I had one goal this time...get to Valeria's party. My colleague and friend turned 50 this week. She has been planning and planning her big birthday bash. And Valeria is like me, she wants food, drinks, music, and dancing with a lot of people thrown in the mix. I wanted nothing more than to go … Continue reading The Days After Chemo Treatment 10
Things that make my heart smile
Mocking Cancer
Last weekend was my meltdown. Last weekend I was done with it all, ready to quit, ready to throw up the white flag and surrender. So, while I was crying my eyes out, Mom said, "Let's focus on something else. What do you have to look forward to next week?" Well, that next week was … Continue reading Mocking Cancer
Feliz Cumple, Nicolás
Nicolas, Hoy es tu cumple! Tenés treinta años! Dios mio, sos un viejo jajaja. No sé cuánto de esto será corecto, pero lo intentaré. Estoy muy alegra de que nos conosimos. Me hacés reir, pensar, y apreciar. Me enamoro de Uruguay a través de tus bonitos ojos. Vos me enseñaste español, como manejar correctamente, y me … Continue reading Feliz Cumple, Nicolás
Happy Birthday to My Best Friend
My Dearest Robert, How fucking classy was that opening? It was like something out of a Jane Austen novel. But that's what we do...we keep it classy. Today is your 32nd birthday. I got to talk to you for a little while, me looking out at beautiful water on an 85 degree day and you … Continue reading Happy Birthday to My Best Friend
Katie’s Birthday Beach Trip
There are a few events that I wanted to make sure my treatment wrapped around. So, when Katie told me she wanted to rent a beach house for her birthday several months ago, I set it on my calendar as one of those events where I would NOT have a chemo weekend. Katie found this … Continue reading Katie’s Birthday Beach Trip
The Greatest Gift I Could Possibly Get
In my Spanish learning journey, I have discovered the unique and cheeky world of Sapo Ruperto. He is a toad who lives in el arroyo Solís Chico in Uruguay and he has adventures. Sometimes he helps to rescue whales, sometimes he becomes a superhero, sometimes he becomes a detective, and once he got married. These … Continue reading The Greatest Gift I Could Possibly Get
Carmen and Karen Send a Package
I received the sweetest package from my old teaching buddies. Karen was my mentor teacher when I was a student teacher. We then taught next to each other for six years. And Carmen was my school person. We got each other through our first years together. We laughed together, went to NCTE together, cried together, … Continue reading Carmen and Karen Send a Package
Piriapolis with my People
When you have a day of feeling well and a friend asks you and your mom to go on a road trip for the day, you say HELL YES! Piriapolis is a beach town snuggled along the Rio de la Plata. Montevideo people especially love to go there because it is close and doesn't have … Continue reading Piriapolis with my People
This is why I do this
After writing my self-pitying albeit honest and necessary post about my low Monday, I received a message from my friend Katie's Mom. She is an avid follower of my blog along with numerous other friends and family who faithfully read or comment or send me a virtual high five. I have always written more for … Continue reading This is why I do this
Gotta HAND it to the Chemo
It's official. My veins are shot and I am going to need a port for my next chemo. I have had aching pain in my left hand IV site since my last session of chemo. When I went in for blood, the head nurse said it was time for a port. My veins are starting … Continue reading Gotta HAND it to the Chemo
Teach Abroad Coyle 