Stage Three: Bargaining. WHY IS THIS PROGRAM TAKING SO LONG TO ADMIT ME? I promise to be nice to everyone for all eternity!

As many people may or may not be aware, I have applied to a program in Spain which would allow me to live there for 8 months as a teaching assistant to an English teacher. This is a really exciting opportunity for me to discover a beautiful culture, speak and improve my Spanish, and interact with students who want to learn.

In order to brush up on my Spanish, I've been practicing with flash cards, speaking Spanish with my roommmate, listening to radio stations from Spain, constantly translating in my head, and practicing pronunciation and proper phonetic speaking. It's been a blast so far!

Speaking Spanish is more fun than I realized while I was in college. It used to seem like learning it was a chore, but all of that has changed. I'm just glad I dedicated my time to learning it while I was in school instead of brushing it off. (Thank you, studious past self!)

I submitted my application a little over 2 weeks ago and received my "inscrita" number (or my place in line for consideration). Over 4,000 applicants were accepted last year so I have a good place in line (my number is 1826), but I'm starting to get worried. The next step in the process is being upgraded to "admitida," which means the regional representative has looked over my application and at least acknowledges it exists and meets requirements. It doesn't necessarily mean I have a placement, but it means I've done everything correctly in the application process.

I've been anxiously awaiting for my status to change, but to no avail. It's really starting to make me nervous, even though this is probably normal (maybe, perhaps, I hope?!). I would do anything to be in this program. ANNNYYTTHHIINNGGG. HEAR MY PLEA, SPANISH GOVERNMENT!

In other news, I'm starting this local program called "Read to Succeed" that helps adults with low reading levels/adult ESL students learn to read. Monday night was my second training session, and I'm excited to get an adult learner to start helping. I stated that my preference is to work with an ESL adult, so hopefully that's who I'll be paired with.

Not only will this program help me get some invaluable teaching experience, but the joy of helping someone learn to read is a reward in itself. Nothing is more important in my eyes than education and reading, so the fact that an adult who can barely read is willingly volunteering to learn is something I admire and respect.

I'm a bit nervous because I'm not sure what to expect exactly, but I have a feeling the goals/lessons I need to prepare will become clear once I meet my learner.


In more frustrating and stressful news, I've been working close to 40 hours the past couple of weeks and the stress of my job is starting to get to me. I've had little to no free time or alone time in a week-and-a-half and it's starting to overwhelm me. I've barely practiced Spanish in the past 6 days, I haven't been sleeping because of stress nightmares, and I'm starting to get sick.

I wanted more hours in order to start saving for Spain, but I can't handle being at Publix for 38 hours of my week. It slowly creeps into my consciousness and blocks out all of the more important parts of my life. My reflection and personal time is very essential to maintain a proper functioning brain and body. I am going to make a drastic change post-haste.

In more personally frustrating news, a huge electric bill has prompted my roommates and I to turn our heat off, which is slowly becoming a terrible decision.

My house is so cold...

*AUDIENCE RESPONSE* HOW COLD IS IT?

My house is so cold that it bothers me enough to make comments about it in my otherwise focused blog that has nothing to do with my home's temperature. ZING!

In closing, waiting to hear back from about Spain is slowly driving me insane, but I'll get through it. Everyone I've talked to that has done this program or visited/lived in Spain completely loves the country. I'm just ready for some new experiences!