Some bad luck

Last week was full of some fun firsts, but started off on a bad note: Some of my belongings were stolen in the park where I go to run. I always take a little bag that has my cell phone, some money, my keys, and bus card and hide it somewhere in a tree or under the ground while I run (because it is too big to carry). Until that day, nothing had ever happened to my stuff, but this time someone must have seen me hide it. Needless to say, when I returned my bag was gone. Later, one of my friends sent my cell a text asking if the person who found my purse could please return the things. Shortly after the person replied "how much will you give?" !! I decided not to pursue it any further and bought a new cell and bus card the next day and made a new copy of my keys. Luckily the whole incident only set me back about 500 pesos ($40). And I learned my lesson!

Now onto the better parts of my week! On Friday of last week the rain finally cleared and some friends and I went to the pool to soak up some rays. It was in a really nice club and while we were relaxing we also got some free entertainment from a kids camp that was performing dances to songs by Kesha and Backstreet Boys. The only bad part was that I came away quite sunburned on some parts of my body... I'll hope it turns into a tan in a few days.

Yesterday I went to the Circus for the first time ever! Yep, the Argentinian Circus was in town. It was pretty cool. There were tigers, an elephant, camels, llamas, horses, clowns and acrobats. One part I liked was when they had audience members come in the ring and hold crackers in their mouths and then have camels come around and eat the crackers! I wasn't lucky enough to get a wet kiss from a camel, haha.

Finally, I also tried two Mexican dishes called Tamales and Atole. Many of you probably know what tamales are: corn flour steamed inside a corn husk with different flavors inside (like green or red salsa, cheese, pork, chicken, etc). Delicious! The beverage that goes with tamales is called Atole: it is made from corn flour, sugar, water, cinnamon, and additional optional flavors like caramel or chocolate. Yum! And perfect on a rainy day.

At the end are some fun photos from a party. Enjoy!

Re-Re-Adjusting

I've been back for a little over 1 week now and have been settling into my new place. Another teacher and I are living in a spacious apartment located about 12 minutes from the school. It took a few days for all the utilities to get up and running (gas, electricity, cable) but we are all set now except for the wireless internet. We dont have any furniture yet, but I did include a couple pics of the place: the first few are of my room and the last is one view from our living room window. I'm planning on putting a basic desk and shelving unit in my room, as well as a round carpet. Any home-decorating suggestions?

I started teaching classes right away and am enjoying them. One new thing is that I am now teaching at a company called American Axel Manufacturing (used to be owned by GM). Five of us teachers drive 40 minutes a few days a week to the plant and then split up and go to our respective classes inside. The students are great and really motivated (because their jobs depend on it) and the pay is twice as much as giving classes inside the school!

Last Sunday I watched the World Cup Final at the school director's house. It was the nicest house I've been to in Leon: I felt like I was in a California or Florida beach house. It was a good time - they had a cookout and most everyone there was cheering for Spain to win.

Lastly, there is a kind of music that I have recently been getting into since returning: electronica! It is really popular in the clubs here, and although at first I hated it, it's really grown on me. I recommend this song: Stereo Love.

Back in Leon

Some of you have already heard the news: I decided to return to my teaching job in Mexico. I arrived yesterday and it was great to see everyone again - lots of smiling faces! When I returned to the USA a little over a month ago, I missed my life in Mexico very much and wanted to return. Still, I thought it best to atleast attend the first week of my Master's Program and see how things went. Well, they went fine (I even did all the homework!) but to put it sentimentally, my heart was still in Mexico. So I made the difficult decision to put off my Master's. Now I am here indefinitely... Today I move into my new apartment and begin teaching new rounds of classes on Saturday and Monday. I will update with how everything is going and hopefully some pictures of my new place...