vacation around the 22nd, and we'll be back to work on Jan. 12.

BTW, my mother- and father-in-law came from Peru in August. They were here until October, when they went to visit my wife's aunt and uncle near Monterrey. They were going to be there for a month, but were convinced to stay until the new year. My wife really wanted to spend Christmas with them, so we decided to fly up there for Christmas and come back on Jan. 2, so it looks like we'll be in northern Mexico for Christmas. Actually, we decided that since it is so close to the border, I should cross and buy a new computer while we're there. Hopefully I can also get the title to my car. I have the title transfer papers, which are technically enough, but I really would prefer to have the actual title. My in-laws will be flying back with us, and will stay until around February, it looks like. At first, I didn't think I'd be comfortable with them living in our house (cultural issues, I'm sure), but it didn't turn out bothering me much. But then, my in-laws are great people.

I've also been trying to learn German, and I recently found a very cool resource online. Babbel.com is a great place to learn a new language, with interactive activities, the ability to help others, an automatic tracker of the words you've learned with reminders to review periodically, and more! And it is completely free. I also discovered how RSS works and have become a Google Reader addict. I really enjoy several language/linguistics blogs (at the moment mainly on English topics), such as languagelog, languagehat, and Mr. Verb.

Anyway, I've got a lot of work to do, so I'd better get to it. Hello to my friends who read here, especially those from Oregon and Texas.

News and news

It has been a long time since the last time I had time to write. As is to be expected, changes have taken place in my life in the meantime, both personal and professional. At work, my department is now in charge of all the English classes offered anywhere on campus, both in the university and in the elementary and high school. All of the English teachers are also under my direction, whereas they previously worked directly for the other departments. This is positive in many ways, such as the fact that we can now coordinate all English teaching from one office, but it also makes my job a much heavier responsibility. Fortunately, we now have another US citizen, who I knew in college, who started work here this summer. I do not say that this is fortunate because I think that Mexican teachers of English are not capable or qualified: they are. I only say fortunately for one reason: Mexican teachers of English cannot teach their students native English pronunciation and tend to not be quite as knowledgeable about the intricacies and idiosyncracies of the English language as it is really used. Another reason I'm glad this particular teacher is here is because she has almost completed a Master's in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), so that makes her particularly qualified for this type of work.

In personal matters, it looks like we're going to have a little one in six or seven months. Yes, I'm already a proud father, even though the little guy or girl isn't even born yet! My wife is going through some frustrations with the pregnancy, since it makes her feel sick a lot (though my mother-in-law says that most of that will pass soon) and because her work keeps her on her feet most of the day, that makes it hard on her in her condition. Additionally, there are some issues with insurance and getting time off. If she doesn't go to at least five doctor's appointments with the doctor or gynecologist that the insurance recommends, they will not let her have the 1.5 months before and 1.5 months after the birth. Obviously we're going to the doctor, but we'd prefer to go to a different one, one that she knows, who is like a father to her. So it is complicated, especially since we we're officially on the school insurance until recently (long story). As always, there are the financial worries, but hopefully we'll get through it okay, God willing. We bought a fridge this week (I know, some of you will be saying, "How did you survive without a fridge for almost a year?") which we will be getting today, I think. It is hard when the store is over two hours away from the house, especially when we don't have a car. Someone is picking it up for us. We are also talking about buying a car. And that's all my "news that is news across the nation" (with apologies to Ray Stevens). Or as Porky says, "Thathathathathathat's all, folks!"

Life is good, but busy

Please note, all ye who enter here, that requests that I update this blog will normally be ignored. The title of the blog should be sufficient to understand it: two elements are required for me to blog here: time and desire. Under the exceptional circumstance that both of these are present, I will blog. Otherwise, I won't blog. While I do appreciate the interest shown by such requests, their ultimate usefulness is questionable.

Now, to the update/summary of my life at this moment: I have been married for almost three months. Married life seems to agree well with me (in other words, it's great!). We are living in town. I am working as the English Academy Director and as Director of Missions for the university where I work, in addition to giving classes at the elementary school in Preschool, First Grade, and Second Grade. While the English Academy does not have as many students as I would like, life is still quite busy. I am working on a proposal to convert the not-officially-recognized English Academy into an officially recognized university-level school of languages with a Bachelor's degree in English. In other matters, we attend a small church in town (attendance: 20-30), where I have been asked to be leader of the Youth department, and we are also serving on one of the teams that lead AY about one Sabbath a month. Additionally, I frequently give the children's story and have been asked to preach on occasion. Life is good, but busy.

For all who read this, I wish an extraordinary day!

My wife

I just married this beautiful woman. Though the photo is from 2004, she is at least as beautiful today.

Wedding Bells

Hello everybody!

I know you've all been breathlessly awaiting this announcement. :D Just kidding, of course. But we have finally decided to take the leap. My girlfriend and I are getting married! Everyone, send money or presents! :D

The wedding will take place on November 24, 2006 (yes, that's a week from Friday as of this writing), at the university church here in southern Mexico.

We are going to try to register online at Walmart.com and maybe a few other places like Foleys.com, but we've been having major internet problems for the past few weeks which are not completely fixed, plus we've been super busy with wedding plans, etc., so we'll see if we can. This also explains why this notice is coming less than two weeks before the wedding. We also don't mind wedding presents or cash that come a little late. Far better late than never!

Have a great day!

Still here

I don't have a lot of time to write, but a quick update is in order. I am still here in southern Mexico. I've decided to stay, even though I won't be able to get that other situation I was hoping for. But I am the English Academy Director, which is a slight increase in pay, etc.

One cool thing is that I am in meetings with the Academic Vice-President about my vision for the English Academy. At the moment it is not officially recognized by the university. That is one of the things I want to change. Eventually, I want it to become a School of Languages which offers a Bachelor's Degree in English. Additionally, I want it to be in charge of all the English classes that the university has in all of its majors. I also want it to offer refresher courses for professionals. Plus, there should (will) be a course for teachers that is continual and required, but counted as a part of their teaching load. These are just a few of the ideas I have for the English Academy. I'm very excited about the possibilities.

I also want to start talking with the ESL department of the college where I got my BA. I can learn a lot about how these things work from them, and we may be able to work out a deal where workers from there come here to teach, and our best students from here go there to finish their degree.

At the moment we're in the middle of registration, and we have far fewer students than we should. Pray for us.

More changes to plans

Hey look, everyone! I blogged twice in the same calendar year! Recently, that's some kind of record. As you can read above, my plans have once again changed. The main reason I wanted to be in the US this summer was to take the GRE. The Academic Vice-President called me into his office a few weeks ago and explained to me that, since the English Academy Director was leaving, that I was his first choice to fill her role. When I mentioned the test I needed to take, he explained to me that I could take it in Mexico City, and that we could arrange for me to leave my work for a weekend or so, allowing me to take that test. So I decided to stay for the summer course. It ends towards the end of August, so I'd better already be talking to universities, etc.

Another idea that a friend of mine told me is that I could offer to stay on the condition that they let me go get my Master's and doctorate in the US and that they help me with it, plus that they change my status to "Inter-Division Employee" in the church, which, as long as I want to keep working in the church system, would put me light-years ahead of starting from zero as most people do. It would also facilitate an easy switch if/when I got a call from another part of the world to teach English there, as I dream of doing in many places.

That second thing is still just an idea, but I do rather like it.... We'll see how things turn out.

Silence is golden, but this is ridiculous!

My apologies to any/all of you who are following this blog. I have not updated it in a very long time. However, the title of the blog is fair warning, I would say. Since my last blog post, I either have not had time, or have not felt like it.

I went with Yesenia to Peru in December. I did not ask for her hand in marriage, because I did not feel ready. For the same reason, we have not made wedding plans.

This semester has been hectic, with a class for administrative secretaries, a class in English Composition, the same two classes in the elementary school, a class for the Theology department, a class for Sciences of Education department (during Spring Break), and working in curricular development, among other things.

The plan now is to come back to the US in early July, see all my family, take the GRE and GRE Lit, apply to grad schools (maybe in WA near my parents and two of my brothers or in TX near my other brother and his family, maybe in southern California like my English teachers did, maybe somewhere else), find a temporary job, etc., etc., etc. I'm going to be busy.

Because of the combination of things that are happening right now or about to happen, I'm feeling mixed/odd. I'm happy, sad, apprehensive, and more, all at the same time.

Please pray for me. And if you have an recommendations on grad schools, info on the GRE, or other comments, feel free.

I hope you have an extraordinary day!

Busy-ness

It is amazing how busy the life of a teacher is. I am currently teaching six classes for four different departments: English 4 and Family Relations to the Science of Education department, Philosophy of Education to Nursing, Pre-intermediate English to the English Academy (of which that is the only class), and English to Fifth Grade and Sixth Grade (separately) at the elementary school. This week is time to turn in monthly grades, and I am working furiously to get them ready.

In addition to all this, of course, I dedicate part of my time to my girlfriend, and I also try to relax some. Balance of this nature has never been something I’ve been particularly good at. But I thank God (literally, of course) that I’m getting better.

The trip to Peru is still in the plans, but it has been moved chronologically. Now we are headed to Peru this December. We’re also planning on taking some time during that trip (about three weeks is the plan) to visit Machu Picchu, partly because even though it is an internationally-known and important site of Peru, she’s never been there either. So we’re saving up money for the December trip and planning to save up more in the spring for another trip and a wedding. A tentative date is July. Note the word “tentative,” meaning “Not fully worked out, concluded, or agreed on; provisional; uncertain; hesitant” (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=tentative).

I hope everyone who reads this has a great day!

Evening program

Yesterday evening, Yesenia and I went out on a date. We went to a program that one of the departments provided. It included a short play, called "Studio Q," two dramatic recitations of poems, and one performance (three songs) by a classical guitarist. His name is Saul Vera and he is truly a master of his art. The drama performance went well, but because the sound wasn't working well we couldn't hear much of it. The guitar went extremely well, as we knew it would. He is a friend of ours. One poem was recited by one of my students (Antonio), and it went very well. The other, recited by a woman I don't know, was very difficult to hear because people were talking during it. Overall, it was a very nice evening.

Plans and more plans

It is interesting how things change over time. I wasn't planning on coming to Mexico until August, but my girlfriend talked to the university president here, and they decided to pay me enough for me to pay my debts to my university, so they told me at the last minute that I could come to teach English again this summer. So I asked my brother to buy me a plane ticket and I flew down here. Here I am, teaching English, busy as ever. I don't have a lot of time because I have books to grade. But I also wanted to mention the plans Yesenia and I have for the future. We would like to work here in Mexico (maybe at this university if they want me) for on academic year. Actually, the director of the English Academy is leaving the school, so possibly I can fill her position for next year, but we'll see. Next summer we would like to go to Perú so that I can meet her family and talk with her parents directly about marrying their daughter. Sometime not very long after that, we will probably get married (Perú seems a likely location), and when that happens, I'd like to go back to the US and get my master's and doctorate. Then it will be in God's hands where we go (as all our plans are now, of course), but those are our plans for now. But tonight we were talking about our plans, and we had a midweek service, and while the preacher was preaching I had what I might call a vision of what the future might be. I see myself working here, possibly for a long time (maybe after I have my master's or doctorate). I may also end up teaching classes in theology, not just in English. Everything is in the Lord's hands. God bless!

The sooner the better

My girlfriend told me yesterday about a conversation she had with the president of the university in Mexico that she works for, and he told her that I should come and teach English for them in the Academia de Inglés in July. I don't know for sure how much they'd pay me, but it sounds like they would certainly pay me more than last summer when I was there as a student missionary, and he probably has some idea of how much I need to be paying to my creditors here. If I can work it out, I would love to go to Mexico a month earlier, as you can imagine. I miss my girlfriend so much. But there are still some things in the way. I may not be able to leave my work here earlier, they may not be offering me enough (he had to go somewhere far from the school right after their conversation, so we won't hear from him for a while I guess), and there are some other questions as well. So it is still up in the air. Here's hoping.

My girlfriend last Christmas 

Thankful

As my imood says, I'm feeling especially blessed right now. I'm thankful for all God's blessings, from a place to stay and a job to my awesome girlfriend who I'll be seeing soon. God is so good. I want to grow closer to Him every day. I want to become more like Him and show His goodness to everyone around me. I want Him to change me into what He wants me to be. I am unafraid to go anywhere or do anything that He wants for me, becuase I know that He will be with me and will give me the ability to do it. My girlfriend and I both want to be missionaries. But whether that ever happens or not, I can't wait to see what God has planned for us!