Day 164-179

Day 164: Wear a pedometer to track my steps
I don't realize how many steps I actually take a day. So I put a pedometer on to the test: 16,460 steps is what I averaged this day. At least I made it past the 10,000 a day requirements by the American Heart Association.

Day 165: Pecos park

Day 166: Petroglyph park

Beautiful sketches in lava rocks.

Day 167: Quarai, Tiguex Pueblo

The last part of the pueblo standing, which was built in the 1600's

Day 168: Mineral Museum Socorro, New Mexico

The most amazing minerals I have ever seen!

Day 169: Meet Penelope

Being an aunt is the greatest. 5 months after this precious little one was born, I finally got to meet the adorable Penelope Castillo!!

Day170: Celebrate Magdiel's acceptance to New Mexico Tech

 

Day 171: Chimayo cocktail

The world famous....according to my parents: The Chimayo Cocktail, what is in it, I don't know. But all I do know is that it was strong as hell!

Day 172: Easter in Santuario de Chimayo

 

Day 173: Quit my job
I officially resigned from my job. It was the most glorious day. I will soon be saying good-bye to a school that doesn't respect its teachers and moving on to hopefully a school that does.

Day 174: African Dance with my students
I get a kick out of my students everyday. So I love giving them a kick out of me. They are in the last trimester, which their art special is African Dance. It is amazing watching them learn all about West African dance. On this day my students were dancing and they just weren't showing much attitude (which is unlike them because they are full of it). So I hopped in line and started dancing with them. It was so fun to watch their faces drop and then decide they couldn't let their 29 year old white teacher show them up. So they kicked it in to high gear and finally got their booties shaking.
Now they ask me to dance with them everyday because we had so much fun!

Day 175: Shakespeare's The Tempest

The story of revenge and a lesson in bullying through the story of the Tempest by Shakespeare.

Day 176: Chinese Herbs
My acupuncturist told me I was too stressed out and I needed to calm down. I can't say that I am out of control stressed but my body is heading down a path of negativity due to my stress. So an an effort to calm me, he gave me Chinese herbs.

Amazing calming herbs

Day 177: Opening Day for the Rockies

Go Rocks!!

Day 178: Estes park, Colorado

The famous Stanley hotel, which the movie the Shining is based on.

Beautiful hotel

Magdiel found a friend!

 

Day 179: Leisure drive

We went from the beautiful open plains....

to the wooded Rocky Mountains.

Day 156-163

Day 156: TCAP: State Testing
As if I didn't just love my job... I had to administer TACP (state testing). Every teacher dreads them because all you do is walk around for hours on end while your kids take these tests. It is also tough to either see your kids rocking it or totally failing and you can do nothing to help them!

We need a new system. State tests are awful. The anxiety and worry these kids go through is hard to see!

 

Day 157: Purchase my plane ticket to Peru!!

It is official Kristin and I are headed back out for more adventures! This time we are going down to Peru to teach for a couple of weeks and then we are headed to Chile and Bolivia. We will welcome any good tips on places to go!

Day 158: Hershey's Macadamia nut kisses

There is nothing like Hershey's kisses but when you add the sweet macadamia nuts, it become this out of this world treat. My roommate Jax decided to bring me an entire bag (such a good/bad idea) back from Hawaii. Now I have had my fair share of macadamia nuts in the past since my oldest brother lived there for many years and would send packages of the nuts for Christmas. But after trying Hershey's macadamia nut kisses I feel robbed. They are so delicious and my sweet brother never thought to send those, which by the way are only available in Hawaii!

Day 159: Food Challenge: 50 wings

Man vs. Food. We have all heard of the show (and if you haven't you should really check it out). Adam Richman goes around the country in search of ridiculous food challenges. So I had watched the 50 wing challenge episode and thought how hard could that be....
Now let's be honest I know I can't finish 50 wings. So my thought was, how well can 4 adults do on 50 wings. It shouldn't be a problem right? Nope! Between Kyle, Nicole, Magdiel and I , we could not finish 50 wings! How the heck did Adam almost complete that challenge? That is beyond me!

Day 160:Avery's 1st birthday party

Look at that little prince with his grandma!! Sweet boy! Happy Birthday Avery

C-A-K-E!!!!

Day 161: Contact teacher and thank them
Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs but it can also be one of the most challenging. With each year of teaching I gain, I reflect more and more on the teachers I had as a kid. There were a couple that really stick out: Mrs. Barnes, 4th grade, Mrs. Winchester, 7th grade and Mrs. Tennison, 9th-12th grade.
My luck struck out with Mrs. Barnes, I was unable to find her. But luckily Mrs. Winchester and Ms. Tennison were still working at my middle and high schools. It was amazing to share with them my journey of teaching and learning Spanish, since they both taught me Spanish. It was also nice to be remember after 10 plus years.

Day 162: Spend a day without my cell phone
You know you are an adult when you Spring Break consists of sleeping and enjoying a day... or two without your cell phone.

Day 163: Read a wordless picture book about War and Friendship.

This wonderful book talks about war and friendship all without one word written. It is a wonderful book. The article below really sheds light on its meaning.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/books/review/waterloo-trafalgar-and-grumpy-little-king.html?_r=0

Day 148-155

Day 148: Copper Mountain

Shanna and I headed to the big C... Copper Mountain

Freezing my butt off... notice the high top Converse (just an FYI they do not make for very warm shoes in the snow)

It is okay, we warmed up with a shot.

Day 149: Jump Street
Jump Street is every kids dream. Foam pits, trampoline dodgeball, and a huge indoor trampoline.

Swinging into the foam pit.

Now I have to manage to get out of here.

 

 

Day 150: Denver Cutthroats

My first and possibly my last semi professional hockey game. Sadly there was only about 10 people in the stands and 0 fights! Oh well great experience!

Day 151: Help Luz Write Letter to Judge
As if my heart didn't break enough in my job, one of my students asked me to help her write a letter to a judge. She was asking if the judge would release her father from prison. The reasons are fuzzy about why he is behind bars but it is clear that he will be deported soon. As I sat there and helped this amazingly strong and poignant 4th grader compose a letter to a judge, I realized what children/adults are faced with each day and how incredibly lucky I am to help a few of them along the way.

Day 152: Science night for my school
Sadly my students didn't get to share all about their knowledge about animals and their habitats due to our science teachers quick departure. But I did get to see the 2nd and 3rd graders talk about insects and their bodies. It was so sweet.

Day 153: Open Magdiel's IELTS scores
Magdiel was required to take an English proficiency test in order to get into graduate school. He was going for 6.5...... and he got it!!! WAHOOOOO

Day 154: Cupping
Now I know what your thinking.... What the hell is cupping?!?!
I thought the same thing when my friend Shanna mentioned it. It is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine. They light a fire under a cup and then stick it on your back. It is used to help blood flow as well as loosen muscles. It is one of the coolest and most intense feelings.

They were trying to help a pinched nerve on the right side of my back.

Day 155: Won Tickets!!!! (I never win anything) Av's game with Kristi
I actually won something and it just so happened to see our professional hockey team, the Av's.

Av's vs. Sharks. Amazing last 8 minutes!

We are finally reunited and living in the same town!