Confession

Today was fantastic. Really wonderful…mostly for one reason. The weather was sunny and hot. It was AMAZING. It’s truly incredible what the sunny and warmth can do for someone’s mood. I feel so rejuvenated. *Insert giant smiley face, happy-full feeling here.*

Confession: If it weren’t for the fact that my family is in the US, I would probably stay here in Spain. I’m really thankful that I was born and raised in the US, but I love life here in Spain. When I’m here, I feel like I’m really *living* my life. I have time for friends, time for walks, time for exercise and cooking. Here I can go to different cities on the weekend that have way more personality and things to see than say…Monroe, Lake Stevens, Woodinville and the other cities immediately around my good ol’ hometown of Snohomish. I experience things that challenge me on a daily basis without feeling like more than I can handle…they always feel like they have a purpose, maybe because I’m constantly searching for it. I don’t feel stuck in the rat race that is the American employment system where your job largely defines who you are and you frequently have to sell your soul to the long work days. Of course, I realize studying abroad and then working 12 hours a week really isn’t what I would have to do to live here under normal circumstances…but still…it’s more than the job, which I think is the point. Life here is about more than your job. You work to live…you don’t live to work.

This is going to be one of my biggest re-adaptation problems when I get back home. My entire life I’ve made a habit of running around like a crazy person, filling my schedule to the brim and yet never having the time to really *enjoy* and soak up life. I hope I can find some way to bring this part of my Spanish life back with me.

A perfect day to watch futbol

Today was wonderful. I even had to get up at 7am on a weekend and it still was wonderful. Number one reason why: Sun and heat. Luis works as a soccer referee for the kids’ soccer games on the weekend. We thought he was working in La Puerta today, so the idea was that I would get up early, catch the bus with him and the kids, watch the soccer games, Ben and Eve could also come and watch some of them games when they woke up and then we could all have lunch together. I got up, got ready and we rushed down to Rincon de Maxi to have a coffee before we had to leave. It was there that Luis’ boss showed up and reminded him that we were actually going to Beas de Segura today, not La Puerta. Awwwww. We were trying to think of a way we could still stop in La Puerta and have lunch after the games but decided it just wasn’t going to happen today (buses are even more sporadic on Sundays). Even though I didn’t get to see Ben and Eve I was still so glad I went. I left the house wearing a tank top, turtleneck, sweater, polar fleece jacket, my Northface jacket and a scarf. I even thought to myself “I don’t think I brought enough” as I started walking towards Rincon de Maxi. It’s been super cold here all week. Well, I was wrong. The sun came out and it was gorgeous. Really, seriously, amazing. The longer I sat on the bleachers the more layers I shed. I finally made it down to the turtleneck and sweater and was still too hot but couldn’t shed anymore layers without a little indecent exposure. Every now and then Luis’ boss would come over to check on me, joke about the fact that I could sit there and tan and then he would head back to work. There were about 20 teams at the field. There were two games going on simultaneously from 9:30-2. The 10-12 year old team from Siles played first and won their game. The 8-10 year old team played last and it was an absolute massacre. The kids seemed excited and surprised that I got on the bus with them this morning and throughout the day a few of them came over to give me updates about how well they played, or just come chat a little. The kids also tease Luis mercilessly about being bald, and he’s a good sport about it. Luis’ nickname in the town is Luigi so usually jokes about “Where’s Mario?” come into play at some point. This is an interesting fact that I don’t think I’ve shared yet. Apparently most everyone here has a nickname. My guess is that so many people have the same or similar names that they create nicknames for each other to more easily distinguish people. I’ve asked but it seems I don’t have a nickname (or at least one people are willing to admit to me). I’ll let you know if I eventually get an apodo (nickname).

Cultural tidbits

Today I woke up late and only got to one of my classes. I missed the first two. Javi, the director (principal), told me not to worry about it (probably because he knows I haven’t made a habit of just not showing up). At least I made it to the third class of the day. The first two I just help out in with the other teacher present. The third class I prepare completely…so of all the classes for me to wake up for that was the right one. Luckily I only live a few minutes away from the school.

The Day of Peace is tomorrow. Yesterday I tried teaching the 4th graders how to make origami cranes with instructions in English. They at least seemed to pay a little more attention but as an activity it really wasn’t a success. We didn’t have enough time, the kids wanted to finish even though they had to go to PE and we screwed up one step so the cranes didn’t really open very well. I reassured the kids that we could try again next week or later so they would let it go. Today we continued working on our MLK Jr. mini books in the 3rd grade class. I was really naïve to think we’d get it done in one class. We spent two cases working on it and kids still didn’t get it done. Also, a bunch of kids lost their book from last week so they had to start over. Apparently it doesn’t matter how many times I say “Don’t Lose it!” in either language. The books have about 7 pages and each page had a drawing for them to color and part of MLK Jr’s hope for the future. (MLK Jr hoped one day we could all work together. MLK hoped we could all pray together, etc, etc.) I was going to have us translate the text as a group but we didn’t have time.

During recess I spoke with Javi and Sebas. Javi mentioned in the past that the hardest part for the auxiliares is usually Christmas. It’s reassuring to know I’ve probably gotten over the hardest part. I also mentioned in my frustration that although I seemed to have made friends they never call me or invite me to do anything. He explained that’s just not how they do things around here…that he’s never called someone to ask if they wanted to do something. People just always run into each other and happen to decide to do something. That makes me feel better. At least it’s not me. I thought they just didn’t want to invite me to things and felt obligated to include me when they saw me. It also gives me a clear way to improve the situation without feeling like I’m imposing on people. I have to be the proactive one that calls people and tries to make plans. Good, good, good to know.

I went home and had hot soup and risotto because it’s COLD. There is snow in the mountains just above us. People are predicting that we probably have snow in the next few days. Daaaaaaaang it. Last week’s nice weather was such a tease! I can’t wait for spring!

I had juuuust laid down to take a nap when I got a call from Ben and Eve (I don’t usually take naps…I like the idea but usually end up trying to finish other tasks during the siesta time. It would figure the one day I try to take a nap someone actually calls me to make plans.). They were in Siles having lunch at the high school (the Thursday fancy lunch with the culinary students that I went to with the teachers a couple months ago). When they were done with lunch I met them at my school. They had come over with one of my adult pupils. Pilar, the wife of my adult pupil and a nurse who works in Puente Genave, also came with them because she is learning English. We all headed towards Mezquita to have a coffee. On the way Erika Martinez (the infamous mannequin head actress starring in their web series Pueblo) took some pictures with a dog. There was an old lady on the other side of the street giving us the evil eye, probably wondering who these freaks were carrying around a mannequin head in their backpack and then bothering a poor dog with their antics. Haha. At Mezquita we chatted, practiced English, made paper cranes, had a coffee and talked about projects. Pilar mentioned that Spanish people don’t have “projects” besides getting coffee. Haha. Eve and I talked about doing photo projects together. I would really like to try to go through my Artist Way book again and take on some photo projects. I have such amazing scenery at my disposal, and so much to take pictures of, and I just haven’t been able to make time to do it. Ben and Eve pointed out that maybe I have too many projects and to-dos running through my mind and I should focus on one a week. It’s a good idea…we’ll see how successful I am with it. I do have a habit of trying to multi-task to the extreme. They also mentioned that they choose not to give private lessons during their stay here because this is the one year in their lives they will have to relax…that they prefer not to make much money and have more time. Sometimes I wish I’d taken on that mentality, but I think it’s also impossible for me to have too much free time. At least Ben and Eve have each other in La Puerta…if I have too much time alone, not doing anything I get bored and depressed.

Having three Americans in Siles was pretty crazy. I told them they have to come back when Laura and Chelsea get here. 5 Americans would probably be some sort of record!

Around 7pm Ben and Eve went back to La Puerta. I left and tried to go to the grocery store. There were a couple guys outside of Mezquita (not Spanish guys…immigrants) who started shouting random words at me in English to get my attention. Sorry, I don’t respond to “Yes! Yes!” or “Rubia!” I can have an intelligent conversation. I’m a human being and I don’t respond to physical descriptors. Sorry.

I ran into Thomas and Silvia. I stressed again that next time they go out they should give me a call. Thomas also reassured me that I could call him anytime I was bored or wanted to “tomar algo.”

After that I ran into Maria del Mar and Eva (guess it’s true what Javi said about just running into people). We chatted briefly and they told me that apparently we’re doing Day of Peace activities tomorrow, but there’s no schedule and it depends on the weather. I knew we’re having a race at 12:30 but I didn’t know about any other activities.

I ran into Casa Gregorio to put a few euros on my phone, grabbed a small pack of M&Ms and headed home. I changed my clothes, went back to Mezquita to pick up the umbrella that I forgot and then headed to the gym.

Today was a good day. Some days feel really hard and others I’m just in a groove. Today was one of my ‘groove’ days. It was awesome…another 3 miles on the treadmill. Tomorrow is squats day though…we’ll see how that goes. Last week Javi told me I should do the squat machine once a week to start. He asked me yesterday if I wanted to do the machine. I explained…well…if you think I should I will…but I prefer to do it Friday so I have Saturday and Sunday to recoup (the gym isn’t open on the weekends). He laughed at me and said ok.

My walk home is always to longest and hardest part of going to the gym. I really can’t wait until I go to and come home from the gym when it’s still light outside and isn’t so cold. When I got home I made tortellini for dinner to warm up.

I added another private lesson today. That’s 2 more for the week. 8 private lessons a week and 2 intercambios, plus my normal classes and my adult class. I’m planning on taking a break from private lessons when Laura, Chelsea and Amy are here. I am going to really miss the extra income but I don’t want to spend all my time giving private lessons when they’re here. I’m afraid they are going to be bored enough in Siles as is!

FAIL BLOG: Spanish Post Office Version

I realized that I have failed to blog about the ultimate FAIL that is the Spanish post office and customs agency. My parents sent me 2 packages *weeks* ago. The boxes have my winter coat, a couple sweaters, ingredients to bake an American dessert for my co-workers, my Christmas presents and my make-up. They had to pay an exorbitant amount to the US post office to send the packages here. There was a 10 day guarantee (Ha…ha…ha.) I was waiting, waiting and finally one day I came home and there was a notice from the post office. I thought it was the notice saying the packages were in Siles and I could go to the post office to pick them up. The next day during my lunch break I giddily walked down from the infantil to go to the post office. When I got there the lady read the notice and said that the packages weren’t there. The packages were stuck in customs in Madrid. I had to fill out the form they sent me (with my personal information, name, phone number, e-mail, residency number, etc, etc) and fax it to the customs people. I did that and the lady in Correos (the post office) said that they would call me in a couple days to arrange a time to drop the packages off. I never heard from them so I eventually went back to the post office to see if she had heard anything. Nope. Nothing. She said if I still didn’t hear from them in a few more days to come back. Still nothing…back to the post office I go. Then she tells me that customs wants a list of what is in the box. Well *I* didn’t pack the boxes, so I really only had a general idea. I made a list of what I knew was in the boxes. Later I received a call from the lady in the post office saying I needed to make an exact list of what was in the boxes so customs could verify that what I *said* was in the boxes is what was *actually* in the boxes. I also needed to include the value of each item. Oh goodness gracious. So I asked my mom what my Christmas presents were, and got an exact list of what was in the boxes and their prices. I went back to the post office, filled out 2 more forms listing the information and we faxed THAT to customs. Once again I didn’t hear from them for awhile. I finally went back to the post office but she still hadn’t heard anything. She called the main post office in Madrid to see if she could get an update. The main post office said it looked like the boxes weren’t there anymore and were probably on their way to Siles. Almost two weeks later I still didn’t have the boxes in my possession. Insert profanity, frustration and astonishment here. I went back to the post office. She still didn’t know anything. Later that day I got an e-mail from the customs people. I had to pay 83 euros (over $100) in importation taxes and fees before January 23rd if I wanted to receive the packages or they were going to send them back to the US. (Sounds like a ransom notice, right?) There was an e-mail address available if you had questions about the notice. I sent them an e-mail asking for clarification on what exactly I was being forced to pay (On the notice it broke the charges down into 4 categories with various percentages based on numbers that seem to be chosen out of thin air…they didn’t correspond to the value of the packages). I asked them to clarify why I needed to pay so much for personal items (Christmas gifts and items I could pack in my suitcase without any problems) that I didn’t plan on selling or distributing. I received no response. It’s now January 26th and I still have no Christmas presents, no winter coat, no sweaters, no baking ingredients and no makeup. Spanish post office/customs = the Grinch who stole Christmas. Lame. I assume my packages are on their way back to the US. My parents are going to attempt to send me the important things in envelopes (I have no problems getting letters or large, soft envelopes. I only have problems receiving boxes). The rest of the things we’ll just have to save for a Christmas in June when I return to the US.

On another note, I sent my family and friends gifts a month and a half ago and nothing has arrived. Another expensive waste of time and money. I’ve never filled out an “hoja de reclamación” (complaint card…which are available for all business in Spain) but I have a feeling I will be filling one out VERY soon. No more Ms. Nice Extranjera.

4 year olds' standards can't be that high, right?

Ok, so we’ve entered the next phase of breaking down my defenses. I’ve conquered so many uncomfortable situations (like going to bars by myself) but tomorrow will be a test…singing and dancing. I don’t know why I have such a hard time singing and dancing in front of 20 four year olds, but it just isn’t my thing. I know it’s a good way for them to learn, which is why I’m going to cave and do it, but it makes me very uncomfortable. The teachers in the infantil have requested that I bring some songs…so here we go…

I earned 22 extra euros today in private lessons (and that’s skipping one of my normal lessons). Heck yes!

I still feel lost when it comes to discipline in the classroom. I don’t know how to gain respect and control in the classroom and it’s starting to wear on me. Most of the time I try to prepare lessons I think the kids will like and want to participate in, but it always seems to go array. I always feel better after going to the gym (although I’ll be even happier when I can go to the gym when it is light out and isn’t so cold).

Life without midnight trips to the grocery store for chocolate

Today was another lazy day. However…Javi finally wins. Javi is basically my personal trainer. He’s the guy that works at the gym and supervises my workouts. I was sore after my first couple workouts in December, but I haven’t been sore since. My muscles are usually tired and I push myself to the point where I can’t lift more weight, but usually the next day I’m fine again. Friday he mixed up my workout and added squats. Today I’m sore…really sore. Haha. Stairs are not my friend.

I also got to talk to my family for awhile via webchat. Sundays seem to be the best days for us to catch up.

I’ve had the munchies all day but nothing is open. I’m both grateful and frustrated that Siles doesn’t permit midnight chocolate runs to the grocery store. Everything is closed about 8pm and not open on Sunday. Chocolate cravings? Too bad. Deal with it. Awwwww. I have had serious ice cream cravings lately. I frickin’ want ice cream! They only have popsicles at the grocery store. Apparently ice cream is for summertime. Grrrr. I like Spanish good, but I really miss the variety we have in the US. I know that in the bigger cities here in Spain there are more options, but not here.

I’m thinking of going to Granada, Cádiz and Málaga in March and April. I need to save money and be conscious of my spending until then. Hopefully I can find a way to save up for these trips. I could use a little trip outside of Siles. I miss traveling like I did during my stay in Murcia.

A relaxing weekend

Yesterday was pretty relaxed and non-productive. I had my lesson with Elena at 6pm and then went to the gym afterwards. Luis told me to come over to his house when I was done so I could pick up some coats. I’ve had some coats with me, but I kept anxiously awaiting the arrival of my winter coat. My parents had included it in the boxes that they sent (the ones that never arrived). When Luis’ mom found out I didn’t have a true winter coat with me so quickly set out to remedy the situation. Anyways. I went to his house and left with a huge bag of 3 coats (one for everyday, one that’s waterproof and one when I want to dress up a little) as well as a pair of boots. My boots are destroyed. I need to buy some new ones but just can’t shell out the money right now. The boots she gave me to wear are too big but she said I could stuff a sock or something in there so I at least had a pair of boots to wear if I needed them. Carlos (Luis’ nephew) is also back in town. He’s been staying at Luis’ house. While we were trying on coats and boots they had Carlos’ English music CD playing. It was pretty cute. Afterwards I headed home to shower and change, then went out to 1900 and Nicols for awhile.

Today I slept in. Luis came over to make lunch at my house, then had to leave to help haul a fridge up a couple flights of stairs. His parents have an extra flat that they are renting to two of the teachers. The apartment needed a new fridge so Luis and his brother were the lucky ones elected to drag it upstairs (since there isn’t an elevator). I showered and got ready, then went over to Luis’ house to help his mom burn some photo CDs. We got some of them burned, but eventually gave up. I decided to burn the rest at home and we had some tea instead. I don’t think my computer liked the type of CDs we were trying to use and I had others in my apartment. Luis and I went back to my apartment to make dinner, then just relaxed and watched TV. I believe Luis watched a movie, but I just fell asleep on the couch. Ooops. Guess I’m not a very good hostess!