De madrid a cielo

So I wasn't so good at keeping a blog, did you really expect more of me? A quick and accurate fill-in of the unwritten memories would include me sitting at Retiro, obnoxiously singing and dancing while drunk, and getting my travel on. Just put that on repeat for about 8 months and you've got my routine down. And just when things are going so well, its time to pack up and move on. I've realized, either by nature of my youth or just nature of myself, that's what I do. I leave when I can still hold high esteems of my experiences, leave before I get bitter, before the air gets thick, leave before the experience becomes heavier than just that and becomes life itself. Because as of now, I leave Madrid as a city that will always be remembered for its lazy diversions, simple pleasures shared by all on the streets, on terrazas, in plazas, for playing the optimist (or at least temporarily forgiving and forgetting) the hardships of a crisis by doling out excuses to party and enjoy good company at any time of the day, any time of the week, any time of the year. Thank you Espana for being there and being so slow, for not hurrying me into careers or shaming me for taking prolonged siestas. The many personalities I met right on the calles or the other auxiliaries that I will keep in touch with hopefully the rest of my life, I owe it all to you Madrid!

And even when after I had been fraught with frustration over my job, the teachers, I have felt enormously blessed to have had such sweet students who made up for a lot of my shitty moments.Sometimes their silliness was met by me with beratings and exasperation, other times though, their lightheartedness and openness uplifted me. Whether or not you kids all threw those farewell parties for me out of real gratitude and love or out a cunning strategy to get out of doing classwork, I felt a weird closeness and nostalgia that I didn't think I would feel.

Overall, its a straight languorous ride, from Madrid a cielo. At least thats how it'll make you feel.

Cognates Incognito

I know I know I know, you ALLLLL have been dying to hear about the latest news from the illustrious life that is mine. Well, if you must know, I have been working like a dog, having recently picked up a dizzying amount of new classes. And aside from the self-pity that I instigate on my own (that's me, a self-starter!) for not having every hour to sit and relax, the new income will hopefully quiet my poor soul.

In the meantime, I have taken notice of some odd false cognates that are dangerously used in appropriate contexts. Here are a list of my faves so far:

1. Estoy constipado IS NOT I am constipated. 
I get it, its like a metaphor. There is mucus poo in your nose from which you find no relief. However, unless constipation season exists, I find it highly unlikely that so many students and teachers alike should be so blocked up at the same time. Actually, the thought of a constipation virus is frightening. So boys and girls, remember, estoy constipado= I have a cold.

2. El me molesta! IS NOT He is molesting me! 
This is actually a grave accusation to make against someone. Somebody who is molesting you ought to be sent to jail! issued a restraining order! called a perverted pig!  This is not to be taken lightly!But wait, what is that, ohhhh you mean he keeps taking your pencils? I guess that could be traumatizing. But when you say, el me molesta, you probably just want to keep it PG and say, he is bothering me.

3. Estoy embarazada IS NOT I am embarrassed.
So you're having a good time, making some jokes with some Spanish friends and then you pull out estoy embarazada all of a sudden and now its gotten all serious. Whats the big deal? Why do people look concerned and keep touching your belly? You just said you're pregnant. Ooops! Silly Americans! Abort wrong usage of the false cognate!

Til something interesting occurs, 'ta luego!