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Published: March 20th 2006
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My Spanish Students
How precious are they?!? **Pictures of my precious little Spanish students!** http://community.webshots.com/album/548747710ORRMpU
Me encantan los ninos espanoles (I love Spanish children)! Today has been a roller coaster day. When my alarm went off this morning I swear I had been asleep for only 30 minutes at the most, but it had actually been 8.5 hours. I think that the lack of sleep and the transition in time is catching up to me. I really haven't had any time to just sit and unwind for a few since I've been here. I taught a lesson this morning to 6th graders. It didn't go bad, but it wasn't great. Not that I was expecting it to be. It is very difficult for me to speak in Spanish without really thinking about what I'm going to say while standing in front of 25 kids that I don't know. I can answer questions that they ask about me forever, but trying to teach them and talk in English then translate in Spanish, is VERY difficult for me....also, my least favorite part of my day is sitting in the teacher's lounge during coffee break. The room echoes easily and there are about 10 people talking very fast Spanish to each other and me. It's probably the most overwhelming part of my day. I usually just sit there and nod my head, pretending that I know what I'm saying, when I actually only hear a few words here and there that I understand. I've talked to Jose Maria, the principal, the most. He's very patient and talks super slow for me. All the teachers here are great, thats why its so easy for me to get frustrated...I just want them to know my personality and be able to get to know them better, but I feel so constrained in what I can say when I speak Spanish. It's very frustrating and I think that several things just built up today from since I've been here and I had my breakdown. As soon as I left the school for my afternoon break, I wanted to cry, however, I didn't want to run into someone and yet again not be able to explain what was wrong in Spanish...haha, so I held it all in till I was back in my room. It was a very much needed breakdown and I feel tons better now. I did a lot of praying, and thank you to those who prayed for me as well. God definitely took care of me this afternoon. When I got back to school, Reyes (my teacher) asked me if I felt comfortable that morning when I taught and I told her no, but I was very appreciative that the students and her were so patient. She helped me a lot more the next period and things went really well. At the end of the class, she told the kids to give me a round of applause for doing a good job. Small things like that helped me feel more confident in what I was doing. I had 2nd graders for the last class of the day and they were precious. I know I'm going to love being a teacher because kids can just make all your problems go away and make you feel so loved. Today was the first day for this little girl, Alba, to meet me. She was so intrigued by me. She kept on smiling at me, showing me her drawings, admiring my necklace, holding my hand...she was a blessing from God! 😊 There's something about these Spanish kids that just makes them so precious. I can't get enough of them!
I know that my experience in Spain is not going to be an easy one...I wasn't expecting it to be. I knew that I was going to be stepping waaaay out of my comfort zone and that it was going to be a challenge. I know I'll love looking back on this and seeing how much I grew during the 3 months that I am here. It's going to be a roller coaster while I'm in Spain, but hey, I love roller coasters! 😊 I'll appreciate the good times so much better because of the more difficult times! I still love it here...its pretty amazing to me that I am living in Europe right now! I love hearing from yall, even if its just little sentences or comments posted/emailed here and there. You have no idea how encouraging it is to know that yall are thinking about me for even a few seconds! 😊 I hope yall are having a good start to your week!
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Emily Stephenson
non-member comment
The girl on the end looks like Amelia. I hope things are getting easier. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Enjoy Spain and I hope to talk to you soon! I love you!