Thursday October 8th

Today is Thursday and I have been in Spain for about a week and a half now. I am really loving Don Benito. It has everything I need, and it’s a real friendly place.

I just signed up for Sevillanas classes. That is a dance originating from Sevilla. Its kind of similar to Flamenco. It was a pretty good deal. I start classes next Thursday and I will continue until I leave at the beginning of June.

I went to school for the first time on Monday and it was kind of overwhelming, but the students seemed pretty interested in me and the US. I taught my first lessons on Wednesday. I did one presentation about myself, my family, my university, and my hobbies. I showed them a video of NC State football because that doesnt really exist in Spain. I explained that it was kind of like rugby, but they get super confused because fútbol is soccer, so the words just mix them up like crazy. I was trying hard to get them all to love NC State by saying they were the best team. But I don’t think they really care. I was hoping to have like a whole school in Spain loving NC State so when they come to the US they know whats up :)

I also taught a lesson on the central nervous system. They just decided to make the school a bilingual school but its not going very well. They don’t really understand much English at all. But, I still thought the lessons both went pretty well. I definitely feel more prepared for this job than I thought I would be. Most language assistants have never had any teaching experience so I know I have it a little easier.

This weekend I am going to visit Guadalupe. It’s a small town north of here. A lot of people make pilgrimages there so it definitely has some value. The teacher I am working with is taking me so she can show me around. She used to work in that area so she knows what going on. I have off Monday because it’s a national holiday so I have a pretty laid back weekend ahead of me. Spain, you are so wonderful