Jaén, Show Me What You've Got

My days in Jaén are quickly dwindling away and the word ‘last’ or ‘la ultima’ has become a part of our daily verbiage. Last Wednesday we had our first farewell and said goodbye to two dear friends, Dustin and Ashley. As their bus pulled away and departed from the station, we stood waving panuelos (paper napkins) and my first tears began to fall. Not only was I saying goodbye to 2 close friends, the realization finally hit me that I would be leaving Spain in 3 short weeks. As to some, the time is flying by very slowly. However for me, the days are zooming on and I’m trying to take one ‘last’ look of the beautiful city and country I live in.

Last night was our last Saturday in Jaén and ironically was the last series of concerts in the park. Lindsey, Megan and I have a 100% attendance record at the concerts and always enjoyed, sitting in the park, talking with good friends and listening to a variety of Spanish bands, live. Tonight we will be attending the Real Jaén fútbol game for the surprisingly, first and last time. Tonight’s game is a big one and we will all be there rooting them on in our purple, fan (easy wear) apparel. Viva Real Jaén!

Speaking of lasts, tomorrow happens to be my ‘last day of work.’ I have always found myself to be the happiest while being at work amongst my co-workers and students and I know tomorrow will be a happy, yet sad day. Goodbyes are never fun. Usually, ‘see ya later,’ or ‘luego’ is a better choice of words, hoping to see the person again soon. But tomorrow will be different. I know I will most likely never see some of my Spanish friends, co-workers and students, ever again. I better put on the water-proof mascara!

June 5th will be the ‘last time’ I call my piso, my home and also the city that has captured my heart. Even though my days are now being filled with ‘lasts,’ I will forever have my memories of this past year to hold on to. All good things must come to an end and I am just thankful to have had this year be such a positive experience for me. Jaén, I challenge you to bring it, this final week!

Last night with Dustin

Never a dull moment with the roommates, and Kimball!

I love and am gonna miss Jaén

El Rio Nuevo

'The River'
By: Garth Brooks

You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...and

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide...

A year ago, I took the chance of the rapids and made the decision to teach and live abroad in Spain. Over the past 9 months, I have indeed dared and danced the tides, which has inspired a new feed into my river. Since I was in fourth grade, I have followed my dream and my passion to teach, and that is what dropped me off on the shores of Jaén. I have never been one to ‘stand aside and let the waters slip away,’ thus I will continue along my vessel, this time having it steer me back to the Pacific coast of California. I will be returning to the California shoreline and I look forward to utilizing my multicultural experiences and my Spanish language skills to challenge a new rapid. My river is truly ‘ever changing,’ and when I return in 5 weeks, I look forward to taking the necessary measures that will allow me to share my love for the Spanish language in the teaching field. Making this decision has been ‘a constant battle,’ but it is one I am happy with and I look forward to the next dance.

Jaén, will you save the last dance for me?

A Messy Excursion

I found myself Tuesday, as one of the chaperones on the 1st and 2nd grade field trip to Linares. Linares is a pueblo, 45 minutes by train outside of Jaén. I was super excited to attend because the 1st grade team, students and teachers are my favorite. I was given 11 of my 1st grade bilingual students to make sure they all had fun, and fun was what we had. The train departed from the station at 8:38am and the cars erupted in the students’ cheers. Linares, here we come!

When we arrived in Linares we took a tour of the train station and while the students enjoyed their snacks, in typical Spanish style, the teachers took shifts in ‘taking a coffee!’ I swear, only in Spain is this sort of thing allowed. We walked around Linares and my 6 year olds became my Spanish teachers for the day. They are used to only hearing me speak English, so today came as a shock. I spent the whole day talking in Spanish and when I told them to help me by correcting my Spanish, they got the biggest grins on their faces. Let me tell you, 6 year olds are the BEST teachers ever. They will correct you until you say the word absolutely perfect. After a 20 minute walk we ended up in a park, so the children could run free. As the children played, we teachers conversed.

My favorite interruption was from my student David, who picked a rose and wanted to give it to Marina. So I asked David if Marina was his girlfriend. His friend Javi, responded and said, ‘He has 8 girlfriends.’ And so matter of a factly, David says (in Spanish), “Yes Marina is my ‘school girlfriend.’(She was completely unaware that she was indeed his ‘girlfriend.’) I have another ‘girlfriend in Cazorla and other places like that." Let me remind you, this boy is 6. And if that doesn’t sum up Spanish men, then I don’t know what else could.

After lunch, we all took a walk along el rio Guadalquivir and got caught in a torrential downpour! As everyone was told to run to the nearest bridge to take cover, dirt became mud (or ‘barro’ a new word for the day) and blue jeans became brown jeans. (Oh great, parents are going think we let their children roll around in the mud.) Walking back was even more fun. The bottoms of our shoes became those wedge-like platforms; full of ‘barro’ and a once sturdy path became an ice skating rink. Needless to say all 23 of my bilingual 1st graders and the other 5 classes made it back to the train station in one piece and were all in dire need of a shower.

The train pulled back into Jaén at 1:40pm and I had a fantastic day with my students and fellow co-workers. I made sure to take in everything about that day because my time in Jaén is rapidly coming to a close. It’s days like this that I treasure and will miss. I have formed relationships and friendships with some of the kindest and most warm-hearted people I have ever met. What a great day to help wind down my 10 months of teaching and living in Spain.

David giving his 'girlfriend' the rose

My 11, 1st grade bilinguals