The Students

Ok it's time to write about my students and put human faces to the general "classes" and "children" that I've been talking about. We just recently had parent night where I awkwardly tried to hint that their kids like to misbehave and don't do their homework, and I even pulled a couple parents aside afterwards. Nothing like parent night to make you feel like a real teacher! Next I will be coaching soccer teams and I don't even know how to play soccer. Also nothing like parent night in Spanish to put your poor Spanish on public display. :/
Anyway, the students. For example, there's the sweet, free-spirited 5yr old Rosana who, no matter what we're working on, always has a sketch pad that she is drawing on. No matter how many times I get her to put it away, it always reappears, so I just let it go (especially because a lot of the time the drawings are for me!)
There's Guillermo, a sharp 6yr old who will do anything for a star. He will be class president someday. Manuel is a high-maintenance sensitive boy that needs reassurance for every activity. Ana-Maria has got the brightest smartest eyes. Victor is a trouble maker, but I think it's only because he can't stop moving. His eraser is constantly falling out of his hand that he then has to pick up. I find it so cute when the kids ask with concerned faces whether they should be coloring in the entire picture. Or exactly where to put the green fruit in the arts and crafts project. These things are of vital importance.
Then there are my two favorites (don't tell anyone) - Javier and Jorge. They are the bain of my existence, but I love them to death. I think they must be 12-13. Their mouths must make sounds on their own because I think even when they try to be quiet, words just spill out. As Spanish as they get. I can tell they're smart boys, but they can't help their age.
Samuel is a special one. This 16yr old is smart, but moody. I haven't quite figured out how to get through to him. He'll know the answer but will refuse to cooperate. I totally catch him participating in spite of himself sometimes (because he forgets I'm the enemy!) and other times he locks up and refuses to understand. I have to be delicate with that one.
Juli I love. Super smart 17yr old from Colombia, will be high profile lawyer someday. I wish I could teach a class just to teenagers like her - they'd know English in no time.
Now Ernesto - my older one-on-one student is amazing. Apparently he's real estate king in the town of Rivas which is where I work, and basically taugh himself English to get up to the advanced level he's at now. He's super into world affairs and politics, and is completely up to speed on everything going on in the US. I love preparing for and having our lessons. Usually we discuss the news, and he'll usually go on some rant, which I then just have to correct for grammar mistakes. Meanwhile he teaches me all kinds of stuff, for example last week he told me about the wedding rituals of tribes in South Ethiopia.
Here's some pics of the cutie-pies (even cuter when I'm away from the classroom):

Cuteness overload. This was from the Halloween activity they did.

Jorge photo-bombed my picture of their interests -- good opportunity to have a picture of the lovable troublemaker.

Amazing art by Alex, an 8yr old! I'm so amazed at their creativity.

The Spain Experiment

Oh man, how slowly the teenager classes went by today. The ups and downs of teaching, as in any job of course. On a positive note, the children have been reined in with bribery tactics! Yay for that.
On another positive note (of many), I have discovered tortilla and croquette heaven on my block! Am trying to resist the urge to go there every day. Also, I had a nice long weekend, one day of which I spent going to Segovia - pictures below. What a gorgeous town, so medieval and beautiful with its 12th century churches, the impressive Roman aqueduct, and the castle that looks like Disneyland. I think it must the one that all animated films use as the model. Walking through the town you feel as though you've been transported to another world - old Castile, Castilian land, called so because of all the castles because of the Moorish wars, where they still speak Castellano, even in Madrid that doesn't resemble anything having to do with castles. But yet it is there, a half hour away. Anyway, I highly recommend Segovia. Apparently the thing to eat there is roasted baby pig, which I didn't do, but I did have a delicious stew of mushrooms and mystery meat. 
Life here in general is rolling along. I am trying to kick my Spanish into high gear as I'm in a very frustrating pre-intermediate stage still, and I'm really tired of feeling like an idiot most of the time when I interact with the general population. The other day one of my middle schoolers made fun of my Spanish, to which I retorted, oh yeah?! But I know English really well! Nice comeback Natasha, very nice.

It feels very weird to be far from the election, which I would be following all the time if I was back home, but at the same time it's cool to talk about it with my adult students. It's interesting how aware they are of mostly everything that goes on in the US. One of the teachers at school commented how the rest of the world should have a 20% vote in the US election because it affects it so much. I sort of agree!

1st - 2nd century aqueduct that still transports water! Super impressive

Your average Gothic cathedral. There were gargoyles, oh yes.

Medieval Alcazar built on another Roman fort. Very cool inside. Lots of knights and stained glass.

New life

Sometimes I have to keep reminding myself that I'm living in a place people vacation to, that currently I'm sitting in a cute cafe next to Plaza de España with tapas and pastries being served, Spanish conversation everywhere. And other times I walk around amazed at the random statues and pretty buildings I'm passing by, craning my neck and taking pictures like a tourist. I think living here is proving to be the exact experience I was looking for, but I don't notice it really except when I make myself sit and carefully compare my life now to two months ago. Which is kind of cool actually - it's happening naturally.
This week was easier with the kids since I've started being more strict, and also I've had a couple of lessons that made teaching feel fulfilling. This upcoming week is only 3 days because of All Saints Day, and the academy is being decorated in Halloween theme, we're all dressing up, and all the kids are doing Halloween crafts. Should be fun. I'm looking forward to the long weekend and enjoying madrid and probably something around the area.
This past weekend I hung out with Jo at the botanical gardens (pictured below). It's quite nice in there and cheap, I highly recommend. The best part was the humidified tropical greenhouse - our skin and lungs were loving it! Saturday night I went to see a singer/songwriter in a teeny tiny venue called Rincón del Arte Nuevo. Great acoustics, great music, overall awesome. After rounding off the night with some drinks, we were happy campers. Also had a nice dinner with friends from the course - making sure to take advantage of the Spanish food at our disposal. My favorite was the ox tail! Speaking of ox tails, apparently I missed out on watching the farm animal parade through the center of town! Darn! Would've been a sight for sure. Note to self - hang up an events calendar.
Anyway, this whole move to a new country has definitely been made much easier by having friends around that I met here going through the same thing. There are certain things to be experienced alone, and certain ones within a community. I think Madrid is a bit like LA where unless you go seek out a specific group of people, it might be hard to make friends. As opposed to if you are in a small town, but I can't speak for that experience. I definitely don't think I'd be as well adjusted here without having done the course and having met this fine group of peeps. It's nice to share the joys and sorrows and to trade tricks for dealing with rambunctious children.
And here are some pics!

Pietro and Napoleon discussing languages. This was followed by Pietro looking over one of Napoleon's Italian operas that he's in for pronunciation corrections!

Plaza Cibeles on my walk from Spanish class to the botanical gardens

Craning my neck and taking pictures like a tourist

Botanical gardens

Jo and I in the tropics

Getting used to things

Well, I do believe that I've done as much learning in the last week as all my students combined. Which there are 8 different groups, ranging from 7yr olds to adults! It's a really bizarre feeling, especially on Tuesdays, when I teach 1st grade, then 5th, then 8th. It feels as if you're walking through your house and when you leave the room and come back your children are all of a sudden 4 years older and you have to instantly switch how you talk to them.
The first week I had a discipline problem. The Spanish are a warm and party-loving people because they grow up as loud misbehaving children. On Friday we went out for drinks with all my coworkers, and one of them was asking why some parents were yelling at one of my bosses earlier that day. He said, oh no, that's just how they talk. These were parents of two of my quite lovable but loudest kids.
Today was better. I am now writing Rules on the board and explaining them in as much Spanish as I can manage. The whole immersion thing can wait! But the adults are lovely and I really enjoy teaching them. They all want to be there and are trying hard, and it's a nice break from the discipline game. I'm also loving my bosses and coworkers - awesome group of peeps. Overall though - teaching is hard!!! Kudos to all the teachers out there!
I'm also getting to know my neighborhood. Today I decided that I'd like to lesson plan over some wine, so straight from the metro on my way home from work I looked into a few bars and picked this one that struck my fancy - turned out to be a good choice! The bartender Mario was very friendly with everyone, was running around like a chicken with its head cut off getting orders to everyone in the place, and kept feeding me cheese on bread. I finally told him I can't have any more cheese, but then somehow ended up having more tapas with him and another person that works there and a customer after the place was closed. Of course I wasn't charged for the extra food. I think I will be coming back to this place!

Oh, you know, lunch of Spanish broken eggs, black pudding, wild boar, and a blue cheese and apricot tapa (which was way too heavy on the blue cheese, but hey, these are our problems) (this is Jo by the way)

 Happy people (Erica and I) waiting to get amazing food

Did I mention the awesome teacher friends? :)

What, I have to work to live here?

On the metro - going to my first day of work! It was pretty easy to find a job, actually what was difficult is making decisions. English teaching in Madrid is this game of hours, pay rate, and most of all - location. There's tons of work, but a lot of it spread out around the city. I was too lazy to rush around so I took a job with lower pay but all in one location. Also I got a good feeling from everyone there, and I always trust that. So, my schedule is 5-9pm every day, which suits me well as I like to sleep in (as some of you know)! I may or may not take on private lessons too depending on how I like my life like this.
My apartment (pictured below) is great. Yesterday we had a little chat amongst all the roommates, which was really nice. They are: Napoleon, who is also the manager of the apartment, Estefania, Napoleon's girlfriend, both of them from El Salvador, and Pietro - the Italian. Napoleon is an opera singer!! I found this so cool. He came home last night from a performance and when I asked him how it was he belted something out. Love it. Estefania is a lawyer in IT I believe and is also studying. Pietro is a PhD Classics student. Imagine that - an Italian studying Classics...what do they know about it anyway? :) Yesterday he and his girlfriend (also PhD student in Classics) were making Caprese salad. I told them I like seeing Italians actually making Italian food, and there are now plans to make it all together next time she visits. Um yes please!
Speaking of food...eureka! I have discovered the Spanish Whole Foods. El Corte Ingles. I know I know, it took me a month and a half to walk into one of those, but that's because I was so attracted to the little markets, fruterias, and bakeries and was anti- the supermarket. But I finally went in, and it's oh so pretty. I do have to say, I had not found kefir anywhere else. But also, the specifically Spanish stuff - the pastries and the entire isle of canned seafood, and the dedicated corner just to jamon, and the cheeses...oh the cheeses! Today I had a lunch of fresh bread topped with tuna in olive oil. It was glorious. Of course I have also been having various tapas as much as possible. The food is amazing, but heavy. At home I normally end up making salad to balance out the ehh bread, cheese, meat, and egg!

 My new hood...

And my new room!!!

And my amazing teacher friends

It's Becoming Real

I leave the misty mountains of Basque Country with two decisions: 1. I am going to go to a beach town once a month or once every two months, and 2. I want to do the Camino de Santiago. The trip to San Sebastián to meet Adrienne and Adam was kind of planned before, but left to the final decision to two days before. I came on Saturday night and stayed through today, which is Monday afternoon. I am so happy because I got to put my toes into sand and swim in an ocean today - things I didn't think I'd get to do for a while. The trip was so easy and reasonable to take spontaneously that I decided I can do that for any coastal destination, hence decision #1. Decision #2 came to me as I was looking at the below view from the old fort. The misty mountains called to me and I pictured walking through them, their forests, and their villages, meeting so many interesting people, and of course having some pintxos on the way, and I decided I have to do it.

I absolutely loved San Sebastián. It's my Granada of the north. As Adrienne put it, you just want to hug and squeeze this town. Also, the pintxos stand up to their reputation. I had the best food I've had yet in Spain here. It's also really nice to see old friends. Like a care package with a warm blanket in human form. I thank them for deciding to have their honeymoon here. 
The class is done, graduation party had, and jobs applied-for. Going to start interviews tomorrow. I felt much better about the teaching this last week, so I don't feel behind anymore. And I'm loving my new apartment! (More on that in a later post.)

The mountains I was talking about

The good friends I was talking about

And this: this is happening

The finish line

The metro - my downtime to write blog posts when I'm not squeezed into the rush hour crowd. Right now I'm in search of shoes as the fall has hit me like a ton of...rain. No more Indian summer until November for me! And so I need closed-toed shoes immediately.

Meanwhile, I've been lucky to avoid the metro for the last week because riot season continues in Madrid. I feel for its jobless population, and understand the passionate rioters, as more jobs are getting cut while government officials won't cut their million-euro salaries, and the city is considering spending a ton of money on a euro-Vegas. Incidentally, the riots have provided material for our classes, and everyone's lessons this week seem to have been revolving around that topic. I myself am lagging behind most of my classmates in teaching practices. I've had 4 lessons now, but my grade from being observed has been holding at a stubborn "pass." This type of stuff is so opposite to engineering, and I've been having a hard time getting it. I think it's finally clicking though and I'm actually getting how a lesson is supposed to flow.

The class is coming to an end on Friday, and I can't wait. I can't wait to start living life here and not being in a classroom all day and night. Also, I move into my new apartment on Wednesday!

I did not find shoes, but I did find Malasaña! The Echo Park of Madrid. So cute!

The self-Instagramming store front

Beautiful Madrid

Sitting inside a loud but cozy cafe next to the royal palace, which I got to by taking a leisurely stroll with my friend Sean from the auxiliares program I almost did. Trying to still get used to the fact that my typical Sunday may include such things as taking a walk to the royal palace what with its pretty manicured gardens and statues of kings in front. Today it actually drizzled on our walk and while we were having brunch at a yummy Peruvian restaurant with some of Sean's friends. It's a welcome rain after many days of dry heat, but not so convenient for my poorly-planned sundress. So I'm at a warm cafe having mint tea, listening to Spanish conversation and doing my homework.
In other news, I found a place to live! After many disappointing visits to apartments I finally got a really good feeling from one place. It's wedged into a corner of the Argüelles neighborhood, surrounded by a park, and within a 5min walk of the Egyptian temple from where I'll be watching many gorgeous Madrid sunsets. The apartment is currently occupied by two really sweet El Salvadorians and one Italian whom I haven't met, all around my age. It's a nice size (by European standards at least), has good light, aaand my room has an extra fold out bed! So no one has an excuse not to visit me! (Flight price and lack of vacation time do not count as excuses.) I'll be putting up an online calendar for you to fill in your time slot.
Anyway, I'm really really happy I found an apartment finally and didn't settle. I feel like I can relax a little more now. The class is only halfway done though, and it's quite a bit of work. I taught two classes last week and apparently I am strict over-correcting teacher lady. Note to self: chill out, be nice!
Next up, get iPhone to work, learn Spanish. Love everyone, miss you all!

Checking out some old books in Spanish in the neighborhood 

 Statues at the Plaza de Oriente

 Sean looking just lovely in front of the Palacio Real

This bright landscaping on the cloudy day was an awesome striking contrast

The Nomadic Phase

So, here I am on the same metro one week later. Still don't have a place to live, but at least I've found other shocked lonely people in my TEFL class. It's not actually depressing like that, all I mean is the other people in my class (18 other girls and 4 guys!) are in the same boat and it helps. We have been hanging out a bit (read: sangria immediately following class) and I'm starting to make friends and see who I mesh with.

Related to this, I've also had my first night out until the wee hours, and it was a great preview of many such nights to come!

I've also moved apartments to a place through airbnb right next to school. It's a little box of a room, but the Ecuadorian family I'm staying with is super sweet and they've been feeding me churros and homemade flan! Hopefully I find that ideal apartment that I'm obsessed about in the next two weeks because I can't keep living out of a suitcase indefinitely.

Class has been an interesting experience. I like being on a steep learning curve again and I am starting to get used to the idea that I'll be a teacher in a month. I will have to worry about such things as making sure I have my board game and my color pencils in my bag before I leave the house. It feels bizarre, but I'm excited about it. 

Here are some pics!

In front of the many statues in Retiro park, hiding from the sun

A peek at the paddle boat lake in Retiro park

This is called studying

A New Beginning

Aaand we're back! Why you ask? Well, after my investigative trip in December, I decided to definitely move to Spain, and have spent the last 9 months making that happen. I'm going to be teaching English through TtMadrid, which is my plan B after going through a crazy roller coaster ride with the Auxiliares government program. 

So, I'm writing this post from Madrid, in the metro on my way to look for apartments, the day before my TEFL class starts! 

I actually left LA kicking and screaming since when leaving became a reality, it hit me that I now had to leave my dear friends and the city that became home for me. Add to that giving myself a month of from work, moving to the cutest studio in Venice beach, and meeting someone special, and I was actually quite happy with my life the way it was. Alas, the plans were in motion, my reasons for moving to Europe were still there, so off I went!

Having been here 5 days now, I'm definitely feeling the transitional stage. Especially since its been difficult for me to find a place to live. (I'm being very picky with apartments.) Also, I'm realizing that I'm in a new strange city where I don't have any friends yet and I don't speak the language that well. I know it's all part of the experience, but I'm kind of having a hard time now.

Besides feeling that, the beauty of Madrid has not escaped me, and I've been taking it all in as much as possible. Here are some early photos!

In the La Latina neighborhood

At the Templo de Debod

My couchsurfing host Pedro making us a Spanish tortilla!