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!