Dear 2019, You really sucked. I mean really sucked. The only good thing to come out of you was the birth of my little Araya girl. Yes, I learned a lot and appreciated a lot of people. So many relationships changed, mostly for the better. So, I wouldn't change you, 2019, but I sure would … Continue reading Chau, 2019
Day 2: a rainy day adventure in Cusco
I slept through my alarm. Ok, that is not exactly true. I woke up every time one of my bunk mates left, which would have been at 3am, 4am, 7am and 7:45. By that point, I went to breakfast early and read some of my book. I had the whole morning planned out, but it … Continue reading Day 2: a rainy day adventure in Cusco
Cusco day one
I took it really easy on day one - partly because I was so tired from Lima and partly because I was afraid of altitude sickness. I bought the vitamins, drank the tea, chewed the leaves. And while I had a slight headache by the end of the evening, I was never sure if it … Continue reading Cusco day one
My Old World with a New Appreciation
The past few days, well, if I'm being honest weeks and months, have been, shall we say, overwhelming. Finishing chemo, a party, the PET scan, the results, graduation, prom, end of school, friends leaving. It's simply been a lot. Needless to say, as much as I am going to miss my friends who are off … Continue reading My Old World with a New Appreciation
When Others Are Leaving
I just realized that this is the first time I am not the one leaving. High school - I left for TennesseeCollege - We all leftItaly - I came back to the statesGrad school - we all stayed in driving distanceHendersonville/ Nashville - I left for Uruguay This time I am the one staying. Well, … Continue reading When Others Are Leaving
My Favorite Prom
I never got to go prom. Be it a sports tournament or my lack of popularity, my own high school prom was just not in the cards for me. When I became a teacher, Prom became an excuse to go out to a nice Nashville dinner, drink a bottle of wine with the other lushes … Continue reading My Favorite Prom
A Tiny Graduation with a Big Heart
I love graduation. It is that culminating moment when all of the blood, sweat, tears, anger, laughers, failure and successes pay off. It doesn't matter how much grief a student has given me over the years, seeing him or her walk a stage and receive a diploma makes all of the pain worth it. My … Continue reading A Tiny Graduation with a Big Heart
Despedida
When people leave Uruguay you throw them a going away party. It is called a Despedida. Considering that this year we had so many people leaving, it only made sense that we had one big despedida. That being said, the people leaving all had their plates full and no one was taking the initiative. Plus, … Continue reading Despedida
STUCO…The Two-Year Plan
My cancer distraction was school. I knew I had to keep working through chemo or else I would have gone crazy. But the crazy thing is that when chemo was over I didn't really know what to do. It was like, ok...now what? For six months I had an identity. I had a routine. Then … Continue reading STUCO…The Two-Year Plan
Ms. Mill – Superstar
I think there are times that really good teachers become a little complacent in knowing that they are good teachers and it takes a better teacher to knock us on our ass a little. Erin Mills is my ass knocker. I am a good teacher. Screw modesty, I am a great teacher. Sometimes stellar. This … Continue reading Ms. Mill – Superstar
Teach Abroad Coyle 