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!!!

Share the Wealth: Happiness

I have been extremely selfish lately, keeping the mind-blowing and humbling life experiences all to myself. The last time you heard from me I had received an e-mail for that Assistant ESL Instructor opening. This morning I took the grammar portion of the exam, I felt confident for the most part. I'll find out in about two weeks whether I placed in the top 15 overall scores which will be the determining factor of whether I move on to the next level of interviews.

Things have been busy these last few weeks with my internship, I've had the chance to help out with other programs this organization has. My internship is coming to an end this Monday, we are having our culmination event and that'll be the end of it. I'll still be going into the office of course to make the last video and to make sure paperwork is in order. Click here to check out the videos I've put together myself and click -> SOSMentor ShapeUp to find out more about this wonderful organization. Photos and video are all done by yours truly.

Work at the retail store is very blah these days, I go in about every other day, about 4 times a week for four hour shifts. It is honestly very irritating but kind of nice because it allows me to reset myself and not be too annoyed when I'm there. I have now focused on enjoying my coworkers more than meeting specific sales numbers etc. Don't get the wrong idea, I still provide exceptional attention to customers when they need help, I am just not completely consumed with attaining specific sales numbers etc.

The certification program for UCI Extension starts June 22. I'll probably move that same week, into a place that has been donated to me, you heard right. My humbling experience for this week was meeting this wonderful woman who is a friend of a friend. I was introduced to her many many years ago without my knowing (Yes, that is possible). She has known me, not personally but through the words of a special someone who only speaks wonders of me. We have finally met after more than a decade of her knowing about me and she has changed my life. I've only known her for three days now, how has she changed my life you wonder . . .

I was originally introduced to her to house-sit. The day after we finally met at her house she calls me offering me to stay at her house in the Orange Country area, free of charge!!! You know that sinking feeling when you're descending on a roller coaster? That's exactly the feeling that came over me, not believing what I was hearing. I was in utter disbelief as I reflected on the curves life has thrown at me, both painful and rewarding. Life has such an unbelievable way of making up for its hard times.

I cannot say it enough, I LOVE LIFE! I LOVE LIFE! I LOVE LIFE!

Just one last thing I forgot to mention. I apologize for keeping all the excitement to myself, it has officially been one year since I received my Permanent Residency!!! Another thing I realized is that I get to have a double celebration on my birthday. May 3rd is the day my Residency was officially approved. July 3rd is the day I was born :) I always look forward to my birthday but this is going to be an exceptionally special one.

Thank you for keeping up.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Almost one year

Today I woke up to a wonderful email from a prospective job! I don't even have my certification to teach English yet and I'm already getting jobs! (well just one for now). It's not the job yet, but I got chosen to go into the first phase of the interview process. They will test my brain first, I will read as many books as possible in the next two weeks to pump up on my grammar. I'm nervous! It's funny because just yesterday my dad and I were talking about this job and how I'd given up hope I would get called to interview. I need to stop underestimating myself so much.

I have so much to look forward to these next few months! My internship is coming to a close in two weeks and a couple weeks later I'm off to Irvine! After Irvine it is a blur of more excitement because I'll have real opportunities to flourish. Life is finally coming together for me and this week it is going to be my one year anniversary since freedom. How far we've come, I love you life!

MUCH LOVE!!!

ONE. STEP. AT A TIME.

I've been feeling suffocated lately. Trapped. In terms of my career and money - what else do people worry about in life? I'm not good for a desk job on paper, they don't pay well, and yet I don't have experience for anything better.

This rat in a wheel feeling is not what I went to college for. Not what my parents moved to this country for. I realize this sounds like I take myself too seriously, but I constantly forget that I just started my life a year ago (omg it's almost going to be a year!!!!) Some of you may be thinking that I'm crazy for wanting to be settled into a successful job at this point (but it's not crazy). I'm so good at fooling myself into thinking I am like everyone else, I've been doing it since I was 8, and therefore I hold myself to the regular person's standards.

The great people surrounding my life right now are mostly younger than me, not that much younger than me, 2-4 year difference. And they are doing so well for themselves. It honestly makes me feel like a failure sometimes. I can't let go of the fact that I'm 25 and not independent and powerful. That's all I always dreamed of. I'm still working on accepting the cards life dealt me. It's going to take me a while to internalize the fact that I'm not like everyone else and accept that in time I will be where I need to be.

This post isn't meant to worry you, we all have life circumstances we have to come to terms with and be flexible. Life will give if you ask.

My time has come. Today, after a day of work with technology and Nutrition Workshop with my internship I checked my email and found a congratulatory letter from TEA (That stands for Teach English Abroad) UCI Extension!! This summer my life is going to change. I feel rejuvenated, purposeful, with a nice spring to my step. I had to blast my happy music in the car on my way home.

Watch out world. I am going to change you.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Changes

This will be the only day I post multiple posts (unless extenuating circumstances present themselves of course), this will be short and sweet. I just want to point out that I've finally changed my username. No longer CagedBird, as I am no longer shackled by the chains of being undocumented, this is long overdue I know. Also, the summary of this blog has been updated for a better understanding of the purpose of this blog.

Thank you for your time :)

Have a wonderful day!