Well, again today it’s sunny and 55!

In 1A first hour Marina tried to drag out the daily review of numbers, body parts, the five senses and everything else they’ve learned so far because the lesson/worksheet for today took all of two seconds. Apparently she just likes to focus on a page a day so we didn’t move on to the next page. It was so simple: they had to put a checkmark next to one of two photos of the child sitting correctly and then they had to put three photos in order. We practiced/reviewed colors and saying how old we were for a good chunk of time after that.

In 3A and B I read them a couple of pages about how we classify animals; particularly herbi/carni/omnivores and viviparous/oviparous animals. I had no idea what the latter two were (viviparous = born live, oviparous = hatches from eggs), I was probably even pronouncing them wrong… After I read each section I asked them yes or no comprehension questions like “Is a rabbit a carnivore? Do herbivores eat plants?” In “B” we also reviewed the alphabet and that turned into almost everyone spelling their names or classroom objects.

Those were my only classes today. I went to infantil third hour and Pilar, the five-years B teacher, told me Ana was at the dentist. So, I went and looked for Christmas activities. Then during recreo I asked Analen what the plan was for 4B and she said they had a lot of notes to take so she o.k.’d me skipping out to continue to look for activities…I was kinda in the zone!

I stopped at the store on my way home. Last night I dropped and cracked open my almost brand new bottle of mouthwash (I was so annoyed with myself!) so of course I had to buy more—I hate not having it! I’ll have to be more careful…mouthwash here is really expensive!

Xoxo,

Court

This afternoon it’s 59, sunny and clear. It was freezing again walking to school this morning, so I’m glad it warms up later in the day, otherwise it’d be miserable!

The three fifths were today; first, fourth and fifth hours. I showed them the photos from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade then we watched YouTube video. Actually first hour we weren’t able to because I was having trouble downloading it and didn’t get the whole thing downloaded until the afternoon.  We then started on Christmas. I found YouTube videos of two of Miley Cyrus’ songs so we’re going to learn those…I find Justin Bieber too annoying! We listened to both songs a couple of times, just to hear them and we’ll start really learning them on the 13^th (next Tuesday it’s fiesta so there’s no school!). So we’ve really only got two weeks of Christmas activities.

With 1B we listened to this story about some kids playing catch in the park who lose their dog. They find him hiding in an alley corner and “he” turned out to be a “she” and had puppies. We then reviewed/learned a few words from the story like “Catch! Stand up! Sit down! Go to sleep!” and some more that I can’t remember.

I got to 2B third hour and they were just getting ready to play this game to practice clothing vocab and the phrase “Are you/Is he/she wearing…” I guess it was a Battleship game of sorts: they had to mark three of nine squares and their partner had to guess which they’d marked. It might not have been the best game for second year though; they kept cheating and trying to peek at the other person’s board and several changed the pieces they’d marked after they’d started playing, so they wouldn’t lose! I don’t know what the suggested age is on Battleship, but I think it works better for older kids.

Xoxo,

Court

It was so cold walking to school this morning; colder than it’s been any other day so far! Because it was so cold this morning I thought it’s be freezing all day, but not so. My weather thing says it’s 51 but it’s also sunny so it feels a lot warmer. Not bad…as long as you’re in the sun!

Mondays are always easy. I have two sixth levels until eleven. Marilu said they needed to finish part of the unit before some evaluation in a couple of weeks, so she wanted me to read a story from their books and have them repeat and translate. She didn’t think it would take as long as it did though. For the first class I read the whole story first, then went back line by line and had them repeat everything. I skipped reading the whole story second hour because there just wasn’t enough time. It was supposed to go really quickly, but they didn’t know so many of the words (in both classes) that it took the whole hour and Marilu and I ended up reading and translating ourselves the last parts for the class. She was a little annoyed…

Third hour was 4A. Analen told me then hadn’t talk about Thanksgiving yet, as they planned to do Friday, but didn’t because the class behaved so badly she had canceled the lesson (imagine that!). So I went to the video room to set everything up and they followed a few minutes later. I explained one of the PowerPoints, Analen translated a bit, they posed a bit with the Thanksgiving cutouts and that was it.

With the three-year-olds Ana took a handful of students aside to color a picture of a sun while I manned the computer and showed Ellie videos to the rest of the class. That was a little difficult because they all wanted to be up close to see better, so they were moving around, up on their feet so others couldn’t see,

and some took to entertaining themselves. I’m kinda glad their class ends early and they take a little extra time to get ready to go home!

I’m feeling a siesta today after lunch…Monday siestas are nice!

Xoxo,

Court

Presently it’s a chilly, cloudy and 43 degree day. I have no intention of venturing out today…when it’s cold, only when I must—that’s my motto!

I went to the post office on Friday to do the monthly Western Union thing. I thought it’d be a good time to go, but for a Friday morning they were quite busy! I was like “why aren’t these people at work?” The crowd was nothing compared to a Saturday, though. One time I made the mistake of going then and it was like wall to wall people in there…I’ll never do that again. It was like going to Wal-Mart on a Saturday! No thank you!

I hit the market afterwards. Will had told me you can get half a kilo of almonds for seven Euros (I have no idea if that’d be a good price or not in the States, but it is here!) And since I love my nuts so much, I just had to get some! I’d hoped to get walnuts as well but they didn’t have any. I also bought some pears—a kilo for a Euro! That’s definitely cheaper than the store!

I went and picked up my money from ETIC on Friday night. I was hoping to talk with Monse and ask her about the “you can work here until May” thing but she was in class, so I couldn’t. I had thought about emailing her, but then I thought Jaime was the one who hired me and who I’d talked to originally, so I emailed him instead. He told me that they had decided it would be better to have Spaniards teach the kids so they can explain grammar points and things like that better and then have native English speakers work with the adults. And as Will is doing all those classes, there’s nothing left for me at this point. He did say though that when they get more adult students (he thinks they will) he’d call me to teach those classes. I’m not really holding my breath though; I’m going to look into other options this week.

Yesterday I found some photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I found some footage on YouTube also, so that should make Rocío happy! I then looked for a Justin Bieber Christmas song…sweet. Last week Rocío said she wanted to start talking about Christmas this Tuesday, so I needed to start preparing stuff. We sang a traditional Christmas Carol last year (though I don’t remember which) and I really enjoyed it! Then this year she tells me the students don’t really like traditional songs and that they’re more in to JB, Hannah Montana, Lady Gaga, etc., so try to find one of their songs. I like Lady Gaga, but out of those three she’s probably the least appropriate for tweens; so I ruled her out. I’ve found a JB song with lyrics, but I think I’m going to look for a Miley Cyrus song too…because I can tolerate her a heck of a lot more than JB.

I went to mass last night. The lights were all in good working order again; it was normal.

Today is a lounge/catch up day…prolly gonna start looking for Christmas activities for all the levels. We’ll see what I can find. I know Rocío is super PowerPoint happy, but I think it’s less common to make Christmas PowerPoints than for another holidays—I don’t think I found any last year.

Xoxo,

Court

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

It’s not bad at all today; 57 and partly sunny! I actually got a little warm walking home wearing my big coat…for it being the end of November, I’ll take it!

It doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving here, it’s just another day, so it’s a little sad! But not that sad, because I know next year I’ll be able to chow down on the good stuff!

First hour I was in five-years A. I showed them holiday pictures, well mostly pilgrims and Indians and a turkey too! I didn’t explain anything because they’re way too little, just said and pronounced a few words for them. They then colored and made Indian headbands; afterwards we watched an episode of SpongeBob…yeah, Bob Esponja, sweet!

With four-years A and B again I talked about the photos briefly and then they did a pilgrim boy and girl coloring sheet. It was interesting to watch them; some color really well, like completely inside the lines, and others, well, don’t. There were a few who took a crayon and scribbled everywhere. Generally speaking, at that age they can color pretty well, but still go outside the lines a little bit. It was funny in “A” I was walking around looking and helping some kids and this one little girl pointed to this boy’s sheet and she was like “Look! He went outside the lines, it looks terrible!” I looked at it and he had BARELY gone outside the line! Pretty sure that little girl’s gonna grow up to be a perfectionist!

We went to the video room third hour and talked about a quick five slide PowerPoint. I then went over some vocab with them and that was followed by a word search. That class went by rather quickly because they didn’t arrive until late, so we only had half an hour…but it worked out!

I had planned on going over the PowerPoint or something Thanksgivingy with 6B, but when I got there they were playing this online game that’ll guess whatever character you’re thinking of. It asks a series of questions to which you click “yes” or “no” and it always figures it out! One of the girls picked some Portuguese soccer player and it eventually got it. It’s pretty cool; you can set it to like six different languages, too!

I found out that my last day at ETIC was yesterday. Monse said she’d be taking over again…which I’m a little confused about because when I talked with Jaime, the boss, last week he said I could work there until May, just working less hours after Monse came back. I’m getting paid tomorrow, so I’m going to ask what the deal is when I go in…that’s not how it was supposed to be!

Oh and I got paid yesterday too, so I’ll go to the bank this afternoon to deposit the check and then I need to run to the store!

Xoxo,

Court

At the moment it’s partly cloudy, 52 and the sun is out…not bad considering this morning it was cold and rainy.

With 1A first hour today we took a look at some new vocab about daily routines. It’s obviously really simple because they’re so little, but it’s things like “How many times a day do you…brush your teeth/take a shower, comb your hair, wash your hands”. Marina and I explained what everything meant using gestures, but I think there were some that still didn’t understand: one girl said that she takes six showers a day and a boy said that he washes his face zero times a day. I really hope he just didn’t understand the question; I hope that’s not true!

With 3A and B second and fifth hours we went to the video room to discuss Thanksgiving. Noelia brought her camera to take pictures all the kids posing in the pilgrim and Indian cutouts (something I didn’t even think of…I’ll have to ask her if she’ll share the photos!). We then took a look at one of the simple PowerPoints I have and finally we looked at the Thanksgiving photos I showed the upper levels last year.

Ana had five-years B make little Indian headbands. While they did that, I looked for some images for the little kids tomorrow. I have a few, but I guess she wanted more. Why she didn’t ask me earlier, I don’t know. She didn’t really tell me exactly what she wanted, so I hope she’s happy with what I found.

I went to fourth hour with 4B and Analen asked me to find another Thanksgiving PowerPoint! I found her two literally three weeks ago and all the sudden she’s like “I want another”. So I went to the video room and looked up activities I can do with my ETIC classes the whole time, then I went back to fourth five minutes before class ended and gave Analen a old different PowerPoint I have (oh yes, I have several!)

I have the eight/nine-year-olds at five. Today we’re starting something different with them: reviewing material from their school books. Apparently some parents like to blame us when their kid doesn’t ace an English exam at school…because it has nothing to do with the kid, right? Yeah, whatever… Monse, the one who’s pregnant and taking it easier, sent me a list of all the units I need to cover until Christmas. I only got it last night, so today might be a little unorganized. The unit we’re covering today is school vocab. I’ve found flashcards and games, but no homework to give them, so I don’t think we’ll be having any of that tonight…not that they should mind, though!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s a cold and windy 52 degrees today! Of course it was raining when I left for school, so my hair had to be all frizzed out the whole day. It hasn’t really rained since this morning; though it looks like it could start again any minute.

Classes were rather repetitive (but not boring) since I had the three fifth levels 1^st, 4^th and 5^th hours. We finished the Thanksgiving PowerPoint we started last week, sang the “Upon the Mayflower” song and then looked at the Scholastic website I found. It worked better with today’s classes because Rocío and Marina were able to help translate, ask questions and make sure they understood. We took “the voyage of the Mayflower” which stopped at certain points between England and the US and it discussed what they encountered or what happened there. We then “toured the Mayflower” which showed where people lived, how they sailed the ship, steerage and things like that. It worked out well today!

Second hour was 1B. Marina said they just started a new unit yesterday, about pets, so they’re still learning the vocab—dog, cat, rabbit, rat, parrot, frog, etc. I went over pronunciation and that was followed by a worksheet where they were given an animal to trace and it would say things like “Is it a frog/dog/goldfish…They then circled yes or no and then color the picture.

2B was third. I read them a story about a little girl named Monica who was having a birthday party. She called all of her friends to ask what they were planning to wear and in the end the all showed up in costumes, like a vampire, witch and pirate. Yes, they are in the middle of a clothing unit! I followed the story with comprehension questions…they know a lot. I never had to repeat them and they understood them and answered them correctly! That’s two things that fourth level can’t do…

I have the advanced kids at four this afternoon. That class is easier than the eight/nine-year-olds; they know more and it’s much more laid back. I definitely enjoy that class more than the other.

Now I have to go do some laundry…because I’m out of clean socks! Peace Out!!!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s 54 and cloudy today. It was a lot warmer earlier, when the sun was out, but now it’s almost completely cloudy and chilly. My weather thing also says we’re currently having intense rain, which we are not…although I did feel a couple of drops on my way home.

Today was fairly easy. I had 6A and C the first two hours. Marilu asked if I could go over the PowerPoint and other things while she helped other kids finish homework they hadn’t gotten done (she was a little ticked!) The first hour all but two were finishing activities, so it was kinda weird only teaching to two of them. The materials I thought would be suitable for them turned out to be a little over their heads (I didn’t want to give them something to easy, though, you know?) so they didn’t understand a lot of it and Marilu was helping the others, so I was pretty much on my own and it more or less bombed. Sort of a shame too because I thought they were awesome activities (I mean they are, but for American kids). Second hour was more of the same, so I was glad to get out of there at eleven!

I went to 4A third hour, they’re learning (or kind of at least…as much as 4^th level can learn) about the verb “to like” so they wrote all the forms down—I/you like…—but they always have to talk and fight though, so something that simple takes half an hour, literally. Analen has told me in the past that almost no one does their homework. They took an exam last week and only FIVE of them passed…we’re talking of a class of at least twenty! Yeah, they’re quite a bunch of winners; although to their credit, they’re not as bad as the other class.

              Last two were the three-year-olds. After all of our greetings and songs they drew a picture of themselves well some of them did, others scribbled inside the set lines, others outside and others still started coloring whatever page they felt like. I was walking around trying to help where I could and this one little cutie looked at me and was like “Look! He drew outside the lines—that’s wrong!” So adorable…too bad fourth level isn’t more like them…

I’ve got the eight/nine-year-olds at five. I planned several things out before I left for the weekend, so we should be good to go! I’m going to try to stay on top of the ball and stay and plan after class every night. It should go smoothly; I should never have to throw something together right before—that’s the plan, anyway.

Xoxo,

Court

It’s acold one (for me, anyway)…54 degrees! The high is supposed to be 55 and rain is in the forecast as well, so the temperature’s not going to get much better…:/

It’s been a relaxing weekend! I didn’t realize how much I’ve been on the go this week, since starting at ETIC! It’s good to be busy though; it makes the time go by faster. One of the best things about working there is that it’s literally two minutes away…I can see it from my window! I have one class an afternoon (which 1.5 hours) plus I’ve been staying after about an hour or more to plan and get everything figured out for the next day…I’m starting to feel like a real teacher again!

I was really tired Thursday night (since I got up at 4:45 for Ciudad Real) and was falling asleep at like ten. I finally went to bed a little before 10:30. I had planned on going to the market for some fruits and veggies, but I didn’t wake up until after ten Friday and it was a slow morning. I left the house at one, but everything’s always pretty picked over by then and the vendors start packing up by 1:30. So I went to Mercadona instead, which worked out well because it’s right by the chino store and the last time I was in there I saw something I wanted to get Will for his birthday (next Friday).

It was my turn to clean this week, so yesterday I swept, mopped, dusted and scrubbed everything, minus the roommates’ bedrooms, that is. Our apartment is pretty small, so it was only about a two hour job.

I also went to mass at 6:30 last night. I got there with maybe four minutes to spare and it was pretty full, more so than usual. All the lights were off except at the very back of the church; it was rather dark in there, with the exception of several candles around the altar. My first thought was that it was a special mass, that it was someone’s feast or some special day. I thought the lights would slowly turn on as mass started, but they didn’t and I couldn’t think of any special feast. I know the priest mentioned something about the lights once or twice, but I didn’t catch what he said (darn my foreign language abilities!). So I kinda think now that there was just a problem with the lights…I don’t know for sure.

I need to do some planning for the advanced kids on Tuesday. I’m trying to decide whether we should take time to talk about Thanksgiving. My first thought was no, I’m sure they’ll get an earful at school (well my kids will at least…that what three weeks of planning gets you). Maybe I’ll just ask them what they know already and kinda wing it based on their knowledge??

Xoxo,

Court

It’s a windy 54 today, and since windy = cold, now that we’re basically in winter, I’m not a fan!

Instead of school, I went to Ciudad Real this morning, as planned, although I ALMOST missed the bus! Having got up at 4:45, I left the house at 6:36 (yes, I checked!) and arrived at the bus station at 6:42…as the bus was pulling away! I had to chase after it and yell for them to stop. Luckily, I got the attention of one of the passengers and she must have told the driver to stop. Bless her! I was really surprised that they left early, because I’ve left the house at 6:35 before, gotten to the station within five minutes, and had to wait for several minutes…not today! After I was on I said I little prayer of thanks to God for letting me catch it!

I’m not sure exactly what time we arrived in the city but it was 9:02 when I got to the police station. I had an appointment at 10:40 and was a little afraid the guy would make me wait until then when I checked in, but NO! As soon as we spoke he said to have a seat! It took all of about seven minutes to submit my papers, get fingerprinted and sign a few documents. The lady told me I had to wait forty days before picking it up, like the last week in December, but I’m going to wait until early January, when we’re still on break, to go back, just in case it takes longer than anticipated.

I walked out at 9:12 and headed for the train station. I walked for 20ish minutes and got to the station at 9:30 bought my ticket (the train actually left at 9:45, not 9:50…they must have changed it since I went last. I pretty much headed out to the platform right away and said another prayer of thanks for making the early train! In all, I spent less than an hour in CR, although the travel time round trip was close to four hours! Plus bus and train fare…it’s so silly that we have to do this all over again!

It was a leisurely ride; relaxing. We got in Socu a little before 11:30. Carmen graciously agreed to pick me up (mainly because a half hour walk in the wind and cold isn’t my idea of good exercise). When I got home and did a little planning for class today (I have the 10-13 year-olds at four) and then went to the store. I’ll go to the market tomorrow for some fruit and a few other things, but I thought I’d take advantage of my extra time today and go to the store this afternoon!

I’ll be so happy tomorrow morning when I can sleep in…I’m tired after such an early day!

Xoxo,

Court

Today it’s partly cloudy and 55. The windy has insisted on sticking around the last few ways so it feels colder than that, although it is sunny.

First this morning was 1A. When I got there they were taking roll (one of the students was, so they can get practice saying names). We then reviewed numbers 1-20 like always (they must only learn up to 20 in first level). We then reviewed parts of the body; I would say “this is my arm/leg/nose, etc.” and they would touch it. Later we reviewed phrases like “throw it in the bin” and “it’s delicious”. I explained a couple of workbook activities to the class, in which they had to circle all the objects they could hear/made a sound and then they had to look at pictures and put a checkmark, yes or no, if they could hear it.

Second and last hours were 3A and B. I read to them out of their easy readers and then I would ask one student to repeat what I’d said. I love these classes because 1. They are sweet groups of kids 2. They still are really enthusiastic about answering questions and raise their hands and shout “ME! ME!” We read about bookworms, famous paintings of flowers, horses and things in the ocean.

Third hour was five-years B. Not sure what the deal was, but they were really fidgety and talkative today…like more so than usual. I played a review memory game with them, using the characters from Ellie the Elephant’s story and that was really hard! It probably didn’t help that Ana was off to the side, but still watching, trying to get something else done. I was relieved when she said it was breakfast time and we could stop!

Fourth was 4B. I spent most of the time reviewing some Thanksgiving activities I’d found. I then emailed the some links to Marilu because we’ll start Thanksgiving in sixth next Monday morning and I won’t see her again until then. Oh, I did introduce some body vocab today. Though I don’t really know how they can be just learning things that first level already knows…

I have class at five this afternoon with the eight/nine-year-olds. Will said someone from Tomelloso is coming to help, because they have a surplus of teachers there or something like that. It’ll be great for me because she can handle the Spanish side of things if they don’t understand something.

I also have to go to Ciudad Real tomorrow to get fingerprinted to renew my NIE. My appointment’s at 10:40, but I’ll have to catch the bus at 6:45. I’m rather annoyed because it’s just a renewal; we did all this last year, we’ve already been cleared and are in the system. Plus the bus and train fare twice (I’ll have to go back and pick it up after Christmas) is expensive. Anyway, I’m gonna try to go in there and get it taken care of right away when I get there at nine and hopefully make the 9:50 train back. If not, I have to wait for the noon one...guess I’ll bring a book just in case.

Xoxo,

Court

It’s a bit chilly today…cloudy, windy and 54!

Last night I went to ETIC, talked with Jaime and I now have an afternoon job! He said I can work there until the end of the year if I want, not just until the other teacher comes back! Apparently she’s not on bed rest exactly, she just has to take it easy, so she’ll be back either next week or the week after. I’m not exactly sure of my schedule yet, but I’ll be making 16€ an hour! Even if I only had one class a day, that’d be like 250 a month!

I helped Will out with his classes so I could see how things worked; I was there from 5-8:30. He first had a class of eight-year-olds, then ten-year-olds and lastly adults. Today is my first official day; I’ll have my own classes. I gotta say I’m a little nervous! But in NP I always got a tad nervous too before the first day, after that it was fine.

Today at school I had the three fifths 1^st, 4^th and 5^th hours. I started talking about Thanksgiving, with one of the PowerPoints I found. The one I have for upper level is a bit long, 37 slides, so we ended up only doing about half of it, then next week we’ll finish it and look at photos or an interactive game of some sort. Oh and we also sang a song about the Mayflower! I’d found several songs and poems because I know Rocío likes them; it’s called Upon the Mayflower and it’s sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

In 1B second hour they reviewed and all I really did was explained a couple of activities in their workbooks, in which they had to match the written number with the numeric and then color them and later they had to trace the bodies of a boy, girl and dog and them draw those themselves.

I never really do that much with Analen’s classes (which I don’t really mind with fourth, but I like her 2B!) Though I did read with them from their easy readers, the story about Chippy and the Beanstalk, that I read to the other Ana’s class like a week or two ago.

I just had one class at ETIC today from 4-5:30, the ten-thirteen-year-olds. Alberto’s son, Jorge, is in that class…the only boy and the youngest. It was really simple; I just corrected several activities with them and we did a few book activities and that was it as far as work. Will said sometimes he lets them watch part of a movie for the last half hour, so that’s what we did (Pirates of the Caribbean). I stayed until about six looking over material for class tomorrow and that was it!

I’m so cold right now (surprise, surprise, I know!), I’m going to go make something hot to drink!

Xoxo,

Court

Today it’s a blustery Winnie-the-Pooh sort of day; 58 degrees. It wouldn’t be so bad if it were sunny and not windy. It’s also supposed to rain today, according to my weather thing, but we haven’t seen anything yet…I hope it stays that way!

First and second hours were with Marilu in 6A and C. We first looked at this dialogue, which I read to them and then they repeated and acted it out. Marilu always asks them if they have questions or if there are words they don’t understand. They always say no, so she started asking them what words or phrases meant, like “strongest” “swimmer” and “that’s right” for example. A lot of them didn’t know the meanings, so she got kinda mad, like “why not ask if you don’t know it?” She then told me they’ve spent two months, since school started, on that first unit, which is eight pages long! I was like “SAY WHAT?” That’s like a page a week! What have they been doing this whole time?

Third hour was 4A with Analen. They were taking an exam when I got there and took it for most of the hour. I felt bad for Analen because she had a migraine (and we all know fourth level is like the worst class to have one of those in!), she looked like she was in pain! She left me with the class to go take some aspirin while they were still testing…GREAT. I know I said I was going to ask her not to leave me with them, but I felt bad for her. They started talking a cheating as soon as she left; I could do little to stop them.

Last two hours were with the three-year-olds. They were super cute today and kept saying “hola!” and two of them ran up to me and gave me hugs when they saw me!!! So adorable! We did this really simple workbook page (but it took like 20 minutes, because it was the first time doing book work). They had to color Ellie’s overalls pink and put stickers of Max and Poppy’s heads on their bodies. I learned that not many little ones know how to pull stickers off of a page, so we had a quick lesson in that!

Yesterday Will asked me if I’d be interested in picking up some classes at ETIC, the language academy where he works in the afternoon/evenings. So, today at five I’m going there to talk with his boss! His other colleague is pregnant and been ordered to bed rest. Apparently there were just two of them, so right now he’s on his own. I hope it works out; it’d be so nice to make some extra money! It’s kinda funny because I was the one who originally went there looking for work back in early June, after our program ended for the school year. The secretary took my info and said someone would call me; no one ever did. Then when I came back in September, Will told me they had contacted him and he worked there. I was a bit jealous at first, but then I got over it fairly quickly.

We’ll see what they tell me…I’ll report back!

Xoxo,

Court

HAPPY VETRANS DAY! Hope you enjoy the day off, Dad!

Today is a gorgeous day; it’s 64 and sunny and the wind isn’t blowing so it’s actually kind of warm—awesome for being almost the middle of November! This morning I went to the market. I didn’t really need anything; it’s just such a nice day I wanted to take a walk. I wandered through and looked at all the clothes, shoes, scarves, fruits, veggies, leggings, comforters, dishwashing products and other random things they always have but I didn’t buy anything.

Afterwards I walked to the papelería—paper store—and just browsed around, again, it’s such a beautiful day! They sell books and other little knickknacks; I like to check it out every now and then. I want to buy this little Don Quixote statue they have, but I have no idea how I’d get it home without breaking it!

The paper store was followed by the perfumería; I popped in there just to kinda see what they have…not that I need anything else. They also have makeup and things like that. Their lipsticks/glosses are so expensive through! Something you could be in the US, like Rimmel or L’Oreal brand, for maybe $4 or 5, are like 11 or 12 €! My gosh, I don’t think they’re that great!

I stopped at the store, Ahorra Más, on the way home. I did end up going to Mercadona last night (which took me a while to find my way around, everything is different! I was in there for about 45 minutes just trying to find things and the end, I only walked away with three things, I think). Anyway, they’ve switched a few things around too, since putting out all their Christmas goodies (so now I get to stare at turrón, mazapán and polvorones when I go…can you say “willpower”?) so it took me a bit longer to find what I wanted…not that I’m on a tight schedule or anything.

I think I’m going to start studying Spanish again this afternoon. I started studying it last spring, but stopped when I left for the summer. I need to get back into it; the program I’m doing has taught me a lot!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s partly cloudy and 63 today, not too bad!

Starting off my almost full day in infantil I went to five-years A. After the usual start-of-the-day activities (which always seem to take a while), I reviewed some family members with the class and then played a which-character-am-I talking-about guessing game with them while Ana cut out some pieces for a soccer game we played after that. There were things like numbers, shapes and members of the family. We would say one of them and then the student had to choose the correct object; four correct in a row earned a goal. The girls pretty much dominated, 4 to 1! One boy got mad after the girls scored their first point and so he erased the point Ana had given them. That earned the girls another point and he didn’t get a sticker today.

Second and fourth were the four-year-olds. I read them a new story in which Ellie the Elephant was introduced to Poppy and Max’s family—Mummy, Daddy and Brother. They then went to go find Baby but he wasn’t there! It’s ok though because Duck came along and said that Baby was sleeping with the Ducklings…all ended well!

Third hour Ana said I could look for Thanksgiving activities because they had to do something, like review or something like that (I sorta stopped paying attention after she said to look for activities). I found a few PowerPoints, so my Thanksgiving file is nearly complete!

Last hour I walked into 6B and Marilu said they had to finish copying some Science stuff, so just to have a seat. Well, that always takes longer than you think it will and then they still had to take the ordinals exam the other classes took on Monday. After that was all said and done there was only about ten minutes left, so I corrected 1.5 activities with them and it was time to go.

I think I’m going to go to Mercadona this afternoon because they are finally open again (they opened on Monday after having been closed since before I got here in September). Will went earlier in the week and said it was cleaner and different…so it might take me a little while to find my way around!

Xoxo,

Court

Today it’s sunny and 59 with few clouds in the sky! Again, it’s a little chilly in the shade, but it could be so much worse!

I started off the day in 1A. When I got there Marina was reviewing parts of the body and then I reviewed the five senses. We first practiced pronunciation and later I tested their memory, while holding up a flashcard and asking what it was. Lastly I reviewed numbers 1-20 with them, like I usually do, and tested their pronunciation abilities.

Second and fifth hours were 3A and B with Noelia. They started a unit about living things this morning/afternoon, so I read them a few pages about the characteristics of each and some examples. We then looked at a photo of animals in Africa and they had to tell whether or not the things in the picture were living or not. We wrote sentences about living things being born, growing, reproducing and dying. Noelia had them write them in their notebooks and the all groaned…go figure!

We didn’t do a whole lot third hour in five-years B. We went down to the video room there in the infantil wing and started watching a few videos, mostly for review—head, shoulders, knees and toes and then some family vocab. Pilar, the regular teacher, then looked outside and all other teachers were leading their classes away from the building; somehow we hadn’t heard the fire alarm! Thankfully it was just a drill, but by the time we got back inside the hour was basically over.

I looked for more Thanksgiving activities in 4B. Ana left the class for a little while to go make some copies while they were taking an exam; I wish she wouldn’t do that. I don’t know if she thinks that since I’m there and can leave, or what, but the last few times I’ve been in her class she’s left for a short while. They were their usual feral-like selves as soon as she left: cheated off each other, took someone’s pencil case from them and started playing keep away and beat on the windows like no other when a truck went by. I think I’m going to ask Ana not to leave when I’m there; discipline is not my job!

I still have a few Thanksgiving activities to find, but I don’t think I’m going to do that this afternoon. I spent a few hours yesterday searching and I’m all looked out for the time being. Plus, I figure I’ll be allowed time over the next two weeks to look during class. I can do better things with my time…like siesta!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s partly cloudy and 59 today…it’s not too bad in the sun, but in the shade it’s kinda chilly; I’ll take a day like today over a rainy one anytime though!

School was pretty low key today. I got there and was told by Rocío’s class that she was in Tomelloso for the day doing some technology training. Why does no one tell me anything? I talked with her yesterday and she said nothing about being gone today. So I found Marilu in 6C and helped her check some homework.

I went to 1B second hour and reviewed some familial (is that a word? Sometimes I mix up English and Spanish…) vocab. Marina then put the flashcards on the board, sent one student out of the class, took away one card, brought the student back in and they to guess which was missing. The class then did this coloring worksheet, though I wasn’t really paying attention when she explained what they had to do, the educational value, so to speak. My bad!

Third hour I went next door to 2B with Ana. The class finished up a worksheet and later worked on an exam while I looked for more Thanksgiving activities. I think I helped some of them cheat because I forgot it was an exam and I started “helping” some of them discover the answers. Whoops, my bad…again.

During recreo I went to the office to make a couple copies of the M&M cookie recipe, the ones I bought in, like, last week. Blonde Ana and Marilu had wanted copies and Ana has been asking for the past several days and I finally remembered today!

Then fourth hour I was with Marina again in 5A. We corrected a few activities and then we, Marina and I, read a dialogue for the class about a new girl in school, which focused on descriptions…like hair/eye color. Later we called up a few students at a time to read it for the class. The boys are so much worse at pronunciation than the girls! Marina was like “I don’t understand it, I don’t know why!” But then again, when I was in NP the girls were generally better at pronouncing things. Maybe it’s like an innate ability for girls to be better??

Last hour should have been with Rocío (not that I’m complaining) but I went to give Marilu the recipe and she asked if I wanted to stay with her. Raquel, the regular 6C teacher, was there and the lesson turned out to be Science…in Spanish. They kinda did a tag team thing. They were talking about the Nervous System and I understood most of it!

I can’t decide if I want to take a nap or not. I didn’t yesterday, but rather opted to go to bed earlier (a little after 10:30) and felt pretty good after getting a whole eight hours of sleep! Perhaps I should repeat that…

Xoxo,

Court

First of all, let me say that it’s my 200^th blog post…happy 200 to me!!!!!

Today it’s a chilly 51 degrees! It’s also spitting rain (or at least it was when I walked home) so that really doesn’t help the chill. But, it supposed to be sunny for the next few days so that’s good…it’ll be a nice change!

Today I only had my three morning classes because infantil Ana was at the dentist. I started off the day with Marilu in 6C and A. I first dropped off my bags from the weekend in the orange video room so I didn’t have to lug those around everywhere. We talked about Bonfire Night with both classes. 6C had to take a quick little exam about ordinal numbers (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd…) so we didn’t have as much time to talk about it first hour, but it evened out because second hour didn’t really understand what I was telling them, so we had to spend extra time talking about it. I would read a sentence and then ask them if there were words they didn’t understand. No one would say anything but when Marilu or I would ask what something meant, nobody knew. Sometimes I think they’re embarrassed to ask questions or talk in front of me…

Third hour I was with blond Ana in 4A. She had me start looking for Thanksgiving activities; so basically I’ll be doing that for the next, well, until Thanksgiving…sweet. I found this cool website sponsored by Scholastic Books! I didn’t take too close a look at it because it’d be way over fourth years’ heads, but I want to look at it some more; I think it’ll be good for sixth. Anyway, I found two simple PowerPoints for fourth: some vocab, simple customs and an extremely brief history of how it came to be celebrated.

I went to infantil after recreo and regular teacher Ana told me that English infantil Ana was at the dentist, which surprised me because I had seen her earlier in the day and she didn’t say anything about that…she must have forgotten. I was going to go to Marilu’s class, but then I just decided to leave early. I walked home through the mist and unpacked my bags pretty much straight away. I was really tired this morning and had planned to take a nap as soon as I got home, but now I’m not that tired.

So this weekend was Criptana with Marilu! I’m so glad I went, it was so much fun! I met her at school at two on Friday and we headed to Criptana. She carpools with Ramón, the principal of Carmen Arias, a private school here in Socu, so we picked him up along the way. He lives in there too, so they switch off and drive every other week.

We got into town about three and relaxed with a beer. They’ve got two cats, Michi and Micha. They were afraid of me at first but after about an hour Michi warmed up to me…not Micha though…Marilu said she’s afraid of everyone, even her! Michi’s super soft, fat and cute! To me he looks like a gray and black tiger. He’s like to be held just like a baby, with his front paws on your shoulder. When I first got there (after he warmed up to me) I gave him a treat and he was so excited he bit me (accidently), but other than that, I love him!

We ventured out around six to return a book to the library. There her friend/neighbor of her parents, Jesús, was working and invited us for a breakfast of churros con chocolate Saturday morning. We then went to the butcher’s to get some meat for Saturday and Sunday lunch. Afterwards we took it to her mom at her dress shop downtown. She’s so nice…they all are!

We went home after that and made tortilla de patata! Marilu’s boyfriend, Chema, got home as we were making it. He’s super, super nice and really cute too! Their friend Mari Ángeles came over to eat dinner. Marilu also made this Italian cream dessert similar to flan, which was really good too! We just hung out at home that night (it rained all night and was cold).

Saturday morning Chema had to work (he’s a carpenter, I think) so we went over to Marilu’s parents’ house for churros with Jesús. They have four little white poodles, one of which, Neo, spent the night before with us (all the animals get along really well!) They barked and jumped all over me! Anyway, we ate the churros and then went to go see the famous molinos/windmills of Criptana. It actually wasn’t raining (then, at least!) but it was super windy and cold!

Chema got home about two and we then went to her parents’ for a lunch of lamb, seafood salad and left over tortilla. I knew her parents would probably be like “oh you have to eat more, that’s not enough!”, but I was expecting her mom to say that not her dad! He asked if I wanted more lamb (while I still had some on my plate), I said no and Marilu told me to only take what I wanted, basically to not let them influence me, and her dad interrupted and was like “No no, you must eat more!” So I was given more! Super nice guy though…we were talking later on and I said that my parents were coming at the end of the school year and he invited/insisted that we all come for lunch one day! So mom, dad, you invited to Marilu’s parents’ house!

Promptly after lunch her dad when out and picked up some little pastries for dessert; we had them with coffee. Later we all fell asleep on the couch (me flanked by Lola and Luna) while watching some TV. We left at seven to go have another coffee with some of Marilu and Chema’s friends. It was raining (and still cold!) by then.

Afterwards, we rented Capercita Roja (Little Red Riding Hood), bought some kabob sandwiches (always so much food!) for dinner and watched the movie at home. They had pity on me and put on the English subtitles, so I was able to follow the movie. It was pretty good; a spin on the classic tale!

I had asked Marilu earlier in the week if we (or if she could show/tell me where it was) could go to mass. I was proud of myself because that’s not something people always do when they go out of town, you know? She said we could go on Sunday (normally they don’t but she said they didn’t mind going). It was supposed to start at 11:30 but for some reason, just yesterday, it was at 11. We got there half way through and had to stand at the back…I felt bad I’d asked them to come! There was another mass that started at noon and they asked me if I wanted to stay, which I did, but I didn’t feel right about asking them to stay so we left.

A couple of Marilu’s little cousins, (one was like 9 and the other 12ish) Luz and Julia, were there also. We left church and went to a couple “houses” of art that display works of local artists. It was windy but sunny so it wasn’t that bad walking around. We walked Luz, the younger cousin, back home (Julia had gone off with her friends) and her grandma, Marilu’s great-aunt, welcomed us inside. They have a big, beautiful older home! Almost everyone in that house paints apparently, so I got to see all these beautiful, elaborate paintings! Even little Luz has done a ton…she had several displayed around the house and then showed me her complete portfolio!

We went home after that and started preparing lunch. We had ganchas, this thick soupy stuff, full of different meat! You also dip plenty of bread in it. Marilu’s parents and sister and Chema’s parents came over for another family lunch. Again, they’re also so, so nice. I talked with the sister (Mari Tere??) and Chema’s dad for a while. It was so easy to talk with them; they’re so easygoing and patient with me! After lunch Mari Tere and I cleaned up while Marilu and Chema went out for more pastries, so of course we had a café and they also put out some Bailey’s and after dinner liquor, or whatever it’s called.

Marilu had some grading to do after the parents left so we watched some TV while she did that. I offered to help, but it was a little complicated, so in the end I didn’t. We made a few small sandwiches around ten o’clock and I think we were all in bed by 11:30. I was really tired, so I welcomed sleep!

I got up at 5:30 this morning so as not to cause any bathroom congestion, so it’s prolly gonna be an early night, in fact, I know it is! Before Chema left for work he told me goodbye and that I was welcome to come back any time! I would love to go back sometime; everyone is so nice and welcoming…I feel really comfortable there, like they’re my family away from home!

I think that’s enough for today, lol!

Xoxo,

Court

After a very short work week, it’s the weekend once again! It didn’t really start off of a good day though; it was raining cats and dogs when I left for school and rained pretty hard most of the morning. Walking to school I was annoyed because a passing motorist sped by really fast, thus spraying me with water. I was cold the whole day and my jeans are still wet. At least it’s not raining now though, it’s 55 and super cloudy!

Starting off my nearly full day in infantil, with five-years A, I told them a brand new story, which was kind of exciting because usually I read them the same one several times. I can’t remember what it was about right now, but I do remember it from last year. We reviewed the Head, Shoulders. Knees and Toes song several times and then gave out stickers to the “good” students. Only two didn’t get one.

Second and fourth hours were four-years A and B. we did the worksheet in which they had to color in Max and Poppy’s hair like a clown—relating back to the story we had read a few times several weeks ago. They didn’t really remember it, so I reread it to them. For the worksheet, one person’s hair was already colored in, I think Max, and they had to copy the colors (red, green, yellow and blue) for Poppy’s hair. It was more difficult than I thought it’d be…several of them got the sequence wrong.

I read the 2Bers a section from their easy readers, about Chippy the dog and a beanstalk. The story is about 23 pages in all and I read up to page 11, just long enough for everyone to discover the beanstalk! I then went back and read it all line by line, having individual students repeat after me. That part was rather long and boring, but they must practice pronunciation, I guess.

Last hour I got to be the big kids again in 6B. We did this activity that took the letters of your name, assigned each letter a number value, and then you had to add up the numbers (mine was 40). You then added those together (4+0 =4). Based on your number there was a list of different characteristics that was supposed to describe you (bravest, trendiest, strongest, happiest, funniest, friendliest, etc.) Mine was that I’m the happiest person in the world!

After school tomorrow I’m going with Marilu to her town, Campo de Criptana, for the weekend; I’ll prolly come back with her for school on Monday. I feel like a little kid: I’m excited for the change of scene, but a little nervous also because I’m going to meet all her family and friends and I don’t really know what to expect with that…I just don’t want to be the extra wheel that doesn’t fit in. I don’t think Marilu’d let that happen though. I may post tomorrow, I may not. If not I’ll letcha know on Monday!

Xoxo,

Court

And we are now in November! It’s 61 and been cloudy for most of the day. It hadn’t rained at all today (it was supposed to) and then when I was on my way home it started sprinkling. It wasn’t too bad though and still isn’t; if it is raining or sprinkling now you can’t really tell, looking out the window.

It totally felt like a Monday today, thank goodness it’s not! I took my White Chocolate M&M cookies in and everyone loved them; they all said they were so good! I brought about 30 and when I came back after school to grab the container there were only two left! So, I found two kids to give them to and problem solved! I’m glad it was a double batch, because if it weren’t I don’t think I would have had enough for everyone…after I wrecked the first couple of pans!

First this morning was 1A. I reviewed some numbers, phrases and parts of the body with them and then we went upstairs to room that has a SmartBoard (in that wing of the school) so we could do some interactive activities. We practiced weather, like saying “it’s sunny/windy/raining”. The SB would read the phrases and then they had to figure out which word was missing.

Second and last hours were 3A and B. Those hours are usually Science in English. They have an exam coming up soon, so I read them a few pages about the five senses; well actually no, we only talked sight and hearing. We took and in depth look at the eyeball and the ear, or as in depth as you can get with eight-year-olds… but it was interesting!

I then went to my only infantil of the day, five-years B. I read them a story, to review parts of the body, about Ellie and all her friends, who went to the park to play soccer. Somehow they ended up all running into each other and ended up hurt: Ellie on her head, Mouse on the leg, Hippo on the arm and Monkey on the foot. Max and Poppy then did their magical Abracadabra thing and everyone was all better!

After recreo I had 4B. They were still finishing up Halloween activities, so Analen asked me to find info about Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night. It’s totally a British thing, so I know very little about it (except for what I learned last year). I found this website that was pretty good, it talked about the history, had some vocab and a few activities to do as well. It should suffice, I think.

I brought the info I had received about renewing my NIE in today because there were a couple of things I wanted to ask Aurora or someone about. I’m glad I did too, because it turns out that I had to call to make an appointment and not just show up whenever I wanted. Aurora called and got me an appointment (to turn in photos and get fingerprinted) for November 17 (a Thursday…guess I won’t be going to school that day) at 10:40, such a random time! But I guess that’ll give me extra time in case the bus is behind schedule.

Xoxo,

Court