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
Montevideo
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
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
Sushi Night
Cancer sucks. Chemo sucks. But you know what sucks even more is the fact that with cancer and chemo come restrictions. Yep, that's right. Not only is your life one big ball of uncertainty and you are being poisoned from the inside out, but you can't even have freaking sushi to make it all better. … Continue reading Sushi Night
Jorge Drexler
One of the first Uruguayan singers I listened to was Jorge Drexler. He was introduced to me by my friend Camilo back when we were trying to do Spanish and English exchanges. Then when I decided I needed to pretty much go back to the basics and enrolled in my Spanish emersion class, he was … Continue reading Jorge Drexler
Teacher Prom
For the second year in a row, Edison Garrone has outdone himself. In an effort to increase teacher morale at the school, Edison was permitted to throw a teacher prom during a Friday evening in our auditorium. Teacher prom is exactly what it sounds like: Food, alcoholic beverages, dancing, and a lot of teachers getting … Continue reading Teacher Prom
The Road to Leo
I was adamant that I did not want a car when I moved to Uruguay. Thought for a hot second about a scooter only to find out they slaughter scooters on Uruguayan roads, so I said, "Nah, better not." I lucked out making friends with a person who had a car, (though his car is … Continue reading The Road to Leo
Fireworks, Friends, and Food – Welcome 2019
What can be better than bringing in the new year with favorite friends, good food, and fireworks. As is becoming my tradition, we went over to Tavis' and Diego's house for New Year's Eve. Not only do they have the best roof for viewing the fireworks, but their house always feels like a great big … Continue reading Fireworks, Friends, and Food – Welcome 2019
A Letter to My Mother
Dear Mom, I woke up this morning and stumbled out of my bed...I know you will get the reference...and realized that this is the first time in almost ten years that I actually get to spend your birthday with you. Man, you have had some crazy birthdays - remember that time I crashed my brand … Continue reading A Letter to My Mother
Montevideo has Pride
Glitter, confetti, rainbows. This must mean one thing...Lisa Frank!...Just kidding...PRIDE WEEKEND! I was curious what pride would be like in this city of progressive political policies. Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage back in 2013. It is one of the few places in South America that celebrates and embraces sexual differences. I was looking forward to seeing … Continue reading Montevideo has Pride
Teach Abroad Coyle 