PICHITA

Today begins Halloween week, and this means nothing except that my babies (ages 12-35) get to try candy corn for the first time, thanks to my parents. Naturally, I'm way more excited about Halloween then anyone in Spain, mostly because they don't really celebrate it. It's definitely a more western holiday, and whatever they know about it boils down to horror, vampires and blood. It's easier for them to keep Halloween simple because Europeans have Carnival, which is way crazier than our 31st, so.. The kids have been participating a lot this week because I preface each lesson with "there is a surprise at the end of the class IF you speak English a lot. An AMERICAN surprise."Anyways, Friday I'm planning on dressing up a little, give them a real reason to stare at the white girl in the halls.

Today some notable things happened. First, with my 4th level "special" class we had mini oral exams. They just had to speak for about a minute about themselves. Their names, ages, birthdays, star signs (seeens), phone numbers and addresses. At the end of the hour they practiced asking me questions, but María, the professor, requested that they brainstorm questions with more complex answers instead of just, "how old are you?" "Do you have a boyfriend?" etc etc... So, with María's help the first few were really good, "what is your dream?" "What do you want to change in the world?" 3rd question, "what is your email address?" Muaahaha.. my turn to screw with them. The second they all realized I was going to tell them something they scrambled for pens and pencils.

Someone yells from the back of the room "Despacio, eh???!!!"
María screams back, "IN ENGLISH!"
Student responds, "Ehslow pleeez."
So I answer, "youwish@gmail.com."
Kids, "HUH????¿¿¿"
Me, "y-o-u-w-i-s-h-@gmail.com."
Smart kid that puts things together faster than the others, "Tu deseo?" (Your wish)
Rest of the class, "OOOOOOoooooh, her desire."
María, "NO NO NO. It's not possessive! 'Tú deseas en Castellano."
Me, "It's an expression."
María, "Google it."
Students giggle, so excited.


Later that day, 3rd years. We've been talking food for a week or so. Today they get to make their own menus for a restaurant. María requires them to have a vegetarian section for me, so amazing. Jordi is charging 10€ for whiskey. Not going there. Sheila is charging 22€ for hamburger and fish but only 2€ for wine, (she gave me a discount from the original 3€ menu price). And then there is Carlos. Carlos with his gold bling, huge diamond earrings, baggy pants and the first one to greet me everyday, "Hgggggiiiiii Karrrrrli." His restaurant is "in" New York. He tried to name it Pizzita (little pizza). Instead, in Spanish, he accidentally named it "Little Penis." María first explains to the class what Carlos did and then whispers to me, "Hehehe, there's only one reason why he did that, right?"

Halloween is Sunday and the Monday after is a holiday. Then I work Tuesday and Wednesday. And Thursday I'd normally work, however, the program requires some 3 hour mandatory group session, talk about logistics, our roles in the schools etc etc etc... Immediately after, John and I have a bus to catch to..... Calatayud! I left a bunch of stuff there over the summer instead of lugging it all home and back again, plus I really miss my homies and I get to visit my old school, show John small town Spain.

Pictures coming soon to my online Picasa album.
Ya'll having a nice week?

Hope your costumes are coming together nicely... Not sure where this years inspiration will come from but I could certainly revisit the past for ideas if need be.....!!!