my semi-charmed life

Throughout my teaching, you realize the whole other side of things. You’ve been on the student side for about your whole life but it’s been awhile since the elementary days. And now you are a teacher, and you see so many students and can be amazed in both good and bad ways at the students. I always ask the students how they are and one of the girls said: “I’m…happy.” Best answer I could ever imagine. It’s like this quote I love: “Ask a child for advice. They may not know much, but they know what is important.”

And then you get the students that just amaze you in the worst way. I’ve had this boy who has twice now been disrespectful to me. I mean, to be honest it could be worse. But the first time he blatantly was ignoring the things I said and when I would tell him to stop talking would ignore me. So I told him to go outside. After awhile I went out there and was like “Do you know what respect is?” And he was like “Yes…” I was like “Well, it doesn’t seem like it. When I talk, you need to listen.” I may or may not have taken out all my feelings towards everyone else as well for their lack of respect and manners on this one boy… but it really wasn’t that bad. Obviously it didn’t hit home because he did it a second time. It was more or less the same thing. He blatantly ignored me, I told him to go outside, he said no. I had to end up getting the teacher to come in and talk to him. It’s just amazing.

You also start to think, which kind of student was I? Was I the one that talked all the time? That stressed the teacher out by constantly making jokes? A favorite? You don’t realize how well the teachers know you. I recently found out one of the students in my school, who is alittle slower than the others and is a year older, has been at many foster homes in Barcelona before coming here. His mom was an alcoholic and his father left and now he lives here with his sister. Had NO idea. The other teachers knew but I found out about it after about 4 months of being here. You really never do know what goes on at home, but that is the true foundation of how the kids act. 

All I know is that I’m pretty sure kids here, or these days, do not know what respect is (the majority) and I’ve come to realize that as much as I may want to, and try, respect, although it must be learned, can not be taught. At least for now…

Well, I still have about a week left of my vacation but I have to say that it has not been at all as bad as I thought. Actually, staying here was probably the best decision I could have made. I’ve made some new friends, become better friends with people I hadn’t got to spend enough time with and realized how blessed I am. May be cheesy but the thought has come to my head way too many times to not say it. Especially with the holidays. Alot of the stuff that I am doing here has just fallen into my lap, like my 2nd job at the language academy Big Ben and my speaking English with these 2 little girls. Those just fell into my lap, and if they hadn’t, things would be quite different. 

While I am kind of dreading going back into the same old routine and busy schedule of the school weeks, I am definitely thankful for everything I have been given. Despite being away from home, the family that I speak with has almost become a home away from home. Honestly, no words could describe how kind they have been to me. They had me over for Christmas Eve dinner with them and their extended family, Christmas lunch and almost New Years Eve if I hadn’t said no. I was sick one day and couldn’t make it and she offered to bring me hot soup and call one of her doctor friends if I needed it.  I see them practically every day and just can’t believe how lucky I am to have met them. 

As for the break, it’s been great. I’ve been getting to know one of the auxiliares Arie more, who has been here for an entire year already so she knows practically everyone. Kind of ridiculous. But I’ve been hanging with her and her friend Rufus who DJs at Pacha and the rest of the gang. Went out with them Thursday, which was alil crazy thanks to some punch and then on Saturday (NYE) to Pacha and Sunday afternoon/night at DC-10. That was only 4 days and it has felt like a journey, my legs have never been so tired! One of my roommates gets home tomorrow *Hooray!* and then life will slowly go back to the busy lifestyle it was….

But not before Pacha Rock Night on Thursday and Flower Power party on Saturday. Oh yes. Summer will for sure kill me. When in Ibiza right?