I haven't written for a while mostly because life had been continuing along pretty much the same, or dare I say I had gotten into a routine. This in itself is not such a bad thing - one cannot constantly have change in their life, but my nature is to keep moving forward somehow, so I'm happy to finally have something to put down "on paper." And what better time than my birthday weekend! - a time when I look back one year before and marvel and all the things that have happened and ways I've changed.
I'm currently sitting at my favorite cafe in Retiro park, a bit expensive, but worth it for it's view on the lake with the huge statue and row boats. I'm inside because it's still pretty cold and windy, but at least also bright and sunny. I have to say I'm more than ready for spring. I'm told it's coming in one month and is supposed to be beautiful here. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time on the terrazas coming up soon!
Retiro was a short 5min walk from my Spanish class, where I'm finally feeling like I'm making progress. My intercambio with María is definitely helping, especially now that we're meeting up twice a week. So are my students since I have to translate quite a bit.
Last weekend Julia, Erica, and I took a short overnight trip to Valencia, prompted by my longing for a beach. What an excellent trip that was (pictures below), not only for the beach, the beautiful city, yummy paella, and fun nightlife, but also for the perspective it brought. It made me remember that I'm here to travel and explore Spain, and the difficult students don't actually matter so much. I think it's good that I'm putting in a lot of energy into teaching, and it's teaching me a lot in return, but the excursion helped me to remember not to take it too seriously. So I'm looking forward to the trip to Dublin for St. Patties with the girls, mine and my mom's trip to Cadiz that I'm planning for the following week, and whatever adventure JD and I decide on in April! The spring will be a fun time.
Meanwhile I will continue enjoying life in Spain, improve my Spanish, and be really really easy on myself.
I'm currently sitting at my favorite cafe in Retiro park, a bit expensive, but worth it for it's view on the lake with the huge statue and row boats. I'm inside because it's still pretty cold and windy, but at least also bright and sunny. I have to say I'm more than ready for spring. I'm told it's coming in one month and is supposed to be beautiful here. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time on the terrazas coming up soon!
Retiro was a short 5min walk from my Spanish class, where I'm finally feeling like I'm making progress. My intercambio with María is definitely helping, especially now that we're meeting up twice a week. So are my students since I have to translate quite a bit.
Last weekend Julia, Erica, and I took a short overnight trip to Valencia, prompted by my longing for a beach. What an excellent trip that was (pictures below), not only for the beach, the beautiful city, yummy paella, and fun nightlife, but also for the perspective it brought. It made me remember that I'm here to travel and explore Spain, and the difficult students don't actually matter so much. I think it's good that I'm putting in a lot of energy into teaching, and it's teaching me a lot in return, but the excursion helped me to remember not to take it too seriously. So I'm looking forward to the trip to Dublin for St. Patties with the girls, mine and my mom's trip to Cadiz that I'm planning for the following week, and whatever adventure JD and I decide on in April! The spring will be a fun time.
Meanwhile I will continue enjoying life in Spain, improve my Spanish, and be really really easy on myself.
Where I was when I was writing...doesn't it just make you relaxed and want to say ahhh...
Valencia center...do ya feel the beach do ya do ya??
Ze beach! Look at those bare feet! Don't be fooled, the water was freezing.
Erica on the balcony of our hostel across the street from the old market that was a big stop on the Silk Road. There were creepy (but awesome) gargoyles.
