I love the doors in Spain.

There is a 5-headed dragon etched into this door. Very cool.

School (w/photos)!

The library

The physical education building

The "playground"...which consists of basically a parking lot with three basketball hoops.

School!

Monday was my first official day at my school but that was basically just touring the school, meeting the teachers, etc. Today (Tuesday) was my first day with the children. 

I'll be working with both 1st and 2nd graders - two classes of each. That's 100 names I need to learn...the majority of which I heard for the first time today. It might take some time...

"Jessika - what does your schedule look like?"

Monday: A day off!

Tuesday:

9:00 - 10:00 = English, 1st grade

10:00 - 11:00 = English, 2nd grade

11:30 - 2:30 = a break and a huge waste of my time

2:30 - 3:15 = English, 1st grade

3:15 - 4:00 = Science, 2nd grade

Wednesday:

9:00 - 10:00 = English, 1st grade

10:00 - 11:30 = another ridiculous break

11:30 - 12:30 = English, 2nd grade

12:30 - 2:30 = Lunch. 

2:30 - 3:15 = Science, 2nd grade

3:15 - 4:00 = Science, 1st grade

Thursday:

9:00 - 10:00 = English, 2nd grade

10:00 - 11:00 = Science, 2nd grade

11:00 - 11:30 = break

11:30 - 12:30 = Science, 2nd grade

12:30 - 2:30 = Lunch. 

2:30 - 3:15 = Science, 1st grade

3:15 - 4:00 = English, 1st grade

Friday :

9:00 - 10:00 = Science, 2nd grade

10:00 - 11:00 = Science, 2nd grade

11:00 - 11:30 = break

11:30 - 12:30 = Science, 2nd grade

12:30 - 2:30 = Lunch. 

2:30 - 3:15 = Science, 1st grade

3:15 - 4:00 = English, 1st grade

My feelings towards my long breaks and the two hour lunch are not favourable. 

I'll be working with the entire classes as well as working with small groups of kids (mostly with the 2nd graders) for English and science fun times.

I'm going to need to find a way to spend my breaks so I am less bitter about it. Bitter? Jessika? That doesn't sound like her at all...

I'm off to get some tea but will post a more visually pleasing post with photos later tonight!

A book vending machine

I was waiting for the train and saw a vending machine that sells books. Perhaps we have this in the US and I am just not aware? I think it's a marvelous idea.

Mmm. Pizza.

I was walking around the mall near my school and saw TelePizza. I was immediately craving pizza for dinner.

I got a 4-cheese pizza that had a fancy spiral of barbeque sauce. It was spectacular.

As an added bonus - there was one tv in the restaurant and this was on the screen. The entire time. It never changed - just this picture.

Jardines del campo del moro

I found this park when I was walking to meet my intercambio. I didn't have much time to spare so I just glanced around and it looked pretty neat. Gorgeous - like all of Spain. 

There are walking paths that I plan to check out this weekend. The big building in the background is the Royal Palace/Palacio Real.

More amazing food

More of my favourite foods here.

Mixto (sin jamon) con juevo. It's basically a grilled cheese that normally comes with ham. You can get it with or without an egg. I don't know what kind of cheese it is made with and I'm sure it's no different than food I can get in the U.S...but I love it. 

Churros con chocolate. Need I say more?