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messupmylife - Coñac Alejandro

My name is Mark and I am 27 years old and I am in Madrid this 09'-10' school year. I am a assistant English instructor at C.P. Leon Felipe in Arganda Del Rey. I am excited and a bit nervous. My teaching skills will be tested (so to speak) in addition to my aptitude in the Spanish language. I look forward to learning as much from the students as I am able to teach. This blog will be a way for me to articulate my feelings/emotions/observations/reservations/etc regarding my travels in Madrid. I have been here before, though I feel as this is my first time, I am not a tourist, but rather a citizen participating and being an active member of such an incredible society. Wish me luck :)

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Joined on: September 19th 2009
Last Login: December 2nd 2009

Blog Entries: 11
Photos: 27

TB Code: [blogger=136628]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by messupmylife, order by Date newest first.

By messupmylife
November 29th 2009

Thanksgiving Europe » Spain

this is my work
first grade project

I am still attempting to catch up on schoolwork. The semester is nearly over and I couldn't be more ecstatic about the coming break. Finally, a chance to enjoy Europe. This Thanksgiving holiday was spent in Aranjuez. I had no idea what I would cook, what I would bring. At the very last moment I decided upon salad. That was easy, a nice big salad, that even I could not screw up. So with my salad, Bread, and two bottles of red Spanish wine, I caught the cercanías to Aranjuez. I ran into Izzy and Martin, and also a friend of [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
November 7th 2009

Halloween 09' Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

"muerto mark" en metro
me on the metro at 8 in the morning, guh.

Charisma returned to Paris early this morning. Work was fine. Now I am home and decided to blog and document the holiday at school, Charisma's visit, and future plans. Halloween in Arganda Del Rey was pretty damn fun. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a costume, so at the very last minute I decided to find some blood and makeup and go as "muerto Mark". I woke up around 6:30 am to glue spiders all over my face and arms, and apply the fake blood to my head. I had some makeup from my Walgreen days, so [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
October 25th 2009

time thus far spent in Madrid Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

metro station

My transition period to Madrid has passed, or rather I can say that I've finally "crossed over". I am feeling more and more accustomed with my schedule, with my daily nap after school, then my course work for my MSCD classes in the evening. I usually cook myself a small dish, lately its been soup, and a sandwich or minute rice. I'm not that great of a cook, though I try. And vegetables out here are cheaper, so I am more inclined to purchase that onion to go with my eggs and potatoes, and the tomato to go with my sandwiches [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
October 19th 2009

prosperidad Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

sala

I'm fairly settled into my new home, work and social life. Things are good, there is very little to complain over, sure it's flippin expensive in Europe, and my loan money is quickly dwindling, but I am working and that is really all that matters. Yesterday was semi productive, though memorable nonetheless. I finally got a bank account (after going all over town). Pablo and I did an intercambio at a pub near our home. I did my best to tell him why I was in Madrid and what I would I imagine for myself from here on out. He talked [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
October 4th 2009

practicing christian??? Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

Following through on my invite to church from a staff member at the Hostel One Centro, I came home from having lunch with Martin and Izzy (I remembered!). Izzy made this wonderful dish with chicken and rice and peas and carrots, very delicious. We had wine afterward and watched an episode of Married with Children (still funny after what, ten years?) M & I had plans to visit a few galleries, they invited me along, though I had to return to my schoolbooks and work on my midterm. I had a good hour before I would have to leave with Erminda. [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
October 2nd 2009

This is what I've been waiting for Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

all summer long. I have been waiting for school to begin. And I've been waiting for the school year to begin in Spain. My school is located in the small village of Arganda Del Rey. It is an hours metro ride out of the city. The metro actually rises from underground, so I am able to catch glimpses of the Spanish countryside on my way to work. The distance from school is a 10 minute walk uphill, reminding me of the streets in Zacatecas, Mexico when Charisma and I visited this past spring. When I arrived I was greeted by children [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
September 30th 2009

Hostel One Centro Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

Moved yet again. This is the last hostel! I'm worried this hostel will be noisy, or that I will be the noisy one rising at 6-630 for my first day of work tomorrow. I didn't want to pay anymore for a private room, and this place was the least for the time I will be here. Next week I will be in my room, hopefully settled, and constructing a schedule to begin my life here in Madrid. I purchased my Abono yesterday, and I guess it was then, that I realized I was not visiting Madrid. I am going to be [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
September 27th 2009

Black and White fiasco Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

Awoken from a dream, this early afternoon, I realized that I was not in Denver, not in the states, alone in a super quiet hostel. This is fine. What I then realized, was the actions that had taken place mere hours ago in the streets of Chueca. Renato (I'm certain that's his name) met me at Black & White around 1:30, I forgot that I had his number on my phone and called him to let him know that I was waiting for him and his friends to arrive. Everything was fine, I did my best to keep up with the [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
September 26th 2009

Hostal Berlín Madrid Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

Second day in Hostal Berlín, only half a block away from the Ópera metro station. I am fatigued, I have to assume it is result of my ventures in Chueca, particularly the Black & White bar. What can I say? I'm drawn to bars with drag shows- dates back to 60 South in Denver, and of course, Charlie's Denver. Much like Arizona's in GDL, I didn't really understand the humor in the jokes, but can feel the sentiment behind the words, gestures, the clothing. Danny and I spent our time downstairs talking and drinking. 8 euro Rum & cokes filled our [View Full Entry]

By messupmylife
September 22nd 2009

University Club, Chueca, Madrid Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid

I'm working on past assignments right now (well, not right now right now) and frantically trying to catch up. I know I will not receive credit, I just need to know past chapters for my Art and my History classes. I went yesterday to drop off my large bag at my new home and stayed awhile to chat with Amancio and Pedro. They asked me to stay for dinner, but I declined and explained that I had to do homework. They commented how it must be difficult to be an assistant teacher in the morning, and study in the evenings. I [View Full Entry]

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