Sneezing my way to the finish line.

Trip Start Sep 25, 2011

Trip End Jun 12, 2012

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Flag of Spain Jaen, Andalusia, Spain
Saturday, May 26, 2012

My walls are bare and most of my possessions are packed into two suitcases laying in the middle of my bedroom floor. What is going on?!?! It feels very very weird that it's actually ending. I've been aware that this was coming for a while, but to actually be on the last weekend here in Jaen, with three days left of work and mom and dad coming in 5 days....wow.

I'm heading out with my whole group of friends tonight. I'm not very good at saying goodbye to people so a long night out on the town in Jaen will have to suffice.

I would have liked to be out in Jaen a little bit more this weekend, but the pollen count has hit record highs these past couple weeks, so I've had to curb a few tanning at the park sessions. I generally am able to sit outside for about an hour before my eyes start watering too much and I can't stop sneezing.

This led to a fun time at the pharmacist, when I went in to get some good allergy drugs. I explained to them that I needed allergy medications. Preferably something non-drowsy since being drugged and sedated around little kids is not a good thing. The lady asked me what kind of symptoms I had, at which point I realized I didn't know the Spanish word for sneeze. So I got to conduct a small production of allergy symptoms theater in the pharmacy. It was just like old times in Valladolid, when I couldn't hardly get a sentence together. I think all the nearby Spanish people were impressed by my acting skills.

It has actually been a surprisingly low key week, despite the fact that things are winding down. In school, I've been stuck doing speaking tests with all the 5th and 6th graders. These more or less asking them for some vocabulary words, and then asking them all the same three questions: What did you eat yesterday, what did you wear yesterday, what did you see yesterday? I then sit patiently for 5 minutes while they complain about being asked all the irregular past tense English verbs, and attempt to bumble through the correct responses.

Occasionally you get a good "Yesterday I ate blue jeans" in there, but it's usually just a lot of "teachurrr, I no know". I no know either Pedro, I just no know sometimes.

Anyways, since Wednesday is the last day, Andy and I are bringing in a spread for everyone to eat during the break. Andy is bringing in a 6 liter pack of beer (yes those exist here) and I'm going to bring in some food. We each only have two classes after the break, so we'll be enjoying plenty of beer and a very....relaxed last two classes ever.

I'll hopefully get some pictures with other teachers and the director. Then you can all see the man who inspired the famous Misener Mansion (although I think partial credit goes to my publicist, Amy Misener, on this one).

Anyways, this is a short entry. I'm pretty drugged up at the moment and am attempting to pull my allergies together to get out tonight. The next entry should be the end of school and the arrival of my parents though, so get your party pants on because fun times are ahead!