Travellatte: Frozen while watching "Frozen"

Today in school, we had a field trip. The entire school (all 140 students) ventured out into the cold (and by cold I mean 42 degrees) to the local theater-- "Teatro Victoria." The theater was presenting the movie "Frozen." And clearly this was somehow educational enough for the entire school to find reason to go. The school's method of "transportation" for field trips is walking. This method always cracks me up because just imagine 140 students, from 5 years old to 12 years old walking the streets. Better yet, imagine 140 students walking from the Sussex Middle School to Lorenzo's Pizzaria. That's about the same distance and the same kind of chaos you could imagine. Walking in silence is impossible just like riding on a bus to a field trip in the States is impossible. So we created quite the spectacle. People came outside to watch and greet the children or they stood on their balconies and waved. Meanwhile myself and the other first grade teacher were in charge of stopping the 1st graders (I was assisting their class today) from getting run over by cars. Complete chaos. But somehow we all made it to the theater in one piece.

The movie itself was really good. I think I would have enjoyed it more if:

1. It was in English
2. I didn't have to get up out of my seat 12 different times to take the little ones to the bathroom.
3. I wasn't sitting in my seat literally frozen...

I was FREEZING during the movie. The theater didn't feel the need to turn the heat on. And last night was very, very cold. So like my current apartment, the theater was colder than the outside. I watched the movie bundled up in my heavy winter jacket, wearing gloves, with my scarf covering my neck and mouth. And I was still freezing! Where's the brasero when ya need one?! The 1st grader I was sitting next to, Pablo, put his arm over mine when he heard my teeth chattering. It was ridiculous.

**I do recommend the movie though, for both adults and children!

Aside from temporarily being an ice cube, this week was really good. I learned about a cool new celebration typical of Spain-- Saint's Day. Actually I made that name up. I have no idea what it's really called. But basically, most people in Spain are named after Saints. Each Saint has a day dedicated to him/her. If you're named after that particular Saint, you get to celebrate. It's kind of like your second birthday. This past week was Saint Alfonso's day, so one of my first graders brought in treats for the class and everyone sang him a song. I was quickly informed by one of the first graders that my name sucked and that I should change it so I could celebrate too. (Saint Kelly doesn't exist.) She suggested that I could use her name for now since I was stuck with mine. Oh the honesty and generosity of children...

Speaking of Saints, I have the patience of one when it comes to children and old people. Hence why I love working with both of those generations. But when it comes to adults, forget it. My patience is out the door. This was seen this past week when one of my new adult students whom I'm giving private classes to, didn't do his homework. Teacher Kelly was not happy. I've got all of the tricks and incentives to get children to do their homework. But how in the world do you get a full grown adult to do their homework?! All I assigned was for him to find two new english words and write a sentence using each one. How much easier could it get!!?? Bah. I'm about to make the guy stand in the middle of the streets and sing a song of my choosing as his punishment. Alternative suggestions welcome.

Next week is "Peace Day" at school. In preparation of the celebration, I was told to come up with a song for the students to sing. It was suggested that I use Marc Anthony's song from last year ("Imagine" by John Legend.) Not. A. Chance. I instead decided on John Mayer's song "Waiting on the world to change." (I'm basically only writing about this to make my old roommate, Kira, proud!)

And following along with the topic of songs, the last two weeks, I have had very successful private lessons teaching verbs and animals. Two songs that they keep begging me to play over and over again (and that are now ingrained in my brain) are these...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoSq-yZcJ-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E8xMcXmI9E

I highly recommend watching both. Please take note of the dog dancing in the second video. And then imagine my students recreating the same dance in real life. Quite the comedy show.

Last, I am sad to have to say goodbye to one of my students. Him and his sister were my first students here in Priego. And while I dreaded having class with them (mostly because it is nearly impossible to run a class and teach English to a four year old and two year old-- they're still learning Spanish!), I adored both of them dearly. The boy unfortunately has to have surgery on his leg which will cause him to miss to many classes. The parents felt it was best for him to spend his time recovering, and I couldn't agree more. We parted ways after taking these photos...