Beauty Is In The Eye of the Beholder

It's common for people to ask what's your favorite part of being abroad or what's the most amazing thing you've seen, whether it be the places you've visited, the people you've met, etc. I will tell you all that the most beautiful thing that I have seen was not found in the markets of Morocco, or the mountains of Granada, or even in the breath-taking Mediterranean sea.

I have been working as a Language and Culture Assistant since October and over this period of time I have been observing the children in my school. Comparing my experience in the U.S schools and in schools in Spain has led me to believe that, in many ways, kids all over the world are the same. They all freak out when you cut in line. They say whatever is on their minds. They all get deeply upset when a student they “tag” doesn’t become the tagger. They cry when they are sad. They smile when they are happy. They laugh. They are kids. Kids all over the world have so many similarities. However, they are not all the same. In many ways they are very different, each with their own unique story.

Every Wednesday afternoon I go to one of my favorite classes, 2^.C. I walk into the class and am greeted by 25 6 and 7 year olds, each giving me hugs and dos besos. Included in this crazy, frantic mix of students is a child named David. David has grown to become one of my favorite students. He is 7 years old and in his 7 years he has endured many terrible things. For the sake of privacy I will just say that his life has been extremely difficult, and you will have to believe me. Because of reasons beyond his control, he wasn’t able to start school until way later than the rest of the children in his grade. Starting school so late and never practicing things like using scissors or coloring with markers at home caused a delay in his motor skill development. He is also very behind in his reading and in other subject areas. Last year he was very angry and almost never smiled. This year he has shown a dramatic improvement and is, for the most part, a happy child.

So why am I writing this? I’m writing to tell you about something so special and significant with this class. A lot of times myself and the classroom teacher, Ana, will modify things for David. Whenever David gets an answer correct, can you guess what happens? The class cheers. The entire class CHEERS! The room is filled with “Toma David!” or “Bien, tio!” The applause is so loud that the class next door can always hear. As I listen to my students congratulating their classmate and watch his face completely light up, I cannot help but to tear up. These kids believe in their friend. They support him and they don’t even know his story. I watch as it all passes, taking a deep breath, wiping the tears from my eyes, and thinking that this is truly the most beautiful thing I have seen in Spain. Not all of the gorgeous landscapes or the historical monuments but the beauty that exists within each of these children. The demonstration of true love and support….that, my friends, is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

A Little Taste of America

This past week we had a week off school (thank you, Semana Blanca). Instead of doing any big traveling, Jessica and I decided to spend the first part of the week by the beach in Málaga (tough life, I know) and the second part traveling to a little, beautiful place called Rota. We had no idea of the adventures that were to come!

Rota is located in the province of Cádiz, about four hours west of Málaga. We arrived in Cádiz capital and took the ferry over to Rota. It's a gorgeous little beach town that is settled on the Atlantic Ocean and man was it good to see the Atlantic again! Living on the Mediterranean, Jessica and I had almost forgotten what ACTUAL waves looked like. The town itself is absolutely gorgeous with it's white buildings, narrow streets, and beautiful beaches.Our few days in Rota were spent eating delicious Chinese food and pizza, going to the beach, venturing to some amazing bars\pubs, and meeting lots of really amazing people. We have already decided to return very soon!

Aside from it being such a beautiful place, I have to say the coolest part about Rota is the American Naval Base. We met so many amazing people in the military and it really made me feel like I was back in Virginia Beach, where I am constantly surrounded by the military. I even met a few people who are stationed in VA Beach- what a small world! Rota was unique because it was like a little taste of America in a foreign place. Jessica and I, being extremely supportive of the U.S military, were reminded of how much we truly love and appreciate our country. Although I love being in Spain, my roots are American and I look forward to returning.

Rota was a great reminder of home. My days left in Spain are numbered (literally) but I am going to enjoy my last few months abroad and look forward to watch the United States brings in June.

Since you're already here, check out my favorite website. http://welcomehomeblog.com/

¡Qué guapos sois! El día de andalucía

Today at our school we celebrated el día de andalucía (Andalucia Day). The day commemorates the joining of Andalucia to the autonomous region of Spain and is celebrated all over Andalucia. We ate a traditional Andalusian breakfast, which consisted of toast with olive oil, orange juice, and of course, cafe con leche. After breakfast we came to the back patio and the celebrations began! Students were dressed up in los trajes de gitanas (traditional flamenco outfits), and let me tell you they were a sight for sore eyes. I am pretty biased in thinking that my students are the cutest kids on the planet, but today definitely confirmed that. No competition :). They carried small flags and other drawings symbolic to Andalucia. There was singing ("Al Andalus" by my fifth and sixth graders and the hymn of Andalucia by my first and second graders), dancing, story telling, and even a skate show! I was proud to be a part of this special day.

With my amazing bilingual coordinator, Susana!

Me and Keri, the other auxiliar!

Here is a short video of my first and second graders singing the Hymn of Andalucia. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IqhH97dsRo

My Beef wtih Homesickness

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

I know what some of you are already thinking, "How can you be homesick? You're living in beautiful SPAIN on the Mediterranean Coast!" That may be true and let me tell you Málaga is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. But living abroad for an extended period of time is such an interesting journey. I have talked about the roller-coaster emotions in an earlier blog (See Como Te Va) so I will not rehash them in this one. Instead, I want to offer some advice to my fellow language and culture assistants in Spain, about ways that help me cope with homesickness. Hopefully they will give you fresh perspective and help you as well.

1. Going to the beach- I am very fortunate to live in a city with a gorgeous beach. For me, going down by the la playa is extremely soothing. Although I am from the beach (shout out to my lovely 757ers) I can honestly say that our piece of the Atlantic doesn't compare to the gorgeous Mediterranean (sorry!). Walking or running along the boardwalk, enjoying a drink at one of the many chiringuitos, tomando sol (sun bathing), sitting under the shaded palm trees, swimming in the crystal clear water, having a picnic, or sitting on rocks by the water all are different ways I enjoy the beach. Simply being down there, knowing that I will not have the same atmosphere at home helps me a great deal.


2. Start a new hobby- We have the luxury of only having 12 hour work weeks which equates to having A LOT of free time. This can be a good or bad thing. I have started running down by the beach to take up some of my time as well as learning to become a better runner. I have never enjoyed running and honestly I've never been very good at it. I have the time here where I can really dedicate myself to it, and that has helped a great deal. Plus, all of the wonderful tapas, wine, bread and cheese is not going to work itself off. ;). Maybe running is not your thing, pick a different hobby! Cooking, photography, exercising, writing, salsa dancing! The options are endless.

3. Teach clases particulares (private classes)- tutoring English on the side is a great way to make a professional impact in someone's life and to earn some extra money doing so. I was tutoring 7 hours a week up until January and now I am only tutoring 2 hours a week. You decide what's best for you. At the beginning I really needed those extra 7 hours to keep myself busy. For the second half of the year I have decided to only teach 2 hours, so I am still occupying my time but also having time to enjoy my last few months in Málaga.


4. Spend time outside- I know this sounds crazy but honestly being outside really helps! We are blessed with good weather (most of the time) in Malaga. However, the temperature inside our apartment is FREEZING. I am always cold in our apartment and I feel like Jessica and I are not the only ones. Having no insulation and living in a shaded area will do that to you. Spending time outside not only thaws me out, but it gives me a great change of scenery. Staying inside my apartment all of the time contributes to missing home, and freezing while doing so. Go outside!

5. Travel- Traveling on the weekends gives you something to look forward to! Venture out to a new country, or even a new city in Spain. Take a day trip somewhere. Traveling will give you something to look forward to and will take your mind off of your homesickness.







7. Spending time with Americans- I know we want to immerse ourselves in the Spanish culture and not only surround ourselves with Americans, but I think that we should have a balance. Hang out with your Spanish or international friends, but also have some American friends in your area or in another area in Spain that you can keep in touch with. Sometimes it's comforting to be reminded of your roots and to have that kind of support.







8. Go to a coffee house- Go to a coffee house to meet up with friends, have an intercambio, or even surf the web in an area that is outside of your apartment. There is a wonderful place in Málaga called Cafe con Libros that I have become obsessed with. If I have lessons to plan or other work to do, I try to make myself do it at this coffee house so I can 1) enjoy amazing cafe con leche and 2) still be productive but in a social setting.


9. Do things that you know you can't do in the states- Buy cheap wine at a chino store, eat tapas, take a siesta (without feeling guilty that you're taking a nap!), go to a discoteca at 3am and dance until sunrise, etc. Looking back, you won't regret taking advantage of things that Spain has to offer.


I hope that this advice helps you. I'll leave you with these quotes.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” -Samuel Johnson

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” -Lin Yutang

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -St. Augustine

A Heart That Loves is Always Young

I got to spend this Valentine's day with a special first grade class in Alhaurin de la Torre. My students made valentines for my friend and college roommate's kindergarten class in North Carolina. Each student made a heart shaped valentine card with "Happy Valentine's Day" on the front and a message in English on the back. Their faces lit up when I told them that students in America would be receiving their cards and in return they would each receive a valentine from a student in Mindi's class. Of course I had to show them the world map to remind them where North Carolina and the United States are located. It was a wonderful day :).

Where I'm From...

This morning I went for a walk\jog by the beach and stopped to read for awhile. I really enjoy my time by the beach and try to spend as much time there as possible. Walking or running in the sand, people watching, and listening to the smooth sounds of the Mediterranean creates something within my soul that forces me to take a step back and reflect. I can't say that I really mind this, I think that reflection is good for the soul.

Jason Michael Carrol's song "Where I'm From" starting playing on my ipod and I began to think about the states and my family. Country music inevitably makes me think of home. Don't get me wrong, I don't own a pair of cowgirl boots and I'm honestly not the first one to attend a "hoe-down" on a barn, but there is something so special about being from the South. I miss fried chicken, country concerts, biscuits and gravey, sweet accents, southern hospitality, and even the humid summer weather. I think about home and my family a lot, but I'm in no way ready to leave and I'm grateful that I still have several months left in Malaga. I am definitely enjoying my time here, and thankful that being here has also helped me to realize all of the things I love about the states, as well as being reminded of what a wonderful family I have.

I miss them more than ever, and I'm realizing each day how much I have taken them for granted. My wonderful father who has sacrificed so much for us, who is hard working, protective, fun to be around, and who inspires us to be all that we can be. My sweet mother who wants to give us the world, whose laughter is contagious, and who would never judge us for our mistakes. I admire the way they have chosen to raise us, and I wish I could be even a fraction of how magnificent they are. My amazing sister, who has grown into such a strong, beautiful young lady and who I aspire to be like. She will never fully know how proud of her I am. My lovable (sometimes ;)) brother who is talented, who can always make me laugh (even when he's not trying to), and who possesses extreme loyalty and dependence. My grandparents who have been such a huge part of our lives- constantly sacrificing for us and demonstrating all of the kindness and selflessness in the world. My grandmother, who is a walking inspiration, and whose strength I admire deeply. My aunts, uncles, and cousins, who are fun-loving, care-free, and free spirited- I hope to be like them one day.

It's interesting how life takes us places we never thought we would be. I never thought I would live in Spain, period. Now here I am, realizing what a blessed life I live. I am so thankful.

To my family members who may read this. Know that I love you, I'm thinking of you always, and I am thankful beyond words for your love.

Always, Kerianne