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.