Another 29th of September

Here we are at another anniversary. Do you actually call it that? Though most of you already know, mom passed away 7 years ago today. I'm doing well with it. It generally hits me on completely insignificant days and takes me by complete surprise. But on the "biggies", like today, I seem to do alright. I have gotten a few emails from some of you remember today's significance, thank you! She is missed and remembered, but always where she should be...up THERE and in HERE (pointing to my heart)! And, as dad reminded me today, she's probably up there serving dutch coffee and making the beds for the new comers! So, when its your turn to head that direction (hopefully not anytime soon) I can assure you that you will have top notch hospitality waiting to give you a hug and make some good ole chicken and trees (her famous family casserole). Here's to you, my sweet mamma!

Zuni

Thank you for praying! Zuni left the hospital about 6 hours after arriving. Because of her lack of insurance, her care there was, well, minimal. Nevertheless, she made it through and they gave her an I.V. until she was released. As soon as she is signed up with her new insurance, she will go for testing to see what the cause was. Until then, my prayer is that there isn't a re-occurrence....it was quite a scary experience for us all. She is doing well and I am keeping a close eye on her! Thanks for your comments and emails!

Requesting Prayer

Today, after teaching one of my ESL classes, a good friend of mine, Zuni, had some kind of weird attack. We had to rush her to the hospital, but as she has no insurance, they are hardly even tending to her. She drifts in and out of consciousness and is suffering from tremendous pain in her head and hands. I have never heard of this, if you have, feel free to let me know! Either way, I'm praying hard that, despite the hospitals carelessness, the Lord will work a little miracle and help my precious friend. Please join me! Thank you so much!
Zoe

LOVE LOVE LOVE ESL

Well, I think the video will tell it all! Enjoy!

Roaches, Curtains, and Gas.

Roaches: we have actually found a little home for roaches in the kitchen wall. So, all my bragging about no roaches has come back to haunt me. I will say that I have yet to see when larger than 3/4 of an inch, so I'm happy about that for sure! But yeah, I pretty much lose it when I see one. We're taking care of the situation PRONTO because they are NOT WELCOME GUESTS IN MY HOME!

Curtains: I finally got curtains and can happily say that my room is finished except for some decorations that I'll put up as time and money allow. I'm just happy for the privacy!

Gas: the natural gas repair man (can you repair gas?) came and hooked up the gas to our stove so we finally can use the gas burners. We've been using the electric ones (we have to elec. and 2 gas burners). Let me tell you that I am anti-electric stoves. They burn in the middle and don't cook on the outside AND they are expensive. So, we are thrilled to have good ole gas comin through.

And finally, check out the pictures and videos of my apartment AND my house-warming party from last night. There were like 18 people in my tiny living room and....we were dancing! Try and imagine that!
The people that came for the party!

My Roomie Yomaida and I

Yomaida cooking

eating in our living room since we have no table!

my room with curtains

the view from my living room window

playin cards at the party

here's a very short video of different clips of dancing...I think I could go pro...what ya think? Enjoy the laugh



QUOTE: Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching.
Satchel Paige

Teaching English as a Second Language

a 1326-page English dictionary and a text book for my Intermediate students:

Tonight I will have my first English class. I have spent the last two weeks testing students for placement and planning my classes. I have three levels to teach in total: Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginning with a total of 34 students! YIKES! It may not sound like a lot but in ESL courses the goal is to keep the classes small so that students have more talk time. I'll do my best! I'm a bit nervous and definately excited. Tonight is the Advanced class. Say a little prayer please! The following is a poem that Aaron found and I thought it quite appropriate for the occasion. You may get a good giggle out of it! I'll be sure to post pictures and let you know how my first week goes!
p.s. I'm LOVIN the apartment!

The English Language:

Have you ever wondered why foreigners have trouble with the English Language?

Let's face it
English is a stupid language.
There is no egg in the eggplant
No ham in the hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England
French fries were not invented in France.

We sometimes take English for granted
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly
Boxing rings are square
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If writers write, how come fingers don't fing.
If the plural of tooth is teeth
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth
If the teacher taught,
Why didn't the preacher praught.

If a vegetarian eats vegetables
What the heck does a humanitarian eat!?
Why do people recite at a play
Yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy
Of a language where a house can burn up as
It burns down
And in which you fill in a form
By filling it out
And a bell is only heard once it goes!

English was invented by people, not computers
And it reflects the creativity of the human race
(Which of course isn't a race at all)

That is why
When the stars are out they are visible
But when the lights are out they are invisible
And why it is that when I wind up my watch
It starts
But when I wind up this observation,
It ends.

Mi Casa es Tu Casa!

I HAVE A HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yomaida (my roomate) and I have finally moved all of our things into our great new apartment. Below is a tour of the place, but there are just a couple things you should know before watching.
-We have no curtains yet and so I am using an old pair of sheets to cover my bedroom window
-There are still some boxes needing to be unpacked
-we haven't decorated the place at all yet
-We live on the 3rd and top floor of an apartment building that is a 8-minute walk from the office
-the apt. is about 1200 square feet and only $320 dollars per month!
-I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE MY NEW PLACE!!!

Enjoy the 2-min. video and remember...Mi casa es tu casa, so come on down any time you like!


QUOTE: A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.
Benjamin Franklin