Why I don't get my work done

For the past couple of weeks I've sat here at my desk working on several end-of-the-year tasks. In the middle of all this work, I've often stared forlornly (well, not so much) at my blog, where I haven't posted in almost two weeks. It's just been so busy, and I admit I'm easily distracted. I've also been somewhat at a loss for what to write, being that my head is in several places.

I've found myself surrounded by piles of papers needing to be read, corrected, filed, graded, organized... and what am I doing? I'm looking at several Internet pages which I've tabbed - my personal email, my school email, my Google Reader, my Facebook, my Twitter page, my Nings, and my blog.

I correct a couple of pages, check my inbox. Read another paper or two, send a message to my sister on FB. Grade a few more papers, scan my Twitter page, tweet, or retweet. Edit another few pages, read a few of my favorite blogs. Tweet again. Check FB and discover my Scrabble partner has challenged me to a new game. Play my turn. Back to the papers. Check in on one of my Nings, read. Get up to adjust the volume on the TV. Oh yeah, I'm also watching, or rather listening to CNN. I go to get a cup of coffee. Back to the papers. And so it goes.

That's how I work. Call it ADHD or plain old procrastination. No wonder I'm still looking at my undone report cards, which are due on Wednesday.

Oh well. I did manage to write this post.

Breaking off a piece

It works like magic
on your insides,
the parts suppressed by adulthood,
your center, your soul,
the hideaway you keep.

It loves you -
a brief respite from daily matters
that makes you smile,
intense on your tongue,
curiously erotic,
making your eyelids flutter and
filling you sweetly,
kisses melting on your tongue
soothing every imaginable pain.

You forget
for a moment
where, what, why.
The treasure of the Amazon
has become your delicious secret.

Ha!
That’s why women I know have buried
Russel Stover in their lingerie drawer
Whitman’s in their desk
and Hershey in their handbag.

Reach for More has received an award!

I’ve been blogging for just 4 ½ months, and I’ve received an award! I would like to thank Stella from My World-Mi Mundo for awarding my blog with an Arte y Pico award. Cool! Mil gracias Stella por tu apoyo y amistad. Lo agradezco de verdad.

This award is passed on to blogs you learn from, that inspire you, that make you smile or think, and that are doing something special. Here are the rules:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and contribution to the blogger community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award-winning blog has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of the Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) To show these rules.

And so, the Arte y Pico award goes to:

Larry, at Crowned with Laurels - for his insightful observations about people and nature, and for sharing honest and raw feelings about growing up. Real poems for real people!

Pearmama, at Hello World - for her amazing artwork, and for the way she is able to glide from mother, to wife, to artist, to funny woman. Very entertaining!

LanaBanana, at American Fool - for her bad-ass attitude which I love, and because she is probably someone I would love to hang out with in real life. I appreciate how she says what she wants to say, sin pelo en la lengua!

Mr. Magoo, at El Atico de Mr. Magoo - for his reminders of the songs we grew up with, his Musical Fridays, and great-to-listen-to podcasts.

and Literanista - for her excellent discussions of Hispanic books and authors, and for being a great source for what to read next.

If the awarded bloggers wish to pass on the award, please go to Arte y Pico for the rules.

Aspirar = Inhale

The Spanish word aspira is a cognate, and means "aspire" in English, as in reaching toward something, setting your sights on a goal, or having high expectations. Aspirar also means "to inhale" - which I had to remind myself to do today.

No importan los detalles - the details are unimportant. What matters is I'm reminded to apreciar lo que tengo, be grateful for what I have. Breathe, and realize that everything is actually good just as it is right now.

Family, health, a good cup of coffee, a good piece of bread, a book, some music, y aspirando el aire fresco de la mañana - its all good. That other thing I want - if its meant to be, cool. If not, that's cool too.

A restrained rant

Bueno, espero que no haya metido la pata. Me metí en algo con el motivo de forzarme a escribir y crear más. Hay tanto en esta cabeza que quiere salir - y me siento increíblemente limitada en el trabajo. Pero así es la realidad; hay que pagar las cuentas y poner leche en la nevera.

Hoy en la escuela pasamos un día demasiado caótico. Alguien tuvo la idea de hacer un "desfile de palabras". Claro, la idea era bonita, tenía su buen intento. Pero, con tanto que hacer, algunas no estaban preparadas. Me dió pena presentar el proyecto muy a la rápida y los chicos sintieron la presión. Pero cumplimos con el asunto, hicimos la presentación, y todos contentos. Al fín, temo que pocos alumnos entiendieron el motivo. Y ese es el grán error que cometemos en la escuela ultimamente- hacemos por hacer o porque nos obligan.

Well, I hope I haven't put my foot in it. I've gotten myself into something with the intention of making myself write and create more. There's so much in this head that needs to get out - and I'm feeling incredibly stifled at work. But that's reality; you have to pay bills and put milk in the fridge.

We spent a chaotic day at school today. Someone had the idea to have a "vocabulary parade". Sure, it was a nice idea with good intentions. But with so much to do, some of us were not prepared. I felt bad during my brief explanation of the project and the kids felt the pressure. But we managed to complete the task, we made the presentation, and everybody was pleased. In the end, I'm afraid too few students understood the point. And there is the biggest mistake we make in school these days - we do things for the sake of doing them or because we're told we have to.

El vendedor de libros

He mirado los ojos verdes
de un madrileño.
No lo conocía muy bien,
ni él a mí.
Apenas toqué su mano
al entregarle un libro,
y al hacerlo
estuve tan conciente de sútiles corrientes eléctricos.
Devoré su cara con mis ojos
mientras los suyos tocaban canciones
para un momento muy mío.
Me sentía tan transparente
esperando que nadie se diera cuenta
que me moría durante ese minuto
por un hombre extraño.
Quedé mesmerada,
hasta sentí cosquillas en las rodillas.
Memoricé su naríz,
su cabello rizado café,
las líneas de su cara,
el acento.
Su nombre, aún me encanta decirlo.
Disculpen, pero
qué distracción más linda
durante un día aburrido en el trabajo.