Key Idiomas

Here are a few photos of my school - Key Idiomas. It's a language academy in Sevilla Este, about a thirty minute bus ride from where I live. There are some pictures from the two classrooms I use as well. It's certainly different than Crawford, but I love it!

Mercadillo de los Jueves (AKA "The Bum Market")

No visit to Seville is complete without a walk through Mercadillo de los Jueves (the Thursday market). You will find it mentioned in most guide books as an antique market . . . it may have started that way, but it has certainly evolved over time! I have never seen such a selection of items and people in one place. You can find everything from chandelier pieces (my personal favorite) to phone chargers from 1980. It also seems to be a bit of a party for the Seville homeless population! You will often see much more flesh than you might like, as well as experience some unusual smells . . . You can tell it was a successful day when empty liters of Cruz Campo, old shirts, and mismatched shoes line the street! This is a market that some will love (Liz Upton?!) and others will not really enjoy (me!). Regardless, it's worth seeing!

revolvers and chandeliers anyone?

a little bit of everything . . .

chandelier pieces - my favorite!

beautiful old tiles

Another reason why I love Spain!

*Everyone says "hasta luego" when getting out of the elevator. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's definitely different than elevator experiences at home, which are usually deadly silent. I love it!

*The old men! Whether it's one doing a little Sevilla shuffle or calling "Que guapa!" from their car window, I think they are fantastic. My favorite moment so far is when I was trying to fix my bike seat and an old man came up (saying "Que guapa!" of course), pounded my seat into place, and sent me on my way with a "hasta luego." I love Sevilla!

Planning to spend some time in Seville?

Here are some things I think you should know . . . Expect a more detailed list and itinerary before your arrival! (You know how much I love planning :)

• Most stores and restaurants close down during siesta (approximately 4:00-8:00) and on Sundays – be prepared!

• Alimentacions/Chinos = the convenient stores that literally have anything you might need AND stay open during siesta and on Sundays!

• Meal times are drastically different than the US. Plan to have breakfast around 10:00, lunch around 2:30, and dinner around 10:30!

• tapas = small plates, media raciones = half rations, raciones = full rations. If you just want to try something or don’t want too much, order a tapa. If you know you love it, go for a bigger serving.

• tinto de verano = red wine and lemon fanta (delicious and refreshing!)

• Tapas I recommend include: queso de cabra (goat’s cheese, usually baked), patatas bravas (fried potato wedges with a spicy cream sauce), ensalada atun (fresh veggies and tuna salad), queso manchego, croquettes (breaded cheese and meat) – there’s just so many!

• Jamon Serrano (cured ham) is a specialty here. I don’t love it because it’s a bit chewy, but if you’re a fan of meat, definitely try it!

• Spanish in Spain is definitely different than the Spanish I learned in Central and South America. Andalucian Spanish is usually very fast and sounds are dropped out completely! (For example, gracia for gracias, buen dia for buenas dias, etc.) You will also hear vale all the time. It basically means “ok.”

• Make sure you know some basic Spanish phrases before visiting. It’s been a tad embarrassing to hear Americans just saying things in a louder voice when their English isn’t understood!

• Bathrooms are usually called “aseos” or “servicios” here instead of “banos.” (Donde esta los servicios?)

• Fashion is pretty important here – men and women are dressed so well all the time! Don’t plan on wearing sweats and t-shirts around town unless you really want to look like a tourist.

• Since smoking is a big part of the culture and is allowed everywhere, be prepared! I suggest bringing febreeze or the equivalent for clothing.

• Tipping is not expected at all.
  
  
• Finally, be ready for a great time! The lifestyle here is focused around spending time with friends and family over drinks and tapas. You will see people out at all hours – it makes you feel like you’re on vacation all the time! Staying out until 6am isn’t unusual at all . . . Can’t wait to show you around the town!

Money, Money, Money - or lack thereof!

I knew as soon as I made the decision to leave my job in Aurora and move to Spain in hopes of finding a job, that I wasn't really making the wisest of financial choices. I had bought a semi-new car only a year before, had about $17,000 in grad school loans, and still had to pay off a significant amount of money towards a credit card. Although it would have been much wiser financially to stay in Denver, I knew that personally it was the right time to move abroad.

Thank goodness most things have turned out even better than I could have hoped! I found a great job working for a director who really respects her teachers and the job they do. I'm living in Spain - a country with beautiful weather, fascinating history, and some of the best tapas and drinks I've ever tasted. Most importantly, I'm experiencing a culture that values social time with friends and family more than anything else. The majority of people here work in order to live, not live in order to work. Overall, I feel the most relaxed I have in about 8 years!

But, there is one stress that I have never experienced to this extent before - lack of money. Although I've made many poor choices with how I've managed my money over the years, this past week has been the only time where I have actually felt panicked due to not knowing if I would be able to pay my bills from the US, my rent, and actually have enough money to eat. Wow! What a different perspective it is when you only get paid for the hours you work (cancelled classes, holidays, etc. = no money). This means my income is never consistent, even though the majority of my expenses are.

After an hour or two of self-pity followed by much more self-reflection yesterday, I realized that I'm so lucky to have only just now felt this kind of panic, especially in a time where people around the world are feeling it daily. In addition, I'm so lucky to have an amazing network of family and friends who would help me out with no questions asked (thanks, mom and dad!). I'm so grateful that I do have a job and feel that I am being taught a serious lesson about what is actually important in life. I would much rather spend the few extra euros I have on a trip to an undiscovered place or a drink with a friend than a new shirt or pair of jeans (although I desperately want a pair of boots at the moment!).

Needless to say, I'm learning many life lessons at the ripe old age of 29. As I walked around town today, all I could think was how amazing things actually are; I'm living a life that has truly changed my priorities. So, I'll most likely wear my clothes until they have holes in them, not get my hair cut for six months, and consume pasta once a day, but at least I'll be loving my life and learning many lessons along the way . . .

wonderful, but a little strange . . .

Emily headed back to Switzerland today after a wonderful week of visiting! It was SO nice to spend time with someone from home. Although I love my friends here, there's something so nice about old friends - not needing to worry about what is said, feeling able to totally be yourself, and talk about years shared. We spent many hours over coffee, tapas, and drinks reminiscing about Denver, teaching, our travels, and sharing the successes and struggles of our lives abroad. I loved every minute!

However, I have to admit that it was a little strange having a visitor in Spain! With Emily, it immediately felt like we were at 365 S. Williams - sharing stories, getting ready for a night out, etc. Yet, we were obviously in Spain! It felt like vacation, yet I still had to work. The reality is that I'm living here and somewhat scraping by, so I couldn't do some of the things I would normally do while traveling. (I also think the fact that the key to Spanish life is eating and drinking outside with friends made this even more difficult!)

I wanted to spend every day going out and doing something fun and exciting, but that's not how real life is. I amazed by the fact that it still doesn't seem like reality that I'm living here, probably because this reality is unlike any I've had before . . . As Emily noticed, it seems like vacation all the time!

Needless to say, it was a wonderful, wonderful week. I think I was really needing some connection to home, so the timing of Emily's visit was perfect. I wonder if the reality of my life will sink in sometime soon . . . ideally before my next visitors!

My New Favorite Way to Learn Spanish? Bodega Tours!

Emily and I have visited many a winery in our travels together and we continued that tradition in Spain this week! She and I, as well as two other friends, went down to Sanlucar de Barrameda to enjoy a little sunshine, scenery, and sherry! We visited the Barbadillo Bodega and it was one of the best wine tours I've been on. Barbadillo makes a fantastic white wine that I've had in Seville numerous times. They are also known for their manzanilla - a specific type of sherry that can only be made in Sanlucar due to the temperature and humidity of the region. After visiting the bodega's museum and taking many pictures with cardboard cut-outs (who knew a museum could provide so much fun?!), we started our tour. The tour was all in Spanish and our guide did a wonderful job of slowing down, gesturing, and adapting her language for us. I actually felt like I understood about 85% of what was said - it was amazing! After learning lots about the wine and seeing the old church and convent that were converted into the winery, we were able to sample as much as we wanted of the white wine, manzanilla, and desert sherry. It was fantastic! If only I could go on daily tours of bodegas to increase my Spanish abilities . . .

Mercados

In hopes of changing my diet a bit, I stopped at the market a few blocks away. I LOVE the variety of foods there! You can buy everything from cheese and swordfish to fresh flowers and wine. It's relatively inexpensive and a nice change from the store. I will definitely be doing a lot more shopping there in the future. I thought the colorful fruits and vegetables deserved a photo . . . .

My Current Love/Hate Relationships with Seville

As most of you know, I definitely love just about everything in regards to living in Spain. However, there are a few things that I simultaneously love and hate at the same time! At the moment, they include:

*Leisurely Pace of Life*

I love that no one is in a rush and in general everyone takes their time. It forces you to relax, which for someone like me is a really good thing. However, if you ever are in a bit of a hurry (when walking down the street, at a restaurant, or in a store), it can be a little frustrating!

*The Double-Cheek Kiss*

I love that this is the way Spanish people greet and say goodbye to one another. I think it's very warm and personal. Unfortunately, it's my own awkwardness that makes me hate it sometimes! I'm never quite sure if it's going to happen (i.e. greeting other Americans) or where I should put my hand (do I still shake hands? put it on their arm?). Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon!

*Lack of Environmental Awareness*

I'm constantly amazed by how people throw trash on the streets, don't pick up after their dogs (right next to my bedroom window), and urinate everywhere! It's not that everything is dirty, but it could definitely be cleaner - ugh! I suppose I love the street cleaners, who are like none I've ever seen. Almost everything is picked up within 24 hours, but it could so be prevented. The US has definitely got Spain beat on this one!

*Smoking*

There's nothing I love about smoking, but part of me loves the Spanish attitude about it. As a Spanish friend told me, "I'm healthy in all other aspects of my life - smoking is my vice and I love it." This definitely seems to be a consensus in Andalucia - there are tobacco shops everywhere! I hate to be around it (and the way it makes my lungs hurt), but I don't mind it nearly as much as I thought I would.

*Dressed-Up Women*

I love how put-together women look here. They often literally look perfect from head to toe. However, they always look this way! At 8:00 in the morning, at the grocery store, going to the gym. It's a lot of pressure - especially for someone who prefers to dress-down most of the time! Needless to say, no Target cotton shorts are allowed out of the house . . . :)

*The Weather*

I love that it's October and I can still wear shorts and a tank top during the day. People are still enjoying cervecitas on restaurant patios and never need jackets. However, after the hellish heat in August and part of September, I feel very ready for some cooler temperatures. I've never wanted to wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts more! Especially because I know in the US it's fall, football is on, and ski resorts are opening . . .

"Expat Flu" - so true!

Chris sent me a link to this article which I SO identified with! At the moment, I'm definitely stressing about finances (I have enough money for October rent, but will I have enough money to eat?) and have many moments where I miss family, friends, and Indy terribly! Reality has certainly set in that I'm living here, which is absolutely amazing, yet sometimes quite terrifying . . . I was so glad to know that what I've been feeling is quite normal! And I feel lucky that overall, I'm really, really happy. If you've ever considered living abroad, I highly suggest reading this first!

http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/09/why-expats-fail-to-make-a-go-of-a-new-life-abroad/

Barcelona

Four of us went to Barcelona last weekend for two nights and two days of fun. I loved it there! It was actually the first time I've really missed the city of Denver. Barcelona was so green and hilly, which is very different than Seville. The addition of the Mediterranean Sea was pretty fantastic, too! Some things I'll definitely remember include:

*La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell - wow! I've never seen anything like this! Guadi really impressed me.

*Catalon is so different than Castellano! I think I would love living in Barcelona, but not until my Spanish has improved immensely. Trying to interpret two languages would have been a bit much for me right now . . .

*Merce '09 - talk about a crazy festival! Firecrackers, scary monsters, and bandits - and that was just the kids parade! I think it was a great celebration of the end of summer.

*Great nightlife

*Beautiful weather

I will definitely be visiting Barcelona again in the future!

Mi Casa en Sevilla!

Here are some photos of my place in Sevilla. Can't wait to have visitors!

Reason 526 to learn Spanish:

to understand flat mates! It's one thing needing to understand Spanish in order to survive, i.e. take the bus, find a flat, and buy groceries. It's another to not be able to understand conversations. I'm someone who loves to talk about life, experiences, and the day-to-day details, so it gets quite depressing when my lovely flat mates are having a conversation that they are including me in and I can only understand about 50% of what is said and contribute less than 10% myself! I LOVE living with people who use Spanish as the common language, but after a long day, it is really rough for me to communicate at all. Knowing that our newest flatmate speaks better Spanish than the other two (who speak really, really well) means there are going to be many more situations like this one. I think needing Spanish in order to be social is even more motivating to me than needing it for day to day survival! :)

starting to have a routine . . .

It's only been a few days, but I'm beginning to feel like I'm actually starting to have a bit of a routine, and a pretty fabulous one at that! I woke up around 9:00 this morning and actually managed to make a decent cup of coffee - super, super strong, but good. I worked on my lesson plans for my classes tonight (still hoping to get a little more ahead of the game, but not there yet!). I joined "Gimnasio Sevilla" this morning and finally did something other than walking and running, which was a very nice change. (I'm pretty excited to try a pilates class in Spanish on Wednesday!)

Now I'm enjoying some lunch and relaxing before getting ready for class. A group of us is then going out to dinner tonight around 10:30 to celebrate the birthday of some friends. Tomorrow - I'll essentially do it all over again! I think this is a schedule I can handle . . . Although I know it won't (and can't!) last, I must admit that not having to leave for work until 4:30 is kind of amazing! Overall, the Spanish lifestyle is a wonderful one for helping to balance out life and work - something I've struggled with for the past seven years. I could easily become accustomed to this routine . . .

Officially Living in Spain!

From carrying 100lbs. of baggage from one hotel to another, to shower heads flying around, to not understanding anything that was said to me, my blood pressure was definitely much higher than usual this week! However, having survived the past five days, I feel like I can now deal with just about anything!

I moved into my new place yesterday and love it overall. I am currently living with a girl from Amsterdam, a girl from France, and a Spanish girl and her French boyfriend. The common language is definitely Spanish, which I love because it forces me to practice. I definitely don't understand a lot of what is said, but I'm getting by!

The house is coincidentally enough just two streets over from the residence I lived in through CLIC! It's a casa, which means lots of character, as well as a rooftop patio, which I love. I'm currently in a room with it's own bathroom, which is a nice perk, but . . . it also creates some very mildewy smells! I might be moving downstairs, which means giving up in-room A/C, so we'll see . . .

I taught my first class yesterday and it was SO wonderful to be teaching again! It was definitely different and I am looking so forward to this new challenge. I think it's going to be so much fun and I know I will learn so much about language. I'm currently not teaching until 6:00pm, so it's been nice having the day to prepare and relax. I'm looking forward to really getting into a routine.

For the first time, I really feel like I'm living here, which is pretty exciting! Definitely scary at times, but overall, very exciting!

Tostadas - yum!

You will often find people in Seville enjoying tostadas and a cup of cafe con leche for breakfast - I have fallen in love with this tradition myself! My favorite is definitely a tostada con aceite, tomate, y jamon york (bread with olive oil, a crushed tomato spread, and "regular" ham - not the cured serrano kind). It's always a nice treat to have!

This reminds me of why I love Seville . . .

This view isn't a bad one to have when enjoying tapas and sangria! Some girls from my school and I were talking last night about what an amazing job Seville does of respecting and showing off their historical and cultural sights. I love this example!

Living Abroad - not nearly as easy as traveling abroad!

I like to think I never expected living abroad to be easy. However, I've definitely been surprised by just how stressful it can be at times. The following have been the most difficult for me in the past few weeks:

- not understanding about 60% of what is said to me/not being able to express about 60% of what I want to say!

- trying to figure out how much money I have/will be making - will 520 euros a month pay for rent, groceries, a phone, student loans, and credit card payments? not even close . . . making one paycheck last for 8 weeks? not an easy thing to do . . .

- the time difference - it's not so easy to talk to friends and family when it's a 6-8 hour difference!

- the mentality of "i might not be here again, i need to see and do everything possible, regardless of cost" doesn't work at all . . . in reality, there's a lot we don't do because of money. it means we might have to spend the weekend doing not much at all . . .

- living life with amazing people, yet not your best friends who know and understand you. i've met the most kind, mature, wonderful people, yet they can't compare to my best friends because i've only known them a few weeks . . . i'm not completely able to be myself quite yet.

Finding an apartment in Seville . . . definitely not as easy as expected!

Whew - the past few days have been a bit rough for me! I was sure that I would have no problem at all finding a place because everyone else found one in just a few days. Well, after looking at six places in the past week, I´ve discovered it wasn´t going to be as easy for me!

After seeing two places yesterday that were great, except for the fact my bedroom would have been connected to my roommate´s without a door, I was kind of at my breaking point! I think I´ve averaged about three hours of walking daily and have seen all of the main areas of Seville now. This is probably a good thing, but me and my feet are tired!

I had to pack (or throw things in every bag I had!) last night to leave Calle Infantes today. Thanks to my amazing and wonderful parents, I´m spending the next few nights in a hotel. Although my accommodation was really nice these past six weeks, I feel like I am living in luxury now! Air conditioning, full length mirrors, the possibility of actually getting ready because I´m not too hot - it´s amazing! I´m definitely feeling more like myself today.

Being me, I think having apartment finding not going as I had planned was extra stress I wasn´t counting on. (Attempting to understand and speak Spanish over the phone was also a bit more difficult and stressful then expected!) I´ve emailed a lot of people today, but am taking the day off from looking - I just don´t think I can do it. Instead, I hope to start planning for my first classes on Wednesday - they´ve been the farthest thing from my mind these days! However, a few of us plan to watch some college football tonight, which I am SO excited for! A little taste of home will be quite nice . . .

Traveling to Spain? Some things I've learned during the past five weeks . . .

First of all, don't come to Seville in July or August - the heat is just too much! Now that September is here, I've really realized just how much was closed during the past month. The city is definitely coming back to life day by day. It's still hot, but we're starting to get a few cool days.

Be prepared to keep very different hours than you do in the US! You will quickly adapt to staying up until 5am on a weekend night, then taking advantage of a siesta - it's wonderful! Sleeping during the day is something I've never been too great at, but it's so much easier because most places close during the afternoon. I think the Spanish want you to do nothing during this time! :)

Spanish in Spain is definitely different than the Spanish I've learned in Latin America. In Andalucia, they don't use the "th" sound for c and s like they do in other parts of Spain. However, many people speak super-fast and often drop endings from words (i.e. gracia for gracias). I'm looking forward to the day when I can understand all of a Spanish conversation!

"Vale" is used all the time here to mean "okay," which was definitely new for me. I still haven't added it my vocabulary yet! "Guapa/o" is used all the time to mean pretty, handsome, hot, etc. for men and women. You hear this on the street, between friends, everywhere!

There is definitely a lot more I could add to this list, but these are just some of the things I've been thinking about lately!

Life After CELTA

It's hard to believe that I've now been gone for almost five weeks - how quickly time is passing by! I started Spanish classes on Monday and absolutely love them so far. My teacher, Juan de, is fantastic. It is so nice to be thinking, speaking, and listening in Spanish for four hours a day.

Although I feel like I'm picking it up quickly, I am constantly saddened by just how much I don't know. Never before have I had to ask for double-sided color copies, look for jobs, or search for an apartment in Spanish! There is a lot of vocabulary I need these days that I have never needed before. It will be interesting to see what I get myself into in the next week . . . .

Coincidentally enough, my Spanish class happens to be in the same building and on the same floor as my CELTA class! It's been interesting to see the new group of students running up and down the stairs making copies, testing out the SmartBoard, and quickly preparing for lessons. It seems like yesterday that we were running around, planning, and trying to figure out what on earth we had gotten ourselves into!

Now that I have a bit more time, I feel like I'm "taking my life back" (as Akiko would say). I've been able to do a bit of shopping (for things like towels - not so exciting), make healthier meals, enjoy a real siesta, and go running. Life is kind of fantastic!

Now I just have to find a job and an apartment . . . .

Favorite CELTA Sayings

The past few weeks have provided so many great laughs - I hope to remember the moments by posting a few of my favorite here! (Sorry for those of you not in the class - I'm sure these don't seem all that funny!)

*Listen 3 times - all of us

*Every day is the same. I wake up tired, I spend all day tired, I go to bed tired. - James

*Oh yeah - Mike and the class

*Trevor, I'm thirsty - Akiko

*The word for bananas sounds a lot like the word for penises in Thai. You can imagine what I was unknowingly ordering at the market . . . - Mike

*You have a friend named Cristiano and you call him Cris. Cris + ps = crisps - James, attempting to drill the word "crisps" to our elementary students

*Language analysis - the language of love - Akiko

*Kyle's "Owl Hawk" story

*I'm going to express myself through the medium of dance. - James

*LASG - the language analysis study group - Akido, Katie, and I

one chapter ends, and another begins

The past few days have been a little rough - definitely more so than I expected. Although I've only known many of these people for a month, I feel as though it has been so much longer. I guess that's what spending 16+ hours together daily will do! It's been quite sad saying goodbye to everyone and watching people leave our house. I feel lucky that so many people hope to stay in the country, but it definitely won't be quite the same.

I'm really looking forward to starting Spanish class tomorrow - I've never felt more ready to learn a language than I do now! It will be great to meet some new people in a different context. I also think it will help to take my mind off of my lack of job, plans, etc.

The past few days have been another reminder of how exciting, yet how difficult, change can be . . .

Last CELTA Weekend

Whew - what a fun couple of days it has been! We had an impromptu party at our place Thursday night after a few of our students asked if they could stop by. Katie had just taught a lesson about writing invitations and her model had been one for a "Beer Pong" party. So . . . we of course had to pick up some supplies to make this happen! It was pretty hilarious introducing some of our students to "American" drinking games. Flip cup was the biggest hit! The party started to wind down around 4:00, due to some neighbors complaining. However, around 7:30 I was woken up by our (very drunk) student Alex opening my door calling, "Hola, Jenny!" He and his friend wanted to know where the party was - they were a bit disappointed to learn it had ended a few hours before . . . Spanish time is definitely a bit different than it is in the US!

On Friday, our tutors took all 20 of us out for an amazing lunch at a Cuban restaurant. It was so nice to relax and talk together over drinks and amazing food. Most of us went home for a siesta before getting ready to go out on the town for drinks and dancing. After hanging out Ingrid and Steph's place, we headed to Buddha Bar around 2:00am. It was so fun to be in a "discoteque" and dancing!

Saturday some of us enjoyed hanging out at Katie's parents' hotel - in the rooftop pool. It was a wonderful way to stay out of the 105 degree heat! Her parents then treated a group of us to dinner at the pizzeria by our house, which was so thoughtful of them. It was SO nice to be around parents for a few hours - I think we have all been missing ours a little bit!

Overall, it's been a great last weekend. I can't believe the course is over!

A Very Spanish Weekend

What a wonderful weekend! After finishing up our third week of class, we were all excited to celebrate and see something other than the CLIC building.

On Friday, we went to La Carboneria to see a live flamenco show. It was amazing! The place started out empty (we should have known not to arrive early), but by 11:30 it was full of people. We enjoyed some sangria and cervezas and watched a very impressive show. In this performance, there was a guitar player, a singer, and a dancer. Flamenco is pretty passionate music - the singer looked to be in agony at times when he was playing! The dancer was unbelievable. I've never seen someone move their feet so quickly and for such a long amount of time! I absolutely loved the show - the rhythmic beat, the guitar, and the Spanish feel were so great to see in person - check out the video below!

On Saturday, seven of us took the train to Cadiz for the day. It was so nice to go someplace new and see more of Spain. Cadiz is questionably the oldest city in Europe; it's said to have been founded around 800 BC by the Phonecians. Today, it's known as "The Smiling City" and many Spaniards spend their summers on the beaches there. We walked around until finding a very crowded beach that seemed the place to be. I couldn't believe how tan most people were (or how much skin they exposed)! We relaxed in the sun for awhile, then decided to enjoy some shade, tapas, and a drink. After some more time in the sun, we walked around the city to see the cathedral, old watchtowers, and other buildings - such beautiful architecture. We happened upon an artisan market that was going on, which I loved! There is so much Moroccan/Muslim influence in Cadiz. This could be seen in the robes men were wearing, the food and spices, the music, and the jewelry that was being sold. After some more tapas, we hopped on the last train to Seville for a two hour ride back home. It was a great day!

I have one week left of class, then start Spanish classes. Although I'm looking forward to class ending, I'm sad for this chapter to be over. I've met so many great friends this month that I know I will really miss. Hopefully, we'll manage to spread ourselves out over Spain and provide a great reason for weekend trips . . .

Week 2

Wow - I can't believe I've been in Seville for two weeks already! How quickly the time is melting! This past week at school was pretty crazy - planning for two lessons (which involves analyzing language for meaning, form, and pronunciation - never as easy as it seems it might be!), lots of lectures, and a paper. Two girls in my house (Carmen and Akiko) didn't even sleep Tuesday night! Needless to say, we were quite grateful when the weekend got here. Unfortunately, I think next week will be even busier . . .

Overall, I've been SO happy with the course. It's been really challenging learning so much about language, which I love. We have two fantastic tutors - they are so knowledgeable. On Monday, I'll be teaching a new group - "elementary" students. They are basically beginning English speakers. I've been working with intermediate students for the past two weeks and they were so much fun. However, I'm really looking forward to the beginner group - I think it will remind me a lot of my prior teaching. I have to continue working on speaking slower and enunciating more carefully - apparently students have a much harder time understanding Americans because they're more used to British accents!

We invited the rest of our teaching group over last night for drinks on our rooftop. 17 of the 20 were there, which made for a really fun night. It was so great to talk to everyone outside of school. I'm constantly amazed by how many cool experiences people have had, usually at a young age, too. I feel really lucky to be surrounded by such great people.

I think we'll just be hanging out in Seville today. There was talk of heading down to Cadiz - a town on the coast, but we decided against it. (Making plans after quite a few glasses of wine never seems to work out too well!) Hopefully we'll make it there next weekend - I really want to start seeing some more of this country. (Trying to save money and having lots of work to do definitely slows down those plans a bit!) It's SO hot here today and sounds like it will be in the 100s all week, so I'm sure we'll be taking advantage of all the air conditioning we can.

I'm working on updating my CV (resume) and hoping to apply for some jobs in the next few weeks. It's a bit stressful to think about, so I try not to spend too much time doing so! If only Spain was more accepting of American teachers without work visas . . . Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Some Top 5s as of Today

The Top 5 Things I'm Loving in Spain

1. tapas

2. that you always order beer as "una cerveza" and take whatever is on tap

3. late hours

4. relaxed pace of life

5. the history

The Top 3 Things I'm Not Loving in Spain

1. smoking being allowed everywhere

2. the 100+ degree heat in Seville

3. all of the cured meats/hanging legs of ham

The Top 5 Phrases I've Learned and Love (from our UK friends)

1. Have a go = Try it

2. I'm having kittens = I'm stressed out

3. proper good = really good

4. Stop faffing around = Stop wasting time

5. Have a better go = Try it again

First Weekend in Seville

It’s been a wonderful weekend and the thought of heading back to class tomorrow is not a welcome one at the moment! This might be due to the endless lesson plans and papers I seem to have been working on today . . .

Friday night we went out for tapas as planned. The best one I’ve had so far has to be baked goat cheese with caramelized onions. It was amazing! After sampling all sorts of Andalucian foods and drinks, we headed to Alameda de Hercules to enjoy some sangria. Along the way, I ran into some students from our class! They joined us for a mix of English and Spanish practice, as well as a few drinks. We stopped at a few more places, just checking out Seville. It was great. By the end of the night, we attempted to find some place to go dancing. Although we found a few places, they cost 30 euros to get in!! Needless to say, we opted to head home. Considering it was 4:30am, I think this was a good choice! Overall, it was a great first night out.

Yesterday we went to the market to pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. We bought six fillets of swordfish for 6 euros! The selection and prices were amazing. We also went for about a three hour walk to explore the city some more. We stopped at Plaza de Espana, which is one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen. The detail in the tiles, floors, ceilings, and arches was just amazing to me.

After all that walking, a nap was definitely in order. Kyle and Lara prepared a delicious meal of swordfish, rice, and vegetables, which we enjoyed with wine on the rooftop. The weather has been fabulous this weekend – I was actually chilly sitting on the roof last night! Hopefully that will continue through the week.

I suppose it’s time to get back to work . . . More details to follow!

One week down . . .

Well, I've survived my first week of CELTA training! Class is going really well. I love learning more about teaching - it really is an endless topic! I think I will be quite sad to leave our intermediate students. We're working with a group of 14, many of whom are in their mid to late 20s. The majority of our class is unemployed - it's amazing to see how the economy has affected so many people. These students are so motivated to learn English and don't hesitate to ask questions - model learners! They are also quite entertaining! One of my students, Alfonso, recently offered to take me on a bicycle tour of Seville so I could see the sights and practice my Spanish. He seemed a bit surprised when I didn't immediately write down his number! I told him I might after I knew him a bit better, which didn't stop him from asking again! Maybe next week . . . one has to love the forwardness of men in Spain!

It feels as though I've been in Seville (and the CLiC language center) for much longer than week - but in a really good way. It seems as though time just melts here. That's the only word we've been able to come up with that really describes it. We've already slipped into the Andalucian routine: late mornings, late meals, and late nights. We're lucky enough to have a roof top patio at our place and there are 4-6 of us who spend every night up there cooling off, eating dinner, having a few drinks, and learning more about each other. It's wonderful. I'm looking forward to going out with my household tonight for tapas (I've not had nearly enough Spanish food yet!) and a chance to explore Seville. I'll be sure to take some pictures!

Teaching Time

Whew! The CELTA facilitators weren’t joking when they said we’d be teaching right away! I taught my first lesson today to a group of intermediate speakers. Although I was super nervous, it went really well. It’s amazing how much planning for a language lesson for adults is so similar to planning for my elementary students, yet so different. I think the fact that there were 15 adults as my students (many around my age), combined with having a group of my peers watching, is what made things a bit stressful. However, I think it’s good that they throw us right into it so we don’t have a lot of time to over-plan and worry constantly. I’ll be teaching a 45 minute lesson on Thursday (about present continuous verbs – what?!) and two 60 minute lessons next week. I must admit that my head is spinning a bit the more I learn about English grammar, and try to communication in Spanish outside of school . . . It’s been a great challenge so far – I kind of love being back in school while teaching at the same time! (You can see where the planning happens in the pictures of my room above!)

It’s been great meeting everyone in the program here. There are currently two CELTA courses occurring, each with 10 students and 2 teachers. In my class, there are two people from England, one from Wales, one from Japan, one from Spain, and five of us from the US (representing LA, San Diego, New York, Chicago, and Denver). Of the ten of us, seven of us are living in the same complex, which is really nice. Many of the students are hoping to find work in Spain after the course, so it might become a bit competitive! On the positive side, this also means I might have some potential roommates . . .

I’m quickly adjusting to our routine here – it’s pretty fantastic! A typical day seems to be: go to school around 9:00, teach, coffee break at 10:30, teach, another break at 12:00, class, lunch at 2:15 (I’ve learned to make sure I have plenty to eat before this time!), class, head home around 6:00, plan for the next day, have dinner around 10:30, go to bed around midnight. It’s definitely a different time schedule, but I like it. A group of us went out for tapas and drinks Sunday night and the streets were packed with families at 11:30pm! As Carmen, a Spanish woman and one of my roommates, said, “Spaniards live to be outside, eating and drinking.” My response was, “I’m meant to live here!”

Sevilla So Far . . .

Well it´s been about 24 hours now, and besides the heat, I love everything about Sevilla so far! I got into town with no problems at all. However, finding my apartment was another story! No one I talked to, pedestrians and cab drivers alike, had ever heard of Calle Infantes. With the way that no streets run parallel or perpencicular and many don´t have names posted, it´s no wonder I struggled to find it. (As difficult as it´s been to find my way around, the narrowness, cobblestones, and bright colors of the streets are lovely and very reminiscent of Valporaiso, Chile - I love them!)

After 30 minutes of walking around with 100lbs. of baggage in 100 degree weather, I gave up and got a cab. We spent another 30 minutes driving around attempting to find the place! It was all worth it though when Angel (the cab driver) carried my bags down the street to my apartment door, gave me his number in case I need another ride, and kissed both my cheeks!

My room is really nice - small, yet comfortable. I´m very glad I couldn´t pack any more - I don´t think it would have fit anywhere! There´s no air conditioning, which I expected. Surprisingly, sleeping in 90 degree temperatures (according to my Brookstone clock) wasn´t bad at all. A good thing, considering I´ll be doing so for the next 6 weeks!

I´ve spent the day exploring the city and being constantly amazed at what I see. The buildings are so old and ornate; the cathedral I visited today was unlike anything I´ve ever seen - huge, elaborate, and containing the tomb of Christopher Columbus!! I enjoyed a late lunch of tapas (a plate of manchego with crackers and a plate of chicken curry) along with dos cervezas. I LOVE how so much is centered around eating, drinking, and relaxing here - it´s amazing. I also see why siestas and late dinners are necessary! I also feel like my Spanish is quickly coming along - with so few people to speak English to, there´s no choice but to practice!

I´m looking forward to meeting people at class tomorrow, as well as learning some more about the city and logistics of my stay . . . And now I must attempt to find my way back home - thank goodness I only have one small bag with me today! I think a stop for some coffee might be necessary . . .

Less than 24 hours!

I can hardly believe it, but I will be on a plane to Europe in less than 24 hours! The past week has been productive, exhausting, emotional, and exciting - all at the same time. Liz and Linsey put together an amazing going away party for me on Saturday! It was so fun to be surrounded by almost all of my favorite people at the same time. Meredith, one of my old roommates, made a surprise visit which made the weekend even better. It was so wonderful to see family, old friends, new friends, and co-workers meeting one another - I feel so lucky for all of the amazing people I have in my life.

I had a great dinner with Liz and Linsey last night at one of our favorite places - City o' City. Along with fantastic food and conversation, they gave me some great gifts. My favorite had to be the best friend heart necklaces (yes - they still make them!) that Lauren, Liz, Linsey, and I will be sharing. I know I'm putting off the inevitable, but I won't be saying goodbye to those two until tomorrow . . . .

After weeks (months?) of preparing for this trip, eating and drinking way more than necessary, saying goodbye too many times to count, and a night of sleeping on couch cushions at my parents' place, I must admit that I'm ready to go. I'm tired of anticipating the adventure - I'm ready to begin it! And in less than 24 hours, I will . . .

packed and ready to go . . . well, almost!

With the help of my BF Liz, I feel much closer to being prepared to leave in a week! Liz helped me decide which items were worth taking, as well as what could go together to look a bit more "professional." As expected, she was full of ideas! This whole concept of dressing up for work is a bit foreign to me - I've really enjoyed the more comfortable dress code of elementary teaching! At least I now have a few ideas for what items I need to pick up before leaving. The big question is whether or not all of the things we picked out will actually fit into a backpack and a suitcase . . . Thanks for your help, Liz!

10 more days . . .

Wow - I can hardly believe it, but in just ten days, I will be leaving for Spain!! Luckily, the excitement I was feeling at home has continued since being back in Denver. I've been having so much fun (see 4th of July and fourteener pics), but still feel so ready for this adventure to start.

Emily left today for Switzerland - I can't wait to hear about the start of her adventure. Megan is moving out tomorrow, so it will soon be just Indy and I at 365 S. Williams. As I look around our house that is full of boxes and in a state of disarray, it's definitely evident that a change is coming!

My to-do list is slowly shrinking and my pile of things to take with me is quickly growing. I'm looking forward to my parents arriving on Thursday - I know they'll be a huge help!

Back Home Again in Indiana

As I spend my last day in Indiana, amid thunderstorms, humidity, and my fantastic family, I must say that this trip was exactly what I needed. Although I had been anxious about leaving Denver because of the one million things I felt I needed to get done, being here has actually made me feel really productive.

I've made a number of phone calls (without using my daytime minutes) regarding insurance, loans, and bank accounts - who knew actually leaving the country was so difficult?! My parents have been so great about helping me to prioritize and think about what else I need to do - they are truly amazing. I now feel much more ready to get back to Denver and get things taken care of. (Although the thought of packing up an entire house is still a tad overwhelming!)

Most importantly, I think spending a few days away from Denver has actually helped me to feel excited about this adventure again. I've been having so much fun with friends and enjoying Colorado so much these past few weeks that the majority of my emotions have centered around feeling really sad about leaving everything I love . . . After a few days away and discussing so many of my plans with my family, I've been reminded of why I decided to take this step in the first place. Although it's still bittersweet, the excitement is definitely outweighing the sadness. Let's hope that continues when I get back to Denver!

School's Out for the Summer!

Wow - it's so hard to believe, but I finished my teaching career at Crawford Elementary School today! While cleaning up my room, moving furniture, and packing up the items I couldn't bear to part with (my kiwi, personal classroom library books, my "Miss Killion" name plate), the past seven years were definitely on my mind.

I so vividly remember my first day and the feeling that even with four years of preparation, I had no idea what I was doing, yet still loved every minute of it! Reflecting on the past seven years, I'm happy to say that I still believe teaching is the greatest job ever, kids will surprise you and make you laugh every single day, and that I still often feel as though I don't know what I'm doing (although I now know where to look and who to talk to in order to find answers!). I know teaching will forever be one of my greatest passions.

As I hugged my summer school students goodbye and did the final check of my room, all I could think of was how grateful I am that I'm leaving my first real job with nothing but the best of memories - memories of wonderful co-workers who have become even more amazing friends, of students who have overcome so much, made me so proud, and taught me so many things and of how much I have learned about literacy, teaching, and learning.

I said goodbye to room 41 and Crawford Elementary with a smile on my face - grateful for the memories and excited for my next adventure that lays ahead . . .

The International House in Seville

Check out this link to see where I'll be taking classes. It looks like a pretty amazing place!

http://www.clic.es/

6 weeks and counting!

Now that Liz's wedding is over, it's hit me that I really am leaving soon! That was the last big event I really had to think about before the reality of my move. It was such a fun week with my best friends - bittersweet as always. I feel as though I'm definitely on a bit of an emotional roller coaster these days, moving from excitement to anxiety to sadness back to excitement every few minutes!

I started Spanish classes this week and that definitely made me excited - it's hard to believe that I will be immersed in Spanish soon. Although I have a feeling my brain will be ready to explode, I love knowing that someday soon I'll really be able to communicate en espanol . . . That's about as much preparation as I've done at the moment. The thought of cleaning and packing is a bit overwhelming right now - once summer school is over, I'll really be able to start preparing a bit more. More updates to follow!