The last few weeks i've been quoting that famous Tom Hanks/ Forest Gump quote in my head, " Life is like a box of chocolates, you never quite know what you're gonna get." It seems that lately I never quite know what to expect, emotionally and in my day to day life. Christmas time here has been an interesting one. At first I was really excited for Christmas lights and such here, but quickly realized what makes lights so pretty is the snow that surrounds them, they don't quite have the same effect with rain pouring down all around. We have some decorations up in our piso, but mostly I find myself missing the festiveness at home. Needless to say it has been somewhat emotional experiencing Christmas away from home. One day i'm really excited and enjoying Christmas in another culture, and the next thing you know I can't even listen to Christmas music because it makes me miss home. I was literally baking Christmas cookies listening to Kenny G in a great mood, and then the later as I was walking to the gym I wanted to cry because nothing was Christmassy to me anymore. Good grief, I never know what to expect with my emotions. But then one day, I walked into the second grade class room (I always go there when I have some extra time, they are my favorites) and they were practicing for the Christmas program. They were singing the little drummer boy (in Spanish of course). And as I listened to them I was filled with joy. They were singing their hearts out, completely in Spanish and it filled me with passion for this language that I have studied for so long and grown to love. It made me grateful for the ability to live my everyday life, relatively normally, in Spanish. Like I said, you never know what is going to make you stop and re-evaluate things.
There have been many things that have been "box of chocolate like" over these few weeks but this week has really stood out for me. This saying became even more pronounced for me when, on monday, the mom of the girls I teach private lessons for gave me a box of chocolates as a Christmas present. That settled it, this was my motto for next few days.
Monday morning I was walking to school and as I rounded the corner to street my school was on I passed by the 4 and 5 year olds walking out of the school with their their teachers. Awesome, Monday mornings I teach the 4 and 5 year olds. So I go into the school and the teacher I teach with tells me they are going to see a nativity and we are going with! Now for us in the states we have nativity scenes in our houses as decorations, they do here as well, but they are so much more important to them. Chapels, and churches and schools make huge nativity displays for the public to go see. The only thing I can think of that would help you understand is the Macy's 8th floor display. Now obviously not nearly as grand as that, but large detailed nativity scene that is roped off and children walk by and see. So Monday I got to go see a nativity scene. Excellent unexpected chocolate.
Tuesday was the day of the program. Yes the day of the bilingual Christmas play I had been helping out with was finally here. I helped the kids change into their costumes and let me say they looked adorable. Even though it was only an elementary school play that still needed work (they had to stop half way through and find their spot) they kids and parents went all out for costumes. The wise men had wigs and beards and everything. One thing that truly struck me during the program was the parent participation. This thing was in the middle of the day, but families were there all the same. Moms and dads. The importance of family here can really be seen through how much the parents are around this place. Taking off in the middle of a Tuesday to watch my child's Christmas play? No problem, we will work without you until you get back. Thats what's important here, very different from home. But anyways the play went great and the kids were so proud, as was I. The rest of the grades all sang a Christmas carol as well. There is just about nothing cuter than kids singing, and then add the Spanish, it was adorable. After school that day we had the Christmas lunch with the teachers (which I only found out was happening on Monday). Everyone brought something to eat and we just had the lunch at school. It was very typical food. Tortilla Española (egg and potato dish, like quiche), gambas (shrip, complete with heads and skin and all), olives, jamon, cheese, bread and of course beer. After we had all eaten our fill they broke out the musical instruments and one of the teachers brought his guitar. We spent the next few hours singing Christmas carols, and sevillana (which is flamenco music). At one point several of the teachers got up and started dancing flamenco. I of course didn't know any of the words to anything so I just sat back, with my instrument, and just took It all in. They did sing Feliz Navidad and included the English part for me. But that afternoon was one of the moments where I had to ask myself, "is the really my life?"
The next day came with more unexpectedness (strange chocolates if you will, that you aren't sure about, but then decide you really like). The students had Christmas parties in their classes the last 2 hours of the day. The parents bring food and the kids just hang out and play. It was odd for me that parents stayed for the party too, but I guess thats normal here. There was more Tortilla Española, chips, olives and beer for the parents. But there were no organized games. The kids were just alloyed to run around free in the school. Strange I would say, but who am I to judge. Near the end one of the dads came out to the open area where the kids were playing and organized a game of an impromtu hide and go seek like game. Children running screaming and being spun around by this father. Yes, all inside the school. Oh and I forgot to mention, the kids were visited by the 3 kings today. They came and passed out candy and the students told them what they wanted for Christmas. Here the three kings bring the presents, not Santa.
Having finished this totally unexpected week I find myself grateful. True I am spending my first Christmas away from home, but I get to live out how another culture celebrates. This week has totally been one big long cultural experience and that is exactly why I came here in the first place. It is easy for me to loose sight of that at time, but I'm glad to have weeks like this when my passion for learning about this culture and language is reignited. So now I am about to leave and spend Christmas in Paris. Another adventure since we don't even know if we can get there because of the bad weather they have been having. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see what kind of chocolate i'm going pick out tomorrow. . .
Merry Christmas to all of you! I love and miss you all.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The rain in Spain
A song from a beloved musical has taught us time and time again that the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plaines. Now this is actually what pops into most people's head when Spain is mentioned. I in fact had several people sing that song when I told them of my plan to move to Spain. This song however lies. I do not live in the plaines but the rain is falling, and falling and falling. It has actually rained for the last 6 days. I'm not complaining, I just want to make sure none of you take that song too seriously, for it is not an accurate description of the precipitation patterns of Spain. No in all honestly it has been raining in lots of parts of Spain recently. Other places in Andalucia, Madrid, even into Portugal. It has just been a rainy week. It's unfortunate because we actually have been off of school for the last few days. Monday was Constitution day here and today we celebrate some saint. So we have had Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off of school. Instead of traveling this break I stayed in Huelva and one miss Kelley Duffey came down to visit!! She was more successful the second time around. She made it to Huelva Saturday and stayed till Tuesday. Although we didn't do a whole bunch of exciting things (partially due to rain) we had the best time together. We both enjoyed being around someone familiar. I showed her around Huelva, we went to a great Spanish movie and took a day trip to Sevilla. Add that to the afternoons out getting coffee and the ridiculous number of Modern Family episodes we watched and you better believe we had a great weekend. I'm a bit jealous because she is going home to Minnesota for Christmas. I mean I get to go to Paris, but still there is something about being home for Christmas, and seeing as this is my first Christmas ever away, it's a little difficult. There are several Christmas songs I have to skip when they come up on my itunes, like I'll be home for Christmas, and Theres no place like home for the Holidays. It's just better if I don't listen to them. I am enjoying Christmas time here though. They have put up Christmas lights around the city here. And there is big light tree in the center. The lights are quite beautiful, although it isn't quite the same seeing them in a background of rain rather than snow. On thing I will say about the rainy weather, the air temp has gotten significantly higher. This is great for us who have been freezing in our piso. These last few days I have barely needed to wear a coat. It's nice, but again doesn't help with creating a Christmassy atmosphere. Anyway we are doing the best we can with the way Spain celebrates Christmas. School continues to go well, I only have about 2 weeks until Christmas break. Well that all I have for now. Sorry there is nothing exciting in this entry, but that what you get with a week straight of rain. Until next time, and you can be sure I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.
Katie
Katie
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Good friends, good food, GREAT times!
Well after 10 buses and 2 plane rides, I've made it back from Barcelona safe and sound. But before I jump into my weekend in Barcelona I would like to rewind for a minute. I did not get a chance to blog last week because I was so busy getting ready for the trip and with school and whatnot. But I had a very memorable weekend last weekend and It should not be over looked. I had my first visitor to Huelva! The wonderful Julia Shultz (a fellow Gustie who is also here in Spain student teaching) made the trip over to the Huelv to spend the weekend with me. It was so amazing to see a familiar face and to shower her around what is truly becoming my city. We spend the weekend catching up, having coffee, walking around the centro, eating tapas and of course going out Spanish style. It was a great weekend and I'm so happy I got to see her while she is in Spain. That whole week was just a great one in general. I tutor one of the teachers at my school and the hour we spend talking in English she showed me the map of the bus lines here in Huelva and which ones are the good ones, and closest ones to my house and the places I need to go (like places I tutor, the center, the bus station ext.) So I learned, and successfully took the bus last week! It is not necessarily faster, but my feet sure are a lot happier. School has continued to be great. I'm much happier being a regular teacher's assistant and not teaching my own classes. I got to go to on a field trip to the movies with my class and help out with the Christmas play some more. It was a great week/weekend.
Now to Barcelona. I was a bit nervous at the start of my trip. I've never had to travel alone alone to anywhere before, with really just an idea of how to get where I needed to be. Our group was going to stay in Barcelona together, but we all had to get there on my own. I had to get to Sevilla and then to the airport and then to the apartment we were staying on my own. Well let me just say, traveling here is possible, but it is not quick and convenient. I took a bus from my piso to the bus station, from Huelva to Sevilla, from the bus station in Sevilla to another stop in Sevilla. From there I had to take the airport bus to the airport to get my flight. I was proud I made it successfully with time to spare. Then I flew on an air plane where we were packed on there like pickles, it will catch on, (thank you to anyone who knows that reference) and hour and a half to Barcelona. Seriously if you thought regular American Airline planes were bad just try flying some the airlines over here. You literally have zero room, the seats are so close together. But I made it so no worries. Then I had to take another bus from the airport to a stop in Barce where I finally met up with the rest of the group and went to the apartment we would be staying at. 5 buses in total, and one flight. However the whole hassle was worth it. Barcelona is an amazing city! I was there when I was 16 but remember almost nothing about it, except the beach which of course was not an option this time of year. We spent 2 full days walking around and seeing everything we could see. We saw lots of Gaudi architecture (parks, buildings ext.), La Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, and the Gothic district. We walked to the Cathedral, the port and the Olympic stadium. We ate delicious tapas, drank sangria and our favorite of all, the famous grofres with helado, or waffles and ice cream. They were delicious! And the one of the coolest things by far was the the light fountain. At night there is a light show played to music and it is absolutely spectacular. It is in front of this beautiful cathedral looking building, which also has beautifully lit waterfalls cascading down the front. And the best part is, they have escalators you can take to the top. The architecture of this city is truly amazing, unlike anything I've ever seen before. Apart for the amazing city I got to see a good friend of mine, Cameron Smith. A friendship that started in Chile and has lasted through almost 2 and half years and 3 different continents. It was really great to see him again, along with meet other new friends. It truly was a wonderful weekend. But like any great trip it goes too fast and you always want more time. But this morning I had to start the bus, plane, bus process all over again. So I headed back home and like I said, 10 buses and 2 plane rides later here I am, safe and sound. Enjoying the comfort of my couch and letting my feet rest. It was quite the adventure and I must say I'm proud of myself for figuring it all out and am excited for my next traveling adventure. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, I missed you all (and the food) so very much. Until next time, lots of love.
Katie
Now to Barcelona. I was a bit nervous at the start of my trip. I've never had to travel alone alone to anywhere before, with really just an idea of how to get where I needed to be. Our group was going to stay in Barcelona together, but we all had to get there on my own. I had to get to Sevilla and then to the airport and then to the apartment we were staying on my own. Well let me just say, traveling here is possible, but it is not quick and convenient. I took a bus from my piso to the bus station, from Huelva to Sevilla, from the bus station in Sevilla to another stop in Sevilla. From there I had to take the airport bus to the airport to get my flight. I was proud I made it successfully with time to spare. Then I flew on an air plane where we were packed on there like pickles, it will catch on, (thank you to anyone who knows that reference) and hour and a half to Barcelona. Seriously if you thought regular American Airline planes were bad just try flying some the airlines over here. You literally have zero room, the seats are so close together. But I made it so no worries. Then I had to take another bus from the airport to a stop in Barce where I finally met up with the rest of the group and went to the apartment we would be staying at. 5 buses in total, and one flight. However the whole hassle was worth it. Barcelona is an amazing city! I was there when I was 16 but remember almost nothing about it, except the beach which of course was not an option this time of year. We spent 2 full days walking around and seeing everything we could see. We saw lots of Gaudi architecture (parks, buildings ext.), La Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, and the Gothic district. We walked to the Cathedral, the port and the Olympic stadium. We ate delicious tapas, drank sangria and our favorite of all, the famous grofres with helado, or waffles and ice cream. They were delicious! And the one of the coolest things by far was the the light fountain. At night there is a light show played to music and it is absolutely spectacular. It is in front of this beautiful cathedral looking building, which also has beautifully lit waterfalls cascading down the front. And the best part is, they have escalators you can take to the top. The architecture of this city is truly amazing, unlike anything I've ever seen before. Apart for the amazing city I got to see a good friend of mine, Cameron Smith. A friendship that started in Chile and has lasted through almost 2 and half years and 3 different continents. It was really great to see him again, along with meet other new friends. It truly was a wonderful weekend. But like any great trip it goes too fast and you always want more time. But this morning I had to start the bus, plane, bus process all over again. So I headed back home and like I said, 10 buses and 2 plane rides later here I am, safe and sound. Enjoying the comfort of my couch and letting my feet rest. It was quite the adventure and I must say I'm proud of myself for figuring it all out and am excited for my next traveling adventure. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, I missed you all (and the food) so very much. Until next time, lots of love.
Katie
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Hugs and hellos
After my work week last week, I think anything would have been a step forward. My mom told me that my last blog entry was depressing, as a mother and as a teacher. Well don't worry mom, this week was 10 times better. The sick teacher is was finally back at our school! This was indeed good news, not just for me but for the other teachers who have been running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to fill in her shoes. Like I mentioned, there are only about 13 or 14 teachers at the school, so when one is missing it leaves a considerable void in the staff. But she was back and all of our lives resumed a somewhat normal pace and routine. My first class Monday mornings is with the 4 year olds. With all the switching around I have not been teaching then for the last 3 Mondays. So as I walked into the classroom for English time I was warmly greeted with hugs and "seño!!!!!!!!" (means teacher). I gotta say, it was a wonderful way to start my week. I got a similar reaction from the 1st graders, who I also hadn't seen in 3 weeks due to the teacher shuffle we had been playing. Despite the rainy weather we were having, it was a wonderful day. The rest of the week was equally as nice. The teacher that is finally back is doing a play with the 3rd graders about Mary and Joseph (yes they can do a biblical play in a public school here) and it is going to be in English and in Spanish, so I get to help out with that. And the rest of my teaching this week consisted of me actually just being a teachers assistant. It was a breath of fresh air after flying by the seat of my pants the last two weeks in school. One thing I do miss though, when the teacher was gone I got to teach English classes instead of Bilingual classes, and the sometimes the Bilingual classes are a challenge. The 5th graders are learning about vertabrate and invertebrate animals. Well I am mostly there to help with pronouncing the names of the different animals. Well one type of invertabrate is mollusc. The plural is mulluscs. Now just say this word out loud to yourself. Then imagine a group of students who don't speak English try to pronounce it. It was quite comical. And the 6th graders are starting to learn the muscles. So the teacher hands me the work sheet and has me read the names of the muscles. Well i'm reading a long and get to the sternocleidomastoid. Yes, I had to stop and struggle through that one, it would have been embarrassing but something my dad taught me long ago was that you always need to be able to laugh at yourself, makes things much easier. So the kids got a good laugh and so did I. I mean come on! That word is ridiculous.
Aside from my lovely week of teaching no exciting adventures to tell. I've been going out a bit more with some friends I met. But going out Spanish style is a lot more exhausting. It's not like being home from Patty's at 1:30 or 2. No no, thats when we go out to the bars. I literally have to mentally prepare myself each weekend. But it has been a lot of fun. I realized something though on Saturday as I sat and had cafe con leche with my friend Mary Beth. It was gorgeous sunny saturday afternoon, I had slept in and just gone to get lunch with a few friends. Mary Beth and then walked to get a cafe. As I was sitting outside in the sun I realized how nice it was to not have to worry about anything. I could sit there and have cafe all afternoon and it would be totally fine. For as long as I can remember with being in school there is always something in the back of your mind to worry about. It was so nice to just sit there and literally for this moment in time not have a care in the world. It is such a different world not being in school. Even on weekends when you have free time you have to worry about that test on monday, or that paper thats due, but I don't have that at all. And aside from small lesson plans I have a job that doesn't require a whole lot of outside work. It just really hit me how completely free I am here, to do pretty much whatever I want. I hope this isn't coming off in a way that makes it seem like I'm living and easy stress free life, things are challenging and overwhelming a lot of the time. But that freedom, to be able to take the time to do what I want to do is something I have not experienced before. I can go to the gym and stay for 2 hours or more, because I have the time. I can sit in the aqua massage area for 30 minutes if I want to, and I pondered this freedom as I did that very thing (don't worry I swam laps first.) Now what I need to work on is not feeling guilty about that free time. Before I would always feel like I should be working on something, even when I wasn't. I have to learn to enjoy the freeness and the ability to just be. I feel like it may be something that won't happen again in my life. Sorry this blog went all inner monologue, but sometimes there aren't great adventures to share, but just the simple every day happenings that I think are the difference between being a traveler, and actually living somewhere. I have to remember that as continue to try and make this place feel like home.
Enjoy the snow Minnesota ;)
Katie
Aside from my lovely week of teaching no exciting adventures to tell. I've been going out a bit more with some friends I met. But going out Spanish style is a lot more exhausting. It's not like being home from Patty's at 1:30 or 2. No no, thats when we go out to the bars. I literally have to mentally prepare myself each weekend. But it has been a lot of fun. I realized something though on Saturday as I sat and had cafe con leche with my friend Mary Beth. It was gorgeous sunny saturday afternoon, I had slept in and just gone to get lunch with a few friends. Mary Beth and then walked to get a cafe. As I was sitting outside in the sun I realized how nice it was to not have to worry about anything. I could sit there and have cafe all afternoon and it would be totally fine. For as long as I can remember with being in school there is always something in the back of your mind to worry about. It was so nice to just sit there and literally for this moment in time not have a care in the world. It is such a different world not being in school. Even on weekends when you have free time you have to worry about that test on monday, or that paper thats due, but I don't have that at all. And aside from small lesson plans I have a job that doesn't require a whole lot of outside work. It just really hit me how completely free I am here, to do pretty much whatever I want. I hope this isn't coming off in a way that makes it seem like I'm living and easy stress free life, things are challenging and overwhelming a lot of the time. But that freedom, to be able to take the time to do what I want to do is something I have not experienced before. I can go to the gym and stay for 2 hours or more, because I have the time. I can sit in the aqua massage area for 30 minutes if I want to, and I pondered this freedom as I did that very thing (don't worry I swam laps first.) Now what I need to work on is not feeling guilty about that free time. Before I would always feel like I should be working on something, even when I wasn't. I have to learn to enjoy the freeness and the ability to just be. I feel like it may be something that won't happen again in my life. Sorry this blog went all inner monologue, but sometimes there aren't great adventures to share, but just the simple every day happenings that I think are the difference between being a traveler, and actually living somewhere. I have to remember that as continue to try and make this place feel like home.
Enjoy the snow Minnesota ;)
Katie
Friday, November 5, 2010
The adventure continues
I realize it has been a while since my last post, and that would be, you guessed it, STILL no internet. I will now explain our situation to everyone who my lack of internet has effected. We have been to every phone store in Huelva and we get the same response at each. To get internet strong enough to use skype we need to sign at least a 12 month contract for wifi. This not being our best option we have continued our search. We also tried reaching out to our landlord. Asking him if he would perhaps sign the contract, then he can have wireless in the piso for the next people who move in. But he lives an hour outside the city and refused to come in. He is not a very good landlord, the window in our bathroom will not close either. I created a makeshift fix with the rope that was sent in my package (thanks dad!) We had internet last month because we bough the portable internet you plug into you USB. It worked pretty well for skype at first, but then we used up all the megabites, or whatever the computer lingo is, I don't really understand it. So after our month was up we went to recharge it and of course the company was having problems and we couldn't. Then my roommate heard about this company that you could set up wifi by paying monthly, so she called them and they are scheduled to come next week to install it, but it's Spain so I give it 2-3 weeks before we actually have it working. In the mean time I have been going to a friend's house and the library to use internet, and occasionally I can steal a tiny bar from the neighbors. So thats the deal, hopefully it will be solved soon, so just bare with me.
Anyways school continues to go fairly well. I say fairly because I had a rough day this past Wednesday. One of the bilingual teachers at our school has been sick for the last 2 1/2 weeks, and I've been filling it for her in a sense for that time. I'm not allowed to be alone with the kids, so their teacher is in the classroom with us, but literally just sits in the back and does nothing. So I am basically another teacher at this school. I'm with the 6th graders often and I have a group of boys that will not listen to me. Wednesday was the worst. They kept asking me to go to the bathroom every 10 seconds and I would say no but they wouldn't back down. And they just talk and talk and talk. It's because they don't understand what we are doing and most of them forget their work book everyday. And the teacher just sits there and does nothing but watch me struggle. Same with the 3rd graders, after every single thing we do the class turns to caos, and the teacher just watches me attempt, without success, to get them to settle down. It was awful. I've been realizing now the reasons I never want to be a teacher. Since i've worked with kids so much people often ask me why I don't want to be a teacher. Well now I know. When I've worked with kids it's always been in a fun relaxed setting. I can be their friend, we can have fun, joke around, be silly. But that can't happen in a class room. I'm no good at discipline. That group of 6th grade boys would be my favorite if this was Park and Rec. I don't stand up well as an authority figure. Maybe I started out too soft and now they think I'm a push over, but it's just not my style to be tough on kids. I'm no good at it, and I don't enjoy it. So this whole teaching thing as been such a learning experience for me. I really have to learn how interact differently with the kids.
Last weekend was Halloween, and while it is not a Spanish holiday, some do celebrate it. It's funny though because in the states kids dress up and anything. A cheerleader, mickey mouse, a football player, here all costumes are Halloween related. Everyone is either a ghost or witch or vampire ext. I went out true Spanish style and didn't get home until it was light outside. It was a fun night. Other than that life continues to chug along. I have somewhat of a routine in my life now which is nice. The weather continues to be great. I've been in short sleeves all week. Well that is all for now, stay warm everyone in Minnesota, I miss you!
Un besito
Katie
Anyways school continues to go fairly well. I say fairly because I had a rough day this past Wednesday. One of the bilingual teachers at our school has been sick for the last 2 1/2 weeks, and I've been filling it for her in a sense for that time. I'm not allowed to be alone with the kids, so their teacher is in the classroom with us, but literally just sits in the back and does nothing. So I am basically another teacher at this school. I'm with the 6th graders often and I have a group of boys that will not listen to me. Wednesday was the worst. They kept asking me to go to the bathroom every 10 seconds and I would say no but they wouldn't back down. And they just talk and talk and talk. It's because they don't understand what we are doing and most of them forget their work book everyday. And the teacher just sits there and does nothing but watch me struggle. Same with the 3rd graders, after every single thing we do the class turns to caos, and the teacher just watches me attempt, without success, to get them to settle down. It was awful. I've been realizing now the reasons I never want to be a teacher. Since i've worked with kids so much people often ask me why I don't want to be a teacher. Well now I know. When I've worked with kids it's always been in a fun relaxed setting. I can be their friend, we can have fun, joke around, be silly. But that can't happen in a class room. I'm no good at discipline. That group of 6th grade boys would be my favorite if this was Park and Rec. I don't stand up well as an authority figure. Maybe I started out too soft and now they think I'm a push over, but it's just not my style to be tough on kids. I'm no good at it, and I don't enjoy it. So this whole teaching thing as been such a learning experience for me. I really have to learn how interact differently with the kids.
Last weekend was Halloween, and while it is not a Spanish holiday, some do celebrate it. It's funny though because in the states kids dress up and anything. A cheerleader, mickey mouse, a football player, here all costumes are Halloween related. Everyone is either a ghost or witch or vampire ext. I went out true Spanish style and didn't get home until it was light outside. It was a fun night. Other than that life continues to chug along. I have somewhat of a routine in my life now which is nice. The weather continues to be great. I've been in short sleeves all week. Well that is all for now, stay warm everyone in Minnesota, I miss you!
Un besito
Katie
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A little of this, a little of that
I've decided that is is a lot of work to think up cute or catchy names for everything. Blog titles, facebook albums, everything needs to be clever. It's too much work and I'm just not that creative. Plus I want to write about several different things in this entry. So sorry, no cute creative title.
I finally got to travel this past weekend! I would have blogged about it sooner, but I actually had a busy week. Yes you heard correctly, I was busy this week. I almost forgot what it felt like. But I will talk about that later. This past weekend I went with my roommate to Lagos, Portugal. It was beautiful. There are only two buses that go, so we ended up not being able to leave until 5:30 on Friday and then had to come back at 1:45 on Sunday. We wanted to stay longer. First of all we had gorgeous weather. Warm and sunny the whole time. Definitely beach weather. The water was a bit cold, but nothing i'm not use to. I kept thinking, wow its october 16th and I'm swimming in the ocean. It is the off season so hotels there are really cheap and ours was right on the beach. It was awesome. The coast is lined with these cool bluff cave things and we went on a boat tour of them. It was sweet! The rest of the time we spent laying out, walking around the centro and eating the most amazing sea food! The first night I had a HUGE tuna steak and the next night some delicious sea food spaghetti. Sunday came much too quickly and we had to leave the beautiful sunny beach and ride home. Oh funny story. You learn to overhear English wherever you are because it's pretty rare in Huelva. So on the bus there were two older couples behind us speaking English. Turns out they were from Minnesota!! One couple from Rochester, the other from St. Paul. We spent some time discussing the twins and the vikings and how much we hate the Yankees. It felt like a little slice of home while abroad. They were just a couple of couples traveling around Europe together. Emily and Marissa, we are doing that when we are old. It's happening. But yes, that was my first travel experience thus far. It was successful.
So this week was once again crazy at school. After teaching 3 classes on my own last Thursday, I was ready to have a more relaxed week, where I'm not having to come up with all the lesson plans on my own. It seemed it would be that way until Wednesday morning. The bilingual coordinator found me and asked If I could do her a favor. One of the English teachers is very sick and will be out of school until Nov. 2nd. This puts the rest of the teachers in a bind. It's not like in the US where a system calls a sub and one is there that same day. The school has to call the government who sends someone. It usually takes a week, and smaller schools like mine just try to cover the gap. The teachers switch around their classes, and teach during their planning hour to cover the other teachers classes. Talk about rallying. Anyways, she asked me if I could teach the English classes this teacher usually teaches that day. They really don't want the kids to miss any English classes. I said of course I would help out. I usually teach Bilingual, which is mostly science classes in English, but that the children have already learned in Spanish. This is their English class. So I go into the classes with no idea as what they are covering or anything. I totally had to improv. But I think it went ok. We even played a fun memory game. At least it wasn't a total waste of an hour. My schedule will now be changed to teaching the English classes until the teacher gets back. I guess I will never know what to expect each week at school.
Its crazy though because the children here learn British English. We were learning to ask if we had different kinds of foods and the students learn "have you got?" instead of "do you have?" They also ask if they can use the toilet instead of going to the bathroom. French fries are chips and erasers are rubbers. I hope I don't confuse them too much with my American English. Oh and when they tell time it isn't 11:15 or 11:40, it's half past 11 or 20 to 12. So not what i'm use, so its a little bit more difficult to teach. But i'm still really enjoying my school and my private lessons are going well also. Next week I get to share about Halloween, so if anyone has any fun Halloween ideas for any age elementary students feel free to let me know.
No traveling this weekend, and another work week starts monday. I wonder what I will encounter this week. Still enjoying the weather here. On a funny side note, on monday it was absolutely beautiful outside and I was wearing a sleeveless dress with capri leggins. I got many many stares from people passing by in their sweaters, scarfs and boots. I just chuckle when the teachers at my school are complaining how cold it is and I'm wearing a tank top. Thanks Minnesota for preparing me for the cold. Well I will take advantage of the warm as long as I can.
Until next time
Katie
I finally got to travel this past weekend! I would have blogged about it sooner, but I actually had a busy week. Yes you heard correctly, I was busy this week. I almost forgot what it felt like. But I will talk about that later. This past weekend I went with my roommate to Lagos, Portugal. It was beautiful. There are only two buses that go, so we ended up not being able to leave until 5:30 on Friday and then had to come back at 1:45 on Sunday. We wanted to stay longer. First of all we had gorgeous weather. Warm and sunny the whole time. Definitely beach weather. The water was a bit cold, but nothing i'm not use to. I kept thinking, wow its october 16th and I'm swimming in the ocean. It is the off season so hotels there are really cheap and ours was right on the beach. It was awesome. The coast is lined with these cool bluff cave things and we went on a boat tour of them. It was sweet! The rest of the time we spent laying out, walking around the centro and eating the most amazing sea food! The first night I had a HUGE tuna steak and the next night some delicious sea food spaghetti. Sunday came much too quickly and we had to leave the beautiful sunny beach and ride home. Oh funny story. You learn to overhear English wherever you are because it's pretty rare in Huelva. So on the bus there were two older couples behind us speaking English. Turns out they were from Minnesota!! One couple from Rochester, the other from St. Paul. We spent some time discussing the twins and the vikings and how much we hate the Yankees. It felt like a little slice of home while abroad. They were just a couple of couples traveling around Europe together. Emily and Marissa, we are doing that when we are old. It's happening. But yes, that was my first travel experience thus far. It was successful.
So this week was once again crazy at school. After teaching 3 classes on my own last Thursday, I was ready to have a more relaxed week, where I'm not having to come up with all the lesson plans on my own. It seemed it would be that way until Wednesday morning. The bilingual coordinator found me and asked If I could do her a favor. One of the English teachers is very sick and will be out of school until Nov. 2nd. This puts the rest of the teachers in a bind. It's not like in the US where a system calls a sub and one is there that same day. The school has to call the government who sends someone. It usually takes a week, and smaller schools like mine just try to cover the gap. The teachers switch around their classes, and teach during their planning hour to cover the other teachers classes. Talk about rallying. Anyways, she asked me if I could teach the English classes this teacher usually teaches that day. They really don't want the kids to miss any English classes. I said of course I would help out. I usually teach Bilingual, which is mostly science classes in English, but that the children have already learned in Spanish. This is their English class. So I go into the classes with no idea as what they are covering or anything. I totally had to improv. But I think it went ok. We even played a fun memory game. At least it wasn't a total waste of an hour. My schedule will now be changed to teaching the English classes until the teacher gets back. I guess I will never know what to expect each week at school.
Its crazy though because the children here learn British English. We were learning to ask if we had different kinds of foods and the students learn "have you got?" instead of "do you have?" They also ask if they can use the toilet instead of going to the bathroom. French fries are chips and erasers are rubbers. I hope I don't confuse them too much with my American English. Oh and when they tell time it isn't 11:15 or 11:40, it's half past 11 or 20 to 12. So not what i'm use, so its a little bit more difficult to teach. But i'm still really enjoying my school and my private lessons are going well also. Next week I get to share about Halloween, so if anyone has any fun Halloween ideas for any age elementary students feel free to let me know.
No traveling this weekend, and another work week starts monday. I wonder what I will encounter this week. Still enjoying the weather here. On a funny side note, on monday it was absolutely beautiful outside and I was wearing a sleeveless dress with capri leggins. I got many many stares from people passing by in their sweaters, scarfs and boots. I just chuckle when the teachers at my school are complaining how cold it is and I'm wearing a tank top. Thanks Minnesota for preparing me for the cold. Well I will take advantage of the warm as long as I can.
Until next time
Katie
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Señorita teacher!
Well it has now been a month since my arrival to Spain, and I won't like, it's felt like a year. So much has happened, yet nothing at all, if that makes sense. What I mean is, I have had to do so much to figure out how to, well, survive here, that it makes my head spin. On the other hand when my friends and family eagerly ask me, "Hows Spain?? Tell me all about it!!!" I don't have much to tell. The process of adjusting is slow and I have yet to make friends with any Spanish people. I also have not taken the chance the travel yet, although Portugal is on the schedule for this weekend. The one thing that I do have to share is my teaching.
I just finished my second week of teaching. I was given even more responsibility this week as today (thrusday) one of the bilingual teachers had to go to the doctor and I was to teach her classes. Legally I'm not allowed to be alone in the class, so other teachers sat in, but by "sat in" I mean exactly that. They sat quietly at the back of the room doing other work while I taught. They would sometimes help quiet them down, but nothing more. My first challenge for this task was knowing what material to cover. As it was only my second week I still do not know the students level of English, speed at which they learn or how their class runs. I of course wanted to make the class fun and interesting but the school has such limited resources, writing on the black board is sometimes the only option. The older kids have a projection screen in their room so I was able to do a powerpoint for the 6th graders. We learned about the 5 sensed and their organs. I spend the better of one hour preparing a game where I put something that corresponds to a sense ( like a skunk, or flower, or radio) on the screen and they would be in teams and have to be the first to answer correctly. Of course the game only lasted about 10 minutes and was only moderately successful. But they are only 12 and I cannot ask for too much. Especially when they probably don't understand me half the time. But I was told to teach them english, so I try to only speak to them in English, even though Spanish is necessary sometimes for explaining. I also taught science to 3rd and 4th graders. The Respiratory system. Let me just say it is awesome to hear a 8 year old try to pronounce the word Larynx, or Pharynx or Windpipe.
The most challenging part of teaching here is going to be the discipline. In the school systems here when the class is being loud or not paying attention the teachers just scream at the children or pound on the desk with their hand or any object they can find. Honestly I don't know how any of them still have voices. I swear half the day is spent yelling at the kids. They also make it a habit to single kids out. They will single on child out and yell at them for not doing the assignment right, or not listening, or whatever really. Not what i'm use to at all, and not what i'm comfortable doing either. I can't yell at a class, and I won't single anyone out if I don't have to. But this is what the kids are use to, and it is what they respond to, so I guess I'm going to have to figure out another way to get them to listen to me. They also don't call their teachers by their last name here. It is Seña or profe, or their name. Since most of the kids don't know my name (some do and use it) they call me teacher or my favorite, which the 3rd graders where using today señorita teacher. As we they worked on their worksheet they would run up to show me what they had done yelling, "señorita teacher!!!" So thats it so far. I am not yet friend, or compañera but señorita teacher. I guess for now that is enough. Hopefully the others will follow. Missing you all very much.
Señorita teacher
I just finished my second week of teaching. I was given even more responsibility this week as today (thrusday) one of the bilingual teachers had to go to the doctor and I was to teach her classes. Legally I'm not allowed to be alone in the class, so other teachers sat in, but by "sat in" I mean exactly that. They sat quietly at the back of the room doing other work while I taught. They would sometimes help quiet them down, but nothing more. My first challenge for this task was knowing what material to cover. As it was only my second week I still do not know the students level of English, speed at which they learn or how their class runs. I of course wanted to make the class fun and interesting but the school has such limited resources, writing on the black board is sometimes the only option. The older kids have a projection screen in their room so I was able to do a powerpoint for the 6th graders. We learned about the 5 sensed and their organs. I spend the better of one hour preparing a game where I put something that corresponds to a sense ( like a skunk, or flower, or radio) on the screen and they would be in teams and have to be the first to answer correctly. Of course the game only lasted about 10 minutes and was only moderately successful. But they are only 12 and I cannot ask for too much. Especially when they probably don't understand me half the time. But I was told to teach them english, so I try to only speak to them in English, even though Spanish is necessary sometimes for explaining. I also taught science to 3rd and 4th graders. The Respiratory system. Let me just say it is awesome to hear a 8 year old try to pronounce the word Larynx, or Pharynx or Windpipe.
The most challenging part of teaching here is going to be the discipline. In the school systems here when the class is being loud or not paying attention the teachers just scream at the children or pound on the desk with their hand or any object they can find. Honestly I don't know how any of them still have voices. I swear half the day is spent yelling at the kids. They also make it a habit to single kids out. They will single on child out and yell at them for not doing the assignment right, or not listening, or whatever really. Not what i'm use to at all, and not what i'm comfortable doing either. I can't yell at a class, and I won't single anyone out if I don't have to. But this is what the kids are use to, and it is what they respond to, so I guess I'm going to have to figure out another way to get them to listen to me. They also don't call their teachers by their last name here. It is Seña or profe, or their name. Since most of the kids don't know my name (some do and use it) they call me teacher or my favorite, which the 3rd graders where using today señorita teacher. As we they worked on their worksheet they would run up to show me what they had done yelling, "señorita teacher!!!" So thats it so far. I am not yet friend, or compañera but señorita teacher. I guess for now that is enough. Hopefully the others will follow. Missing you all very much.
Señorita teacher
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Finally Finally and Finally
There have been many accomplishments on my end since the last time I posted, so many times have sat down and just sighed. . . finally! The first was obviously when we moved into our piso, but you all already know about that. Next on the list was when we got our internet fixed. We bought it on a thursday and that night it stopped working. We went in everyday and everyday they told us it would be fixed in 24 hours. Well finally on tuesday morning they gave us a knew internet stick if you will (you plug it into your usb) and it worked! Finally! Also during the time of not having internet our TV decided to stop working. Now I don't even think I could fix a tv in english let alone try to figure it out in spanish. But we messed around with it and figured out the cable box and connecting cord had to be replaced. So after a call to the landlord we learned where we could buy one. After reading the manual and figuring out how to auto program the channels we now have a working tv, finally! During this time of no tv and no internet, we also could not figure out how to turn the hot water on. We knew you had to turn the gas on and we thought we were lighting it correctly but alas, no hot water would come out. So of course we called the land lord, and let me tell you, trying to understand someone explain how to turn on a gas water heater on the phone is no easy task. We couldn't understand her, and she couldn't hear us, she ended up just telling us to go knock on one of our neighbors door and ask for help. So that is exactly what we did. A girl around our age, maybe a little younger and her mother live right across the hall and came over to inspect our situation. After some poking around they reported that our gas was empty, thats why it wouldn't light. So the next day the land lord had to drive an hour from where they live to help us get the water working. But after half an hour, one new gas tank, 6 people in the kitchen and lots of new spanish words we got our water to turn hot, finally! And finally the last finally is that I have started working at my school, finally! I've been there 2 days so far and everyone has been so nice. On monday I worked with 4 and 5 year olds, I forgot how cute they can be. I already got a hug from one of the little girls. I also already have a lesson to plan. The youngsters are working on numbers and colors, so next monday I am to prepare a 30 minute activity. Another part of my job is for one hour on mondays I will spend with each of the bilingual teachers I am working on. Sort of like a private english lesson for them. I had my first one monday. So tough! Here is where I wish I had taken an english grammar class. It took me ten minutes to describe to it means "to become." And why it has nothing to do with "to come" or "to go" It is going to be harder than I thought, but that seems to be the theme of my time here so far. I'm sure I will get better as time goes on.
I have not written until now because in all honesty until this week I have not done a whole lot. No trips so far, nothing too exciting, just hanging around Huelva. I have walked around to explore quite a bit, although a lot of the time I have to watch my step because I don't want to step in dog poop. Yes thats right, everyone here has a dog! Which I just feel like should be illegal because there is absolutely no where for a dog to be in this city. The apartments are tiny and no has any sort of yard. The parks are not nearly big enough for them run around in and if you aren't constantly looking down you probably will step in poop. It's just gross. Get a cat people! I have also taken advantage of going to the beach. It cost 4 euro round trip and 15 minute bus ride to get there, but it is beautiful. I also joined a gym and have been working out there this week. It is close to my house and so nice. Tomorrow my roommate and I are going to try one of the classes they offer. Way less scary to do it with someone else. Other than that I have no fun, exciting Europe trips to tell. A trip to Portugal is the process of being planned as well as other European hot spots. I can't wait to start traveling to some of them.
Oh and just so no one worries, I have been eating very well here. My roommate (Rebekah, I will just start using her name) have been having lots of fun cooking. Last week we made spaghetti, it was no prego but still delicious (I took a picture for you mom), I made pebre, and after school today I walked home with my bilingual coordinator and she took me to the fish market and got me half a kilo of these little sardine like fish. I told her I had no idea what to do with them ( they just give you the entire fish) so the lady working there de-headed, and de-gutted them for me. I was told to put salt on them, cover them in flower than fry them in oil. So I did that for dinner and they turned out quite good if I do say so myself. We also had tons of veggies so Rebekah made Ratatoullie! I helped of course. Let me tell you, it is just as delicious as they make it seem in the movie. I also went to this big market this morning and bought lots of fresh fruit, reminded me of Chile. So anyways, I'm not going hungry.
Well thats all thats going on right now. Nikki's birthday was on Friday and it makes me miss this time of year in Minnesota. Leaves changing, apple orchard, sweatshirt weather (in a place where people wear sweat shirts), mom's apple crisp, ah the wonderful foods and colors of fall. I seem to be always be missing fall in Minnesota. Oh well I guess I can't complain about going to the beach. Love and miss you all!
Besitos
Katie
I have not written until now because in all honesty until this week I have not done a whole lot. No trips so far, nothing too exciting, just hanging around Huelva. I have walked around to explore quite a bit, although a lot of the time I have to watch my step because I don't want to step in dog poop. Yes thats right, everyone here has a dog! Which I just feel like should be illegal because there is absolutely no where for a dog to be in this city. The apartments are tiny and no has any sort of yard. The parks are not nearly big enough for them run around in and if you aren't constantly looking down you probably will step in poop. It's just gross. Get a cat people! I have also taken advantage of going to the beach. It cost 4 euro round trip and 15 minute bus ride to get there, but it is beautiful. I also joined a gym and have been working out there this week. It is close to my house and so nice. Tomorrow my roommate and I are going to try one of the classes they offer. Way less scary to do it with someone else. Other than that I have no fun, exciting Europe trips to tell. A trip to Portugal is the process of being planned as well as other European hot spots. I can't wait to start traveling to some of them.
Oh and just so no one worries, I have been eating very well here. My roommate (Rebekah, I will just start using her name) have been having lots of fun cooking. Last week we made spaghetti, it was no prego but still delicious (I took a picture for you mom), I made pebre, and after school today I walked home with my bilingual coordinator and she took me to the fish market and got me half a kilo of these little sardine like fish. I told her I had no idea what to do with them ( they just give you the entire fish) so the lady working there de-headed, and de-gutted them for me. I was told to put salt on them, cover them in flower than fry them in oil. So I did that for dinner and they turned out quite good if I do say so myself. We also had tons of veggies so Rebekah made Ratatoullie! I helped of course. Let me tell you, it is just as delicious as they make it seem in the movie. I also went to this big market this morning and bought lots of fresh fruit, reminded me of Chile. So anyways, I'm not going hungry.
Well thats all thats going on right now. Nikki's birthday was on Friday and it makes me miss this time of year in Minnesota. Leaves changing, apple orchard, sweatshirt weather (in a place where people wear sweat shirts), mom's apple crisp, ah the wonderful foods and colors of fall. I seem to be always be missing fall in Minnesota. Oh well I guess I can't complain about going to the beach. Love and miss you all!
Besitos
Katie
Friday, September 24, 2010
Nomad no more
Well it is official, after 2 week of living out of a suit case I have an apartment (actually here they call them pisos, so I will from now on be refering to my place as a piso, its easier to spell.) Funny how things work out, all of us from my program coming in wanted to live with Spanish roommates and now I dont think any of us are. Me and a couple other girls went around and looked at about 8 pisos and none of them were with spanish roommates. Other nationalities yes, french, italian, dutch, you name it, but spanish, nope. Go figure. I dont know if because of the economy more young people are living with their parents but spanish roommates were none to be found. I ended up waiting with 2 pisos that I liked. Both the girls who already lived there told me they would get back to me after they showed their places to one more person. Well within an hour of each other they both let me know that they were going with a different roommate and they were really sorry. I guess I didnt make too good of an impression, or these other people were the queen or something because I was left homeless with 12 hours until we had to check out of the hotel. Well my hotel roommate Rebekah (yes the one I met at the Chicago Consulate this summer) Had already rented a piso with two rooms and was going to just look for a roommated when she got there. So she said it was alright, I and decided to move in with her. It all worked out, now im not homeless and she doesnt have to go through the trouble of finding a roommate.
So there is the story of how I ended up where I am. We are in a very residential part of the city, but no in sense of a suburb. There are many pisos packed into this section of town, with small streets separating them. I guess I will have to get use to the sound of cars, motorcycles, dogs, and all other city noises swirling around me. Not to mention we are on the 1st floor and I swear the lady who lives above us walks around in high heels. The first thing I did was go out and buy a fan ( Em you dont know how much I wish I had the big box fan in your room, that would be so clutch at my piso.) Anyways we thought getting the piso would be the easy part, but we would be wrong. Now we have to get everything we need to make it a place where we want to live. We have gone to the grocery store like 5 times in 2 days. We needed sheets and blankets and a few more dishes, and soap and hangers. . . the list could go on for days. I never realized how much stuff I would need to live on my own. I feel like im constantly spending money, which sucks because we dont get paid for the first time till the end of October. But we are moved in and Wednesday night I made my first meal on my own and it was. . . A sandwhich! Ta Da!!!! It had been a rough day and we were both tired. Dont worry, last night we made this really good chicken pasta salad with veggies. Im lucky because Rebekah loves to cook and is really good at it, so hopefully she can teach me a thing or so I dont live off of spaghetti this year (although they dont have prego so im a little nervous about that.)
Now we also had to get a cell phone, open a bank account and get internet in our piso. None of them easy tasks to accomplish in Spanish. The phone I got, and the bank account is open. Dad you would be proud of me, I opened it all by myself and im pretty sure I know how it all works. My spanish debit card is in the mail (to arrive in ten days) and then when I use that to get money I wont have any atm fees. The internet on the other hand has been a frustrating process. Our piso didnt have internet, so we have to get it on our own. We went to the phone store to inquire and the cheapest way they told us was to buy this plug in internet if you will. It goes into your USB and you have internet, you can take your computer anywhere and be online, pretty handy. But they guy tells us it wont work very well for skype. Well is is not even an option for either of us, so the other choice is getting wifi through our phone line which takes 2 weeks to process and install, aaaand we have to have a bank account to get it started. Well this was before I had a bank account. So we decided to go with the instant interent for the first month, and then when we opened our bank accounts to come back and start the process of getting wifi. So we get it all set up to our computers and later that night we try to go on the internet and it doenst work. Great. No interent. So the next day we go back and they tell us basically that the company is having techinical difficulties at the moment and it should be fixed that day. Well a day goes by and still no interenet. So we go back this morning and the guy tells us that the company told him they will have the problem fixed in 24 to 48 hours. Awesome. No internet for 2 days after already paying to have it for 4. So looks like anywhere you go in the world interent is a stressful thing.
Anyways to lack of internet is why I havnt posted in a while. I decided to come to the public library and see if they had computers to use, and as you can tell, they did. So for the time being Ill make a trip to the library until we get our internet working. Oh and the spanish key board is very different from the ones im use to and I cant figure out how to use an apostrophe, so I apologize for anything that is unclear. I hope you can decipher it. I cant remember is it said the library was open on weekens. Around here, most things are only open 5 days a week and on sunday just about everything is closed. But the library might be different, im not sure. Its nice to have somewhere to go though, now that im in the piso and I dont start teaching for a week, im not really sure what to do. Its hard to run around here since I have to stop about every 2 minutes for a stop light. But we walk everywhere so dont worry mom I am getting some sort of exersize in. I feel like there is much more I could say about how different everything is, but this post is alreay a short novel, so ill wrap it up. Im in a piso and beginning to create a life here, its a slow difficult process, but we are up and running.
Goodbye for now
Katie
So there is the story of how I ended up where I am. We are in a very residential part of the city, but no in sense of a suburb. There are many pisos packed into this section of town, with small streets separating them. I guess I will have to get use to the sound of cars, motorcycles, dogs, and all other city noises swirling around me. Not to mention we are on the 1st floor and I swear the lady who lives above us walks around in high heels. The first thing I did was go out and buy a fan ( Em you dont know how much I wish I had the big box fan in your room, that would be so clutch at my piso.) Anyways we thought getting the piso would be the easy part, but we would be wrong. Now we have to get everything we need to make it a place where we want to live. We have gone to the grocery store like 5 times in 2 days. We needed sheets and blankets and a few more dishes, and soap and hangers. . . the list could go on for days. I never realized how much stuff I would need to live on my own. I feel like im constantly spending money, which sucks because we dont get paid for the first time till the end of October. But we are moved in and Wednesday night I made my first meal on my own and it was. . . A sandwhich! Ta Da!!!! It had been a rough day and we were both tired. Dont worry, last night we made this really good chicken pasta salad with veggies. Im lucky because Rebekah loves to cook and is really good at it, so hopefully she can teach me a thing or so I dont live off of spaghetti this year (although they dont have prego so im a little nervous about that.)
Now we also had to get a cell phone, open a bank account and get internet in our piso. None of them easy tasks to accomplish in Spanish. The phone I got, and the bank account is open. Dad you would be proud of me, I opened it all by myself and im pretty sure I know how it all works. My spanish debit card is in the mail (to arrive in ten days) and then when I use that to get money I wont have any atm fees. The internet on the other hand has been a frustrating process. Our piso didnt have internet, so we have to get it on our own. We went to the phone store to inquire and the cheapest way they told us was to buy this plug in internet if you will. It goes into your USB and you have internet, you can take your computer anywhere and be online, pretty handy. But they guy tells us it wont work very well for skype. Well is is not even an option for either of us, so the other choice is getting wifi through our phone line which takes 2 weeks to process and install, aaaand we have to have a bank account to get it started. Well this was before I had a bank account. So we decided to go with the instant interent for the first month, and then when we opened our bank accounts to come back and start the process of getting wifi. So we get it all set up to our computers and later that night we try to go on the internet and it doenst work. Great. No interent. So the next day we go back and they tell us basically that the company is having techinical difficulties at the moment and it should be fixed that day. Well a day goes by and still no interenet. So we go back this morning and the guy tells us that the company told him they will have the problem fixed in 24 to 48 hours. Awesome. No internet for 2 days after already paying to have it for 4. So looks like anywhere you go in the world interent is a stressful thing.
Anyways to lack of internet is why I havnt posted in a while. I decided to come to the public library and see if they had computers to use, and as you can tell, they did. So for the time being Ill make a trip to the library until we get our internet working. Oh and the spanish key board is very different from the ones im use to and I cant figure out how to use an apostrophe, so I apologize for anything that is unclear. I hope you can decipher it. I cant remember is it said the library was open on weekens. Around here, most things are only open 5 days a week and on sunday just about everything is closed. But the library might be different, im not sure. Its nice to have somewhere to go though, now that im in the piso and I dont start teaching for a week, im not really sure what to do. Its hard to run around here since I have to stop about every 2 minutes for a stop light. But we walk everywhere so dont worry mom I am getting some sort of exersize in. I feel like there is much more I could say about how different everything is, but this post is alreay a short novel, so ill wrap it up. Im in a piso and beginning to create a life here, its a slow difficult process, but we are up and running.
Goodbye for now
Katie
Friday, September 17, 2010
Orientation? No. Spain boot camp
Well today we left our orientation in Sevilla for lovely Huelva. It was nice to finally be getting to my destination city. This last 5 days in Sevilla have been INTENSE!! People keep asking me if i'm enjoying Spain. So here is the thing, I would probably love it here if our orientation hadn't been like a literal boot camp. We were up at 7 for breakfast and class started at 9. We would be going constantly with speakers and classes and activities usually until around 11 or midnight. Now not everything was just sitting at lectures, we got to go out and have tapas, go on walking tours of the city and see a flamenco show. Most people would enjoy that, and normally I would have if I wasn't so exhausted. We have had no time to adjust to the time or rest in any sort of way. The most free time we had was no more than 45 minutes. It was very tiring! All the information was very helpful and I know it will be useful in the next few months but it was very much an overload and a lot to absorb in a short period of time.
On a happier note we made it to Huelva today! Myself and 4 other girls took the train and hour and 20 minutes down to Huelva. We had our 2 suit cases and back packs with us and it is not customary here for employees to offer to help you. So had a nice chain going, passing our heavy luggage up the stairs onto the train. Then when we got to Huelva a taxi driver at the train station said our luggage wouldn't fit in his taxi and that our hotel was really close and we could just walk. So not really knowing how to disagree we started off to the hotel. It was only about a 10 minute walk, which in any other situation would be NBD but with all our luggage it was awful! The side walks are about 3 inches wide so we had to walk single file and ask 2 different people how to get there because we didn't know exactly where we were. So we finally make it there and the receptionist tells us that only 2 of us are in that hotel and the other 2 of us are in a different hotel! Why o why we aren't all staying together is beyond me. Se myself and my roommate had to trekk another like 10 minutes to our hotel. We get there and are just dripping sweat and have blisters all on our hands from lugging around suit cases that are literally bigger than me. Needless to say if we ever see that taxi driver again Minnesota nice might be forgotten.
But our first day in Huelva has been great. We walked around a bit, got some lunch, met with some contacts that the other girls know. We had a lovely dinner of a great bottle of wine, tapas and dessert. It was such a great way to spend our first night. The other girls from my program in Huelva are so great and we are all getting along really well. Although we probably won't live together I hope we still hang out. We are all looking desperately for places to live, so I will have to keep you updated on that. For now i'm safely in Huelva and ready to stop living out of a suit case. My brothers skyped me tonight and was a high light. I'm missing everyone at home and hope you are all enjoying fall. Still summer weather here. I'm hoping to go to the beach soon.
Besos
Katie
On a happier note we made it to Huelva today! Myself and 4 other girls took the train and hour and 20 minutes down to Huelva. We had our 2 suit cases and back packs with us and it is not customary here for employees to offer to help you. So had a nice chain going, passing our heavy luggage up the stairs onto the train. Then when we got to Huelva a taxi driver at the train station said our luggage wouldn't fit in his taxi and that our hotel was really close and we could just walk. So not really knowing how to disagree we started off to the hotel. It was only about a 10 minute walk, which in any other situation would be NBD but with all our luggage it was awful! The side walks are about 3 inches wide so we had to walk single file and ask 2 different people how to get there because we didn't know exactly where we were. So we finally make it there and the receptionist tells us that only 2 of us are in that hotel and the other 2 of us are in a different hotel! Why o why we aren't all staying together is beyond me. Se myself and my roommate had to trekk another like 10 minutes to our hotel. We get there and are just dripping sweat and have blisters all on our hands from lugging around suit cases that are literally bigger than me. Needless to say if we ever see that taxi driver again Minnesota nice might be forgotten.
But our first day in Huelva has been great. We walked around a bit, got some lunch, met with some contacts that the other girls know. We had a lovely dinner of a great bottle of wine, tapas and dessert. It was such a great way to spend our first night. The other girls from my program in Huelva are so great and we are all getting along really well. Although we probably won't live together I hope we still hang out. We are all looking desperately for places to live, so I will have to keep you updated on that. For now i'm safely in Huelva and ready to stop living out of a suit case. My brothers skyped me tonight and was a high light. I'm missing everyone at home and hope you are all enjoying fall. Still summer weather here. I'm hoping to go to the beach soon.
Besos
Katie
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
New names and faces.
Well I made it to Spain in one piece! My flights went so smooth I almost can't believe it. Everything was on time and everything. On my flight to Madrid I connected with a couple of students also teaching with CIEE who were also from Minnesota. That initial feeling of being completely alone vanished when I met them, and we braved the rest of the journey together, although there was not much to endure. We were a little nervous that we wouldn't make our connecting flight to Sevilla after landing in Madrid. It was 7:45, we weren't even off the plane yet and our flight left at 8:45. We got off the plane and the sign to our next gate read 28 minutes away. Madrid is by far the largest airport i've ever been in! We were literally running through the airport to get to our gate. We breezed through customs and cleared security with no problem. We arrived at the gate just in time to catch our flight. It was a big relief when I sat in that seat. Good thing too because we later found out that a few people missed their flight in Madrid and had to wait there for 11 hours!
Orientation has started and I've met everyone who will be teaching in Huelva. There are 54 people in my orientation and remembering names is just always a struggle. So I am really just focusing on remembering those of my fellow Huelva teachers. They all seem very nice, but I guess you can never tell the first day. The first night we had a welcome cocktail where they had tons of food and kept the wine flowing, I could get use to it. Also the first song I heard while in Spain, on the bus to orientation was Kesha (tic tock). Maybe Spain won't be so different after all :) Now if only they have ranch dressing and Macaroni and Cheese. The next 3 days are just going to be packed with orientation lecture stuff. How to find places to live, how to get our ID, how to... everything we need for our 8 months here. Now I feel like I can't complain because several people I know are in crazy Africa and basically on the Equator, but it is really hot in Sevilla! 101 degrees in the sun this afternoon. And it is just not very pleasant to walk around a bustling city in that heat. I can't wait to get to Huelva and hit the beach, which i've heard are amazing. Well thats it for now, I leave Friday for Huelva where hopefully in that week i'll find my own place to live! And I mean I have to in that week or i'll be living under a bridge. I'm very excited to get that taken care of and get settled.
Besos
Katie
Orientation has started and I've met everyone who will be teaching in Huelva. There are 54 people in my orientation and remembering names is just always a struggle. So I am really just focusing on remembering those of my fellow Huelva teachers. They all seem very nice, but I guess you can never tell the first day. The first night we had a welcome cocktail where they had tons of food and kept the wine flowing, I could get use to it. Also the first song I heard while in Spain, on the bus to orientation was Kesha (tic tock). Maybe Spain won't be so different after all :) Now if only they have ranch dressing and Macaroni and Cheese. The next 3 days are just going to be packed with orientation lecture stuff. How to find places to live, how to get our ID, how to... everything we need for our 8 months here. Now I feel like I can't complain because several people I know are in crazy Africa and basically on the Equator, but it is really hot in Sevilla! 101 degrees in the sun this afternoon. And it is just not very pleasant to walk around a bustling city in that heat. I can't wait to get to Huelva and hit the beach, which i've heard are amazing. Well thats it for now, I leave Friday for Huelva where hopefully in that week i'll find my own place to live! And I mean I have to in that week or i'll be living under a bridge. I'm very excited to get that taken care of and get settled.
Besos
Katie
Friday, September 10, 2010
Huelva: The H is silent.
Well it is just 2 days before I make the hop across the pond to Spain. I figure I better write a practice entry to make sure I know how to do this. I've never had a blog before and honestly when I was in Chile I would sometimes go weeks without writing in my journal, so I can't make any promises but I will try to keep you all updated as much as possible. I will living and teaching in Huelva. It's a city in south western Spain, close to Portugal. In Spanish the H is silent, so all you non Spanish speakers don't pronounce that H. The map shows that it is also close to Sevilla, so hopefully a short bus ride will bring me that hot spot of Andalucia for a long weekend or something.
Yesterday I woke up with butterflies in my stomach, which either means I'm starting to get really nervous or really excited. I have been planning, preparing and anticipating this day for so long I can't believe it is almost here. Although I am far from being ready, my cloths are still all just sitting on my bed.
This summer had been an interesting one. I've learned that even what you thought would be consistent changes with time. It has made me really appreciate the time I have gotten to spend with my family and close friends. All of your support and love has made this so much easier on me. I'm blessed to have such a great support system. Thanks you all and see you in a year! Unless you feel the urge to come visit in Spain, I'll have a couch ready for you to crash on.
Hasta luego
Katie
Yesterday I woke up with butterflies in my stomach, which either means I'm starting to get really nervous or really excited. I have been planning, preparing and anticipating this day for so long I can't believe it is almost here. Although I am far from being ready, my cloths are still all just sitting on my bed.
This summer had been an interesting one. I've learned that even what you thought would be consistent changes with time. It has made me really appreciate the time I have gotten to spend with my family and close friends. All of your support and love has made this so much easier on me. I'm blessed to have such a great support system. Thanks you all and see you in a year! Unless you feel the urge to come visit in Spain, I'll have a couch ready for you to crash on.
Hasta luego
Katie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)