Fordpride

I've learned a lot of things in my life. Or, maybe more accurately, I've learned a little of things in my life. Growing up with six brothers, some of whom have very different and eclectic interests, taught me from an early age that you can learn something from every person you meet.  No matter what.  All it takes is asking the right questions and then listening.  But mostly listening.  That, my friends, is a recipe for success.  So while I was watching my brothers play video games or fix their break pads or even spray paint their car with a skull and cross bones on the hood, I would insert myself and ask questions. Everywhere you turned, there was a life lesson just waiting to be heard. (Something else that is helpful: inserting yourself.  You'll never get anywhere in this world without pushing your way through and being where you need/want to be.  People have said it before, but let me repeat it: if you act like you're supposed to be th...

Recently it has come to my attention that I am stricken with an 'almost-illness'.  Something that nobody really wants but isn't contagious.  Something that, when people find out about it, they worry about you.  They say comforting things to you; they tell you it's all going to work out--that everything will be ok. A selection of other standard phrases: "Timing is everything" "You're stronger for this" "Everything happens for a reason" Just to let the world know-I hate all of these phrases.  I hate whenever anyone says them to me.  And I don't think I'm alone in this.  I actually think that everyone with my 'almost-illness' hates these phrases. My diagnosis: Being Single. Yes, I've had it on and off again for the entirety of my adult life.  Sometimes I'm lucky and go into a remission of sorts, but it has always come back.  I see people who make it past this into loving (and sometimes mis...

A Top Ten List: There are a lot of good things about the new Star Wars movie (#girlpower), but we can all agree that the men delivered.   So to you, my ranking of the men featured in Star Wars: 10. That Ginger Nazi-type Bad Guy General aka General Hux. Ginger.  That haircut.  Also, just kind of a horrible person.  Sorry if you love him from HP.  Hard pass. 9. Any weirdo in Maz Kanata's bar/watering hole Especially those guys on the left.  It totally looks like the place to be in the galaxy. 8.  Kylo Ren with his mask off If you've seen the movie, you know what I mean...there are too many close-ups...just too many. 7.  Kylo Ren with his mask on  A definite improvement.  #badboy 6.  Any one of these pilots No explanation needed. 5. Han Solo Just when you think he's done bringing it, he keeps bringing it.  No mumbo jumbo here.  The heartthrob lives on....

Saturday is the two week mark of being home. I know I have so many things to write about in regards to Petrolina and Brazil and all the many beautiful and wonderful and hilarious stories from my time there, but tonight I want to get out some of the more raw feelings I've had since returning. Every time I've gone abroad for any extended amount of time, I come back disheveled.  The adjustment upon returning is always more difficult than the adjustment when leaving, and I'm only now starting to understand myself enough to acknowledge the feelings I'm having and why I might be having them. The 2014-2015 school year was one of the tougher years I've ever had, with insecurities and realizations hitting me harder than I was expecting, and knocking me down more than I wanted to admit.  It made me question myself in ways I never anticipated, forced me to prove myself in less than ideal situations, and ultimately led me to say goodbye to students I love with my w...

So we've just finished our first week of working with our Brazilian students and let me just say: It's been so amazing. I mean, how could it go wrong when 10 of your students show up at the airport wearing homemade tshirts that spell out "WELCOME CINDY"?!?  Turns out they walked to and from the airport, in the middle of a Saturday, in the hot sun, to greet me.  It seriously made my heart pitter-patter more than it has in a long time and I thought to myself, "If I ever, for one second, ever feel unloved or sad in my life, I just need to remember this moment".  Because what a hello.  There were so many hugs (and some tears of joy) that I felt like I was going somewhere I'd already been.  I have felt such a lack of adjustment here because I felt like I just walked into a place my heart already knew, because of the people I've been preparing to meet.  It was magical. Since then, my week has just continued to remind me of the power of human kindn...

Welp I've been in country for a whole 3 days now which means I know everything about this place already. jk. But there are some interesting observations I've made that I will share with you all.  I know some of you will know some of these already, but maybe some of you won't.  Also, I just want to write them down so deal with it.  I was actually pretty prepared with most of these, but they will be documented nonetheless. 1. Toilet paper.  They don't throw it down the toilet.  There is a trash can next to the toilet where you throw discarded and used TP.  It sounds weird but it actually hasn't phased me much at all.  It's just a different place to put it. 2. Sinks.  They don't really believe in touching food when eating it, so they do everything they can to avoid it.  They use forks and knives for pizza, wax paper or napkins to hold their hamburgers, and they have public sinks for people to use in restaurants.  These sink...

Hey guys. It's me.  Cindy.  #fordpride I just really feel bad about being such a neglectful blogger.  I hope this isn't what my parenting is like.   However, I am recommitting myself.  I want to really document the realness of this experience. What experience, you ask? I'm going to Brazil for a couple months.  I am really pumped about this for many reasons, but mostly I think it'll be good for my soul.  And for my blog.  Because you all know how traveling makes my heart pump and also the words flow out of my mouth.  I'm sure there will be many stories that make me laugh and also many experiences that make me cry.  My goal is to share them all.  I want to really make this experience something great. So please just harass me to blog.  Make me do it.  Because it'll be good.  I mean, I'm only in Miami and I'm only a few hours out of Denver, but moves have already been made.  Life is already ...