Raton Perez

One of my students has a loose tooth. Trying to elicit conversation, I asked her how many teeth she's lost, how many are loose, and what she does with the teeth when the fall out. Her answer? She puts it under her pillow for Raton (Mouse) Perez. A little confused, I asked for more details and interestingly enough, the tooth fairy does not exist in Spain. Raton/Ratoncito (Little Mouse) Perez brings gifts or money for children when they lose their teeth.

I found this online:

"Father Luis Coloma, a Jesuit, wrote the book about Ratoncito Pérez to tell the story of boy King Buby I, who put his fallen tooth under his pillow. The mouse woke him up when he gently brushed his fur against the boy's nose. This ratoncitolooked like a knight and was wearing golden rimmed glasses, a red coat and a sword.

Perez transforms the boy into a mouse to take him outside the kingdom with the purpose of showing him the poverty in which many of its people lived. This tale may have left a mark on the young king who was known to be kind to his people at the time he governed.

The first published book about this character appeared in 1902 and it was dedicated to Alfonso the XIII in Spain, who became king when he turned 16."

FUN SPAIN FACT OF THE DAY!

Taking a break

Okay, I know I haven't written for awhile. Mainly because I don't have much to talk about. I don't have much to talk about because I don't do anything interesting. I don't do anything interesting because I'm broke and constantly stressed about money. I know no one wants to hear about someone else complain about their problems, so I'm taking a break til I find the next step to have some sort of plan. Sorry...if anyone is still reading this, that is.

Springggg is here!

So despite being bummed that 2 out of 3 classes have been cancelled today...well mainly bummed about the money, not so much the free time....I've been having an excellent day.

I had a new class which started today and when I asked Maria if there was anything she'd like to change or focus on more in the class, she told me, "The class today was perfect." She seems a little shy, but I'm excited. I have class with her every day this week before she starts her new job, but probably just once a week after. Good timing though, or I'd have been down to a measly 8 hours this week. 12...not so bad. Plus I have the lucrative Saturday classes where I make 95 euros for 3 hours. Saturday alone pays my rent plus some and they're fun classes too.

After my class I had to go into the city center (aka Tourist Central) to go get a new printer cartridge. It's the only Cortes Ingles that I know sells printer cartridges. Cortes Ingles is a confusing place, but that's for another day. I also stopped at H&M to check out their sale stuff. It's getting warm and I own nothing but tank tops and sweaters...not much in between. Luckily everything was on mega-sale...that I bought anyway...and ended up with some 5 euro shirts, a new pair of leggings (some of mine mysteriously disappeared...I think my 80-year-old neighbor snatched them to wear) and some shorts. Grand total? Less than 50 euros for 7 things. I haven't bought any clothes in Spain because of lack of money, so I feel a little guilty that I spent anything. But I validated it by the fact that i have 3 more hours starting next week (for a total of 5 new hours/week since I've been back) and they're at an office, so I can't really show up in tank tops.

On my way home, the man in front of me on the escalator had a backpack whose zippers featured the brand: Colonel Tapiocca. I thought that was so funny I looked it up online:

http://www.coroneltapiocca.com/

Haha, and I thought Korean name brands were wacky! (I remember Omar Sharif umbrellas and Arnold Palmer sandals.) It's sunny and 75 now so I'm gonna head out onto the front patio and enjoy some rays...before summer gets here and I die from heat exhaustion.

Rant

I remember my old boss and I talking about my first trip to Spain. "Are all the men there gorgeous?" she asked.

Okay, I have noticed there are a lot of good looking people in Spain...this is allegedly true for most Mediterranean countries. However, in general, I am disgusted by Spanish men. I cringe when I walk by them, awaiting for the creepy catcalls that inevitably follow. I can't enjoy the beautiful park near my house, wear cute spring clothes, or even walk to the metro without fearing a creepy old man (viejo verde)....or creepy YOUNG man will say something disgusting or make vulgar noises in my general direction. I feel violated.

My friends accompanying during my study abroad trip thought I overreacted. My adult students agree it's annoying but tell me stories of friends who walk by construction sites for an ego boost. My roommate just laughed when I ranted about it. I think it's unacceptable.

This is 2011. I should not be made to feel like I'll I'm good for is to look at. Yeah, I'm sure these guys just grew up in this machismo society...that they don't mean anything by it. I don't care. At first I started ignoring it. In winter the layers of clothing make it less common. But now I've snapped and starting reacting. I flick them off, cursing at them in English (I think FUCK YOU is pretty universally understood). Honestly, it is a huge problem to me. Most people find it annoying, irritating, rude. I find it vulgar, condescending and objectifying.

The only solution I can come up with, besides moving out of the country, is to start learning some vulgar things in Spanish. Maybe then they'll get the idea.

Okay, end rant. Thanks for reading my venting.

Fun Fact

Here's something I learned today: Care Bears in Spanish are called Osos Amorosos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DcdedBO_lM

I'm baaack

Question: Does anyone actually read this? I'll admit, I haven't been so motivated to blog because, to be honest, there is not so much exciting going on in my life. Well, Alasdair and I went to the States to visit for 10 days, but that's not very Spanish, is it?

I do have two new classes since I've been back. That tallies up to an additional 32 euros a week, but hey, it's something. While I was home, I applied for a legit job through the Spanish government, but that won't start til the fall if I get it. My first choice of areas? Valencia. Yeah, so I've already been there, but it has a beach and not quite the same big-city chaotic feel of Madrid. My options two and three were the Canary Islands and Austurias, because of their beaches and excellent food and wine, in that order. I still have the option to stay in Madrid, but it is tricky being freelance. Also, being illegal, whether I like to admit it or not, does worry me. I have a friend here who's lived here illegally for almost 5 years and never had any problems, but that doesn't make any difference to my paranoia.

Our trip home was so nice...well, when you're only home a few weeks a year people love to cook for you and make trips to see you...that I had a hard time leaving. If I'd had to get on that plane alone, I'm not sure I would have been able to. We saw so many people, ate TONS of wonderful food, and Alasdair finally got to meet the family and lots of my close friends. We took mini road trips to Chattanooga, Savannah, and Athens. Leaving home again meant not knowing when I'd see everyone again. Returning to Spain alone was worse than leaving the states, because it meant I was completely alone.

Now don't get me wrong, I do actually enjoy my job. One of my most difficult students told me that he'd gotten a 9.5 (out of 10) on his latest English tests. I love my students and actually enjoy classes. It's mainly stress over money and things that makes it hard. I know 2 people in Madrid. Okay, maybe 3. Alasdair's moving out in the summer, but 4 months seems an awfully long time. Plus, coming back home after a lovely vacation is never fun.

My roommate told me yesterday she'd be leaving for 2 months to go work on a movie set...in NEPAL. In addition to being an amazing opportunity, my first thought was, "I GET TO LIVE ALONE AND DO WHATEVER I WANT FOR TWO MONTHS!" (Despite paying rent and half the utilities, it still feels like I'm living in someone else's house.) But then today she told me she wasn't sure because of her boss or something. My Spanish is rusty after only thinking in English for 2 weeks. So...sad that I'll have to continue mopping every other day and keeping the heat on despite the fact it's 60 out...but not so bad because, for all my frustration, she's been very helpful with things and I wouldn't have a clue how to pay utilities in Spain.

On the bright side, spring is almost here (it's not getting dark til 8:30 already!!), I have more work, and I have an XXL bag of M&Ms from Costco.

P.S. I tried to upload pictures but my internet hates me.

Madrilena

I've been in Madrid less than 2 months, but I already feel fairly accustomed to life here. I suppose it's not such the culture shock of living in South Korea, but I also feel like I can accomplish more on my own since I know a little more Spanish than Korean.

A few weeks ago I got a Spanish library card, which has been especially helpful in lesson planning. Funds are low (and I STILL haven't received my replacement credit cards) so I check out books and use them in class.

Today I succeeded in finally getting an Abono, which is an unlimited metro/bus pass renewable every month. It took me three Tobaco shops, or estankeras as my roommate says they're called, to finally find one that sold them. For less than 50 euros a month, I can ride all the subways and buses I won't, hooray! I realize I'm on the metro a lot because I'm starting to recognize people. Two in particular are quite noticeable, so I'm sure there are many more I've overlooked because of their ordinariness. One is a tiny Asian woman who always wears her sunglasses inside and plays some game on her cell phone that involves incessant clicking of buttons. I've learned not to sit next to her. The other is a Spanish man so pale he makes ME look tan...and it's winter. Seriously, I think he might be a ghost. Also, a notable trip on the subway last night led me to find the world's WORST haircut...which is saying a lot in Spain. The man had a buzzcut almost all over, but left the front long, giving the effect of greasy, stringy bangs hanging about halfway down his forehead. I say the effect of bangs, because I'm not sure buzzcut men are able to have bangs. Weird. At least it keeps me entertained during the hours I spend on the metro each day. On the bright side, I'm going through books like mad!

I'll be headed to London a week from tomorrow to fly out to the States! I'm excited because the trip seems a little last minute and the weather there has been gorgeous lately, or so I'm told by my mother and weather.com. I promise once I start being more interesting I'll have more pictures to put up!