Busy Friday

Friday was a very busy day for us. I took off of school and went to see the Latino club perform in the cultural assembly at Westwood High School. I had been teaching some of them tango, salsa, and merengue. They were awesome! I was and still am so very proud of them all. Since I had the time and was there, I taught some dance steps to my mom's fifth hour class. I did this last year when they were doing a dance unit, but since this year I am not able to because of work and school, we decided it was the perfect time to at least teach some. The kids were great and some of them have had dance lessons before.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLUE!!
Friday was also Blue's 8th birthday, but unfortunately we weren't able to celebrate because he is sick. Dad still wanted to go to McDonald's and get him ice cream. He would have been the one to stay up with Blue all night if that would've happened.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far,

Moni

Going Back Into Time

These next two events took place before I started this blog, but I felt they needed to be included.

GRANDPA'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

In August we celebrated my grandpa Glenn's 80th birthday at the Landmark in Mesa.


Amber, Julian, and Greg


Tia Julie, Gabriel, Elizabeth, and Carolyn

Going Back Into Time Continued

SUNAIK AND JAVIER'S WEDDING

On November 5th, 2005 Sunaik and Javier exchanged their vows with a small but gorgious wedding.


Javier and his parents


Sunaik and her parents


Me and Steven


The guys


Lorena, Lee, and me


Sunaik...I met Sunaik first in M.E.Ch.A. and then again in the Ballroom Dance Club on MCC campus


Suniak and Javier with their flower girls


Mariachi Viva played for their wedding


I didn't catch the bouquet, but I got hit in the head with it.


Everyone sang Volver, Volver...a tradition with M.E.Ch.A.

I'm a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees

After this past weekend, I decided to join the Scottsdale Jaycees and was sworn in as a new member on Sunday January 22, 2006. I hope that being a part of the Scottsdale Jaycees will help me to grow in my community development skills. I was introduced to the Jaycees by my friends Christina and Kevin and Christina's dad, Phil. I'm looking forward to working with them in the community and helping others.

Who are the Scottsdale Jaycees?
The Scottsdale Junior Chamber is the premier young professional leadership organization of Scottsdale. Our members have realized that making a difference in their community takes personal involvement. We work together to make Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun an even better place to live, to make our children’s future brighter and to make each and everyone one of us a better person.

Our Mission
The Jaycee concept is a simple and rewarding one. We are a leadership development and training organization for young people between the ages of 18 and 40, and are dedicated to community service. The Scottsdale Jaycee Chapter is a member of the Arizona Junior Chamber, the United States Junior Chamber and the Junior Chamber International. Our members' personal growth comes from their participation in projects divided into Individual Development, Management Development and Community Development.

The Jaycee Creed by C. William Brownfield
WE BELIEVE:That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;That government should be of laws rather than men;That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality; And that service to humanity is the best work of life.


Besides getting involved and helping other organizations with projects such as the: Pima Road Clean Up, Kid Care, Adopt A Family, Special Olympics, Scottsdale Lights it Up Fourth of July Fireworks Show, Salvation Army Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween on the Ranch, Racing for Charities, Scottsdale Jaycees also put on the Parada Del Sol.



The Parada del Sol is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is part of the Turquoise Circuit rodeos, attracting many of the top cowboys in the country. The Parada del Sol celebrates the cowboy with three full days of top cowboy competition and western pageantry.



The Parada del Sol Parade is one of the highlights each year in Scottsdale. The parade is no longer a "brief parade", like in the days of the Sunshine Festival. In the past, over 150 entries and nearly 1,000 horses would travel south two miles down Scottsdale Road, making the event the "World's Largest Horse Drawn Parade."





Okay time for a brief announcement/advertisement
The Scottsdale Jaycees are proud to present the 53rd Annual Parada del Sol Rodeo. The Parade will be held on Saturday February 18th, 2006 at 10:00 am and this year's Rodeo will be held Friday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 5th, 2006. at Westworld of Scottsdale. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is a PRCA Sanctioned Rodeo and consisted of 5 action-packed performances.
I look forward to seeing some of you there!





Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having lately!

Buenos Noches,
Monica

Feels Like Home

I love ASU!
At first I thought I would hate the transfer just from all the troubles I went through trying to register, filling out a FASFA form, and applying to the College of Education. I agree with my grandfather when he says, "They should give you a degree if you figure out how to get in there". If only it were that easy...on second thought I like to work for my accomplishments.

I found out one thing...it's still dark at 6:30 in the morning and it's cold. Since I have to take the shuttle to ASU from MCC, I have plenty of time in the morning for waiting. My friend David offered to let me hitch a ride with him to MCC at 8:30 since I'm not the best bike rider, and of course I said yes.
Quick tanget about David: I met him in my history 103 class when I he poked me because I was falling asleep. Yes I squeeked. He thought it was so funny that for the rest of the semester he kept sneaking up on me and poking me. Anyways turns out we went to the same church growing up and he was confirmed with my brother (Carlos). Small World!

I wait at MCC for the shuttle to arrive at 9:45, then wait again when I get to ASU because my class doesn't start until 10:40. After my math for teachers class, I quickly walk across campus to my next class which is Jazz in America. I love this one. It's in an auditorium used for concerts and I get to listen to great music! I have an hour break to eat lunch then off to one of my EDC classes. Mondays are going to be my longest days since I have a night class till 7:30, and Fridays are my shortest because I only have two classes.


I can't tell you how excited I am to be so close to graduating. I feel it when I'm on campus. I needed this change. MCC was good to me, but ASU will be my home for the next two years.


Payne Hall
College of Education

Well I better go now...have to get up and go to work tomorrow. Hope all are doing fine and staying in good health!

Bye for now,
Moni

SURPRISE!!!

Sunday January 15, was my Tia Joyce's 50th Birthday. It didn't take much debate to come to the conclusion that we should drive down to Tucson to celebrate with her. As we neared P.F. Chang's, where everyone was meeting for lunch, my mom called my Tia Joyce to wish her happy birthday and ask her what her plans were (of course we already knew). Seconds later we were waiting at a table for her arrival. What a surprise to see us sitting there when she walked in. My mom and I made flyers with her picture saying, "This Is What 50 Looks Like...Happy Birthday Joyce". We put them into the menus so that it would be the first thing she saw. A great idea! After eating too much good food I took Julian out to see the fountain and gave him quarters to throw in. It was nice to get away from Phoenix, even if it was only a day. The drive itself was worth it, but being with family was the best!




Julian eating chocolate cake...YUMMY!!


Dad trying to give Julian kisses


Tia Joyce and I

There Are Angels Among Us

I've always believed in angels, but I never actually really believed that I would meet one. This must be my lucky week for I met a couple at different times. Tuesday was a very difficult day for me at work. I wasn't feeling my best...my energy just wasn't there, and Eva, one of my students whom is usually very good and listens extremely well, was trying my patience. On this day she wouldn't listen, wouldn't clean up before class began, was wandering around the room aimlessly, dancing and pushing some of the other kids. It was like she wasn't there at all. I go home during the lunch hour and come back until five o' clock. Instead of eating lunch I curled up with Blue on the couch and slept through my lunch hour. During extended care I watched Eva to see if I could figure out what was wrong with her, but all she did was wander, talk to herself, and didn't seem to be playing anything at all. After catching her climbing on the outside of the play house (they are not allowed to do that) I thought that's it I've had enough of this for today. I had her sit with me at the table and told her to just sit there, don't move and don't talk. When I finally figured out what I wanted to say to her and in a way that wouldn't upset her I began asking her questions like: Is something wrong with you today? Are you tired? Are you not feeling well? etc. We came to the decision that Eva got up too early and although she didn't have a good day at school, Thursday would be better because Eva would try to make it better. That seemed to make her feel a little better and although she still wasn't quite the same little girl I'm used to dealing with, she was better than what she was before we had the talk.

Still thinking though that I could have done something for her, and feeling like all I wanted to do was go home and rest, Eva came running up and gave me the biggest hug she has ever given to me. She smiled as she ran away again and I knew at that moment she was an angel telling me to hang in there and things will get better.

ASU
Surprisingly the transition to ASU hasn't been as scary as I though it would be. I've been nervous about my classes though and how I'm going to deal with transportation. Today I got my SUNCard and yes of course I hate my picture. I would have smiled if I knew the girl behind the desk was taking it, but all I got was an "okay look at the camera" and then click. No one, two, three, and then click. Oh well! Having no idea where the bookstore was and feeling anxiety kicking in, I ran into my friend Herber. I met Herber after I graduated from Westwood when I came back to speak to the Minority Achievers. From there we became dance partners at MCC with the ballroom club. Seeing his smile again I knew once again that everything would be okay. Turns out he was going to the bookstore too.




I'm not a religious person, but having the right words said to me, or seeing someone at the right time makes me believe in angels. I think sometimes they work through us to help others.

Gotta run now
Hope everyone is doing great!

Monica

We Have a New Family Member!

Today I heard from Henrik and learned that he has been working too many hours (my opinion). I think he should take a break and come back to the US and visit us. Henrik keeps asking me when I'm gong to go to Sweden to see him; I tell him after I graduate college and can afford it. I think it would be nice to see him and travel. I say travel now before you have kids because then it gets harder to do so. Unless they are already grown up themselves.

I'd like to take this time now to introduce you all to our newest family member, Alex.

While decorating the house this year for Christmas, I came across some that Henrik had given to us the year he sent with us. I told my mom how I missed listening to Kenny G's Faith cd while drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace. She agreed as we both started to stroll down memory lane and pull up those files of Henrik. Like the time we decorated his room with snow flakes and put sheets with a snow print on the bed for him after he told us that he was used to it snowing on his birthday. The food he used to cook for us and the breads he would bake. Going for walks with Blue and Marisa, and playing on the swings at the park near our house. Dancing in the street outside of La Casa Blanca in East Chicago. Jumping on the bed to wake the other one up in the morning. I miss that! Henrik was and always will be a brother to me. I can't wait until we get to see eachother again.

It's going to be tough for the next 2 1/2 years

I have to say this: What was I thinking?
I should have known that registering for spring classes at ASU would not be easy. After knowing for a year that I could graduate in two years at ASU I found that I was wrongly informed. No it will take two and a half years till I get my degree. I know some of you are saying, "What's another semester?" Well that's another semester that I won't be working, will have to pay for an extra unplanned semester, and live in Phoenix, AZ. The only upside is that I will graduate in the spring, which is when I wanted to. Besides that bit of bad news for me, my advisor is great! I explained to him some problems I'd been having trying to get everyting done before starting classes and he helped by taking some of the extras off my plate. Now all I have to do is get a SUNcard, go on a tour of the campus, and figure out how I'm going to get to ASU.

In case some of you don't already know, my car was stolen about two weeks before Christmas. So changes are being made and my life style is up in the air. I'm not used to having to depend on others, or wait just to run arrands.

Moving on, I've figured out my schedule for classes and thankfully I'll still be able to work at the pre-school. I'm so happy that I don't have to give that up! The kids are wonderful and the experience looks great on the resume.

Quick Updates:
Carlos (my brother) was able to come home for Christmas and is now on his 6 month cruise to the Pursian Golf.
Grandma was able join us for Christmas also and still has some good days, though not many anymore.
Mom and Dad are doing great. Both working hard. They were able to get away for a few days to enjoy their vaccation.
Blue (my dog) has lost weight finally!
I'm getting ready to start a new chapter in my life and can't wait!!

Hope everyone is doing good and staying safe wherever you may be...

Bye for now,
Monica

Merry X-MAS!!

This was taken at the Christmas party my Marriage and Family Life class put together for three families. I really enjoyed this class and my classmates were wonderful.


Blue in Santa suit dad bought for him


Cousin Joey and Blue

Annemarie and Santa

Lisa, Carlos, Elizabeth, and me on Christmas day

12.27.05

High school friend Amber and me holding Christina's youngest daughter Haleigh

12.27.05

Christina's Dad, Phil, and Caramia

Christina and her beautiful daugther Caramia

Christina's and Kevin's Wedding

On December 27th I attended the wedding of two very good friends that I have known since junior high. It was a simple wedding but a happy one.

This is new

I think I've finally figured out how to use this. I may not have time to keep up with writing, but I will surely try.