Farewell Party Photos

Enjoy the photos from the Spanish group’s farewell party:

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Fiesta de Despedida

Ayer a las siete de la tarde todos los que hemos formado parte en este fantastico programa de tres semanas estabamos citados en el salon de actos del Colegio Amador. Durante la manana estuvimos ensayando las actuaciones que luego se presentarian a las familias y amigos congregados. Los nervios alterados. Se les pidio que tuvieran unas palabras de agradecimiento publico a cada una de sus familias. Ramon queria vestir traje y corbata, la mayoria prefirio vestir informal.  Estuvieron todos genial, cada uno con su estilo personal y microfono en mano emocionaron a las familias, quienes recibieron, ademas, una rosa y una tarjeta escrita por ellos y personalizada con una foto. Debo decir que me senti muy orgullosa de todas las actuaciones. Tocaron el himno nacional.

Emocion a flor de piel entre las familias. Todos juntos cantaron tres canciones en ingles acompanados por Manu, Enrique, Gerard, Ramon y Pablo a la guitarra acustica o electrica, Diego al piano, Carlota y Carmen bailaron una sevillana, todo el grupo divirtio a todos con la Macarena y finalmente sesion de fotos dirigida por Felipe desde su portatil. Algunas madres me dijeron que parecia un reportaje fotografico de modelos profesionales. Lo cierto es que aparecian guapisimos, desbordando entusiasmo con sus sonrisas profiden. Los aplausos fueron continuos y las familias quedaron muy satisfechas y agradecidas. Una vez relajados todos los chicos y chicas tomamos los merecidos postres y bebidas preparados por los lideres locales. Una hora mas tarde de lo previsto nos fuimos despidiendo. Hubo muchos abrazos y algunas lagrimas.

Amaia no dejaba de decir que aun no estaba preparada para despedirse de su familia y su querida “hermana”. Hoy en el aeropuerto se desbordara la emocion. Han sido tres semanas inolvidables. Cristobal declaro en publico que la experiencia habia superado sus expextativas con creces. Como dijo Enrique en la presentacion, “tenia una palabras de agradecimiento escritas en un papel, pero quiero hablaros desde el corazon”. Muchos estan invitados a volver. Algunos quieren conoceros en Espana. Animo a todos a que se mantenga el vinculo afectivo creado para no perder el contacto con unas familias que de forma voluntaria se han prestado a acogernos y a compartir sus vidas con nosotros con el loable deseo de hacernos participes de su cultura y estilo de vida.

Por mi parte, un fuerte abrazo para todos vosotros. Hasta siempre,
Eva

7/19 Workshop/Scavenger Hunt

we had such an international day today!! Our group got the chance to mingle with the French and Austrian students throughout the day as they formed blended teams of 6-7 students and walked all around downtown Pleasanton on their scavenger hunt quest.  While half of the large group went downtown, the other half stayed at Amador and had a fantastic chance to learn from a Native American expert.  Dino masterfully taught our students about Native American tribes and their geographic locations, the traditional garb for women and men, and their tools and baskets.  The hands-on portion of the workshop kept all of our students actively engaged as they learned to make strings from raffia and bamboo leaves and how to start a fire.  The were so excited to make several bracelets using raffia, long leaves and shells and beads. We switched groups in the afternoon so everyone had a chance to do everything.  It was a busy and active day for all and many students made new friends today!

 

7/20 Improv/Santa Cruz

We begun our day with Improv Meister Supreme, Kenn Adams.  In no time at all, he had our students warming up with very physical exercises, then helped them understand concepts of spontaneity, making your partner look good and adding to a scene or situation.  Our students were extremely engaged throughout the program, learning and having so much fun in the process.

 

After lunch and some light soccer, we boarded the bus and headed to Santa Cruz.  We enjoyed a heavily fought Trivial Pursuit style game that pitched the right side of the bus against the left side.  Eventually the left side won and earned one extra ride ticket per team member.

 

Our students enjoyed a couple of hours relaxing on the beach (it was a bit chilly, but they managed), playing soccer and American football.  A few of them even ventured into the water.  Waves were alternately HUGE then a bit normal again… At 5pm we went to the bus, got changed and headed for 3.5 hours of rides, $1 hot-dogs, $1 sodas and $1 cotton candy.  The ride home was much more subdued…

Ultima Visita a la Ciudad de SF!

En California el tiempo pasa volando. No nos podiamos creer que hoy fuera la ultima vez que visitabamos San Francisco! Nos encontramos en la estacion bart. Todos comentaban lo genial que habia sido la fiesta de cumpleanos de Maria en la casa de su familia el dia anterior.  Por la tarde y como aperitivo nos habiamos merandado la tarta de chocolate que habia elaborado Ana para su querida amiga. Despues de haber pasaso la tarde en el parque acuatico y en el lago aun quedaban fuerzas para celebrar la fiesta con una barbacoa en la piscina y el Jacuzzi.
Hoy Ainara, Ana, Maria, June y Maria tenian muy claro que dedicarian algunas horas a comprar algunos regalos.  Ceci, Raquel y Silvia han venido con sus familias y tambien planean hacer algunas compras. Durante el viaje Maria me comenta que le gustaria estudiar en California y algunos de los chicos asiente con la cabeza. Carlos tambien quiere volver. Las conversaciones con las familias y el magnifico ambiente que se percibe en los colleges les anima a vivir la experiencia cuando les llegue el momento de estudiar la carrera. “Quiza el master” dice Maria.

Nuestro ultimo dia en SF el dia estaba maravilloso, mas calido que en otras ocasiones. Desde la estacion hemos paseado hacia China Town y nos hemos hecho fotos de grupo en la entrada. No estamos todos. A veces echamos de menos a nuestros companeros de visita en Los Angeles. No nos queriamos perder la visita a la minuscula fabrica de galletas de la suerte. A Mario le ponia que puede convencernos a todos con su discurso. Nos han dado a todos para probar y algunos hemos comprado algun paquete. Despues nos hemos dividido en dos grupos. Algunos querian quedarse a hacer sus ultimas comprars en China Town y otros preferian volver al centro, en la zona de Union Square y Marquet Street donde tenian a sus disposicion todas las marcas imaginables. Sin embargo y curiosamente, los gustos estaban muy definidos. Casi todos los chicos han vuelto con bolsas de la firma Abercrombie and Fitch y las chicas con prendas de Hollister. Javier ha elegido unas camisetas muy bonitas para el y su hermana. Maria se ha autorregalado unas zapatillas nuevas de regalo de cumpleanos. Todos contentos al tren. En el viaje Gerard ha confesado que toca la guitarra. Genial porque ya estamos organizando la fiesta de despedida para las familias.
Manana viernes llegan los demas de Los Angeles y el resto y hasta el lunes, los chicos y chicas del grupo permaneceran con sus familias. Alberto y Carlos se van a la montana de campamento con sus familias. June esta feliz con sus super plan a New Port Beach y planea invitar a Maria. Estan como locas de contentas. Otros cuentan que van al Lago Tahoe, a Monterrey y a Carmel, e incluso al parque Josemite. Todos son muy afortunados y estan felices.
Saludos,
Eva

Partido de Beisbol

Jornada de Baseball para nuestros chicos y chicas. Nos reunimos en un parque de Pleasanton para jugar un partido del deporte mas popular con diferencia en los Estados Unidos. Dos profesoras americanas nos explican las nociones basicas. Algunos padres y hermanos californianos nos acompanan. En esta ocasion tambien compartimos el juego con estudiantes franceses. Se eligen nueve jugadores para cada equipo. Ana y Maria se muestran algo reacias. Dicen que parece complicado acertar con el bate. Al final todo el mundo participa. Carlos es lanzador en el primer equipo. La tension es maxima. Teresa, bate en mano se prepara para lanzar. Javi atrapa la pelota. Ella debe arrojar la pelota lo mas lejos posible, sin lanzarla a los bordes. Lanza la pelota y corre por las cuatro bases en circulo.

En este momento los demas jugadores pueden arrojar la pelota y lanzarla a cualquier jugador para evitar que el bateador pase. Vemos en la imagen que Ramon, Victor y Pol observan el juego esperando su turno. Si el bateador no llega a terminar la circunferencia, debe quedarse en la base donde termino, haste que otro bateador lance la pelota de nuevo, vemos a  Enrique bateando, y pueda seguir corriendo. Si terminara la circunferencia anota un punto y vuelve a la banca de bateadores. El partido ha sido competitivo y sobre todo muy divertido porque la mayoria jugaba por primera vez. Al final los dos equipos se funden en uno para disfrutar del merecido picnic.

Saludos,
Eva

July 14 – Bastille Day at Shadow Cliffs

Today was THE bonding day of all bonding days for both groups! Hans reported how “his” eleven students do everything and go everywhere TOGETHER!  And Cie noticed how close and friendly and engaged our students have become, both with each other and with their host family members who come with us on these trips! 

The Northern California group had a nice, late start meeting at 10am at Shadow Cliffs.  After some hesitation (they thought it may be too cold) all 18 students went water sliding for well over an hour! Sadly, it was too hard to take their picture through the fence, so we are light on photos for today.

Slowly, and in small groups, wet, cold and hungry students trickled back to “our” table where two card games sprung up.  Shortly thereafter we enjoyed our lunch, heading for the beach by the lake afterward.  More bonding, more card playing… more sun and more relaxing!

But wait!  The group activities did not end there!  Today was Maria Ruiz del Rio’s 17th birthday, so her host family, the Bjorks, invited everyone to their home for hamburgers, hot dogs, pot luck side dishes and swimming!  Maria’s host sister, Jenna, even made her a beautify cake in the shape of the number 17!  It is safe to say our students are having so much fun getting to know and experience so much every day, not the least of which is exploring and expanding their relationships with their host families, the rest of the host families, and each other.  It has been so heart-warming to see how close they have all become and how much they are enjoying their host families!

Tomorrow is our last excursion to SF!

July 13 – Livermore and the art of gaming

For a nice change of pace and to benefit our many Livermore families, today we got together in their town.  We met at Carnegie Park, had a brief discussion of optional activities and promptly headed to Granada Bowl.  Since we had some time until our lanes were open, our students explored the Dollar Store and two thrift shops – new experiences for most!

All of the bowling teens enjoyed their games with some very friendly competition.  Granada Bowl was so kind and flexible with us!  Cie highly recommends them as a solid place to take a group of people for a fun activity!

While the students were bowling, Cie moved her car from the park to the bowling alley and, surprise of all surprises, ran out of gas!  Sheila saved the day, bringing a gallon of gas, helping to pour it into Cie’s “elderly and infirm” Elektra, who soon realized she had fuel and sprang back up!  Cie managed to get more gas, drive to the alley, walk the group to the bus, then follow the bus to Boomers and meet them at the door.  The rest of the day was spent playing mini-golf, laser tag, video games and driving on the race track – all activities universally enjoyed by high school students!!

July 12 – The Rock

Well, FIFA World Cup history was made yesterday when Spain beat The Netherlands One-Nill to win the World Cup Title!!  Hans and Cie so wished they could have joined the students at the movie theater in Livermore and shared with them this momentous experience!

Today was special day  in a list of many special days.  We took BART to Powell Street. We lined up at the cable car end and relatively soon were filled the entire Hyde Street cable car with students and host family members!  It was a lovely and very SF ride to the crooked part of Lombard Street.  Once we got off, the picture taking begun!  Hans and Cie were constantly taking pictures with our students’ cameras as we walked down the curvy street to Leavenworth.  After a seemingly long time of picture taking, our massive group of 40+ people lumbered over to Fishermans Wharf for a lunch and shopping break.  The students and host family members regrouped at 1pm on front of the Hard Rock Cafe.  Soon, we were boarding the ferry and traveling the short distance to Alcatraz.  Our students split their time taking pictures and playing cards.

The tour of Alcatraz was one of the most interesting and engaging events of this trip.  Students walked around listening to the audio tour on their headsets, taking the history of  The Rock in. We saw so many of them engaged and excited to see first hand where so many interesting events took place.

We had a quiet ferry ride back and a bunch of tired and hungry students made their way to the Ferry Building where we had about 20 minutes to use the rest rooms and get a small treat before boarding BART and heading home.

Tomorrow our group splits up – eleven students travel with Hans and another ECI group to LA via bus, while 18 students get to visit some of our teen-friendly spots in Livermore and Pleasanton…

July 9 Baseball, swimming and (ahem), soccer

Today was definitely a sporting day.  We met at the Amador Park by the Aquatic Center and had our first encounter with the 8 ECI students from France, their leaders and chaperone.  So many host families brought us so much equipments that we were able to enjoy teaching and playing baseball thoroughly.  Katelyn, our French/Austrian Leader, is well versed in the sport, so she and Hans handled the coaching.  After some clarification we set up to play a rousing game of baseball with more players than “legal”.  The students seemed to really enjoy the experience.  Many had never played before.  After about and hour of playing, fun and laughter, somehow a soccer ball materialized, and, you guessed it, a soccer match erupted.  Most everyone participated and those how did not either played another game of baseball or tossed a Frisbee.

Lunch was low key  – sitting at the picnic tables in the shade, getting to know each other better…

Soon it was pool time at the Aquatic Center.  Again, the students swam, dove, splashed around and sat in the sun baking or in the shade playing cards.  Everyone was excited about their weekend plans with their host families!  Of course, the ONLY theme for the weekend was the World Cup Final… Many students have plans to get together at a movie theater in Livermore to share the experience.  Sonu Gadre found and shared the details with the whole group; the Bovedas invited everyone to their home for a pool party afterwards. We all are crossing our fingers Spain wins it!  Que Viva Espania!