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.