School's Out For Summer!

HELLO!!

I considered making a final summary entry about the school and all the expectations vs. realities.  I’m going to save it, though, for the end of the summer because I want to use it as platform for what I want to do in order to make some changes with the school, personally and professionally.  So, stay tuned for that at the end of my stay in the states. 

My NIE experience, for the time being, is finished… this is how it went…

I had to catch the 8:00 bus to Jaen and then wandered around for a couple hours before I could even go to my appointment.  I went in a bit early and recognized a girl from the beginning of the year who I knew was there for the same reason as myself.  I chatted with her briefly and then it was time to make our way through the office to the very last table where we were to complete our application.  Whew... gotta say that I was nervous, of course, but I wasn't as nervous as my previous trips to the rabbit hole.  I knew I had all of the proper documents and all of that, so I was genuinely prepared for this one.  Jill went first so I was able to watch the process so that when it was my turn I had everything in order for him.  This guy was super nice and super accomodating.  That makes everything a bit more relieving.  I got everything completed and, since I am going to the states over the summer, I am required to ask for an 'authorization for return.'  I asked the nice man if I could get started on that to which he informed me that it would only be valid for 60 or 90 days.  And they'd need a week to process it.  Well, that means, if I would have applied for it that day (30th), then I would have been required to be back in Spain by August 30th.  Possible, I suppose, but I have plans already booked at the end of August and I want more time with my family.  Even if I were planning on being back then, there wouldn't have been enough time to process the application before I was leaving Spain.  Anyway, I informed the nice man of my summer plans and that I had no intention of being back in Jaen at all until I returned in September.  He, very generously, called his boss and even inquired about the options for me, to which I was super grateful.  But, unfortunately, there is nothing they can do.  Since I am going to be back in Spain at the beginning of July (although in the north... not the south...), I have to find a way to get back to Jaen TWICE.  Once to apply and again a week later to pick it up.  That means Clint & I have to alter some of our Spain plans, but it has to be done, so I hope he's okay with that.  :)  I was hoping I would have been done with all that crap when I left the office, but that is not the case.  Bummer, but I gotta deal with it. 

I was genuinely hoping to catch the 12:15 bus back to the village so I wouldn't have to wander the streets of Jaen anymore and I could have made it had a few things gone differently.  We were able to get in at our appointment a bit early, so I was super hopeful.  After I had submitted the application, I had to go pay a tax that had to be paid within 10 days or my entire application would be void, so I ran/walked to the nearest bank (a few blocks away).  At this point, I had 25 minutes to do all of this and catch my bus.  Of course, there is a line of 6 people in front of me.  I'm constantly checking my watch and it seems that the tellers could not have been going any slower.  And then they'd start having conversations about a pamplet thing some lady had.  I was seriously like that person that was checking their watch, sighing, transferring weight from one leg to the other and just generally acting annoyed that it wasn't moving any quicker.  Didn't work.  Eventually, I got up there and got my tax taken care of.  The tax was 16.32 and I gave the lady 21.32.  Pretty simple math, right?  She stared at that money like it was a foreign currency and she didn't know what she was doing.  She slowly put the coins in the tray.  I was obviously still standing there waiting for my change and she looked up and said, "Thanks."  I was like, "Ugh... no.  I need my change."  She fumbled around and gave me a 5, but it was as if I messed up her whole routine.  HaHa... anyway... I took off back to the rabbit hole.  At this point, I had 12 minutes to catch my bus.  I got to the office and went back through the maze of desks to the nice man's table.  He was working with another language assistant, but was on the phone.  I chatted with this nice girl from Ohio.  All the time, staring at my watch because the nice man had put his finger up telling me to "wait a minute."  I had time to tell her all of the things she needed to do after filling out the application and find out that her brother was getting married that summer, etc.  Eventually, the nice man got off the phone and said, "Just a minute, I'm going to call my boss to check again."  Ok... Well, he did that and it provided the same results as the last phone conversation, so I said thanks and jetted outta there.  I had 3 minutes to catch my bus and it was probably 6 or 7 city block away.  In my head, I knew I wouldn't make it, but I tried anyway.  All the streets I had to cross, of course, were all on the "Don't Walk" sign for the longest time and cars wouldn't let pedestrians walk, etc.  I made into the bus station TWO minutes after my bus had left.  TWO.  I guess the good thing I can get from all of this is the Spanish bus system is on time.  :)  So, I went to a little cafe and had some beer and tapas while I waited for the 2:00 bus.  Tapas, in my opinion, are one of the GREATEST inventions ever.  :)  Anyway... after all that mumbling, that's my trip to the rabbit hole part duex (or three?).  I'm losing count now.  :)

I can’t believe that I am writing that my time here is over (for this school year anyway).  It’s went by crazy fast.  I’ve met some very cool people and hope to expand our friendships through the next year.  I look forward to taking advantage of the second chance I’ve been given and I hope to not let it slip through my fingers.  Don’t get me wrong, I have gained immensely during this stay and am grateful beyond belief for the opportunity.  I just look forward to doing things a bit differently next year. :)

My last week was spent translating a Spanish recipe book into English.  56 pages of Spanish recipes into English... NOT fun.  I didn't go to a single class this week because of it and I'm still not sure if it'll even be used.  Our 'goodbye' was quite disappointing.  No one really even acknowledged that we were leaving and it was our last day.  Joanne had to go in and say goodbye to people since she is leaving tomorrow for good.  I told them I'd stop by Monday and say farewell officially.  I didn't expect any grande gestures, but I was kind of thinking people would, you know, wish us well and say nice to meet you, etc.  And maybe they did for Joanne, haha, but no one said anything to me.  Kinda disappointing.  Oh well.  And since I didn't go to class all week, I haven't been able to say bye to the kids.  I guess I'll see 'em again in a few months.

Here shortly, Clint and I are going to take off on our European adventure.  I am quite excited and I think (hope) that he is, too.  I wanted to take this opportunity to let you all know that I am going to do my very best to keep my blog updated throughout our journey, even if they are brief and only of photos.  I’m quite sure we’ll run into wireless internet all over the place.  I just don’t know how much time we’ll be wanting to spend online, haha.  I imagine we’ll have some downtime some of the evenings where we can Skype with our families and I’ll take the quick opportunity to update my blog.  While I make no promises in regards to posting, I DO promise that I will TRY.  :)  If I am unable to do so, I promise that I’ll be keeping a personal journal so that I can remember details and all that for when I am able to post.

I hope that this finds you all well and your summers have began well!  I am looking forward to starting mine!  Cheers to a fantastic summer!!  Speak to you all soon, hopefully!!