This is not my picture, but it looked a lot like this!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Counting Sheep
Funny thing happened to me today! I went running at 2:00pm when I got out of school today, trying to get it over with quickly because I hadn't eaten lunch yet (which in the end I didnt eat til 4!) But as I was running on my favorite trail which is so beautiful, dusty and rocky--today you could see all the mountains in the distance perfectly--all of the sudden I saw something blocking the whole trail in front of me. Well, as I got closer and close I realized it was a flock of sheep and its shepherd! This is a pretty common occurrence here, simply because the country starts at the very edge of the city. It was really cool. The shepherd walked away into a field where all the sheep were to eat, I suppose, and I continued running and the sheep just made way for me...only downside: I had to run through lots of poop!
This is not my picture, but it looked a lot like this!
This is not my picture, but it looked a lot like this!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Bryn in the Kitchen
Hi there all! I've recently become quite the baker at my house here in Spain. Be it because I'm missing the delicious baked goods of my grandma or simply because I'm bored on the weekends, things are turning out pretty well. Two weekends ago a made a chocolate chip banana bread and it turned out spectacular! Here they don't measure in cups or teaspoons so all my measurements are more or less estimations. In the end, to have something turn out well is such a delight. And...fun fact: I DONT HAVE AN OVEN!
How's it possible, you ask? A little toaster oven, (actually big enough to cook a pizza) and a lot of time! This little oven is really coming in handy for me, even if I have to leave it on a few more minutes than the recipe says. This morning I made an apple cobbler and its pretty good! Its a little gummy, I think i left it in there too long and could have used a little more sugar. Oh well, experimenting makes it better for next time.
In other news, I basically have my schedule all figured out finally and I have a bunch of hours of private lessons and I'm taking French which takes up some of my time. Yesterday I talked to Leigh and we were able to say a few things back and forth. My class is 2 hours long twice a week, so we learn a LOT at a time.
Last night was a surprise party at my house for my roommate Noemi's boyfriend, Mario. He was turning 26. We had everyone come over at 10:00 (i know, late huh?) and then Mario was supposedly coming at 10:30 because Noemi was "going to prepare him a birthday dinner." Suprise! Not true. We had fun and after we ate and had cake at home, we went out.
Later I might try to make applesauce (i have a TON of leftover, old apples) and then this weekend Fernando is coming from Burgos and I'm going to make banana nut bread. We have a puente (or bank holiday) and I have Mon and Tues off! Spectacular!
Miss everybody! Go Cards! Never been so proud to be from St. Louis! Happy happy birthday to Leigh and Uncle Joe!
How's it possible, you ask? A little toaster oven, (actually big enough to cook a pizza) and a lot of time! This little oven is really coming in handy for me, even if I have to leave it on a few more minutes than the recipe says. This morning I made an apple cobbler and its pretty good! Its a little gummy, I think i left it in there too long and could have used a little more sugar. Oh well, experimenting makes it better for next time.
In other news, I basically have my schedule all figured out finally and I have a bunch of hours of private lessons and I'm taking French which takes up some of my time. Yesterday I talked to Leigh and we were able to say a few things back and forth. My class is 2 hours long twice a week, so we learn a LOT at a time.
Last night was a surprise party at my house for my roommate Noemi's boyfriend, Mario. He was turning 26. We had everyone come over at 10:00 (i know, late huh?) and then Mario was supposedly coming at 10:30 because Noemi was "going to prepare him a birthday dinner." Suprise! Not true. We had fun and after we ate and had cake at home, we went out.
Later I might try to make applesauce (i have a TON of leftover, old apples) and then this weekend Fernando is coming from Burgos and I'm going to make banana nut bread. We have a puente (or bank holiday) and I have Mon and Tues off! Spectacular!
Miss everybody! Go Cards! Never been so proud to be from St. Louis! Happy happy birthday to Leigh and Uncle Joe!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Back to being a foreigner!
This is something I recently wrote to a friend who wanted to know "all the details" of what I'm doing here in Spain. I will paste it here so it can prove as an explanation for anyone who reads the blog.
I live in Ciudad Real, Spain, south of Madrid in the province of Castilla-La Mancha. Same latitude as St Louis, Missouri. 38 degrees. Yep!
I'm teaching English here at a middle/high school called Hernan Perez del Pulgar (a famous conquistador) and my kids are between the ages of 12-16. They are difficult some days but some days I love them, like today, when I walked into my favorite class from last year, who are now a year older than when I met them, and they gave me a strong round of applause because they were excited to see me. Yes, I still very much like living here. Its so comfortable, I can walk everywhere, I live a ten min. walk from my school. Its not beautiful or particularly historic, but its a great residential area.
What did I do today? Today, I woke up at 7:00 and showered, ate breakfast (cereal and unrefrigerated milk) and made myself a decaf coffee in my spanish cafetera. I went to school at 8:30 and I arrived before all the teachers and most of the students (something that happens more often than not) and then I had 5 hours of class (English and Math) with a recess in the middle. During recess I took a walk with some other teachers and ate an apple and a granola bar. Then at 2 I left and came home, ate lunch (omelette with tuna, cheese, and tomato, broccoli and a yogurt) and then since I've been preparing for my private tutoring by listing out possible conversation topics for kids. Later I will have two private lessons, English of course, one with a 33 year old teacher from my school and her 2 kids, and another with a 10 and 14 year old. Then ill come home and eat dinner. Maybe go out because tomorrow I dont work...Fiesta Nacional de Trabajo in Spain!
I wanted to show her what my life was like here on a day-to-day basis. Its starting to get pretty hectic between classes at school and private lessons. I have about 16 hours at my school and 11 hours of private lessons--I even have a class on Saturday!
Luckily, we just got internet in my flat. I should post some pictures but the truth it, I haven't taken many! Since none of what I am seeing is "new," I am more or less just getting accustomed to living in Spain once again. A new flat, but the same roommates. Ah! I have French class now. Je m'appelle Bryn! I'm learning at a very fast pace so I hope I can keep up with it. I have 4 hours a week of French, another thing to fit into my schedule between work, classes, and the gym! I've been running a lot around Ciudad Real.. I have a few places that I particularly like to go depending on the time of day. If its during the morning or afternoon I like to go on the trail. Ciudad Real is full of them, considering you exit the city and there is nothing but countryside. If its nearing nightfall I will go on the Ronda, which is the major road that circles the whole city, and has a huge wide sidewalk. Fun fact: Its against the law to run on the sidewalk of the small city streets here, they can give you a ticket up to 150 euro! I guess its because all the little old ladies are out walking around and they dont want you to bowl them over or to run out in front of a car. Interesting!
I'll write again soon when something happens. I'm going to Madrid this weekend, so hopefully after that I can write another update. Pictures of my new flat:
I live in Ciudad Real, Spain, south of Madrid in the province of Castilla-La Mancha. Same latitude as St Louis, Missouri. 38 degrees. Yep!
I'm teaching English here at a middle/high school called Hernan Perez del Pulgar (a famous conquistador) and my kids are between the ages of 12-16. They are difficult some days but some days I love them, like today, when I walked into my favorite class from last year, who are now a year older than when I met them, and they gave me a strong round of applause because they were excited to see me. Yes, I still very much like living here. Its so comfortable, I can walk everywhere, I live a ten min. walk from my school. Its not beautiful or particularly historic, but its a great residential area.
What did I do today? Today, I woke up at 7:00 and showered, ate breakfast (cereal and unrefrigerated milk) and made myself a decaf coffee in my spanish cafetera. I went to school at 8:30 and I arrived before all the teachers and most of the students (something that happens more often than not) and then I had 5 hours of class (English and Math) with a recess in the middle. During recess I took a walk with some other teachers and ate an apple and a granola bar. Then at 2 I left and came home, ate lunch (omelette with tuna, cheese, and tomato, broccoli and a yogurt) and then since I've been preparing for my private tutoring by listing out possible conversation topics for kids. Later I will have two private lessons, English of course, one with a 33 year old teacher from my school and her 2 kids, and another with a 10 and 14 year old. Then ill come home and eat dinner. Maybe go out because tomorrow I dont work...Fiesta Nacional de Trabajo in Spain!
I wanted to show her what my life was like here on a day-to-day basis. Its starting to get pretty hectic between classes at school and private lessons. I have about 16 hours at my school and 11 hours of private lessons--I even have a class on Saturday!
Luckily, we just got internet in my flat. I should post some pictures but the truth it, I haven't taken many! Since none of what I am seeing is "new," I am more or less just getting accustomed to living in Spain once again. A new flat, but the same roommates. Ah! I have French class now. Je m'appelle Bryn! I'm learning at a very fast pace so I hope I can keep up with it. I have 4 hours a week of French, another thing to fit into my schedule between work, classes, and the gym! I've been running a lot around Ciudad Real.. I have a few places that I particularly like to go depending on the time of day. If its during the morning or afternoon I like to go on the trail. Ciudad Real is full of them, considering you exit the city and there is nothing but countryside. If its nearing nightfall I will go on the Ronda, which is the major road that circles the whole city, and has a huge wide sidewalk. Fun fact: Its against the law to run on the sidewalk of the small city streets here, they can give you a ticket up to 150 euro! I guess its because all the little old ladies are out walking around and they dont want you to bowl them over or to run out in front of a car. Interesting!
I'll write again soon when something happens. I'm going to Madrid this weekend, so hopefully after that I can write another update. Pictures of my new flat:
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