I went to school yesterday afternoon (Thursday) with Ana to pick the children up from school. (It is about a 20-25 minute drive, but Ana goes every day so I will be able to ride with her to and from school!) I got to meet many teachers, although I don't really remember any of their names, but they were all so kind and welcoming. They had heard I was coming and were excited to meet me. The principal, Izaskun, was very, very nice and kept asking to make sure I was going alright. Then I met Kate, my collaborating teacher, and my third graders. The students were excited to see me and all rushed to give me hugs. I didn't stay long, and I think they were disappointed because they were wanting me to be there all day. Kate was extremely kind. I think she will be great to work with.
I decided that I would go to school today even though my first official day isn't until Monday. I'm still feeling kind of tired and jet lagged, but I figured I would go and ease into things. We left home at about 8:15, got to school at about 8:40, and school starts at 9. I went down to Kate's room got settled in. Kate is from England; she is very soft spoken, and I love her accent! The students all came in and were like, "Miss Jessie is here! Miss Jessie is here!" I got many more hugs throughout the day. Today was kind of overwhelming. Being in a new place with so many new faces and names to learn and a completely different culture... it kind of took it out of me. I enjoyed it though.
The students are very lively and bubbly, as Kate describes them. I would say that they are talkative and don't listen very well. Kate told me that this is part of the culture. It is just a loud culture so to ever expect complete silence is almost out of the question. This will be quite a change for me to adjust to. I don't want to lower my expectations too much, but it is extremely important to be mindful of their culture and routines. I definitely have my work cut out for me... Kate is just wonderful. She is so kind-hearted and constantly was making sure I was doing okay. We talked briefly about my teaching expectations and planning and things like that. She seems very flexible. Also, she gave me her mobile (say it in an English accent, its more fun that way!) number and said that I can call any time if I have questions. She also said that if things get too crazy here at the house, she will come get me and take me away for a little while. I may take her up on that!
On the way home from school, Ana took me past the sea, and I saw amazing houses along the coast. We just drove past, but I want to go back sometime, walk around, and take some pictures! I had a nice conversation with her on the way home. It was all in Spanish! She is realizing that I want to practice my Spanish so she isn't using her limited English. This is very helpful! I think we are starting to warm up to one another.
After school, I played on the patio and in the garden (driveway and yard) with Guillermo (Guille for short) and Gonzalo. We played a little futbol (aka soccer) y baloncesto (basketball). I think they enjoyed that. I did too!
I'm not really sure what this weekend has in store. Guille is celebrating his third birthday on Sunday. His ten 2-year old classmates (and siblings) are coming over for a birthday party tomorrow and then I think there is a family birthday party on Sunday... should be quite interesting! Also, I think Ana said that Guille goes for speech therapy in Bilbao every Saturday at 10, and they said they would show me around down town a little bit. I'm excited to get out and about!
I hope you are all doing well! Keep me updated on what is going on in your life! I want to hear!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Estoy Aqui!
I made it! I left Tuesday afternoon from Chicago, but my flight was an hour late. I was nervous that I was going to miss my flight in Miami, but I was safe because that flight was late as well. I was then getting nervous about missing my flight from Madrid to Bilbao, but I made it. Madrid airport was slightly stressful because it was big, in another language, and I had to ride trains to get to where I 'thought' I had to go. Luckily I did some good reasoning and arrived in Bilbao as scheduled. There was one slight problem... my two main suitcases with all of my clothes got lost. Hopefully those will arrive tomorrow. On the flight from Miami to Madrid, all of the flight attendants and people around me were speaking Spanish, and my first thought was, "What did I get myself into?!?" This has been a reoccurring thought. While I was waiting to board my flight to Bilbao, I was standing in line and handed the man my boarding pass. He was speaking Spanish to everyone in front of me, but then started speaking English to me... maybe I looked kind of out of place? haha
I met Ana, my host mom, outside at the airport, and it was nice to finally be somewhat "here" and not be on the move anymore. The family lives just about five or ten minutes from the airport. Their house is wonderful! It has a gate outside for anyone to enter or exit if that tells you anything about what it may be like. She gave me a quick tour of the home (the salon, the kid's play room, the bedrooms, the dining room, the upstairs, my room, and the kitchen). The house is big and nice. When we finally got to the kitchen, Ana had prepared food for me. It was jamon (ham- I didn't care for it too much but think I will have to get used to it), tortilla patata (eggs and potatoes), tomato salad, and arroz con leche (a sweet dessert of rice and milk). I wasn't very hungry, but felt that I needed to eat. They are such a hospitable family!
The room I am staying in is Gabi's old room. She has been sharing a room with Jon for the past few months, so it was sitting empty, but it is filled with High School Musical, Strawberry Shortcake, and Patito Feo (I'm guessing this is the Disney/Spanish version of Ugly Betty) posters and stickers. There is a double bed, dresser, and two wardrobes. There is even a tv/dvd in the room. There is also a desk in the room that overlooks their pool/garden area and the mountainside filled with homes. It is beautiful. I was so grateful because Ana had prepared the desk for me with some supplies. There are highlighters, pencils, notebooks, paperclips, and even a printer. I am truly blessed.
After eating I did a little unpacking of the few things I had, and then I took a short nap. When I woke up the kids were home from school. I was very nervous to go downstairs and meet them, but I said a quick prayer and went for it. They were all excited to meet me, and immediately the two littlest boys grabbed my hand and began showing me all of their things. I felt welcomed immediately. Guillermo will be celebrating his third birthday on Sunday. He seems to be quite a handful and threw a few tantrums today, but he is just adorable! Gonzalo is four, and cute as a button, too! He was constantly saying, "Miss Jessie, Miss Jessie, look, look." He showed me everything around his room. The two young boys don't speak English yet because they are still young in school and are just starting to learn it, and it is hard for me to understand their Spanish. Gabriella (Gabi) is in second grade, and she is your typical second grader. We have colored, looked at Hannah Montana and Patito Feo magazines, and just chatted a bit. Jon is nine and in fourth grade. He is adorable and fun to be around. Gabi, Jon, and I sat around the kitchen table for about an hour this afternoon and played hangman. Jon (the dad) came home from work later, and I was nervous about meeting him, but he is so nice. He pulled out his iPhone right away and showed me that he had been looking at Indianapolis weather earlier. He is very talkative and kind. He offered to make me dinner, so we got to chat over ham sandwiches, pistachios, and a chorizo (something made from the blood of a pig... not too sure about it but it didn't taste too bad).
After dinner, we went to the salon and chatted for a bit, watched some TV. It was weird to watch CSI Miami in Spain, in Spanish, but the mouths are speaking English. It was getting late, so we all decided to turn in, but then I got my computer set up and connected to wireless. I decided I would give an update and let you all know that I made it safely.
I would be lying if I said that I hadn't cried many times already. I think it is a combination of fears, nerves, uncertainty, and the newness of it all. This experience is totally out of my comfort zone. I can already tell it will be stretching. As the plane was taking off in Miami to go to Madrid, I said a prayer and asked God to be with me on this experience. God is going to be my only "familiar face" for the next two months, and I asked him to help me draw near to him through all of this. I am definitely going to need him. Then, on the train in the Madrid airport, I found a card that my dad wrote to me. The first thing I saw was, "Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 That just brought me to tears once again, but was a sure sign that God is with me, and will be with me through this entire experience. I am truly blessed.
At the airport... International!
My desk with all the supplies Ana prepared for me
The wardrobe Ana stocked for me, and my bed in the corner
The view outside my window as I sit at my desk
I met Ana, my host mom, outside at the airport, and it was nice to finally be somewhat "here" and not be on the move anymore. The family lives just about five or ten minutes from the airport. Their house is wonderful! It has a gate outside for anyone to enter or exit if that tells you anything about what it may be like. She gave me a quick tour of the home (the salon, the kid's play room, the bedrooms, the dining room, the upstairs, my room, and the kitchen). The house is big and nice. When we finally got to the kitchen, Ana had prepared food for me. It was jamon (ham- I didn't care for it too much but think I will have to get used to it), tortilla patata (eggs and potatoes), tomato salad, and arroz con leche (a sweet dessert of rice and milk). I wasn't very hungry, but felt that I needed to eat. They are such a hospitable family!
The room I am staying in is Gabi's old room. She has been sharing a room with Jon for the past few months, so it was sitting empty, but it is filled with High School Musical, Strawberry Shortcake, and Patito Feo (I'm guessing this is the Disney/Spanish version of Ugly Betty) posters and stickers. There is a double bed, dresser, and two wardrobes. There is even a tv/dvd in the room. There is also a desk in the room that overlooks their pool/garden area and the mountainside filled with homes. It is beautiful. I was so grateful because Ana had prepared the desk for me with some supplies. There are highlighters, pencils, notebooks, paperclips, and even a printer. I am truly blessed.
After eating I did a little unpacking of the few things I had, and then I took a short nap. When I woke up the kids were home from school. I was very nervous to go downstairs and meet them, but I said a quick prayer and went for it. They were all excited to meet me, and immediately the two littlest boys grabbed my hand and began showing me all of their things. I felt welcomed immediately. Guillermo will be celebrating his third birthday on Sunday. He seems to be quite a handful and threw a few tantrums today, but he is just adorable! Gonzalo is four, and cute as a button, too! He was constantly saying, "Miss Jessie, Miss Jessie, look, look." He showed me everything around his room. The two young boys don't speak English yet because they are still young in school and are just starting to learn it, and it is hard for me to understand their Spanish. Gabriella (Gabi) is in second grade, and she is your typical second grader. We have colored, looked at Hannah Montana and Patito Feo magazines, and just chatted a bit. Jon is nine and in fourth grade. He is adorable and fun to be around. Gabi, Jon, and I sat around the kitchen table for about an hour this afternoon and played hangman. Jon (the dad) came home from work later, and I was nervous about meeting him, but he is so nice. He pulled out his iPhone right away and showed me that he had been looking at Indianapolis weather earlier. He is very talkative and kind. He offered to make me dinner, so we got to chat over ham sandwiches, pistachios, and a chorizo (something made from the blood of a pig... not too sure about it but it didn't taste too bad).
After dinner, we went to the salon and chatted for a bit, watched some TV. It was weird to watch CSI Miami in Spain, in Spanish, but the mouths are speaking English. It was getting late, so we all decided to turn in, but then I got my computer set up and connected to wireless. I decided I would give an update and let you all know that I made it safely.
I would be lying if I said that I hadn't cried many times already. I think it is a combination of fears, nerves, uncertainty, and the newness of it all. This experience is totally out of my comfort zone. I can already tell it will be stretching. As the plane was taking off in Miami to go to Madrid, I said a prayer and asked God to be with me on this experience. God is going to be my only "familiar face" for the next two months, and I asked him to help me draw near to him through all of this. I am definitely going to need him. Then, on the train in the Madrid airport, I found a card that my dad wrote to me. The first thing I saw was, "Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 That just brought me to tears once again, but was a sure sign that God is with me, and will be with me through this entire experience. I am truly blessed.
At the airport... International!
My desk with all the supplies Ana prepared for me
The wardrobe Ana stocked for me, and my bed in the corner
The view outside my window as I sit at my desk
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...
Well, it's finally here. Tomorrow morning I will head to the airport and start my long day of travel. I leave from O'Hare and fly to Miami. From there, I will fly to Madrid and then have a quick hour-long flight from Madrid to Bilbao. I will arrive in Bilbao at 11:25 (5am et, 4am ct). My host "mum" as my teacher calls her, will be at the airport waiting for me.
These past few days have just been a whirlwind. I finished up my fifth grade student teaching on Friday and then Jay and I made the trip home Friday night. I got to spend the weekend with many family and friends. Ryan, Jeff, the kids, and Nicole were all home for the weekend, and it was fun to have the whole family together. We had a get together on Saturday night so I could see everyone before I leave. It was great to hang out with my family!
Sunday and Monday were spent getting things ready to leave. The days were filled with list making, doing laundry, packing, shopping, running errands, and packing. This afternoon I got a call from someone in the district about a potential dual language position, so I quick got ready and had a "mini interview" and have a phone interview set up for the end of March when I'm in Spain. It has been crazy rushing around, and at 10:30 tonight, I finally think my bags are all packed. I think I'm ready to go! Anyone want to take bets on whether or not I'll sleep tonight!?!
Talk to you in Spain!
Mom made me a belated birthday/bon voyage Spain cake. Delicioso!
These past few days have just been a whirlwind. I finished up my fifth grade student teaching on Friday and then Jay and I made the trip home Friday night. I got to spend the weekend with many family and friends. Ryan, Jeff, the kids, and Nicole were all home for the weekend, and it was fun to have the whole family together. We had a get together on Saturday night so I could see everyone before I leave. It was great to hang out with my family!
Sunday and Monday were spent getting things ready to leave. The days were filled with list making, doing laundry, packing, shopping, running errands, and packing. This afternoon I got a call from someone in the district about a potential dual language position, so I quick got ready and had a "mini interview" and have a phone interview set up for the end of March when I'm in Spain. It has been crazy rushing around, and at 10:30 tonight, I finally think my bags are all packed. I think I'm ready to go! Anyone want to take bets on whether or not I'll sleep tonight!?!
Talk to you in Spain!
Mom made me a belated birthday/bon voyage Spain cake. Delicioso!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Spain or Bust!
I can't believe that my time here in the States is so short. In just twelve short days I will be boarding a plane and flying to Bilbao, Spain where I will live for two months. The whole process started about a year ago when I decided to apply to the student teaching over seas program. It was a rush to get everything together and couldn't believe that I was actually applying to go to Spain! Eleven short months later, I am beginning to pack my bags to actually start this adventure.
I will be student teaching at the American School of Bilbao. It is located in Berango and is just minutes away from the Bay of Biscay, about twenty minutes north of the big city of Bilbao, and about an hour or so west of the French border. I will be teaching 20 third graders from all over the world! Just a few weeks ago I received handwritten letters from my students, and they seem incredible. There are thirteen girls and seven boys, and I can't wait to meet and get to know every single one of them! I should have my work cut out for me, though, because one of the students wrote, "We don't work so much so be very firm with us." Instruction will be delivered in English, but I hope to get a lot of practice speaking Spanish. My collaborating teacher is originally from England, so I will get to experience many different cultures while I am away.
As of yesterday, my housing situation is finally settled. It was really stressing me out not having this solidified. A weight is lifted! I will be living with a Spanish family that lives about twenty minutes from the school. They have four young children who are 9, 7, 4, and 2 years old. They live with a woman from Paraguay who helps with the kids. I'm happy that I will be able to use my Spanish while I am at home! The family seems so wonderful. They are letting me have a room and aren't even going to charge me for groceries or rent! They have offered me a computer with wifi access, too! The mom also said that she drives to school every day and I can just ride with them to school. I am so blessed! To top it off, Ana signed her email with "Lots of kisses!" That made me feel welcomed and loved.
This is going to be a very stretching experience for me, but I am looking forward to it. These last few days at home (at Anderson University and in Woodstock) will be very busy. I am just about to finish up my current student teaching placement in fifth grade at Lapel Elementary School. Next Friday will be my last day. It will definitely be tough to say good-bye to my students. I then plan on going home on Saturday to see my family (after two whole months of being away from them!) and getting things organized before I leave. Between now and then I have to finish lots of school work, start packing, and spend time with my friends! I fly out of Chicago on Tuesday, March 2. I have a feeling its going to be here before I know it!
I am going to try and keep this updated as much as possible while I am away. Please check back often for updates! I would appreciate your prayers while I am away. Also, keep me posted on what is going on in your life! I don't want to be too out of the loop when I return in May!
This is the school where I will be teaching. You can learn more about it at www.asob.es
I will be student teaching at the American School of Bilbao. It is located in Berango and is just minutes away from the Bay of Biscay, about twenty minutes north of the big city of Bilbao, and about an hour or so west of the French border. I will be teaching 20 third graders from all over the world! Just a few weeks ago I received handwritten letters from my students, and they seem incredible. There are thirteen girls and seven boys, and I can't wait to meet and get to know every single one of them! I should have my work cut out for me, though, because one of the students wrote, "We don't work so much so be very firm with us." Instruction will be delivered in English, but I hope to get a lot of practice speaking Spanish. My collaborating teacher is originally from England, so I will get to experience many different cultures while I am away.
As of yesterday, my housing situation is finally settled. It was really stressing me out not having this solidified. A weight is lifted! I will be living with a Spanish family that lives about twenty minutes from the school. They have four young children who are 9, 7, 4, and 2 years old. They live with a woman from Paraguay who helps with the kids. I'm happy that I will be able to use my Spanish while I am at home! The family seems so wonderful. They are letting me have a room and aren't even going to charge me for groceries or rent! They have offered me a computer with wifi access, too! The mom also said that she drives to school every day and I can just ride with them to school. I am so blessed! To top it off, Ana signed her email with "Lots of kisses!" That made me feel welcomed and loved.
This is going to be a very stretching experience for me, but I am looking forward to it. These last few days at home (at Anderson University and in Woodstock) will be very busy. I am just about to finish up my current student teaching placement in fifth grade at Lapel Elementary School. Next Friday will be my last day. It will definitely be tough to say good-bye to my students. I then plan on going home on Saturday to see my family (after two whole months of being away from them!) and getting things organized before I leave. Between now and then I have to finish lots of school work, start packing, and spend time with my friends! I fly out of Chicago on Tuesday, March 2. I have a feeling its going to be here before I know it!
I am going to try and keep this updated as much as possible while I am away. Please check back often for updates! I would appreciate your prayers while I am away. Also, keep me posted on what is going on in your life! I don't want to be too out of the loop when I return in May!
This is the school where I will be teaching. You can learn more about it at www.asob.es
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