menchu

yesterday was a long day
it was the end of a long stretch of days
that have been busy and exhausting...the most busy and exhausting of my life thus far
i've had a lot of work
a lot of late nights
yesterday was my last late night of a workshop
last time leaving m in daycare till the very last minute
my last big paper for the semester handed in
last late night staying up to finish writing in a fit of anxiety (for now)
yesterday was busy

yesterday was also when i found out a colleague of mine, with my same name, lost her fight against cancer. a fight she had been in for 4 years.

she was the type of woman who left an impression on you. one of the kindest, most optimistic and enthusiastic people you have ever met.

yesterday i wanted to do something for her
i thought about adopting a dog - she loved animals
i decided to make my classes more fun. i changed the itinerary for the day to include more games, more exposure to culture and music. she was a master of inspiring a love and interest in language learning in her students. yesterday i wanted to be a better teacher for her.

i hope to hold onto that feeling in her memory. no matter how tired or sick i may think i feel - she is a reminder that there is always more to give.