Well, not too many major things have been going on here. Just getting back in routine and trying new things!
Wednesday the 18th Lisa, Anna, and I went to a belly dancing class!! Our instructor was a nice guy named Youssef that has actually worked with the choreographer of Shakira!! We did a traditional dance called Baladi, which originates from Egypt. With scarves tied around out waists and the Arabic music pumping, we isolated our hips, shoulders, and heads… all awkwardly if you ask me. We had so much fun trying out something completely new and I think I got such a good ab workout from laughing at myself.
Last week Sarah and I met Christian to practice our Spanish. He studied English back in school but has lost it over the years. Good thing for us because we are forced to speak Spanish! I learned a lot today and even my coordinator taught me a new phrase. She pulled me to the side today after class to catch up and make sure I was doing well. She told me she would take me up to the mountains in Huelva soon so I could venture out and see a new part of my city.
Classes are going really well for me. My students are adorable. When I returned to school last week I had so many little messages and notes from my students wishing me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Some messages where in Spanish, some were in English, and some were in… well… a made up language. They are after all only 7.
This week is Peace Day so I helped my first grade class finger paint for different signs. Oh boy was that a mess! I was in charge of replenishing the paint after the students had used all of their supply to cover themselves, the table, and a little bit of the actual project. When it came close to ending class they panicked. “Miss Yackson! Yellow! Blanco! GREEN! GREEN! Necesito azul! Bleakleeee PINK… pleeeese!” They were adorable but man did I have the best nap when I got home! Whew! Thank goodness I understand them when they speak Spanish to me now. I am proud to say I answered all 20394239 questions they had for me that day.
In my 6th grade class I made a listening worksheet that went along with the song, “God Bless America.” Chills came over me when I heard the song. I know our country is going through a lot and many people are complaining, but I absolutely 100% love the United States. I am so proud to be American and I appreciate more than ever the home that I have waiting on me. My eyes welled up with tears when I later played the Star Spangled Banner. Most people in Spain do not know what it is like to have pride for your country. Sure they will support their futbol clubs with every ounce of their being, but being Spanish? Eh. Their independence day in December went by unnoticed. After that it made it even more official, the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Hands down.
Friday, the 20th, the roommates and I went to Sala Habana to see cover bands for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. RHCP were absolutely amazing and all the bands were soooo good! They sounded like the real thing!! When Nirvana played, Sarah and I got to go on stage and dance. We met both the RHCP band and Kurt Cobain’s twin. It’s amazing that they sing so well in English and then can barely speak a word it when they are done. We thanked them for an awesome concert and stumbled home around 4am. What a cool experience. The bar was a really cool dive that I hope we return to soon!
This last Saturday was such a perfect day. Jen, Sarah, Ale, and I spent the day enjoying perfect weather in Sevilla. We had lunch and drank a few beers and then headed to Alcázar de Sevilla, but not before I got my ice cream. Oh ice cream. I won a free ice cream back in November from McDonalds and finally redeemed it. I was so giddy and happy to have it. I was gobbling it up until I got to the paper wrapper... you know where this is going. I went to take it off and ended up tossing my cone onto the sidewalk. I contemplated the 5 second rule, even the 1 and a half minute rule, but decided to let it go... dang it! Just when I finally treat myself.
Any who, we have wanted to visit for quite some time now, but could never manage to arrive when it was open or someone important was staying there. Alcazar is a castle that is located right next to the Cathedral de Sevilla. It was built in the 10th Century, is still used by the royal family, and held many important events. The gardens were absolutely beautiful. We even stumbled into the maze made of hedges which of course turned into a game of hide-and-go-seek scare edition. It was so nice to be out and playing in the sun, I feel the beach vacations coming up! After we left Alcazar, the girls and I headed to a cafe to try Orange Wine, a Spanish Specialty and of course many tapas including cheese. By 8:30 Jen and I left Sarah to stumble back to the bus and make our way home.
On Tuesday I got to try my hand in dancing the Cha-cha-cha, Christina, a woman that I tutor in the afternoons, invited me to join her and her husband for dance class. I was so nervous because no one spoke a lick of English and I am not a good dancer. Thank goodness I had taken Salsa classes back at home, and I had done that all by myself, so I was used to that part. I picked it up pretty easily and make the connections between the two dances. The hardest part was trying to listen to the instructions because I typically had to wait to visually see it to fully understand. I can tell that my Spanish comprehension has improved greatly. I had minimal conversation during the class but before and after I got in some practice in. I really enjoyed the class and I can't wait to return!
The girls and I are planning to visit Cadiz on the 18th for Carnaval. If you haven't heard about Carnaval imagine a combination of Halloween, Mardi Gras, and April Fools all in one. Everyone wears a crazy costume and parties all day. Cadiz is known for its Carnaval worldwide--it's up there with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Islas Canarias! I am determined to be Hello Kitty. We'll see what the stores have this week and go from there. I can't wait, I am giddy with excitement!
The Superbowl is coming up and everyone is getting together at Ray's. I am so upset I can't be there to hang out with everyone, over eat and drink, and watch American football. Looks like I'll have to wait for the next day to watch all the good commercials on YouTube. Missing everyone so much, and I know it'll be worse once Sunday rolls around. Enjoying my time here... this once in a lifetime experience!
Ray and I are planning a cruise to Italy, Greece, and Turkey (which is on the Asian continent!!) I wish April would hurry up!!!
Any who, we have wanted to visit for quite some time now, but could never manage to arrive when it was open or someone important was staying there. Alcazar is a castle that is located right next to the Cathedral de Sevilla. It was built in the 10th Century, is still used by the royal family, and held many important events. The gardens were absolutely beautiful. We even stumbled into the maze made of hedges which of course turned into a game of hide-and-go-seek scare edition. It was so nice to be out and playing in the sun, I feel the beach vacations coming up! After we left Alcazar, the girls and I headed to a cafe to try Orange Wine, a Spanish Specialty and of course many tapas including cheese. By 8:30 Jen and I left Sarah to stumble back to the bus and make our way home.
On Tuesday I got to try my hand in dancing the Cha-cha-cha, Christina, a woman that I tutor in the afternoons, invited me to join her and her husband for dance class. I was so nervous because no one spoke a lick of English and I am not a good dancer. Thank goodness I had taken Salsa classes back at home, and I had done that all by myself, so I was used to that part. I picked it up pretty easily and make the connections between the two dances. The hardest part was trying to listen to the instructions because I typically had to wait to visually see it to fully understand. I can tell that my Spanish comprehension has improved greatly. I had minimal conversation during the class but before and after I got in some practice in. I really enjoyed the class and I can't wait to return!
The girls and I are planning to visit Cadiz on the 18th for Carnaval. If you haven't heard about Carnaval imagine a combination of Halloween, Mardi Gras, and April Fools all in one. Everyone wears a crazy costume and parties all day. Cadiz is known for its Carnaval worldwide--it's up there with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Islas Canarias! I am determined to be Hello Kitty. We'll see what the stores have this week and go from there. I can't wait, I am giddy with excitement!
The Superbowl is coming up and everyone is getting together at Ray's. I am so upset I can't be there to hang out with everyone, over eat and drink, and watch American football. Looks like I'll have to wait for the next day to watch all the good commercials on YouTube. Missing everyone so much, and I know it'll be worse once Sunday rolls around. Enjoying my time here... this once in a lifetime experience!
Ray and I are planning a cruise to Italy, Greece, and Turkey (which is on the Asian continent!!) I wish April would hurry up!!!
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