SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - WEEK8 - Dress Codes

 This week we will continue our discussion regarding fashion - specifically dress codes.

While not having a shirt on may be appropriate at the beach, in most places clothes are required for service...

Hmmmm... warm weather.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK8 - Fame

The subject for this week is about the world of celebrities.

>>Why is the guy below not a celebrity?

=]

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

FitTalk - Ferrol 1/2 Marathon

I will be signing up for the Ferrol half marathon, which takes place in about 3-4 weeks.

This morning, I decided to run and see how far my legs could take me.  Considering that this is my first run over 45 minutes, I was surprised I was able to cover the distance due to the elevation changes.

Ferrol 1/2 marathon - here I come!

PS.  For those of you with smartphones and want to track your running, walking, cycling, etc.  RunKeeper is the best application, I've been using it for years (available on iOS and Android).

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The older I get, the more amazed I am with the tremendous support, love, and encouragement that I receive from family and friends - truly, without you, your love and support traveling would be that much harder.

This year has been full of ups and downs.  Losing the person I considered to be my best friend has made me realize that I am blessed to have many close friends that I could add the same title to.

Whether its backpacking throughout Guatemala, stuffing my face with two types of gelato in Italy, or running a marathon in Alaska - you will be in my thoughts. I want to take this time to tell you, how blessed I am and grateful that you are a part of my life. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

PS. Sending you my virtual baked goods.  

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Siesta

This photo was taken in the middle of the day in Ferrol.

No, there was not a zombie apocalypse.  

In Ferrol, and most of Spain nearly all businesses are closed in the afternoon, roughly between 1400-1630, depending on the business.

For me, as someone who loves afternoon naps, the schedule really works for me.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA1 - Week 7 - Fashion

The topic for this week is fashion.

How would I describe my fashion?

1) Athletic - Because of my training (running, cycling, etc), I prefer clothes with a certain type of material that serves more for function as opposed to style.

2) Colorful - when not in an athletic environment, I prefer clothes with color especially in formal environments which seem to always lack color.  

3) Comfortable - this is probably due to the fact that I've lived in warm climates all my life.  I prefer to be in tank tops, shorts and slippers.  

  

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Autumn

In Hawaii, we do not generally have an autumn period.  It´s either summer or spring.  

Always generally warm, unless the occassional storm comes along.

My surrounding provided a reminder what season it was - autumn.  

The colder, crisp air, the brown leaves which has covered the streets, my breath as my exhale would create a fog.

Yes, its cold outside. 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK 7 - Thanksgiving

This week's lesson is related to Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?!

I am thankful for so many things.  Thankful for the support of my family and friends.  Thankful for my health which allows me to share the aloha spirit.  Thankful for Ferrol and my students and their desire to learn English - for without which, I may not be in Spain.  

In addition to the Thanksgiving activity, there is a related activity about food to tie into last week's lesson as well as a quick introduction about Black Friday (my 3rd favorite day of the year).

See you in class.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Churros con chocolate.

Churros con chocolate.

Many people have tried to duplicate it, but the best is here in Spain.

I've had churros con chocolate in California 

(the churros were just enormous and overpowered the chocolate).

Needless to say, when in Spain - go eat some churros con chocolate (nom nom nommmmm)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - TechTalk - Downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7.

For those of you that have been using computers for some time, you should remember the dreaded blue screen of death.

The blue screen is back - along with a sad emoticon face.  

Considering the fact that I use my computer for basic computing, media and photo storage I am rather surprised to be receiving this error roughly 2-3 times a day, which requires a computer restart.

Windows 8 - nice try.  I will download again once a service pack has been released.

#EPICFAIL

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - M

Magic.  Medicine.  Mirror.  Monument.  Max.

There are many words that start with M.

Why did I choose this picture?

Funny story actually, I went to a local pub to have a drink with friends (gin and tonic - to be more specific).

M in the U.S. = male

M in Spain = Mujer

This was the sign on the bathroom.

I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

VideoTalk - Oskar, the blind kitten.

It has been quite some time since I shared a video and Oskar just won his way into my heart.

I am allergic to cats, but I still love all animals (I just admire cats from afar).

Well, this video was taken shortly after Oskar (a blind cat) was adopted.

I think the video speaks for itself.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA1 - WEEK 6 - Stereotypes - Part II

This week is a continuation of the lesson regarding stereotypes.

However, stereotypes covered today will cover a wide spectrum of topics.

Pancakes.  Yes, Americans love them - in large quantities.  YUM

 

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK´S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA2 - WEEK5 - Music

Aloha all,

Small snafu with the lessons.  Sorry I forgot to post last week's!

The lesson for the previous week is music.

This is one my favorite songs and guess what?! It was filmed in Hawaii!  =]

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - PicTalk - I said, "Brrrr, it's cold in here!"

I said, "Brrr! It's cold in here, there must be some toros in the atmosphere!"

Ha ha, anyone guess that movie?!

Today was a pretty cool day, I  took a walk around 9am and thought I was going to freeze to death.

5 hours later, it was sunny (not warm), but a lot nicer and manageable!

Whew! Made it before the midnight deadline!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA2 - WEEK 6 - FOOD

Wow, another week already!  How quickly time flies by.

This week the lesson will be about food.

I have a major craving for sashimi right now (YUM).

Speaking of English and Food, you may want to check out http://ferroldinner.com 

It is a monthly dining club, I am starting where you can practice English in a non-school setting.

See you in class. Link to lesson below!

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

English Dinner Club in Ferrol!

Please visit http://ferroldinner.com or fill out the information below to join the English Dinner Club newsletter.

Invitations will be sent out monthly.

Date, time, location will depend on participation and restaurant availability.

Why a dinner club?  Well, this is a great opportunity to mingle with other English students at EOI as well as a great opportunity to practice speaking English with other native speakers.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Popcorm

Wow.  I went to go see the movie SkyFall and it was my first movie in Spain.

This was not the first time I've watched a movie overseas.  I remember watching Midnight in Paris last year when I was in Paris, watching Bridget Jones' Diary in New Zealand, Harry Potter in Guatemala (the last movie on opening day) as well as a movie in Australia - which I can't remember the name, but I remember a catch phrase from the movie - "Lower your eyes!" I recall watching that movie with Andi.  What was that movie?!  This movie was the first however, that I watched completely in Spanish - without subtitles.  The Harry Potter movie had Spanish subtitles but the vocals were in English.

The picture today is of popcorn!

Wow!  This is the biggest popcorn container I have ever seen at a movie theater - so of course, I had to have it!  YUM - and I washed it down with a large orange Fanta.  =]

The movie BTW was rather blah, I wouldn't recommend it - It is definitely a rental!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Breakfast

Good morning,

Today, I decided to blog about my breakfast.  YUM!

While I usually have oatmeal or cereal for breakfast, today I was just craving a big breakfast.

Yes, I brought SPAM all the way from Hawaii!  =]

Have an awesome day!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Yogurt

Yes, I know I look crazy.

Yes, I am putting yogurt in my hair (my scalp actually).

The water here in Spain is quite hard.  How can water be hard?!  o_O

My skin is very dry here in Spain and my scalp is taking a beating!  

It's snowing.  

Funny thing is my scalp feels great since my yogurt treatment.  

Maybe I'll have to take a bath in yogurt  (^___^)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Cafe

Cutting it close today, its almost midnight!

The pictures today are of coffee.

I love the cafe here in Ferrol (and in Europe - in general).

Today, I had 2 coffees.  yum.

Note to self: no coffee before class - apparently, I speak too fast.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

NerdAlert - Waste Management and Pollution Control

Final grades are out and yes, I'm still a nerd.

I have completed roughly 40% of my requirements for my Masters degree.

Hopefully, I will be finished with my degree by July of next year!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA1 - WEEK5 - Air Travel

The topic this week is air travel.

While most of the world have many different travel options, Hawaii is not one of those places.

This week's lesson is to highlight the different aspects of air travel, from low cost airlines, traditional airlines and so forth.

I had to post this picture for this lesson because it was the smallest plane I have ever been in.  The plane accommodated only 8 passengers.  8!  However, the plane ride was great, especially the scenery in Alaska. 

Scroll below for the weekly lesson.

CLICK HERE FOR LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Keyboard

For most of us, typing is second nature.  Typing is a part of our daily lives - for most of us anyways.

While the keyboard below may look like a typical keyboard (which it is typical - for Spain), this keyboard is tricky.  For example, to use the @ sign, you will have to press Control + Alt + 2 (whereas with my computer it is only Shift + 2).

They numbers and letters are pretty much the same, it is the addition of the symbols and special characters like ñ that makes the Spanish keyboard different for Americans.

This is probably why, I love phones without a physical keyboard, on my iPhone, I have 4 keyboards, English, Spanish, French and Emoji.

For those of you trying to type in another language with auto-correct, you know it will drive you bananas.

Ha.  Sorry so short, class starts in 3 minutes.  Ciao!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Potatoes

Last night, I went to dinner with Joana and David along with Stefania, Pili, Miguel and Saul.  

While I forgot to take a group picture of everyone - I did manage to take a picture of our dinner.

Surprisingly, I am getting accustomed to eating potatoes, but I do crave rice once in a while.  Actually, in regards to food - the only kind of food I am craving is spicy food.

Have an awesome Sunday!  =] 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA1 - WEEK4 - STEREOTYPES

Good morning everyone!

The lesson for week 4 is stereotypes.  There is also a Halloween activity that I did not cover in class.

Stereotypes are basically generalization regarding a group which may or may not be accurate.  Stereotypes aren't all negative - stereotypes are positive as well.

Whether we are aware of it or not, stereotypes do exist and it is a part of our lives (whether we want to admit it or not), everything from gender, age, race, etc. has a stereotype attached.

For example, if you had to match a color with a gender and I said the word "purple" - you'd probably attach that color to the female gender.  Or if you say "color or dye hair" or "long hair" - there are stereotypes normally attached to the female gender.

However, as you know - I'm quite special and being typical really isn't in my blood.

I love wearing colors and yes, I grow my hair and sometimes I dye it as well.

Scroll below for the link for the lesson.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Street

Calle Naturalista López Seoane.

Rolls off the tongue doesn't it?!  Well, that is the name of the street where I live, it is a pretty short street, but it is near everything really.  The university is nearby and the place where I work is about 5 minutes away.

Actually, I need to start taking pictures with my camera.  I am starting to just use my iPhone for nearly all of my pictures.

I actually have some exciting news, but I think I am going to save it for another blog post...

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Windows

I've been talking about Windows recently and this particular blog is about Windows - not the computer, not the operating system, not the phone - just plain windows.

My room is pretty cool because the whole wall is composed of windows.

The sun rises and wakes me up in the morning - if it is not covered by clouds.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - SpainTalk - Parque Municipal Raíña Sofía

This is my first monthly challenge in quite some time and considering that I haven't posted many pictures about my daily life and Ferrol - voila! The opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

The monthly challenge for this month - take a picture DAILY and blog about it.  Pretty simple, right?!  It actually isn't that hard, it just requires a good 10-20 minutes.

Ok, over the next month, I'll be able to share with you my life: work, home, play, Ferrol, food (of course!).  

Well, today I was walking around Ferrol with my friend Ale after lunch and we ended up at Parque Municipal Raíña Sofía.  While it is a small park, I found it quite refreshing, the crisp cool air, the brown leaves, really reminds me of Autumn.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

LifeTalk - Making a difference

This year it really bothers me that I don't have a major fundraiser for a non profit organization. Many of you have supported me in my endeavors for numerous organizations; such as, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Life Foundation, the MS Society and many more. Together, we have raised over $40,000 for people who are in need. 

 I want to raise awareness for a non-profit organization which I have been supporting for 5 years - Kiva.

One of the reasons I love Kiva is the fact that you can support people - and it is not a donation.  In fact, it is a loan, since banks do not make any money on small loans (microlending), they have to charge really high interest rates to make $$.  This is where Kiva comes in.  For as little as $25, you can support an individual or a group, with their small business - you decide.  There are many small businesses around the world eager to change their fortunes.  

To learn more about Kiva, CLICK HERE.

I have supported over 450 individuals to change their lives and I am sure you have the capacity to do the same.  The great part is, once they pay back the loan - you can deposit the funds back into your account or help someone else in need.

What are you waiting for?  You're not earning interest in your bank account - so why not help someone?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.