Mi primer día.

I just got back from my first day of work. I guess I should say "work," though, because I didn't do much. I was pretty nervous when I first got there because I wasn't sure where the entrance is, so I just guessed. And, when I had called the school, they seemed pretty abrupt and rude, so I was expecting the same. But, everyone was super helpful. They were all like, "We've been waiting for you!"

First, the department head of the English department introduced me to a bunch of profesores. For my own sake, let me see if I can remember their names: Juan, Manolo, Felipe, Sebastián, Carmen (x4), Mai, Marta, Antonio (?), Damián, Irene. Everyone asked me where I am from, and as soon as I'd say, "Texas," they'd say, "Oh, Bush!" That sucked. It was weird because at first I was talking to everyone with 'usted' instead of 'tú,' but they'd get offended! They were like, "You make me feel old by calling me by usted. Tutéame." But, I'm not used to talking like that to people older than me, so that will take some getting used to.

Sebastián, the director of the school, gave me a tour, treated me to a coffee, then invited me to a luncheon they were having later that day. It's so weird because there's a bar in the school. They don't have a cafeteria. They call it a 'comedor' or 'el bar.' The profesores have beer or wine there during lunch. Crazy. And the kids smoke! You'll go outside and see students taking a smoke break on campus. Eso loco español.

(Sidenote: they just started playing the song 'Down' in this locutorio! I feel like I'm home watching mun2. Ju make me feel so down, Rakim and Ken-Y.)

Anyway, I just got back from the luncheon, where the only thing they offered us to drink was beer. I got there, and one of the school administrators is like, "We drink a beer while everyone else gets here?" You don't need to ask me twice, girl. All of the people are so nice that it's almost a little unbelievable. They were so excited to meet me and the other auxiliar, and they were willing to help out with anything and everything. And the food was awesome. We had a Spanish salad as a starter, then what seemed like all-you-can-eat paella, then dessert and coffee. All of this at a ritzy Spanish country club overlooking the city. Que culto. Dessert was weird, though, because it was watermelon, but we ate it with a fork and knife. When my mom and aunt were visiting last week, we were served melon with a fork and knife, but we didn't even bother and just used our hands. We are vulgar.

It also looks like my schedule will be very, very accomodating. The department head mentioned that I'd probably only be scheduled to work three days of the week--Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That would be too awesome. I was expecting to work four days of the week (we are only legally allowed to work twelve hours per week), but damn. She was like, "I know you'll need the weekends for travel and to explore. We'll see what we can do."

I didn't get to meet too many students, though. They didn't seem too bad, though. They told me I'll be working more with the advanced students who actually want to learn and practice English, so that'll be nice. Some of the kids are even going to be reading The Catcher in the Rye. That should be fun.

I'd say today has been a good day. We'll see what the weekend brings!