las maravillas del mundo...

This past week has consisted of brainstorming trip discussions/meetings, trying different methods of teaching English to Spanish speakers, making new friends, birthdays, babies, domestic-ness, and new adventures.

I am now starting to feel like Spain is my new home. I’m really comfortable with my schedule for work, and the Spanish daily routine. It has become like second nature for me now. Although, I will be honest...it has hit me this week that Christmas will be a bit different this year.

Christmas is my all time favorite holiday. I love everything about it…from the lights to the Christmas trees to cards in the mail to candy canes and Poinsettias(flowers and the drinkJ)  to warm coats and scarves and warm socks and hot cocoa (soy milk and dark chocolate of course J)…but most importantly, Christmas with my family. But this is all part of the moving to Spain for a year, so I know I will make the most out of it.

So feel free to send me Christmas cards here in Spain, and if you heart desires I won’t deny candy canes or a dark chocolate bar in the mailJ Just let me know if you would like my “dirección" (address) and I can email it to you!

So, on my free time I have already started up on my Christmas movies! I love love love Christmas movies! I’m a bit obsessed with the Holiday at the moment, and if you know me that last for a week or so then I’m on to the next movie obsession. So one day during siesta while I was watching my movie, Haley said, “Where is one place we can go that will be almost like American Christmas, with lights and trees and everything??”

I thought and thought...then it suddenly hit me and I replied, “London!”

Then, Haley answered, “Yes, we need to go there for Christmas!” eee!!!!

So we found super cheap flights to London in December, and I could not be more excited!!!

We also planned for Haley’s birthday in Paris in January, which will be so precious! I cannot believe we will be at the Eiffel Tower celebrating away!

Those are a few of the trips we are working on right now for the future, but I have a trip for next weekend with a dear friend who studied at Tech with me. I cannot wait to see her and catch up on life while having a fabulous time in coastal cities! It’s even more wonderful that I don’t work Friday, Monday, and Tuesday due to Halloween weekend!! So it will be a nice long weekend!

As for teaching, we started a new method for enhancing English for the 6^th graders. Once a week we are going to pursue reading bilingual picture books to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and pronunciation in the English language. So far, I believe it is a good tool for learning another language. Every student is different, which means each individual student has unique learning styles especially when it comes to learning a new language. In my experience studying in Sevilla, I took a literature class and we had to read Spanish chapter books. Through reading and looking up new vocabulary, I felt that helped my grammar while writing and speaking in Spanish. So, I hope that some of my students can get something out of reading with these bilingual books. Our first lesson went really well. The students were very engaged and enjoyed the story, even though we only read half of the picture book. So, I think they will be engage to see what happens next with the 2 monsters next weekJ

Also, I finally worked with the 3 year olds! Sweet, sweet..crazy, all over the place, eager to learn, easily distracted babies! Haha. I don’t think I will ever forget the first words, Cristian spoke to me when I first laid eyes on him, “pee-pee, caca” After helping him with toilet paper, we became instant friends. Oh the joys of the young ones! We taught them 3 body parts today and I read them an interactive story about the 3 body parts! You can official say that ¾ of the 3 yr olds know what ears, nose, and mouth are in English and know where they are on their body! Cannot wait to keep working with that crazy bunch!! Lots of practice and love for those precious babies!

Continuing, I have stated we have made some “amigas nuevas” (new friends). My roommates were having a tea at our favorite café off the beach with Encarni, my coworker, when I saw this girl wearing Chacos and a NC Chapel Hill Shirt. So, I knew she was American and I went up to her and asked, “Hablas Inglés?”

She is from North Carolina and we have a mutual friend there. How crazy is that! Also, she is in the same program as I am here in Spain. So after some time chatting, we started hanging out with her and her roommate from England, who is in the program as well. We have met up to talk about trips and places we wish to go see, as well as gone on a 3 hr hike with them through the “parque natural” (natural park/forest).

So, it’s been really fun getting to know them and practice our Spanish with new friends.

This past weekend was full of adventures! From hiking through the “parque natural” to salsa dancing and having a tea with some new Spanish teacher friends to a Spanish birthday…and drum roll please….I mopped the apartment today (Mama, I’m becoming domestic)!!

I really enjoyed the hike in nature, because sometimes it’s good for your soul to be separated from the real world and all its obligations. It gives you a slight nature high, and appreciation of the beautiful of the God’s creation. The views I saw on the hike were not just forest, but ocean and beach as well. It was simply a peaceful, breathtaking landscape that I think is the cure for anything going on in your busy life. Sometimes it’s okay to take a few hours to stop and simply enjoy yourself wherever you are in the world. Because it’s simple, beauty is everywhere and everything has the potential for beauty.

So I will leave you with this quote that a sweet Spanish friend of mine wrote in a Spanish book I am reading right now…

“De todas las maravillas del mundo, tu sin duda las superas a todas.”

Everything I need

This past week has been eventful, fun, homey, and filled with laughs. I feel like I have already been living here for a few months, which is crazy because it’s only been about 3 weeks.

To begin my week, I had work Monday and Tuesday. I created a PowerPoint for my students called, “Francis’s life, family, and friends.” It contained pictures from childhood memories, members of my family, Bella (of course, she had her own page!), friends, fun adventures through college, etc.

I loved showing each class, because their excitement and curiosity about me was precious! Every class has an assignment now after watching it. Since I told them about my life now I want to know all about their life! For example, one class is making mini posters about their life, family, and friends with a picture and decorations! I cannot wait to hang them up next week! I have the coolest students!!

I also have some homework for the school. My principal wants to make a bulletin board about me, so I have to make a poster about myself, my town, etc. Then around my poster will be little biographies about me from the 6^th graders based on my PowerPoint and Q/A session. The 6^th graders are way too much fun!

This week my coworkers and I started planning for “Halloween!” I am super excited to start teaching about this tradition, and have a blast during our Halloween festival! We have planned to teach every class a different Halloween song/chant for them to present to the school at the festival. Also, we have other great lessons to help them understand Halloween, and what it’s all about! So, I’m collecting material and resources for this topic, but most importantly, I have been trying to figure out with I’m going to be for the Halloween festival!! I have had a couple suggestions/requests…Blanca Nieva (Snow White), Minnie Mouse, etc…

 Beginning next month, I will be tutoring some students after school in English for 2hrs per grade levels. So Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm, I will tutor grades 1-3 for an hour and then grades 4-6 for an hour. So, I have been trying to collect resources and materials to help my babies as best I can! Phonics is soo happening! So, my wonderful mom is sending me some of my teaching stuff for my tutoring sessions! I’m so thankful!!

So, the first half of the week was pretty busy, but productive. Oh goodness, I cannot believe I forgot something realll important… We picked up our internet!!! I received a call from the internet company, and they needed me to show them my “tarjeta de residencia” (Residence Card). Well that is what I have been trying to apply for in Cadiz, but they were closed due to a “fiesta” ONLY in their town! So, I told the roommates, and we weren’t super happy since they never asked for this before! Long story short…I called Meli, our “madre Espanola” aka landlord/Spanish mom, to ask her if we could use her “tarjeta” to pick it up and such. Of course she was so nice and agreed! We went to pick it up, but they needed to check the information and we could official walk away with our internet in about 30 minutes, “no pasa nada” (no worries, right?). So we had a drink in the “calle”, meet Meli’s brother-in-law, visited her work, visited her sister and niece, and hung out at her house for a bit (I know the town is super small!). It was the sweetest thing to meet her whole family, and spend some time with them! It made me feel super homey, and I loved every minute of it, but my favorite part was her job.

She works in a “pensionista” (community center). So we meet the cutest old women who were best friends!! They were making table clothes and dollies, precious! They thought we were “muy guapa” and loved that we had all our teeth! Ha I really want to visit the “pensionista” more during my time here, because I got to practice my Spanish and maybe I can learn to make a table cloth or something…domestic Fran!!!

Then came Wednesday…guess what this day was? A HOLIDAY!!! Lay out in our backyard? Yes please!! It was a wonderful beach day, no wind!! In the evening, we went next door to play “loteria” with some Spanish friends. Basically, the Spanish form of BINGO! It was so nice, to have a chill night with some friends! Sadly, I did not win a single game…

Finally, my last work day of the week arrived, Thursday! I know I’m really roughing it, right? And yes I taught 2 classes with my coworkers, 10am-12noon! I love working with my students, it really is exactly what I want to do in life! Today actually was significant, because my principal, Julia, was supposed to have a meeting with the secondary coordinator. The secondary school wants me to work an additional 4 hours at their school. So Julia and the coordinator needed to work on my schedule to best benefit the students at my school and the secondary school through their English classes. Sadly, the coordinator did not show up, so I’m sticking with my schedule for next week at my school.

Thursday night, I went to Cadiz with my Spanish friend/coworker, Encarni. She had a doctor appt and asked if I would go with her. It was so nice to have a chill evening out of town for a change. We talked about everything in our life, and I learned a lot about Encarni. After her doctor appt, we had a cup of tea! The tea I picked was a fruit tea, and it seriously tasted just like a tea that Kaitlin brought back from Australia!! But overall, I’m thankful I get to work with her every day. She is a really great person, and we have had some great laughs together!

So far my life in Spain has been a great adventure, for what feels like over 2 months. I really am so happy to be at Juan XXIII Infant and Primary School! I thought the other day about how God works and realized that…Juan means “John” in English which is my brother’s name and XXIII is 23^rd which is the day I was born. So I think that is God’s way of telling me…this is my will for you right now! I would think of that, right? J

No matter where I am in life, God has a funny way of giving me everything I need from family, friendships, joys, reassurance, laughter, and so much more.

Para una razón...

After the past few weeks living in Spain, I have realized how different I spend my time. In Spain, people work for about 9 am until 2pm. After working for the morning, siesta begins. In a typical Spain household, everyone comes home for “la comida” (lunch, meal). They eat, talk, and watch “las noticias” (the news) with their family. And yes, as you guess, everyone rests or takes a nice afternoon nap.

When I studied in Sevilla, I experienced this type of siesta with my precious Spanish family. Now living with my 2 fabulous roommates in Spain, it is not much different. Depending on the day I stop working around noon or 2pm, I head home, prepare lunch, and wait for the girls to get home so we can chat it up about our days.

During siesta, I definitely take that nap. If you know me, I love my naps! I take one pretty much every day, even in the States. I pop in my desired movie to fall asleep to and I enjoy my lovely siesta. Oh how I love Spanish culture!

My “fin de semanas” (weekends) are a pretty chill so far. Our first weekend in the “piso,” we went out both nights. On Friday night, we went out with one of my sweet Spain friend, Encarni, who I work with in my school. She showed us the strip where people go out in town, and we caught a Flamenco Concert. Then, we ended our evening at a bar off the beach. Loving the beach!

On  Sábado (Saturday), we got ready and spent some time with another Spain friend, Nazareth. We began the evening her “piso”, which lead to going to the “botellon” and the “discoteca” (club). We hung out with her sister, Zaida, who was so sweet to us as well and introduced us to some fun people in town.

I know, I know…what the hell is a “batayon”?! It is a lot by a boat dock where people park their cars and play music loud, dance, and pregame before the “discoteca” and bars open around 2 or 3am. It is pretty insane, but I really liked “botellon”!

After enjoying life until 6 or 7am, we came home and slepppttt forever! Sundays are our lazy, house days. We clean, organize, read, watch movies, lay out on the balcony, or really whatever we feel like since every store is closed. The bars and cafes open around 3 or 4pm, so we go for a walk on the “paseo” (walkway in between the beach and the cafes/bars).

It is a sweet feeling to hear the little kids say “Francis, Francis!” when I’m walking with my roommates on the “paseo.” Most of the families are on the “paseo” as well. The parents are drinking coffee or tea with friends and family, and the kids are playing with their friends. They ride their tricycles, bikes, rollerblade, or play “fútbol” (soccer) in the “paseo.”

This week was my first week at my school, and I loved it! There were some ups and downs with my program and all my paperwork, but God got me through it.

There was another girl placed at my school, and there is only one person from the program at a single school. So if she showed up that first day as well, they were going to have to move me. Why me? Well, apparently they didn’t receive any of my paperwork after accepting the job. So they gave my school position to another person. Basically, it was like a horrible nightmare, and I was awake through all of it.

Here I am, a million miles away from my home, my country, my family, and my friends…and I didn’t technically have a school to work in. After talking to the head of the program, we realized it was miscommunication-I wasn’t getting their emails and they didn’t get my paperwork. Julia, my coordinator at “my school”, was a great support through that first day. She didn’t think the other girl was going to show up, and she wanted me to stay calm and asked me the question that I think made my day… “Do you pray?”

She told me she was going to pray for me. I told her, “of course, I do!” So a million miles away from my home, my family, everything…my sweet God was holding me. It was such an encouraging moment for me…I don’t think I can express how much it meant to me in words.

So, the next day was my orientation for the program. It was a huge day for me. I holding in a million feelings and emotions, but I knew no matter what happened…there was and is a distinct reason the Lord has placed me here, in Spain, in this town, at this specific moment in my life. Knowing that was my constant comfort, and I was ready to get through that day.

The orientation was in another town, Jerez de la Frontera, which was 3.5 hours away. So 6am bus right to Cádiz and a train to Jerez was what we did to get our butts to that meeting. During our coffee break, I talked to 4 different people to solve my situation. The other girl didn’t show up the day before at the school, so as promised I get to stay at the school! I just needed to sign a new contract and send it in the mail back to them. Hopefully, this time it will all arrive since I’m in the same countryJ

During the orientation, we were informed about many things. We learned we needed to get more paperwork together for a NIE card, since we are foreigners and our visas expire in 3 months. We need to get our NIE paperwork in ASAP, because it can take up to 2 months to receive. It is recommended to get it in the first month you are in the new country. Also, we learned some ideas on how to teach English through diverse activities, resources, and tools.

Thankfully, they provided “la comida.” After all the traveling, Haley and I were happy campers about that on the itinerary. We sat with another girl from Texas, and a girl from Ireland! Super exciting to meet some interesting new people! I hope we can travel together in the future, and visit each other!

After the meeting, we journeyed back to our small town. To say the least, we were exhausted!

The next day, Wednesday, I arrived to school to hear about a new situation with me and my program. Julia had received a super early email from the program about how they also wanted me to work 4 additional hours at another school in town. So, at this point, my schedule may change to accommodate both schools and their English schedules. In addition, to my work schedule, I accepted the invitation to tutor students 2 afternoons a week (separate pay-Extra money!).

My last day of work last week was Thursday. I worked from 10am-12noon. Then, I began preparing for my trip to Cádiz to turn in my NIE paperwork.

So we went to Cádiz this weekend, but of course it was a Saint’s Feast day so the office was closed. I check the office hours online, the feast day was not on it ha. But I couldnt think of anything else, but we are in Cádiz…let’s see the town! So we did, and we loved it! We are off work this upcoming Friday and we will try again, oh and it will not be a Feast day...but Wednesday isJ

I have had a pretty busy week, I know! I try to think about the joys in my week though…learning about my students, learning/observing what they need to work on to help them learn easier, building relationships with my coworkers at school, but simply enjoying my time with my students.

Maybe that’s why I’m here, in Spain, in this town, at this specific moment in my life…for that distinct reasonJ

El piso y la playa!

Since our arrive to our beach town, Haley and I started looking at "pisos" (apartments). We didn't have a spanish phone to call people for viewings, so we used skype! No pasa nada, right?

We had MANY conversations via skype with spaniards! A few of our conversations went like this..

Me or Haley: Hola, (insert name)
Persona: Digame
Me or Haley: Tiene un piso para aquilar?
Persona: Si, digame
Me or Haley: Con tres habitaciones?
Persona: Si
Me or Haley: vale, quiero ver su piso. A que tiempo es mejor para ti?

or....
Me or Haley: Hola, (insert name)
Persona: si si
Me or Haley: Tienes un piso para aquilar?
Persona: que?
Me or Haley: Quiero ver su piso. Que tiempo es mejor para ti?
Persona: Que? Que? Quien es? No entiendo.
Then they hung up on us haha..

Well after what felt like a million nervous phone calls, we got 3 viewings!! We did the happy dances A LOT!! eeeee!! We did it!

So the first piso we went to see was on the street before the beach. Que perfecto! It had 3 habitaciones, a spa tub in the bathroom, all new appliances in "la cocina" (the kitchen), and the breakfast area had a great view of the beach!! Que preciosa!! It cost 400 euros/mes (month), and we needed to pay for agua and luz (water, light bills). It was a family owned apartment as well.

http://www.milanuncios.com/alquiler-de-pisos-en-barbate-cadiz/alquiler-29802053.htm

El segundo piso was a bit farther from the bus station, the huge grocery store (aka HEB), and my school, but we thought why not see it. It had 3 habitaciones, 2 bathrooms, a sala room, and a living room. Super spacious!! The landlord spoke English as well, and introduced us to her friend who works at Haley's school!! The price was 350 euros/mes plus agua and luz.

http://www.milanuncios.com/alquiler-de-pisos-en-barbate-cadiz/alquiler-29802053.htm

El final piso was right on the beach, as in water front and private. It had 3 habitaciones, 1 bathroom with a huge tub, a dishwasher, washer, and a terrace to la playa!!!! The price was 450 euros/mes plus luz. The landlords were precious!! We adored them, and we met their sweet daughter (in college) as well!!

 

http://www.barbate.net/alojamientos/6.htm

So after 3 nights in the hostel, and 3 pisos...we made our decision!!! But we went back to the cafe to make our pros and cons list, and it definitely confirmed that we had made the right choice!!

Drum rolll por favor.....We like in the last piso!!!!! For drum rolllll por favor.....400 euros!!

Then our Polish roommate came to town! It was the sweetest thing, because after searching and finding an apartment in another country...Lucyna was so grateful!! So, Haley, Lucyna, and I have been loving our backyard...la playa!!

So yes, the americanos found a piso in Spain! They start work Monday, and could not be more excited to meet new espanolas!!