The End of an Era

Hello Readers (in case there are any of you left),

I am finally writing a 'back in Minneapolis' post, though I've been back for about 3 weeks. It feels like I have been busy, but mostly I've just been trying to re-adjust. One doesn't think that only 2 years away (after having lived in a place for 23 years) would cause such culture shock, but it certainly does. Hot water is SO cool.

My experience traveling back was exciting in that I had to lie and cheat and SCREAM OBSCENITIES on my way through customs and security in the Phoenix airport and was the last person on the plane to Chicago. I made it though and that is all that matters because the following day I got to surprise my Grandpa at his 90th birthday party and that was pretty great. My cousins Kristin and Leonard picked me up at the airport - I was so zoned out that Leonard stood behind me and talked to me for a couple of minutes before I realized that I knew him - and on the way back to their place we stopped at some restaurant where I had some ridiculously delicious peach cobbler that I won't forget anytime soon. I spent 1.5 more days in the Milwaukee area with my Mom's side of the fam (played some pinochle, finally) and then a couple of days in Green Bay with my Dad's side of the family - got to see all of my aunts and uncles and all 2 of my cousins (who are both far too tall for my liking, though I better be careful because Jacquie is going to be stronger than me.. next week) and my Grandma and my dog. It was a great trip, but I was still kinda dazed and totally in awe of the amount of STUFF that is available (even in Green Bay!) everywhere.

Then I made it home to Minneapolis and it was weird to be back in the basement of my parents house, sorting through stuff, unpacking, doing laundry and trying to settle in. I have to pause to rail at my 2-years ago self because what in the H E double hockey sticks was I thinking when I "sorted through and whinnied down" my stuff before I left? It appears to my current self that I threw nothing away and just left it for current self to take care, which current self is regretting right about now and 2-years ago self is giggling about. Dang! I have notebooks and HANDOUTS from middle school. I mean like syllabi (or however you spell the plural of syllabus) from 12 years ago. Maybe I should ask Oprah to find an expert to help with my hoarding before it gets too late!

Anywho, 3 weeks later, I have signed my contract with Minneapolis Public Schools for whom I will be teaching ESL to Anwatin Middle Schoolers full time. Yeah, buddy! I am So pumped! I had a mini-orientation and have another on the 18th of August. Then I'm at my school on the 19th to start setting up my classroom and going to meetings and courses and all of that good stuff. Kids start August 29th (which seems crazy early to me as we ALWAYS started after Labor Day, but which also means that we are done the first week of June, woohoo!)!

Pako and I are in the last phase of our immigration process and just waiting for the US Consulate in Juarez to notify us that we have an appointment window. At that point, we'll book the appointment(s) and flight and hotel reservations. Then we'll be super nervous until Pako goes and comes back from Juarez and they tell him YES! After that, it's a question of how soon can I get him a direct flight from Mexico to Chicago (or Minneapolis, but it will all depend on when because there aren't that many direct flights from Mexico City to Minneapolis yet). We are anxiously awaiting some news and I hope to find out within the next couple of weeks. Keep your apendages crossed for us!

Speaking of my darling husband, he goes to Montessori on Monday for a scheduling meeting as he'll be teaching Phys Ed to the middle school groups! He is really excited to be able to put to use some of that fancy edumacation that he got and fought so long and hard for! It is a great opportunity for him and I am so happy! Things are looking up!

Since I no-longer live in Zihua, this blog is winding down. Never fear, loyal readers (are you out there still?), there is a new blog to which you can dedicate your reading time! It's called The Teacher and The Grouch and my father and I will be sharing the writing duties. I'll let you figure out who is who... and if you can't figure that out... well... dang. So, don't abandon us yet! Click HERE to be taken directly to the new blog, there ought to be an inaugural post on there soon, brought to you by everyone's favorite grouch!

Thanks for reading, friends! It has been a great outlet for me these past two years to have this forum to vent and rant on and it has made me feel a little more connected to my loved ones who were far away. Some of you are still far away, but none less loved! I hope you'll stick with us as someday we might have something important to say!

XOXOXO,
Leyah