Life in Spain has Started

Short dialog between Me and my Body

Body: Soooo....
Me: Sooo.... what
Body: I'm not feeling so great lately.
Me: Yeah I know.
Body: You don't understand, Stomach has been complaining about this new food you have been giving him and Colon won't even talk to me.
Me:  Yeah I know I haven't heard from Colon in a few days either, he hasn't paid Mr. toilet the rent, he's pass due.
Body:  What are you going to do about it?
Me: What do you want me to do about it?
Body: Something, this whole situation sucks.  Mr and Mrs. Feet keep barking like dogs and it keeps me up at night.  I'm a little dog-tired too but damn they are loud.  Not to mention dirty looking. 
Me: I'm sorry.  I've been walking around more than usual.
Body: Lets maybe call a cab next time.
Me:  You wannna pay for the cab?!?  Go right ahead.
Body: Have you seen the Ankles?  They became obese over night or something.
Me: Come on, be nice now.  They're just a little swollen.
Body: Swollen? They're huge! Look at 'em.
Me:  I'm sorry, this week has been hard on all of us.  It's going to take some getting use too.
Body: So what are you telling me?  I have to endure more complaints and sleepless nights?  This is bullshit!!
Me:  I know, I know I feel the same way.
Body: Start making me feel better and maybe I won't have to kill you.
Me: Wouldn't it be me that kills you.
Body:  Uh... Yeah whatever, but seriously this situation better get better soon.
Me: Better get better?
Body:....
Me:  Ok, ok I'm working on it, I mean resting on it.  No more crap out you understand?  But let Colon know it's ok coming from him. 
Body: Sure whatever.  Can I have some more of that Ibruprofin?
Me: Sure here ya go.



The End

First night in Spain

After a grueling seven hour layover at DFW, a nine hour flight to Madrid getting lost at the Madrid airport but then finding my way to my last gate to Sevilla I had finally made it to Sevilla, Spain.   Landing at Madrid airport was an experience to say the least.  Going through customs was pretty easy and the airport was gorgeous, (upload pictures later) I eventually followed a big group to where I needed to be.   I went up two escalators, down three, went on one rail and went to two information desks asking questions in my broken Spanish.   Nervous and scared yet excited and snapping pictures all along the way I found a young group of girls at my gate that were in the same CIEE teach abroad program as me.   At the time, as much as I wanted to mingle and to get to know everyone I was also trying to put myself together as best as possible and looking for the nearest bathroom.  Finally about 20  hours later and I was ready to board my last plane.  I'm exhausted, smelly, hungry and thrilled that I made it this far. 

Once off the plane in Sevilla I grabbed my luggage and my new friends and we were off to the bus that would take us to our hotel.  Of course this wasn't an easy task for me.  When you take a luggage cart off the given path it is more than likely to tip everything over to where you have to start all over again, which I did.   Then when the luggage (mind you I have three suitcases around 40lbs each) finally made it to the bus it became an even bigger challenge to get them off the bus into the hotel without any bellhops and one luggage roller thingy-ma-bob.   I press the elevator button for up and go to walk inside with my luggage and realize that the elevator is the size of a refrigerator box.  I get stuck.  I pry myself out elevator and bring my luggage to my room and expect to be in bliss.  It was not bliss.  It took me 10 mins and one more trip to the help desk to figure out how the hell to turn on the lights and air conditioning in the room.  All I wanted was a cool shower and a place to lay down.  Supposedly to save energy you put your hotel key-card  in this little slot to turn everything on.   Small slot to say the least.    Cold shower time.  As I walk into the bathroom I notice two toilets, yet the second one is actually a bide. Never used one and never will.   Then the shower to my amazement was small and cute, perfect for a small person, dwarf or a dog.  


After my shower and orientation the group was treated to a cocktail dinner.  It included many tapas and Spanish wine.  The food was great except for a few things I tried that I had to so graciously spit out in my napkin.  The whole time I kept thinking about Anthony Bourdain and the crazy food he eats while meeting people from every part of the world.  I had a blast mingling with girls/guys from all over the United States and practicing our Spanish.   Gotta say that the first night here was a success.  Food, new friends, perfect weather and a warm face from my Spanish red wine has been the best welcome to my new home here in Spain.  Life couldn't be better, but then again it can because I have only had a taste.  Spain, what else ya got?

Seven Hour Layover

I have a seven hour layover.  What else am I supposed to do with my time?  I found a club-lounge here at the DFW airport and for the first hour or so I had it all to myself it was nice.  I only paid twenty five dollars and it includes free WiFi, snacks, three alcoholic beverages and a shower if I need it.  I would have to be pretty dirty to take a shower in an airport.  After enjoying my time alone a few people started to trickle in and I noticed they were speaking Spanish.  So I thought to myself, "Hey I wonder if they are going to Madrid as well?"   If so they have a while to wait as well.  Bet you anything they are on my flight.  

I did some Skype-ing with the family and got to video chat with my padres and talk to my Tios.  Later after while I might just grab me a brewsky and find me a place to go eat lunch.   First priority is writing my letter to my school in Spain.   Still have no clue what to say in the letter so I hope something clever jumps in my mind quick.  I need to take some pictures as well,  study my Spanish and hopefully make a friend.   I'm looking around and no one looks friendly enough to approach.  Oh well.  So just a small update for yall while I patiently wait (as I look at the clock) 4 1/2 more hours till I get on the plane to Madrid.  UGHHH

Buckle your seat belt and get prepared for take off!

Just got home from a great dinner with my family at the oh so yummy Cheesecake Factory.  My best friend Jason surprised me by showing up and having dinner with us ( I say dinner when really he just drank his rum and cokes while nibbling  off of the bread basket) it was nice to say our last goodbyes.   I'm really not good at goodbyes, I'll cry later when no one is looking.

It's late I'm tired and I have puppy tummy yet I'm up finishing my last minute things I need to pack.   I'm set to go in the morning despite that I haven't reviewed any of my Spanish.  I'm not too worried though, I have a 7 hour layover at DFW with plenty of enough time to study my Spanish phrases and verb conjugations.  Everyone keeps asking if I'm excited and of course I am but the work it takes to get on that plane tomorrow has drained me pretty bad.   It won't hit me till I'm actually on my plane and in the air.  I'll look out over the Atlantic and then the excitement will be at full force.  Lets not forget about the nerves, it's like the first day of school times ten.   Here I come Spain! 

Graduated!

Hey yall!! I finally graduated this past Saturday.  I had a lot of fun, was surprised with a new iPod touch for my graduation present.  Home in Houston feeling a little lost with nothing to do except run countless of errands.  Trying to get prepared to leave for Spain and trying to figure out what I need and don't need.  It's a lot harder than you think.  Any suggestions?

Just wanted to give a short shout out to my ESL students in Frisco!  It was a pleasure working with you guys and I had a lot of fun practicing my teaching skills on you all!  Thank you Marybahn, Henry, Shahin, Miguel, Ghandi, Yung and everyone else whom I might have forgotten.  Practice Practice Practice your English!  Read my blog for practice and don't be afraid to leave a comment.

Here are some pictures from graduation!!!