Finally feeling a little more adjusted...

 FINALLY a truly beautiful day in Avila. So thankful that I'm finally starting to feel more adjusted to everything around here. Granted, I'm not 100% adapted, but I'm certainly on my way! These pictures are the view from my window..its around 50 degrees here..so just warm enough that I don't really need a coat. And the sun..it feel fantastic! Was definitely missing the sun in Indiana. 

 Today I did a lesson with my first graders that was all about Indiana. The idea of countries, cities, the world..its all so abstract to 6 year olds! I'm definitely not used to this low of a level, so it didn't go exactly how I had pictured it. That being said, I had coloring sheets for them and and they loved that, of course, and they loved telling their other teachers that they now know what the Indiana flag looks like and "los colores de Indiana son azul y amarillo." (Indiana's colors are blue and yellow.) I also talked to them about football--they were totally mind-blown. ha! They are, of course, obsessed with soccer over here and I suppose I thought they would have at least heard of football, but no, only one or two in each class had any idea

what I was talking about! I showed pictures and talked about the Colts, which they also loved. 

At the moment, I feel like I'm learning so much more than I'm teaching. I was sort of hoping that would happen, though, so I'm happy.
I met with one of the other English teachers yesterday. Her name is Ines and I can tell we're going to get along great. She's so much fun and loves talking--like me! She was so sweet and she said (and I quote) "Taylor, listen to me my darling, if you ever get sad, you come to me. I'll give you a good shaking and tell you everything will be alright." I smiled the biggest I have since I've been here after she said that. I'm lucky to be able to say that complete strangers have made themselves completely available to me and are already treating me like family.

Today, the teachers celebrated two of their birthdays. They brought in--get ready--chocolate..TO DRINK. Like..I'm not even kidding. The 2nd grade teacher, Vanesa, brought in liquid chocolate, warmed it up in the microwave, and served it in cups for our drinks. Loco, no?? Then she brought in this pastry that was absolutely to die for. I have no idea what it was called, but on the outside it looked like an elephant ear. That being said, it tasted nothing like an elephant ear. haha But it was filled with different cremes..I had the vanilla flavor and thought I was in heaven. It was delicious! She bought it from some bakery and I need the name of the bakery so I can get some for the girls and me to share..pronto! Rodrigo, the PE teacher, brought in some cheesecake (well, that's what they called it...it didn't look like the kind of cheesecake that I know!). I was so full from the pastry that I didn't get a chance to try it, but everyone else seemed to really love it.

Overall, I'd say that I'm getting used to everything here..the times of meals, the sleep schedule, the children, etc. My Spanish is improving bit-by-bit...I even carried on a small conversation with the secretary today! Granted, he did most of the talking, but I didn't just stare blankly at him when he asked me questions. I understood him!! Woot! I'm totally counting the little victories :) 
Well, its almost 3, so the dining hall should be serving lunch soon. I wanna go explore Avila some more now that it's such a nice day, but we'll see what the afternoon brings. Shops close around 2 and don't open again until 5, so it will be awhile before we decide what to do!