Monday, December 9, 2013
Final Exams coming up!
Fran has two more weeks of school and things are heating up for her! Last night she burned a CD with 74 pages of homework for her class in Discrete Mathematics!!! This morning she is sitting for the final exam she has been worried about for a few weeks now, and has been running on about 4 hours of sleep per night for more than a week. Last week she had 2 exams in Programming and got a 10 in one (the highest grade possible) and an 8.4 in the other. She needs to get 7 or higher to pass.
As I mentioned in earlier blogs, this first year is like a hazing -- she has to pass ALL of her tests and classes or she's out. That's not going to happen to Fran, but the school will make it's first cuts next week, and Fran thinks there will be 5 to 8 students in her class who will not be coming back after the end of this semester. I have a feeling it will be more than that. The last cut of first-year students will be made at the end of the upcoming second semester, and usually only about half survive. They set it up that way, so they are only left with the best candidates for graduation. After this year, she will be allowed to flunk one class per semester and still be able to take it over again....but I can't see that happening with Fran!
Christmas is approaching. I am going to the States for 3 weeks and will unfortunately miss her final week of exams. But Steven and Leeann will be here and I will be notified about how she did. Steven set her up with Skype, made an adjustment to make her computer run faster, and hooked her up somehow so that he will be able to "see" her computer from his computer.
Fran will visit her family for about 5 days over Christmas and will be back here on the 30th when I arrive back from the States.
For the whole month of January (which she has off) she will be attending English classes 5 days a week at the Lending Library and no doubt studying in advance for the next semester.
So I will be signing off from the blog until about January 2. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and hope to see you back here soon.
Peace to all!
As I mentioned in earlier blogs, this first year is like a hazing -- she has to pass ALL of her tests and classes or she's out. That's not going to happen to Fran, but the school will make it's first cuts next week, and Fran thinks there will be 5 to 8 students in her class who will not be coming back after the end of this semester. I have a feeling it will be more than that. The last cut of first-year students will be made at the end of the upcoming second semester, and usually only about half survive. They set it up that way, so they are only left with the best candidates for graduation. After this year, she will be allowed to flunk one class per semester and still be able to take it over again....but I can't see that happening with Fran!
Christmas is approaching. I am going to the States for 3 weeks and will unfortunately miss her final week of exams. But Steven and Leeann will be here and I will be notified about how she did. Steven set her up with Skype, made an adjustment to make her computer run faster, and hooked her up somehow so that he will be able to "see" her computer from his computer.
Fran will visit her family for about 5 days over Christmas and will be back here on the 30th when I arrive back from the States.
For the whole month of January (which she has off) she will be attending English classes 5 days a week at the Lending Library and no doubt studying in advance for the next semester.
So I will be signing off from the blog until about January 2. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and hope to see you back here soon.
Peace to all!
Friday, November 29, 2013
Only 3 more weeks for this semester!
Fran has been studying straight for 4 hours, discrete math. She just took a short break and is now back at it. She has a jacket on because it is really cold in Oaxaca tonight! Sometimes Fran is in her room most of the day (on her "days off") studying. Last night she told me she'll will sit with a single problem for hours until she figures it out. If she starts to go crazy, she'll go visit her friend the Oaxacan dentist for some friendly conversation, and then return refreshed to dig in again. Sometimes she goes to the web for help, or to the Oaxaca Learning Center which is only 2 blocks away. I remain in awe.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Steven and Leeann visit and help with our Squeeze-By Budget!
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| Steven, Fran and Leeann after our lunch meeting at the Zocalo, Oaxaca |
Greetings friends!
First a little catch-up on how Fran has been doing. She is still among the top 2 or top 5 in her class depending on the week, and that is out of 30 students. One of her most valuable learning skills is her willingness to ask questions when she doesn't understand, and to connect with her teachers. The professors at this institution do the opposite of coddling their students! They ask students to leave the class if they are behind on their homework, or if they yawn. They are not allowed to take notes, so the students must understand and be able to discuss the material in class. That means they are going to fail if they don't ask questions and speak up -- the prof assumes that they understand everything perfectly unless they indicate otherwise. So Fran speaks up all the time, and is often asked to come to the front of the class to explain problems to the others. If the teacher gives 20 pages of homework, Fran completes all of them -- as opposed to other students who may complete 3 or 4.
Her weak subject was investigation (research) and methodology, but not any more. She met with this professor for 3 hours recently, consulted a few times with Marisol, and is now on-track and enthusiastic.
Budget!
Numbers are not my strong suit, so when Leeann and Steven showed up from Oregon I jumped at the opportunity to get their moral support on creating a budget that will get Fran through the next 4.5 years to her engineering degree.
THE SQUEEZE-BY BUDGET REVEALS THAT WE NEED TO PLUG A MONTHLY HOLE OF $45 IN ORDER TO SQUEEZE BY.
We currently have the donors that are providing rent free accommodations (me), and 2 regular donors providing a total of $75/month, which almost covers her food bill.
Here's the Squeeze-By Budget, faithfully copied out by me on a restaurant placemat...
Monthly Budget for Fran: (current exchange rates)
$250 pesos / $18.92 dollars Pro-rated tuition ($3,000 pesos per year, payable $1,500 in
July and January) NOT ACCOUNTED FOR
$1000 pesos / $75.70 dollars Transportation (COVERED for the next 3 years by a grant)
$1000 pesos / $75.70 dollars (Minimum) Food COVERED
$500 pesos / $37.34 dollars Materials and small Expenses NOT ACCOUNTED FOR
$2,500 pesos ($207.66)
NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP: $56.26 dollars PER MONTH (Tuition + Materials)
Therefore, we are hoping to find donors who will commit to a small monthly donation to make up part of this gap. Of course, one-time donations are always welcome too, and I will be able to reduce the gap. Also, remember that this is a SQUEEZE-BY budget -- it doesn't include clothes, any entertainment, or (God forbid) medical expenses should they arise. It's also possibly short in the food department, as this also includes toiletries, toilet paper (ha!) and laundry soap.
Please consider a donation, and perhaps you have one contact or friend who might also be interested in helping.
Donations can be made by going to this site:
http://
THANK YOU ALL!
LORENA AND FRAN
Monday, November 4, 2013
Days of the Dead in Oaxaca! Fran's progress!
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| Fran in front of the church at Santa Ana Zegache, restored by the local people under the supervision of the artist Rudolfo Morales. |
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| Fran at the Days of the Dead altar to artist Rudolfo Morales at his home in Ocotlan. |
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| Sand tapete (carpet) in front of the Basilica de Soledad, Oaxaca |
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| Fran and Catrina, after the performance of "Copijcha" at Teatro Macedonia Alcala |
Last week Fran and I attended a production of "Copijcha" at the Macedonia Alcala (see clip above), and then we went for a day trip with David to Velasco, Zegache and Ocotlan. She hasn't seen any of the surrounding ruins or pueblos, so I am going to try and gradually introduce her to the rich heritage that surrounds her in Oaxaca.
Fran continues to excel in her school work and to impress her teachers. She tells me she is among the top 5 or so people in her class in terms not only of grades, but of turning in her work dependably and keeping up with all the requirements. She is putting a lot of time and energy into her calculus class and it is really paying off -- that includes attending evening classes at the Learning Center, participating in a study group several times a week, and disappearing into her room for many hours to study. She seems to have a boundless appetite for learning.
I am leaving for the States on December 11 and will return on December 30. Fran will be here except for a few days to visit her family. Marisol will be going to Mexico City around the 20th of December for about 3 weeks, so it looks like Fran will have the place to herself for 10 days, minus the time she is with her family. Leeann and Steven will be visiting during that time, and so Fran will not be completely on her own. During their visit they will sit down with me to help work out a budget covering at least the next year. We will let you know what Fran needs to get her through this period.
Fran gets 2 months off school, and I am trying to find an opportunity for her to spend the month of January learning English. This week I will be checking if she can attend the English class at the Oaxaca Library 4 days per week, which would be the most reasonable (financially) alternative. I have my fingers crossed that Jay, the teacher, will not be on vacation. Fran still does not speak a word of English because she has been putting all her energy into her other classes.
She is still enjoying her new glasses, and realizing how much she wasn't seeing without them! Sometimes a little thing can change your life!
If you are new to the blog and would like to contribute to Fran's education, I have periodically posted information about the Oregon Credit Union where she has her education account. Or you can contact me by leaving a message on the blog.
Until next time....
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Many kinds of learning
Fran living in this house (apartment, rather) with me and Marisol continues to be a learning experience for all of us, one that will affect many others I imagine, like the ripples flowing out from a drop of water.
I am continually learning about Fran, her ideas, her understanding, her needs, her interests and goals across a complex communication barrier on both sides. I do not speak fluent Spanish, and though she understands a little, she speaks no English.
But this limitation is more complex than it seems because Fran speaks in a speech pattern common to the villages, I am told by other Oaxacan friends. It is not the custom to either ask or answer a question directly, using the fewest words possible (especially when the other person does not speak your language fluently). The point is talked around and at lightening speed, taking many side roads and seemingly random tangents, and is frequently lost on me as I wait for clues about the the answer to my question, or the subject matter at hand.
Sometimes I try and get her to the point, when it is important. Often I decide to be satisfied with the general idea in the interest of time. Marisol, who speaks perfectly understandable Spanish, French, and English encounters the same phenomenon with Fran, but because both of them speak Spanish (remember that Fran is not a native speaker of Spanish -- she learned it only a few years ago) she can steer her to the point more easily.
Not surprisingly, though Fran is doing fantastically with numbers, she is not appreciating (and struggling, I think) with classes like Ethics, where she is expected to express thoughts and opinions both in front of the class and on paper. I suggested to her that the more challenging something is, the more she should dedicate herself to mastering it. The idea of professors at the school is that it is not enough to to master the technical skills of engineering; the student must be able to communicate effectively with bosses, clients, and co-workers.
This week instead of classes, all the IT engineering students are meeting and hearing lectures from various professionals in their field. But their teachers are e-mailing homework assignments which they turn in all week. So far, I really like the way this course of study is going for Fran.
Had an interesting conceptual event with Fran the other day that taught me something about assumptions. She expressed a concern to me that her eyes may be getting worse from wearing her new glasses, not better. I should have picked up on something right away, but didn't. She said when she took her glasses off, her eyes were much worse. What I learned later was that she somehow had the understanding that wearing glasses would improve her vision, literally. Her dentist, who has become another mentor, cleared it all up with her.
The other night, Fran and Marisol had a long talk about Fran's fear that her excellent grades will draw negative attention from other students and make them suspect her of cheating. Marisol talked to her about owning her accomplishment and sharing her secret (constant study, and attending night classes at the Learning Center) so that they will understand how she has achieved her grades. Marisol talked a lot about being proud of her own accomplishments as they accumulate, partly because when she becomes a professional she can't expect to hear much praise from bosses or co-workers. How to be proud without being arrogant. These lessons are just as important as anything she is learning in school, of course!!
Once or twice a week Fran receives counsel from Marisol about things that have come up -- sometimes points on how to conduct research (academic advice) and other times situations with her teachers or other students. Marisol is very busy with her own professional life, and she has been very generous and helpful to Fran.
This is just a taste of the rich garden of learning that we are all harvesting from in this house. Thanks yet again to those of you whose contributions are making this environment for Fran possible.
I am continually learning about Fran, her ideas, her understanding, her needs, her interests and goals across a complex communication barrier on both sides. I do not speak fluent Spanish, and though she understands a little, she speaks no English.
But this limitation is more complex than it seems because Fran speaks in a speech pattern common to the villages, I am told by other Oaxacan friends. It is not the custom to either ask or answer a question directly, using the fewest words possible (especially when the other person does not speak your language fluently). The point is talked around and at lightening speed, taking many side roads and seemingly random tangents, and is frequently lost on me as I wait for clues about the the answer to my question, or the subject matter at hand.
Sometimes I try and get her to the point, when it is important. Often I decide to be satisfied with the general idea in the interest of time. Marisol, who speaks perfectly understandable Spanish, French, and English encounters the same phenomenon with Fran, but because both of them speak Spanish (remember that Fran is not a native speaker of Spanish -- she learned it only a few years ago) she can steer her to the point more easily.
Not surprisingly, though Fran is doing fantastically with numbers, she is not appreciating (and struggling, I think) with classes like Ethics, where she is expected to express thoughts and opinions both in front of the class and on paper. I suggested to her that the more challenging something is, the more she should dedicate herself to mastering it. The idea of professors at the school is that it is not enough to to master the technical skills of engineering; the student must be able to communicate effectively with bosses, clients, and co-workers.
This week instead of classes, all the IT engineering students are meeting and hearing lectures from various professionals in their field. But their teachers are e-mailing homework assignments which they turn in all week. So far, I really like the way this course of study is going for Fran.
Had an interesting conceptual event with Fran the other day that taught me something about assumptions. She expressed a concern to me that her eyes may be getting worse from wearing her new glasses, not better. I should have picked up on something right away, but didn't. She said when she took her glasses off, her eyes were much worse. What I learned later was that she somehow had the understanding that wearing glasses would improve her vision, literally. Her dentist, who has become another mentor, cleared it all up with her.
The other night, Fran and Marisol had a long talk about Fran's fear that her excellent grades will draw negative attention from other students and make them suspect her of cheating. Marisol talked to her about owning her accomplishment and sharing her secret (constant study, and attending night classes at the Learning Center) so that they will understand how she has achieved her grades. Marisol talked a lot about being proud of her own accomplishments as they accumulate, partly because when she becomes a professional she can't expect to hear much praise from bosses or co-workers. How to be proud without being arrogant. These lessons are just as important as anything she is learning in school, of course!!
Once or twice a week Fran receives counsel from Marisol about things that have come up -- sometimes points on how to conduct research (academic advice) and other times situations with her teachers or other students. Marisol is very busy with her own professional life, and she has been very generous and helpful to Fran.
This is just a taste of the rich garden of learning that we are all harvesting from in this house. Thanks yet again to those of you whose contributions are making this environment for Fran possible.
Monday, October 7, 2013
October progress report
Hi friends,
I have been somewhat negligent writing the blog recently -- changing my artistic focus, building up new inventory, market research, and tying up loose ends has taken up time I don't even have! But I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But enough excuses!
Here is one of my biggest heroines, Fran, in her new winter jacket and new glasses. Every day she comments on how they make her life easier! Fran is studying to be a computer engineer, and she is taking pretty much wall-to-wall math classes -- Calculus, Discrete Math, and Fundamentals of Programming, along w/business ethics and Banda Guerra (she plays the drum while marching), a required extra curricular class which was the only one left after the juniors and seniors had their pick!
Just for the record, Fran is near or at the top of her class. She has accomplished this by constant study and wise use of resources, including a study group, tutors, and hours and hours in her room.
This is the crucial year. She must pass all of her classes in order to continue, and she is making sure that she does much more than that!
As some of you may know, here in the south of Mexico we have been caught between hurricanes on both coasts, and the constant rain is just beginning to flee the glorious months of October, November, December and January. Fran checks with her parents by phone and to date I have heard nothing about mudslides or the road being washed out. One or two of her fellow students made the mistake of trying to visit their village during the worst of the storms and were trapped there, unable to attend classes. They may have had to drop out. Her teachers do not accept any excuses, no matter how dire, for not attending class and completing all the work.
I still pinch myself that things are going so well. We have enough money to complete this school year, but I am beginning to anticipate next year. I will be in touch soon about that. So far, among our few donors, we have those who have given once, those who have given twice, and those who have committed to automatic monthly contributions of between $25 and $50. For those who have given once or twice, we hope that you will not forget us next year. For those of you who give monthly, we can't thank you enough for the feeling of stability that gives us!
Fran just returned from her study group and went back to her room to study. But she has a smile on her face! Thank you.
I have been somewhat negligent writing the blog recently -- changing my artistic focus, building up new inventory, market research, and tying up loose ends has taken up time I don't even have! But I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But enough excuses!
Here is one of my biggest heroines, Fran, in her new winter jacket and new glasses. Every day she comments on how they make her life easier! Fran is studying to be a computer engineer, and she is taking pretty much wall-to-wall math classes -- Calculus, Discrete Math, and Fundamentals of Programming, along w/business ethics and Banda Guerra (she plays the drum while marching), a required extra curricular class which was the only one left after the juniors and seniors had their pick!
Just for the record, Fran is near or at the top of her class. She has accomplished this by constant study and wise use of resources, including a study group, tutors, and hours and hours in her room.
This is the crucial year. She must pass all of her classes in order to continue, and she is making sure that she does much more than that!
As some of you may know, here in the south of Mexico we have been caught between hurricanes on both coasts, and the constant rain is just beginning to flee the glorious months of October, November, December and January. Fran checks with her parents by phone and to date I have heard nothing about mudslides or the road being washed out. One or two of her fellow students made the mistake of trying to visit their village during the worst of the storms and were trapped there, unable to attend classes. They may have had to drop out. Her teachers do not accept any excuses, no matter how dire, for not attending class and completing all the work.
I still pinch myself that things are going so well. We have enough money to complete this school year, but I am beginning to anticipate next year. I will be in touch soon about that. So far, among our few donors, we have those who have given once, those who have given twice, and those who have committed to automatic monthly contributions of between $25 and $50. For those who have given once or twice, we hope that you will not forget us next year. For those of you who give monthly, we can't thank you enough for the feeling of stability that gives us!
Fran just returned from her study group and went back to her room to study. But she has a smile on her face! Thank you.
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