I don't really have too much to report from my side of the pond but I wanted to share with you all this little jem that I learned last night in one of my classes.
In England they call bachlorette parties "Hen Parties." Yes, that's right. As in a chicken. Our topic for the night was Special Occasions and I was asking them to give some examples of special occasions. After one student said a funeral was a special occasion (seriously, she did) another student said "Hen Parties." At first, I didn't think I had heard her correctly so I asked her to say it again. Yup, she had said Hen Parties. I just started laughing because I had no idea what a Hen Party was but it sounded hilarious. They then explained to me that it is what we call a Bachlorette Party. I could not stop laughing. I probably laughed for a good 2-3 minutes. Then I asked what they call Bachelor Parties and in England they call them "Stag Parties." I've always thought that the Brits were crazy but now I'm completely convinced.
Oh, and they also call silverware "cutlery."
Sometimes I feel like I should be sitting in a desk and not standing at the front of the class.
Also, for all of you who don't remember what San Sebastian looks like or have never seen pictures, I will post some below. I haven't taken too many photos since I've been here only because I have about 500 photos of the city already. This past weekend I did take a couple photos and I'll get them up here ASAP.
Ok, so apparently it won't let me up-load any photos today so I'll try to get to it tomorrow.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
1 week down...30 to go!
I completed my first full week of teaching on Wednesday night and the feeling was quite fulfilling. I was completed exhausted at the end of the day but I felt so accomplished that I couldn't wait for Monday to come and do it all over again. I only have class 3 days a week (Monday-Wednesday). Monday I have class from 7-9 pm and then Tuesday and Wednesday I am at the school all day. I have 11 classes in all and each class lasts for 1 hour. So that means I am only really working 11 hours a week! Yes, you can all be jealous.
I have a little prep-work outside of class but my teachers prepare basically everything for me. I just have to show up and execute the lesson. But there are a lot of other things that I want to do and teach so I'll do those on my own. I have come up with some different things using music and articles from magazines and TV shows but haven't figured out all the details yet. Not next week but the following week I am going to do something for Halloween. Right now I am searching for a pumpkin to carve and bring to class. Wish me luck!
I have almost 300 students and only see them for 1 hour each week so it's really hard to remember their names and to which class I have told certain things. I mostly remember the student's faces but only have been able to remember about 10 names so far. A handful of my students have been to The States and one even studied in Reno this past summer. It's really fun to get to teach them about Nevada or the U.S. I brought a map of the U.S. with me to each class to show them where Nevada is and I asked them if any of them knew where the state is. I have gotten the correct answer (Next to California) quite a few times but then I have also heard that it's next to Nebraska or Colorado or Texas. I just smile and show them the map.
My students also range in age from 16 to 60-something years old. It creates a really interesting dynamic in the classroom. I've noticed that a lot of the younger students will let the older ones talk over them and sometimes just don't say anything at all. So I really have to try to get them to talk and ask questions to them directly. Some of the students (especially the boys) just stare at me. I don't know if it's a good thing or not yet. Most of the time I don't want to even know what they are thinking.
I am the first American that has ever come to the school so it's been challenging for them and for me. They have learned or been taught British English their entire lives so it can be really difficult for me. For example, in one of the higher level classes I was helping them with a worksheet and after answering a couple questions I realized that I was telling them the wrong answers. The answer key was at the bottom of the paper and I had to look at it to see what the correct answers were. To me, what I was telling them was corect but in British English it was wrong. It's really hard for them also because they are accostumed to a British accent and I have a very American accent. I have to remember to slow down when I talk and really chew my words so that they can understand me. Some of the students have told me that I am the first American person they have ever spoken with. It's incredibly flattering and scary all at the same time.
In the intermediate classes this week we did a survey about physical appearances and if the students take pride in their appearance and if they are vain or not. It was very similar to the kind of survey that you would find in "Cosmopolitan" or a magazine like that. After they took the survey they got into little groups to discuss their answers and the description at the bottom of the page. I then went around to all the groups to listen to their findings and answer questions. I had to try to explain what "grunge" means and the expression "It won't do you any harm!" It was much harder than I ever imagined. In one of my classes I had a student (a male probably in his 40s) tell me that he thinks I am a very vain person! I started laughing and told him that he could think that as long as he gave me a vaild reason why. He just said something about how I am always very put together when they see me and that he could tell that I was someone who cared a lot about my physical appearance. I thought it was hilarious because I am probably the least vain person I know. Most days I run around in flip-flops with my hair in a pony-tail and no make-up. But I do dress-up more to go to class so I can understand a little why he would think that. It still makes me laugh just thinking about it.
In other news, I have found a couple other little jobs to earn some extra cash. I am going to tutor an American girl in the USAC program for Spanish and then give English lessons to a 12 year old girl in a suburb of San Sebastian. It'll bring in a little more cash and probably pay for groceries each week...by far the biggest expense I have here other than rent. I also had an interview at a different language school in Irun on Friday. It went really well and they want to hire me. I am still trying to figure out if I can even work here at another company being a foreigner and all. Hopefully this coming week or the next I can get everything figured out.
That's about all the new stuff that has been happening here. It's a lot...I know. I'm sure once I get into more of a routine life will be a lot less exciting. Hope everyone is well back on the USA. I miss you all lots and lots.
I have a little prep-work outside of class but my teachers prepare basically everything for me. I just have to show up and execute the lesson. But there are a lot of other things that I want to do and teach so I'll do those on my own. I have come up with some different things using music and articles from magazines and TV shows but haven't figured out all the details yet. Not next week but the following week I am going to do something for Halloween. Right now I am searching for a pumpkin to carve and bring to class. Wish me luck!
I have almost 300 students and only see them for 1 hour each week so it's really hard to remember their names and to which class I have told certain things. I mostly remember the student's faces but only have been able to remember about 10 names so far. A handful of my students have been to The States and one even studied in Reno this past summer. It's really fun to get to teach them about Nevada or the U.S. I brought a map of the U.S. with me to each class to show them where Nevada is and I asked them if any of them knew where the state is. I have gotten the correct answer (Next to California) quite a few times but then I have also heard that it's next to Nebraska or Colorado or Texas. I just smile and show them the map.
My students also range in age from 16 to 60-something years old. It creates a really interesting dynamic in the classroom. I've noticed that a lot of the younger students will let the older ones talk over them and sometimes just don't say anything at all. So I really have to try to get them to talk and ask questions to them directly. Some of the students (especially the boys) just stare at me. I don't know if it's a good thing or not yet. Most of the time I don't want to even know what they are thinking.
I am the first American that has ever come to the school so it's been challenging for them and for me. They have learned or been taught British English their entire lives so it can be really difficult for me. For example, in one of the higher level classes I was helping them with a worksheet and after answering a couple questions I realized that I was telling them the wrong answers. The answer key was at the bottom of the paper and I had to look at it to see what the correct answers were. To me, what I was telling them was corect but in British English it was wrong. It's really hard for them also because they are accostumed to a British accent and I have a very American accent. I have to remember to slow down when I talk and really chew my words so that they can understand me. Some of the students have told me that I am the first American person they have ever spoken with. It's incredibly flattering and scary all at the same time.
In the intermediate classes this week we did a survey about physical appearances and if the students take pride in their appearance and if they are vain or not. It was very similar to the kind of survey that you would find in "Cosmopolitan" or a magazine like that. After they took the survey they got into little groups to discuss their answers and the description at the bottom of the page. I then went around to all the groups to listen to their findings and answer questions. I had to try to explain what "grunge" means and the expression "It won't do you any harm!" It was much harder than I ever imagined. In one of my classes I had a student (a male probably in his 40s) tell me that he thinks I am a very vain person! I started laughing and told him that he could think that as long as he gave me a vaild reason why. He just said something about how I am always very put together when they see me and that he could tell that I was someone who cared a lot about my physical appearance. I thought it was hilarious because I am probably the least vain person I know. Most days I run around in flip-flops with my hair in a pony-tail and no make-up. But I do dress-up more to go to class so I can understand a little why he would think that. It still makes me laugh just thinking about it.
In other news, I have found a couple other little jobs to earn some extra cash. I am going to tutor an American girl in the USAC program for Spanish and then give English lessons to a 12 year old girl in a suburb of San Sebastian. It'll bring in a little more cash and probably pay for groceries each week...by far the biggest expense I have here other than rent. I also had an interview at a different language school in Irun on Friday. It went really well and they want to hire me. I am still trying to figure out if I can even work here at another company being a foreigner and all. Hopefully this coming week or the next I can get everything figured out.
That's about all the new stuff that has been happening here. It's a lot...I know. I'm sure once I get into more of a routine life will be a lot less exciting. Hope everyone is well back on the USA. I miss you all lots and lots.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Photos...Finally
I am really not in the mood to write on my blog so I figured this is a perfect opportunity to add some photos. I'll try to write more more tomorrow when I have recovered a little more from the last week. Enjoy the photos!
This is the view from the balcony of my kitchen. This is one of the most popular streets in my neighborhood (La Parte Vieja). My roommates tease me because I am always on the balcony watching the people below but there is always so much action. I love it.
This is the kitchen where I spend way too much time. My new favorite dish to make is beans and rice Carribean style.
The view of the balcony I am always on.
The shelves and desk in my room where I keep everything.
My bed and "closet."
The front room
The English Department" at the school.
La Escuela Oficial de Idiomas en Irun (The school where I teach.)
That's about all I have for now. Once I get more time I'll get some more up.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Today I went to Vitoria for a reception from the Basque Government welcoming all the Language Assistants. I went with two of the professors from my school and we left at 8:45 am. This meant that I had to get up a good 2 hours earlier than I had been waking up for the last week. I wasn't really in the mood to go when we left so I just slept for the hour it took us to get there. When we got there we had a little presentation from some very important people (or so it appeared). It's really interesting here in Spain the presentations that they give us. In Madrid it was a bunch of information that I can survive without or information that didn't pertain to us at all. Today was no exception. Their only saving grace was that the power point presentation was written in English. Otherwise I would not have heard a word they were saying. At the end of the presentation the VIPs were telling us how seriously we need to take our job and how it is completely unprofessional to be friends with any of the students. It was quite interesting to me because that is the one thing that I wanted to get out of this experience. But maybe that comment was directed more to the people who are working with high school age kids. I really don't know.
After the presentation we have a little reception with pinchos (tapas) and drinks. That was the best part because they served us wine, beer or soda at 11:30 in the morning. The pinchos were pretty good (some better than others) but it was nice to talk with everyone. All the language assistants were there and a lot of the teachers/professors from the various schools. Everyone loved the professors that we have in Irun and wanted to switch schools with us. It's nice to be envied!
After everything was done we went to a little bar and had another drink and some more pinchos. This was probably the best part because it was just hanging out and talking and laughing. All the professors from my school are so much fun, so I have a really good time just talking to them and learning about them.
Then we came back to Donostia. All the professors had to go to Irun for class but since we don't have to work this week I went home. I got a letter and picture that Elliott (my nephew) had drawn for me. Very cute. It's also good to know that the postal service will deliver my mail to me.
Have some errands to do now so I gotta go. It's also not raining so I want to take full advantage of that.
Besos y abrazos.
After the presentation we have a little reception with pinchos (tapas) and drinks. That was the best part because they served us wine, beer or soda at 11:30 in the morning. The pinchos were pretty good (some better than others) but it was nice to talk with everyone. All the language assistants were there and a lot of the teachers/professors from the various schools. Everyone loved the professors that we have in Irun and wanted to switch schools with us. It's nice to be envied!
After everything was done we went to a little bar and had another drink and some more pinchos. This was probably the best part because it was just hanging out and talking and laughing. All the professors from my school are so much fun, so I have a really good time just talking to them and learning about them.
Then we came back to Donostia. All the professors had to go to Irun for class but since we don't have to work this week I went home. I got a letter and picture that Elliott (my nephew) had drawn for me. Very cute. It's also good to know that the postal service will deliver my mail to me.
Have some errands to do now so I gotta go. It's also not raining so I want to take full advantage of that.
Besos y abrazos.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
So yesterday when I was up-dating my blog I was trying to remember what I wanted to post on here. Of course, when I got home I remembered a couple more things that I was going to tell about. Just a few little stories that are funny and add to my experiences here in Spain.
After I had arrived in Madrid and had been at the hotel and conference for 3 days and still didn't have my luggage, I had to go back to the airport to track down my suitcases. I went with my friend Teresa who is now in Santiago de Compostela because she was catching a flight from Madrid to Santiago. So we get a taxi from the hotel and we start talking to the taxi driver and we tell him that we are from the States and that we are going to be teaching English. He asks where we were are going to stationed at and she tells him Santiago and I say The Basque Country. He immediately starts in on how beautiful Santiago is and how wonderful the city is...blah, blah, blah. Then he starts telling us how much better Santiago is than San Sebastian and how her experience is going to be so much better. Once again, blah, blah, blah. I tried telling him that San Sebastian is a beautiful city and there is so much to do there. He doesn't want to hear a word I am saying and just keeps going on about how wonderful Santiago is. The part we didn't tell him is that Teresa is 1/2 Basque and desperately wanted to go to the Basque Country. I'm sure he would have stopped the car on the side of the freeway and thrown us both out of the car. This shows the kind of attitude and opinion the rest of Spain (especially Madrid) has about the Basque Country.
Then when Mylene and I were out apartment hunting we found this apartment to go look out. We went and saw the place and it was nice and the room for rent was big and the roommate seemed pretty nice. We were getting ready to leave and the guy started asking us what we were doing here in Spain and we told him we are working in Irun at the Language School. He asked us where we were from and Mylene told him France and I say The United States. He then starts telling me how in the United States we don't speak real English. He says that the English we speak is something completley different and that only British people speak real English. I didn't really know what to say so I mumbled something about us using lots of slang and just that it's different but still English. He didn't want to hear much about that so I just stopped talking and let Mylene do the rest.
And then on Thursday of last week, Mylene and I had gone to the Police Station to try to obtain our foreigner cards and were taking a rest on this park bench. I had woken up late that morning and didn't have time to eat breakfast so I had bought an orange at the market and decided to eat it. I was peeling the orange and dropping the peelings on the ground, which I have seen many Spanish people do. There were about a hundred birds around that I'm sure were going to eat the pieces I had thrown on the ground but the looks I was getting from people were horrendous. You would have thought that I was eating my first born child by the looks people were giving me. Apparently in Spain it's ok to let your children urinate in public places (park, sidewalk, playground) but not put your biodegradable orange peels on the ground.
These are a few examples of how Spanish/Basque people are just crazy. It took me a long time to get used to people here just saying whatever they want and it's something I have to get used to again. Spain makes me have a thicker skin. But I also feel that if they can just say whatever/do they want, I can do the same.
On Monday two very important things happened:
1. Monday was the first day that I actually really enjoyed here in Spain. It was the first day that I felt comfortable being here and confident in my decision to be move here again. I don't know exactly what it was that made me have this feeling but I liked it alot.
2. Monday morning I got up and took a shower and decided that I was actually going to blow-dry my hair and straighten it for the first time since I left the States. I got my little converter set and plugged it in and everything worked great. I have two settings on my converter-high and low. For the blow-dryer I had it on high because it has a higher wattage. After I blow-dried my hair (which took forever) I plugged in my straightner. I started to straighten my hair and then I notice a burning smell. I didn't think too much of it ( I just thought maybe something had gotten on the straightner) and continued straightening my hair. About 15 seconds pass and then I realize that my straightner is really hot and that it's my hair that is making the horrible stench. I put down my straightner and realize I have torched a huge section of my hair. Completely fried. Crispy...just like chicken. I thought that maybe I could cover it up a bit because it wasn't the top layer of hair. And I think that for Monday it was fine. But then I was just sitting here catching up on some e-mails and ran my fingers through my hair and realized that it's more than I thought. The humidity here in San Sebastian is unbelievable and my hair was already frizzy enough but I managed to add a whole other level to the disaster that I call hair. I'm going right now to buy some deep conditioner.
After I had arrived in Madrid and had been at the hotel and conference for 3 days and still didn't have my luggage, I had to go back to the airport to track down my suitcases. I went with my friend Teresa who is now in Santiago de Compostela because she was catching a flight from Madrid to Santiago. So we get a taxi from the hotel and we start talking to the taxi driver and we tell him that we are from the States and that we are going to be teaching English. He asks where we were are going to stationed at and she tells him Santiago and I say The Basque Country. He immediately starts in on how beautiful Santiago is and how wonderful the city is...blah, blah, blah. Then he starts telling us how much better Santiago is than San Sebastian and how her experience is going to be so much better. Once again, blah, blah, blah. I tried telling him that San Sebastian is a beautiful city and there is so much to do there. He doesn't want to hear a word I am saying and just keeps going on about how wonderful Santiago is. The part we didn't tell him is that Teresa is 1/2 Basque and desperately wanted to go to the Basque Country. I'm sure he would have stopped the car on the side of the freeway and thrown us both out of the car. This shows the kind of attitude and opinion the rest of Spain (especially Madrid) has about the Basque Country.
Then when Mylene and I were out apartment hunting we found this apartment to go look out. We went and saw the place and it was nice and the room for rent was big and the roommate seemed pretty nice. We were getting ready to leave and the guy started asking us what we were doing here in Spain and we told him we are working in Irun at the Language School. He asked us where we were from and Mylene told him France and I say The United States. He then starts telling me how in the United States we don't speak real English. He says that the English we speak is something completley different and that only British people speak real English. I didn't really know what to say so I mumbled something about us using lots of slang and just that it's different but still English. He didn't want to hear much about that so I just stopped talking and let Mylene do the rest.
And then on Thursday of last week, Mylene and I had gone to the Police Station to try to obtain our foreigner cards and were taking a rest on this park bench. I had woken up late that morning and didn't have time to eat breakfast so I had bought an orange at the market and decided to eat it. I was peeling the orange and dropping the peelings on the ground, which I have seen many Spanish people do. There were about a hundred birds around that I'm sure were going to eat the pieces I had thrown on the ground but the looks I was getting from people were horrendous. You would have thought that I was eating my first born child by the looks people were giving me. Apparently in Spain it's ok to let your children urinate in public places (park, sidewalk, playground) but not put your biodegradable orange peels on the ground.
These are a few examples of how Spanish/Basque people are just crazy. It took me a long time to get used to people here just saying whatever they want and it's something I have to get used to again. Spain makes me have a thicker skin. But I also feel that if they can just say whatever/do they want, I can do the same.
On Monday two very important things happened:
1. Monday was the first day that I actually really enjoyed here in Spain. It was the first day that I felt comfortable being here and confident in my decision to be move here again. I don't know exactly what it was that made me have this feeling but I liked it alot.
2. Monday morning I got up and took a shower and decided that I was actually going to blow-dry my hair and straighten it for the first time since I left the States. I got my little converter set and plugged it in and everything worked great. I have two settings on my converter-high and low. For the blow-dryer I had it on high because it has a higher wattage. After I blow-dried my hair (which took forever) I plugged in my straightner. I started to straighten my hair and then I notice a burning smell. I didn't think too much of it ( I just thought maybe something had gotten on the straightner) and continued straightening my hair. About 15 seconds pass and then I realize that my straightner is really hot and that it's my hair that is making the horrible stench. I put down my straightner and realize I have torched a huge section of my hair. Completely fried. Crispy...just like chicken. I thought that maybe I could cover it up a bit because it wasn't the top layer of hair. And I think that for Monday it was fine. But then I was just sitting here catching up on some e-mails and ran my fingers through my hair and realized that it's more than I thought. The humidity here in San Sebastian is unbelievable and my hair was already frizzy enough but I managed to add a whole other level to the disaster that I call hair. I'm going right now to buy some deep conditioner.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Address and other things
Before I forget I want to post my address here in Spain. It is:
Season Westover
C/San Lorenzo 12
3 izda
Donostia-San Sebastian Spain 20003
Please feel free to send me letters, cards, photos, care packages, whatever. I honestly don't even care. I just like getting mail.
Next, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading this blog and checking it daily. I was a little hesitant about it at first because I didn't know if anyone was really going to be interested. But I have received many e-mails instructing me to up-date the blog so I will try to be more diligent about it.
Last Friday night I had dinner with my friend Ainhoa (ex-professor) and 6 of her friends. They get together once every couple weeks to have a girl's night and she invited me to join. It was a lot of fun to meet all her friends and see a different aspect of her life. All the women were so nice and friendly. There were about a million (or so it felt) conversations going on at the same time and I did my best to keep up with them all but it was no easy task. It definetly challenged my Spanish skills and I felt I was able to keep up for the most part. We just talked and ate and drank wine and it reminded me of dinners with my girlfriends. Oh, and there was this girl there named Ana that reminded me so much of my friend Molly Conklin (shout out!). She looked like Molly (I think it was the eyes) and talked like her and they have the same goofy personality. It was kinda freaking me out...but in a good way. But as much fun as I had on Friday night it really made me miss my girlfriends back in the States. Just to be able to have that connection and comfort around someone is a precious thing.
Then on Saturday afternoon I finally moved in to my new apartment. Ainhoa helped me carry my two incredibly heavy suitcases up 3 flights of stairs. I don't know how I always manage to find the apartments without an elevator but I did it again. I un-packed most of my things and tried to get as settled as possible in my new home. I really like the apartment. My room is a little small but I just think of it as quaint and all my own. I'll get some photos taken as soon as I get a chance, which means as soon as I get all my laundry done and everything organized.
Saturday night I invited two new friends over for dinner. Their names are Gesse and Mylene. They are both in the same program and Mylene teaches French at the same school in Irun. Gesse is from Seattle and is teaching English in a small town outside of San Sebastian also. I had talked to Mylene before coming to Spain through E-mails and then we met in Madrid. Gesse I met in Madrid and have become good friends with her also. We just had a small impromtu dinner at my house Saturday night and spent lots of time getting to know each other.
Sunday was finally a beach day!!!!! It wasn't exactly hot outside but warm enough to head over to the beach and enjoy the sun. It was the first time we had been to the beach because it has either been raining or we have been doing something else that has prevented us from going to the beach. I don't know if we are going to get many more beach days but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Today we had to go to Bilbao for a course about teaching a foreign language. It was very boring and didn't apply to me at all. It was centered around people that are going to be working with children or high school age kids and since I am teaching mostly adults, it wasn't exactly the most exciting class I have taken. The professors at my school have prepared everything for me and all I really have to do is show up and excute the plan. But after talking to other language assistants, it seems like I have it made in the shade. Some still don't even have a place to live or haven't even been able to contact their schools. I feel very lucky that I am at the school in Irun and that all the professors have taken care of me so well.
Thursday we are going to Vitoria (the capital of the Basque Country) for a reception welcoming all the language assistants. I'm not really looking forward to it either but at least this time I get to go with the other professors from my school. Then next Monday (October 15) I start classes for real. I am really looking forward to that and being able to get to know my students better and helping them improve their English skills.
I think that's all for now. I promise to be better at up-dating this blog. I just discovered that the public library has free wireless internet and it's only a 3 minute walk from my house so I will be here more often. And I'll get some photos up ASAP.
Take Care. Lots of love to everyone!
Season Westover
C/San Lorenzo 12
3 izda
Donostia-San Sebastian Spain 20003
Please feel free to send me letters, cards, photos, care packages, whatever. I honestly don't even care. I just like getting mail.
Next, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading this blog and checking it daily. I was a little hesitant about it at first because I didn't know if anyone was really going to be interested. But I have received many e-mails instructing me to up-date the blog so I will try to be more diligent about it.
Last Friday night I had dinner with my friend Ainhoa (ex-professor) and 6 of her friends. They get together once every couple weeks to have a girl's night and she invited me to join. It was a lot of fun to meet all her friends and see a different aspect of her life. All the women were so nice and friendly. There were about a million (or so it felt) conversations going on at the same time and I did my best to keep up with them all but it was no easy task. It definetly challenged my Spanish skills and I felt I was able to keep up for the most part. We just talked and ate and drank wine and it reminded me of dinners with my girlfriends. Oh, and there was this girl there named Ana that reminded me so much of my friend Molly Conklin (shout out!). She looked like Molly (I think it was the eyes) and talked like her and they have the same goofy personality. It was kinda freaking me out...but in a good way. But as much fun as I had on Friday night it really made me miss my girlfriends back in the States. Just to be able to have that connection and comfort around someone is a precious thing.
Then on Saturday afternoon I finally moved in to my new apartment. Ainhoa helped me carry my two incredibly heavy suitcases up 3 flights of stairs. I don't know how I always manage to find the apartments without an elevator but I did it again. I un-packed most of my things and tried to get as settled as possible in my new home. I really like the apartment. My room is a little small but I just think of it as quaint and all my own. I'll get some photos taken as soon as I get a chance, which means as soon as I get all my laundry done and everything organized.
Saturday night I invited two new friends over for dinner. Their names are Gesse and Mylene. They are both in the same program and Mylene teaches French at the same school in Irun. Gesse is from Seattle and is teaching English in a small town outside of San Sebastian also. I had talked to Mylene before coming to Spain through E-mails and then we met in Madrid. Gesse I met in Madrid and have become good friends with her also. We just had a small impromtu dinner at my house Saturday night and spent lots of time getting to know each other.
Sunday was finally a beach day!!!!! It wasn't exactly hot outside but warm enough to head over to the beach and enjoy the sun. It was the first time we had been to the beach because it has either been raining or we have been doing something else that has prevented us from going to the beach. I don't know if we are going to get many more beach days but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Today we had to go to Bilbao for a course about teaching a foreign language. It was very boring and didn't apply to me at all. It was centered around people that are going to be working with children or high school age kids and since I am teaching mostly adults, it wasn't exactly the most exciting class I have taken. The professors at my school have prepared everything for me and all I really have to do is show up and excute the plan. But after talking to other language assistants, it seems like I have it made in the shade. Some still don't even have a place to live or haven't even been able to contact their schools. I feel very lucky that I am at the school in Irun and that all the professors have taken care of me so well.
Thursday we are going to Vitoria (the capital of the Basque Country) for a reception welcoming all the language assistants. I'm not really looking forward to it either but at least this time I get to go with the other professors from my school. Then next Monday (October 15) I start classes for real. I am really looking forward to that and being able to get to know my students better and helping them improve their English skills.
I think that's all for now. I promise to be better at up-dating this blog. I just discovered that the public library has free wireless internet and it's only a 3 minute walk from my house so I will be here more often. And I'll get some photos up ASAP.
Take Care. Lots of love to everyone!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
My cell number
I forgot to post my cell phone number. It is (drum roll, please):
(011-34) 671 92 39 87
I know it´s a lot of numbers but that is exactly how you dial it from the USA. I would love to have phone calls from anyone and everyone so feel free to call anytime.
Also, you can send me texts at this number. My sisters text me all the time so I know it works. I have no idea what it costs but it is possible.
Call me, call me, call me!!!!!!!!!
(011-34) 671 92 39 87
I know it´s a lot of numbers but that is exactly how you dial it from the USA. I would love to have phone calls from anyone and everyone so feel free to call anytime.
Also, you can send me texts at this number. My sisters text me all the time so I know it works. I have no idea what it costs but it is possible.
Call me, call me, call me!!!!!!!!!
I have found a place to live!!!! It´s quite exciting. It is in a very modern apartment in the Parte Vieja (Old Parte) of the city. Very cute apartment with 2 guys: one from the Dominican Republic and the other from Brazil. They seem really nice but I only met them for a couple minutes. I haven´t moved in yet. I was going to meet with the owner this afternoon at 1:30 but he wasn´t able to make it. So I might meet with him tomorrow or Thursday afternoon. I am still staying with my professor, who has been amazing to me. Her name is Ainhoa and he house is so cute and she has two dogs and a yard and a shared pool with her neighbors. She told me I can stay at her place as long as I want but I don´t want to overstay my welcome. Every night I have had dinner with her and her husband and she leaves me breakfast every morning. It´s been incredible. But I´m really excited to unpack my suitcases and have a place to call home.
I came to the school yesterday to meet all the professors and meet 2 of my classes. I am going to have 11 classes between Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be long days because I will be here almost all day but Monday I don´t come until 7:00 and Thursday and Friday I don´t have anything. The professors here are so friendly and nice. They just accepted me yesterday like I was one of them and I went and had coffee with a professor named Ana. And then I had 2 classes...one at 7:00 and the other at 8:00. The students are varied in age and experience with English but so nice and really want to learn. I did an activity with each class and told them where I am from in the States and just a little about me. In one class I did an activity with the differences with words in America and words in the U.K. For example, in America we say ´Highway´ and in the U.K. they say ´Main Road.´ It was a lot of fun. In the other class, they had to turn phrases into questions for me. I was a little un-prepared for this and had to think really quickly but it was fun. Very personal questions but it was fine. They all laughed at my jokes so I immediately loved them.
I am back at the school today and have 3 classes. It´s nice to be here and to see how the clases are structured and meet all the students. I have class in about 20 minutes so I need to get ready. More when I get a moment.
Besos a todos!
I came to the school yesterday to meet all the professors and meet 2 of my classes. I am going to have 11 classes between Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be long days because I will be here almost all day but Monday I don´t come until 7:00 and Thursday and Friday I don´t have anything. The professors here are so friendly and nice. They just accepted me yesterday like I was one of them and I went and had coffee with a professor named Ana. And then I had 2 classes...one at 7:00 and the other at 8:00. The students are varied in age and experience with English but so nice and really want to learn. I did an activity with each class and told them where I am from in the States and just a little about me. In one class I did an activity with the differences with words in America and words in the U.K. For example, in America we say ´Highway´ and in the U.K. they say ´Main Road.´ It was a lot of fun. In the other class, they had to turn phrases into questions for me. I was a little un-prepared for this and had to think really quickly but it was fun. Very personal questions but it was fine. They all laughed at my jokes so I immediately loved them.
I am back at the school today and have 3 classes. It´s nice to be here and to see how the clases are structured and meet all the students. I have class in about 20 minutes so I need to get ready. More when I get a moment.
Besos a todos!
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