Whatcha Doin', Nothing Just Chillin' in Spain

Nothing, just getting to know Jaen and Baeza a little bit better. Just a recap, I live in Jaen, but commute to the smaller town of Baeza to work. At first I was under the assumption that I was only to work in Baeza and play in Jaen, but thank goodness that fog as lifted.

Oddly enough, my true playtime did not begin until I quit working at the private academy I was teaching at during the evenings in Baeza on Monday and Wednesday. The two main reasons for my departure were the long hours into the night and the fact that I signed on to teach but later the school decided to go a different direction with assisting students in learning the English language. As I mentioned way back at the beginning of my moving to Spain adventure the point was to take a break and center my life goals. As much as I adored and miss, man do I miss, those kiddos I am definitely enjoying the freetime.

Despite being in graduate classes online and working, I was still able to do things I enjoyed in town, but now that I have more free time I've been able to transition into my natural groove of socializing and daily routine. I've worked out my carpool (just an fyi that is not a word in Spanish, you have to describe this one folks) and I'm enjoying the company and conversation well- not to mention my understanding of Spanish as tripled. I've been able to meet friends for dinner, coffee, or after work drinks- if you know me you know how much I just l.o.v.e. meeting up with folks in the evening and then heading home to an comfy bed and good book at a sensible hour. Because of siesta when I arrive to Jaen from Baeza after school everyone is locked away in their homes, but in the evenings the shopping and socializing come alive and I'm able to participate now. I know to some the point of this trip would be to visit all the town artifacts and stay up all night enjoying the infamous Spanish nightlife, but that's not how I work. In my opinion if you are constantly walking around looking at the buildings you miss out on the people, the living history that can tell you stories no history book would ever publish.

Tapas With Co-workers and their families.

However, no worries, I have spent plenty of time in Baeza- once even a long weekend (with many more to follow hopefully), which is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site, so I'm soaking up the history. In Baeza I have enjoyed, in my humble opinion, the best Tapas Spain has to offer. Many disagree, but I'm okay as long as they keep serving. I've found a place that throws great concerts every Thursday night AND I'm getting to spend more time with my co-workers and their families. From the personalized Pallella day, to tapas with other teachers in town, to a night out in Jaen.

A Fancy Kabob, in Baeza.

There is shrimp all in there, mmmgood!

At the same time I've been able to concentrate on graduate class, keep in contact with loved ones in the states more frequently and read about five books.

 Adjustment is not that bad at all, definitely unexpected in the relationships and routines I've developed, but an overall great start to this adventure.

Roommates walking through a lovely park we discovered in Jaen.

I'm sure you dear reader have had to adjust to something new and unexpected, whether moving to a different country or new marriage or a completely different job than the previous. I would love to hear all about it, feel free to even provide some tips and tricks!

Until next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed . . .

The roommates doing Saved by the Bell Halloween Proper.

 

Write Me Something, Anything Real

Toni Morrison at work.

This blog is just a piece of my thoughts or mind, your pick. It is not my entire writing ability, my complete thought process, or every bit of goings on from my daily life. Truly, you are taking part of the literal version of snap chat when reading a blog. Just a moment. No more.

Usually that works just fine for me honestly, I do plenty of my fiction writing in my free time that  I'm not bothered, but things have changed. There are so many things going on, I'm not able to free-write like I would prefer and due to my accepting the Independent Blogger Internship for CIEE I try to streamline this blog to aide future participants.

 What's a girl to do when the writing situation gets a little scrambled. Simple Journal. Instead of searching out random wisp of thoughts in my head I've decided to use a few prompts.

My new baby journal, so great! Mama loves you!

 

My journal is divide into sketch pages and lined paper. My first decision was to participate in "What I'm Thankful For" for every day of November. One sentence followed by a brief paragraph of explanation then I'm done. Next I answer a question from the following journal prompt page.

 

 There is prompt per day and the entire series for every month was designed to answer the same question for five years straight. Interesting.  

As for the sketch pages, once a week I have to sketch a drawing of what is consuming my life for the moment. The other days I have to choose a prompt from one of the following prompt generators. All prompt generators can be found on my Pinterest page, "Let's Have Some Fun". Stop on by for links to more!

 

 Not too creative I understand, but man am I excited to just write. So very excited.

 

Any suggestions for writing prompts feel free to add them or even share about your own writing preferences. All of you moving towards becoming Language Assistants next year, are you keeping a pre-trip journal? If so what do you find yourself writing about most?

 

Until Next time, Hasta Pronto, Adios, Be Blessed . . .

Sevilla: Well That Was Quick

Roomie Photo Op one, checkout that background.

Seriously, those two weeks flew by with a flash. Weelll, everything except the constant walk from Triana to Centro every.single.day. In total guaranteed I could clock 3 miles a day simply walking. After our wonderful orientation week of making friends and figuring out "The Siesta" we were pushed from the nest and made to fly.


We like to coordinate.

There is a lot to be said for living with someone else's Grandmother for two weeks after having not share my place since sophomore year of college. She was 62 years of energy and was in constant bafflement of how little I eat, but how much I sleep. What ever the awkwardness or culture clash that can be said for living in someone else's house in a new country, me and my Senora ended on a great note!


Cabra with my Senora.

Actually everything ended on a great note, despite that fact that often I felt like I was just going through the motions ready at all times to be in my bed in my permenant city for the next nine months.
As I mentioned earlier the friends I made and people I was able to spend time with was hands down the best part. A constant flow of invites to go here or meet someone there and even the folks in my Spanish class are characters that I hope to always remember. Guys there is absolutely no way I could list for you everything we did or saw, but I can provide some awesome photos from the few times we remembered to document the moment ( maybe me and my amigos can be in the next Iphone Camera commercial) with my typical sarcastic comments.

Plaza de Hercules was my kind of place

When you stumble upon a Texas themed bar with your friend from Texas at 4a, you have fun.

Get your guns up, cause there's a Fox on the field and he knows how to win!



Rooftop concert directly across from the Catedral y Giralda.

Chocolate y Chorros con mi amigos de clase.

 Obviously, it was fun! I learned some Spanish, met some great folks and started this Spanish Adventure off on the right foot. Now, I'm headed to my final destination: Jaen, Jaen! And all of my new friends are headed to their own homes, I'm sure we'll keep in touch and I look forward to the days to come.


 

Until next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed . . .

You do What? And what is the exactly?



Many people have asked what exactly I'll be doing in Spain since if you actually Google the job description for a Language and Cultural Assistant you will get numerous answers both professional and blogger defined. Here's what I've gathered:

 

Language and Cultural Assistant :

• Aide teachers in helping students develop English speaking and reading skills with an improved level of comprehension.
• Aide teachers in developing a strong understanding of cultural characteristics in many English speaking countries.
• British (Proper) English will be the English spoken and taught.
• I realize some my balk at that "proper" statement, but think back to the original geographical locations and education of our founding countrymen along with many of our ancestors that followed. Those are the folks who developed American English.
• You must work twelve (12) hours a week.
• I realize that is not overwhelming, but being as I sometimes worked 80hr weeks here in the U.S. I'm A.OKAY with the lesser amount of hours.
• Teachers and the Bilingual Coordinator will decide how to utilize your talents.
• This could mean you have your own classes.
• This could me you work as a translator.
• This could me you work as a dictionary.
• So many options!
• You are classified as a students and paid with a stipend.

That's the most concise description I can provide from all my (many, many, many) researched readings. It could be possible that I start work and find myself in a completely different situation. Honestly the best descriptions have come from bloggers, as has much of the information I'm using to prepare myself.

 

Being as I'm a teacher, that's what my name means and what makes my soul happy I will not fair well as a human dictionary, but sadly I feel that a lot of what you do depends on the work ethic, knowledge, Spanish skills and Teaching Skills of the souls who came before you. Which is why I'm e-mailing my coordinator and director as soon as possible to clarify my goals and intent- which is to teach children. I'll be keeping you posted on how this all works out obviously, hopefully to the best benefit of the students- any advice is welcome.

Until next time . . . Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed.