Cantabria

On Wednesday of this last week (3/17), I had coffee with Igor again, and we went to Castillo de Butron (a REALLY old castle- over 600 years old) and Puente Colgante (a 140 year old bridge.) Incredible with a lot of history behind them, but too much to type it here. I've got it all written down, though. At the end of the evening, Igor told me again to prepare a backpack and he would come and get me on Friday at 4. I asked him where we were going, but all I got out of him was that we were going to Cantabria (the providence next to the one I live in... just about an hour away), and that we would be going back in time. I had no idea what to expect, but I was packed and ready for another weekend "experiencing" Spain!

We headed towards Santander and met his friend Oscar for a drink and English hour again. From there, we needed to get ready for the fiesta and fireworks in Astillero. We got out snacks, prepared our calimocho (typical of Santander), and took the train to the town. It was the fiesta of San Jose, and there were people everywhere. It was a LOT smaller than the fiesta last weekend in Valencia, but still a lot of people enjoying each others company. After the fireworks, we headed towards the busy streets and spent the night as the Spanish do. After a few stops, we finally ate dinner at about 11, and we had typical Spanish hamburgers. It was on a baguette and had a fried egg on top of it... delicious! We then continued our night going from place to place and hanging out in the streets- where the party was. It was crazy for me to walk out onto the streets with your drink and just leave the glass on a windowsill when you're done. Spain really is a whole different world! There was a band playing in the street, so we stayed there for awhile (with everyone else) and sang and hung out. Igor even taught me how to dance the Pasadoble! Cheryl Burke, watch out! Here I come! We made it back home about 3am (early in the eyes of a Spaniard)so we could get some sleep and have energy for the next day.

On Saturday, we met Oscar for breakfast at 11:30 (yes, 11:30 was breakfast) and then continued walking the streets of Santander going into different cathedrals and other old buildings. Once again- beautiful! We Made a few stops for cafe con leche (coffee with milk) along the way. Santander is right on the Cantabrian Sea, and it was beautiful! We went to a sandwich place and got some sandwiches and started our long journey to our lunch destination. It seemed like we were walking forever, and I didn't know where we were going, but I just kept in tow of Oscar and Igor. They talk so fast and explain things to me, and sometimes I understand 100%, and other times I just pretend like I do. In the case of where we were going, I was just pretending like I knew. Well, as it turns out, the long walk was TOTALLY worth it. We walked along the seventh best beach in Europe to get to our lunch destination. The lunch destination was at the base of Palacio de la Magdalena (a palace that is now a university), right on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea. Again, beautiful! We walked along around the peninsula and made it back to the city. We had another cafe con leche on the fifth best beach in the world! Yes, 5th best beach in the WORLD! (Beautiful!), and continued walking along the coast away from the city, talking, learning, and joking around.

Oscar and Igor are such great tour guides, because they know something about everything. The buildings. The culture. The people. The customs. The plants. Everything. I tried to soak it all in and comprehend it, but it was impossible. Amazing, though.

It started raining so we headed back to the city. Oscar went home because he had to work on Saturday, so Igor and I tried to decide what to do with the rest of the night due to the weather. We ended up going from place to place again and spending the night as a typical Spainard. Tons of fun! Sit, have a drink, talk for an hour, and move on to the next place. Do that for place after place after place. Gosh, my brain was SO full, and getting fuller (?) by the minute, and I loved every second of it! We ate dinner at about 11 again, and I can't even tell you what we had. It was basically a plate of meat that I would never choose to eat, but it was all good! I think we had some ribs from sheep, meat from the neck of a pig, some beef from a cow, and some chorizo (sausage from a pig), and then there was something else. Igor told me that it was some meet from the pig and rice. It looked kinda like sushi the way it was wrapped up, and it was black. I tried it, and Igor asked me what I thought. I told him I liked it, and it really wasn't too bad. Then he said to me, "Now I will tell you more..." It was rice mixed/cooked with the blood of a pig. I was kind of grossed out and took a different option from the mound of meat. I then pointed out that it looked like sushi because of the black "wrap" around it. Igor said to me, "I don't know how much I should tell you!" I got really nervous then. I told him to let me finish eating it before he told me what it was. I later found out that the "wrap" around it was the intestines of the pig. Ew. We finished dinner and were both stuffed, but kept on going... as the Spanish do. After about three more stops, Igor said we should turn in for the night. It was about 3am when we started walking home, but he informed me that 3am is the time to leave the bars and go to the dance clubs. It is typical do stay at the clubs until about 7am, have breakfast, and then go to bed until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Igor said that we are working up to that... I'm not sure that I can handle that, but he insists "When in Spain..."

We were up and out of the house the next day at about noon, had breakfast, and headed to La Cueva Soplao, a unique and beautiful cave! We couldn't take pictures, but here is the website if you want to check it out: http://www.elsoplao.es/ENG/default.htm It is a very unique cave in that it has little "growths" coming off of the stalactites and stalagmites, and they grow in all directions. Incredible!

Leaving there and driving through the mountains, we headed to Comillas to see an old medieval town, but most of the buildings were closed. We hit the road again and went to Santillana del Mar, another medieval vilage. It was incredible! It is called the city of tres mentiras (three lies) because (porque Santillana ni es santa, ni llana, ni tiene mar) Santillana is not a saint, is not plain, and does not have the sea. I literally felt like I was walking on the set of a movie- everything so old and original. (It is funny because I say that to Igor often, and he told me that he said the same thing when he lived in Chicago!) There was a church dating back to Century XII. Wow!

From there, we started the journey back to Bilbao, but stopped along the coast for one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. There are a lot of nature preserves in Spain, and this is the only beach in Spain that is also part of a nature preserve. La reserva natural de Liencres is the name of where we were. Igor kept asking me what I though, ¿Que te parece?, but I was really left speechless. No hay palabras. God sure is good!

I think I spent most of my weekend with my mouth hanging open and my eyes as wide as I could make them. Igor and Oscar kept laughing at me because I would just stop talking and look around with big eyes, taking in as much as I possibly could. They said I looked like an owl because my eyes were open so wide! I just love it here, and I am just at the beginning. There is SO much to see, SO much to do, SO much to learn, and SO little time! I'm just at the three-week point now, and I am already not wanting to go home.

Madrid is on the agenda for this coming weekend, and every weekend after that is accounted for. I've already got a long list of things to see/do the next time I come here, which hopefully will be WAY sooner than later!

Castillo de Butrón
Century XIX

Castillo de Butrón

Puente Colgante or Puente Vizcaya
140 years old

Puente Colgante or Puente Vizcaya

Waiting for the fireworks in Astillero for Fiesta de San Jose

The Cathedral Church of Santander, built in Century XIII

El Palacio de la Magdalena, built 1909-1911 for the royal family
It is now a university

La Península de La Magdalena- what we walked around and where the palace was

El Mar Cantábrico

Our plate of meat for dinner

Knocing on a door

Street in Santillana del Mar

Roman Church from Siglo XII

Street in Santillana del Mar

Sunset at La reserva natural de Liencres

Sunset at La reserva natural de Liencres

Valencia y Las Fallas

By the end of our time together on Thursday evening, Igor told me to have a backpack ready and he would pick me up at 4:30 on Friday to start our tour of Spain. He told me that there was a big fiesta going on in Valencia, Las Fallas (a celebration in Valencia in praise of Saint Joseph- fallas (ll is pronounced as a y)is the term for the celebration and the creations), and we just had to go! I wasn't sure what to expect about any of it, but when in Rome... or Spain...

I had my bag ready before I left for school on Friday morning and was picked up within 15 minutes of getting home from school. We met Igor's friend, Oscar, in a town outside of Santander for drinks and then went back to his flat to cook dinner. The first half of the night was spent in English, because Oscar is practicing for their trip to Chicago next April for a wedding. After our "English hour" we spent the rest of the evening, and really the rest of the weekend, in Spanish. Something pretty funny happened at dinner. We had pasta, and when it came time for eating, it had gotten cold. Both Igor and Oscar commented on this and asked me how mine was. I said that it was fine it didn't need to be warmed up. Oscar asked me if the pasta was cold- "La pasta esta fria?" I responded, "No." Then he asked, "Me mientes?" I responded, "Yes." I heard, "Me entiendes?" This means, "do you understand me?" That is why I responded with yes. Yes, I understood what he was saying. In reality, he was asking if I was lying to him. My natural, quick response of "Yes" got both Igor and Oscar laughing quite hard. I had no clue why, and was quite embarrassed once I found out what he really said. It became quite the joke, and now I really have to think every time someone asks me one of those questions.

We hung out at Oscar's until about 10:30, and then we got on the road to start the trip to Valencia. There is no direct way to get there, so we had to go about 4 hours south to Madird and then about 4 hours east to Valencia (right on the Mediterranean Sea). We drove through the night (more like Igor drove through the night) and we got to Valencia at about 10ish in the morning. We started the tour and walked through a park. Where the park currently is, used to be a river, but it dried up. The park was gorgeous, and really went on forever. We made our way to the heart of the city and had a breakfast typical of Las Fallas the name of the fiesta (or festival).

From there, we ventured all around the town. I saw things like I have never seen before. The old buildings were incredible. It was so awesome to step foot in a cathedral that was build hundreds of years ago that has entry ways more detailed than I could ever imagine. We went to a fresh-food market, and I'm sure I made a lot of "gross" faces at the fresh lobster, pig legs, or . We went up towers that were the forts of the city that over looked the whole town. The four main towers were left, but the walls that connected them and protected the city were torn down. We went to the sea and I put my hands in the Mediterranean. It was incredible. It was great to travel with Igor because he knows the history behind everything. We wouldn't just walk past and think, oh-what a cool old building. He told me about them, and we went inside if we could. I got so much culture and history... all in Spanish!

Those were just the "normal" things you could see in Valencia, but then we got to experience Las Fallas. I still don't totally understand it, but the fiesta lasts from March 1 though the 19. Basically, the city parties for three weeks. The festival is all about fireworks. Almost every street corner had a Falla on it- a HUGE creation made of styrofoam that was sculpted and painted to tell a story. These fallas ranged from about ten feet tall to about five stories tall. It is so hard to explain. Next Saturday, all of the Fallas will be burned at the same time. There will be fireworks placed inside of them, and they will all be ignited at the same time. There are also fireworks shows every afternoon at 2 in the center of the city. People packed in there, and Igor, myself, and bout 2 million of our closest friends stood packed like sardines waiting for the mesclata (the fireworks show). Igor was so excited about this and kept telling me it was incredible; I believed him. As it started I was thinking to myself, yes, this is cool, but why was Igor SO worked up about it. The last few minutes of the show I knew why. I have never heard anything so loud in my life! It was so loud that my pants were literally shaking and the ground was moving. The entire crowd started yelling and jumping up and down... it was incredible! We saw this on Saturday and Sunday. Every day for the 19 days of the fiesta, a different "company" does the show and it is a competition, so they are all good shows because every company wants to win. We also saw a fireworks show on Saturday night (after a long parade- long enough to leave, have a drink, return, and the parade was still going on)... or more like Sunday morning. Only in Spain would a fireworks show start at 1am in the middle of a large city. Along with the street intersections having these Fallas in them, different barrios (neighborhoods) decorate the streets with lights. That is a competition as well. We walked down the winning streets, and we had to turn around because we couldn't move forward because it was so crowded. What an incredible place!

To go along with the fireworks shows, a big part of this festival is the popping fireworks. We used to have the little poppers that you throw on the ground and it makes a little pop. Yes, those were around everywhere, but there were also tons TONS more that were so SO much louder. You would be walking down the street, see some kids standing there throwing things on the ground towards your feet, and then all the sudden BANG! It was sometimes terrifying, but sure made life exciting! That constant BANG (or BOMBA as they say in Spanish) almost got tiring, but was all part of it. I sure soaked it in!

After the late fireworks show, some more walking, and finally making it to the car, we went to bed at about 3:20am (en la madruga), but were up and at it again by 11am. We took our time eating breakfast at a coffee place in an old market (with a live orchestra playing), walked around a little more, and headed back for the fireworks show. After that, we headed out of town to go to the sea. It was gorgeous, and the sand was SO soft! It was absolutely beautiful.

I know I've been scattered with what I've been saying, but there is just so much to tell. I want to tell it all, but I really don't have time for that, and you would all probably get bored with it. The drive home was great. Igor and I conversed in Spanish the whole way home, and I learned SO much about Spanish culture, and about my own as well. There is so much that opened my eyes this past weekend. I have spent time journaling about it and digesting it. It would be impossible to share it all with you, but I will have MANY stories to share when I get home. Some aspects that really stuck out to me were:
- "To-go" doesn't really exist in Spain. There is no hurry. How long does it take to sit down and have a cup of coffee?
- People are honest and trustworthy. For example, you go to a restaurant or bar and order. You take your time enjoying. There is not rush whatsoever, and when you're done and ready for the bill, you go to the counter to tell the waitress what you had. I asked Igor if people ever "cheat the system" and he looked at me like I was crazy. Why would people do that?
-People aren't walking around with a cellphone glued to their ear. I think during our day and a half in Valencia, I noticed maybe three or four people (out of the thousands and thousands that I saw) walking with their cell phones. The rest of the people are walking (a lot of times arm-in-arm), strolling along, and chatting.

I definitely think Spain has their priorities in check. It made me think about the way I am, and the way America is. For a country who often times has the view of "we are the best," we've got a long ways to go!

I'm sorry if I've bored you with this, or if it was too scattered to follow. I just have so many thoughts of things I want to share with you firing in my mind that I can't say it all. I'm not sure what is in store for me this weekend, but from the sounds of it, I think Igor has plans for the rest of my weekends here... hence SPAINexperience2010TOUR!


Standing in front of the entrance to Valencia. This is one of the four towers that was part of the wall surrounding the city.

Standing in the doorway of a typical Roman home

Jamon- pig legs in the market

Still living!

A Cathedral

Una Falla

Spanish flag on top of the tower

The sunset over Valencia from the top of a tower

On the stairs going down the tower

Una Falla

Street light decorations

Decorated street

Paella cooking in the street... streets were lined with different groups cooking their own paellas

Waiting for the mascleta (fireworks show)

Mar Mediterráneo

Mar Mediterráneo

And so the adventure begins...

Through a contact at home, I was introduced to a guy who lives in Santander (a town about 50 minutes west of Bilbao) and works in Bilbao, Igor. Igor and Gema were friends when Gema still lived in Spain, so she introduced us through Facebook. We sent a few messages back and forth, and were finally in "real" contact last Wednesday. He offered to pick me up and take me to go get coffee. We went into Bilbao and had coffee at a really old cafeteria (1904). It was so much, SO MUCH, different than Starbucks, or even what one would think in going to go get coffee here. There was a waitor, little coffee cups, and noise (again, Spain= louder than the States). It was such a neat atmosphere, and we got to sit and chat for awhile. Igor did live in Chicago for about three years, so he speaks English fluently, but he won't around me because we're in Spain and I need to practice my Spanish.

After coffee, we were able to walk around Bilbao for a few hours, and I got to see some different parts that I didn't before. By the end of the evening, it was established that he would be my tour and help me to experience Spain. So begins SPAINexperience2010TOUR (in the words of Igor)!

School...

It has been quite a while since I have made my last post. Things in my life here in Spain have definitely picked up, which is what I wanted to happen! Last week at school was basically just a time for me to get acclimated and start to learn the routines. I did a little planning and teaching in small group settings, and I led the spelling review game on Friday before the test. I am starting to get used to the way the school works and how the students are. Well, maybe not get used to it, but I'm starting to learn what I should and shouldn't expect.

I think I've said this before, but Spain is a loud culture, and that is taking some getting used to. The students are very, very, VERY talkative, and there a few who just never calm down. And I thought my fifth graders in Lapel were chatty... I guess they were just preparing me for what was ahead ;) The students are great, though, despite there chatting. They are all from native Spanish families, but all speak English just fine. The sound J makes doesn't really exist in Spanish, so I'm not Ms. Jessie to my students. More often I have students poking at me, pulling my arm, and calling me Ms. Yessie! They learn/speak more proper English here, so there are a few phrases and words that catch me off guard, but that is all part of the experience!

Just yesterday, the first day back after the weekend, Ms. Kate gave some of the students the opportunity to share what they did during the weekend, and some of their responses just blew me away. They included playing in golf tournaments, going horseback riding, going away to the mountains to ski, going away to Madrid for the weekend, and other things like that. It is becoming more and more evident to me that these students are from well-to-do families. They are very cultured. They all speak two languages fluently (Spanish and English), and many stay after school to take French. The second grade class is the first group to go through the Basque program; they receive Basque language a few times a week. To be that age and have those language opportunities... how awesome! One struggle at school is to keep them speaking in English, although part of me inside wants to speak with them in Spanish so that I can practice!

There are no classes on Friday because it is a Spanish holiday, not exactly sure what the holiday is, but I think it has to do with San Jaun? There are also no classes for students on Monday because of parent-teacher conferences. I am very anxious to see how these go and to get a little more background behind my students. After a four day week this week, a four (kind of) day next week, we will start our two week spring break. I'm not sure what I will have planned for the firs week, but the second week I have a plane ticket to go to Milan, Italy to spend a week with my best friend since forever, Lisa, who is studying there this semester. I can't wait. After that break, I will come back to school and be full-time teaching for two weeks. I will then transition things back to Kate the next, and my final, week. Holy Cow! Time sure is flying and I've only been gone for two weeks! I'm starting to realize why everyone told me 8 weeks wouldn't be long enough!

My classroom from the doorway- pretty small. Hopefully I'll get some more of the students soon

a new perspective...

Guillermo's fiesta de cumple was today (birthday party), and Ana's family came over. I met her other sisters, a nephew, and her parents. They were all very nice and welcoming. Everyone came over around 1, and the eating started at about 2. First, the kids ate in the kitchen, and they had some kind of white fish. When they were done eating, they watched a movie en el salón de niños (the living room for the kids... yes, there is also one for the adults). We got the table ready for the adults to eat.

It was a feast! I will list all of the food items on the table (not that I ate them all): pinchos (finger sandwiches), the whitefish the kids had for lunch, mariscos (shellfish- they looked like the little snails/shells you pick off the side of a pier), camarones (shrimp- the big kind that still had eyeballs and the antennas), anchaos (anchovies), calamares en una salsa negra (calamari in a black sauce), jamon (ham), ensalada con atun (salad with tuna), pan (bread), y vino de la rioja (wine from La Rioja, a region famous for its wines). We ate and we ate and we ate. Correction, they ate and they ate and they ate. I did eat a little. I tried the whitefish, and I liked it. I had some jamon and didn't care for it too much. I had a shrimp, and I also tried the salsa that the calamari was in. I liked both of those. I passed on the rest. We finished and cleared the table. I thought we were done.

Wrong. New plates were brought out along with two big platters filled with cordero (lamb). This was the meat that was in the tub. There was also a plate filled with lettuce and vegetables. I tried a small piece of this, and it wasn't bad. They know that I don't like fish and were like, now you will like the meat we have! Lamb is not a meat I had eaten before, so today was definitely a learning experience. We cleaned these plates off of the table. I figured we must be done now.

Wrong. Dessert time. Three tubs of Ben and Jerry's ice cream was brought to the table along with chocolate cake and a french apple dessert that Ana made. My oh my do these people eat! I read that the north is famous for its food, and now I know that they weren't joking.

Lunch finished at about 3:30, and hour and a half after we started. Jon said this is typical, and maybe even a little short. It was such a fun experience, even though the food wasn't my favorite. There were a few cultural things I noticed. Bread? Just rip it off of the loaf and leave your piece on the table next to your plate. Also, you don't pass dishes around the table. People just stand up and/or reach across to get what they want. Jon kept trying to put more things on my plate for me. He was so funny, "Eat, eat, eat! Try it, try it, try it!" Estuve llena. I was full! (And ready for una siesta!)

Later in the afternoon, I got the opportunity to have a nice conversation (all in Spanish) with Tsuni, the nanny, and got to know her a little better. She is from Paraguay and has been living here in Spain for three years. I found out from her that she has two children of her own (11 and 7 years old), but has not seen them for three years because she has been working, earning money for her family. She gets to talk to them on the phone and on the internet sometimes, but can't afford to go back to visit them. She said it is difficult, but she is doing this so they will have a better future. "Tengo que pensar en mis niños." I was so amazed by this and by her. What love and dedication that is... It really made me realize how fortunate and blessed I have been in my life.

I am so lucky to have a great family all around me, supporting me and loving me in all that I do. I am so lucky to have had the opportunities that I have had with my traveling to Panama, the Dominican Republic, Alaska, and around the United States with my family. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to go to a strong University, and I am so incredibly fortunate to be able to live in Spain for two months doing what I love- teaching. I am so lucky to serve a gracious God that has made all of this possible. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and loved me. I love you all.

Un día precioso en Bilbao

Yesterday (Saturday), I got the opportunity to go into the city of Bilbao and experience the town. From where I am living, it is about a ten or fifteen minute car ride to get to the center of the city. Jon drove me in because he had to take Gonzalo to speech. He dropped me off with Ana's sister, Miren (how you would say Maria en Euskera- the native Basque language). Miren lives in the city and volunteered to show me around. She is learning some English, but we spent the whole day talking in Spanish! It was a lot of fun! We did a lot of walking, and she kept asking if I wanted to take the new tram, but I said I wanted to walk so we could see more!

The city was so neat. We got to walk past the Guggenheim and see a few of the outdoor pieces of art. One of them was a giant puppy made of flowers. This thing was huge! There was also a giant spider and a few other things outside. I opted not to go on the tram so we would be able to see more of the city.

We walked around a University, through the casco antiguo (oldest part of the city), past theaters, down El Gran Via (the grand way- main/biggest road downtown, most expensive, too, for shopping and living), and past some government buildings. We made a big circle around the city and saw most of it. I loved all of the old buildings and thought the architecture was incredible.

In the casco antiguo, Miren and I stopped for some pinchos- small appetizer/sandwiches at the different tapas/bars. Every little place you walked past had plates and plates of these pinchos sitting on the bar. They all varied, and some looked pretty disgusting to me, but it was a neat system. You go in, grab the pincho(s) that you want, maybe order a drink, enjoy, tell the bartender what you had, pay, and then go on to la próxima tapa (the next place to get pinchos). Miren and I did this once and kept walking. We then found a place to sit at an outdoor cafe and had a Coke. While sitting there, two of her friends met up with us- Vanessa, a friend from her gym, and Dillon, a guy from California who lives in Bilbao and is working as an English teacher.

We sat and chatted for a little while, and then we went to a few different tapas for mas pinchos. I was slightly overwhelmed because more people were out, as it was later in the afternoon at this point, and the places were all packed. There was so much to choose from, and I didn't really know what any of it was. I had a few pinchos (one with egg, bacon, pepper, and mushroom, and one with tortilla de patata) and a sweet apple/grape juice-like drink, mosto. Overall, it was a fun afternoon. I was glad to see some of Bilbao, experience a little of the culture, and practice my Spanish a lot! Now I just need to go back and actually visit some of the places we saw/passed.

Last night was Guille's birthday party, and it was quite the to-do. There were a lot of people, a lot of fancy food, and tons of gifts. Today, Ana's parents are going to be coming over for a big meal. I went down to the kitchen for breakfast this morning, and there was this big tub sitting on the counter. Jon pointed to it and told me not to worry about it... it was filled with some liquid and tons of some kind of raw meat. I guess I just saw what's for dinner...


The flower dog at the Guggenheim

Guggenheim

Guggenheim

The city over the bridge

Spider at the Guggenheim

Government building for the Basque Country

Dentro la plaza de la ciudad (inside the plaza of Bilbao)

A street in the casco antiguo... just for walking, no cars allowed

Government building for Spain

Teatro Arriaga

First day of school...

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!

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

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!

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