and so it continues...

So this is definitely not my life calling.  That much is clear.  I may still not know exactly what I do want to do career wise in the future but I know I can mark teacher off the list.  It took all my willpower not to quit today.  Those kids are nuts.  But, sadly, my plans of quitting my job and camping out in local coffee shops while becoming the female Jerry Spinelli and creating the next great american novel isn't going to pay rent so I'll be back with the little kids tomorrow.

I do love riding the bus to and from work, oddly enough.  Maybe it's because Octavio & I had to just explore the bus routes on our own since there is no map or times anywhere to look at so I feel accomplished when I do successfully make it on the bus and to where I need to be on time.  Plus, there are sometimes a few characters to entertain on the way.  Like the guy singing what sounded to be Mexican show tunes on the way to school one day.  Or the guy who was selling educational pamphlets that claimed to teach you everything you needed to know about a subject (in what looked like 5 pages or less)

our place mats where we ate dinner.  Complete with our free shot of tequila.  Octavio didn't take his but I did, I haven't been out of college long enough to turn down free shots.

the servers were dressed up for the celebration.  I wanted a sombrero.

the government building all lit up & decorated for Independence Day.

again.

eagerly awaiting 11 pm when everyone would start shouting "viva!"

more decorations

we were right next to where the news had set up.

One of the many security guys.  We had to go through metal detectors to get into the centro and then there was security everywhere.  I tried to take more pictures but I'm not discreet enough & some were scary.

The bell the governor rang at 11pm and then all the church bells joined in because back in the day Father Hidalgo rang his church bell to signify it was time to start the revolution.  Everyone was confused because it wasn't time for mass so they all showed up at the church to see what was going on.  Little did they know, Father Hidalgo was recruiting them to fight against those pesky Spaniards.  At least, that's what I got out of the story.

They gave out free flags before the "grito"

He flew it proudly.  (and also might have hit some people in the face with it)

 I didn't take the video below, my camera died so I borrowed this one from YouTube.  But it highlights everything nicely.  Especially my favorite, the confetti canon.

And on a different note:

I pass these lovely dresses on my way to & from school.  I figured if my fashion merchandising/design friend Maggie Campbell needs a job, these dresses look right up her alley.

especially this one.  I think she has one just like it in purple. (K-State colors you know...)

and also for Maggie C, the reality tv fan, Say Yes to the Dress: Xalapa  Coming soon to TLC. (check your local listings)