As part of my New Year's Resolution, I present a MUCH needed update

January 10, 2010
Ok, so I FINALLY returned to Albox after what seemed like a very long travel home. I just got back from Christmas vacation with my dad and Sue. We had a great time on our vacation, which started in Madrid on December 31, and just ended in Barcelona on January 9th. I left for Albox from Barcelona, and the result was an entire day-and-a-half of traveling. More on this later.
Anyway, one of my new year’s resolutions is to be better about blogging. It’s obvious that up to this point, I have been terrible. I really couldn’t have neglected my blog any more than I did, seeing as I wrote roughly two or three posts the entire first three months of my stay here in Spain.
So, I will now attempt to recount and summarize my experiences up till now, while at the same time continue to write about my life as it occurs in ‘real time’ (umm, relatively…). Buenas suerte

January 11, 2010
First day back at school after winter vacation. It was hard to get up, but I was excited to see all the students and teachers. Everyone greets each other with two kisses, one on each cheek, and a cheerful “feliz año.” It was really good to see everyone again. My kids greet me with hugs, and “hello, teacher” which is great. Just as usual, they’re like bouncing balls of energy. But it seems as though nothing has changed in the ways of behavior. I suppose it’s normal kid stuff: first day back after a holiday, and everyone is still in “break” mode. No one listens or pays attention. Arancha and I spend more time castigating than actually teaching. After school I almost lose my voice from yelling “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Time!” a million times.
Later, everyone came over to our house just like old times. Kathleen arrives first to use the internet. It’s so great to see her. Then Diego arrives and finally Ionut. We’re all huddled in my room, the seven of us including Charlotte and Alex, with the calefactory blowing on high. Everyone shares stories of their holiday adventures. Of course, it’s Spain, and the electricity can’t handle more than one thing, so the power keeps going out because we’ve got the calefactor on at the same time as the light… oh Spain.
Took a shower at night, and at first it felt great. I was standing there in the hot water thinking, “Oh this feels fantastic, finally we’ve got hot water that works.” Guess I spoke too soon. Mid-shower, the water pressure begins to wain, until finally it’s just a few drips and then… nothing! Se fue el agua! The water went out. While I was in the shower. With shampoo in my hair. What the fuck to I do now?!
I call Alex and he comes back in a few minutes to tell me that the dueña says the water is out in the whole building. Of course. And, we don’t have any more bottled water. Of course. Luckily, Christelle has a small bottle, so I’m standing over the sink, wrapped in a towel, while Alex pours freezing water over my head to rinse the shampoo from my hair. Oh Spain…. buenas noches.

January 12, 2010
I felt sick today. I think all of the traveling with little sleep has finally caught up with me. It’s Tuesday, but I skipped the Mercado (still have no food) and just slept. Oh siestas, I love you.
Today seemed like a day for new beginnings. I started the re-application process to do the Auxiliares program another year. Everyone seems curious as to whether I’ll repeat the program and come back next year. Good question. I still have no idea what I’ll be doing with my life at this time next year. But hey, that’s the exact position I was in at this time last year, and look where I am now…
I figure for now, I’ll at least apply. I have nothing to lose by applying. Then, I can decide later if I want to accept or not. So far, I’ve enjoyed the program; and not just the teaching part. I love the culture, the people I’ve met, the experiences I’ve had. Part of me would love to do it again (but if I do, it’s got to be in a bigger city. Sorry, Albox). But the other part of me is thinking, why ruin a good thing by trying to repeat it?
Anyway, another beginning: I worked out today for the first time in probably 3 weeks! Afterwards, I felt so energized and happy. It’s amazing what a little exercise will do. Still hoping Sergio will teach me to play squash soon…
Still no water in our apartment. After the gym, I went to Kathleen’s house to shower. It was a pain having to trek all the way over just to shower. But, I got to see Gema and Marie Carmen. We sat around the heater table and talked like normal Spain-fashion. I learned a new word, too: Pica Piedras, which means The Flintstones! Funny context: We were joking about how primitive we all seem to be living; water that’s rarely hot and sometimes fails to work at all, houses that maintain a colder temperature inside than the actual temperature outside, and faulty electricity. Gema and Marie Carmen said something about Pica-Piedras. Kathleen and I had no idea what they were talking about. After about 5 minutes of explanation and looking on the internet, we realized that’s the name for Flintstones.
Tonight, Alex had to sleep in the extra bed in my room. Apparently, our power can’t handle both heaters; when Alex and I both use our heaters in our rooms at the same time, the power goes out. Temporary solution: sleep in the same room and use one heater. Emphasis on the temporary, because this isn’t going to work for the rest of the winter. Buenas noches…