Having a Love-Hate Relationship with Public Transportation.

I am not normally one to use emoticons, but I can promise you if I had them accessbile on my blog I would be going to town with some frustrated faces...Seriously.

Today, my relationship is one of not just hate, but DESPISING all things public transport wise...I just want my car (which ironically I no longer own, but that is a completely different story) and the freedom to, I don't know, ACTUALLY GO TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!! I guess you can tell A. by the fact that it is Monday morning and I am online and B. by the excessive amount of exclamation points that I miss the bus..AGAIN.

I know in the states, it is super common for me to run late...to sleep in, etc. etc... Not when it comes to work. And not when I have to catch a bus.  Ironically the 2 days I have missed the bus are the days I woke up with PLENTY of time...I leave my house at 7:40ish and today I got up at 6:40...a whole hour...it doesn't take me that long...at all. Today was the exception to every rule. Today, there was rain.  I haven't seen rain in Spain yet...Yesterday I saw sprinkle and Taylor and I decked out in rain gear to visit the birth house of our favorite Spanish painter... I will attach photos...it was super cool..but completely off topic.  So today, there was rain.  Real rain. Evelyn, I'm talking our walk to Moody rain...and my bus stop is even farther than walking from Ridgecrest to Moody... AND today is Monday so I have to tote all of my belongings for my week in the pueblo...(will explain after!) So here I am at the 7:35 mark...showered, dressed, fed, clean teeth, packed bag and rain...rain...rain...ohh and no umbrella...did I mention I have my computer in my backpack?! So I make the executive decision to take a taxi.  "Lucky for me I live in the Alameda", (right by the center on a main plaza) which means they have a taxi stop...and another one a block away... so I see 100 taxis every morning...and every morning I think, at least if I'm running late one day I can grab a taxi...Even though I was not running late, I think, no questions asked, worth the money.  HA.ha.HA.ha.HA...like everything in my life..Hilarious. (I am seriously writing a book...I think I shall name it "The girl with the yellow boots" ...yes I was wearing my yellow rainboots that match nothing I had on.) 

I stood in the rain for 15 minutes, 17 minutes...and finally 20 minutes...the EXACT time it takes me to walk to the bus stop...So here I am...standing a block from my house, in the rain, soaking wet, all my belongings soaked and STILL not making it to work. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Silver lining (because there ALWAYS is one): At least now I know not to EVER rely on taking the taxi...Lesson Learned. 

This week was my Halloween week.  Yall know I love my holidays, especially in the classroom...ADORE IT! Also I leave for Madrid WEDNESDAY so added frustration...if I was going to miss work...why couldn't it have been Wednesday so I could have an extra day with my family?! (ALTHOUGH, I GET TO SEE VERO, MARCELO, CHELO, VINCENTE, MARCELITO, GONZALO, MENCIA & CASILDA IN 2 DAYS!!!...how is that for silver lining!) 

I know the title of this is Love-hate, but it's hard for me to do that side right now...hmm... somedays it's great and I think...why don't we have more public transport in Alabama instead of all the cars! I like the walking everywhere and the hopping on a bus if you don't feel like going so far (which I'm cheap so I figure everything is walk-able, haha)...normally I could write more...somedays I seriously adore it. Today is just not one of those days.

Sorry this blog is extra long, but I did promise...If you prefer to break it up..here is a good time for an INTERMISSION.

Act 2: Setting-Cazalla y El Pedroso, pueblo-life.

Okayyyy, now that I have explained my story to you kiddos...Time for the update on my pueblo life! I don't think I have even blogged about work yet, but I ADORE IT! My kids are the cutest things ever...I LOVE being in the classroom.  Signaling my inner teacher (thanks mom for all the Christmas presents of bulletin boards, dry erase boards, markers, folders, pens, and I will admit, I'm still bitter you didn't get me the overhead projector in 3rd grade, but Hey, now I have a SMART BOARD!) and I love it. The staff is INCREDIBLE!! Seriously, I feel so welcomed and at home.  We laugh all day...Somedays we fill our 30 minute (kids are at recess "recreo") break with Spanish class, some days English and on occasion even a little Flamenco.  My assistant principal has been super helpful since I am obviously having issues with my commute and even talked to one of his friends that wanted an AuPair and told her about me...I am doing kind of part time AuPair/english tutor...It's fun.  I am learning the life of the country on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.  Small town, small town...Makes Oxford look like NYC, but I adore it.  Seriously. The family is so welcoming and everyone in the town really.  It's cute and today we are supposed to carve a pumpkin! (or whenever I make it to the pueblo...) I also can't complain about the incredible sunrises God has been using each morning to help me get up and motivated.  Big rolling hills, olive trees, sunrise over the mountains, white pueblo...L-O-V-E.

Speaking of love ... I love you guys. A lot. and I am so thankful you are a part of my life :)

Okay, super long blog entry terminado (finished).

Hasta pronto!

I took this picture yesterday because I thought the sky looked cool..........foreshadowing much?

At Velazquez birth house...whoop whoop!  In rain gear......minus the rain.

His most famous artwork: "Las Meninas"

(Technically I lied....Goya is my favorite, but I do love this painting.....ohh the hours I put in during University to study this art painting...)

Cazalla, Espana

El Pedroso:  C.E.I.P. Cervantes

My school :)

Magic Carpet Ride

Whereas ONE hour ago, this would have been a super happy, fun entry, it is now a comedy. Times change...fast! I started writing this yesterday on the train...Not moving...Just sitting still in Jerez de la Frontera.  Funny story. Taylor, Lauren & I went to Cadiz this weekend and chose the 3:00 train home. 
 Mistake #1. This particular train had some functionality problemas... We still don't know what exactly, but we were told that it couldn't continue farther.  The train company was sending buses to pick us up and shuttle us to the Jerez airport (the next train stop) where another train would be waiting to take us farther.  Sucks, but not that big of a deal....in the United States.  We are thinking about a 25 minute detour...hilarious. In Spain, things went a little different.  They didn't send the buses for almost 3 hours.  People were about to start a riot...super intense.  All I kept thinking is how mad I would be if I was at home...In the US, I constantly have a million things to do, important things...(at least important to me!) and here my to do list including running and shopping...not necessarily something I can't live without, haha.  There was a man that had a flight to catch, people getting home to see loved ones, dates to be had, just a lot of issues, so I honestly was not impatient...I know, you are shocked, and possibly don't believe me, but I was super calm!!  We were supposed to get into Sevilla at 4:thirty-something and we got in a 7:00...YAY!! It really was a lot faster than we expected.  But just another thing to add to my future book about how smooth sailing my life is :)


Menos mal...beautiful weekend!

Aladdin's castle in the background!! Not really, but I referred to it as that all weekend...from the other side, it seriously looks like it!

We spent the entire weekend searching for this incredible "Old Town" ...turns out we were staying there the entire time...haha.  Cadiz is TINY, but we loved it!  We spent some quiet time on the beach, relaxing on Friday.  Went out on the town Friday night, had a blast! Drinks about 1/3 of the price in Sevilla...it's like when you go from going out in Tuscaloosa to going out in Auburn...huuuge difference in your pocket book!  Saturday we did the more touristy aspect and went in this tower that is supposed to have the "best views of Cadiz"...we were all kind of like ehh, if it's under 3 euro, we'll do it.  It was 5..and we still decided to, because we had time to kill...but were super bitter about paying 5 euro ($6.95) to climb some stairs...good choice...the views were incredible! But still it was spending money after the weekend away of spending too much...BUT then we see on our ticket a 1:00 showtime...weird.  Show?! What show? Turns out they have this thing called "Camara Oscura" .. We got a tour of the city from inside of this room...it was like watching a movie, but live...where we just were...we could see people hanging their laundry, kids running, birds flying, waves crashing, the sun glistening...seriously coolest thing ever! You won't understand the Spanish web pages, but I looked up the San Francisco one and it explains it a littttllleee more eloquently than I do

http://www.giantcamera.com/

Super cool, absolute recommendation, turns out 5 euro was a steal!

I love this vacationing on Friday & Saturday thing, because I still have today to get my life back together! Perfect!

Love and miss you all! 

As always ROLL TIDE!!! CANNOT WAIT FOR NOVEMBER 5!!! Emotions, dedication, passion aside...I still think we have a huge chance to be back in the Championship!! Either way, it will be one heck of a football game! L S WHOOO??!

Old Town...The Cathedral...a block down from our hostel...we're idiots.

 The only cool parts about our hostel....decorations, rooftop shower & hammocks!

Taylor 

The 3 of us & of course...Aladdin is somewhere to be found.

sunlight doing weird stuff...trying to take a pic on my iPod is giving my body some oddly unproportional arms :)

Train ride fun...BEFORE the stop!

...during the 2 and a half hour stop :) BEAUTIFUL scenery...right?

Thief.

I didn't have a camera, so I am just stealing Alex's photos.

Julie & Shay

Rob & Kristen

Mary Duncan, Allie, Alex, Audrey (yes, there is another one, weird right?)

Kristen, me, rando, Alex, rando

Sensation White

Needless to say we had a blast!!

----

Life in Sevilla...

Rosie found my wig in the closet...

Lindsey from Texas...the one person that can make me feel COMPLETELY at home!

My roommate Ian from England...bestest friends. Love him.

Obsessed with them.

Love birds....they love it when I creep :)

I promise soon I will write a real blog.

Love you

Barcelona.

Don't have pictures of Barcelona yet, but when I do I will let you know!

I had a blast! Love yall!!!

Tom rocking his new long locks...Such a stud.

And PLEASE look at the sushi plates coming by on a rotator belt...best invention EVER.

More Gaudi work that I have not entered...but I will go next time!!

Being super nerdy & proud.  I bought a book at a little market on an author I studied in University and then sad by the marina and read...so nice.

Qué suerte!

It means, "How lucky!" That is something I say CONSTANTLY over here.   ...However, I NEVER hear people say that to me..  I am severely cursed. Too many broken mirrors, walking under ladders & don't get me started on the fact that i OWN a black cat...Don't get me wrong, I am lucky enough to have a wonderful, supporting group of loved ones, but that falls more under the umbrella of being blessed.  When it comes to the true, actual, winning-the-lottery type of luck --Let's just say, luck has never been in my favor.  


Example #1: Today was one of those days.  I woke up relatively early, got dressed, grabbed breakfast to go and start walking.  I still haven't figured out the exact timetable of how long it takes me to get to my bus stop so I started the walk at a fast speed, speed walking if you will, and then as I started to approach...my pace got slower because with one look at my phone I realized I was doing PERFECT on time.  My bus comes at 8:10 and leaves at about 8:11 and 30 seconds.  It was "8:06" when I arrived at the spot, but the 3 other regulars were no where to be found.  Yet again, I have only taken the bus from this particular stop 2X, so there is always room for error on my part. Well, I wait.  8:10 comes & goes so I start to get a little nervous...I pull out my iPod to see if I could grab internet on the road and the clock says: 8:17 AM.  Impossible.  My clock says 8:11... I think you can guess where the story goes from here.  But there is more...I tried to call Juan Carlos (my principal) and his phone wasn't working!!! Then I called my friend Lindsey to look up the train schedule and we couldn't find it. Sooooo, I had to book it the 20 min back to my house and email him. Everything is fine and I am going to work Thursday instead, but still.....suerte isn't my thannnggg.


Example #2: Partially bad luck, majorly unprepared.  I didn't check in for my Barcelona flight until 10 PM the night before, but this is when I see in red, DON'T FORGET TO PRINT OFF YOUR BOARDING PASS! My friends Allie & Alex were at my house and told me that they heard RyanAir makes you pay 40 euro for a boarding pass at the gate.  Great thing about spain is noone I know has a printer...it isn't the same necessity here because A. Spain is green, so if you can do it online the better, B. they just run to a copy store or print it off at work...lucky for me all the copy stores close before 10...I start to look at Fees on Ryanair.com and they said that if you book online the re issue of a boarding pass fee is n/a and if you book at the airport or at a city center it is 40 euro...I save the screen and my boarding pass on my iPod for the airport in the morning (after desperately calling everyone I know in Sevilla for help at this late hour on a Thurs when EVERYONE is out...).  I get to the airport and the lady tells me I have to pay 40 euro for the boarding pass...I show her my iPod & the page of fees and she tells me that is incorrect and I tell her that is on her web page so I don't understand how that can be incorrect unless they updated it this morning...Needless to say, I will be sending an email to RyanAir and probably NEVER see my money again, but still...I can't just sit by. That is RIDICULOUS!! For those of you who do not know the conversion: 40 euro = $53.48 + the international service fee for using a credit card...So at the end of the day I spent almost $55 ON A PIECE OF PAPER!!!!! That was A TON of my spending money when I make NO MONEY here and don't get paid until NOVEMBER 1....ahhhhh, I'm still heated about the situation, obviously...buttttt. it. was. seriously. un-cool.


But on a bright note, I had a blast in Barcelona and spent some time with Tom which made my day..and yeah. The festival was incredible :)


LOVE YOU!


pictures to come!

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

I just read this on Facebook and had to include it in my post.  What if? Somedays I would be golden, but days like today I would be left with nothing...except the fact that I wasn't late to work...and that isn't exactly something important in the big scheme of things.  I am about to print this off and put it on my bulletin board and encourage all of you to put it somewhere you can see it too, because it is so true.

Now, bloggity blog time.

School.

This is what Spain looks like when I leave my house at 7:30 AM.

Other than that fun fact...I adore my job!! The teachers are great, the kids are adorable, my counterpart (Manu, the english teacher) is really fun AND my principals are WONDERFUL! I literally LOVE my job...  

Minus the commute...

I leave my house at 7:30, pick up the bus at 8, get to El Pedroso at 9:30, work until 2...then is when life gets tricky...The bus doesn't come until 4:30 soooo Juan Carlos (principal) asked around and the first day I went with a car pool group from the High School.  The only problem is they don't get out until 3.  So I waited at the school and slept in the car haha. They dropped me off right on the outskirts of Sevilla around 4:15, but it was only about 20 min walking to my house, no pasa nada (nothing happened, it doesn't matter, no problem) so I was officially home right before 5.  Wellll, today we tried something different and I rode home with another professor from our school that lives outside of Sevilla.  So I left at 2 when we finished, BUT I had to sit and wait at a bus stop (on a side street in this small town) for 45 minutes, so I ended up finally getting to Sevilla at 4 and the same 20ish minutes walking...So I saved myself 15 minutes, but also paid for the bus and waited on the street, sooooo I am hoping I can still revert to option 1 tomorrow...It ended up working out better! I am accepting that I don't get done until 5.  I already told my friends that we can't be friends M-W.  Only on the weekends...I'm exhausted by the time I get home. 

Miss yall as alwaysss!!

Update! ...and a smile :)

Hello sweet wonderful readers. For some reason my blog is looking SUPER weird so I'm not sure how this is going to turn out, and it is most likely in the cursive font because I don't see the option to change it buttt it's okay. I woke up a little sad this morning but chatted for a while with one of my great friends from college, Stephanie Irwin and Nana also (PPL to you both) and I feel much better!

I start work Monday! YAY! I'm excited! My principal is awesome too! Very VEry Helpful!! He even offered to meet me at the bus stop Monday so I don't get lost! Annddd I need to get out of the house and have something to occupy my time! Seriously, this past week I have been an intense online scrapbooker! (Shoutout to Shutterfly.com -join and tell them I invited ya)

Last night we went to a fiesta at Lauren's place and then one at my house! It was really fun! Lauren, Taylor & I are always together. And when we are not together we are chatting online..it's really kind of sad, but this week has felt like a MONTH to us because we have nothing to do...well Taylor & I have nothing to do... Lauren is working a side job (or two?) so she has stuff going on but still loves us.

Here we are in our prime, from the other night...Sorry I've been horrible about photos lately!

Tonight I am cheating on our trio and hanging out with someone new (LOVE yall still!!) AND the best part about my hot date tonight...well there are soooo many best parts to my date night. #1 Lindsey is from TEXAS!! Whoop Whoop, Southern Charm! We actually met through one of my old roommates Mary Catherine (look at my rooms bringing all the southern girls to me! Sidebar: I'm going to Barcelona next weekend with another old roommates cousin...more on that later). #2 We are going to get this mouth-watering Italian place I went to my first day in SEvilla by myself. It is right down the road and literally had the best vegetable plate of my life and I have been dying to return! #3 We are going to see a movie!! Yayy! IN ENGLISH!!!!!! Whoop Whoop! Needless to say I'm pumped!

Hmmmm...que mas?

Ohh I am OBSESSED with my roommate, Ian's girlfriend. She is from Birmingham...UK. So we laughed about that. She's presh and we are in love. Haha, she even told me she would go and watch all the bama games with me and learn to love it.

BarCeLoNA.
I am going next weekend, Friday AM to be exact and Tom has the day off so he's going to show me around the city from the eyes of someone who lives there. I am excited! And I missed that little booger a ton! Background...Tom was my best friend last summer. We took class together in Madrid.

This is from Santander last year. Neither of us had eaten any type of Oriental food in 3 months and we happened to run into a Chinese restaurant and ORDERED EVERYTHING!! haha it was a really fun time and so we are getting Japanese when I get there. Keeping the tradition alive! And for those of you wondering "Hmm....." I will answer your question. No, just friends. But I ADORE him. One of the best guys EVER.

I have other reasons for Barcelona besides Tom as well..Sensation White.
http://www.sensation.com/spain
I am going with Alex and her friends. She is awesome as well. She's Caitlin's cousin from Georgia. I'm pumped.

That is all for now! Love yall tons!

Pictures from last night:

2 of my Roommates: Curly hair=Vincent from Milan and Ian is from England.

My new gf, Rosie.