Adventures of the Past ... and Future.

Yesterday marked one month of my arrival back home to California, after being gone almost 2 years teaching in Spain.

My journey in Madrid was a remarkable experience that not only taught me so much about myself and the world, but also allowed me to have meaningful friendships with people all over the globe.

Madrid Players allowed me to have a niche in a world capital, and allowed me to do things I'd never thought possible. (Performing in front of audiences of 700+, doing a radio interview, being a pampered actress for makeup and hair, working with people who are truly stars and professionals on an off stage). This group was what made letting go of el sueño de Madrid (the Madrid dream) extremely heartbreaking.

Leaving the fantastic house that saved me from La Casa de Las Brujas, as also a sentimental venture. I went from having no brothers to having four :)

I wouldn't have thought that I would create such strong bonds as those that I have created with the people I have met in such a short time, but I am absolutely grateful for the hilarious and soulful moments. And the chance to continue to nurture these relationships for a long time.

All of the rushing home was due to my baby sister getting married!! It was hit the ground running as soon as I got home and even though we were hit with some huge curve balls (I'll ask if I can publish that story later) it all came out a nice day.

So what's next?....

So even though I am extremely sad that I can't continue on with the Madrid dream. Life has taken me to be placed in Extremadura, Spain. A region on the west side bordering Portugal. I will work in a pueblo of 6,000 people, and I will be able to use this extra year to cross off other destinations off of my to see list.

As my chapters evolve as will this blog and the stories shared in it. I'm sure I will have lots to say about pueblo life come October. So stay tuned, and Keep in touch!!

Besos,

CathyArely

First the Worst, Second the Best

Hey Hey all,

   It has been a good couple of days. Poquito a poco getting used to what is life in Spain and the (mis)adventures that come along with it. 

The title of this blog comes from a few different things. The first, it comes from a saying that we used to say all the time in elementary school when it came to places (Zero the Hero, First-the worst, second-the best, third- the nerd...etc), and given the trivial things I've been dealing with at school (16 year old boys throwing around a tampon with red marker around my classroom)...I figured it works.

Yes, I played poker with William Hung

Second, (the best lol)- My roommates have created this poker tournament between their friends that is going to go on for a few months and have a grand prize at the end. Well last night was one of the games, and I ended up with second place! Yeah, I didn't take home the green, but it increases my standing for the final. For those of you who don't know, as far as poker goes, I'm kind of a big deal (jajaj just kidding) but really, I've been around poker my whole life, so along the way I've picked up a few things. I actually was the first female to place in the semester poker championship at CSUN.  So I this whole tournament thing is a good thing for me because I get to have some fun, while getting a chance to make some money, AND meeting more people here in Spain. 

     So last night, during the tournament Jaime, Natasha, and Matt (part of my auxiliar circle) came over to "observe" the game, but what really ended up happening is that they mingled with other friends of my roommates (since I was tied up with the game and all). And when it was all said and done, people were more excited that I made it to second place than the actual winner lol. 

At the Beginning of the Game

    Then Matt said something to me that really brightened my day, he told me "You look so happy, compared to before" And that brings me to the third reason for choosing this blog title... I really am a lot happier than I was a few weeks ago, as you can tell if you've been following my posts. So as I'm continuing to confirm day by day, I had to go through the first piso (the worst) to get to the second (the best). 

Another good note, one of the teachers at my school gave me the number to Legal Aid in Madrid, so I have an appointment to see a lawyer at the beginning of December to see what I can do to get my deposit back. So I'll Keep you all posted..

Once again thanks for reading!! Until Next time,

Ciao <3,

Cathy

My Trophy from the CSUN tournament

Your Bad Luck Is Impressive

Hey Hey all,

  So the title from this post comes from a new facebook friend, after I posted this blog post, and a status that read as follows:

"I would be the one to lock myself out of my apartment on only my second day here -_- better days shall come"

So yeah.. normally I clip my keys onto my purse, but I guess last Tuesday (after moving in on Monday) I was totally locked out of my apartment. So the first thing I do is buzz to get let in.

*BUZZ* 

....no answer... 

I think to myself- "Did I buzz the right apt?" 

"Yes of course I did. Well I'm 85 percent sure I did. No, I definitely hit the right button."

*BUZZ* 

.....definitely no answer....

Next step, call only roommate phone number I have. 

*pull out phone*

Phone is out of saldo (curse you prepaid phones!!!)

I just put money on my phone and it says I'm out!!

Think fast, call the free number to add saldo from your phone...

*Dial*

...not the right number...try a different one that seems like it would be the one... nope not the right number..

*AHH*

Next walk over to my friend who lives across the street and buzz him, so I can add saldo online, and then call my roommate...LIFE SAVER

*Call roommate and apologize profusely for being such an idiot*

(The next day was a holiday in the center of Madrid so all of my roommates were all out de fiesta, except me because I work in a suburb, so no fiesta)

*Roommate comes on his motorcycle, gives me keys to run upstairs and then throw the keys back down to him through the balcony*

LIFE SAVER!!

*Apologizing even more, and promising this will NEVER happen again*

He just smiles and says "No pasa nada", and heads back to his party.

It was this exchange that made me feel truly blessed to have found such a great place after the nightmare I was in.

More bad luck has followed my the last few days-

Friday, I flooded the kitchen (not that bad) because I forgot to close the inner basket of the washing machine.

Ugh...really?

Saturday, I went to go pick up something for my old roommate since she's not in Madrid anymore and on the way to the place there were a bunch of museums and beautiful buildings. So I took  out my camera about to shoot take a few pictures, and my battery was exhausted...all I could do was laugh.

So I guess I do have some pretty impressive bad luck...but I'm happy where I am right now. It was my first weekend "partying like a spaniard...ish" and now it's back to reality with lesson planning, cleaning, among other things...

As of right now my room isn't set up yet due to lack of funds and still in battle for my deposit, but as soon as I can I'll give y'all a new video tour of my place.

Thanks for reading!

Much Love,

Cat