Roommates

I want to add a disclaimer to these following stories before I tell them. I really do like my roommates a lot. They are becoming more sisterly than anything, and though this is comforting at some times, at others it's rather irritating. Today Maria walked into the kitchen... and whenever my roommates walk into the kitchen as I'm making something to eat, I cringe a little bit. I know they are much better cooks than I am... I have never shared an apartment with someone who are as accomplished as they are in this area. So Maria walks in, looks at what I'm making, and says, "You eat pasta a lot. You know, this is not good for your body." Which, as I shrugged outwardly and pushed her over internally, made miss my roommates from my senior year at Linfield DEARLY... Claire Carter and Katie Cowgill. THEY wouldn't judge me for my cooking skills, as they are as about as knowledgable in the ways of being a chef as I am. In fact, they would be PROUD that I have been grilling vegetables with spices and olive oil... even if it DOES happen often. Even though I eat almost the same dishes almost every day, I feel extremely healthy about my food choices and I am not tired of my meals yet, so until that time comes, do I really need to get more creative with my food? And also, the food that I eat is inexpensive, which is great for me because the possibility of traveling to different parts of Europe is more appealing to me that getting experimental and fancy with my meal choices.

I will explain to you briefly what I have been making for myself so far. Firstly, "bocadillos," or sandwiches in English. I buy fresh sandwich-sized loaves of french bread about every other day, and put olive oil, white delicious cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken that has been grilled in oregano and pepper on one. And I usually add a piece of fruit on the side. This is one meal. Another meal that I like to cook is pasta. I make the pasta, and add cheese, olive oil, grilled mushrooms, and spices to it, and then I also grill up a sliced up red pepper and zucchini and some other veggies in spices as well. This is another meal. Also, I can simply make a salad with the chicken and vegetables... All of these meals are easy, quick, and delicious. And for now, they are good enough for me. Sometimes I eat chocolate. I did just find tortillas today at the store, so I will be reverting back to some of my go-to meals in the USA, but that is besides the point. I feel extremely healthy with these food choices, and also I dont have a car, so if I go anywhere, I walk. Another healthy activity.

Then later today, I walked into the kitchen and Maria looks at me and says, "Why aren't you wearing shoes?? Aren't you cold?" I looked down at my bare feet and shrugged yet again. All the floors here are tile. There is no such thing as carpet, so of course my feet were cold. But I have been conditioned, through every adult female of my childhood, to "TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU ARE IN THE HOUSE!!" I could only look at her and say, "Yes I am. I don't know."

And finally, tonight Magda and I went out for drinks, and I got red wine. Magda looked at me and said, "You drink a lot of wine." To which I could only agree, and yet again gave a salute my ex-roommates.

Teaching today was a little different... It seems that every day that I teach I will be doing something new. Today one of my classes was the 1st year students... 12 year olds. Unlike the older students, they were overly enthusiastic about everything and we ended up spending the ENTIRE HOUR doing introductions... basically them asking me all sorts of questions, including Do you have a son? ("I am not married and have no childre of any gender") Do you have a boyfriend? What is your favorite futbol team? Where are you from? What street do you live on? ("...I dont know.") Do you like the rain or sun? Do you like the beach? What is your favorite color? ("Green"... I miss trees!) Do you like Spongebob? Do you like Spanish men? ("I like all Spanish people... They are very nice.") Do you have a secret love? What is your favorite movie? and so on... I think they were doing it so the teacher wouldn't actually start class, but it was interesting all the same.