Happy, happy, happy, HAPPY FRIDAY!
This week has literally flown by. But at the same time, last Friday feels like a month ago. In certain ways, I feel like I am getting into a certain groove here, getting into a routine and figuring out how to navigate this city fairly easily. But then on other days, I feel totally new, lost, and somewhat alone. I think we all have those moments, even when we are “home”.
Anywho, I’m blogging from the same little cafe near my house. I have been meaning to write a post, so that- paired with the fact that I really don’t feel like going back to my foster home- is the reason that I’m here. I have so much to update you on!
My First Day of School!
Yesterday was my first day of school! I am working in a high school (but the kids are between 12-18 y/o) and I work Monday-Thursday 9:20-1:25 with a half hour break in the middle! I took a 7:30 bus (when it’s still dark) with really no idea which stop to get off or how to get there, but I figured it would all be fine.
And it was! Here is what I wrote about it yesterday:
But first- a pre-school selfie!
Guess what? I survived my first day of school without
A) getting lost
B) being late
C) making a fool out of myself (actually I am writing this before my first class even began so this could still happen. Will report back).
I like my school so far! Despite what we were told during orientation, the teachers were nice and so welcoming and seemed eager to get to know me. Apparently, I am the only auxiliar at the school, which I kind of like since I won’t have any competition ;). It will also force me to practice my Spanish with the other teachers because I won’t have any American amigos to rely on. Or I might just be antisocial every day, which is a very possible possibility. Yes I just wrote that and I teach English.
I had to wake up at the ass-crack of dawn to get there on time (6:15 am), but it was fine because I could hardly sleep last night. I wasn’t nervous or excited for my first day or anything, but I guess I was subconsciously nervous about having something to do in the morning when I have basically had nothing to do for the last three weeks. I had to take two metros and the bus to get here, and in total it took me about an hour to get here (including stopping on the way to the metro “to get properly caffeinated”- hi mom). Luckily, I found out today that my first class each day will be at 9:20, so I can take the 8:30 bus every day (as opposed to the 7:30, which is like a lifetime of sleep). I will be done each day at 1:25 and then will be on my merry way home for lunch (although I’ll probably eat at school because waiting 6 hours to eat is impossible. Literally, I will die. I ate two hours ago and my stomach is growling, but I have to go to class in 5 minutes.) My first class! And she “wants me to teach the entire class”. Haha I guess I’ll report back but if I don’t, it’s because the kids ate me alive. Consider this my last living note.
Side note- I have a pretty AMAZING schedule. It is common for secondary school students to go home for lunch, so the day starts earlier and ends before two. As an auxiliar, I am paid for 4 hours of work each day, but this is not supposed to include breaks (but for me it does!). That means that that primary school auxiliars have a two hour (TWO HOUR!) break during the day, which means they are at school for 6 hours or more! Of course they can plan lessons or do whatever they want during this time so it’s not that bad. But I prefer my Monday-Thursday schedule 😉 Plus! A lot of people have off Monday (or even worse, another day during the week) and a lot of our holidays fall on Monday which gives me a 4 day weekend. I might sound like I’m bragging about this (which I am) but I also feel very lucky that things worked out so nicely! Side note end.
Updated: things went well today (yesterday)! I basically did the same thing in each class where I introduced myself with a little PowerPoint I made about my self with pictures. Then the kids were encouraged to ask me questions about my life and where I come from. The younger kids (12 y/o) were a lot more receptive to this than the older kids (18ish). Then we did different activities in each class, with certain teachers relying on me a lot more than others. In my last class, the teacher was new and seemed pretty lost (and her English was just ok) so she relied on me for help. Another teacher wanted me to ask the kids different questions about the family… I literally have no clue what she called this I have never heard of the word, but I did my best. In another class, we did sort of a Simon says type game with imperatives. The kids liked that game and I got all of them out with “stick out your tongue”. None of them knew what it was and therefore lost 😉
I will mostly be working with small groups of kids in order to give them more focused attention, but the teachers want me to plan a few lessons for the entire class. One teacher already e-mailed me and asked me to prepare a presentation about myself (for a class I have not met), using expressions of taste like (I like, I hate, I am impartial to) as well as a presentation of young writers. I asked her for clarification on that and am waiting to hear back.
And a post-school selfie, of course:
So that’s my school update! I am (so far) very pleased with my placement and looking forward to doing more in the school. Plus the kids think I’m so cool haha what a contrast to when I was in school hahah….
Oh one more thing. When I first got here, I e-mailed the teacher at my school and asked where she recommended that I live (if I want to be near school). She recommended the town where the school is located. 
NOPE.
NOPE.Next update:
Housing!
So last week….I found an apartment!
🙂
And I didn’t take it! I went to see an apartment in Legazpi, which is maybe 15 minutes on the metro to the city center, or 1/2 hour walk. I liked the apartment when I saw it, but there were a number of reasons I didn’t take it:
-Too far, especially in the winter. I don’t mind walking…now…but in the winter when the metro is not running after 1:30 am, I will not be happy.
-The room was sufficient (had a window and fully furnished) but the apartment itself was tiny. The other roommate was super nice, but you might be the nicest person in the world and I still might kill you in such a small place.
-Literally just too small.
-She had a cat…which is fine but prefer no. Soon enough they start with the “can you just watch fluffy for the weekend….” No.
-300E plus utilities each month, and she was pressuring me to sign a one year contract.
I had faith that I would find something equally as nice closer to the center for the same price. Or something much nicer. Either way, I decided to wait.
Last night I found an apartment through my foster mom. It’s not PERFECT, but waiting for the perfect apartment may lead me nowhere. Right now it is under construction and looks pretty horrific, but I think it will look good when it’s done.
My room…
The bathroom…
The living room…
The kitchen…
Pros:
-In Lavapies! It might be considered the hood, but…well, you can take the girl out of Philly, but you can’t take the Philly out of the girl. I need a little hood in my life 😉
-Lavapies is close to the city center and the apartment is less than one block from the metro I need to take in the morning.
-It’s split between 5 students which means that no one owns the place and that we are all on the lease. No one can say “you can’t do that, this is my house”. I was worried about that when trying to rent from other people.
-My lease can be as long as I want it.
-380E including utilities.
-The room has a window.
-The one roommate I met seems really nice.
-The landlord seems awesome and like a nice, helpful guy.
Cons:
-Single bed.
-Window looks into the courtyard, but in February, I will have the opportunity to move into a room with a balcony.
-Kitchen has no oven.
-Kitchen is small and will be shared between 5 people.
-No Spanish roommates (as of now).
I am going back on Sunday to check it out in the daylight and pay a deposit (if I still like it). Eeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkk!
Random picture of Chino store (that’s what they are called!!) that sell EVERYTHING! They’re amazing.
Have an amazing weekend 🙂
1 Comment
I’ve been up for at least an hour reading your first days in Spain. A very addictive task. you’re funny. You cute. too. Talented. Good night. (buenas noches)