I went to school today. I felt like I was starting Kindergarten all over again. New school, new faces, new language. But I was so excited! I took the little glass bear my mom gave me before I left for good luck. On the first day of Kindergarten she gave me this certain pin to wear, and it made me brave. I walked to school with my host sister, Maite. It's about a 10 minute walk from the apartment. When I arrived at school the director of my class introduced me. Everyone was so nice and they kept asking me lots of questions and they were all so excited. They helped me when I had no idea what the teacher was saying. It was great! I had history and language this morning, with mass in between. Then we had our half hour break for our "almuerzo." The little snack or sandwich our moms send with us to school. A lot of the kids smoke, so they spend their half hour with a sandwich and a cigarette. Natalie and I ate our sandwiches and Dove Dark Chocolates on a bench across from the school. After the break I had History of Art, Latin, and Economics. I think I am going to love Art. Latin and Economics, not so much. I got to Latin and the teacher was speaking to me in Spanish. She asked if I have ever had Latin before and I said no. She asked me if I spoke Spanish and I said not really. She gave the "oh, you're kind of screwed then" look and smiled. She was really nice though...it's just that I'm in a Latin 3 class. She told me it's okay, becasue I am here to learn the language and culture.
After school I met up with four other exchange students in the area to buy our bus tickets for Madrid this weekend. After that, Athena, a girl from Washington state, and I met up with Natalie in the Plazo del Castillo. We walked around and talked for hours. It was so great. I couldn't stop talking...what's new? It felt so amazing to just have an actual conversation, but we all agreed that we wouldn't speak in English to each other much longer. Now, for the exciting part of my evening. I waited at the bus stop with Natalie for her bus. After she got on her bus I walked all the way home, across town, mind you, by myself. It felt amazing! I felt so independent. I was walking all alone in a foreign city and having no trouble at all. Usually I'm paranoid about directions and asking people lots of questions, but not now!
This language is the only thing really holding me back at the moment. It's frustrating to not be able to understand everything and ask for people to continue repeating the same phrase, but everyone just tells me "little by little." I feel it improving each day as I continue to focus on listening and think back to Senora B's little tricks. I taught some of the other exchangers some of her tricks tonight and they thanked me. They said they were so helpful. Thanks B! You're the best.
I've really enjoyed my day and I am looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the days to follow. I am truly happy. I feel like myself...no, better. I feel like I am improving myself. I am taking in everything and learning all that I can. At the end of my crazy day, I talk to my sissy so nervously and excitedly at the same time and she tells me, "just breathe."
No comments:
Post a Comment