Coddiwompling

Another new experience, my first major holiday in Spain. This year, had I been in Texas, I would've been home in Boerne. My parents, Alexis, and I would be driving to Uvalde for a feast and lots of love. Previously, I never would've claimed Thanksgiving as a favorite holiday, but when you're 5,228 miles you miss the things you took for granted. The feast that comes with Thanksgiving - the mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, mountain of bread rolls, the classic turkey, the better ham (in my opinion), and my personal favorite stuffing!! I got lucky with two large families, there's so much love squeezed into the room where we all eat. It is perfect. There's so much loud conversation and laughter. All the younger kids are playing and running around; MJ, Alexis and I claiming our spots in line and at the best table; the adults are chatting about anything that can be chattered about. After my first plate of food, I nap in one of MJ's huge comfy recliner...

I’m not sure what the age is when you become fixated on thinking about “what’s next?”. But if you aren’t working at a stable job that you thoroughly enjoy or in school going after the job you have dreamed of, then it seems that you have to wonder what is next for you. The first semester of my senior year at the University of Houston I started admitting to myself that I really had no idea what I wanted to do once I graduated. HOWEVER, I did know I didn’t want to go get my masters yet or start another few years of school. And I didn’t want a desk job (not that my major really prepared me for a desk job). I was working as a pharmacy technician and I was happy at work, but I knew I wanted to travel. I casually mentioned to friends and family that I wanted to go teach English abroad... I don’t really recall the reactions from everyone. I do remember my dad being happy it was Spain that I chose, after initially saying Thailand and than just joining the peace corps. Spain - It became a r...

After a long week, coming home early on a Friday afternoon wasn't giving the normal happinesss it usually brings. Usually I am overly excited for a weekend to explore more of Spain, after completing a week of doing my best at teaching the English language to 8-12 year olds, but this Friday felt different. This week was much harder than the past weeks, the students were more difficult than I am accustomed to (just ask my mom). I was frustrated and exhausted and the only thing I wanted this Friday afternoon was to be surrounded by my people who know me best. I wanted to walk into their rooms and just lay down at the end of their beds and vent or plan a wine and cheese night. But being in a foreign country, all I had was myself and my phone to communicate with. Luckily, Jesus showed me once again He is always one step ahead. I heard my host family come home and then my host sister, Lucia, coming down the stairs. She went into a closet and came out carrying a large pan and told me ...

welllllll, technically a month and a few days now. There's so many emotions, so many days, so many experiences!!! I never imagined how much I would learn about teaching, about living with people in another country, and about myself. Teaching is chaotic alllll the time. Even when there is a test something will happen, some kid will start something, and then another kid will respond. I have learned to always have a backup plan - whether it is playing Simon Says or Jeopardy or a simple "copy what I do". Fourth graders are way easier to control and appear more eager to try speaking English. It is such a satisfying feeling having students attempt to explain in English, even if they don't know the words. This family has blown my mind. They have been everything I could've imagined and more! It blows my mind that this family, and my next 2 host families, are so open and so welcoming to a stranger living in their house. I am so lucky for them and for this opportunity...