This is a very popular quote here in Espain! We hear it most often in reference to the frequent tardiness or the lack of organization that exists in different aspects of life here. There are also many positives to this famous “dicho”; it is almost always sunny, there is very little precipitation, the people are incredibly nice, there are hundreds of cyclists and millions of cycling fanatics, there is a ton of racing, and there are many teams out there that love to sign new riders…These are just a few of the very different parts of Espain that we do not mind.
Yesterday was my team presentation. Yes, I have joined a cycling team here in Jaén, Spain. Yes, they actually have team presentations at this level of racing. And last but not least, yes, they do give you A TON of free clothing to ride on their team. I was given a full winter outfit, two summer outfits, arm and leg warmers, gloves, a track suit, a t-shirt, a balaclava (which is ironic considering it was 70 degrees here today) and a vest! There is also a helmet on the way! Espanish people take their racing very seriously. The team all got together yesterday morning for a 120-kilometer ride through the valley. We were all looking very sharp rocking the brand new kits! The ride finished at the castle here in Jaen where we took some team photos to give to the sponsors and for the article that the paper ran on Monday morning. We then all went down to one of the local bars and had lunch together with friends, family, and sponsors! The team and I are all looking forward to the first race of the season in Cadiz (where our friend Mrs. Mavis Hartz lived for a year). Nobody knows if we will win or not but one thing is for certain; we are going to be one of the best looking teams at the start line!
Cycling has pretty much defined the month of February for both Jeanna and me. The weather has been absolutely incredible and it has been nearly impossible for either of us to stop soaking in the sun. Jeanna finished her first metric century ride in less than four hours last Saturday. I just finished a 21-hour build week and we are both still finding time to spend with one another…ohh yeah, and work every once in awhile! We realize how incredibly fortunate we are to be here and we are having no trouble at all make the most of this experience. We have a few trips planned in the near future. Keep checking back for updates and more photos. We hope that all of you are doing well. We love and miss all of you and look forward to seeing you this summer! We will be home in just over three months! Until then, we will continue doing our best to take full advantage of our time here in Espain, where things are berry differentay amigo!
Saludos
Elias and La Guapetona Señora Jeanna
Thursday, February 26, 2009
My Wonderful School
I should start by stating that I am fortunate enough to be working at what could possibly be one of the greatest schools in Andalucia (you’ll notice my bias right off). The school itself is bright, clean, and an incredibly positive environment for not only the students, but staff as well. I’ve come to the conclusion that job satisfaction must be quite high here in Andalucia, as the primary teachers work an invigorating schedule of 9-2. Yep, almost five brutal hours of work a day. It’s a rough life. Mine is made even more difficult in that I am required to be there a whole 12 hours a week. During my 12 hours at school, I am swarmed with smiling students shouting, “teacher, teacher!” and rewarded with not only thousands of abrazos y besos (kisses and hugs), but also with fine works of art with profound statements like, “la major seño de Estados Unidos”. Perhaps you’re beginning to understand the temptation of returning?
I teach English classes to students ranging from 5 years to 11 years old. With the older students, I typically ask questions regarding stories we’ve read, explain the workbook assignments, and carry on conversation practices (or practises if you’re from England. By the way…I quickly learned that trousers = pants, rubbers = erasers, lorries? = semis, and have got = have…just a couple of the quirks, that and the British feel the need to add a “u” to quite a few words like: favourite, colour, mum, and honour). I also get to teach units on special themes like: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Children’s Rights Day, International Day of Peace to name a few. For the latter I made a big poster and had all my students (and actually all the students in primary school) read a story I wrote about accepting differences in others, and then, after learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we made a “dream chain” that held all of our dreams for a peaceful happy world. We also all made “peace” bracelets to wear for the assembly.
With the younger students I have actually taken on the role as the sole teacher. This requires me to be a little more on top of my game (imagine being five years old and listening to words you’re not sure that you understand for an hour: ADD much???). Needless to say, we play lots of games and every day I find myself being a train, a lion, a monkey, a hungry crocodile, or a human tagging machine. Did I mention I smile a lot in my job? All my students keep me laughing, smiling, and definitely on my toes.
Last week was the carnaval celebration. It was during this parade that I again took note and time to be thankful for how wonderful and special my school is. Everyone took on the theme of “inventions” for their costumes. We had robots, calculators, cell phones, ovens, washing machines, scientists, clocks, currency, and yours truly came as a cyclist (no surprise there -in all honesty I was trying to squeeze in a ride before the parade and had no time to change clothes). But who would have thought that the students would go crazy at seeing their “seño” in a costume for carnaval? Due to my not so serious attitude in the classroom and my ability to constantly make a fool of myself in front of the students, I feel like they’ve come to accept me as one of them. My 5th grade girls are constantly asking me about music and t.v. programs while busting out their MP3s so we can sing Rhianna together, and the boys think it’s so cool that I actually touched the saltamontes (grasshopper). The teachers are beginning to joke that I am more famous than Madonna.
If there is one sentiment that I am constantly reminded of here, it is that life in Spain is very different. There seems to be less stress and more smiles (not to mention louder, more animated conversations and rowdy kids). Perhaps it’s the sunshine, perhaps it’s because there is time to spend with family, perhaps it’s the social healthcare system or any number of possibilities. It could even be the aceite (olive oil), vino tinto, y jamon. Whatever the reason may be, Spain definitely leaves one feel thankful and encouraging one to always “enjoy the life”.
I teach English classes to students ranging from 5 years to 11 years old. With the older students, I typically ask questions regarding stories we’ve read, explain the workbook assignments, and carry on conversation practices (or practises if you’re from England. By the way…I quickly learned that trousers = pants, rubbers = erasers, lorries? = semis, and have got = have…just a couple of the quirks, that and the British feel the need to add a “u” to quite a few words like: favourite, colour, mum, and honour). I also get to teach units on special themes like: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Children’s Rights Day, International Day of Peace to name a few. For the latter I made a big poster and had all my students (and actually all the students in primary school) read a story I wrote about accepting differences in others, and then, after learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we made a “dream chain” that held all of our dreams for a peaceful happy world. We also all made “peace” bracelets to wear for the assembly.
With the younger students I have actually taken on the role as the sole teacher. This requires me to be a little more on top of my game (imagine being five years old and listening to words you’re not sure that you understand for an hour: ADD much???). Needless to say, we play lots of games and every day I find myself being a train, a lion, a monkey, a hungry crocodile, or a human tagging machine. Did I mention I smile a lot in my job? All my students keep me laughing, smiling, and definitely on my toes.
Last week was the carnaval celebration. It was during this parade that I again took note and time to be thankful for how wonderful and special my school is. Everyone took on the theme of “inventions” for their costumes. We had robots, calculators, cell phones, ovens, washing machines, scientists, clocks, currency, and yours truly came as a cyclist (no surprise there -in all honesty I was trying to squeeze in a ride before the parade and had no time to change clothes). But who would have thought that the students would go crazy at seeing their “seño” in a costume for carnaval? Due to my not so serious attitude in the classroom and my ability to constantly make a fool of myself in front of the students, I feel like they’ve come to accept me as one of them. My 5th grade girls are constantly asking me about music and t.v. programs while busting out their MP3s so we can sing Rhianna together, and the boys think it’s so cool that I actually touched the saltamontes (grasshopper). The teachers are beginning to joke that I am more famous than Madonna.
If there is one sentiment that I am constantly reminded of here, it is that life in Spain is very different. There seems to be less stress and more smiles (not to mention louder, more animated conversations and rowdy kids). Perhaps it’s the sunshine, perhaps it’s because there is time to spend with family, perhaps it’s the social healthcare system or any number of possibilities. It could even be the aceite (olive oil), vino tinto, y jamon. Whatever the reason may be, Spain definitely leaves one feel thankful and encouraging one to always “enjoy the life”.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Please Join the Two of Us In Welcoming the Newest Edition to Our Little Family…
Halcón Verde Romer was kindly brought to us on Wednesday the 11th of February in this new year of 2009. We have taken this little bici in with arms wide open. These last two months have been difficult for the two of us. Eli did not take the loss of Big Yellow very well. Jeanna spent many a nights trying to comfort poor Eli assuring him that their family would be back together very soon. That day has finally come with the arrival of our 16-pound bundle of joy. The arrival of little Halcón Verde could not have been timed any better. Halcón arrived less than a day after the famous Andalucian sun decided to come back to Jaén. It appears as though both the sun and new bici are here to stay for a while. Eli could not be happier with the new addition and Jeanna could not be happier to finally have an end to all of the “moaning and groaning” from her anxious husband!
The arrival of Halcón, in combination with the sun, has kept both of us extremely busy. Eli feels the need to spend all of his free time playing outside with young Halcón, spending good quality time together, until the sun goes down. Jeanna has already taken note of the doting, proud, and protective side of Eli. She feels equally happy to see that bright orb in the sky and has been spending her fair amount of time outside as well. It is amazing to see the number of smiles that the sun has brought to this little city we have come to call home.
Jeanna and Eli have both picked up a few extra private English classes to support their habit of having a good time! They give us something to do in the evenings and give us a few extra €uros to spend. The added income normally goes towards trying different Spanish food (one of our favorite past times), movies, or…yes, we still spend some money on the bicicletas! Jeanna did have the opportunity to check out a dance class, and she has also decided to join a women’s gym for the next month. The “dance class” tuned out to be more of a retirement center activity night than what she had envisioned but in true Jeanna form, she rocked out with all the little Espanish Abuelas. They fell in love with her, of course, and hope that she will one day return… In the meantime, Jeanna is truly enjoying her new gym membership. She still rides her bike while the sun is out but has signed up for a pilates class that starts after the sun goes down. For those of you who know Jeanna she loves lifting weights. Between the bike, pilates, lifting, and a little bit of “work”, Miss Jeanna has no problem sleeping through the night (as if she ever did). She is an Eastburn after all.
We are both having an incredible time here in Spain. Thanks again to all of those that have helped make this opportunity a reality for both of us. We have less than four months until we are back home in the states. We look forward to seeing all of you but still feel like we have a lot to accomplish before leaving here. Race season will be here in a couple of weeks. This means traveling throughout all of Andalucia, and of course racing (Eli’s favorite past time)! We are also looking forward to entertaining some visitors over the next couple of months. Hopefully this will give us an excuse to get out and see some different parts of this wonderful country… Hasta luego
Elias and Miss Jeanna
We felt it also important to mention that we have started a trust fund for little Halcón for those of you wanting to contribute to this wonderful addition to the family. We’re hoping the fund will converge into a lovely set of carbon wheels for young Halcon to play with. Just think of it as diapers…for a REALLY long time.
The arrival of Halcón, in combination with the sun, has kept both of us extremely busy. Eli feels the need to spend all of his free time playing outside with young Halcón, spending good quality time together, until the sun goes down. Jeanna has already taken note of the doting, proud, and protective side of Eli. She feels equally happy to see that bright orb in the sky and has been spending her fair amount of time outside as well. It is amazing to see the number of smiles that the sun has brought to this little city we have come to call home.
Jeanna and Eli have both picked up a few extra private English classes to support their habit of having a good time! They give us something to do in the evenings and give us a few extra €uros to spend. The added income normally goes towards trying different Spanish food (one of our favorite past times), movies, or…yes, we still spend some money on the bicicletas! Jeanna did have the opportunity to check out a dance class, and she has also decided to join a women’s gym for the next month. The “dance class” tuned out to be more of a retirement center activity night than what she had envisioned but in true Jeanna form, she rocked out with all the little Espanish Abuelas. They fell in love with her, of course, and hope that she will one day return… In the meantime, Jeanna is truly enjoying her new gym membership. She still rides her bike while the sun is out but has signed up for a pilates class that starts after the sun goes down. For those of you who know Jeanna she loves lifting weights. Between the bike, pilates, lifting, and a little bit of “work”, Miss Jeanna has no problem sleeping through the night (as if she ever did). She is an Eastburn after all.
We are both having an incredible time here in Spain. Thanks again to all of those that have helped make this opportunity a reality for both of us. We have less than four months until we are back home in the states. We look forward to seeing all of you but still feel like we have a lot to accomplish before leaving here. Race season will be here in a couple of weeks. This means traveling throughout all of Andalucia, and of course racing (Eli’s favorite past time)! We are also looking forward to entertaining some visitors over the next couple of months. Hopefully this will give us an excuse to get out and see some different parts of this wonderful country… Hasta luego
Elias and Miss Jeanna
We felt it also important to mention that we have started a trust fund for little Halcón for those of you wanting to contribute to this wonderful addition to the family. We’re hoping the fund will converge into a lovely set of carbon wheels for young Halcon to play with. Just think of it as diapers…for a REALLY long time.
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