I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last blogged. Mid-terms started right after I posted the last blog, so as you all can imagine, it was an extremely stressful time for me. I am really pleased with my test results - I got A's in both of my Spanish classes :) Funny, the only C I got was in History and I've always been a straight-A student in that subject. I was so worried with my other tests that I barely studied for History and it showed. Unfortunately, I have no time to relax - I have a presentation and a paper due in two weeks, followed by three more papers and another test in five weeks. No time for the weary. As the mother of one of my students tells me, I go sin parar (without stopping).
The weather here has been cold. Like really cold. We even had a wintry mix of snow and rain today, but only for ten minutes or so. It was funny, because for a second I thought I was back in Louisville - last night on my walk home, I noticed that a lot of buildings had put salt out on the sidewalk. Everyone was freaking out that there was a chance of snow! Last weekend, the weather was beautiful of course. I missed out on the chance to go to the beach with friends from work because I had my economy mid-term, but the family who I live with went out of town, so I had the flat to myself. I cooked my own meals :) and ate in the dining room with the windows open. For a moment, I thought I was sitting on the deck of a penthouse suite. (Hey, cut me some slack - I do live on the top floor of my building!) I enjoyed the peace and quiet! Saturday evening, a co-worker invited me to a performance of someone she knows. It showcased a dancer with a flamenco band. But they broke away from traditional flamenco music, playing a mix of flamenco, indie, and pop music. It was quite an interesting mix - very eclectic, but I loved it! It felt very "local" to me.
This week has also been a stressful week for me because I found out on Monday that I can actually graduate in December with a degree in Spanish with a minor in Political Science. I had to give it a lot of thought, because tuition is beyond expensive - what I pay for one semester is a down payment on a house! (And a nice one at that.) However, I had always thought I would study both Spanish and Political Science since I was in high school. I conferred with several professors and they all agreed that since it was just one more semester, I should stick around. I had also come to that decision on my own, because I felt that if I graduated early, I would be giving myself the short end of the stick - I was afraid that I would always regret my decision, especially since I would be so close. I have decided to stay, so I will be graduating next May.
I also found out on Wednesday about a trip to Israel during the month of July. A theology/sociology professor from school is taking a group of students to an archaeological dig site in Israel. Throughout the course of the month, the group will be taking trips to sites such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, etc. To say I want to go is an understatement. I have already applied for the trip and am waiting to find out whether or not I will be accepted. However, I have no clue how I am going to pay for the trip if I am selected. The trip in itself is $2200, plus airfare and money for a hostel on some occasions. I figure the trip will cost about $3500. And then I have to pay for tuition for the class, which is another $1700. Naturally, I don't have an extra $5,000 lying around. However, I have faith that if this trip is meant to be, then God will provide a way for me to pay for it. Depending on whether or not I make the trip, there is a chance I will not be back in Louisville until December....
Today, I had a conversation with my principal. I had decided awhile ago that after graduation I want to stay in Spain and continue to teach. Currently, I'm here on a student visa and it allows me to work 25 hours a week (which is full-time for teachers.) Next year since I will be in school, I will also be on the student visa. I decided to talk with my principal because I've heard how difficult it can be to obtain permission to work here in Spain if you're not from the European Union. The process is quite a pain - you must have an invitation from a company to work, but they must provide the government with many documents, including something like the past ten years worth of tax documents. Because of this, a lot of businesses don't want to offer positions to Americans, and honestly, I don't blame them. However, my principal told me today that it wouldn't be a problem for them to extend a job offer to me and that they would go through all of the necessary steps with the government! She was going to talk to the lady in charge of finances and administration and let her know that we were going to start the process in the fall! She told me that they are thrilled with my work so far and me as a person and that I've meshed so well with my co-workers :) I am so happy! I am beyond content with my job - I think I've said it before, but this is the first time in my life that I have absolutely no complaints about my job. My bosses are wonderful - truly a blessing!
I ask for your prayers as I'm reaching the point in my life where decisions that have serious implications on my future are needing to be made, that I have guidance and wisdom to make them. I really appreciate the few of you who send thoughtful messages and emails - it means so much.
The weather here has been cold. Like really cold. We even had a wintry mix of snow and rain today, but only for ten minutes or so. It was funny, because for a second I thought I was back in Louisville - last night on my walk home, I noticed that a lot of buildings had put salt out on the sidewalk. Everyone was freaking out that there was a chance of snow! Last weekend, the weather was beautiful of course. I missed out on the chance to go to the beach with friends from work because I had my economy mid-term, but the family who I live with went out of town, so I had the flat to myself. I cooked my own meals :) and ate in the dining room with the windows open. For a moment, I thought I was sitting on the deck of a penthouse suite. (Hey, cut me some slack - I do live on the top floor of my building!) I enjoyed the peace and quiet! Saturday evening, a co-worker invited me to a performance of someone she knows. It showcased a dancer with a flamenco band. But they broke away from traditional flamenco music, playing a mix of flamenco, indie, and pop music. It was quite an interesting mix - very eclectic, but I loved it! It felt very "local" to me.
This week has also been a stressful week for me because I found out on Monday that I can actually graduate in December with a degree in Spanish with a minor in Political Science. I had to give it a lot of thought, because tuition is beyond expensive - what I pay for one semester is a down payment on a house! (And a nice one at that.) However, I had always thought I would study both Spanish and Political Science since I was in high school. I conferred with several professors and they all agreed that since it was just one more semester, I should stick around. I had also come to that decision on my own, because I felt that if I graduated early, I would be giving myself the short end of the stick - I was afraid that I would always regret my decision, especially since I would be so close. I have decided to stay, so I will be graduating next May.
I also found out on Wednesday about a trip to Israel during the month of July. A theology/sociology professor from school is taking a group of students to an archaeological dig site in Israel. Throughout the course of the month, the group will be taking trips to sites such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, etc. To say I want to go is an understatement. I have already applied for the trip and am waiting to find out whether or not I will be accepted. However, I have no clue how I am going to pay for the trip if I am selected. The trip in itself is $2200, plus airfare and money for a hostel on some occasions. I figure the trip will cost about $3500. And then I have to pay for tuition for the class, which is another $1700. Naturally, I don't have an extra $5,000 lying around. However, I have faith that if this trip is meant to be, then God will provide a way for me to pay for it. Depending on whether or not I make the trip, there is a chance I will not be back in Louisville until December....
Today, I had a conversation with my principal. I had decided awhile ago that after graduation I want to stay in Spain and continue to teach. Currently, I'm here on a student visa and it allows me to work 25 hours a week (which is full-time for teachers.) Next year since I will be in school, I will also be on the student visa. I decided to talk with my principal because I've heard how difficult it can be to obtain permission to work here in Spain if you're not from the European Union. The process is quite a pain - you must have an invitation from a company to work, but they must provide the government with many documents, including something like the past ten years worth of tax documents. Because of this, a lot of businesses don't want to offer positions to Americans, and honestly, I don't blame them. However, my principal told me today that it wouldn't be a problem for them to extend a job offer to me and that they would go through all of the necessary steps with the government! She was going to talk to the lady in charge of finances and administration and let her know that we were going to start the process in the fall! She told me that they are thrilled with my work so far and me as a person and that I've meshed so well with my co-workers :) I am so happy! I am beyond content with my job - I think I've said it before, but this is the first time in my life that I have absolutely no complaints about my job. My bosses are wonderful - truly a blessing!
I ask for your prayers as I'm reaching the point in my life where decisions that have serious implications on my future are needing to be made, that I have guidance and wisdom to make them. I really appreciate the few of you who send thoughtful messages and emails - it means so much.
No comments:
Post a Comment