Full of Thanks on a Rainy Day

Hello everyone from a rainy but relaxing day in San Antonio!

I just wanted to come on here and give a quick update. I am really sorry that I haven't kept up with the blog. Before I started working, my goal had been to write weekly, but as soon as I started work that ultimately went out the window. It's not that I didn't want to write, it's that I didn't have time. And when I did have time, I just wanted my couch and Netflix. I ended up realizing I had to give myself grace and adjust to my new job/life before adding a new project.

You see, starting a new job under normal circumstances is already hard enough. Starting a new job in a new state is even harder. But, starting a new job in a new state in the middle of a pandemic seemed impossible. Seriously, you know that meme that was going around of all of us on a boat in the middle of a storm. I felt like I was in the ocean with nothing but a little life raft I couldn't get on while watching everyone staying warm on the boat.

Now, that I have been at my new job for almost four months, though, I feel like I finally got a hang of it. I don't think I'm on the boat in dry clothing yet, but at least I'm on it. But all joking aside, I love my job. It challenges me every day and my students are absolutely amazing. I have learned more from them in this short period of time than I could possibly imagine. I work in one of the poorest areas of San Antonio and I am always humbled by the joy my students have despite the craziness going on in the world. Some of my students have parents who have lost jobs or have disabilities that make this pandemic even more challenging for them and yet they're so happy to be there. These kids and this job is one of the things I am most thankful for this year.

I am also thankful for having met friends here that feel like family. They have welcomed my husband and I into their homes with open arms and I could not be more happy to know them. A new city is hard enough on its own, but I was very concerned we wouldn't meet anyone given the current state of things. I am so glad I have friends to spend holidays with and to share in the good and bad.

I wish I had more to report on about San Antonio, but so many events get canceled because of COVID-19 that it really is hard to write about a lot of places or events. That being said, I will try to come on here and write more often even if it's about one new place a month.

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and that you had a wonderful (but safe) Thanksgiving. I'm sending you all of my love and I hope you read a good book on this rainy day, and drink lots of rosé. Until next time!

-Pau

P.S. Also, thanks to my amazing friend, Kenzie, for taking the above picture from her balcony