Gym, Letters and a Visitor

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this in my blog yet, but during Christmas break a gym opened up here in Siles. I started going because I had so much free time and it was something to do. Originally I was going with Almudena, and she would pick me up in her car but our schedules aren’t meshing very well anymore. That means I get to walk to the gym and back. Really, it isn’t that far. It is however the worst part of going to the gym because after working out my body is hot and it’s really cold outside. The contrast isn’t fun, comfortable or good for me. However, I am loving going to the gym 4-5 days a week. The gym isn’t open on the weekends so I feel more motivated to make sure I go Monday through Friday since I automatically get 2 days off.

Today I did 5 miles on the treadmill. Several years ago I used to love to go run 3 miles but I haven’t been able to do it in a long time. My knees, motivation and time restraints seemed to give me a plethora of reasons not to get it done. I also did 10 minutes on the bike and my entire weight-lifting workout (upping the weight for lots of the machines). Needless to say it was a good workout day (with the exception that dropped a weight on my pinkie and am a little afraid I might lose the nail). It’s really nice because the two guys that run the gym are basically my personal trainers, except I don’t have to pay extra for them. The gym is, of course, smaller than the YMCA I go to in the US but I like it. I still have everything I need and the smaller, tighter environment leaves me more accountable and the trainers more accessible. They know when I show up and when I don’t.

It was also a good day because I got mail. Sadly it still wasn’t my long-lost Christmas packages but I was still very happy. I got Grace and Espen’s wedding save the date and I got a Christmas card from Stephanie and Kyle with the letters that Stephanie’s students wrote my students. I love seeing little envelopes in front of my door when I get home.

Also, Inés stopped in today to say today. She didn’t even know it was her last day until it was her last day. I can’t believe the turn around in those situations is so fast! It was really good to see her. The guy who replaced Inés is already gone. A new teacher named Eugenia is here now and will be teaching Inés second graders as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade English classes. Like I originally thought the Ministry of Education was supposed to send a replacement for Inés that speaks English, so “New Antonio” couldn’t stay. At least that makes mentioning Antonio(s) in my blog a little easier!