Toto, I don't think we're in Upstate NY anymore

I really wish that I could bring this news to all of you in typical San Mateo style, preceeded by an introductory 5 minutes of wailing siren and then blared in distorted voice from a megaphone….in Chuj.  But I guess I’ll have to settle for announcing through the blog.  Luckily I have plenty of time for computer activity these days since we found out yesterday that we won’t be having class for the next 3 weeks.  Believe me, we were surprised too.  But with the approach of Feria looming, it has been decided that the school’s top priority should be practicing for the big marching band competition that will be part of the September celebrations.  You may be thinking that this seems to neglect some other critical components of the children’s edcuation.  I would have to agree with you there, but please note that in comparison to some of the other schools in town we have shown enormous restraint in postponing practices for this long.  Truth be told, our band is probably the worst in town, because the other schools have been devoting much of the school day to straight-up band practice for months now.  It may very well be that in the parade on the 18th the Centro band is the one in which a trumpeter trips and knocks over 2 girls playing lira and the bass drums just keep playing exuberantly and marching right on over top of them.  All to the dissonant sounds of confused, arrythmic melodies.  Oh well, as Maria de Jesus said,with great sassiness,  ”They may be first place in the band, but we’ll be first place in our studies.”  That’s my girl!!

So the aforementioned BIG NEWS, which I’m sure most of you have already heard by now, is that I will be returning to San Mateo next year for another go-round with these crazy lovable kids.  I’ve enjoyed being here so much, that even from the beginning I had considered that one year just might not be enough.  Upon leaving home 8 months ago, I never imagined that I would be coming to the end of my time here and planning for another year away.  But I really feel that with the experience and knowledge of the school and the kids that I have now, I could do so much and bring more to the school by returning.  They allowed me to learn and grow here, with all the latitude I needed to make mistakes and figure out my own way.  Now that I have a better understanding of all that, I could really do a bang-up job next year, and it will be great for the school to have some consistency in the staff.  So I talked to our director Beth Neville when she was here in August and she graciously accepted me back.  I finally worked msyelf up to telling Mom and Dad while they were visiting, and of course, they were completely supportive and wonderful.  (Makes you wonder what took me so long to get it out huh?)  And now I’m breaking the news to the world!  Spread the word!

I’ll be returning home to the States for about 2 months on November 12th and am so excited to see family and friends and spend the holidays with all of you.  It’s unfortunate that it will be relatively short time that I’m back, but I hope to be able to see as many of you as I can.  I’ll try to keep the blog up-to-date in these last few months.  (I know what you’re thinking.)  Thanks for sticking with me and continuing to check and read despite months of non-blogitude!