Children arrival

Day 1 with the kids. Most of the disaster averted. It seems that we got the more subdued kids, I watched the CTY Espana students get into fist fights, try to turn over a soda machine and run chaotically around campus. Ours seem to have done CTY in the past, and know the rules, and how things work.

The food was terrible. It was cold, frozen, empanadas. The vegetarian option was a pancake like egg thing, folded with cheese in it. and ham. Vegetarian? When they explained to the kitchen, for the nth time, that vegetarians don't eat meat, they were given 4 thin slices of eggplant each. really small pieces. The kids were furious, the administrators were furious. Not enough food was cooked either, some kids never received any food.

I didn't eat - I was a little scared about the frozen and refrozen products. I satiated my appetite with two bananas and some awful soup.

Otherwise, things are ok. I put my foot down, and dealt with some issues - especially the racism of the kids towards the students in CTY espana.

We also put together a skit that I had a lot of fun with and really took a lot of control. We had to introduce ourselves while giving some rules. Jean, a swattie class of 2010, and fellow RA, started by interviewing me after we called her up on stage. She asked me questions and I established the separation of halls by gender.


Then I called up Ryan as if he were a boxer, "65 pounds soaking wet" (he's actually my height, and similar weight), and he acted dehydrated. So, I tossed the contents of a glass of water on his face much to the amusement of the kids.

During the administrator's welcome speeches, I set up some response words for the RA's and TA's.

Spain received an "Ole!"

Madrid, an applause

and Staff got the wave.

The kids loved it.


That and the RA meeting was probably the most fun, and best opportunity to interact with the kids and have their attention. I also had a winning 7-UP streak until I purposefully had Ryan replace me to get some variety. I wasn't able to return to the selection group before the game ends.

There are some spacey kids, some sassy kids, some annoying kids, and some down to earth ones who are alright. I can't say what to expect - but I can assure you that food is my priority at the moment outside of the typical (safety and fun), and clarifying many of the hanging questions regarding lunches, time off, etc.