Apartment

Just some pictures of the new apartment

Mall

We went to a nearby mall today and saw this lovely gem


yep... that makes sense...

Copying Keys

So after moving the furniture around the new apartment (pictures to come) we needed to make copies of our keys. Since I´ve been delegated "roomie-with-the-best-Spanish" I hopped out of the car to get copies made.

I approached a cute little key copy shop near my house (On the off chance anyone needs a place later or me in case I get locked out of the house: Cerrajería La Lomita Álvaro Obregón 1019 Sur Colonia Guadalupe Tel: 712-134-0269) it is probably the size of my office and held 5 men.

When I approached the shop I gave my usual smiling "Hola" and received a few "Holas" back. I did not however receieve anyone who asked what I wanted or if they could help me. In fact the man closest to me kep his head turned away the entire time. So I continued in Spanish (but for my non hispanohablantes I'll translate) "Whom should I talk to?" I asked, one man told me the man nearest me (the one who was still not facing me) I put the keys I needed copied down on the table and said, "OK, I need two copies made of these three keys" he turned his head slowly and took my keys handing them to the man sitting next to him, "She needs two copies of each" he said (a bit briefer but essentially exactly what I had said).

That man handed them to the next man and in a perverse game of telephone my keys (and requirements) were handed down through the five men until it reached the last man (closest to the machine).

I had to wonder if the men exchanged positions regularly so that the one taking the order would eventually work his way over to making the keys, or if it was a promotion based gig (the ones who simply sat did seem to be older). Nonetheless in the end I got all of my keys for 92 pesos (about $8 by current exchange rates).

I believe the plan is to move in on Saturday, but there's really no rush.

Getting there is half the battle

Well before I could get to lovely Culiacan I had to well…get here. I woke up early to make sure I remembered everything important (note I forgot: PJ pants, PJ shorts, and my blue purse) while it is still before 6 am I run and take my last American shower for a while.

Eventually my parents wake up (I don’t eat because my tummy gets nervous sometimes while flying…not always but enough that I don’t risk it). My parents wake up and get the car packed and we get to the airport.

Now, I am taking an international flight, but I am leaving from the San Diego commuter terminal. Like so many other times that means that the person in charge of me checking in will undoubtedly be unaware of visa requirements.
This time they were convinced I needed a round trip ticket to go to Mexico. This is not the case and eventually they figured it out as well, but it always leads to a slightly nerve wracking 15 minutes as I wait trying to figure it out (that’s why I am always early to airports people).

After I get to go through security I got to experience the “machine that takes a picture of you naked or whatever to make sure that you aren’t hiding things (yet I still have to take my shoes off).” I was OK with that, and my baggage made it through unscathed as well.

Quick puddle jumper over to Los Angeles and I wandered around aimlessly trying to find where the hell AeroMexico was. I finally found a place and when checking in (entirely in Spanish mind you) was told they have no idea where my baggage is and my name is not on the list. Well, I was thinking a few choice words in Spanish (Joder being one of them) but I settled on an Ottie like head tilt and something very elegant (like a mix between a grumble and a mumble, a mumbled grumble?) after a good 15-20 minutes of her talking with her boss she seemed to find my bags and print out a boarding ticket.

I can again only repeat my support of early airport arrivals (including layovers). My next flight was pretty inconsequential. I sat next to a bigger lady (so I could not put my arm rest down) but managed to get moved during the flight (just not during take-off or landing). When we landed in Hermosillo there was a torrential downpour and the pilot advised we stay in the plane for another 10-20 minutes to avoid getting wet.

We did and when I went through customs I only got a quick, “Vivas en los Estados Unidos?” I almost answered, “No, es que el año pasado vive en España y antes de este en Hollanda, pero si he vivido en Los Estados Unidos” but with customs I find shorter is better so my response was simply, “Sí.” I then got selected for a random bag screening (literally you press a button if it turns red you get checked) they search your bag. It looked like every other bag was searched. Mine was found acceptable if anything it was very dull (though the person after me was questioned as to the amount of clothes they had packed for their trip they seemed to think my two bags were fine). Due to the rain my flight was delayed for an hour and a half so I finished a book and stalked a person who said they were also headed to Culiacan.

One last take off and finally I had my last landing in Culiacan. I grabbed my bags and met up with John and his wife (Mickey) and was led to my new (temporary) home sweet home.

And so it begins

Hola todos!

I woke up this morning to two somewhat smiling cherubs watching me from the walls and a flowing statue of Jesus, Joseph and Mary beckoning me to wake up and seize the day. I am not on the Camino de Santiago again; rather I am in Culiacan chilling in a homestay waking up for my first day of work. Oh Mexico!

I also have a cricket serenading me who I have recently discovered is about the size of my nieces head (ok small exaggeration, but at least her fist…maybe two!) and lives with me in my room not directly outside of it as I originally thought.

Oh well, it worked pretty well for Pinocchio (until he ignored the cricket and ditched school and started to turn into a pig and what not), but before that Jiminy was a pretty good friend to have so I will keep him.

The cricket BTWs is not a reaction to a messy room. I did unpack and my room is flawless at the moment. The overall the wall show organizer is perfect for makeup, belts, purses, and all that other girlie stuff I do not use nearly enough, plus the purple is a nice detraction from the slightly demonic angel heads watching me sleep (might I add I had a horrendous nightmare last night so I think I would prefer dream catchers).

Anywho, so I am here typing from my new office (with a window view of trees, palm trees, sunshine and cute little red bences) in Culiacan. I am currently staying with a very nice lady who was born and raised here (Dorita) as well as a fellow teacher (last in India but also from San Diego). Tomorrow we look at phones and some apartments (I may decide to share with my colleague, or not…TBA).

The boring details I teach 4 classes a week:

2 at the high school (one at 8:30-10:00 MWF, the other at 10:30-12:00 MWF)

AND

2 at the college (one at 7:00-8:30 MWF, the other 3:00-4:30 MWF)

There’s a small grace period, where I take roll 5 minutes AFTER class starts and I let students out 5 minute earlier.

I need to be on campus from 8-1, and 4-6. However, I get 3 hours to play with so later I can decide to show up later Tuesdays and Thursdays, and maybe get off early on Fridays. I still need to play with the schedule, but it seems OK.

Basically, that is about it for now (I am sure I am missing something but it cannot be THAT important and I am sure to mention it later if it is).

*abrazos*

Carissa

Letter from my pre-school teacher

I just found a letter from my teacher:

"Dear Carissa,

Its been a pleasure having you in class. You are a wonderful, bright and conscientious student. You're also a charming sweet little girl who's eager to learn and to share her knowledge with her friends. At times you are quite shy and reluctant to change. However don't ever let that make you lose confidence in yourself. You are a bright little girl and you have so much to offer. Always remember you can do it sweetie. And knowing you, I know you can do it very well too. Underneath that shy exterior is a sweet intelligent Carissa ready to accomplish anything and everything she sets her mind to. I know you'll do fine in kindergarten and throughout your formal education.

You've made teaching enjoyable and rewarding. Thank you for sharing your love and super hugs with me. Have a wonderful summer and a great school year. You'll always be my Carissa-Bissa.

Love,

Mrs. Solomon."

I know some of it is probably the same that she wrote to other students, but I hope that I have met her expectations. I hope that I have gained confidence in myself and shown a stronger acceptance of change. I think that I have accomplished most my goals (though I admit I try to keep them low to make sure I can) and I really hope I can continue to do so.

Wow, who would have thought a letter from a teacher who knew me from for a brief year (when I was 4-5 years old) would inspire me to keep trying to be the best I can be.

Back in San Diego!

Super Sad to leave my great Spanish friends but I know I will be in touch with those lovely ladies.

In the short time I have been home I have been able to have in & out, taquitos, slurpees, and a sandwich from my favorite deli.

I have started working for IH and thus far things are going great (then again I haven't actually started teaching yet so that could be it)

It is odd to think that in less than a month I move to MEXICO!