Changing Weather

In one of Scott's last emails to me, he told me that in the toughest times he wished we were curled up in bed watching a movie, but in the beautiful moments, that he wished I was there, seeing and experiencing what he was. This morning, I finally realized what he meant. This morning, I felt Spain. I felt its icy breath on my cheeks as I struggled with Zoe to not eat the garbage that was left on the street. I felt its power with the wind pushing me up the huge hill that I have to climb every morning. I felt Spain. I ran with the people down the escalator to catch the train so that I wouldn't be late to work. I wormed my way through people to finally find a seat so that I could read and grade papers during my trip. I smiled at the sunrise over Madrid. I laughed with my students about carving pumpkins. I talked with teachers about getting together and making a halloween meal. We compared notes on where to find cream cheese for cheesecake. Today, it all felt real.

I understand. Because I too have those days where all I want is to be back in Portland, curled up on the couch under a down comforter, watching every re-run of law and order that exists and listening to the rain fall softly on the roof. But today, I wanted to be here. And I wanted to share. I wanted others to feel the weather, the people, the language, the train. I wanted to share the life of Spain.

Jesse and Ashley's Wedding

Ok, so I know it's taken me quite long to actually post any of these pictures, but I've been a little busy going between jet lag and a ridiculous amount of papers to grade. However, as promised, Jesse and Ash get their own blog entry to celebrate the momentous occasion. Ashley looked absolutely beautiful--glowing to be exact, and Jesse shocked me with the utter happiness that he exuded throughout the day. If there is one couple in the world I had to pick for perfectness, I think we've found them. Even with the problems of Ashley's broken ankle and having to walk on crutches, they both still showed nothing but love and togetherness. You two are both inspiration and hope, and I wish you both the best. All my love to you both.

Empadronas de Volante

So I've decided that Spain hates me anytime I really need to get anything done. Last night I went to the Junta Municipal (I could have spelled that wrong) which is like city hall to get my empandronas. Let me insert here that I have absolutely no idea what it is or really what it is for, except that I need it to go apply for my card here that enters me into the social security system and makes me legal. When I arrived at the city hall the alarms were going off and there was a terrible screeching sound, but considering that it was absolutely necessary that I get this done yesterday, I had to enter anyway. So I sat there for an hour while the alarms continued until they figured out how to turn them off. My ears were ringing so much that by the time my number got called I could barely understand the woman when she asked me questions. That could also be my lack of Spanish, but for now I'm blaming it on the psychotic alarms.

Why is it that I get stuck in tiny shops when trying to get my metro pass and alarms go off when I try to get my empadronas? Am I a walking electrical disaster? Tonight will tell when I'm off to get fingerprinted. Pray that no electrical disasters are brewing as I type.

Oregon

Even though I'm only home for a couple of days, it's amazing how much I had forgotten about the beauty that this state emanates. Even driving up to the mountain for the wedding was gorgeous, and then once we arrived and the sun began setting at the top of Mt. Hood, I realized why I call this place home.

For my visitors!

I've noticed on my map that I've received a lot of visitors from places I've never even been to. Would you please please please leave me a quick comment telling me where you're from and how you found my blog? I'd be very interested to know!

Thanks!

The Supreme Speed of Spain

What an alliteration! The speed gods were taking a siesta the night I decided to get my abono transportes. I figured it would take a good twenty minutes or so, especially since I had to go take photos on my way to the tobacco shop where you get them (that's also where you get stamps--don't ask me why!) So, I stopped, took my four pictures, and was off to the shop to get my monthly pass for the train, metro, and bus. The first shop explained (I think) that they were out of them and told me where to go. I had no clue what the woman had said to me, so I just smiled and took off in the direction she pointed, hoping to find a shop. As luck turned out, there was one right around the corner. I thought my night was made! And then I entered, and about five minutes after I had begun filling my information out I realized I needed my passport number, which of course I didn't have. So I had to leave, go home, and get my passport. This was another fifteen minutes. Then I go back, restart my information sheet, and finally get to the bottom where I realize that I need my zip code of my neighborhood. I of course do not have that either, so I have to leave again, go knock on a neighbor's door, write down the zip code, and then go back to finish my sheet. By this time it's been well over an hour that I've been trying to get this damn pass. And then, as only my luck would have it, the store's electricity goes out and we're locked in the smallest tobacco shop on the planet. It's me, another young woman, and this old cranky shopkeeper who is incredibly pissed that his electricity has gone out and he can't charge us for our abonnos. I thought that was fine until I realized I also couldn't get out the door until he managed to get it turned back on. So he gets on the phone, makes a phone call, and within forty-five minutes the electricity is back up and running, I have my pass (that I paid for), and I'm allowed to leave the cramped store. And my twenty minute errand has now turned into three hours. The pleasures of Spain =)

My Students!!!

Last year I was convinced I didn't want to be a teacher. I didn't like most of my students, and except for a select few, the majority of them could barely write their names much less read a book. The administration was terrible and bowed under pressure to any parent who so much as raised a voice, and the community was so conservative that most of the parents refused to let their children read The Kite Runner because of the male rape scene and instead suggested Walden.

For the first time, I finally understand why I got my teaching degree. I smile when I wake up knowing that I get to come to a school with these students. Every day is a pleasure, and teaching finally has meaning for me.

Fire re-visited!

I know I told everyone all about the fire across from my OLD apartment (that's right, I said old. I'm all moved in to my new apartment, but that's for another blog entry), but apparently I didn't tell the whole story. According to the front page of the local news here, and also a neighbor girl whom I talked to, the two inhabitants of the apartment were actually IN the apartment when it caught fire. Some crackhead (no! in my neighborhood???) broke into their building, held them at knifepoint, tied them up, and then used an aerosol can and a lighter to try to blow up the apartment and kill them. They were two college students with almost nothing to begin with, visitors to this country, and now they are left with nothing. I tried finding them to offer them anything I could, but they were long gone by the time I figured out the whole story. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose everything, and I can only hope that wherever they are, things are looking up for them. And I also can't explain how happy I am to finally be out of the crackhead spot of Madrid where now I have grass that grows on my sidewalks and old men and women sitting reading books on benches. It's safer. I found a neighborhood. I'm beginning to like Madrid.

Computers--Arg!

Ok, so I know it's been forever since I posted, but I swear the devil has invaded my computer and I'm crying witchcraft. I suppose you can all assume, correctly, that I am currrently teaching The Crucible. And if I could really cry witchcraft and have someone hung on the simplest whim, I would definitely go for the manufacturers of all PCs. I miss my Mac! I've NEVER had an issue with any Apple product I've purchased. I've NEVER had to have a motherboard replaced (except once when my friend spilled a bottle of wine on my laptop, but that was years ago and it certainly wasn't the computer's fault), and I've NEVER had to recharge my battery every fifteen minutes or it "hibernates." So, I'm now on my second loaner computer here (the school loaned me one when my mac was stolen), and for the second time I'm once again having problems. Now I can't use my wireless system because I'm blocked by a non-existant firewall, but I can't change my LAN settings until I have administrator access, and I can't do that until this person does this, and that person does that, and etc . . . I want to turn on my damn computer and have it work without having ridiculous issues every five minutes. So Apple, if you're out there and listening, I'm your number one fan. A week and a half and your newest laptop will be in my hands, and my PC will be happily returned to the school with all its demons.