I realize I didn't write about the last three weeks of my experience in Spain, and now I'm sitting at home in the US, feeling like I really need to finish off this blog somehow. Somehow.
Well, there's a simple list of how I spent my time in the last 3 weeks:
--School, especially writing papers in Spanish. I'm a bit better at that now!
--Tutoring and teaching at the language school, as usual. I'm thankful for the unexpected source of income by tutoring and its challenge... because I can definitely say that tutoring was the most difficult thing I encountered during my time in Spain. I do not want to be a teacher, I never wanted to be a teacher!, and yet my internship ended being entirely that. And yet, somehow, it turned out just fine and I got better at planning my lessons. And all the professors of the English department at the language school were wonderful, very helpful and patient, and the students there were a lot of fun--I learned a lot about traditions and random bits of culture from them.
--Go on official excursions to Salamanca and Merida. Both interesting, though not my style of how to see a town in a day.
--Travel around Spain with my family and have Thanksgiving at my host mother's house!
--Hang out in Caceres, especially with my good Spanish friend, Jonathan. He was such a blessing, and so much fun. I expected to have several friends that I would keep in touch with at the end of this semester, but one good one is sufficient for me. We had some great English-Spanish convos, since we're learning each other's languages, and he opened his hou
se, family, friends, church and the town of Caceres to me, which made me feel honored and excited to see other faces of Spanish life. God bless you,mi amigo! (I'm pictured with the church pastor, his wife and Jonathan.)
I've thought of how to sum up my experience in Spain in a hundred different ways, and there's no way I can choose just one. Photos. This blog. My two hand-written journals I filled. The meals I ate. Etc, etc... Or, What I Did and Did Not Do in three months time:
What I Didn't Do In Three Months:
Drive a car. Ride a bike. Eat peanut butter. Lose sleep because I had to study. Skip class. Read a text book. Watch a sport live. Play Ultimate Frisbee, or any sport for that matter! Eat pancakes. Drink root beer or Dr. Pepper. Play worship music on a piano. Go to Barcelona, sadly. Watch flamenco, famous though it is. Leave the Iberian peninsula. Watch a movie in English. Eat Thanksgiving food. Do my own laundry. Bake cookies.
What I Did Do in Three Months:
Eat bull's ear (yuck, yuck, yuck!). Cook my own tortilla de patata. Visit south, west, central and north of Spain, plus Portugal. Attempt to learn some Portugese. Sing Spanish worship songs. Watch a community play. Listen to fantastic classical guitar concerts. Eat Spanish food for Thanksgiving. Show Caceres to my family! (That's my family and I pictured in Ronda, a small town in southern Spain.) Become a pro at Euros and Celsius...well, kinda! Attend Catholic mass. Ride a train. Sing a Christmas carol for Spanish students. Ride Metros. Meet Erasmus students from all over Europe. Stay in hostels. Go on a major trip by myself (to Gijon). See two Colorado friends (Andrew and Kristen)! Get my haircut, describing it in Spanish haltingly...haha! Stay out until 5:30am. Watch Spanish soaps. Etc. Etc....
I could talk about how I wish things had been different, because there are a few things in that category. I'd want: no internship, more Spanish classes, meet more Spanish students, not share a home with another student, bring my own laptop, keep in better touch with my US friends (certain ones in particular!). Also, there were several frustrations related to administration/ coordination that really bothered me, probably more than they should have, and it surprised me, considering that the program isn't new. But don't get me wrong, I have no regrets about going to the specific location through my university.
Finally, as for the spiritual aspect, I went into this semester praying that God would reveal what type of job I should pursue with a major in Spanish, and give me a "heart" for Spain, if that's what He wanted. But instead, from what I can tell as of now, He humbled me by reminding me of some deep flaws of mine that are contrary to His will (for example, a strong rebellion to certain authorities in my life, and my dependence on guys). He showed me the beauty of being totally dependent on Him, though I haven't figured that all out yet! And he showed me clues into the "spiritual climate" in Spain, which I found quite interesting.
You know, I've been asked if I could ever live in Spain, as in live and work there for an extended amount of time. My answer is Yes, I Could... though it wouldn't be my first choice, and in the end, I don't really identify with the people as a whole. But, this just makes me want to travel more, to see more wonders of creation and get a peek into the many cultures that exist on this wide earth. Also, this experience has made me want to travel more within my own country: sure, I have more space cover than Spaniards do, but there is so much more I want to see! And why not? Why not make a list and once in awhile, actually GO someplace new and DO something new and unexpected? Who knows? I might grow from it, might make a new friend, and God most likely will teach me something from it!
Thanks to all who have taken the time to read my blogs. I really do enjoy writing, and it helps me solidify my thoughts, and hopefully it inspired/entertained/taught you somehow. Please, feel free to send me an email at lnprov@iastate.edu if you've got anything to ask or share!
Signing off for the last time, I remain,
Ellen P.
