My departure from the States is exactly one month from today, which makes me a little bit panicky in an excited sort of way. There is so much to do, like figure out how to pack for all four seasons without filling 3 huge suitcases, have dentist, hair, and eye appointments, stock up on makeup, make sure my visa will actually get here, figure out my loans, put together some teaching materials for my students in Spain, and most importantly, eat a La Roca burrito one last time. Saying goodbye to Mexican food will be as much of a struggle as it will be to say goodbye to a dear friend.
The good news is that the program I'm going through, CIEE, sent me several different documents about the school I'll be teaching at, including names and emails of past participants at that very school. So I'm in the process of putting aside time to have extensive phone conversations with these people, asking them about everything relevant to my survival in Spain, including questions about the town, school, travel expenses, price of wine, living arrangments, etc. CIEE also sent me the name and email of the bilingual educator that I will be working with at my school, and we have contacted each other as well.
In addition, CIEE sent out a roster of all 309 participants going to Spain through their program, stating their name, email address, where they're from and where they'll be going. Since that time, I have been contacted by several people, via Facebook and my personal email. I have decided to attach the email conversation that was sent out to all the teachers heading to Cordoba with me, as it is something that amused me and perhaps will entertain you as well.
On Sun, Aug 8, 2010 at 1:47 PM, Joseph Pustejovsky wrote:
Hello all,
My name is Joey Pustejovsky, and I am one of the many CIEE participants who are going to be stationed in CORDOBA! I am getting so excited about leaving for Spain in 2 weeks for the immersion course that I could hardly contain my excitement anymore. My friends and family here at home are very excited for me, but they just can't feel the excitement like I know we all can. I am also writing this to build some camaraderie between the people I will be sharing the City, and outside provinces, with. That way we catch up in the city every once in a while. We can even discuss major psychological questions, such as, "How long will it take for people to realize Justin Beiber is not as truly talented as we think he is?"
This e-mail will also start a network that will help us help each other, like so:
Mr. Reed Onken (I hope I pronounced that right) I noticed you will be in Puente Genil, but if you are considering living in the city, would you be interested in getting an apt (aka apartment) with me?
See, easy.
And Just to see who I will be friends with in the future, I put together a little Survey, which I hope at least few people respond to. I have been compiling it for weeks.
1) Lady GAGA: Alien or Talented Human?
2)How far will the Dallas Cowboys make it next season?
3)On a scale of 1-10, how sacred are you of Genetically Modified Food?
4)On a scale of 1-2 how scared are you of the Bermuda Triangle?
5) Should The Greeks still put a TON of Fries on their Local delicacy, the Gyro, which only add MASSIVE amounts of carbs?
6)Country Music: Saving Grace of the U.S. or Nuisance?
7)If Beethoven and Mozart were to ever meet in Today's world, who would win the drinking contest?
8) And finally, Should the Status of GREAT be taken away from the Great Salt Lake? We do not refer to it when we say the GREAT Lakes, so it seems a wast of time.
These are all important questions and not to be Avoided....and i am just having Fun... except for you Reed, I need an Answer. AND, I saw that one of you is from Auburn, and as my college roommate taught me, "Go War Eagle!"
Ciao,
Joey P.
Sent: Tue, August 10, 2010 7:49:32 PM
Subject: RE: SHOUT OUT TO CORDOBA Teachers
Hello all!
First off, Joey, I just want to let you know that I found your email friggin hilarious. I'm excited for your phychological questioning and discussions to begin, in which I hope we cover the serious topic of why there is no tea in a Long Island Ice Tea. False advertising is what that is. And here are my answers to your survey:
1) Lady GAGA: Alien or Talented Human?
--Talented Human of course! To not only get away with wearing the things she wears, such as cigarette sunglasses, but making it look bad ass and stylish... definitely takes talent. Oh and her music is good too ;)
2)How far will the Dallas Cowboys make it next season?
--I dont really care.
3)On a scale of 1-10, how sacred are you of Genetically Modified Food?
--How SACRED am I of GMF? I'm gonna take you literally and say that that doesnt make any sense.
4)On a scale of 1-2 how scared are you of the Bermuda Triangle?
--I dont spend much time on the ocean so not that much. I'd say a 1.24.
--PS. Who makes a scale of 1-2?
5) Should The Greeks still put a TON of Fries on their Local delicacy, the Gyro, which only add MASSIVE amounts of carbs?
--I say hold the fries.
6)Country Music: Saving Grace of the U.S. or Nuisance?
--I like some, but a lot of it is too twangy and annoying.
7)If Beethoven and Mozart were to ever meet in Today's world, who would win the drinking contest?
--I'd say Mozart because he has a 'z' in his name.
8) And finally, Should the Status of GREAT be taken away from the Great Salt Lake? We do not refer to it when we say the GREAT Lakes, so it seems a wast of time.
--Keep it Great! There should be more great things in this world. Like Great Oregon.
Anyways, I will be in Sevilla September 13! Hope you all are doing well and I'll see you soon!
-Ashley
Re: SHOUT OUT TO CORDOBA Teachers
Joseph Pustejovsky
Ashley,
Please be my BESTEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!! I feel like u get me. No one else called out the "Sacred" thing, nor questioned my comical 1-2 scale. I found your E-mail just as hilarious as (but not more than ((of course))) mine!!
I was going to invite you to share our apartment, but apparently you will be teaching 1.5 hours from Cordoba proper. I dont know what we are going to do, but we will overcome. I cant wait to meet you in person.
I know. This seems gushy for a first e-mail, but when you know, you know.
The only mark against you is the Cowboys thing, but oh well.
LOVE,
Joey
So apparently making friends won't be as difficult as I thought. The more people contact me, the more confident and excited I get to finally get over there and meet them and begin this experience!
