Thursday, October 31, 2013
Christmas plans
I haven't posted anything new in a while, both because I don't have internet, and because nothing new has happened, really. Hopefully I'll be able to do something this weekend, but I'm kind of in the, 'yay they paid me because I'm pretty much out of savings (it's expensive to move to another country. :P) but it's only a half a check because it's for a half month and I still have to pay rent' stage. Honestly, I'm just glad they paid on time. Apparently last year was a nightmare. Let's hope they can make it two months in a row.
Actually, even if they didn't, I'm pretty set. I've got two sets of private lessons, one twice a week, and I've got a class starting in Nov. in which I'll be teaching teachers how to speak fluidly. So although I'll be crazy busy, I won't be broke. And I still have my Fri-Mon free to travel.
Speaking of that, and I know I posted this on Facebook but for those of you that don't have it or didn't read it or would like to know more about it, I'm going to Rome for Christmas! I'm pretty excited. I got my plane ticket and a potential hotel reserved (although to be honest I'm trying to stay at this Monastery, but they require a deposit so I'll have to hold off on that one for at least a couple weeks). I'll even have a layover in Zurich, so I can leave the airport for at least six, seven hours (depending I suppose on how long everything stays open there) and check out some of the Christmas markets and what not. I'll be leaving on the 23rd, and arrive the morning of the 24th in Rome. Then I'll be in Rome until the 28th. It all sounds awesome to me. On the way back I'll have a layover in Germany, but I'm not sure where my airport is in relation to the city, and the layover is not super long, so we'll see if I get to collect their flag (I'm buying a flag for every country I go into, not counting the airports). I also really want to go to the Papal Christmas Mass. That would be so cool. We'll see. I sent in for a ticket a few weeks ago, but that was from my old address, and I think I'll have to send another one. In any case, and I don't know why I didn't think of this before, I'm going to ask the priest at my parish to help me out.
After that I'll still have about ten days free before school starts again. Maybe it's a good time to go somewhere else? I know New Years flights are expensive, but maybe right after that? Maybe that'll be a good time to check out Barcelona (can't be any colder than Aranda will be, right?).
So I think my trip to Rome will christen my international travel. I'm glad to have the biggest trip all settled. It makes the others seem possible as well.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Blog from a while back when I was moving
I wrote this blog, but I forgot to add it to my thumbdrive, so I couldn´t post it at school. Here it is now- the crazy adventure of me moving.
SoI wrote this two weeks ago, but forgot to put it on my thumb drive. The whole event was pretty funny, so I thought I would post it now.
Whoa, writing a blog in word to post it later online. I'm having deja vu. Okay, that was only like, two weeks ago, but still, feels like a while.
I'm happy to report that I'm reporting from a hostel. My apartment won't be ready until Monday, because everyone is out of town. That's not really here or there, I told them I would move in Monday, so the woman who has the key is out of town, as is the other one. But as I said, I found a cheap hostel, so no pasa nada. And, the guy here was really nice and gave me the one with two beds and a private toilet, I think because I mentioned that I live in this city, and that my apartment wasn't available. I'm an unofficial Arandina! Also I hit the level of tired where my Spanish is awesome, kind of like after I've had a glass of wine. I think my inhibitions were all down because I hadn't slept in like 24 hours. (and still haven't. Excuse the writing errors.) Backing up a little bit. I left this morning at seven am. As I mentioned before, I didn't sleep at all. Instead, I went straight to the shower, got dressed, finished packing, and went to get my clothes off the clothes line. I left before she got up and walked around for several hours. I had a coffee (yuck, but it worked) and waited for the Chino shop to open so I could buy a storage box. That was 10 'o clock, so I basically wandered around for two hours after the coffee. Unfortunately, I timed it awfully, because just as I was waiting to get on the elevator, she was coming down. We shared an awkward stare, and I managed to say 'hola'. It was super awkward. I finished throwing stuff away, and as I was taking stuff out to the garbage, she's coming up the elevator. It was somehow even more awkward than the first time. So I finished packing, and as I'm leaving I gave her the keys and enough money to cover the expenses, though she kept insisting she didn't know how much the expenses would be. Of course, that's true, but what I wanted to say was, 'take this and don't call me, that will be best for the both of us'. It didn't really get across, but she took the money.
Then as I'm leaving, she pulls some of my last supplies out of the kitchen. I was going to leave them for her, as a sort of peace offering. Heck, Anna and Eileen are still eating some of the food I left behind (but that was also forgetfulness and maybe laziness). The food was flour, sugar, oil, rice, and something else pretty basic that I can't remember. I figured, hey, these are foods you use all the time. Don't you want them? She did not, and even though I'm loaded down with stuff already, she hands them all over to me. So now I've got a rolly suitcase with three bags piled on top, one of them an actual giant grocery bag, a bed sheet bag thing, and a box with wheels. Add the food, and before I even make it to the elevator, I've popped open the top of the oil and it's all over my trench coat, the floor, my shoes, my glasses, my scarf, and my luggage. So I slip and slide my way into the elevator with the suitcases, leave the food on the stairs, and get to the main floor. I unload the suitcases, and go back up for the food. Except for the rice, which was apparently on the box and subsequently poured over the box. I threw the food straight in the trash, but not before bursting open the bag of flour, which stuck to the oil that was all over me. It was like the three stooges, except I was all the stooges. Then, after several failed attempts to move the luggage together (sidewalks here are stupid) I gave up, and had to move it individually. So it went something like this. Walk with box and bedspread bag for 20 feet. Put box down. Run back to luggage, pull for 20 feet. And so on and so forth. On the way, the large grocery bag split, and I lost an entire bottle of Tinto del Verano (that stuff's expensive) and the cap of my mayonnaise jar came off. I haven't investigate that one yet (my shoes are also in this bag) but I'll do that before I go to bed. Then, the bag with the bed sheets split open (that's what I get for expecting a bag from a Chino store to hold over a short distance). I'll definitely need to figure out a better transportation system before I make my way to my apartment on Monday. But good news, I'm probably going to get a prize for 'most awkward, really pale, blond tia' after that performance. I do have to mention that this one guy carried one of my things across a bridge. He was big and covered in tattoos, and the only one to help me. Kudos, guy, kudos. Thanks for being an awesome human being.
So I finally made it to the park in front of my new building, and waited. It was about 12, and I knew that school went until 2:30, at least for me. Turns out for them, it only goes to 2, so by the time I called at 2:30, they were already on the road. As I'm sitting there, this elderly man comes up to me, and starts chatting. This is not unusual in Spain. In fact, I've had this happen at least 3 times, once with a Deaf woman. He talked about being retired, that he was unmarried and without children, how he had once taught in the school down the road. He gave me his apartment number to stop by and visit him, if I wanted. Again, this is not the first time that's happened either. Last time it was with an elderly woman at church. While I generally think that they're just lonely, or genuinely trying to be helpful, I don't stop by, as a rule. You never know. As it turned out, you couldn't know with this guy. After he left, this woman, about 15 years younger, comes over and calls him my dad's favorite Spanish word, sinverguenza, scoundrel. Apparently he likes to chat women up. She told me next time, just shoe him away. And, as I'm sitting there, I'm attracting both flies and dogs, because I smell like olive oil. I suppose the whole experience was a cosmic joke created just to cheer me up.
The best thing that happened was that the woman who lived downstairs from me, the one along with her husband that I loved so much and wanted to apologize to for leaving, passed by and saw me! We had a conversation and I apologized for leaving (she and her husband own the apartment and sublet it I think). She said she totally understood, not to worry about it, and I just felt so much better about the whole thing. Still some of the nicest people I've met here, and I tried my best to express to her that much. Eventually, I got a hold of my roommates and they both told me they would be out of town (this is also pretty common on the weekends here. People like to visit home, especially if they're unmarried, it seems.) Luckily, I knew there were hostels nearby. Unluckily, not nearby enough that I didn't have to do the suitcase shuffle. (Did I mention all I ate today was coffee?) Not only that, but I couldn't find the dang reception desk. I found the first, and they had no rooms for today. The second had a number on the door, which I called, and managed to reserve a room all weekend (Thank the Lord, I was a little worried after the first was full). See, with hostels (and I've never traveled in hostels before so this is all new to me) the reception may just be in the restaurant associated with the hostel. This was the case here, and the restaurant was 80 meters away from the door to the actual rooms. So that was exhausting. Luckily, on the way back, the owner helped me with the bags and said he would help on the way down too (no elevator). And like I said, it's really nice, and with a private bathroom. It's basically paradise as far as hostels go (and he's still only charging me for a single room!).
So that was my crazy day. My glasses still have oil on them, and I have no idea what to do with my coat. But I'm out, and I'm feeling much more like myself than yesterday, that's for sure. I ate a sandwich and I'm about to try something called a 'yellow plum'. I had no idea they came in that color, and like gold, they're expensive. Then I'm passing out for as long as possible. Tomorrow I'm going to Burgos with the church, and we're doing something with nuns that involves discussion and lunch, but that's as much as I know.
Well, this post is long, and hopefully informative/amusing. Thanks to everyone who was a listening ear (facebook chat box?) last night and those who were concerned. It's really nice, when you have problems so far away, to know that you've got people back at home concerned about your well being, and that are willing to let you mope/rant at all hours of the night (or afternoon, as it was over there). Know that everything's going better now. Well, good night. After I finish this episode of Castle (dubbed) I'm going to get some much needed sleep.
Update Somehow the mayo stayed inside the jar. My poor bananas are no good anymore. And yellow plums are quite delicious.
Whoa, writing a blog in word to post it later online. I'm having deja vu. Okay, that was only like, two weeks ago, but still, feels like a while.
I'm happy to report that I'm reporting from a hostel. My apartment won't be ready until Monday, because everyone is out of town. That's not really here or there, I told them I would move in Monday, so the woman who has the key is out of town, as is the other one. But as I said, I found a cheap hostel, so no pasa nada. And, the guy here was really nice and gave me the one with two beds and a private toilet, I think because I mentioned that I live in this city, and that my apartment wasn't available. I'm an unofficial Arandina! Also I hit the level of tired where my Spanish is awesome, kind of like after I've had a glass of wine. I think my inhibitions were all down because I hadn't slept in like 24 hours. (and still haven't. Excuse the writing errors.) Backing up a little bit. I left this morning at seven am. As I mentioned before, I didn't sleep at all. Instead, I went straight to the shower, got dressed, finished packing, and went to get my clothes off the clothes line. I left before she got up and walked around for several hours. I had a coffee (yuck, but it worked) and waited for the Chino shop to open so I could buy a storage box. That was 10 'o clock, so I basically wandered around for two hours after the coffee. Unfortunately, I timed it awfully, because just as I was waiting to get on the elevator, she was coming down. We shared an awkward stare, and I managed to say 'hola'. It was super awkward. I finished throwing stuff away, and as I was taking stuff out to the garbage, she's coming up the elevator. It was somehow even more awkward than the first time. So I finished packing, and as I'm leaving I gave her the keys and enough money to cover the expenses, though she kept insisting she didn't know how much the expenses would be. Of course, that's true, but what I wanted to say was, 'take this and don't call me, that will be best for the both of us'. It didn't really get across, but she took the money.
Then as I'm leaving, she pulls some of my last supplies out of the kitchen. I was going to leave them for her, as a sort of peace offering. Heck, Anna and Eileen are still eating some of the food I left behind (but that was also forgetfulness and maybe laziness). The food was flour, sugar, oil, rice, and something else pretty basic that I can't remember. I figured, hey, these are foods you use all the time. Don't you want them? She did not, and even though I'm loaded down with stuff already, she hands them all over to me. So now I've got a rolly suitcase with three bags piled on top, one of them an actual giant grocery bag, a bed sheet bag thing, and a box with wheels. Add the food, and before I even make it to the elevator, I've popped open the top of the oil and it's all over my trench coat, the floor, my shoes, my glasses, my scarf, and my luggage. So I slip and slide my way into the elevator with the suitcases, leave the food on the stairs, and get to the main floor. I unload the suitcases, and go back up for the food. Except for the rice, which was apparently on the box and subsequently poured over the box. I threw the food straight in the trash, but not before bursting open the bag of flour, which stuck to the oil that was all over me. It was like the three stooges, except I was all the stooges. Then, after several failed attempts to move the luggage together (sidewalks here are stupid) I gave up, and had to move it individually. So it went something like this. Walk with box and bedspread bag for 20 feet. Put box down. Run back to luggage, pull for 20 feet. And so on and so forth. On the way, the large grocery bag split, and I lost an entire bottle of Tinto del Verano (that stuff's expensive) and the cap of my mayonnaise jar came off. I haven't investigate that one yet (my shoes are also in this bag) but I'll do that before I go to bed. Then, the bag with the bed sheets split open (that's what I get for expecting a bag from a Chino store to hold over a short distance). I'll definitely need to figure out a better transportation system before I make my way to my apartment on Monday. But good news, I'm probably going to get a prize for 'most awkward, really pale, blond tia' after that performance. I do have to mention that this one guy carried one of my things across a bridge. He was big and covered in tattoos, and the only one to help me. Kudos, guy, kudos. Thanks for being an awesome human being.
So I finally made it to the park in front of my new building, and waited. It was about 12, and I knew that school went until 2:30, at least for me. Turns out for them, it only goes to 2, so by the time I called at 2:30, they were already on the road. As I'm sitting there, this elderly man comes up to me, and starts chatting. This is not unusual in Spain. In fact, I've had this happen at least 3 times, once with a Deaf woman. He talked about being retired, that he was unmarried and without children, how he had once taught in the school down the road. He gave me his apartment number to stop by and visit him, if I wanted. Again, this is not the first time that's happened either. Last time it was with an elderly woman at church. While I generally think that they're just lonely, or genuinely trying to be helpful, I don't stop by, as a rule. You never know. As it turned out, you couldn't know with this guy. After he left, this woman, about 15 years younger, comes over and calls him my dad's favorite Spanish word, sinverguenza, scoundrel. Apparently he likes to chat women up. She told me next time, just shoe him away. And, as I'm sitting there, I'm attracting both flies and dogs, because I smell like olive oil. I suppose the whole experience was a cosmic joke created just to cheer me up.
The best thing that happened was that the woman who lived downstairs from me, the one along with her husband that I loved so much and wanted to apologize to for leaving, passed by and saw me! We had a conversation and I apologized for leaving (she and her husband own the apartment and sublet it I think). She said she totally understood, not to worry about it, and I just felt so much better about the whole thing. Still some of the nicest people I've met here, and I tried my best to express to her that much. Eventually, I got a hold of my roommates and they both told me they would be out of town (this is also pretty common on the weekends here. People like to visit home, especially if they're unmarried, it seems.) Luckily, I knew there were hostels nearby. Unluckily, not nearby enough that I didn't have to do the suitcase shuffle. (Did I mention all I ate today was coffee?) Not only that, but I couldn't find the dang reception desk. I found the first, and they had no rooms for today. The second had a number on the door, which I called, and managed to reserve a room all weekend (Thank the Lord, I was a little worried after the first was full). See, with hostels (and I've never traveled in hostels before so this is all new to me) the reception may just be in the restaurant associated with the hostel. This was the case here, and the restaurant was 80 meters away from the door to the actual rooms. So that was exhausting. Luckily, on the way back, the owner helped me with the bags and said he would help on the way down too (no elevator). And like I said, it's really nice, and with a private bathroom. It's basically paradise as far as hostels go (and he's still only charging me for a single room!).
So that was my crazy day. My glasses still have oil on them, and I have no idea what to do with my coat. But I'm out, and I'm feeling much more like myself than yesterday, that's for sure. I ate a sandwich and I'm about to try something called a 'yellow plum'. I had no idea they came in that color, and like gold, they're expensive. Then I'm passing out for as long as possible. Tomorrow I'm going to Burgos with the church, and we're doing something with nuns that involves discussion and lunch, but that's as much as I know.
Well, this post is long, and hopefully informative/amusing. Thanks to everyone who was a listening ear (facebook chat box?) last night and those who were concerned. It's really nice, when you have problems so far away, to know that you've got people back at home concerned about your well being, and that are willing to let you mope/rant at all hours of the night (or afternoon, as it was over there). Know that everything's going better now. Well, good night. After I finish this episode of Castle (dubbed) I'm going to get some much needed sleep.
Update Somehow the mayo stayed inside the jar. My poor bananas are no good anymore. And yellow plums are quite delicious.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Bilingual Education in Spain, or, Get on the Ball America
I'd like to start out this post by saying that I'm pleased with how much emphasis Spain puts on language learning. Coming from a country that has very little, it's great to see the difference. And the teachers all work very hard with their varying levels of English to make a comprehensive experience for the students, from PE to Technology to Music to English. It's an extremely laudable effort.
That being said, it's interesting to hear students, who understand English very well, speak English. Their accents, while they vary, can be pretty bad. I'm no stranger to bilingual education, and I myself know that my accent is nothing to write home about. In fact, if you learn a language past puberty, you will never speak like a native (so stop getting on people when they immigrate and can't seem to speak your language like a native. It's basically impossible, and I dare you to try it). But the interesting thing about education is Spain is that they start English before puberty. They start in Elementary (primary) School here, which is such a good time for learning languages. Their brains are like little sponges, and with very little effort on their part, they can learn another language. This verses an adult trying to learn, which can be quite an arduous task. So, kudos, Spain.
Back to the accents. Since they're learning at such a young age, there is a wonderful opportunity for this generation to develop a great, even a perfect, English/American/Welsh/Scottish/Irish/Kiwi/Australian accent. But they're not. I work with high school students, but I have a private lesson student (very bright, speaks a lot of English) who is in elementary school. I can hear all of the accent quirks already in his speech. There are things that are very difficult for a native Spanish speaker to pronounce. St, Sk, Sh, long vowels, ed, j words, short i, th. I try to work with him on basic word pronunciation to at least make it possible for him to learn a fantastic, authentic sounding accent. But it's an uphill battle when your teachers have a Spanish English accent, and that's what you're hearing all day long. And again, it's not those teachers' fault, it's just that they didn't learn soon enough for their brains to fully form the accent.
I guess that's why this program exists in the first place, to get people like me into schools and speak to the students. I think it does have an effect, but I'm not sure if it's enough. Several times I'll say a word, and the students have no clue what I'm talking about, then the teacher says the same word in a Spanish English accent and they understand completely. Bringing us in is better than nothing, but I think it will take more exposure to get this youngest generation speaking clearer English. Obviously, Spain doesn't have the money to increase these kinds of programs, but it would be interesting to see what would happen if just one group of students were taught with an authentic accent (wherever it's from) their entire school careers. Twenty years from now, they would be teaching excellent English, and Spain would be the cream of the crop for language teaching. I think this is where they want to be (especially since most jobs for Spanish youth nowadays are out of the country) but this costs a lot of money and will take a lot of time. So huzzah for Spain making this first valiant and important effort. I hope that in the next few years it will really solidify into something awesome.
That brings me to the USA. What's our excuse? Other than we just don't want to/have to learn another language because everyone speaks English. So not true. And even if it were, if we want to interact on a global scale, languages are a must! And we have Mexico, right south of us. We have people, teachers, who speak real, authentic, Spanish. Couldn't we do the same sort of thing here that they're trying to do in Spain? I think so. We're obviously not in the greatest situation economically either, but slowly, over time, we could have similar goals. I briefly taught at an elementary school last semester where this exact thing was being attempted, and it was super successful. I can't wait to see where those kids are in five, ten years. So many doors are opened to them. And if you don't want your kids to be bilingual in Spanish, well, it doesn't have to be mandatory. It isn't here, and it wasn't at that elementary school. But what a wonderful opportunity it is, and how many doors it opens!
Okay, that's my rant on bilingual education. Thoughts, comments, concerns?
That being said, it's interesting to hear students, who understand English very well, speak English. Their accents, while they vary, can be pretty bad. I'm no stranger to bilingual education, and I myself know that my accent is nothing to write home about. In fact, if you learn a language past puberty, you will never speak like a native (so stop getting on people when they immigrate and can't seem to speak your language like a native. It's basically impossible, and I dare you to try it). But the interesting thing about education is Spain is that they start English before puberty. They start in Elementary (primary) School here, which is such a good time for learning languages. Their brains are like little sponges, and with very little effort on their part, they can learn another language. This verses an adult trying to learn, which can be quite an arduous task. So, kudos, Spain.
Back to the accents. Since they're learning at such a young age, there is a wonderful opportunity for this generation to develop a great, even a perfect, English/American/Welsh/Scottish/Irish/Kiwi/Australian accent. But they're not. I work with high school students, but I have a private lesson student (very bright, speaks a lot of English) who is in elementary school. I can hear all of the accent quirks already in his speech. There are things that are very difficult for a native Spanish speaker to pronounce. St, Sk, Sh, long vowels, ed, j words, short i, th. I try to work with him on basic word pronunciation to at least make it possible for him to learn a fantastic, authentic sounding accent. But it's an uphill battle when your teachers have a Spanish English accent, and that's what you're hearing all day long. And again, it's not those teachers' fault, it's just that they didn't learn soon enough for their brains to fully form the accent.
I guess that's why this program exists in the first place, to get people like me into schools and speak to the students. I think it does have an effect, but I'm not sure if it's enough. Several times I'll say a word, and the students have no clue what I'm talking about, then the teacher says the same word in a Spanish English accent and they understand completely. Bringing us in is better than nothing, but I think it will take more exposure to get this youngest generation speaking clearer English. Obviously, Spain doesn't have the money to increase these kinds of programs, but it would be interesting to see what would happen if just one group of students were taught with an authentic accent (wherever it's from) their entire school careers. Twenty years from now, they would be teaching excellent English, and Spain would be the cream of the crop for language teaching. I think this is where they want to be (especially since most jobs for Spanish youth nowadays are out of the country) but this costs a lot of money and will take a lot of time. So huzzah for Spain making this first valiant and important effort. I hope that in the next few years it will really solidify into something awesome.
That brings me to the USA. What's our excuse? Other than we just don't want to/have to learn another language because everyone speaks English. So not true. And even if it were, if we want to interact on a global scale, languages are a must! And we have Mexico, right south of us. We have people, teachers, who speak real, authentic, Spanish. Couldn't we do the same sort of thing here that they're trying to do in Spain? I think so. We're obviously not in the greatest situation economically either, but slowly, over time, we could have similar goals. I briefly taught at an elementary school last semester where this exact thing was being attempted, and it was super successful. I can't wait to see where those kids are in five, ten years. So many doors are opened to them. And if you don't want your kids to be bilingual in Spanish, well, it doesn't have to be mandatory. It isn't here, and it wasn't at that elementary school. But what a wonderful opportunity it is, and how many doors it opens!
Okay, that's my rant on bilingual education. Thoughts, comments, concerns?
Strike!
So apparently, my students are on strike. I did not know that was possible, but it seems that students here are also in a sort of union. They're only on strike for two days, this being the first and tomorrow the second. There seem to be no penalties for this, as most of the teachers are against the same law the students are. It's called the "Wert Law" and I've seen posters up all around the town about it. I'm really not sure what's so bad about it (when I asked I got a vague "so many things"). In past years, the teachers have gone on strike a day here or there, but it doesn't do any good just to go on strike for one day, and they just ended up losing pay. So instead they started wearing t-shirts every Thursday decrying the law. It seems like that did not work either.
Today I had only one student in my last class. Apparently there were three at the beginning of the day, having been expressly told they were not allowed to strike. Two of the students got sick (wonder if that means 'skipped class' here, too) and left, so I was down to one. I would rather teach to a class of thirty unexpectedly than a class of one. Poor kid was already upset at not being allowed to strike and then he had to sit through a group presentation about Halloween. We watched the Thriller video, but it just wasn't where he wanted to be. I think, if I understood this whole thing correctly, that tomorrow is the official strike day, so I'll probably be missing a lot of students.
I'll update tomorrow on the strike, and see if I can find some more info on the Wert Laws.
Updates: In my class of older students today, I had only three. They all seemed pretty bummed to be there. I believe there are a bunch of protests around the country today, more notably in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. I believe there is something going on in the Plaza here, but I´ll be in class.
I know that the Wert laws affect education somehow, but I´m still not sure how. I believe it cuts funding for education and sanitation. That´s what I´ve been able to gather, anyway. And these protests have been going on for a long while, but they´re finally being, well, finalized. So this seems like the big push against them. I´m interested to see what a day of protests will do. Not to sound too cynical, but if the government has ignored the people for this long already...
Anyway, and interesting introduction to Spanish culture.
From a few days ago...
Apparently I can only write this post in HTML mode (I´ve got some downtime at school) so we´ll see if it turns out okay.
Week 6 already. This week I pass a landmark-the longest amount of time I've spent in a foreign country. The last was in Costa Rica, and on Thursday I'll beat my record. I feel like I should get balloons or something. I'm in my new apartment, and I must say, I enjoy it immensely. I made burgers last night! And the shower head is normal! And no roaches! And it's smaller, which really is a good thing. My gym and church are a little far away, but 'far away' here is more like, ten minutes, whereas in the States I think it would have to be at least a fifteen minute drive. There's a joke that goes, "Americans think 100 years is a long time, Englishmen think 100 miles is a long way." That second one could go for Spaniards, too, because everything is pretty compact here.
Teaching is still going well. On Thursday I'm giving a class discussion on the Hijab, which is pretty interesting. I've got a bunch of articles from Muslim women talking about the Hijab, and a video about the Niqab (the one that only leaves space for the eyes). It's all quite fascinating, and I'm hoping that if I enjoy learning about it, the students will too. (that's how things work, right?) Actually, for how small this town is, there are a lot of Muslim immigrants from Middle Eastern and north African countries. So it'll be a fairly relevant discussion.
I think I need to visit some sort of "TV addicts anonymous" because even going four days without watching my usual programs is driving me a little crazy. That's fairly pathetic. If there's one fortunate thing not having internet does, is it provides me with the opportunity to break the habit. Hopefully. So I guess now would be the detox stage. Anyway, as the internet appears to be a no go, I'm going to save this on Word and post it later. If it stops raining, perhaps I'll take the computer out to the hotspot. Maybe it's worth the weird stares.
(it was not worth the stares, and the internet was too crappy to even connect to it on a computer)
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Stupid, stupid, stupid
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
From the extreme happiness of finding another place, to the extreme depression of everything exploding in my face. Mostly because I'm an idiot.
I should have mentioned the smoking earlier, that much is obvious. I think I figured out why I didn't do it though, in case anyone is interested in my self-analysis. I want to leave my apartment, and the smoking made for a good excuse. I didn't mention it, because as long as the smoking was a problem, I had a legitimate reason for leaving. And I really do want to leave. I really, really do. The place I found was great, and I want to live with people my age.
Anyway, she confronted me about my feelings, I told her the truth, and it kind of exploded from there. She said she would have stopped had I mentioned, it but I never mentioned it. Very true, very true. See the thing is I have no response to her, so I'm just left kind of wallowing in what is not entirely self pity but more like self-stupidity. I'm still leaving though, now more than ever. And soon. Tomorrow, for the new place, I hope. And if not the new place, a hostal. She's very upset with me for leaving her in a bind, for telling her I would be there for ten months and not being here for ten months. There was a lot of door slamming on her part. I'm sure this means I'm not getting my deposit, which at this point I don't care at all about. And I do feel bad... but at the same time, I want to be happy in my home. I'm not happy here. Is it so wrong to put my happiness ahead of what she needs? Is that selfishness? I don't know. Stupidity, maybe, at least. But I have less than 9 months left here, and I really want to make good memories. I don't want this apartment tainting them.
Man, being an adult sucks sometimes. Also being human. That also sucks sometimes.
So now I'm up until dawn, unable to sleep, alternating between trying to forget what's happened and trying to rationalize it. Trying to plan out my escape in the morning before she gets up, and leave for good just as she comes back. I'm contemplating dropping off my suitcase at the school in my office, that way it'll be easier to transport to the new place. I'm thinking about getting a room at a hostel just for the storage space. I feel bad for leaving a really negative impression on the neighbors below me, who own the apartment and have been so kind about everything. I think their reactions bother me the most. I think I'll have to send a letter or something, if only to apologize.
It'll be better tomorrow, won't it? Things get better as time passes, don't they? I'll feel less guilty later, I hope. I'll learn from this experience. I'll grow from it. In nine months, I won't see any of these people again, most likely, and I'll move on with my life. But boy does it suck right now.
On a related note, if I do move into my new place tomorrow, I will not have internet for a few days. I'll try to leave a message from my little hotspot, whatever happens. Say a prayer for me, would you? Even if you don't think it'll do anything, I appreciate it.
Well, it's six a.m. I suppose that makes this the appropriate time to take a shower. Morning everyone.
From the extreme happiness of finding another place, to the extreme depression of everything exploding in my face. Mostly because I'm an idiot.
I should have mentioned the smoking earlier, that much is obvious. I think I figured out why I didn't do it though, in case anyone is interested in my self-analysis. I want to leave my apartment, and the smoking made for a good excuse. I didn't mention it, because as long as the smoking was a problem, I had a legitimate reason for leaving. And I really do want to leave. I really, really do. The place I found was great, and I want to live with people my age.
Anyway, she confronted me about my feelings, I told her the truth, and it kind of exploded from there. She said she would have stopped had I mentioned, it but I never mentioned it. Very true, very true. See the thing is I have no response to her, so I'm just left kind of wallowing in what is not entirely self pity but more like self-stupidity. I'm still leaving though, now more than ever. And soon. Tomorrow, for the new place, I hope. And if not the new place, a hostal. She's very upset with me for leaving her in a bind, for telling her I would be there for ten months and not being here for ten months. There was a lot of door slamming on her part. I'm sure this means I'm not getting my deposit, which at this point I don't care at all about. And I do feel bad... but at the same time, I want to be happy in my home. I'm not happy here. Is it so wrong to put my happiness ahead of what she needs? Is that selfishness? I don't know. Stupidity, maybe, at least. But I have less than 9 months left here, and I really want to make good memories. I don't want this apartment tainting them.
Man, being an adult sucks sometimes. Also being human. That also sucks sometimes.
So now I'm up until dawn, unable to sleep, alternating between trying to forget what's happened and trying to rationalize it. Trying to plan out my escape in the morning before she gets up, and leave for good just as she comes back. I'm contemplating dropping off my suitcase at the school in my office, that way it'll be easier to transport to the new place. I'm thinking about getting a room at a hostel just for the storage space. I feel bad for leaving a really negative impression on the neighbors below me, who own the apartment and have been so kind about everything. I think their reactions bother me the most. I think I'll have to send a letter or something, if only to apologize.
It'll be better tomorrow, won't it? Things get better as time passes, don't they? I'll feel less guilty later, I hope. I'll learn from this experience. I'll grow from it. In nine months, I won't see any of these people again, most likely, and I'll move on with my life. But boy does it suck right now.
On a related note, if I do move into my new place tomorrow, I will not have internet for a few days. I'll try to leave a message from my little hotspot, whatever happens. Say a prayer for me, would you? Even if you don't think it'll do anything, I appreciate it.
Well, it's six a.m. I suppose that makes this the appropriate time to take a shower. Morning everyone.
Soooo happy right now.
I don't know if I can stress enough how happy I am. I either want to sing or weep. I'm not fond of weeping, and quite frankly I already don't drink enough water, so I've been making up little songs about how happy I am to be leaving this apartment. Some involve swear words but in a... happy way.
I've found another place to live. How is this apartment better? Let me count the ways.
1. No smoking. It even smells better than this one did when I moved in. (And right now I'm sitting in my room and it's filled with smoke. It's awful.)
2. Smaller. I like smaller.
3. People closer to my age. And they're both working in the school system!
4. Closer to my school. I only have to go five minutes to get from the apartment to work. Yay for sleeping in more!
5. Cleaner. I don't think I'll be finding any roaches there. And I'm not afraid to use the drawers in the wardrobes!
6. Brighter. Light is expensive here. My room faces outward, not a wall, which is great.
7. I can understand my roommates' Spanish better. My current landlady/roommate has this really thick accent.
8. Next door to my favorite grocery store, the one that sells sheep cheese for 1 Euro!
9. It's not ancient! I don't have to light the stove with a match. And I bet the microwave works, too.
10. Shower. The shower is huge and really, really nice. Shared, unlike this apartment, but it's still better.
Okay, that's just ten reasons why I'm so pleased. It's more than enough for me. I'm going to start packing tomorrow, and tell my landlady on Sat. (there's nothing in my contract that says I have to wait or give a certain amount of notice). Hopefully I'll be in my new place Monday evening! I'll try and add some pictures either here or on Facebook eventually, but I won't have an internet connection for probably another week (basically the only downside).
In other good news, I found out I'll be making 50 Euro extra a month teaching teachers! I won't start for another three weeks, but that gives me some time for lesson planning. And all that money will go towards traveling, which I'm imagine will happen mostly after Christmas, as I'll be fully settled in and my paychecks should be steady (hopefully that won't be an issue, but last year it definitely was in my region).
So today was a good day. Oh, and I learned that young Spaniards love candy corn. LOVE. And Halloween trinkets. It's made for some fun lessons.
I've found another place to live. How is this apartment better? Let me count the ways.
1. No smoking. It even smells better than this one did when I moved in. (And right now I'm sitting in my room and it's filled with smoke. It's awful.)
2. Smaller. I like smaller.
3. People closer to my age. And they're both working in the school system!
4. Closer to my school. I only have to go five minutes to get from the apartment to work. Yay for sleeping in more!
5. Cleaner. I don't think I'll be finding any roaches there. And I'm not afraid to use the drawers in the wardrobes!
6. Brighter. Light is expensive here. My room faces outward, not a wall, which is great.
7. I can understand my roommates' Spanish better. My current landlady/roommate has this really thick accent.
8. Next door to my favorite grocery store, the one that sells sheep cheese for 1 Euro!
9. It's not ancient! I don't have to light the stove with a match. And I bet the microwave works, too.
10. Shower. The shower is huge and really, really nice. Shared, unlike this apartment, but it's still better.
Okay, that's just ten reasons why I'm so pleased. It's more than enough for me. I'm going to start packing tomorrow, and tell my landlady on Sat. (there's nothing in my contract that says I have to wait or give a certain amount of notice). Hopefully I'll be in my new place Monday evening! I'll try and add some pictures either here or on Facebook eventually, but I won't have an internet connection for probably another week (basically the only downside).
In other good news, I found out I'll be making 50 Euro extra a month teaching teachers! I won't start for another three weeks, but that gives me some time for lesson planning. And all that money will go towards traveling, which I'm imagine will happen mostly after Christmas, as I'll be fully settled in and my paychecks should be steady (hopefully that won't be an issue, but last year it definitely was in my region).
So today was a good day. Oh, and I learned that young Spaniards love candy corn. LOVE. And Halloween trinkets. It's made for some fun lessons.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Moving out
of my apartment.
I guess I've snapped. I think that's a good word for it. Mostly, it was the smoking (and the subsequent cough I've developed). As I was debating today whether or not to move out, I started doodling. Mostly pictures of little stickmen telling me all the dangers of smoking, and also that it made my soul fill with rage, which is basically like Bruce Banner becoming the Hulk and destroying shit. No bueno.
But it also occurred to me, if I'm going to be miserable here, why would I stay? Do I want to be miserable for the next nine months in a place where I'm supposed to be exploring the world and growing as a person? Do I want those memories? Heck no! So I'm moving out.
The other habit of hers that I cannot abide by is that she is extremely overbearing. She will literally hand me food and tell me to eat it, no asking involved. When I say no, she won't take that for an answer. Like, she'll come by room at night and bring me a bowl of grapes, without asking. Or at lunch she handed me two oranges and when I said I didn't want them she told me to 'eat them'. It leaves me wanting to scream that I am not her child, I am a grown woman, who, although I don't really know how to cook, want to be treated as such. Though I suppose that yelling that would only prove the point that I am not a grown woman, and so self-control is paramount. But in any case, I'm moving out. I haven't told her yet, but as soon as I have another place, I will. I don't really want to give her any chance to convince me otherwise. So for the next week or so I'm going to be avoiding her and making secret phone calls.
But enough negative stuff. I've got Halloween lessons for the next three week, which is awesome. I love Halloween, and I love teaching the kids about Halloween. I really want to teach them a simplified version of the Thriller dance, but I'm not sure that my teachers will go for that. Mostly, I've got a pumpkin activity for the sort of okay at English classes, and the Cask of Amontillado for the older classes. I might have to make that a video (if I can find a good one on youtube) because some of the language is pretty difficult, even for English speakers. But it's also one of the creepiest short stories I've ever read.
I went out the other day to eat lunch, trying to escape the smoke in my house. I stopped at this place called KayKay-fast food. They sold burgers, and I thought, hey, why not. Let's eat some American food. I can only describe the burger as gristly, and the flavor as kind of like pork but not. My meat-knowledgeable friend Eileen informed me that what I ate was probably all the reject meat, and a mix of random animals. Apparently there's been a scandal in Europe recently with 'meat' meaning 'horse meat'. I guess it goes to show that even Europe has issue with food. But the more important lesson is, never eat at KayKay.
I even got another private student, hopefully! The mom has to check with her daughter on what time works, but I she's one of my students from Vela Zanetti. She's sixteen, so that will be weird. I've never before worked with someone not in elementary school. But all of this will help me with my grand plan for Christmas...
I'm trying to go to Rome! I sent in for a ticket to attend the Papal Christmas Eve mass. The tickets are free, but limited. And the flights are expensive, which is why the private lessons are so helpful. I'm hoping to have them purchased by the end of this month (if I get paid by the Junta) and I should be booking the hotel this week (hostel, more than hotel. I might get an actual hotel for Christmas Eve/Day).
Other places I plan on going, in order of absolutely will happen to I really hope so, Lourdes, Fatima, London, and Cardiff (you know I'm going to the Doctor Who museum). I might also hit a couple countries as I'm flying from one to another. And of course I plan on hitting some big places in Spain, Barcelona, Segovia, Sevilla, and this town called Orbeneja de Castillo. Most of it is accessible from Burgos, and taking the bus is pretty reasonable.
Well, that's all for now. I'll write up a post on the NIE for any fellow auxiliaries soon. Spoiler, it was super easy. Unfortunately, I can smell smoke in my room again, so rage Hulk is coming back. I think I'm going to take a nap.
I guess I've snapped. I think that's a good word for it. Mostly, it was the smoking (and the subsequent cough I've developed). As I was debating today whether or not to move out, I started doodling. Mostly pictures of little stickmen telling me all the dangers of smoking, and also that it made my soul fill with rage, which is basically like Bruce Banner becoming the Hulk and destroying shit. No bueno.
But it also occurred to me, if I'm going to be miserable here, why would I stay? Do I want to be miserable for the next nine months in a place where I'm supposed to be exploring the world and growing as a person? Do I want those memories? Heck no! So I'm moving out.
The other habit of hers that I cannot abide by is that she is extremely overbearing. She will literally hand me food and tell me to eat it, no asking involved. When I say no, she won't take that for an answer. Like, she'll come by room at night and bring me a bowl of grapes, without asking. Or at lunch she handed me two oranges and when I said I didn't want them she told me to 'eat them'. It leaves me wanting to scream that I am not her child, I am a grown woman, who, although I don't really know how to cook, want to be treated as such. Though I suppose that yelling that would only prove the point that I am not a grown woman, and so self-control is paramount. But in any case, I'm moving out. I haven't told her yet, but as soon as I have another place, I will. I don't really want to give her any chance to convince me otherwise. So for the next week or so I'm going to be avoiding her and making secret phone calls.
But enough negative stuff. I've got Halloween lessons for the next three week, which is awesome. I love Halloween, and I love teaching the kids about Halloween. I really want to teach them a simplified version of the Thriller dance, but I'm not sure that my teachers will go for that. Mostly, I've got a pumpkin activity for the sort of okay at English classes, and the Cask of Amontillado for the older classes. I might have to make that a video (if I can find a good one on youtube) because some of the language is pretty difficult, even for English speakers. But it's also one of the creepiest short stories I've ever read.
I went out the other day to eat lunch, trying to escape the smoke in my house. I stopped at this place called KayKay-fast food. They sold burgers, and I thought, hey, why not. Let's eat some American food. I can only describe the burger as gristly, and the flavor as kind of like pork but not. My meat-knowledgeable friend Eileen informed me that what I ate was probably all the reject meat, and a mix of random animals. Apparently there's been a scandal in Europe recently with 'meat' meaning 'horse meat'. I guess it goes to show that even Europe has issue with food. But the more important lesson is, never eat at KayKay.
I even got another private student, hopefully! The mom has to check with her daughter on what time works, but I she's one of my students from Vela Zanetti. She's sixteen, so that will be weird. I've never before worked with someone not in elementary school. But all of this will help me with my grand plan for Christmas...
I'm trying to go to Rome! I sent in for a ticket to attend the Papal Christmas Eve mass. The tickets are free, but limited. And the flights are expensive, which is why the private lessons are so helpful. I'm hoping to have them purchased by the end of this month (if I get paid by the Junta) and I should be booking the hotel this week (hostel, more than hotel. I might get an actual hotel for Christmas Eve/Day).
Other places I plan on going, in order of absolutely will happen to I really hope so, Lourdes, Fatima, London, and Cardiff (you know I'm going to the Doctor Who museum). I might also hit a couple countries as I'm flying from one to another. And of course I plan on hitting some big places in Spain, Barcelona, Segovia, Sevilla, and this town called Orbeneja de Castillo. Most of it is accessible from Burgos, and taking the bus is pretty reasonable.
Well, that's all for now. I'll write up a post on the NIE for any fellow auxiliaries soon. Spoiler, it was super easy. Unfortunately, I can smell smoke in my room again, so rage Hulk is coming back. I think I'm going to take a nap.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Random Differences
I'm not sure how they do it, but somehow, the dogs are better trained. Most dogs here walk apart from their owners, only the big ones stay on a leash. These mostly tiny dogs (always well groomed, and usually pure bred, not mutts) walk in front or behind their owners, but are called back at the softest whistle. They even stop at the edge of the sidewalk! Which is really good because crossing the road is kind of like going out and hoping cars stop, and tiny dogs would not survive. But even if a dog is like, ten feet in front of their owner, they will stop at the edge.
Baby carriages are different here. More of them are upright. I'm not sure if we have this in America but they have these plastic sheets to put over them when it rains. Also, they come with tiny umbrellas to shade the baby from the sun.
Doors are the opposite. You push to get in, pull to get out. It confuses me almost every single time.
Music classes are more centered around theory and history than instrument playing. In fact, I don't think they have band or orchestra classes here. They play recorder to aid in music theory.
Kids will eat a sandwich for a snack at school, but lunch doesn't technically start until 2:30, so the kids are at home by lunch time.
Scarves, super popular. They are definitely my favorite part of the wardrobe here. The leggings as pants thing... eh.
People walk ridiculously fast here. And all the women wear heels. I'm not sure how they do it, but even at my fastest I'm walk at the pace of a sixty year old. Although I've heard complaints that the sidewalks get slippery when they're wet, and I think that part of the reason is because of all the heels.
Additionally, if there's no crosswalk sign, pedestrians have the right of way. I'm much more hesitant, and wait to see if the car will stop for me first. I know they are probably annoyed by me, but while it's totally normal for Spaniards to just cross the street and assume the car will stop, I can't get it out of my head that I'm going to get hit by one.
Baby carriages are different here. More of them are upright. I'm not sure if we have this in America but they have these plastic sheets to put over them when it rains. Also, they come with tiny umbrellas to shade the baby from the sun.
Doors are the opposite. You push to get in, pull to get out. It confuses me almost every single time.
Music classes are more centered around theory and history than instrument playing. In fact, I don't think they have band or orchestra classes here. They play recorder to aid in music theory.
Kids will eat a sandwich for a snack at school, but lunch doesn't technically start until 2:30, so the kids are at home by lunch time.
Scarves, super popular. They are definitely my favorite part of the wardrobe here. The leggings as pants thing... eh.
People walk ridiculously fast here. And all the women wear heels. I'm not sure how they do it, but even at my fastest I'm walk at the pace of a sixty year old. Although I've heard complaints that the sidewalks get slippery when they're wet, and I think that part of the reason is because of all the heels.
Additionally, if there's no crosswalk sign, pedestrians have the right of way. I'm much more hesitant, and wait to see if the car will stop for me first. I know they are probably annoyed by me, but while it's totally normal for Spaniards to just cross the street and assume the car will stop, I can't get it out of my head that I'm going to get hit by one.
NIE part 2
Okay, I've got a NIE number. So let me start out by saying, Success! Almost. There will be a part three, but I've got the hardest part done.
My appointment was, as I mentioned before, more of a suggestion. I walked there, and from the Pz Jardines de Don Diego it took about 20 minutes to get there. You have to go past the Ermita, and it's on the right side of the road. You'll literally be outside of town by the time you get there. Plan for the travel time.
The documents you'll need are your Empadronada (no copy required), your passport, a copy of your passport (all stamped pages and first few pages, either color or black and white), your letter from the Junta (no copy required), and your visa application from the states. I wouldn't bother filling out the application beforehand (Ex-15) because they'll pretty much fill it out for you. I did mine completely wrong, and it was actually way easier than I thought.
Once you turn in all the forms, you'll need to be fingerprinted, but they'll only do your indexes a couple times. The guy who's in Aranda right now is super helpful and very nice. I had to wait about 15 minutes, and the process only took about 20 minutes. I would still leave yourself a window of 2 hours, because the appointment is more or less first come first serve. You may have to wait a while. And don't forget to take account of your walk to the school if you're taking care of it on a work day. I recommend finding a day off to do your NIE just in case. If you're at Vela Zanetti, it's about 40 minutes away from there.
From this point, you'll get a number, and a receipt. You need to take it to a bank and bring back the top sheet. I think it's 12 Euro. Once you go back to the station, they'll give you a piece of paper and a phone number. Your NIE card will be in probably ten days, and you can call the number to check if it's in yet. But I'll save that part for later, because it hasn't happened yet.
Hopefully though, if you can avoid my early misunderstandings, getting your NIE in Aranda should be super easy.
My appointment was, as I mentioned before, more of a suggestion. I walked there, and from the Pz Jardines de Don Diego it took about 20 minutes to get there. You have to go past the Ermita, and it's on the right side of the road. You'll literally be outside of town by the time you get there. Plan for the travel time.
The documents you'll need are your Empadronada (no copy required), your passport, a copy of your passport (all stamped pages and first few pages, either color or black and white), your letter from the Junta (no copy required), and your visa application from the states. I wouldn't bother filling out the application beforehand (Ex-15) because they'll pretty much fill it out for you. I did mine completely wrong, and it was actually way easier than I thought.
Once you turn in all the forms, you'll need to be fingerprinted, but they'll only do your indexes a couple times. The guy who's in Aranda right now is super helpful and very nice. I had to wait about 15 minutes, and the process only took about 20 minutes. I would still leave yourself a window of 2 hours, because the appointment is more or less first come first serve. You may have to wait a while. And don't forget to take account of your walk to the school if you're taking care of it on a work day. I recommend finding a day off to do your NIE just in case. If you're at Vela Zanetti, it's about 40 minutes away from there.
From this point, you'll get a number, and a receipt. You need to take it to a bank and bring back the top sheet. I think it's 12 Euro. Once you go back to the station, they'll give you a piece of paper and a phone number. Your NIE card will be in probably ten days, and you can call the number to check if it's in yet. But I'll save that part for later, because it hasn't happened yet.
Hopefully though, if you can avoid my early misunderstandings, getting your NIE in Aranda should be super easy.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Oi vey
Apparently my landlady is moving in with me. She did not mention this to me at any point, just kind of did it. I was having a private lesson with a student today, and found out by her saying something to the affect of 'when I move in here, you can't have lessons here'. It's fine, I can do it in his house, but I don't think this was the best way to break her moving in to me.
Actually, what's set me off about the whole thing was that not only has she been moving all my stuff around (seriously, what's wrong with fruit on the counter in a container?) but that she started out by smoking in the living room. One of the reason I chose this apartment was because it specifically said, 'no smoking'. Guess that was more of a suggestion... I'm not even sure if she's here right now. They close all the bedroom doors in Spain (which I never do) so I don't want to be creepy and open them in case she's sleeping. I know deep down that these are all cultural differences, but as someone who is most definitely American, I'm having trouble not feeling annoyed.
I was walking back with my students grandmother (a wonderful woman named Luisa that I met at a catechesis event in Burgos) and she thought it was weird as well. "I thought you lived alone?" "Yeah, so did I." They stopped by before the lesson, and quite frankly I thought my landlady was a little rude to Luisa, but maybe that's a cultural difference, too. I've really gotten used to staying alone in this house that now the opposite is jarring. Luckily, she has her own bathroom.
Going out for drinks this evening with some teachers. Should be fun, and maybe by the time I get back the smoke will have cleared out somewhat.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
One month in
I have to say, I'm really enjoying teaching. I was mobbed by my students today after school. About twenty of them surrounded me with questions. "Julia, how much do pants cost in the United States?" "Teacher, how much does a car cost?" "Julia, do you have a boyfriend?" They are very, very funny, crazy kids. Apparently, one of them climbs bathroom walls.
I have to say, out of all of the ages to teach, 13-15 is probably my favorite. I've got some older students, but most of them are very... preppy. The girls have stopped playing sports, they don't do stuff out doors anymore. This is a generalization, of course. I have two older classes that are pretty great. But the younger classes aren't as intimidating, and they think it's funny when I start singing during class. And it's much easier to plan lessons, because they can be a little silly. The kids will still go along with me if I have them dance or sing or play games. None of them, and I mean none of the students, like Star Wars or Star Trek over here. Scifi is so far off their radar. The only video game they play is Grand Theft Auto. I think their next homework assignment will be watching the original Star Trek trilogy, or perhaps the entirety of Firefly.
I've got a private student two times a week, and I'm going to be teaching the local teachers fluency and primary school reading techniques. Both are pretty exciting, and it'll be awesome to have some extra income. I'm going to a gym, I go out on Thursdays with other teachers, and I'm pretty well established in a parish. I eat meals when the Spaniards do, I've learned how to order in restaurants, I can get anywhere in my town without getting lost. I have to say, it's nice to have a routine. When I first came here, which really seems like yesterday, I was pretty miserable. Call it culture shock, homesickness, loneliness, whatever it was, it was pretty bad. I told myself, if you feel this miserable in one month, you can pack your bags and go home. I even made four different countdown calendars. Well, here I am, and I'm not at all miserable. I've got a life here and I like living it. It's not like things are perfect, and I do miss my family and friends, but it's so much more normal now. I forget most days to mark off another day on my calendar. I've made friends, met people. I've gotten used to living alone. Life is life again; not all up, not all down, and comforting in how similar it is, at it's core, to life anywhere else.
I have to say, out of all of the ages to teach, 13-15 is probably my favorite. I've got some older students, but most of them are very... preppy. The girls have stopped playing sports, they don't do stuff out doors anymore. This is a generalization, of course. I have two older classes that are pretty great. But the younger classes aren't as intimidating, and they think it's funny when I start singing during class. And it's much easier to plan lessons, because they can be a little silly. The kids will still go along with me if I have them dance or sing or play games. None of them, and I mean none of the students, like Star Wars or Star Trek over here. Scifi is so far off their radar. The only video game they play is Grand Theft Auto. I think their next homework assignment will be watching the original Star Trek trilogy, or perhaps the entirety of Firefly.
I've got a private student two times a week, and I'm going to be teaching the local teachers fluency and primary school reading techniques. Both are pretty exciting, and it'll be awesome to have some extra income. I'm going to a gym, I go out on Thursdays with other teachers, and I'm pretty well established in a parish. I eat meals when the Spaniards do, I've learned how to order in restaurants, I can get anywhere in my town without getting lost. I have to say, it's nice to have a routine. When I first came here, which really seems like yesterday, I was pretty miserable. Call it culture shock, homesickness, loneliness, whatever it was, it was pretty bad. I told myself, if you feel this miserable in one month, you can pack your bags and go home. I even made four different countdown calendars. Well, here I am, and I'm not at all miserable. I've got a life here and I like living it. It's not like things are perfect, and I do miss my family and friends, but it's so much more normal now. I forget most days to mark off another day on my calendar. I've made friends, met people. I've gotten used to living alone. Life is life again; not all up, not all down, and comforting in how similar it is, at it's core, to life anywhere else.
Getting your NIE in Aranda Part 1
I'm not done with it yet. But I figured I would write everything down before I forget anything. I'll write part two when I get it done (hopefully Friday).
So, to start out, you need to get an appointment (cita). The number on the website is wrong. I found another number in the yellow pages, and I called it. They told me to call someone else. Then that person told me to call someone else. Finally, I reached the number to get a cita (appointment). Call 947 546 306. They'll want to know your first and last name, your country of origin, where you're living, how long you're going to be here. You need to tell them you don't have a NIE, and that you have an empadronamiento. They will then ask you what time you can come. If I heard them correctly, it's open from 8-2, so you'll probably have to organize it around your school schedule (and it's pretty far out of town so block at least a couple hours out of your day). So I scheduled an appointment sometime between 9-11. They're not super specific. Apparently though, the mornings are pretty busy, so it's entirely possible that I'll show up and won't be able to do my NIE paperwork. I might have to go back Monday. We'll see.
It also is not anywhere near I thought it was. You have to make your way to the Ermita de la Virgen de las Vinas. It's on C/ San Francisco, 92. I believe that it's right after the Ermita (and if you haven't been there yet, check it out). You need your empadronamiento, NIE application, passport photos, passport, copy of your passport, and you need to pay a small amount (like 12 Euro). I'm not really sure how that's going to work. I know that in Burgos you go from the national police station to the bank, then you get a receipt and bring it back to the station. But the station here is so far away from the bank, I'm not sure how that's going to work.
I'll get back to you on part two, the actual application process.
So, to start out, you need to get an appointment (cita). The number on the website is wrong. I found another number in the yellow pages, and I called it. They told me to call someone else. Then that person told me to call someone else. Finally, I reached the number to get a cita (appointment). Call 947 546 306. They'll want to know your first and last name, your country of origin, where you're living, how long you're going to be here. You need to tell them you don't have a NIE, and that you have an empadronamiento. They will then ask you what time you can come. If I heard them correctly, it's open from 8-2, so you'll probably have to organize it around your school schedule (and it's pretty far out of town so block at least a couple hours out of your day). So I scheduled an appointment sometime between 9-11. They're not super specific. Apparently though, the mornings are pretty busy, so it's entirely possible that I'll show up and won't be able to do my NIE paperwork. I might have to go back Monday. We'll see.
It also is not anywhere near I thought it was. You have to make your way to the Ermita de la Virgen de las Vinas. It's on C/ San Francisco, 92. I believe that it's right after the Ermita (and if you haven't been there yet, check it out). You need your empadronamiento, NIE application, passport photos, passport, copy of your passport, and you need to pay a small amount (like 12 Euro). I'm not really sure how that's going to work. I know that in Burgos you go from the national police station to the bank, then you get a receipt and bring it back to the station. But the station here is so far away from the bank, I'm not sure how that's going to work.
I'll get back to you on part two, the actual application process.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
NIE
Dear Spanish Government,
Get your sh** together. Stop bouncing me around from police station to police station, telling me I can't get a NIE here and have to go there but need an appointment there and oh yeah the police station telephone number is disconnected and you can schedule an appointment online but oh wait you can't.
So frustrating. But hopefully I will spare some future auxiliar the pain of getting their NIE.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Dear future auxiliar in Aranda
Don't go to Burgos to get your NIE. Apparently, it can be done in Aranda. Also apparently, they won't let you do it in Burgos. At least, the woman I spoke with wouldn't. I know for a fact that it is allowed, because another girl in my city was allowed to get her NIE in Valladolid. It just has to be in the same Province. But they wouldn't let me do it, so basically I spent 12 Euro to go to Burgos for nada. By the way, the stupid website, found here http://www.policia.es/documentacion/oficinas/castilla_leon.html does not say that you can do the NIE in anywhere but Burgos. So perhaps I'll go to the Police Station here (which is literally across the street from my apartment) and find out that lady was completely wrong. I promise, future auxiliar, that I will update with detailed steps my journey to get this stupid thing so that it is easier for you.
However, the Empadronada portion is completed, and was super easy. All you need is your passport and a copy of your rental agreement (signed and what not). Take it to the Plaza Mayor. The office is N. 1, right near the main bridge to the other half of the city. You'll find it on the first floor (keeping in mind that the ground floor in Spain is 0 not 1) and to your left when you come up the stairs. It literally took me five minutes, and they open at 9 I believe. If you need a copy of your rental agreement or of anything really, there is a copy shop that opens at 9 in the last entrance to the Plaza Mayor, the one right before the path to Santa Maria and after the Casa Cultural and all those shops. I hope that helps.
Despite the frustrating failure, it was time well spent. I went out to lunch with some other Auxiliares in and around Burgos (also getting their NIE). We went to this nice little Italian place. The great thing about getting food in Spain is the Menu del Dia. Basically, there are certain items that are cheaper at lunch. So I got bread, a delicious pear salad, a good sized lasagna (and it was delicious), some sort of dessert, and an entire glass bottle of water. All of this was 12,5 Euro. I also learned from an Irish Auxiliar the term 'tums and bums' to describe an abdominal and gluteal class. I think I'll be using that from now on.
However, the Empadronada portion is completed, and was super easy. All you need is your passport and a copy of your rental agreement (signed and what not). Take it to the Plaza Mayor. The office is N. 1, right near the main bridge to the other half of the city. You'll find it on the first floor (keeping in mind that the ground floor in Spain is 0 not 1) and to your left when you come up the stairs. It literally took me five minutes, and they open at 9 I believe. If you need a copy of your rental agreement or of anything really, there is a copy shop that opens at 9 in the last entrance to the Plaza Mayor, the one right before the path to Santa Maria and after the Casa Cultural and all those shops. I hope that helps.
Despite the frustrating failure, it was time well spent. I went out to lunch with some other Auxiliares in and around Burgos (also getting their NIE). We went to this nice little Italian place. The great thing about getting food in Spain is the Menu del Dia. Basically, there are certain items that are cheaper at lunch. So I got bread, a delicious pear salad, a good sized lasagna (and it was delicious), some sort of dessert, and an entire glass bottle of water. All of this was 12,5 Euro. I also learned from an Irish Auxiliar the term 'tums and bums' to describe an abdominal and gluteal class. I think I'll be using that from now on.
Burgos, or the best laid plans
I intended to go to Burgos today to take care of clerical matters. I need my NIE, and I need to get it soon. But I figured out last night that I'll need to be empadronada, or registered as living in Spain, first. So all my carefully laid plans (and I mean super carefully) had to be changed to include this new stop. Luckily, all I had to do was find the main plaza, register my address, walk a heck of a long way to the extranjeria, and then apply for the NIE. I never made it that far. Turns out I needed to be registered in Aranda, then apply for my NIE in Burgos. So my day of carefully scheduled and mapped out tasks disappeared like that.
But it was totally worth it. I went to the Cathedral in Burgos instead, and it was beautiful. So beautiful it moved me to tears a few times. I recommend that if you're in Spain, head to Burgos, see this Cathedral. Everything is amazing. The idea of beauty, as representing the invisible reality of the mass, of worship, is so wonderfully portrayed in this place. You really do feel like you're getting a glimpse of heaven (which is what the mass is, heaven). And the history of it all... We don't have anything like it in the States. I mean, when you're walking on the same ground as someone from the 14th century... And the ceilings, oh boy, as said someone who I think I remember being a prince, it's like they're 'crafted by angels'. Seriously worth your time, and only 7 Euro! I know museums that are way more expensive than that.
After the Cathedral (two hours later) I had a typical lunch (chorizo, fried eggs, fries, and bread. I really need to eat more vegetables) and then found my way up the hill behind the Cathedral. It was about 2:30, so everything was closed, but I knew that up above the Cathedral was a castle, and it is one of my dreams to visit a castle. After a little bit of a climb, I found the place. It was pretty cool, too, although it's only open on weekends so I didn't get to go inside. I did find an overlook and took several panoramas, this being one of them.
But it was totally worth it. I went to the Cathedral in Burgos instead, and it was beautiful. So beautiful it moved me to tears a few times. I recommend that if you're in Spain, head to Burgos, see this Cathedral. Everything is amazing. The idea of beauty, as representing the invisible reality of the mass, of worship, is so wonderfully portrayed in this place. You really do feel like you're getting a glimpse of heaven (which is what the mass is, heaven). And the history of it all... We don't have anything like it in the States. I mean, when you're walking on the same ground as someone from the 14th century... And the ceilings, oh boy, as said someone who I think I remember being a prince, it's like they're 'crafted by angels'. Seriously worth your time, and only 7 Euro! I know museums that are way more expensive than that.
After the Cathedral (two hours later) I had a typical lunch (chorizo, fried eggs, fries, and bread. I really need to eat more vegetables) and then found my way up the hill behind the Cathedral. It was about 2:30, so everything was closed, but I knew that up above the Cathedral was a castle, and it is one of my dreams to visit a castle. After a little bit of a climb, I found the place. It was pretty cool, too, although it's only open on weekends so I didn't get to go inside. I did find an overlook and took several panoramas, this being one of them.
Even if the Cathedral is closed, check this view out if you're ever in Burgos. It was magnificent.
Another really interesting thing about Burgos is the amount of pilgrims it has. It's right on the Camino de Santiago, a neat pilgrimage to the Church of Saint James, in Santiago de Compostela, where the apostle is buried. So not only were there shells everywhere (the pilgrim's symbol) but there were people speaking a dozen or so languages. I actually ran into clumps of Americans (who spoke very little Spanish) and through their conversation got some news updates (someone tried to run their car into the White House?). It made me want to walk the Camino, but I might have to come back to Spain and exclusively do that. It seems like the way my schedule is going, I won't have time to fit in the Camino properly. Perhaps it's better to come back and do it right. Or maybe I'll walk the last 500 meters and then come back later and do it all the way.
I got to pray in the Cathedral in a couple of different side chapels that are reserved for prayer, so that was nice. I also finally went to Reconciliation in Spanish, which was nerve wracking but much easier than I expected. And it was my first time in an actual confessional, so that was neat! Unlike every other kneeler in Spain, the confessionals had cushions, so it was like a luxury.
I also visited a medieval market. It wasn't super medieval, except that the sellers were wearing more or less period clothing. There was a lot of food available, but it was still the kind of stuff sold in butcher shops and bakeries in Spain. Still, it was pretty fun. If your in Boise, think a smaller version of art in the park with more meats.
I have Monday off, so I'll be getting Empadronada in Aranda and then I'll take the bus into Burgos and walk to the Police Station to get my NIE. Hopefully it'll be easy. Burgos isn't as large as Madrid, so it should go more or less smoothly.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
I promised I'd post everything...
And I think this speaks volumes about the differences between Spain and the US educational systems. I posted it on Facebook, so I'll just copy it here.
We were discussing in our sociology class the history of the slave trade. I would read a passage (in English). A student would repeat it, and we'd do that until the end of the section. When finished, the teacher would go through the passage and together we'd define colloquial phrases or more advanced words (these kids are about 16 and pretty advanced English speakers). We got to the sentence, "Even their last names were stripped away."
The teacher didn't really understand it, so she turns to me and says (loud enough for everyone to hear), "Strip? Is this like stripper?" She mimed pulling clothes off.
I blushed and said, "Well, no not really."
"But it is the same word?" ...
"Well, yes, I suppose. In this context it means something was taken away from them."
"I see." She turns back to the class. "So this is like strip tease but much less fun."
I nearly died, both from embarrassment and from trying not to burst out laughing. The students didn't bat an eye. Talk about cultural differences...
We were discussing in our sociology class the history of the slave trade. I would read a passage (in English). A student would repeat it, and we'd do that until the end of the section. When finished, the teacher would go through the passage and together we'd define colloquial phrases or more advanced words (these kids are about 16 and pretty advanced English speakers). We got to the sentence, "Even their last names were stripped away."
The teacher didn't really understand it, so she turns to me and says (loud enough for everyone to hear), "Strip? Is this like stripper?" She mimed pulling clothes off.
I blushed and said, "Well, no not really."
"But it is the same word?" ...
"Well, yes, I suppose. In this context it means something was taken away from them."
"I see." She turns back to the class. "So this is like strip tease but much less fun."
I nearly died, both from embarrassment and from trying not to burst out laughing. The students didn't bat an eye. Talk about cultural differences...
Another interesting difference- 'shut up' is a completely acceptable way to tell a class to be quiet. I might chalk that one up to how a curse word never seems like a curse word when it's not your native language. It could be the same principle.
I have, since starting at this school, sang the chorus from that Beverly Hills song, and did the Wazup thing from those commercials. The students have teased me for it endlessly, but that is exactly what I'm trying to do. I get to be the fun teacher, and I might as well be myself. There is no use in trying to be cool, when I am very much not.
Anyway, not much else to report today. I do get to develop a presentation on the American Revolution! That should be fun. And I'm looking into developing some lessons for Halloween. If you know of any spooky stories with fairly simple language, send them my way.
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