Star Wars, It's Everywhere.

Okay, where to begin. Oddly enough, I felt like I haven't had a lot of free time to just sit down at the computer, or think about writing, even though I only work 7 hours a week currently. I've been filling my time with other things, and at times my internet connection has sucked so when I want to sit down and get online I can't.

Well, let's begin with work. It's very different than Korea, here I have to travel around from class to class via the metro to teach a student at their home for an hour or an hour and a half. Add into that time about 45 minutes of subway riding to get to these places and 45 minutes back. Mildred was right, it's the travel that wears on you, not the actual teaching. And, I've been exhausted by the end of the day because I've been trying to walk to a lot of my places. Because currently I have the time, I'm trying to get to the know the city, and I'm saving money on subway fare, until next month when i can get the monthly pass. So, I've been walking around 3 hours or so a day I bet. Just trying to get familiar with my environment.

And, I'm accomplishing that goal, the language is starting to come along, after two weeks here I can already see some improvement. That's all I'm looking for really, as long as I keep learning and it keeps making sense, even if it's just a word-a-day, I'll be happy. I had a good time yesterday morning. I got a free Spanish paper, met up with Mildred before she left for work, sat down with a coffee and croissant and studied Spanish in the paper, and then went for a walk through Retiro Park. Retiro Park is the enormous park (like the central park of Madrid) which is right near my flat. It was still early in the morning, so it was an enjoyable 40 minute walk.

Everything is starting to feel pretty normal, my place, the teaching, the people, the lifestyle. I haven't done anything really touristy, and probably won't for a while, so far these two weeks have been spent trying to find work, learning what classes are like, orienting myself to my new surroundings, getting to know people, and of course spending time with Mildred when I can.

This past weekend six of us visited a Star Wars exhibition here in Spain, that's probably the most touristic thing I've done. It was a nice exhibition with a few real sized space ships, lots of authentic costumes, videos to watch, models of weaponry and planets, it was a good stroll down the memories of my childhood. And, I wasn't the only one. Mildred who grew up in Venezuela commented to me about her friends having Star Wars toys, and another guy Chris, who's British, also grew up with the same merchandise. Those of us who went, perhaps my entire generation, all have a connection with Star Wars and our childhood.

I haven't done anything too fancy yet though, since I'm just getting started working I really only make enough to just pay the bills, so I won't be doing much that is too extravagant for a while. Which is fine, life here is still new, and I'm enjoying spending time with Mildred, my walks, meeting people, my classes, and my daily attempt at learning the language.

New Beginnings

Hola! It has been a week for me in Spain now, and it has been a very overwhelming (yet enjoyable) first week. This post is not going to be able to contain all of the emotions and events I've been feeling and going through, but this should give some people a glimpse into my first week.

It has been an amazing week of new beginnings. From just a week ago I find myself living in a new country, surrounded by a new language, living with newfound friends, starting a new job, and involved in a new/old relationship with Mildred. It's old because we dated before, but new because my feelings have changed and we are both in love. Trust me, all of this has been a lot to take in a short amount of time.

I was extremely overwhelmed my first few days. I've never been hit by jetlag as badly as I was this past week. I was sleeping when I didn't want to, and laying awake feeling the pressures and anxieties of my new beginnings when I was supposed to be sleeping. I had some expectations about work that I had to change pretty quickly. Spain is definitely not Korea. Surprise!

Also, in the beginning I had decided to come here to work, and not as much for Mildred, but as my time approached and Mildred and I talked more we knew we were going to be back together. Then, I realized that she was more than a part of my coming here, she really is the reason I'm here. And, when I wasn't able to spend time with her, at least as much as I'd hoped, that also weighed on me. Another expectation that I had to deal with, and have dealt with. I still want to spend all my time with her, but now that I'm getting accustomed to this place, it's easier to be on my own. In Korea, I didn't have the expectation of going and wanting to be with somebody, I think that has been the big difference with the opening transitions.

So, I have a flat in Madrid living with three other guys. Two Argentinians, and an Irishman (who is in Ireland right now). Frederick and Alex are the Argentinians. I've been able to hang out with Frederick the most, he works at the airport and he picked me up when I first arrived. He has an ex-girlfriend that lives in the building where Mildred lives, and he's still nuts about her. Mildred and I both think that his ex is the reason I got this apartment in the first place.

I'm going to be teaching private classes at first until I can find more work. I was anxious about what these classes were going to be like, but now that I have two under my belt I'm excited about these classes. Basically I'm getting paid (pretty well) to speak English to people for an hour or so. Mildred has helped me out exponentially, with every facet of my being here. She has been amazing. She's helped me find a place, shown me around Madrid, found work for me to start, introduced me to friends, help interpret for me, and well just about everything I have done so far she has had her hand in.

We've had some time together. It was her birthday on the 19th, and I got to experience the Spanish night life for the first time. Spanish life seems to be a late one. Mildred and her good friend Valentina celebrated their birthdays together at a bar in Madrid that is like a bar/bookstore, it was interesting. This went on till about 3am and then we went to a club till about 4 in the morning. I took a cab home, and was fortunate to recognize where I got dropped off at.

So things are still confusing, but I'm getting adjusted, and I'm picking up the language pretty well. I'm already having Spanish dreams!