So you had a bad day...

    I hesitate to write this post because even though I get personal on my blog, I've veered from getting too personal, other than my thoughts/fears for the future, and missing people back home. Today was different, it was just one of those days. 

    I get into class with my 7th graders and I'm finishing up preparing their activity for the class about personal attributes and relationships. While I'm simultaneously cutting the cards and making conversation with the kids about what kind of exams they have coming up, and what kind of fun things they have going on during the weekend, one kid asks me, "Miss Cathy, how old are you?" I hesitantly reply, "24." He smiles and says "Really? You look like you're 18!" I smile and continue to make conversation with the entire class.  Then the little darling asks, "Miss Cathy, do you like spaghetti, pizza, and hamburgers?" I slightly brush off the the question, and continue explaining what the activity we are going to do that day in class. Then he says "Because it sure looks like you do. My heart stopped. Did he really just say that. I ignored his comment, and kept on with the class and allowed them to do their activity. 

    I probably should have sent him back to class or to the principal for a comment like that, but part of me was thinking if I do that, then I am giving that comment power. Not to say it didn't hurt my already fragile ego/self image. I've always been a big girl, and I've struggled my whole life with banter about it. Recently though, I've lost some weight. I can't give numbers because I haven't been on a scale in a long time so I don't really have something to compare to, but I've definitely noticed in the way my clothes fit, and all that jazz. Not that I really care what some 12 year old boy thinks, but it really does kinda suck. 

As class went on I also gave a talk about respect, as some of them used foul language and definitely inappropriate occupations their little adolescent male minds came up with. The last few minutes of class I allowed them to chill since our activity was pretty much done and there wasn't that much time left in class. As I was getting my paper and things ready to go, said class clown decides to open our huge window and put his head out and start flailing around from the 2nd floor! I told him to get to his seat before anything happened. One of the few moments you really think... Saved by the Bell.

Here's to a better Thursday!

Much Love,

Cathy

Oui, what?

Hey Hey Everyone, 

   Spring break has come and gone, along with my birthday, and now I'm left with a few stories to share with you all. 

    My sister and some of her friends came for Spring Break with the incredibly horrible mediocre trip planner I am the itinerary for the week was as follows: Friday-Sunday Madrid, Sunday-Wednesday Paris, Thursday-Friday Malaga, Saturday- ship the girls back. All of this meant a lot of early mornings, a lot of packing and repacking, but overall it was an adventure.

Since so much time as gone by I've decided to share this post in comic-ish form. Enjoy.

Hopefully that was a breath of fresh air, I actually had a lot of fun creating these. Until next time!

~Cathy

7 Things I've Missed While Abroad

So our new Reader Spotlight Miriam wrote this blog entry based off of a Huffington Post article, and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. So here are my 7 (in no particular order).

1. Not having to think too hard about what time it is when I want to call someone. 

The difference between Madrid and home is a whopping 9 hour time difference. So it can get a bit annoying when I want to call my mom when I get home from work, but it's 5am. Or I get a phone call from my best friend but it's 3am so I missed it. Also dealing with "business" things like calling about student loans and the like around 11pm in a noisy apartment doesn't make for the best either.

2. Being able to take out the trash whenever I'd like/need to

Spain as far as I've seen has got a bit more of a handle on the whole waste scene, with recycling bins everywhere to separate cardboard/glass/plastic/waste. The thing is you can only throw away your trash at a certain time. For my building they don't take out the trash bins until around 8pm til about 12am. Monday-Friday. So if I get a burst of energy to clean and get the dirt out around 3pm, I'm out of luck. The trash stays in the house. Or if I get home late from a long day, once I get in and get comfy, I have to go out again just for the trash. Boo.

3.  Ross

This wonderful store that has been the leader in my retail therapy meanderings for a while now. Lots of cute things for decent prices, and in sizes that fit more than just my 2 year old niece. And to add to it, I miss shopping the way I used to, I'm kind of scared to do too much shopping here because of the suitcases I'm going to have to pack when I'm finally going home.

4. Being able to do laundry in a Day

If you're like me, and procrastinate immensely on getting your laundry done, that huge pile of clothes can be intimidating. Set aside one day to do a handful of rounds of washing, 45 minutes in the washer, 20 in the dryer, fold put away, and you're set for the next month!! (lol) Here in Spain with no dryers...great for less energy consumption...for my clothes, not so much. Hanging clothes to dry on a line takes significantly longer, making time in between loads greater, and living in a house with 4 other people, that time can be precious.

5. Home Cooked Meals

Nothing beats having a warm plate of delicious food prepared by a dear family member. Carne asada, arroz, pupusas, tamales, pasteles, caldo de pollo, carne guisado, or a turkey sandwich. It's all good in the neighborhood. <3

6. More Crosswalks with Traffic Signals

I've been a bit of a scaredy cat my whole life, so having to cross a big street with lots of cars on a crosswalk with no traffic signal is a bit problematic for me. Trusting that the car coming at you is going to stop just because you have the right of way is never easy. Sometimes you gotta do it though because you'll either get looked at like an idiot for waiting for cars to cross, or wait forever. I usually wait until someone else shows up so in case someone is going to get hit, I'm not leading the charge jaja!

7. Family and Friends

This really goes without saying... but with so much going on back home the people are what I really miss the most. My niece is talking up a storm, nephews and cousins playing baseball and soccer, friends getting married, graduating, getting together and having a good time, all while I'm 6,000 miles away.

Perhaps this wasn't the best idea now that the fact that I'll probably be separated from my loved ones for at least 2 years, but I have a lot going on here for me too. It's great to have good things all around the world. 

Fellow expats- What are your 7? Feel free to link up or share in the comment section!

Much love,

Cathy

To Be Continued...

Well this posts title can be attached a number of ideas. The first being, I've left you all hanging for a while now without a REAL update on what's going on in La Vida de Cathy, so stay tuned...

Life in Spain has been a roller coaster, countless times have I just sat and thought, "Is this really happening?" I've climbed social mountains, health mountains, housing mountains, and much to my surprise professional mountains as well. 

Just as I was on the rise of enthusiasm with my experience here, I was hit with an atomic bomb, that I was not wanted at my school for the upcoming year, just before having to super glue a smile to my face in front of 20 adolescents and keep them excited about their progress in English. I allowed myself the cry a river on the bus ride home, then put my game face on. Up until that moment, I had not been sure about my stay here since it had been so rocky, but in time it took for me to realize that staying might not be an option, my gut told me that's what I wanted to do. I went to talk to the people I needed to talk to, but to no reward, it was only in the hands of those who I work under. So after gathering a support team, highlighted all of the regulations I needed in my corner, I went and pleaded my case. Even if they didn't keep me at the same school, it was a death sentence (okay, so I'm a little dramatic) to keep me out of the entire program. Perseverance paid off and I was able to get the papers I needed in order to renew my contract here in Spain. In order to get what I wanted though I had to send everything to the office where you change regions, essentially meaning I wouldn't be in Madrid, in theory. I banked on the the inefficiency of the system, that because I had preferenced Madrid on my application, and it has the most positions in all of Spain that the odds were in my favor to stay, but I wouldn't know that for sure until I got my letter. And the waiting game begins. 

A few weeks after the deadline to turn in the application all of my auxiliar friends in Madrid had received their Madrid placement emails. My inbox was still empty. A bit disheartening, but not all hope lost. I continued to wait as the facebook wall of the Auxiliares group was filling with posts about placements. 

One afternoon as I got comfortable in my room after a long day of teaching, there it was, as sly and unexpected as can be, my email from the ministry of education. I held my breath and clicked on the link, and in that moment I saw my outsmarting had worked. I received a placement for MADRID for next school year!!! I didn't know what to do with myself. For what seems like soo long (2 months) my future was hanging by a thread and now the biggest weight was off my shoulders. I have something to work toward, a goal to upkeep.

This news brought me to looking for tickets home for the summer to go and see my family and friends who I miss incredibly (Yes, I miss you incredibly). Unfortunately, tickets to go home for summer are looking right around $1100 to $1500, a very depressing sight. And with nothing secure here in Spain, it was even more depressing. Too poor to live in Spain, and too poor to go home. AHH! Talk about between a rock and a hard place. The summer job I had sort of been counting on fell through, and I played around with applying at camps, and/or otherwise racking up massive credit card debt and be poor at home. 

Well today my email graced me once again with some good news. I got hired to teach at a summer camp for the month of July, with not a bad salary. Unfortunately, it's not enough to send me laughing all the way to the airline counter, but things should be a little easier for the beginning of next school year. Which brings me to why this news is bittersweet. It's the realization that I am probably not going to go home for the summer (never say never...but...). It is also the realization that it may well be until NEXT summer that I get to be home. I know what you're thinking... Cathy you're living your dream, stop complaining. I know this, I just can't help, but think about my parents, and my sister who is going to be getting married!!, and my babies back home,  and my friends. 2 years just seems like a really long time. Either way I know I am blessed to have such great opportunities and people around the globe, and I appreciate them all and know how fast any of them can not be an option. So ending the pity party, and wrapping up this post. 

Lots of things to look forward to, putting on that smile and doing it. Some great posts about trips and events around Madrid, as well as more writing of articles. For now you can go check out the poetry explosion on my other blog (videos soon to come). Thanks for reading, and sticking with me y'all. We're still on the ride. 

-@CathyArely 

Picture Source: Google.com 

Write, Write, Write...Right?

So given the fact that it's been over a month since my last post, the title doesn't make much sense, but despite my minor absence (okay, you can say it...you missed me a whole lot... lol), a bunch of writing has been going on, and even more writing ideas have been forming in my little mind to share with you all. I promise I will fulfill them...eventually.

The reason why I guess I actually gave my self the kick in the pants to get on here and start writing something is because I was reading an article about Carlos Fuentes, one of my favorite author's who passed away this week. In this it gives Carlos' 10 tips for Writers, and number one is right on the ball with what I need to work on.

1. Discipline: Not as an antidote to dreaming but as a necessary regimen to focus on the purpose of your task. It won't write itself. One must dream, but not in a place of working, and never await inspiration. Work in focus, get it done.

So from today I can say I'm going to put effort into getting from the brain waves to the page ( and the added step from the page to the website most of the time too.. lol). A bunch of more poems to post on CathyBean Poetry for April's National Poetry Writing month.

Not last (because I have lots of writing to do.. lol) and certainly not least... I was afforded the great opportunity to be a contributor for MadBudget, a local guide to Madrid. So without further ado my first piece was published this month, and I'm working on a second!!

Anyway, thanks for reading and staying with me everyone, it really does mean a lot. Oh and I gave in, now you can follow me on Twitter @CathyArely.

Much Love,

Cathy

The Blink of an Eye

7 months from today I landed in Spain... and what a roller coaster it has been.

1 year ago exactly I was sad that I had to leave New York, especially after the fairy tale night I had.

Time really does fly, and I have been a hard working blessed woman.

~Cathy

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

Self Censored

Hey Hey all,

 As usual I'll start my blog off with an apology for being away longer than expected, but I really am trying to make this a project that doesn't get forgotten or left behind as the mountains of diaries or previous blogs have in the past. 

 When I first started the idea of blogging I had the idea that it was going to be kind of like a diary...keeper of my thoughts and day to day activities. What I've come to realize is that with a blog you can't really say or write everything that you want. In a day and age where the things you put on the internet can affect your future prospects there are lots of things that get left out, but more than just censoring professionally inappropriate things (not that I should worry that much about it, I am La Angelita after all...jajaj just kidding), I realize that there are thoughts, that although they may be good for the entertainment purposes of this blog. Certain stories or opinions I have to share aren't meant to fall upon all ears (or eyes, I guess).

  I mean if I wanted to talk about how bad of a time I had at a certain person's party, or how certain people's decisions are cruel and life-altering, or how someone is a horrible wingman, or the deetz of a potentially budding love story that started in a beach town or big city. 

What if the people involved were to read those things and think I'm a horrible person for saying them? 

What if people don't really want stories about them on my blog? 

What if what I think/say gets thrown back at me for some reason?

It's questions like these that stop me from writing some potentially good blog posts, or keep me from going into further detail on certain aspects. Obviously this isn't going to keep me from writing, or keep me from posting interesting things that happen in my life, it just means I'm thinking about being careful AND if you're ever REALLY interested in more details of something questions about the things I write please feel free to tell me. Shoot me your email in the comment section or hit me up on facebook, I won't be shy. 

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!!

 Look out for upcoming posts about Valencia and Spring Break!

<3 Cathy

Baby will you Walk me home?

Despite an evening that was pretty rocky,  A few interesting things came out of my walk home-
On Gran Via-
1. A guy said hola guapa as we were walking toward eachother than when he walked passed me he licked my arm as a lioness would her cub
2. Guy wanted me to take a picture with is friend.
3. Guy says hola guapa and caresses my belly as he walks past me
4. On Calle Tutor 1 block away from home a group of drunk people picked up a thrown away hotel uniform hat and threw it at me
5. I realized only when I got to the door that I didn't have my keys because I switched purses, and woke up my roomie to let me in at 5:30 am...Oh bless him ♥

That is all.

~Cat

Extran Hero Abono Adventures

Hey Hey all!

  So a fellow expat and blogger has started an awesome blog called Extran Hero! I immediately got hooked because it was definitely something I could relate too, and there are a lot of parallels in my blog posts/thought process and this blog/comic.

  I was so excited when it was announced to the public that there was going to be a Create-Your-Own Extran Hero day! For one, meeting new people is always fun, and two getting to be a part of something cool!

So here's my Extran Hero. True to my essence, it's probably too wordy, but that's how it goes.

This made it into a special section of the blog. It was really nice to get to be creative(ish), collaborating with great people, and  just be out doing something different. Until Next time!!

~Cathy

I got 5 on it!

WE REACHED 5,000 Views!!

Thanks everyone for your support and interest in my blog it really means a lot to me :)

<3

Cathy

Made for the Movies!

Yep that's right people I'm gonna be famous...or at least that's my hope...sort of. Actually, I don't know what I want lol.

It's kind of funny you don't know what kind of impact you're going to have on the world. My knack for being in different things has always gotten me some sort of recognition even if it's just people remembering my face, coming from a small town helps too. My recent brush with fame actually came from this blog. I was walking into the metro, and this girl goes "I'm sorry to bother you, but are you Cathy?" This definitely caught me off guard since this was Madrid not the Antelope Valley or even CSUN. I warily said yes, and the girl told me that her friend was like my biggest fan, and that she couldn't wait to tell him that she ran into me. Definitely a good boost of self esteem. Also a very good friend of mine showcased me on her blog with one of my latest. So for those fans out there I'll apologize again for my lack of posting updates.

For a long time I've said that I wanted to be that kind of inspirational person that they make a movie about the impact that they've made. What really interests me is the movies like Freedom Writers, Coach Carter, or Stand and Deliver is the influence that these people have made,and that people think that that influence is important. With all of the struggles I've had to overcome in these last (almost) 6 months, it made me laugh at the fact that for so long I've had that dream, but I never really took into account the trials part of it all lol. 

Anyway, in the mean time feel free to check out our New Reader Spotlight for Feb/ March or some CathyBean Poetry. I'll leave you all with a new photo of me and my new haircut. Future famous person, or lawyer, or teacher, or poet, or singer, or comedienne, or whatever else may come my way.

Thanks for reading!

~Cathy

Hey Hey I'm back or Oh my back!

So I'm gonna tell the truth... (like I always do of course...) I started this blog post at the beginning of February already embarrassed that as it was because for 2012 I only had one blog entry. I guess breaking resolutions isn't exclusive to weight loss.

In terms of the title there have been moments in my absence there have been other words I've wanted to use that end with ck... (Of course I mean duck...my 7th and 8th graders are talking about animals). Actually things have been pretty rough lately, and that also has to do with my being away from my wonderful public for so long. I didn't want to contaminate all of your good vibes y'all got going.

So the short version of the story one of my roommates kind of got into it with the rest of them, which created an atmosphere where you could cut the tension with a knife. All the negativity around me really affected me along with all of the bad luck and still not catching a break, it really created a Cathy that I didn't recognize. I lost my monthly bus pass (due to a definite dazed girl moment), my phone wasn't working to call the insurance company to deal with more hassle to get things done to investigate on my back, and every situation that came my way was not seen through the normal Cathy rose colored lense.

All of the pressures coming from different directions and my own change of thoughts led to me not pulling through with the Vagina Monologues, which I'm still not sure if it was the best decision but at the moment I'm determined more than ever to not be this sad person who I don't know. This sad person who bursts into tears on the bus ride home for reasons unknown to me.

BUT...

THE GOOD NEWS....

 I'm currently taking a part of a show choir, which is doing a show at the end of April and through that I'm learning a lot of things and getting the chance to get a blast from the past with my performance days. Also all of these experiences have led me to be able to bring to light a better talent, NEW POETRY! 

I also have my room all mounted which means a long awaited new house tour soon to come.

Alas I'll leave you for now loves gotta work tomorrow, but here's to a brighter day (despite my arguments with the weather here and what I'm used to in Cali).

Much love ~ Hasta Pronto~

~Cathy

Out with the old and in with the New... Welcome 2012

Hey Hey Everyone!

   Hope everyone rang in the New Year in a good place with those you care about :). I'm sorry for the lack of posts (blog/facebook/otherwise), I guess I just kinda figured that since nothing positive was going on, I didn't want to keep putting negative vibes out there.

2011 wasn't just about negative vibes, actually a lot of super fantabulous things happened during 2011. As I read  through my blog throughout the past year, I found myself surprised at how eloquent at times I can sound (and modest, I know). 

My first blog post of the year called it a transition, and I couldn't agree more (with myself haha). Such an eventful year, I was La Presidenta, visited NYC for the first time, graduated from college, moved to a foreign country, got pretty much kicked out of my apartment, found wonderful amazing new friends while reconnected with old ones, and got to know the wonders of the the Spanish healthcare system. 

Despite the clouds and the bad luck that may have shadowed the tail end of 2011, I still consider it to be a great and inspirational year. Not only did I accomplish a goal I'd been working toward since the age of 5, I also found a new outlook on life. I'm at a crossroads considering options I would have never thought would be in play.

This blog for example has come SOO far in the past year, and has given me ambitions to do things, that I perhaps would have found silly in the past. At the beginning I had 2 followers 250 views, and 3 comments...and I'm very proud of what this has become/is becoming. This blog has inspired me to keep writing, in more ways than  one. 

Many thanks to our spotlights of 2011- Kenya, Jackie, Crystal, and Kathy. Remember new month means first comment gets go be the spotlight. I hope my idea is allowing there to be a semi community here on my blog. 

I'm going to keep this short because we have the whole rest of 2012 to keep chatting it up. Just the mini  update for those of you who are concerned, I started physical therapy today for my back. It is still difficult to walk, but hopefully its a step in the right direction to getting the real Cathy back.

Much love to all my readers, here's to seeing more of a good 2012

<3 Cat

Vlog Dos

Hey Hey

Here's the update via my second vlog. Hope you enjoy!!

Still not sure if I enjoy video or written updates better. What do y'all think?

Thanks for watching <3

~Cat

La Baja Medica

Hey Hey Everyone!!

      So update on my back situation, I went to the doctor today after a rough Monday (more on that below), and he's referring me to get rehabilitación (my guess, like physicial therapy), and no work until I finish it, 15 days minimum. With Christmas Break creeping up I get until after New Years to get better (YAY!)

   I'm really thankful that the doctor is giving me the time to recuperate, because getting home almost crawling/crying is not the business, not to mention feeling embarrassed you're the youngest one on staff side and you're limping around practically needing a cane. 

Monday, for example, in the morning I was fine, or at least as fine I can get in this condition. Monday also happens to be my longest day of work for the week, so even though I had just come back from a few days of bed rest, it still was too hard of a hit to my recovery process. So at the end of the day, after taking the second dose of medicine that I'm on, the effects of the medicine didn't really kick in when I needed them to. This left me in a lot of pain for my 40 minute commute via bus/metro/walking home. Given the pain that I was in, I guess I wasn't paying that much attention, and I fell off the bus. Yes, you read that that right, I fell off the bus. For as long as I can remember I've had bad ankles that roll all the time, and on Monday when I stepped off the bus my ankle rolled and there I fell. No worries though, I'm fine, at first glance so far it hasn't made my situation any worse, so I guess just another bad luck situation. So all I need to do tomorrow is call in to school and see about getting them the paper that says I'm supposed to rest at home and figure out how to get my paycheck then keep on keepin' on with the HEALING PROCESS. 

In other funny, semi-related news....

  Yesterday I played poker with my roommates and their friends being accommodated in a different chair that was more comfortable than the rest given my situation. I felt fine sitting there so I thought maybe everything was okay, but it was a BAD IDEA. I was in alot of pain last night and therefore couldn't sleep and went to bed at 9am after my morning dose of the medicine I'm taking. Well the mix of sleep deprivation/meds made me KNOCK OUT! Actually I would probably call it a coma, because I would think if I was knocked out I would have woken up by...3 maybe 4 pushing it. What time did I wake up, you ask? 6:30 PM! The only reason I woke up at this time was because my roommate came to my room to tell me I had some mail!

A very wonder blogger/auxiliar friend Jules decided to be wonderful in my time of need and send me a present from where my raices are from, EL SALVADOR!  

MUCHAS GRACIAS!

The M key-chain is to represent the new last name she's baptized me with (Murillo Maradiaga de Vega) because I have a very "apple-pie" name :) 

I'm also very grateful for this gift because my doctor's appointment was for 7:10, and if my roommate wouldn't have come come in to give me the envelope I probably would have still stayed in my pain induced coma and wouldn't have the peace of mind I have at the moment or be writing the blog now. Since I was all panicked and rushed over to the doctor, I didn't even realize until I was on my way home that I had put on my pants inside out. I just smiled to myself and went on my merry way....recovery soon to come!!

Just a little backwards
(Source)

Thanks to everyone who's been supportive of me and sending positive thoughts, and thanks for READING!

Until next time,

Cathy 

Little Things...

Hey Hey all,

 I've wanted to post this week, but I didn't want to leave my blog as a place only to complain. So instead of being a Negative Nancy (lol) I just took a mini hiatus (not long I know...). 

One of the needles from my injections...

So here's the story with my back. After all of my injections last week, by Sunday night/ Monday Morning I was about a 2.7 on the pain scale, and things were looking up. I went to work, taught my 1st period class, went to the English Department meeting, got my check, cashed it, and headed back to school for my four remaining classes.

After the first two I ended up in a very painful situation, and by the end of the day my pain had shot back up to a level 8. The bus/metro/short walk home instead of being 45 minutes was 2  hours because I had to stop every few steps for the pain. Close to my apartment I actually ended up running into my roommate and her whole family with their luggage on their way to a trip to Senegal (great first impression... -_-).

Tuesday, I tried to/had to (since it was a holiday) sleep it off, but I was still back up to a 7/8 range on pain. So Wednesday I took a taxi over to my doctor appointment, and he gave me some different meds. These have been working, it's still a slow but sure recovery process. 

So with all of this going on I'll finally get onto the GOOD thing that happened that inspired me to write this post (among other writing I've been doing). Today, I finally went grocery shopping. After a week of take-out/cups of milk or potato flakes for a meal/borrowing my roommates shampoo, I was able to go grocery shopping. That in itself was an interesting experience, figuring out what to buy/stock up on, but only enough that I could carry back without a problem. 

Once in line for the cash register I was behind 3 people. The first was a girl who wanted to pay with her card but was under the 12 euro minimum, so she went to go get things to make her purchase enough...wait wait wait...good thing I wasn't in a hurry, especially since I knew it was going to take me a while to put the stuff on the register/bag my own stuff. The second lady passed through at a normal pace, and the third, the old man in front of me wanted to pay for his 2 bottles of vodka with his envelope of pennies. Again...wait, wait, wait, but I didn't mind (the cashier sure as hell did though, lol). So it's finally my turn put my things up, and a bag of noodles just rips open all over the floor (can't get rid of this bad luck!). 

Other than the pasta, I slowly but surely bagged my groceries and hobbled on home. When I got there and put my food away. I couldn't help but feel emotional. I mean I was so happy/proud of myself for doing what I just did, GROCERY SHOPPING! It's funny what kind of simple things we take for granted, but not having been able to do it myself (and the stubborn independent person I am insisted I do so...), finally being able to complete it just meant so much. Progress. 

Granted, I sat and watched half of El Clasico (Madrid v. Barcelona soccer game) after and the pain came rushing back to me, but I'm sticking with this minor victory amongst the things that have been against me lately. (My keychain that says my name that I've had since 8th grade fell to pieces in my hands as I was getting ready for school Monday). So I'll take my one win for now...let's pray December has more victories in store....

Online Food Ordering

So...with the my whole back thing, and roomies/buddies gone for the weekend. I didn't have very many options for dinner tonight. 

I could either make a bowl of hungry jack mashed potatoes (which I already had for lunch), make some pasta (which would have taken longer than I am comfortable standing at the moment), or get delivery. 

I'll take door number 3, please.

With a quick google search I ended up on just-eat.es, which is essentially like Grubhub order online, and get food delivered to your door. After looking through my options, and seeing when things were open, how much was the minimum order/delivery fees. I went with a hamburger meal from an Italian/Argentine restaurant (the irony, I know). An hour later I was happily eating my mini meal for 8 euros delivered to my door. 

This quick exchange, reminds me of not one of my best moments lol. 

Last year right before final exams, I was a big mess, boys were dumb, I had gotten the flu, sprained my ankle/knee at work, and the biggest assignments of my life were due. Again I was in the same predicament about food, and went with ordering and pasta and salad from Dominos.

So given the state that I was in I can tell you I was definitely not lookin' fine. The delivery guy came to door,  and gave me my order, the slip I had to sign for the purchase, and a gaze like whoa. He wasn't bad looking just like 5'4, and I my friends am 5'11 (refuse to believe I'm over 6 feet lol). So I went on to eat my food, and finish agonizing over my personal life and professional life if I didn't get my capstone paper done. 

Like an hour later there's another knock at the door, and it's the delivery guy. He comes back with the excuse saying he didn't remember if he brought me ranch for my salad, and then asked to use the restoom. I know, I know this is the big red flag, no don't ever let a stranger in your home, but alas I did. I think at the moment I thought the awkwardness of saying no, was worse than my personal safety (as I said, not one of my best moments)

So he comes out of the restoom, stands right in my living room, and just stares at me. Then here is the exchange we had:

Him- Can I tell you something?

Me- Umm...sure...

Him- You are very beautiful.

Me- Umm...Thank you.

(He still just stands there staring no movement, awkward silence)

Me- Algo mas? (anything else?)

Him- Oh you speak Spanish where are you from...

(A few more quick exchanges, now in Spanish and him telling me more how HERMOSA I am...and me telling him that I am awfully busy with lots of work to do)

Him- Can I give you a kiss here (points to his cheek)

Me- Okay, can you please leave?

And he leaves in peace...

I know, I know...stupid Cathy... I felt so guilty afterward thinking of what could have happened, what could have happened to my roommates because of my stupidity, but I guess I handled the situation the way I did because at the moment I thought, if I'm mean to him, he might snap, just go with it and ease him out...which is what I did. Totally got creeped out by every dominos car I saw whenever I waited for the bus for the next few weeks going to school.

Well there you have it folks another one of my (mis)adventures, I figured a good laugh was in order. I know most of you probably think I'm crazy for ordering online again after that lol but a girl with no paper and only plastic has only so many options...and no crazies tonight.

December's Reader Spotlight is up! Go check it out.

Hasta Pronto!

~Cat

Your Bad Luck Is Impressive (two point oh)

So when I wrote yesterday's post, this was not the title I had in mind for my next update, but keep reading and you'll see why it was inevitable.

So my second round of semi bad luck started last Saturday. I started having horrible cramps in my stomach and wanted to throw up, but couldn't. My roommates had just finished coming down with a stomach virus, so that's what I figured it was. So pretty much all weekend I was just living on water. (Sidenote- also during this weekend we (my friend Natasha and I) were invited to an 80s style birthday party at a bar, and let's just say our interpretation of the 80s and everyone else's were not eye to eye)

Monday rolled around, and I wasn't feeling that much better, but at work you have to get a doctor's note to justify your absence, and at that point I really didn't want to go to the doctor, so I toughed it out at school. Tuesday, however, was a different story. I couldn't handle the stomach cramps and nausea anymore, so I called in sick and went searching for my nearest doctor in the big book of doctors my insurance gave me.

I finally found one that was open on tuesdays, and called for an appt, but the lady said that appointments weren't necessary, just show up between 6:30 and 7:30pm when they're open. So I was good to go, just stickin' to my water diet, and got all ready to by the time 6:00 came around. My roommate Musta accompanied me to the doctor. We went to the address that was published in the book, room 2D. Right when we go there under the doorbell was a sign that said NO ES MEDICO, we rang the doorbell anyway. Got a grumpy guy talking through the door saying this isn't a doctor's office and he didn't know where they had moved to. I tried calling the same office from inside the building, but no reception, and once we got outside, the lady confirmed it was the same address but they were at 1D. So Musta and I went back inside signed in and the receptionist told us who I was after and there we waited, I was the 6th person -_- (well I probably would have been higher on the list if we would have had the address right).

So I get inside with the doctor, sit down and he asks me "de que sociedad vienes?" (literal translation- what society do you come from?) So I stare at him with a blank face, and he repeats the same thing, again exchange a blank face because I have no idea what he means (umm...western society??) and then he sees my big book of doctors in my purse and says oh you're from mapfre... (conclusion- Spanish translation- What insurance are you with?) So from there he took all of my info, asked me my symptoms, wrote me a prescription, and I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.

That was it...

Your doctor, doesn't matter what you have, they'll prescribe you Ibuprofen.

So this may come off as... "hey I'm American so I deluxe treatment with everything" kind of thinking... but I was really surprised, he didn't take any of my vitals, just asked what my symptoms were and took my word for it..i mean I could have had the plague and he could have prevented it, but without checking me now we'll never know lol!!!

So by Friday I was all better, had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner at my place with my other auxiliar peeps (no pictures unfortunately...waiting on my friends to post some so I can steal them :P). After dinner we put on some music and were having a grand old time. At some point either busted myself busting a move or SOMETHING and my back started hurting. At first, I dismissed it as just being sore from the chairs we ate on, but as the night progressed I just got worse and worse, and as much as I wanted to tough it out and keep partying, I went to bed at 2am (yes I know I'm a lame spanish party goer).

The next morning, I was a million times worse, and after googling my symptoms it came down to hey I pinched my Sciatic nerve. I stayed in bed all weekend only moving for painful trips to the restroom, hoping that a weekend full of rest I would be ready by Monday to hobble off to work, but come Monday my body was still not having it. So I called in sick, forced myself to take a shower finally and gave the urgent care number to my roommate to call (because I wasn't gonna chance another "sociedad" incident) and figure out if I had to suffer to go get a taxi, an ambulance would come, or a doctor would come to the house. 

So the doctor came to our house, she was very nice, asked my my symptoms, and proved my google research right. So she gave me shot in my back with some anti-inflamatory medicine, and prescribed me a gel of the same medicine, and 6 more injections to be put on by a nurse once a day. 

So that's where I'm at now, getting the nurse to come was it's own ordeal, but now on a scale of 1-10 my pain is about a 7.8, which is still bad, but it's definitely progress I finally made my own dinner tonight. This definitely was not the ideal week to be out sick, since it's pay day and when the rent is due, and all that jazz. Not to mention also my appointment with the attorney to see if I can get my deposit back. Luckily I have made a few gems of friends while being here so rent is covered until I can go get paid on Monday, and we'll see about rescheduling that appointment. 

A tiny ray of sunlight, the doctor that came to see me said that she wanted to better her English, so for those who know me as the networking person I am, I busted out my card, and told her to contact me, and we could work something out. I mean I definitely believe that everything happens for a reason, I just hope I didn't have to go through this pain for an extra 15 euro a week lol. 

So thanks for sticking with me this far. I really appreciate all of the support I've gotten from everyone while this dark cloud had been on my tail. Also a reminder it's already DECEMBER (What?!) Which also means first to comment gets to be this month's Reader's Spotlight.

Until next time---hopefully with good news...,

~Cathy

Student Comments of the Week 2.0

Hey Hey all,

  I have a few ideas going for a good update, just working out the kinks, but I wanted to share some student moments I had this week before they drift away into the sunset lol.


#1-
Background- As an assignment I have all of my students bring me a word that they looked up in the dictionary/google translate every time they come to my class, and then we'll talk about it. Well this was the first week I was enforcing it, and I guess some of the students misunderstood and hadn't looked up the word. So as my students were writing, one girl comes up and writes on the board two words.

Hoe

Hoeing

So super teacher Cathy (lol) goes into the in depth explanation that a hoe is a garden tool (since I didn't know the exact word for it) and drew a picture of it on the board, and proceeded with hoeing was the verb of using the hoe in your garden, and just as we wrapped up I quickly added-

"Oh if you hear this in a song it probably doesn't mean the garden tool, they are probably saying that someone is (being) a puta"

And smoothly transitioned to crutches :)

#2-
Background- My 1st Year Bachillerato students (equivalent to Juniors in High School) were on the unit of music in their English books, so my activity for the week was a mixed CD with 21 songs. I told them there would be songs they liked, songs they didn't, songs they didn't know, and after each song they would tell me what they got out of the song. I put 1-21 on the board and the students were blindly choosing the next piece. Well No Scrubs by TLC came out as one of the songs.

Me- Has anyone heard this song before?
Class- No
Student- When did this song come out?
Me- 1998, 1999 ish
Student- We were born in 1997
(Dagger to my heart...I'm not that old! lol)

Anyway hope you all enjoyed it, new blog entry to come including Thanksgiving activities and my first trip to the doctor.

Hasta Luego!

~Cathy
 

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

A Little About Me

Hey Hey all,

So I recorded a new poem to go with my A Little About Me section of my blog. Check it out <3

~Cat

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