It is coming. Labor day, 2006: the American chapter of the Ibarguren family – in Guatemala. Together.

parranda parranda parranda!!!

Tickets to Guate are nearly $500 bucks these days. Good thing I didn’t weaken and buy that incredibly gorgeous modal dress at Anthropologie. Temporary insanity to even consider it, even if it was a beautiful shade of bluish green. I am saving up for the big move – my yearly bonus covered the Global TESOL course and I am taking on a lot more work from my freelance transcription clients so I am doing well but there can be no frivolous spending.

The trip to Guatemala is ecstasy-inducing, but, for me, a little bittersweet, since I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can be there again. A year is a long time. Asia, Europe, and Africa are a long ways away.

Think of that later. For now: tamales, putos.

I sent in my resume to the higher ups at Global TESOL for inspection, to see if it was a suitable teacher’s resume. To my surprise and amusement, the cover letter was far, far easier to write than for any editorial job I’ve ever applied for.  One of the folks at Global TESOL said I should also send in a picture – prospective schools will want to see one so that they can make sure I’m professional-looking (no face piercings, for example). I asked if it was all right to just take a picture I already had and crop my friends out of it. She said it was fine. I went about cropping Peaches and Erma out of a picture we took together when Peaches was in town and sent it in.

A few days later, forwarded to me from Global TESOL:

“Her  resume is fine the way it is!  The picture however, is not
appropriate.  She needs to get a head shot  that does not look like she is
at a party.”

Oh dear. back to the drawing board. Actually, we were on the street corner – but every day with Peaches and Erma is like a party!!!

However, the resume is good – once I get that “headshot” taken I’ll be on my way to sending out dozens of resumes per day. Not bad!!

An IM conversation with my cousin’s 11 year-old daughter, Paula:

Me: does mr billy teach english?

Paula: yeah, why?

Me: i’m going to become an english teacher like mr billy

Paula: cool!

Me: yeah, we’ll see! i’m going to try to find a job in brazil.

Paula: no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: you don’t like brazil?

Paula: yeah but you’ll be far away and you’ll become crazy with the sexy guys!

Me: what!

Paula: it’s true totally. i promise.

Me: that’s why i’m going, silly!

Paula: youre so cool!

Me: thanks!

Paula: youre so welcome!

Me: your mom agrees with me, by the way

Paula: yeah write

The youth in Guatemala today ….