Sunday's Dinner Party- 4.21.13

Sunday, Loli hosted what is a monthly dinner party at her house. I knew there was something going on...well at first I didn't until I seen all the tables in the front yard and the lights being put up around them. I asked if there was going to be a party and she said yes. I wished it would have been on Saturday night because I left the party (to go upstairs to sleep) at 11am just before the dancing begun. (Everyone was 60 years and up). But that was alright. They also began to drink hard liquir right before I went to bed. They offered me some rum that everyone was drinking. I said no thank you, but they don't understand no, they give it to you anyways. They gave me a tad, or drop, just a tad of rum and it was strong. Now I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to sleep or wake up on time! It was my first week on my own because my co-op left to London on Saturday with the year 8 class. I was to be with a cover teacher (Sub) for every lesson. They don't pay subs, they use their staff that have breaks. Because every teacher has about 3-4 hours of break everyday, theres always someone able to be on cover. 

These are picture of the food they had. Everyone just took a bit from each plate and thats what we had for dinner. Above, shrimp-which I've never seen like this and ham and crackers. 

There were 2 tables filled with the same things. 

My favorite: cheese and crackers! 

Ham, Ham, HAM!!!

I got really excited when someone put this on the table. I thought it was flan. Well, after I asked, a lady put some on break and after giving it to me said its duck liver. :O. I had to eat it of course in front of her because she was waiting. It was quiet good, except the thought of it. 

Everyone was nice. I think all of her friends from university (they all take night classes at a medical school) are quiet well off and professionals perhaps. 

There goes Candy. 

Candy and Loli

This lady in the middle was so funny! She reminded me of our neighbors mother across the street. She was hyper, excited and overjoyed of meeting me. 

The only drink available was sangria. I think someone made it? It was good, not too strong (not like I would know how strong it would be).The lady in the back was symboling that she needed a glass. 

Everyone is happy that the lights outside worked and were finally on.

This is an English teacher but I don't think she was welcomed here. Even Candy told me she wasn't invited, but she somehow always finds out about these dinner parties. 

Week of April 15-20, 2013

My first "official" lesson was to year 7. In America they would be like 6th graders. I started Animal poetry with them but before that my co-op said it should be fun, which I also believe. We took them outside to be "ants" and by hearing sounds of their classmates clapping, they were to use their senses and follow the sound. Each clasp meant a different step. It was fun, funny and got them involved. 

One day I came out of school and seen a "fulbol" game going on. Its a huge sport in Spain. One of the soccer players I've learned about is Messi. He is considered one of the best soccer players in Spain.

This is also the playground. Students get half an hour break everyday, all grades. 

There are two sides of the playground. Like my elementary school "Carter n McCrae, its divided by ages. My school has primary students and secondary students. THis is usually where the elementary students take their break and play. They line up around the circles when the bell rings. 

This sign is outside the school, right in front of the door. 

This is where I bought my bike, and also where I got my bike seat stolen the second week I had it. I got a new seat but now I'm so conscious of my bike when I go there to shop. This place is a mall but also has a huge grocery store like Walmart inside. 

This is what I see before arriving at Carre Four- the shopping center. 

I spend so much time with Candy. She is Loli's mom. She is so sweet, and quiet. She spends most of her day outside sitting. I join her when I get home from school.

My first teacher invite! Saturday April 20th I got invited for a drink at the plaza Corredera. Its a nice place..it really is a place for socializing while you have a drink=alcoholic and non alcoholic. 

From left to right: Blonde: I just met her, I don't see her much so I don't know what she teaches but her name is Lisa, next is our part time french teacher in secondary name Laure, Ive gone to breakfast with her twice now. I'm next :) and then Hannah, who teaches biology in the secondary and who is also my co-ops best friend, they look cute together too. Last but not least is Laura. She was the one who invited me and called me to see where I was the night of..I was like 5 minutes late because of the taxi and traffic. This plaza is near the Mezquito and like 45 minutes walking from my place. Laura lives in the Corredera. She likes it. Laura is also the first teacher I know that doesn't speak spanish, Laure understands but doesn't speak much also. Hannah lived in Costa Rica for several years, I'm sure her spanish is better than mine- vocabulary especially. 

Saturday April 13, 2013

I did some work outside in the patio and Loli brought out the appetizer. It was sweet of her. 

Ham, bread sticks, cheese, and the first time I had soda in her house. We normally have water to drink during dinner and lunch. 

This is the front part of the patio, well a quarter of it. 

This is right next to the picture taken above. The gates is where cars come in and go, and we do as well. Every home in Cordoba that I have seen so far has a gate entrance. 

This is a side view of the front patio. She has a pool : )

This is the front door entrance of the house after coming in from the gate. 

The French depart : (

Today I stayed later than usual at school. I stayed until 5:40pm and thats like really late for me. Classes end at 4:30pm and begin at 9am. I arrive at school everyday at 8:30pm because all teachers need to be in by 8:45am and I cycle to school so I need extra time to put the bike away and such. Well today was an absolutely boring day at school. I basically sat for the whole day in the staff room which is disappointing. In the states I would have loved to do nothing, (not really, because its not who I am) but because of the stress I guess back then I would have liked it a bit. Here its the last thing I imagine doing and its in my co-ops schedule. He has about 3-4 hours of break every day!!!!! AHHH! And I am not connected to the internet. There are only 3 pc's in the staff work room and they are always occupied by other teachers and I hate being a bother so I don't use them until after school like today for instance. I stayed and printed all I needed for next week. My co-op also only reaches 3 classes today, and one was on a trip to Valencia, but will arrive tomorrow. I teach them tomorrow. I hope I do well. I actually want to do so great that I imagine being asked by the principle for a job. Thats how well I want to do. Thats my goal. I want to teach these kids well and I want to make my co-op proud. He is such an amazing teacher, that I look at him and I just don't know how I got so blessed to be his student teacher. The last thing I would ever want to do is fail him and the students. 

Anyways, I got home and the twins were home. Im starting to think they just like me for my IPAD> lol Really. Thats the first thing they ask for EVERYTIME they see me. And its only been like 4 times so far. Kids don't forget. After like 20 minutes of watching them play a car game on my IPAD, we went outside to play soccer. Those boys can talk forever. They asked if I knew how to play, then immediately began explaining the game to me. I said, "of course I know how to play, I'm Mexican." THey said, ah, okay. Like they knew what I meant. lol 

Then at about 8:15pm the french girls arrived from Granada. I was so happy. I had such a boring day at school, and since I'm still friendless besides the my co-op and Hannah whose my co-ops best friend at work and my host family, I really don't have any friends here yet. How do I make friends is the question? I keep running into guys (okay like 2 so far) but I am nervous to even introduce myself because I'm conscious they might attempt to steal something or fool me. Thats the only bad thing here. How do you know who to trust? Anyways, dinner was excellent like always. Loli is a good cook and even if I know I don't like it, (veggies) I still eat it. I've been eating much healthier since I arrived overseas. Weird huh? The french girls had a good conversations with me. We were teaching each other french and spanish words like knife, spoon, food types. It was great and funny. We took these few pictures and exchanged information. I will miss having friends. 

Their first night at Loli's 

My favorite french girl is in the middle. I cannot pronounce her name but I will continue trying. Can you believe they are just 14 and 13 years old?

They arrived by bus (21 hours from France to Cordoba). They are from the south of France, many many hours from Paris. They are so friendly and funny. Candy, kept laughing at us because none understood anyone for the first 20 minutes of dinner. They are the sweetest! I was so HAPPY to finally meet girls my age (or just make friends). They will be at Loli's until Friday night. :( Until then, I will ENJOY every day I have with them! 

Tuesday with the French 4.9.13

Three french girls are staying with me and my my host family's for the week. They are so sweet. Candy, my host mother's mother, kept laughing so hard because no one understood anyone. Well, it started off with google translator then I began remembering some french words and phrases and they remembered a few words in spanish, but somehow thats how we made it an amazing evening filled with a lot of conversation! I need to continue learning french! What a hilarious night which consisted of Candy, who knows only spanish, three french girls who know french and very little english and spanish and an American girl who loves to converse with the French even if that means I had taken just one semester of french in college! Thank you Jean Francois for being an amazing french professor! But mostly many thanks to God for continuing to put amazing people in my life ♥

Sunday 4.7.13

Riding my bike back towards "Brillante street" which is the street I take to go home. I am getting better at remembering street by landmarks. 

I love the look of these streets but they are so thin. I have to stop and walk with my bike, especially when a bus comes around. 

I think this graffiti image tells a good point and some truth in our society. This picture makes me want to ask my students to tell a story. 

Nearly everyone I see from Cordoba walks in pairs, mostly with the opposite sex. Couples are everywhere and play and state an important cultural custom. Many couples in my host mothers family don't wear rings but live together. Its a cultural thing to move in and its considered okay. 

I was riding my bike on the second bridge with the castle on it and looking down I was expecting blue water but its been raining everyday since I got here, so the water now looks like this. 

Side view of the castle

Castle

The bridge leading to the castle. Its so beautiful and full of tourist. 

The castle entrance.

I think this is flooded. The area with the gate like things is not supposed to be flooded but is. 

I seen like three people on the floor selling and making bracelets for 5 dollars and up. 

I love hearing music playing and sang from people on the street. 

You don't just seen these statues in NYC but in Cordoba too. 

I walked in to the Mosque to the side where the Mass was going to be held at 1pm and a baptismal was finishing up. As I walked in my eyes got so watery. I felt an abundance of joy that filled my spirit. The homily was amazing and that priest had me hanging on to every word of faith he spoke. I NEVER teared up as much as I did in a church before. I wanted to cry but my tears were kept in. It was so beautiful to be in the presence of God but also in the famous Mosque in Cordoba. 

A huge parade (I think) was going to start as I walked out of Mass. It was so crowded with tourist. I had a hard time getting out. 

More images of the church.