The Rut

So, it's the holiday season. The most wonderful time of the year. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, people are (stereotypically) happier, and life is just a little merrier. At least, this is how it should be. For the most part, I agree. Some of my favorite times of the year are the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's. This year, though, it's really bittersweet. 

Spaniards Say the Darndest Things, Part II

Note: If you haven't read Part I, stop, go back, and read it! You'll appreciate Part II more. Since I have faith that you will read Part I if you've not already done so, there's no need to explain where I'm coming from with this. Thus, I present the second installment of random things that have been said to me so far.

Turkey Day Abroad

November 27 marked Thanksgiving, that special day in which Americans come together to fellowship with family and friends and give thanks for what we have...in addition to giving ourselves unrepentant permission to be utter gluttons for 24 hours. Schools are cancelled and major businesses are closed for this day throughout America. However, life goes on across the pond. So what, you may be wondering, did  I do to celebrate Thanksgiving? Good question. Let's recap:

Four More Years!!!

By now, I'm hoping everyone knows that President Obama was re-elected. If you didn't know that, well...I don't even have a witty response to that lack of knowledge.

Dear October,

So, I was pretty negligent about blogging during the month of October, but ish got real for 31 days. Here's a quick recap:

Very [Black] Girly Moment #3: "Ethnic Person. Ethnic Hair."

Anyone who knows me knows that diplomacy is not my strong suit. I try; I really, really try, but I just don't always succeed. There are times, however, when I stop trying because people just don't understand the subtle. The following stories is one of those times. Picture this:

Very [Black] Girly Moment #2: "Try to Put Yourself in Slavery"

Sigh. This post is about two weeks late, but it'll still either make you laugh in horror or start cussing and ranting against The Man.

Spaniards Say the Darndest Things

As a Fulbright Fellow, I am a goodwill ambassador for the United States. Doesn't that sound fancy?

Very [Black] Girly Moment #1

Let me first start by saying that I don't consider myself a horribly vain person. I, of course, like to look well put together, but I wouldn't necessarily call that vanity.

So, I'm a Teacher['s Aide]...

God Bless the little kiddies and I. We're going to need it! 

Homeless to Embajadores

Mi habitación

Yesterday (Thursday, September 13, year of our Lord 2012) marked the one week anniversary of my arrival to Spain! I know some of you are asking what I did to celebrate this momentous occasion...or not.

The First 48

I arrived in Madrid at 9:55 a.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2012, after a 15 hour journey from South Alabama. The three plane rides were pretty uneventful, though checking in at the airport was headache-inducing. I'm the world's worst packer and can find a way to pack too much for a weekend at a friend's house.

Welcome!

Bienvenido! Bienvenuto! Karibu! 歓迎!

I've decided to blog about my experiences as an English Teaching Assistant in Madrid because it seems like the most efficient way in which to keep my family and friends updated about my adventures here. My goal is to discuss any interesting tidbit that I come across, including observations, the inevitable protests, etc. 

First, here's a little background on how I got here.