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!"