One Week Down

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! I can't believe I've been in Barcelona a week already. In a blink of an eye, I'll be back in America! My first weekend was a success! My host family took me to the mountains where they own a cabin. It is called Mas La Roca (house of rock) in Castell cir. This "cabin" is definitely not the cabin Americans are use to. It is the traditional Spanish farm house. This house or cabin is apart of my host father's family; it was built in the 1500s. The location of this cabin was breathtaking !!! I never wanted to leave. We arrived Friday night after school and our first stop was a farm, a dairy farm. Muli and Joaquin buy milk from this farm--all natural and they boil it themselves. I have never been to a milking farm so it was awesome to see the way these people still lived! It was dark outside so by the time we arrived to the cabin, I couldn't see the beauty of this place and it definitely was a surprise when I woke up Saturday morning. When I woke up, I was in awe at everything I saw. I was literally in the mountains with no street lights, neighbors, cars etc. all I could see was mountains, trees, and the best part--an abandoned church across the way. This church is abandoned, but once a year there is a special mass held at this church for Sant Andreu's Day. After I wandered around with my mouth wide open at the beautiful scenery, Muli and I went to the closest village (Castellter col) where there is a Farmers Market. Muli buys everything fresh--vegetables, meat, bread etc. hardly anything is bought in packages. It was so neat to see the village sell their products. It is November and there were still oranges, tomatoes, fresh eggplant etc. After the Farmers Market, she took me to a pastry shop that is well known in Spain. This pastry shop is to die for! From their cakes to chocolate, everything is hand made from scratch! 

After the village, we came back to the cabin to find an Argentinian Priest cooking for us! He came to visit the farm because he lived in the cabin down the road! Joaquin and this priest are friends. The priest was cooking a traditional Argentinian meal--Asado. It is a rack of beef cooked slowly over a fire; no grill. It took about 4 hours to cook. As the meat was cooking, I helped Muli prepare the vegetables and set the table. At that time, Muli's uncle arrived, Plasid. He is well known in Barcelona! He writes books and he is a journalist. The Asado was amazing!! It is kind of like eating ribs, but with a fork and knife. Muli saw I was having trouble so she let me use my hands 😊. After dinner, my host family and I went to Mass (church) in the village--Sant Quirze Safaje. It wasn't that much difference from the looks of it, but I couldn't understand a thing. I was just happy to be there! 

On Sunday, Joaquin wanted to take me to one of his favorite places in the mountains, an abandoned castle at the very top of the mountain. Muli, the girls, and I started hiking through the woods and it started to rain so Joaquin picked us up in the pickup. We drove half way up the mountain and walked the rest of the way to Castell de le Popa. This castle is at the tip top of the mountain and literally built on a rock that sits on the mountain. It looks like a ship. It was built in the 10th century and not that many people know about it! When we got to the top of the mountain, the castle sat in peace and it was breathtaking. It was amazing to see how these people built this castle and it's been there for years. I could see for miles and miles from the top of this mountain, I didn't want to leave. After the castle, we went to the abandoned church that is seen from Muli and Joaquin's cabin. Thief church is called Sant Andreu church of Castell cir. I didn't get to go in it, but being in the church's presence was all I needed. 

For it to rain all weekend long, I still had the time of my life. It was beautiful, peaceful, and unforgettable. I am definitely going to come back to stay in Muli and Joaquin's cabin! They rent it out so I am definitely taking them up  on that! With such a wonderful weekend, comes another long work week. 

Mondays are not the best, but when your in Barcelona it is wonderful! Especially when I get to shop after school and let me just say the shopping in Europe is mighty fine! I am in heaven! 

Well it's midnight and I have a long day tomorrow with some crazy kiddos! Buenos Noches!! Mwuah 

It's Friday!

Today marks the day that I am finished with the first week of school already! I can't believe it. This week has been such a whirl wind--arriving in Barcelona with great people, going in blind at a foreign school, and trying to soak in that I am actually in Europe like a big girl has been crazy! I have had some awesome experiences so far! 

School has been a crazy ride. I was told that it would be different, but I didn't think it would be a world of difference. For a Catholic school, it's pretty WILD. I don't think I have come across a school rule just yet. The kids have so much freedom to be kids! They have a lot of options such as art, music, swimming--yes, they have a pool in their school--and so much more! The kids and I have two breaks throughout the whole day. There is snack time/recess from 11:00 to 12:00 (depending on the schedule), lunch is from 1:30 to 2:45 and school ends at 4:45. I love the breaks here I get go where ever I want to eat! The kids even get to go home for lunch! 

This whole first week has been about honoring Santa Isabel-the queen, which the school is named after. There pretty much has been zero classes all week. On Wednesday, I did teach English as a whole class to both 3rd grade boys and girls. Usually, they talk over the teacher, get out of their seat, and pretty much do what they want; however with me, that wasn't the case. I told them my expectations and I didn't have too much of a problem teaching them. Class is only 45 minutes so it is definitely hard to get in any kind of lesson--especially with such a special week. I am definitely looking forward to next week and really seeing how they learn and what is being taught. 

Today, was the last day of honoring Santa Isabel--my grade was yellow and so far yellow is winning (we will find out next week who won the excursion). I am exhausted. It was non-stop competitions in basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming etc. my girls placed first in volleyball and my boys placed first in soccer. They earn points for everything they do during this week; so it is important that they win! After sports, my 3rd grade girls and I made butter cookies in the classroom! Mrs. Marsia, the host teacher, went and got the ingredients and we prepared them in class. It was so much fun and I wish schools in America would have time to do these kinds of things! 

Overall, I love the freedom in the schools here. I do not like that there is hardly any structure. The faculty and staff do not stress so much on the negative things therefore it's never a problem in the schools. The students are very smart! The amount of English known is awesome, but it also saddens me! I'm sad because America does not make half the effort to learn a language as the students do here. They HAVE to learn 3 languages during school: Spanish, Catalan (a type of Spanish, but it's hard and completely different from the Spanish we typically know) and English!!!! My teacher knows 5 languages--and America we have one or two years in highschool ? That's pretty sad. They also have religion in their school! They pray before class starts, bless their food, have mass and communions! We are not even allowed to speak of God in the American classroom. Yet, they have less problems then American schools. 

I have been so busy with getting situated with my arrival that I haven't really explored Barcelona yet. I rode the metro to the city center on Wednesday for 2 hours just to see what it was. It is absolutely beautiful!!!! I have ate at several cafés and went to one of the malls. Needless to say, everything has been amazing. I have tried to blend in, but I know I stick out like a sore thumb when my mouth stays open the whole time because I am in awe at the scenery around Barcelona. The food has been absolutely delicious and the people are as beautiful as ever! I am probably the tannest person I have seen--everyone is blonde with blue eyes. Say what!? It's crazy I know. 

My host family has been amazing in everyday. They make sure I have everything I need and they include me in everything they do! My girls are super sweet and unique. They love to make me speak Spanish because they laugh everytime I try. Yesterday, we had private dance lessons for a traditional Spanish dance! It was so neat to see; it looks simple, but it was very difficult! I think I felt like a professional haha. This weekend we have a trip planned to go to their cabin. They own a cabin on the other side of the mountain. I am so excited to see the country side of Spain. An Argentinian priest is coming to cook for us and we are going to visit a village. I am definitely immersing myself in this culture because I know I will never get it back! I am going to post pictures soon! I don't have time right now because my host family is telling the girls to "vamos" so we can leave and I haven't packed yet! Ahhhhhhh! 

Big Day

Today was my first day at RMSI. Wow, is all I can say! I was welcomed with open arms, side-to-side cheek kisses (which I love), and decorated classrooms that represented WKU. My arrival was everything and more. The way they say my name is to die for- Miss Kita, miss Kita times 100! I was impressed with the quantity and quality of English that was spoken throughout the school. The uni-sex classes are very interesting-you can definitely tell a difference between the boys and girls. The boys are WILD. Nothing like in America. The culture and religion really shine in this school. It is very loud, fast, a lot of emotion, and expressions from all ages. I was informed from the get-go about the difference between American schools and this school. However, I think this whole week is going to be a challenge to manage both boys and girls because it's a very special week here at RMSI!!! It's a celebration of Santa Isabel. She was a queen that helped poor people! So throughout the week, the students do activities in honor of Santa Isabel. For example, the students bring in clothes etc. to give to the poor. The grades are divided up into colors (red, yellow etc) and they earn points all week. The color with the most points wins an excursion or a day off from school. I love all of my kids. I have third grade boys and girls; fifth grade boys and girls. The students never switch classes, but the teachers move classroom to classroom! I also enjoy my teacher, Mrs. Marsia! She is very well-rounded and I know I am going to learn a lot from her!
After school, I hung out with my favorite senioritas--Victoria and Marian. We practiced our dance moves, English skills, and rolling my Rs. They think it's hilarious when I speak Spanish. Victoria's favorite song and dance moves are "I like to move it, move it" it is the cutest thing I have ever seen! Muli (host mom) is amazing! We have a trip planned to go to the mountains this weekend; they own a cabin! I am so excited to see what the next 4 weeks of my life are going to be like. I definitely need some rest though, my allergies are kicking in!
Kira ❤️

Finally Here!!!

I finally made it to Barcelona and I absolutely love it!!!!!! It was a long way over and I am exhausted (this time change is crazy), but it is all worth it. My host family is amazing and they have treated me with the upmost respect. I am still waiting to meet my 2 girls! Tonight, my host family's family is having a dinner party to celebrate a birthday and I get to meet everyone! Tomorrow I will start my big day at the elementary school. It is a catholic school with uni-sex classes. I cannot wait to see a different school with different students and different teaching strategies. For now, I am going to enjoy the view from my window, savor every moment, and get over this jet lag!
Love, Ms. Hesse

New Beginning!

Today was the last day with my sweet second graders! I have had a wonderful journey teaching 5th grade and 2nd grade, but now in just a couple of days I will be on my way to teach in a different place. A place that I have been wanting to visit for years! I am so excited to have this opportunity and I know this adventure will better me as a person! It is crunch time and I have so much left to do, but the craziness is a part of a new beginning and it is all worth it! Join me as I make tons of memories and gain life-changing experiences. More to come soon.
Ms. Kira