RUN: Agradecida (thankful)

Thanksgiving has always been and will always be one of my favorite holidays. I can’t exactly put my finger on why I love it so much, but it may have to do with the duality that it embodies; the idea that on this day we can nourish our souls in two ways. Part of this comes from the Soul  nourishing Food that you eat; other soul foods like fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, and cornbread were staples in my house growing up. My mother isn’t the most affectionate person in the world and I know that she struggles to show her love at times, but I could always feel her love through the food she made. The time and effort she put into preparing these meals exemplified her desire to care for and nourish her children-it was like one big hug and kiss... in your tummy. And Thanksgiving is a day when you not only get to enjoy buckets of nourishing food, but you also have the chance to gather with friends and family. As I grow older, the few time each year that I get to see my friends and family have become more meaningful. Now that I’m in Texas I can’t just walk down the hall or up the street to see someone I love; now I have to put time and effort into making these interactions happen. And whether it’s making a turkey and cornbread, or scheduling a visit, I know that the time and effort I put in will be more than worth it because I always feel so loved, nourished, and often strengthened afterward. And thankfully this Thanksgiving wasn’t any different. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to live in Spain and I wanted to celebrate that. Rather than joining the other American auxiliars I decided to have a Spanish Thanksgiving. So I invited my roommates and two of my new Spanish friends for día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) Spanish style. We had jamón, I made pan con tomate (a common tapa made of bread with tomato), arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), tortilla de patata (something like a potato cake), and even made homemade Sangria to accompany my favorite beer from Granada, wine from (Borja) the town I work in, and one of my roommates even made a Italian strawberry dessert. 

It was ABSOLUTELY wonderful! We all sat around and ate, drank, and talked (entirely in Spanish) until 1am, which was pretty late considering I had to get up for work at 6:30am the next day. It warmed my heart to see everyone enjoying their food and each other’s company as much as they did. This was my way of sharing a big American hug and kiss with my new friends.
The adjustment of living in a foreign country with a foreign language has been difficult at times but 
this one night recharged my battery and I am more energized, comforted, and hopeful than before–I am truly agradecida por (thankful for) this special Thanksgiving. 

RUN: Ya Esta!

So this week rather than sharing  one loooong story, I’ve decided to share a few tidbits in the world of Sarah Webb. 

To start things off I want to share a little story with you. 

In case you didn’t know it, this week is Thanksgiving. I personally LOVE Thanksgiving and am a little sad that I won’t be celebrating it at home with friends and all the fixin’s. So last week and this week I’ve been doing lessons about Thanksgiving. During one lesson last week I asked my juniors (16-17yr olds) had they ever had turkey? And if they hadn’t had turkey, they should try it! I also told them I love turkey, but it makes me kinda sleepy sometimes.
Unfortunately, in Spanish the word for turkey is PAVO and I accidently said POLVO. Sounds similar right? Not in the teenage mind. I actually asked them if they had ever had (the slang word for) SEX. And if they hadn’t, they should try it. I love SEX, but it makes me sleepy sometimes. 
YEP. I asked a group of teenagers if they had ever had sex and also divulged that I love sex, but it makes me sleepy. Good job teach!


Today I completed my final requirement on the list to become a legal immigrant. YEAAAH! So after getting fingerprinted (twice), a state and FBI background check, countless appointments, and a verbal fight with the armed guard at the police station... I’m official! 


I’ve continued my workout regimen and so far I’ve lost 15lbs since arriving here in Spain. Only 35 more pounds and I’ll be giving these Spanish women a run for their euros. (get it.. euros ;) 


Classes are going extremely well, and I think my students are finally starting to feel comfortable speaking English to their peers and me. My favorite class is still in the top spot but a few others are in a close race to take second.


My roommates and I are getting along very well and we even had a dinner party last week. Dinner doesn’t usually start until 10 or 10:30pm in Spain and because my roommates are often on Spanish time it didn’t start until 11pm. Nonetheless, it was great and we sat and ate until 1am-- when I finally excused myself to go to bed because I had to wake up at 6:30am for school. 


And back to Thanksgiving. Supposedly, some of the American auxiliars are going to get together for a faux Thanksgiving, but I’m not sure if I’m going to attend. We waited too long to order a Turkey because apparently they need a weeks notice so the butcher can go out to the farm and kill the turkey. Additionally, my friend Erin said that she got a turkey last year and it still had some of its feathers on it, and EVERYTHING was still inside. So if that’s how the turkeys come here, I think it’s ok that we missed the ordering deadline. Additionally, we can’t find all the essentials; pumpkin filling for the pie, cheddar cheese for the mac, or sour cream for the potatoes, so it isn’t looking too bright. Therefore, I’m debating whether or not I would like to began my own tradition-I’m thinking I might make a BIG Spanish meal and celebrate with my roommates. Because Thanksgiving is the day to give thanks right? And I’m thankful that I get to spend this Thanksgiving in Spain! I am truly thankful this year...even though I won’t be having any Pavo or Polvo. ;-)
 Happy Thanksgiving!!

STUMBLE: You Choose...

Spain is different. 
I think I forget that sometimes. 
On a normal “I love Spain” day, all of Spain’s differences seem so fascinating and novel. Most of my days are “ I love Spain” days, but not all of them. Last week I had one of my hardest days since I’ve been here and it definitely wasn’t an “I love Spain” day. The day was practically over and I was on my way to last period when the Administrative Assistant came up to and told me I needed to turn in my money for the carpool. I looked at him quizzically and said “what money?” This whole time I had been under the impression that I didn’t need to pay for the carpool, so when he told me that I owed 155Euros I was especially caught of guard–actually, I was dumfounded. #1 Because I didn’t think I had to pay for the carpool and #2 because I didn’t have the money to pay for it. Yes, I chose to go on sabbatical for a year but my student loans and other bills didn’t go on sabbatical with me. 
I could barely wait to find Alberto, my mentor, and ask him what was going on. He was the one that told me I didn’t have to pay in the first place, so to hear from Angel that I did have to pay (155Euros in fact) was really confusing. Alberto explained that the Auxiliar from 2009  hadn’t had to pay so he thought I didn’t have to pay either. Unfortunately, he told me this without confirming or telling this to anyone else; so I did have pay. AND NOW. UGHHH!!
 I can deal with the fact that businesses (including grocery stores) aren’t open on Sundays, I can deal with the fact that “Spanish Time” means someone or something is going to be about 20mins late, but the lack of communication is starting to wear on me. I will admit that I’ve had it pretty good so far. I have one friend that showed up to school and the administration hadn’t even communicated to the English dept. that they would have an auxiliar that year, so it could definitely be worse. I was just frustrated that I hadn’t inquired and confirmed this information myself, that Alberto shared the incorrect information with me, and that no one else shared with me that I would have to pay. Money is and always has been a sore subject for me. There always seems to be something-- I have to send money home to CO, a new bill pops up, or something unexpected happens... but it seems like I always have too much month at the end of my paycheck. Which means I have a lot of examples to pull from when I need to spiral. “Will I ever pay off school, How am I going to pay for graduate school, Will Cole and I ever have enough money to get married, WHY DID I COME TO SPAIN???
 OH I CAN SPIRAL. 
But in the midst of my spiral last week I looked down at my keyboard. I’ve been taping and re-taping the same quote to mirrors and other random places since my sophomore year in college. And it always reminds me that I have a choice. 
I. Chose. This. Life.
 I chose to come to Spain and I am grateful for this opportunity. I can choose to be angry with Spain, its people, and these “differences” but I have to choose to do that. So yes, there was a misunderstanding (and there always will be), but I get to choose how I handle them. 
I get to choose... 
whether to give up at the first obstacle, or give it my all. 
to speak up, or stay silent.
to change what I don’t like, or to let it change me. 
With every word and every step I take, I get to define who I am—and I create my own future.

I (HEART) Spain

So I’ve succumbed to the fact that when I speak Spanish, not everything that I say is understood. (that’s a given) However I feel pretty confident about my command of the English language, but a few recent encounters have shown me that just because I’m speaking English doesn’t mean that I still won’t have to "translate". For example, not too long ago I was talking with a teacher that likes to practice her English with me. I was telling her how accommodating, nice, and understanding my co-teacher Alberto was and how I love him. This comment surprised and maybe even disturbed her a bit. She quickly reminded me that he was married and that I couldn’t possibly have grown to love him in such a short amount of time. I immediately realized that she had misunderstood me and tried to explain that I didn’t actually love him in a romantic sense, but that I liked him much more than the other teachers. Alberto is my mentor and I go to him for everything; carpool issues, salary questions, lesson plans- - he’s my go to guy and I really do “love” him. But then I started to think about LOVE in English vs Spanish. In English we have words such as prefer, desire, and enjoy, but for the most part I feel as though my friends and I use  "like" and "love" more often than not, to describe things that are “pleasing” or “satisfactory” to us. However in Spanish multiple words are used to describe things that people like or love. They have gustar (like), querer (want) encantar (strong like), querer- again (love), and amar (love, to love romantically). I love this! And I wanted to take a few moments to tell you the things I LOVE most about Spain, and maybe a few things that I don’t “love” as much. 

Love: Me Encanta
Spain!
  I really do looove Spain!
Tapas! 
 (what a wonderful idea--
  a little snack served with your drink)
Siesta!
 (I know I get tired after lunch, so it only makes
 sense to have a government endorsed nap time)
Nightlife in Spain
(many clubs don’t even open until 2am so it’s not unheard of to come home at 6 or 7am)

Like: Me Gusta
Kissing when you meet/see someone
 (I love affection so this is right up my alley)
How willing people are to help
(whether it’s finding a place on the map or helping me with my Spanish people are very helpful)

No Me Gusta
Siesta
 (not so cool if you REALLY need to do something,buy something, or go somewhere between the hours of 2-5pm)
Lack of addresses
(I don’t know about other parts of Spain but in Zaragoza only apartments and government buildings have addresses so if you are looking for a shop or building you have to find the nearest apartment and guess from there to find what you’re looking for)
Nightlife in Spain
(makes it a little hard to go out on a Thursday if the bars don’t open until 2am and you have to be up at 6:30am)

Overall, I think the Me Encanta(s) win this one. 
And really... isn't that what's most important in life? 
That the Me Encanta(s) outnumber the No Me Gusta(s).

WALK: You're New to Spain, huh?

Today I “completed” (or I think so anyway) my second to last appointment on my road to becoming a legal immigrant in Spain. And while I’ve lived in Spain before, living as a carefree student with a Señora that did EVERYTHING for me and living as an actual working adult, are two very different things. So far the process has been pretty straightforward though- go here, pick up this form, take it to this place, etc, but today wasn’t that easy. Today I had to register with the Health Dept. and get my health insurance information and card. Can you say CONFUSING? I barely understood my policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and that meeting was conducted in English so you can understand how confusing my meeting in Spanish was. 
As I walked through the sliding doors my eyes met another pair of eyes filled with disdain, and I can only think of one reason why. I had entered the office 1/2hr into Siesta (and if you don't know what Siesta is I'll explain it to you another time). Let’s just say that Spaniards take their Siesta Seriously. And this woman looked at me as if I had walked into her home and interrupted her own personal siesta time. Opps.. for some reason I assumed that since the office was open during Siesta–it was actually open. But after 30min of one lady trying to explain the process and me saying “no entiendo” (I don’t understand) four times, another women entered the room and asked me “ You’re new to Spain, huh?” She then suggested to her co-worker that she might need to speak a little slower or explain it in a different way. Eventually we got through everything but I left feeling more confused than ever. I had prided myself on the fact that I’ve generally understood most of my encounters since arriving, but this one left me doubting my comprehension skills more than ever. However, on the way home I started thinking... that lady was right. I am new to Spain and there are a lot of things that I just don’t understand, and it’s not only relating to language. So similar to, but very different from Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Know You’re a Redneck When” I’ve compiled a list of you my observations called 
“You Know You’re a Foreigner When.”

5. You nod, mumble, or answer YES to every question you don’t understand. 
(Whether it’s someone asking for change or if you like playing soccer– for some reason it just comes out) 

4. You are still caught off guard when you see someone picking their nose. Police officers, children AND teachers, bartenders, EVERYONE does it. 
(Maybe I’m just too “American” or a germaphobe but it REALLY grosses me out!)

3. You carry a copy of your city map in your clutch, regular purse, back pack, anywhere it can fit. 
 (I lived in Austin for three years and I was lost almost every minute so I am determined to find my way around this city if it kills me!)

2. You expect toilet paper in restrooms; bars, restaurants, a lot of places just don’t have any. 
(I learned this one the HARD way in Granada, so now I never leave home without my own personal stash)

1. When you are describing a new potential friend, you add “they speak slowly” or “clearly” to the list of reasons they are so great!

In all I have made some great friends so far and my language skills are really progressing. So I won’t let one encounter with a  Siesta deprived woman ruin my day because Yes, I am new to Spain, but I plan to complete my assimilation and immigration into Spain and it’s culture...health insurance or no health insurance.