Many people ask me what I have learned from all of the experiences in my life, and I say unhesitatingly: People are wonderful. It is true. People really are wonderful.
From Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archive for January, 2008
People are wonderful
Posted in Veracruz, tagged Quotes on January 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Shadows & windows, color
Posted in Veracruz on January 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Boat
Posted in Veracruz, tagged Vignette on January 29, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Boat, alone and tethered. She would like to go to the ball. But even if she could get away, she could never go in this.
Zócalo
Posted in Veracruz on January 28, 2008 | 2 Comments »
This is the city square, or Zócalo, of Alvarado, Veracruz. It’s gorgeous and one of the most beautifully laid out squares I’ve seen. For a town of 50,000, it’s quite large. This building is the elementary school.
F and I spent New Year’s at this Zócalo. The square was packed with folks formally dressed and festive. There was also a live band and fun music directly in front of the school.
In front of the school and to the left, you’ll find the town church. Alvarado is one of the oldest port cities in Mexico. A lot of care and attention was spent on the architecture here. A good example of this deliberate consideration is the church and the town Zócalo.
Shadows & windows
Posted in Veracruz on January 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Red door
Posted in Veracruz on January 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When I took this picture, it was late. Maybe 11:00pm. I remembered thinking that the texture, lighting, color, and overall feeling on this street was perfect.
Alvarado, Veracruz. MEX
Tree
Posted in GTO on January 25, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Synchronicity Dept.
Posted in Veracruz on January 24, 2008 | 3 Comments »
In class last night, my instructor told me about a friend of his that has opened a non-profit that provides aid, mostly medical, to disabled children in Mexico. There’s a massage connection at the non-profit, and he encouraged me to meet and talk to the woman who runs this place, Angel Notion. Coincidentally, Angel Notion is located in Playa del Carmen, where I plan on spending September.
Nanciyaga
Posted in Veracruz on January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The ecological reserve at Nanciyaga, Veracruz. There were a few people covered in mud, sunbathing to the left of this dock. This reserve also had a small alligator farm. The one baby alligator I got up close to meowed like a kitten.
White mule
Posted in Veracruz on January 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The three day weekend was wonderful. I met a number of buyers from Craigslist. A few of them told me they never buy anything new anymore as they prefer to buy recycled items at reduced costs. Sounds like a good idea to me.
It’s always interesting to see what folks gravitate too. I was happy to see my things go to people who will appreciate them as I have.
—
In other news: it’s 5:00am and 23°F outside. That’s cold!
Alvarado strip
Posted in Veracruz on January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Each of these store fronts opened to the Gulf of Mexico and shipping boats of various sizes. As I walked down the strip, I had my choice of shrimp of all sizes, octopus, fish, crab, and oyster. The oyster tables were popular: someone would sit shucking oyster while folks sat around the table eating their fill.
Alvarado, Veracruz. MEX
Fish in baskets
Posted in Veracruz on January 20, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Quinceañera practice
Posted in Veracruz on January 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Four teens practicing their dance for an upcoming Quinceañera. Streets of Catemaco, Veracruz. MEX
Dried chile peppers
Posted in Veracruz on January 18, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Dried chile peppers in bulk. Veracruz Market. Veracruz, MEX.
——————-
One week’s worth of food by families of various cultures throughout the world.
Fish
Posted in Veracruz on January 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Fish for sale. No packaging, coupons, or intentional visual communication. Bring your own bag. Veracruz Market. Veracruz, MEX.
Shrimp
Posted in Veracruz on January 16, 2008 | 1 Comment »
TEFL and CELTA and August
Posted in GTO on January 15, 2008 | 4 Comments »
As much as I would like to get my CELTA certified 1-month long TEFL course in Prague, a City I would love to see, I’ve decided to spare the cost of a round-trip ticket to Prague and apply at the school in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. That way, I’ll be teaching Spanish speakers English during my training (what I plan to do when I graduate), and I won’t have to get my teaching certificate translated by a professional translator or have any of the papers apostilized (notarized). Playa del Carmen would probably be more helpful with job placement in Mexico than the Prague school. Plus, the beaches are so pretty.
ACRONYMS
- EFL: English as a Foreign Language
- ESL: English as a Second Language
- TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
- TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. The CELTA is the most internationally recognised entry-level qualification.
I found A Short Guide to Understanding the Acronyms of Teaching English Abroad very helpful when trying to figure out the differences and what each one means.
Life overhaul
Posted in Eugene on January 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This weekend I didn’t get any homework done. Instead I spent all my time constructing a To Do List and creating a website to sell most of my little stuff. Advertising on Craigslist works!
It’s funny the things you choose to keep when you’re doing a major life overhaul. For me, it’s the little foot in the bathroom and all my Tom Waits CDs. The artwork the girls made in grade school. My magnets and the scarf off my clothes-line.
Updated Mural
Posted in GTO on January 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
There’s always something new on this wall. This mural replaces a favorite from last summer.
Letting them go
Posted in GTO, tagged Vignette on January 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
