Saturday, October 25, 2008

Full up.

 I'll add a nice seafoam hue for you guys since I'm not gracing you with any new pictures this week. I know, I'm sorry. I always forget to bring my camera with me when i live life. Don't you?

So, this week has been interesting yet again! My students went on strike (una huelga) this past Wednesday due to the inflating prices of university-level schooling. However, when asked, 90% of the students had no clue why they didn't have to attend school this day, and saw it as another day to get a strange part of their body pierced...or, stay home and eat bocadillos. one of the two. So, Wednesday I got to tutor the profesores in english! Tutoring the teachers is so fun for me because these people are actually interested in learning. The alumnos (my students) have no use for learning English (in their reasonable brains) because they will probably never leave their pueblo within the next 30 years of life, thus remaining in the "sin ese" form of andalucian Spanish for as long as they can. Que lastima. Maybe by the end of the year i'll make them think English is more useful to learn for reasons other than self-preservation. Maybe they can go al mundo and help OTHERS!  

anyhow, i love being able to have conversations with the teachers--many of them want to discuss politics, families, religion, anything. i love love love the fact that a semi-language barrier forces the other person to listen. i was talking to Broun yesterday about the importance of a good listener, and how, when someone is intently listening to what you have to say, it makes you feel significant--of worth. Lots of times it's so tempting to be the "me monster" that Brian Regan talks about, and nod your way through a conversation until you can get your word in... you you you ME ME ME ME ME!!! you know what i'm talking about. since when did our thoughts become 18 times more significant than the person we are talking to? who made that law? can't we just give people the time of day? that's probably why "talking things out" never worked in politics and why Bush decided WAR OR BUST was the solution to world peace. go figure.

oops. breaking PC code.
yes, i love being forced to listen, even when my "me monster" takes over inside my head...all because of a language barrier. i think it helps me/the human race easily and naturally love people better. or maybe it just puts life into a new, more meaningful perspective. i dont know, what do you think? [that's my attempt to listen to you =)]

ah, we started our free spanish classes this week. there are 5 Flemish, 1 Brazilian woman, 1 Polish woman, and the 4 of us Americans (me, Ellie, Trey, and Amanda). Our teacher is from Torre Del Mar, speaks zero english, and was NOT excited to see us there on Tuesday. She has successfully insulted us at least once every day this week....

day 1, she tells us to sit at the table at the complete opposite side of the [huge] room unless other people come in that could possibly fill in the table that has 3 flemish folks sitting at it (they were at a 12 person table in the front of the room). No one shows up, so she finally allows us to move forward nearer to human contact.
day 2, we read the essays we wrote from day1, and, after commenting on the content of everyone's essay she comes to ellie and tells her that spanish is an open language, unlike German and English which are full of consonants, and that she needs to learn how to speak before trying to read an essay that no one understands.
day 3, random interjecting question to trey in spanish, "didn't all of you americans learn spanish at the university?" trey nods. "well, all of these people learned spanish from the university of the streets, that's why your accents are horrible and there's are all perfect." yeah, thanks, mariadelcarmen. we thought the slavic gurgle after every word sounded perfect too. 

We had our first desayuno of churros con chocolate today! those were super greasy, but chocolate is always worth the experience. Another first today was paella!! we had Catalan paella made from tiny macaroni-like noodles (instead of the normal rice) with shrimp and calamari. SOOO GOOD. i think we're going to experiment with some paella recipes soon. i love this new food thing! i've already grown to like mushrooms, and it's only been mas o menos de 4 weeks abroad! woot.

ok, this is getting lengthy. but my spirit and soul and mind and body are all doing great as of ahora, just FYI. a heck of a lot better than early this week. i've received email after email of encouraging words and love, and i can't thank you people enough for them. i have community. it's right in front of me. how dare me pass this gift over. oh, JOY! Love you all dearly.

happy week!

Friday, October 17, 2008

week 2 of teaching

This week was another hectic one. This whole "settling in" process is taking longer than i thought it would. But it's perfectly okay. I think i'm still learning valuable lessons through this forced patience in a semi-uncomfortable environment. 

I've learned that the most commonly used word in any context of any conversation here is "Vale"(pronounced 'bah-lay')- this can mean anything from "okay?", "right!", "woot!sweet!", etc. 
So, you can practice using it in everyday conversation back home. Integration is key, folks, come on.

Mm, yes. Let me not forget the day that my teacher didn't show up to class. (Language Assistants-thats me- aren't supposed to be left alone with the class on any occasion. It's in our contract so people don't get sued, etc. you know.) I had a Halloween activity for them to do so they could practice their oral English. So, i write the assignment on the board in English AND Spanish (now they don't have an excuse not to do it) and nicely ask them to do their work. 
SIKE. They were horrible. Well, the left side of the class was horrible-mainly boys. These kids are 14/15 and aren't interested in learning English AT ALL. This class is mandatory for them. Apparently my age, gender, and nationality threw them for a loop, so they decided they'd throw spit balls at each other, crumple paper, and talk as LOUD as they could in place of doing their work. One kid even asked me if he could go outside because he purposefully threw his pen out the window. And a girl in the back asked if they could leave 5 minutes early. 

Then i said, "ARE YOU SERIOUS? you aren't even doing your work AND you've been talking the entire class. you have no chance of leaving early. nice try."

The sweet girls on the right side of the room were diligently doing their work all the while. 
At the end of class, I wrote down all of the Dennis the Menaces. Then I had to place myself in front of the door 5 minutes early when all of the kids decided it was time to leave. 
Fun day. 

I guess I learned to be stern? next time i'm busting out the gradebook and letting them know that I am actually allowed to give them zeroS. muHAHAH!! 

What else? Ellie and I joined the gym and have been working out hard core, still no internet, lots of book-reading, trying to plan some trips around Spain/Europe!, plenty of tasty/healthy meals!, drinking too much café con leche, still afraid of 6AM partying, some painting and crafting. Life is good. God is great. 

Learning things is so exciting! But its even more crazy to think of the plan that God has for these people...isn't it neat how each culture has its oddities and quirks, but every one of them brings God his due glory in what they've been given and how they use it?! 

For example, I think it's great how the Spaniards are sooo conservative/resourceful in the way they do life. they unplug literally every device before leaving the house, use hot water only when its crucial, park on the sidewalks, drive tiny cars to save the planet and cut down in spending, and they don't even own dryers for their clothes! It's a culture pretty much set in their ways, but all the while they enjoy life. they enjoy the comfort and the love from their small groups of friends. (i haven't found a complacent person YET. amazing.) they take an extra breath to enjoy a beautiful day or an afternoon cup of coffee. they take daily walks along the boardwalk and have playtime for the kids. its just a pleasing sight to watch. 

This simple joy of life is easy to miss in a world where tomorrow is better than today. i'm learning to be content in what i've been given right NOW, so maybe this natural joy of life may be found in my eyes, or smile, or countenance. who knows. 
Even the rocks cry out, right? amazing. May we rest in the simplicity of Christ today. May we enjoy our friends over a cup of coffee. and then enjoy slapping your 14 year old when he throws a spitball at your face.

Glory a Dios!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Love is a Battlefield

ok. i have to point out some things that wrecked me yesterday morning.

I was reading in Phillipians4, and I didn't get past the first verse because of Paul's sincerity. mmm, so good. 

read with me, please:
"Therefore my brothers(& sisters), whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."

wow. talk about loving others more than yourself.

I pray for this impassioned heart and soul that Paul exhibits. I pray for that longing! that my brothers and sisters may be my joy and crown! above myself, more beloved than myself! How beautiful is the soul that has this overflow of passion and joy for others. It is only by God's grace, and His son, that I may know this kind of love. Infiltrate me, O God, for the sake of You and for the sake of others.

i want that, friends. i do love you, i really do. but i want to love you more, with the best Love possible.

ok, see ya.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Felicitaciones!





PINK, because when a baby girl is born, this is usually the color assigned to the occasion. 
Thus, i was born on October 8, 1986...and my cute celebration was had yesterday with new friends, faces, and foods. eff, i know.

It was great, and I want to thank every dear individual for their efforted typings on my facebook page. Also, thanks for the phone call, Dad, my heart was warmed having your near voice near to my ear. 

Here's just a list of wonderful things that happened on my birthday:
* two of my classes of kids sang happy birthday to me in english with a cute spanish accent
*Ellie brought me a cute little cake with a candle and some other goodies
*3 of the teachers i work with invited me to marienda for a drink of café 
*amaaazing Thai dinner
*hilarious sprint marathon-->Trey and I went to the local police department to receive our NIEs to get our real residencia de permanencia for España, and the process included running to the bank, waiting for 30 minutes before the teller told us her machine was broken, running to another bank on the other side of town and getting our sheet stamped and payed for, running back to the police department (all within the 1 o'clock hour because EVERYTHING closes at 2PM here- i mean total lockdown)...as we were running back to the police department, we see the 2 Germans who were in there the first time we arrived, and they were slowly sauntering to the P.D. as we were making a sprint for it from across town. we quickly pass them up and they start screaming "NO PASS NO PASS!!" and begin running with us, racing us to the door of the P.D. 100 mtrs away. ALAS, the Americans prevail (see every Olympic games), and leave the Germans fighting for dignity in the dust. pobrecitos. we made it by 1:58PM with sweat rolling down the sides of our faces, to safely stamp our fingers and sign a piece of paper. done and done. 

Also, I want to mention that this has been a nerve-racking week at school. Things aren't "normal" yet by any means...i mean, what do i expect? but, the faculty and kids at my school are making me feel very welcome. however, any and ALL reigns of boss-hood have been handed over to me, the "english teacher", and i'm to prepare all of the lessons for next week. I have every level of class, from 1ESoA (12 year olds-8th graders) to 2Bachillerato4 (12th graders- up to 20 yrs old), so in my infinite wisdom of teaching and the experience i've gained from 22 loooong years of life, i will accurately and effectively teach everyone (including profesores/as) the English language. W00T!! hilarious.

But as deep-endish as this sounds, I'm super excited to get thrown into this culture. I just need some better anti-perspirant to atone for my daily sweat stains. oopss.

other monumental acontecimientos: I got my first-ever Spanish bank account set up today! I also applied for Internet in our apartment, which will probably take another 2 weeks to get installed. Im close to the end of Girlfriend in a Coma (its a creepy book so far, but i think it might scare me into action-check it out.). I'm getting a gym membership tomorrow. and tonight, we're all (the roomies and I) taking Spanish lessons!

exciting stuff. love you guys. 

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Famous Amos

Creative, I know. But those cookies are delicious!


I wanted to post a picture or 4 of the AMOS LEE concert that Broun took me to for my birthday before I left for Spain. So so so much fun and perfect and sweet. What a great man I have. Seriously. todo mi amor a ti.




Sabbath

el dia de repaso. well, kind of.

today we got up, made coffee and cereal, and had a nice togethered breakfast. we still had tons to put away and organize, so we spent most of the morning folding and hanging clothes in our new closet spaces. oh, guess what! my room has a sewing machine in it! hah! everyone needs to get ready for some sweet spanish clothing when i return. muahah. i wish. and the key to our apartment look like it was made during the renaissance edad. pretty cool. people are pretty nice and accomodating here...but i'd say the most intimidating ones are the middle aged ladies who (por ejemplo) take your bills and look at them for five minutes deciding whether or not you've scammed them with fake money. psssh, come on. i only wish i could be so crafty!

Last night was cute, as the roomies and I sat up chatting about what we thought love was. it was nice hearing a varying set of stories from our experiences. life is great, isn't it?! (i wasn't saying that last week). but now my thankful button has been pushed and i'm loving every second. everything is novelty. kind of like ice cream. absolutely amazing. 

So, we've had a lot of firsts in the past two days. 
-first dinner
-first "circle time" with my 2 new compañeros
-first run on la playa
-first trip to the supermercado
-first shower (these butanos [gas cans] are a doosie to use!)
-first pictures of our new apartamento y las cosas que occurian en los dos dias pasados!


aqui estan:



















Friday, October 3, 2008

Bienvenidos a Torre del Mar/Velez-Malaga!

HOly, amazing. I think I'm going to have to write this in a completely different color just because of the extreme amount of change that has occurred within the last 12 hours. 

wow. Today was a super long day of traveling, but all worth it once we saw the Mediterranean. I wish I had brought my camera, and I know I promised pictures...but alas, it hasn't happened yet. Seriously though, if I don't post pictures of this place, I will have not fulfilled my role de llenar un espacio pequeño en cada corazon que lee este blog. 

We visited our new apartment today and toured the city by foot for a good hour and a half as we literally squealed and jumped up and down at the beauty surrounding us. It was a hilarious sight. Ellie, Trey, and I stood on the seawall staring out at the sea, the mountains, the spaniards walking their dogs....with gaping smiles on our faces. what a refreshment. what a sovereign reminder of our need to rest in Gods greatness. My whole countenance changed today as friendships continue to grow and Christ's peace is blowing in my face with this ambiente.

I've been tired and down from the orientation week, and being honest I haven't been delving into the Word. Which is exactly opposite of what this nonsense should push me toward, right? especially at a time like this. anyways, i figure there IS an explanation to my tangled spirit...and as usual, it my fault. but nonetheless, grace still ABOUNDS. how amazing is that? and how amazing even more is it that I was shown that today in the wind, the sea, the lights, the trees, the people....ahhhhh, soakin it in.

Thanks, Lord.

oh, and a shout out to mi querido. wo0T! for 6 months of love today. =)




Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Orientationing

Welp, the second to last day of orientation is over, and ím coping with most things better today than the previous 3 days.



basically, its just how-to´s on teaching english and the grammar and dealing with miscreants. but were leaving on friday for our cities, and my great roomie, ellie, has already found us a sweet 3 bedroom apartment! its going to be me, ellie, and trey...this will be my first time to live with a male. wait, no it wont. wes and i shared a bathroom, and todd and i did too. thats sharing. so nevermind. but anyways, trey seems really sweet and innocent and quiet and reserved. his girlfriend is studying abroad in paris this semester, so hes excited to see her a bunch.

soo, still trying to get over jet lag. food is hilarious, but for the most part good. lots of seafood and breads. the coffee is AMAZING and strong. but again, my bowels can only handle so much.

okay, it´s thursday now, so this is written over the span of two days. this morning was hard on me again, but i definitely got my best night´s sleep last night. by hard i mean i was lost in translation of cultures...or something. so, during our first session of orientation this morning, i wrote an emo poem to God. i dont know if im ready to post it, but just know that if you pray to God...the one who sent Jesus to atone for us...the One who loves us and knows us more than any human ever could...I would be so grateful if you could send up una oracion por mi alma. its just difficult to know how to be a ´light´ ...yet, or here, or amongst these peeps. seriously. in China i had a role to uphold, i was focused, and by the grace of God i was intensely motivated for the sake of Christ every single day. Here, i really have no clue what my daily role is going to look like, and believing that "actions speak louder than words" is like holding my breath underwater right now. it can only last a minute or two before you have to come up for a breath, and finally re-submerge. do I impose my lifestyle on people verbally? do i hang out and smile while the others are smoking pot? do i join in the topics of conversation that 99% of the time deal with either sex, fashion, drugs, or alcohol...just to "assimilate" without judging?

i dont know. week 1, already confused. no so much worried, just realizing being an ambassador for Christ doesn´t always mean that I can tag team. maybe i´m han-solo right now because i need to up my ante for Him. I sure hope so.

aight, ill post more interesting things once i get to Malaga! and hopefully some sweet pics. peace, love, and crabs.