In an effort to remain transparent as well as efficient, I will be logging all of my daily activities. I believe that this public forum will keep me accountable as well as give some information to those curious about my current state of life. Posting my activities here will also allow me to practice my html skills, which is always fun! I won’t be spending a lot of time or effort in the actual logging, because I want to be spending my time on the things that will actually bring me personal progress.
In order to keep myself on track working towards my goal, I will refer to this (first draft) Mission Statement for Tanya’s Mexico Adventure of 2017:
To set aside fear and self-doubt in pursuit of a daily life that is fulfilling and challenging while discovering and using my gifts and talents in a productive way.
Here are the goals and ideas I have for my time in Mexico:
1. Spanish: I like to say that I am bilingual in "conversational" and "domestic" Spanish. Even though those closest to me say that my Spanish is acceptable, I would not feel comfortable going into a job interview and saying that I am completely bilingual. In the end it is not be how my skills are perceived, but how I feel using them.
a. Plan: To begin, I will be taking classes at the Centro De Enseñanza Para Extranjeros (CEPE) at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) starting 3.3.17. The class consists of at least 15 credit hours of weekly work for 6 weeks.
2. Writing: Internally, I have always given myself the title of writer, but in practice I haven’t brought the title to fruition. I want to take time and write everyday. I will be working on a few different projects within this overarching goal.
a. Fiction: As many of you know, I am an avid reader. Therefore, I have always had a few fiction ideas brewing in my brain, mostly short stories and a few novel ideas. I won’t put much more so as not to spoil you buying the books that will eventually be on shelves (dream big!).
b. Nonfiction: Research essays have always been one of my academic strengths. There are a few topics that I never was able to pursue during my time in school. So now I hope to pursue them. For example, for my senior thesis, I delved into the writings of Wendell Berry. He completely influenced the work I did, but I was not able to focus solely on him.
c. Reflection: I would like to reflect on things that have happened in my own life. Writing will be my outlet and my way to process lessons I have learned, things that I have experienced, and all the dreams that I hold. This is more a personal commitment to journal.
d. Goal: In addition to writing, I want to overcome the fear of sharing my writing. Throughout 2017, I will submit some writings to different online publications. By Jan 2018, my goal is to have one item published.
3. Graduate School: By building up my portfolio of writing, I will also be taking the time to apply to grad school and scholarship opportunities.
a. Goal: I would like to get my Masters in Linguistics from a European University.
b. In addition: Many of you know that I had already started taking German language classes in Denver as part of my European Masters plan. Luckily there is a great institute in Mexico City called the Goethe Institut Mexiko which has classes and cultural events that I hope to attend in my time here. This will be especially challenging because the classes will be German from Spanish so I’ll be getting a double whammy in Language.
4. Experience: I also have the opportunity of shadowing my Aunt Marisa in her work as the General Manager of a hotel in Puebla, an international business center near Mexico City. This would be a great experience since I could learn about the hospitality industry as well as international business, which is my undergrad degree. I will also consider other employment opportunities that may arise during my time in Mexico City.
5. Enjoy it! I want to embrace all the opportunities that this time might have to afford for me. I want to enjoy being much closer to this side of my family. I am excited to celebrate birthdays and holidays with the people that I don’t ever get to celebrate these things with. In March, my grandparents will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and I will actually be able to take part in the celebrations. I want to explore the city with Yolanda and Saniego, who moved here a year ago. Right now is the time to do this. I am unattached with relatively few obligations. This is a time in my life that will form me and when I look back I am sure that this will be the crossroads that led me to the life I am meant to lead.
Feel free to email me if you have any ideas, comments, suggestions, questions, or thoughts. Thanks as always for your love and support.
If you are curious, here are some websites to learn more:
CEPE and Goethe Institut Mexiko
