Several people have told me that they missed reading some of my posts and wonder how they can read them.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, on the right side you will see "older posts". Click on that and it will bring up the previous posts.
If you scroll down again, you will see "older posts" on the right side and "newer posts" on the left side. If you continue clicking on "older posts", it will eventually take you back to the beginning of my blog which I started back in July.
Thanks to all of you who have told me that you enjoy reading my blog, and have encouraged me to continue writing.
Happy Reading!
Hasta luego.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Kissin' Cousins
Sunday brought two good things to Gainesville: rain (which we need so badly) and my cousins who came for a visit!
Terry and Coe Ann, sisters who live in Arizona and Florida, came to spend the day with us. It was so much fun to see them. Way too many years have passed without visits, due to distance and very busy lives, but we promised that will not happen again. In fact, we made a plan to get together with my sister and other cousins next fall!
I put on a pot of chili, a fire in the fireplace, and we talked and talked and took pictures! What a nice day!
And the welcome rain that fell during the day added an inch + to our annual rainfall. Lake Lanier is so very low---about 10 feet below full pool. But...it has rained some every day since I have been home! What draught??!!
Hasta luego.
Terry and Coe Ann, sisters who live in Arizona and Florida, came to spend the day with us. It was so much fun to see them. Way too many years have passed without visits, due to distance and very busy lives, but we promised that will not happen again. In fact, we made a plan to get together with my sister and other cousins next fall!
I put on a pot of chili, a fire in the fireplace, and we talked and talked and took pictures! What a nice day!
And the welcome rain that fell during the day added an inch + to our annual rainfall. Lake Lanier is so very low---about 10 feet below full pool. But...it has rained some every day since I have been home! What draught??!!
Hasta luego.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Boxing Day Party
Last night Judy, Craig and Bobbie hosted a Boxing Day pot-luck for a jolly group of friends! Evidently a family tradition for Judy and Craig, they included us this year for their celebration.
Although I know about Boxing Day in "olde England" I had never been to a Boxing Day celebration.
Boxing Day is a traditional holiday in England, Canada and a few other countries. Stemming from Victorian England, when the servants did not have a day off for Christmas because they were serving their masters, the servants got the day after Christmas as a holiday to spend with their families.
The servants and poor people would take a box and go to the stores in the neighborhood and the owners would put a few coins into the box. (Perhaps the Christmas "bonus" that many people receive now began in this way.) Often the families would put small gifts, food or clothing into the box for their servants' families.
Also, since December 26th is the saint's day for St. Stephen, the churches would open their alms boxes and distribute the alms to the poor on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day is still celebrated as a day, more relaxed than Christmas Day, for families and friends to get together. Modern day life has also accepted "shopping" as a part of Boxing Day!
In England, "crackers" are used at Christmastime for fun. A "cracker" is a small cardboard tube filled with a small toy, a joke and a paper hat. Upon pulling both ends of the wrapping, a sharp "crack" sounds and the gifts tumble out. Everyone shares the jokes, shows off their toy, and wears the paper hats! Great fun is had by all!
Although I know about Boxing Day in "olde England" I had never been to a Boxing Day celebration.
Boxing Day is a traditional holiday in England, Canada and a few other countries. Stemming from Victorian England, when the servants did not have a day off for Christmas because they were serving their masters, the servants got the day after Christmas as a holiday to spend with their families.
The servants and poor people would take a box and go to the stores in the neighborhood and the owners would put a few coins into the box. (Perhaps the Christmas "bonus" that many people receive now began in this way.) Often the families would put small gifts, food or clothing into the box for their servants' families.
Also, since December 26th is the saint's day for St. Stephen, the churches would open their alms boxes and distribute the alms to the poor on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day is still celebrated as a day, more relaxed than Christmas Day, for families and friends to get together. Modern day life has also accepted "shopping" as a part of Boxing Day!
In England, "crackers" are used at Christmastime for fun. A "cracker" is a small cardboard tube filled with a small toy, a joke and a paper hat. Upon pulling both ends of the wrapping, a sharp "crack" sounds and the gifts tumble out. Everyone shares the jokes, shows off their toy, and wears the paper hats! Great fun is had by all!
Judy pulled her cracker and can't find the gifts! Where are they? Bobbie watches in anticipation to see the hat.
Aha! Success! And what a cute hat she wears!
Judy cooks as Heather, in her special Boxing Day hat, watches. Isn't that a great hat?!!
Some of the more sedate members of the party! Later, they got their crackers and wore their hats too.
Everyone brought a dish and the food was scrumptious! Although I won't tell you the whole menu, the desserts were extra special! Bobbie made Trifle, a typical English dessert, and a Buche de Noel, the French Yule log cake. Troy brought his Carrot cake and the dessert plates just weren't big enough! I had to go back for seconds!
It was a fun evening and especially nice for me to get to visit with friends I had not seen for 5 months! Thanks, Judy, Craig and Bobbie for a good idea!
Hasta luego.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Celebration
Mr. Neat and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our kids and grandkids. It is so wonderful to be able to spend time together on the holidays.
On Christmas Eve, about noon, we went to MJ and CA's home and spent the afternoon. AE and C and family came and we had a delicious meal of ham, turkey breast, baked beans, lots of yummy dips, and a Santa cake for dessert.
Their house and Christmas tree were beautifully decorated and everyone posed in front of the tree for the pictures. C is as tall as his Mom and Z is taller! Both CA and M have lost weight this year. Aren't they a handsome family?
On Christmas Eve, about noon, we went to MJ and CA's home and spent the afternoon. AE and C and family came and we had a delicious meal of ham, turkey breast, baked beans, lots of yummy dips, and a Santa cake for dessert.
Their house and Christmas tree were beautifully decorated and everyone posed in front of the tree for the pictures. C is as tall as his Mom and Z is taller! Both CA and M have lost weight this year. Aren't they a handsome family?
Here are the "old folks"! Mr. Neat and I are happy to be together again.
After dinner the musicians in the family serenaded us with carols. Z on euphonium, C on trumpet, MJ on guitar and M on piano.
On Christmas Day we all went to AE and C's home. They had such a nice Christmas dinner for all of us. Check out those fillets and twice baked potatoes! We opened gifts and had fun watching the kids enjoy their Santa presents.
C models the serape that I brought back from Mexico for him.
The church service on Christmas Eve with the beautiful poinsettias, greenery and candles; the music; and message of God's gift of His Son to us completed our special Christmas celebration.
Hasta luego.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Feliz Navidad
To all of you who have followed my blog, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
I will add the pictures of the processions in PV, and my good story, later this week. Keep reading and I will keep writing.
Feliz Navidad/Merry Christmas!
Hasta luego.
I will add the pictures of the processions in PV, and my good story, later this week. Keep reading and I will keep writing.
Feliz Navidad/Merry Christmas!
Hasta luego.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Goodbye, Puerto Vallarta
The last few days of packing to return home, saying goodbye to friends and "things" has kept me pretty busy. No more teacher meetings this week---just the fun things left to do!
Sunday night I went with Lucila to a Christmas concert by the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra and Choir. The music was enchanting and the choir sang Vivaldi`s "Gloria". Wine, cheese, coffee and pastries were available at the intermission and sitting in the outdoor music venue, with a light breeze blowing, and listening to the music made for a lovely evening.
Yesterday morning I went back the the Colegio to see the first, second and third grade Christmas program. Each group had learned a Christmas song and sang and danced to the music. They were all so cute with their costumes and smiles! Of course "my" group was the best!!
I was invited to a Christmas party yesterday afternoon for the supervisors in the public schools. It was hosted by the superintendent at her home. She lives in Mismamoya, a town just south of PV, in a beautiful condo on the ocean. She had a musician playing keyboards and singing during the party, and a wonderful comida with fish, rice, salad, mole sauce, and cake for dessert. We ate at tables on her patio overlooking the ocean. Quite a nice afternoon.
I have gone to the malecon and sat on a bench "people watching" and looking at the ocean; gone back to a favorite restaurant; walked along the Plaza Marina where I have shopped so often; and said goodbye to my wonderful friends at the laundry and the very nice man who has made my photo CDs for me. Tonight I am having dinner with my friend, Emma, and tomorrow night with my roommate, Aurora and her sister, Elva. This afternoon I say good bye to my friend Lety, who has been so kind and helpful to me.
All that is left to do is on Thursday morning, I will sit on my suitcases and hope that they close!! Then I go to the airport and wing my way home.
Living and teaching in Mexico has been a dream fulfilled. I have been so fortunate to have had the experience, to have met so many nice people, and hopefully, I have left the impression on the children I have taught that education is a very important thing for them. Also I will never forget the love and support from my family, friends, and church that kept me going while I was away.
Most people here have not said "adios" to me, but instead say "hasta luego", meaning "see you later". They say that I will come back. And maybe I will... someday.
Someone once said:
"Goodbyes are not forever,
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I`ll miss you
Until we meet again!"
Hasta luego.
Sunday night I went with Lucila to a Christmas concert by the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra and Choir. The music was enchanting and the choir sang Vivaldi`s "Gloria". Wine, cheese, coffee and pastries were available at the intermission and sitting in the outdoor music venue, with a light breeze blowing, and listening to the music made for a lovely evening.
Yesterday morning I went back the the Colegio to see the first, second and third grade Christmas program. Each group had learned a Christmas song and sang and danced to the music. They were all so cute with their costumes and smiles! Of course "my" group was the best!!
I was invited to a Christmas party yesterday afternoon for the supervisors in the public schools. It was hosted by the superintendent at her home. She lives in Mismamoya, a town just south of PV, in a beautiful condo on the ocean. She had a musician playing keyboards and singing during the party, and a wonderful comida with fish, rice, salad, mole sauce, and cake for dessert. We ate at tables on her patio overlooking the ocean. Quite a nice afternoon.
I have gone to the malecon and sat on a bench "people watching" and looking at the ocean; gone back to a favorite restaurant; walked along the Plaza Marina where I have shopped so often; and said goodbye to my wonderful friends at the laundry and the very nice man who has made my photo CDs for me. Tonight I am having dinner with my friend, Emma, and tomorrow night with my roommate, Aurora and her sister, Elva. This afternoon I say good bye to my friend Lety, who has been so kind and helpful to me.
All that is left to do is on Thursday morning, I will sit on my suitcases and hope that they close!! Then I go to the airport and wing my way home.
Living and teaching in Mexico has been a dream fulfilled. I have been so fortunate to have had the experience, to have met so many nice people, and hopefully, I have left the impression on the children I have taught that education is a very important thing for them. Also I will never forget the love and support from my family, friends, and church that kept me going while I was away.
Most people here have not said "adios" to me, but instead say "hasta luego", meaning "see you later". They say that I will come back. And maybe I will... someday.
Someone once said:
"Goodbyes are not forever,
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I`ll miss you
Until we meet again!"
Hasta luego.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Final Days
I am winding up my time here in PV. Yesterday I cancelled my home internet service, tomorrow I give up my cell phone, and Wednesday my home phone will be cancelled. Thursday I fly home.
Since I must rely on internet cafes for the next few days, I will wait until I get home to post the pictures of the Guadalupe Day processions. I really enjoyed watching the processions and I was actually fortunate enough to walk a very short way in the teachers´procession! Two of my friends were leading the teachers, carrying the offering to the church, when they saw me on the sidelines and waved me into the parade. I walked the last 100 feet or so to the church with them. How special for me! Please don´t forget to check the blog next week for the pictures.
This morning I had breakfast with a lovely lady from Gainesville and her friend from San Francisco. How about that! She is a friend of a friend in Gainesville, now vacationing in PV, and we had a very nice visit. I have to go all the way to Mexico to meet a neighbor! We plan to get together again, (for Mexican food?!!?) when we both get home.
I have a lot to fit into the next four days! It is hard to say goodbye to the teachers I have been working with and the friends I have met. I am trying to spend a little time with each one and give lots of hugs to the kids!
Hasta luego.
Since I must rely on internet cafes for the next few days, I will wait until I get home to post the pictures of the Guadalupe Day processions. I really enjoyed watching the processions and I was actually fortunate enough to walk a very short way in the teachers´procession! Two of my friends were leading the teachers, carrying the offering to the church, when they saw me on the sidelines and waved me into the parade. I walked the last 100 feet or so to the church with them. How special for me! Please don´t forget to check the blog next week for the pictures.
This morning I had breakfast with a lovely lady from Gainesville and her friend from San Francisco. How about that! She is a friend of a friend in Gainesville, now vacationing in PV, and we had a very nice visit. I have to go all the way to Mexico to meet a neighbor! We plan to get together again, (for Mexican food?!!?) when we both get home.
I have a lot to fit into the next four days! It is hard to say goodbye to the teachers I have been working with and the friends I have met. I am trying to spend a little time with each one and give lots of hugs to the kids!
Hasta luego.
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