Another step in life

Every time I write in my blog, it seems to always start out with, "I know I haven't written on here in a while, but..." Well, I guess that's how it's going to start this time, too. I've been extra busy lately, because I decided to take a teachers training course at a language institute called Angloamericano. It was a six-week, superintensive course that just finished this Friday. Six hours every morning, Monday through Friday. Thankfully, my boss at the gym allowed me to work in the afternoons, although I had to work every Saturday and Sunday as well. It was long, tiring, and most times it was pretty boring, to be honest. But, I met a new friend named Paola Diaz, which I think probably made taking the course worth it. I love when something in life comes along and you think you won't make it through, but you end up seeing that it was just a short time and what you gained from it will last forever. Another flower in my garden, as my mother would say.

We only have the final presentation to go. Luckily, we have two weeks to plan for that and are going to have three revisions with the class instructor. Now, I will have more opportunities to teach English in the city. We'll see what God has in store.

God´s provision

So it´s been a while since I´ve written anything, I know. I´ve just been feeling a little lost in the world...this world, I mean. Lately, I´ve been wondering whether or not I can ever fit in here, if I´ll ever find my place or honestly start a real life. Teaching English at YES didn´t turn out to be what I thought it would. There was nothing wrong with the place, people, or teaching English, but something just wasn´t right. I wasn´t getting paid enough and I was working really weird hours. I am thankful, however, that they helped me get my FM3 visa to be able to work in the country. Obviously, God has His reasons for everything. Anyway, I started looking for another job, but most English schools or language institutes won´t hire me because technically I´m not certified to teach. I had no idea where to start looking for a job because I knew that all I had to offer this place was the fact that I can speak two languages. And here, that´s pretty much like saying, "big whoop." Then, an idea came to mind. Find a job that will let me work part time in the afternoon and take a super intensive course in the summer in the mornings to become certified. I figured the best I can find as far as part time jobs go right now is in a restaurant or as a receptionist. I mentioned my situation to my friend, Carlos, at my gym called Exersite. He works in sales there and was actually the one to sign me up. He told me to bring in my resume and he would try to help me find a job there. He worked in New York for two years and said that the American people were really nice to him and always gave him a hand while he was living and working there. He said he´s always been grateful to my country and that giving back to me would make him feel as if he were giving back to all those people that helped him once. We talked to the manager and he said there would be no problem with me working reception full time up until my course starts, then I can work part time in the afternoons. Although I didn´t really want to work in reception, I knew this would be a great option because the gym is close to my house, I would have my monthly fee waived, and, probably one of the best parts...I would get to work in jogging pants and a polo. I thought about it, and I decided I needed to take a step of faith and tell the manager that I would rather work in sales (which gets good base pay plus commissions). I waited to talk to him for almost a full week because he had a busy schedule. When I finally got to talk to him, it was the last day of April. We sat down, and he said, "I don´t think we need you in reception." I was about to open my mouth to convince him to give me a job in sales, but before I did, he said, "But we could use you in sales." I was so excited and thankful that even though me mentioning the whole sales thing was a baby step of faith, God still recognized it and showed me that He was behind this the whole time.

I´ve heard the saying, "God helps those that help themselves." I´ve also heard mostly negative criticism of that saying. Although I don´t agree with it 100%, it does have a certain truth to it. I spent so much time being sad and wondering why God wouldn´t give me a job, why He wouldn´t help poor little me start my life here. After a while, though, I heard His voice telling me, "Why would I give strength and guidance to someone that is going to sit in her house crying and not use the resources I give them?" Oh yeah, God´s not going to carry me around in a handbasket. Although it´s Him that gives us life, happiness, and all the things I need to thrive in this world, we must put our own effort into this life and make our own decisions. God isn´t an old man up in the sky controlling a bunch of robots on the Earth. He gave us free will because of His great love for us. He´s not going to force us to do anything. Even though I learned this lesson the hard way, it was much-needed.

Getting the job was perfect timing because I got to start the first week of May. I love love love it here so far. I love enjoying my work day and not dreading getting up to go there every morning. I´m making more friends and finding more confidence in myself. Makes me not want to go back to teaching. I should probably take the course though, just in case. We´ll see. Yet another reason to believe God is taking care of me and making my life into a great adventure.

An actual job

I know I haven't written in a while, but things here have been kinda confusing lately. Once I got back from the Halloween trip to the States, I called the COINTSA office several times to see what I needed to do to start my job training. They kept telling me to call back because they weren't completely ready for me to start yet. After hearing the same thing over and over again, they finally told me they weren't even sure if they had been chosen yet to be the contact center for the company in the States. Therefore, if they don't get the job, I don't. Why they didn't tell me that before, I don't know. I can't stand it when people give others false hopes. Especially someone that really needs it. Maybe they got tired of dealing with my visa papers, hired somebody else, then lied to me. I don't know, and I was really upset when I found out, but now I see more than ever that God always has the best plan in mind.

After finding out about the COINTSA thing, I was completely confused. I just sat in my room most of the time wondering why God would put such a great opportunity in my life then just rip it out of my hands. I cried, complained, and just felt completely lost. José Luis was really supportive and understood what I was going through, but eventually, he pretty much forced me to get out of my house and get back up on my feet. He said, if you want a job, you have to go out and find it. It may not be exactly what you want, but if you are spoiled about it, you may not ever find one. He told me I could start out somewhere as a receptionist or something of the sort and continue to look for other opportunities. So I started sending emails like crazy and leaving my resume everywhere, even car dealerships. I saw an ad on a job vacancy site for English teachers with great pay. I know I was really against teaching English at first, but I had to give it a try. I sent in my resume and they called me for a interview the next day.

I looked up the address on Google Maps and it looked like a horrible neighborhood. But I figured I needed to check it out anyway, so I went. I must have typed in the wrong address or something, because it wasn't in a bad neighborhood at all. When I walked into the office, I was really amazed at how great it looked. Everything was brand new, from the floors to the technology system. They guy that gave me the interview, Enrique, was very nice and spoke English perfectly. He said he lived all throughout the States for years, especially in the South. That really gave us a connection and we joked about accents and rednecks. He said he and his friend, José Luis, have been friends since high school and both studied engineering. But then they had the idea for a new way of teaching English as a foreign language, and Enrique decided it was time to come home and settle down in Mexico. The concept of the company, YES Your English Source, is that it is not an "English school" but an "English training center." We only accept people over the age of 18 and want them to feel as if they are being treated professionally, and not like they're 13 again having to make sentences out of cardboard words. The tables and chairs are set up like a conference room, no desks. The coolest thing about the place, though, is the technology. We are currently the only company in Mexico that has this kind of system. Our whiteboards are touchscreens that come with an electronic pen. So instead of being behind a computer the whole class or trying to write on a dry erase board, the computer is on the screen and I can interact with it in front of the class. We don't make up our own system of teaching English, but use a book by Pearson and Longman called Top Notch. I'm sure you've heard of those authors before, and that's kinda the point. We want people to know we are using material that has been used for years and has won awards. I can pull up the book on the screen, listen to audio, fill in the blanks, play movies, play games on the CD Rom, and a lot more. I fell in love with the system and the atmosphere so much that I sent an email to Enrique just thanking him for the interview because it gave me hope to believe that I really can feel like I belong, even when I'm far away from home.

I called so excited and nervous the next day to see if I had gotten the job, and Enrique told me they wanted to offer me a full time position and that he was also appreciative of my email. He said he knows what it feels like to be far away from home and needing a place to belong. Although I didn't have teaching experience, they felt that I would learn fast and be a great addition to the company. I think I about peed my pants, I was so excited. He said I could come in that day to start playing around with the system. On Monday, I started my training and met the lawyer. He has been so helpful in getting together my visa papers. Just yesterday we turned in all the paperwork so they could start the procedure. The only bad thing is that I'm going out of the country for Christmas and I need my tourist form to be able to leave. So I had to buy a leave and return permission form and they can't start the procedure until I get back. It's a mess, but a small price to pay to be so happy with my work.

Like I said, with the pay + commissions for getting people to sign up, I won't have a money issue (thank the Lord). Also, since this is a new company that just opened, we aren't starting classes until January 11. That means I get to go home for three weeks for Christmas and New Year's! Enrique told me that they are expecting a boom of growth, once people see how great the system is. That means I have options for the future of doing things other than teaching. Like becoming a coordinator or help run another branch in the city. Pretty cool.

The only bad things about working there that I've seen so far are that I have to start classes at 7 am, which means I have to get up around 5:15 to get there on time. However, I have a break between 11 and 4, which means I can go to the gym and even eat lunch at my house. Then classes again from 4 to 8. Another thing is that we have to wear uniforms. I don't like the idea, but at least I don't have to stand in front of my closet every day for an hour trying to figure out what to wear.

I really feel now that I have found a place to belong in Mexico, a company where I feel like an important part of the team. They even asked me to be in some pictures for a magazine ad and do a commercial for one of the local TV stations. I feel completely comfortable and I know it won't take me long to become great friends with all my coworkers. Who ever thought I would become an English "instructor?" I guess I couldn't get out of it. It runs in the family.

Halloween

After five months of living in Mexico, I finally got to come home to the States for a visit. The plans were very last minute, because we weren't sure if José Luis' schedule would allow him to be gone for so many days. About a week before we left, we had decided that José Luis, his sister, Gaby, and I would be making the voyage in car from Puebla to Dover. Two days before we left, Gaby felt like leaving for a week would put her behind on her German classes and gym training, so she decided not to go. The next day, José Luis' friend, Arturo, called and begged to go with us. Since I've only driven in Mexico once, José Luis figured it would be a good idea to bring a fellow Mexican along to help drive on this side of the border.

The original plan was to leave Puebla around 5 or 6 in the morning and arrive in San Antonio in late evening so we could get a good night's rest and get up early the next morning to drive on to Tennessee. Let's just say not much worked out as planned. First, José Luis had been working very hard all week to get the factory ready for his being away, so he decided to rest a little more and come get me by 6:30. He was there almost on the dot, thank the Lord, and we drove on to pick up Arturo at 7. Arturo turned out to be a fun passenger on such a long trip, but he has one defect: he never gets in a hurry. When we got there, he was at the bank exchanging pesos for dollars. Then he had to go to one of his offices to check on something. We didn't get out of Puebla until 8:30 that morning. With all the times Arturo had to stop for coffee then a bathroom break 15 minutes later, plus taking an hour to eat breakfast and dinner, we didn't get to the border until 11:30 that night. The guys had to get their permission form to be in the country, so we finally got into the States around 12:30. We really wanted to make it to San Antonio, but we were so exhausted that we had to stop right across the border in Laredo.

No one got in a hurry the next day, either. I pretty much had to drag Arturo away from the free breakfast, his coffee and freshly-made waffle in hand. We did a little better that day, stopping less and taking less time on breaks. However, we still got a late start and didn't get into Arkansas until late evening. Then, the biggest downpour you ever saw happened. We couldn't see anything and were afraid to go any further. So we had to stop somewhere between Little Rock and Memphis. I was really sad that I didn't get to spend my first night with my family, but I also knew it was necessary.

The next day we got up fairly early and made it into Dover sometime around noon. We ate a big lunch made by the best mom ever :) and then went out to the cabin for some time with my friends. I was able to see a lot of high school buds in one of my favorite places in the world. The only person that I was sad I couldn't see was Alyssa, because she was in New York for her fall break with her boyfriend, Jake. I had really been missing her because she doesn't use the Internet hardly at all and doesn't always answer her phone. I have only talked to her once since I moved, on her birthday. She called us during the party screaming because Jake had proposed to her in one of her favorite places in the world, a dance studio called Steps. Although I missed her, I was happy for her. We had a good night's rest out there, although it was too hot to make a fire :(

The next day was the big party at Kim's house. José Luis and I dressed up as X-Men, Wolverine and Storm. Arturo dressed up as a war general. The best costume, though, had to be Mom's and Mrs. Sharon's. They made this contraption thing to make them look like they were on a roller coaster. They had fake legs hanging down in front to look like they were sitting down, when really they were just standing up behind it. They spend a lot of time and energy on that thing, but it was worth it. Kim had lots of great decorations and food, and it was great to see all of my family again.

Sunday was church day, and both José Luis and Arturo seemed to enjoy it. After church, I took them on the scenic tour of Dover, which included my Aunt Dee's house. They seemed to enjoy that, too. That night we had more company in the house than I think we've had in a while. Kim and Cindy came after church, then Sharon and Gerald, then Myrna and Floyd, then Lee, then Nate. Even Kevin came over for a little while. We played Loaded Questions and had a great time, as always. Floyd even made me a wooden spoon for me and burned his name on the back. One of the best presents I ever received.

I had told José Luis many times about Patti's Restaurant and how they have the best pork chops in the world, so on this trip, I promised to take him. José Luis, Arturo, Mama, Chris Engelman, and I went to have lunch there and had a great time. They loved the food, little shops, and decorations. Chris even ate a two-inch pork chop! José Luis and Arturo kept bothering him to come to Mexico for Christmas because he could make a lot of money pretending to be Santa Claus. It was so funny how serious they were. That night, my dad's family came for a visit. Aunt Brittye and Uncle Jiggs even drove from Memphis to see me! We ate hot dogs and played Loaded Questions, as well. It got pretty interesting, as it always does with my dad's family. We made fun of José Luis and his pewter stein he bought at Patti's. He was ridiculously proud of that thing, telling everybody the whole night to touch it to see how cold it was. Although I was sad because it was my last night at home, it was nice to spend it with family.

The next morning we had trouble leaving on time again, but this time it wasn't Arturo's fault. Mama wanted to make us breakfast and I wanted to pack up some things to take back to my house. Plus, it was just hard to say goodbye. I think we finally left around 9 or 9:30, and once again, we didn't quite make it to San Antonio. José Luis and Arturo had appointments the next day, and figured we would get as far as possible then stop to make those appointments before arriving in Puebla. However, they both wanted to stop at this big outlet mall in San Antonio, so it was pretty obvious we wouldn't get very deep into Mexico that day. Shopping was fun. José Luis bought Wii and also a lot of Victoria's Secret lotions for the women in his family. Arturo bought...well, pretty much the whole outlet mall. I think he bought like three or four pairs of Crocs. Why he needs that many, I don't know. Around six that evening, we made it to the border. What happened there, though, deserves its own paragraph.

Crossing the border is a lot easier than you think, if you have the right papers. Before we even knew it, we were in Mexico and realized the guys hadn't turned in their permission forms on the other side. The form lasts for six months, but if you don't plan on coming back before it expires, they highly suggest you turning it in. If you don't, it just looks like you stayed. So we asked a Mexican police officer what we should do with the papers, and he said you have to go back to the States to turn it in. So we turned around and got in the other line to cross back over. After they got that all worked out, we once again crossed into Mexico. Finding the immigration office to fill out my tourist visa was also a challenging task. We asked about every person we saw, and they all told us different things. Finally, we found someone that knew what he was talking about, and we made it to the right place. Getting my forms were easy, but it was already pretty late. So we stopped in Monterrey for the night, and José Luis' dad agreed to fill in for him at his appointments. I'm pretty sure Arturo was able to reschedule, as well. So we were able to make the last leg of the trip without being rushed.

In total, we were on the road close to 70 hours. I know that's a long time, but it was a lot more fun than being on a plane, and a lot cheaper, too. What we spent on gas and on toll booths didn't even end up costing what one airplane ticket would. So in the end, it was worth it. We obviously made a lot of mistakes, but it's something to learn for the next time. I am so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to go visit my family and friends one more time before beginning work here. I hope to be home for a decent amount of time at Christmas, as well. Can't wait to see you all again!

He always had a plan

It's been five months since I moved to Mexico, and I feel like my life here hasn't even started yet. I've been trying to enjoy my free time between college and "real life," but I'm honestly just ready for God's plan for me here to unfold. With the economic crisis, just finishing college, and moving to another country, it's hard to know where to start looking for a job. I don't want to just take anything and end up with a job that I really hate, but I also don't want to aim for something too specific and end up with nothing. I went to a few interviews here and there, but nothing seemed to be right.

Once José Luis and I knew for sure we are going to be able to visit Tennessee for Halloween, I figured continuing looking for a job at this point would be almost pointless, since I can't take a job then immediately ask for time off for the trip. One Monday, for some reason, I felt like I needed to check the job listings online one more time. I saw a listing for a job as a bilingual agent at a contact center called COINTSA, which said that if you are an American citizen, this job would be perfect for you. The pay looked great, so I sent my resume. I got a call that morning to come in on Wednesday for an interview.

I was nervous, but more excited when I walked into the office that day. I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to go, but I had learned more than ever to know that if it didn't work out, there was something better out there for me. Instead of your normal interview setting, they put all the candidates for the job in a room with desks. There were three other candidates besides me, and I was the only native English speaker. The lady giving the interview said they had just become the contact center for a company in the States and that was the reason they needed a bilingual agent. First, they made us take an 87-question personality test to measure our level of personal contact, what we would do in certain situations, etc. Then we had to write an essay in English on why we are interested in working for the company and why we are the best choice for the position. Then we all talked one-on-one with the interview lady for about five minutes each. She said this was the first interview round, but there would be another one to check our English level. Obviously, since I'm from the States, she didn't think the second round would be necessary for me. I asked if I was chosen, if my visit to the States would interfere with the training period. She said she didn't think it would be a problem. After a few other questions about my resume, she said she would let me know in a couple of days how the first interview round went.

The next day, I got a call from the office saying that I had been chosen for the position and that I can start training when I get back from the trip. Although being an agent at a call center wasn't my dream job, I think it's a great place to start and I'm so thankful to God for providing for me and always having this plan for me in mind. I'll only be working Monday through Friday, I get vacation time, and with monthly bonuses, the salary is higher than I expected. Even the training period is paid. Working in an office means a lot more friends, too.

I guess the moral of the story, as always, is that God really never leaves nor forsakes you. Although waiting for His plan may seem to take forever, it's worth it. Even if it is a little weird that I'm an American handling customer service for other Americans from Mexico.