Do Gooderness :)

I now have roughly two months before I depart for Puerto Rico and if I wasn't busy enough chasing children, packing, selling last minute items, trying to find a car in PR, and trying to raise money for this new adventure...I've also embarked on a few new opportunities all in the name of service (also known as "do gooderness")!! Its pretty interesting how these opportunities came about and how they somehow all have to do with the same thing...teaching and language. 

Here's the deal, the church that I go to has an e-mail list where members can send out information on pretty much anything.  We receive e-mails about everything from job openings to fish fries...yes, I said it, fish fries.  I even advertised my Yard Sale on there (and made a few sales thank you very much)!  So, one day I got one such e-mail...no, not about a fish fry...about a job opportunity. I believe they were asking for a part time teaching assistant for an ESL (English as a Second Language) class.  I thought "Perfect!  It's part time, I'll get a little more pocket money to hold me over these next few months and I can help kids do the opposite of what I'm about to do!"  Then I realized I had to send my resume over in order to even be considered for the job, and well, I have nothing but media experience on it.  I knew I'd be perfect for the job but my resume just wouldn't reflect that.  There had to be a way to qualify for this job, after all, it was for me right?!  Then, I got a brilliant idea!  My mom works for a high school!  Maybe I could use her or her principal as a reference and maybe at least that will be the credential that would crack that door open for me to step right through. 

So, I call my mom up and bring her up to speed on my dilemma and in pure mom fashion she says "That sounds great Misha and I'm sure you can use us as a reference but I'm sure we can also really use your help here as well."  That, ladies and gentleman, is my mom.  This brain was handed to my mom from God before it was passed on to me so, that woman knows how to move things from one level to the next...all in the name of improvement for all.  I thought about it for a millisecond and agreed.  All I could do was think to myself "God is doing something here, alright, I'll bite." By the next week I was sitting in her principal's office with butterflies in my belly.  There is something about a principal's office that is just...I don't know you just feel like you're in trouble...like any minute now he's going to pull your 'Life File' and BOOM! your in detention for life or something.  This principal, I might add, is no joke.  His presence is so principal-ish (I know its not a real word, just don't tell him I wrote that ok?).  I sat in his office, (with my mother standing about two feet behind me) shook his hand, and spoke in my most sweet-as-pie voice.  Here is what happened:

Me:  "Hello sir, how are you?"
Prinicipal:  "Hi, I'm fine, give me a second."  He then responds to an e-mail, calls his secretary in, holds a quick conversation with her and interrupts that conversation to say to me. "You can sit."
I sit.
Principal:  Hangs up the phone and tells his secretary to sit down somewhere behind my mother (yes, now I have an audience). "Okay young lady, what do you want from me?"
Me:  (Caught ridiculously off guard) "Uh well, I..." (searching for words...come on Michelle make your Momma proud and snap out of it) "Well sir, its like this.  I am moving to Puerto Rico in December for personal reasons.   In the interim, I am looking to offer service in an effort to give back to my community.  My career thus far has been in media.  I recognize that I am who I am today as a result of wonderful mentors, programs and opportunities that were offered to me as a youth.  While I recognize that fact, I also realize that I have not done much to give back and its bothering me.  Its time to change that, so I guess I'm here to ask you, what do you want from me?"  (I can feel my mom beaming behind me.)  Phew!  Where did that come from?!
Principal:  (Looking unimpressed) "Well, there is only but so much you can do with the kids being that you are not staff and that you are leaving in just two short months.  But, I do believe there is a place for you here because there is a need.  Let me think about this."  He stares at me pressing his palms together and bringing his fingers up to his lips.  This is awkward.  After what felt like 5 really long silent minutes...
Principal:  "I got it.  You are going to work with our Parent Coordinator.  We desperately need parental involvement in this school.  So, I need you to brainstorm and come up with new and refreshing ideas for how to get these parents more involved in this school, and more importantly in their child's education.  Do you think you can do that?"
Me:  "Yes.  Sounds good."
Principal:  "Alright then, good luck."  He shakes my hand, moves onto his next order of business and tells my mom as soon as I leave. "You've got a great daughter there."

So now, once a week I report to my mother's school and I work with the Parent Coordinator.  This woman is just one person trying to work on the behalf of all the parents who come into the school.  She is also trying to successfully reach those who are just not involved, dealing with parents who have no control of their children, handling children who seem to be the parents of their households, social workers, and a parent's association that is consistently changing.  I am happy to help but I must admit, at times I'm overwhelmed.  I look at these kids and I see everything from extreme promise, future college grads and functioning members of society to lost souls who are just passing time in the halls until their either incarcerated or killed.  Those kids are the ones that break my heart and infuriate me the most.  How is it that all you can see is your block?  How do you not want more?!  Why are you showing off stab wounds as badges of honor?!?!  Why is your mother sitting there and not saying anything while you do this?!  I just want to shake you and smack you into reality!!!!  That's usually the time I take a walk and make a note to pray for them...all of them.

Its been a few weeks and I still haven't heard back from that job that I just knew was mine....yeah, not so much!  But, I did received another e-mail from my church!  This one was a posting for ESL Volunteers.  On Monday nights, a local community center offers free English reading, writing and comprehension tutoring to all.  Folks can just walk in!  First, they take a simple exam to assess their need.  Then, they are paired with a tutor.  Finally, after paying $10 for a workbook, we start working!  Tutors are desperately needed so there was really no way I could say no.  It was like an intro for the job I was going for.  So, I not only got myself over there but I dragged my little brother (is 18 still considered little?) and my little cousin (is 20 still considered little?) with me. 

At the center, I met Patrick.  Patrick is my first student and he is from West Africa!  French is his primary language but he speaks, reads and definitely comprehends English pretty well.  He's having trouble with the "th" sound but really doesn't realize just how well he's doing overall.  This week, I found out that he works at a local grocery store in the customer service department, and he's hoping to transfer his college credits here so that he may continue his major in Environmental Studies.  He'd like to go back to West Africa as a consultant but he really doesn't mind moving somewhere else.  He also doesn't like the mirror.  I only pressed a little bit on that last one and assured him there was no reason to avoid the mirror, he looks great (he really does and I can't help but wonder what the mirror thing is all about).  Robert (lil bro) met an Ethiopian acrobat who works for the circus!  Nicole (lil cuz) met another man from West Africa who has only been here a month and has never taken an English class but speaks very well.  What's his secret?  Television.  He is also now teaching HER French!

Who knew leaving my cubicle would manifest into all of this?!  Well folks...the adventure continues...till next time! ;)

Adventures in Babysitting - Part I

Mmmm Phia so hungry

Alright gotta make this quick...Ms. 'Phia fell asleep during our daily walk so she's out for the count for who knows how long so I thought I'd take this opportunity to kick up my feet for a few minutes and update this blog o mine!

Trip to the fish section doesn't go over well

So, its been a week and a half since I started my new position as interim Super Nanny for the Youngzalez' clan...and whoa...in my humble opinion, the corporate world has NOTHING on stay at home moms!  It is hard physically and mentally.  I mean you're trying to keep them engaged while instilling rules and regulations all while still trying to have fun!  Never mind that these children need to eat like 3 times a day...and you have to respect their eating pace (you know not everyone inhales their food like I do), so you could literally be sitting in the kitchen for over an hour just eating a waffle...or three if you're Ms. 'Phia!  

So here's the deal: Phia wakes up around 8 or 8:30am and I'm alone with her usually all day (while the other two are in school) until about 3:30p.  During that time she is fed, then we go for a nice walk, then she is put down for a nap, then fed again, then if we have time, another walk and by that time her big bro is home.  So, Mr. I'm-7-and-Loving-It comes home and he's looking for a snack.  Then, its homework time.  Luckily, I get a solid hour usually before little Ms. Know-It-All aka Bag Full of Faces aka Renee comes home...then its time to start dinner.  Dinner comprises of keeping food together and separated (as some of them are food mixing machines, like their aunt, and others are separate but equal with Monk like qualities about their dining preference), keeping it just the right temperature...you know, not too hot ("Titi I can't eat this its too hoooooooooooooooot!") and not too cold ("Uh, Titi can you put this in the oven again please?") oh and let's not forget to serve the correct beverages ( Read in a squeaky half whiney know-it-all kinda style: "Titi! 'Phia doesn't like milk.  Titi, Papi says we can't have orange juice with dinner.")!  By dinner time, one parent is usually home and trying to keep Ms. 'Phia happy as she just loves to act like I am that weirdo stranger with a weirdo van who's trying to talk to her as soon as one of her folks walks in.  So, they handle her and I handle the other two for dessert.  Dessert is done and the second parent has usually shown up or I just have to run to an extra curricular engagement so I am finally off duty.  If you're tired after reading this, imagine living it LOL.  At the end of week one, I kid you not, I was dead to the world at 8pm on a FRIDAY!

A good game of Scrabble goes a long way

At the end of the day, though,  I am feeling closer and more in tune with this Youngzalez clan than ever before.  Its an awesome crash course on the demands and rewards of parenting and I honestly am so happy that I have been given this opportunity.  I have a whole new respect for my Mr. & Mrs. Youngzalez as they are still functioning young professionals and great parents who really do not get a break!  Hats off to you two for real!  Oh no...I hear fussing...I think it's lunch time...till next tim

Preview

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Resignation Day

Now I'm a few days late with my latest but please forgive me...between the physical Yard Sale on Saturday and my entry into Craig's List land...well things have just been a bit hectic.

So, the BIG news?!  I DID it!  Friday, September 17th at 1pm, I, Michelle Ann Gonzalez RESIGNED!!  This is the second time in my life that I resigned.  The first time was out of anger.  An emotional reaction to the feeling of being an overworked and underpaid employee.  I wanted fair compensation and I wanted to feel like I was necessary to that operation.  I was also very young and full of pride.  Once my mind was made up, there was no turning back.  I never want to resign like that ever again...and I didn't.

This time, I had a light heart and a secure spirit.  I am already there although physically I am here.  No, its not a fantasy island nor a dream land.  In fact, I know this road will be tough.  I often try to imagine my departure.  Will I cry?  Will my family cry?  Will my heart beat a million times a minute?  What am I doing?!  and then I stop.  I stop trying to see the future and stay right where I am, taking it one day at a time.

Now, back to the resignation.  I walked in and I closed the door.  My boss said "Uh oh, whenever my door closes either someone is pregnant or leaving."  I said "Well, you're right I'm preg---" her eyes got really wide so I decided to quit being a clown and said "I'm leaving."  I went on to explain why and it went well, very well.  Everyone knows its time for me to move forward and while some are sad to see me go, they are also happy to hear what I am leaving for.  I will miss quite a few of those folks but it was definitely time to take the next step.  If I stayed any longer, I would have gotten so comfortable that I would have eventually ended up stuck or just plain miserable or both.  So, as of October 1st (the day before my birthday...very fitting I think!) I am a free woman!

What's the plan till my departure you say?!  Well remember those cute lil' children I've been referring to?  Better known as my brother's children or my 2 nieces and a nephew?  Yeah, those cutie patooties.  Well, seems that I will be spending quite a bit of time with them.  I am Super Nanny until December.  This is a triple win as I get to spend time serious quality time with the kids, I get to help my brother out and I get to do this in exchange for room and board (sweet!).  I'll also be busy, packing up, volunteering my time with a local high school, as well as volunteering as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher to immigrant adults.  So, these next few months are proving to be pretty busy.

I am now smack in the middle of week one as a "free woman".  Stay tuned for a full report on this week's events!