Your Bad Luck Is Impressive 3.0

So after a semi-blissful week back to work, I was hit today with something that isn't going to let me feel at ease for the rest of the weekend. 

When I woke up this morning I had an email from the bilingual coordinator at a high school in Mostoles that they had been waiting for me all week, and to let them know if I was going to resign the position then I needed to let them know so that they could replace me.

So all security that I was going to tranquilly be able to work in my adorable curious elementary students in the city center is out the window and filled with doubt about having to go back to the daily grind of fighting to motivate teenagers in an out there community with the not best reputation. 

When I had gone to the administration office they told my my placement without giving my my official letter of appointment, which means there could be a mistake and I get sent over to the other place... although unlikely because I'd like to believe that reason would enter at least a few people's brains and see how I've already started at this other place it's the easiest thing is to stay there.

I replied to the other coordinator telling him the situation, and the game plan now is to wait and see if I'm told to go elsewhere... and if so, try to get my new principal on my side... but we'll see.

Trying to stay optimistic. REALLY trying...

In the meantime you can check out the new Reader Spotlight, or CathyBean Poetry.

So you had a bad day...

    I hesitate to write this post because even though I get personal on my blog, I've veered from getting too personal, other than my thoughts/fears for the future, and missing people back home. Today was different, it was just one of those days. 

    I get into class with my 7th graders and I'm finishing up preparing their activity for the class about personal attributes and relationships. While I'm simultaneously cutting the cards and making conversation with the kids about what kind of exams they have coming up, and what kind of fun things they have going on during the weekend, one kid asks me, "Miss Cathy, how old are you?" I hesitantly reply, "24." He smiles and says "Really? You look like you're 18!" I smile and continue to make conversation with the entire class.  Then the little darling asks, "Miss Cathy, do you like spaghetti, pizza, and hamburgers?" I slightly brush off the the question, and continue explaining what the activity we are going to do that day in class. Then he says "Because it sure looks like you do. My heart stopped. Did he really just say that. I ignored his comment, and kept on with the class and allowed them to do their activity. 

    I probably should have sent him back to class or to the principal for a comment like that, but part of me was thinking if I do that, then I am giving that comment power. Not to say it didn't hurt my already fragile ego/self image. I've always been a big girl, and I've struggled my whole life with banter about it. Recently though, I've lost some weight. I can't give numbers because I haven't been on a scale in a long time so I don't really have something to compare to, but I've definitely noticed in the way my clothes fit, and all that jazz. Not that I really care what some 12 year old boy thinks, but it really does kinda suck. 

As class went on I also gave a talk about respect, as some of them used foul language and definitely inappropriate occupations their little adolescent male minds came up with. The last few minutes of class I allowed them to chill since our activity was pretty much done and there wasn't that much time left in class. As I was getting my paper and things ready to go, said class clown decides to open our huge window and put his head out and start flailing around from the 2nd floor! I told him to get to his seat before anything happened. One of the few moments you really think... Saved by the Bell.

Here's to a better Thursday!

Much Love,

Cathy

Many things change...but somethings just stay the same...

Hey Hey all,

Since I cannot bring myself to be productive tonight I shall do something sort of productive for myself in keeping up (or atleast more so than usual) with my blog. So we already knocked out 2 weeks of the semester. (Krazy!) It seems like the million dollar word for this semester is CAPSTONE (I know, it's my last semester, so it's appropriate...blah blah blah lol) Capstone as in--15 page thesis to receive my Spanish Degree, 10 page capstone paper in children's literature and geography capstone class for my liberal studies degree, all of that on top of a FRIDAY (super lame) 3 hour geography class, a 10 page paper with annotated bibliography for Central American Studies, and a 30 minute group presentation, where my group members aren't even the slightest bit interested in the topic or the Chicano Studies class for that matter. Don't take my mini-rant as a way of discontent with what is to come. I am actually enjoying this semester a lot. I think the cherry on top for me has been my improv class. Even though it is 6 hours a week, I just get to go there and be funny, and mingle with people who I otherwise wouldn't have. I think by the end of the semester I shall be a much better improver and who knows maybe that will be the reason you'll see my name in lights one day...lol or atleast in the program for our final show (May 18, 2011 @ 6 pm).
It never seems to fail that at the beginning of the semester, I have super high hopes of keeping up with everything so that I can keep myself relatively stress free thought the course of the semester, and at a certain point (some semesters earlier than others) all of that optimism goes out the window because it is smacked upside the head with reality. Procrastination (a good friend of mine) sets in until about 3 weeks before school is over then near stress breakdown until the end, only to find that I did pretty well. At Week 2, I am trying really hard not to fall into that pattern, but seeing my to-do list at the end of each day and the time of day that is left, can at times be discouraging. I'll hold on as long as I can especially since I plan at being at the library so much they'll probably start charging me rent :P

A hard part of being so busy with school (and 70 miles from home) is that the time I have with my family between winter and summer is very minimal. In fact before coming back to the valley on my dad's birthday, we went out to Olive Garden, and I picked up the tab and said Happy Birthday to my Dad, my Mom, and my sister Lilly, because I knew I wasn't going to get to see them before their birthday's passed. Speaking of birthday, what makes this "not being able to see my family really" phase a bit harder is that I just had a baby cousin born and it makes me a little sad that I am not there to bask in the whole newborn atmosphere that is going on with the fam. I know he's not going to remember that I didn't meet him til he was 2 months old, but I am. Well, after my graduation (MAY 25, 2011 lol) I'll have some solid time con la familia.

Since 2011 is the year of changes, it was a time for a look change too!!

Before

After

I miss the long locks some times, but soon enough I'll have them again. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you if you've made it this far down my blog, Comments are always appreciated :)

<3 Cat

Ten Things I Wish I Had More Time For...

So this entry is inspired by the latest platica we had in our HAU meeting, so I really wanted to reflect and maybe give myself a little reminder of what I really want to be doing... so here it goes

1. Sleep
Need I say more...14 hour days at school and homework after that doesn't leave room for many ZZZ's

2. Working Out
I was so excited when I bought these dance work out videos I could do in the privacy of my own room but if you revert back to number 1, not too much left for dancing away the pounds...Winter Break here we come!

3. Singing
My new discovery of Glee has reverted me back to my high school days loving show choir and belting it out like the diva that I am, need to find more opportunities to showcase it.

4. Reading for pleasure
So many good books out there that are OUTSIDE of my curriculum.

5. Writing
Updating my blog, poems, lyrics, my upcoming book, pages and pages are just waiting to be released into the world from my mind to paper.

6. Watching Movies
I used to make it a habit of collecting movies, until i realized I had far too many that were still in its original packaging because I hadn't watched them yet. Soon enough I'll continue adding to my stack.

7. Having more lunch dates with friends/ phone dates with long distance friends
I think this whole "being insanely busy thing" has really had me more disconnected with the world than ever, I'm happy when I'm with my friends :)

8. Hanging out with my fam[ily]
My sister, my nieces and nephews, my cousins, my mom...etc. hopefully they can come out to my neck of the woods too...

9. Actually looking up all the words I've highlighted that I don't know
When I read in Spanish I highlight words I don't know the meaning of with the intent of looking them up to increase my vocabulary, I want to make an official list to have to refer back to.

10. Laundry
Self explanatory haha

Thanks for reading :) Feel free to ponder and think of what you feel is missing and make your own list. Comments are always appreciated :)

~Cat

Nothing in Life is Free

I hadn't realized how long it has been since my last posting, not a great start for someone who wants to blog regularly, but I guess life (and by life i mean school) has taken the fast lane, with far and few stops in between.

These past few weeks have been pretty overwhelming with 6 classes, a part time job, being president of 2 organizations (each with its own dynamics and deficiencies, I've been trying really hard to find the balance I need. The motivation that even though I'm exhausted (mentally and physically) to still keep on and finish that reading assignment for the next class that is going to come much too quickly. Slowly but surely it's coming to me, but this final year of undergrad is definitely whipping me into better shape than I intended.

I sometimes find myself pondering why I jump through these hoops and make life a little more complicated, but I know that is the exact thing that is going to make me come out on top and be a better person. I tried the simple route before and all that came of it was a bored and depressed Cathy. So no more limits just reaching for the sky.

So many new doors have opened to ideas that I hadn't totally considered, but are looking more like possible realities. I'm applying to go to Spain as an ambassador for next year then looking for universities to do my Masters Degree there, but if that doesn't work out perhaps I'll go for Teach for America, or something else that has recently more clearly come into my sight is Law School. After a fantabulous banquet/ awesome networking opportunity I went to this is may be a feasible option for me. Not knowing exactly what is going to go on in my life is kind scary but I guess in that lies the adventure.

To those who have judged me and think I'm living the easy life, it may be time to put on your glasses and realize that nothing in life is free, and though I have been fortunate I have earned my place.

Until next time (hopefully sooner than later)...

<3 Cat

~Comments are always appreciated~ :)