Hello wonderful people. Happy Valentine’s Day! Little late but…better late than never right? Everyone have a good weekend? I got sick again so I spent most of mine sitting in bed being pathetic. But hey, I got to watch season five of How I Met Your Mother (ALL of season five, you’ve created a monster, Mo) and a bit of Dorian Gray (awful, read the book) while staying in. Mom hasn’t found out that I was sick either(!!!)--I’ve had to put all my acting skill into that one but it was worth it, saved me a lecture and I’m still able to successfully leave the house without five layers plus scarf.

Throughout the beginning of February there’s been a classic movie festival that happens every year in Granada where they focus on one actor/actress/theme and show the movies in theater. This year, Humphrey Bogart was the star and they put out a huge red carpet down a pathway to advertise the event along with posters of movies that are being shown. Valentine’s Day was well spent watching Humphrey alongside Katherine Hepburn on the BIG SCREEN in “The African Queen” from 1951. So amazing!!! They’ve got some special affects to put Transformers 2 to shame (note sarcasm). Classic movies are a win every time though honestly. There’s no way to beat the well crafted story lines or incomparable acting. Oh Humphrey. I have a crush on a dead actor, is that weird? One odd thing about Spanish theaters: assigned seating. When you buy your ticket they tell you where you can sit, it’s not a free-for-all like in the states. My friends and I still sat wherever because the theater was only half full; such rebels, I know. Even though internet died which meant I couldn’t talk to Lisa via Skype as we had planned it was still a good day. Not romantic, like all of the over-affectionate Spanish couples walking down the street but hey, I’m loved more than I could ever imagine by the only one that really matters which beats having a boy any day.

Classes finally started up this past week, bringing with it a crazy schedule I’m excited to start. Five classes (all completely in Spanish), exam prep, cooking class, Kung Fu, travelling and teaching are going to be more than enough to keep me busy. Oh yes, teaching. I get to teach an English class!!!!!!! It’s for immigrants trying to get jobs here in Spain where having a cursory knowledge of English is required for even entry level positions. My friend Jamie and I had our first lesson today covering “My/your/his/her/their name is___”, “How are you?”, and the alphabet. Extreme basics. It’s so rewarding though! I absolutely love it. To think that I could be a part of helping to get my students jobs after they’ve had trouble with unemployment since moving to a new country. Amazing. I’m grateful for the opportunity. After only an hour lesson I came out of the classroom excited and ready to turn teaching into a career. Who knows, I’ll probably be kicking myself for saying it later but teaching is most definitely an option on the map of “Possible Careers for Jen Who Really Has Absolutely No Idea What She Wants to Do.” Kung Fu starts tomorrow. Have I mentioned this is going to be a disaster?

Cure for homesickness: Oreos. No joke, magic is the secret ingredient of that weird white stuff in the middle.

Shout outs:
Desta/Heather: Let me know how the rest of the weekend at the convention turned out! And if you found any more men, Desta you man-magnet :]
Elaine-FRANCE! Please let me know when you’ll be there dear as spending days with you in Paris would be phenomenal
Lisa-I would never ditch you to dance. Ever. Unless you were in on the dance party, hehe. That’s actually yet to happen because now that I come to think of it, I’m always the only one dancing.
Kate-you are wonderful, don’t ever forget that
Laurel-Carnival costumes are out and I saw a Cruella de Ville one, thought of you <3