My One English Class:

I was very interested by this one class I am taking here because it is my only class in English. In this class we create lessons for ESL classes for a specific age group our assignment gives us using children's literature. I give the locals a lot of credit because I can't imagine having this class in another language. It was very interesting to hear what words/sounds they struggled with, but which came super easy. It was also interesting to hear how they spoke. It was a mixture of being super formal with some British influence. Being America, there were many times when they were grammatically correct but I would be caught off guard because we would never say that in the States. I also noticed with how we speak is our mouths are wider and our tongues are inside our mouth while the Spanish have their mouth less open but their tongue is constantly a little outside their mouth. It's actually pretty cool and I try to speak their way! I believe that the grammar of Spanish is harder to learn but the pronunciation of English is more difficult. ENglish has less rules and more ways to say speak or write one things, but Spanish is more strict and has more words. I hope I have helped my friends better their English because they have sure helped me improve my Spanish!

A Fantastic Saturday Night!

One of my best friends who lives in Valencia took me to see a soccer (football) game for the local professional team! She invited me over to her house and it was awesome to have an actual family meal and be outside the house for once. Her parents drove us to the game and unfortunately the teams tied. It was still so much fun with the excitement of the fans and we even picked our favorite player to be #21! The stadium was beautiful except the steps were pretty steep and I felt like it was rather dangerous to stand up.  

 Then after we went to a local bar and the bartender and a few others bought us our drinks. She was speaking in English while I spoke Spanish and I don't think anyone would of been able to eavesdrop on our conversation. I am forever grateful for my friend here. We both share the same passion for teaching. She reminds me of my best friend at home.

It's not where you've been, it's the people you have met.    

Terrorist Attack while in Europe: Just some thoughts to share

I can honestly say that I never for a second felt endangered being in Valencia, Spain. I had many friends and family who contacted me asking if I was okay when the terrorist attacks happened in Pairs. It was a horrible thing to see on the news and in the internet. I knew of some other Erasmus students who were from Paris who were terrified. I also knew some fellow students from my college in NY who are currently in France that were scared. I would say thankfully I did not lose anyone in the attacks but really I lost the 129+ people who died on the French cold ground.

The two biggest post-tragedy topics that have escalated throughout social media and the news are the questions/opinions of if Islam encourages terrorism and if we should allow refugees from Syria to come to the United States.

Anyone who says Islam is the same as terrorism is an ignorant and narrow-minded idiot.
It angers and saddens me to see how ignorant people are to label a group of extremist as a whole religion. Just because the terrorist identify themselves to be Muslim does not mean that the religion of Islam identifies to be of terrorism. There are those who claim there about all the evil words of the Quran and so on, but let's keep in mind that the Bible or the Torah are nowhere close to being innocent of extreme ideas.  Its unfortunate to say that there is another plague of Islam-phobia going around.

This video is probably the best argument against those who are quick to use oppression and Islam in the same breathe.

Now about the Syrian Refugees, well first let me just start off with this photo:

And second, how we can we turn our backs and let other countries deal with the horrors of Syria? Why are people once again generalizing saying that they are all going to bomb us? It's horrible and I'm ashamed to be from a country that keeps sharing ridiculous memes about how we shouldn't accept refugees because they "might be bad". Oh okay so maybe we should look at all the domestic attacks that white Christians have done out of their beliefs? Maybe we should look at how our country is still shown as an example of a lot of racism in my Society class in Spain. Sure every country has these problems but I really do think that mindsets of a lot of narrow-minded Americans are the worst I have ever seen in my time I have been in Europe. 

One of my best friends and my brother's girlfriend wrote this amazing article for her college's paper about the refugees and how we as Americans must help. 

Dear Facebook Friends: A Thought on Syrian Refugees 

A world united against evil forces like ISIS and terrorism will remain strong. But a world divided into our own nationalities and close-minded thoughts will fall apart just like the villains want us too. 

Being Nothing is Everything:

Last night I was waiting to meet up with my friend for some drinks in a bar we both like. 

I sat in the middle of this plaza that is a very open area with restaurants and shops surrounding it. 

I sat on the steps just watching the world around me.

I saw a mother pushing her baby in a stroller while her older child was riding a scooter. He was going through the crowd like they were a maze.

 I then looked to my right and I see an older couple cuddling and smiling wearing matching wedding bands.

I hear laughter and behind me are young teenagers in their group flirting and joking with one another. 

I looked across and I see a nervous looking man who couldn't be much older than my 19-year old self checking his watch and looking for someone. Then a beautiful woman greets him and they have a meal together. I think to myself that maybe it's something like a first date for them and would explain his nervous smile when he looks at his date. 

Running by their table two young toddlers catch my eyes at how much they are laughing and giggling speaking their gibberish. 

I see many others on their way to whatever plans they may have for the night and can't help but to feel so small but in a good way. 

You see, I come from a town where my last name is pretty well-known since the town is small and I am the third generation to go through the local school district. I have a job at a popular ice cream stand where I know almost everyone who comes to get their sweet treats. I go to the mall in the city knowing there's a good chance someone I know will see me. I'm known in my hometown for wanting to be a future teacher and passionate about the sport of lacrosse. I have two close groups of friends one that I graduated with and one that is a bit older. They are both wonderful groups I am so lucky to have.

In my college three hours away from my hometown, I am seen as a student in the education and Spanish departments. I am also seen as one of the younger members of the lacrosse team that is trying to work her way up to playing more. I am an employee for a wonderful program named LifePrep where I have the honor to work with students with disabilities. My college is small so I'm bound to see someone I know on campus and in the nearby town. I have my friends at work, my lacrosse team, and a few closer friendships that I spend the most time with. 

I have only dated people that lived close to me. Over the course of almost four years I have been in a relationship with a few different people. I don't regret any second of it, but I am grateful to be single at this part of my life. 

My hometown, my college, relationships, and friendships have showed me how much people may expect or label me as. They aren't wrong and I do have quite a few responsibilities such as being a teammate, a mentor, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a student and a girlfriend. It's not like they are jobs, they are a part of my life. 

However in Spain, I am nothing. I am no one. 

I am just this blonde girl who is just sitting on the steps watching the world go on. 

And I love it. 

I do have an internship and classes that I have to attend but I also have so much freedom to do what I want. If I want to take a walk in the park, I do. If I want to go shopping, I go. If I want to sit on this step in the coolness of the night, I can. 

I don't have this schedule to do so many things and be so many things. Pretty much the only people I still talk to in the US is my family and my best friend, Hope. With connection it can be tricky but it's nothing that we stress about or make super time specific. It's just when we can. I just really only have to worry about me and not many other people. It sounds a little selfish and don't get me wrong I am one to do anything for anyone of my friends. It's just a nice relaxing feeling when you aren't worried about impressing others or have the pressure of doing so many things with so many people watching you. 

My main point for all the deep thoughts above is that if you ever get the chance to live somewhere else like studying abroad, do it. 

It's scary as hell at first but then you see the beauty of having to be no one. You'll realize your priorities and you'll see that all the things you stressed about back at home were silly.

I drove myself crazy during lacrosse season last year with being new and needing to improve a lot but now I realized how I still love my sport and want to work hard, but if I don't see much of the field throughout my college career, who cares?

 If I can't get an "A" in every one of my classes to make that Dean's list, oh well.

 If I can't always make every single person happy or like me based on the things I want, who gives a shit. 

Because none of those things will matter when I start my career. I still will try my damnest to succeed in lacrosse, in school, and being a good person to everyone. 

What will matter are the things I have seen, the people I have met, and the challenges I have faced. 

I think I have focused on myself a lot here, which isn't something I have ever done. Being abroad has showed me how truly beautiful I am and all the things I am capable of. I look at photos of me and see how much brighter my smile and eyes are from my younger teenage years to my time in Spain.

I have regained this confidence that was lost when I decided subconsciously that impressing others in high school was more important. By no means was I depressed or unhappy before Spain...just a little lost.

There are so many of my thoughts I have tried to write here. The beauty of all this is that I didn't write this long observation for the world to see, but mostly for myself to see and to maybe inspire a few others. Maybe a year from now if I feel lost again I can read this and inspire myself. 

I am so excited to go home and back to my college to see everyone I have missed.

 I can't wait to play with my lacrosse stick and see my co-workers. 

 It's impossible for anyone just to be no one forever and isn't healthy. 

But to be no one for a few months is arguably one of the best things to happen to me. 

When I come home, the only person I want to be is a wonderful teacher, a loving friend, and most importantly someone my family and I will always be proud of. 

I want to be someone that is many things but also just Nancy. 

Teaching English While Learning Spanish:

I sort of got a promotion from my internship last week to work in an actual school to teach English! ...Well be the assistant to the teachers who are teaching English.

There are two classes that are I help out in. One is a half hour with the pre-school aged children who are quite the handful. We were teaching them colors the other day and they kept running around the classroom trying to find something that was "bwue" and kept grabbing at my blue shirt. To get them to sit for more than 30 seconds is a challenge. 

After, I help out older students that are around 4th-5th grade depending on the day of the week. It's tricky since it's the end of the school day and everyone is so tired that literally is the worst time to try and understand a second language. I was actually surprised at how many English words they knew! There are a few cuties who are kiss-ups and try to be all sweet! There are also other ones who I think Satan gave them a malicious heart. Well maybe not that bad...but they are the ones that understand you, but say they don't know English and attempt to run around the classroom while taking everyone's pencils...

I love this because I am able to understand more Spanish when the students have problems and ask me in Spanish. Also it is fantastic review of basic vocabulary that I really need to improve. The teachers I work with are amazing and so fun to work with. They constantly make me pronounce things for the class and correct grammar just to make sure it's right. I feel bad sometimes because they say things with a British accent and then feel like they said it wrong. My goal is that by the time I leave this school will all have American accents in English! 

I also love how the little ones try to pronounce my name and will randomly start cheering my name saying "NAN-TH! NAN-TH, NAN-TH!" It's like I have my own fan club! 

While it is an amazing experience, at the end of every day I am usually exhausted and happy that I am majoring in Secondary Education! 

I also got the chance to read/act out Little Red Ridding Hood for my one English class! While usually my accent makes kids wonder and excited, these kids were pretty scared of it at first. (That high five I am attempting in that picture got denied.) That was a wonderful experience too to see how important it is to start teaching another language at an early age. Children are smarter than you think! 

I really hope the US encourages other languages to start being taught at a younger age instead of "We speak English he'e in 'Merica". While most of the world speaks some bit of English, I think it's important to have the ability to connect at a higher level than barely climbing the language barrier. Maybe one day I'll be teaching pre-schoolers an English class in NY! (Though probably not after how tired I'll be by the end of this internship!)

 

Livin' La Vida Loca

Well not really the crazy life, but a fun one for sure! The longer I am here the less I want to leave! This morning I officially became a regular in the local diner when the owner knew exactly what my friend and I wanted to eat and drink! It was perfect! A coffee and toast with jelly is only 1.80! Then two of my friends from my class joined us and they ordered beers. I thought I was seeing things when it was only 10am. They told me it's Friday and they need to start early! Maybe on the day of my last class I'll ask for something extra in my coffee (which surprisingly a lot of people do!).

My Spanish is improving more than ever and is pretty much like a job to keep up with it. My writing is a million times better and speaking is getting there! I am starting to think thought in Spanish too! I really hope I don't lose it when I return.

The city is beautiful at night and the perfect place to study abroad. It's arguably the safest city I have ever seen and has the nicest people who are always willing to help. It's a calm little city that gives you a perfect mix of focusing on studies and the amazing nightlife!

I haven't really been up to much other than my internship and my studies. I plan on traveling a bit outside of Valencia again soon! Hope everyone back at home is doing well!

Hasta Luego!

Our Swiss roommate and us! 

Halloween:

Yes Spain has Halloween!

The day before Halloween is one of my friend´s birthdays so we all had a nice party before we went out to the club. In America, for Halloween the crazier your costume is the better. In Spain....less is more. There were some people that painted their faces but most people just wore a mask or hat of soem sort. A half hour before I went to my friend´s house I bought two flower headbands. I wore a dress and my boots and called myself some kinda of hippie. Everyone was suprised that I didn´t wear a lot because I am ¨la americana¨of our group. They thought I was going to go crazy because that´s how we are in the US. It´s pretty funny how many American sterotypes we truly do live up to in the eyes of Europeans!

We went to a club at around 1am and danced the night away. I keep meeting more and more people from my university and every weekend has been so much fun! I feel like I have made some of my best friends who aren´t even in my clases by going to social events. It´s truly the best way to practice Spanish and have the most fun!

Remember what I said about Spanish parties going super late? My friends and I didn´t get back to the house until 8am........I was so tired I had to take a quick nap on their couch before I went back to my own bed!

It was definitely one of my favorite weekends and I have all these beauitful and amazing people to thank for it!