Anxious in Madrid

Feeling anxious, nervous and happy about starting orientation this Monday at Las Acacias. I will go in to the program with an open mind and heart because this experience will not repeat itself unless we renew our contracts which looks very probable.

I am currently in a dilemma because the Master´s that I wanted to do only had a morning schedule and I will be working with the kids in the morning; plan A to the drain. There is a possibility that I may take a language class, preferably Portuguese but if schedules conflict then it will be Italian (second level). Yes, I can spend all my afternoons at the Retiro park but it will get old by the second week. I need to keep busy and take advantage of this time. To know the time schedule that I will have in C.E.I.P. Rayuela, I will need to either meet with directors or wait. The deadline to enroll into a class is October 2nd!

At times I do feel out of place but it must be normal because I am so far away from my comfort zone and familiar faces. I tend to miss my parents,brother, friends, nephews, sister-in-law and other people.

I finally found a church and it happens to be five to ten minutes away from my place :).

Ciao!

New Place

Just moved into my room in Moncloa where all you can hear at night is students having too much fun from 12-3 am. I'm renting a room from an older lady who needs help paying and Maria to the rescue. I usually get along with older people but my roomie is a bit different; not only does she forget things but gets bothered when I misstake the recycling garbage with regular. Come on, I'm new at this! I hope our relationship will be nice because at the moment it's not what I want.
I was looking for a Language Institution in Moncloa that is very good but nobody knew where it was, I walked for an hour in half and didn't find the Institution. If I had internet in the lady's place I would have looked a up. I miss the internet.
I never thought I would be missing LA and wanting for school to start ASAP! Yes, I've been sight seeing but it's a bit different when you know that you are a tourist as to someone who will be here for a year.

I've been waiting for a year to have dinner at Delfos, last year it was closed due to being August and everybody goes on vacation so, I can't wait to try it ouy.

Tomorrow I will be watching a full soccer game, well I'll try not to sleep but I do intent to watch Real Madrid v's Espayol.

Greetings from Madrid

Flying first class from LA to London is really nice! My dvd screen in my original seat was not working so, I got pulled to first class for the whole flight but I almost lost my flight to Madrid for reason I prefer not to say :). My taxi ride from Barajas to my place was nice but I looked at the city with different eyes: not tourist but somebody who will live here.

Today was a full morning of running errands: buy hangers, open a bank account, pick up mail and eat. Of course I got lost when looking for the Correos but I had to get out of my shell and ask people. I did and found out that Madrileños are not so bad: I asked older people for help.

In order for opening a bank account I have to wait to get my NIE number which is similar to the US social security but primarily to have all of your information and track you down (If I`m mistaken, please correct). Bought a cellular chip for my phone, I hope it all works out and I don`t have to spend on a phone. Still looking for an apartment........

We had beautiful weather today, not too hot & not cold. Fall here we come.

All day was full of observing kids because I wonder how my kids will be like. Of course it will take time for them to warm up with me but just having a little eye view of how children interact. I can;t wait to start my orientation which begins September 24th in Las Acacias.

I miss my parent`s a lot, hearing their voice helps me and knowing that they are doing well. My Christmas plans have changed since now they want me in LA and I want to also: to Kayak.com it is.

Ciao for now!

Phoenix

Went to visit my brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews in Phoenix for five days :). By 8am it was already 100 degrees outside which made me really lazy! I wanted to see my nephews before I left to Madrid for a year and also my niece who is on the way.
I truly enjoy getting on a plane and visiting people who I cherish at the last minute; freedom is great.
Knowing that I will miss my niece or nephew birth is sad because I've been there for the first two, not the actual birth but an hour after. Skype will have to do the job while I'm in Madrid.

Packing for a year is stressful!! Any suggestions?

All from scratch

Hello!
The reason I decided to start blogging is because I'm embarking on a new adventure of my life. I will be teaching English & American culture to elementary kids in Madrid, Spain.
The school is called Ceip Rayuela in Villanueva del Pardillo!
I will be leaving my parents house for the first time. I will miss them a lot but we all know that I need to grow up a bit more and travel.

Looking for a roommate is both nerve wracking and difficult because I have to be in Madrid physically :(. I met another Auxillar from the program will be living in Andalucia and will be paying 150 euros but I will pay about 450 euros!! Crazy!

I'm going to Santa Monica right now, saying bye to LA!

Ciao :)!