From February 17, 2011
There is a gecko in my house!
Why, oh why? I do not know!
But, this one thing I know fo’ sho’
I’d rather a gecko than a mouse!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Oaxaca Has A ZOO!
From February 15, 2011
I had an absolute blast today at the zoo with our 12 first through fourth graders! I have been wanting to go to that zoo since last April, when I first came here! We had 7 teachers and parent chaperones along, so I had plenty of time to take pictures. I took more than 400!
Here are just a few of my favorite pictures:
I had an absolute blast today at the zoo with our 12 first through fourth graders! I have been wanting to go to that zoo since last April, when I first came here! We had 7 teachers and parent chaperones along, so I had plenty of time to take pictures. I took more than 400!
Here are just a few of my favorite pictures:
Proof That I Am Loved
From February 14, 2011
As a teacher in a Christian school, I’ve always enjoyed celebrating God’s love during the month of February.
We spend class time discussing:
* Bible verses that show how much God loves us,
* how we can share God’s love with others,
* & ways to act in Godly love towards others.
Years ago, I started a Valentine’s activity where the kids go around the class & write what they like about each other…
I did this again this year with my 3rd & 4th grade class.
Here is what my 7 students wrote on mine:
As a teacher in a Christian school, I’ve always enjoyed celebrating God’s love during the month of February.
We spend class time discussing:
* Bible verses that show how much God loves us,
* how we can share God’s love with others,
* & ways to act in Godly love towards others.
Years ago, I started a Valentine’s activity where the kids go around the class & write what they like about each other…
I did this again this year with my 3rd & 4th grade class.
Here is what my 7 students wrote on mine:
“Retroactive Grace”
From February 10, 2011
I just caught the last 45 minutes of a movie ~ I don’t even know what it was called… But, I really appreciated a line that Samuel Jackson said in it. “The grace of God is kinda retroactive.”
It reminded me of one of my favorite verses, Acts 20:24.
It says, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
I just caught the last 45 minutes of a movie ~ I don’t even know what it was called… But, I really appreciated a line that Samuel Jackson said in it. “The grace of God is kinda retroactive.”
It reminded me of one of my favorite verses, Acts 20:24.
It says, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
God's Sense of Humor...
From January 31, 2011
From the minute it became clear that God was opening the door for me to come teach in Oaxaca, Mexico, I just had to giggle at His sense of humor.
You see, although I love spending time in the sun, I do not like sweating. So, I truly appreciate the ability to be comfortable driving in air conditioning & coming home to an air conditioned home.
Well, there is no air conditioning in the homes of Oaxaca. Meanwhile, the year-round daytime temperatures are between the mid-70s to the low 90s! As I ride on public transportation every day, the sweat drips into my eyes & down my back…
One of the alarm clocks I brought with me from the States is an atomic clock, which also has the temperature. 4 hours ago, the temperature inside my apartment was 85 degrees. I opened all the windows & left them open for the entire evening, hoping that it would cool down so I wouldn’t be sweating when trying to fall asleep. But, it has only cooled down 3 degrees. What’s up with that?
How hot is it? It is so hot that even the last bag of chocolate that I brought back with me from Christmas break in the States is now melting!
(By the way ~ for anyone who thinks I'm just complaining ~ I'm not alone...several of my Mexican friends here have clearly expressed, more than once, how much they don't like that there is no way to escape the heat!)
I keep reminding myself to appreciate this time when it’s in the low 80s, because it will only get hotter for the next 5 months I’m here!
From the minute it became clear that God was opening the door for me to come teach in Oaxaca, Mexico, I just had to giggle at His sense of humor.
You see, although I love spending time in the sun, I do not like sweating. So, I truly appreciate the ability to be comfortable driving in air conditioning & coming home to an air conditioned home.
Well, there is no air conditioning in the homes of Oaxaca. Meanwhile, the year-round daytime temperatures are between the mid-70s to the low 90s! As I ride on public transportation every day, the sweat drips into my eyes & down my back…
One of the alarm clocks I brought with me from the States is an atomic clock, which also has the temperature. 4 hours ago, the temperature inside my apartment was 85 degrees. I opened all the windows & left them open for the entire evening, hoping that it would cool down so I wouldn’t be sweating when trying to fall asleep. But, it has only cooled down 3 degrees. What’s up with that?
How hot is it? It is so hot that even the last bag of chocolate that I brought back with me from Christmas break in the States is now melting!
(By the way ~ for anyone who thinks I'm just complaining ~ I'm not alone...several of my Mexican friends here have clearly expressed, more than once, how much they don't like that there is no way to escape the heat!)
I keep reminding myself to appreciate this time when it’s in the low 80s, because it will only get hotter for the next 5 months I’m here!
I Thought I Ruined One Of My Favorite Things…
From January 29, 2011
This past September, I realized that my favorite food here ~ BY FAR ~ are the freshly made corn tortillas!
During my first week here, my friend, who’s lived in this neighborhood for several years, pointed out to me the closest tortilleria. This tortilleria is a tiny little shop that makes their own masa dough, which gets put in the top of a machine that creates the tortilla, bakes it, & dumps it out into waiting hands all in about a minute. And, the family who works there is so nice!
It only costs one dollar for a 1-kilogram stack of fresh, hot, corn tortillas! It has to be the best deal on food I’ve found here in Mexico!
Well, this morning, I realized that I had accidentally left my fresh, corn tortillas on the kitchen counter all night! They were covered, but only in the paper wrapper I buy them in. They had become stiff over night. I decided instead of throwing them away, I’d put them in a bag in the fridge & try to make something with them later.
So, I just made my own version of Chilaquiles Rojo for the first time. For those of you unfamiliar with what these are ~ it’s basically fried tortilla strips with a spicy, red sauce. But, here is a step-by-step look at them: http://rollybrook.com/chilaquiles.htm
For what I made, I didn’t fry them & I didn’t have any cream or cheese. I just cut them into little squares & simmered them with shredded chicken, a spicy red sauce, diced onions, & mushrooms.
What was an accident turned out to be a really yummy dish!
This past September, I realized that my favorite food here ~ BY FAR ~ are the freshly made corn tortillas!
During my first week here, my friend, who’s lived in this neighborhood for several years, pointed out to me the closest tortilleria. This tortilleria is a tiny little shop that makes their own masa dough, which gets put in the top of a machine that creates the tortilla, bakes it, & dumps it out into waiting hands all in about a minute. And, the family who works there is so nice!
It only costs one dollar for a 1-kilogram stack of fresh, hot, corn tortillas! It has to be the best deal on food I’ve found here in Mexico!
Well, this morning, I realized that I had accidentally left my fresh, corn tortillas on the kitchen counter all night! They were covered, but only in the paper wrapper I buy them in. They had become stiff over night. I decided instead of throwing them away, I’d put them in a bag in the fridge & try to make something with them later.
So, I just made my own version of Chilaquiles Rojo for the first time. For those of you unfamiliar with what these are ~ it’s basically fried tortilla strips with a spicy, red sauce. But, here is a step-by-step look at them: http://rollybrook.com/chilaquiles.htm
For what I made, I didn’t fry them & I didn’t have any cream or cheese. I just cut them into little squares & simmered them with shredded chicken, a spicy red sauce, diced onions, & mushrooms.
What was an accident turned out to be a really yummy dish!
The Way To Cool Down...
From January 28, 2011
I just spent an hour traveling home on two buses and then walked around my neighborhood street market for 20 minutes, buying produce. After doing all of that, with our temperatures in the low 80’s, the best way to cool off is stepping into a cold shower.
But, it's not always feasible to jump in the shower...
So, my other favorite way to cool down and relax here in the Oaxaca heat is with a homemade milkshake.
Today’s was made with a banana, skim milk, half a tray of ice cubes, a packet of sugar-free hot chocolate mix, & a packet of Equal sweetener.
I am so thankful for a friend here who let me borrow a blender base for the 10 months I'm here! All I had to do was buy the canister top for a couple of dollars. Then, I just add ingredients & wah-lah ~ deliciously refreshing drinks!
I just spent an hour traveling home on two buses and then walked around my neighborhood street market for 20 minutes, buying produce. After doing all of that, with our temperatures in the low 80’s, the best way to cool off is stepping into a cold shower.
So, my other favorite way to cool down and relax here in the Oaxaca heat is with a homemade milkshake.
Today’s was made with a banana, skim milk, half a tray of ice cubes, a packet of sugar-free hot chocolate mix, & a packet of Equal sweetener.
Chivalry is Still Alive in Oaxaca!
From January 27, 2011
I SO appreciate the chivalrous, gentlemanly men that apparently ARE still out there!
Several times this week, the men of Oaxaca have held open doors for me, allowed me to go first, & even opened car doors & mototaxi doors for me!
One young man got up out of his seat on the bus & stood for about 10 minutes, so I could sit down with my heavy backpack.
The thoughtful courtesy I am seeing here in Oaxaca, from men of all ages, just makes my heart smile!
I SO appreciate the chivalrous, gentlemanly men that apparently ARE still out there!
Several times this week, the men of Oaxaca have held open doors for me, allowed me to go first, & even opened car doors & mototaxi doors for me!
One young man got up out of his seat on the bus & stood for about 10 minutes, so I could sit down with my heavy backpack.
The thoughtful courtesy I am seeing here in Oaxaca, from men of all ages, just makes my heart smile!
Choosing To Count His Blessings!
From January 24, 2011
Dear Lord,
Thank you for cold showers, instead of not having enough water to shower. Many of my missionary friends do not have enough water. They are rationing what they have by not flushing as often & not showering as often. They have to shower at the homes of others who have enough water, or in the cold shower at school, or in the showers of the local gym… So, even though I don’t have any gas right now to be able to take a warm shower, I am truly thankful that I have enough water!
Thank you for a refrigerator and food in the cupboards, even though I haven’t had gas to cook with for several days!
Thank you for getting me to and from school SAFELY all alone! Even though it costs a bunch of money to get there quickly in the taxi and takes an hour to get back affordably on the bus…I’m just so thankful for Your protection over me as I travel to & from every day!
Choosing to Count Your Blessings,
Jenn <><
Dear Lord,
Jenn <><
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monte Alban Archeological Ruins (with Amber)
From Sunday, January 16, 2011
After church, Amber & I planned to go to Monte Alban archeological ruins. I had been there back in June, but I was excited to experience it again with someone who’d never seen it. I’d invited a couple of the other teachers from school. They did go with us, but they also brought 2 teens & hung out with them the whole afternoon. So, Amber & I explored together. Here are a couple of pictures of the views that day:
This is a picture from the ride up, looking to the left of the Oaxaca Valley.
This is a picture from the ride up, looking to the right of the Oaxaca Valley.
These are the steps I climbed.
This is me (my sneakers) sitting at the top of the steps & looking down.
A 9-Hour Tour of the Sights Of Oaxaca, Mexico
From Saturday, January 15, 2011
While Amber was visiting for 2 weeks, we decided to take a guided tour. We each paid about $30 (I used some of my Christmas money) a week before & were really excited about the tour! I took hundreds of pictures of the beauty of Oaxaca & I'm posting about 20 glimpses here for you:
Stop #1 ~ The Tule Tree (possibly the oldest & largest tree on Earth) http://www.delange.org/Tule/Tule.htm
Stop #2 ~ Teoticualan ~ The Rug Making Village
www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/weaving.htm
Stop #3 ~ Hierve el Agua ~ Hotsprings & 1 of 2 Fossilized Waterfalls in the World
www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/hierve-de-agua.htm
Stop 4 = Mitla ~ Archeological Site of Ancient Zapotec Ruins
www.suite101.com/content/the-zapotec-ruin-of-mitla-oaxaca-a-primer-a179853
We got back downtown after dark. Although we were both exhausted, we decided to cross 2 more things off of our list.
We’d been wanting to go to Café Bruhala, a funky coffee shop that sells my friend’s baked goods.
After walking several blocks, we took a bus home. It was a LONG, wonderful day!
While Amber was visiting for 2 weeks, we decided to take a guided tour. We each paid about $30 (I used some of my Christmas money) a week before & were really excited about the tour! I took hundreds of pictures of the beauty of Oaxaca & I'm posting about 20 glimpses here for you:
Stop #1 ~ The Tule Tree (possibly the oldest & largest tree on Earth) http://www.delange.org/Tule/Tule.htm
www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/weaving.htm
www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/hierve-de-agua.htm
www.suite101.com/content/the-zapotec-ruin-of-mitla-oaxaca-a-primer-a179853
We’d been wanting to go to Café Bruhala, a funky coffee shop that sells my friend’s baked goods.
Then, we went to see the famous Santo Domingo cathedral.
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