One week to go....

Eight months after I arrived I didn't know what it would feel like to be at the other end of my experience as a Language Assistant in Spain. It feels good. I've had a great year and now I can't wait to go back home. Today all of the 65 (or so) Language Assistants from the whole Autonomous Region of Extremadura met up in Mérida for a farewell meeting. We watched a DVD put out by the Extremeño tourism board (don't worry, I'll bring it home for you all to see). We also received our certificates of achievement from the Board of Education. I got to catch up with some people that I hadn't seen since our orientation in Madrid. It was good. In Badajoz we're planning a dinner for all 10 of the people that live and work around here. I've met some really great people here, some of whom are sticking around for another year. One girl is even getting married to a football (soccer) player and sticking around forever! I'm hoping that maybe I'll get an invite to the wedding. ;) The cool thing is that I'll always have people here to visit.

I'm planning to stay in Badajoz this weekend and start packing/cleaning. I also have to prepare a final presentation for the kids. I think I'll show them the places I've visited here in Extremadura, in Spain, and in Portugal. I think they'll like that better than playing hangman. Last week I had a ton of success teaching them a free-verse poem about summer and showing them photos of summer activities in the US. Unfortunately they're getting pretty restless as their school year comes to a close and they behave even more like hyenas in the zoo. I'm grateful that my time is coming to a close because it's been tough learning how to give discipline and control a classroom. On the other hand, I think they'll be sad to see me go because I have a pretty good relationship with them. It's a shame I don't have an oven, I'd bake brownies for them or something as a farewell.

Well, I'm looking forward to my mom's visit. She's coming on June 11 with her sister and a friend from work. We're planning to rent a car in Madrid, briefly visit Extremadura, then go to Sevilla in Andalusia, and on to Zaragoza for the World Expo and we'll probably fly out of Barcelona. Luckily my friend's Aunt and Uncle lent me their GPS so we should be able to travel with ease (dad, it got us through Sintra flawlessly!). Before she comes I think I'm going to hitch a ride down to Málaga with a friend's parents to get in some beach time ;)