NEXT!

I need to talk about Chatroulette. In my mind if you combine the concept behind the MTV show "Next" with Skype you have Chatroulette... Can't picture this? All you need to know is that Chatroulette is taking the internet and Skype to a completely different level. It's a service for one on one text, webcaming and microphone-based chat around the world. On the website it says, "you can use this service to find new friends or to have interesting conversations at any time." My friends and I chatrouletted (can this online service be used as a verb??) last weekend and the conversations were interesting to say the least...On the top left corner there is a tab that says "find a stranger" and that is how you begin. Your name as it appears on the chat is "you" and the person you are connected with is, "stranger." If you are unsatisfied with your "stranger" you simply hit "Next!" and will be randomly connected to someone else. You can "next" as often as you like. At first chat rooms seemed revolutionary and then there was Skype and now there's Chatroulette! What are they going to think of NEXT!?

WARNING: Sometimes your "stranger" is a perv. NEXT!

Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are extremely hard for ESL learners in part because there are just SO many of them. Here are some really helpful worksheets I have been using to teach phrasal verbs:

Phrasal verbs quizzes

Phrasal verbs lesson plan

Phrasal verbs worksheets

Phrasal verbs list

Inspirational Quote #3

"Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone" - The Dhammapada

El Día de la Paz

This Saturday, January 30, is "El Día de la Paz" in Spain. It is to honor the life and message of Ghandi and is similar to our celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. This past week in school I have been teaching the children about Martin Luther King Jr. and why we celebrate his life and dream in the United States. I created a story book with pictures and bolded words such as "freedom," "equality," "civil rights, "boycott," and "African American" for the children to learn. I also gave them a coloring sheet that says "I have a dream" with a giant dove on it and below the image the word, "peace."

I also played a "game" with them to help them understand the inequality that African Americans experienced in the US in the time of MLK . I told them the right side of the classroom no longer had any rights. They were not allowed to speak during class, go to recess, go to the bathroom or talk to any of the kids on the left side of the room. I told them they were ugly, stupid and annoying to everyone. The children on the left side of the room could always go to recess and the bathroom whenever they want and were all good boys and girls. We continued class for 5minutes in this roleplay and then after we discussed how the children on the right side of the room felt without having any rights for what seemed like no particular reason at all. They all understood the message that we are all equal and should have the same rights no matter what our physical, or in this case geographical differences are.

The activity I really would have liked to do was something I found online. You take a white egg and a brown egg and you talk about the differences between them. Then you turn around and crack them both open and show that even though they are different colors, they are the exact same on the inside. Just like people! The main problem with this is it is impossible to find a white egg around here.

Above is a picture of the mural that the kids made in honor of this holiday.

Rodizio

Rodizio is my new favorite restaurant concept. While I am sure there are tons of locations in New York City I had never experienced this great Braizilian cuisine until this past Saturday when my friends and I went to a restaurant in Plaza Mayor. A few of them had been before and told me of its holiness, "a guy comes around with different meat on a stick and you can eat as much as you want." So it was essentially a €9 all you can eat meat buffet. Gulp. Since it was 5pm the restuarnt was about to close, but we begged them to let us squeeze in this precious meal. We got up to serve ourselves from the buffet of salad, rice and beans. Then we waited hungrily for the meat to appear. Suddenly the man appeared with the first giant skewer of meat. Pollo (chicken). Luego el pollo con bacín (chicken with bacon). Después, ternera (veal), cerdo (pork), cordero (lamb), y chorizo (saussage). This incredible meal was followed by a serious food coma but it was so worth it and will definitely be happening again in the near future.

Je parle un peu francais

New Years resolutions are off to a good start so far. Rosetta Stone, the book "Say it right in French," and my French roomie, are all helping me to comprends un peu francais.

Rosetta Stone is definitely all its cracked out to be. The level 1 CD I have has 8 units. Each unit has 11 themes and within each theme you can select either listening and reading, reading, listening, speaking or writing. The book has really helpful phrases with a guide to the pronunciation of each word and phrase. It is geared towards tourists and has contents such as "hotel survival," "shopping," and "health." However, clearly nothing compares to being able to speak with a native. While my roomie sometimes chuckles while I am saying "un garcon et un chien" out loud in a thick american accent, he has been helping me with pronunciation and everyday lingo.

Au revoir!

The 4 Wheeler

If you don't already possess one of these, you need to stop what you're doing and go out and buy one. My mom lent me her "4 wheeler" before I came back to Spain and it honestly made my travel experience so much more enjoyable. It is perfect if you like to over pack since it is so spacious and sturdy AND since you roll it next to you instead of dragging it behind you, your back and shoulders will be very appreciative. Don't travel without one!

Inspirational Quote #2

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware"- Martin Buber

Bringing Spain to the USA!

So I've finally found a way to bring a little bit of Spain to all of you in the USA! It's a website called La Tienda and you can order anything from jamón serrano to wine to Spanish cologne and bath soaps and have it delivered to your doorstep! It's genius!

La Tienda is a bilingual, family owned company. It was founded by the Harris family in 1996 in Williamsburg Virginia. The Harris family lived in Spain in the 1970s and their goal in creating this company was to share all of the joys of life in Spain with their friends in the USA. Some highlights of working for the company are: paid health and dental insurance, life insurance and classes in English and Spanish. Um where do I apply? The website is so authentic that if you're feeling adventurous you can order the actual leg of ham just like they have hanging in the restaurants in Spain. They even have their own blog. After perusing the website here are some of the best and most interesting finds in my opinion:

• Jamón serrano
• Ham holder for all whole Jamones
• Professional jamón carving set
• Paella recipes
• Wine botas & porrons
• Rioja red wine
• Olives
• Paella burner

Need I say more? Order up!!

The best of ESL on the web

Here are the great ESL websites I have been using for teaching:

For teaching adults:

• ESL Discussions
• Using English
• ESL Tutor
• Boggles World ESL

For teaching kids:

• ESL Kids
• English 4 Kids
• Mes English
• A to Z Teacher Stuff

Inspirational Quote #1

As I have said before, I have always found comfort and peace of mind in writing. Keeping a diary has always been very necessary and therapeutic for me (hence this blog). Reading, a more common relaxation tool, is also something that has helped me to open my mind and expand my knowledge. Currently I am reading and loving the novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dresier. I am never reading just one work at a time. Autobiographies, short stories, newspaper articles and even blogs are on my daily reading list.

Although normally not longer than a sentence or two, reading certain quotations can be extremely thought provoking and inspirational. Many times when I am really feeling the distance from home and jaded from travel I turn to specific quotes and phrases for encouragement and motivation. Yes sometimes quotes are super cheesy, lame and downright pathetic, especially from the girl who posts, "I cried today... not because I miss you...or even wanted you...but because I realized I'm gonna be ok without you..." on her facebook wall obviously leading on to the fact that she was dumped by her boyfriend, but isn't ashamed (since she is publicly announcing it on facebook) and is indeed getting over him...but other times a short phrase just really hits the spot. Due to this, I have decided to share a travel inspired "inspirational quote" every week. Hopefully they do not fall into the "cheesy, lame and downright pathetic" category.

#1: "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" - St. Augustine

Miracle Drug

Us folk here in Spain have stumbled upon a miracle drug and it goes by the name of: Algiasdin. Why is it a miracle drug you ask? While the main ingredient seems to simply be ibuprofen, we have found it to be an instant cure for any type of ache, pain, swelling or hangover- yes even the really bad ones. For just €3.12 one can purchase 30 capsules of this magic. It can be taken in the morning or at night right before bed and it is sure to do the trick! Unfortunately it is currently not sold in the USA, but I am happy to start taking orders for when I return this summer.

REBAJAS

The word "rebaja" can be translated into English as "reduction" or "discount," but right now in Spain the word "rebajas" does not refer to just any old sale. The "rebajas" refer to the unbelievable New Year sales in practically every store in Spain the whole month of January. Discounts range from 30% to 70% at some stores. People pretty much go crazy, wiping out the shelves of clothing, makeup, and appliance shops in a frantic attempt to get the best deal. Think of it like "Black Friday" except for a month long...Question though...how is it that Spaniards have so much extra spending money after Christmas? You'd think, especially in this economy, they would be completely wiped out in January. There are just some things about Spain that do not logically make sense...I have yet to dabble in the "rebajas," but will definitely give it a go this weekend and hope not to be trampled by a pack of feisty señoritas.

The rain in Spain

I have seen all different kinds of rain before: fat rain, horizontal rain, monsoon rain, sheets of rain, drizzly rain, and misty rain... but the rain in Spain, or the rain in Málaga I should say, is unlike any other rain I have seen. Today it was very cloudy all day and looked like it was about to pour any second. It did in fact rain later in the day when I was conveniently walking 40 minutes to my client's house. The reason why the rain is so unique to me is that it is very...subtle. When it was raining I could barely see the drops and when I put up my umbrella I couldn't even hear it hitting the umbrella. And even though it didn't seem to be raining hard enough to create puddles there were in fact small ponds all over the streets. I assumed my body wouldn't get that wet because the rain was so light and unobtrusive and seemed to only be coming down in a vertical fashion... but when I got home I realized my whole body was moist. So I'm not too sure about the famous lyric from My Fair Lady, "the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain..." all I know is this rain is a big PAIN!

And then there was heat

After hanging out in my living room today and witnessing my Italian roomie repeatedly blow hot air into his hands and then rub them together I decided today HAD to be the day. I went to Corte Ingles and FINALLY bought a space heater. It not only provides heat, but also functions as a fan which will be perfect for when it starts to actually feel like I live on the Costa del Sol. Although I will be using it for personal use in my bedroom I currently have it placed in our living room and everyone is extremely thankful.

Aaaaand we're back!

The past few days I was able to exercise several skills of mine, primarily: patience, tolerance, independence and taking initiative. I have learned quite a lot about the inefficient airline systems, the restaurant and shop selections in the Madrid Barajas Airport as well as how immature and spoiled many adults are. However, after this grueling travel experience, one so scarring that it makes me nauseus even thinking about planning a trip in the months of December or January again, I am finally back in Málaga. While I envisioned my arrival back in Spain to be challenging after such a relaxing, convenient three week stay in New York, it feels like home here and I am looking forward to getting back to my routine. My New Years resolutions are relatively similar to the goals that I set for myself when I first arrived in Spain, but here are some more specific goals for 2010:

• Work out 4x/wk
• Study French using Rosetta Stone 3x/wk
• Make at least €200/month from tutoring English (while in Spain)
• Study some Spanish every day
• Read at least one book every month
• Find a job in New York for when I get home this summer

BA=BS

I was scheduled to make my journey across the pond tonight with British Airways (BA). This morning they texted me saying that the flight was cancelled due to weather conditions and re-scheduled to depart Monday night...I looked outside and saw a few snowflakes, but not enough to postpone my trip by three days. Within one hour they texted me AGAIN saying that this new flight was ALSO cancelled... So by now I am thinking that England must be experiencing its worst snow storm ever and that I will never be able to make it back to Europe again. I asked a friend in London what the weather was like and she said it was gloomy and cold, but nothing out of the ordinary. After being put on hold for 78minutes I learned I could not transfer the flight to another airline for this weekend, but could fly out this coming Tuesday night with BA... Instead of following up with this extremely reasonable offer, I got a full refund for the flight and booked a new trip with Iberia for Sunday. BA I don't know what's going on with you, but it smells like BS to me!