Soo many stories to tell. Where do I start...?

Ok, let's start a week ago. I finally made a friend here in Madrid, and he's a really cool guy. We're planning some crazy outings in Madrid's nightlife, and I think it's going to be very fun. More details upon request... haha

We've recently been doing a lot of swimming here at the house. The water is warm enough to not freeze off a body part, and I've been enjoying it. I've taught the kids how to play Marco Polo, and oh my god do they cheat, bad. Speaking of Marco Polo, I was on the streets of Madrid a couple of days ago, and a woman randomly said, "Marco?". You can only imagine the confused looks on peoples' faces when I yelled back to her, "POLO!". Apparently Marco is a Spanish name not to be made fun of... haha

I've been to Madrid about 5 times now, and I'm really starting to get a hold of how to use the metro system and how to get around. I already know one area, Sol, very well, and now I need to start branching out so I can start meeting people from all over.

Fun Story of the day: Today I went to Madrid, the Sol area to be exact, and saw something very cool. A strike against the Spanish govt.'s wage cuts was going on. I decided to join the strike for a little while. I grabbed a flag, took some disgruntled pictures of the huelgistas (strikers), and got told to leave by a cop when I was taking pictures of the entrance to the Department of Housing where the strikers were. So check that off my list: I have participated in a worker's strike in Madrid, Spain. WHA WHO!!!

I'll try to upload some pictures here so you can see my expressions instead of my words about my experience here, but just know that I'm starting to take grasp of the fun and opportunity I have here in Madrid.

Besos y abrazos.
Nicholás Antonio Canfield

Fruitful Trips to Madrid

Madrid Birthday!

Today we went to Madrid to celebrate my birthday with some shopping, sight seeing, and my first legal beer. It was a cruzcampo, and it was pretty good. i enjoyed it, even though I drank it in the presence of my house mom and the two kids (HAHA). funny stuff.

I´ll let the other pictures speak for themselves.

hasta luego. And don´t forget, we can talk on skype! - nicholas.canfield is my skype addy.

Keeping on movin'

It's been 18 days here in the lovely land of España, and I feel good. I don't know if that's from all the good food I've been eating, but I feel very contento.

It's already starting to get hot here. My bedroom temperature, with the window open, is currently 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It's freaking hot, and sleeping with covers is like taking a second shower (except in sweat). I can't wait for the 100 degree days when I'll be chilling in the pool and around Madrid. Those will be the days.

The puppies are getting big! It's only been 10 or so days, and they've already just about doubled in size. I personally have stayed about the same weight, but I expect to maybe gain a few pounds in muscle and fat before I go back to the States. The food here is just soo good, and I eat a lot of it. The family says that the last teacher that came here gained 7 kilos or about 15 pounds! Well... I guess it's inevitable, might as well embrace it!

I'm starting a new teaching method with Dánae. Everyday day We're going to be drawing a picture with different things that she wants to learn, and of course, we're going to connect the English words with the pictures. I think this is two birds with one stone. 1 - Dánae loves to draw, and this will be a way to connect with her. 2 - She'll connect pictures with English words rather than 'translations' from Spanish, and I think (from being a Rosetta Stoneite) that this is a very good way to learn.

Teaching the mom here is going well. We usually spend about 3 hours a day talking about stuff. Most of the time she talks, I listen (Good practice for marriage, eh? haha). She's increased her confidence in speaking English over the past week, and now she tries to say everything in English that she can. We mostly go to the grocery store, fruit store, to get gas, or to do random shopping, and in the car we're always talking about whatever. I can understand everything she says now in Spanish, without missing a beat. When I got here to Spain, it was a little more difficult understanding her, but now I find myself being able to double task by listening to her and thinking about other stuff. Good sign of fluency!!!

I've started to read a huge 600 something page novel in Spanish by the writer Zafón. I've currently read about 20 pages, and it's been very tough. I have a good understanding of the general concepts of the book, but it's kind of like reading Shakespear. You understand what's going on, but you can't enterarse de cada palabra.

Oh how I've missed my chuches (snacks) from America. I'm currently chowing down on some Haribo gummy bears and Sour Patch Kids. Gardettos is also being destroyed, and so are some delicious Scooby snacks. haha.

I'll keep chugging along, and hopefully things will keep going for the better like they have been.

Abrazos y besos (Hugs and kisses).
Nicolás Antonio Canfield

This video shows one of the best pranks I've ever been a part of. I thought that the small package I opened in the video is the one my parents sent me with books, food, and other stuff. I open it, and the box is full of Spanish magazines stuffed. I personally for the first 10 seconds thought I was robbed by the Spanish post office people..., but then at the end of the video when I lovingly say to my house dad, "I hate you!!! haha" I realize that it's a prank, and the real package was waiting for me around the corner. haha. Props to Carlos mayor. He got me...

The past days have been great. Good food. Got to see a young professionals live tennis match here in Madrid. Finally got my wallet here, and received a package with a bunch of books, goodies, and board games. Awesome. Thanks Dad and Catherine!

It's starting to get hot here in Madrid, and my bedroom currently at 12:20am Spain time is at 80 degrees F. It's hot! I'm ready to get in the pool everyday now.

Many other stories and fun things, but I'll save those to tell you guys for when I get back to the States!

besos.

Nicolás Antonio Canfield

The Thriller Study break

Danae thought it would be fun to show our dance moves to the world. I thought differently. I lost, and that's why the video is being posted. haha

Hopefully this gives you and idea of what the kids are like and the fun that we have.

Yesterday I gave a presentation to the Aeronautics College English class here in Madrid, and I must say I had one fun time. I gave them a quick rundown of CU, the students, myself, and my major, and then I let them ask me questions about the U.S. and myself for a hour. Most of the questions of course were a little biased and had negative views about the U.S. such as our drinking laws, our love of automatic weapons, and our McDonalds, but I at least tried to give them a good positive idea of what America is all about. If nothing else, by just presenting myself I showed them that not all Americans are unintelligent consuming machines that eat McDonalds all day long, and I let them clearly know that stereotypes aren't always true. Everything depends on the individual situation. Oh... I also met up and had lunch with some of the students yesterday. Some of the girls in the cafeteria were gorgeous, and the group I was with was really funny and nice. They basically treated me with a bunch of respect, and at least I got to hang out with some people that are my same age! No offense Carlitos, but you're not almost 20 with a 20 year old humor and thoughts! The only bad part is that those students don't get out of school until June 30th, and they have exams up until then. Basically, I need to find another group of friends.. :(

It's starting to get hot here in Madrid. It's already about 80 degrees+ here, and the humidity is like 50% with no rain. It's going to be one hot summer, and the shorts are already out. I'm putting the body in beach season shape, like a young dutch David Hasselhoff from Baywatch: that's what I'm going for. haha

Well, it's been one crazy day, and my legs are literally about to fall out from under me. I've been spending about 2 hours every other day in the gym, and my legs are just not working well. So yea, off to another long Spanish siesta for me.

Un saludo y besos a todos.

Nicolás Antonio Canfield