Hunger Games No More

Well one thing's for sure: either Katniss has a
super weird face shape, or I do. This was hard.

So I’ve made a few references to The Hunger Games before but have never actually explained what it is. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a science fiction novel about a bunch of kids who get chosen by their government to fight to the death in a televised battle. Personally, I would’ve called them the Survival Games or the Reality Show on ‘Roids. But the point is, when I first came to Spain, I was playing the Spanish Hunger Games. I was just trying to survive as rivals like Jetlag, Santander Bank, and Spanish Dinner Hour did their best to bring me down. 

But now, 6+ months later, I’ve (unilaterally) decided I've officially survived the Spanish Hunger Games. Which makes me a winner! Without even having to pretend I was going to commit suicide by eating poisoned berries! While there are definitely still challenges in my day-to-day life, I am happy, healthy, and can usually find my way around without so much as a map to guide me. And I NEVER go hungry. (Spaniards are widely known for eating dinner late, but has anyone ever told you that Spaniards eat 5 meals a day? For some reason everyone forgets to mention that part…)

Speaking of food and winning, a few of the more fun recipes I have mastered in the past few months (all made from scratch!) are:
- quiche-of-whatever-veggies-I-have-on-hand 

I bet you can't even tell
what this is... but I
invented it, and
it's delicious.

- tacos/fajitas/gorditas (on homemade corn tortillas I’ll
  have you know…), Mexican rice & beans, etc., because
  Mexican food > all other food
- black bean burgers
- cheddar corn chowder (and a variety of other soups)
- potato gnocchi
- and many other things that I can’t think of right now.

I’ve also moved to (often) cooking without recipes! Maybe not so exciting for some, but def exciting for me.

Two things I have not yet mastered, however, are: 
- soy sauce (Why does it always come out so fast??
  Wah wahhh there’s no way to take it back.)
- TORTILLA ESPAÑOLA

Every time I think about making tortilla I find some reason I can’t. Don’t have enough eggs on hand. Don’t have a non-stick frying pan (that actually is sort of a prob, not even lying). Don’t have time. But one of these days, I’ll do it. And then I’ll take a picture of it and post it here for everyone to see. And then I’ll share it with my roommates because no one can eat a tortilla single-handedly and it’s best eaten warm. :)

And, when I visit you next, wherever you are, I will make one for you, too! Until then, this picture will have to do.

Love,

E.

P.S. In one of my first blog posts, I promised a post entitled “Kids Say the Darndest Things: Spanish Edition.” But I’ve taken to tweeting those in real time because otherwise I forget them. Twitter also happens to be where I carry on a one way conversation with Aaron Rodgers: http://twitter.com/ellegoldsch

P.P.S. On Thursday I’m leaving for spring break, so I’ll be out of touch for a few weeks. Will be back in Madrid on April 1, and will post about my travelin’ tiemz shortly after!

Fulbright Mid-Year Conference

Fulbright Spain & Andorra! 10 points if you spot me. (Hint: I'm wearing black.)

I just got back from Fulbright Spain's mid-year conference in Zaragoza, and I must say, I haven't felt this motivated to mix it up and make some changes in a long time. The three-day conference brought together graduate researchers, English teaching assistants, and visiting scholars for a variety of panels, seminars, and workshops (and some quality sightseeing on the side). The tips and tricks swapping sessions were useful and the graduate research projects were fascinating, but I was most inspired by the visiting scholars, who talked about the paths-- career-wise and otherwise-- that they had taken to get where they are today. 

I found one presentation particularly motivating. Arnoldo Valle-Levinson, a visiting professor from the University of Florida, told us a bit about his research here in Spain on physical oceanography. His total love for his field of study was infectious. Almost made me want to study the same thing! Almost. But more importantly, his enthusiasm reminded me that I need to push myself to find and do things that I really love rather than just settle for whatever comes my way. That is an important message for someone with a B.A. in No Clear Career Path.

Before even talking about his work, though, he had some questions for his audience:

"Write. But please not like this."

 1. Are you reaching your potential?
 2. Are you making a difference?
 3. Are you writing often?
 4. Are you practicing Spanish?

He discussed each one in a lighthearted manner, usually with the aid of some funny cartoon such as the one to the right. Now those may sound like simple questions. But for a group of people who have, on the whole, fallen into a routine, plateaued in terms of learning Spanish, and feel like our time in Spain is running out almost before it's begun, they were questions of pivotal importance. Four months is a long time, he said. Don't just coast through your remaining weeks here, and definitely don't waste them focused solely on what you're going to do next. No, he said. DO SOMETHING WITH THEM.

Anyway, I left with new friends, new ideas, and a general feeling of being fired up and ready to come back to Madrid and make the most of my remaining time here. This morning, I made a specific set of goals which can mostly be lumped under the umbrellas of: trying new things, meeting new people, taking any and every opportunity to practice Spanish, and doing more to make a positive impact on the lives of others. ¡Adelante, pues! :)

Hope everyone has a super-deluxe Sunday!

Love,
E.

P.S. With Dr. V-L's words of wisdom in mind, I will tell EVERYONE as soon as I know what I'm doing next! Which probably won't be until June haha. Don't wanna waste four months worrying about it!
P.P.S. But if you hear of any great job opportunities in Chicago, I'm all ears. #shamelessplug