Posted in Au Pair by Maggie Kalinowski on 3/30/2010
On Sunday I got myself out of bed on time, I cleaned up nicely and ate breakfast, scooted out the door with enough time to make it to church. I found the church with no problems and only arrived a couple minutes, but, strangely it look like the service had already started, and the worship was really short, I was a bit confused but, I went along with it.
The sermon was super good and what I needed to hear. It was about spiritual warfare, something I normally learn about before entering a new country. But, because this isn't a mission, I didn't have anyone to tell me about spiritual warfare. I got it this Sunday though! It was so good to hear too. There are many idols here in Spain, and from what I've observed there are very few people I've met that wants anything to do with Christianity.
These past few weeks I have really felt the need to meet other believers. This is my first trip I've made that I haven't had a Christian community surrounding me. Which is a little challenging, but in a good way, I've been challenged to seek God deeper; to be in community with the Father, Spirit and Son!
Thankfully, I got the contact information for the young adults group at the church I went to. I did meet a few people at the church. As I left the church building this six year old came up to me and started talking to me...in Spanish. It went well though. Then on my way out back to the Metro station I caught up with this Chinese guy, of 16 years old. A young one. He is interested in everything that has to do with music, he's in a band. I might check it out one day. We chatted the whole way till we had to switch subways and go different directions.
I am so thankful I found this church, I believe it will be a good place for me to get plugged in! I did find out though that, Spain changed to day light savings....and I didn't...so I showed up to church an hour late! Just can't seem to make it to church on time no matter what!
I did meet another feller of 29 years old, this one I met at the park, long story, but, a bit of it goes like...we tried to rent a bike, stood in line for a long time, I was next to get a bike then it closed, so no bike for me. Anyhow, we decided to just walk around and chat, which was great, we hit all sorts of deep controversial topics. I really enjoyed hearing his socialistic opinion on things. Although he doesn't have a Christian point of view because he's an atheist. Our conversations were rich none the less. Later we headed into the heart of Madrid to walk around and see the night life, get churros con chocolate, and a few tapas y canas. All of which were at super crowded intense restaurants.
Overall, I had a great day! I met new people, had good conversation and laughed a lot!
(This I a picture I took in the street. Yup, it's the Beatles!)
Posted in Au Pair by Maggie Kalinowski on 3/23/2010
Today marks my full week in Madrid. When I first got here I was met by Albert (father) who took me to their condo and I met Azucena (mother) and Hannah (child). I also met Maria their house keeper and Azucena's mother too. Oh, and also David, Albert's intern. My day was very full and I started straight to work trying to play with Hannah and get her accustom to me.
Since then, I've learned the daily routines of Hannah and the family here. They are nice people. Hannah is a child that is used to routine, which is good. She is very big and intelligent for her age. She will be 2 years old in April.
I help in the mornings getting her ready for school and then after school we play games, I feed her dinner and help with bath time, this will be my job, but, she doesn't let me help with it at all. (Hannah is very cranky at bath time). Hannah is a very affectionate girl, but, of course like any child gets upset when she doesn't get her way. We've had good days and we've had some bad days.
I've ventured out a few times because I have a lot of time on my hands during the daytime. I've not yet gone into any of the museums yet, but soon will. I've seen the plaza mayor, visited the sol area, people watched, I went to the Jardines del Buen Retiro, which is very big. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit, and I will definitely be outside more.
Today I went to the local market that is in our neighborhood on Tuesdays, for being so little there were many people shouting!
On a typical weekday I get Hannah out of bed at 8:00am and change her into her school clothes. Then wash up, brush our teeth and comb the hair. She has a few fiber cookies and we are out the door with mommy who drives her to school.
We go pick her up from school around 5:00pm and we play/read books/do whatever Hannah wants to do. Then comes dinner and bath time, we play a bit more and around 8:00 she is ready for bed. That is my typical day with Hannah.
Besides that I have started Spanish classes for immigrants on Mon and Wed. Which only take up the morning, then I'm out exploring the rest of the time. Lunch is around 2:30 here in Madrid, which is pretty late and dinner time is around 8:30-9. Pretty much EVERYTHING is closed between 2:30 and 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Life is definitely different around here.
I thought the people would be a bit more friendly on the streets, I have found it hard to make a person smile while passing them en route. I haven't really made any friend yet, but, I have to remind myself I've only been here a week, and need patience.
On a side note apart from anything Madrid related. I do enjoy using commas in my sentences when I write!
On behalf of Amanda B, whom I didn't know read my blogs, this post is dedicated to!
Dear Amanda (and all my other readers, hehe)
I arrived safely on U.S. soil, after many many hours of waiting in airports, making myself sleep deprived I fell asleep in my own room (which looks different then when I left it) the night of my arrival, which felt nice. The week after my arrival, flew by so quickly. My contact (Gigie) in the Philippines was here in the USA taking a worship school so she came and visited me for a week. We ran around everywhere visiting people, places and things! I had an awesome tie dye party and yes, just in case the question was in your mind, we did have punch that had sherbet!
This past week has been spent hanging out with family and friends. I got to see my baby cousin for the first time since she was born! Bowling is now a favorite pastime of mine! Also, I did beat my brother, not once, but twice at Monopoly!
I do have another adventure in mind, I leave on Monday for Spain. I am following my very good friend's footsteps in becoming an Au Pair (a nanny). Unfortunately, Caroline has been back from Spain for some time now, since I before I left for the Philippines actually. But, she is my inspiration to this next step in my life! I will be living with a young family in Madrid, there is one child in the family who is two years old. This is not a job, but, is a culture exchange, so, again in my life, I will not be making a profit, but, I will not be loosing this time. The family has found a free Spanish class for immigrants to take. So, hopefully, I will improve my Spanish.
Of course, the excitement is almost bubbling over, Spain will be an experience I've never had the privilege of knowing yet. Even though I don't have any plans (as of right now) to be helping little children hanging out on the streets with no shoes, that doesn't mean I still can't minister. My ministry just might look a little different.
My stay will be for three months, so not too long, not too short, just right! I will continue blogging, I can't promise a blog each week, but, when I have something significant and important to say, I will surely write about it.
If you have been to Madrid or Spain before, and have any suggestions of things/places I should go to, just shoot an email my way! If you want to see more pictures, I will load the to Facebook!
As always thanks for reading my blog, even though I might not know you do read it! I appreciate it!
were rich none the less. Later we headed into the heart of Madrid to walk around and see the night life, get churros con chocolate, and a few tapas y canas. All of which were at super crowded intense restaurants.
on U.S. soil, after many 
many hours of waiting in airports, making myself sleep deprived I fell asleep in my own room (which looks different then when I left it) the night of my arrival, which felt nice. The week after my arrival, flew by so quickly. My contact (Gigie) in the Philippines was here in the USA taking a worship school so she came and visited me for a week. We ran around everywhere visiting people, places and things! I had an awesome tie dye party and yes, just in case the question was in your mind, we did have punch that had sherbet!
not be making a profit, but, I will not be loosing this time. The family has found a free Spanish class for immigrants to take. So, hopefully, I will improve my Spanish.