WonderWoman (my co-teacher)

Her name is Christine, though I've come to know her as Ms. Clifford.  She is originally from Alamo, Texas, which is right next to Donna where we teach.  Her entire extended family lives right on the border and they are all hilarious.  She has three older brothers, about ten dogs and more true friends than anyone I've ever met.  She graduated from Texas A&M a couple years ago and is an Aggie to the core. 

I can't even begin to explain how perfectly things worked out.  TFA is supposed to be an incredibly stressful, difficult and somewhat painful experience.  Don’t get me wrong, it has been!  But having Ms. Clifford by my side through it all has soothed my worries, eased my transition and inspired my confidence.  Her personality is contagious.  Her smile is warm, her disposition is genuine and her laugh is absolutely hysterical.  Clifford is always in a positive mood.  If someone’s having a rough day, they know they can always look to her smiling face and their world will turn around.  The kids love her, the other teachers love her, the custodians lover her, and her new little puppy Dudley follows her everywhere she goes. 

As with all relationships there are a few funny quirks I've had to get used to.  She is creative, and I am organized. Sometimes those two qualities can clash, but we just try to compliment each other! :) She sings at random. She is spontaneous. I like straight piles of paper and she doesn't mind massive chaos of papers of all different sizes and colors. Haha. 

Ms. Clifford and I teach from 7:35 AM until 4:00PM every day and then we plan, plan and plan.  When the teaching and planning is under control, we do some drinking and chatting.  I have come to appreciate those who can work hard, and still know how to play hard. I’ll tell you about the “V”(the Donna bar) in another post. J

Not only do I have a FANTASTIC co-teacher, but someone who has also turned out to be a FANTASTIC friend.  

Oh middle school.....

D.M. Dora Suaceda Middle School!  And the gorgeous sunrise directly outside my school.  There are over 1,000 students grades 6-8.  Majority (98% Hispanic/Latino) and most of the students grew up speaking Spanish.  We had parent night last week and every single parent spoke in Spanish.   

You were right- Texas is hot-

So I want to say thank you to everyone who so kindly warned me of the Texas heat.  You all knew what you were talking about.  It's been about 105 degrees and sunny every day so far.  The humidity is not bad, but the sun is ferocious.  I've learned that I love the 300+ days of sunshine in Wyoming, and I think South Texas enjoys a similar amount.  Sure, the temperature may be 60 to 100 degrees more, but the idea is the same.  I love the sun! 

Palm trees everywhere, housing more birds than I've ever seen in one place. My first mini adventure occurred my third day here.  I found a lovely gecko on the wall near the ceiling in my bedroom.  Have to say, I'd never had to trap a gecko before so it took a little creativity.  The geckos/lizards are great because eat the bugs.  However, the cockroaches are much too gargantuan for a poor tiny gecko to swallow. . . 

Here I am...

From the cold, snowy, wonderful Laramie Valley- to the hot, sunny, thrilling Rio Grande Valley. 

Though I've never felt graceful when it comes to change, I've realized that when when thrown into unknown and completely foreign situations I feel alive and exhilarated.  

After graduating last May I spent six weeks in Houston for the Teach for America summer training. After completing the institute I spent about three weeks at home in Cheyenne with the family.  Then we packed everything up and my dad and I drove through Colorado and Texas in a U-Haul truck.  We literally drove from one corner of Texas to the opposite corner.  My apartment is in McAllen, about 15 miles from the border.   I teach in Donna, which is a little city on the outskirts of McAllen.  My apartment has a pool, a gym and palm trees everywhere.  It's hot and sunny and the people are wonderful.  

I chose to come to the Rio Grande Valley because of the cultural, linguistic and international qualities and complications that line the border.  I've been settled here for about four weeks, and I've been teaching for two weeks.  I am completely content.  And I miss Wyoming.