So I have been in Monterrey for a while now. I am getting accustomed to this new place and maybe figuring out some stuff, though certainly not everything. Classes have been going well and today is actually exam day. I am excited about going back to the church here after having missed the last couple weeks.
The reason I missed the last couple weeks was because it was Semana Santa, or Holy Week. In Mexico this is big and we had spring break. So I went back home to visit friends, family, and my girlfriend. So instead of going to church in Monterrey, I went to Harpeth Hills in Nashville.
I really enjoyed the break from the routine. I got to play ultimate again (and see how much my skills have deteriorated), I got to see Spring Sing (and I of course thought that TNT and ZP was the best; they got second, so well done), I got to eat something besides tacos (though I did get sick to my stomach), and I got to spend a lot of time with Nicole (and there was no pixelation).
The only bad part was the craziness that happened while trying to get to and from Nashville. The buses were terribly slow going, so I had to get a plane ticket in Laredo in order to make it to Houston on time. And I still missed my flight though they were able to put me on a later flight. Coming back, the bus schedule was completely different from what the company told me originally, so unfortunately I arrived an hour and a half after my first class. Oops. I did, however, go instantly into teaching after riding on the bus all night.
Anyway, looking toward the future, it seems as if I have about 4 more periods, which last four weeks each. And we have Monday off. I has been really weird starting to plan for being back in America, but also very exciting.
_W_
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Right now, my right bicep is really sore. Yesterday I went to the gym and someone there explained a workout that I should do. I will probably try to go 4 days a week, and the days are split up like this:
1) Chest and Biceps
2) Back and Triceps
3) Legs
4) I don't really remember but I think traps was part. Maybe shoulders, too. I need him to write it down today.
Also, instead of three sets of 12, 10, then 8, this guy suggested 5 sets of twelve. Yes, I was hurting. Hopefully, though, it will be good. Additionally, with that many reps, it seems pretty endurance-focused to me, which is what I want. Incidentally, abs are every day.
I think the reason my right bicep is so sore is because of the fact that I have it raised all day as I am writing on the chalkboard (yes, chalk). Hopefully I will be able to become accustomed to doing both lifting and writing, but it will probably be a while yet because next week I will get to take a break from all this and return home (meaning...same difference). I am very excited about this and very ready. It will be wonderful to see my family, friends, and beautiful girlfriend again. A couple things I am excited about: Ultimate, Spring Sing (sorry Luke and Bland. At least I put it after ultimate, right?), and March Madness (as well as other athletic competitions).
_W_
1) Chest and Biceps
2) Back and Triceps
3) Legs
4) I don't really remember but I think traps was part. Maybe shoulders, too. I need him to write it down today.
Also, instead of three sets of 12, 10, then 8, this guy suggested 5 sets of twelve. Yes, I was hurting. Hopefully, though, it will be good. Additionally, with that many reps, it seems pretty endurance-focused to me, which is what I want. Incidentally, abs are every day.
I think the reason my right bicep is so sore is because of the fact that I have it raised all day as I am writing on the chalkboard (yes, chalk). Hopefully I will be able to become accustomed to doing both lifting and writing, but it will probably be a while yet because next week I will get to take a break from all this and return home (meaning...same difference). I am very excited about this and very ready. It will be wonderful to see my family, friends, and beautiful girlfriend again. A couple things I am excited about: Ultimate, Spring Sing (sorry Luke and Bland. At least I put it after ultimate, right?), and March Madness (as well as other athletic competitions).
_W_
Friday, March 7, 2008
Monterrey
Well, after a very long wait I have finally arrived in Monterrey. I was supposed to be here about two months ago, but the school apparently needed me in Hermosillo. It is good to finally be here.
I arrived on Saturday, and the next day I got in a taxi with an address to a church. The address was very hard to locate, but eventually we did get there. I really enjoyed the church. It was really good.
I also have started going to a gym. Yesterday was actually my first day. One reason I wanted to go was to exercise, which I did. A second reason was to practice Spanish, which I did. I got to talk with several people. It was good. I even was invited to a party.
Hopefully things will continue to go well down here and even get better. More importantly, and something I need to do a better job of remembering, is that hopefully God can use me down here.
_W_
I arrived on Saturday, and the next day I got in a taxi with an address to a church. The address was very hard to locate, but eventually we did get there. I really enjoyed the church. It was really good.
I also have started going to a gym. Yesterday was actually my first day. One reason I wanted to go was to exercise, which I did. A second reason was to practice Spanish, which I did. I got to talk with several people. It was good. I even was invited to a party.
Hopefully things will continue to go well down here and even get better. More importantly, and something I need to do a better job of remembering, is that hopefully God can use me down here.
_W_
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Basketball
Luke, I am not going to talk about the UT-Memphis game in the post. I am going to be talking about a game that I played. However, I am not doing this because I think it is all about me. I am doing it in consideration of others (well I guess mainly one other).
This past weekend I was invited by Román (the guy I run with) to play basketball. He and some friends play on Monday and Wednesday nights from about 9 til 11. I joined them last night. If you have ever played basketball with me or watched me play, then you know that I am not particularly good. But I can run around a lot. Unfortunately, last night we only played 3 on 3 half court. With half court any advantage I gain from running around is nuetralized a lot. Oh well.
We shot for teams, and I was the second person to score (which I guess says something about the shooting talent of the people I was with). My team ended up being Román, a guy named Oscar, and me. Román and I are pretty good at running around and Román could also drive and shoot layups. Oscar had a pretty good shot. There were nine people, so the winner stayed. Somehow, and I am not sure how, but for about two hours and I am not sure how many games, my team never lost. It was a lot of fun and definately a good workout.
One of my favorite parts was when I had to dive out of bounds to save the ball one time, and when I did, everyone said "oh wow, that's amazing!" except in Spanish. (then I froze for a second with a 3-fingered wave. Just kidding.) I don't remember if we scored after that or not, but scoring is secondary in my opinion to excellent dives. I did score some, however. Maybe even once a game at least, but I doubt it.
So my team never lost, but in the last game (all games were to eleven by ones) we were down 3-6. That was when the lights were shut off. I was tired, sweaty, and blistered. But it was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we were talking, and one guy said (in Spanish), "What!? You're from America? I thought you were Mexican!" That was cool. And probably the first time that has happened.
I am not sure what will happen on Wednesday. Probably I won't win every game. In fact I would be shocked if I did. But I hope it will again be fun.
This past weekend I was invited by Román (the guy I run with) to play basketball. He and some friends play on Monday and Wednesday nights from about 9 til 11. I joined them last night. If you have ever played basketball with me or watched me play, then you know that I am not particularly good. But I can run around a lot. Unfortunately, last night we only played 3 on 3 half court. With half court any advantage I gain from running around is nuetralized a lot. Oh well.
We shot for teams, and I was the second person to score (which I guess says something about the shooting talent of the people I was with). My team ended up being Román, a guy named Oscar, and me. Román and I are pretty good at running around and Román could also drive and shoot layups. Oscar had a pretty good shot. There were nine people, so the winner stayed. Somehow, and I am not sure how, but for about two hours and I am not sure how many games, my team never lost. It was a lot of fun and definately a good workout.
One of my favorite parts was when I had to dive out of bounds to save the ball one time, and when I did, everyone said "oh wow, that's amazing!" except in Spanish. (then I froze for a second with a 3-fingered wave. Just kidding.) I don't remember if we scored after that or not, but scoring is secondary in my opinion to excellent dives. I did score some, however. Maybe even once a game at least, but I doubt it.
So my team never lost, but in the last game (all games were to eleven by ones) we were down 3-6. That was when the lights were shut off. I was tired, sweaty, and blistered. But it was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we were talking, and one guy said (in Spanish), "What!? You're from America? I thought you were Mexican!" That was cool. And probably the first time that has happened.
I am not sure what will happen on Wednesday. Probably I won't win every game. In fact I would be shocked if I did. But I hope it will again be fun.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
3 quick things
First, the run today at Bachoco (also called Mirador) was again excellent. I really enjoy that run through the desert overlooking Hermosillo.
Second, I did the Bible class today at the church, in Spanish. I was given the lesson, and it lasted about an hour. That might be the longest speech or public speaking thing that I have done. People at least said I did a good job. And I saw at least one person who wasn't the preacher looking at me. I have not yet found out if he can sleep with his eyes open.
Third, I read on http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1941945720080225 about Cuba. Fidel Castro's brother Raul is now the new president. I was surprised by one paragraph in particular. It read, "He overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in a 1959 revolution and then survived assassination attempts, a CIA-backed invasion, the Soviet Union's collapse and a U.S. economic embargo to rule for almost half a century." Put that way, I guess he was at least good at what he did. No wonder the Cubans revere him. Though I am not saying that what he did was good, he was good at what he did.
Second, I did the Bible class today at the church, in Spanish. I was given the lesson, and it lasted about an hour. That might be the longest speech or public speaking thing that I have done. People at least said I did a good job. And I saw at least one person who wasn't the preacher looking at me. I have not yet found out if he can sleep with his eyes open.
Third, I read on http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1941945720080225 about Cuba. Fidel Castro's brother Raul is now the new president. I was surprised by one paragraph in particular. It read, "He overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in a 1959 revolution and then survived assassination attempts, a CIA-backed invasion, the Soviet Union's collapse and a U.S. economic embargo to rule for almost half a century." Put that way, I guess he was at least good at what he did. No wonder the Cubans revere him. Though I am not saying that what he did was good, he was good at what he did.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I've heard that before
This Friday I was told that I would be leaving for Monterrey this coming Saturday. I know that you may think, yeah, I've heard that before. Which is in fact very true. I have been supposed to leave within the next couple weeks since the beginning of January. This time at least appears different. There is a plan and some details instead of a vague intention. Hopefully, March will be the month. Next Saturday is March 1st.
Many other things have happened in the intervening time. For instance I went on another really cool run to the place with the best views of Hermosillo. I threw a disc with someone for the first time in a long time. I was severely disappointed to discover that my flick-throwing finger is no longer calloused and I even had to stop throwing flicks for a while. That has got to change. Old teachers have left and new teachers have come. I have been teaching about twice as much as I thought I would. I have gotten to practice Spanish some. I almost got to appear on Mexican television, but then it didn't happen. Etc.
Anyway, hopefully my immediate future will be all ironed out soon. Then hopefully I will get the farther future worked out.
Many other things have happened in the intervening time. For instance I went on another really cool run to the place with the best views of Hermosillo. I threw a disc with someone for the first time in a long time. I was severely disappointed to discover that my flick-throwing finger is no longer calloused and I even had to stop throwing flicks for a while. That has got to change. Old teachers have left and new teachers have come. I have been teaching about twice as much as I thought I would. I have gotten to practice Spanish some. I almost got to appear on Mexican television, but then it didn't happen. Etc.
Anyway, hopefully my immediate future will be all ironed out soon. Then hopefully I will get the farther future worked out.
Monday, February 4, 2008
waiting
Currently, I am still in Hermosillo. I am still waiting to be moved to Monterrey, but apparently with all of the growth the school has been experiencing, it has been difficult to move me. Hopefully this situation will change soon and I can go ahead and get to Monterrey and end the waiting period.
Anyway, yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. In the morning I went to church then out to lunch at a chinese restaurant downtown. I was surprised at how good it was. If I have time, I think I will try to go back. After lunch, we went to their house, and since they have young daughters, we began watching the movie "Cars" in Spanish, though only after helping with the English homework. Eventually we left to go to the evening service (we did not finish the movie, by the way). The service began at five, and the game began at 5:30. I usually don't get back til about 7:00, so I was hoping to see at least the second half. Or maybe have to watch gamecast or something like that. After church, however, I was invited to join just about everyone at someone's house for dinner. My ride was going as well. And as you guessed, there was no football game on a large screen plasma TV. Or any TV for that matter.
Oh well. I enjoyed being with the church people all day. And I was glad that when I pulled up ESPN.com, I saw a picture of I think Eli Manning. It was a happy giant at any rate. Also, I am glad that we did not have to work today. It is apparently Constitution day or something like that.
Anyway, yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. In the morning I went to church then out to lunch at a chinese restaurant downtown. I was surprised at how good it was. If I have time, I think I will try to go back. After lunch, we went to their house, and since they have young daughters, we began watching the movie "Cars" in Spanish, though only after helping with the English homework. Eventually we left to go to the evening service (we did not finish the movie, by the way). The service began at five, and the game began at 5:30. I usually don't get back til about 7:00, so I was hoping to see at least the second half. Or maybe have to watch gamecast or something like that. After church, however, I was invited to join just about everyone at someone's house for dinner. My ride was going as well. And as you guessed, there was no football game on a large screen plasma TV. Or any TV for that matter.
Oh well. I enjoyed being with the church people all day. And I was glad that when I pulled up ESPN.com, I saw a picture of I think Eli Manning. It was a happy giant at any rate. Also, I am glad that we did not have to work today. It is apparently Constitution day or something like that.
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