Let's play catch up: Day 2 Rule

Growing up I felt like I had so many rules dictated to me by my parents. It felt like I was constantly being told to not do this and not do that. And that's probably not the way that it was, but I guess that's the perception that I had as a child. There was one rule in particular that constantly rings in my memories: NO ENGLISH AT HOME!

My parents were born in Mexico, so their primary language was Spanish. Both my brother and I were born in the U.S. so of course, English was constantly surrounding us, especially when we started school. However, before starting school, my babysitter was Mexican as well, so all I ever heard was Spanish. Rarely was the tv on at her house, and if it was on at our house, it was always on Univision. My parents had very little to worry about me losing my native language at that time. Then pre-k came into the picture.

I remember my first day of pre-k, surrounded by all these students that spoke a language I did not recognize. I sat there pretty quietly. I remember playing with the dolls, coloring some pages, sitting by the teacher during outside time, and nap time. I remember that I cried during nap time because I was so confused and scared. I wanted to go home. I didn't want to be around these strange people. It was a rough first day.

I guess the teacher told my mom because when we got home, Univision was no longer the only thing on tv. I started watching PBS every day. I remember starting off with the wonderful Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Right away I picked up some words. You have to understand, I did not speak a lick of English. Within that week, I began to gain some confidence as I picked up words from the class AND tv. I guess it was a sink or swim type of situation. My parents immediately figured out that I was learning a second language. And they were fine with it initially simply because they knew that it was important. Then came the days that I didn't want to speak Spanish.

I remember talking to my stuffed animals in English once at home and my mom immediately put a stop to it. I wasn't sure why back then, but she warned me to never speak English at home, The only time that I could speak English was when I was at school with my friends. I remember once almost getting slapped for talking back to my mother in English. After that I think I got the message quite clear.

Today I understand the whole reasoning behind them pushing this rule of Spanish at Home, English at School. They wanted me to make sure I knew both languages. My parents weren't fluent in both, still today my dad knows a bit more English than my mom although both can communicate very well. Either way, the important factor was that I needed to learn both languages, for the benefits it would bring me later on in life. Like now, for instance, I'm currently a Spanish teacher. It wasn't my full intentions of falling into a teaching career after having decided that that is not what I wanted to do. However, during my last semester in college, a girl that I helped pass Spanish class was hired at a school for a teaching job and immediately gave them my name. I was hired right on the spot. I know that if I wanted to, I could go out and get practically any job that I want simply because I'm bilingual. I'm very thankful that my parents pushed this rule on me today; I wasn't so much back then of  course.  If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have the many opportunities that I have now.

I wish I could say the same for my daughter. Problem is you have one parents that doesn't speak any Spanish while the other one does, so it makes it kind of hard. But we're working on it...

365 days of writing: Day 1

So of course I haven't been on here in FOORRRRREEEVVERRR!!! So I have decided to challenge myself. I've put a reminder in my phone for the same time every night. Just a few minutes. A different topic every day. Different thoughts. Etc. Writing used to be such a wonderful outlet for me, so this is kind of exciting.

So let's start with day 1: Favorite shoes

I've never been a shoe shopper. My mother-in-law drives me crazy sometimes because of her obsession with shoes. Every time she comes, she's got a new pair of shoes for my girly. I've never thought of shoes as a big huge thing. I've always had my standard black and brown pair of flats for work, tennis shoes for every other day, and flip flops. That is until recently. The same person that drove me crazy about shoes has opened my eyes to a new habit: shoe buying. I'm by no means the girlie-girl. Never have, never fully will. But after a recent trip to DSW shoes, a new interest was sparked.

Tennis shoes were always my go-to shoes, next to flip flops. However after developing plantar fasciitis, flip flops are just a no no for me now. So I've had to find a different type of shoe that I can easily just put on and go. I have a 2 year old that's always wanting to go-go.

While at DSW shoes, my MIL offered to buy me a new pair of shoes. She kept coming up with every reason in the book to buy me a pair knowing how much I hate shopping. She started with looking for shoes for work, then flip flops that I could wear, until she got to the casual wear shoes. Now I know this is by no means a brand new style, but for someone that doesn't shop, what can I say. So this is what I walked out with that day.

   

I have never been more excited about shoes. This is a new style for me. I can dress with just about anything, of course with limitation, and be comfortable about the shoes I'm wearing. I was actually excited about the upcoming summer and not worrying about my plantar fasciitis killing me.

So I've had these shoes for two weeks now and already I was ready to buy myself another pair of shoes. Well, I guess I can say I was ready to buy myself a pair of shoes considering my MIL bought the first pair for me.

While waiting for Iron Man 3 to start this past weekend, the hubs and I walked around a shopping center in my hometown. We walked into a Payless. I had no intentions of buying a pair of shoes. I mean, I love this new found interest but I'm a teacher with a child so money is another story. Anyway...we walked in and I went straight to my size. I told him I really wanted a pair of Sperry's, but we didn't have time to go all the way to DSW. I saw these shoes, tried them on, and thought OMG I'm in love again. Suddenly the feeling of new, comfortable, casual shoes has taken over my life. And because he's so amazing (and in exchange for the popcorn I would have bought) he bought me the shoes. I haven't even worn them yet and I'm already looking at sales on more shoes. What has my MIL done to me???

So what are my favorite shoes? It's more of the style. This is my favorite style of shoes....pretty sure that won't be changing any time soon either!

And there you have today's entry.