Across the pond

My room :)

Hi everyone.  I decided to make this blog so that if you like, you can read about what I'm up to at your leisure, without me jamming up your inbox from super massive emails.  Anyway, this is my first blog and while I feel a bit narcissistic talking only about myself, here are the basics:

I have a Spanish address!  It is:

C/ Cea Bermúdez

N°55, 1°

Madrid, Madrid 28003

España

I'm living in the university district known as Moncloa, which coincidentally is where the current president of Spain (José Zapatero) lives as well.  This past Friday I began working at Colegio El Encinar in Torrelodones, which is about a 35 minute commute in total from my apartment.  I was assigned to 3rd and 4th graders, who are both adorbale and demonic.  I have already learned not to go to work even slightly hungover, as there is constant noise and erasers being thrown at my head.  I'm pretty impressed with their language skills though.  The kids were told that I don't speak Spanish so as to force them to practice their English at all times with me, which in theory is a great idea. But I think the jig is up in one of the classes I have because I sent Enrique to the time out corner after I was turned around writing something on the board and he shouted "Profe, me gusta tu culo!" (Teacher, I like your ass!).  Apparently they breed them young here...  Other notable interactions with the students include getting sneezed on in the midst of a marriage proposal by Miguel, and having been asked if I am embarazada (pregnant) by Angela.  Also, yesterday all the kids kept asking my age, and these are just a few guesses I remember:  41, 12, 8, 500, 65, 2, and 34.

Standing in front of the "torre" in Torrelodones

But I do indeed like working at this school.  The teachers are all friendly, helpful, and generally laid back.  I think the school is pretty wealthy because every day for our 30 minute recess break there is some combination of fruit, toast, oatmeal, pastries, jamon (of course), along with the coffee and tea they provide.  There is a two hour (2 houurrrr ughh) lunch break and most of the teachers get together and go to a bar for tapas and a couple of cañas (little beers) which is perfectly acceptable and encouraged.  Mostly I just walk to the nearest McDonald’s or Kebab place, as I have yet to be invited haha.

That’s pretty much all for now.  While I'm settled in, finally have a routine going, and have actually made a few friends, I'm still waiting to feel adjusted.  I keep holding onto the thought that I'm brave, am truly going to grow from this, and will gain some kind of mental clarity, but currently all I can think about is Chipotle.  There's a saying here, "la prisa mata," which directly translates to "the hurry kills."  Granted I have made choices here and there for my life path of course, but in general the past 18 years of my life have been hurry hurry through structured school systems and predetermined courses of development.  For everyone still wondering why I am here, I am beginning to find the meaning in that phrase, "la prisa mata."