Thanks to a few tall students, I now have my new posters on the walls in my class room. I wanted them up because I took the time to cover every inch of the exhibition hall (at least twice!) in San Antonio at the ACTFL conference in November looking for free stuff for my room. Then I packed them carefully in my suitcase and carted them all home.
The Petra poster is my favorite, so it is near my desk.
I had this one put near the door. One student is going to Japan this summer, and I knew she would love it.
My daughter, Ysabela, has decided she wants to do some cosplay. After she explained it all to me, I thought it might be fun for her. I wondered if we’d find any cosplay fun within driving distance, so she started looking. We discovered that there’s a cosplay event (O Comic Con) in Council Bluffs (Iowa) at the end of May, so we are planning to go. Once she won that battle, she insisted that I dress up as well.
I don’t think I can find an appealing outfit that is flattering for my body type. It’s that simple! I mean, I’m in shape (if you count round as a shape!), but I do not want to wear anything that is very “form fitting.” I like my clothes to cover, not outline. I liked the Avatar face makeup, but the clothes are not my style. After that, things went down hill. I have given up on finding an outfit that I can—and will—wear.
As far as I’m concerned, we will have enough to do with ordering fabric, making Bela’s pants (with help from someone who knows how to do it!), finding the perfect purple shirt, buying her must-have boots and ordering the top hat. I think cosplay=money. 🙂 It should be a fun experience anyway, though. We’re both looking forward to going. Everyone will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet and have photos taken. It’ll be nice to get out of town for a few days and relax.
Bela was grooming our Maine Coon, Jersey, a very laid back feline (usually). At first Jersey was enjoying herself, but Bela hit a snag; then things got real. Jersey was offended by the tug of the brush, so she started “talking.” She was not nice, but she was quite funny. You’ve never been told off until a Maine Coon chews you out.
Our Brasilian (Brazilian) exchange student, Joao, is an awesome kid. I finally got to meet his family, and Joao’s sweetness made sense. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and his parents are super people! I met them at school earlier today, and Nuria, Joao’s mom, gave me and Ysabela gifts. (There was lots of hugging at school.) Marcelo, Joao’s dad, is a warm, loving person, so he’s perfect for Nuria. 🙂 I wanted Bela to meet the family as soon as possible, so we tracked them down after school.
They welcomed us warmly with lots of hugs, and we spoke a smattering of English peppered with Portuguese and Spanish. Amazingly, there was no communication barrier. (I had to have a few pictures, and I did warn them they would appear in my blog.)
I would encourage you all to investigate the possibilities of intercultural exchange. I have seen first-hand how it changes lives.
Bela shared some of her Brasilian candy with me! YUM!
Beautiful people, international friends!
If Joao’s family is any indication, Brasilians are great people.
I had been stressing about tonight since the beginning of school. Seriously. Months of stress for a ten-minute ceremony.
Every spring (ish), qualifying Spanish 2 students are invited to join the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica. In English, that’s the Spanish Honor Society. The ceremony is usually small, attended by parents of the few students who have earned a spot, but since students run most of the ceremony (in Spanish), I always worry. It’s what I do best.
I came home a bit after 4:00, relaxed for a few minutes, showered and “put myself together.” Tonight I even put on my “bling.” I went on to school after I made Bela take a picture or two of me dressed up instead of messed up. (Usually I run amuck in ratty jeans and a T.)
My students did a great job running the ceremony and serving out the refreshments after. I shouldn’t have been so worried. After ten minutes of Spanish, I could really relax and focus on visiting with some of the parents. I then moved on to have a piece of cake. 🙂
Bela was not interested in being photographed, but I managed to snap a few pics anyway. I am proud of her because today’s state shoot was only her second competition. She’s been practicing, of course, but a meet is totally different. The kids in her age group have been shooting air rifles for years, and Bela started in February.
Our community has had so many unexpected deaths lately that it feels like we are in perpetual mourning. I wonder how many more tears must be shed before we can heal.
From my perspective, I must offer some advice to those who have not yet been touched by tragedy. Pay attention. You don’t want to live with regrets.
Don’t wait to take that “special” vacation with loved ones. Travel when you can. Thinking you have all the time in the world is a huge mistake. Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. One thing we all know for sure is that nobody gets out of life alive.
If someone needs a hug from you, give it happily. They may not ask again. I know sometimes I get in a hurry, but my Ysabela opens her arms for a hug. I hug her. What if she never asks again?
Special occasions happen daily. Did you get up this morning? Victory! Wear your best jewelry! Use the fine china for supper! You don’t need a reason to celebrate life.
Work hard for what you want out of life. Play hard, too. There’s a time and place for everything.
If you feel like you want to get to know someone better, make the effort. Next week may be too late to grab a cup of coffee with him or her.
Don’t wait to live your life. Putting things on hold will haunt you.
Ramblings of a Perforated Mind 