Hellllllooo readers! Or maybe it should be "reader" since I only have 1 follower (thanks Liana)! haha, HOWEVER I know for a fact that my parents read this so that's good, I guess? Anyway, it's Tuesday evening at around 8 PM and because we still lack internet in our flat I am at the local vegan restaurant again writing all of you as I sit outside sipping a glass of vino. :)
This past weekend was CRAZY! I really think I am getting too old for this, but considering it was the end of summer and everyone's last and first weekend in Madrid before school started up, I had no choice but to party down. Having said that, I went out Thursday, Friday, AND Saturday nights. Our area is known for its "Sunday Fundays" with streets crowded and young people bar hopping but there was just NO WAY that we were going to make it this past weekend. I think Marta and I woke up at around 4:30 PM on Sunday! haha...Liana shamed us both by getting up early all weekend (mind you she stayed out as late as we did) and going for a run and being productive. Marta and I blame our old age (nevermind the fact that we are only 3-4 years older than Liana, haha).
It was great hanging out with both old and new friends, American AND Spanish. I got to hang out and party with Isa again, one of my good spanish friends who I adore and also her boyfriend Juanito. I also got told that it was VERY possible to receive an autographed shirt signed to me by Casillas around my birthday or sometime this year. Now, whether or not this will really happen is still up in the air but based off this person's connections things are looking very promising!! ahhhhh i would DIE!
Sundays are always my downer days. I think the combination of coming down from the alcohol, preparing for the week's lesson plans, cleaning, getting organized, and having time to reflect and miss family and my comfortable surroundings tend to get to me on this "day of rest". Due to feeling kind of down, I felt myself being called to go to mass. There are several GORGEOUS chapels and cathedrals near our flat because we are in the very center. Earlier this week I had checked out the times for one of them and they offer mass every weeknight at 7:30 in their chapel. I was probably one of 12 people there on Monday night and BY FAR the youngest one (young people are not religious at all in this country). I instantly felt calm from the moment I stepped into that church and was able to be still. It was so relaxing and peaceful to sit there and look at the incredibly detailed alter and side alters that had been carefully carved from both wood and marble. Even though the mass was simple and small, it was so beautiful in various ways. First, there were about 6 young nuns who were kneeled on the floor in front of the alter and with mics above them, they sang Acapella like angels. It was seriously probably the most beautiful singing I had ever heard in my life. It was also beautiful in that obviously the entire mass was in spanish and I felt both proud and blessed to be attending a service in my second language and to understand it all almost completely. It was like the mass was spoken directly to me, emphasizing the point that God knows all of our hearts and nothing is invisible to him. Of course I am human and a huge sinner, but it was reassuring to hear that God is a GOd of mercy and always forgives, and that most importantly he knows our hearts, which I thought was beautiful because I feel like I relate in that I have been gifted to see into other's hearts as well.
Enough of that...just wanted to voice that last night was definitely needed for me.
Today was another great day at school. I feel more myself this year at my colegio and more comfortable with my classes, teachers, and students overall. The three year olds were crying a lot and I basically am just introducing myself to those classes this week and playing a couple of games seeing as though this is their first couple of weeks away from their mommys and daddys and they are NOT liking it one bit.
After school today I went for a run and explored a new area of where I live. I definitely had a "WoW" moment when I came to the realization that I live literally a couple of blocks from the royal palace, the almudena cathedral, gran via, and so much more. I think I even made a smirk at some point during the jog like a true dork but I simply couldn't believe it. I love when I have those moments.
That's all I can think of right now. All of my friends (including my roomies) who are doing the program this year got placed in Infantil which they were NOT expecting but I'm certain they are all going to do great and will definitely have my assistance along the way from my experience with the little ones and also the masters classes.
Hopefully I'll get some good sleep tonight. It's difficult because our windows are so close to all of our neighbors and everyone has their windows open seeing as how hot it is outside and spaniards BLARE their televisions until like 1 or 2 in the morning! I had to take an advil PM to assist me in sleeping but the backlash is that it's super difficult for me to wake up. UGH! All in good time...
Welp, whoever is reading this I hope you were able to enjoy your read and get a little glimpse of my last few days here in Madrid!
BESOS! OS QUIERO!
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