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I have been struggling to write lately. I am not entirely sure why. I have had this blog post below for about a week now and haven't posted it until now. I guess I just needed some down time to sit and think before I wrote more. So this blog is a little outdated... I will post new stuff asap - a lot has been happening actually!

....Nobody believes me that I am 27 here...which I guess is a really good thing. I don't think I look that young, but I know I definitely don't act my age. :) And I guess people assume that I am young because a lot of English teachers come (have been coming) at a younger age than myself. I just never had the opportunity before, so now that I am older and wiser (ha) I have time...or I have made time. Soooo here I am!!

I came here for several reasons like I have talked about, one of them being getting to really know the culture and the people. I want to say that it has been a real struggle so far. I am not creating excuses, but I feel I haven't (or at least made time) time to sit and watch and enjoy the greatness around me enough. The other night, I was out with my friend Annie, and after walking around the town exploring hotels and a couple of art museums, we decided to sit and rest. Our feet had been hurting us and we were wanting to relax for a few before we had dinner. We stopped by a church and watched the children play tag and soccer, the parents were talking amongst themselves, the couples strolling by were holding hands, the food venders were selling delicious smelling meals - it was all so real.
Barely talking to each other, simply watching and enjoying our surroundings. It was the first time in a long time that I have just sat and watched people without looking at the time, or worrying about what the plan was next. I think we only sat for 15 minutes, but it felt like an hour. I wish that I would take more time to do this. I came with the thought that I was going to, that I would spend my mornings in the park or around various areas, watching people and learning how to just be and sit. I find myself now wrapped up and busy all of the time. In the mornings I spend my time studying Spanish, the afternoons I work, and I come home right away to eat or be at the house at night. I also am still having a hard time sitting still. I like to go, go, go...and I haven't quite figured out how to let that go yet. My mom says it will take a while...

My schedule has changed again since I have spoken with most of you...now I teach on Saturdays from 8am-5pm in 3 hour chunks. This past Saturday was my first full Saturday and it went really well I think. I was well prepared and the classes all thanked me for teaching them - I thought that was nice! I have three groups, 2 intermediate and 1 beginner class. I really enjoy teaching them all because they are so motivated to learn, and really enjoy doing work, and studying, and talking. It makes my job a lot easier, and truthfully the 3 hours goes by real quickly!

I mentioned in my other post that I saw a movie the other night in Spanish and I couldn't read the subtitles because of the two guys in my way...well, I wanted to try again. A couple of days ago we went to see another movie in Spanish, called Volver, and we got there early to sit close so that nobody for sure would be in our way. I was so excited that I was there early, I had a good seat, I was going to be able to read the sub titles this time. They dim the lights, the music to the movie begins and the movie starts. They begin speaking in Spanish, and as I go to read the first few sub titles I realize, oh crap, they are in Spanish!!!! So here I am again, at another Spanish movie with no way of knowing what they are saying!! It was so funny. :)
Of course because I like to see the good in everything...I enjoyed the film still -first, because it was good ...for what I know happened...second, because it was good to hear the words then be able to read them. Although I didn't know every word, it was good to hear the pronunciation and see the words at the same time. When I am around my coworkers and they are speaking Spanish, I wish they could have the words written out...I think I might learn a little faster! ha

Annie and I went exploring the city on Sunday afternoon and came upon an interesting looking hotel. We walked in and toured around. The hotels here are so unique and pretty because they are open. Like people can walk in and out of them all the time. The only thing closed off is your actual room. There is usually some open space with a garden and/or fountain. This particular hotel was two stories with access to the terrace. The view from the top was great!

Fireworks, every day there are fireworks!! :) One Saturday night after coming home from dinner, my roommate and I had the opportunity to watch them up close and personal. On our walk home, a group of people were shooting them off on our street. Such a simple thing can be so great at moments. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and hearing the fireworks every night. I am like a little kid when I get to see them. It is like I forgot that I saw them the day before.

I packed sooo wrong for this move. I brought two pairs of nice pants, a couple of pairs of jeans, dresses, and NO jackets. I never would have imaged that I would be wishing I had a coat. In the mornings and evenings are quite chilly. During the day it is nice, but getting into the 60-70 is coooold! The rain is nice, but if it rains at night you must expect to be cold. Good weather to sleep in since there is no AC or fans!

All for now, must go study Spanish!