Today is the last day of Spring Break at Spring Hill School, last day to make use of some free time that I don't usually have. I taught 3 classes today, but also had some fun, too.
I got to have lunch with a friend. This is very rare during week days because I am always working. It happens during some weekends, though. So, it was fun for a change to share lunch with a friend on a Monday. We had to change our initial plan to eat at Figlio in Uptown and had to do a little search before finding a place open (and serving lunch) at 11 am. OH, urban life! Anwyway, food was not a very important factor. I had a great time and very good conversation and that's all that's matters. Although the Creme Bulee I had for dessert was very tasty. :-)
In the afternoon, after my classes, I went to MCTC (Minneapolis Community and Technical College). I am registered as a non-seeking degree student at the moment, so that I can start taking some classes this summer. I will finally start getting some credits towards a BA in USA. I did a short orientation and pick up some form, nothing too important, yet.
In the evening I had not plans, but I wanted to be spontaneous (as usual). I called my good friend David, who happened to have no fixed plans either. Well, I think he did have some plans, but he is usually spontaenous and willing to be flexible. We had a small bite at Anodyne in south Minneapolis and then he suggested to go for a walk around the lake (instead of his usual visit to the gym). Weather was not very good and it looked like it was going to rain again. David suggested to go to the Mall of America instead, and off we went!
I haven't been at MOA for a long while now. I must say that I have never gone to MOA just to walk. It's a great place for people watching (I am not much in to window watching or shopping). After walking around 3 or 4 times around the mall (different floors, though), I started to get a little dizzy. Not like I was going to collapse or that I needed to stop, but kind of dizzy. I was not sure what it was. May be the meal (a great three cheese omellette with a salad) was too small for me. May be it was the overstimulation from the mall. The odd combination of colors, music, smells and lights everywhere flashing at me was a little too much. At least I know that... now. Next time it's about to rain, I will suggest going to the YWCA track (where I ususally do my walking). Before finishing our walk I had some frozen yogurt, and that helped a little. All in all it was a lovely night and I got back home ready to go to bed and get a nice rest to start school the following morning.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Spring Break almost over
Tomorrow (Monday) is that last day of my Spring Break at Spring Hill School. I really appreciated the extra free time at this time of the year (I was still teaching my ULC classes). I was also happy to accomplish many things this week:
* More time going out with friends.
* My appartment if finally a little more organize. Some boxes put to storage.
* As part of the appartment organization, I arranged a low table exclusively for my yarn and knitting projects! So I hope now I will be able to do more projects and finish some that I started.
* I am finally registered at MCTC (Minneapolis Community Technical College) to take classes. This summer I will finally start taking classes towards a BA in USA.
* I took a Master Dance Class in CUNNINGHAM technique. It was awesome. It was a beginners class but I was very motivated by it. I'd like to start taking dance classes again!
Today I saw "Pulse", a movie made by the creators of STOMP. It featured musicians and dancers from around the world. I could barely keep my feet still. Another reason to continue dancing and keep movings.
Future projects:
* I will continue working on a one-man-show for children about Don Quijote.
* I might start dancing tango again.
* More time going out with friends.
* My appartment if finally a little more organize. Some boxes put to storage.
* As part of the appartment organization, I arranged a low table exclusively for my yarn and knitting projects! So I hope now I will be able to do more projects and finish some that I started.
* I am finally registered at MCTC (Minneapolis Community Technical College) to take classes. This summer I will finally start taking classes towards a BA in USA.
* I took a Master Dance Class in CUNNINGHAM technique. It was awesome. It was a beginners class but I was very motivated by it. I'd like to start taking dance classes again!
Today I saw "Pulse", a movie made by the creators of STOMP. It featured musicians and dancers from around the world. I could barely keep my feet still. Another reason to continue dancing and keep movings.
Future projects:
* I will continue working on a one-man-show for children about Don Quijote.
* I might start dancing tango again.
Monday, April 18, 2005
The usual radical change
Those who have known me for a while know that I usually make some radical changes, specially to my hair and facial hair. Arter keeping my short-long crazy hair and goatee for a while for my character of Don Quijote, I decided to take it all out.
Yesterday I returned from Duluth at around 6 pm. I went there with Patricia to do a puppet show about Benito Juarez. It went quite well, although I was not very pleased with it. It's the perfectionist inside me. The trip was amazing, I always enjoy going up and down Minnesota. The view is awesome and you can't avoid to feel at peace surrounded by nature (even though I was in the car for more that 2 hours :-)
At night I had a great desire to go dancing. Most people would spend quite a time decided what to wear, hair style, perfume, etc. etc. I rarely do that... but when I do it means that it's a very special event (usually just for me) or that I am in need of some change. As I looked into the myself I found that I liked that Don Quijote look I was seeing, since I enjoyed that character very much. But I was not watching the real "Paulino". It was without hesitation that I grabbed the trimmer and took it all out! Completely out! Both hair and goatee! I also went ahead and shave it all with a raizor after that. When Javier (my new friend from Santa Fe, AR) came to go dancing, I asked to finish shaving the back of my head.
A few people where a little shocked or intrigued, although that wasn't the purpose of doing it (or was it? :-)
There is something liberating in cutting my own hair and also feeling lighter. In a way it's like preparing to get new ideas and process older ones with more clarity.
This week I am not teaching at Spring Hill School (Spring break), and I bound to do some serious thinking in the extra free time.
Yesterday I returned from Duluth at around 6 pm. I went there with Patricia to do a puppet show about Benito Juarez. It went quite well, although I was not very pleased with it. It's the perfectionist inside me. The trip was amazing, I always enjoy going up and down Minnesota. The view is awesome and you can't avoid to feel at peace surrounded by nature (even though I was in the car for more that 2 hours :-)
At night I had a great desire to go dancing. Most people would spend quite a time decided what to wear, hair style, perfume, etc. etc. I rarely do that... but when I do it means that it's a very special event (usually just for me) or that I am in need of some change. As I looked into the myself I found that I liked that Don Quijote look I was seeing, since I enjoyed that character very much. But I was not watching the real "Paulino". It was without hesitation that I grabbed the trimmer and took it all out! Completely out! Both hair and goatee! I also went ahead and shave it all with a raizor after that. When Javier (my new friend from Santa Fe, AR) came to go dancing, I asked to finish shaving the back of my head.
A few people where a little shocked or intrigued, although that wasn't the purpose of doing it (or was it? :-)
There is something liberating in cutting my own hair and also feeling lighter. In a way it's like preparing to get new ideas and process older ones with more clarity.
This week I am not teaching at Spring Hill School (Spring break), and I bound to do some serious thinking in the extra free time.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
New cell phone and new communications
Yesterday I got a new cell phone. My number will remain the same, it's just the T-Mobile is upgrading their system and I needed a new handset to be able to receive text message and voice messages. Anyway, it was free, it has color screen and new features. Not that I needed that but oh well...
This week has been intense. But now that I am done with "Kijotadas" and having Spring break next week, I think I will be able to relax a little more.
A new phone, but the same number... In a way I also feel that I have been challenged with communication from different people at school, old friend, new friends and family. But may be it's part of my stress that doesn't allow me to communicate freely or easily.
Talking about stress...geez! Most people know that I don't usually get stressed or at least I don't acknowledge it (which is not very healthy). Yesterday I could feel it. Terrible headache and some sort of mental confussion that makes certain things hard to handle or gives me lack of clarity.
Luckily, I got an invitation from my friend David to go for a walk around the lake Nokomis. That was a savior! The night was warm enough to walk without a jacket. The sky was cloudy, so it was not the usual dark blue or black sky one expects, but that grey roof was nice, too. So, this combination of exercise (walking), a good chat with a friend and a nice night was the perfect combination to get the so much needed relaxation to easy my stress.
This weekend I am getting out of town. Patricia and I are doing a puppet show in Duluth (North of Minnesota) and spending the night there. It will be good to change air for a little while.
This week has been intense. But now that I am done with "Kijotadas" and having Spring break next week, I think I will be able to relax a little more.
A new phone, but the same number... In a way I also feel that I have been challenged with communication from different people at school, old friend, new friends and family. But may be it's part of my stress that doesn't allow me to communicate freely or easily.
Talking about stress...geez! Most people know that I don't usually get stressed or at least I don't acknowledge it (which is not very healthy). Yesterday I could feel it. Terrible headache and some sort of mental confussion that makes certain things hard to handle or gives me lack of clarity.
Luckily, I got an invitation from my friend David to go for a walk around the lake Nokomis. That was a savior! The night was warm enough to walk without a jacket. The sky was cloudy, so it was not the usual dark blue or black sky one expects, but that grey roof was nice, too. So, this combination of exercise (walking), a good chat with a friend and a nice night was the perfect combination to get the so much needed relaxation to easy my stress.
This weekend I am getting out of town. Patricia and I are doing a puppet show in Duluth (North of Minnesota) and spending the night there. It will be good to change air for a little while.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Follow up from International Women's Day
International Women's Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.
International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's suffrage.
Last Saturday, during a conversation about diversity with school people, the value of women in society was reiterated by the person conducting the training. A view that I've always shared. That's why I go to yWca (instead of yMca), there misssion is "eliminating racism, empowering women".
March 8th, this year was a Tuesday, I was at the coffee shop in my usual break before teaching at Spring Hill School. Suddendly I remembered it was Int's Women's Day and since my mom (and other women in my life) are so far away, I decided to buy flowers and give them to every woman I found my way. And so I did.
Today, at the same coffee shop, one of those women, recipient of my flowers, let me know how much she appreciated that gesture from me. He mentioned that she took the flower to her office, and it lasted for 3 weeks and made her days different (hopefully better) in a way. I was very touched by this comment. Sometimes you never know how your actions will affect people's lives.
International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's suffrage.
Last Saturday, during a conversation about diversity with school people, the value of women in society was reiterated by the person conducting the training. A view that I've always shared. That's why I go to yWca (instead of yMca), there misssion is "eliminating racism, empowering women".
March 8th, this year was a Tuesday, I was at the coffee shop in my usual break before teaching at Spring Hill School. Suddendly I remembered it was Int's Women's Day and since my mom (and other women in my life) are so far away, I decided to buy flowers and give them to every woman I found my way. And so I did.
Today, at the same coffee shop, one of those women, recipient of my flowers, let me know how much she appreciated that gesture from me. He mentioned that she took the flower to her office, and it lasted for 3 weeks and made her days different (hopefully better) in a way. I was very touched by this comment. Sometimes you never know how your actions will affect people's lives.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
After Kijotadas glow
Yeah! We made it! We had our two shows of "Kijotadas" at Intermedia Arts. There is capacity for about 110 people in that theater. We had 65 people on Friday and about 110 on Saturday, full house!!! I was very excited. Both shows went really well, specially the Saturday one (some tech issues were solved by then). Lots and lots of my friends came to see me, and that was awesome! I always give my all and my best in each performance, but when my friends are there, it feels that I give more. After the show I shared a special dinner with my good friend Kika (from CLV summer camp), her mom, her husband and another CLV friend, Marcus. I feel very "Quijotesco" this weekend!!!
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