Updates

Hello family and friends! Happy first day of spring! The change in seasons is definitely felt over here in Madrid, I am currently sitting in a tank top with windows open and sun filtering in. I love the beginning of spring, it seems to be a time when everyone fully appreciates this weather they've missed so dearly. These days just being outside in the sun for some time is all I need to be drunkenly happy each day. I hope to hold on to this appreciation and the positive attitude it brings.

Outdoor seating everywhere you look!

Here are a few updates on what's happening with me these days:

Officially Renewed!

I am officially renewed to teach English in Spain for the 2014-2015 school year. I have chosen the same Community- Madrid, but asked for a new school that is closer to the city center where I live (fingers crossed for no more 3 hour commutes). I find out if and where I am chosen to teach sometime in April/May so I will keep you all updated. The plan is to come home July 15th, and then I'm back here again in mid-September. Although I would love to travel around as I am SO close to so many places I want to see, my reality is my unfortunate student loans. Between those payments plus a plane ticket, you probably won't see me going anywhere special. At least I have this beautiful city to explore! And a wonderful person to share it with.

Hello again!

It's been a week, I know, and I really haven't had a chance to fill you all in, so I'm sorry. I am really busy with work Monday-Thursday (read: 12 hour days) and the perfectionist in me is forcing daily trips to the gym as well.. although we'll see how long that lasts, and Friday-Sunday I'm also really busy with this thing called having fun.. so blogging falls to the back-burner. But please, let me fill you in:

Stop. Can't touch me.

All my positivity and determined energy to go back to work in the new year with a bang has been halted. And quite suddenly at that.

Helloooo pink eye! It's been a long time since I've caught up with my old friend conjunctivitis, so I guess it was finally time again. In addition to the swelling, redness, and constant tearing of my eye (I will spare you a picture here..) I have completely no tolerance to light whatsoever. My computer and phone screen, brightness level as low as can be, are the only sources of light in my apartment, along with the occasional opening of the refrigerator door which takes minutes to prepare for and even more to recover from. So I am sentenced to solitary confinement for a few days- the doctor literally said "no besos a nadie." And when I asked him when I could return to the gym he responded two weeks! TWO WEEKS! Well see if I follow that request.. The task of finding a doctor who would see me, and then blindly making my way to his office via bus was, if I hadn't been in so much discomfort, quite hilarious. Thankfully the bus is usually carrying a few weirdos, so me wearing both my glasses and sunglasses holding a tissue over one eye and barely opening the other, bumping into every old person next to me, wasn't considered too out of the ordinary. Just another weirdo on the bus.

So my goal for the weekend is to eventually be able to lift my blackout blinds and let some light into my apartment so my plants don't die. Wish me luck.

To ease you from imagining my paining eye, I will leave you with a picture of the vertical garden of the Caixa Forum (constructed by French botanist Patrick Blanc). It's quite a beautiful sight, and the perfect contrast to the austere buildings it surrounds. It is paid for by "la caixa" foundation, who I have recently read about and completely identify with. They are a social nonprofit committed to human rights, dignity, peace and justice. Read their mission statement below..

"To contribute to the advance of people and society, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable groups, whether through its own programmes, strategic alliances or collaboration with third parties, by means of efficient and, if appropriate, innovative actions, whose results can be evaluated and are transferable to other entities. With a preferred area of action within Spain, and with a global and coherent view of the international situation. All of this, guided by objectives of sustainable social transformation and creation of opportunities."

Talk to you again when I can open both eyes!

Christmas Vacation...kind of

This week is my last week of school at the two institutes before a Christmas break of two weeks. (WHOO HOO) But it won´t be a complete break for me, and unfortunately I won´t have an opportunity for travel- which is what just about EVERY other auxilar is doing now. During the next two weeks, I will be working at an English academy for children, called Kids & Us, about 5 minutes walking distance from my house. The academy is one which I went to earlier in September when I was still looking for afternoon work. They had told me then that they did not need any more teachers for the regular semester, but they were going to have a Christmas Camp during the break and they need English speakers for that. So I happily agreed to help with the camp.

The camp is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-1pm for the two weeks of December 23rd-27th and December 30th to January 3rd. I will be in charge of a group of 10, 3-4 year olds (EEKK). With them I will be doing crafts, reading stories, singing songs and playing games. I´m looking forward to working there, it is a nice, new academy, full of colorful decorations for the children and happy workers. If the Christmas camp goes well, I am hoping to be able to work there in the Spring should they need me. The location is great because it´s so close to my home. As for the group of 10 kiddies.. here goes nothing!

Besides the Christmas camp in the mornings, I have no other plans for my two weeks. This is my first Christmas away from my family, and it has already been difficult. Coming home to an empty studio is quite a change from my fully decorated home in Salem. I miss my fireplace, the Christmas trees, and fresh wreaths and candles and winter comfort foods. Most of all I am missing the snow!! I know all of you back home are probably cursing the cold, snowy weather, but I feel as though something is missing. While the mild temperatures and sun are so nice for walking around the city- I would take colder temps and snow over that for Christmastime.

So after feeling sorry for myself for about a week, I decided to do something about it. I have a wonderful tiny tree (although fake, it is the perfect size for my tiny place!) and I even sprang for some Christmas lights (although I did not read the label well and bought blinking lights- annoying at first but I´m getting used to them). I am finally able to listen to Christmas songs without feeling sad and tearing up, and I have even started to embrace the ´villancicos´(Spanish Christmas songs) and am getting excited for the Spanish Christmas I will have. This year I will be spending Christmas, New Year´s and Three Kings Day with Nacho´s family. Also, of course, I will be skyping home to have Christmas with my family. I received from the mailman today my package of gifts!! Most things are wrapped and I must wait for Christmas, but there were a few which I opened early. American candy and Kraft mac and cheese! Also, my favorite gift of all- measuring spoons!! No longer will I spend the time trying to guestimate the amount of baking powder for my culinary creations! Best gift ever!

One thing I am so impressed with is the way the city of Madrid has transformed for the Christmas season. There are lights hanging over every major street and on buildings. Food carts and small tents are set up in every square, selling wreaths and dried fruit, turrón and churros con chocolate. People are everywhere- shopping, walking, out and about with their family buying gifts and Christmas food and candies. It is a nice time to be living in the city.

Merry Christmas to everyone back home! Christmas pics to come! MUA

Unit on Cape Town

One of my classes have started a unit on Cape Town. As the teacher showed me the reading and exercises- about the weather and landscapes and Nelson Mandela, I told her I would love to make a presentation for the students. Because I spent time in Cape Town earlier this year, I have tons of pictures and a whole lot to say. This week, I spent some time at the end of class introducing the students to Cape Town, telling them a bit about apartheid, and the how the country of South Africa is today. I wanted to show them the striking contrasts of this beautiful, tragic place which holds a special place in my heart. And with the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, I assumed I would have the attention and respect of most of the 30, 15 year olds sitting before me.

The students (those who were looking) stared at me with dead eyes. I asked if they could understand me (because I was certain they must not have understood a word), they said yes. I asked if they were interested in what I had to say, they remained silent. Their cold stares and indifferent demeanor both infuriated me and made me sad. How can I encourage someone to care? Not even care, no, but be interested? How can I get one person to ask one, single question?

This teaching job, while it definitely has its perks, feels these days as if it is breaking me. Those 5 minutes of me explaining to the students of my internship and time spent in Cape Town was the most alive I've felt in the school since I've started this job. I felt that passion again inside me that I had when I was studying international social work. That feeling of helping, of improving myself and my environment. At the institutes in Valdemoro I have not had any of that- sure you'd think that teaching would have some job satisfaction- hell, I told myself for sure that this vear off-course in my career path would lead to its own unique set of rewards and gratifications- but it's been anything but rewarding. I'm so used to working or talking with people who already care, those who have interest and want to be a part of change or improvement in this world. But I've never had to convice someone to be interested (at least not on my own). Sure, teaching the past continuous tense and translating job interviews isn't going to yield to ah-hahs! and wows! But you'd think an honest talk about real issues in this world would at least awaken the slightest spark of interest in some of the many eyes on me. 

Ok, ok, I know what you want to say- 'Erin, you're teaching a bunch of high schoolers, they don't care about anything right now. You're lucky they showed up to class.' This is what I try to remind myself, and most days I take the job with a grain of salt, letting smart remarks roll off my back and not to let my temper boil when I am ignored. But lately I've just been thinking- I just don't want to spend another ounce of energy and time doing this. 

Top Ten Reasons why this week Rocked!

1. I was invited to an intercambio by one of the professors I work with. An intercambio is a meeting of people (usually at a bar or sometimes a restaurant) and those who are Spanish speak English and vice versa. This is important to me because I am finally starting to have some real interaction with the people I work with. They are all very friendly, and I feel as though I have broken through a barrier and am less shy to speak Spanish with them. I hope this interaction continues- it makes me like my job a lot more!

2. Carlos, an older professor who I work with and also travel to work with, saved me at the bus stop. Every Thursday there is an Italian man who pesters me- flirting, asking questions, generally just being creepy. This week Carlos- who has called himself the father of the group, laid it out flat. Listen, he said (in Italian!), she has a boyfriend, she's not interested in you and you need to leave her alone. Carlos, I wanted to hug you in that moment! He also told me I need to buy a heavier jacket before the winter comes. He's lookin' out for me.

3. I met an American friend! I am going to her house tonight for a tapas potluck. It has been difficult finding friends in the city. And while I have enjoyed hanging out with all of Nacho's friends, it has been my goal recently to make some of my own.

4. My individual afternoon classes are really coming together. It has become easier to plan for the classes, and more importantly, I am feeling more comfortable going into peoples homes and teaching them English. Now that I have more confidence in my ability to teach, I have less anxiety before and during the classes. This, believe me, makes a WORLD of difference on my general attitude. Also, because I am more relaxed in my classes, I am focusing now on being more creative and trying to make sure my students enjoy themselves as well as learn.

5. I have been cooking a baking a lot! That makes me happy. Nuf' said.

6. My transportation skills are definitely improving. I now know multiple routes and different options I have to go to and from work, and it makes a world of difference- the less time I waste waiting at bus stops, the happier I am. And there is nothing like the feeling of seeing the bus pull up right as you arrive at the stop. All is aligned in the universe when that happens. (And thanks to an app on my phone I can check when any bus will be at any stop!).

7. Living in the city can be lonely. But it's also given me the chance to appreciate the kindness of strangers. Believe me, there are mannnyy people who are oblivious to those around them. I find myself getting frustrated a lot because sometimes it seems people don't have any idea there are things happening outside the conversation they're having with someone in front of the entrance to the metro, or in front of the food I'm attempting to grab and put in my cart at the grocery store. Sometimes, even though people see you trying to move around them, they don't think to give you more room. Buuut everyday I see people giving up their seats on buses and metro for those who are more tired. I see strangers helping strangers. I see strangers talking with strangers. You say hello to those waiting with you at a bus stop. You say goodbye when you leave an elevator. Little things. And just yesterday, I was walking down the street, and saw a cute, 3-story building wedged in between two larger buildings. As I was admiring how cute the building was, two men stepped out onto the balcony of the first floor to have a cigarette. Our eyes met and they waved to me. I waved back, and we both continued until finally we were frantically waving at each other and laughing out loud. It was an amazing little touch to my day.

8. The weather has been perfect for afternoon runs. The sun is still strong enough that there is some warmth, but it is still cold and you need a warm jacket and gloves. It's my favorite type of weather.

9. Last week, it was the birthday of the principal of one of the schools I worked at. In Spain, when it's your birthday, you are expected to bring in desserts and coffee for all the employees, not the other way around. So she made this amazing flan and I told her how much I liked it and that I would love to make it myself. This week she asked me to step into her office for a minute. Nervously, I entered. She then handed me a bag filled with ingredients and told me step by step how the make the flan. It was such a thoughtful detail.

10. I bought a new winter jacket! It wasn't cheap, but it is so cute and so warm and I love it! Carlos will be so happy I took his advice.

A walk in the park

Fuen Carral street in the rain- great shopping!

Jamon

The church next to my house

Sunset outside my apartment

We went hiking! More about that soon..

This guy..

A park in Valdemoro where I work

One bad thing- the garbage workers were on strike for 12 days! It made for one smelly Madrid

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(11. I learned you can froth milk by shaking it in a jar for 30 seconds, then microwaving it without the lid for 30 more. No fancy gaget needed. HELLO homemade cappucinos!)

XOXO To everyone back home!! <3

It's all fun and games...

Until Monday morning when you have to go to work. :/

So, what is allowing me to stay legally in this country for 10 months is a job through the Ministry of Education of Spain. I am working at two secondary 'institutos' in Valdemoro- a town about 25 minutes south of Madrid. A secondary institute is pretty much like a high school. The students range from 12 to 18 years old, and their English levels vary from absolutely no English to fluent. So as you can imagine, teaching can be quite a challenge. And everyday I am challenged. Some days, I feel rewarded by the learning exchange and understanding I help to foster. Many times the students are actually interested in what I have to say, they ask questions and maybe even learn something! Other days, I feel so exhausted and hopeless, not only with English language education, but with the entire future of the world- left in the hands of these undeserving, careless teenagers. It's an emotional roller coaster.

In resume, my day ranges from screaming at 12 year olds to stay quiet and in their seats (even if they could understand what I was saying, they wouldn't listen), to having pleasant English conversations discussing, say, politics, law, healthcare, etc. And also an hour and a half commute by bus to Valdemoro and then back again to Madrid- which 90% of the time I spend dead-to-the-world asleep.

In the beginning, I was nervous about my lack of qualification and experience teaching English as a second language. I very quickly realized that my teaching skills easily take the back burner to behavioral and classroom management skills. In a way, my short patience has helped me to control the classroom. But some days it feels hopeless. The students don't care, don't listen, and don't want to learn. Teacher burnout has completely infected both schools, and I was initially shocked at the levels of despondence from my coworkers. But my amateur judgments of my burnt-out, exhausted, and most times apathetic co-workers have been replaced with understanding, empathy and forgiveness. My eyes have been opened to the difficulties of teaching in an under-resourced school under an education system which is being disputed by all citizens of the country. (Just last week I arrived to school to find no one in the building- apparently students and teachers were striking a new set of laws passed which raised tuition and added more standardized tests nation-wide). So, in many ways, the large language and cultural barrier aside, the job is difficult.

Thankfully, I only work until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday!! At first glance, this sounds pretty awesome. It was awesome, until I started to see my money disappearing left and right- groceries, rent, utilities, transport, it is impossible to live in the city with only a part time job. So, Nacho helped me to place announcements online for individual English classes and tutoring. Because of the crisis, Spain is responding with a MAJOR push in investment in the English language. The need for native English teachers is overwhelming, and I received dozens of responses after day one of my ads- ranging from parents of three year olds to adults to companies wanting to teach business English to their workers.

So it's been a hectic few working weeks, and I am still working out the kinks in my schedule. Although my job at the schools is only part-time, energy-wise I feel as though I work overtime every week. I come home exhausted. And in a sleep-deprived stupor I shovel in a late lunch and head back out to start evening classes. Some of these are enjoyable, some are monotonously boring, pretty much depends on the student. I spend time working at different academies, and also go to peoples homes. All in all it is interesting and fun. I think once I get used to preparing for the classes and finding where they are, it will become even more enjoyable. I will get used to my schedule and it will become easier.

Slowly but surely I am making my way in the city- earning my stay and learning how to get around. I spend about 5 hours a day commuting on buses, trains and the metro- so I've been reading a lot (when I'm not shamelessly asleep)! In all honesty, many days I feel as though I am just keeping my head above water. I come home around 9pm to have dinner, and then I have to prepare for my classes for the next day. Any any free time I have I try to spend absorbing the amazing opportunities I have outside my door and spending time with Nacho and his family and friends. It's a lot, but it's amazing and fun.

The CaixaForum Vertical Garden

I am happy to be challenged everyday, and I am happy to be busy and with a lot of opportunity to earn my stay. And without Nacho's support and help every step of the way I wouldn't be able to do any of it. Thanks for reading my complain-y work post- I will try not to make too many of this kind. :) XOXO to my family back home!