the one that serves as an introduction

Spotted: Señor Brightside in Chicago this time applying for and picking up a visa to Spain. Could it be he's finally returning to Spain five years after he fell in love with the country? What could possibly lead him back, and to a town called Linares in the middle of Jaén of all places? Is he running from something other than a disasterous economy in a country that just declared itself an enemy of Spain because the presidential nominee doesn't know who the prime minister is? Or does he have good intentions in mind? I will dig and give you the answer as soon as I know it. XOXO, Gossip Guy

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One weekend in April, I found out about an opportunity to make my dream of teaching English in Spain come true. The application was due the following Wednesday. I got my medical clearance, police background, letter of recommendation, academic transcript, statement of purpose in SPANISH, a written promise of my first and third born children, etc etc etc done in two days during finals week. I chose Comunidad Valenciana as my preferred choice of location as I have an interest in Valencia and learning Catalán (or should I say "valenciano"?)

Three weeks later, I found out I got the job and was placed in Andalucía, as Comunidad Valenciana wasn't participating this year for whatever reason. In July, I found out that I would be teaching at a CEIP in Baeza. CEIP? Elementary children? A town of 16.000? Oh no! I found someone willing to switch with me, and I ended up at an IES (12-18 year olds) in the town of Linares, about 60.000.

I somewhat felt like Joel Fleischman on Northern Exposure: A big city boy (although I've never actually gotten to live in a big city) stuck in the middle of nowhere but getting to do what he wants to do most in the world. Hence the name: Jaén Exposure.

After two trips to Chicago to apply for and then pick up my visa, after working the world's most boring job all summer to save what little I could, after years of dreaming, on Wednesday, I will be boarding a plane to Miami to board a plane to Madrid that will take me to a brand new life. What experiences await me? Am I totally insane? Will I have all the packing I need to do done? What adventures are in store?

Time will tell as Wednesday is truly the first day of the rest of my life. I'm a mixed jumble of emotions that range from excitement, sadness, hope, fear, the world is my oyster and anxiety. I know this is what I need to be doing and where I need to be, as I feel a calling for Spain, a calling to teach, and a calling to write, which I will also be doing in my free time.

So here's the true story of one Ohio boy chosen to spend a year teaching English in Spain. Find out what happens as he lives the life of a Spaniard and starts getting real...the Real World: Jaén.

Current Music: Don't Bother de Shakira