Johnny in Spain!

Johnny's visit in Madrid was wonderful! I was so happy to bring my new life in Spain and my American roots together! I kept him busy by bringing him to work with me, showing him around Madrid and giving him a taste of what bars and discotecas are like! (given that he is only 19)

My students were in such awe that Johnny was my YOUNGER brother. They thought that with how tall he is that he must be 95 years old. Johnny quickly became the prime focus of my classes. Some teachers had the students interview him and then write a paper on him. Meanwhile, in other classes Johnny encouraged the little boys to not pay attention to me and to instead throw balls of paper at the other classmates.
The kids have been asking me everyday where Johnny is and I continue to get the same confused look when I tell them that he went back to America.

It was great having Johnny here and showing him how wonderful Madrid is! I was very sad having to say good bye but I am greatful that he was able to come at all! :)

Living the Good Life

Here in Spain the holidays are just coming to an end. I can't complain with this extra time we are getting off! The reason their holidays last much longer than ours in the States (school is just starting up today!) is because on January 6 they celebrate Los Reyes. Although Santa Clause is becoming more and more popular, the kids really go wild for Los Reyes Magos, or as we know them, Three Wiseman.

And since the majority of Spaniards live in apartments, their beliefs of how Santa Clause (or Los Reyes) enter is much different. Instead of coming down the chimney, they must climb up the balcony. Which is why these holiday decorations can be seen throughout the city. I can't help but laugh a little everytime I see it. :)

The night of January 5 was Cabalgata de Reyes, which translates to the Procession of the Kings. There was a huge parade throughout the city filled with floats, fireworks, and the presenting of the 3 kings. The plazas and streets were packed with people. It was quite a spectacular parade that seemed to have every child in the city in attendance. Children were sitting on their parents shoulder's to get a good view and some parents even brought ladders so their kids could get a good view! haha

This past weekend Maggie's friend was visiting from Kansas, so we decided to take a little day trip out of the city. We decided to show him Toledo, which is a town in Castilla La Mancha. It is only a 45 minute bus ride south of Madrid, making it the perfect outing! It was nice to get out of the city for a while. We enjoyed a delicious Spanish lunch consisting of paella, lentejas and flan. Which was then followed by roaming the quiant, cobblestone streets. This was my second time visiting Toledo and I enjoyed it just as much as the first.

And I couldn't ask for a better way to end the break- Johnny will be landing in Madrid in only 2.5 hours!! I can't wait to show him my life here in Spain and introduce him to such a wonderful country!

Holidays in Madrid

Although it was a bummer I wasn't able to be home with my family for the holidays, I feel so fortunate to have wonderful friends in Madrid who have become my family here.
The last day of school was on the 22nd, but it was more of a Christmas celebration before the break. In the morning all the parents came to the school and watched each class perform Christmas carols-one in English and one in Spanish. It was cute hearing all our Christmas carols with a Spanish twist and also learning new Spanish carols, which are called villancicos.
Once the kids went home all the teachers rallied to start our own celebrations. We went to a local restaurant for lunch, which then turned into us bar hopping. Our Christmas lunch quickly turned into an 8 hour outing. It is always fun hanging out with my co-workers. They are all so welcoming- my principal emphasized to me and the other American assistants that if we ever feel lonely to call her because she wanted us to know that despite being far from our families and home we are not alone here.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful Christmas decorations in Madrid:

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner with Justin Robles mom, who is visiting from California! We had a great time and shared lots of laughs. After dinner we went to midnight mass, which is something I have never been to. It was interesting seeing all the rituals that went on.

On Christmas Day, Maggie's parents came into town. After being friends with Maggie for two years, Justin and I were looking forward to meeting some of her family! That morning we sipped on hot chocolate, coffee and tea while opening presents. Maggie's parents were so sweet to even bring gifts for Justin and I. Later on in the day Justin Robles and his mom came over. It was nice having parents around on the holidays-Justin and I were worried we would feel like orphans this Christmas but luckily it was quite the opposite! I was able to skype with my parents, Johnny and my grandpa which was wonderful. Except for the fact that every other sentence that came out of my mom's mouth was that I need to move home. :)

Here in Madrid we were lucky to celebrate New Years Eve twice! Each year thousands of people head to the center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, to watch the clock strike twelve (Madrid's equivalence to Times Square). Since it is such a big deal here, they do a trial run on the 30th of December. So us and our friends rallied and headed out to Sol on the 30th to prep for New Years Eve. Instead of kissing at midnight, the Spanish have a tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. You are supposed to eat a grape each time the clock chimes, but here in Spain the grapes have seeds so you can imagine how hard this is. If you eat all 12 then you will have 12 months of good luck but I decided to settle for 4 months of good luck. On the 30th you aren't supposed to eat the grapes, instead you bring something else to practice with such as peanuts or candies. We decided to bring M&M's and we clearly didn't think it through because we got peanut M&M's. So, we couldn't keep up with everyone. The grape tradition started in Spain because one year there was a huge grape harvest, so the King gave everyone grapes to eat on New Years Eve.

pre-New Years eve:

For the actual New Years Eve, we went to dinner with one of my American co-workers and a group of 15 English people. They were all very fun and friendly! We then ventured out to Sol for round two with what felt like millions of other people. Once midnight struck we ventured to my friends place that was nearby and unfortunately due to the late night we had the previous night, I was asleep by 1:30. I woke up at 8 the next morning unaware to the fact that I had slept through a whole party- I hope this isn't a reflection of what 2012 will be for me!

I am looking forward to what 2012 has to offer! I think it is going to be a GREAT year! And I am excited that I get to start off the year with a visit from my baby brother, who will be here in a week!! :)

¡Feliz año!