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!