a letter to home

Complexities

2012-01-31T18:41:00.000+01:00

Have you ever tried to move from one state to the other? After living in Spain, I've come to realize that moving from one state to the next is almost as complicated as moving from one European country to another. First, you need new IDs: in Europe that means going to get a residency paper, in the US that means getting a new driver's license. And second, you have to transfer professional licenses: I have to get an Illinois teaching license even though I have an Indiana teaching license.

I can't decide whether to rejoice at the states' independence from each other or bemoan the fact that now I have to fill out a stack of paperwork, take exams, and pay for a new license all before I can be hired for a teaching job in Chicago. If only Chicago was in Indiana!! Yes, redrawing state lines sounds like the perfect solution...

Come and See!

2012-01-29T00:05:00.000+01:00

I don't know if you've seen my husband (still sounds new!) Isma's website, but I thought I'd show it off before I go to bed today. For the majority, just enjoy looking at his photography, the photos he's particularly proud of. And for those of you practicing Spanish, see how much you can understand of the meat of the site, the blog.

http://iarenzana.com/

Every decision requires a death

2012-01-28T16:57:00.000+01:00

About a week ago, Isma received a letter from Moody Bible Institute that he's been accepted for the upcoming school year! We're really excited about the upcoming adventure, though the excitement is tempered with some sadness. A friend of ours, Ben, recently said that for every decision or action we make or do, something else has to die. We are beginning to realize how true the statement is. For Isma to study, his job must die and all of the implications of having such a good job must die as well. For us to move to Chicago and make new friends, some closeness here must die.

But not everything dies. Somethings, rather, change and shift as distance grows for some and closes for others. Some relationships will strengthen with proximity, some will wane as the miles grow between, some will go into hibernation, and others will stay the same. But even change is a death to something, a death to the status quo, to things always being identical to the present. And of that, I am striving to not be afraid.

When June comes, I'll try to accept the odd mixture of sadness, joy, and nervousness and know that the ones we love are doing the same. I pray that everyone in our life will accept the death of yesterday and celebrate the birth of tomorrow.

A New Year

2012-01-07T23:14:00.005+01:00

2011 has come to an end, and 2012 is now a week old. I remember when Colin, Mom, Dad and I used to sit down around the kitchen table and tell our New Year's Resolutions while Mom wrote them down on a steno-pad. I think I promised to stop chewing my nails (check), stop hiding to read when I wasn't supposed to (pretty much, check), and read my Bible more (back-slid, uncheck).

After that year, I don't remember making resolutions. But thinking back at the past year and now looking forward to the one to come, I don't think it would be a bad idea to have some goals (and some eyes reading this to perhaps keep me a bit more on track).

This past year was consumed by wedding planning: the dress, the ceremony, the premarital counseling, the trying not to go crazy. Then the wedding itself, the honeymoon, and the first months of marriage getting used to living with the man I've decided to spend my life with. (yes!) That being said, this next year may be a year of many changes as well, so here's what I want to look forward to in 2012 (in no particular order):

Have a new teaching job in Chicago

Get photos out to everyone in the wedding photos

Pray more fervently

Create a devotional routine

Write at least one blog entry a week

Call my family more

Call or write my friends more

Start an exercise routine

Here goes!

Chard Cheese Bake

2012-01-06T14:20:00.004+01:00

When a friend of ours, Karin Harper, moved from Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) to Austin, Texas she gave me one of her cookbooks that I now LOVE. I like to think that I helped her save the overweight bag charge on the way to the states. It's called Simply in Season and goes through the seasons with reasons according to available local produce (for North America). I've been trying to go through it to find delicious and healthy meals for the two of us, full of disguised vegetables. It's going well!

This one is called Chard Cheese Bake. I'd never had chard in my life before making this recipe. If you took spinach and celery and made their atoms smash together, I think the result would look and taste like chard. It turned out well and would definitely make it again. The biggest problem was what to do with the leftover chard. Any suggestions?

1 pound / 500 g Swiss chard or spinach (chopped)
Cook and throughly drain.
4 eggs (beaten)
1 cup / 250 mL milk
1cup / 250 mL Swiss cheese or another cheese (shredded)
1 cup / 250 mL bread (cubed)
1/2 cup / 125 mL green onions (sliced)
1/4 cup / 60 mL Parmesan cheese (grated)

1. Wash and chop greens.

2. Steam leaves (2-5 min)

3. Steam stems (4-8 min)

4. Chop bread.

5. Combine the rest of the ingredients with the cooked greens.

6. Pour into a greased 2-quart / 2-L baking dish. Cover and bake in preheated oven at 375F / 190C until set, 30-50 min.

This recipe comes from: Simply in Season edited by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert, Herald Press, 2005

Easiest Spanish breakfast

2011-12-10T10:00:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I had the day off, so I took some time to make one of Isma's favorite breakfast foods. Here's how it goes.

1. Take some tomatoes.

2. Peel them.
3. Put them in the blender.
4. Spread on toast and eat with a little olive oil and salt if desired.

Mmmm.

Conclusion

2011-12-09T10:01:00.002+01:00

Last entry I told you about one of my friends who was trying to raise money to get music stands for class...well, he reached the goal and the stands will be shortly on the way. I'm surprised but happy that he was able to raise the money so quickly, that people responded so well to the school's need. Congratulations Matthew and all of your students! Here's his thank-you letter:

Dear All,

I can't thank you enough for how much you all have reached out with such amazing generosity so quickly. I was able to get my project fully funded in a week, and that is a testament to the compassion of so many great people who care so much about music, especially in my community. When I asked for your help, you all gave so quickly that I didn't even have time to reach out to all possible donors--you beat them to the punch! This is benevolence at its best: people practically competing to see who can do the most good the fastest. My students will also be incredibly grateful. This is a need that the band has that would not have been met if not for your compassion, and it will meet the needs of future students for several years. This outpouring of support for the importance of music in our schools, especially here, will be an incredible encouragement to students showing how much they and their pursuits concern others; this is exactly the kind of support students need at this age.

I am privileged to know many of you already and regretful for those whom I don't.
With gratitude,
Mr. C

Needed: Music Stands

2011-12-06T17:06:00.003+01:00

Back in college I had the rare privilege of having many music major friends. And while some of those interesting friends graduated to become starving artists (though if you ask for a name, I could not help you), quite a larger number grew up to be starving band teachers. Starving may be an exaggeration, but it will do for my post today.

I want to highlight what one of my friends, Matthew Carnagua, is trying to do for his band class. Due to budget cuts, the school can't afford new music stands to have enough for all of the students, so he's decided to raise money himself for the class. He explains the circumstances much better in his page on DonorChoose.org. Go check it out and help their music class!

Here is a link to Matthew's page on DonorChoose.org...click here to see more information.

Honeymoon Pictures

2011-11-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

Honeymoon in Alaska

Enjoy!

Back from Egypt

2011-04-25T19:26:00.004+02:00

No, I haven't been to Egypt. Angelita's granddaughter just got married to an Egyptian, and she brought back some traditional garb. One, a blue dress, was a gift from the groom's mother and sister. The other was also a gift. That is, if you call a gift something a street vendor gives you and then forces you to pay for it. At least she only had to pay one euro for the headdress. We just had to try them out:

I realize that it is a strange outfit, being that the dress is for a woman (and HUGE on me) and the headdress for a man. It just makes things more interesting!

La India

2011-04-24T18:48:00.004+02:00

This summer, the youth from the federation of churches to which my church belongs will be going to Chennai, India to participate in some ministries begun by the local church there. This weekend there was a youth conference here in Madrid and I got to be involved in the stand (along with many others from the youth group) at the conference to inform about the trip and the materials they are bringing for the school kids at the children's home. Here's what we sold:

Along with the clothes (they will use the money to buy the clothes in India), we put together bookpacks with school supplies to take, and raised money to buy chairs for the church as well. I wish I had a picture of the stand, but I was horrible at taking pictures this weekend. Overall, youth at the conference donated some 4,000 euros!

The conference was wonderful, though tiring. It's the first time I've gone to a camp/conference as one of the leaders of a youth group. Nothing like having to scold for sleeping during messages, go look for straggling youth, and take care of those that aren't feeling that great. On the other hand, it was great to see the steps they are taking in their faith...moving closer and closer every day to God. And now, since I think I've gotten about 5 hours of sleep for the last few days, I am going to turn the lights off, pull down the blinds, put the earplugs in, and say goodbye to the world for at least 10 hours. Good night!!

Tamy's Birthday

2011-04-19T10:30:00.006+02:00

Tamy's 27th Birthday

We celebrated the passage of another year in the life of Tamy with lots of homemade pizza, carrot cake, and plenty of giggling at nonsense. Happy Birthday!

Are You My Mother?

2011-02-26T22:40:00.003+01:00

This month I've been taking a course to teach Spanish children reading in English through phonics and vocabulary teaching...making "reading natives" in the sense that every single word they read is a word they already understand orally. It is interesting, a combination of review and new concepts. For the end of the month long course we have to represent a story for the class like we might do with the children and present a song and phonics plan to use with the book. Here are some props I've made. It's been a fun day.

Apart from doing kid things and cleaning, I've also looked at more wedding dresses. Pretty!

Countries Rise

2011-02-21T08:46:00.002+01:00

I'm sure you all have read, listened to, or seen the news about the uproar in the MidEast. Egypt peacefully protested and succeeded in removing their dictator of so many years. Libya´s people are painfully revolting. Morocco, Spain's neighbor to the south, is beginning to awake as well. I've been so near and yet so far from it all.

A young woman close to my friends has been living in Egypt for better half of the last year, engaged to be married to an Egyptian. When the protests and revolt began, her grandmother and friends called and called, worrying about her safety, what would happen. Thank God there was no need for evacuation of Spanish citizens, so she is still safe there and will be married this spring surrounded by family from Spain and friends.

Can you imagine living in such history-making circumstances? Living in such nerve-wracking and yet exciting times? What would you do: stay at home nursing the pager given to you by the embassy, sneak a peek out the window of the protests, catch the next plane home, join the protests? Or if it happened in your own state? It's beyond my imagination. So close and yet so far away.

25th Birthday

2010-11-16T17:45:00.009+01:00

Yesterday I turned 25. Halfway to 50. Or so I'm sure Jenny, my college roommate, would have told me if she were here. I was hankering the most delicious cake that my mom ever made (coffee, apples, yummmy), or perhaps to just be at home with my family. But, my friends gave me a very good birthday celebration here as well, and made me feel very loved. It also worked out that Colin's birthday card arrived just on my birthday and that a friend's recently published book arrived Monday as well, in both English and Spanish. And, though it's perhaps not in good taste to talk about presents, I got the coolest pen ever. You know how in the novels and in the "olden days" they wrote with ink and quill pens? Well, apparently some places still do (Germany) and now in my house I will too. Thanks Isma!

A Year Older

2010-11-06T10:38:00.003+01:00

This seems to be the week of birthdays. From last Saturday until the present, everyone seems to be getting older. Although we age gradually every day, every minute, and perhaps even every fleeting second, time only stops once a year to remind us that we are now officially 365 days older.

This year the powers that be have broken the sacred tradition of only aging on one's birthday to remind me two weeks early. Last night some friends got together to play arcade games, celebrating the twins' birthdays with food, silliness, and presents.

Presents is the important part now, since it is in this tradition that my birthday intersects with theirs. Laura opened her gift first. Tamy squirmed and tried to help her open it a bit faster, which only succeeded in causing Laura to tear the paper exaggeratedly and agonizingly slowly. It was a hard drive, though the look on her face said, "What in the world is this?" Next, Ester opened her gift, a large heavy rectangular package. Once the gift was unwrapped, she looked up at us with surprise. A Spanish cookbook? "Do I really cook that bad?" she asked. Isma turned red. Guille started laughing. Apologies began to flow. I looked confused. Wrong gift? Isma took the book out of her hands and gave it to me. "Happy Birthday!" he said abashedly. I just had to laugh. Poor Ester! I suppose she'll get her gift Sunday, whereas I've received my own two weeks early. I think that Isma will survive the humiliation and shame. I hope.

My Little Room

2010-10-23T09:42:00.008+02:00

Like the view from my little room? It's a subway clinic (whatever that is). Well, stop looking out the window and look around inside!

This is the view I normally have when we start class.

"Good morning class! How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you, and you?"
"Our weather person today is..."

One of my favorite parts of the classroom is the computers. I love them because:

1. They allow the kids to listen to phonics and practice reading.
2. They are very motivating.
3. They give me an even smaller class size.
4. I can show videos in class.

Come stop by the next time you're in Madrid!
.

Thievery

2010-10-20T18:02:00.003+02:00

I figure out at the end of last week why it seemed that I hadn't been paid this month yet. Good news: I'd been paid. Bad news: some sneaky bugger was siphoning funds out of my bank account. I'm not certain who or how, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a trip to the kitchen with my card at a well known American restaurant (but here in Madrid) allowed some waitress or waiter to copy my card number, plus the security numbers on the back.

I blocked the card Friday, went to the police station the same day with Isma and Tamy, and went back myself Saturday morning since I was missing some documentation. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the bank to file my claim. In a few month I should have my savings back, so I'm not too stressed out anymore. Though you know, I didn't actually get angry. People at work wondered at me, how I could tell the story with a smile on my face. Hmmm. Strange American (or strange me) I suppose.

Don't worry, they took quite a bit, but I had withdrawn from the bank just before blocking my card, so I have money and they didn't empty the account (though they probably would have if I hadn't caught it). So all will be well soon.

And it fits!

2010-10-13T21:13:00.003+02:00

A couple of weeks ago I got my engagement ring back from the jewelers (after two size changes it finally fits my tiny finger). Did you know that I have pretty much the same size fingers as my Grandma Vance did? And, I begged Isma to take out his nifty super camera and take some pictures. Here they are:

Weekend in Castellón

2010-10-12T11:54:00.003+02:00

Back in September, Isma's family, plus two extra girls, went to Valencia for a weekend to bid farewell to summer at the beach. I suppose that those extra girls, myself and Laura, would more formerly be called girlfriends. We all had a great time...so much so that we didn't touch the camera at the beach. Ah, that explains the lack of photos! We were much too busy swimming, throwing each other in the air, burying each other in the sand, and visiting with their old friends.

For me the highlights were the "women" times in the kitchen with Elena and Laura, tasting Paco's sangria and eating cheese and toasted bread soaked with tomato and ham on top, visiting Regina's orange grove, sketching in the mornings and at the beach, playing padel, and playing in the waves.

Here's some pictures of the trip.

Castellón: Torre Nostra

New Most Delicious Things Ever

2010-10-11T10:21:00.005+02:00

No joke. It was like the most delicious thing ever.

Ok, I'm done channeling my cousin Shannon now. :P

Saturday night Isma and I went out to eat and for dessert we shared a cup of panna cotta with wild berries. It's light custard/yogurt-like goodness. Wonderfully amazing. You should try it!

Greek yoghurt panna cotta in blackberry sauce. Photo courtesy of Stu Spivack

Source: http://flickr.com/photos/stuart_spivack/84610490/

Rain Day

2010-10-09T22:20:00.006+02:00

Today is the start of a four day weekend for me...so how did I spend it? Doing laundry and then off to Isma's house to eat with his family (aka not cooking myself), lay on the bed and play a game, watch Isma and Guille play flight simulator, and basically do nothing. Did I mention that it's been raining all day? That perhaps explains it. Rain makes for lazy people.

Around 7 Isma and I woke up out of our lethargy and went to buy paddles to play Pádel. Or paddle? Or padel tennis? Anyway, it's like tennis but on a smaller court, with raquets that are more like bats, and the balls are depressurized tennis balls. It's exciting thinking about starting a new activity together. We spent half of dinnertime thinking about who could or would want to come play with us. Hopefully it will stop raining next week and we can try out our new paddles!

If you're curious, here's a link about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padel_tennis .

And here's some pictures of us playing in Torre Nostra:

We're not too good at it, and I uploaded the only picture in which I don't have silly looking form, but let's see how this goes!

What's your name?

2010-10-06T16:46:00.002+02:00

His name is Juan, my name is Erica and DON'T YOU FORGET IT.

That's the rhyme I'm teaching the second graders, but I'm still forgetting!
This Monday started the first week with my classes instead of initial evaluations of the kids and preparation, like I was doing before. Twelve kids at a time line up and file into my tiny classroom to play games, get yelled at for talking out of turn, and listen to phonics on the computer. This week also begins an overwhelming endeavor: learning over 200 names. As my mom said, I think that seating charts are in order. Not to control the kids...but to control where the names sit! (Sara is in the right corner...ok...) I was smart and had the third graders make name tags. Hopefully I'll memorize their names quickly and will be able to disuse of the labels.

I have also discovered that I need to give the kids lessons in using the computer, following directions, and being nice. Let's see how I do that all in English for Spanish speakers. I am very proud of myself, though. I have not used Spanish with the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd graders one bit. Yay!

New Job

2010-09-14T19:35:00.003+02:00

A week ago Monday I had two interviews, one for a school that wanted a preschool English teacher, and one who wanted a conversation teacher for 1st-3rd graders. I got the job from the second interview, and started Monday at the school. I'm very happy with the situation.

And so begins again the daily commute beginning before the sun rises. This year the commute is much better, though. I listen to sermons, books, or music on the i pod on the bus, and then two more subway stops until Porvenir, the school. The first day I was so confused, but the teachers and other staff were very friendly and helpful. At lunchtime I found the cafeteria (goal #15 accomplished!!), but couldn't find the food. Imagine being faint with hunger, seeing a room full of teachers eating good smelling food, and no fount of said food in sight! So, I decided to solve the problem by forgetting my language skills of any sort, staring, and then asking, "¿Qué hago?" (What do i do?) I couldn't have asked...where do we pick up the trays? -or- Could someone show me where lunch is served? Instead of my caveman sounding question. Oh well. I survived. And even had someone to talk to during lunch (shouting over our echo off the concrete walls). After lunch I found the bathrooms (goal #2). After lunchtime I filled my water bottle at the same newly found bathroom, trying to end the huge headache I'd gotten by lunchtime probably from dehydration (perhaps stress too). Filling water bottle (goal #4).

By today I had a rough schedule of my classes. I will be seeing each 1st-3rd grader once a week. I'll start teaching in a couple weeks. Up till now I've gotten some keys, rearranged the desks, put up posters, cut out a bazillion visuals, read through the kids' text books, made copies, and done recess duty.

I'll keep you posted...things will pick up more when the kids start coming to my class closer to October.

Isma Comes Again

2010-09-09T17:48:00.003+02:00

Actually, it's the same visit from August, but I wanted to post the pictures now, rather late. Notice: Isma had the camera most of the time. But I did sneak a few shots of him! Thanks Linda and Sonny for letting us stay at your house...we had a wonderful time!

Summer with Isma

Visit from Panama

2010-09-09T17:47:00.002+02:00

Around the middle of August, I got the opportunity to spend a few days with my friend Arielle, who was in the country to visit family and go to a friend's wedding in Arkansas. Such fun! We went to the Cuban sandwich shop with Isma, wherein I embarrassed myself by failing to understand a word of Spanish (and how is it that I've lived in Spain two years??). Later, we played Bananagrams with Sandy and the rest of the girls and Isma took a look at their computer (qué majo, no?).

The pictures I have are from the weekend that Laurel and Arielle came up to the lake, the week before Isma came to visit. We beat ourselves up on the tubes, swam, played...of course...bananagrams, and generally had a good time. I've posted some pictures of us being lazy and of the awesome sunset that evening, if you follow the link below.

Arielle Visit

Bananagrams

2010-09-08T22:56:00.004+02:00

It's like banana phone (the song is playing in my head), but without real bananas and very fun to play. Coolest game for word lovers! We found the game a couple years ago, courtesy of some friends (thank you Marti!!!). I'm so excited, I even have a post-game picture from this summer!

Rewind

2010-09-08T10:53:00.001+02:00

Rewind back to July...and I'm posting the photos I took from the Collins' family reunion now. Mostly people shots...I tend not to take pictures when I'm swimming, in the canoe, sailing, biking, or biking. I leave those pictures to those staying behind. :) I do wish I had that photo with the running trophy, though. Hmmm...guess it will have to do in Mom's album in Facebook.

Fourth of July 2010

Best Weekend Ever

2010-08-16T00:30:00.012+02:00

August 1, I took Isma to visit downtown Chicago. We walked up and down Michigan Avenue, visiting Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the John Hancock Center, the Water Tower, my favorite the Tribune building, and the Transformer's III set along the river. We were pretty excited about all of the foam destruction and overturned cars. The day wandered on pleasantly, even though we couldn't find a place to eat the salad and milk shake we both wanted. Strange cravings? Getting to wish the barista at the tea shop where we ate supper, "Happy Birthday!" met up for the lack of a cold chocolate milkshake.

At dusk we strolled down to the aquarium and planetarium to sit and look at the city skyline by night. The lights meandered down the coast for what seemed endless miles before disappearing into the fog and up to the skies on the tall buildings, which from so far away seemed to lose a little of their stature. After sitting and messing with the camera a bit, Isma suggested we stop playing and taking pictures. I wasn't too happy, but I supposed we could talk for a bit before heading back. Not his idea. He knelt, not paying attention to the concrete below, and asked me to marry him. If I would like to start going down a long road with him, referring to the longest highway in the US that goes through Chicago, starting that evening. I am so happy! (Yes, I said yes) It took me longer than my answer, though, to realize that he was still on his knees, on the cement stairs. Ouch.

I put a picture of the ring up for Grandmother and those female relatives of mine whom I'm sure would love to see it. If you're a guy...just ignore. :) We'll have to get it resized/replaced when I get back to Spain. If you wonder why, look at the picture of it on my finger! I really like it though, it is just like what I would have picked out. Plus, the guy is much much better.

El Sol

2010-08-15T05:01:00.006+02:00

.
El Sol

A la tierra ha susurrado
el sol se acaricia los
seres que bien arropados
en los pliegues de la tierra
con tranquilidad están durmiendo.
Las plantas bostezan y con
desgana andan hacia la voz.
El brillante sol sonríe a
los flores que con cuidado
miran el aire y florecen.

.

chicagoland

2010-07-31T02:21:00.004+02:00

Tomorrow I go to Chicago!! Isma flies in at 6 pm, and hopefully no one will mistake him for a terrorist or anything, and let him into the city. And so for the second time in a row I will be picking him up with one of my uncles (a different one this time) and taking him to a home not my own. Three things to be excited about, all at the same time. Isma is coming here, I'm spending the weekend in Chicago, and I get to see my cousins (cross fingers) and Aunt Linda and Uncle Sonny. That's like having your cake, eating it too, and then finding out that you won 1 million dollars. Perhaps not quite that dramatic, though. It's supposed to be hot, about 90 on Monday, so I hope we don't wilt! After making a few visits to people and walking through downtown, we'll be heading to Fort Wayne, and next weekend to Coldwater Lake before Isma has to leave.

Manyana voy a Chicago! Isma llega a las 6 de la tarde y con suerte nadie le confundira con un terrorista ni nada asi, dejandole entrar en la ciudad. Por la segunda vez (pues, es solo la segunda vez que Isma ha estado aqui con mi familia) voy a recogerle con uno de mis tios (uno diferente esta vez) y llevarle a una casa que no es mia. Tengo tres motivos por estar emocionada: viene Isma, voy a pasar el finde en Chicago y voy a ver a mis primos (espero) y Tia Linda y Tio Sonny. Es como tener todo lo que quieres y mas. Preveen que va a haber calor, como 33 el lunes, asi que espero que no marchitemos como flores! Despues de visitar algunas personas y andar por el centro, embarcamos para Fort Wayne y el fin de semana despues al lago Coldwater antes de que Isma tenga que irse.

Back from Outer Space

2010-07-28T19:22:00.003+02:00

I feel like I've awakened from a month long hibernation. Not that I've been sleeping, doing nothing. I've been working a 5 day week at an adult "day care" (though I hate how that sounds), spending time with my family, helped translate and do VBS in Picaihua, Ecuador, ran in a 5K race (first in division...maybe I was the only 20-30 year old girl courageous enough to run it), and spent 4th of July with my mom's family at the lake. The hibernation I guess refers to responsibilities and my life in Spain, except for phone calls to Isma. But I've woken up now, back to the world, which is a good thing, and hopefully will make better use of the rest of my time back here in the states, without ignoring everyone back in Spain. It feels good to be grounded, back on Earth again. Now if only I can stay here.

This week is "Summer Camp" week at work, and so we're doing crafts and games reminiscent of camp back when everyone was a kid, drinking bug juice and eating hot dogs, singing camp fire songs over a fake campfire (unfortunately someone responsible nixed the real fire idea), and reminiscing about camp days long past. Today most of the clients are away at baseball game, our home team Tin Caps. The name comes from Johnny Appleseed, who's a pretty important man around here. I'm left with a few others to hold up the fort here. We'll see how the game went this afternoon. Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the park.....

Can't wait till Isma flies in to Chicago this Saturday!!
----------------------------------------------------
Siento como si fuera un oso que acaba de despertar despues de hibernar durante un mes. No quiero decir que he estado durmiendo, haciendo nada. Trabajo 5 dias a la semana en un programa que acoge adultos discapacitados durante el dia (como se llama eso??), paso tiempo con mi familia, acabo ayudar interpretar/traducir y hacer una escuela biblica vacacional en Picaihua, Ecuador, corri en una carrera de 5K (y gane primera en mi division...quiza fui la unica chica de 20-30 anyos que tenia bastante coraje competir :P ), y pase el dia de Independencia con la familia de mi madre al lado del lago. Supongo que quiero referir, con eso de la hibernacion, a las responsabilidades y vida en Espanya, excepto las llamadas a Isma. Pero ahora me he despertado, he vuelto al mundo, lo cual esta muy bien, y espero utilizar mejor lo demas del tiempo que me queda aqui en EEUU sin ignorar todos en Espanya. Siente bien estar mas arraigado, estar con los pies en la tierra otra vez. Ahora, si tan solo puedo quedar aqui.

Esta semana es "Campamento de verano" en el trabajo, asi que estamos haciendo manualidades y juegos como los que hicimos en campamentos de ninyo, bebiendo "zumo de insectos" (si se llama asi) y comiendo perros calientes, cantando canciones sobre una fogota de papel (desafortunadamente alguien responsable denego la idea de una fogota de verdad), y compartiendo cuentos de campamentos pasados. Hoy la mayoria de los clientes estan en un partido de beisbol de los Tin Caps, el equipo de Fort Wayne. El nombre viene de Johnny Appleseed (Johnny Semilla de Manzana), quien era un hombre bastante importante por estas partes. Me he quedado aqui con unos pocos. Ya veremos como fue el partido.

No puedo esperar hasta que venga Isma el sabado!!

Goodbye Hello

2010-06-21T23:40:00.003+02:00

Tomorrow I'm heading home for part of the summer. First on the agenda is to give everyone a big hug and a pet for Chula, my family's new puppy. A few days later I'll start working at Turnstone, filling in during my vacation for Zlata, whose daughter is having surgery. Then the fourth of July with the extended family and the 5K race. Then missions trip in Ecuador, doing programs with the kids and meeting the church in Ambato. Then the first week of August Isma comes to visit...and before long I'll be back in Spain. My prayer for this summer is to take advantage of every minute, seize every moment, to not think further into the past or into the future than is necessary, and to love the people I'm with and without. Hope the trip goes fast tomorrow!

Ruminations

2010-06-12T14:08:00.002+02:00

Two and a half weeks till I head back to Indiana for most of the summer. Perhaps the warm bread, salad and lamb chops settling into my stomach is reminding me of home? Probably not. Isma is in Granada this weekend with his cousin, setting up a sound system for a tiny church. And I am here, thinking that I should go run to be able to participate with my family in the Coldwater Fourth of July 5K without keeling over. Better let that lunch digest first. I've been enjoying training for the run, increasing the amount I jog slowly but surely, trying to fit it in before work or after the heat of the day wanes. Running after work at 5 pm in 90 degree heat doesn't really work for me. One morning I woke up at 6 to go before work. Roll out of bed, pull on some shorts and a t-shirt, stretch, put on some sneakers, step outside...brrrr!!! Through the park, past the young man with his dog, over to the highway, past the horse. HORSE? Never seen it before, never seen it again. My theory is that the gypsies put it there to graze, being so early in the morning and a little remote that no one would be bothered. It's been cool here, so I've been able to do some midday jogs this week. Strange, and though I welcome the cool weather, I would not mind the sun peeking out. Cloudy skies make cloudy faces, and it's time to see some light.

Wedding

2010-06-11T22:29:00.003+02:00

A few weekends ago I went to a coworker's, Aurora, wedding with Isma. It was a happy time! And short, as it was a civil ceremony (which was good because we were standing...and for Isma because weddings aren't so much a guy thing).

I couldn't resist having someone take a picture of us out of the windows of the hall the wedding was held in. It was in the Plaza Mayor.

Shame on Us

2010-05-16T21:51:00.003+02:00

Today Isma, Miki, Guille, and I went to eat at Cañas and Tapas in the mall near church. Pretty good food...croquettes, eggs with potatoes and peppers, and potatoes covered with sauces...but the best part was the waiter. By far. He practically bounced up to the table, told us how we could make our order better (which we were glad for the suggestion, not on the menu), and did it all with so much cheer that I couldn't help smiling. Some people grump about on the job, and what do they receive? A reflection of their attitude...a cycle that leaves them exhausted and grumpy at the end of the day. Our waiter, on the other hand, exuded energy and we gave it back. At the end of the meal, he brought us our "multa" or fine to pay. It's not traditional to leave tips here, but I think we left him about 3 euros.

After eating, we went over to VIPs to split two large cups of strawberries with ice cream and cream cheese between the four of us. We felt so bad about not ordering dessert at the first restaurant (remember, one-of-a-kind waiter), that we slunk around the long way to sneak unseen into the second restaurant. In all the four of us ate in three restaurants for one meal (Guille and Miki grabbed 1 euro burgers at McDonalds to finish filling up before dessert). Crazy. One of the best lunches I've had for awhile, not for the food, but rather for the companionship and fun.

Pet Peeves and Neat Treats

2010-05-10T14:01:00.002+02:00

Classroom pet peeves:

= having no visual aids (if it's not my turn to bring them)
= when kids interrupt the explanation to say "I don't understand" angrily, when the teacher hasn't finished explaining
=when kids complain loudly about others' farting (and then blame the one whose stomach is upset on their inability to be quiet in class)
=when students walk to the front of the room to ask to go to the bathroom during a lesson
=moving desks
=students mocking others
=random standing up
="surprised" faces when they are scolded for talking
=incessant nose blowing at trash can

Here is a list of the good things I saw today:

=students helping others
=one of the compulsive talkers paying attention and participating
=a quiet boy who understands little English smiling and actively participating
=a good show-and-tell about pets
=talking with one of the 6th graders on way to school
=enthusiastic singing
=intelligent questions
=chocolate cake because of two teachers' birthdays. yum
=one of the girl's birthday...Happy birthday to you, you live in a zoo...

Let's just say that that was a rant about the day, and then the second list to remind me why I like teaching so much.

Say what?

2010-05-09T22:40:00.002+02:00

I have a private class every Thursday with three friends, Rosa's girl, and two boys, all in second grade. They are slightly crazy, intelligent, and fun to be with when they're motivated...horrible when they're bored. Last week, like after each class, the four of us cleaned up the room. One erased the dry erase board, another put the chairs away, and the last put the game or flashcards in an envelope while I collected the books and the rest of my things.
A few seconds into this activity, I hear one of the boys say clearly, "Hey baby."
Surprised, I turned around and asked, "What did you say?"
"Hey baby," he repeated, and then continuing in Spanish said, "you know, when someone who speaks English has a baby boy or girl, sometimes they say to them, "Hey baby" instead of saying their name.
That made me laugh. Where do they get these ideas?

Youth Retreat

2010-05-07T10:36:00.002+02:00

Two weekends ago we we went on a youth retreat, focusing on the parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on each of the three persons in the parable. This is first time that I've gotten to see some of the inner riggings of doing a camp or retreat. A few weeks before the event, leadership from the two youth groups organizing the retreat met in Canillejas to discuss the schedule and assign jobs. Before that, the leaders from Canillejas had found the site for the camp, the dates, and had more or less planned out the structure. We had someone in charge of games, people from within the youth groups doing the three sermons, someone for transportation, someone to lead a skit, etc. My responsibilities were making creative prayer stations for use during free time, helping to lead a small group discussion after each sermon, and tending to the fire when we had worship down by the fire pit.

The small group was a good experience, if slightly frustrating. The group was 13/14 year olds, and they didn't have much they wanted to share. Sometimes I felt like we were pulling teeth. But there were some good moments as well, and I am glad that I could be there.

The best part, for me, about the retreat was being able to disconnect from my normal life and stresses (like looking for work next year) and relax in nature and with other people. During free time I played baseball (no one knew the rules except me!), walked to a Roman bridge with a large group of girls, and took time to relax mentally.

Isma was at missions conferences at his church, and it was strange to not have him there, since every time I'd been to the site before, he's been there. He was able to join us Sunday after breakfast with two high school girls from the youth group.

Sunday was an interesting day, a day where people shared what God had been pushing them toward during the weekend. From the sharing time, I can tell that is was a good weekend of deepening their relationship with God for the youth group. It was good to see their hearts and see the open doors for more work now.

Carabiner

2010-05-03T15:30:00.004+02:00

This is a carabiner. In Spanish (I still haven't remembered...long live the dictionary) it is mosquetón (mos-kay-tone), the first syllable with a long-o, second long a, last long o.

Amazonia

2010-05-02T22:19:00.002+02:00

Wednesday we went to Amazonia with the fourth graders. One-hour bus trip there, replete with the kids singing (if you call shouting singing) songs like "_______ peed in their sleeping bag" akin to "who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?" and one about elephants balancing on something...same effect as 99 bottles of beer on a wall...never ending. They're funny songs, but after an hour I was ready to be out of the bus full of 50 kids. Amazonia is a park in Cercedilla, in the mountains of Madrid, where you go on zip-lines, climb ropes, and cross precarious bridges while secured with ropes and a harness. I got to go up with the kids. It was a lot of fun playing in the trees.

While we were there, one of the kids cried out, "Look teacher! This is like in our science class!" That made my day. There was granite covering every inch of the ground, and the kids remembered in English what it's called. I love that they could see that what we learn in science class really connects with the real world. The experience and their excitement also opened the door to learn other words about climbing and equipment. Now, if only I could remember the word for carabiner in Spanish...

On the way back, the bus was much quieter, as half of the kids fell asleep, exhausted from the day. I could see that it really helped some of the girls' self confidence. Wish we could go back soon!

Crazy Weather

2010-05-01T09:24:00.002+02:00

It feels like summer is here, though it's technically spring. 85 in April...almost 90! Isma says that all that Madrid has is winter and summer...that Spain forgot about spring and fall. I'm starting to believe he might be right. I haven't been melting yet, but almost. The third story classroom heats up nicely and by the afternoon the kids are hard to motivate to do much. They say (you know..."they") that it will get a bit cooler, but we'll see. Either way, I have been enjoying the warmer evenings to go for walks without shivering and the sun. Who knows, maybe I'll spend enough time outside to get a slight tan.

Edinburgh

2010-04-30T12:31:00.002+02:00

Friday:

Off to Edinburgh, or Ed-in-bur-ah as the locals say. Isma drove today and Ricardo rode in the back with me. We parked near the castle in Edinburgh and climbed the hill to the top to start the Royal Mile at the castle. It's spectacular from behind, cropping off of the rocky cliffs and overlooking the city below. We did some more souvenir shopping-not my favorite thing-and then settled in for lunch at Deacon's Tavern. Apparently Deacon was a respected cabinet maker by day an a thief, gambler, and visitor of brothels by night. When he planned a robbery on the Excise Office, the police set off after him, and he ended up hung on the very gallows he had designed the year before. It seems that his double life was inspiration for Stevenson's book, " The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." I ordered haggis, a dish of sheep innards. It was a risk, but tasted okay...though far from my favorite food. The boys ordered meat pies and fish.

After lunch, we strolled down the Royal Mile, a main street of the old city, until the Holy Rood, stopping along the way to enter a church, the museum of childhood (built by a man who hated children), and to read various plaques. I drove Isma crazy reading the plaques...every single one there was. I just like to know everything!

Apart from the Royal Mile, we saw monuments dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, David Livingstone, and soldiers from WWI. This was our last night here. I'm sad to be leaving Scotland. The mornings waking up and eating breakfast with the others, beautiful views, and having someone dear to say good morning and good night to: that I will miss. On the other hand, I'm ready to get back to work because I'm well rested. Good vacation.

Campbell Land

2010-04-26T15:25:00.002+02:00

Thursday:

The sun came out today! Early risers get the worm-or a good breakfast before heading off to Argyll and Bute, Campbell territory. My dad's middle name is Campbell, his grandmother's last name. They're a relatively easy family to track down in Scotland's history, so that's why I was able to visit the lands of these ancestors. On the way to their castles, we did a quick detour in Glencoe, where the Campbells massacred the Macdonalds, one of their rival clans. The MacDonalds had delayed in giving their allegiance to the king, and so some officials took advantage of the Campbell's hatred for the MacDonald clan to punish the MacDonalds. The Campbells went to the MacDonalds' home, stayed several days there, and then at dawn a shot went off. Many died from gunshot wounds, more died from exposure in the snow covered mountains. It's one of the more shameful parts of our history.

Next, we stopped in a country church to take photos in the cementary. I believe I'd been driving the guys crazy wanting to visit a cementary to read the epitaphs and last names. This one was full of Campbells and MacDonalds.

After driving through barren land and spotting some deer, we arrived at Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, now in ruins, in a high spot partially surrounded by the lake and the other half by low wetlands. It was built by Colin Campbell, the same man who built a castle earlier in Inveraray our next stop. Inveraray is the seat of the Campbells, one of the most powerful clans in Scotland and still and powerful family. When we toured the new castle, the guide recognized my scarf and asked if I was a Campbell. Why, yes, at least partially, I happily replied. What history and stories the family has! I hope to be able to see where my family more specifically comes from, but I'm not sure I ever will because I'm sure to be occupied with other tasks.

After the castle visit, we went to jail. Isma had murdered someone (not his fault) and I'd stolen a pie. I'm not sure what Ricardo and Marcos had done; they didn't talk much about it. Just kidding. :) We actually went to the Inveraray Jail, a museum detailing the history of the jail system in Scotland. I highly recommend it. For supper, Scottish Pie with baked beans. Mmmmm. The darkness fell as we drove away from my ancestral lands, and I as usual, fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Wind and Blizzards

2010-04-22T23:47:00.003+02:00

Monday:
Up at 7, breakfast together, then bundled up for the long drive to the Isle of Skye. In the first stop, I braved the frosty hill down to a pristine lake with dark slate shores to breathe in the crisp air. I'm glad I could convince the guys that it wasn't icy so that they'd come down too. The views here take my breath away.

Second stop was Eilean Donan Castle. The tide was out and black weeds frilled the gap between the still waters and the stone seawall. We entered the store, but not the castle. Isma got me a scarf with the Campbell tartan.

Then, up over the bridge to Skye. The highlights of the drizzly day were having a tea with a tart, hot chocolate and scones, a photo with a classic red phone booth, sheep crossing the highway, road works with the convoy system (interesting at first, a pain when repeated), a short muddy walk to a waterfall, braving the wind to see a huge waterfall off the side of a cliff in the Atlantic, and basking in the raw beauty and power of the island. The wind was cold and biting and it rained off and on throughout the day, but what else can you expect in northern Scotland at the end of March?

Tuesday
Today, Loch Ness and Inverness. We (fortunately) got to sleep in a bit because Loch Ness is so much closer than Skye. Outside was white, but the roads were clear as we headed out to find Nessie. The closer we got to the coast and inverness, the more the snow decreased and it started to rain. The only explanation I can think of has to do with the distance from the sea and change in altitude. Loch Ness must be beautiful,but it was awfully rainy to fully enjoy the scenery. We went through the museum "The Loch Ness Centre" and learned about Britain's largest lake, the legends, and what they think may have caused sightings and strange fish findings. Isma fulfilled his goal of buying a a kilt in Inverness. Handsome, I must say. Though I'm afraid it'll have to be just a costume in Spain.

Wednesday
Day of rest. Snow in the morning, continuing from the drive the night before, caused some roads to close and blizzards in the high hills. In the morning we tried to go to a distillery, but they were closed for tours. Instead, we bundled up and trekked into Newtonmore. Lunch there, carrot adn cilantro coup and grilled cheese, was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. In the afternoon we tried to go to the nursery tea shop again, but as can be expected, no luck. At least Isma got a picture with sheep! And lots with snow. Once home for good, I made a fire in the fireplace. Reminded me of when Dad and I used to make fires in the wood stove. And Colin too...except I don't know why I always erase you from my stories, Colin. Sorry!

Scotland Photos

2010-04-09T13:31:00.003+02:00

I finally got the photos organized, labeled, and uploaded. There's still a lot, but I cut out at least half of them. Hope that you can see that, despite the cold wind and rain, we really enjoyed ourselves in beautiful Scotland!

Scotland 2010

Reindeer Brunch

2010-04-05T10:09:00.007+02:00

Saturday:
Up before the crack of dawn. Isma's dad accompanied us to the airport at 4:45 am to drive the car back to their house. Bleary eyed and with bags on our backs and in hand, we waited in the long Easy Jet check-in line until both Ricardo and Isma's cousin Marcos joined us. First we flew to London, then caught a plane to Inverness, in the Highlands. The first flight was packed, and we all had to sit separately. Much more luck on the second. After landing in Inverness, it was a couple hours' drive on a windy highway bordered by green fields to Newtonmore. Green fields covered with rain.

Sunday:

Our guide

Wishing I had my snowboots. After a breakfast of toast, tea, and milk, the four of us set out to see the reindeer in the Cairngorms, a national park. In the Scottish language, "cairn" means "stony hill" and "gorm" means "blue / green." We rented some wellies (rainboots) to make the short muddy walk up the mountain to where the reindeer were grazing. I loved the trek: the black earth, the bright green grass that reminded me of snake grass, the purple heather, and the low hanging tree branches bejeweled with rain drops. The reindeer were enclosed in a fenced area that covered several mountains and valleys...enclosed but free. The guide brought the reindeer to us in a way that evoked images of the Pied Piper of Hamilton. We fed them grain by hand and they greedily ate, occasionally brushing up against us with their antlers. It surprised us all how small the reindeer were after imagining them bigger with Santa's sleigh. With antlers, they came up to my shoulder perhaps.

Loch An Eilein

After eating lunch at the cottage, we explored the area a bit more, stopping to walk around Loch An Eilein to see some castle ruins when the rain stoppped for a bit, and stopping by Ruthven Barracks on our way home. We tried to have tea at a much recommended nursery/tea and cake shop, but they closed at 5, like everything else. And we thought teatime started at 5. Apparently one must have tea at home.

Ruthven Barracks

P.S.

2010-04-04T23:38:00.002+02:00

Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection Sunday! I must say that I missed some of our traditions, like chocolate bunnies and decorating Easter eggs and egg hunts and all. And seeing the little girls in their new Easter dresses. But we did celebrate Easter here, the essential, and that makes today a day for rejoicing as much as all other days.

I really should finish unpacking now or go to bed!

by yon bonny banks and by yon bonny braes

2010-04-04T22:59:00.003+02:00

Can you hear me now?? If you look in the glass door, you should see Isma's reflection as he takes the picture.

I'm back now from a week in Scotland. The four of us (Isma, Ricardo, Marcos, and myself) arrived in Madrid about 9:30pm and Isma and I were in house a little before 10:30. We had a little bit of all weather: rain, snow, blizzard, sleet, fog, sun, and wind. It's kind of like going to a weather buffet...you try a little of everything before deciding what you want. The only thing that didn't change was the temperature: the thermostat stuck on "cold." I kept a journal, so this coming week I'll leave a basic itinerary and upload the photos so you can see. I enjoyed the journey back to ancestral lands throughly: between the breathtaking landscape, the heavy white snow, crackling fires in the fireplace, and good travel companions, it was just wonderful.

SPRING BREAK!!

2010-03-26T14:29:00.010+01:00

First day of spring break, and what have I done? Gone in to Madrid to teach for a few hours...by teaching I mean talking for 2 hours with a 13-year old in English about diseases, cars, and vacation plans. After I came back I ate some half-burnt pizza, some good fish from Angelita, shoved some things in my backpack, and headed with Tamy to Isma's house in Guadalajara. Not Guadalajara, Mexico. Tomorrow starts the good part: 4:45 AM departure to the airport, arriving in London for a layover and then to...

Yep, Scotland. The home of the Dad's family the Campbells (mmm...good soup) and Mom's family the Lindsays (who helped the Bruce and William Wallace). I'm so excited! Isma, his cousin Marcos, a friend Ricardo and I are going to be there from this Saturday until the following Saturday, staying in the town of Newtonmore. We're going to Inverness, Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Inveraray (home of Campbells), the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and to visit some castles enroute most places. We'll try the food (which I've heard is bad), I'll soak in the wonderful accent, and try not to get too wet. I'll let you know more later!

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

2010-03-25T23:47:00.004+01:00

The same time period as before when I was substituting, I read this story to the class:

and we then did a project by recreating the clothes line from the book and writing about our favorite parts.

I think the part most kids liked was "when the chickens flew" or "when the kids threw eggs," though one kid liked the car race.

I think it turned out pretty good, both the artwork and the writing.

Our Class

2010-03-22T16:24:00.004+01:00

Today I had my English class cancelled with the teachers for the second week in a row. They're losing steam. They don't have to pay for the class, as it is part of my hours at the school, so I think the motivation goes down. The extra hour today made it nice to be able to fix my pizza and strawberries for lunch and eat earlier.

Here's some pictures of the classroom:

This is our Science book. Not such a good book, but okay. It's a direct translation from the Science/Social Studies book in Spanish. And the workbook has almost nothing to do with the textbook, which is frustrating when they parents expect them both to be completed. The parents buy the textbooks here, so they want their money's worth.

And this is a project the kids did, drawing the Respiratory System, when Rosa was off sick for a week.

Just thought I'd put some of these in so that you remember that I'm working, not at the beach in Spain!

Church Work Day

2010-03-19T09:35:00.007+01:00

I'm a little rusty...let's see if I remember how to write on the blog. The last weeks have been full with running around with looking for work here, being sick, and other activities. Sorry for ignoring the blog!

I've got some pictures from the church work day January 23rd. We started painting a mural in the children's classroom thanks to the wonderful artists of the church, spackled a wall, cleaned out the fridge, and painted the rusting doors. Lots of work!

The kids helped out with the painting.

Noelia and I.

Noemí (pastor's wife) and the kids.

One of our resident artists and designer of mural, Juan Ramon.

Iván and Ester.

Félix

Jorge

Maychu

Peppermint

2010-01-12T21:20:00.003+01:00

It's 9 PM and I'm sipping piping hot herbal mint tea, snuggled up in warm flannel pajamas and an overgrown knit sweater, eating Junior Mints with peppermint crunches. I don't think that I've ever fully appreciated the wonder of peppermint before. It tastes like home and Christmas: delicious. A wonderful way to unwind after my longest work day of the week. Out the door at 7:40, back in at 7:30. It's been a long day, yet a pleasant day. Hugs, kisses, "Happy New Years" and everything else that greets people returning to work after Christmas break. One of the girls hugged me tight when I came in the door (20 minutes late...thank-you broken down trains) and told me I was her favorite teacher. In English. Though quite possibly, she told the rest of the teachers that as well. I don't care. Today I feel loved and we'll leave it at that.

A la Vuelta

2010-01-11T13:01:00.007+01:00

I've been back in Madrid for about a week now; today was to have been my first day back at work. However, due to snow last night and into the wee hours, the government cancelled classes in the public schools, though the kids still could go to school. Huh? I was one confused girl about 7:15 this morning, trying to decide whether I was supposed to go to work or not. Luckily, I was able to get ahold of Rosa and she told me to not bother coming in for the half day I work today. I suppose that tomorrow everything will be back to normal and I can give the books I got for my class to Rosa and the kids.

I know that I haven't written a lot about my trip home, or put up pictures. Mom has the pictures held ransom, so those will come later. (just kidding Mom) I do have some pictures of my adorable brother though!

Driving home from Lafayette

Same old, same old: stealing my money, taking up all of the relaxing room on the bed, stealing my pen, and teasing me about it. Did I say I minded? Well, he did give me the money back. And if he hadn't, I can always threaten to tickle him.

Here's a "quick" list of my almost 3 week stay at home:
-Christmas with the Vances (Rick, Pam, Shannon, and Brandon): Shannon played photographer and took this photo of us that Mom used for the Christmas cards.

-Sleepover with Arielle and the girls. Outdoor hot tub + snow = kind of crazy but fun. Arielle fell asleep and I ended up talking to her
husband, José, for awhile. Then pancakes, hot chocolate, and "The Office" in the morning
-Making Christmas cards
-Visit with Ana at Borders
-Shopping with Justine at Glenbrook Mall and a long talk about everything from A-Z over Sbarro's pizza. Spent a long time looking at calendars and gourmet food.
-Christmas Eve at church and then early to bed to wait for Santa Claus
-Christmas!! Cinnamon rolls, scavenger hunt with Colin, blindly guessing what the gifts were (I said a light-up Christmas sweater for teachers, but didn't get one. I think I'll live)
-Christmas in Michigan and visit with wonderful and brainy cousins (and with whom I share a slight eccentricity)
-Isma coming!!

-Lots of card games and Sequence. The new one for this year is Rook. Barely any euchre, which is odd.
-Tour of Fort Wayne for Isma's benefit
-Attempt to go skiing at Pokagon and subsequent fail when I got sick (or passed out would be more accurate)
-Sad farewell to parents at the airport and time relaxing before in the new airport
-First plane trip to Spain with company! (much better this way, I must say)

I've spent the last week trying to get over jet-lag and relaxing. The only time I went out was last Friday. Right now is the "rebajas," the sales in Spain that last from January - March. I went with Tamy and Sara, which was fun but not something I think I need to repeat soon. So many people!! We waited in one line to pay 30 minutes. At least. The best part was probably the conversations we had in that same line and eating supper with Sara's husband, Angel, when he joined us after
getting of work.

Painting

2010-01-06T21:03:00.002+01:00

You know, the last time I tried to give plants as a gift, I think that they died less than a week after Christmas. Though this time they've survived three weeks out of my hands, before giving them away. I spent the Tuesday evening before I left to the US for Christmas painting. It's so relaxing, the stroke of the paintbrush and watching something ordinary transform into something more interesting.

During my last day of work before break, I went downtown to buy the paints and paint brushes at an art store downtown that Rosa told me about. The streets were decorated for Christmas, which I admired while peering into shop windows. The arts shop was a serious art shop...not kids paints or department store selection. I guess that's why the clerk didn't smile. Perhaps artists don't like clerks to smile. You know, the stereotypical starving artist that is preoccupied and wouldn't notice. Or the quality is so good there and the shop so famous that artists will go there even if the young shopkeeper is half dead. I must say that the man in the gallery connected with the art supply store was quite friendly, smiled, and gave good directions to their other location.

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow

2009-12-19T15:58:00.007+01:00

Mira! Ha nevado aqui...pero os tengo que decir que no es tanto. Continua nevando. A ver si esta tarde voy afuera o si me quedo adentro cocinando con mi madre para la reunion con la familia de mi padre esta tarde. He puesto unas fotos de las decoraciones que ponemos todos los anyos, que desafortunadamente no llegue con tiempo ayudar. Pero me gustan igualmente.

del porche de mi casa

pueblo que hizo mi madre

mi familia

I'll Be Home for Christmas...

2009-12-19T15:39:00.002+01:00

That song (see title) ran through my head throughout the day Thursday. Unfortunately, I only know the words, "I'll be home for Christmas...da da da...if only in my dreams." It's pretty, but pretty repetitive after awhile also. Nice reminder of where I was going.
My flight left Thursday around lunchtime, and I got into Indianapolis about 11 pm. My day went pretty much like this:
Tamy dropped me off at Barajas Airport in Madrid. Got through security really quickly, changed euros into dollars and looked happily at how much they gave me, waited an hour for the flight to take off. Translated an article, finished a book, and watched Julie and Julia. I had to pay $5 for the headphones. Which, I suppose is less than watching a movie out, but the screen is a looooot bigger in the movie theaters. The movie made me forget about the earphones, I couldn't help smiling through almost all of it; the couple was really sweet and I liked the comparison between the character Julie and Julia Child. Then, customs and a five hour layover in Philadelphia. There was a fairly interesting exhibit about collections. One woman had collected dryer lint. Dry lint? Or perhaps anything is interesting on a five-hour layover. I read "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" in about 1 and a half hours and I'm not sure what I did with the rest of the time. Stare at people I suppose. The day was kind of lonely. I think the 2 longest conversations I had was with an ex-pat was asking about the plane loading and then we talked for a bit. Then later in Philly by the smoothie shop, I talked for about 5 minutes to a Kenyan man. But that didn't do much for company. In Indy the plane came in about 20 minutes early and Colin was there early as well. After almost 24 hours in transit I was tired, but still managed to stay awake and we talked almost all the way to Purdue in West Lafayette.

The next morning was Colin's last exam, and I woke up a little before he finished and came back to his apartment. We left around 1, ate a really good pepperoni pizza, which probably wasn't the best possible, but tasted like heaven to me. We got to Fort Wayne a couple hours later, ahead of the snowstorm that started up last night. Dad had to go into work sometime last yet, not quite sure when since I didn't wake up all the way. We haven't got much more than an inch though, and hopefully we'll get enough snow to have some winter fun, but that not so much that Dad has to do lots of night shifts.

Spring Cleaning

2009-12-16T17:07:00.002+01:00

Twice a year every Spaniard (well, every grandmother at least) cleans their home from top to bottom. Luckily, they're apartments and don't have as much space as our house. Thank you Mom for not making us do so. Angelita is giving me a free education in all of the traditions, even the cleaning ones.

Bathroom: Grab a bucket and rags. Wipe down the walls from the ceiling to the floor with soapy water, then with wet rag, then dry. Move the furniture from the wall, clean floor and wall behind it. Undo the lamp and clean it. Wipe down door.

Room:Move furniture, dust corners, clean blinds, wipe down furniture with damp rag, sweep, mop, dust, feather dust the corners of the walls and ceiling, clean windows.

I suppose the cleaning is fairly normal, but I haven't done it before and I would say that it took me awhile. Luckily I just have my room and the bathroom!

The reward for cleaning was going to Noemi and Armando's house, the pastor's family for lunch. They're from the Canary Islands...their accents remind me of Señor Delaguardia...Cuban accent almost. We had fiesta arroz. Mom sometimes makes something really similar: Frito chips on top of meat, cheese, lettuce. I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Since last Sunday was my last Sunday here before Christmas, we needed to organize things to give the kids their prizes for the semester before I left. New cheap toys that the kids earned by earning stickers bringing their Bible and memorizing the Bible verse. I'm going to miss teaching them next semester.

I spent the evening catching up with Sara, a friend that took English classes from me and led the small group I participated in last year. She got married a few weeks before I came to Spain this past September, so we had a lot to talk about. The summer, being married, and teaching. She teaches evangelical religion classes in an elementary school in Madrid.

My Compassion Girl

2009-12-15T20:33:00.002+01:00

Did you know that I've adopted a little girl? (awkward pause) Okay, well, she isn't mine and she doesn't live with me...in fact I've never met her...and I guess you can't say that I've adopted her because she lives at home with her mother. She's ten years old, lives in Mexico, has two sisters, and coincidentally wants to be a teacher. Or perhaps it's that lots of little girls want to be teachers.Her name is Zurihsaday. I started sponsoring her through Compassion at the end of last spring. I went to a Michael W. Smith concert here in Madrid and they were raising support for the new branch of Compassion International in Spain. My heart went out to the kids they talked about. That day last spring I started thinking about all the privileges I have that have given me a leg up: two loving parents, money for food, clothes, and school supplies, a college education, music classes and time to spend reading and practicing, the support to go abroad. I think realizing how many kids don't have that and how much I still have is why I decided to sponsor her. I hope that through the years I can see her grow and perhaps someday meet her. And give her some more options and hope in her life as well. I'd love to see if she goes on to study at the university and what she becomes as an adult. I hope to hear from her soon!

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-10T23:00:00.002+01:00

I haven't got much in terms of holiday decorations, but what I do have I've put up this year, keeping my room festive till I head home for the holidays. I took some pictures...I know they're not good...but it's the only way you'll get to see my attempt at decorating!

Frog and Toad

2009-12-08T21:09:00.001+01:00

I'm sure you're burning with curiosity to know the story behind the toad themed birthday presents. Or perhaps not. If not, you should politely stop reading now. Better. Well, it goes back to the youth group's fall retreat. I had just finished my first week of work after the summer, and the kids' Spanish germs had already gotten to me. Sniffles, headache, fatigue, sore throat: I had a bummer of a cold. All this heading into a weekend where I knew I wouldn't sleep much, but I was determined to make the most of it.
The first evening, after deciding that I couldn't take any more that day, I laid down across some of the chairs in the gym and decided to rest a bit while the others played Sardines, the hide-in-seek variant where everyone ends up hiding in the same corner by the end of the game with the last lonely person wondering where everyone went. Isma sweetly decided to stay and keep me company. Enter Miki..or Micah if you want the English form of his name, the youth pastor's oldest son. With a toad.
I take one look at it and almost jump with excitement. I love animals. Even toads. Or perhaps especially things like toads, frogs, turtles, and pet insects. Wrinkling his nose, Isma looks at the toad disgustedly and says, "Touch it, and I'll have to leave." Do I listen? Nope. The rest of the weekend the others teased Isma about how I left him for a toad...that perhaps I could have kissed it hoping it would turn into a prince. And so now, it's just a funny memory between us. The day I left him for a toad.

Giving Thanks

2009-12-07T16:48:00.004+01:00

I celebrated Thanksgiving with Angelita's family and a family friend. Her daughter married an American, so they celebrate each year. I made the pumpkin cake again. Found out, after the fact, where they store the frozen crusts (the dough...you still have to form it in the pan) in my grocery store. The evening was wonderful; we ended up staying until around 12 am. Dinner conversation: a trip to Thailand and Laos on motorcycle; bugs that bite including lice, worms, and ticks; strange food including ingredients we can't find and eating bugs; and other travel adventures. Angelita's grandson and his wife, Juan Marcos and Yoli, entertained us all with their adventures. Sorry, still no photos.

Two weekends ago was full with Isma's cousin's birthday party, a visit to Colmenar youth group Saturday evening (about 45 min from our church), a Sunday lunch in an empty house (wonderfully relaxing), and Sunday evening filling boxes to send to the Sahara for Christmas. I could summarize it as a weekend of reaching out to new people. Meeting Isma's family, meeting and encouraging the youth from a smaller, more isolated city, and sending boxes full of goodies to unknown kids in Sahara in Morocco. It was a weekend full of blessings.

This weekend is an extra long weekend because I have work off both Monday and Tuesday. put that on top of the fact that I don't work Fridays, and I have a mini-vacation. Friday was the normal clean, cook, relax, shop day. I took advantage of Saturday to spend the morning with Isma looking for Christmas presents and the afternoon we picked up Tamy to hang out with the youth pastor's kids. Sunday was the third time I meet with a mini-group of younger girls from youth group to have a Bible study and accountability group. The experience reminds me of when I was in youth group in middle and high school and how much the women who led my discipleship groups affected me. Ann Smits, Rebecca Farrer, and Marti Stittsworth all are examples for me of how to gently lead others to question, search, and reach out to others in love. I am praying that I can lead them well as we all learn together. Today I've taken advantage of the time to cut my hair and translate part of a Bible study to English and try to relax and read a bit. It's been a relaxing day so far.

Cookies and English Camp

2009-12-01T21:01:00.005+01:00

My birthday weekend, I went to English camp like last year. Friday Isma and Tamy came over to make gingerbread cookies with me for the youth group. Saturday, early, Tamy took me to the train station to meet my friend Carmen to go to Guadalajara for the camp. Carmen brought the most scrumptious oatmeal cookies, of which I think we devoured about ten each before getting to the station in Guadalajara to get in the van to shuttle out to the camp. Two of my private students, Marta and Sergio, and their mother, Paqui. My workshop about Thanksgiving went well. And for the next workshop I went to a class to learn to make pumpkin muffins. Mmmm. Isma wasn't going to come, so when I saw him standing by Tamy when we drove up at the camp, my cheeks turned bright pink and hot...well there was a smile in there too. Carmen enjoyed that, taking the opportunity to tease me. Oh well, I was very happy Isma came.

Sunday I celebrated my birthday by staying home for lunch, eating chili and cornbread with Isma at my house. Sometimes Sundays aren't very restful days, with so many people, so I considered it a birthday present to myself not to invite anyone else, to be antisocial, and relax. I was given a couple frog themed presents...that has a story behind it. I'll tell you the story later (it's already 10 pm...too late to begin to formulate it, especially since my brain works slower after 10 pm).

I've posted some pictures from the English camp and cookie baking the night before. Hopefully I'll have some from Halloween (that depends on the teacher who has them) and Thanksgiving soon.

Cookies and English Camp

Weekends in the Park

2009-11-13T18:59:00.004+01:00

Two weekends ago I went to Retiro Park to go for a tour with my friend Carmen of the park, with an emphasis on the history. Unfortunately, she came down with the flu and couldn't meet up with me. I think that her elementary kids probably passed it along to her. I learned a lot during the 2 hour walk around the park. For lunch, Isma met up with me in the park, and I can't say that I complained about having a picnic just the two of us. I've got some pictures of the rose gardens and the park with fall leaves.

The Thursday after, those of us in the youth group had to say goodbye to two of our friends, Anderson and Israel (Isra), who left to go back to their home country, Brazil. We went out to a Brazilian restaurant to "celebrate." I suppose it was a celebration of our friendships, though most celebrations don't end in tears. Friday they left for Portugal, and by Saturday afternoon, they were on the plane for Brazil. Their presence is missed so much in youth group and Sunday morning. I think we all miss hearing Isra's beautiful voice and both of their powerful prayers and encouraging words and Anderson's samba dancing.

This past weekend Isma took me to see the Templo de Debod, which I know Amy saw about a year ago. Okay, more than a year ago. We were going to go on the teleférico (cable car?) above Madrid, but it was really windy, a little cold, and the line was long. An authentic Egyptian temple seemed like the better option in the moment. Afterward we went to eat at an Indian restaurant nearby. I'd have to say that the last two Saturdays have been wonderful.

This Thursday I went to eat with some of the other teachers at a pizzeria down the street from the elementary school. I'm enjoying the new atmosphere this year with more young teachers and some new attitudes.
This weekend is English Camp. I went last year, but this year I'm going to be leading a workshop about Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how it goes!

Retiro and Templo de Debod

Of friends and students

2009-10-23T13:52:00.004+02:00

You know how good it feels to be wanted? Tuesday, upon my arrival at my students' house near the school, Marta burst out of her room with an anticipatory smile, ready to greet me with kisses and hear about my summer and tell me about hers. Sergio also, came out to say hi, a little bashful but happy to see me. Marta and Sergio are siblings, preteens I taught private English lessons to last year, and thankfully am continuing with this year. Last year I went to see the family in a play at their church and it's delightful to work for them. They also contract someone to help out with the cleaning in the house a few days a week, and she used to make an orange juice for me every Friday when I went to give Sergio a lesson. On my way from school to their house, I ran into the woman, Lucia, and we got to catch up in the 3 extra minutes I had. Then, I walked as quickly as I could so I wouldn't be late for the classes.

Wednesday was the third Bible Study. We're studying Mark, noting how Jesus mentored the disciples and how he interacted with the people, learning to be mentors ourselves. It's been delightful so far, and I've noted changes in me as we've gotten into the word more. It's great having a group of people to study with, and since we have "homework" for each day, it's creating a habit of reading and praying every day. I notice the difference when I spend more time with God...we're better friends. Funny how that works.

At school (work) we're working on classroom management and preparing to give the science test next week. I'm relating to the kids well, even better than last year, a good consequence of being in the main classroom the whole time and co-teaching. Some of the kids' lives really depress me, so with them I'm trying to give lots of love while balancing it with the needs of the whole class. At least there are two of us in the classroom. There is always so much to learn, and then some things that can be improved but never mastered, and then others that are new every time and so a mystery.

Back in Spain

2009-10-19T18:52:00.004+02:00

Okay, I've been back for almost a month now, and shamefully haven't written or posted anything. My way back to Madrid was fairly uneventful; no running in airports to my delight. Dad and Mom drove me to Chicago where we played multiple rounds of Skip-Bo before I left to go through security. In the airport in Chicago, I met a young woman from India and we sat together during the long flight, during which I don't think I slept a wink. I was a very sleepy girl by the time Isma picked me up the next day at the airport and took me to his home for lunch. In bed that night by 8:30, I slept a straight 12 hours. Since then, I've connected up with old friends for picnics, started with a Bible study which is a formation for mentors, and investigated a Spanish class that ended up not panning out. October 1st was my first day of work, and last Wednesday I finally ironed out the last details in my schedule. I work Monday through Thursday, Friday for working on my private classes' lessons and housework. Two weekends ago the youth had a retreat in Camarma and last weekend I went to a church "yard sale" with my friend Carmen. At the later, I of course bought books. Four. I swear I tried, but just couldn't resist.

Here's some photos from a birthday party and the camp two weekends ago.

Birthday and Youth Retreat

September at Lindley

2009-10-02T11:41:00.006+02:00

After the kids went back to school, I went to visit Flor, Ana, and the rest of the teachers and kids at Lindley, where I student taught. I ended up coming three times, visiting the classrooms, putting up a bulletin board, and the last time going out for a milkshake with Flor and Ana and talking about teaching, family, and love. I thought it amusing what Monica, one of the assistants, told me jokingly me during lunch the second day I visited: "La primera vez vienes a visitar, la segunda a trabajar, y la tercera a cobrar." (First time is to visit, the second to work, and the third to get paid.) One of my favorite parts was telling the kids about Spain, taking the kids' questions, most of which were actually statements about where their families were from or that they have an [insert object or family member, fictitious or not] from Mexico, and getting hugs from my old students.

Here's Flor.

Here's Ana.

Después de que los niños volvieron al cole, fui a visitar a Flor, Ana, y los demás de los profes y niños de Lindley, donde hice mis prácticas. Al final, fui tres veces, visitando los aulas, poniendo arte estudiantil en un tablón de anuncios, y la última vez saliendo con Flor y Ana para tomar un batido mientras hablábamos de la enseñanza, familia, y amor. Pensé que era graciosa lo que me dijo en broma Monica, uno de los auxiliares, durante la comida: La primera vez a visitar, la segunda a trabajar y la tercerca a cobrar. Una cosa que me gustó mucho era de contar a los niños acerca de España, responder a las preguntas, la mayoría de que no eran preguntas sino declaraciones sobre de donde eran sus familias o que tienen un [insertar objeto o pariente, ficticio o no] de México, y recibir abrazos de mis estudiantes antiguos.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

2009-10-01T21:36:00.003+02:00

A few weeks ago, my parents and I celebrated the beginning of fall and apple cider season (which, sadly, I haven't drank this fall) by attending the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Johnny Appleseed Park. Bean and ham soup, corn bread baked on a wood fire served with homemade butter, apple dumplings, antiques, pioneer costumes, colonial music, antiques, crafts...fun! Mom didn't want to walk much on account of her foot hurting, so we spent a lot of time watching the dancing and listening to the music...pioneer days, folk, fiddle music, and a drum and fife corp. I marveled at the traditional crafts in between chasing down the bagpipers. Kilted people playing Scottish melodies is not to be missed.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

Fish Story

2009-09-21T14:44:00.005+02:00

Above is the picture of the infamous fish who, about a month ago, graced the floor of our boat. His (or her...fish gender is a little fuzzy to me) fragrant perfume wafted up from the boat, greeting any approaching visitors. Putting our heads together, we brainstormed various ways that the fish could have gotten there. (1) A raccoon. Highly unlikely as they can't swim to the nether regions of the lake. (2) A bird. But the fish was so big! (3) Malicious teenagers. I liked this one. (4) Apprehensive fishermen being approached by DNR officers and needing to get ready of evidence of illegal fish.
It wasn't until about a month after the unfortunate incident that we got our answer. Swooping down from the sky as we watched, a great blue heron ducked under our neighbor's canopy and into their boat with ease that would have seemed prohibitive with their size. He must have taken his fish to our boat to eat, been scared away, and couldn't lift the fish out of the boat to fly to safer waters. We spent the entire weekend trying to get rid of the stain left by the decomposing fish. Soap. Scrub. Bleach. Blanch. Blech. Our neighbors will be laughing for quite awhile.

Arriba está el pez infame que hace un mes, honró el suelo del barco de mi familia con su presencia. Su colonia fragrante nos alcanzó en cuanto acercamos al barco. Después de descubrir nuestro visitante muerto, intentamos dar una razón por su presencia. Damos con algunas posibilidades: (1) Un mapache, aunque no seria muy posible como no pueden nadar hasta las profundidades del lago, (2) Un pájaro, aunque pensamos que el pez era demasiado grande para eso, (3) Adolescentes maléficos, un chisme maliciosos; a mi me gustó a este, (4) Pescadores nerviosos que necesitaban esconder un pescado ilegal de la policia. Tuvimos que esperar un mes para descubrir que pasó de verdad. Una tarde, mirando a la puesta del sol, vimos a una gran garza azul descender, pasar por abajo del toldo del barco y aterrizar en el barco sin dificultades. Pensé que hubiera sido demasiado grande para caber bien, volando, abajo del toldo. Ha debido de poner el pez en nuestro barco para comer, ha estado asustado y no podía levantar el pez otra vez para escapar a un lugar más tranquilo. Bueno, pasamos todo el fin de semana intentando quitar la mancha y olor dejado por el pez podrido. Jabón. Fregar. Agua. Qué asco. Nuestros vecinos estarán riéndose durante mucho tiempo.

Later that day Colin took pictures of Dad and I in the captain hat he bought in Venice for Dad. Ay ay captain!!
Luego Colin sacó fotos de mi padre y yo con el sombrero de capitán que compró en Venice. A sus órdenes, capitán!

Muncie Visit

2009-09-15T20:27:00.006+02:00

The weekend before Labor Day, I went down to Ball State to visit friends, Justine and Beth, who are still studying there. I stayed with Beth in her university apartment. As two nerdy and art loving girls, we enjoyed playing Banana Grams (like Scrabble, but more fun) and went to a pottery gallery to paint pottery. Hers was a pretty spoon rest, but mine will have to remain a secret till Christmas. The funniest part of the visit was the ice cream social at the university apartments. The resident assistant had brought the ice cream out 20 minute before the first participant showed up, without refrigeration. In the sun. With cones and one scooper. Imagine, scooping soupy melted ice cream into a small cone with a huge ice cream scooper, trying to keep it from dripping on clothes. I think that was more challenging than the hillbilly golf game set up to entertain us. And no, I didn't pass the challenge; the last bite landed on my pants as the cone split in two. It was kind of strange being back on campus and viewing the subculture from a outsider's point of view. A world where everyone is, for the most part, either teaching or between the ages of 17 and 26. I remember college being sort of like a limbo land, where you're not quite a kid but not quite an adult, not having a full time job. It's good, so far, being on the other side.

El fin de semana antes del Día del trabajador, fui a la universidad de Ball State para visitar a unas amigas que están estudiando allí. Me quedé con Beth en su apartamento, jugando a juegos de crucigramas, conociendo a la gente de allí. Él sábado fuimos a una galería de cerámicas para pintar. Ella hizo un plato apoya cucharas y yo pinté un plato para mis padres. Es un secreto hasta las Navidades! La parte más gracioso del fin de semana era la fiesta con helados para dar los bienvenidos a los estudiantes que vivían allí en los apartamentos. El organizador había puesto los helados en la mesa 20 minutos antes de la llegada de la primera persona. Afuera en el sol. Sin refrigeración de ningún tipo. Habría estado bien, normal, si hubieramos tenido cucharas y platos hondos de papel. Pero, solamente tuvimos cucuruchos pequeños y una cuchara grande. Imaginate, la gente intentando trasladar el helado de la caja a su cucurucho chiquitito sin dejar caer gotas de helado derretido en la ropa, el brazo, todo la mano. No aprobé el exámen. Cuando fui a terminar el mío, el último mordisco se me cayó a mis pantalones. Está bien, al menos no había notas. Estaba un poco extraño estar en la ciudad universitaria otra vez, observando la subcultura desde el punto de vista de una persona de afuera. Un mundo donde toda la gente, por lo general, tiene entre 17 y 26 años y si no, están dando clases. Me acuerdo que estar en la universidad era para mi como estar en el limbo, no estaba una niña o jóven viviendo en la casa con mis padres pero a la vez no estaba completamente un adulto. Está bien, hasta el momento, haber pasado por allí y estar al otro lado.

Labor Day

2009-09-14T18:57:00.006+02:00

El primer lunes de semana de septiembre era el Día del trabajador. Fuimos yo, mis padres, unos tios y primos al lago para pasar los días festivos. Mi hermano ya se había ido a la universidad y no podía reunirse con nosotros. He aquí las fotos del finde. El domingo después de volver del culto fuimos a una reserva natural para pasar la tarde. Me encantó pasar el día con mi padre en el parque, mirando a los pájaros y el paisaje de la tierra de los lagos que está en el norte de mi estado y en el sur de Michigan. Estaba bien tener mis primos cerca, ver a mi prima pequeña, que ya tiene 15 años, esquiar en agua. No se cayó ni una vez. Eso era lo bueno. Lo malo era que cuando mi tío arrancó el motor y vio que el indicador de gasolina estaba en zero, él decidió que valía la pena alejarnos aún más de la orilla y dejar a mi prima esquiar. Dijo, tenemos bastante. jaja. Casi no volvemos a casa sin tener que hacer señales a alguien para que pare y remolque al barco. Suerte que no es un lago grande como el Lago Michigan.

El fin de semana del Día del trabajador no solamente significa tiempo con familia sino que también el barrio se espera las rebajas en la marina. Las rebajas están bien, supongo, pero realmente es porque son para la gente que viven cerca como una fiesta. En la hora del almuerzo, dan perritos calientes con patatas fritas y granizados en un cono de papel para los niños. Todos la gente con menos de 15 años andan este fin de semana con labios azules y rojos pocos normales. Bueno, y supongo que algunos mayores también, pero intentamos con toda la fuerza esconderlo.

Labor Day

Wedding!

2009-07-20T21:44:00.003+02:00

This past weekend my cousin Amy got married! I posted some photos from the wedding after some some sailing pictures (obligatory this summer). After the 9-10 hour drive down there...departure time 6 am...we arrived in Jackson, Tennessee, Mom, Dad, Aunt Brenda, and I. We had to leave early from Fort Wayne so that I could get to the rehearsal dinner. Saturday we all hung out, ate lunch near the hotel, and got to the church early for photos. After watching the "I do's," and the reception, some of us camped out in the hotel lobby and visited over delivery pizza. Larry brought over Mauricio, a college student from Peru staying with Debra and Larry for the summer; it was nice to talk to someone a bit in Spanish after 3 weeks away. He did quite a good imitation of a Spanish accent from Spain; that tickled my funny bone. Sunday morning, not quite so bright and early, our car load headed back north, making pretty good time again. It was really good to see Kevin, Libby, Kyle and Mary Kate, whom I hadn't seen in a few years. I'm sorry to say that little Elijah probably stole the show during much of the time before and after the wedding. Or maybe not sorry. He's pretty cute, even when he's busy making "presents" for his parents.

Lake/Wedding

El sábado, se casó mi prima Amy. Colgué algunas fotos de la boda, aunque primero hay fotos de que sacó mi madre de mi padre y yo en barco de vela. Después de conducir 9-10 horas del norte de Indiana hasta el oeste de Tennessee habiendo salido de casa a las 6 de la mañana, llegamos al hotel en Jackson, Tennessee. Fuimos 4, mi tía Brenda, mi padre, madre, y yo. No me gustó salir tan temprano, pero había una cena el día antes de la boda a que estaba invitado. El sábado, pasamos la mañana con familia cerca del hotel y llegamos temprano a la iglesia para las fotos. Después de la ceremonia y la recepción, nos reunimos algunos en el vestíbulo del hotel y hablamos mientras comíamos pizza. Vino un estudiante de Perú que está viviendo con mis tíos durante el verano porque no podía ir a casa ni encontrar trabajo. Estaba bien hablar con alguién en español. Hizo una imitación buena del accento español. Me hizo gracia. Domingo por la mañana, no tan temprano como antes, entramos de mala gana en el coche otra vez para ir al norte. Me gustó mucho ver a mis tíos Kevin y Libby y mis primos Kyle y Mary Kate, quienes no había visto en unos años. Siento decir que el bebé Elijah (mi primo-segundo...después de primo, me confundo mucho) robó mucha atención antes y después de la boda. Bueno, quiza no lo siento tanto. Es muy precioso, aún cuando está haciendo "regalos" para sus padres. Eso no me molesta porque no es mi niño!

Zoo (figurative and literal)?

2009-07-13T04:47:00.005+02:00

Got back fine from Madrid, though I did have to run to catch my flight from London to Chicago due to my previous flight's delay. Sonny picked me up from the airport, and not very long after, Linda, Sonny, and I went over to see baby Elijah, Kelly, and BJ. He's so cute!

Friday, the three of us headed up to Coldwater Lake to join others in celebrating the Fourth. (just joking about the family gathering being a zoo...it was pretty relaxing) It was good to see the family. Especially since I missed everyone at Christmas! I got some really good sailing in with Uncle Brad, making a good start to the weekend. And endured the good-natured question marathon from the rest of the family. :) Greg, Garret, Mariel, Doug, and Eric all came. Most people left Saturday, and Greg left Sunday morning. Monday afternoon Mom, Dad, and I took Colin up to Calvin to start his 6-week summer classes, the one that he's going over to Germany with. We heard from him; he's enjoying Bremen a lot and dreaming up travel plans for his one free weekend. Anyone know anything about Vienna?

Fourth of July

This past Friday, Mom, Dad, and I went to see the new African Safari exhibit at the zoo. It was very worthwhile. There were misty sprays at the beginning, which, apart from the animals, was a highlight on the hot day.

Fort Wayne Zoo

Back to the States

2009-07-01T16:17:00.003+02:00

In less than 24 hours by the clock, and not much more in reality, I'll be in Chicago with Aunt Linda and her husband Sonny. It seems like a world so far away, yet each minute getting closer. The two worlds I've been living in have been becoming less separate than they used to be, even though it still usually feels as if I interrupt living in one to live in the other, at times they are continuous and each one continuously bleeds into the other. Anyway, tomorrow I'll be in Chicago. Friday I should be in Michigan with a lot of family to celebrate the Fourth of July, and after the holiday weekend, I'll be back in Fort Wayne. I'm looking forward to this summer seeing friends and family, almost three months spend before I head back to Madrid in September. I'll be seeing a lot of you soon!!

Last Day of School!

2009-06-27T00:25:00.006+02:00

Two very important things have transpired:

Number 1: Today was my last day of work until September! Summer vacation...yay hooray. Now you know why I wanted to be a teacher. The kids' last day was Tuesday, and after spending three days grading papers, I'm done. I've got some pictures from our last day.

Number 2: I finally managed to make a Spanish omelette (tortilla) that didn't end up A) completely scrambled eggs, B) halfway scrambled eggs, or C) on the counter. Colin said it looks gross, but I promise it tasted good. Now if I can only do it again. Next task I suppose is learning to make paella. One thing at a time.

All in a day's work

2009-06-17T18:09:00.004+02:00

Reading to first graders
Speaking through actions and then words
Cajoling 6 years olds to stay in their seats
Practicing "How old are you?" for the millionth time
(and finally hearing "I'm 7," instead of "I'm fine, thank you.") Yay!
Giving cranky kids a surprise
(Spraying water down necks of overheating students)
Singing "the head bone's connected to the...neck bone"
Playing memory
Catching imaginary pickpockets
Playing grammar soccer and learning why we shouldn't invite lizards to our house
Imagining new uses for chicken soup with rice (like watering roses)
Explaining new words
Reading poetry
Taking a lunch break in the park

I really do like my job.

Cuenca Pictures

2009-06-16T19:43:00.003+02:00

I don't remember if I said, but everyone who went to Cuenca forgot their camera including me except the boys, so I have some pictures now. Actually, you get to see them faster than you would if I had to put them all online. I'm kinda slow.

Cuenca

Hanging Houses and Funny Rocks

2009-06-15T16:04:00.003+02:00

After spending a relaxing Friday afternoon and evening at home, I awoke Saturday to early morning sunshine, full of energy and ready to spend the day walking around the historical city center of Cuenca, in Castilla la Mancha (a province beside Madrid), and a park in the mountains with curiously shaped rock formations. It's the last group outing before Kristen and I head back to the US, the last weekend when we could possibly do it. Six of us, in two cars, made the 2 hour trip to Cuenca together, the girls in one car and the boys in another. Before heading on foot to the old city, we stocked up on food for lunch and parked the cars below the city. Slowly, we winded up into the old city on a hill, that long ago expanded by building even onto the rock cliffs on one side of the hill. The architecture here is different than in Madrid, and in the main square that faces the cathedral, the houses are all painted different muted colors: dusty pink, yellow, rusty orange, slate blue, gray. From the main square, we climbed to a lookout and then wound down the hill, hugging the shady side of the street, to find the famous hanging houses, houses build into the rock wall of the mountain, with balconies hanging over the ravine. Everyone was so hot, we almost didn't go see the houses after getting a little lost. That would have been really disappointing, but at the end Kristen asked a couple dressed as if for a wedding for directions, and we found them without any problems.

Our next stop that day was the Enchanted City (Ciudad Encantada) which isn't a city at all. Rather, it's a place in the mountains where the wind has eroded the rocks in such a way that they look like strange things. Maybe reminiscent of the picture rocks in Illinois or some rock formations out west. We ate lunch amongst the prickly plants and pine cones, played some games of UNO while trying to wait out the hottest part of the day (impossible!), and then walked through the park, awed by what we saw. God makes such wonderful things! I drank more hot water that day than ever, though not quite enough. We were probably all dehydrated, though still enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Before heading to our homes, we stopped to get a drink and a tapa in Alcala, and I'm sure that all of us arrived at home completely exhausted, but contented.

Summer's Here

2009-06-12T19:28:00.005+02:00

Now that we have half days of school, 9-1 instead of 9-12:30 and 2:30-4, I've been eating more at home, which involves more cooking and grocery shopping. I've discovered that eating at home in this manner does not always give me more time. But, I've enjoyed cooking some. Despite two more free afternoons than before, I don't spend much more time at home. I do note that I have more time to relax and see my friends, to read and to rest and organize.

I officially have 12 more days of work before summer break and 20 days until I depart for the US. It is so close. I have mixed feelings about it. I'm really excited to see my family and friends back home, but know also that I will miss people here. I remember that it's goodbye for just the summer. At school, I've been learning to be more assertive (aka not a doormat). It was kind of stressful to stand my ground, but the situation has cooled off and things are good.

In other news, the church Angelita goes to, which is the mother church to mine, was robbed last week, though they only were able to run off with a laptop and something else. They had everything ready to take, but a neighbor called the police and they headed off further loss. This past weekend I went to a play/musical downtown Madrid to see some of my students and their parents perform. Thursday (yesterday) was a holiday, and I spent my day off visiting friends in Alcala and then walked around downtown Madrid with some friends. The best part of walking downtown in 90 degrees was stopping to eat pineapple and raspberry sorbet (one scoop of each) in a waffle cone. I have to say that it's scorching hot here, so I don't even want to see what it's like in July and August. It's been getting up to 95, though it's bearable since it's fairly dry heat. Imagine that...95 degrees three days in a row in June.

Marseilles

2009-06-08T15:36:00.004+02:00

The last weekend in May, I went to Marseilles to visit Amber Veldt for the weekend. I left work a little early Thursday, which wasn't a big deal since the kids were busy taking their oral English exams. We visited the city Thursday and Friday, went to Aubagne Saturday, and visited Monaco Sunday. I flew out on Monday morning. The flight from Madrid was about 1.5 hours long, after which I had to take a 20 minute bus ride to the city itself. The ride cost more than 8 euros, which is pure highway robbery. In Madrid, I can go on a ride like that for less than 2 euros. I wasn't feeling that well Thursday, so we took it easy that evening, going into the city after a few hours of rest to see the sunset over the water and visit Palais Longchamp. We wanted to see the sunset from above the city, but since after waiting and waiting for the bus, it didn't come, we settled for watching it from the marina. Palais Longchamp was beautiful on the outside, but inside there is a collection of mangy stuffed animals. Apparently not very well kept. When we got home Thursday evening, we warmed up some curry chicken on the stove and put some snails in the oven. Second time to eat snails...though I have to say that Angelita's tasted better. As we were turning in, tired as can be, a small gecko scurried into the room from the open window and disappeared behind the heater. We brainstormed how to get rid of it, but coming up with nothing, let it be and went to sleep.

Friday morning we awoke around 8 and were out by 9:30. Crepes for breakfast made by Blandine, and eggs and coffee compliments of Amber. Once in the city, the smell of the harbor reached us before we reached the ferry to buy our passage to Chateau d'If. The fish market, complete with eels and strange fish, stretch along the font of the harbor. When we got to the ticket counter, I saw, to my surprise, students from ECA in Madrid. The senior trip was a cruise, and one of the stops was Marseilles. Lynn, Bryan and William Calderwood, as well as the French teacher Marie and other students were all there. We ended up seeing them all about 4 times throughout the day. Amber and I said goodbye to them for the moment and boarded the ferry to Chateau d'If, the fort/prison where the "Count of Monte Cristo" takes place. It was interesting to see and the boat ride was wonderful. Afterwards, we took a train up to Notre Dame de la Garde, eating lunch and sightseeing along the way. The church impressed me with it's beautiful and detailed interior. We missed the return train, and so walked down the hill to the tram to go back to her home there. In the evening we made tortillas, fresh limade and limonade, and had a water fight with the boys.

Saturday morning we got up to go to Aubagne, where Amber takes viola lessons. We stopped by an artisan market, and bought some Marseilles soap. We smelled so many different soaps that by the end, we were both sneezing up a storm. We walked to her conservatory, and then I went back toward the old center to wander the cute streets and shops. We got home around lunchtime, ate, packed, and left for Blandine's sister's (Mariel) place halfway between Marseilles and Monaco. It's near Cannes, and they say that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie live just on the other side of the mountain (that I took a picture of). That evening the home's owner, Marcelle, made us pizzas cooked in a stone oven. It was a loooong French dinner, but me not understanding French may have contributed to my sense that it was never ending.

Sunday morning we, Blandine's family, our hosts, and Amber and I, got up at 6 am to catch the train to Monaco. I was so sleepy after the late dinner that I snoozed in the car until the train station. Once in Monaco, I believe my favorite parts were the aquarium museum, the changing of the guard, and just walking around the idyllic, fairy tale city. Midday, we ate a picnic in the park and got scolded for touching the sacred grass. After lunch and seeing the palace and such, we took a bus to the Monte Carlo to see the casino. I stepped in to see the lobby. It was absolutely beautiful, not ruined by the slot machines that were further in.

Monday morning we got up around 6 again to head back to Marseille and catch my plane. The whole family that Amber stays with there took me to the airport, and I said "au revoir" to everyone, and gave kisses. I may have picked up a few French words, which I'm sure I've lost by now. I have said "merci" on accident a few times, though.

Marseille

Mercury Rising

2009-05-21T15:04:00.003+02:00

It's hot! You know, the temperatures here now are about what I'd expect in Indiana at the end of June, July. Today it might have gotten up to 84 F (29 C). I haven't got any shorter pants to wear to work, so I dressed up with a skirt today and sleeveless shirt. Much better than long pants.

Last Friday, after sleeping in and all that jazz, I went into Madrid with Tamy and we met up with Kristen in Atocha to find what people were doing for San Isidro. Apparently, midday, not much. I saw one of my first grade students, but didn't say hi because he obviously didn't recognize me. I realize that to them, I'm a teacher, I belong in the school, and do not exist outside of it. When Isma got off work, he met up with us beside the Reina Sofia museum and we all saw an automatons theater, basically a mechanized puppet show from the 1920s,(I dragged them to see it). It was cool how they moved, wires attached even to the lips, to make satirical comments about the society back then. After the show/exhibit, we enjoyed some sangria with calamari sandwiches and patatas bravas (potatoes with a spicy sauce). Mmmmm.

Saturday morning, I went to a rastrillo, or flea market, with Tamy and her family at ECA. The junior class was trying to raise money for their end of the year trip next year. Each year the seniors go somewhere abroad, and the planning starts now. For supper, I went with some friends to Domino's pizza. Yeah, one of the few Domino's pizza joints in Spain is in Alcalá de Henares, right by where I live!! It was good. Not as good as in the states, but nearly the same.

Sunday, I had invited Laura, Guille, and Isma to eat at my house. I made macaroni and cheese (your recipe, Mom), salad with chicken cooked in the frying pan (not fried), and strawberries. Angelita was eating at her son's house, so we had the house to ourselves. I loved having guests and cooking for them.

Tuesday was Angelita's birthday and she's been celebrating all week, having family and friends over to eat. I celebrated with them on Tuesday evening, after work. On my way home, I stopped in a flower shop to buy some carnations and a small vase to give her. To get it into the house unseen, I put the flower stems in the sleeve of my jacket, and covered the flowers with the body. I felt sneaky, but she did like it when I got to cut the stems and put everything together.

Fail

2009-05-15T11:32:00.004+02:00

Here's my attempt to make a Spanish tortilla for lunch. I did okay, fried the potato slices, poured in the egg, and then waited. And waited. And waited. Then came the hard part. Flipping it over to cook on the other side. I ungracefully managed to slide the tortilla onto a small plate, but when I tried to transfer it back into the pan, half fell onto the counter, and half into the pan. Fail. For the record, it did taste good.

Olympics to San Isidro

2009-05-15T11:08:00.003+02:00

Saturday was the Olimpiadas Evangelicas (Christian Olympics) here in Madrid. Churches from all over the area came to compete. Some of the kids from the school I volunteer at competed with their school. It was enjoyable to cheer for the kids doing the track events. Cristo Vive, my church, came in first, la Elipa (Isma and Guille's church) came in second, and the elementary school La Alameda, third. Yay!

Sunday I missed the bus to go to church because I had forgotten my bus pass in the apartment, and didn't remember until I had already walked all the way to the bus stop. By the time I walked home and back to the bus stop, I had to wait for the next bus. I ate lunch with a family from church after service, and then had youth group in the evening. Isma was preaching, who I enjoy listening to.

Tuesday evening there was a surprise dinner at my apartment. Angelita's brother (he's 85 but pretty spry) was at a pastor's conference in Toledo and came up to see her and the family. They hadn't seen each other in 3 years. And the girls (Mar, Stefy, Raquel) hadn't met him, or didn't remember. What fun. Maria Ester, Angelita's daughter, brought strawberry shortcake. It reminded me of summer (well, June in Indiana).
Thursday I went to see Alba, one of the girls from church, graduate from high school. It was a nice affair, though although I was respectful during the infinite speeches, I probably could count the words I listened to on my two hands.

Today is San Isidro, one of the biggest festivals in Madrid. Yesterday the girls in school wore chulapas (a traditional dress) and we danced the chotis (traditional dance) during recess. Everyone was in a great mood. Some of the girls taught me the dance and laughed as I did it. Oscar, our Puerto Rican assistant, danced the chotis with one of the older teachers, but then gave in to his roots and began to dance salsa. During breakfast/recess, the cafeteria served us calamares and hot chocolate with cookies. Today there is no school, and so the real celebrating starts today (beginning with sleeping in).

Hair Cut!

2009-05-15T10:21:00.003+02:00

After much agonizing and even chopping a little of my hair on my own, I finally surrendered and went to the hair salon last Friday. Here's the evidence. One picture with the hair dresser styled hair, the second when I decide to do nothing. How lazy.

Friends, School, and Taxes

2009-05-09T10:10:00.007+02:00

April 24-26
Friday after work I promised myself to conquer my 100 million task-long-list. I think I crossed off two before heading off to the young adults' small group. They were the most time-sensitive things, though. I was working on a "station" for a prayer night we were having Saturday evening. Basically, the stations consisted of a table, maybe paper to write on, and a short reflection, questions, and verses to think and pray about. I was doing one about carrying others' burdens and putting all your burdens on Jesus.

Saturday morning I went grocery shopping before heading over to San Fernando to help clean and paint the church. I was worried about getting a t-shirt very dirty (since I have a limited supply), so someone lent me a t-shirt to wear for the day. The irony is that I got not a pin-drop of paint on the t-shirt. My pants, the ones I own, on the other hand, looked half white, half the original blue. It ended up coming out in the wash. In the evening, we had the aforementioned prayer and worship night. It was good to spend time praying with friends for the group, church, and community and to sing together. The next morning I had a pounding headache, so I stayed home from church and slept. By the evening I was feeling somewhat better, and went to youth group. Even if I hadn't been feeling good, I may have gone because I needed to bring the snacks (sandwiches and homemade chocolate chip cookies, mmm) and I wanted to hear Guille, one of my friends, preach.

April 27-May 3
This week Eusebio was in Romania, so I substitute taught his class. Because I was taking on more responsibility and doing more work than usual, the school paid for my lunches. Nice bonus. The first day was horrible, but as the week went on, things went much better. It's amazing to see the difference between the two classes. One class is measurably chattier than the other, and mainly for this reason, the number of times the teacher must say "quiet," they get less done. Between Wednesday and Thursday I watched 1972 movie "Sleuth" with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine at Isma's house. There was no school on Friday, so Isma, Guille, Tamy, and I went to Parque Juan Carlos all day. We played Uno, talked, and lied around relaxing. A few of them got a little pink, but I was fine (thankfully...I do need to buy sunscreen, though). Saturday, my church had a barbecue in Alcobendas at the seminary where the pastor lives. I enjoyed getting to know the people in my church a little better. I talked with one of the women from Romania, Mihaela, who is an English teacher for businesses here. She lived 8 years in London, and has been here for about five. Such an interesting lady. After the barbecue, Isma and I took a walk from my house down to the river. I have some pictures in a previous blog. On our way back, yelling and fireworks filled the air. It appears that we were the only ones not inside watching the soccer game. Real Madrid lost. Boo hoo.

Sunday was Mother's Day here (Mom knows, since I called her), and Isma and Guille's mom invited me for lunch. It was wonderful to be included in their family for the day (and their mom cooks the most delicious food). After lunch and relaxing for a few minutes, the three of us left for youth group. Isma was leading that night, since all of the leaders would be at a church meeting about selling the existing church plots to buy land to make a church in which all of the smaller congregations could worship together. That was an emotionally charged meeting, I'm sure. What made the evening even better was locking the keys in the car and having to go (with someone else's car) the 30 minute trip back to Guadalajara to get the extra keys). Pffff. After all that hullabaloo, the evening went well, which I'm sure was not our doing.

May 4-8
This week I've been running around fretting and doing legal things. Monday I stood in line to get my application for a Spanish class next fall. All week long I was trying to complete my tax papers to turn in at la Hacienda. Each time I thought I was finished, I'd see another blank that I couldn't answer without 1. papers from my house or 2. explanation from someone who'd done it before. Wednesday, on my way to Guadalajara to visit Isma and his mom, I stopped in Alcalá, one city further out from Madrid than mine (Torrejón) to visit the language school and look into classes there. Turns out that each school does it differently. Near where I work, the deadline was Friday for every language. In Alcalá, you can't sign up for classes until September. Thursday I decided to stay in Madrid for the afternoon to do errands. After school let out for the morning at 12:30, I ran to Hacienda (like IRS office?) to turn in my papers and do whatever else they told me to do. That went smoothly. Then, to kill time until 4pm when the language school's office opened, I went to Retiro Park to relax and work on English classes. Around 3:40, after grabbing a hamburger for lunch at Burger King, I caught the bus back to the neighborhood I work in, waited in the ginormous line at the school, and turned in my papers. (side note: ginormous really is a word, from c. 1948, combining gigantic and enormous. Can you tell I looked it up?)

It's a relief to have those papers out of my hands. Now I just need to wait for Hacienda to send me the papers by mail, and see what I do with them at that point. They said a few days, others said a few weeks, and other people have told me a month. So, I'll be patient.

Thursday after shopping:

Laughing fit. Ouch.

From India to Spain

2009-04-30T16:57:00.008+02:00

Since about a month ago Isma and I went to see an exhibit with Indian art, it seems fitting that a couple of weekends ago, when we went to the theater in downtown Madrid, we saw "Bollywoodland," a musical drama that was like a Bollywood movie place onto a stage. It was an interesting blend of English, Hindi, and Spanish languages and Spanish and Indian culture. The Indian actors spoke in English, the songs were sung in Hindi, and the narrator spoke in Spanish.

Upon entering the theater, we were greeted by two Indian men in traditional dress, each with a small bowl resting gently in his hand. As one of the men greeted me with, "Namasté," he dipped his thumb in the bowl and marked my forehead with red paint. I said "Namasté" in return, and entered the theater, mouth agape at the thought that just moments before, a man had left his large red thumbprint on my face. Inside the theater proper, soon after finding our seats, the orchestra took their places in the pit, the Indian singers to the left side of the stage and the narrator to the right. The lights dimmed. The play began. As in these types of dramas, a boy and girl fall in love under impossible circumstances, find each other, lose each other, are forbidden to see each other, believe that the other no longer loves him or her, and then at the end get married and dance and sing with the rest of the cast. Beautiful, a little unbelievable, and fun.

Unlike the majority of the people in the theater, we decided to not wash the red stains from our foreheads before leaving India and heading out onto the Spanish street. The looks people gave us! What fun imagining what the others were thinking, for one day to not blend into the multitude in Madrid.

Misión Posible

2009-04-23T17:01:00.011+02:00

The slogan of the weekend.

the high school

the speaker

The group that led worship was from Madrid, many from the church that Angelita goes to (one is her granddaughter Elisabet and Elisabet's husband)
Laura and Guille

youth from the group

Yedsim and Rebeca

Ester and I with our tongues stained by the Fun Dip. Go American candy!!!

I look like a kid!

Victor, Yedsim, and Samuel

The 9th-12th of April was Misión Posible, a reunion of Christian youth (the definition of youth is much more ample here), from all over Spain. Around 1,400 believers came to the conference in Huesca, I do believe. Huesca is in Aragon, which is to the east of Navarra (where I was before), and about 3.5 hours from Madrid by car. It only happens every 2 years, so it is a big event. It was awesome to sing with so many people, praising, listening to the messages, and going to workshops, and jump around during the evening concerts. Other than being an encouragement and motivator to action, it's a way to network with ministries from within and outside Spain. The weather was icky, but it was cool to see the sun come out in time for Sunday, a resurrection of sorts from the former foul weather. I enjoyed the time, but would have liked a little more substance in the songs, which were a little self-focused ("I want to," instead of "God is..."), and less free time (perhaps time with those my age to reflect, time where everyone does Bible Study...otherwise it's quite noisy, etc.). It kind of reminded me of a condensed version of CIY.

The majority of the group from San Fernando went up by bus. I rode in a van that went along with the buses with some of the other girls. I have to confess that I probably slept about an hour of the trip. We stayed in a public boarding school in Huesca, from which you can see the Pyrenees. How beautiful they were, snow covered peaks beyond green and yellow farm fields. The high school the conference was at has a building that looks like a pyramid, hence the name IES Pirámide. The trip home was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk to Debbie, asking advice and wisdom. I ended up staying at Debbie's house Monday (spent the night Sunday night on the couch) to keep the kids company while their parents were in Madrid with the youth from the Canaries (see previous photos to see photos of Jacob and Rebecca...their brother Nathan was there too) .

Little Things

2009-04-08T10:08:00.005+02:00

I'll have to say that one of the highlights of this spring vacation has been running out of pages in my old journal, a journal that has been with me for three years. After a long and arduous quest, I had found the holy grail (a ruled journal), and was eager to use it. The classic, ebony bound journal, with a ribbon to mark the pages like in the hymnals, an elastic band to keep it together, and beautifully lined cream-colored pages. You have no idea how hard it was to find a lined journal here. The paper most students use here is checkered, like science lab paper. I couldn't bring myself to write thoughts, stories, and prayers on what feels to me like graph paper. Memories of science labs in Mrs. Fisher's chemistry class...ahhh!! How nice it was to be able to satisfy my whim.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-04-06T17:11:00.007+02:00

And another month begins. April Fools Day, Palm Sunday, Easter, Spring Break, youth conference, day trips, taxes, and signing up for classes. So much happens, yet so much of what happens matters little. And the things I do not list, those not listed on the calendar, those without particular dates or deadlines, are of course the most important affairs of all. Time spent with a friend, a special smile, a heartfelt hug, a run through the park as the weather continues to warm, prayers and time given, quality conversations held with acquaintances and friends, these are what I am looking forward to this month. So much more meaningful than my lists and calendar.

To be honest, I completely forgot about April Fool's Day, though it would have been a fun holiday to celebrate with the kids. The other assistant told her 3rd graders that they had a 10 page exam. Priceless. I did remember St. Patrick's Day. I wore a green t-shirt, since my "Kiss Me I'm Irish" pin is in the states, and told the kids a little bit about St. Patrick and our tradition of wearing green so you don't get pinched. Of course, they all got a soft pinch from me, since I was the sole person donning green clothes.

At school, I have been preparing the fourth graders for their oral exam in May. It's such a daunting task. I get each group once a week to try to make sure they're ready for these tests. Some of the grammar elements have not been introduced in class yet, so it's quite difficult for the students to remember how to use them. I've been teaching the present perfect, which takes time away from other needed vocabulary development. There's less pressure with the first graders, since they don't take the exams till next year. Thursday before spring break began, I made bunny masks with them and then we read "Little Bunny Foo Foo." They liked hopping with their masks and "bopping" the mice on the head.

Last weekend I went to Toledo with Isma. We seem to have bad luck with weather and travelling. Last time I went with him and Tamy to Aranjuez and Chinchón, it was misty as well. The morning was beautiful, a little overcast, but not too hot, which is good when you are constantly walking up and down hills. I'll show you some pictures. Though I don't believe we took that many. In the past, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities lived in the city together. Of course, during the Inquisition, all except the Christians were driven out. We visited the synagogue, which was beautifully adorned with carved scriptures in Hebrew, remniscent of a mosque. It was interesting to read the history of the Jews in Spain and see the many artifacts that were in the museum. After seeing an exhibit with some paintings by El Greco, we ran to the car, soaking ourselves in the rain. All in all, I did still enjoy it, even though (perhaps coincidentally) I got a horrible cough that evening and was wet from the rain. I won't forget the day!

This Friday I went with Kristen and Carmen to Aranjuez, a town about an hour south of the city of Madrid. The royal palace there was beautiful. My favorite rooms were the room decorated with a porcelain China motif and the room modeled after La Alhambra in Granada. We had a picnic in the garden beside the palace and then walked to the other garden by the river as well. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to share since all three of us forgot our cameras. The area is famous for its strawberries, so we bought some strawberries with whipped cream at a restaurant to share. Mmmm.

Saturday I went into Madrid to see a free Indian art exhibit. I learned three things. (1) Krishna is blue, plays the flute, and sometimes looks like a woman, though he is eternally a prebuscent boy in stature. (2) Krishna and Radha are lovers. (3) Krishna is not very faithful, which makes Radha mad. I now feel educated. After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon in the park. So wonderful and peaceful and lovely. If I could have made the time with sunlight last longer, I would have. I think I walked 3 miles (probably slightly exaggerating), making the grand total this weekend quite a large number.

This week then, is spring break. I am determined to use it semi-well. So far I have stayed up until 2 am talking to Justine and Colin on the phone (time difference makes this possible for them), taken a mid-morning jog to the river, done cleaning and washing of clothes, listened to a sermon online, written an e-mail, written this blog, and this evening I'll spend with friends. Tuesday I'll be in Madrid for the afternoon with a friend from church, and Wednesday I believe I'll work on lesson plans. Thursday I leave for Huesca along with thousands of other young Christians from all around Spain for Misión Posible (a play off the movie Mission Impossible), a youth conference that runs from Thursday till Sunday, taking advantage of the vacations that even working young people should have. After the conference, I have one more day of vacation, Monday, which may be spent with visitors from the Canaries, babysitting, or recuperating from Misión Posible before going back to work Tuesday.

I hope that gets me caught up from the last time I wrote, awhile back. The pictures from Toledo are linked at the bottom of this post, along with any other stray photos.

Toledo and Churros

Sun-shiny Sunday

2009-03-15T10:18:00.004+01:00

What a wonderful weekend. Yesterday, I must truthfully say, was a wonderful day. I went downtown Madrid with a friend to look at camera lenses, relax in Retiro Park, and watch the Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino. It's March, but the temperatures are almost in the 70s. The summery weather makes a body want to stay outside, strolling, lying in the grass, playing catch...which reminds me that I should buy a ball. At the end of the day I was so so tired, but there are moments when the state of the physical body doesn't matter much, because a sleepy happiness is still happiness. On the way home from Madrid, I got to change the gears in the car from the passenger seat. Maybe someday I'll drive a manual...maybe...

Today there is a potluck at the church. I forgot (until yesterday morning) that I needed to make food, so I will buy an empanada or a tortilla on the way to church to share. I have some chicken in cream of mushroom soup to eat myself. After the potluck there is youth group. I think I'll slip away between the two to read and write a bit, to recharge my people friendly battery. Being around so many people all day is enjoyable, but quite tiring.

Dad, I read this in a book that I'm reading, and thought you'd enjoy the sentiment:

"There is no more thrilling sensation I know of than sailing. It comes as near to flying as man has got to yet--except in dreams. The wings of the rushing wind seem to be bearing you onward, you know not where. You are no longer the slow, plodding, puny thing of clay, creeping tortuously upon the ground; you are a part of Nature! (...) Your spirit is at one with hers; your limbs grow light! The voices of the air are singing to you. The earth seems far away and little; and the clouds, so close above your head, are brothers, and you stretch your arms to them." (apologies to Jerome K. Jerome. "Three Men in a Boat")

Can't wait to go sailing with you when I get home!!

Wind storms and snails

2009-03-13T20:11:00.006+01:00

About a week ago Spain was having very high winds, and a huge sign was knocked loose from a building near a highway, making the road dangerous. They couldn't take it down until the winds calmed down, and the highway was blocked off (perhaps partway, I'm not sure). All this is fine and dandy, but when I arrived at the bus stop that morning, I knew something was wrong when I saw the line, as long as a freight train. Oop, the buses weren't running well, I thought. I had planned to buy minutes for my cell phone at the tobacco stand that day after work, but it turns out I needed them sooner than that. Luckily, I had enough to send an instant message to a friend, who called my school for me. I ended up walking/running to the train station, and made the 30 minute walk in 20 minutes, arriving before the first bus. Everyone was very understanding, since the traffic jams were all over the news. I got to school and substituted in the first grade class, enjoying the day and not yelling at the class even once. They must have been all sleeping, since I had no problems whatsoever.

Last Sunday, I went with Kristen and her friend Carmen to el Retiro to relax and eat lunch in the park. It was about 70 degrees, weather which has stayed with us throughout this week as well. After eating and taking a stroll through the paths crowded with lovers and baby strollers, we went to the Prado to see the Francis Bacon exhibit. His paintings are interesting and good, but I can't say that I enjoyed them because they are quite disturbing. The carnality, violence, despair, and confusion of the artwork makes me utterly thankful for the hope that I have in God. Later, during the evening, I got to talk to Colin this afternoon for almost an hour. Colin, that was a wonderful end to my week (or beginning according to English calendars).

This week I have enjoyed walking outside in t-shirts and talking with other assistants and teachers during breaks outside in the sun. This week I talked with Oscar, another assistant at my school, and he said that he would like to be with the first graders next year. I love the first graders, but I also immensely enjoy my time with the fourth graders. It would be wonderful to be with the fourth graders alone, especially since I like to work with the fourth grade English teacher. We have a good relationship and I feel like I would have more freedom to be creative and contribute to the class and instruction.

My last news (very important!!) Last week I ate snails. And...they taste good! I was writing something on the computer, probably an e-mail, and Angelita poked her head into my room. "Do you like snails?" she asked me. How was I to know? It's not common the American that has eaten snail. So, I went to the kitchen and tried. Here's a list of things that I have learned to eat/have eaten in Spain.

snails
unpeeled shrimp with their heads
octopus
squid
rabbit
all varieties of fish (with heads and all the bones...each one uses a different technique to cut it)
sardines
cow stomach

Substituting and such

2009-03-07T01:43:00.004+01:00

This past week the first grade English teacher's mother has been in the hospital, and just got home a couple of days ago. So, I got to substitute in the class. Sometimes I think that the whole class is easier to teach than the small group. I really enjoyed knowing that I was going to teach ahead of time, so I could plan the lesson (and not have it changed on me last minute). The kids giggled as they put on my clothes to dress in warm clothes for winter and flip flops and umbrella for rain. Waterproof is another fun word to teach. I bet they've never seen a teacher spill water on her gloves (on purpose) and then on the floor (not on purpose) to demonstrate that it's not waterproof (but my plastic folder is). One of my fourth graders came down with something for me to write for the fourth grade English teacher, and while I did that, I had him lead the class in a "Simon Says" type game. It was fun to see him interact with the kids. He's one of the good ones (of which there are many).

Tonight some friends and I went out in downtown Madrid to celebrate Kristen's birthday. We ended the night with some of the best ice cream that I have eaten. Mmmm. You know, I really enjoyed the time with friends, relaxing and talking and eating tapas. I just wish that my body and brain didn't shut off before we were done, telling me, in a robotic annoying voice...it's bedtime...sleep now...need sleep...no funciono...powering down...zzzzz. But, tonight is Friday, so I can spend a little more time in my bed tomorrow morning before waking up to make pancakes and raspberry syrup for a late breakfast. And that is a comforting thought.

Crash Course in Sledding

2009-03-05T20:37:00.006+01:00

Last Saturday, a group from the church and friends went to Cotos, which is about 2 hours by train, to sled and enjoy the fresh air. Each time I leave the city, the fresh air revives me. I need to leave civilization more often, I think. I was the first one at the train station that morning, arriving at 7:50 AM after having only slept six hours the night before. Around 8:25 the rest arrived and I forced my drowsy self to stand and greet the others. I took advantage of the trip to get to know a couple new people. In Cercedilla (Amy, we changed trains here to go to Segovia and met that Puerto Rican and Russian), we transferred to an ancient, sluggish, and charming train that took us as far as Cotos. The slopes were jam packed with kids sledding, so we pulled our four sleds to a slope a little more removed from the action. I understand now why it wasn't as populated. They were few the runs that didn't end in a spectacular crash due to the many large bumps. I got about six runs in total. My final run was with Guille, and we took a flying start, racing down the hill. It ended in a complete wipe out. I left my DNA on the slope, and my nose is still a little sore from where I bonked it on Guille's head. He took the brunt of the fall though, since I fell on top. I'm quite proud of the blood stain I left in the snow...like in the movies! Well, maybe not that spectacular. I'm very happy that no one was seriously injured.

After getting back to San Fernando, I helped cook for a dinner at the church in Canillejas. It was a late Valentine's Day dinner with entertainment, a fund raiser for the youth retreat during spring break. At the end of the evening, I was so tired I could have slept standing up, but I was also very contented. Sleepy and happy. The snow and fresh air combined with working in the kitchen made a full day, but a very good day as well. I had a lot of fun in the kitchen working with the others and I always enjoy work that brings visible results.

Sledding

Carnaval

2009-02-21T10:03:00.003+01:00

Conversation upon seeing one of my first graders running in the hallway.

"Alejandro, come here," I said, motioning with my hand for him to return toward me.
"Es que...(it's that...)
"Come here."
"Es que...es que...tenía que...el profe me..." (it's just...it's just...I had to...the teacher let me"
"Alejandro..."
"Ah...(light bulb moment)...I no run...sorry teacher Erica."

Yay! No run, in English, from a very very very out of it first grader. It made my day. I'm such a meanie; I still made him go back and walk.

-------------------------

Yesterday the school was chock full of strange characters: clowns, hippies, vampires, Roman soldiers, butterflies, princesses, cooks, etc. You would think that you had entered a strange new world. The kids were ready to celebrate Carnaval from before the school day began. I thought about staying for the celebration after school, but after a very full day, I just wanted to go home. I worked all Friday instead of the normal half day, making up hours that I had begged off to travel. The 27-2 of March I'm going to be in Sevilla with Angelita, staying with her son and his family. At dismissal, the parents, coming to dress their kids in costumes and to see the parade and celebration, filled the entryway to the brim, forcing me to elbow my way to fresh air. Even though I had left the school and my students behind, costumed kids were everywhere...in the grocery store, in the train, walking to the bus. What fun...the more innocent side of Carnaval. During the morning, the fourth-sixth graders delighted their teachers and classmates with songs and poetry (complete with noise-makers, masks, and party hats). One hour less of teaching for me. The first graders behaved better than my fourth graders and we enjoyed ourselves learning about the circus and singing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes." During my lunch break, I taught my Friday afternoon private class and grabbed a sandwich to eat in the park in the 20 minutes that remained before classes at the school started again. Me on one bench, and a homeless man sleeping on a nearby one. Perhaps that's why one man walking by gave me a strange look and muttered. Excess of food and joviality and homelessness...what a juxtaposition.

Did I tell you I got my residency card? Well, I did, about a week ago. It expires in September, when I entered the country. Have a good day everyone!

How are you?

2009-02-18T19:42:00.005+01:00

One of Colin's friends wrote on my wall to find out what I'm up to by asking, "How's Spain?" I would suppose that this question means the following: "How are you (friend, who happens to be in Spain)?" "What is Spain like?" "How do you like Spain?" or "What in the world are you doing in Spain?" However, I always imagine it a little differently:

"How is Spain?"
"Well, last time we talked, it was a little depressed...but excited that Carnival is coming up! A little short on money too."
"Oh, yes? And the kids?"
"Well, the ones that are here are fine. You know, she's been adopting a lot of kids from Morocco and Latin America. And how are you?"
...

So, next time someone asks me, "How is Spain?" do not be surprised to hear, "Fine. I'm good too."

....
This week has been a hard one here for the church in Madrid. In the last three days, three people have died: a friend's father, a pastor's son, and a friend's uncle. Prayer from one part of the church family for another would be much appreciated, as many Christians (churches and families are usually rather connected) around Madrid are hurting right now. Especially for the first person mentioned, as she and her mom are not only suffering with the loss of the third member of their family, but he was also taken from them in minutes with no previous warning. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Here comes the sun...nanana

2009-02-07T11:19:00.005+01:00

After a week of rain and gray clouds, the sun has finally scrounged up the courage to show it's bright face this morning. Yesterday it snowed a bit, minuscule crystals of ice floating through the air as I rode the bus across the river to a meeting about the exams the students will be taking. Asking a dumb question with a more than obvious answer to an older lady who was easing herself into the neighboring seat, "Is it snowing outside?" I gained a willing conversation partner until my stop by the plaza de toros. She told me a bit about the school/palace where I was headed, where her daughter had gone to school many years ago. Bidding her goodbye, I found myself amongst other English speakers hurrying to get in out of the cold as well. These meetings are almost surreal sometimes in the sense that the whole walk there and inside the building are so full of English that you can almost forget you're in Spain.

The meetings covered renewing contracts (for those of us first-year assistants), visas for those who were having problems, the exams, and included a workshop that some students hijacked to ask about problems they were having at their school...things that many assistants were having. Mostly inconsistencies between their official job responsibilities and restrictions and what they were (in reality, not on paper) expected to do at the school...discipline and things. It was good to hear what the other assistants were doing at their schools and what problems they were coming up against. My group, the end of the alphabet group, ended about 8:00 pm (the meetings began at 4 pm), and I headed off with a group walking toward the metro. On the way to my small group meeting in Canillejas, I enjoyed the company of another teacher (3 years teaching in Florida...then she hopped over here to be an assistant so she could live in Spain) and we talked about teacher-y things. That was encouraging. Gave me some more things to think about.

Sunday (for you, Mom)

2009-02-05T17:39:00.004+01:00

Saturday evening I wrote out, word for word, what I wanted to say Sunday morning. I was so nervous that without doing so, I would have been standing in front of the congregation, unable to find words in either English or Spanish. I was nervous, but not as much as I feared. I repeated my thoughts during the evening with the youth group, though didn't read my paper the second time. I said some dumb things (I mentioned that I had been "thinking some...thoughts"), but I'm trying to laugh at myself. Mom, you're right, the reflection that went into it was valuable for me. I went through my journal, reading what I had written about my studies, and then made those thoughts more cohesive.

Here's an English version of what I shared (more or less):

Lately, I have been reading in Romans about the spirit that God has given us. Romans 8:15 says: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Before we received the Spirit that binds us to God, our spirit was the exact opposite of the freedom we are offered. Our old spirit was one of fear, sin, and slavery. The good thing is that we died to this spirit, separating from it. Rescuing us from the old spirit, God gave us a new spirit full of life.

This passage spoke to me because lately I have been thinking a lot about the future, in some decisions that affect my future, at least for the next year. The future is something that frightens me at times in the following sense: It's not secure; we can't control it even though we try; and without being able to see what is ahead, it is difficult to trust that we are on the right path. But, thinking like this comes from our old spirit, not the Spirit from God. We were adopted, and now we are on a journey with our Father driving. Even though we don't have the whole itinerary or map of the trip, our Father does. He knows where we are walking, knows where we need to go, and so I believe that he won't permit his children to wander off the path if they are seeking Him.
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You know, it kind of reminds me of this one time I was with Dad walking through a nature preserve to glimpse some endangered quail (or were they chickens, Dad?) on the way home from Chicago. For as far as I could see, tall waving grasses stretched toward the sky, the expanse only broken by a few copses of pine trees. Walking into the grass was like wading into the sea. On either side, the strands parted to let Dad and I through. Soon, I could see nothing but the grass that had swallowed us whole and the clear blue sky directly above. When we came to a clearing covered with fallen cottonwood trees, chopped down by the caretakers, I climbed up onto the tallest stump. Looking out over where we been, I could see what before had been hidden while I was buried in the prairie: the car, the road, and the tops of the grass. It reminded me of how, on our own, we walk through life with a limited perspective, but once in awhile, God provides a tree to raise us out of the short term to see what lies ahead and to give us perspective on the past. Just as I thought back then, I think that right now I'm in the prairie, swishing through the snake grass, far from any tree. Wouldn't it be nice to have trees or even stumps to climb every few meters? Or, perhaps not...I'm not sure.

Grumpiness and relaxation

2009-01-31T19:39:00.005+01:00

Yesterday I was a grump, so today it was good to relax. After getting back from ECA, I saw Siete Almas (Seven Pounds) with some friends. Interesting movie, though one that left me in a somber mood.

Today has been a quiet day full of cooking, cleaning, taking a walk, writing a letter, and putting some things in order. A friend came over to eat chili and cornbread with me, and then stayed to do some work. It's very nice to be with someone, without talking much, just to be.

This evening I'm getting ready for sharing a thought in church tomorrow since we have "culto libre," an open service with no prepared sermon. The youth are leading it this week. I'm very intimidated, but it will be fine I'm sure. What are they going to do? Eat me or something?

I was looking over the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and saw this article about a Bible class for adults with special needs. It is wonderful to see God working in this group's lives.

Ups and Downs

2009-01-29T22:04:00.007+01:00

I found a post-it note on my computer from a few weeks ago, and there was a link for this article on it. Apparently, I had meant to share it on the next post I wrote (back at the beginning of January). It's about home, and where you consider home. It's intriguing to think about. When I was at Ball State, I remember saying, "I need to go home now," meaning the dorm, my room. Jenny, my roommate corrected me and said, "This isn't home," meaning that home for her was back in Cincinnati, in the house where she grew up. I usually use the word home to refer to wherever I am living, but is it really home? I wonder when our childhood home or our hometown ceases to be home. When does "our" place become home? Does it ever?

This week has been a slight struggle discipline wise at the school. I'm used to having difficult moments...that's normal. One kid (ADD?) has been extra defiant and squirrely since he stopped taking his medication and another ran from the classroom Wednesday and hid in the men's restroom. But, this is out of the norm for my class, and I know that every class has it's ups and downs. I've had mostly ups. Speaking of ups, where I help with the after school program, we had a really good day Wednesday. It can be depressing, especially for Ester, who is with the kids every day, to work so hard and love on the kids just to end up feel like you are making little difference. That's not to say that there aren't good moments every time I'm there. Just sometimes getting after the kids takes all the fun out of it. Because of this, I am extremely thankful for the mood Wednesday, that the two of us could be a little more relaxed.

Tomorrow is el Día de la Paz (Peace Day I suppose), and so there is no school tomorrow. I thought it was Teacher Appreciation Day, but that's later on in the semester. The music teacher made a poster filled with the hand prints of every student from the school, 1st to 6th grade. Today I got to watch some presentations with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and then hear them all sing "No dudaría", a song against violence. I love the smiles from the girls when I sang along (I can explain it away because they too can sing in English) and did the motions that they had learned in class. I would have loved to see the presentations in the afternoon, to see my kids reciting poems and singing songs for their classmates, but I couldn't stay around that long. The rest of my day was last minute printing for my class this evening, going to the bank to figure out taxes and residency and my account (re a letter I received), cooking, and relaxing a bit. Tomorrow I'll go to ECA (American school) to visit and see everyone that I haven't seen in months.

I'll leave you a picture from my window last Sunday. I like clouds!
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