Good, another post!

grateful living: an alchemic operation of converting "disgraceful" things into grateful events.

Raimundo Panikkar

Cissy Petty, the dean or vice president (or some official position) of student affairs, sends out "DP's Dailies" with little inspirational quotations and today's I thought worthy of contemplation and posting. I get her emails even though I have ceased to be a student at Loyola, I am still in subscription for some reason. Every now and again, I'll come across one that I like. Even some of the more religious/spiritual/Jesuit ones. I guess this one is kind of how I attempt to live my life, however, I have felt like more of a bitch lately. And, I'm short with and mean to people who love me. I'm comfortable and at times, spoiled, but I'm still struggling to find my own, being completely secure financially and in my academic and occupational pursuits. I'm waiting for others (admission committees) to tell me what I can do and where I can go from here. (Jesse phrased that perfectly one day when I was venting). Thus, I feel bitter? Or, at least, frustrated. So the failure or the rejections, I know that I can turn them into grateful events or at least turn away from them hopeful in my other goals. Anyhow, that's all about that for now.

Jesse and I went bike shopping today. We had lunch at Chill Out Cafe (his idea surprisingly) and then went to three bike stores looking at bikes for me. We would have went to a fourth, but it was closed already. I test rode some and have decided on a nice men's small, Globe-brand, pearl white comfort bike (http://www.globebikes.com/zz/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10CAR5). I tried a cruiser, but after talking with the associate at Bayou Bicycles (http://bayoubicycles.com/index.cfm), I tried a comfort one out and much preferred it. It's $330 plus tax so I'm going to wait until I get paid this month until I get it. But, I'm going to need to buy a helmet and a U-lock. Eventually, I'll invest in a cute possibly-straw basket. For now, I'll use a backpack. I'm committed to biking around New Orleans, albeit nervous. The whole sharing the car with Mia works, but can be inconvenient. I'm going to have to start leaving about 15 minutes earlier to get to work, take side streets, and pray I don't get hit by a car (or a pothole!). I'm pretty excited about it, though my mom told me not to get one, citing my lack of insurance and how dangerous it can be. I feel like I'm going against her wishes, but I'm about to be 24 and I want it!

While Jesse was doing school work at the library, I was there too, starting putting together my long overdue Guatemala scrapbook. I've only really started the first three pages, but it's slowly coming together. I cut apart some adverts and brochures so I'll be slowly working on it. Looking at some of the photos and receipts and labels made me nostalgic...someday I'll return.

Looks like Jesse's old friend (and mine now), Tim, will visiting us next weekend from Austin. He's bringing a friend too so we'll have house company, which also means I need to clean!

Next entry: reviews of Buffalo Exchange clothing store and Pooch Pick-up poop bags

No mail again!

Everyday I wait until the mail comes, hoping that one of my acceptance letters will come in. Today was no different. Letters from the New School began going out on May 10 (Wednesday) and now I have to wait until Monday again. I keep trying to convince myself that this is a good sign and that the reason I haven't gotten a letter from Tulane's LAS program yet is maybe because rejection letters go out first. I got my rejection letter from the Anthro Department almost 2 weeks ago. I put in my New School app almost 2 months ago and the LAS app one and a half months ago. Yee-Gah!

Anyway, babysitting Isa Thursday was a delight. She's really well-behaved and sweet. I only wish I could have spent more time playing with her. Umm, Mia's in Hattiesburg for a meet (probably running right now or just finished). I have a rather uneventful weekend and I like it like that. I didn't go to Hattiesburg so I could do some cleaning. Jesse has a ton of schoolwork to do so we're going to get lunch in a bit and then head to the library where I'll be studying Spanish in preparation for the PRAXIS-II exam. But, I'm holding off registering until I get accepted/rejected from the last two programs. I still haven't made up my mind about teachNOLA and McGehee because I don't have all my cards on the table. I am going to fill Mimi in though on Monday or Tuesday, letting her know that I'm unsure about returning next year because I am applying for grad programs and when I get my letters back, I'll know better.

Oh, and depending on my financial situation, if I go to Bolivia this summer, Dr. Garza told me that Dr. Salmon (also a former professor of mine) has an anthropologist friend who I could work for as a research assistant! If only I could afford it (and it would fit into Jesse's and my schedule)! I'm not going to Emmanuelle's wedding in France because of the airfare as well as Jesse not having the time off; Bolivia's airfares are roughly the same price. But, Dr. Salmon will be on sabbatical and in Bolivia the next year so if I want to, I'll be able to go next summer (and have money after saving for a year!). Dr. Garza also gave me a couple of journals to read, Anthropology News (published by the American Anthropology Association) and another cultural anthropology one. I've decided I'm going to become a member of AAA and go to the annual conference in November to be held here in NOLA this year. Well, for lack of sound more like a nerd, I'll go shower.

Acceptance of some sort

In other news, today I received notification that I have been accepted into the interview stage of teachNOLA's application process. Even after being rejected by Teach For America, I had applied because though I'm at McGehee and it is comfortable, I see the vast differences in quality between public schools and independent private schools. I know that part of my interest in teachNOLA also has to do with the opportunity to teach outside of preschool, and we'll see if it's a good fit throughout the rest of this application process. Unfortunately, the little I have heard of this city program is not so positive, especially regarding the administrative/executive and beaurcratic aspects of it. But, I am invited to interview for Spanish-teaching positions in grades 1 -12 due to the need and my qualifications as listed on my application. I'm excited even if this isn't my first choice of how to begin next semester; still holding out for my grad school letters, but I'm going to go ahead and schedule an interview. When I have everything on the table, then I'll be able to make a decision.

I also think I'll continue teaching ESL at Tulane next fall (whether I'm teaching Spanish in 1-12, teaching 3 year olds at McGehee, or studying Latin American Studies or Anthropology at Tulane or New School).

Fingers still [hypothetically] crossed.

Education, work and sleep

Here's an interesting article that my co-teacher, Lizzie, told me about this evening in class. For your reading pleasure. It's long, but very explicative regarding the American school system.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/magazine/07Teachers-t.html?em

In other news, Jesse and I were both sick so we both stayed home today (sore throat, runny nose and the like). I don't like chicken noodle soup (unless it's Filipino style and made by my mom), but I had half a can. We're feeling a bit better though not totally, but it's off to work again tomorrow.

Good night.

End of Ado entry

Getting back to Friday. So after lunch, we ended up doing some errands and getting coffee before Drew and her mom dropped me off at Dr. Garza's for my playdate with Isa. For some ribbon (for a color sample for Sucre), we stopped by Town and Country on St. Charles. I hadn't been there before and was delighted with the fabric, the ribbons and the buttons! Unfortunately, it made me remember that I cannot sow. I think I'm going to ask for a sewing machine for my next birthday, but learning to use it will be the hard part. Oh, and I don't want one unless Jes and I get a slightly larger apartment. Anyhow, we popped into the bridal boutique before leaving and it was so nice to see all the beautiful wedding gowns. I was envious, but with prices like $2500 and $4100, I cannot fathom paying for a wedding--not that I even dream of a dress near those prices.

My playdate with Isa was wonderful! She and I really got along well, and her warming up to me was serendipitous as Dr. Garza said she's rather shy and the last few times I've seen her, she's been shy, sleeping, or recently awakened from a nap (or a combination of the three). I actually also just like hanging out with Dr. Garza. Is that strange? She was my Social Movements in Latin America and Cultural Anthropology professor. I just think she's so cool, fascinating and learned. Like I once aspired to be like Dr. Hunt, I find myself thinking of Dr. Garza as my role model. I feel silly saying this, and I'm not saying she's my idol. But, I hope that this is the beginning of a long friendship (unlike the now cordial interaction Dr. Hunt and I have). *Dr. Hunt was the Assistant Dean who readmitted me to Loyola after my semester of exclusion; I don't talk to or see her much these days, and she told me that it would pretty much be impossible for me to get into a funded grad program. During my first semester back, I went to her for comfort and advice as much as I could. I strayed away as I got back on my feet...

Anyhow, I'll be babysitting Isa twice later this week, and I'm looking forward to watching her the night of their wedding.

My weekend was pretty nice though this morning, Jesse and I both woke up with sore throats, his more than mine. My nose has also been a faucet. Neither of us want to go to work tomorrow, but what else can we do? Oh, and I was reminded today that next weekend is daylight saving. Springing forward, I hate losing that one hour!

I was being a bitch to my sister today, but I have a hard time not saying exactly how I feel when I find her annoying. I need to work on that, and I even--wait for it--prayed about having patience today at Mass. I don't know why I bothered. I don't usually pray; it's just not something I feel honest about doing. And with this particular issue, I know it's something I have to work on proactively.

The three of us (four if you include Saki) went to the fly this afternoon and Neill met us there for a picnic lunch. Jesse read, and I wanted to, but was distracted. There were so many people there! Traffic was terrible, but it was nice to see everyone enjoying the first really gloriously warm and pretty weekend. It reminded me of a French boardwalk at the turn of the 19th or 20th century. Though one group even brought a parachute and started playing games. Remember doing that in elementary school?!

Well, adieu for now. Will write more Monday or Tuesday. Promise.

More, but not all I want to say

Back from making french toast out of raisin challah with quemada, among other chores. I also figured out finally what to do for Lent. I was in the kitchen cooking breakfast and starting lunch when I decided to move appliances around a little to see if I could get some more counter surface area. Then I went into clean mode and I decided to get rid of some of the tupperware and pyrex containers I had been putting off from taking out of the fridge. Long story short, I'm giving up wasting food. I'm going to make a more conscious effort to eat mainly out of the house (including bringing lunch which I have been doing more and more), and fixing only what we can eat. I know that it's not always purposeful (I mean, it rarely is), but poor planning has led to so much wasted food. Aside from it being careless, inconsiderate and me feeling that somehow I'm not being thankful when they're starving people in the city, in the country and around the world, from a practical (material, economic, conservative) standpoint, this stuff costs money! I won't give you an inventory of all the stuff I threw significant portions of 32-ounces of yogurt. Now, Jesse and I are now able to buy more and more of what we want at Whole Foods and just things that I might need (e.g., special small bottles of $19 skin oil for my extremely sensitive skin).

Oh that note, I'm so excited because he returned from the grocery today with Gianna cookies! They're so good, and he's so sweet to have thought of it. We're about to go to Best Buy, World Market (for canisters for grains, couscous, lentils, beans) and the fly to read.

Lastly, is my writing/blogging too "play-by-play"? Just wondering.

Without Much Further Ado (or "I do")

It's been quite a while, and I've actually considered sitting down to blog quite a few times within the last month (as so much as been going on), but every time I have, it seems likes it's been late and I've been tired (I do have to be at work for 7:30-7:40 on any given weekday). So when I considered doing so, reluctantly, I was thinking of all the things that I wanted to write that I was afraid blogging would be emotionally draining. I suppose like everything else in my life (at some point or another), I procrastinate.

Well, I will start on the most recent on my mind since I'll have to backlog quite a bit, but as Drew suggested, I'll break it up and come back to discuss a few things that happened since Mardi Gras-ish. Namely, Jesse's and my two-year-anniversary, my first rejection letter from a grad school program, and other happy moments in my life.

Drew and her mom came into town yesterday to meet with the people at Sucre about her wedding cake and for the three of us to have lunch together. Little Gate had parent-teacher conferences. And, while Camille told me I could take the day off as a personal day, I didn't want it to affect my PTO. I've already taken 3 days off for being sick (one of those days being mainly anxiety-driven as I had to complete the New School application by midnight EST and as usual, I waited to the 11th hour; I know, I procrastinate. But, it always works out for me, and if it doesn't, then I get over it). So I had to work in a toddler room although I was told that I'd be watching children whose parents brought them along while they were in conferences. It was fine. I was happy to work with Ashley because she's always so pleasant and sweet (in contrast to a certain other coworker that I spend a significant amount of time with whose condescending and self-absorbed). Well, I got off around noon, and I hadn't received a text from Drew yet so I headed over to Sucre on foot (Mia had her car), which is maybe 7-8 blocks from McGehee. :)

Once I got there, I glanced around, and I hadn't met her mom before, but I had seen photos. I also hadn't seen Drew in a while so while I did recognize her, it was a little disorienting to see her looking so grown up. I know that sounds weird, but I guess that's what I thought at first (maybe, too, it was that she was ordering a wedding cake and that's something I usually associate with being an adult? I don't know.). So I met Ms. Lauri (spelling?) and throughout the afternoon, I would realize how much a joy it was to tag along with Drew and her mom (and I noticed so much that they had in common, more than I would have guessed because everything that I've know about Drew has always just been Drew-ness). It made me wonder if I have that much in common with my mom, personality-wise, mannerisms, speech, or opinions.

We quickly decided on a restaurant for lunch and we went to a place I suggested up Magazine. Baru! It was perfect (again). Jesse and I had went there about a year and a month ago for one of our monthly anniversaries, and we had been intensely impressed, but we had not made it back (partially because we've reduced our eating out for a couple of reasons, but namely financial. But also because, come on, we live in New Orleans. If we lived here our entire lives, we still wouldn't exhaust our options for delicious food). But, Drew and her mom loved it. Her mom said that it was the best place she'd been to in a while. It was also nice to see the ambiance of the daytime (fun, Caribbean and intimate) in contrast to the (white tableclothed, sultry and romantic) nighttime feel. First, we were offered an array of light and refreshing drinks (none alcoholic as Baru is BYOB). Drew got the mango spritzer, Ms. Lauri got the iced tea, and I got the freshly-squeezed limeade. Drew and Ms. Lauri both said the mango spritzer was delicious, but I didn't want to try it because I am weary of getting sick from LG (we have a lot of runny noses and coughing going on; some stomach viruses went around last week, too) right now and didn't want to potentially pass that to Drew or her mom. I got the limeade (I know [gasp] I didn't get the mango drink), because I didn't want the bubbles. I wish they had had liquado. Anyway, that's moot. So Ms. Lauri got the cream of portobello soup which she said was fantastic and which looked so! We all shared the guacabello dip, which I have attempted to recreate on multiple occasions (ironically enough, on Thursday night as well), and I was floored by how far I really was from it on my most recent attempt (12+ months'll blunt the tastebuds). This time the guacabello dip was served on three perfectly crisp and buttered crostinis (last time I was there, it was served in a bowl with tortilla chips), but la tapa was just right. Drew and her mom even commented how the seasoning and spices were all perfectly blended. Not too strong a taste of lime or cilantro or chicharon. Well, we all ordered off the lunch menu though I didn't realize mine would be a sandwich. They both got these shrimp wraps with avocado among other tasty dressings, and I ordered the seared tuna (medium rare, of course) which was heavenly, even though I was tempted to get el cubano (but I'm trying to adhere to the Catholic Lenten traditions this year). My tuna came on a warm thin long, yet thickly sliced piece of good (almost like a bruschetta is the closest thing I can think of) bread, greens, avocado and an indiscernible condiment (housemade no doubt). All of our plates came with a shot glass-sized bowl of black beans (with corn and diced tomato) and non-broken, thin thin thinly sliced plantains garnished with course salt. Another thing I'd like to point out is that it was all well-timed. You didn't feel rushed so they could seat another table. The food came out as it should so we weren't filled up right way with no room for next course. And, I never felt as if the waitress was interrupting. All and all satisfying! And of course, the company was lovely and long-awaited.

Next, to the rest of the day! But, now, I need to go cook french toast, if the challah is done defrosting.