Assimilation: Tusclasparticulares.com

Well, it's clear that something has been on my mind/subconscious lately, because this has been the second time within the last four days I wasn't able to salvage any sleep because I've been too apprehensive and/or excited. I don't believe it's over anything specific, but rather I've been wired by the prospect of starting something new and meaningful in a foreign country. In total, that now equals four cases of legit insomnia since I've arrived.

So, last Friday or Saturday I put an ad of myself on tusclasparticulares.com to offer English classes, and I received 5 or 6 responses right away. The demand for English teachers is muy, muy high here. I currently have 5 classes set up a week right now - my students range from 3- to 4-year old sisters to 30-something year old computer programmers - , working out the details for another, and hoping for one or two more. Aside from the additional financial gains, it has thus far been a great way to meet Spaniards - Spaniards that want and need my help. Now, private lessons necessitate a lot more time and preparation than my government auxiliar position, but hell, this is basically what I've always wanted to do. I don't mind actually working while I'm here, and hopefully making some kind of difference in peoples' lives.

I also sought out a Spanish conversation coach on said website and met up with him yesterday. Also, I've got some responses for an anuncio I put up for intercambios, or conversation partners between different native language speakers, so looking forward to those meetings, too. If anyone knows anyone in Spain and wants to refer them to me, here are the links to my pages (lol):

http://www.tusclasesparticulares.com/domicilio/sevilla/clases-particulares-ingles-triana-centro-ciudad-los-barrios-vecinos-602178
http://www.tusclasesparticulares.com/intercambio-idiomas/native-english-speaker-looking-for-intercambio-hispanohablantes-606556.aspx

I haven't gone out much at all the last two weeks and seen my American Sevillano friends. Partly because as a natural introvert, I've been pretty antisocial and haven't made a ton of effort to see them - but, to be totally honest, call me boring but I'm ok with not going out every weekend. Also, the whole not sleeping issue hasn't really fueled my interest to party the night away. That being said, I really do like our group. I think we're a bunch of studs.

On a side note, my living situation right now is quickly deteriorating because the old lady who owns the flat totally blindsided me when a previous renter moved out mid-month and two girls came and took his place. Now there are three girls sharing one tiny bathroom, which I wouldn't really mind if they wouldn't soak the bathroom floor with puddles of water every time they got out of the shower with their hair strands swimming in them. Plus, they're always super LOUD at 2 or 3 in the morning. Ah well, only one week left here.

Here's to making new Spaniard friends!