CoCo me

First, I would like to apologize for the delay in writing a new post. I can seriously say I have no excuse since I've had plenty of time during the comercial breaks of New Girl, Once Upon a Time, Flashpoint, Dating Rules from my Future Self, and SMASH. As you can see I have been rather busy with show watching BUT I will promise to update...more often (Ry, this is for you :)

Secondly, I hope you notice the change at the top. Um, a little more to the top. Do you see the new URL? It's cocome-joy.blogspot.com - if it's not this site then I don't know where you are. As your eyes come down they rest on the new name at the top of the page... CoCo me. Let me explain, I have had the name "Coco" in my head since I had my crazy and unusual dog named Coco (you have to say it with a spanish accent). For some reason I had a fetish with that name and still do. Nevertheless, I needed some change in my life. Not that the blog will change my life but it's a microscope part that makes you feel a bit better. Humor aside, I felt that the name is fitting for me and that the phrase "...because sometimes we need something different," very much spoke for itself. I'm a person that likes change, so this works for me. 

Lately I've been reflecting on so many options that I can go with my life. They're not easy, but I guess that's the "beauty" of being young - there is so much to choose from, so many doors opened. I feel blessed   living at home and to tell you the truth, I don't mind being a 23 year-old girl still living at home. I love it so much. I have so much support from my family and that's what counts in the end. And, I get to come home to two little monkeys, Hailey and Austin. 

A perk of being home and working with my dad is that my schedule is pretty flexible. Next week I get to visit my aunt that is serving, with her husband, as mission president in Mexico (I can't say where because it's kind of a safety thing...). Then, I come home and have 3 days until we leave for DISNEY WORLD - greatest.place.on.earth. We will be there for a whole week. We usually rent a house but this time we get to stay in our villa time share we haven't been in a while, so excited - humid, hot weather, crocodiles and cold swimming water here I come!

I hope everyone is doing great and I thank you for your friendship. I LOVE YOU :)

BTW, I love Pinterest. My totally not-even-close-to-being-existant-wedding is planned.

Pictures....

@ the Zoo w/ Austin

@ the Zoo w/ Hailey

"I'm on a boat..." Annie & friend

Priceless pictures of our new fave dessert: brownie in a cup.

Flying kites in Spring

Hailey w/ Fiesta halo 

Omar and his food in Fiesta parade...

Linda and Joyce

Me, Tia Martha and Linda 

Rodeo, Carnival and Cowboys

This weekend we got up late because we watched Saving Private Ryan with Omar and we were trying to decide what to do with our day, especially for the kids. We had been thinking about going to the Rodeo since we heard that it was fun. The mental picture for us was definitely what people usually think when you say "I'm from Texas." We were kind of skeptical but in the last minute we geared up and took off to the rodeo. Little did we now it was going to be fun...way fun.  

When we got there we were like amateurs, we didn't know what line of what to go to. We ended up entering  the grounds where they had all the livestock, carnival and other fun stuff for families. We were tourist in our own city, kind of great. We first went into this place that was all about ranching and farming, but in reality we just wanted to see the animals. What I found myself doing was not looking for the animals but rather the most attractive cowboy in this joint because for the life of me, I couldn't choose one! Cowboys are very attractive. Like very, very attractive. Any person who knows me knows I like manly men, Alejandro Fernandez styles, haha. No, but really. I was enlightened...

 We then moved into the food section and I found a stand of my favorite: Chick-fil-a. We took a picture with the cow and got coupons for free chicken sandwiches! I'm so eating them soon. Then we moved into the carnival and I loved it. It was packed with children everywhere, music and the mouthwatering smell of funnel cakes and burgers. Yep. It was fantastic. I do wish next time I can go in the evening with someone...wink wink. 

I loved it and I highly recommend it to everyone! Enjoy the pictures we took :)

 

So cute! :)

I love cotton candy!

FOOD!!

Cotton Candy

Carousel :)

Love Day is not for Me, kind of

I choose to believe that love day is not for me. 

I understand that it's the day of "LOVE" and that it's not only for people who are in love, married or in a relationship. I was never really into the whole Valentine's day thing. I enjoy seeing people that are happy as couples, friends that show they care and married people who celebrate their love. Don't we show people we care/love them everyday of our lives? I hope so. Maybe it's an advertising thing. Who really knows. The only thing I really do like is the music, of course. Couldn't be better. So, in lieu of celebrating love-day, I will be spending it at the gym doing some Zumba and cardio for two hours - here to you my love!

Now, my gift to all is music, haha. So, here's a playlist of songs I will be listening to today and hope you like them too.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - love you all!

Next Time You See Me...

You will probably not recognize me... because I cut 14 inches off my hair!!! Talk about a change. And it's short, like really short - bob style in the back.

Enjoy :)

I'm not one for taking picture of myself, but I had no one but myself. 

I Want My Own Little Piece of Heaven

Ryanne: I have finally seen Sleepless in Seattle... you would be so proud of me because I didn't just like it - I LOVED it. Suddenly I don't feel so guilty anymore about lots of things, but then again I might be justifying what's perceived about real life in the movie. Nevertheless, I will need to get myself a copy. It's like my little piece of heaven in many ways...

On top of that I visited Mt.Vernon for the first time and I came out with this in mind: I want my little piece of heaven. In a sense, I was thinking about it physically - you know, the big house, the beautiful gardens, pier, land, animals, and so much more. I want it, just like GW (George Washington). There's something that really draws my attention and it's not the physical aspect of it but rather the psychological/whateveryoucallitcantthinkofthename. The thought of owning a private place/space, surrounded with the people you love and care for the most, where you are free from outside influences. A place where you can do whatever you want until your imagination is exhausted (because I do not believe you can run out of imagination). Maybe someday I'll have my little piece of heaven and will call it my little piece of cielito. Yep, one day. 

If you are not Ryanne that is completely OK, this post was for your enjoyment too. 

Now, the pics of this so-called-beautiful-place...

Who does not want this as their backyard on a beautiful Autumn Saturday... seriously

The group

The Mansion

The Piece of Heaven form the front...

There's always the jump picture, it's not a complete trip w/out it

"Washy" and I see eye to eye...

umm....si

*sigh - acres on end

Gardens and vines...

A garden to read a book perhaps

The Tomb

Had to add :)

much love

I'm Alive!!... or at least I think

Yes, to those who check/read/worry/etc. I am very well alive if I say so myself.

In a kinda-quick summary, it has been an extremely busy 2 months packed with emotional, academic, and physical heat. I must say that I am continually learning how to rely on my Savior, on others and myself. I LOVE my students/kids/children/"dudes"/friends/amigos/etc. I continuously pray for them so that I am guided to meet their needs. For those of you who may or may not know, I am in a classroom with a handful of students ranging with all types of challenges - medical, family, etc. It has been trying me, spiritually and emotionally, to a point of almost breaking. I have learned a great deal from my extremely smart and dedicated teacher - I told her she doesn't only have 20 students, but 21 (the one being me). She is exceptionally patient, correcting and helping me be a better prepared teacher. I just want to say and kind of boast (which does not happen often for a person) that by the end of this experience I am going to be a SUPER AWESOME teacher - there's nothing like/can compare to inner-city teaching - nothing. I don't care what anyone says, if you can survive this, you can survive basically and practically anything/any classroom. Of course there will be the challenges but you will be able to address/fix them in a snap, literally.

Other than that ... It has also been an experimental month for Joyce. Why? Well, let's start with my "first's."
- I rode the bus by myself for the first time in October
- I carved (or attempted) to carve my first pumpkin
- I made an extremely sassy text to a boy ... that is a whole 'nother story (I'm so done with men ... yeah right)
- It was my BIRTHDAY! haha ok, not a first
- I went to the Museum of Natural History, soooo amazing
- I took my first picture in the rain with an umbrella (I don't know why this is relevant and here but whatev)
- I'll think of some other ones
- OH!! and I also saw a MOUSE for the first time EVER at my school (almost screamed) - yes, I'm totally serious - and it went under the preschool class door ... eww
- And a kind of sad one: I had to make my first ever parent calls home.
- Yep, the list is endless.

So now, I get to tell you of the question you are probably thinking (and it seems like the rest of the world too): "What are you going to do after you are done?" I'd love to say to find a really hot and attractive (and nice and mormon) man and marry him BUT that seems to be lacking in my life so we'll go with the next best answer. You want honest? I DON'T KNOW. Let's face it, it's hard enough to be a teacher, get certified in a million states and find a job that starts in the middle of the school year - that pays well. I don't know what I'm doing yet but what I DO know is that I've applied for about 12 jobs - so please PRAY that I get at least one. I have been thinking about moving to Cambridge/Boston to be closer to my sister. Like, I really am hoping/crossing-my-fingers/etc. Let's see where life takes me - or my impulses, whichever one comes first. I'm 23 now so I can do that, right?

Pics now since you're probably tired of reading my stories :)

Smithsonian Castle - in the Rain and with umbrella ... *sigh

I love them so much @ b-day dinner Cheesecake Fcatory 

First carving EVER

Just paying a nice visit to my mammal friends, no big

the BIG dino

I dropped the cookie mix I was so excited about  and sliced my finger :(

Eastern Market breakfast - yum

Because I love them this much :)

Washington DC!!

I'm finally here! Well, I have been here since Saturday morning but nonetheless here. I will have to condense everything I have done and learned in a list. At the end I will attach part of a letter I sent to my family about the schools. Here we we!!

1. I survived the "hurricane" 

2. Laura is such an amazing friend. Thank you!

3. My apartment is pretty legit. We called it a "hotel" by mistake

4. I have the master bedroom, my own walk-in closet AND a view of the Pentagon. 

5. I have great peers and roommates.

6. The grocery store is so far away. We got lost getting there, bought too much, and had to carry it in the metro. Pain in the REAR. We have proof. 

7. Found the fastest and easiest route to get to the grocery store the day after.

8. Almost killed the metro machine where you get in. I guess you're not supposed to put the card through . . . the guy was like "You want to break this or what?!?" Funny but embarrassing. Not a good sign of blending. 

9. Never, EVER stand on the left side of the escalator - there will be a stampede of people running behind you.

10. Witnessed a robbery when waiting for the metro to arrive. With police chasing and everything. Wow. 

11. I love riding the metro!

12. I need to buy lots of hand sanitizer.

13. Visited National Mall, Union Station, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress (my fave), and the Capitol. 

14. It hasn't been as humid as some people say it has been. 

15. Very attractive singles in my ward. Like very attractive. 

16. I will be in 1st grade!!

17. Have walked about 4 miles daily. Easily. 

18. I'm very happy and excited to be living here.

19. Hope I get a job here after I'm done!

20. I'm doing a pretty good job of blending - until I pull my camera out. Hah. 

Here is the excerpt of the letter: 

Today, I was able to go into the two elementary schools we will be closely working with - Miner Elementary and Maury Elementary. I will be in a 1st grade class in Maury Elementary. I think it was a definite culture shock when I got to these places. The streets seemed to come from movies and the schools themselves were renovated but still had a lot of parts of the old building. We were greeted at Miner Elementary by security, which every schools has, and a wonderful principal. You have to remember that these schools are 97% black - teacher andstudents. So you could see how that could be a bit intimidating. Just imagine 8 white people coming into a predominately black school - looked kinda funny. The principal, accompanied by her staff (or as she called them her "golden girls) told us the history of education weaved with information on education during the Civil Rights Movement, the history of Miner Elementary and made every educator in the room introduced themselves. This school has some of the greatest resources and programs (like Reggio Emilia preschool programs, government, etc)  I have heard of and some I have never even thought to have! This principal has a partnership with just about every important organization, university, and museum in the city. I can tell that she allocates her resources very, very efficiently and I saw this as I toured the school. They have art and music rooms, and science all around the school (including animals, a pond and a vegetable garden). Now, I feel this is a great place to have these resources bcause about 80 families in this school are homeless. This means that about 2-4 kids in each family are homeless and come to this school. You're talking approximately 160 to 320 students.These kids come to school seeing things they've never seen or heard of, and are welcomed into an environment that is welcoming, loving and uplifting. Now, Maury Elementery is where I will be teaching. The school was recently renovated (they moved in 2 days before school started) and we arrived at the same time the architects did. Apparently, some of the flooring glue stuff wasn't dried yet when the earthquake happened so they are going to have to do some fixing; therefore, we could not meet with the principal since she was busy. But, we were able to tour the school and I am extremely excited to be in this school. It's new, they have great resources, have great technology, and works closely with the programs at Miner Elementary. I can't wait to start on Friday! I will be taking the metro and them walking about 20 minutes to get to school - that means I will have to leave home at around 7:15 to make it in time for 8, yikes! I'm so happy to be in such a wonderful place with great schools and support. 

The thing that struck out to me today was one question made by the principal and staff of one school: Why would I, being a white student teacher, want to teach or be in an all black school? They didn't phrase it exactly this way but the meaning was the same. I thought long and hard about the answer since I was completely taken aback. What I answered them and myself I said because I care to educate, support and love children, no matter where they come from or what their situation may be. I want to be an instrument in God's hand to care for his little ones, to love them, teach them, and essentially do everything in my power to enhance all aspect of learning for my students and as a teacher. I hear many great things happen, as some here call them "miracles," in these schools, to the students being taught and the teachers. I can't wait to meet the little ones, get to know them, earn their trust, teach and grow as a teacher. I will be sure to think about this question throughout the semester and I'm curious as to what the response will be at the end of the semester. 

-pardon the spelling

Now what you've been waiting for - PICTURES!

This important street has my name!! 

Metro!!

Metro station

Archives Gallery - Where the Constitution is . . .

National Gallery of Art - I saw a the only Leonardo DaVinci painting in the US. 

I think where the Supreme Court meets . . .

Library of Congress!

Library of Congress

Capitol Building

Beautiful, huh?

much love!! :)