Sí, el domingo lo leí en el último encuentro de aupairs al que asisto. Reconozco que tartamudeé porque me puse nerviosa. También sé que es muy probable que esté lleno de errores. En mi defensa diré que Frank McCourt tiene la culpa de mi marcado estilo repetitivo (incluso en castellano). La aupair guanaquita, que ahora se ha bautizado a sí misma como Rosaílda, no paraba de decirme que repito estructuras (about this country, about people, about...) y que qué es eso del vegetarian chicken, pero es que yo nunca serví para escribir con corrección, siempre fui una licenciosa. De hecho, temo no poder escribir nunca la tesis del doctorado porque, hey, el humor me invade y ya me dirás adónde voy yo con el chiste en el mundo de la comunicación, o peor, en el mundillo universitario.

"I would like to tell you that I had a purpose when I packed my life one year ago and took a plane. I told my family and friend so many things about my level of English, the TOEFL and so on, but I was wrong, I should have told them everything was about me and my doing nothing about future. And now, a year later, I hoped to have it worked out and to read up to you that I have learned so much about people, about this country and about me and that I am not the same person and I want to start a business of vegetarian chickens in my country or to use english in my job to improve the relationships between Europe and the United States. But I am not here with those assets in my pockets.

I still don’t know what to do of myself when I come back home, don’t know how to cope with the cultural shock I shall feel, don’t know which steps I should follow, what to do to live on. But don’t get me wrong, I do know that this year has been something, and of course I have learned a lot of things about people, this country and myself.

When I put my feet on Washington DC, I thought of this as an adventure… and it was. My first experience with an american host family did not work in the way I expected, and since officially I had only six more months to be here I did’t know if I better quit and went back home and that was all for me in this "blessed" country. But fortunately I decided not to get stuck in that situation and to move on. I should say that I had the support of my local coordinator and my friends of Maryland who cheered me up and lifted my spirit.

Now I can tell you that’s been for the best. I got here to Union County in January and since then, there’s been a lot. I've found a very respectful and thoughtful family with many values that I appreciate so much, I’ve started to learn the ropes of a new language (french), and last but not less, I ‘ ve also met a good friend, Rosaílda, with whom I’ve shared good and bad times. At this point I have to tell you that I feel so sad to leave the program now because I have the hunch in my heart that one more year could have make greater the bounds to my kids because It took me some time to understand their deeper needs and it’s right now when I know that I do get to them and that I can be what they need. I will miss this day by day and all the feelings involved in it.

About the educational opportunities, it’s up to us to make the best of our year. I am happy with my improvement of the english language as a result of some courses but specially as a result of my living here. What I wish the most is to use it somehow when I return to Spain and to not forget it.

I will say goodbye to so many people, but specially to Rosaílda, whose patience to put up with me I do admire.

Thanks you all for everything!!! "

i feel ya!

Yes, u´re in the right way, u musnt repeat structures mmm So many times? In anyway i feel proud of u,´the reason is just that is fucking sad try to speak english with anyones in spain, maybe with ur friends, or 4 making business or simply ear someones in madrid triyng to explain where is the "Air museum" an a stranger... Believe me, really sad. I thing that u´ve improve ur english enought to have a fluid conversation with anyone and... sorry, I´ll back on my steps, u an have a fluid conversation with any American ´cos ur expression nd the way that u build ur speech, could be seriously damaged in the deeper England. A few years ago i had the same problem as well now, i´m gonna give u an invitation: Why u dn´t try to find a family in London??? Kisses. Ed

clap, clap, clap....

Me alegro por ti y te deseo lo mejor en la vuelta a España.

Se por experiencia lo que es el choque cultural que implica la vuelta de guirilandia y solo te puedo desear suerte y paciencia

No dejes de escribir, ¿vale?
Tus aventuras se han convertido en una parte de mis mañanas...

Me parece que voy a tener que aprender ingles para entender tu comentario de hoy porque yo ingles si se un poco como cocina que es kitchen pero una cosa tan larga como la que tu has escrito pues no se pero vamos que lo que queria era saber si ya tenias las maletas preparadas para venirte a madrid y que sepas que hace muy bueno hoy asi que vente con ropa de verano

A este paso me emociono yo y todo.
Vas a echar de menos a los crios eh... ves? si al final se les coge cariño.
Creo que estudiar el idioma "in situ" es lo mejor que se puede hacer. Aqui en españa, no hay muchas oportunidades de practicarlo.
Bueno, Bienvenida a casa. Guarda en la maleta tus recuerdos e imprime este blog, al fin y al cabo, representa tu paso por ese país... un trozo de tu vida.