Back to Reality

Things have been quiet around here in little Córdoba since returning from my Christmas travels.  I’ve spent the month catching up on projects and attempting to plan for the future, which proves to be rather difficult when you aren’t sure what you want to do with your life.

I’ve been in Spain for five months now, which is the longest period of time I’ve ever been away from home.  This is also the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing my parents, sister, brother, aunts, roommates, many friends, dog, cat, etc.  While I miss my loved ones and my beloved Pacific Northwest every day, this time away from home has led me to the realization that I am fully capable of making a home for myself.

I decided to come to Spain because I knew it was the right thing for me.  I knew I needed to see the world and live on my own and force myself out of my comfort zone.  That being said, I anticipated… well, disaster, I guess.  I’m a homebody who doesn’t like to be away from her family and I’ve spent my adult life living with and surrounded by my best friends.  Being here hasn’t always been easy.  I have most certainly had meltdowns, dark days, and moments when I was ready to hop the next flight to Seattle.  But overall… I’m actually doing really well.  Sometimes that fact still surprises me.  Maybe I’m more grown up than I thought?

In any case, I’m weighing a lot of options for next year as it’s now 2012 and I suppose I need to start planning.  An obvious choice is to return to Córdoba, renew my current contract, and continue my life here.  I already have a network of friends and coworkers here, so I know I could do that fairly easily.  I never thought I would want to be a public school teacher, but I’m starting to love my job more and more every day.  The challenges I face at work are among the most difficult I’ve ever had to accomplish, but also the most rewarding.  For example, this card came from one of my timid fifth graders who never raises her hand.

I have such a long name...

striking resemblance, no?

She approached me after class a few weeks ago and said “Teacher… this… for you.”  It’s so adorable, I nearly cried.

However, I’m also becoming increasingly aware that I could find another job working as an ESL teacher pretty much anywhere in the world.  I’ve been reading a lot of teachers’ blogs (shout out to you, Heather!) and checking out different programs for English teachers.  I haven’t made any decisions yet, but I’m definitely scouting out my options right now.  If anyone reading this has any advice or resources, please comment and let me know!

Keely visited Córdoba last weekend for the first time, which was lovely.  She was feeling a bit under the weather, so we had a very calm visit peppered with plenty of leisurely lunches and siestas.  It’s nice to have friends who fit perfectly into your daily routine—going on walks and lounging around is sometimes just as nice as doing touristy activities.  We also consumed enough hummus to feed a small country (I recently discovered some at my local supermarket and am considering buying stocks in it).

at the Roman bridge

soaking up some sun

However, one touristy activity that we just couldn’t pass up was our local medieval festival.  Apparently, medieval themed fairs are very common in Andalucía, although I’ve never actually seen one myself.  We perused the festival on both Friday and Saturday because it was just that hilarious.  Spaniards in period garb, meat roasting on spits, and “exotic” birds on display is not something that you want to pass up.

Plaza Corredera, medieval style

serious meat

most of these candies are not for children

so "exotic"

it wouldn't be a Spanish festival without paella

yes, that is an octopus being cut with shears

In other news, I am planning a trip to Ireland for the end of this month with Becky, which I’m anticipating will be fantastic!  It’ll be very interesting to travel to an English speaking country after being displaced for five months.  I’ve also picked up a couple of new clases particulares to aid in my travel habit.  This weekend, Kels and her boyfriend Reggie are coming to Córdoba, so I will be spending some time with them in my beloved little city.  They don’t arrive for another 20 minutes though, so for now… more hummus!