happy independence day----Viva Mexico!

Here are some fun pictures from our celebration at school---it was a spirit day, so we dressed up in traditional mexican dress.....and when i say we---i really mean the kids did:)

Here are some of the girls (in black) that are gonna dance!

Here's a typical monday assembly picture:

And here are the pics of us today!

It was fun!!

Oh and here is my new favorite kind of chip---too bad it's not in the states!

Thanks for reading!:)

a day/night at the beach...

I went to the beach for the first time last Saturday here in Tampico! It was great. I stuck my toes in and waded up to my ankles, but didn't swim yet. The foreign staff from school went for a birthday barbeque for Michael---he's our librarian. There was great food, a campfire, fun people, and sand, water, and sun----all in all it was a beautiful day and a fun time:)

Here i am at the beach!

Here is my friend emily and i enjoying the sunset at the beach.

Here are my feet in the sand!!

Here are some of the teachers and the birthday boy!

Next week it's independence day and there's dancing and fun times ahead---hopefully i'll remember my camera and can update you soon!:)

pics from school

As promised-----Here are some pictures of me and my students at school working!:) It is picture day in the pics so they are all looking spiffy! I'll try to remember to take some when they have their uniforms---they have to wear them on gym days and Mondays.

Oh and here is the boot i had to lug around for so long...

Here i am with no boot!

The rest are my students working on math facts and other work.

Thanks for checking in! This last one is just me one early morning!:) can you see the sleep in my eyes!?

living free!:)

Hey there! It's been awhile since i updated, so here I go:)

Things are going really well here in Tampico. I feel like it's home and I'm enjoying almost everything about it. I say almost b/c i could do without the little critters we've had randomly----ewww....just little centipedes and ants---thankfully no cochroaches yet! Our maid comes to clean thursday--so hopefully with it even cleaner the bugs will be less. It's not bad, but even one big one a week is creepy! haha..

Speaking of a maid, it seems weird to have someone come clean an apartment:) but it's common here and honestly i definitely do not want to attempt mopping all the tile here!!

Teaching is going well---I like my class--they are full of fun and laughter, and are pretty smart too. I'm still getting used to things like giving grades and dealing so much with parents but it is going well i think. I feel like the days go so fast!

Today the kids were begging me to show them my foot---I went boot FREE this week!!! I finally could shove my foot into a normal shoe so i could start walking without the boot outside and at work! yay!! I feel so much freedom---that thing was heavy! Anyways, I told the kids i would show the scars to them if we could get through all the things i had planned for the last 30 minutes of the day today and at 1:55 I would let them see---they were so excited!! lol it was really funny in my head to think about.

So i got great ooooooooooo's and ahhhhhhhhh's and ewwwwww's from them all. Then they left and a few asked if some of their friends could see too:) haha...gotta love little kids!

So here are the newest pictures of my foot. It's all closed up and healing well---of course i'll have the sweet scars for a while and my foot is still a little swollen but it feels fine!

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Preparations for Mexican Independence Day (Sept 16th) are already in the mix with invitations to dance lessons and a party. I guess we also dress up at school? I need to find out what to wear!!!:) Sounds like fun! I'm ready to dance now that i can wear shoes!

Is there anything i miss from the USA?

I can get most things i like here, but i do miss:

---driving a car

---more than 8 English channels

---church in English (Although i do love church here, it's just exhausting to translate for that many hours when your spanish isn't super awesome yet)

----a fall festival or football game

I think that is it for now---i'm trying to take pictures of me at school, or with friends---hopefully this week and weekend i can get some and post again soon!

much love and hugs to those of you far away---email me anytime---i would love to hear from you!!! juliamitt@gmail.com

my class:)

Here are a few cute pics of my kids on the 2nd day of school---these pictures don't do their cuteness justice at all!! I'll try to get even better ones later this week and next.

I have 22 kids--13 girls and 9 boys

little update

Hey:) So just a little quick update on life so far in Mexico:)

FRIENDS:

--I am enjoying getting to know people from school---the foreign teachers and also the native staff.

SCHOOL:

---My 2nd grade team is wonderful and I am so happy I am with them.

---We start with kids on Monday!!:) I'm nervous and excited and scared all at the same time!

---I am still amazed how beautiful it is!

---I have 22 kids in my class. They are all Mexican. 10 boys and 12 girls

MY FOOT/ANKLE:

---It is healing so well!! Praise the LORD!!!

---The other day i accidentally forgot a crutch at school--lol---so i guess that means it was time for using only one!:)

---I can slowly hobble around my apt and classroom without any crutches but not the stairs yet or walking very far at a semi-normal pace.

---here are the update pics as of last weekend after stitches came out:

FOOD:

---Love it!! I've had some great tacos, taquitos, guacamole, tamales and margaritas:)

---I keep forgetting to eat! haha...it's just so hot so i don't feel hungry often, just thirsty. And then the schedule of eating here is so different so it throws me way off...I usually eat a breakfast bar and then at school we have recess/lunch at 10:30 but i have duty so i eat during a special in the day(if i remember to bring something!) then i try to remember to eat a little after school b/c dinner here isn't till 8 or 9 if you go out or something.

---I need to learn how to make it now! haha

TRANSPORTATION:

---Taking a taxi places still feels like a little communication adventure each time:) haha...at least i know my own address and all the main streets so I can help get myself home!

---I am looking forward to being able to walk more easily so I don't always have to find a ride or take a taxi to get little things.

---I really wish I had my own car to drive---it would be so much easier if i did---so i'll think about that more:)

CHURCH:

---I have plans to find the church I heard about next weekend

---I'm nervous about going alone since I don't know Spanish and I am still a little "crippled" but I am also missing being around that community of believers a bunch so even if i don't understand i don't care b/c i know the people's hearts!

So basically I feel at home here so far---I'll update again after I've had the kids! Please pray for wisdom as I start this new teaching venture. I know I need patience, wisdom, and knowledge beyond myself. Pray that I will create good relationships with all my students and teachers. Pray that I will find and feel welcome at Agua Viva church, Pray that I will make good friends here.

Thank you for supporting me and loving me!! Feel free to email me anytime: juliamitt@gmail.com or leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you all!!!

many hugs and love!!

julia

the American School of Tampico---my new home in mexico!

Here is my beautiful school!!!!:) It sits on over 33 acres of land

This is the front main entrance gate

Here is the main entrance to the school

Here is the entrance to the elementary section.

Here is my classroom from the outside(the one with the circle window)

Here are pictures from the outside and inside of the classroom.

Here are the lovely stairs up to my class (before these there are 2 other flights! haha)

One view out my window:)

Here are more pictures of the school and grounds!

Amazing isn't it:)?!?!?!

Here are some pictures of the buildings and areas.