Classes, Flats, and S[k]edules--It's all coming together.

This week I've jumped right in; I've been living like a Spaniard (overlooking the fact that I can hardly speak Castilian Spanish and I probably break social norms left and right.) I've been starting an early day at 10 am, drinking a leisure coffee in the afternoon, taking a siesta at 4, eating dinner at 10 pm, and starting work 10 minutes late (the students' fault..not mine).

The last few days have been an absolute whirlwind. I can't distinguish the days in my head, and it feels like I've been here for weeks already. I can't believe it's only been four days. In the back of my mind I've been planning blog post in chronological order, but too much has happened now. There's no way that's possible. So instead I'l just relay all of the noteworthy moments and observations.


- I LOVE teaching here. It's exactly what every teacher in the States claims they want to do: just teach. I have no lesson plans. I have no objective standards to follow. I give no assessments. I have nearly complete freedom, and I just teach. The students are great. They are taking an English course with professors, but they have to attend my class once a week for conversation class to prepare the oral section of their final exam. I have 12 one-hour classes throughout the week, with about 20 students in each.


- At first I was nervous when I found out I was teaching university students. I just graduated; they aren't much younger than me. But when I walked into my first class and saw a bunch of wide-eyed, brace-faced kids, I felt right at home.

"This is going to be awesome," I told myself. And so far it is.

Their English is very, very basic, and many of them stare at me and say, "No entiendo nada" (I don't understand anything). For some it's because they don't know much English and for some it's my accent, as they're more used to the British accent.

I tell them that I'm learning a language as well, and that I know it's hard. I tell them to just raise their hands and ask me to explain anything and to not be afraid to make mistakes while speaking.

Their responses: more blank stares.

We're going to learn together.


- My students are well behaved, so I don't have to worry about any behavioral problems. I'm going to be so spoiled when I return to the States.


- I have a great colleague, Craig from Jersey. Jersey, England. Not New Jersey. (Don't even mention Snooki to him.) He's been living in Murcia for a year with his Spanish girlfriend. This year the university called him up in a panic and offered the job to him since he was already here. He's been teaching my classes for me the week I wasn't here. Now we've split them.

He's never taught before, but he seems to know what he's doing. We have the same teaching schedule, so in between classes we collaborate and decide what we're going to cover and how. I've never actually collaborated with a teacher in terms of lesson planning together, so this will be a good experience. We've been bouncing ideas off of each other well.


- I have a classroom of mostly boys who eagerly "volunteered" to leave Craig's class for mine. They sit right in the front and suck up the entire time. They also make dirty jokes in Spanish that go right over my head, but they're not being malicious about it. They're just being boys. Luckily one of the them stayed after class, apologized for his friends' behavior, and explained the jokes.

This class is going to teach me just as much as I teach them.


- I ride the bus like a pro now.


- I've cooked my first European meals with fresh salmon.


- The other night I went out with Kat, another lector from England, and a student from France. We spoke in Spanish since the guy from French doesn't speak much English, which was good for my language skills. We walked around to different places for drinks, tapas, and dancing. I broke it down to my girl, Beyonce (I've never heard her played in Europe before).


- My schedule is awesome. Mondays- Free. Tuesdays and Wednesdays- Class at 1, 3, and 5. Thursdays- Classes 10-2 and then at 7pm. I get a long siesta. Then I have to squeeze 4 office hours in, as well. Fridays-- Free.


-- On days I don't report to work until 1 or not at all, I've been discovering new cafes for coffee and breakfast.




Tostada con tomate y aceite (toast with a fresh tomato paste and olive oil--no that's not beer on my breakfast table)

I have to admit on mornings that I sit down in a cafe and read the Spanish newspaper, I feel like Elizabeth Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love, which I lovingly refer to as Eat, Puke, Loathe. Although she and I have a lot in common, I also feel like we're totally different. (If I ever start sounding too narcissistic (which is easy to do when keeping a blog of your own life) and start complaining about my privileged life as a white, middle-class woman who can afford to travel and live in Europe, please bring it to my attention. I also would like to avoid whining about my past relationships and appreciate what's around me. But that's just me. Sorry, Liz.)


- The other night I showed up for my 7pm class, and a British professor was there do something different this week. He told me that he only needed Craig's help and not mine. Then I asked him if he wanted to see my schedule and he replied, "We must put an end to that." Then he clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"S[k]edule? No, no, no. We need to have you saying, "[Sh}edule."

(Poor Craig just stood there not knowing what to say.)

This is exactly the mentality we try to fight in the linguistics lab back home.

At first I was offended. I've faced discrimination due to my language before--but for my Spanish, not my English. Then I realized that I was dealing with a literally nutty professor, so I smiled and told him that I'm a linguist at heart and any change in language is good for me.


- I need to get my "Foreigner's Number" (equivalent to a green card here) from the foreigner's office in order to be paid by the university. Long story short: this is going to be as long and frustrating as getting my visa. Good thing I saved a lot this summer.


- I found a place to live! On Sunday I move in with a Spanish girl, Marta. (We're waiting on a third roommate.) Things that are great about this apartment:

1. I'll be living with two Spaniards who don't speak English. My Spanish is going to greatly improve!
2. The apartment is very clean, fully furnished, and decorated very nicely.
3. Marta's mother is the landlord, so I know that any problem will be taken care of.
4. It may not look like it, but for a European flat, the room is spacious (pictured below).

5. It's only 190 euro/month with water and gas included.
6. It's 2 minutes from my bus stop and a 15 minute walk to the center of the city.
7. There's a park right outside the door.
8. It's on the first floor (second floor to us), so I only have to walk up one flight of steps.


- A professor wants me to do private tutoring for her friends' young children. I should start soon. I'll make about 15-20 euro/hour, tax-free. If I would 2-4 hours/week, it should cover rent!


- Other than gas and electricity, cost of living here is cheap!


- There's a very famous mall throughout all of Spain called El Corte Ingles. It's a ten minute walk from my house. Every time I get lost, I somehow run into El Corte Ingles and find my way home. I've been calling it "El Corte Ingles, my saving grace."


- Tonight I walked around the city for about 3-4 hours alone to get lost and acquainted with the city all at once. It's small yet big at the same time. There are plaza, shops, and restaurants around every corner. Both families and students are everywhere. Murcia has both ancient and modern parts to it. I love it. It's a perfect hybrid.

I meandered through the streets with children playing makeshift "football" with empty cigarette packets weaving in and out of people. There were street performers playing keyboards, accordions, and violins. There were people everywhere. It was an absolutely perfect evening.

I ended up stumbling upon the most famous Cathedral in Murcia, and I think it's very impressive. I sat down at a cafe in the streets and drank a cafe solo (shot of espresso). I took this picture directly from my seat:



I also wandered to a restaurant and ordered beer and tapas (famous type of meal in Spain), including octopus, my favorite. I ended up ordering too much food for just one person, but my server was very friendly and patient. (I'm finding that most Murcians are. I feel very comfortable speaking and making mistakes.)


- Tomorrow I'm meeting Craig and his girlfriend, Maria, for her brother's birthday lunch. There will be 20 Spaniards and people who can speak fluent Spanish..,and then me, the little white, American who can barely say "hello". I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going to learn a lot quickly.


Everything is falling into place--God's quickly putting it together.

Phew. That was a lot. My other posts won't be that long, I promise. I don't want to watch the amount of followers dwindle.

*I've update pictures on the right.

Buenas noches.