thanksgiving

Today Senaida and I went to a Thanksgiving dinner at Patricia's house in Mejorada del Campo, a small town outside of Madrid. It was so nice to get out of the city and be in a warm family atmosphere. It was Patricia, her Spanish husband, and their two boys; another American woman and her Spanish husband, their two boys; an Argentinian woman and her Spanish husband and their son. It was such a great environment...the sound of Spanish and English being spoken across the table; delicious American Thanksgiving classics like turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, and an assortment of apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies; Argentinian morcilla and pear empanadas; homemade applesauce (my contribution!); and Spanish wine! It was such a lovely dinner! ...Just what I needed : )

very thankful this year

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the first Thanksgiving ever that I haven't been home to spend it with my family. But it's strange because here it's just like any other Thursday--I had to work! But after work, I met up with my study abroad director, Patricia, for lunch at La Gavia, a huge American-style mall south of the city. She is such a sweetheart and I am so thankful to have her here in Madrid.

2010 has been a year of growth and change; I graduated from college, left the following day to spend two weeks with a group of Ripon students in Barcelona, and then went to Italy to work as an English tutor for the summer. Now, I'm back in Spain, living and working on my own. The sense of independence I have now is something I never could have imagined. Sometimes I forget how incredible everything I'm doing really is... I know, though, that I never would have been able to set out on this incredible journey of personal growth and change without the support of my family and my friends back home. My mom, especially, has been such a source of strength and support. She gave me her blessing after graduation to chase my dreams, no matter where they lead me, and that's exactly what I'm doing.

no can do...

So the Colegio in Majadahonda emailed me back and said the position was for the "jornada completa"...meaning 9:00-5:30...and they asked if I was interested in an interview. If I got it, I know I would be paid probably 3-4 times more than I'm making now, but I don't think I have the right visa to work full-time. Plus, I have to fulfill my obligations as an Auxiliar. So I told them I couldn't. But maybe another year! ; )

you want my curriculum?!

I never heard anything about the nannying job I interviewed for a month ago, and I would love to have some extra dinero, so on Sunday I posted a classified ad on two websites offering myself as a native English-speaking babysitter to pick up kids from school and accompany them to extracurricular activities. On Tuesday, I received an email from a family with a 13 month-old baby. They said that they already have a nanny, but they are looking to supplement that with a native English-speaking babysitter so the baby learns English. They also live really close, which would be great. I replied with my availability and my rate (after talking to some of the teachers at school, I decided to charge 12 euros/hour). I also asked them what the babysitting situation would be like; would I be alone with the child, or would one of the parents or the nanny be there, do I need to give the baby a snack, etc. I haven't heard anything back....

Then, on Thursday, I received an email from a private elementary school in Majadahonda, a very posh area outside Madrid. They said they need primary English teachers and asked if I would be interested. They said to send my curriculum! I'm not sure if they're looking for a full-time teacher, or if I would be able to do this in addition to what I'm currently doing, but I'm going to send my curriculum (even if it's in English...)! My flatmate said to just go ahead and send it, even if it's in English; and I can write a little introduction blurp in Spanish. So yesterday afternoon I worked on my perfecting my curriculum! I called my mom on her way to work and together we chose the right verbs and the best descriptions for my activities and past work experience, so we'll see what happens!

One thing is for certain: I have the best mother in the world. When I told her about the job opportunity working as an English teacher in a private elementary school, without hesitating she told me to go for it! She is so supportive of me and all of my (sometimes crazy) endeavors. I am so lucky. I can't wait to see her! She is coming in TWO weeks with her best friend to visit me and we're going to Paris and Barcelona too! I am so excited! : ) It's also her birthday on Monday, so I am going to start looking for the perfect birthday present, and maybe get some ideas for Christmas too! I'm excited to do my Christmas shopping in Spain this year! Some pretty sweet gifts are in order! : )

besos desde madrid
XOXO

retail therapy.

Today I did some serious shopping! Yesterday, my host mom told me about a little market that was going on near her house with sale prices up to 90% off so, of course, I had to check it out! It was a famous Spanish brand, Flanemco, and normally their stuff is expensive, but at the market, I bought a purple cordoroy coat for 30 euros and two other shirts for 25 each. The style of the line is very Spanish, but it has kind of an indie flair...I love it!

I also went to H&M and I bought a sweater, a scarf and a long-sleeved t-shirt...I should have brought warmer clothes! I can't believe how cold it is already! ...I guess I'll just have to do more shopping : )

MTV Day en Madrid

This weekend MTV's European Music Awards (EMAs) were presented in Madrid. Hosted by Eva Longoria and presented in the Caja Mágica, outside the city. As a part of the celebration, MTV put on a series of free outdoor concerts in the Puerta de Alcalá on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was MTV Day and featured the Spanish artists Efecto Mariposa, Fangoria, and David Bisbal. I only knew one song, "Waving Flag," which David Bisbal performed for the World Cup; but it was a ton of fun to be outside, in a crowd of Spaniards singing, and listening to free live music! Sunday's concerts featured American groups 30 Seconds to Mars, Katy Perry, and Linkin Park. I thought people would be most excited to see Katy Perry, but apparently Spain LOVES Linkin Park! Linkin Park did put on a pretty good show and, in fact, they won the award for Best Live, so it was neat to see them perform! I also appreciated that they prepared a phrase in Spanish! At the end of their performance, they said (in Spanish), "Thank you for coming. It has been a pleasure to be here with all of you in Madrid." It was so cute! 30 Seconds to Mars also put on a really good show. The lead singer really got the crowd involved and jumping! Right away he told everyone to come closer--and we did! We moved up probably 15-20 feet! It was crowded, but fun! I didn't know any of their music, but I really enjoyed their performance. Katy Perry didn't seem very enthusiastic to be performing, and even though I knew most of her songs, I wasn't that impressed with her performance. She didn't do very much to involve the crowd, she kept trying to say Madrid with a Spanish accent and it was just annoying, and her outfit was really ugly... But, hey, it was free! I went with my friend Jackie and I took tons of pictures!

happy halloween

happy halloween from a 1920s flapper!

This weekend I went out with Senaida, a lovely girl I work with at school and we had a blast! Saturday night we went out near sol, drinking some sangria, mojitos, and dancing the night away! Sunday night we went to a Latin American salsa bar, where we danced until 6am! It was so much fun!

P.S. I also joined a gym in my neighborhood on Saturday, so I'm excited to start working out again! ...and meet new people!


xo
christy