Thursday
-I finally ran again. It was like 4º Celsius and windy. It was an unenjoyable run. This winter’s gonna suck. And it might kill my determination.
-my class with my 10-11 year olds was frustrating and put me in a bad mood, as it did on Wednesday too. I’m so ready for Christmas break from these kids.
Friday
-I spent my entire day in Toledo all on my own. I went to pick up my foreigner card that lets me stay here even though my visa expires at the end of this month.
-I caught a bus to the mall in Toledo. I kinda understand the bus system but at the same time, not. Haha. It was my first time in a mall since being here. I still don’t understand how jeans are sized in this country. There is no consistency amongst stores. If you think it’s bad in the US…
-I walked a lot a lot in and was exhausted and slept on my bus ride home.
-In the evening was the Christmas dinner party for the teachers at my school. There were like 30 of us. I love how the party only started at 10 and didn’t start eating until like 11.30. And of course there was a lot of amazing food and I ate way too much.
-Afterwards we all went out dancing. Nothing like going dancing in a bar with a few 40-60 year olds, including 2 couples that are like your parents… haha. But that’s totally normal here.
Saturday
-I made Eddie watch the Polar Express, in Spanish of course. He was terrified. But really, it is an awful movie.
-In the evening we went to Cuevas to watch some fútbol. But it was a rainy ugly day so that’s really all we did all day.
Sunday
-I went to Madrid with my friend Javi to see the city all decked out for Christmas. We walked everywhere but it was a really fun day.
-I ran into one of my students and his mom on the metro. Really random. And then later, we ran into Javi’s cousin, who’s also from Quintanar. I mean, what are the chances that we’d run into people we know from our small little town twice in one day? Madrid’s huge!
-There are signs in Madrid that said in Spanish “this is New York” I was really confused. I still don’t get it. But whatever.
-We went to a Starbucks and were sitting outside and this little pig just appeared and the owners just kinda let it wander around. The boy next to us, probably about 8 or 9 years old, was super entertained by this. But as soon as the pig came near him, he like freaked out. The owner called the pig out from under our table and the kid was like “mom, I’ve never seen a pig in a restaurant before!” and he turns around to watch it wander off and do something else that caused him to say with excitement “…and I’ve never seen a pig poop before!” it was hilarious. I lost it and couldn’t stop laughing. And then the kid scampered off to check it out and him mom’s like “just don’t touch anything!”and he came back to report that it looked like a normal animal’s. it was totally the funniest thing of the day for me. And his mom was like “well now you have something to tell your friends at school.”
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
“I don’t understand you, but I love you”
Friday
-I was bored all day. Luckily my teacher friends stayed in town and I had people to hang out with in the evening.
Saturday
-I went to Villanueva, a town super close to here, with Pilar and her boyfriend Ramon to hit the outdoor market. It’s like a smaller version of the one I went to all the time in Sevilla. I got churros and they were delicious. However, they didn’t settle too well with me so as soon as we got back to Quintanar I headed home and took a nap.
Sunday
-I made lentejas for lunch. Carlos’s dad had taught me how to make them and I decided to attempt it and I succeeded. They were fantastic. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s a kind of soup thing with lentils, chorizo, tomato, onion, olive oil (every Spanish dish has olive oil), chicken broth, chile powder, carrot… and I think that’s it. But it’s super yummy and mine came out perfectly. So now I’m a little bit more Spanish :)
-After church my friend Kiko (Javi) came over to watch a movie, which makes him the first friend that came over to hang out and not just drop in for a minute.
Monday
-I feel like everyone around here knows everything that I do or everywhere I go. A woman that works in the school cafeteria asked me how my weekend was and specifically asked how my time was a certain place. I asked her how she knew I was there and she was like “my husband was there and told me.” I swear I’ve never met her husband… but apparently he knows who I am… I find it all hilarious.
-I met with Felipe for the first time in what felt like forever. I feel like every time we meet he has a hilarious, bizarre story to tell me. I love it. And he declared me officially Spanish. Wooo!
Tuesday
-I asked one of 3rd grade girls a question in English and she said to me in Spanish “I don’t understand you… But I love you.” Haha. It was adorable. I loved it. Hence it being the title.
-At Pilar’s we had hotdogs for dinner. And they were just like the American ones, unlike the ones I’d eaten in Sevilla. And for dessert… a brownie! Ah! Sooo gooood.
-This week the boys had me playing videogames. Something with cars and racing. They’re totally like having little brothers.
-I was bored all day. Luckily my teacher friends stayed in town and I had people to hang out with in the evening.
Saturday
-I went to Villanueva, a town super close to here, with Pilar and her boyfriend Ramon to hit the outdoor market. It’s like a smaller version of the one I went to all the time in Sevilla. I got churros and they were delicious. However, they didn’t settle too well with me so as soon as we got back to Quintanar I headed home and took a nap.
Sunday
-I made lentejas for lunch. Carlos’s dad had taught me how to make them and I decided to attempt it and I succeeded. They were fantastic. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s a kind of soup thing with lentils, chorizo, tomato, onion, olive oil (every Spanish dish has olive oil), chicken broth, chile powder, carrot… and I think that’s it. But it’s super yummy and mine came out perfectly. So now I’m a little bit more Spanish :)
-After church my friend Kiko (Javi) came over to watch a movie, which makes him the first friend that came over to hang out and not just drop in for a minute.
Monday
-I feel like everyone around here knows everything that I do or everywhere I go. A woman that works in the school cafeteria asked me how my weekend was and specifically asked how my time was a certain place. I asked her how she knew I was there and she was like “my husband was there and told me.” I swear I’ve never met her husband… but apparently he knows who I am… I find it all hilarious.
-I met with Felipe for the first time in what felt like forever. I feel like every time we meet he has a hilarious, bizarre story to tell me. I love it. And he declared me officially Spanish. Wooo!
Tuesday
-I asked one of 3rd grade girls a question in English and she said to me in Spanish “I don’t understand you… But I love you.” Haha. It was adorable. I loved it. Hence it being the title.
-At Pilar’s we had hotdogs for dinner. And they were just like the American ones, unlike the ones I’d eaten in Sevilla. And for dessert… a brownie! Ah! Sooo gooood.
-This week the boys had me playing videogames. Something with cars and racing. They’re totally like having little brothers.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
We are a Pineapple/ Pinecone
Friday
-I got to see the beautiful hour of 4 am and I was surprised to find a dusting of snow waiting to greet me. It wasn’t much but it was pretty.
-My bus to Madrid was me and a bunch of old Spanish men. I was literally the only passenger under the age of 50. And female.
-I discovered that I can do the Madrid metro all by myself without any problems :) successsssssss!
-At the train station in Sevilla I had two guys waiting for me: Pepe and Carlos- Abby & Amy’s boyfriends. It was fantastic to 2 quality people meeting me with great excitement. The 3 of us did coffee and breakfast and caught up.
-later Carlos and I went to Plaza España and Parque Maria Luisa. This time we didn’t get locked in. haha.
-We met Pepe and a group of his friends for tapas. I’ve never eaten so many tapas in one sitting. But I got to eat Pringa so I was super happy.
Saturday
-Because of my dumb cold I pretty much had no voice left after a full day of talking so I ended up sleeping until noon. It was fantastic
-better yet was that Carlos’s mom totally served me a little breakfast in bed. It was adorable. Carlos’s parents are both fantastic and just like my families in Quintanar, they spoiled me.
-I spent most of the day with Pepe and his friends. Pepe’s probably one of the funniest people I know and his friends are pretty hilarious too. There’s never a dull moment with that group.
-I got to watch some fútbol with the guys. For the first game we went for coffee and I think coffee and fútbol is better than beer and fútbol. And for the Madrid game we had fajitas at the one couple’s house.I got a lot of crap for being a Madrid fan. Ok, that was all weekend. And because it’s Sevilla I get it even worse for being a Ramos fan. Haha.
Sunday
-In the evening Carlos and I met with some people for a Bible study. But I had to leave before we started the actual study because we all wasted so much time talking and I had told Pepe and his friend Juan that I’d meet them to watch the Sevilla game.
-Later my friend Antonio came and joined us for another fútbol game (it was a glorious weekend filled with lots of soccer). I was pretty excited to see Antonio because I hadn’t seen him since I was last in Sevilla (unlike Pepe and Carlos who I’ve seen since) and he reminds me of one of my best friends in the US.
-I got to try some chestnuts too. They’re pretty good.
Monday
-It was a holiday in Spain, hence me still being in Sevilla. After lunch Carlos & I wandered into center city and browsed through the dozens of little book shops set up in the one plaza until Pepe came to join us.
-We went to the one international beer places and met up with more friends. I tried this amazing pineapple flavored beer. I swear it was like 99% juice. Haha. And here I had my first experience as a “sinpa” and therefore I am a little more Spanish. But it was all a mistake/miscommunication.
-Afterwards we moved on for the typical Spanish tapas and wine.
-The day ended with me, Pepe, and Carlos belting out “Hey Soul Sister” together which really made me laugh.
Tuesday
-I went shopping by myself for a little bit in the morning. And I ended up buying 2 pairs of boots. Because they were cheap and cool and I couldn’t resist. Now I’m better prepared for winter and the rain.
-Speaking of rain… it was a crappy weekend of weather. It rained Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Which is really rare for Sevilla. It sucked.
-Carlos’s dad taught me how to make lentejas. I’m really excited to try it out. It seems super easy and I love it.
-I watched part of the movie Eclipse with Carlos’s dad too. It was funny to me cuz he was all excited to watch it and I honestly found it really dumb.
-Later Carlos and I went to Triana, my old neighborhood. We stopped in to visit with Concha, my host mother and it was really good to see her again. Apparently I was the last American that she decided she’s going to host. I joked with her that “the same thing happened with my parents. After I came along they said ‘there’s no way we’re having any more’”.
-Later we met with Pepe and his friends for food and fun. It ended up being a super late night that was concluded with churros from my favorite place, just like old times. Cuz churros are best at odd hours of the night :)
Wednesday
-This morning Pepe and Carlos took me to the train station and we said our goodbyes and I headed home to Quintanar where the rain apparently followed me.
-But I had such a fun weekend visiting Sevilla -getting to see old friends again, making new ones, eating amazing food and finally fighting off this cold! Now let’s hope it stays away.
-I got to see the beautiful hour of 4 am and I was surprised to find a dusting of snow waiting to greet me. It wasn’t much but it was pretty.
-My bus to Madrid was me and a bunch of old Spanish men. I was literally the only passenger under the age of 50. And female.
-I discovered that I can do the Madrid metro all by myself without any problems :) successsssssss!
-At the train station in Sevilla I had two guys waiting for me: Pepe and Carlos- Abby & Amy’s boyfriends. It was fantastic to 2 quality people meeting me with great excitement. The 3 of us did coffee and breakfast and caught up.
-later Carlos and I went to Plaza España and Parque Maria Luisa. This time we didn’t get locked in. haha.
-We met Pepe and a group of his friends for tapas. I’ve never eaten so many tapas in one sitting. But I got to eat Pringa so I was super happy.
Saturday
-Because of my dumb cold I pretty much had no voice left after a full day of talking so I ended up sleeping until noon. It was fantastic
-better yet was that Carlos’s mom totally served me a little breakfast in bed. It was adorable. Carlos’s parents are both fantastic and just like my families in Quintanar, they spoiled me.
-I spent most of the day with Pepe and his friends. Pepe’s probably one of the funniest people I know and his friends are pretty hilarious too. There’s never a dull moment with that group.
-I got to watch some fútbol with the guys. For the first game we went for coffee and I think coffee and fútbol is better than beer and fútbol. And for the Madrid game we had fajitas at the one couple’s house.I got a lot of crap for being a Madrid fan. Ok, that was all weekend. And because it’s Sevilla I get it even worse for being a Ramos fan. Haha.
Sunday
-In the evening Carlos and I met with some people for a Bible study. But I had to leave before we started the actual study because we all wasted so much time talking and I had told Pepe and his friend Juan that I’d meet them to watch the Sevilla game.
-Later my friend Antonio came and joined us for another fútbol game (it was a glorious weekend filled with lots of soccer). I was pretty excited to see Antonio because I hadn’t seen him since I was last in Sevilla (unlike Pepe and Carlos who I’ve seen since) and he reminds me of one of my best friends in the US.
-I got to try some chestnuts too. They’re pretty good.
Monday
-It was a holiday in Spain, hence me still being in Sevilla. After lunch Carlos & I wandered into center city and browsed through the dozens of little book shops set up in the one plaza until Pepe came to join us.
-We went to the one international beer places and met up with more friends. I tried this amazing pineapple flavored beer. I swear it was like 99% juice. Haha. And here I had my first experience as a “sinpa” and therefore I am a little more Spanish. But it was all a mistake/miscommunication.
-Afterwards we moved on for the typical Spanish tapas and wine.
-The day ended with me, Pepe, and Carlos belting out “Hey Soul Sister” together which really made me laugh.
Tuesday
-I went shopping by myself for a little bit in the morning. And I ended up buying 2 pairs of boots. Because they were cheap and cool and I couldn’t resist. Now I’m better prepared for winter and the rain.
-Speaking of rain… it was a crappy weekend of weather. It rained Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Which is really rare for Sevilla. It sucked.
-Carlos’s dad taught me how to make lentejas. I’m really excited to try it out. It seems super easy and I love it.
-I watched part of the movie Eclipse with Carlos’s dad too. It was funny to me cuz he was all excited to watch it and I honestly found it really dumb.
-Later Carlos and I went to Triana, my old neighborhood. We stopped in to visit with Concha, my host mother and it was really good to see her again. Apparently I was the last American that she decided she’s going to host. I joked with her that “the same thing happened with my parents. After I came along they said ‘there’s no way we’re having any more’”.
-Later we met with Pepe and his friends for food and fun. It ended up being a super late night that was concluded with churros from my favorite place, just like old times. Cuz churros are best at odd hours of the night :)
Wednesday
-This morning Pepe and Carlos took me to the train station and we said our goodbyes and I headed home to Quintanar where the rain apparently followed me.
-But I had such a fun weekend visiting Sevilla -getting to see old friends again, making new ones, eating amazing food and finally fighting off this cold! Now let’s hope it stays away.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
A Friend of my Ancestors
Saturday
-the only time I left the house was to go watch the Atleti game at Cuevas, our favorite place.
-Pilar and her boyfriend met us there afterwards and we hung out with them. Her boyfriend was kinda really weird but in the funniest of ways. And they’re probably the shortest couple I’ve ever met. It was cute.
Sunday
-I went to Pilar’s mom’s 74th birthday party at the family’s house out in the country. It was a lot of fun. It was me and like her whole family, yet I wasn’t the only American. One of Pilar’s nephews is dating a girl from Cali (seriously, 95% of the other Americans I meet here are from CA). But this family is funny and like all families, a little crazy and they all treated me as if I was another member of the family. Being with them helped make my Thanksgiving weekend a little bit more complete.
-Of course the food at this party was good too. They made lamb in this huge pan thing over a fire and then they brought it in, put it in the middle of the floor and we all stood around it and just dug in with our forks. I loved it.
-I made it back in time to go to church. This church actually doesn’t have a pastor, so each week a different pastor from one of the nearby towns will come. This week the pastor was actually from Ecuador but he lives in Spain now.
Monday
-I got my 2nd package! This time from the family.
-Felipe and I met for coffee like normal. Just that this time there was a birthday party of one of my students there too. One of my students spotted me, told all the others and soon we were surrounded by 10-15 of my 2nd grade students just starring at us saying hello. It was totally like we were on exhibit in a museum. Thankful the owner came over and chased them off. But yeah, I’m totally a celebrity in this town.
-That’s all. Nothing else happened on Monday. At least as far as I’m concerned.
Tuesday
-Dinner at Pilar’s was funny. The boys (like most kids) were giving their parents a hard time and calling them old: “Shannon, when did your ancestors leave Switzerland?” Javi, “1717” Me “oh, so Mom, were you friends with them?” Javi.
Wednesday
-I didn’t sleep very much because I couldn’t stop coughing. It was awful. I was super frustrated. So I went into school late so I could sleep a little extra. I feel mostly fine during the day, a little coughing here and there but nothing terrible. But at night it just gets like 130 times worse.
-Apparently I’ve got some bullies in my afternoon class of 10 &11 year olds. I’m totally kicking them out if it continues.
-I love going to Manuel and Ana’s because every time they have something new for me to try. This time was this Swedish dessert wine that you drink warm. It was sooooo good. Just like a cider.
-the only time I left the house was to go watch the Atleti game at Cuevas, our favorite place.
-Pilar and her boyfriend met us there afterwards and we hung out with them. Her boyfriend was kinda really weird but in the funniest of ways. And they’re probably the shortest couple I’ve ever met. It was cute.
Sunday
-I went to Pilar’s mom’s 74th birthday party at the family’s house out in the country. It was a lot of fun. It was me and like her whole family, yet I wasn’t the only American. One of Pilar’s nephews is dating a girl from Cali (seriously, 95% of the other Americans I meet here are from CA). But this family is funny and like all families, a little crazy and they all treated me as if I was another member of the family. Being with them helped make my Thanksgiving weekend a little bit more complete.
-Of course the food at this party was good too. They made lamb in this huge pan thing over a fire and then they brought it in, put it in the middle of the floor and we all stood around it and just dug in with our forks. I loved it.
-I made it back in time to go to church. This church actually doesn’t have a pastor, so each week a different pastor from one of the nearby towns will come. This week the pastor was actually from Ecuador but he lives in Spain now.
Monday
-I got my 2nd package! This time from the family.
-Felipe and I met for coffee like normal. Just that this time there was a birthday party of one of my students there too. One of my students spotted me, told all the others and soon we were surrounded by 10-15 of my 2nd grade students just starring at us saying hello. It was totally like we were on exhibit in a museum. Thankful the owner came over and chased them off. But yeah, I’m totally a celebrity in this town.
-That’s all. Nothing else happened on Monday. At least as far as I’m concerned.
Tuesday
-Dinner at Pilar’s was funny. The boys (like most kids) were giving their parents a hard time and calling them old: “Shannon, when did your ancestors leave Switzerland?” Javi, “1717” Me “oh, so Mom, were you friends with them?” Javi.
Wednesday
-I didn’t sleep very much because I couldn’t stop coughing. It was awful. I was super frustrated. So I went into school late so I could sleep a little extra. I feel mostly fine during the day, a little coughing here and there but nothing terrible. But at night it just gets like 130 times worse.
-Apparently I’ve got some bullies in my afternoon class of 10 &11 year olds. I’m totally kicking them out if it continues.
-I love going to Manuel and Ana’s because every time they have something new for me to try. This time was this Swedish dessert wine that you drink warm. It was sooooo good. Just like a cider.
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