football.

My family is adorable. Full of energy, and loud in the best way. Mi padre loves English music, Mi madre Spanish. He loves Radiohead which is wonderful, as it is my favorite band. He is also a fan of Oasis and Muse. He hates Gangnam Style.. and Miley Cyrus. He will happily elaborate upon this.

They are crazy about sports. Football (European style). Real Madrid.
I had the amazing opportunity to go to one of the games.

At the Stadium for the Real Madrid game.

 It made me miss Michigan 'football' (perhaps because the game was the previous day and my facebook was filled with game day glee. Fortunately, I was able to get my fix, and not feel too depressed about missing out on the all the maize and blue excitement. Also Real Madrid won [and Michigan too]!

Just a few reasons I love my Spanish family.

1)   They are such a beautiful family and love is apparent in every interaction. Yes they do their share of fighting, but  imagine: three boys. THREE.

2)   They are immensely generous and kind. Sam and Bea both have the warmest hearts. 

     

     For instance, when talking with Bea and other families at the pool (there are two English families who live in the complex), I learned that housekeepers such as Zulma are rarely treated well and are seen as inferior. Not in this house. Bea and Samuel are so wonderful to Zulma and Bianca and treat them like part of the family. This I love.

3)   They are both so open to sharing their culture and learning about mine. Samuel is very eager to learn English and also loves to share aspects of Spanish culture and compare them to different lifestyles in America. Although we don't always share the same opinions and interests, I am learning so much from hearing his various sentiments, as he is from me.

4)   They are hilarious. I love watching Bea and Samuel communicate. Samuel can be very sensitive but has an opinion on everything and it’s always entertaining to hear him communicate them in English. In his words, “he is like a spring chicken”. 

5)   The children are adorable. Especially Marcos, look.

Marcos discovers webcam

6) They can cook! Delicious Spanish food and healthy vegetables: mushrooms, asparagus, green beans, oh my!

7)   They think my coffee habits are “incredible” “crazy” and “unhealthy” yet they accept and support my caffeinated lifestyle.

8) They appreciate that hard work comes with play and of course rest. I love that naps are an inclusive part of everyday.

9) They see family and friends as the most important thing and this is evident in the way they live their lives. Despite how tired they may be after a long twelve hour work day or helping the children with homework, they always make time to include visits with family and friends and attending various birthday parties, weddings, and other festivities.

10) They are beautiful- inside, outside ,and even in that small space in between ;)

...

One of those mornings.. The air is too cold and too warm. my clothes don’t’ feel right,  my nail polish is chipped, my legs prickly, I’m hungry for nothing. All of my messages and emails from the night before are unreplied. The kids are speaking only Spanish. No one understands me. Basically I’m feeling pretty dreadful, and quite alone. 

So I do what I always do when I feel this way. I call home.

And no one answers.. no one!?

Has everyone forgotten me? Perhaps I’m just grumpy because I’m out of coffee, my book is finished, all of the world is in shambles.

You know what they say, when all else fails, take a nap.

I feel like new. I called home. My mother still loves me. Thank God.

There is always a new book, more coffee, people who care. It’s all in perspective. And hey if those are my worse problems, then let it be so.

another day

Today was muy bueno! English class was more productive today. I created a series of games to play with Pablo, as long as it involves competition or coloring he’s in. 

They love to fight, like any brothers or siblings in general, and they know just what to do to make the other upset --Marcos especially.

To bring about peace, I made Marcos a fort of towels and gave him my mobile to play Angry Birds. One hour later.. all is peaceful at la piscina.

Marcos attempting to take a photo of Bianca

Marcos

There is an older Spanish lady at the pool, everyday when we are here. She intrigues me as she is always smiling to herself, yet doesn’t say a word. I like her. 

I've been working on my Grad school/Peace Corps applications and am hoping to have them all finished before I start wandering across Europe and Asia, as internet will most likely be scarce and I do not wish to be spending any of my time behind a computer screen.

Marcos is still playing angry birds, but hey no one is crying! This is a first. [five minutes later: spoke too soon]

To Madrid or Ma-don't, that is the question...

Madrid!

Also, I truly think Spanish should have been thee universal language. English, why? 

aquí aquí aquí!!!

Hello All,

I’ve made it to Madrid.

Mi familia es muy bonita!

Bea speaks wonderful English and Samuel is much better than he let on. I’ll be working with the boys each morning teaching them English for an hour. David the oldest is 9, Pablo or Paul is 7, and the youngest Marcos in 3. There is also Bianca the daughter of the housekeeper Zulma, who is 8 years old. She doesn’t speak a word of English, but is very sweet.

Basically I speak in English with the oldest two for an hour or two. Then we head to the pool or play football (soccer). The weather here is absolutely wonderful, fortunately I beat the 100 degree heat!

Another thing that is absolutely wonderful: the food. I will elaborate more on this later. But let me just say it’s wonderful.

I am headed to the store to get a cheap phone so I can communicate with new friends and various couchsurfers in the area- as well as my host family, that way when I get lost in the middle of Madrid, they can rescue me.

More soon!

Much love!

Nat