Yes friends, I'm still alive... After flying home for Christmas and flying back to Spain, I'm happy to say that I'm happy to be back.
Looking out my window at the beautiful blue sky, I'm counting several blessings:
1. It has rained only once since I've gotten back! Truly a miracle for Galicia. I've been lucky to come back to blue skies and 10-15 degree weather (Celsius of course. That's 50-59 degree weather for all you Americans out there:)
2. The wonderful people I work with. It's so nice to come back to a relaxed atmosphere where the other teachers are fun and genuinely interested in my wellbeing! It's kind of crazy how much of a difference there is between the mentality here and in the U.S. I instantly feel uptight when I'm around the other teachers, yet have quickly started to adapt the que seras attitude... because after all folks; whatever will be, will be.:)
3. The children at Abanqueiro school. True, a cloud of elementary girls surrounding you every time you walk through the door can be a bit draining, but I'm thankful to have that problem. Gift count for the last two weeks: 5 clovers, 1 callalily, 1 picture of a cougar, and the list just seems to keep on growing. God just keeps the blessings coming!
4. A sense of belonging. Despite my rough start in Boiro, and the rickety path following... I've returned with a sense of peace and contentment about living here. I feel less like the solitary English-speaker in Boiro, and more like the local English teacher. I feel more confident in my teaching role and am getting to actually enjoy being here. Sometimes you just have to shake yourself and say "hey! quit worrying and being a wuss- you're in SPAIN for crying out loud! Disfrutalo (Enjoy it)!" That perfect cafe con leche and pastry from Confiteria Sonia, runs through the Galician countryside with new friends, walking down by the beach with Alex- God is loving me in new ways every day.
And I'm trying to love my students in new ways too! I've noticed a lack of emphasis on creativity in Abanqueiro, so i'm trying to introduce that with the activities I plan. I think working the creative muscle is just as important as teaching the kids English. Mom gave me a cool book about making shapes out of salt dough, so I thought I'd aprovechar (Spanish verb meaning "to take advantage of an opportunity." I've probably heard this word about as much as "hola" here. The Spanish love to aprovechar.:) In third grade, we made different foods out of dough. The kids just get so excited about simple things, and I think they were ecstatic to do something different. One kid named Dani made a churro, but hey at least he was working that creative muscle.
Well, I'm all talked out, but more to come soon! Muchos besos y abrazos de Espana:) Vaya con Dios.
