At this time tomorrow I will be landing in US territory. Crazy.
I'm kinda a mix of emotions and I don't really think it's hit me that I'm really leaving yet. The worst part has been the goodbyes I've had to make this last week. First with my little kids and fellow teachers at the colegio. Then I had to slowly tay goodbye to my professors as the week went on. Yesterday was to my amazing advisors and friends.
I spent the day today hiking in the mountains with my host family. I'm a bit crispy now lol. Then we exchanged presents tonight. They made me a photo album with pictures from the whole year and I gave them a variety of things from Nerf guns to a toaster and CDs and a pedicure kit.
I know tomorrow is gonna be super sad when I have to leave :/ but as my host mom has been telling me, it's not "goodbye" it's "see you later".
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
One Final Trip and Saying Goodbye
In just a few hours I'll be headed to Germany for my final trip of the year. I'll be staying with some family friends from Middle Bass that live there, so I'm really looking forward to some MBI talk and good American cooking =)
It's getting so weird to think that this adventure is coming to an end. I'm both sad and excited. I'm almost afraid I'm going to start regretting, but I can't do that. This whole experience has been amazing and I'm so happy to have met the people I have. Leaving my host family will be the worst. I know we're all going to cry and it's going to be horribly sad, but at the same time I miss my family and Keith so much and I'm ready to get back to my "real" life. I've only got once more day at my little kids school, and I'm going to miss those kids a ton too.
I wish I could capture all of the memories I have on film, so that I'll never forget how amazing those memories are. Unfortunately, I can't get them all, and some of the most precious ones I'll have to cherish in my head. Singing and playing "Pasa-Mi-Si" and "La Corrida de la Patata" with my little kids and being silly with my host brothers.
It's getting so weird to think that this adventure is coming to an end. I'm both sad and excited. I'm almost afraid I'm going to start regretting, but I can't do that. This whole experience has been amazing and I'm so happy to have met the people I have. Leaving my host family will be the worst. I know we're all going to cry and it's going to be horribly sad, but at the same time I miss my family and Keith so much and I'm ready to get back to my "real" life. I've only got once more day at my little kids school, and I'm going to miss those kids a ton too.
I wish I could capture all of the memories I have on film, so that I'll never forget how amazing those memories are. Unfortunately, I can't get them all, and some of the most precious ones I'll have to cherish in my head. Singing and playing "Pasa-Mi-Si" and "La Corrida de la Patata" with my little kids and being silly with my host brothers.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Long TIme, No Blog
I can't believe how crazy fast April has flown by! It's insane, I thought it was going to drag on and on, but really I think it's finally really hit me that my time here is almost over. I'm defiantly ready to go home but I know I'm going to miss Spain in some aspects.
First, my amazing host family - they truly are amazing and I don't know how I would have survived this year without them. My host mom is so nice and it's been great to get to a point in our relationship where we can talk more like friends rather than as people just living together. My host brothers, while some days they drive me nuts, they always make me laugh and we bond over the strangest things. I never got to be the older sister, so I truly love nagging and picking on them in a fun and playful way. And my host dad, he's defiantly opened my eyes to some new and interesting concepts, as well as taught me the majority of what I know about Spain, politics of Europe, and cultural differences among all nations.
Second, my little kids school - I'm so glad I did my internship. I've learned so much, not only relating to the language, but about myself as well. I know that even though I love kids to death, I will never be a teacher (maybe high school as a backup plan - since I have no idea what else I'd do with a spanish degree...) Those kids are the highlight of my days here and I love being able to just hang out and feel like I'm making an impact on their lives. Plus I've missed having little kids climb into my lap and listening to a story or asking me for hugs when they're sad. I've learned a lot about the culture like games and songs (that I've finally learned to correct words to)! I've been able to pick up some good teaching techniques and I've got a much better idea about how I'm going to go about teaching my own children Spanish one day. I've learned more about the kind of parent I want to be, or better said, the kind I don't want to be. And, I've had the opportunity to really make some Spanish "friends" - although they may be teacher, it's nice to sit and talk about any topic on the same level as any other person in the conversation. (And they're great for asking help with my homework...)
While I'm still not the biggest fan of Madrid, I can truly say this has been amazing and I will in fact be sad when it all comes to an end in 17 days. I still say this is something I want my kids to do and experience when they are old enough (sorry Mom) and I know that I will be back again. I've learned to adapt and survive in situations I never would have expected. And more than anything, Spanish has always been one of my passions. I've been able to fulfill a dream that I've had as long as I can remember. I can speak and understand a second language (maybe not the best all the time, but that's still way more than most people in the United States can say).
First, my amazing host family - they truly are amazing and I don't know how I would have survived this year without them. My host mom is so nice and it's been great to get to a point in our relationship where we can talk more like friends rather than as people just living together. My host brothers, while some days they drive me nuts, they always make me laugh and we bond over the strangest things. I never got to be the older sister, so I truly love nagging and picking on them in a fun and playful way. And my host dad, he's defiantly opened my eyes to some new and interesting concepts, as well as taught me the majority of what I know about Spain, politics of Europe, and cultural differences among all nations.
Second, my little kids school - I'm so glad I did my internship. I've learned so much, not only relating to the language, but about myself as well. I know that even though I love kids to death, I will never be a teacher (maybe high school as a backup plan - since I have no idea what else I'd do with a spanish degree...) Those kids are the highlight of my days here and I love being able to just hang out and feel like I'm making an impact on their lives. Plus I've missed having little kids climb into my lap and listening to a story or asking me for hugs when they're sad. I've learned a lot about the culture like games and songs (that I've finally learned to correct words to)! I've been able to pick up some good teaching techniques and I've got a much better idea about how I'm going to go about teaching my own children Spanish one day. I've learned more about the kind of parent I want to be, or better said, the kind I don't want to be. And, I've had the opportunity to really make some Spanish "friends" - although they may be teacher, it's nice to sit and talk about any topic on the same level as any other person in the conversation. (And they're great for asking help with my homework...)
While I'm still not the biggest fan of Madrid, I can truly say this has been amazing and I will in fact be sad when it all comes to an end in 17 days. I still say this is something I want my kids to do and experience when they are old enough (sorry Mom) and I know that I will be back again. I've learned to adapt and survive in situations I never would have expected. And more than anything, Spanish has always been one of my passions. I've been able to fulfill a dream that I've had as long as I can remember. I can speak and understand a second language (maybe not the best all the time, but that's still way more than most people in the United States can say).
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Need A Normal Schedule
You would think after 9 months of being here I would have adapted to the daily schedule that most Spaniards (well at least my host family) keep. Yeah - no.
While I'm still functioning and getting done what I need to get done I still feel like I never have enough time for anything. I spend literally almost all day, every day doing some type of homework or other school obligatory things and feel like I have zero time for me.
That includes the requirements - eating, sleeping, showering, doing my hair, you know the important stuff.
I'm the kinda person that can't sleep past 10am anyways (not that I've even gotten close since I've been here), but really, while I'm not the "morning person" that likes getting up at 5am, I'm more the "morning person" that is normally up by 8am.
Unfortunately that's still too late for school. Normally, I wouldn't complain, however when every day I don't get to bed until 12am or 1am it is a problem.
So now, after just getting back from spring break - where most nights I was in bed and asleep around 10pm (not even joking) - it's killing me.
I'm just counting the days. (39 to be exact)
I need my schedule back. My food. I need to go to a gym. I need to learn something that isn't grammar and reading all the time. I need my friends and family and boyfriend back.
While I'm still functioning and getting done what I need to get done I still feel like I never have enough time for anything. I spend literally almost all day, every day doing some type of homework or other school obligatory things and feel like I have zero time for me.
That includes the requirements - eating, sleeping, showering, doing my hair, you know the important stuff.
I'm the kinda person that can't sleep past 10am anyways (not that I've even gotten close since I've been here), but really, while I'm not the "morning person" that likes getting up at 5am, I'm more the "morning person" that is normally up by 8am.
Unfortunately that's still too late for school. Normally, I wouldn't complain, however when every day I don't get to bed until 12am or 1am it is a problem.
So now, after just getting back from spring break - where most nights I was in bed and asleep around 10pm (not even joking) - it's killing me.
I'm just counting the days. (39 to be exact)
I need my schedule back. My food. I need to go to a gym. I need to learn something that isn't grammar and reading all the time. I need my friends and family and boyfriend back.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Taking A Break To Get All Sentimental
For those of you that don't really know my past, feel free to ignore this post because I'm sure it will not make sense to you, but this is in regards to something that has been on my mind a lot these last few days and I feel the need to write about it.
The first few weeks of April always manage to sneak up on me and catch me off guard. They are weeks that I can still play over and over in my head year after year, the memories not fading. I can recall each day and the emotions in them: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I get caught in the "what ifs", the "would haves", and the "should haves". And as time goes on I'm finding myself more open to talking, more open to really feeling the feelings that I refused (or didn't know how) to show at the time. Each year I grow more, then fall into the "why didn't you know or do this then" thoughts.
I spent a good portion of last night laying awake in bed, listening to the complete silence in my house, unable to sleep, my mind filled with memories, both good and bad, and the same old questions that get me every year. I can really only remember crying once at the time, that moment very clear - lacing up his black suede leather boots for the last time - which, looking back, is quite the literary ending to that part of my life - the kind of ending that you don't realize at the time yet you reflect on forever. I've realized I have this tendency to play the "strong one" for the sake of others (or for myself), I'm really not sure. But last night was different, last night I cried. I cried for what was lost, for the unknown, for the "would haves" and "should haves", for everything I should have said and done, for everything I don't think I was old enough to know, for all the times I should have spoken my mind and shared my true feelings, for everything I was too stubborn to admit, for all the things I wish I could change, and for everything I wish had a different outcome (that conversation in Starbucks, for example).
Every year I learn more and become more of a person I'm happy being, but this year has taught me a lot. I'm learning to recognize the things in my life that still get to me, the parts of me that are still broken - most of which I guess I never really noticed before -, and have realized some things are more important than I originally thought.
So as I lay awake I wondered. How does something that you used to love so much suddenly fade completely from you life? How can something that once was so beautiful and full of passion become such a fight, something so difficult and painful? How do you explain the unexplainable? How do you answer the questions that you will never know the answers to (at least not in this lifetime)? How does someone that you know for such a short amount of time manage to make such an impact in your life? If things had been different, what would be now? Where would my life be? Would this next year be as important and as exciting as we had imagined? And how would all of that affected the current?
It's crazy to think how long ago all of this really was. How young we really were. How big our dreams were. How far we could look into the future.
I thought about the memories since then. The words I can remember spoken, the music that would randomly show up and the emotions it would evoke. The frustrations and the disappointments. The anger and the shame.
There have been things I've wanted to do for years, things I'm not so sure I ever really knew the "true" reasons for. But looking back now, there are reasons. Some things to make peace and hopefully bring back the happiness I used to know, and others just to say "screw you". (Yes, that person should know who she is.) But mainly, just for me. To believe that the love is still there, to look back on and feel content, and just to help heal the hurt of the past.
The first few weeks of April always manage to sneak up on me and catch me off guard. They are weeks that I can still play over and over in my head year after year, the memories not fading. I can recall each day and the emotions in them: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I get caught in the "what ifs", the "would haves", and the "should haves". And as time goes on I'm finding myself more open to talking, more open to really feeling the feelings that I refused (or didn't know how) to show at the time. Each year I grow more, then fall into the "why didn't you know or do this then" thoughts.
I spent a good portion of last night laying awake in bed, listening to the complete silence in my house, unable to sleep, my mind filled with memories, both good and bad, and the same old questions that get me every year. I can really only remember crying once at the time, that moment very clear - lacing up his black suede leather boots for the last time - which, looking back, is quite the literary ending to that part of my life - the kind of ending that you don't realize at the time yet you reflect on forever. I've realized I have this tendency to play the "strong one" for the sake of others (or for myself), I'm really not sure. But last night was different, last night I cried. I cried for what was lost, for the unknown, for the "would haves" and "should haves", for everything I should have said and done, for everything I don't think I was old enough to know, for all the times I should have spoken my mind and shared my true feelings, for everything I was too stubborn to admit, for all the things I wish I could change, and for everything I wish had a different outcome (that conversation in Starbucks, for example).
Every year I learn more and become more of a person I'm happy being, but this year has taught me a lot. I'm learning to recognize the things in my life that still get to me, the parts of me that are still broken - most of which I guess I never really noticed before -, and have realized some things are more important than I originally thought.
So as I lay awake I wondered. How does something that you used to love so much suddenly fade completely from you life? How can something that once was so beautiful and full of passion become such a fight, something so difficult and painful? How do you explain the unexplainable? How do you answer the questions that you will never know the answers to (at least not in this lifetime)? How does someone that you know for such a short amount of time manage to make such an impact in your life? If things had been different, what would be now? Where would my life be? Would this next year be as important and as exciting as we had imagined? And how would all of that affected the current?
It's crazy to think how long ago all of this really was. How young we really were. How big our dreams were. How far we could look into the future.
I thought about the memories since then. The words I can remember spoken, the music that would randomly show up and the emotions it would evoke. The frustrations and the disappointments. The anger and the shame.
There have been things I've wanted to do for years, things I'm not so sure I ever really knew the "true" reasons for. But looking back now, there are reasons. Some things to make peace and hopefully bring back the happiness I used to know, and others just to say "screw you". (Yes, that person should know who she is.) But mainly, just for me. To believe that the love is still there, to look back on and feel content, and just to help heal the hurt of the past.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Back From Spring Break!
Just got back from an amazing Spring Break with my Mom, Aunt Nicole, and Uncle Bob in Italy - It was a great time and was just nice to spend some time bonding with my mom and family again. I figured I'll just give a quick run down of each day just so I don't write forever ;) For the most part I think these events are on the right days...but they're already starting to blur together...
Friday March 22 - Flew into Rome and met up with my family in the airport baggage claim area. Mom cried and helped me get my obnoxiously colored bags :) We ended up taking a cab to our hotel and explored the city just walking around for the afternoon. Our hotel was pretty nice, although it was only 1 room it was divided very well and was comfortable for all of us to share.
Saturday March 23 - Visited the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Palatine. Got to learn more about each place and visited in-depth. Made friends with a family from Spain while in line to get tickets - the guy asked me what I knew about buying tickets (in English) and then relayed the info to his mom (in Spanish), so I just started talking back in Spanish while my mom captured the moment on film lol. I was a little disappointed that we couldn't get tickets to see the bottom and top levels of the Colosseum (buy your tickets ahead of time!!) but it was still nice to learn more from a guide. Went on a night bus tour with Mom, tour kinda sucked, but at least I got gellato lol
Sunday March 24 - Thought about going to the Vatican for Palm Sunday Mass, but there were way too many people there! So we ended up going to the Pantheon and getting Palms (which were olive tree branches) and then went with Mom to this simulator time machine tourist trap. Chased all over the city looking for a street vendor and finally found him thanks to a random kid I practically attacked walking down the road when I saw he had one of the vendor's works (thank god he was from the US...that would have been even more awkward).
Monday March 25 - Went to the Vatican with a tour group (Angel Tours) who after making us wait for a half hour in the pouring rain told us they actually didn't have tickets for us to get inside. We were pissed. So after walking back to the end of the normal entrance line we joined another tour group (Tickets4Fun) and did thankfully get to see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
Tuesday March 26 - Took a bus from Rome to Florence. It rained, but I did find this amazing leather store. The workers were great and looked me up and down, pulled out a leather jacket and said "this will be the one" - turns out they were right, first one came home with me (I did try on lots of them), along with a lovely purse that will be perfect for professional use. Hotel was actually like an apartment - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room with baby sized kitchen-type thing, but the wifi didn't work for crap so we were pretty out of communication with the world for a few days.
Wednesday March 27 - Took an amazing day trip through Tuscany with WalkAbout Tours. They were great! We visited 3 cities: Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa - went on walking tours, had a wine tasting, climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visited an amazing church, and overall just had a great time. Met 2 other girls studying in Spain and we all agreed on the things we hate (so glad it's not just me).
Thursday March 28 - Spent the day with Mom shopping (got another purse) and then just looked for some various souvenirs for people. Mom got lost - not good - but she eventually got home and decided she is very happy living in the US (I agreed). Then just relaxed for the night.
Friday March 29 - Took a train from Florence to Venice. Accidentally booked a hotel way outside of the city and took us a few hours to figure out everything before we could actually get out and explore. It was a best Western, which was super nice because we each got our own room and it was an actual American-style hotel! Got some lunch before it started to pour rain. It was miserably cold so we ended up bailing and headed back to the hotel - Sadly I did not get to go on a Gondola ride - but pouring rain and worrying about falling into the freezing river wasn't quite how I had always pictured it. Got some dinner and threw peanuts at my Uncle Bob walking home. Then just spent some time with Mom. After we went to bed our stupid hotel room decided the power would go out so the front desk called us and woke us up and made someone come up and cheek the power (I was pissed) - apparently you can't plug in a coffee pot or you will blow the fuse there...fail. But, at least the wifi there was good.
Saturday March 30 - Mom and Nicole and Bob all got up around 4am to head to the airport. It was sad and we cried :( I ended up checking out a little later and caught my own flight back here to Madrid. Sadly, they got back home to the US before I got back to Madrid (4 hour layovers suck). My taxi driver tried to convince me to go for drinks with him then didn't understand why I said no (you know you're in Spain when...). And of course, everyone and their brother was graciously waiting to greet me with a huge puff of smoke in the face (yay lung cancer).
And on that note - my host family is gone until the morning, so I am going to enjoy the little silence I have left. It's Easter and I made myself an omelet - there was no food in my house. I Skyped Keith and my family, got to join in the family party fun, even if it was through Skype. Tomorrow is homework day and then back to school on Tuesday :p Bleh.
43 days left!!
Friday March 22 - Flew into Rome and met up with my family in the airport baggage claim area. Mom cried and helped me get my obnoxiously colored bags :) We ended up taking a cab to our hotel and explored the city just walking around for the afternoon. Our hotel was pretty nice, although it was only 1 room it was divided very well and was comfortable for all of us to share.
Saturday March 23 - Visited the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Palatine. Got to learn more about each place and visited in-depth. Made friends with a family from Spain while in line to get tickets - the guy asked me what I knew about buying tickets (in English) and then relayed the info to his mom (in Spanish), so I just started talking back in Spanish while my mom captured the moment on film lol. I was a little disappointed that we couldn't get tickets to see the bottom and top levels of the Colosseum (buy your tickets ahead of time!!) but it was still nice to learn more from a guide. Went on a night bus tour with Mom, tour kinda sucked, but at least I got gellato lol
Sunday March 24 - Thought about going to the Vatican for Palm Sunday Mass, but there were way too many people there! So we ended up going to the Pantheon and getting Palms (which were olive tree branches) and then went with Mom to this simulator time machine tourist trap. Chased all over the city looking for a street vendor and finally found him thanks to a random kid I practically attacked walking down the road when I saw he had one of the vendor's works (thank god he was from the US...that would have been even more awkward).
Monday March 25 - Went to the Vatican with a tour group (Angel Tours) who after making us wait for a half hour in the pouring rain told us they actually didn't have tickets for us to get inside. We were pissed. So after walking back to the end of the normal entrance line we joined another tour group (Tickets4Fun) and did thankfully get to see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
Tuesday March 26 - Took a bus from Rome to Florence. It rained, but I did find this amazing leather store. The workers were great and looked me up and down, pulled out a leather jacket and said "this will be the one" - turns out they were right, first one came home with me (I did try on lots of them), along with a lovely purse that will be perfect for professional use. Hotel was actually like an apartment - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room with baby sized kitchen-type thing, but the wifi didn't work for crap so we were pretty out of communication with the world for a few days.
Wednesday March 27 - Took an amazing day trip through Tuscany with WalkAbout Tours. They were great! We visited 3 cities: Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa - went on walking tours, had a wine tasting, climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visited an amazing church, and overall just had a great time. Met 2 other girls studying in Spain and we all agreed on the things we hate (so glad it's not just me).
Thursday March 28 - Spent the day with Mom shopping (got another purse) and then just looked for some various souvenirs for people. Mom got lost - not good - but she eventually got home and decided she is very happy living in the US (I agreed). Then just relaxed for the night.
Friday March 29 - Took a train from Florence to Venice. Accidentally booked a hotel way outside of the city and took us a few hours to figure out everything before we could actually get out and explore. It was a best Western, which was super nice because we each got our own room and it was an actual American-style hotel! Got some lunch before it started to pour rain. It was miserably cold so we ended up bailing and headed back to the hotel - Sadly I did not get to go on a Gondola ride - but pouring rain and worrying about falling into the freezing river wasn't quite how I had always pictured it. Got some dinner and threw peanuts at my Uncle Bob walking home. Then just spent some time with Mom. After we went to bed our stupid hotel room decided the power would go out so the front desk called us and woke us up and made someone come up and cheek the power (I was pissed) - apparently you can't plug in a coffee pot or you will blow the fuse there...fail. But, at least the wifi there was good.
Saturday March 30 - Mom and Nicole and Bob all got up around 4am to head to the airport. It was sad and we cried :( I ended up checking out a little later and caught my own flight back here to Madrid. Sadly, they got back home to the US before I got back to Madrid (4 hour layovers suck). My taxi driver tried to convince me to go for drinks with him then didn't understand why I said no (you know you're in Spain when...). And of course, everyone and their brother was graciously waiting to greet me with a huge puff of smoke in the face (yay lung cancer).
And on that note - my host family is gone until the morning, so I am going to enjoy the little silence I have left. It's Easter and I made myself an omelet - there was no food in my house. I Skyped Keith and my family, got to join in the family party fun, even if it was through Skype. Tomorrow is homework day and then back to school on Tuesday :p Bleh.
43 days left!!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
La Semana Cultural
This week at the school where I teach has been so exciting! Every year there is one week where the students get to learn about something "special" instead of "normal" school lessons. This year the theme was "Cinema".
So all week the students and teachers have been preparing (actually the teachers have been making things for a good 3 weeks now). Friday was the last day, and we finally got to show off everything that we've been working on.The kids started the week learning about different kinds of films: black and white, animation, silent, you get the picture.
Next, we began filming the kids in their daily lives and compiled all of the footage into 3 videos (one for each age group) to show on the final day.
The kid's parents were invited to come to school Monday and they made "money" and popcorn bags. The money was made out of plastilina - it's like playdough but 10x better.
Tuesday we watched some Disney movies and learned some songs (note: the words are not the same in English and Spanish lol)
Thursday we had "Olympics Day" - all the kids got to compete in games like relay races, basket ball shooting, musical chairs, and Pasa-me-si (it's a Spanish game kinda like London Bridge).Finally Friday everything came together!
The halls were all decorated, movie posters covered the windows, and we saw a shadow puppet show (My favorite little girl told me that shadows are "Our friends that follow us when were outside, but they don't like the rain so when it's rainy they stay home" - my heart melted!!). When the kids came back from lunch we set up a "movie theater" in the classrooms and all of the kids lined up outside of the building. When they entered they each had to "pay" for their tickets (that they had made earlier in the week), then they could go to the popcorn stand and "buy" a popcorn, then they came into the "theater" and we showed the video of all the kids that we had filmed over the last few weeks.
It was so great! I was totally impressed with everything the kids and school did and I had a great time! It was the perfect end to a not-so perfect week in my own school life.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Rule Number One
Do not do study abroad in college if your grades depend on it. Just don't do it. It's like your entire support system is taken away and people try to make your life hell. First you get in trouble for not asking for help, then you get in trouble for asking for help. Sigh.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
What's The Deal With School?
Ok, so in regards to my little crisis of last weekend -
I have chosen (after talking with my advisors) to make a few changes in my plans.
I have chosen (after talking with my advisors) to make a few changes in my plans.
- I will be flying home early from Madrid. (4 days to be exact) And to do this I have to take my final exams early. Had to get permission from my program director here, and have certified letters sent that I do need to be home early. So, my new date to be home is May 12th.
- I had to change my summer classes (hence the flying home early). I'm now signed up for Physics I+II and their labs, Sociology, Reading Fiction, and Statistics. That's 19 credit hours. So I'm flying home early to be in class on the first day. There's no way I would have been able to miss the first week like I had originally planned with my online classes.
- I am going to opt to take a 4th undergrad year. I have all the credits I need to graduate, but I'd rather play it safe with my GPA - plus this will give me more time to focus on getting a good basis for the sciences I'll nee in med school. So, I'm now going to have 3 degrees - Spanish, Chemistry, and Biology.
After much thinking it just seems like this will be for the better. I'll have time to focus on things more with less stress. My niece/nephew will be here when I get home so I'll have time to be an aunt. I've been asked to be the Maid of Honor in my cousin's wedding. And I've got some random goals of my own - Walt Disney World Half Marathon anyone??
That last one is a long shot.
Rain Rain Go Away
As much as it rains in Ohio, the rain here in Madrid is way worse. I'm not sure if it's just because I don't like the city, but it gets so depressing here when it rains. There isn't the option to "run quick to the car" - only the "walk briskly the mile to the metro station" - and somehow I always manage to forget (or just never think to grab) my umbrella until it's pouring and I'm looking like my wet dog. (However I do smell better - Dama just becomes horribly gross smelling when she gets wet)
So yes, after a week of straight rain, the sun is finally out today. Thank god. And Keith comes back from spring break today. Thank god.
It's been a rough week for us - I think we've talked maybe 45 minutes all week and we've both been stressed, which has not made for good times between us. But, we'll get that fixed now. Sigh. I don't like being upset with each other.
In other news, my school thing is more-so figured out, so that little crisis part of my life has a "kind-of" plan. I'll probably just make another post about that.
I'm reading the book "Gone Girl" - it's really good. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest it. I'm only about half way through it, but I can't put it down. I don't have much homework to do this weekend, so I'm thinking I'm just gonna relax and enjoy some time for me - aka finishing this book.
So yes, after a week of straight rain, the sun is finally out today. Thank god. And Keith comes back from spring break today. Thank god.
It's been a rough week for us - I think we've talked maybe 45 minutes all week and we've both been stressed, which has not made for good times between us. But, we'll get that fixed now. Sigh. I don't like being upset with each other.
In other news, my school thing is more-so figured out, so that little crisis part of my life has a "kind-of" plan. I'll probably just make another post about that.
I'm reading the book "Gone Girl" - it's really good. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest it. I'm only about half way through it, but I can't put it down. I don't have much homework to do this weekend, so I'm thinking I'm just gonna relax and enjoy some time for me - aka finishing this book.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
And Then Life Changes
So this last week I was in Andalucía for a class trip. It's a 4 day trip and you get credit for it - pretty awesome and a great way to see cool things. The trip went great, except for the part where we went to Sevilla (the city where I wanted to study but couldn't because my school didn't have a program there) and absolutely fell in love. I literally cried during our tour because I was so upset I didn't get to go there. I think mainly it was a population thing - Madrid has around 3,000,000 people and Sevilla has just over 700,000 people. That's a huge difference. (Says the girl with a hometown of 30,000 people...)
I had a great time and didn't want to leave. It just sucks knowing that all this time I've been here I haven't truly enjoyed it as much as I know I could have there. There's just something different about the people - they were all nicer and life was slower. There were real trees and water and parks. The streets were busy yet quiet and secluded at the same time.
One day, I'll go back and spend some time there.
So anyways, then I got back - and life went absolutely crazy. I had a missed call from my med school advisor - apparently they'd been trying to find me all week (no wifi at our stupid hotel). My advisor told me they were concerned about my GPA (thanks stupid bio class freshman year that I got completely screwed over on) (Note- if you ever want to drop a class and your advisor won't let you, don't settle. You're paying for your education, you call the shots, not him) Yeah, anyway... I have to keep a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and right now I'm sitting at 3.477. The problem is I have to decide if I'm going to try and matriculate into the med school in fall of 2014 or 2015 - and with whatever I choose there is no going back. That's to say, if I choose 2014 and if after spring semester next year my GPA is not at least 3.5, that's it, I'm done, no med school spot for me. However, I could also choose to take an extra year of undergrad classes and raise my GPA to ensure it will be high enough to enter in 2015.
Sounds like an easy decision right? Well, yes - except for the fact that I only one more year of credits to graduate. So should I do that 4th year and take easy classes just to get the GPA, or should I challenge myself and work towards a 3rd degree and help better prepare myself for medical school, but at the same time still risking that something could go wrong and I might not get the best GPA (putting me right back in the same place I am now). Not to mention my friends will all be going on to the med school.
It's just a hard thing to choose :/ I feel like I can do it, and like I can get the good grades to keep the GPA I need, but at the same time if something goes wrong and I get dropped from the med school program I will die. Because let's be honest, I've got a Spanish and Chemistry degree - I'm not prepared to take the MCAT, I probably wouldn't get in. That would kill me.
So, I've spent all weekend making different plans and thinking about ideas of what I could do. I've got a meeting with my advisor tomorrow at 8pm to discuss my options. My goal is to ask to postpone my decision until the end of summer - when I will know both my grades from this semester here in Spain and my grades from my summer classes - and hopefully I'll have a better idea on where I stand instead of guessing.
In the end, if there's any doubt in my mind, I will take the 4th year - I just don't know when to draw the line between "this is doable" and "play it safe".
My plan is to talk to my program director here in Spain tomorrow and find out if I can take my final exams early and fly home 4 days early so I can take the summer classes I really need to take. My problem right now is if I miss the first week I'm pretty screwed for passing the class, so I'd have to take some different classes online and take the harder classes during the actual school year.
There's just a lot of unknown right now, and it's driving me nuts. I'm stressed and can't focus. There's a lot of pressure to do well this semester, even though I feel like I'm putting forward all the energy I possibly can already. I have to try harder. I have to do this.
This is the problem with being a perfectionist type-A personality person.
So for now, I'm stuck waiting - at least for the next 24 hours. I'll know better tomorrow night and I'll be able to think through things a little better when I know where I stand. For now, my family has all lit their prayer candles. For now I have to trust that everything will work out and that I will make the right decision.
I had a great time and didn't want to leave. It just sucks knowing that all this time I've been here I haven't truly enjoyed it as much as I know I could have there. There's just something different about the people - they were all nicer and life was slower. There were real trees and water and parks. The streets were busy yet quiet and secluded at the same time.
One day, I'll go back and spend some time there.
So anyways, then I got back - and life went absolutely crazy. I had a missed call from my med school advisor - apparently they'd been trying to find me all week (no wifi at our stupid hotel). My advisor told me they were concerned about my GPA (thanks stupid bio class freshman year that I got completely screwed over on) (Note- if you ever want to drop a class and your advisor won't let you, don't settle. You're paying for your education, you call the shots, not him) Yeah, anyway... I have to keep a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and right now I'm sitting at 3.477. The problem is I have to decide if I'm going to try and matriculate into the med school in fall of 2014 or 2015 - and with whatever I choose there is no going back. That's to say, if I choose 2014 and if after spring semester next year my GPA is not at least 3.5, that's it, I'm done, no med school spot for me. However, I could also choose to take an extra year of undergrad classes and raise my GPA to ensure it will be high enough to enter in 2015.
Sounds like an easy decision right? Well, yes - except for the fact that I only one more year of credits to graduate. So should I do that 4th year and take easy classes just to get the GPA, or should I challenge myself and work towards a 3rd degree and help better prepare myself for medical school, but at the same time still risking that something could go wrong and I might not get the best GPA (putting me right back in the same place I am now). Not to mention my friends will all be going on to the med school.
It's just a hard thing to choose :/ I feel like I can do it, and like I can get the good grades to keep the GPA I need, but at the same time if something goes wrong and I get dropped from the med school program I will die. Because let's be honest, I've got a Spanish and Chemistry degree - I'm not prepared to take the MCAT, I probably wouldn't get in. That would kill me.
So, I've spent all weekend making different plans and thinking about ideas of what I could do. I've got a meeting with my advisor tomorrow at 8pm to discuss my options. My goal is to ask to postpone my decision until the end of summer - when I will know both my grades from this semester here in Spain and my grades from my summer classes - and hopefully I'll have a better idea on where I stand instead of guessing.
In the end, if there's any doubt in my mind, I will take the 4th year - I just don't know when to draw the line between "this is doable" and "play it safe".
My plan is to talk to my program director here in Spain tomorrow and find out if I can take my final exams early and fly home 4 days early so I can take the summer classes I really need to take. My problem right now is if I miss the first week I'm pretty screwed for passing the class, so I'd have to take some different classes online and take the harder classes during the actual school year.
There's just a lot of unknown right now, and it's driving me nuts. I'm stressed and can't focus. There's a lot of pressure to do well this semester, even though I feel like I'm putting forward all the energy I possibly can already. I have to try harder. I have to do this.
This is the problem with being a perfectionist type-A personality person.
So for now, I'm stuck waiting - at least for the next 24 hours. I'll know better tomorrow night and I'll be able to think through things a little better when I know where I stand. For now, my family has all lit their prayer candles. For now I have to trust that everything will work out and that I will make the right decision.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Acting Like We're Animals
Quick post here just to remember this moment-
My youngest host brother, Pablo, had a friend over last night / today. I'm in my room casually skyping Keith when my door flies open (Pablo likes to be my little buddy some days and hang out in my room with me, so I've learned if I don't want any unexpected visitors I need to lock my door). In walks Pablo and yells down the hall to his friend that is spending the night, "¡Mira! Aquí está la chica americana que vive con nosotros." He then shut my door and walked away. Translation: Look! Here's the amarican girl who lives with us.
I'm like an animal in the zoo. I'm on exhibit for all of these Spaniards to enjoy and laugh at. It's epic.
And then today when I woke up it was like WWIII in my house. I'm sleeping and wake up to screaming and doors slamming and (clearly) there is no hope of me sleeping any longer so I walk out of my room and there's children running and screaming and nerf guns all over the place and foam bullets flying and suction cup arrows and bows being shot and stuck to doors. They made me walk from my room to the living room with my hands up over my head "or-else they'd shoot me"...
Help xD
My youngest host brother, Pablo, had a friend over last night / today. I'm in my room casually skyping Keith when my door flies open (Pablo likes to be my little buddy some days and hang out in my room with me, so I've learned if I don't want any unexpected visitors I need to lock my door). In walks Pablo and yells down the hall to his friend that is spending the night, "¡Mira! Aquí está la chica americana que vive con nosotros." He then shut my door and walked away. Translation: Look! Here's the amarican girl who lives with us.
I'm like an animal in the zoo. I'm on exhibit for all of these Spaniards to enjoy and laugh at. It's epic.
And then today when I woke up it was like WWIII in my house. I'm sleeping and wake up to screaming and doors slamming and (clearly) there is no hope of me sleeping any longer so I walk out of my room and there's children running and screaming and nerf guns all over the place and foam bullets flying and suction cup arrows and bows being shot and stuck to doors. They made me walk from my room to the living room with my hands up over my head "or-else they'd shoot me"...
Help xD
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Must. Find. Food.
Just based on my grumbling stomach today I am so ready to go home.
What I would give for some normal breakfast food (and I hate breakfast) - I've literally had a small bowl of cereal, bread, an apple, a doughnut, or a croissant every day for the last 7 months. I'm ready for my cold pizza, pasta, ramen noodles, pancakes (that actually rise), and normal food.
And I want to eat at normal times. Lunch doesn't belong at 4pm and dinner doesn't belong at 10:30pm.
I hate going to sleep feeling full.
I hate meat.
I hate eating so much food for lunch I feel sick, yet feeling obligated to eat everything that gets piled onto my plate.
I'm sick of carbs. I want some veggies.
I miss snack foods like carrots and celery and cheese and crackers.
I'm sick of eating the snack food I get sent to me from home in one sitting.
I want to make my own food. I want to know how to use the stove without burning the crap out of things. I wish I knew how to work the oven without it streaming black smoke every time I try.
I want to do my laundry when I want and need to.
I hate wearing the same pair of jeans for a week.
I miss my cloud bed and not waking up every day with my back hurting.
I miss my feet not constantly being blistered and cut up from my shoes and so much walking.
I want my car.
I miss my family and Keith.
I'm sick of 10 year old kids laughing at me trying to tell stories then responding to me in English.
Yeah...well that went downhill quickly.
88 days left to go.
What I would give for some normal breakfast food (and I hate breakfast) - I've literally had a small bowl of cereal, bread, an apple, a doughnut, or a croissant every day for the last 7 months. I'm ready for my cold pizza, pasta, ramen noodles, pancakes (that actually rise), and normal food.
And I want to eat at normal times. Lunch doesn't belong at 4pm and dinner doesn't belong at 10:30pm.
I hate going to sleep feeling full.
I hate meat.
I hate eating so much food for lunch I feel sick, yet feeling obligated to eat everything that gets piled onto my plate.
I'm sick of carbs. I want some veggies.
I miss snack foods like carrots and celery and cheese and crackers.
I'm sick of eating the snack food I get sent to me from home in one sitting.
I want to make my own food. I want to know how to use the stove without burning the crap out of things. I wish I knew how to work the oven without it streaming black smoke every time I try.
I want to do my laundry when I want and need to.
I hate wearing the same pair of jeans for a week.
I miss my cloud bed and not waking up every day with my back hurting.
I miss my feet not constantly being blistered and cut up from my shoes and so much walking.
I want my car.
I miss my family and Keith.
I'm sick of 10 year old kids laughing at me trying to tell stories then responding to me in English.
Yeah...well that went downhill quickly.
88 days left to go.
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Evolution Of Taylor Swift
I've been attempting to write a poem about a bar for the last 3 hours - I've got about 8 lines... Only in Spain am I assigned a poem about a bar...
Anyways-
In this time that I've been procrastinating and trying to make my limited Spanish vocabulary rhyme and talk about my limited Spanish bar experiences, I've been watching Taylor Swift's entire music video playlist on YouTube.
For everyone who doesn't know, I'm kinda in love with her. She's my favorite singer and just like any other girl growing up with her, the songs she writes are a direct correlation to my life.
So when Red came out this fall, there was a very clear change in her style. It took me quite a few times of sitting through the whole album to decide if I liked it or not, but in the end I do. Just like any other artist that got their start in their teens, she's making that awkward switch of style to grow with her. (Mind you, I still don't understand why there were ever 3 and 4 year olds at her concerts...)
And what's the whole point of me typing all this? I'm not really sure to be honest.
I just saw the music video for "I knew you were trouble" and it was good - really good. Strong message and bigger themes than her past CDs. And the video for "Begin Again" was filmed in Paris - a place that will forever be close to my heart.
Again, all these things sound better in my head than written, but there's meaning in them for me.
A line that says, "The worst part of it all wasn't losing him, it was losing me." - there's meaning. And regardless if it means anything to anyone else, I feel like I should write this so I don't forget that.
Anyways-
In this time that I've been procrastinating and trying to make my limited Spanish vocabulary rhyme and talk about my limited Spanish bar experiences, I've been watching Taylor Swift's entire music video playlist on YouTube.
For everyone who doesn't know, I'm kinda in love with her. She's my favorite singer and just like any other girl growing up with her, the songs she writes are a direct correlation to my life.
So when Red came out this fall, there was a very clear change in her style. It took me quite a few times of sitting through the whole album to decide if I liked it or not, but in the end I do. Just like any other artist that got their start in their teens, she's making that awkward switch of style to grow with her. (Mind you, I still don't understand why there were ever 3 and 4 year olds at her concerts...)
And what's the whole point of me typing all this? I'm not really sure to be honest.
I just saw the music video for "I knew you were trouble" and it was good - really good. Strong message and bigger themes than her past CDs. And the video for "Begin Again" was filmed in Paris - a place that will forever be close to my heart.
Again, all these things sound better in my head than written, but there's meaning in them for me.
A line that says, "The worst part of it all wasn't losing him, it was losing me." - there's meaning. And regardless if it means anything to anyone else, I feel like I should write this so I don't forget that.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Art Of Pizza Delivery
I don't think I'll ever get over the pizza delivery here - it's just one of those random things that amazes me every time.
Here's the rundown...
Here's the rundown...
- Pizza guys drive vespa looking things, not cars
- They wear these neon orange outfits that remind me of the safety snowsuits people wear when traveling on the ice in the winter
- Because everyone lives in apartments, you have to buzz the poor guy up at least 4 times for him to actually deliver the pizza
- A tip consists of 1 coin
So I guess in the big scheme of things, it's not that crazy but I just laugh. I guess now that I'm writing this it's more of a "you had to be there" type thing, but whatever.
On that note, the barbacoa pizza is calling and if I don't jump now my host brothers will engulf (I don't know if that's the right word) it all before I get any.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Coming Home List Number One
In honor of being down to 100 days,
Let's see, for shits and giggles - the first things on my list of things to do when I get home...
Let's see, for shits and giggles - the first things on my list of things to do when I get home...
- Grandma Noodles - I'm expecting a big pot waiting for me upon arrival.
- A Long Hot Shower - The kind where I sit there doing nothing until the hot water is gone.
- Chipotle - Maybe the day after I get back. Chicken bowl, pinto beans, salsa, corn, lettuce, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, you know the works.
- A Hair Cut - Don't know what style, but after a year with split ends and frizz it'll be time for some updates.
- Shopping - I need a new wardrobe.
- Baby Shower Stuff - The shower is 2 days after I get back, I'll be making diaper cakes galore.
- Hugs and Snuggles - The love tank needs refilled.
- Sleeping Forever and a Day - In my cloud.
Yeah, that's all I've got for now. I'm sure I'll add more.
Monday, February 4, 2013
And So Begins The Questioning
I'm at this point where I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing being here. On one hand, I wouldn't be graduating if I hadn't done this, yet at the same time this could be the thing that keeps me from graduating.
I'm trying to not think about that second possibility because honestly it would crush me. But, realistically it is a possibility.
The hard part about being over here is there is no real support system. There are no tutors to ask if you need help. There are no extra office hours when you can talk to your professors. The onsite staff can't half with your school work. You get into this place where you are just stuck.
I've been working my ass off since this semester started, and even though I've been spending almost every waking hour doing something for school, I don't feel like I'm getting anything back.
Don't get me wrong, I've learned so much by being here that I never would have in the US, but I don't know if that "life knowledge" is worth worrying about my GPA and my relationships over.
I thought at home school was a big part of my life, but honestly what seems so easy here is so much harder. There aren't concrete answers and facts to memorize or systems to connect. I'm constantly in a world of ambiguity where things have more than one answer and each person could have their own interpretation, completely changing everything you think you know.
And then in the end it all comes down to the professor's opinion.
All in all, I go back to my original opinion. If I had the chance I would have done this in high school. Where the grades and your future career aren't on the line and you really do have the opportunity to be completely immersed in the culture and real life, versus this makeshift "college" atmosphere that in reality is like being in middle school all over again.
I go to class for 6 hours straight because my professors can't keep on time and then don't let you have a break to use the bathroom or eat a snack. If you're late, your grade drops. Yet, every single day the professors run over.
I hate being powerless and having the fate of my career be in the hands of the people here. I want to question and complain and try to make the situation better, but at the same time the person who I have to get involved with is the one controlling my grade for the next 4 months.
There's just no good way. At this point the only option I see is devoting absolutely every single minute I have to this and whatever the consequences are I have to try.
I'm trying to not think about that second possibility because honestly it would crush me. But, realistically it is a possibility.
The hard part about being over here is there is no real support system. There are no tutors to ask if you need help. There are no extra office hours when you can talk to your professors. The onsite staff can't half with your school work. You get into this place where you are just stuck.
I've been working my ass off since this semester started, and even though I've been spending almost every waking hour doing something for school, I don't feel like I'm getting anything back.
Don't get me wrong, I've learned so much by being here that I never would have in the US, but I don't know if that "life knowledge" is worth worrying about my GPA and my relationships over.
I thought at home school was a big part of my life, but honestly what seems so easy here is so much harder. There aren't concrete answers and facts to memorize or systems to connect. I'm constantly in a world of ambiguity where things have more than one answer and each person could have their own interpretation, completely changing everything you think you know.
And then in the end it all comes down to the professor's opinion.
All in all, I go back to my original opinion. If I had the chance I would have done this in high school. Where the grades and your future career aren't on the line and you really do have the opportunity to be completely immersed in the culture and real life, versus this makeshift "college" atmosphere that in reality is like being in middle school all over again.
I go to class for 6 hours straight because my professors can't keep on time and then don't let you have a break to use the bathroom or eat a snack. If you're late, your grade drops. Yet, every single day the professors run over.
I hate being powerless and having the fate of my career be in the hands of the people here. I want to question and complain and try to make the situation better, but at the same time the person who I have to get involved with is the one controlling my grade for the next 4 months.
There's just no good way. At this point the only option I see is devoting absolutely every single minute I have to this and whatever the consequences are I have to try.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Best Host Mom Award
Friday night was my first night out in Madrid and it was interesting. We were all hanging out at Yvette's house, where some of the people in my group may have had a few too many bottles of wine. So from there we headed out to meet the rest of the people we were going with at a bar downtown. Well, we got to the bar and no sooner did we get there one of the girls decided that she was too drunk and needed to go home. So I volunteered to take her home. However, by the time we got a taxi, she didn't know where she lives (nor did I). So she ended up coming back to my apartment. It was quite the experience and somehow I always get stuck babysitting. But at 3 am when my host mom woke up and I explained everything that had went on, she was totally ok with everything. In the morning even drove this girl back to her own house and gave her a different pair of shoes (not 6 inch heels) to wear. My two best friends here have decided they want to meet my host mom after this lovely experience. I have to say, she is amazing and so understanding and I'm very glad I'm living with this family even though sometimes it can get hard having so many people in one space.
Never Sure If I Should Feel Bad
It's 9 am on Sunday morning and I just woke up. Javi and Pablo had some friends stay the night, so I can hear them awake and playing in the living room. I've gotten up and done my daily wakeup routine: bathroom, wash face, brush teeth. The door to my host parents room is closed but I can hear them awake talking. So I come back in my room and shut the door. The sun is just peaking through my persianas (if you've never been to Spain you won't have a clue what I'm talking about - they're like garage doors for your windows). All in all, my room is relatively quiet and relaxing and my bed looks amazing to just lay and chill for a little bit before running out into the hustle and bustle I call my life.
The problem?
Since this semester has started my life has been consumed by homework. Last semester was a complete joke I might add. I have no problem sitting out in the living room doing my homework when it's something like a worksheet or little activities to practice grammar, but right now almost everything I have is reading. And the problem with reading is that I can't have distractions or I will lose track of what I'm actually reading and start thinking of other things - then I find myself 2 pages through the book and realize I don't have a clue what just happened.
So I've been spending a lot of time held up in my room, for which I feel bad for. I don't want to give the impression that I'm ignoring them or something happened over vacation that made me not like them as much, it's just that I need the quiet and space of my room to get everything I have to do done.
Not to mention it's a hassle when I;m working on my laptop to take it out to the living room because it inevitably does die and it's so hard to lug around all of my converters and find space to plug everything in out there.
So there's the dilemma. I know they understand, but it's still kinda sad when Pablo asks my host mom why I never hang out with him anymore.
The problem?
Since this semester has started my life has been consumed by homework. Last semester was a complete joke I might add. I have no problem sitting out in the living room doing my homework when it's something like a worksheet or little activities to practice grammar, but right now almost everything I have is reading. And the problem with reading is that I can't have distractions or I will lose track of what I'm actually reading and start thinking of other things - then I find myself 2 pages through the book and realize I don't have a clue what just happened.
So I've been spending a lot of time held up in my room, for which I feel bad for. I don't want to give the impression that I'm ignoring them or something happened over vacation that made me not like them as much, it's just that I need the quiet and space of my room to get everything I have to do done.
Not to mention it's a hassle when I;m working on my laptop to take it out to the living room because it inevitably does die and it's so hard to lug around all of my converters and find space to plug everything in out there.
So there's the dilemma. I know they understand, but it's still kinda sad when Pablo asks my host mom why I never hang out with him anymore.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Nap Nap Nap Nap Nap
My life this semester has become absolutely insane. I think (legitimately) that I spend almost every waking hour I have working on homework or reading one of the six books I'm currently assigned. While yes I have figured out the whole studying thing it's so different doing it here just because I feel like what I'm doing isn't hard, it's just time consuming.
My assigned books this semester have drastically increased in length, which I don't mind, however I really do not enjoy reading six at the same time. Trying to keep straight the authors and what's going on in each book and not mixing them up is proving very difficult. I feel better about myself though this semester because whereas last semester most of my books said "for ages 8 and up" this semester I have actually had adults tell me "Oh that is a great book" or "That's one of my favorite authors".
And I'm slowly gaining the ability to write papers more like I do at home - it's hard getting my brain to realize that I can actually write a 5 page paper with no problem as long as I use the kind of vocabulary and writing style I would use if I were writing in English. Thank you Stylistics and Advanced Grammar class. Now I just need to start that research paper on the "History of the English Language in the United States" - where in the world am I gonna find that in the next 3 days...
My internship is going great. I absolutely love the kids and I really feel like I'm learning a lot with them. My only complaint is that during my 2 hour lunch break I usually go to McDonalds and read because it's the only place with wifi around the school, and I'm now getting sick of McDonalds.
Other than that life is good, I spend the rest of my time worrying about Keith and mi familia making sure they're all doing good.
And I can officially say I am thinking in two languages al mismo tiempo because when I start pensando I don't recuerdo what language mis pensamientos were in and then when I least expect it the palabras come out en español y no en English and es very confusing.
My assigned books this semester have drastically increased in length, which I don't mind, however I really do not enjoy reading six at the same time. Trying to keep straight the authors and what's going on in each book and not mixing them up is proving very difficult. I feel better about myself though this semester because whereas last semester most of my books said "for ages 8 and up" this semester I have actually had adults tell me "Oh that is a great book" or "That's one of my favorite authors".
And I'm slowly gaining the ability to write papers more like I do at home - it's hard getting my brain to realize that I can actually write a 5 page paper with no problem as long as I use the kind of vocabulary and writing style I would use if I were writing in English. Thank you Stylistics and Advanced Grammar class. Now I just need to start that research paper on the "History of the English Language in the United States" - where in the world am I gonna find that in the next 3 days...
My internship is going great. I absolutely love the kids and I really feel like I'm learning a lot with them. My only complaint is that during my 2 hour lunch break I usually go to McDonalds and read because it's the only place with wifi around the school, and I'm now getting sick of McDonalds.
Other than that life is good, I spend the rest of my time worrying about Keith and mi familia making sure they're all doing good.
And I can officially say I am thinking in two languages al mismo tiempo because when I start pensando I don't recuerdo what language mis pensamientos were in and then when I least expect it the palabras come out en español y no en English and es very confusing.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Teaching Journal - Day 2
Viernes el 18 de enero
Aprendí muchas cosas sobre el
colegio viernes. Primero, en mi horario lo dice que debo empezar a las 9:30 de
la mañana, y porque de eso, llegué al colegio a las 9:10, pero no pude entrar
hasta las 9:30 en punto. Mi primera clase fue una clase de matemáticas enseñado
en español. Ayudé los niños escribir sus números y cantamos canciones. Aprendí
que los niños empiezan a aprender cursiva en Infantil y que llaman sus
profesoras por sus nombres, no por sus apellidos. Después, fui al clase de la
educación física y los niños pretendieron estar mariposas. Fui al recreo y
después con la profesora de inglés. Se usan la misma programa con todas las
clases y hay canciones y actividades para los alumnos.
Fui al centro comercial durante la
comida porque la mayoría de los niños salen a sus casas para comer con sus
familias. Pueden se quedan al colegio para comer, pero cuesta más. Durante este
tiempo trabajé en mis deberes y leí.
Las clases resumen a las 13:00 y hay
2 más clases antes del fin del día. Supe que van a ir a la granja para aprender
sobre los animales el próxima semana, y es posible que vaya a ir. También va a
hacer una programa para la fiesta de la paz, y por esa los niños van a cantar
la canción, “Imagine”, por John Lennon.
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Friday, Jan 18
I learned a lot about the school Friday. First off, my schedule said that I start at 9:30am, and because of that I arrived around 9:10, however I couldn't get in until exactly 9:30 when they unlocked the school. My first class that day was math (in spanish), so I helped the kids write their numbers and we sang some songs. The kids here start learning cursive in Infantil and call their teachers by their first names, not last names. After that I went to gyn class and the kids and I pretended we were butterflies. I went to recess and afterwards met up with the morning English teacher. We use the same teaching program with all of the classes, but change them a little depending on their level. Mainly we sing songs, color, and do other random activities. For lunch I went to the mall because most students go home for lunch. I'll be using that time to work on my reading and homework. Classes resume at 3 and there are two more before the day is over. I found out that next week they are going on a field trip to an animal farm to learn about the different animals, so I might be able to go. And they are also going to have a small "show" to celebrate the "Day of Peace", so they will be singing "Imagine" by John Lennon.
Teaching Journal - Day 1
Jueves el 17 de enero
Jueves fue mi primer día al colegio
María Moliner. Estoy trabajando con Infantil, el colegio para niños entre 3 y 5
años. Hay 2 profesoras de inglés allí, una mara la mañana y una para el tarde.
Voy a trabajar allí 3 días cada semana: martes, jueves, y viernes.
El primer día estuvo loco. Hay casi
250 niños en total. Cada edad tiene 3 clases con 20 estudiantes en cada clase,
más o menos. Cuando llegó, todos los niños me abrazaban y empezaron hablado al
mismo tiempo. Fui al recreo y al 3 clases antes de salí. Conocí todas las
profesoras en Infantil y algunos profesores en la primaria. Comí con ellos
también.
Pienso que voy a aprender mucho
español allí porque los niños no hablan inglés y los profesores tampoco. Algunas
me han preguntado si puedo ir a sus casas para enseñar sus hijos inglés, aunque
no tengo mucho tiempo libre.
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English Translation:
Thursday, Jan 17
Thursday was my 1st day at María Moliner. I'm working with Infantil, the school for children ages 3-5. There are 2 English teachers there, one for the morning classes and one for the afternoon classes. I'm going to be working there 3 days each week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The 1st day was crazy. There are around 250 students in total. There are 3 classes for each age group with about 20 kids in each of those classes, give or take. When I got there all of the kids wanted to hug me and they were all talking at the same time. I got to go to recess then taught 3 more classes before I left for the day. I met all of the Infantil teachers as well as some from the primary school (ages 6-10) and ate lunch with them in the teachers lounge. I'm thinking I'm join to learn a lot of Spanish there because the kids don't speak English, as well as some of the teachers. Some of the teachers were trying to set up private English lessons with me for them and their children, but I don't think I'm gonna have much time for that.
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