How Disappointng

I have heard from the DoDEA concerning a teaching position in the Rota schools. It is not good news. There are no positions scheduled to be vacant. The most likely position I may currently look forward to is as a substitute. *sigh* This is disappointing. What am I to do with myself? Because of the Agreement on Defense Cooperation (ADC) with Spain, employment anywhere else is a challenge. I will submit the necessary paperwork for full time teaching and for substitute but otherwise, home school it is.

I am told that our first summer will be occupied just by learning about Rota and El Puerto de Santa María, the two cities closest to the base. Since the cost of living there is very reasonable (according to my research), I need to find where I will do my shopping. I will surely check out the NEx and commissary, but I have been informed the prices off base are usually slightly lower but slightly more inconvenient due to having to leave the base and exchanging money before you go.

We remain focused on one house in particular that is in the city of Rota but it is still a long time to wait for it. According to the realtor, the house is due to become available in June of ’24 which is perfect. Jared is set to arrive in June. It is possible the children and I will arrive with him but likely we will arrive shortly after him but before the change of command. I hope it is not too late since I have a reception to plan. I do not wish to do so from another continent.

The good part of our arrival is timing. We will arrive at the height of tourist season so all the things to see will be in full swing. I have been told some are closed for the winter. We will have much to explore on our arrival. With good fortune, likely much work, we will have at the least, basic Spanish by the time we get there. The nice thing is, Spanish is very portable. It can be used almost anywhere in Europe. English is also common around the southern Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. We have the British to thank for that since they vacation here a lot, I am told.

With no teacher positions available at the schools, the children and I will explore. Often. We will bring Jared with us as often as possible. Perhaps we may even be able to vacation somewhere. I tend to look to London. Say… two weeks?  We will see.

Just a short mention of June and her antics… well… not sure I can call then antics this week. Her behavior was actually rather practical. Should anyone tell you your children do not watch you, do not believe them.

June often joins me in the kitchen when I prepare food. I have not specifically sought to instruct her in how to prepare this or that. I have thought of her as too young (foolish me). It seems, though, that she pays more attention than I have given her credit for. I was straightening the living room when I heard a shout from the kitchen:

June: Where is the paprika?

Oh no. Now what? It seems She decided she wanted some deviled eggs for a snack, so she retrieved the hard-boiled eggs I had boiled earlier, mayo, mustard, and relish from the refrigerator and prepared six of them. I will admit, she did quite well. There was a little more mustard than I prefer but they were still very edible. And the best part was, the mess was minimal; a bowl, a knife, and two spoons. Yes, she pays closer attention than I thought. This will make her grandmother so very proud. It does me.

Another event is not so nice but I find she was only being practical. As I stood in the hallway, June charged past me toward the bathroom shouting, “I am oiling my pants!” What!?

As I looked in on her she explained herself but not well. “By that I mean I am water pooping my pants.” Huh? What is water pooping? Well, it seems she has been having some slight tummy issues that has resulted in a watery diarrhea. I told her she should tell me of these kinds of things. Her response? “Why? It just makes me have to hurry to the bathroom. It does not hurt or anything.” I told her to tell me anyway. Now I have to explore her room to see if there have been any “accidents.”

It is sunny and 62º and I am freezing. Normally I would not be as cold but the wind is coming from Sagami Bay at 45mph. The dampness seems to ignore my coat. I know I am not in Alaska, but I remain cold. The point is, I just enjoyed a sunny day that was 79º. A real Feel temp of 52 is a drastic change my body was not prepared for.