Better presentations

Last week I was introduced to a great teaching tool > Prezi. If I had known this before, I could have used it for many of my school presentations :( But I also found out here that this tool is rather new (so I do not feel that bad and out of date on tech lol). So... it is never too late to start using it!

Why should you move beyond slides? on Prezi

A Gift from Jesus

Do not become overwhelmed with the great amount of work you must do in your lifetime, for you are not required to do it all at once. Let every power of your being go to each day's work, improve each precious opportunity, appreciate the helps that God gives you, and make advancement up the ladder of progress step by step. Remember that you are to live but one day at a time, that God has given you one day, and heavenly records will show how you have valued its privileges and opportunities. May you so improve every day given you of God, that at last you may hear the Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

From Maranatha - Page 85

*E-mail from Mrs. Teodora Nae

Graduation weekend

My brother and my cousin were part of the first group who graduated from the Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunications from Montemorelos University. And my graduated from Doctorate in Education ;-) CONGRATULATIONS to them!

Engineers

Mon and Vico

I just love how the church looks ;)

Mom! I love you and I'm so proud of you!!!

The Monarrez and vico's gf (Cesy)

Time flies!

April is almost gone and then it comes May along with final projects, final exams, and at the end of the month my bro and my mom’s graduation (Vico finishes his Bachelor’s Degree and my mom her PhD). Then it comes the summer with intensive courses and lots of preparation ;) I think I will teach one or two English classes at the language school or take some intensive courses. After summer… OMG! Sara’s is going to be here!!! (hope I get to see her in August). Then it comes my time to go abroad (if I would have written this a week ago, it would have been a completely different story which included Thailand, but God has amazing ways of changing plans).

*I will talk about this later, when everything is clear enough to say it out loud. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Ok… getting back to the fact that we are still not in summer break and that school hasn’t finished yet. We had Moody Awards at the beginning of April (I blogged about this earlier) and that was basically the last activity of the Student Council. I feel relieved but at the same time I kind of miss all the meetings we had and all the stress hehe.

Almost all the members of the Student Council.

On my "spring break" (more like a long weekend) I went to a Master Guide Camporee. I had lots of fun and learned quiet a lot because this time I was part of the staff.

I started teaching English at the High School and it’s been a learning experience. I don’t have a big classroom (started with 10 students but 2 of them were expelled 2 weeks ago), and having a small classroom helps a lot when it comes to discipline. There are still other things to take in consideration, like the fact that I’m supposed to be teaching an “advance” class but most of my students can’t even understand when I give them instructions in English (however, I won’t lower the school work, which is not that much anyway).
Teaching there gives me more reasons why I want to work in a language school and not in a secondary or high school. It’s not that I don’t like it, but I do enjoy a lot more teaching at the language school. However, it looks like I will take a break from teaching English for a little while and do something I did not expect but which I think I will enjoy and will be a completely different but great experience.

My English students at the language school.

Bach's Brandenburg Concert No. 3

We are going to play Bach's Brandenburg Concert No. 3 and I love it!! This will be the second time I play it, so I think it's going to be easier hehe. The first time I played it was long time ago, in my first year at the uni orchestra (I think I was in high school... not sure) and I remembered I had a hard time with that concert, but it was worth it.

Today I was falling asleep at the orchestra practice, and when we started practicing the Brandenburg Concert my sleepiness went away hehe.

*I just hope we play it this semester and not the next one 'cause I won't be here next semester :(

My great but crazy weekend

Saturday ► I went with the uni orchestra to play in town. Had to wake up at 5 am in order to be ready at 6:30. The morning program was great, and in the afternoon we had a concert. I always enjoy the orchestra concerts, and sometimes I wish I could just sit with the rest of the people listening and enjoying every single song hehe.

Playing my fav song "Enviame a mi" (send me).
The song is based on Isaiah 6:8
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."

Sunday ► It started with summer time and wakinig up rather late. Then I went to a friend's wedding which I knew about only an hour before it happened =S

Sunday evening, we had the "Moody Awards" at the uni, organized by the Student Council (am part of it), so before the event we were running up and down getting everything ready. During the event, I didn't actually enjoy it that much because I had to make sure all the participants were ready to go up on stage. After the event, well... I just didn't bother to help (shame on me) because I was really tired!!!

Before the event (in the afternoon) carrying chairs and tables.
I was actually the driver, Muahaha

Student Council 2008-2009



With some friends after the event.

Playing typmanies

Yeys!! Got a chance to play tympanies last Sabbath at church! ;) It was pretty cool, however I rather play tympanies with the Orchestra or the Brass Ensemble. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the music and the service last Sabbath. 

It was the end of the Week of Prayer, and as it was expected, the music was great! and the sermons went straight to those wounds that I didn't want to touch for a long time. 

*I need to do something about it... but am working on that.

Spiritual Retreat 2009

Last weekend I went with the Faculty of Education and Psychology to the spiritual retreat. We had lots of fun! and the place was really nice!!! It was at a biopark near the campus, where we stayed for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday).

Here are some pictures...

This is the park's camping area.

The colorful lil cabins where we stayed.

Sabbath School

Special music

With some of my classmates ;)

Night safari

Our car got stuck at the night safari and their car had to help us.

With Sohorin and Lee-C (sunday morning)

With Lee-C, Sohorin and Ornella

My team during the sunday morning rally

Group picture

Sewing classes

Today I started sewing classes. As part of the uni curriculum (don't ask me why) we need to take a class for a year (once a week). Girls can choose sweing classes, somethinig with haircuting or whatever that is hehe, or handicrafts; and guys can choose mechanics, plumbing and dunno what else hehe. 

Today we were supposed to make a baby skirt, but since we are like soooo slow (don't laugh, we are learning!) most of us only finish like half of it.

I'm gonna try to take my camera next Wednesday to take and upload some pics of my attempt of making a skirt LOL.

My roller coaster ride

I've been in this roller coaster for the past months... (caused by a special person to me).

First I was really happy because we were going out. I couldn't stop smiling and thinking of him. Then I was kind of sad because vacation came and I knew I wasn't going to see him in like 2 weeks or more. The 2 weeks passed and I was hoping to see him, but nothing happened. Then I was excited because I knew he was coming back for school. School time came and I heard nothing from him, so I told myself I was going to be patient. One day I saw him when I was driving around and my heart started beating -he made me happy ;) At church I thought I had heard his voice but didn't see him. Now I'm having this feeling that maybe he wasn't that into this as I wish he was (or as I thought he was) and that feeling makes me sad.

My hopes are still there, and will be there until the end -if it happens to be an end (I really wish this story has a happy ending though).

Or maybe he thinks I don't want to see him because we haven't seen each other, but how am I supposed to tell him that I so want to see him, go out with him, talk to him...?

Italy in March? Nop, maybe next time :(

I just gave away an all-paid trip to Italy (or maybe Romania) for 2 weeks, and I don't know if I should be happy, sad or mad.

Last semester, the dean of the Education department told us that the one with the highest GPA that semester was going to get an all-paid trip to an Adventist college/school in Europe for 2 weeks to do the teaching practice. During my registration this semester (last Thursday) I found out that I was the one with the highest GPA (3.97).
All of a sudden I thought: OMG!!! I'm going to ITALY!!!!! And then the dean asked me right away if I could give it to another girl that got 3.96 and is graduating this May. Since I'm a Junior, she said I would have a chance to go next year if I keep my GPA that high... so my expression went from "OMG! I'm going to Italy!" to "WTH!!!".
After thinking a lot and being mad at the dean (I found out that the girl who's going instead of me is one of her fav students) I accepted her petition and just said "OK I'm not going to Italy" :( Many people have told me that what I did was great ► I gave another girl the chance to go, and I'm going next year anyway (or at least that was the deal). But I can't resign myself to not going!

When is it going to happen?

Every time I start a new semester I say, "This time I'm giving myself more free time" (as in I'm not going to be EXTREMELY busy as always). I never do it! and as usual, I've said it again this time... I need to see if I will be able to achieve that goal LOL, and seriously I need to slow down a bit. I NEED A BREAK!!! not as in no school, but as in a semester with less extra curricular activities that drive me crazy (and I love them all!!). Maybe that's the problem ► I enjoy doing lots of things, but I just don't have the time.

Anyway.... I do wanna slow down this time.

Oh, and my holiday fever.... it's all gone! I'm back to the uni, not actually in school (yet), but am back on campus and started with some english tutoring, so that officially puts me in a not-on-vacation status :(

FINAL EXAMS are on the way!!!

A bit of everything

Today I opened Google Reader and found that I had 59 unread posts. OMG!!! I hadn't had time to read blogs.... but I guess am just taking a bit of that time to update mine and read some blogs.

Last week there was an IT Symposium, or something l ike that LOL, organized by the senior students (including my brother) from the Engineering department. You may wonder why am I writing about this if I'm not part of that department anymore... Well, among the special guests/speakers, they invited Michael A. Comberiate (aka NASA Mike), who is a scientist that works at NASA.

with Mike, Vico and Cecy

And here are some pics taken during the past 2 weeks.

Practicing with the Brass Ensemble and the Chamber Choir (church)

Playing with the String Quintet (auditorium)

L-R: Erika, Rosy, Sendy, Mrs. Kelda, Yaniris and Rosalba (English Education major, junior year)

We like drinking "coffee" when it gets really cold ;)

In Room 110 you find the vegie coffee lovers

Just being silly... and that's our new uniform ;) so much better than the ugly green one.

International program

October 26th - A really busy day!!! ► International Program

I call it International Program, though it's actually Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), because we had it 2 weeks after the real day which is October 12th. Here in Montemorelos University we have a variety of international students and because of this, the program is more oriented to be an international thing instead of commemorating the day of Cristopher Columbu's arrival in the Americas.

But why did I say it was a busy day? Well, the Student Council (I'm part of it) this year was in charge of getting the flags ready and all that it involves:

• People
• Flags... this was a hassle because some of them weren't ready 'till the last minute, and actually two of them were incorrect!!! what a problem!!!
• Sashes... we thought we had them all, but when we double-checked there were like 8 or 9 missing, so had to do them last minute!
• National customes... well, this wasn't a problem

*If you click on any of the pics, you will see the rest of them on my flickr. Enjoy!! ;-)

Mexico!


The last song, with everybody participating on stage.


With some cute kids that at the same time are crazy!!! They were my students in children sabbath school during the summer, so every time i see them they say hi to me ;-)


With a friend from Antigua and Barbuda.


India! well, Sohorin is from India and he is from the States I think, but lived in India for a while... or something like that LOL


Japan! They are from Japan but have lived here in Mexico for like 25 years or more

Student Council
Can you see my shoes?! I don't know what I was thinking LOL... cause after all the running up and down, I was really but REALLY tired :( but hey!! they look nice right!?! heheh

Spiritual Retreat

On Saturday I went with the engineering departmet to their spiritual retreat. I didn't go with the education department 'cause it is usually boring lol. We had a great time, though we took longer than expected to get to the place. We got kinda lost on our way there -more like took the wrong way- but in the end it was worth it 'cause the place was really nice. Here are some pics and you can always go to my flickr to see the rest. Leave your comments please!

That's the cabin where they stayed. I couldn't stay 'cause I went back at around 11pm.

With my brother's gf (in blue) and Melissa (a friend from elementary school)



My mom and I
Without mosquito repellent I don't know how my arms would have been by now... all itchy I guess

Most of the teachers at the engineering department have lil kids... and it's always lots fun to play with them when we go out. This lil girl is Karla and she's really shy... but cute!

Every Sabbath we have English Sabbath School here at the uni and it's a blessing. It's not only that we get together for the lesson study, but for the whole program. After the divine service, we go to a different building to have our own sabbath school.

I like it a lot because I can go there and not just sit and do nothing like if I was at the university church. I feel like there's real worship. Song service is awesome!!! and the lesson study it's great as well. If you happen to visit us here in Mexico, think of staying a sabbath as well... you will enjoy it!

books, classes, rushing, etc.

Today I started school again (Junior year!) and with that, the waking-up-early part > General assembly at 7:15 am!!! But oh well, that's life here I guess hehe *all about waking up early.

Things happening this semester (appart from the normal things):
- Taking a class with my mom as the teacher (psychology) *I've taken classes with my dad but first time with mom hehe
- Playing in the orchestra again!!! *After 3 semesters of not playing at all!
- Sad 'cause I couldn't make it to Thailand this year :(

But you know what:

HAKUNA MATATA!!!!

A summer of CONTRASTS

This summer started just great, but then in July it became HECTIC!

June, oh it was great!! Cancun the first week!! so it helped me to go through the whole month. And I was teaching only 4 hours a day so it wasn't that bad. But then, it came July = teaching English 8 hours a day and taking one summer class. At the end of every day, I just needed to sleep and do nothing else. But I finished my summer course (with an A+!!!) and tomorrow I will finish my summer job! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

here are some pics of my not-so-busy times, weekends basically:

saturday afternoon with my cousin

Basketball game in Monterrey. It was great!

Before the game, with some cousins and my aunt and uncle.



with my English students - surprised bday party for me ;)

Education and Psicology Faculty Spiritual Retreat

*With some classmates from the EFL Education major and some friends