in with the new

This semester I naively er, ambitiously decided it would be fun to incorporate idioms into my lessons at the university. Given my students' difficulty deciphering literal meanings in English this undertaking has proven a bit trickier than anticipated...

Me: Ok guys, "cool" can describe colder temperatures or someone who has a lot of friends, but a pepino is neither of those things, in this case it's more like tranquilo or relaxed under pressure. Like, "chill" ya know? No, you wouldn't know that term either... I mean produce obviously doesn't have emotions, but it's just a figure of speech. Repeat, "cool as a cucumber."

Them:

But some phrases are certainly easier to explain, especially with a little help from Sharpay. Last month I did a presentation on idioms about new beginnings, many of which I can personally apply to my first weeks of 2017. While I'm not sure I've really thrown out much of "the old" (I'm still living by the motto "tortillas are life"), I've certainly experienced a whole lotta lo nuevo since coming back from Christmas break.

New hobbies

When else in my life will I have the time and energy to pick up new skills? Plus there's nothing like practicing your second language in a range of contexts! At least this is what I tell myself as I grit my teeth and repeatedly enter an introvert's nightmare (o sea, classes full of strangers where I subject myself to embarrassment in the name of accomplishing my New Year's resolutions).

Salsa

Eight salsa classes in three weeks should have made me a pro by now, right? Apparently not. I am so glad that I found somewhere with such kind instructors who gear their dance lessons towards principiantes like me (proud to say I'm not the worst in the class), but I'm wondering when our mechanical steps practiced in lines will transform into actual dancing?

Unfortunately I missed three consecutive classes while at the Fulbright midyear conference, and it seems as though some essentials of hip and arm movement were taught in my absence. In other words, I'm at a loss for how to look más natural while executing choreography, a frequent correction the instructor gives me (though I don't think he understands that literally no part of los ritmos latinos come naturally to this gringa). 

It should boost my confidence that I'm in quite high demand when it comes to partner routines, but that could have something to do with the uneven ratio of class participants (read: approximately 3 girls and 10 guys). It's definitely not related to my suave moves since every time the teacher asks me to help him demonstrate a step I crash and burn under the pressure... 

Sadly I don't have any pictures to illustrate my time at Emporio Dance Studio, but these videos might help.

Expectation:

Reality:

Photography

As promised in previous posts, I'm committed to mastering the fancy camera I've had since high school graduation. I enrolled in a Basic Digital Photography course at the BUAP's Complejo Cultural but had to miss the first week, so when I arrived at the second class (30 minutes late by no fault of my own) I could already sense the deficit in my knowledge. After a humiliating first five minutes-- in which I could neither name the type of camera I own nor form a coherent thought in Spanish to explain what I already knew, etc.-- we spent two hours practicing with movimiento congelado with the campus fountains. The professor seemed impressed that I was smart enough to even snap a photo, so I'm hoping that I come across as less of a loser as time goes on.

Amateur photographers in action

New places

My Mexican state count is up to 9 out of 31, which is not too shabby for living here just five months, if I do say so myself. I'm continually amazed by how diverse this country is in so many senses (landscapes, indigenous cultures, gastronomy, history, local customs) and I'm determined to keep upping this percentage. 

La Paz

Fulbright must've been feeling generous because they flew all of the ETAs out to beautiful Baja California Sur for the midyear reunion. Most of us wouldn't have had the opportunity to visit this peninsula, and it didn't hurt that COMEXUS covered most of the costs. Apart from a horrific bout of food poisoning on my first full day in La Paz, the week was wonderful-- full of fascinating lectures, boat & beach excursions, and politically-charged discussions (T***p made his announcements about moving forward with the wall, taxing Mexican goods, etc. that same week). I was reminded how lucky I am to be a part of this group of [com]passionate young teachers and of our mission which is increasingly important in what's a very rocky time for US-Mexico relations. 

"Rocky," get it?! 

Baby sea lion!

View from the hotel terrace

Is it Nessie? No, just two migrating gray whales!

The Puebla crew

Querétaro 

Several of us Puebla-region ETAs took advantage of the long weekend by visiting the stunning city of Querétaro. Little did we know that the whole reason for the puente was the signing of the constitution, which took place there. It was a little dicy leaving the city on the same day President Peña Nieto was due to arrive, but our short stay was just enough time to appreciate the historic center, savor some gorditas and tamales, and explore several museums. 

INDIAN FOOD! POLLO TIKKA MASALA!!

Pondering the orange peels, as one does 

Museo del calendario

Speaking of calendarios, mine's filling up with exciting plans for the next few months. Stay tuned!