October Again

It's been a long time, I know. I'm three and half years into this journey, and excited about what's to come! It's October again, and this year I'm actually enjoying it. Fall blend coffee, yeast bread, and homemade vegetable soup tend to do that for me.

In terms of an update on the 30 Before 30 project, I have the following snippets of new news...

• I have opened a money market account that is growing interest at a slow and steady rate. I'm saving money in the account regularly as needed for future goals, such as a house or a computer or whatnot. It feels so nice to be putting money away instead of getting a credit card.
• This fall, I became re-certified for CPR First Aid through the school where I am working. We sat through the class, practiced on dummies, and watched a little bit of a video. It is great to know I can help protect and rescue the lives of children and adults.
• Yesterday, I mixed, kneaded, and baked two beautiful loaves of homemade bread. I used this simple yeast bread recipe and it turned out great. Unfortunately, the last step about rubbing the bread with water made the loaves a little soggy, but I've dried them out as best as I could, and they taste great. 

Many more updates to come! 

Conversaciones En Español

As an elementary school English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher, I work with a lot of children who speak English as a second (or third) language. Most of my students either immigrated to America from a Latin or South American country as small children or were born in America after their parents or grandparents immigrated.

I have had the joy of meeting a little boy who was born in the states (before moving to Mexico at a young age and then moving back) who did not speak English when he first arrived at my school. I screened him with our screening test and placed him at a non-speaking level. I see him over four times a week, either in a small group or one-on-one, usually both during the course of the week.

Every time I pull this little boy, he repeats to me: "How are you?" When I say: "I'm good, how are you?" He responds: "Good, thanks." Sometimes the roles are reversed. That entire dialog is scripted and we repeat it every day I see him, sometimes in Spanish as well. He is making connections. The rest of our informal conversation, before we get to my portable (aka "learning cottage"), is in Spanish. Often, I have to use a translator app on my phone. Many days, I ask him to repeat himself. One good thing is that because he is young, he uses simple dialog and phrases. We have had several conversations together about his family, his favorite things to do, and what he ate for lunch. I even had to explain a lock-down drill to him... In Spanish!

I guess this means that I have completed number 28 on my list: Converse with someone in a language that is not my first. It wasn't magical or easy or even extremely difficult. It was just using the words that we knew in each language (and a whole lot of code switching) in order to understand each other. The goal was a human connection and we did not want to let language get in the way.

This little boy is learning English much slower than anticipated, and we think there is another issue at work, perhaps a learning or processing issue. I'm working on giving him grace and supporting his development, one slow step at a time. In the mean time, I am enjoying code switching with him and practicing my on-the-spot Spanish skills. This is not my dream job, but some days it is pretty close.

On the Day I Voted Absentee

When I left my apartment-dorm and walked down the stairs to the building where my first class is held today, I noticed that the clouds were misty over the mountains. Now, the skies are beautiful blue, the breeze is cool, and the sunshine is warm. I know it sounds more like Spring than Fall, but I promise, this is a lovely Autumn day in Northeast Georgia.

It is also the day I mailed in my absentee ballot. Oh yes, I'm a real adult now. This has been a pretty neat experience! I mean, who would have thought that there is an "straight party" voting option? I knew there are two main parties and usually a third candidate, but what's up with having six options? And, for those of you voting in my home state, the question about governors and lieutenant governors at the end has more dependent clauses than a bad high school English paper.

But all of that aside, I'm so glad I got to vote in this election. Because I have to vote absentee, I also get to cross off half of number 26. It is an exciting experience to have a say in what goes on in our country, and I am thankful for governmental system we have here, even if it is flawed.

Mailing in my ballot!

 And no, I won't tell you who I voted for. :)

 Happy "Firsts..."

-- First time making  my own bulletin board! Used the Ellison die-cute machine and everything.

-- First time watching football on tv because I wanted to. And I enjoyed it!
-- First time voting in the presidential election!

-- First time having a published author sign a book for me.

Fall in Pictures

Wondering what's been happening in Alex's world recently? You came to the right place! Here's late summer and early Fall, in pictures, of course. I have done a lot of things "for the first time" since I last posted, and I wanted to share some of those exciting moments!

Back to school Luau with some friends

Found international fruit at Ingles! Got myself a dragonfruit!

No. 14 - Own a family recipe book. 

My beautiful new room, lovely and organized

Heart-shaped muffins!

Coffee Underground for the first time!

Had some friends over to the terrace for dinner. 

Knitted half-fingered gloves for a new-old friend!

Learned how to make hot and cold Chai Lattes!

Started to feel like an English teacher for real!

Saw Tenth Avenue North in Concert!

I love ladybugs!

Got cool shots of some "wildlife"

First time on a real hammock today... in my life!!

No. 26 - Vote absentee.
Received my absentee ballot in the mail today!

I figured it was time to make note that I had completed number 14, which is "compile a family recipe book." Last semester, a lovely friend gave the recipe book in the picture above for my birthday. I thanked her profusely, but I wasn't going to call it my "family" recipe book until I had "family" recipes in it. Now, I have my mom's Ham Delights and broccoli salad, my grandma's Taco Soup, and even my great-great-aunt's macaroni pie from scratch.

The only thing I'm missing is my grandma's "lard biscuits," but since both mom and grandma are on a diet right now, I've hesitated to ask for the directions. There is no written recipe. My grandma made those biscuits for years and years, until my grandpa died six years ago. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to write down that recipe and save it for future generations.

Also worth noting is that I'm well on my way to completing number 26: vote both absentee and in person. I got my absentee ballot today, and I'm looking forward to (and somewhat nervous about) voting in my first election, and a presidential election at that! I hope to do some research concerning this process and share some of what I've learned.

Thanks for walking with me on this journey to thirty and the rest of my life! I've shared recently on my personal blog about what I'm learning about God; check it out!

Happy "Firsts..."

-- First time at Coffee Underground

-- First time knitting gloves

-- First time making (learning to make) Chai Lattes

(First time falling in love with hot tea!)

-- First time seeing Tenth Avenue North in concert

-- First time on a real hammock

-- First time preparing to vote in the presidential election