Livin la vida Latina: Winner: MEXICAN ENOUGH

Livin la vida Latina: Winner: MEXICAN ENOUGH: "The winner of the MEXICAN ENOUGH give-away is....... Elsie C. An email has been sent to our winner, who has 48 hours to claim their prize...."

I am excited to start reading this new book! I appreciate good literature.

Still writing - always!

Gracias a Dios!

Today I felt truly elated after the Spanish 2 students left.  I was beaming with joy, because the majority of the class wrote and performed their conversations wonderfully, and they enjoyed it.  Our topic has been food, so they were excited to "play" waitress and "play" guest and request delicious Mexican food like "enchALAdas;" exactly that's how they say it.  Nearly every student in my class loves enCHAladas!  Mental note: I need to teach them to say "en - CHI - ladas," even sounds sexier, verdad?  Como "yo quiero una enchilada de queso, que rico!"  Admit it, Spanish sounds so much better!  

Today I had one of the moments where I really enjoyed teaching, a moment so strong, I wanted to cry.  I am an emotional wreck; I can laugh and cry in the same moment.  Today I wanted to cry with joy, let my eyes fill with tears, and even tell the kids "I love you!"  Hold on, reality check, high school students, I can't just say "I love you!" "Te amo!"  Nope, they'd take it the wrong way.  Pero sabes que, voy a ensenarlos!

I am so thankful to God for giving me this gift of patience to teach every day and helping me to nurture and love these teenagers who are so resistant and hungry for attention, all at the same time.

como yo siento con un dolor extremo en mi cabeza

I give thanks to God, because yesterday was one of those bad days, I came home with a migraine and wanted to curl up in my bed and sleep the evening away. A migraine so intense any bright light or noise irritated me to the point I became a "mean bitch!" and not my usual sweet self.   I shouted at my husband, "Close the curtains! Shhh!" and he begged me with his puppy-dog eyes and drooping lips, "please don't take it out on me..."  I apologized, closed my eyes for a few mins, and had to head straight to the college where I teach ESL at night.  Thank goodness, these students are quiet and I don't have to say loudly "be quiet! be quiet! Follow directions!"  They all come into class, calm and ready to learn. If it weren't for their eagerness and ganas to learn, I would keep my butt AND My migraine at home.

It was one of those days when I wanted to be sad, sick, and nowhere but in my bed, but I couldn't.  Tony reminded me "your students need you; they want to be there, not like the little shits."  Yes, at times, he refers to the high school students as the "little shits."  Like instead of "how was your day?" his question will be "how were the little shits?"

Today my smile showed it, the kids were good, they were attentive, they were interested in learning about Mexico and Spain as well.  They were excited to know about the Aztecs, the gold, and of course chocolate, and I talked to God silently in my mind, "Thank you for putting me here, to show the kids about this rich culture."

I'll end with this "every woman should find her gift, discover it, nurture it, and give back mija!"

TGIV - Thank God it's Viernes

Viernes - my favorite day of the week. Today was an even better Friday, because I only worked this morning. I had two quiet ladies show up for my Computer ESL class at the college. Patiently, I showed them how to create and save Word documents, and even insert and manipulate pictures! Que bueno!

We also played around with the language extension of freerice.com and discussed Spanish and English words. We discussed my Spanish teaching and my English teaching and the confusion that appears often, but sabes que? I love the confusion; it adds humor to my day, and I can laugh at anything!

So I worked a short morning, did not have to go teach Spanish at the private school today; it's the end of 9 weeks period, so the principal is so understanding and gave us the afternoon off to finish grades. Mine were finished since yesterday, so I was really able to enjoy my Friday.

My hubby is snoring away in the bedroom and I am awake, the lurking night owl I am. We put together my new high-back leather office chair, so I am seated so comfortably, typing away. Looks like I will be writing a lot more with added comfort!

Soy Tejana!

Throughout the month of Hispanic Heritage Month, the local newspaper interviewed people about what defined them as Hispanic. Nobody asked me. Maybe, I do not stand out as some Hispanic who should be interviewed. Maybe, I am invisible, not an icon, not a representation of what it is to be Hispanic, pero sabes que? I know that I am Latina, I am Chicana, born in Texas, brought up with the reddest blood of a Mexican, filled with both fury and fun, all rolled into one gordita of a woman. And, damn straight, I am proud!

If someone asked me, what does it mean to be Hispanic? I wouldn't say Hispanic culture is defined by Univision, like some idiota stated. Hay mas en nuestra cultura, y perdon mija, que NO SABES!

Being Latina is walking proud with the knowledge of two languages, the experience of dichos y orgullo, and the beat of a fast song that keeps me going. Being Latina is having faith in something greater than myself, faith en el espiritu santo, and faith that drives el espiritu en mi alma.

I wear my t-shirt with "La Virgen de Guadalupe" not because it's toda chola, but because I know she watches over all the Mexicanos and prays for us.

Mi cultura is rich with flavor, sound, and love. Showing who I am and never forgetting where I came from, celebrating the tradition of familia, and not knowing shame, because Mama taught me right.

Growing up, I played Loteria! for the fun of it, for the joy of sitting together and laughing, for the anticipation of who will win the jackpot of 4 corners, for the precious time spent together as family and friends joined together.

Never ever forgetting where I came from. Primero, yo soy Mexicana! Even though I was born right here in the US, I know my heart leaps when I hear a mariachi. The loud gritos remind me of freedom, freedom to sing, freedom to live without suppression. Freedom to be who I am. La Libertad para vivir mi vida como yo quiero.

My nose twitches every time I smell comino. That distinctive spice that adds so much flavor with un poqutio. My mouth waters when I see a small mountain of freshly made tortillas de harina, and I cannot help but grab one and watch the butter melt on it. Yum!



The best aromas of my heritage are strong cafe, the way mi mama taught me how to brew it just right, - the way I was brought up to be - strong, warm, and sweet.

Livin la vida Latina: CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Mexican Enough

Livin la vida Latina: CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Mexican Enough: "To kick things off, we are giving away 'Mexican Enough' by Stephanie Elizondo Griest. This giveaway will end on Oct. 31 2010 About the bo..."