I'm such a nerd--I get so excited about things like this. But you would, too! I decided to go on a quest for free internet in my apartment complex, and at the moment am on the fourth floor using someone else's wi-fi. That's how desperate I was. Biz's roommates are coming back home this weekend, so I won't be able to depend on her apartment for much longer! Of course, I'll still visit Biz all the time, I'm pretty sure. Well, this will work until I figure out something else--like, going in with neighbors and using their internet? Or finding the owners of one wireless network my apartment gets everywhere and paying them to use their internet. We'll see.
Biz and I had our first day of TEFL class today--it flew by a lot more quickly than we were expecting. But it was from 9:30-3, and our Spanish class was from 3:30-8 (only for one week). Yuck. We (Ben, Biz and I) were all so exhausted afterwards. We looked like zombies walking down the street. I was craving thai chicken and rice with peanut sauce, which I think means I needed protein, or something. How weird. I made rice and mixed in some salsa, garlic, and fresh lime juice, with pinto beans and grilled green peppers on top. I embellished on a recipe I found online, and it was delish! I'm excited about cooking!
Wednesday all classes have been cancelled for "La Tomatina"--a city-wide (plus half a million tourists) tomato fight in Valencia. After we've become drenched in tomato pulp, we'll all jump into the ocean and wash off. I'll update soon :) with pictures, hopefully!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Birthday!
A couple days ago I celebrated my birthday for the first time in a foreign country! It was delightful, actually. The night before my roommates and I had gone out to a Chinese place for dinner and scrumptious desserts. When we got back it was already 12:15 so they sang "Cumplianos Feliz" for me and lit a candle for me to blow out. They're so sweet. Oh, and my one roommate's name is Bea (as in Beatrice), not Bear, or whatever I said earlier :).
I came to Biz's the morning of my birthday to check my email (she has internet and I don't!) to find a pot of beautiful lantern-like flowers for me from Seth--he had gotten Biz to go out and buy them for me. I love when people scheme behind my back to do sweet things... Biz and I went to class then went out with some people for the best kebabs in the world (for only 3 Euros) and sangrias. Mmmmm...
It's been a month since I've been here--I can't believe it's been that long, but in some ways it feels like it's been a year already. Biz and I noted that we can suddenly understand some of the dialogue on Spanish TV--that's really remarkable! At first I was completely lost--now I understand some of what people are saying. I need to be much more bold about speaking Spanish with people. Sometimes it's just easier to speak in English. And some people would prefer to speak in English with me. But, like my teacher said, if they want to speak in English, they can go to the US. I need to speak Spanish here.
I miss y'all back home! Hopefully I can come home for Christmas? We'll see.
I came to Biz's the morning of my birthday to check my email (she has internet and I don't!) to find a pot of beautiful lantern-like flowers for me from Seth--he had gotten Biz to go out and buy them for me. I love when people scheme behind my back to do sweet things... Biz and I went to class then went out with some people for the best kebabs in the world (for only 3 Euros) and sangrias. Mmmmm...
It's been a month since I've been here--I can't believe it's been that long, but in some ways it feels like it's been a year already. Biz and I noted that we can suddenly understand some of the dialogue on Spanish TV--that's really remarkable! At first I was completely lost--now I understand some of what people are saying. I need to be much more bold about speaking Spanish with people. Sometimes it's just easier to speak in English. And some people would prefer to speak in English with me. But, like my teacher said, if they want to speak in English, they can go to the US. I need to speak Spanish here.
I miss y'all back home! Hopefully I can come home for Christmas? We'll see.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Address
I just (re)posted my address on facebook, so if you want it and aren't my facebook friend, email me :).
I looooooove mail!
I looooooove mail!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Graduation
So, as of today I'm an "official" college graduate :)! Yay! I graduated in August instead of May because I'd originally thought about taking more classes at Clemson this semester (maybe PA school prerequisites?), but around spring break decided I wanted to be in Europe this year--graduating in May would have meant I'd be paying a steep late fee. Anyway, now I'm a true grown-up, I guess. I'm still thinking of PA school, or some kind of grad (or more undergrad) work. Family counseling, perhaps? Teaching, if I like it? History? Psychology? Art? Still just as many varied ideas as I had in high school--why haven't I narrowed it down by now? :) What do you think I should do next?
This afternoon Biz and I went to the most delightful part of Madrid we've experienced yet--a place called Retiro Park. It's a huge public park with miles and miles of walking trails, well-groomed gardens, fountains, waterfalls, statues, and woods. And a big "pond" you can take a row-boat on. We strolled around a couple hours, eating sweet popcorn and corn nuts we'd bought there, then found a grassy place to read. Biz lent me a book called "In the Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen. It's short and really thoughtful so far--Nouwen left a life at Harvard to become a chaplain at a home for mentally handicapped men. It's a book about Christian leadership. I think it's one I'll have to read over and over again.
Right now Biz and I are watching "Lost" and agreeing how awful it is to see it dubbed--no Southern accent on Sawyer? Kate with that voice? Mmm mmm (shaking my head).
This afternoon Biz and I went to the most delightful part of Madrid we've experienced yet--a place called Retiro Park. It's a huge public park with miles and miles of walking trails, well-groomed gardens, fountains, waterfalls, statues, and woods. And a big "pond" you can take a row-boat on. We strolled around a couple hours, eating sweet popcorn and corn nuts we'd bought there, then found a grassy place to read. Biz lent me a book called "In the Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen. It's short and really thoughtful so far--Nouwen left a life at Harvard to become a chaplain at a home for mentally handicapped men. It's a book about Christian leadership. I think it's one I'll have to read over and over again.
Right now Biz and I are watching "Lost" and agreeing how awful it is to see it dubbed--no Southern accent on Sawyer? Kate with that voice? Mmm mmm (shaking my head).
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Ch-ch-ch-changes
at a fountain in Madrid (and see below for new photos!)I remember, as a seventh-grader, being spellbound by David Bowie's lyrics while surfing Encarta during computer class: "Time may change me, but I can't change time."
Now I think they sound a little cheezy--but they still ring true. The emptying of the nest happened too fast, I think all the sisters agree. Alice is the only little bird left at home :). And here I am, living in a foreign country (it was bound to happen someday), waiting for time to change me.
I moved into my new apartment two days ago. I love it so far--the view of Madrid from the 11th floor is really stunning, especially at sunset (which happens around 9:30 here). One of my flatmates (Bierd? I don't know how to spell it, actually) lived in London three years and speaks English with a South African accent because all her friends there were South African--I love it! The other one (Laura) probably speaks English as well as I speak Spanish--which isn't saying much AT ALL! So, I think it's a good Spanish-learning situation--I can practice Spanish with Laura (well, with both of them) and Bierd can translate for us if need be. The only drawback to my living situation is that there's NO INTERNET! Which is NOT COOL! And, also, no landline phone (which would allow me to call home for much cheaper than my cell phone)! Maybe I'll work out some wi-fi deal with the neighbors--I could pay them 10 Euros a month to use their wi-fi? Something will work out. It's got to.
This morning Biz and I visited the friendliest church we've ever been to. The sweetest teenage girls were coming up to us introducing themselves during the service and spoke with us in Spanish for an hour afterwards. We were so impressed at how kind they were, and we definitely want to visit again. Most of the people at the church were South American--South Americans, by the way, are so friendly. That's what we learned today :). No, Spanish people are, too. But South Americans are exceptional.
I think I'm going to go take a siesta. Hasta luego!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
a late night in Madrid
It's 2:40 am here, and I'm surfing the internet, which means I'm facebook stalking people, actually. No, I'm writing a letter, and facebook stalking people :). You don't know if you've been stalked--but, honestly, you probably haven't been. Don't worry.
I've been in this city for two weeks--over two weeks, actually! And tomorrow I'll finally move into my new apartment (what a relief that will be! No more living out of suitcases!). I want to blog now because we actually don't have internet in my new place (but Laura--my new roomie--said the neighbors have it, so that should help us out!). I've been living with Biz in her flatmate's bedroom (fortunately, her flatmate is gone for the month--many Europeans take off the whole month of August for vacation). Her other flatmate, Alejandra, just left today to visit her boyfriend in some cool-sounding coastal town. And I move into my apartment tomorrow. It's in a commercial area of the city called Cuatro Caminos (Four Streets) and it's on the 11th floor! I fell in love with the view and, out of the probably ten apartments I visited, this one was my favorite (despite the lack of internet and landline phone). Alejandra found the ad for it posted on a Spanish website and told me that two girls were looking for a roommate who was at least 26. That intimidated me, but I wrote down their number anyway. On Sunday I was scheduling an "apartment viewing" appointment with someone for 9:30 the next night when the minutes on my phone card ran out. I called back that number and the person who answered hung up on me, so I decided to give the girls looking for an older roommate a try. I met them at 9:30 Monday night, loved the place (oh, I will post pictures of the view, etc.), loved the girls, and added my name to their list of prospective roommates whom they would call on Tuesday. The next day I was planning on them not calling me, and was about to confirm a room with someone else, actually, when Laura, in her slow, patient Spanish, told me they wanted me to move in this Friday. SWEET. I hope it's a good Spanish-learning, friendship-making situation.
I do wish that Biz and I could room together, but it was so hard finding two rooms available in the same flat--especially when we don't know the language here. We will be visiting each other a lot--don't worry. We'll see each other most days this semester, too. If no more of our Spanish classes get canceled, that is! In the last week and a half, two classes have already been canceled. But today we had class at the pool to make up for it ;). No, we'll make up our lessons next week, I believe (but, it's too bad because I was thinking of taking a long weekend trip to Grenada or somewhere cool next weekend) (but there will be plenty of time for weekend trips in the coming year).
I am so glad Biz and I chose to come to Spain. The weather is hot, the sights are mesmerizing, the culture is diverse (each state is like a different country, they say), Madrid is pretty cheap to live in--especially compared with other capitals in Europe. You can buy a pair of jeans here for 9 Euros (on sale) as opposed to 100 elsewhere :). And Madrid's Metro system is one of the best, and cheapest, in the world. The people are so nice here, too. Especially the South American immigrants (like Biz's roommate--so hospitable and sweet). I really love that it's a cheap city--I mean, even with the Euro, it's a very doable city to live in.
Here are some of my goals for the year: learn Spanish, build relationships with Spanish-speaking people, try my hand at teaching, see as much as possible in Europe, save enough money to visit Drew in China next summer (or sometime!), make friends with my roommates, start to understand the Spanish culture, take good pictures, find a church with people I can fellowship and minister with, become a more giving person in general. The last goal is recent--lately I have been thinking about giving my time to people--I don't think "quality time" has necessarily been one of my top "love languages" (look it up! so interesting!) in the past several years, or ever. I'm often rushed, very last-minute (you know this already, most likely). But I do think it's one of the most meaningful ways to show you care for someone--giving them your precious time. Doing something cheap, but special--like talking with a friend over for tea at your apartment. Or volunteering at a nursing home. I just finished "A New Kind of Christian" by McLaren (read it, please!) and was struck/stricken? struck (my grammar's getting bad!) by an idea in it, among others: "Generosity [is] one of the most important spiritual disciplines [and] greed [is] one of the soul's worst poisons." Ooh--I hate the idea of my soul being poisoned! That's so--frightening. I do think the Christian concept that this world is not our home and storing up treasure here is ultimately vain is really important. Revolutionary--at least to our nature as humans.
Dude, it's getting late, so I better go to bed. But I'll be in touch (oh, that's another one of my goals--to be in touch with all of you dearly loved ones).
Love, love, love,
Your Cate
I've been in this city for two weeks--over two weeks, actually! And tomorrow I'll finally move into my new apartment (what a relief that will be! No more living out of suitcases!). I want to blog now because we actually don't have internet in my new place (but Laura--my new roomie--said the neighbors have it, so that should help us out!). I've been living with Biz in her flatmate's bedroom (fortunately, her flatmate is gone for the month--many Europeans take off the whole month of August for vacation). Her other flatmate, Alejandra, just left today to visit her boyfriend in some cool-sounding coastal town. And I move into my apartment tomorrow. It's in a commercial area of the city called Cuatro Caminos (Four Streets) and it's on the 11th floor! I fell in love with the view and, out of the probably ten apartments I visited, this one was my favorite (despite the lack of internet and landline phone). Alejandra found the ad for it posted on a Spanish website and told me that two girls were looking for a roommate who was at least 26. That intimidated me, but I wrote down their number anyway. On Sunday I was scheduling an "apartment viewing" appointment with someone for 9:30 the next night when the minutes on my phone card ran out. I called back that number and the person who answered hung up on me, so I decided to give the girls looking for an older roommate a try. I met them at 9:30 Monday night, loved the place (oh, I will post pictures of the view, etc.), loved the girls, and added my name to their list of prospective roommates whom they would call on Tuesday. The next day I was planning on them not calling me, and was about to confirm a room with someone else, actually, when Laura, in her slow, patient Spanish, told me they wanted me to move in this Friday. SWEET. I hope it's a good Spanish-learning, friendship-making situation.
I do wish that Biz and I could room together, but it was so hard finding two rooms available in the same flat--especially when we don't know the language here. We will be visiting each other a lot--don't worry. We'll see each other most days this semester, too. If no more of our Spanish classes get canceled, that is! In the last week and a half, two classes have already been canceled. But today we had class at the pool to make up for it ;). No, we'll make up our lessons next week, I believe (but, it's too bad because I was thinking of taking a long weekend trip to Grenada or somewhere cool next weekend) (but there will be plenty of time for weekend trips in the coming year).
I am so glad Biz and I chose to come to Spain. The weather is hot, the sights are mesmerizing, the culture is diverse (each state is like a different country, they say), Madrid is pretty cheap to live in--especially compared with other capitals in Europe. You can buy a pair of jeans here for 9 Euros (on sale) as opposed to 100 elsewhere :). And Madrid's Metro system is one of the best, and cheapest, in the world. The people are so nice here, too. Especially the South American immigrants (like Biz's roommate--so hospitable and sweet). I really love that it's a cheap city--I mean, even with the Euro, it's a very doable city to live in.
Here are some of my goals for the year: learn Spanish, build relationships with Spanish-speaking people, try my hand at teaching, see as much as possible in Europe, save enough money to visit Drew in China next summer (or sometime!), make friends with my roommates, start to understand the Spanish culture, take good pictures, find a church with people I can fellowship and minister with, become a more giving person in general. The last goal is recent--lately I have been thinking about giving my time to people--I don't think "quality time" has necessarily been one of my top "love languages" (look it up! so interesting!) in the past several years, or ever. I'm often rushed, very last-minute (you know this already, most likely). But I do think it's one of the most meaningful ways to show you care for someone--giving them your precious time. Doing something cheap, but special--like talking with a friend over for tea at your apartment. Or volunteering at a nursing home. I just finished "A New Kind of Christian" by McLaren (read it, please!) and was struck/stricken? struck (my grammar's getting bad!) by an idea in it, among others: "Generosity [is] one of the most important spiritual disciplines [and] greed [is] one of the soul's worst poisons." Ooh--I hate the idea of my soul being poisoned! That's so--frightening. I do think the Christian concept that this world is not our home and storing up treasure here is ultimately vain is really important. Revolutionary--at least to our nature as humans.
Dude, it's getting late, so I better go to bed. But I'll be in touch (oh, that's another one of my goals--to be in touch with all of you dearly loved ones).
Love, love, love,
Your Cate
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Apartment
Gooood news! I found an apartment that I like, and my roommates picked me as their roommate out of a list of people. So, that's exciting! I move in Friday.
More later! I'm going out with Biz and her AWESOME Colombian roommate tonight. :) Yay! Espana!!
More later! I'm going out with Biz and her AWESOME Colombian roommate tonight. :) Yay! Espana!!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A week in Spain
Toledo at nightIt honestly feels like I've been here for a year already. Or, at least a month. I'm a bit homesick today :(. I want my mommy! Just kidding--that's always how traveling is at the beginning. Then it starts flying by.
Biz and I are really tired of forking out money to hostels, so tonight will hopefully be our last night at Residencia La Luna. We're looking at two apartments tonight then making a decision about who will take which one among all the ones we've seen. I'm going to miss Biz--we usually talk for a good while every night, but I'm sure we'll still do slumber parties or something when we're apart. I bought the second season of "The Office" before I left, so we'll definitely have Office marathons, or something fun. And potlucks with the other English teachers--we've already planned on those :).
I'm just growing up right before my very eyes. Moving to Spain and living with Spanish people? This is exciting--but scary, honestly.
Yesterday Biz, this guy Ben and I had our first Spanish class--it was GREAT! All immersion, but slow and understandable! I'm hoping to keep taking Spanish classes after this month. Hopefully by next month we'll know not to order pig brains on the tapas menu... Of all the selections, that's what Biz decided to point to in Toledo over the weekend. I don't recommend them--the texture... is unbearable.
But, Toledo was awesome! It's a really historic town with a diverse background. There's a lot of amazing Muslim architecture, plus gorgeous cathedrals and Jewish mosques. The streets are narrow and labrynth-like. A lot of people say it looks like the Middle East. I loved it. I want to go back for the world's only Visigoth mass in Mozarabic--doesn't that sound intriguing? It used to be the Visigoth capital, then it was the Spanish capital. It's also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. I'll take you there when you come visit! ;)
I miss you guys! :( I hope to post pictures soon, but I need to invest in a power converter before I can charge my computer, which is a lot of Euros! Also, I'll post my address as soon as I know it so I can start getting REAL MAIL! Yay! hehehe
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