Today, if my teaching contract were a marathon, I'd be half way done. However, unfortunately and perhaps fortunately, as I did choose that dare for myself, the physicality of that feat is yet to come (Paris, April 15th. Bring.It.On.)
But that's just a side note, let's bring it back to my original thread here, I was sipping on a cafe con leche (coffee with milk, my usual order) when this date dawned on me. I have been living in Spain since October and while that is nothing compared to my 11 month admission to China, Thanksgiving has come and gone, along with the likes of Christmas, New Years and even the day of the ground hog's shadow.
Time can be fickle, like money in a crisis, but while the days have sped by, my time has felt well spent. As in, it seems like I just got here, but so much truly has happened. Here are the highlights broken down; 3 months and two weeks in Spain:
*First and foremost, I've improved my Spanish. Without a doubt, the most humbling experience of this year. In the end, however, I've quelled many of those moments of frustration and feelings of irrational stupidity and moreover, moved beyond my inner reservations and insecurities to bring me here: a pleasant journey of progress.
*Discovering that the more I teach my own language, the less it makes sense.
*Hiking Cazorla, picture above, and reminding myself that I can never stop moving or exploring (insert North Face advert here, though that was unintentional).
*Riding a camel in the Sahara and coming to the understanding that a.) it's terribly uncomfortable and b.) I was quite out of shape, as my body ached from only two hours of camel lurching.
*Finding that sometimes pizza in the U.S. can taste better than the authentic Italian version, if said "authentic" version is cooked up in a place that looks like it should have that word tacked outside.
*Running through Madrid's Parque Retiro and feeling like I could get lost.
*Learning not all claps are the same and the art of the flamenco clap is one that has no predictable beat to try and pretend.
*Seeing the Alhambra and beholding its mystery and lost years.
*Dancing until the sun has risen and not regretting it, but certainly having some remorse about the red wine stain that has taken up residence on my teeth and lips.
*Experiencing the New Year in the heart of Rome with a bottle of Champagne and the threat of impending fireworks exploding haphazardly nearby, but surviving without a scratch.
*Trying and loving Jamon Serrano (Spain's famous ham), yes, a gift from God.
*Running circles through Baeza's olive trees and passing by the same old man with his cane and smile.
*Touring an olive oil factory and learning that an olive with a few hundred more can be processed from tree to extra virgin in just one day, but also learning that some Andalusian will never be understood in their "special Spanish", try as I might.
*Following Picasso's art trail through Spain and admiring Picasso's photographed progress of La Guernica.
*Knowing Baeza will always free tapas and thus a reassuring answer to my low paycheck.
But that's just a side note, let's bring it back to my original thread here, I was sipping on a cafe con leche (coffee with milk, my usual order) when this date dawned on me. I have been living in Spain since October and while that is nothing compared to my 11 month admission to China, Thanksgiving has come and gone, along with the likes of Christmas, New Years and even the day of the ground hog's shadow.
Time can be fickle, like money in a crisis, but while the days have sped by, my time has felt well spent. As in, it seems like I just got here, but so much truly has happened. Here are the highlights broken down; 3 months and two weeks in Spain:
*Discovering that the more I teach my own language, the less it makes sense.
*Hiking Cazorla, picture above, and reminding myself that I can never stop moving or exploring (insert North Face advert here, though that was unintentional).
*Riding a camel in the Sahara and coming to the understanding that a.) it's terribly uncomfortable and b.) I was quite out of shape, as my body ached from only two hours of camel lurching.
*Finding that sometimes pizza in the U.S. can taste better than the authentic Italian version, if said "authentic" version is cooked up in a place that looks like it should have that word tacked outside.
*Running through Madrid's Parque Retiro and feeling like I could get lost.
*Learning not all claps are the same and the art of the flamenco clap is one that has no predictable beat to try and pretend.
*Seeing the Alhambra and beholding its mystery and lost years.
*Dancing until the sun has risen and not regretting it, but certainly having some remorse about the red wine stain that has taken up residence on my teeth and lips.
*Experiencing the New Year in the heart of Rome with a bottle of Champagne and the threat of impending fireworks exploding haphazardly nearby, but surviving without a scratch.
*Trying and loving Jamon Serrano (Spain's famous ham), yes, a gift from God.
*Running circles through Baeza's olive trees and passing by the same old man with his cane and smile.
*Touring an olive oil factory and learning that an olive with a few hundred more can be processed from tree to extra virgin in just one day, but also learning that some Andalusian will never be understood in their "special Spanish", try as I might.
*Following Picasso's art trail through Spain and admiring Picasso's photographed progress of La Guernica.
*Knowing Baeza will always free tapas and thus a reassuring answer to my low paycheck.
(The Alhambra)
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