No grass under our feet

I haven’t updated this blog much, lately, and that’s due to feeling that not much of note has happened, to interest anyone.  And while the last year has been quite life changing, since leaving Mexico for Texas, and then leaving Texas for the Pacific Northwest, much of it involved personal matters that I chose to keep private. I’ve thought often about this blog, and what the purpose of it is, and whether or not I wanted to continue it, at all. I still get emails and comments, occasionally, but most of my information and stories regarding Mexico are now old news. The director was fired, and someone new hired. My former students are now a year and a half older and moving on with their lives. I keep in touch with them through facebook and instagram. My cherished former co-workers have all moved on, most for better, and have new jobs in other parts of Mexico. My students from Venus are now graduating and going off to college.  The minutes, the hours- they continue to rush over one another, tumbling towards an unknown, and the past becomes a hazy recollection of memories, some sweetened with milky rose-colored glasses, and others bittered by regret, and hindsight. But what all of those memories have in common is that they are in the past, and that’s where they will remain, rightly so. We live, we learn. We move on, things change, for better, for worse.

And speaking of things changing, for better…I have news that I wanted to share. Caden and I are headed out on new adventures.

Oh the places we will go….3^rd stop: GERMANY

One year later

Well, it’s been a minute since I’ve updated this blog, so I thought I’d check in and let everyone know how the little gringo and I have been doing.

We are still living up here in the Pacific Northwest, near(ish) Seattle. This month marks a year since I left Tejas behind and road tripped up north. There have been many changes in our lives, but I guess that goes without saying. My grandfather did pass away from cancer last week. I still can't think of anything positive to pull from that just yet, but I'm working on it. I'm going to miss him. I already do.

Caden is happy and healthy. He’s been having a blast up here, exploring all there is to explore, and getting to know his Yankee relatives.  He is just about to finish up the 4^th grade; it’s hard to believe he is going to be 10 in August. But,  I suppose that’s a common lament of all parents, everywhere. 

I am working as a Parent Educator for an exceptional program called Parents As Teachers. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.  It’s a mix of social work and education…so a break from the traditional classroom, but I’m still teaching, just in a different format.  I work for a nonprofit organization, and get to wear many hats- from teaching parenting classes, to doing case management for pregnant and new mothers. It’s fulfilling, and heartbreaking, exciting, and draining, all at once. Kinda like teaching.  I do miss being in the classroom, sometimes, but am really enjoying the break. I’m sure I’ll REALLY miss it this summer, which will be the first summer in 6 years I'll have to work...

PNW sunrise

Living here is the opposite of Texas & Mexico, quite literally. It's a change, getting used to the constant wet. It's true, there are a good deal of rainy and gray days up here, but let me tell you: the beautiful days make it worthwhile. Those who have lived here for years may not see it that way, but I suppose that's the beauty of being a visitor. (I still feel like a visitor...I wonder when that changes? Will we stay anywhere long enough to figure it out?)

Smith Rock, in Oregon

We explored a little bit of Oregon over the summer, and a little bit of Washington, here and there. I did go to Germany in February, and that was a little bit of magic…who knows, maybe I’ll end up teaching there next year.

So needless to say, our travels have calmed down after Mexico, and our move. However, our adventures are definitely not over, by any means; we are just standing still for a bit. 

in Bavaria, Germany

I’ll keep ya posted.

PS- That director was fired. :)