A Magnolia Memoir

The hardest part sometimes when wanting to write is figuring out how to start.So I guess the most appropriate thing to do would be to start at the beginning. I've been away from blogging for a while and the reason (or in part) because I was a part of a play named after a flower.

Back in February word came out that the Madrid Players were going to do a production of Steel Magnolias. I got really excited because it's a story that is near and dear to my heart.... especially since my diabetic sister is planning her wedding, and I'm not available to be there. The other reason is because it's a great story about relationships you form, and having watched the movie a billion and one times, that story has made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. I wanted so badly to be a part of this production. I got even more excited when I found out the potential people I could be working with, including my good friend Parisa as the director.

So I found a monologue, went to the audition, and rocked it (despite other personal things going on in my life). The next day was emotional, and then I got the email, that despite being great, it was decided to go another direction. Though, I understood, thought it was logical, my heart sunk. Not only because I really wanted it, but because it was another moment to add to the endless list of times that I've been told "Yeah you'd be good but we want someone else" Not in those words... but the message is the same.

Then after two days of sulking on a trip to Asturias on a little day trip to Covadonga, I sat in a church in a cave and I prayed for the strength to overcome all of the emotions that were coming at me from every direction. Right then I got a text message from Parisa saying "call me when you can". I called her back immediately telling her sorry I couldn't get to her sooner, I didn't get good reception in the cave lol.

Then she starts "Well I wanted to ask you..." And right then and there I cut her off and said, "Yes, whatever you're going to ask me the answer is yes." Now that I think about it, it's a good thing she didn't ask me for a kidney lol. After lots of laughter, she offered me the part of Annelle and I accepted. Then the wonderful magical journey that was this production began.

I was so nervous and scared. This was the first full length non-musical play I'd ever done. I was working with absolutely gorgeous fabulous actresses that I look up to, and I had the slight taunting in my head that I was the 2nd choice (up until closing night). So I worked twice as hard, just like I always do, because everyday is a new opportunity to prove yourself, and (as Annelle would say) I guess it worked.

Being a part of this group was so much fun, because despite we had a lot of laughs that were scripted there were so many more real life laughs and smiles to go around. From rehearsal day one to closing night, and the marvelous pampering of getting made up for the show, you couldn't keep a smile from my face.

 I was ecstatic when Daryl Hannah (movie Annelle) replied to my tweet about being cast.

The long days of leaving the house at 8am and arriving at home an 12:30am were hard. Giving up Saturday night parties for Sunday morning rehearsals were all well worth it. The response to our play has been overwhelmingly positive, and people have even told me they're fans (still hard to conceive). I've always been famous in a small town, but famous in a big city is a whole other story...

So now all I can say is thank you, an enormous thank you to all of those involved to making this experience so marvelous and memorable and simply amazing. I can't begin to express my gratitude for being accepted into this little family. 

The tears came out during that final curtain call, because this chapter is over, and I'm left with uncertainty if I'll ever act on a Madrid stage again.Tears came out because of Mother's day and being on the other side of the world not having seen my momma in nearly 2 years. Tears of joy came out because all of our hard work paid off. 

I have  ticket to head to California on the 4th of July, and these next few weeks are going to be for the people who I've had to tell I was busy for the last 3 months, and I'm glad to be back. There are still so many reference following me around reminding me of this beautiful experience. It makes my heart swell to think about the bonds I've made becoming a Steel Magnolia. I know I am a blessed woman, and I'll try my best to live in the moment, and simply enjoy. 

~Cathy

Annelle

Photo Slideshow of the show here.

Let the Adventures Begin... Las Fallas :)

     So let's rewind back to Fall 2010... Sitting in my Spanish 381 class listening to the professor elaborate more on the text that everyone (should have) read the night before about the different fiestas there are in Spain. Looking at pictures of bulls running, of people covered in tomatoes, or people traditionally dressed.

Then he started to talk about Las Fallas de Valencia. This is a festival has been going on since 1872. In Valencia they spend all year making this float type spectacles that are often satires of current situations or people. During the weekend of Las Fallas these floats are displayed throughout the city and at the end of the festival they are burned (all that work gone!!)

That lesson was one of the first reasons that I thought Spain would be a cool place to be. Las Fallas was definitely something that I wanted to see. So as March 19th rolled around, I tried asking various groups of friends who were interested in going, but at the end of the day any prospects for plans pretty much fell through. At first I was pretty bummed about it, but then a stroke of good (finally) luck hit. On the facebook group for auxiliares a tour group that was taking a day trip to Valencia for the last day and coming back just in time to head straight to work for only 40 euro (most buses I saw to get there were 60) said they still had seats on the trip. So I thought about it for a while and came to the conclusion that- 

1. Las Fallas was the reason I became more interested in Spain.

2. I didn't get to go anywhere during Christmas break and if I just stayed home I would be wasting the 3 day weekend opportunity.

3. Next year Las Fallas is going to be on a Tuesday therefore making it more difficult to go, if I am even in Spain next year. 

4. I came to Spain to get to know more people, so getting on this tour bus full of strangers would be a good start.

And with that I messaged the girl in charge and I was ready to be on my way to Valencia. The original plan was to meet at a certain bar at 11:30 to head out by noon, and head back around 2:30 to be back by 7:30...just in time to catch my bus to work...jajaj). At the bar I realized that there were 2 people a part of the group that I had met before. A guy I met at an intercambio like the first few weeks I was here still living with las brujas, and another guy I met when I went with my friends to a movie screening who also graduated from CSUN. He ended up being my bus buddy for the rest of the he trip, and we got to walk around and see the different floats displayed in the charismatic city of Valencia.  

After exploring by ourselves for a bit we met up later with the group for drinks and started watching the masterpieces burn. For those of you who know me, know I can be pretty jumpy and a big scaredy cat, well with that in mind I have no idea what I was doing in Las Fallas. Even the smallest firework that you could give to a 6 year old made the loudest sound like it could be a bomb. So with all of the massive explosive sounds I felt like I was going to lose a leg or something, giving a few special people in the group something to laugh at lol. 

We stayed and watched the fantastic show of fireworks and the burning, and it was a beautiful night...until it decided to rain right after the main show. Oh another minor detail, our bus driver decided to be a jerk and make up his own rules saying that he needed 11 hours rest between the turn around for the 4 hour drive (in which he also needed a 45 minute break in between). Therefore we couldn't get the bus at 2:30 as planned we were getting picked up at 4:30... and he was late. So we went to a bar and hung out for those 3 hours, and went to wait in the rain for the late bus driver. I called my teacher to tell her the situation, and made in time for my second class of the day (despite looking like Mufasa with wet shoes). 

And that is the story of my first trip since Halloween, health wise I made it walking and standing all those hours, so it was a big victory in a lot of ways.... A trip back to Valencia is in order for sure.

Thanks for reading. I'll leave you all with the video of the wonderful fireworks and big burning at the end. 

Much Love!!

~Cathy

School House Rock- Week One

Hey Hey everyone!!

So the weekend is finally here!! Lol I know for some of you reading this, you just "grr" and say it's Thursday... but it is likely that others of you reading this (college students and auxiliares) like me have Fridays off, so HAPPY WEEKEND!

I just finished my first week as a teacher here in Spain, and its definitely been an adventure. Last week, Elvira (my coordinator) gave my my schedule, and told me to come to the English department meeting which was at segunda hora (2nd period). I told her, but I have class first period, and she said, "Well, don't go, we'll get you set up at the meeting, and that's that."

So on Monday morning, I got up bright and early...well maybe not that bright, but it was early, and I hopped on the train and bus that took me all the way to my school. I made it just in time for 2nd period. I introduced myself to the front desk person, whom I hadn't met before, and asked to be pointed in the direction of the English Department. Then to my horror, she says, we were expecting you at first period in (x) classroom. MAJOR FREAKOUT MOMENT in my head. So I told her that Elvira told me to be there at segunda hora for the department meeting, before I was to start anything. Before she could respond I was rescued by Beatriz the English department head, who said everything's fine, and whisked me away to the English department. Along the way she showed me my classrooms.

Wait, did I hear that right? My classrooms?? I was under the impression that I was going to be a T.A of sorts, but as I'm sure a lot of us have realized during our time in Spain, rules and guidelines aren't exactly things that are followed to the tee. 

So I sat through the department meeting which consisted the majority of the time talking with a representative from Oxford, a publisher, and how they're using the new technology. Then other department issues, and then the bell rang, and I was to go off and "do my English thing" with the students. Again MAJOR FREAK OUT MOMENT in my head. 

Then 13 little people came into the classroom, sat down, all eyes on me, and it was show time. So since I had to think quickly on my toes, and make a game plan. Luckily my years of leadership experience, especially in the last year as "La Presidenta" I fell back on what I knew would do the trick, Icebreakers... lol. 

So I introduced myself, gave my little schpiel (not sure if thats how you spell it haha) about they can call me one of three things 1) Cathy- everyone in Spain calls their teachers by their first name, even in elementary school. 2) Miss Cathy or 3) Miss Smith. Two things they cannot call me- 1) Teacher- They have a name and so do I...lol and 2) Mrs. Smith, because that is my mother, and I am not married.

After that was out of the way we played the Name Game, where everyone gets in a circle, and has to say their name, and an adjective or phrase that describes them. The trick is they have to say the name and adjective of  all of the people who came before them, so the poor unfortunate soul to my right always ended up having to know everyone. This served as a good way to use time, learn new vocabulary, and reinforcement for me to learn everyone's name. 

My School- IES Leonardo Da Vinci

The last part of the class consisted of them getting to interview me. Everyone had to ask me at least one question, whatever entered their pretty little minds. At first I thought I was going to have to dodge some questions like do you like to party, or what is your favorite alcohol, but the kids are still pretty shy so luckily for me, the best question of the week was "Why do some people in the US call other people rednecks?" and another blessing, I was saved by the bell before I had to answer. 

The behavior has been pretty good, as good as you can expect with 12-18 year olds. There have been a few classes where I couldn't find a way for them to be quiet, but I think as time goes on I will learn new tricks for better classroom management. 

Its also been a crazy week since there are have been strikes, so on tuesday and wednesday, I only had 2 of the 4 classes I had scheduled that day. 

Well I think that's enough of an update for now, Thank you all for reading!! Still no Reader Spotlight for November so jump on it peeps lol. 

Much love,

Cathy

Here's a video from one of the demonstrations I attended for the strike last month.