My kids :)

There have been a few things about this experience that have been difficult: missing my friends, family, having to cook ALL the time, not getting paid regularly yet, the weather... just to name a few. The one thing that has given me roots here are my kids.

Like I've mentioned before, I work at two primary schools. One school is in Cenicero, which is about 30 min from where I live, and Navarrete, which is about 20 min away. Each school is has it's own character and family atmosphere. 

Cenicero was the school I arrived at first. The kids warmed up to me immediately (I think its because they wonder how someone that looks as young as them, can be a teacher). I feel really connected to the school. I get to work with all of the classes since there are only one for each grade. The only ones that have two are the three year olds and four year olds. The teachers there are younger too. I have more interaction with them, especially the guys. There are four guy teachers (five if you also count the director). During lunch time, I'll head to the music room where Fernando the music teacher will be jammin' out on the guitar while one of the other guys is on drums. I have to prepare a song to sing for Monday because they're making me :-P All in all, good fun!

Navarrete is slightly bigger and has more resources. The kids there also enjoy having me there, but I would say the ones that actually listen to me talking are the 1st graders. The older kids always complain that they don't understand me or just talk over me, but the 1st graders are always asking me questions (even though they think I don't speak Spanish since I'm not allowed to speak it in class). They're even really observant! One day I came into their class and after a giant group hug, one of them asked if I had cut my hair, while another responded that I had just straightened it (which was correct). They're always asking their teacher if they can teach me Spanish so I can talk to them. :) In Navarrete, the teachers are also very, very kind, though I am only close to a few. I have an intercambio on Wednesdays with a few of the teachers that want to practice their English. The two English teachers I work with are really great. They make me feel like I'm really helping out. Then there is my Spanish mom, who takes me to Navarrete each week I'm there and gives me advice and great tips on how to enjoy Spain the Spanish way. :)

Enough babble. Here are some pictures :)

And last but not least, my three year olds :-D

There you have it. A glimpse of my life here as an auxiliar/entertainer/teacher/babysitter :-P