Half Way Point.

This Monday was the half way point. I have made it half way through the semester and I am still alive. The beginning was rough and difficult, but I am pushing forward and every day seems easier. Granada, is amazing. Spain, is amazing. I love it here. This week we have a full week of school, our first "full" week of classes. I try to fill my day because it gives me less of a chance to allow my mind to wonder and miss home, the states, family, etc. With that said, I am volunteering in a school here in Granada. I volunteer twice a week, one hour each time. On Tuesdays, I work with 15/16 year olds and then on Thursdays I work with another group of children. On Tuesdays, we just talk, talk, talk, talk, ALL in English. This Tuesday, we read a story out loud, practicing pronunciation. After, I worked with six students and just talked about holidays, vacations, and differences between the United States and Spain. This opportunity is wonderful. It's very interesting to see the differences between the US and Spain while in a classroom setting. Things are very different. They don't have Elementary, Middle, and High School. Grades are broken down into ages. For example, "primary" school is broken into ages 2-6 years old. Also, children start to learn English at the age of five, and it is a required subject for all students to take! Yesterday, I got a job!! I will work with two girls, Marta, 15, and Carmen, 12 and just tutor them in English. I love it, my first day was yesterday! Every week I will just practice with them and talk about different situations (what would you say at a restaurant, movie theater..etc.) The girls love English, it's their favorite subject here in Spain. I wish we had this in the United States. I think it would be beneficial for children to start learning and understanding a different language at a young age! I know, in my future classroom and house, I will be incorporating Spanish!!! This weekend I am heading to Sevilla & Cordoba. Two bigger cities in Spain. I am traveling with my program and it should be a great weekend!! This weekend is Homecoming at WSU and my family is traveling to UW-Stout!! Good Luck to Luke & Nick this weekend, I will be there in spirit, I sure do miss football!!!