First of all, having the internet is the best thing ever! But it's also the worst thing ever. Right now though, I'd say it's more so the best thing ever. Just.... hopefully in the future I won't cling to it like I am doing now!
I just moved into my piso. And I am like, 110% intimidated. There are currently 4 other people in this apartment right now, all native Spaniards, all speaking at the same time, and yet, all still understanding each other. When I try to talk to them, I stumble over my words because I am nervous. I didn't eat with them. I have nothing to eat. No groceries yet, only the shelf-stable bread, digestives, and peanuts that I picked up earlier this week. Oh yeah, and I also have some fruit that isn't ripe yet. (This is what happens when you go to a fruiteria, and aren't allowed to touch the fruit.)
I've been hiding tonight! (Well, that and unpacking my suitcases --all done!) But I didn't come here to hide!
I'm just going to try to go to bed tonight, and let the newness of this thing wear off. And hopefully, in the morning, I will encounter one roommate at a time, and I'll actually be able to speak to them.
I'll be the first to remind you that a few short days ago, the fact that I had this piso was cause for much excitement and celebration. And, it still is. But it's also a huge step. I've never really "moved out" in the US (aside from college housing), and here I am, living on my own in Spain. Do I have cause to feel nervous and intimidated?
This is most definitely a "what the crap am I doing here?" moment!
Pray that tomorrow gives me purpose!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Days 1-3: The Ups, The Downs
I would like to preface this blog by noting that there is a constant up and down swing of emotions to living abroad alone. I knew this is what I would be facing when I got into this whole thing. Days 1-3, this swing is already evident. But, let's hope that with time, the swings will become fewer and farther between.
So, I suppose you may want to hear how things are going then.
Well, the traveling wasn't bad at all. Aside from the fact that we flew in an old, crappy plane that didn't have individual TV screens. Maybe we're just spoiled these days, but that does make for an uncomfortable trip. I didn't have the attention span to watch the movies they showed (Just Wright, the Devil Wears Prada .... really???) at the times they were showing them, so mostly I tried to sleep and listened to my ipod. Overall, it wasn't a bad flight. But the flight was never the worrysome part of the journey.
Seeing as I would be moving for 10 months, I packed 2 suitcases, a carry-on/duffel bag, and my backpack. Maybe for 10 months it isn't a lot (or maybe you think it is), but, it is definitely more than I would have liked to have managed through the train station, taxis, and tiny cobblestone streets. This was the problem that made me lose sleep at night. In reality, as we always find out, these things aren't worth worrying about. Long story short, I shared a taxi to the train station with another girl, despite the fact that our driver was incessantly telling us "no, no, no, you have waaay too much stuff" as he was loading it into the car. I bought a ticket for the train, then found a handy luggage cart, and managed to push my way through the station with no problem, and only a few comments. "All that luggage for just you?" I got to my train car, and was trying to figure out how to load it in, when I just kind of took over the doorway, throwing all of the suitcases in at once, then loading them onto the luggage racks. haha, I must have looked like an idiot. But that's ok. After another taxi ride (this one not so bad, only a few minutes, and only my luggage), I had to walk to the school with everything in hand. Luckily, a girl from the school was sitting in the plaza and offered to help me carry a bag. I definitely appreciated the help. So you see, things always work out. :)
I have been hanging out with two other girls from the program lately. They have been good company. It has been great to have other people around who are in the same situation. It's also helpful for trying to figure out the best means of piso-hunting, etc. I have to admit that I was a little discouraged at first, because they both found something within my first 2 days here, (though they had been here a few days longer than I had), and I felt like the pressure was on to find something that quick, too.
But, as we know, God's timing isn't our own. I faced two days of dejecting phone calls, all telling me that the apartments had already been rented, or that they only wanted to house students. In two days, I hadn't looked at a single room. I was starting to get down, wondering how I was going to afford to pay for a place at the residence hall for much longer. (Afterall, a week-long stay here would cost about the same as a month's rent.) So, this morning, after another rejection, I was laying down, about to take a nap, praying that God would work something out, when the phone rang. Reception was telling me that Miguel, my professor from last year, wanted to talk to me. I was excited, since I haven't seen him yet. A few minutes later, Miguel called, and told me about a woman who wants private English lessons for her two daughters, and asked if I would be interested. (Absolutely!) Then, he told me that she has a room available for rent if I would be interested. (Once again, Absolutely!) Miguel's phone call was the pivotal part of my day. After I spoke with him, Maria Carmen, the woman mentioned above, called to discuss these things with me. I went to look at the piso at 1:00 this afternoon, and I decided right away that I wanted it. After all, this was an answer to my prayers; how could I turn it down? Not only is it in a good location, but it is the right price. Everything that I was looking at was between 200-250E, most of them not including utilities. But this one? 150 + electricity. I didn't have the chance to meet everyone that I will be living with, but there will be 6 of us. 4 girls, 2 boys. 3, I believe, are students, 3 work. I don't know how old they are, but hopefully it will work out well. Plus, Maria Carmen lives in the apartment below it. We decided that every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 I would come over to teach English. Today's developments have put me at ease. As Maria Carmen's mother said, "You have the most important things-- job and housing." Though I'd like to add internet access and a cell phone to that list as well. :)
I am just relieved that this huge weight has been lifted. I am no longer spending my time scrounging for people to call. I can just relax a little bit, until I have to start working.
I also talked to Cristina, my director, today. After months of conversing in Spanish via email, she offered to speak English on the phone. I hope it wasn't because my Spanish was fatal, though it very well may have been. We are planning to meet tonight at 8:30 for coffee, to chat about the job and what I need to do for my NIE and all of those official, pain-in-the-butt necessities of life. It should be good.
Regarding my horrible, fatal Spanish...
It is bad. It always is when I first get here. Though, I have to admit, that I am doing a fairly decent job of making my way around. I have made several phone calls, only a few of which left me scratching my head. So already, I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was when I showed up last summer. But I want to be better.
It doesn't help that I am essentially living in English right now. I am speaking English with the girls that I am hanging out with, and I find it hard to switch to Spanish when Spaniards are around. The few people that I've talked to in the school are speaking to me in English (though I know for a fact that is is going against their contract!). It will be better when I get into my piso, when I'm living with Spaniards, and function 24/7 in Spanish. (Though I guess I'm forgetting that I'll be teaching English, which I suppose, will require a fair amount of English.)
In short, these last few days have been good, but trying. Nothing short of what I was expecting. Hopefully, things will start to develop a normal rhythm soon.
All in all, it's nice to be back.
So, I suppose you may want to hear how things are going then.
Well, the traveling wasn't bad at all. Aside from the fact that we flew in an old, crappy plane that didn't have individual TV screens. Maybe we're just spoiled these days, but that does make for an uncomfortable trip. I didn't have the attention span to watch the movies they showed (Just Wright, the Devil Wears Prada .... really???) at the times they were showing them, so mostly I tried to sleep and listened to my ipod. Overall, it wasn't a bad flight. But the flight was never the worrysome part of the journey.
Seeing as I would be moving for 10 months, I packed 2 suitcases, a carry-on/duffel bag, and my backpack. Maybe for 10 months it isn't a lot (or maybe you think it is), but, it is definitely more than I would have liked to have managed through the train station, taxis, and tiny cobblestone streets. This was the problem that made me lose sleep at night. In reality, as we always find out, these things aren't worth worrying about. Long story short, I shared a taxi to the train station with another girl, despite the fact that our driver was incessantly telling us "no, no, no, you have waaay too much stuff" as he was loading it into the car. I bought a ticket for the train, then found a handy luggage cart, and managed to push my way through the station with no problem, and only a few comments. "All that luggage for just you?" I got to my train car, and was trying to figure out how to load it in, when I just kind of took over the doorway, throwing all of the suitcases in at once, then loading them onto the luggage racks. haha, I must have looked like an idiot. But that's ok. After another taxi ride (this one not so bad, only a few minutes, and only my luggage), I had to walk to the school with everything in hand. Luckily, a girl from the school was sitting in the plaza and offered to help me carry a bag. I definitely appreciated the help. So you see, things always work out. :)
I have been hanging out with two other girls from the program lately. They have been good company. It has been great to have other people around who are in the same situation. It's also helpful for trying to figure out the best means of piso-hunting, etc. I have to admit that I was a little discouraged at first, because they both found something within my first 2 days here, (though they had been here a few days longer than I had), and I felt like the pressure was on to find something that quick, too.
But, as we know, God's timing isn't our own. I faced two days of dejecting phone calls, all telling me that the apartments had already been rented, or that they only wanted to house students. In two days, I hadn't looked at a single room. I was starting to get down, wondering how I was going to afford to pay for a place at the residence hall for much longer. (Afterall, a week-long stay here would cost about the same as a month's rent.) So, this morning, after another rejection, I was laying down, about to take a nap, praying that God would work something out, when the phone rang. Reception was telling me that Miguel, my professor from last year, wanted to talk to me. I was excited, since I haven't seen him yet. A few minutes later, Miguel called, and told me about a woman who wants private English lessons for her two daughters, and asked if I would be interested. (Absolutely!) Then, he told me that she has a room available for rent if I would be interested. (Once again, Absolutely!) Miguel's phone call was the pivotal part of my day. After I spoke with him, Maria Carmen, the woman mentioned above, called to discuss these things with me. I went to look at the piso at 1:00 this afternoon, and I decided right away that I wanted it. After all, this was an answer to my prayers; how could I turn it down? Not only is it in a good location, but it is the right price. Everything that I was looking at was between 200-250E, most of them not including utilities. But this one? 150 + electricity. I didn't have the chance to meet everyone that I will be living with, but there will be 6 of us. 4 girls, 2 boys. 3, I believe, are students, 3 work. I don't know how old they are, but hopefully it will work out well. Plus, Maria Carmen lives in the apartment below it. We decided that every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 I would come over to teach English. Today's developments have put me at ease. As Maria Carmen's mother said, "You have the most important things-- job and housing." Though I'd like to add internet access and a cell phone to that list as well. :)
I am just relieved that this huge weight has been lifted. I am no longer spending my time scrounging for people to call. I can just relax a little bit, until I have to start working.
I also talked to Cristina, my director, today. After months of conversing in Spanish via email, she offered to speak English on the phone. I hope it wasn't because my Spanish was fatal, though it very well may have been. We are planning to meet tonight at 8:30 for coffee, to chat about the job and what I need to do for my NIE and all of those official, pain-in-the-butt necessities of life. It should be good.
Regarding my horrible, fatal Spanish...
It is bad. It always is when I first get here. Though, I have to admit, that I am doing a fairly decent job of making my way around. I have made several phone calls, only a few of which left me scratching my head. So already, I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was when I showed up last summer. But I want to be better.
It doesn't help that I am essentially living in English right now. I am speaking English with the girls that I am hanging out with, and I find it hard to switch to Spanish when Spaniards are around. The few people that I've talked to in the school are speaking to me in English (though I know for a fact that is is going against their contract!). It will be better when I get into my piso, when I'm living with Spaniards, and function 24/7 in Spanish. (Though I guess I'm forgetting that I'll be teaching English, which I suppose, will require a fair amount of English.)
In short, these last few days have been good, but trying. Nothing short of what I was expecting. Hopefully, things will start to develop a normal rhythm soon.
All in all, it's nice to be back.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The journey begins, finally.
Finally. Por fin. The time has come.
Tomorrow will be a long day, full of travel.
As always, I'm totally torn between feelings of anxiety and excitement for what awaits.
And, of course, I have that nagging feeling like I'm forgetting something.
What could it be??
Tomorrow will be a long day, full of travel.
As always, I'm totally torn between feelings of anxiety and excitement for what awaits.
And, of course, I have that nagging feeling like I'm forgetting something.
What could it be??
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
there's only so much you can do
So here we are. 11:30pm on a Monday night. A silent bedroom in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh. And I'm overcome with worry about the details that await my arrival to Spain.
At this moment, from this location, there is very little that can be done regarding the situation-- but alas, I find myself worrying about what part of the city I'm going to live in, what my roommates are going to be like, and how I'm going to finagle my way through various means of public transportation while carrying my entire life packed into suitcases.
If you would have spoken to me three hours ago, you would have caught me in one of my moments of pure excitement. I would have been talking about where I'm going to travel, how I'm going to make friends, what I'm going to do after my 12 hours of work are finished for the week. The truth is, that excitement is still bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me, but having to figure out all of these details is making that excitement harder and harder to find.
So maybe I'm more quixotic than pragmatic. I'd rather dream about the possibilities of what's to come than work out the logistics of how it's going to pass. When it comes to the big picture, the excitement definitely wins out. When it comes to worrying about taxi fares and baggage allowances, rent costs and and bus passes, the anxiety takes the cake.
The moral of the story though?
There's no use losing sleep over these things in Pittsburgh. I've spent all day searching websites for pisos compartidos. I've read blogs and facebook groups, hoping to find some helpful hints. But when it comes down to it, I can't find a piso from Pittsburgh. And no amount of worrying is going to change the baggage allowances of the Renfe trains. And for goodness sake, just breathe, and know that these problems don't need to be solved tonight. (Thank God.)
But, if you are reading this, I would appreciate it if you would remember me in your prayers. Pray that I find good roommates, in a nice apartment. Pray that all of the traveling will go smoothly. And pray that I will learn to stop worrying about all of these things.
Step 1: Inhale
Step 2: Exhale
Step 3: Just go to bed already! You can always conquer the world in the morning.
At this moment, from this location, there is very little that can be done regarding the situation-- but alas, I find myself worrying about what part of the city I'm going to live in, what my roommates are going to be like, and how I'm going to finagle my way through various means of public transportation while carrying my entire life packed into suitcases.
If you would have spoken to me three hours ago, you would have caught me in one of my moments of pure excitement. I would have been talking about where I'm going to travel, how I'm going to make friends, what I'm going to do after my 12 hours of work are finished for the week. The truth is, that excitement is still bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me, but having to figure out all of these details is making that excitement harder and harder to find.
So maybe I'm more quixotic than pragmatic. I'd rather dream about the possibilities of what's to come than work out the logistics of how it's going to pass. When it comes to the big picture, the excitement definitely wins out. When it comes to worrying about taxi fares and baggage allowances, rent costs and and bus passes, the anxiety takes the cake.
The moral of the story though?
There's no use losing sleep over these things in Pittsburgh. I've spent all day searching websites for pisos compartidos. I've read blogs and facebook groups, hoping to find some helpful hints. But when it comes down to it, I can't find a piso from Pittsburgh. And no amount of worrying is going to change the baggage allowances of the Renfe trains. And for goodness sake, just breathe, and know that these problems don't need to be solved tonight. (Thank God.)
But, if you are reading this, I would appreciate it if you would remember me in your prayers. Pray that I find good roommates, in a nice apartment. Pray that all of the traveling will go smoothly. And pray that I will learn to stop worrying about all of these things.
Step 1: Inhale
Step 2: Exhale
Step 3: Just go to bed already! You can always conquer the world in the morning.
