Transformation

Just about two weeks ago I wrapped up my international travels for 2015. I could not have looked more eager if I had tried. Two international trips to the opposite hemisphere, both to regions of the globe I have always dreamed of visiting - although every corner of the earth is on my list to visit, for real though who am I kidding.

Vietnam was mind-blowingly beautiful. I did not experience the culture shock I read about so much in my books (you people who have been traveling for years are probably laughing, laugh away, I"m a noob to this)! I've asked myself whether it is because I live in Los Angeles and we truly are the melting pot we boast ourselves to be, or because I have been going to these places in my head for so long I was already prepared for it. The latter sounds totally crazy I realize that, the first may be more likely at this point.

It is strange, but Vietnam felt like home. A country of poverty but with people who seem to be happy and are trudging on regardless. It felt a lot like Mexico, my first home. It could also just be the outsider's perspective with a romanticized view of life there, but people seemed happy. Hanoi was our main hub from which we traveled to several places, Tinh Ninh Binh (very first capital of Vietnam), Sappa (place with vertical rice paddies), and Ha Long Bay (bay with the iconic mountains). I've been putting together slideshows of my trips because I have way too many photos to share of my time there, so a compilation of my adventures to these far off lands is the most time efficient way to go about this. Disclaimer, I am in no way claiming professional expertise in the video making, this is simply to enable the sharing of my shenanigans.

I hope you enjoy the series, and here goes the first one!



Thanks so much for stopping by.

MUCH LOVE!!!

The World Awaits!

I cannot believe this is my life!!! I know it sounds like I say it every time I post, but it's so unbelievable. VIETNAM! I am going to go to one of the most beautiful places in world and I am still in disbelief. I have nothing more to say except holy moly how lucky am I???

Bring on the adventures!

This is Full-Circle

A few weeks ago I joined my very first professional organization, MIT - Millennials in Travel. I am officially a professional in the Travel industry! Just a few weeks prior to joining said organization I also received my very own business cards. It all happened in such a timely manner, I could not have planned it any better myself - and I'm a pretty dang good planner.

This year is going to be my fourth year in the workforce, but this is the first time I feel like I am actually working towards a career. I am not depreciating the jobs I have had, they definitely helped to rebuild my confidence in myself as a competent and more than capable individual. It has been a process - which I am learning isn't very different from what most of us are going through in our 20s - this is what I imagine the awkward teenage years to be. I feel like I missed out on those awkward teenage years because well, I did. I never really cared to fit in or to be accepted, all I was concerned about was getting to college to make my parents' sacrifices worthwhile. The best comparison I can come up with is like when you're breaking your running shoes in, you have to go easy at first, then you just let the insole mold onto your feet and eventually it's magical. I'm starting to get that magical feeling of, "I have actually learned so much," thanks to the fact that I am now responsible for training an intern. I know stuff! haha. I still feel like such a noob, I'm still working on feeling confident from the inside out in the workplace.

The one thing that makes me smile with utter bliss and satisfaction is that I am here, exactly where I always wanted to be from the very beginning. When we first moved to the U.S. my parents emphasized the importance of going to college as it would open up the doors to the world. My mom has always wanted me to be able to see every beautiful corner of this planet with my very own eyes, not to just see it through TV or peoples' stories. Back in high school during college application time, the school I really wanted to go to was Ithaca College because they had a Hotel and Tourism Management program . . . something along those lines. Of course that didn't happen, as I have discussed before. I veered away from that when I got into UCSB and I did not like the Econ classes hah. College then became a process of simple - yet not so simple - maintaining my sanity and just getting through school. Like I've mentioned before, with the on-again, off-again promise of resolve to the residency thing it became so difficult to hold on the possibility of ever actually being a functioning member of society here. I never ever saw a point in trying to prepare for a career. This is not a pity party.

Fast-forwarding to today, I am just in awe in the gift/plan that life has set for you. I am finally seeing a seedling to a career! Yet another surreal side-effect of this beautiful life I have been given. I could not be happier today. It certainly doesn't hurt that I have Vietnam around the corner.

Thanks for stopping by.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Epic 2015

Today was a particularly momentous day. It is truly astounding how quickly we adapt to changes, since getting my greenie my life has been a whirlwind (in the most amazing way possible). This is not a brag post, let me remind you just three years ago I was about to pack my things up and move back to Mexico for good. While I had no problem getting used to this new life, it still feels very unreal and I constantly have to pinch myself to remind myself this is real.

This is going to be the year I'll be seeing the other side of the globe, twice! Today, I came home to find an envelope on my desk with. . . wait for it . . . my visa for Vietnam!!! It is the very first visa since Freedom Day. Granted, not the official first visa because my very first visa was to the U.S. when I was a wee one. But since my new life, this Vietnam visa is the very first I am getting! I am so lucky to be visiting this place with one of my dearest friends, thanks for being so awesome!

The second place I'll be visiting is one I honestly never even had on my radar, not for this year, never honestly thought about visiting it at all. Switzerland is the second lucky place that will be seeing me this year. Man oh man, these next few months are certainly going to be a pair of memorable ones. I am ecstatic!

Thanks for stopping by.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Flashbacks with Magic

As I was leaving work today I had a strange sense of déjà vu. I have a corner desk and I push the trashcan as far back as possible so I don't bump into it when I swivel around in my chair. I like to pull the trashcan out from under my desk so the custodians don't have a difficult time reaching for it when they come to empty it. This wasn't the first I'd done this but for some reason today was the day I had a flashback to my childhood.

The first few years living in the U.S. my dad was cleaning apartment buildings as well as office buildings. I would go with him on Saturday nights to this one office where I'd push my little brother around in a desk chair and see how fast he'd let me push him. Before the fun ensued I'd run around the office pulling out the trashcans from under the desks for my dad to come around and throw out whatever filled them. Today I had this tiny moment of, I'm not even sure what you call it exactly. It's not a coming full-circle feeling because I'm not the boss yet, I've got a ways to go, but that's what it felt like. A minuscule full-circle life sort of moment. It was magical.

Thanks for reading.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Obama Announces Immigration Reform

The internet is abuzz with the Immigration Reform today, Thursday, November 20, 2014. Today reminded me why I wish I could've voted when Obama was running.

It blows my mind to think of a version of my life where I would be sitting here today in front of my television thirsty for a solution from the man himself, to be given the chance to live. As hard as I try, I cannot think of what version of myself I would be if I were still here today, undocumented.

I must say I am beaming today and every day to know that thanks to my stubbornness to get closure on my case regardless of the outcome, I am now two years from obtaining Citizenship. It is impossible to know the circumstances of every single immigrant out there, but for all those who deserve it, I hope this is the turning point in all of your lives so you can move on to change the world without the fear of deportation. The grass is definitely greener on the other side.

Here is an article that will give you additional information on today's speech.

#ImmigrationReform2014 #Obama

Much Love!!!

The Blissful Angst of Life

I've become so much less involved in the immigration issue and so much more involved in worrying about what to do with my life, so much so that I've neglected to tell you of the most important anniversaries that have passed me by this year. This May 3rd marked 3 years of Residency, so I am two years away from obtaining Citizenship, yay! And just two weeks ago was my 28th birthday, that makes 20 years since I've lived here! (wowser)

Having celebrated my birthday put me in a very pensive state, not that I haven't been breaking my head over this since getting my greenie. What to do with my life. I've accepted that no one can help me figure it out. There is no right or wrong choice . . . or is there? I feel like there is, this is the one I am having the most difficulty with.

I've realized the reason I'm having such a hard time saying, "this is what I want to do", is because I spent so many years trying to accept (my reality at the time) that I was never going to be able to do anything with my life here in the U.S. It sounds pessimistic, but realize that every year since my senior year of high school was a year my parents and I kept saying, "this will be the year your Residency comes through", and year after year I was disappointed. There's only so much a young person can take of that, so in that time I worked really hard on myself on just focusing in the present and enjoying life day to day. I played the spectator to the lives of those around me.

It's not that I don't know what my interests are, trust me, I know what they are but I feel that being out of college now it is so difficult to say, "I want to try my hand at this". Yes, I am afraid of failing because . . . (writing this now it seems stupid but it doesn't take away the fear) I'm afraid of failing because I just am. Really the worry is money.

This is the battle that's been going on in my head, but I've made some decisions. I'll be taking the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) so I can have that out of the way once I decide what my Graduate program will be. Some of you may be confused because I took the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) last year, I had a soul crushing experience with that so I am going a different route I've decided.

All in all though, I've had a fantastic three years so far as a Resident. I am thankful for the angst that comes along with making these life changing decisions because I truly never saw this happening for me.

If you read through all of this, thank you for letting me ramble. If you didn't thanks for glancing anyway :)

MUCH LOVE TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE!!!

PS- I need to plan a trip for this year.

Mexico Reunion

It's been a little over a month since my return from Mexico. I still dream about it, I can't help but yearn to be back there every single day but I do love being back. There is nothing like the comforts of being in your own bed, and having hot running water and not waking up every morning with new mosquito bites to discover. There was no way I'd ever be able to share my 3,000+ photos from my trip so I put a video together. I'm not a professional and I did the best I could with my PC. Click here to get a little taste of my return to Mexico, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being there and making this video.

MUCH LOVE!!!

It's happening.

So many fantastic things have happened since getting my Permanent Residency, I'm going on three years as of May 2014. I've been lucky to have found employment as quickly as I did despite the economy, and I've gained an immeasurable appreciation for the people in my life as well as every single opportunity that has presented itself.

I'm looking back at the very first blog post, I'm happy to see I had my moments of optimism in that muddled mess. I guess it was just the very last couple years that were the most challenging, those are the ones I remember the most vividly and I wasn't a happy camper. I never thought I'd be able to talk about being undocumented as openly as I do today, but this is not the reason for this post. As a lot of you might know, today I am going to have one of the most, if not the most monumental culminations of my life. I am returning to Mexico.

Nineteen years after leaving for what I thought was another summer vacation, I am finally seeing family members that last saw me when I was a whole foot shorter. This is one experience I find myself at a loss for words. All I can say is that I can't wait to see the people I grew up with, and visit all the historically significant places in my home city, el Distrito Federal. After spending time there, I'll be going to Yucatan where I'll get to see more familiar faces, and a ton of Mayan temples as well as cenotes (click on that link, eat your heart out!)

This has been a long time coming, and it could not have come at a better time. Hopefully by the time I return, I'll have news from at least one Law School, but who knows! Whatever will be, will be. I know I am one fortunate individual and I am so thankful for having every challenge I've had and every beautiful person and experience I've had, because without all this I would not be the person I am today. I don't feel like I say it enough, thank you all, from the bottom of my heart for being as encouraging, loving and supportive as you have always been. It is people like you that make this life worth living.

I'M GOING TO MEXICO!!! (gotta finish packing now)

MUCH LOVE!!!

Human Rights Abuse on the US-Mexico Border

It's been far too long since my last post. Life has certainly gotten busier since receiving my Residency. I recently came across an interesting article I really wanted to share on facebook, but I do not like to use that space for expressing my political beliefs. This is what this space is for.

The article is titled, "Border Patrol to Keep Controversial Deadly Force Rules". Thank you Sarah Childress for writing this, PBS for publishing it, and Cuentame for sharing it. Apparently the Border Patrol has decided it is absolutely necessary to maintain the use of unbalanced force used against people fighting for their lives.

Trust me, I completely understand the Border Patrol POV. Although it is obviously extremely difficult for me to side with them when I have been on the immigrant end. It is difficult for me to understand how a rock can be much of a threat to the Border Patrol when they have so much gear to protect them like bullet proof vests, helmets, and powerful machine guns. How much damage can a rock do in comparison, and how is a bullet a comparable threat against a rock??? Shooting an 16-year boy 11 times for throwing a rock? Are you kidding me?????? That is most certainly use of unnecessary force!

Fisher, Border Patrol Chief states that the environment in which his agents work in is very different from that in which other law enforcement agencies work in, completely granted. For that same reason, wouldn't one think there is even more opportunity to avoid using unnecessary force? He says, “In many cases, unlike a concrete jungle, you have a very narrow trail and the Border Patrol agent doesn’t always have the ability to get out of the way.” Get out of the way of A ROCK? That must be one huge rock those immigrants are throwing.

It seems preposterous to me that this is being allowed. For the majority of the people crossing the border, they hardly have any belongings on their person. The people the Border Patrol is most likely using to make their case for requiring their guns to use against immigrants are the instances when they encounter criminals smuggling drugs or people who actually carry weapons of equal lethal force. With the increasing cases of abuse of force and 19 deaths since 2010, exceptions to the laws governing the use of force against immigrants certainly needs to have exceptions.

Peace.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Have I told you lately?

Well this a long time coming.

I've been teaching English for two months now. I haven't experienced this much anxiety since I found out I wouldn't be attending the college of my choice, but from what I hear this is normal. Being in a new element is bound to be stressful.

For the past three weeks I've had the most bipolar days I've ever experienced. I love the interaction with students, I just personally feel like I don't know anything. I'm so lucky to have a boss that truly wants me to succeed. She has allowed me to open up with her and I've discovered that I do have the potential. She tells me she would not have hesitated firing me if she didn't believe I was a good teacher. Not only that, but my students I no longer teach tell me they want me back. I love it! I must be doing something right!

In my attempts to get away from teaching by searching for alternative jobs I've realized what an idiot I would be if I left this job. Every turn I take in life I am given exceptional opportunities and this is yet another. Therefore I've decided I am going to calm down (aka enable my patience capability) and truly give this teaching thing a shot.

When the real time to move on comes, something else will be there. While I'm teaching, I have an internship at a Dietitian's Private Practice. I've signed up for an online Intro to Kinesiology class to complete my A.A. Degree in Kinesiology as I've been taking classes for that long in this field. I'm also going to be taking two business classes, a Marketing and a Public Relations class. I've a ton to focus on and look forward to.

I wish you all the best, and happy holidays!

MUCH LOVE!!!

The Grown Up Life

Well, I'm officially an ESL teacher. Who knew it would happen so quickly??? I taught my first class on Friday and I must say it was pretty successful. I'm going to be teaching 3 different classes, a beginner, intermediate and Survival English class. It's extremely easy right now because the teacher I'm replacing planned out the next week for me. I just need to add my own pizzazz to it. I got some compliments from the students regarding my attention to detail in terms of their needs.

Now I'm spending my Sunday night planning my activities for the week. I'm really excited to plan out my own lessons, everything has panned out so perfectly so far. I couldn't be happier.

So here's to the week to come!

MUCH LOVE!!!

What an exciting day!!

I've been a bit upset at how much I felt like my future depended on what I found out today. It had gotten to the point where this day was feeling bigger than my interview day for my Permanent Residency, and that was really pissing me off. Luckily time is great and I wasn't stressing out so much. Despite my optimism, I was prepared to hear that I couldn't leave the U.S. I even told some of my close friends I was preparing plans B and C.

Waiting in line at USCIS was pretty terrible. We didn't get to our appointment til an hour later, to find out that there are many many options available to me. So if I get a job offer for Japan, I can take it and not worry about ruining my eligibility for citizenship. Woohoo!

Second set of magnificent news, I just got a part-time teaching position offered at the English school in Santa Monica!!! Remember I interviewed for it towards the end of my TEFL Certification program and never heard anything about it after the second interview? Part time position just opened up and it has been offered to yours truly.

Life has a way to show that love, and I love it!

MUCH LOVE!!!

News Happenings

It's been a while since I've presented any current events. I've become a huge fan of flipboard, it's a great way to get informed about a lot of different things at once. Last night I came across this, Brown approves driver's licenses for young undocumented immigrants. You have no idea how much happiness this brought to me at 12:09am.

This is such a great advantage to have, you no longer have your hands tied about getting around. You can work! You have an identity supported by the government! I realize these things sound silly to most of you, but these are the things you stress out about as an undocumented immigrant.

I just can't say enough how much it means to see this happening, and on top of the deferment for DREAMers right now. It's beautiful. Right now is the time for happiness for this particular population. It's too bad this is just happening now, I certainly wish it would've happened earlier, but I don't know that I could've held out this long. I'll say it again, I would change none of what has happened. Everything happens for a reason.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Second Interview

I just had my second interview with a school I've been on the fence about, wasn't sure if it was real or not. It feels like I conducted the interview as it was mostly me having a list of questions answered. . . seems legit. We'll see if they get back to me and what their contract looks like. She did ask if I'd be available to leave in December, which would be pretty awesome eh? We shall see.

This week I've had a lot of reflection time even though I've been working. I've had to come to terms with the fact that I may not be in the position to take off to Japan. I haven't gotten concrete answers from the source yet, but it's possible. I am ready to accept a plan B. It's difficult to hide my disappointment and frustration. I've started running, which is never a bad release of excess emotion or effect on the body.

Regardless of what may be, I am getting my Mexican passport renewed next week. I took my passport photos earlier this week so I'm ready for anything! In two weeks I get to meet with an immigration officer to discuss my real options as a Permanent Resident.

Also in two weeks I'll start my volunteer tutoring "job"! I'll be tutoring ESL students. Not the same as working with EFL students, but still students that are struggling with the language so a great learning experience nonetheless.

I'm excited for whatever comes my way :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

First Verdict

I kept in touch with one of the girls that interviewed in my group and she got a call earlier this week with an offer but no school yet. I've been pretty anxious all week waiting for my call. Today at work while finishing my break, a call came in with a New York area code and I thought it might be AEON calling. I didn't pick it up because I had to get back to work. I spent the last of my shift thinking it was the call. Turns out it was a call completely unrelated to my teaching career. When I came home I relaxed, had lunch, and finally a couple hours after being home my mom tells me, "I wanted to wait until your dad came home but he's late. Stand up and walk towards the chimney." I got two steps to the chimney and I saw the AEON envelop, I instantly knew. It's official, Aeon will not have the honor of being represented by me next year.

Confusion and disappointment hit me. I spent the next couple hours in a cloud of anger and reflection. It took a walk to Trader Joe's and back to simmer down. I know everything happens for a reason, I truly believe that.

There are still some very important things I need to figure out before I go signing my 2013 away to Japan. As a Permanent Resident I need to maintain continuous residency if I plan to become a U.S. Citizen, which is obviously non-negotiable. Therefore I have to:
-> find out what U.S. territories will constitute maintenance of continuous residency.
-> get money together for my flight to Japan.
-> get a volunteer teaching position to gain a bit of experience.

No one likes rejection, but I am at peace with the news I received today. There is a reason for everything.

MUCH LOVE!!!

I'm still Here

This post is long over due and I apologize.

I am back in LA, and officially TEFL Certified from UCI Extension. Next year I will be in Japan, one way or another. I interviewed with AEON, made it to the final round of interviews (all two) and am now waiting on their decision. I've submitted several applications and will hopefully hear back from them as well.

I learned so much about applied linguistics and myself these last two months and met an amazing group of people. I finally feel confident and comfortable in this place in my life, and I am ready to get life on track.

MUCH LOVE!!!

The OC Life

My TEFL Certification program officially started this last Friday, June 22. I've been living in Orange Country for four days now, it feels like its been longer. We had orientation most of the day on Friday, we had our first class too! Monday all the madness will begin, the real classes will start. I have classes Monday through Friday 9am-3pm except Wednesdays, they decided to give us that day off.

I'm ready and excited for what lies ahead.

Painting Pictures

Today is Sunday June 3rd, I'm house-sitting this week and as always I wake up crazy early when I'm not in my own bed. This will be great for when I'm off in Irvine, I'll have no problem being up early to get to the gym before classes. Woohoo!

I started my morning with breakfast, and stumbled upon "Vanguard: This (Illegal) American Life", hosted by Mariana Van Zeller. What a great illustration of the two sides of this story. Allow me to share the trailer with you, just click on trailer. I tried to find the full episode but had no luck, maybe one of you will have better luck finding it, if you do please share it. I highly recommend you get your hands on it if you can. If I haven't been successful at painting a picture for you of what it is like to live undocumented you must watch this. Mariana I want to thank you for reporting on such a controversial and important part of this society.

This episode brought back all I ever felt and lived through and I could no be happier to be on the other end of this. To all those who are still waiting for their lives to be in their hands, be strong, life will get to you. I promise you that all your tears will not go unnoticed. Be strong and brave, you've made it this far.

MUCH LOVE!!!

PS: Today is exactly one month til my birthday!

TEA: Teach English Abroad

It's happening!! This week I received a welcoming e-mail to TEA, informing me about orientation and the first day of class all June 22. Woohoo!

The countdown has begun. I am feeling as excited about work as I did my first day on the job. Life is such a fabulous gift!

MUCH LOVE!!!