You're in Big Trouble Mister!

As we were getting ready for dismissal, I noticed two boys being secretive. There was an exchange. So, once everyone settled down, I called one of the boys up to me and asked what was up.

He said, "Nothing Ms."
I said, "What's that in your pocket."
He said, "Oh, it's just gum."
I said, "Can I please see your gum?"

He proceeded to pull it out and then quickly put it back in his pocket as if I would let it slide and never question him about it again.

I said, "No, like pull it out. I'd like to SEE it while I have it in my hands."

This is what he pulled out:

So, what does the teacher do? She reads it and follows directions like a complete MORON!!

I jumped, of course, and I looked at him with an expression on my face that I'm sure said- WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME!?

As I looked at him, he responded, "Ms. Marquez. I never told you to pull it."

I was mad. But this was so FUNNY!! I laughed. I LAUGHED.

After I got over the giggles and regained my composure, we discussed his dreams in life and how honesty can play a big part in his future and how this obviously wasn't gum.

the D word...at it's finest

There was a time in my life that I wanted to be "White." Blond hair, blue eyes, tall and skinny. It started in 2nd grade. Up until then, I was a happy little Mexican girl who loved learning English and loved reading Dick and Jane books. I would constantly write - "I can run. Can you run?" Sure, I didn't speak the language well, but I tried my damnedest. I would speak Spanish words pretending they were English, just like Americans add "-so" to English words to make them sound like it's Spanish.

Well - I transitioned out of bilingual/ESL earlier than most of my classmates. They put me in a mainstream class and I'd say that is when my crisis began. The bilingual students thought of me as a traitor (it was made very clear on field day) and the white kids were probably wondering what I was doing there. I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere.

It got to the point that I told my mom I was no longer speaking Spanish because I was going to be white. She said it was fine with her as long as I understood that I would no longer be able to communicate with her, my father, my grandparents, my aunts, uncles, and my favorite cousin in Mexico. So - I kept speaking Spanish.

It wasn't until I got older that I understood it wasn't just the Spanish language I almost gave up, but also my culture.

The culture where family is NUMBER ONE! Where what you feel - you feel it intesely! Where food is an invitation for friendship! Where having family in the same part of Mexico makes you have an instant connection with a complete stranger! Where music is more than JUST stuff you listen to! Where it's not JUST you...but those around you, and if you want to play the selfish game everyone around has no shame in letting you know how ridiculous you are! Where parents give up just about anything if it means their kids have a better opportunity! Where everyone works hard to make sure everyone has what they need and if anything is left over we'll make a party of it! Where gifts mean more than something you give, but you're actually giving a part of your heart!

My culture is BEAUTIFUL! I wouldn't give it up if you paid me a million dollars. I was young, naive, and felt completely out of place.

For the first time ever, this year, I get to see as a bilingual teacher what it was like for me as a bilingual student. The parent support is incredible. All the moms know each other and I'm sure have each other on speed dial. If I needed help tomorrow, I could count on them to come help me because I am their child's teacher. They know what's going on with each others kids and encourage the kids to keep each other accountable and to take care of each other.

I LOVE THAT.

But, I'm noticing my students are going through the same crisis I did and I want to make a big poster that says, "BE PROUD! YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER!!"

For me, today was especially rough. I don't know if my student's caught on but I sure did and I was ready to pounce! We were on a field trip and my class was split into two different groups. My group got to see the sparkly jewels and learned about geology. It was interesting, but not as great as it could've been if we had a more engaging and respectful tour guide.

He was too smart for his own good. My kids even used the word they learned earlier that morning to say: "Ms. Marquez, do you think he's a good example of 'brag'?" My answer was an honest: "Yes."

He began his little speech and began to ask questions in a way even I wasn't sure how to answer. He kept repeating his questions and pointing to different things and making hand gestures. He was looking specifically for the words: FLAT and SMOOTH! He pointed to a piece of wood, so the kids answered: WOOD! And then to a piece of padded velvet and they answered: FLUFFY! He was clearly not meeting them on their level.

His next question was the one that got my fire burning: Who of you were born in America?

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! Really - my students are really bright and know they words FLAT and SMOOTH!

When we got back I had a student tell me he didn't want to be Mexican. I'm not entirely sure what triggered that comment since he wasn't in my group...but he continued. That white people got the better jobs. How they look better so people treat them nicely. How others believe them before they would a Mexican.

So - I told them my story. I told them that the opportunities they have is up to how hard they study and how bad they want it. How being Mexican (or hispanic) isn't a drawback, but a more flavorful life. It means they get to have the BEST of BOTH worlds!

These kids want to be teachers and police officers. I have some who want to be doctors, lawyers, presidents of a banks, and even the President of the United States. Others want to be famous musicians to help fundraise for orphans!

My students have HUGE - I mean...LARGER THAN LIFE dreams! Please. I beg you. Don't have them tripping up on your discrimination.

What goes around, Comes around...Part 2

Approximately 20 years ago, as fourth grader, I beat up a boy. Yes. It's true. I'm not proud of it, but it does make for a hilarious story.

We were on the school bus on our way home, and this kid named Chad (poor, poor Chad) wanted to have a friendly chat. I was in no mood for his antics and asked him to please be quiet. And then, I wasn't so nice and said that if he didn't shut up I'd beat him up.

He didn't believe me and he continued to talk. So, when we got off the bus, I made sure the bus turned the corner and then I charged him. I ran up to him, pushed him to the ground, and started punching him as if he were a lifeless flour sack. I went to town until his glasses flew off...

I know - it's AWFUL! I was a coward and ran off for fear that he'd hit me back or worse - I'd get caught fighting!!

Anyway, poor Chad wanted to make amends by giving me one of his mother's rings. I accepted.

The only problem was how in the world I was going to present this to my MOTHER!! A boy gave me a ring, because he's really sorry he annoyed me so much I beat him up!? No. Absolutely not. No, I chose this story instead:

Mom, look at what I found on the playground!! Isn't it pretty? I was on the swings and I saw something shimmer, so I jumped off and found this.

Well - I should have checked in with my older brother before telling this tall tale because just as my mom is gushing over this beauty, he waltzes in blowing my poorly executed cover: MOM - DID YOU SEE WHAT CHAD GAVE MY SISTER?

hahahahaha!! OMG - I had dug my own grave. I had to spill the beans - How I beat him up. How he felt sorry. How he gave me his mom's ring! And then on top of that, I was escorted by my mom to return the ring and apologize to him and his mother!


Fast forward to TODAY:

I walk into class today and I'm so excited to see that my students have worked on their 100 day projects (posters they work on that show 100 somethings). I notice that one particular poster is creating quite a buzz, but didn't really make out what anyone was saying. So I take a closer look and realize that my Curious George puzzle is on this kid's poster!!

Once his sister finished helping him settle in with this gigantic poster, she leaves and I begin to probe.

Even the other students, when they saw this poster, began wondering with quizzical expressions - Ms. Marquez, isn't this YOUR puzzle?

Me: Oh, look! How interesting! I had a puzzle like that. I can't seem to find it.
Student: Oh really?
Me: Yes, don't you remember it? I usually have it right here and look - it's missing.
Student: Well, I found this one outside.
Me: Really? Where exactly?
Student: You know...I was outside playing and then I see these puzzle pieces all spread out in the grass. So I picked them up and took them home.
Me: Wow - what are the chances?

I step away and continued on with the morning routines like nothing had happened. I asked the kids to line up to go to the restroom and just BURST into laughter!! I told my kids: Life is HILARIOUS! It's so interesting how things come full circle. You remember that! They all begin to laugh only to ask: What's so funny?

He had no idea that while he was enjoying his time in P.E., I was calling his grandmother to "check in" on things. How this will be handled from here, I'm not quite sure.

But just know...that everything I ever did as a child is coming back to haunt me. It makes LAUGH!

********
For Part 1, click here.

Or Something...

I had a break down last night. It was an all time low. The kind where you just throw yourself on the floor...flat on your back, cover your eyes with one hand and slap the floor with the other and let all your frustrations come out in the form of a waterfall we call tears.

Yes. It was a pathetic...and I mean, a PATHETIC sight. If I would have made any decisions last night I'd probably regret them in the morning. (Or would I? I still don't know.)

My parents suggested I get on my knees and pray, but at that very moment...I just needed to let it all out and have a pity party!!!!

And guess what folks. Today was an EPIC FAIL! Imagine if I hadn't let it all out last night? I think I'd be on the breaking news. Instead, I felt like I was walking through a field of wild flowers...or something.

I think this is what you call denial.

So - this is where I am in my life. I finally have the job of my dreams....And I'm beginning to wonder if I dreamed a little TOO dreamy. This is the HARDEST job I've EVER had in my life!

All I know for sure right now is that I will crawl to the end if I have to...but I will make it to the end...and I am SUPER EXCITED about my Christmas, Spring and Summer breaks! WOOO-HOOO!!

College Days Remembered

My friends made this video of them sneaking into my room on a Friday night. It was pay back for breaking into her room and waking her up one night. As abnormal as it may seem, it was normal for me to go to bed anywhere from 7 to 8 on a FRIDAY night! I know...RIDICULOUS!

The deal was that every day (even on the weekends) I would wake up at 6 a.m. no matter what time I went to bed. Some friends would say, "Call me when you wake up." I'd call and they & their roommates would be ticked because I woke them up on a Saturday!! LOL! I'd work my tail and then PLAY hard. By Friday I was done. DONE!

Such is the case as a teacher. I haven't been this tired in such a long time! At least, since MAY!! It's crazy to think that I am ready for bed and it's only 7:20. CRAZY!

School Funnies

It is true that kids say the darnedest things!

I've been coming home every night writing down all the hilarious things the kids say and do.

1. One of my kids hears me say something to a Spanish speaking student in Spanish. He says, "Ms. Marquez if you can speak English and Spanish, How do you say my name in Chinese?"

2. I call my students to come sit on the floor to go over the safety rules for Science. I say, "We are going to talk about Science..." A student interrupts and says, "Ms. Marquez, can we talk about God instead. You know He made EVERYTHING!"

3. For the weekly spelling test one of our words was "fat." I read off: "Fat. My aunt has a fat cat." During the time I'm giving them to write the word a student says: "Ms. Marquez does it make you sad that you have a big belly and everyone thinks you're fat?" (HOLY WHAT!?!?! hahahaha!)

4. Our school has breakfast in the classroom. I set a timer so they are busy eating and not busy playing with their food, but sometimes it's inevitable. They had bananas as part of their breakfast one morning and when I turn around one of the girls is using this banana as a phone. She asked her friend on the "phone" to please run some errands for her because she's busy at school and won't get out until it's too late. Girls will be girls!

*****************************

Running front:

Running has not happened since last Wednesday. That means it's been a week and three days. :O( It's not like last Wednesday's run was great either....it honestly sucked. But saying hello to first graders, loads of "unexpected" stress, and some really late nights, also means saying hello to germs and a weaker immune system.

I'm using this Labor Day weekend to get myself better.

*****************************

Autumn is around the corner and it makes me so.....DREAMY!! I love this season - it's seriously my favorite of all time! It's perfect season to re-read Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time and of course to watch YOU'VE GOT MAIL while doing chores or working on stuff for school. Oh - and of course having that Louis Armstrong Pandora station is a MUST!!

I found this song several years ago, when I used to surf MySpace specifically to find music that made my heart skip a beat. This one is perfect for the season.

AUTUMN DAYS Elizabeth Seasons by Empty Songs

Enjoy the summer heat - what's left of it! I hope to be wearing layered apparel soon!! :O)

Pick Up Lines

Usually, you get to meet some of the coolest people on the planet working at this orphanage. Sometimes, you also meet the most awkward individuals...

During the second week of my stay here in Guate I met this dude who was REALLY smooth. Thankfully his stay was ONLY one week! Here are his lines:

1. You speak really good English!
2. I like your headband...And your shirt...You look really good in it.
3. So, do you have a green card?
4. You should look me up on Facebook. You can't have too many friends you know!
5. Come sit down with me. Let's talk.
   

He won me over with "Do you have a green card"!!

Bless his heart.

What goes around comes around...

Dear Ms. Hartwig,

Remember when I was in third grade and I had a favorite teacher whose name was Ms. Reed? Remember? She was soooooo cool!! She had the "IT" factor without even knowing she had it...She made learning fun and she wore such cool clothes. She was so chill. On casual Fridays, she'd wear overalls. And on one of those Fridays, there was in grasshopper in the room and she didn't freak out about it. She didn't kill it either. Instead, she caught it with her BARE hands and then released it to the outdoors where it belonged. I thought - WOW, I really want to be like her!!

And then...well, I'm not sure what the circumstances were (except that you were new to town from Iowa), but you took over. And you were completely different from her. You wore skirt suits. You wore hose. You always wore heels! And...You never DARED to wear a pair of overalls. I hated that! I thought you were too uptight and I thought you wore too much make-up! And I made fun of your hair that didn't seem too move...

Yeah...that was my perspective as a third grader. But now that I'm in your shoes, I just want to say I'm so sorry for giving you hell. I remember the torture I caused you! I remember you asking me to go back to my seat so nicely and my stubborn self decided: I think I'll just stay here...on the floor and I will not move! Remember? I do! You literally had to drag me by the arm to my seat. And I remember the entire class gave you such a difficult time that you had us eat a silent lunch in the classroom with the Assistant Principal standing beside you! There was no escaping! I don't remember when I started to take you seriously, but I do remember I did end up liking you.

I've been thinking a lot about you! I've been wondering if we wore you out so bad that you took naps as soon as you got home? Did you wonder if you were going to make it? Did you talk so horribly about me to your whoever your go-to person was? Did you see any progress in our (okay...MY) behavior? Did your third grade team give you suggestions on how to handle us? I hope I didn't lead you to cynicism.

Thanks for being a brave soul to take a class mid-year. Thanks for having the patience (even if it was just surface level) for me. And thanks for putting me in my place. I really appreciate it...now more than ever.

Your fellow colleague,
Ms. Márquez

P.S. YES...I still wonder about your hair, but I'll cut you some slack because it was the EIGHTIES!

The First Day...2.5 weeks later

So, I started working as a teacher February 10. And, the day before that I was a nervous wreck. Sort of...Okay, I'll be honest and say I had trouble sitting still that day and trouble sleeping that night. Nonetheless, I woke up at the crack of dawn...I got ready for the day and started driving to my first job as a TEACHER!!

I got there an hour early, so I got back into my car in search for breakfast. Once I got back to the school, I went straight to the front office to wait for direction. I waited there for what seemed like an eternity. I was waiting for someone to tell me where to go...

While I waited, a hall monitor came in to talk to the AP about a kid in the hall and while I'm not entirely sure what this hall monitor said, I'm certain the response from the AP was "OH REALLY?!" The AP walked out into the hallway and marched this kid into the office to call this kid's parents to pick him up. He asked this kid to sit down and his response was repetitive: "I AIN'T GONNA SIT DOWN, CAUSE I DON'T WANNA SIT DOWN!" This kid got suspended from school.

I thought to myself, "Wow!! Whoever has this student really has their hands full!"

OH THE IRONY! Welcome, Miss Marquez to your first day of teaching! Meet YOUR first grade student!! You WILL have your hands full!! But we wish you the best! GOOD LUCK!!

I'm still laughing!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it in the way she was supposed to, cradled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder, and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.
I heard Alice gasp and she poked me. "I don't think it's very nice to burp the baby Jesus," she whispered, "as if he had colic." Then she poked me again. "Do you supposed he could have had colic?"
I said, "I don't know why not," and I didn't. He could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus - the he didn't come down on a cloud like something out of "Amazing Comics," but that he was born and lived...a real person.

-Barbara Robinson
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

High Spirits

Last night, my mom and I took some chicken soup to a lady from church who recently went through open heart surgery. From what I can tell, she's feeling pretty chipper and high spirited despite the pain she's enduring. As soon as we walked in, she introduced me to her sons - "The Old One" and "Your Boyfriend." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The poor guy was so embarrassed after saying hello he went to the bedroom and tried everything not to have to come out again!

Big Russ & Me

So, as I've mentioned many times before, I LOVE to read! As a result, I tend to have more books than I can read at a time. I bought the book Big Russ & Me by Tim Russert LAST YEAR and I'm just NOW coming around to reading it.

GO PICK UP A COPY!

It's an easy read. It's nostalgic. It makes you want to call your dad and tell him you love him! And it also makes you want to write down every possible memory that you have with your dad, so that a hundred years from now someone will remember the good times you spent with him!

For me - it reminded me of the road trips we took with my dad to San Antonio or San Jacinto, how my dad would put me on his shoulders as a little girl and jump rope, how my dad made me get back on a bike after having a horrible fall and said, "We're not quitters just because we skin our knees," how we finally told him to stop cooking eggs for us because we thought they were disgusting (ha ha ha, at least he tried). It reminded me of the time when my dad was teaching me to swim and the silly looking goggles he bought for me and how he went to every single orchestra concert I had growing up and how he tears up any time he's overwhelmingly proud of me or my brothers.

It makes me sad to think of the times I was embarrassed by him because I love him! (I'm crying now. ha ha!) What a great dad I have! He's truly amazing!

I'm not quite finished reading this book, but I will be in the next couple evenings when I get a chance to read....but I couldn't help myself - I YouTubed "tim russert" and found this video that I thought would be perfect to share with you!




p.s. My dad's birthday is this Thursday and I have an AWESOME surprise planned for him on Saturday. I will make sure to have my camera and tell you all about it. I seriously CAN'T WAIT! It's going to be great!

Silliness

Lately, some friends and I have been speaking in a British accent. Once we get going it’s REALLY hard to stop…and what makes it funnier is that when we go get coffee or ice cream, the people behind the counter join us!

Need an example?

Mimi (with a British accent and a cheesy smile): May I have a small cup of hot chocolate?
Taylor the Latte Boy (with a British accent and a pirate look on his face): Would you like to add some Gray Poupon to your order?

HA HA. We're just spreading the cheer - don't be annoyed. :)

Advice to First Daughters

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This is such a touching letter from the Bush girls to Sasha and Malia.

Put a Little P.E.P. in your Step!

http://www.pep.org/

There a quotation from a Russian Poet, Boris Pasternak, that I read earlier this week and got me on a roll to finally writing this post.

“It is not revolutions and upheavals that clear the road to new and better days,
but someone’s soul inspired and ablaze.”

I would never have imagined that I would in a million years that I'd go through a “tunnel of love” and do the chicken dance with a room full of prisoners. I would have never in a million years believed that these tough guys would be willing to be a little vulnerable…but have no doubt that it is TRUE!

First, let me begin with a little background info:
Catherine Rohr was about my age when she was rollin’ in the dough on a street called WALL aka Wall Street. Well, she always thought of prisoners as beasts of the human population that deserved to be there and shouldn’t get back into society. UNTIL, she came to this Texas prison and realized that there is an untapped potential with these guys. These men are already entrepreneurs and amazing leaders. She saw what no one else saw and ran with it – These men need for someone to believe in them…that they are intelligent, gentlemen, and capable of making a positive impact in their communities. So…one small step of obedience after another…She left Wall Street, cleared out her bank account and 401K with penalties, moved to Texas, and started what is now (and has been for about 4 years) the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Talk about an inspired soul!! Want to read more about her? Go here.

So why did I go?
Well, for one, I’ve always wanted to get involved with Prisons (not as a prisoner)…but I was always too young. And then I was too busy. And then I heard about P.E.P. and I thought it’s now or never! (I use that phrase a lot…not in this post…but in my life. The light bulb just went off.)

And two – there’s a LADIES’ NIGHT at the prison! Ha! I think they’ve renamed it to Etiquette night.

Now the STORY:
After going through the normal security check at the entrance of the prison, I walked with 5 other women (eventually 37 of us there) to the P.E.P room (which is inviting and not what you would expect in prison). Little did we know that the P.E.P students were anxiously waiting for us with a human tunnel for us to walk through…YES…a human tunnel called the TUNNEL OF LOVE! We chit chatted a bit…they introduced themselves in a way that it’s only fair you go and see…and then we got to business. We did the chicken dance. Yes. The chicken dance.

The purpose of the visit was to help these guys with their etiquette. So we made our way to a cafeteria type room where we had dinner. They had to work on helping the ladies’ with their seats, shaking hands in a courteous manner, setting their place correctly, using the right hands for cutting into the meat, cutting enough for one bite, explain what they’d do if they had to leave their seat….you get the picture. They got points for whatever they got right. Some of these guys were visibly nervous. Not so much by the dinner, but by the company. The guy who got the most points got a prize….so cute. They really were trying to WIN this...Title of: Mr. Etiquette, a folder and a pencil with a grip for his P.E.P. homework. It was A LOT OF FUN! I learned a lot more than I already knew.

You know…they are the most dedicated individuals I’ve seen in a long time – okay, okay – I’m not saying you’re not…but imagine these guys. They are basically taking an MBA course in a 4 month period! Can you imagine!? If they show any kind of disrespect, too good for his own britches-ness (aka: pride), and kind of squirmyness or laziness they are out of there! Not everyone who gets in stays…

Class X - Tiny Tender Ten Graduate tomorrow. I've convinced a friend to come with me...I think I'll have to call more people when I'm on the high of just coming out of Prison! It's truly amazing...it causes a ripple effect!

My version of Mr. Ike

Hi friends.

So here’s my IKE story:

I freaked out before the storm came – I think you witnessed that in a previous blog. I bought out aisles and aisles of HEB’s snack and nonperishable foods (enough to feed a tribe). I looked online every so often to check the progress and see if the Hurricane Center said anything different (I was practically glued to it, okay). I was hoping that the local news people were hyping it up. THEY WEREN’T!

Friday was a tad bit boring and it seemed as though the storm wasn’t coming. I was telling my parent’s that I wanted to go out into the street and yell, “Come already! HIT ME WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT! HIT ME!” (ha – I would’ve never survived it if it actually hit me). That evening my family and I sat around in the back yard admiring the spectacular skies and the wind that was picking up a bit. I called it a night about 11 pm when the storm was there (not yet in full force) and not too long after I was up again. I was woken up by the trees snapping in half and howling winds. It sounded like a train or worse. My little cousin (3 yrs) describes it like this, “Mimi, there were monsters all in the wind.” Yeah – like I said, it was scary.

In all honesty, I was more composed than I thought I would be considering I freaked out so bad prior to the storm. My gramma was with us – and that helped me keep my cool. I’m not saying I wasn’t scared because I was! I think it would’ve been much worse for me if I didn’t feel like I was responsible for someone else’s well being. Does that make sense?

My grandmother handled it very well. My mother was absolutely HILARIOUS! If there only had been a constant video recording of her. She’s so funny! My dad slept through the whole thing! Aser would have been outside the entire time if we had allowed him to. I tried sleeping but was unsuccessful. Instead, I had Caedmon’s Call’s - There’s Only One looping in my head. Tim laughed at the rest of us.

After the storm, everyone walked out of their homes as if they had been in bomb shelters. It was the weirdest thing ever! Once everyone saw that everyone else was okay, everyone got to work. This was the most neighborly kindness I have ever experienced in my life. All I have to say is that I love my neighbors! They are amazing! Everyone was helping each other – raking, cleaning, sawing fallen trees to pieces, sharing water & food, etc. It was beautiful! One of my neighbors went to a neighboring town and bought pizza for ALL of us! WHOA!

So the mess – there are still fallen trees everywhere. We lost two of them. There was no damage to my house. My parent’s house is also okay. It almost seemed like there was a bubble protecting the house. There are two trees that hover over it and the big honkin’ branches that should have fallen on the house, fell away from it. It was amazing. My grandmother’s house is also JUST FINE! There was no flooding even after the rain we got after the storm.

Things are not yet back to normal. Gas is hard to come by. Electricity is also out in a lot of places – thankfully not at my house (my parents are still staying with Aser & me). I dare not step into a grocery store where I imagine it’s crazy. I’ve heard that people have been fighting over LOAVES OF BREAD! Now why would you go into something like that knowing that people are at their wits end?

One of my friends is my HERO! I’m honestly impressed by her. Her house is near the coast and suffered serious damage. When I spoke to her last night she said, “It’s sad, but it could be worse. This loss is only materialistic and I could have nothing right now.” She is in good spirits and thankful that everyBODY is okay.

Something that I keep wondering is – You can prepare physically, but how in the world do you prepare emotionally and mentally? Is it possible?

Through all of this, I’m reminded that GOD is and forever will be good. He’s so good to us. Read Psalm 29.

The Lord will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

A Wednesday Word: making wednesday worthwhile

re·demp·tion [ri-demp-shuhn] –noun

1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.
2. deliverance; rescue.
3. Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.
4. atonement for guilt.
5. repurchase, as of something sold.
6. paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.
7. recovery by payment, as of something pledged.

I mentioned having gone to a leadership conference a couple weeks ago. I can’t tell you what a deep impact it’s had in my life. I think the only way to explain it is basically to get of my bum and do something that REALLY matters. I’ve set some goals and have a sense of urgency that the time is NOW or NEVER.

Okay, so I would like to introduce you to Catherine Rohr. She is the Founder and CEO of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP). She was one of the speakers at this conference and I can’t seem to stop talking about this AMAZING program she started. Seriously – it’s redemptions story at its best. Catherine Rohr’s story has given, for me, a new meaning to 1 Peter 2:9. It says:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

He (God) didn’t just pull us out of darkness for the sake of taking us out of darkness but to bring others with us! She proclaims the excellencies of Jesus – and it’s evident in these men that she’s shared with them LIGHT!!

Enough talking from me. Please, Please, Please watch the videos!

And I'm just now finding this out?

Last weekend, we got the family together from near and far to celebrate my grandmother's 80^th birthday. We had a little "program" which means one of my aunts put together some history and had people give speeches. The History is what intrigues me most and really I'm SHOCKED that I've been oblivious to my grandparent's story.

My grandparents met when they were really young and very good-looking. (If I had some scanned images I'd share. Perhaps I'll update the post with pictures. ) They sent letters to each other naively through my grandfather's brother, Tio Pepe, rather than using the Post Office. Tio Pepe of course took advantage of the opportunity and read every single one of the letters he got his hands on. I have no doubt he teased them half to death because he would!!

When my grandmother was 19 years old, my grandfather asked her father for her hand in marriage. Her father adamantly said NO! There was no way that his sweet daughter would benefit from this marriage and so the answer was no and would remain NO! They continued dating – I guess that wasn't prohibited. My grandmother has always been "put together" and still will not leave the house until she feels she's reached near perfection. My grampa knowing that about her showed his love for her by spending a LOT of money to give her the most expensive powder and lipstick on the Mexican Market. One day, they were given permission to go to the movie theatre with her sisters as chaperones. They purposefully sat 2 rows behind my grandmother's sisters and guess what they did!? They sneaked out in the middle of it and ELOPED!

Plans were made way before the movie theatre outing and they took their merry little selves to Saltillo and stayed for who knows how long. They eventually came back – married!!! To date, she has no idea what movie they went to see!

I still don't know how growing up I never knew this story. I'm intrigued to know more. If you would like to see pictures of the party click on the picture below.

Wednesday Word: making wednesday worthwhile

sa·lu·bri·ous (sə-lōō'brē-əs) adj.
Conducive or favorable to health or well-being.

Have I mentioned how much I love salubrious laughter. I've had a lot of it lately and for that I'm thankful.

Here is one conversation via AIM that had me laughing pretty hard. The conversation started with a blurb I had to cut in half (yes, work related).

Me: If you're interested in reading the final butchering you can come read it
Intern: I'm coming. I love gore and blood!
Me: LOL
Me: I just read this. GORE and BLOOD. HA.
Me: are you talking about Braveheart?
Intern: more Gladiator. I don't know why, but I actually hated Braveheart.
Me: WHAT
Me: I can't stand the actor for the Gladiator!!! WHACK!
Intern: WHAT!!! "My name is Maximus Decimus Brulius, commander of the armies of the North, General of the Felix legion, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will seek my vengence in this life or the next."
Me: Okay, I never said that I didn't like the movie...but if HE could be replaced by another actor I'd like it Much much better
Me: But then again, he played the role well. So, I can't think of a suitable replacement
Me: Schwartznager* was prob governer* by then and he'd make it too cheesy! :o)
Intern: No kidding! Hasta la vista, Commodus!
Intern: actually, it would be commode
Me: HA HA HA

*Excellent spelling, I know!!

A Wednesday Word: making wednesday worthwhile

rac·on·teur [rak-uhn-tur; Fr. ra-kawn-tɶr]
–noun, plural -teurs

a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.

Origin: 1820–30; <>re- + aconter to tell, account) + -eur -eur]

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When I grow up, I’d like to be like my Tia Kika. She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met and she has THE BEST stories on the face of the earth. Why I’ve never considered having a recorder of some type with me when she’s telling stories is beyond me. She uses words in Spanish that I never knew existed and to this day can’t think of what they are but WOW – She’s the perfect person to have around if you want a good heart exercise.

She is my late-grandfather’s oldest sister. She’s become really good friends with my grandmother (her sister-in-law). Since she lives in Mexico, I don’t get to see her often, but when I do I LOVE LOVE LOVE the off the wall stories she tells.

Here’s one that I remember. (Keep in mind that I am not the raconteur, my aunt is. Me telling the story gives it NO justice!)

One afternoon, Tia Kika notices that the water heater went out. She calls the water heater guy to come replace it. He does, but he just hooked it up without turning it on or anything. As she’s working on her stuff, she notices the hot water isn’t working and thinks it’s crazy because she just got the water heater replaced. She goes to check out the water heater and diagnose the problem – the problem being that the SOB didn’t light the water heater! Being the resourceful woman that she is, she gets a rag and dips it in diesel lights it to light up the water heater. When she puts the match to the rag there’s an “explosion” singeing the hair off of her arms and face. Yes – She even singed her EYEBROWS and her bangs!!!

That is one story of a million! I love her so much! And if I can be like her when I grow up (minus dipping rags in diesel and singeing my arm hair and eyebrows) I will be one lucky woman!