MAZATLAN SUNSET - March 13, 2011

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Los padres Lopez visitan a Mexico!

Puebla Fountains

After returning to Mexico from our Mid-Year Conference in Costa Rica, I was forced off the road for a bit due to health issues. I had minor surgery on my right eye (a growth removed) which made it impossible to stand in front of an audience without looking like a pirate. Luckily, I am fully recovered now, and very happy to report that the medical services here are excellent (not to mention MUCH CHEAPER than in the U.S.).

My biggest work project this month was creating a series of Webinars to train teachers in remote areas of the country (or ones in which the US Embassy forbids us to travel). Yes, that's right, Daniel has gone viral! My first live broadcast, on the topic of "Assessing the Needs of Your Students", was a huge success. I will do 3 more in the months to come. To see the recorded version, click on the link below:

https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/p39898517/

I also gave a workshop on "Teaching About American Culture" to 17 young, bright-eyed Fulbright English Teaching Assistants from Mexico, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. (It seems like only yesterday when I was walking in their shoes in Ecuador - but it was actually 18 years ago!)

Along with the rest of my "team" in the RELO office, I took 2 day-trips to Puebla and Pachuca to inaugurate the Microscholarship Access programs there. (These are enrichment classes for disadvantaged youth, and in my opinion, one of the best things the US Embassy sponsors.)

On the personal front, my parents were in town all last week. Together, we explored the sights, ate lots of good food, shopped in the markets, sipped cocktails on my terrace, and went to see the Ballet Folkorico (a "must see" - direct quote from Jack). They even volunteered to attend a meeting of the English Conversation Club at the Benjamin Franklin Library. (Dad mistakenly thought he was there to practice his Spanish, though.) They are back home in Hilton Head now, spreading the word to all their friends that Mexico is nothing like what is reported in the news...During their time here, they never once felt unsafe and didn't even get attacked by Montezuma's Revenge!

Playing tour guide has run me ragged, but I'm still looking forward to the upcoming visits of my good friends, Dana Flor (tonight!), Luis and Noelle (at the end of March), and Janine (hopefully, for Cinco de Mayo). I will also resume my busy travel schedule soon, with trips coming up to La Paz/Los Cabos (Baja California), Mazatlan, Manzanillo, and Tlaxcala. (I know, rough gig, eh?)

Spring is definitely in the air, the purple jacaranda trees are in full bloom, and time is whizzing by!

Hasta el Proximo,

Daniel