My Autobiography

I had to write an autobiography as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) application process. So here it is. I don't like writing autobiographies, they are so broad. How am I supposed to sum up 24 years in five pages and make it flow. I guess if I were a writer it could be a fun assingment. But I see it as a superficial look at my life. Where I went, who I knew, and a little about what I was thinking. Anyways, here ya go...

Hannah
Essay B: Autobiography
30 September 2007

I was born in Tucson, Arizona on October 4, 1983, to James and Rinna. They already had a four year old daughter, Sophia, from my mother’s previous marriage. A year and a half later our family welcomed my brother, JP (James Patrick). My mother was working as a paralegal and my dad with a local union as a sheet metal worker. Unfortunately, growth in Tucson was slowing down and my dad was having a difficult time finding work. He worked in California and Hawaii on separate occasions, but leaving his young family behind in Arizona was not a long term solution.

When I was five years old we packed up the house that my father had grown up in and moved to Seattle. My mother grew up in eastern Washington and had family in the area. My dad was able to join the local union and found plenty of work to keep him busy. My mom began working at a large law firm. My brother and I were bussed to Maple Elementary School. I attended Maple for two years before transferring to the Lutheran school near my house. I attended Hope Lutheran from third grade until graduation from eighth grade.

At Hope Lutheran I first came to know God. I took daily religion classes, went to church and/or Sunday school weekly, and went to youth group. At Hope I felt that I was part of a community. I met my best friend at Hope and was introduced to sports. While at Hope I excelled in basketball, volleyball, softball, and track. When graduation came I chose to attend a Catholic high school thirty minutes across town.

I loved high school! Bishop Blanchet High School showed me that being connected and part of a community is extremely important to me as a Christian and as an individual. I took more religion and scripture classes at Blanchet and participated in yearly retreats. I connected with friends who could speak freely about God and was a part of teams that prayed before each game.

While in high school sports continued to play a vital part in how I saw myself. I saw myself as an athlete. I didn’t excel in the classroom, but on the track I was a star. I set the school record in the pole vault, got third at the state meet, and was team MVP my sophomore year. I also made the junior varsity basketball team my freshman and sophomore years and was proving myself to be a valuable member of the team. My junior year of high school I went out for cross country in the fall. By the time basketball season started I had a horrible case of tendonitis and bursitis and was benched. Two months before track season was scheduled to start I had knee surgery. It was a huge blow to my identity. If I couldn’t play sports, who was I? What good was I?

By the start of my senior year I was ready for graduation. I began counting down the days until graduation in November. I didn’t know what I was going to do after graduation, but I did know I wanted to live on my own and go to college. Unfortunately, none of the state colleges in the Northwest thought I would be an asset to their communities. Not to be discouraged, I broadened my sites and looked into the community college in my former hometown, Tucson, Arizona. Pima Community College was close to the home I once lived in and it had a track program. I could do track, live on my own, and go to college!

My sister and I moved to Tucson in July of 2002. My parents drove down with us and helped us get set up in our new (old) home. The transition was an exciting one. I transferred from the Petco I had worked at for two years in Seattle, to a Petco in Tucson. I worked twenty hours per week, went to school full time, and had track practice each afternoon. I was very busy, but was thriving. I was part of the track team, which was my community. I did not seek out a church to be a part of, but enjoyed going home to Hope Lutheran and Blanchet whenever I paid Seattle a visit.

My very first college track meet was at the University of Arizona. My parents came down to witness the event. They also came down to tell my sister and me that they were separating and would be getting a divorce. This was a huge shock. I was unaware at the time that they were even having problems. I was upset, but tried not to show it. I have become very close to my parents since their divorce. I call them often and am excited to hear about their growth and adventures. I can’t say that I wish they had stayed together because I see how happy my mom is now. I wouldn’t want anyone to be denied that happiness. I just hope that my dad is able to find that sort of happiness someday.

After graduating from Pima with an Associates degree, I transferred to Northern Arizona University with two of my Pima track teammates. I did track at NAU for one year before retiring. I worked and went out with friends to fill my time. I still had not taken the time to think about God’s role in my life and my need to have Him with me. However, I did re-ignite my passion for teaching while at NAU. While learning about physical education and health I remembered why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place: I love kids!

I found several families in Flagstaff that needed weekly babysitting. Over the years I have become a member of those families. They have been there for me and I for them. One family in particular has been especially good to me. They hosted a graduation party for me and my family, provided me with a place to sleep when I needed it, and are always there when I need a hug.

In May of 2007 I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s in health education with an emphasis in physical education. Though I don’t get my diploma until I complete my student teaching in December, it was a great time to celebrate. Also in May I broke up with my boyfriend of a year and a half. After our relationship ended I moved back to Seattle to work, save money, reconnect with family and friends, and reevaluate my plans for the future. This summer was the most amazing of my life. I had adventures (white water rafting, kayaking in the San Juan Islands, and sky diving) and had plenty of time to think and talk about my life. While talking with a friend from high school she mentioned JVC. I immediately researched it and spoke with a friend of ours who was currently serving. I also spoke with a friend who had a wonderful experience serving as an au pair in Spain. It was then that I realized how much I missed having a church and made it my goal to find one in Flagstaff when I came back.

I came back to NAU refreshed, energized and ready to conquer the world. I immediately became connected to Northland Christian Assembly, their college aged youth group, Chi Alpha (XA), and their women’s bible study. Since joining NCA and XA I have felt as though my life is right on track. It is an amazing feeling. I am part of a community again!

My life has been good so far. I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and all the opportunities I could dream of are at my fingertips. However, I feel that the best is yet to come. Moving to Spain for six months, serving as a volunteer with JVC, and teaching are all adventures that excite me and encourage me. I look forward to what God has planned for me next.

*If you are a stalker, I think this provides you with all the info you need to track me down, best of luck to you.

Busy Busy Busy

I just got home from XA. It was a good one all the way around. I am very glad to be home though.

I woke up this morning feeling pretty under the weather. I stopped at safeway on the way to school and bought some dayquil. It didn't really help much. My throat stopped being sore, but my head still ached (a ton) and my body was pretty achey. Being a teacher and being sick is tough. Really tough. I never really thought about it before.

After school I stopped by the travel agent to discuss my trip to Spain. I've decided to use an agent to help me book my flight. That way I can find the best price without having to check a ton of websites. I'm hoping to hear back from her next week about what she finds. So far, from the rough searches I can expect to pay anywhere from $750-$900. Yikes that is a lot! But it will be so worth it.

When I got home I did nothing. I watched some TV. Played on myspace for a while. But mostly I just sat on my couch and relaxed. It felt really nice. And even though the couch was calling me to stay put, I changed and went to XA anyway. I am really glad that I did.

Kelly talked about how our words are really powerful. The quote, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me," is so far off base that someone was obviously lieing to themselves when they came up with that. Our words do hurt. They can hurt others and our selves. If you tell yourself you are a ditz long enough you will believe it! If you tell someone they are ugly long enough they will believe it. Our words have power. SO much power it amazes me. It makes me want to watch everything I say!

I called my brother as soon as XA was over. When we were growing up, I was really mean to him. I have said some horrible horrible things to him. So when I called him I told him what today's message was about and asked him if he remembered the things I said to him when we were young. Of course he did. I told him that I remembered to and that I was sorry. I don't think the things I said were true then or now and I am sorry I said them. Thankfully he accepted my apology.

I'm just thrilled with the relationship I have with my brother and my sister. We have gotten to be so close! All three of us moving to AZ has really bonded us. We rely on eachother and are sure to call one another, particularly when we need to discuss something going on with our parents. I am really looking forward to the time when we are all grown with our own families. When we can take time out of our daily grind to spend time as a big group (or a small group, who knows!). It will be fun to get together for the holidays and send my kids over to their uncle's house on the weekends. I'm just really excited that the three of us have grown together as we've gotten older, rather then apart.

I've been doing really well at controlling my time on the internet. I am not spending hours at a time looking up Europe stuff or reading travel books. Granted, I haven't filled that time with writing lesson plans, but I will. This Sunday, I have to write my lesson plans for the coming week! I have to promise myself that I will do it! No more slacking off!

I've also started thinking about grad school again lately. I really like the idea of having a Master's degree. This week I've really been feeling called to work with middle school kids. Particularly those without support at home. I have one student who hasn't seen his dad in two days! He lives with the man for crying out loud. What kid of parent... nevermind. I want to work with kids who need to know that someone cares about them, what they do, where they go, and who they are. I think I would like a master's in educational psychology or school counseling. But I'm not sure yet. I will have to check into what I would be able to do with each of those degrees. I have plenty of time for that still. I wouldn't enroll untill 2009 so I have time. It is crazy having that much of my life mapped out already.

The next three months will be spent student teaching. The five months after that I will be in Spain. The one to two months after that will be spent traveling Western Europe. The twelve months after I return from Spain I will be volunteering with JVC. So I am looking to put grad school in after JVC, 23 months from now.

I didn't realize how late it is! It's already after 11p. For someone who goes to bed at 10p on a regular basis, this is pushing it. Tomorrow is a busy day too. I am going to go clean the Fox house at 8a. That will take me 2-3 hours. Then I will donate plasma. That will take me about an hour. Then I can come home and do laundry and what not. Then I babysit from 4:30p-8p. After that I will most likely go home and do nothing, however, I may call Greg and see what he is up to. We shall see. Sunday is church at 10a followed by fellowship (aka lunch). After that I MUST write my lesson plans. If I have time I need to work on my unit plan as well.

Busy busy busy. I'm just glad I made the choice to go to XA even though I wasn't feeling 100%. My brother has deserved that apology for a very long time. I'm glad he finally got it!

I Hate When You Are Right

Do you ever hear exactly what you need to hear exactly when you don't want to hear it?! That happened to me about 30 minutes ago.

First of all I had a pretty rough day today. My teaching supervisor came in today to watch me teach. She had a nice long talk with my co-op then a nice long talk with me. I like my supervisor, don't get me wrong, but she was calling me out on everything I already knew I was doing wrong. I know I am not getting my lesson plans in early enough. I know I haven't done a unit plan yet. I know that I'm not writing my performance objectives the way you want. I know all of this. But it is very different for me to know it and for someone else to look me in the eyes and tell me. I hate that feeling. I almost cried. I didn't thank goodness. As she was talking to me I felt this wave of frustration and exhaustion crash down on me. I almost cried. I felt my face turn red and my eyes start to sting. But I stopped it and controlled myself.

After all that I was running late to teach my next class. And it was parent switch day. So I had a bunch of parents in my classes so I felt even more pressure to not screw up! Erg! THEN I could get the volleyball nets down after class. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but when you spend the entire lesson fighting the overwhelming feeling to just curl up in a ball and cry, the nets not cooperating is a huge deal. Just so you know, I ended up having to use boltcutters to get everything put away... don't ask.

But on to the good stuff.

Today is the last day that I will be working afterschool at the middle school. This will give me an extra hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays to do whatever I need to do. I may go donate plasma on Tuesdays. We'll see. But I am done with that commitment. I am going to miss it though. I like socializing with the kids in a none scholastic environment.

After I worked at the middle school I went and babysat the boys. They are 3 and 5 (almost 4 and 6) and they crack me up. I was making them dinner tonight and the 5 year old comes up and says, "Hannah, I don't like you." I was a shocked! I have seen them almost every week for two years! These are my boys, they are my family! Then he says, "I don't like you. I love you!" It was the cutest goofiest thing I had heard all day and it was exactly what I needed to hear. It totally took my mind off of teaching and all I have to do there.

After babysitting I ran (not literally) over to campus for my women's bible study. Today's topic was time. Do we use it effectively? Do we fill our lives with distractions rather then priorities? It wasn't until the very end that I really understood what we were talking about. I mostly sat there saying I am very smart with my time. I multi-task. I make to do lists. I am always on time. I plan. But then at the very end it hit me. I am filling my life with a distraction that is affecting my student teaching, my household chores, and walk with God. I have been spending every free second I have reading my travel books, playing on GoogleMaps and looking up people on couchsurfing.com. My trip is in 8 months! I have plenty of time to plan. I am only student teaching for 11.5 more weeks! Which is the priorit? Student teaching is. But I am wasting my time. Maybe wasting isn't the right word... I'm not utilizing my time. Rather then praying I am searching to see what there is to do in Munich. I am so disappointed in myself for letting myself get caught up in the excitement and get distracted. Just two weeks ago I told someone how thirsty I felt for the Word. Where did that go? Why did I let it slip away?

I hate hearing exactly what I need to hear, especially when I need to hear it. But I love how I feel back on track now. That overwhelming sensation is gone. I feel that now I am able to allow myself to NOT research my trip every second of the day. I feel like it is ok that I put it on the back burner for a bit.

God is amazing. That is all I can say. For the last month or so since I started going to NCA and XA I have felt so on track. I feel like I'm heading in the right direction. And when I do feel like I took a wrong turn, I feel like I get re-directed back on track fairly quickly. What an awesome sensation.

So I am going to take the books back to the library tomorrow. The Europe planning can wait a bit and I don't need that temptation in the house. Once I get my lesson plans, unit plans, and all that under control again I can bust out the books. But for now, I have things to do!

Google Earth

Google Earth is awesome. I could just stop there and let that be my entire post, but I think I will elaborate a little. Google Earth awesome because it is going to help me plan my adventures in Europe. I have started placing "thumbtacks" all over the map. I have put yellow ones in the cities that I will stay in as "home bases." In these cities I will find people to stay with and start my day trips from. I've also put green thumbtacks in the cities where I already know people. There are more yellow tacks then green ones, but that's ok.

Google Earth is awesome because now I have a visual picture of where I want to go. Before the thumbtacks were in place, I was just looking all over at the cities, but now I have something to focus on. It's a good thing.

My weekend was good. It could have been more productive though. On Friday I went to the library and got travel books. Then I went to XA. On Saturday, I donated (sold) plasma, went to lunch and the library again, and went to storage. At storage I took a handful of pictures of the things I'm going to sell on craigslist. Then I went to bookman's to sell my movie collection. They didn't like many of them though. Oh well... I'll post the rest on craigslist too. Then I babysat from 4-10:30p. Sunday I sold a headboard from my storage unit, went to church, then lunch, and then went home. This is where I said I could have been more productive. I didn't do laundry, work on lesson plans, or organize my junk in the living room. I played on the computer and IMed Allison. Actually I did work on my JVC application, so that was good. Then I went to Cole's 1st birthday party. I felt a bit out of place. But that's what happens when your the only one in the whole house that doesn't have a kid or two. Then I came home did my lesson plans for today, though I should have done more, and went to bed.

I don't have to work tonight. Which is good because I've been overworking myself, and bad because I want the money. After I finish teaching at 3p I am going to rush over the the XA building, the Hub, and meet up with everyone. We are going to go work at a soup kitchen for a few hours. After that I am going to go work out at the gym for an hour. I haven't done cardio in over a month and I feel gross. Then I will go home, eat, do my lesson plans for tomorrow, and then go to bed. Actually, now that I think about it, the season premier of Heroes may be on, and since I wont get to watch the show because I usually work Mondays 4-9p this could be a special treat!

I gotta run! I don't want to be late for another exciting day of teaching.

The Answer Is...

Impatient!

This morning in my email box was a message from Reme and Manuel. They said, "¡Of course we are interested! We thought you will be with us in January for sure. If you are still interested in stay with us please don´t worry at all." Yikes! Do you know what that means? Well, a couple things. One- I am moving to Spain in January!!!!!! Two- I just started talking to a couple really cool families in the UK that I have to break the news to. and Three- I have not learned this patience thing yet.

Holy crap. This is really happening! I have so much to do! I need to start saving pronto. Well not start exactly. But keep saving and find a better way to save more. I will hit the books this weekend and see what I can do. I also need to buy a plane ticket. That is tricky. That means I have to have the money for the ticket (the cheapest I've seen so far have been $600) and I have to pick a date. When exactly do I want to go? I want to go as soon as possible, Jan 5th or so. But if I stay in the States longer I can work a bit longer and save up more money.

My birthday is coming up and everything I have asked for directly relates to my travels. A backpack, things for my laptop, money for Spanish courses in Spain. I am so excited!!

I've got to finish getting ready for the day. It's Friday! I never really used to care about the weekends. But now, even though I work most weekends, it is still nice, to have some me time.

Am I Being Impatient or Blown Off?

It has been almost two weeks since I last heard from Manuel and Reme. I sent them an email today. It said that if they already found another au pair I would like to know. I'm pretty sure they have blown me off. And that is fine! I just wanted to know. So hopefully they will write me back and let me know what's up. I've already started contacting more families. Some of them look promising too. I've decided to open up my options by considering Ireland, the UK, Germany, France and several other European countries. By looking at more families then just those in Spain, I will increase my chances of finding a good family.

Student teaching has been nuts. This week has been crazy. I never realized how much work it was going to be. I had to write four lesson plans every day. It may not seem like much, but when you throw that on top of work and not enough sleep, it adds up. I've been swamped. I finally realized that I can't work as much as I want right now. Working 25 hours a week on top of teaching from 7-3p M-F just isn't going to work. But I love making money! and I love supporting myself! and I love being there to help the families I work for! Stupid sleep. If I didn't need so much sleep I would be able to do it all!

This past weekend was interesting. I met Greg at Uptown Billiards. We played pool, had a beer, and listened to a celtic band. It was fun. We got to talk a bit too. I finally asked him the question I've wanted to since I found out he was using over the summer. I asked, "Did you use while we were together?" He did. Right around the time that I first moved out (for a week) he started using again. I'm pretty bummed. I believe in him so much that I just don't understand how he could do that. I told him in our first month of dating when he told me that he had been an addict. I told him that I would not date a user and that I would break up with him if he chose to use. At least I kept my word. I broke up with him. Even though at the time I didn't know he was a drug user. It sucks.

But, I'm ok. I'm good. I still care a ton about him and want to be there for him. He is my friend. And despite the fact that he is a user, he is still my friend. I am going to be there for him. I've never been good friends with a drug addict, till now. And I know he will probably burn this bridge at some point... but for now, I am here for him. I hope he is there for me... but when was he? Was he there for me? I'm not sure... I honestly don't really care. I don't turn to him for support. I have support elsewhere and I'm ok with that. I want to be his support. He needs this. At least I think he needs this. I think he needs someone to encourage him and push him to do great things with his life. I don't want him to settle for less. He could be so much. I hope he will be. We shall see.

Tomorrow I am going to the library after teaching. I am going to take a look at all the CDs and download all the ones I like into my iTunes. I know, exciting right? After my fun filled library time I head off to XA (my youth group). Actually.. maybe I will go donate plasma... We'll see.

Well that's all I've got for right now.

Lesson Plans

I have been procrastinating for about two weeks now, but I can't wait any longer. I have a ton of lesson plans to write. So far the only part of teaching that I don't like is the Lesson Plan writing. They are very easy to come up with, but they take time.

So instead of doing lesson plans I have spent a good part of today searching au pair sites for possible families to stay with. I am still holding out for Reme and Manuel, but I haven't heard from them yet. It is just fun to imagine myself living in a flat in London or helping a Belgian family with their young children.

This morning I got to sleep in some. Then I went to church. It was a really good service. May favorite combination of musicians was there today and Pastor's message was really good. Open my eyes that I might behold the wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18. Pastor talked about having spiritual vision. It is important to trust God and not look back. It was a good message.

On Saturday, I worked from 8am-4pm. I spent Saturday evening watching Dreamgirls and playing on my computer. Good movie. Then Greg and I went to Uptown Billiards to watch a celtic band play. We had a beer and played some pool. We are no good. But I won. Then we met up with Emily at the Mad I. We had a good time. It is hard to be there with Greg and not be with Greg. He is so sweet and cute. But he is not good for me. I am glad that we are able to be friends still, he means so much to me. He is capable of so much, I want to be a source of encouragment for him, even when all I want is a big hug from him.

It was a good weekend. It has been so busy. Life has been so busy lately. I can't wait until teaching is my sole source of income. When all I have to worry about is teaching, I will be able to spend my after school time doing other things then working. But, that is still a couple years away.

Well I am going to go work on my Lesson Plans at Joetini's. At least there I will focus on my computer to keep the weird guys at the bar from talking to me. But I can enjoy the best salad in all of Flagstaff.

Hasta luego.

Week Three Has Ended

I have officially finished three weeks of Student Teaching. Man! It is hard work! Last night all I wanted to do was come home, watch a bit of TV then go to sleep. On a Friday night! I feel so old.

Student Teaching is going great though. I love my co-op and what I am teaching. My students always keep me on my toes and it is awesome being at a school with administrative support. I am learning a lot, like how to juggle. Not actually juggle (although it would make sense for a PE class) but how to multi-task to the max.

Next week, everything being taught I am teaching. My co-op is stepping back and I have full reign. It is almost overwelming. Almost but not quite. It is a lot of work though. I have to write 25 lesson plans this weekend. Or at least 10 to get ready for Monday and Tuesday.

Today is a busy day too. I am working. I actually need to get dressed right now. I am going to head over to the Foxy Spencer household and clean for a couple hours. Then I go babysit in Baderville for three hours. After that I think Greg wanted to hang out, but we will see. I think when I finishe babysitting I will come home and write a few lesson plans, clean my own house some, and probably take a nap if I can. My roommates are gone for the weekend. I have the house to myself. But I also get to watch the dogs.

I still haven't heard back from Reme and Manuel yet. I hope they get back to me soon. If they don't want me to be their Au Pair, I want to keep looking. I am sure they are just having a busy week. Not everyone checks their emails three or four times a day. I need to just relax and wait for this to happen. It will happen, if it is supposed to.

I want to see the world! I was looking at a map yesterday. How do I decide where to go? Which cities do I see? Should I fly (it is so cheap!)? or hitch? I want to see it all! I am going to start researching towns cities, festivals and events so I can start trying to determin where and when I want to go. I love planning! I gotta run. There are houses to be cleaned.

DoDS for me?

I just had a genius idea...

Last night I went to see No Reservations with Emily in Sedona. It was ok for a chick flick. It was good to have some time to hangout and chat with Emily on the drive. Student Teaching has left me too tired to spend much time with people (at least grown ups) anymore.

Anyway, on our drive down to Sedona Emily is telling me about her plan to do her student teaching with DoDS. DoDS is the educational system on US military bases. So basically Emily would get to teach American kids in a foreign country. It is an awesome program, and if I was allowed to do it I would have in a second. But don't get me started on why I couldn't.

Then I was talking with Emily about my trip to Spain and my worries about money. Will I have enough to enjoy traveling after I am an au pair?

Then it hit me this morning as I'm putting in my contacts! Why don't I look into being a subsitute teacher with DoDS in Spain? That way I can teach, I don't have to know a new language, I can earn some money, and I can get to know other Americans! It would be awesome. So now I need to check into the military situation overseas and see what is viable.

If this idea doesn't pan out, something will. I will ask Reme and Manuel to help me find some work in Madrid too. Clara is in school 9a-5p, so I would need something to fill my days. Sure I could do nothing... but I've never been good at that.

Well I gotta run. I just wanted to share my exciting idea.

So Much To Do... So Little Time

I'm exhausted. But I am going to stay up a few more minutes and write this anyway. I don't know why I'm on such a journaling kick right now. I have like three going. Perhaps because I've been so busy this semester I want to make sure that I chronical it in case I've forgotten anything.

Student teaching is hard. It is very hard. I know I am doing a good job, but it is hard. I feel like I have to give 200% all the time. I've taken on so much at the school that I am wondering how long I can maintain it. Plus, I haven't even started writing the lessons for all the classes. I feel like I am doing so much already, but next week I will be doing even more. Is this what it will be like when I'm a "real" teacher?

I wonder all the time if I am too mean, if I yell too much, or if I'm just not fun. It's hard to tell. A lot of the I yell because everyone is across the field. But do I have to talk so short? I think so. I tried to light and witty at first. But when you have a class of 20 8th graders and 10 are considered special ed, you have to change things up a bit. You have to change your pace. Well I've changed mine, and I'me hoping it was the right thing to do. I'm hoping I am still being true to myself and my teaching style. I love my co-op. She is a great, motivated, hard working teacher (with 3 master's! How many PE teachers do you know of that have 3 master's degrees?!). I look up to her a lot, but I want to make sure that I am me, and not her. I should work on that.

Tomorrow is Fitness day. I created a potentially cool relay thing. The hard part about being a new teacher is that I have no way of knowing how long certain tasks will last. Did I plan enough stations? Did I make the stations too hard? Or were they not hard enough? Will the students have fun? Will they cheer eachother on? Or will they be mean to each other? I have no way of knowing. I will show my co-op in the morning and she will give me some feed back, but really there is no way for me to know. I'll let you know how it goes.

I haven't heard anything back from Manuel or Reme yet. Keep your fingers crossed for good news. Sam has decided she is going to visit me in Madrid in May. I'm really excited for her. I wish I could travel with her... Actually there is no real reason why I couldn't. She wants to travel Europe in May. I'm not planning to travel until June. I suppose I could go earlier and have someone to go with. But I like the idea of not having a schedule and just hopping from here to there whenever the wind takes me. I'll have to think about that one...

I'm nodding off... but I have so much on my mind! I talked to Greg today. He is doing good. Working. Clean. He sounds happy. Which makes me happy. I really hope that we can be friends. I know it sounds so cliche! But honestly, I care about him and want to stay a part of his life. I want him to know that I am here to encourage him and cheer him on. This weekend we may go mountain biking with his cousin and uncle. I really hope we do. I haven't had a good workout in ages. And it would be good to do something together. (Besides eat or watch tv)

Alright... that is all I've got. I'm off to bed.

Hasta.

Patience

I must learn patience.

It's a tough lesson to learn, but I need it! I emailed Manuel and Reme to let them know that I want to be there au pair and to firm up the details of my trip. That was only two days ago and I am already starting to check my email more then usual. I just need to calm down. They will get back to me when they have time!

I'm just so excited is all. First I figured out what I wanted to do: move to Spain and be an Au Pair. Then I figured out where in Spain I wanted to go: Madrid, because of its central location. Now I know who I want to live with in Spain: Manuel and Reme, they live just outside of Madrid, are doctors, and have one daughter. Next comes when: I know I want to get there in early January, but on the 7th? 8th? When?

When I get a date picked out I can by a ticket! That will take a big chunk out of my savings account, but that's what it is there for.

I am working so much these days, it's starting to get to me a little. I student teach from 7-3pm Monday through Friday. But I don't get paid for that, it's basically an internship. Mondays I work 4-9pm. Tuesdays I work at the school's pool from 3-4pm. Then I babysit from 4:30-7pm. On Wednesdays I work from 3:30-6:30pm. Thursdays I work at the pool from 3-4pm. Friday's I have declared a me night! No work! Saturadys vary, I will either babysit or demonstrate at the pet stores. Same with Sundays.

I love working, don't get me wrong. I really enjoy it. But working along with student teaching full time is tough. Those kids are exhausting. And because I do so much, I haven't figured out how to fit working out into my schedule. I haven't had a good workout since I left Seattle. Maybe Thursday and Friday, since I don't work I should go to the gym... And Saturday and Sunday too. That doesn't sound very realistic, but I'll figure out something.

Today's To Do List:
-Laundry
-Bible study @ 7:30pm
-Write Lesson Plans for the rest of the week

I've been procrastinating on the laundry and lesson plans for a long time. But It's getting to the point that I HAVE to do it.

I wonder what it will be like in Spain... Will I be able to find a school to learn Spanish at? Will I make friends? Will I meet some hot young 20 something to take me out? Will I get along with the family? What cities will I visit? Will I be able to find extra income in Spain? What is their neighborhood like? Will I find a church that I like? Who will come visit me? Will I like the food? How many times will I get lost? How many times will I cry? Will I think I made a mistake? Will I feel connected to my family and friends? How many countries will I meet people from? Will I have a place to exercise? Will I gain weight? Will my clothes look crazy compared to everyone elses? Will I find the toothpaste I like? Will they have my contact solution? How many sunburns will I get? Will they let me drive? Where will they go on vacation? Will I get to go with them?

So many questions... I have so many questions surrounding this whole endevour and so few answers. I guess that's why this is so exciting! There is so much that is unknown.

Well I need to go get my lunch packed up and head off to the school. I get to teach the Virginia Reel today. I'm actually nervous about it! I'm not sure why... it's fairly simple... Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

I have Bible Study tonight. I'm looking forward to that. Perhaps my next entry will have something to do with what I've learned about my self and God and how he is working in my life right now. I know He is... He is helping me learn patience.

To Be An Au Pair

I've created this blog because I am going to Spain to be an Au Pair...

I have to pause a second to let that sentence sink in. This past summer was amazing. In May I ended my first and only real relationship after a year and a half. I had just graduated from college and I had made very limited plans for myself.

A wise woman (my mom), reminded me that I had wanted to travel and have adventures after college. With this in mind I spend my summer thinking about myself and my future.

Where do I want to live?
What do I want in a relationship?
What sort of work do I want to do?
Who is important to me?
What can I do to ensure my own happiness?

With all these questions rolling around in my head all summer it's a wonder I got any work done! But I did manage to work and save money. I also spent a lot of time reconnecting with old friends.

One friend told me about a volunteer organization called Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I checked it out, prayed about it, and decided it was just the sort of thing I wanted to do!

But wait, I finish student teaching in Dec of 2007 and JVC doesn't start until Aug of 2008. What will I do for seven months? Ah Ha! I'll move to Spain!

As random as it sounds the decision actually makes a great deal of sense.
1. I am going as an Au Pair (nanny... sort of). I have over two years of valuable child care experience with several families and an education degree.
2. I took Spanish in high school. And while you may think that doesn't seem like much, you're right, it's not! But at least it is something.
3. While in JVC I will primarily serve lower income communities, many of which may have a need for a teacher who knows some Spanish. And even though I don't know much Spanish now, I will in a year from now.
4. This is the opportunity of a life time. I have no boyfriend, no career, no car payment, and no lease. This is the time to go. While I have no strings attached!

So I posted a profile on an Au Pair website and waited the families to come to me. And they did! Much faster then I thought they would have. I had a bunch of interested families. The more I talked to them, the more I was able to deteremine what exactly I was looking for in a family and city.

I decided on Madrid. It is centrally located in Spain, which means it will be easy for me to get to other parts of the country for weekend trips. Madrid is also a HUGE city. There will be plenty of English speakers around to keep me from getting too lost and plenty of young college students to hang out with.

Today I chose the family I want to live with. They seem very nice. Both the parents are doctors and they have one daughter who is seven years old. I hope to hear back from them soon, so I can start choosing a date. I am ready for the countdown to begin.

Right now I will tentitively leave in four months.

Just four short months. Time flies when I'm teaching, so I am sure January will be here before I know it. Spain! I'm moving to Spain.

How amazing is that?