It has been awhile since I lack internet at the moment. Manzanares is supposed to have city-wide internet in November - which will be provided by the government (that may say something about the quality, we shall see). The last couple of days have been a blur.
I WAS able to get my bank card back pretty easily, it was just a pain, and I was worried until I had the card in my hand again. I tried the atm again and everything worked out fine, so minor glitch, and I will know what to do next time...I have to choose a bank here for my paychecks here to be deposited in. Caja Madrid is right below my apartment building and is SUPER close - then again everything here is 'close'. I'm also thinking BBVA since I know there is one in Texas, maybe I can access my funds there when I leave here, also Santander has a pretty good presence in Europe...all of that will need to get done after I get my Alien card...apparently it is a scavenger hunt. I know I need to go to Ciudad Real, but apparently there are numerous buildings one has to go to in order to obtain such a card...and then a few days later you have to make the venture back to pick up the card. Sounds like an adventure. I've been feeling pretty awful, I'm thinking allergies or a cold (hopefully the kind that doesn't turn into strep throat), so I've been taking vitamins, resting, getting plenty of water and still, nothing seems to help. Most people here know a doctor or have a relative that is a doctor - Vivi said she would take me to see a doctor if I got worse. I don't have my insurance yet (gotta have that Alien card!) - but here they still treat sick people for pretty cheap, so I am not too worried about it. I'd rather not get worse though :)
I tried to stay relaxed this weekend since I need the rest, but of course couldn't resist going out at least ONE weekend night! I had my first set of private lessons - I ALWAYS forget the Spanish word for that, and have Mike remind me, I should make a flash card for it . The first group was of 3 girls at the age of 11. No one here tells you what they expect you to do. So basically I tested out what their skill level was, going over some basics. Then I had them tell me their names, ages, and what they like to do. Handball came up, so I had them explain that to me which was a trip! I would love to see this game played, Manzanares has its own HANDBALL team! Then we talked about where they had been and where their favorite vacation places were. I would stop them occasionally and go over some vocabulary. It was pretty fun and I picked up some vocabulary as well. The next hour I worked with 2 girls that are 8 years old. They have a ton of energy, so it was hard to keep them focused at first. We talked about their names, and music they like...I was losing them pretty quick, so I gave them a word-search I made and went over some vocabulary. I'm going to look for songs to sing next week, and I know I will show them Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer when it gets close to Christmas.
The piso is great! The view is so beautiful! I'll have to post pictures soon! I had been at lessons until about 9:30 at night and was pretty worn out. When I got back to the piso (apartment), Karlyn was already asleep (she was experiencing jet-lag), and Mike was ready to go out for canas (smaller sized beers). Clearly the choice was to go out! I love that tapas come with your drink, and every drink you get, you get a new tapa, always something different to try. Everyone should come here for that at least! We met up with Chapi - Mike's old roommate. Then we moved to another bar called Sapi to meet up with more people. Going out is a GREAT way to practice my Spanish - why not do it with a beer and tapa? Sapi has these HUGE tapa platters. I need to get a picture sometime. It comes with fried eggs, chicken, pork and bread - and it is delicious. We left around 2 I think? Everyone else went to the park to keep the fiesta going, but I compromised with my body and went to sleep.
Saturday was so lazy! Partly because I didn't feel well. I don't know if I even did anything productive, I might have just watched some Big Bang theory. I cooked some pasta and that was pretty much my day. I decided not to go out Saturday because of how bad I felt. I maybe watched a movie - nothing too thrilling.
Sunday I still didn't do anything :) a lot of places are closed on Sunday here - even the grocery store! I watched Fantastic Mr. Fox, and then the Book of Eli with Karlyn. We went out to watch the futbol games at a disco, so I treated myself to ONE beer. We got back a little late, so Bea made an omlette for everyone and we just hung out until we were all tired.
**Side note**, the whole day our kitchen smelled like gas, so we kept turning the gas off as soon as we were done using it. It controls the hot water, stove, etc.
So Karlyn took a shower - so she turned the gas on. I was about to go to sleep, and had to go into the kitchen to get some more water. I noticed some blue and orange light coming from the water heater in the kitchen...I pondered a moment, and then realized it was FIRE. My fight/flight didn't necessarily kick in, and I froze. I didn't even yell "fire" my immediate response was to go wake up Mike so he could figure it out. I'm just glad our floor didn't explode! The landlord had someone fix it today, but it was definitely an experience!! After no one was injured, it is just an interesting story!Today we had orientation in Ciudad Real. I don't know if I got anything out of it. I still don't feel well. Maybe I got about 1/3 of what they were saying. I wrote down some words I didn't know so that I can look them up, and I got some ideas for doing private lessons with young kids. Again, still confused about the Alien card.
So, I turn 23 on Saturday. I feel old. However, this is the first time I get to be the 'baby', because all of my flat mates are older than me! I think Saturday I am sharing a fiesta with another girl I met, Virginia will be 25, so another reason to feel young! I am glad I have made enough friends to make my Birthday something special. :)
Until next time,
Tori XOXO
Also, I will share my address, any postcard I get, will get a returned postcard, lets keep it reciprocal?
Tori McGee
C/ Toledo 21, 5ºI
13200 Manzanares, Ciudad Real
España
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