Kids Say the Darndest Things- Student Comments #4

Last year I was cursed, blessed, given  the opportunity to take a look into adolescent mind and got out some interesting insight. Example- A, B, and C.

It's a whole new ball game now that I have the little ones (for better or for worse). Here are a few snippets of month one at a primary school.

1. Background- Between the schedule being a bit off the two weeks and long holidays, there are certain classes that haven't had as much time with me as others.

On a Friday, I'm helping the 6th graders correct their History Science homework from the book and then this exchange occurs-\

Student 1- "What's your name?"

Me -(acting all dramatic to keep the kids entertained)- *gasp* you don't know my name? I can't believe this... Who knows my name?

Student 2- Makhala (the other auxiliar in the school that works with them more often)

Me- What is this?? No, that's not my name... I can't believe this... who knows my name?

Student 3- Cathy!

Me- Yes! Thank you! My name is Cathy!

Student 4- (Quietly in the back) Makhala mola mas.... (Makhala sounds cooler)

*Demotivational times 100* LOL

2. While taking a few students out at a time to get to know them in the first few days of class I was with a group of fifth graders asking them what they did that weekend. One of my students who is a bit behind her classmates in English answered me very confidently-

Student- "I went to the house of my grandfather, and went to the cinema."
Me- "What movie did you watch?"
Student 1- *thinks* Tomatoes, peppers, milk
(everyone looks confused)
Me- What film did you go see?
Student 2- quickly translates under his breath
Student 1- Oh! No Cinema! The supermarket!

A few giggles and we continue on with the class. Bless that child.

3. While grading some exams for some of my fifth grade history science classes, there were some funny responses as follows:

     -Pre-history started when the firs human apparance (3 or 4 year ago) until the invention of writing.
     -Pre-history started when the first human appearance and finished when discovered the fire.

4. In order to get free lunch at school the auxiliares have  to work in the cafeteria doing "Mesa Restaurante" essentially 10 kids get to have a week where we try to teach them table manners and vocabulary in English while trying to converse with them.

Last weeks top comment (4th grade)-
   Student-Do you know what my favorite sport is?
   Me- No, what?
   Student-Porno
   Me- Finish your food.

This week's top comment (4th grade)
  Students- Let's speak Spanish, it's Friday.
  Me and other Auxi- No we're in an English Restaurant!
  Student under his breath- Estamos en España, que se jodan los ingleses. (We're in Spain, the English can   go fuck themselves)

Oh the joy of actually having to pretend I don't understand.

5. Not all the moments are awkward these days my time is also filled with random hugs, excited to see me faces and waving hands, and I've already had 2 students draw things for me. All is right in my world.

Until next time!!

@CathyArely

I Just Got A Letter, I Just Got A Letter...

I just got a letter... wonder who it's from?!

So I received my placement letter, and there's no more confusion!! I'm staying in the elementary school that I work at in the city center! Woot Woot!

Call for YOUR opinion!

Hey hey all,

  So one of my new friends is looking to set up an open mic night, and has asked me to show off some work there (ahh!) So getting things prepared I've brought it down to 5 poems I think I could pull off in public, after polishing and practicing of course! So I'd like to hear what y'all have to say... any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Much Love!

Here are the links to my picks... some have videos others don't as I said before everything is going to need polishing before it is unleashed lol

1. Hungry
2. A Penny for Your Thoughts
3. Cathy's Blues
4. One Picture
5. La Challenge

<3 CathyArely

See You Eventually

They stood looking at each other through the windows of the trains, taking in what could quite possibly be the last moment their eyes would meet in an unknown amount of time. As the idle wheels let them share this moment remembering all the camaraderie their eyes fill with tears as they go off in opposite directions. -Cathy Smith

This was me and my friend DeAnna today as we parted on the Madrid metro- seriously something out of a movie. She's headed back to the states, and I'll be here continuing on this Spain adventure for a few more months. It was a bitter sweet goodbye. The kind where it's like you know you could possibly never see this person again, even though you're gonna try to make sure that doesn't happen. I went through it when my semester in Puerto Rico was over. It's amazing how in such a short amount of time certain people can touch your life. Of course this doesn't make people back home any less missed, but I guess it's a different feeling knowing you'll come home to them. We had a great run as the Ying and Yang of Madrid Players. This one's for you D!

 How do you deal with goodbyes?

Thanks for reading

~Cat

‎"Aren't we all unfinished? Don't we all need some editing? Aren't we all waiting to be read by someone, praying they will tell us that we make sense?" - Rudy Francisco

Your Bad Luck Is Impressive 3.0

So after a semi-blissful week back to work, I was hit today with something that isn't going to let me feel at ease for the rest of the weekend. 

When I woke up this morning I had an email from the bilingual coordinator at a high school in Mostoles that they had been waiting for me all week, and to let them know if I was going to resign the position then I needed to let them know so that they could replace me.

So all security that I was going to tranquilly be able to work in my adorable curious elementary students in the city center is out the window and filled with doubt about having to go back to the daily grind of fighting to motivate teenagers in an out there community with the not best reputation. 

When I had gone to the administration office they told my my placement without giving my my official letter of appointment, which means there could be a mistake and I get sent over to the other place... although unlikely because I'd like to believe that reason would enter at least a few people's brains and see how I've already started at this other place it's the easiest thing is to stay there.

I replied to the other coordinator telling him the situation, and the game plan now is to wait and see if I'm told to go elsewhere... and if so, try to get my new principal on my side... but we'll see.

Trying to stay optimistic. REALLY trying...

In the meantime you can check out the new Reader Spotlight, or CathyBean Poetry.

What do you think?

At what age should a girl stop wearing pig tails?

Round Two- Let the Games Begin!

Hey Hey all,

   So some of you may or may not know... but I was really sweating my future for this year because some unfortunate ideals, I was booted out of my old school. When I contacted the ministry of education to check on my status of getting reassigned to a school, the lady had said I was put on a wait list... OH NO!! For weeks I was contemplating worst case scenarios in my head as if they were a Glee marathon. 

Last week, one of the ladies called me and told me "We're going to give you a placement, today." That's it. I was calm as I awaited the email with the details during my rainy relaxing weekend in Valencia. 

Come Monday morning (the day I was supposed to start class), my inbox had not been graced by the message I was expecting. So I got up, and went over once again to the main office. It was kind of funny because as I was passing through security, I already had my id out and my bag off my shoulder to put it through the xray. The security guard was surprised and then just laughed and commented about how I wasn't a stranger to the house anymore. When I got to talk to the lady in charge, she was surprised I wasn't at work (umm... I would be if you had told me where I needed to be). She recalled the conversation we had but apparently forgot to give me the crucial information. So she looked up where I needed to be. When I asked where about in the city the location was she phoned the school to get a better idea than google maps, and before hanging up she said, "Okay great, your new auxiliar is on her way..."

Umm... what?

Actually I wouldn't have found this a problem if I had been prepared, but because I went to the office with the expectation I was going to be shooed away for another few days, I went the office in jeans, a hoodie, and barely brushed hair... not really the kind of first impression I wanted to make, but I sucked it up and went on over.

I initially had mixed feeling about my placement. I was very apprehensive because the school is located pretty much at the most inconvenient metro stop, but I was excited because it's still on the metro line so I would be paying less for my transport! I was also grateful because I had been put into an elementary school, finally getting more relevant use out of my degree, and away from apathetic teenagers (even though I'll miss my kids).

When I got to the school they said they weren't expecting me for another month since the ministry told them I was from the waiting list... even though i was hired since Thursday... oh isn't communication great? I went to some classes for the rest of the day, and got a hug from some of the 2nd graders on my way home (!!)

So many things are on my side this year... great kids, supportive network and fellow auxiliars at my school, and I can't wait for what's ahead. Of course I'm sure the Cathy-like misadventures are sure to keep occurring... like my dress being tucked into my underwear on my way to work this morning.... but let's just keep our fingers crossed that's the worst of it all.

Thanks for reading!! Ready to Rock Year 2!

@Cathy Arely

Wrap up- A Year in Photos

Hey all,

  So year two has officially rolled in, but before I get into that in my next post I wanted to sort of do a summary of my year in Spain in photos... enjoy :)

My room at my coordinator's house when I first arrived

Rally for Public Education

My first meal in Spain!
(After the ramen noodles I had brought from home)

PR BFFs meandering Madrid!

Trying to not get my food eaten at La Casa de las Brujas

First Trip out of Madrid!

Notes from Students

An American Thanksgiving in Spain

White Elephant Exchange!

Reyes gift from roomies <3

10 sessions going on 35... it was a rough journey

In the Circle of Life!

First Trip post injury... LAS FALLAS!

Paris!

Sister Spring Break- Malaga, Spain

Madrid Players Debut

Italia! Leaning tower of Pisa

Primo Reunion in Rome!

A view of Granada from La Alhambra

Last Stack of Journals to grade

Interway Summer Camp July 2012

HaU in Madrid!

I'm an Au Pair

Madrid Players- September Serenade!

Now time for round two and a whole new set of photos... probably with a new camera too... once I have the money :-/

@Cathy Arely