samantha x

Yesterday, (Saturday 27th Nov) we had Thanksgiving in our flat! My housemates, Danica & Rachel are American and clearly it is an important & nice celebration to have. So we organised a get together, for all the language assistants in Estepa to come round, bring something to eat & drink and have our own 'International' Thanksgiving. It was on the wrong day, it was raining outside, it was chaotic, but it was amazing. There were our French friends, Spanish friends (& one of our teachers that we work with!) Americans & Brits, 14 of us in total (a bit of a squeeze in our living room!) I was on mash potato making duty, Danica made some great apple pies & Rachel (something I've never tried before but loved) a sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows on top!). ... read more

I get it a lot. Or more than I thought I would at least. It comes as quickly as it goes (which feels like I've been smacked in the face with a ton of bricks; that kind of quick) so I guess its a good thing it leaves quickly too. But it is an awful feeling. I realise I'm not as far away as some of my American friends (I can't even imagine what that must be like) but everyone is different. It doesn't make it easier when you feel that way, to know home is a 3 hour flight away. It just makes you wonder how quickly could you figure out a flight to get back. But luckily I have some amazing people around me here, and in the UK. Tapas & vino seem to ... read more

I've neglected this blog a bit. (a lot). SO in a nutshell - I'm going into my third month of living in Spain. Weirdly, it feels like it should be at least five. Probably because it feels very homely here and as it something I've always wanted to do. Also, now know that family & loved ones aren't too far away; I feel a lot more settled. I think I've finally accepted the idea that this is my home for the next 5 months and everything is finding its place, 'poco a poco' (bit by bit). School is great. I'm realising my role & developing ideas for activities in classes, I'm realising more & more that I would love to be a teacher (primary or high school still not exactly decided) or at least in education, ... read more

My first day at my high school; La Roda was last Friday, 1st October. I've had two days there now, and this is what I've noticed... First difference - the timetable. At home, there would be two lessons in the morning, a 15 minute break, 2 more lessons, 30 minutes to an hour for lunch time, followed by another lesson. Here, it is 2 lessons, followed by break or 'breakfast' at 11.30 - 12.00, and then lessons until the end of the day. It works out pretty well; it's just odd to have breakfast so late, but the teachers do seem to enjoy going to a local cafe for coffee & tostada (toasted bread, which is really nice). Second difference - big difference, is that this school is actually a bilingual school. Half of the timetable, ... read more

First blog entry ! Coming from my new flat in Estepa, Seville. A small town of around 12,000 people, famous for spanish christmas cakes & pastries! (Our landlord is owner of a factory that makes them!) I met my housemate Danica, & Kate, a girl staying & teaching in Puente Genil on Friday 17th Sept, then I arrived in Estepa on Saturday night / Sunday 19th, after spending a few days in Antequera, Puente Genil & Malaga. We moved into our flat by Sunday morning & by the afternoon we had unpacked and decided to walk around the town. The first random event was a precesion / parade, a brass band and hundreds filling the street just behind our flat, watching & celebrating while a big statue was carried through. We found out from our landlord, ... read more