Coldplay En Vivo

While I was back in the U.S. I went to a Coldplay concert at the Virginia Beach Ampitheater. It was an incredible show. I have seen many a' concerts in my day and this was one of the best live performances I have ever seen. The music was great but the props and videography were just as good. It really was a show, not just a concert. They played an amazing set and their signature crescendos kept the crowd mesmerized throughout. The best part was when they relocated to the lawn... I don't know exactly how they were so conspicuous about it but after a set break they miraculously appeared a mere 100 yards from the nosebleed seats that my friends and I were in. They sang a few acoustic versions of songs including a cover of the Beattle's "I'm a Believer" which was pretty amazing. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure. VIVA Coldplay!!!

What's wrong with this picture?

No, its not that this UVA diploma is excessively large (as pretentious as we wahoos are, you should expect nothing less). Look just a little closer… around the edges. Yea, there you go. My ironic attempt at reframing my diploma after a trip to Office Max to size it down a bit for certification purposes. Maybe they shouldn’t have given me that degree after all…

The Electronics Market

Before coming to Mexico, I shoved every DVD I owned into a CD case and coveted them as much as my English reading material; all of which I assumed would have to last me for about 4 months. Turns out, though, that the pirating business is bustling here in Mexico and I feel like the #1 beneficiary. The walls of the central market are lined with electroniconistas ready to make a deal at the drop of a hat. They have the latest titles and dvd players to show you just how good the quality is and, of course, that they are in English, not dubbed with Spanish subtitles. I have run into a few lemons on my pirated dvd adventures but on the whole I give them rave reviews. My dvd collection is expanding at the bargain price of about $1.50 per title. It puts me at ease to know that if swine flu round two hits, I will be boarded up and enjoying my now extensive dvd collection! 

Escuela Mañana

I’m getting a wee bit anxious about going in to work tomorrow… Not because I don’t want to go or because I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it but more just because I don’t really know what to expect. To put it in perspective, we had 2 weeks of Spring break in the middle of April, classes for 1 week, the swine flu outbreak~ schools cancelled for 3 weeks~ and I have now missed the first official week back for my friend’s wedding in the U.S. So in reality, my sub this past week has had just as much face time with my students as I have. Eeeek! I’m afraid they’re not going to remember me or something. Add to it that this is the last month of school and surely you can empathize. Hopefully all will go according to plan. Worse comes to worst, I have a bucket of ring pops and a pile of homework passes and I’m not afraid to use ‘em! 

Mr. & Mrs. Cline

Congratulations, Katie and Chuck!

Three Cups of Tea

I recently finished reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It is a truly inspirational story about a mountaineer whose path unexpectedly took a turn when he wandered into the town of Korphe in Pakistan after a failed attempt at climbing the K2 summit. He recognized an intense need for resources and education in this area and actually did something about it. His journey didn't stop there either. What is amazing about the main player in this story is that he is still on this mission for education in the suppressed areas of Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan today. As a teacher and believer in education as the remedy for global misunderstandings and hope for world peace, this book was a testament to what people can do together with strength, determination, and faith. I would highly recommend it to anyone not only because of its important message but also because of what it teaches the reader about the Middle East, politics, and humanity.

Edible Rind Avocados

Anything that I have never heard of before needs to be blogged about and this is one such example. Mini avocados with edible rinds as seen here. 

I was a little hesitant at first considering what you normally think of when imagining a large bite of a typical unpeeled avocado. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find these quite delectable. The rind is more like that of a nectarine, smooth and thin. The pit inside is small enough that you can get substantial bites off of the avocado without damaging your chompers. It doesn't completely taste like a normal avocado either. In the end we tagged it as having a basily flavor. Simple to prepare and refreshing to eat. A winner in my book. Now where to get these is a major obstacle. The ones in the picture were hand-picked off a tree for us by some locals. May be a while til the mini basily avocados take off elsewhere...

The tortilla aisle...

is much larger here in Mexico than it is in the United States. Accounting for at least a third of the contents of the entire aisle, it even gets a name drop in the aisle marker sign, much like frozen foods, cereal, and condiments in the U.S. The choices are endless on what type of tortilla you will buy. Wheat, flour, corn, large, small, soft, hard. Quite the collection of tortillas I’d say. In reality this makes perfect sense considering that tortillas practically constitute their own food group in Mexico. 

Job Offer

Salary negotiations took place last week so we were all on our toes... especially in light of the recent adoption of an official salary scale. In previous years, what the school offered you was based on a toss out and see when you bite policy. With SACS accreditation pending, however, this just will not do. Which leaves many people above and a few below what they should be making based on degree attainment, work experience, and number of years at the school. After meeting with some of the head honchos at school I was briefed on the newly adopted policy and what I should/was/would be paid. I'm satisfied but not thrilled which is usually the way these things go... The ironic part of it was that after finally coming to terms with staying in Pachuca for another year, that afternoon I received a call from the hiring coordinator at JFK in Queretero where I had been crossing my fingers to hear from. Not only did they offer me about $6K more in salary but also International health insurance, a hefty travel allowance, and signing bonuses. After the interview was pretty much complete and I practically had it in the bag, however, I found out that teachers with pets could not live in the first year teacher housing and therefore could not be hired.  A little harsh, huh?? She said she'd try her best to convince the board that Nolita was harmless and should be trusted in the I'm sure not so pristine apartment complex but in the end it was a disappointing negativo. Oh well, though. I am proud to say that I did not give up on little Nolita in spite of the alluring pay raise and I will continue my journey next year as a Pachuqueñean according to the everything happens for a reason theory... hrrumph!

4th grade 2009-2010! 

Tecolutla

Tecolutla, Veracruz. A laid-back beach town about 4 hours (7 if you're stuck behind pinche trucks on the one-way mountain road) from Pachuca and popular destination of Mexican tourists. Notice the lack of tanners/towels on the actual beach. Yea, my gringa accomplice and I were quite a sight to see.... and so is my lobster face now. Ha. Anyway, the beach is full of umbrellaed tables and chairs and vendors stroll the sand selling a variety of beachy trinkets and treats. Behind this row of tables and wheeled vendors are the  shaded areas, palapas, where you can rent tables and hammocks for a mere $4/day. Here was our delightful spot.

And lucky us, it came with beachside service including coco agua, guanabana helado, and raw oysters. Gringa power! teehee. Homer enjoyed himself as well...

School delayed OTRA VEZ

After rushing back to Mexico from the States to make it to class before the scheduled reopening of May 6th, I come to find out that school cancellation has been extended for yet another 5 days until the following Monday, May 11th. I'll take it, I think. Marlies and I, slightly peeved at our nonessential relocation, decide to head for the beach to make the most of it. The closest beach to Pachuca is a small town on the coast of Verzcruz called Tecolutla. We packed up Homer and Nolita and were on our way. A trip meant to last 3 days was extended to 6 after the reciept of this text message from the Mexican government... Hidalgo continua en alerta epidemiologica. REGRESO A CLASES 18 MAYO. Sigue las medidas de prevencion. Permanece en casa: Gob del Estado. Which basically translates to: Hidalgo continues with the epidemic alert. RETURN TO CLASSES MAY 18TH. Continue with prevention measures. Remain in your houses. Government of the state. Fortunately, Marlies and I were thoroughly enjoying our beach vacay so the additional extension was not completely unwelcome... that is unless we have to extend classes into the summer. hmmmm. Details on la playa muy pronto.

H1N1

So I think the whole swine flu, I mean, H1N1, thing got a bit blown out of proportion but I am still living it up while back in the US. Pobrecito Mexico taking the media wrath. With the death toll dwindling and cases pellowing out on the whole, school will be back in action on Wednesday and this little piggy will be heading back south of the border.