My instructor profile at the University of Miami Global Academy's site

Minor caveat:  I did NOT teach French or Spanish at DLI (working on that correction).

http://www.globalacademy.miami.edu/adiaz.html

Festival de Cante Flamenco (Song) en Miami 2010

Siempre Flamenco presents the 5th annual Flamenco Music & Dance Festival.

Sunday, March 21st, at 4:00 PM
Al-Andalus, Caravana: Jewish Moorish Gypsy

Featuring George Mordecai (Cantor), Joe Zeytonian & Miriam Eli, and Paco & Celia Fonta.

Venue: Temple Emanu-El, 701 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Tickets prices are $20 General Admission, and $18 Seniors (65 & up with ID).

Thursday, March 25th, starting at 7:00 PM

Flamenco Guitar Recital by Master Guitarist Emilio Prados from Sevilla.

At 8:00 PM, Cante (Singing) Master Class with Manuel Palacin.

Venue: Centro Cultural Espan~ol, 800 Douglas Road, Coral Gables, FL 33144

Tickets are FREE, with a suggested donation of $10.

Friday and Saturday, March 26th and 27th, at 8:00 PM

Fragua, Cante Puro

With Guest Artists from Spain Manuel Palacin (Cante), Jose Barrios (Baile), Ruben de Maria, and Miami's own Paco (Guitar) and Celia (Baile) Fonta.

Venue: Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Tickets prices are $25 General Admission, $35 VIP, and $20 Seniors, $30 VIP (65 & up with ID).

Plus

Dance workshop with Jose Barrios. Call tel. (305) 866-4387 for details.

Please come and support this important cultural event organized by my great friends, Paco and Celia Fonta, of Siempre Flamenco.

Tickets for all performances and venues can be purchased online at http://www.siempreflamenco.com/, at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. Tickets can also be purchased at the respective venue Box Office, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

For more information, please call Siempre Flamenco at tel. (305) 866-4387.

Ole, ole', y ole'!

I Stand Relieved

Today is my last day of Active Duty military service. Today I leave the US Navy, requesting to go ashore one last time. I do so with a great deal of pride and satisfaction. I am proud to have been a member of the world's finest Navy, to have worn the uniform and worked side-by-side with the best linguists and Shipmates in defense of OUR country. I flew missions overland Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning 5 Air Medals along the way. I am satisfied with a job well done, and with the quality of incoming linguists in whose preparation as Sailors and Linguists I had a hand, and to whom I now pass the torch. Now it's my turn to hang up my uniform, spend time at home with my family and friends, pursue other interests, and sleep well at night confident that they are standing the watch viligantly. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me over the last 10 1/2 years so that I could have the honor and distinction of serving OUR country. I now stand relieved.

Thinking in Spanglish

It occurs to me, as I sit here sipping hot café, that my blog lacks an accent. Until now, I haven't written one word in español. Now there are two. Some will argue that café is etymologically not a Spanish word. They're right. But it gives my blog sazón, spice, accent.

Henceforth, it won't be just about me: although these will be my thoughts, my views, my opinions. I shall keep my readers, public, and fellow bloggers in mind. With that in mind, hasta cuándo, Fidel, hasta cuándo? Ya no aguanto más!

Excuse my sudden outburst. I am, after all, Latin.

As for my review of McD's in Pacific Grove, California...you see one, you've seen them all, give or take. This one will be memorable because it was here that I sat down, sipped a hot café, and rediscovered my accent.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Pacific Grove - McD's

Yogy teaches me about life

When I'm eating he sits next to me and places his little head on my lap to remind me that there's always someone less fortunate, someone hungrier than I am, and that it's good to share.

When I'm feeling lazy he plops down on the couch right next to me to remind me that it's good to relax, take a nap, and recharge.

When I'm bored and complaining that there's nothing to do, I see how he keeps himself entertained with the first thing he finds, reminding me that there's always something to do --you really don't have to look too hard.

When my self worth is low, when I find myself worrying because I don't want to disappoint others, I see him staring at himself in the mirror, reminding me that I am important to me, that I should do what's right for me so that I won't disappoint myself.

When he's cold he burrows himself under the blankets; when he gets hot he comes out from underneath the blankets for fresh air, reminding me that I am in control of my life. I direct the course that my life will take. When I'm uncomfortable with a situation, I can change it.

Thanks, Yogy.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

31 Days Left in Monterey

So many thoughts going through my mind. Very excited to return home as a grown-up. So many options, so many opportunities. I still have time to pursue my dreams, missions, and lessons in this life, in this Avatar. Still have time to pay it forward. Mostly looking forward to spending time with my soul mates: Dad, sister, friends...

Troops to Teachers: check.

Teacher Certification: check.

Reserves: check.

State: passed the FSOT, submitted PNQs, passed SCNL phone interview, awaiting results of QRB. Will I receive an invite to the OA? Time will tell. Results should be out around 15Jan10.

FIU: pending.

Check-out/PCS process: on track.

So far, so good.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Like Clockwork

As promised by ACT, on Tuesday, 08 September 2009, at 0655(EST), I received an email titled "Foreign Service Officer Test October 2009: Registration Confirmation." I have been approved to take the FSOT!

I was ecstatic! Of course, I didn't see the email till much later. Hotmail access is blocked at work, so I can only check my personal email via my iPhone. However, I happened to be taking my Portuguese DLPT that particular morning. During the halfway point break, I found out I had received the "invite" to take the FSOT. Very exciting, indeed. I (almost) immediately copied the address link to the FSOT registration page, and navigated to it on my work computer (luckily, that site is not blocked). By the time I logged in to get an appointment date/time to take the FSOT, though, my preferred location was all booked (San Jose). I had to choose an alternate location: the next closest place. I chose Oakland. There were four dates available. But which one should I choose? I couldn't decide! I think my nerves got the best of me. I kept looking back and forth between the dates on my computer screen, and the calendar on my desk, trying to decide which date would interfere less with work, which date worked better, which date would give me an extra edge studywise. By the time I settled on a date, the first available, the page refreshed, and that date was no longer available. I panicked!

I immediately went for the next best date, which was still available, and booked it: Friday, 09 October 2009, at 1300(L). I plan to go up to Oakland the day before, spend the night at a local motel near the test site, where I can study quietly the evening and morning prior to the exam.

Until then, I continue to diligently study, review, study, review...and I just can't wait!