International Superstar: Biebs without Borders

Written at the beginning of February, posted in the middle of March, I'm on a Spanish schedule give me a break!!.....

So here I was, thinking that I didn´t have anything in common with Spanish girls in fourth grade (called cuarto curso here). And then, as fate would have it, little Maria brought in a little purple Justin Beiber booklet.  Did you know that the Beibs´s favorite color is purple and that he wears it to every concert? I didn´t, but I learned it from this extremely didactic Spanish Beiber booklet.  Included were Justin Beiber trading cards.  I almost asked for one.  Maybe I will tomorrow.  This booklet, may I add, is interactive and includes quotations from the Beibs himself and fill in the blank activities for the reader.  These features are designed to make the reader or jealous onlookers feel like they are somewhat a part of the Beibs´ life, or perhaps even feel like they are almost conversing with him.  It´s all in Spanish, but I will try to loosely translate some for you.  In relation to ¨My Favorite Girl,¨ if you don´t know this song listen to it now, a quote said ¨I enjoy meeting all different types of girls and no matter where I am or what I am doing I try to meet as many of you out there as possible.¨  There was also a writing activity on this particular page where you are supposed to list something, but for the love of Justin Beiber I cannot remember what at the moment.  I´m sure someone will bring one tomorrow and I´ll have a look because I´m sure you´re dying to know.

I hope you don´t take away from this short story that the Beibs is only taking over elementary schools because this movement is much more than that.  I have heard ¨Baby¨ in numerous clubs.  In one called ¨Malafama,¨ it came directly after a flamenco song.  I also heard it while in line to buy a sandwich at the mall.  Also, my former roommate, Paolo an Italian, went to buy posters for his room and came to the conclusion that there is something seriously wrong with the world when he cannot find a Rolling Stones poster but five of Justin Beiber.  My Spanish friends thought it was hilarious that he was nominated for a BET award.  Well they didn´t at first because they have no idea what BET is, but after I explained it to them they then laughed, leading me to the conclusion that they thought it was funny.  This is multi- national, people.  I really respect the Beibs.  Not just any ol´16 year old Canadian kid with surfer hair who wears purple all the time can take over the world and win over the hip hop community.  It takes someone really special.

In other news, I made a big long to do list at school today during my free hour, which I never have but the kids were taking a test so I was on the loose because my English speaking-ness was not needed.  I was all pumped to be productive during the day, and I came home to grab my laptop and get started on some of the technological stuff on my list. I was greeted by Chicho when I opened the door, who is practically never home and he asked me if I wanted to eat lunch with him.  How could I refuse? So we dined on stuffed eggplant and empanadas, bread and guacomole spread made from avocados that he picked himself on the ¨campo¨ at our table with a view of the cathedral.  And then we listened to a bunch of different country´s national anthems, followed by the ¨tallegrini,¨ a typical Italian dance.  Way better than my to do list.