I walked into my classroom this morning to a pleasant surprise; Tabea! She had told me that she would be joining my class this week because her grade has exams, but it slipped my mind with it being the weekend and all. We had a fabulous day together. Some things about Tabs' day that made us laugh: our Literature teacher is making her give a presentation on German literature because our new book was written by a famous German writer. Poor Tabs. All the girls in the class were telling her that the teacher is a crazy woman and that Tabea should not worry. Haha. Also, Tabs came to English class today and sat down and Aina, our teacher, did not notice that she was new they entire class period and she bumped into her. Will she ever realize? We couldn't stop laughing. We had to come back in the afternoon and I didn't see Tabea. She walked in about 10 or 15 minutes late and I asked her what happened. The door of her bus was stuck at her stop and she had to get off on the next one. Hahaha.
After school Natalie, Tabea, and I went to the bus station to buy our tickets for Barcelona. We have them now! I came home around 8 and then helped Merche with dinner. We ate and then I did the dishes. The salad tonight was absolutely fabulous. Tomatoes, onions, carrots, ham, corn, cucumbers, and dressing. There is actually more I can say about my day but I don't have the time. Right now I am currently skyping and working on a scholarship via skype. The entire thing that I filled out will not print out through the email and it's being a pain. My poor family. Love you guys!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Lazy Days.
Yesterday I did not wake up until 11 am. It was so nice. I got ready for church and then Athena. We went together. It was so nice. Just being there with a friend made a huge difference. They lit the first advent candle! Christmas is coming quickly! After church I relaxed a little bit before going to the grandparents for lunch. My grandma's sister was there. She is a nun working in Bolivia. She was so sweet! I had lunch with a nun yesterday! Gahh! Lunch was amazing as usual. Some kind of meatballs with peppers and sauce. For dessert we had those great French Toast-like things.
Later I went out with Mitchell and Athena. We just went to Doner Kebab and ate some french fries. I was home in time for dinner. After dinner I talked to my mom and Brandi and then watched clips of the Ellen Show for awhile. By awhile I mean an hour and a half :p What can I say? She makes me laugh.
This morning I slept in once again. I was super warm last night! I have two beds here...one underneath the other that I can just pull out when I want to use it. It has a comforter on it. So I took it off and added it to the bed I always sleep on (the top one of course). It was lovely. It felt more like home. After waking up from my cozy bed I headed to the kitchen for breakfast. I looked in the fridge to see what I would find. I found eggs. Then I asked myself why I never make anything here, such as dippy eggs. So I grabbed two eggs, a pan, and some olive oil. The eggs were such a success. Using olive oil is healthier and it's actually easier than butter. They use olive oil for everything here. It's fabulous. I looked for a toaster but had no luck so I just used the bread as it was. I ate my dippy eggs and listened to Christmas music. It was such a great moment that I had to call my mom on her cell before work to share it with her. She was like, "Oh good, honey!" She knows how much I love dippy eggs. She knows everything.
Athena came over to watch The Holiday. We put the Spanish subtitles on. After the movie, Merche came home to prepare lunch. We had puree and fried calamari. I really enjoyed it! They looked like onion rings. Yumm. Then after lunch I watched Gossip Girl. I got myself hooked on the show again. I met my friends in a cafe later and we sat there for over two hours taking about our trip to Barcelona and our lives. It was fun. I was again home in time for one of Merche's delicious salads. Tonight's included: hard boiled eggs, corn, lettuce, granada (little beads from a round fruit), pickles, and dressing. I loved it I've had so many eggs today! This weekend was a lot of fun. I watched a lot of TV too. That's just fabulous for my Spanish...not. I'll back to school tomorrow and it will come again. It's just that sometimes I need a break to relax my mind. I think so much about everything and it starts to take it's toll after awhile.
It's now 1 am and time for me to get some rest. I have a very long day ahead of me tomorrow. I hope I make it though the day. Wish me luck! Good night. Besos :)
Later I went out with Mitchell and Athena. We just went to Doner Kebab and ate some french fries. I was home in time for dinner. After dinner I talked to my mom and Brandi and then watched clips of the Ellen Show for awhile. By awhile I mean an hour and a half :p What can I say? She makes me laugh.
This morning I slept in once again. I was super warm last night! I have two beds here...one underneath the other that I can just pull out when I want to use it. It has a comforter on it. So I took it off and added it to the bed I always sleep on (the top one of course). It was lovely. It felt more like home. After waking up from my cozy bed I headed to the kitchen for breakfast. I looked in the fridge to see what I would find. I found eggs. Then I asked myself why I never make anything here, such as dippy eggs. So I grabbed two eggs, a pan, and some olive oil. The eggs were such a success. Using olive oil is healthier and it's actually easier than butter. They use olive oil for everything here. It's fabulous. I looked for a toaster but had no luck so I just used the bread as it was. I ate my dippy eggs and listened to Christmas music. It was such a great moment that I had to call my mom on her cell before work to share it with her. She was like, "Oh good, honey!" She knows how much I love dippy eggs. She knows everything.
Athena came over to watch The Holiday. We put the Spanish subtitles on. After the movie, Merche came home to prepare lunch. We had puree and fried calamari. I really enjoyed it! They looked like onion rings. Yumm. Then after lunch I watched Gossip Girl. I got myself hooked on the show again. I met my friends in a cafe later and we sat there for over two hours taking about our trip to Barcelona and our lives. It was fun. I was again home in time for one of Merche's delicious salads. Tonight's included: hard boiled eggs, corn, lettuce, granada (little beads from a round fruit), pickles, and dressing. I loved it I've had so many eggs today! This weekend was a lot of fun. I watched a lot of TV too. That's just fabulous for my Spanish...not. I'll back to school tomorrow and it will come again. It's just that sometimes I need a break to relax my mind. I think so much about everything and it starts to take it's toll after awhile.
It's now 1 am and time for me to get some rest. I have a very long day ahead of me tomorrow. I hope I make it though the day. Wish me luck! Good night. Besos :)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Oh, What A Night!
Last night the Pamplonians met at Elle's house to have our Thanksgiving celebration. Like I said before, Elle's basement is incredible. It has a full kitchen. Amazing. We listened to music and I sang at the top of my lungs and I played show tunes that only Athena and I knew. I don't think the others cared for "Over the Moon," "Take Me Or Leave Me," or "Mama Who Bore Me," too much. We all participated in making something. Mitchell made this amazing chicken, and he let us all know many times how much work it was. He couldn't find any Italian dressing here so he had to make it. It was worth it though because it tasted amazing. Apparently Tabs was splitting the price for it with him because the two of them posed for a picture and right after they were smiling together Mitchell, "Oh and you owe me five euros." Haha. He is such a diva. He owes me three. Matt and Natalie made brownies, Natalie and I made the potatoes, and Natalie, Elle, and Becca made the chocolate chip cookies. Natalie was in the cooking mood. We all ate so much food. And then we made a pizza! After we ate we watched the movie Easy A. I loved it. It was pretty funny. Oh and Mitchell cut his finger pretty deeply as he as attempting to divide the chocolate. He applied pressure until I was able to put the Neosporin and band-aides that were in my purse on it. I gave him a Princess and the Frog band-aide and then kissed it! Haha. I hope it's feeling better.
Natalie, Matt, and I took the midnight bus back into town. We said goodbye to Matt before heading back to my house. We got ready to meet our friends from school. We met them in a bar and danced for a few hours until we headed to Merengo. Merengo is this amazing underground dance club. It is amazing! I had so much fun. We danced until 5 am. Merengo is only two building away from my apartment building so it was a short walk home. Natalie and I went to bed right away after washing our hair (it smelled like smoke...everyone smokes here...). This morning I was woken up by the buzzer. I went to see who it was. It was a man and I had no clue. I was really confused for a minute but I eventually asked him who he was and he told me that he a package for me! I was so excited. After showing him my passport and signing his little device he gave me my box of Christmas presents! I opened it in the kitchen and cried the entire time. I just love my family so much. They are too good to me. I'm not allowed to open everything yet. My mom actually wrapped presents. That is how amazing she is. I love you guys so much. I then went back to sleep until 12:40. Natalie left soon after. I've spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing. It's been so nice! My host family isn't home. Maite told me that Merche would be home this morning but she is not here. Maite told me she was going to a friends last night and I haven't seen her since...haha. Hmm...
Tonight, Athena is coming here after dinner to get ready and then we are going dancing for a bit with Mitchell and Tabea! It should be a fun night...again! I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. GO BUCKS! GO DUKES! Os quiero.
Natalie, Matt, and I took the midnight bus back into town. We said goodbye to Matt before heading back to my house. We got ready to meet our friends from school. We met them in a bar and danced for a few hours until we headed to Merengo. Merengo is this amazing underground dance club. It is amazing! I had so much fun. We danced until 5 am. Merengo is only two building away from my apartment building so it was a short walk home. Natalie and I went to bed right away after washing our hair (it smelled like smoke...everyone smokes here...). This morning I was woken up by the buzzer. I went to see who it was. It was a man and I had no clue. I was really confused for a minute but I eventually asked him who he was and he told me that he a package for me! I was so excited. After showing him my passport and signing his little device he gave me my box of Christmas presents! I opened it in the kitchen and cried the entire time. I just love my family so much. They are too good to me. I'm not allowed to open everything yet. My mom actually wrapped presents. That is how amazing she is. I love you guys so much. I then went back to sleep until 12:40. Natalie left soon after. I've spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing. It's been so nice! My host family isn't home. Maite told me that Merche would be home this morning but she is not here. Maite told me she was going to a friends last night and I haven't seen her since...haha. Hmm...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Gobble Gobble!
Well the day has finally come. Well, not finally. The time flew by. So, Happy Thanksgiving everybody! In Spain, it's just another typical day. At school we talked about Thanksgiving in English class and of course I had to speak about it on the spot. My teacher wanted my to the class about the origins. I told them that the pilgrims could not survive in America, so the Native Americans helped them out and they put aside their differenced, threw a big feast, and gave thanks for all they were blessed with. She said, "That's a bit short, no?" Ummm...I forgot to read the Wikipedia page before class...sorry! But that's pretty much the story, right? We had the rest of the period to work on an assignment so I talked to two girls the entire time. They told me that my Spanish is very good! It makes me so happy to hear this. I feel it really improving though. Anyways, school flew by. I love my Thursday schedule. We watched Hamlet again in literature. Hamlet is a crazy guy. I mean I knew this, but he is really crazy. If you've ever read Hamlet please go to youtube.com and type in "Sassy Gay Friend-Hamlet." It makes me laugh every time. The credit goes to my best friend Korey Carr for finding this amazingly hilarious video.
I walked home after school and had a Thanksgiving meal I will never forget: cereal, cheese, and an orange. Needless to say, I am very excited for Merche to be back home. I want some real food. As soon as I finished eating I got to talk to my family. I saw Grandma Biddle, Aunt Patty, and Uncle Jay for the first time since I've been gone. I had to actually "get ready." I wanted to look good for them. Haha. It was so nice though. My favorite part of the afternoon skype date: Grandma (sitting in the rocking chair): "Bob, can you stop rocking the chair?!" Grandpa: "What Mary? Is it bothering you?" Grandma:"Yes." (Grandpa walks away with his camera taking lots of pictures and not telling people...he likes candids.) Grandma and I continue to talk. A few minutes later she asks Grandpa, "Do you want to talk to Alex?" Grandpa replies with, "No. I'm afraid it might bother you." Then Grandma was telling me that she can't do much anymore and Grandpa said, "Well you can still bitch." I love my Grandparents!
After Brandi showed me all of the food and I was full of envy, I said my goodbyes. Natalie came over for a little bit and then we headed to theatre. Theatre was just like every week except I managed to not embarrass myself at all. Natalie and I met a few girls before rehearsal and we went into Civican. They explained the plot with great detail and pictures. It was great! the story is really complicated, but the conclusion is simple: everyone dies...except the king. It helps to know what is actually going on. SO theatre went by pretty quickly. I ran home through the pouring rain with my scarf wrapped around my head like an old lady. I forgot my umbrella!
I just finished talking to the family again. I said my goodbyes to everyone. My favorite: Me: "So Grandpa, how was your meal?" Grandpa: "I love you, too, Skeeter. I'll print those pictures and write you a letter tonight." Me: "I love you Grandpa." I miss him.
So what an I thankful for? I am thankful for so many things. I have been so fortunate in my life. This has been mostly due to my amazing family. They have given me everything to lead a happy, healthy, and adventurous life. I'm thankful for all the support I have received from my family and friends while being here. It means so much to me when people tell me that they are proud of me. There is no greater compliment. It always makes me cry. Speaking of crying, I did not shed one single tear today. With that, I am so thankful for the strength I have found on my journey here. I feel so strong right now. Sure, I could cry if I wanted to, but there is no place that I would rather be right now. This is my life. Spain is my life. I only have it for another seven months so I need to enjoy every part I can about it. I'm enjoying learning about myself. When I think back to that girl on the airplane I can really see the difference. I still miss everyone immensely, but I'm growing. I feel like I can handle so much now. I don't think I am a different person...my personality is still exactly the same, but, like I said before, my mentality is different. It is different in so many little ways that it adds up to a big difference.
With all of this being said, I still cry. I still miss my family. I still want to hug my mom and smell her "Daisy" perfume on her sweater. This is still hard, but I now feel as though I have better control over my feelings. I could cry right now. I could cry for a long time...but what good would it do? If I can choose to watch That 70s Show and laugh, why not? I'm not really sure how much of this made sense to all of you. My mind has always been just a little, you know, all over the place. So in a nutshell, I feel different, but I'm still the same Alex. I'm still your "Gertrude," Aunt Barbie. Your "Ally," Aunt Patty. Your "Skeeter, #1 Buddy," Grandpa. Your "Tardo," Brandi. Your "Wayne, Spaghetti Buns, Alice Palace, Al" Emily, Katie, and Abbie. Your "crazy daughter," Mom and Dad. I'm me! I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgivings right now. Eat lots of turkey!! Gobble, gobble :D
I walked home after school and had a Thanksgiving meal I will never forget: cereal, cheese, and an orange. Needless to say, I am very excited for Merche to be back home. I want some real food. As soon as I finished eating I got to talk to my family. I saw Grandma Biddle, Aunt Patty, and Uncle Jay for the first time since I've been gone. I had to actually "get ready." I wanted to look good for them. Haha. It was so nice though. My favorite part of the afternoon skype date: Grandma (sitting in the rocking chair): "Bob, can you stop rocking the chair?!" Grandpa: "What Mary? Is it bothering you?" Grandma:"Yes." (Grandpa walks away with his camera taking lots of pictures and not telling people...he likes candids.) Grandma and I continue to talk. A few minutes later she asks Grandpa, "Do you want to talk to Alex?" Grandpa replies with, "No. I'm afraid it might bother you." Then Grandma was telling me that she can't do much anymore and Grandpa said, "Well you can still bitch." I love my Grandparents!
After Brandi showed me all of the food and I was full of envy, I said my goodbyes. Natalie came over for a little bit and then we headed to theatre. Theatre was just like every week except I managed to not embarrass myself at all. Natalie and I met a few girls before rehearsal and we went into Civican. They explained the plot with great detail and pictures. It was great! the story is really complicated, but the conclusion is simple: everyone dies...except the king. It helps to know what is actually going on. SO theatre went by pretty quickly. I ran home through the pouring rain with my scarf wrapped around my head like an old lady. I forgot my umbrella!
I just finished talking to the family again. I said my goodbyes to everyone. My favorite: Me: "So Grandpa, how was your meal?" Grandpa: "I love you, too, Skeeter. I'll print those pictures and write you a letter tonight." Me: "I love you Grandpa." I miss him.
So what an I thankful for? I am thankful for so many things. I have been so fortunate in my life. This has been mostly due to my amazing family. They have given me everything to lead a happy, healthy, and adventurous life. I'm thankful for all the support I have received from my family and friends while being here. It means so much to me when people tell me that they are proud of me. There is no greater compliment. It always makes me cry. Speaking of crying, I did not shed one single tear today. With that, I am so thankful for the strength I have found on my journey here. I feel so strong right now. Sure, I could cry if I wanted to, but there is no place that I would rather be right now. This is my life. Spain is my life. I only have it for another seven months so I need to enjoy every part I can about it. I'm enjoying learning about myself. When I think back to that girl on the airplane I can really see the difference. I still miss everyone immensely, but I'm growing. I feel like I can handle so much now. I don't think I am a different person...my personality is still exactly the same, but, like I said before, my mentality is different. It is different in so many little ways that it adds up to a big difference.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
FIESTA!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Omigod You Guys!
The song that expresses how I feel about my day is "Omigod You Guys," from Legally Blonde the musical. I think this has been my favorite day in Spain so far. That's pretty good, right? I think so. Let's talk about it.
School went by really quickly today. I have a new history of art teacher because my last one just had a baby. She's nice but I cannot understand her as well as the other (I wish I knew her name...). During history I took a personality test to see which career will best suit me. It helped my Spanish a lot. I enjoyed taking it. We should get our results soon, but I'm sure it will say, "A career in Medicine or Music bests suits you." That's what they always say. In literature we watched Hamelt in English. I forgot how well written it really is. I love it. Kate Winslet plays Ophelia. I love her. This is the same version we watched in Mr. Sholtis' class last year. It made me so happy.
For lunch today I came home and heated up some paella. I then opened my package that I received from my family! In it I found my new red MacBook case (LOVE), a tee-shirt, make up, nail polish, teen vogue, buttons, and part of the Alliance Review. The large bubble envelopes make it here so quickly! My Mom just sent it on Thursday. Crazy. Oh and god news-I spoke with my dad and he said that the first package they sent is now on it's way to it's destination. Thank goodness. It's taken long enough! After my nice little break I headed back to school. We did pretty much nothing. There is a fiesta all day tomorrow at school so we all had to take a chair to the gym and then we were able to leave. Natalie walked back to my house with me and stayed until her host mom came. While here she found out that she made it into the University of Saint Louis Madrid Campus! Yay, Nat!! Congrats! I am so happy for her!
At eight o'clock I headed to the Rotary meeting. It was such a great time! The Rotarians cooked for us and talked with us and we had a blast. We are able to go to Barcelona in early December...that's right....I'M GOING TO BARCELONA! Gahh. That was the good news. The bad news is that we are not allowed to teach in the language school. It's simply not permitted with this program. Understandable. But the amazing food and spirits made up for that not so fortunate news. I ate artichokes and duck tonight and absolutely loved both. Everything was just so perfect! I got home around 11:30. Omigod I love Spain you guys!
Me, Elle, Athena, Rebecca, Mitchell
Tomorrow it's fiesta at school and then I'm going out for lunch with a big group of girls from school. I am really excited for it. I can't tell you all how absolutely amazing I feel, but it's 1 am and I need to get some rest. I have another exciting day ahead of me! I love my life. Goodnight. Besos!
School went by really quickly today. I have a new history of art teacher because my last one just had a baby. She's nice but I cannot understand her as well as the other (I wish I knew her name...). During history I took a personality test to see which career will best suit me. It helped my Spanish a lot. I enjoyed taking it. We should get our results soon, but I'm sure it will say, "A career in Medicine or Music bests suits you." That's what they always say. In literature we watched Hamelt in English. I forgot how well written it really is. I love it. Kate Winslet plays Ophelia. I love her. This is the same version we watched in Mr. Sholtis' class last year. It made me so happy.
For lunch today I came home and heated up some paella. I then opened my package that I received from my family! In it I found my new red MacBook case (LOVE), a tee-shirt, make up, nail polish, teen vogue, buttons, and part of the Alliance Review. The large bubble envelopes make it here so quickly! My Mom just sent it on Thursday. Crazy. Oh and god news-I spoke with my dad and he said that the first package they sent is now on it's way to it's destination. Thank goodness. It's taken long enough! After my nice little break I headed back to school. We did pretty much nothing. There is a fiesta all day tomorrow at school so we all had to take a chair to the gym and then we were able to leave. Natalie walked back to my house with me and stayed until her host mom came. While here she found out that she made it into the University of Saint Louis Madrid Campus! Yay, Nat!! Congrats! I am so happy for her!
At eight o'clock I headed to the Rotary meeting. It was such a great time! The Rotarians cooked for us and talked with us and we had a blast. We are able to go to Barcelona in early December...that's right....I'M GOING TO BARCELONA! Gahh. That was the good news. The bad news is that we are not allowed to teach in the language school. It's simply not permitted with this program. Understandable. But the amazing food and spirits made up for that not so fortunate news. I ate artichokes and duck tonight and absolutely loved both. Everything was just so perfect! I got home around 11:30. Omigod I love Spain you guys!
Me, Matt, Mitchell, Natalie
One of Rotarians cooking potatoes!
Artichokes with bacon, tomatoes, and more!
Some kind of breaded sausage...rico!
El Pan. Mmm.
Me, Elle, Athena, Rebecca, Mitchell
Tomorrow it's fiesta at school and then I'm going out for lunch with a big group of girls from school. I am really excited for it. I can't tell you all how absolutely amazing I feel, but it's 1 am and I need to get some rest. I have another exciting day ahead of me! I love my life. Goodnight. Besos!
Monday, November 22, 2010
SIESTA
Today was finally the last day of exams. I don't think I have ever seen my classmates so happy. I am serious about this. They study so much here. I have decided today that I think I understand enough Spanish to start attempting to learn the material in school. It can only help my Spanish and increase my knowledge, so why not? I want to give them a good image of America. So I am going to work hard and try my best. We'll see how this goes.
Today after school I came home and made some of that pasta in a bag stuff and it turned out really well! I cooked in Spain...with Spanish directions. So I can handle directions in Spanish but not in English? That's a little backwards. I was proud of myself because I actually liked it. After lunch I watched Glee on TV and read my three letters! I received one from home, one from Aunt Bevie, and one from Taylor and Morgan. I love snail mail. These made my day! Thanks guys :)
I headed over to my neighbor's house (Leo) to work on Spanish and English. I like that we speak mostly in Spanish. She had an American movie and it was really old and she was so shocked that I didn't know the director. She said something about learning things about America while in Spain...I was a little offended. Some times the way she speaks about America it can come off as a little offensive, but she means well. I really like her. I stayed for an hour and a half until she rolled her own cigarette and started smoking. I just don't like the smell. When I came home I showered and then got ready to talk to Megan!
Megan interviewed me for a paper she had to write for her cultural anthropology class. It was so much fun! I had a great time talking about the culture here in comparison to ours. It took me awhile to answer some of her questions though because the differences that I thought were major in the beginning are no longer foreign to me. I am becoming so well adjusted here now. I'm becoming Spanish. Towards the end of my skype date with Megan I could not stop yawning. She told me to take a sietsa. So I took her advice. I slept for two hours. It was so nice! I woke up just in time for dinner. I need more naps like that. I feel so well rested now, but I feel like I can still fall asleep. Haha.
Tomorrow is my long day at school and then a Rotary meeting to follow. I need my rest. Goodnight everyone. Besos!
Today after school I came home and made some of that pasta in a bag stuff and it turned out really well! I cooked in Spain...with Spanish directions. So I can handle directions in Spanish but not in English? That's a little backwards. I was proud of myself because I actually liked it. After lunch I watched Glee on TV and read my three letters! I received one from home, one from Aunt Bevie, and one from Taylor and Morgan. I love snail mail. These made my day! Thanks guys :)
I headed over to my neighbor's house (Leo) to work on Spanish and English. I like that we speak mostly in Spanish. She had an American movie and it was really old and she was so shocked that I didn't know the director. She said something about learning things about America while in Spain...I was a little offended. Some times the way she speaks about America it can come off as a little offensive, but she means well. I really like her. I stayed for an hour and a half until she rolled her own cigarette and started smoking. I just don't like the smell. When I came home I showered and then got ready to talk to Megan!
Megan interviewed me for a paper she had to write for her cultural anthropology class. It was so much fun! I had a great time talking about the culture here in comparison to ours. It took me awhile to answer some of her questions though because the differences that I thought were major in the beginning are no longer foreign to me. I am becoming so well adjusted here now. I'm becoming Spanish. Towards the end of my skype date with Megan I could not stop yawning. She told me to take a sietsa. So I took her advice. I slept for two hours. It was so nice! I woke up just in time for dinner. I need more naps like that. I feel so well rested now, but I feel like I can still fall asleep. Haha.
Tomorrow is my long day at school and then a Rotary meeting to follow. I need my rest. Goodnight everyone. Besos!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Harry Potter.
On Saturday, I slept in. Until 12:30. It was so wonderful. Once I woke up I ate some breakfast and applied to the University of Dayton. I began to fill out the common application which was necessary for Allegheny. This application is outrageously horrible. I had so many questions for my Mom so I called her and I began to telling her about some of them. Then I said, "I really just don't want to this." She followed with, "Alex, do you even want to go to Allegheny?" I replied, "Not really." My Dad's comment from the background, "Then just forget it." Simple as that I clicked out of it and haven't gone back since.
Saturday evening was pretty eventful. Natalie met me at my house and then we headed into town to buy our tickets for Harry Potter. We bought them and then headed to get some gloves for Natalie (she left her last pair on the bus). After she picked them out and bought them we headed to meet Mitchell. We walked all around town as Mitchell tried to remember this amazing tea shop in the rain. No success. So we went to the supermarket to buy some snacks for the movie. After, we ate at Doner Kebab.
We headed to the movie theatre early so we could get good seats and meet our friend Matt. While standing in line Mitchell said, "Guys, did we ever pay Rob?" OH MY GOSH. I began to freak out. We forgot to pay our favorite cook/waiter in Pamplona. We were that excited about this movie. So I calmed down and Natalie said we will just go on Monday and explain the situation and pay him and everything will be okay. My stomach was in knots all night. We watched the movie and it was so incredibly fantastic that I couldn't even speak at the end. I understood pretty much everything without getting a headache. Yes! I thought the movie was very well done. I absolutely loved it. After the movie we said goodbye Matt and Mitchell and headed home. Natalie stayed the night.
This morning Natalie left for her bus stop and I got ready for church. I left early for church because I wanted to check if Rob was working so I could explain and pay him. Luckily, he was. I was so excited to see him! I handed him ten euros and I told him to keep it all (the bill was 6.80). He wouldn't have it. He only charged me five and said, "Muchas gracias." He is a saint. I told him we would never ever do that intentionally, which he knew, and now everything is great! I smiled the entire time as I walked to church.
Church was so packed this morning that I couldn't even sit in a pew. The Pamplona Chorus was there. Only on today and only at that time. How lucky am I?! They were phenomenal. I was blown away at how beautiful they sounded. To end the mass they sang The Hallelujah Chorus, which I have sang twice in Select Choir. They sang in English and I joined them. :) It was an incredible moment. I was so happy that it brought tears to my eyes. Happy, happy tears.
Once I got home I took a nap and woke up to let the Sunday Skyping Sessions begin. I had a wonderful time talking to everyone and catching up. Now it's 1:09 am and I am ready for bed. Another day of exams tomorrow. Woo! Congrats Dukes and Buckeyes! Another great week. I had an amazing day! Goodnight. Besos!
Saturday evening was pretty eventful. Natalie met me at my house and then we headed into town to buy our tickets for Harry Potter. We bought them and then headed to get some gloves for Natalie (she left her last pair on the bus). After she picked them out and bought them we headed to meet Mitchell. We walked all around town as Mitchell tried to remember this amazing tea shop in the rain. No success. So we went to the supermarket to buy some snacks for the movie. After, we ate at Doner Kebab.
We headed to the movie theatre early so we could get good seats and meet our friend Matt. While standing in line Mitchell said, "Guys, did we ever pay Rob?" OH MY GOSH. I began to freak out. We forgot to pay our favorite cook/waiter in Pamplona. We were that excited about this movie. So I calmed down and Natalie said we will just go on Monday and explain the situation and pay him and everything will be okay. My stomach was in knots all night. We watched the movie and it was so incredibly fantastic that I couldn't even speak at the end. I understood pretty much everything without getting a headache. Yes! I thought the movie was very well done. I absolutely loved it. After the movie we said goodbye Matt and Mitchell and headed home. Natalie stayed the night.
This morning Natalie left for her bus stop and I got ready for church. I left early for church because I wanted to check if Rob was working so I could explain and pay him. Luckily, he was. I was so excited to see him! I handed him ten euros and I told him to keep it all (the bill was 6.80). He wouldn't have it. He only charged me five and said, "Muchas gracias." He is a saint. I told him we would never ever do that intentionally, which he knew, and now everything is great! I smiled the entire time as I walked to church.
Church was so packed this morning that I couldn't even sit in a pew. The Pamplona Chorus was there. Only on today and only at that time. How lucky am I?! They were phenomenal. I was blown away at how beautiful they sounded. To end the mass they sang The Hallelujah Chorus, which I have sang twice in Select Choir. They sang in English and I joined them. :) It was an incredible moment. I was so happy that it brought tears to my eyes. Happy, happy tears.
Once I got home I took a nap and woke up to let the Sunday Skyping Sessions begin. I had a wonderful time talking to everyone and catching up. Now it's 1:09 am and I am ready for bed. Another day of exams tomorrow. Woo! Congrats Dukes and Buckeyes! Another great week. I had an amazing day! Goodnight. Besos!
My new boots!! And the Cathedral at night!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Merry Christmas and Happy Embarrassment.
Day two of exams. Day two of a day full of sitting in silent classrooms and the library. While in the library I take full advantage of the computer and internet access. It's just a really great time to write emails and search for colleges and scholarships. I've decided to apply to the University of Dayton and Allegheny College in addition to Ohio State. They are both private schools so the tuition is pretty steep. Ohio State is still my first choice anyways.
I have a nice little story about an experience at school. Before each exam the students have the opportunity to study for an hour before the exam in a classroom. About 3/4 of the class does this. I sit in the very back and take naps, play solitare, and keep my self occupied. Today there wasn't a teacher in the room supervising so I took out my iPod. I tested the volume before I put my headphones in so they wouldn't be distracted. Everything was fine and dandy until "Forget You", Glee's most recent song, came on. This is song is so upbeat and fantastic...so I turned the volume up. I then closed my eyes and began to bob my head along to the beat. When I open my eyes I see heads turned towards me and some fingers pointing and whispering and then pointing to ears. Oh Lord. They could hear it! And I was bobbing my head along. How embarrassing. Hahaha. Oh well, Im glad it happened.
After school and lunch I watched Glee on TV in Spanish. Kristen Chenoweth was the guest star. The Spanish voice over was no where near her speaking voice. They sing in English. The original. Thank goodness. Later I met Natalie. We went into some shoes stores (have I mentioned that they're everywhere?). I finally found the boots I wanted!!!! They are black and leather and they have two buckles near the top on the outside and of course they were made in Spain! I've never been so excited about a pair of shoes!!! While being very expensive, they still fit into my budget for the month. I have 65 whole euros for only 10 more days. Easy! They are a Christmas present to myself.
Speaking of Christmas there are many lights set up around the city. They haven't been lit yet, but they are up. I'm so excited! They are going to look so beautiful on El Corte Ingles and the gorgeous fountains. This should help a little bit. Christmas is not as commercialized as the U.S. but this little bit will really help. I just love Christmas. I know it's going to be a very difficult time for me this year, but I just need to embrace it as another great experience.
After I bought my boots (and put them on immediately upon leaving the sore) Nat and I caught the bus for the university and put up signs advertising English tutoring. We would like to make some extra money. I messed up some of my signs...I kept forgetting "en Ingles" so some of the papers say, "do you want to speak with an American? Contact me at..." Hahaha. Oh well. They are posted mainly on trash cans. I don't really have high hopes of this working out too well. I still need to email my host counselor about teaching in this language school for a week during Christmas break. Anyways, the university was really nice. I thought it was really gorgeous.
On the way home from the university we ran into three of the other Pamplonians and made some plans for spending the afternoon in a cafe together tomorrow. Tomorrow night I am seeing Harry Potter and then going dancing!! Perfect night? Yes! I said goodbye to Natalie once we reached the place where her host parents were picking her up. I came home and talked to Brandi! It's strange because we usually don't talk this much in a week. She just makes me happy. She read me one of her essays and she was showing me pages in the new yearbook. It was so nice.
I am so exhausted now! I'm going to bed and I'm sleeping in tomorrow....really late. GO BUCKEYES & GO DUKES! Besos!
I have a nice little story about an experience at school. Before each exam the students have the opportunity to study for an hour before the exam in a classroom. About 3/4 of the class does this. I sit in the very back and take naps, play solitare, and keep my self occupied. Today there wasn't a teacher in the room supervising so I took out my iPod. I tested the volume before I put my headphones in so they wouldn't be distracted. Everything was fine and dandy until "Forget You", Glee's most recent song, came on. This is song is so upbeat and fantastic...so I turned the volume up. I then closed my eyes and began to bob my head along to the beat. When I open my eyes I see heads turned towards me and some fingers pointing and whispering and then pointing to ears. Oh Lord. They could hear it! And I was bobbing my head along. How embarrassing. Hahaha. Oh well, Im glad it happened.
After school and lunch I watched Glee on TV in Spanish. Kristen Chenoweth was the guest star. The Spanish voice over was no where near her speaking voice. They sing in English. The original. Thank goodness. Later I met Natalie. We went into some shoes stores (have I mentioned that they're everywhere?). I finally found the boots I wanted!!!! They are black and leather and they have two buckles near the top on the outside and of course they were made in Spain! I've never been so excited about a pair of shoes!!! While being very expensive, they still fit into my budget for the month. I have 65 whole euros for only 10 more days. Easy! They are a Christmas present to myself.
Speaking of Christmas there are many lights set up around the city. They haven't been lit yet, but they are up. I'm so excited! They are going to look so beautiful on El Corte Ingles and the gorgeous fountains. This should help a little bit. Christmas is not as commercialized as the U.S. but this little bit will really help. I just love Christmas. I know it's going to be a very difficult time for me this year, but I just need to embrace it as another great experience.
After I bought my boots (and put them on immediately upon leaving the sore) Nat and I caught the bus for the university and put up signs advertising English tutoring. We would like to make some extra money. I messed up some of my signs...I kept forgetting "en Ingles" so some of the papers say, "do you want to speak with an American? Contact me at..." Hahaha. Oh well. They are posted mainly on trash cans. I don't really have high hopes of this working out too well. I still need to email my host counselor about teaching in this language school for a week during Christmas break. Anyways, the university was really nice. I thought it was really gorgeous.
On the way home from the university we ran into three of the other Pamplonians and made some plans for spending the afternoon in a cafe together tomorrow. Tomorrow night I am seeing Harry Potter and then going dancing!! Perfect night? Yes! I said goodbye to Natalie once we reached the place where her host parents were picking her up. I came home and talked to Brandi! It's strange because we usually don't talk this much in a week. She just makes me happy. She read me one of her essays and she was showing me pages in the new yearbook. It was so nice.
I am so exhausted now! I'm going to bed and I'm sleeping in tomorrow....really late. GO BUCKEYES & GO DUKES! Besos!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
So it's 11:13
It's 11:13 and we have yet to eat dinner. I know that it's cultural to eat dinner later here, but when do they sleep? I need to get some food and some rest.
It's exam week at school so Natalie and I got to the library. I took my Harry Potter cards with me and played solitare quite a few times. It was so easy. I beat it with no problem every time. I don't remember the game being that easy on the computer. Hmm. While in the library I got on the computers and caught up on some more emails and then looked up a lot of scholarships to apply for. Let the fun begin. Towards the end of the day Nat and I talked about all of the places we want to go. We really want to plan a couple little trips. I hope Rotary approves.
So I took break to eat dinner and it's now 11:40. Gahh. I think we ate so late since Merche is leaving for malta tomorrow morning. It's an English speaking island South of Sicily. She is going there to improve her English with her English class. I just said goodbye to her. I'm going to miss my host mommy!! She just gave me the most amazing hug! Now on with the rest of my day...
After school I ate lunch and occupied myself with finishing my OSU Scholars Program application and submitting it until Natalie came over at 6ish. We hung out and then walked to theatre practice. Theatre was good tonight. We played improv first and then started a new play. I guess we're working on two? I have another part. Fabulous! I was pretty tired at theatre tonight but I'm happy I went. I always enjoy myself. It's so nice to feel like part of a group-something bigger than yourself.
I am exhausted. I'm ready to get some sleep and go to school and do absolutely nothing! Hooray. I have some essays to write and some more solitare to play. Goodnight everyone. It's funny, you're all probably eating dinner right now as I just finished and there's a six hour time difference. Besos!!
It's exam week at school so Natalie and I got to the library. I took my Harry Potter cards with me and played solitare quite a few times. It was so easy. I beat it with no problem every time. I don't remember the game being that easy on the computer. Hmm. While in the library I got on the computers and caught up on some more emails and then looked up a lot of scholarships to apply for. Let the fun begin. Towards the end of the day Nat and I talked about all of the places we want to go. We really want to plan a couple little trips. I hope Rotary approves.
So I took break to eat dinner and it's now 11:40. Gahh. I think we ate so late since Merche is leaving for malta tomorrow morning. It's an English speaking island South of Sicily. She is going there to improve her English with her English class. I just said goodbye to her. I'm going to miss my host mommy!! She just gave me the most amazing hug! Now on with the rest of my day...
After school I ate lunch and occupied myself with finishing my OSU Scholars Program application and submitting it until Natalie came over at 6ish. We hung out and then walked to theatre practice. Theatre was good tonight. We played improv first and then started a new play. I guess we're working on two? I have another part. Fabulous! I was pretty tired at theatre tonight but I'm happy I went. I always enjoy myself. It's so nice to feel like part of a group-something bigger than yourself.
I am exhausted. I'm ready to get some sleep and go to school and do absolutely nothing! Hooray. I have some essays to write and some more solitare to play. Goodnight everyone. It's funny, you're all probably eating dinner right now as I just finished and there's a six hour time difference. Besos!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Nacho Business!
So I'm pretty sure there is someone in my class with the name "Nacho." How cool is that?! I'm a little jealous... Today was really great. I usually hate my class schedule on Wednesdays, but today went rally fast! I started Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and did some listening. That's right everyone-I paid attention! I also wrote my Aunt Vickie a letter. I need some envelopes though. I'm not really sure where you buy envelopes here. I bet El Corte Ingles has them. It's basically a designer mix between Wal-Mart and Macy's. Eight floors of this amazingness. Natalie and I finally began having conversations in Spanish today...thank goodness. I need to be able to speak this language.
After school today I came home and ate my lunch. I ate really quickly because I could hardly wait to watch the new episode of Glee. It was fabulous as always. They did a mash up of "Singing in the Rain" and "Umbrella." Gwyneth Paltro was the guest and she was stunning. Also, I learned today that she was a foreign exchange student in Spain. I'm officially a fan. Once Glee was over, I got ready and headed over to my neighbor's apartment. We practiced our English and our Spanish. I hadn't really spoken with her much before except in the hallway of our floor, but it was not awkward at all! I had a great time! I laughed and smiled and spoke my two favorite languages. Then she made me hot chocolate!! Spanish hot chocolate. Or at least I thought it was Spanish hot chocolate...I was telling Tess about how it was milk and then a certain chocolate bar and then we dipped bread in it and she told me that she used to have that every Sunday when she was little. Maybe my family just didn't do it? My neighbor said it was Spanish...haha. We talked about cultures and some political issues and she told me about the places I need to see and the things I need to experience. We're going to start meeting twice a week. I'm so happy!
The rest of evening was spent catching up with friends. I'm almost finished with this essay. I need a closing sentence. I have to do some more thinking...Dinner was pretty good tonight. We didn't eat until 10:45. Oh Dios mio. We had an interesting salad with things that I can't even explain to you really because everything in it is so different. I think I had sushi though...and I think I liked it. I think I might watch Glee again. I really loved it that much. Goodnight everyone! Besos.
After school today I came home and ate my lunch. I ate really quickly because I could hardly wait to watch the new episode of Glee. It was fabulous as always. They did a mash up of "Singing in the Rain" and "Umbrella." Gwyneth Paltro was the guest and she was stunning. Also, I learned today that she was a foreign exchange student in Spain. I'm officially a fan. Once Glee was over, I got ready and headed over to my neighbor's apartment. We practiced our English and our Spanish. I hadn't really spoken with her much before except in the hallway of our floor, but it was not awkward at all! I had a great time! I laughed and smiled and spoke my two favorite languages. Then she made me hot chocolate!! Spanish hot chocolate. Or at least I thought it was Spanish hot chocolate...I was telling Tess about how it was milk and then a certain chocolate bar and then we dipped bread in it and she told me that she used to have that every Sunday when she was little. Maybe my family just didn't do it? My neighbor said it was Spanish...haha. We talked about cultures and some political issues and she told me about the places I need to see and the things I need to experience. We're going to start meeting twice a week. I'm so happy!
The rest of evening was spent catching up with friends. I'm almost finished with this essay. I need a closing sentence. I have to do some more thinking...Dinner was pretty good tonight. We didn't eat until 10:45. Oh Dios mio. We had an interesting salad with things that I can't even explain to you really because everything in it is so different. I think I had sushi though...and I think I liked it. I think I might watch Glee again. I really loved it that much. Goodnight everyone! Besos.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sister, Sister.
A note abut school: there are no rugs in the entrances so when it rains they place sawdust (or something resembling it) on the floor and then it is tracked into the entire school. Perhaps a rug would be a better investment? I don't know...it's just a thought.
School went pretty fast today but it was just a long day since we went back in the evening. So it went fast but it felt long, does that make any sense at all? Probably not. I read Harry Potter pretty much all day at school. I also added up the amount of money I've spent this month and it's a whopping 24 Euros. I think I'm doing pretty good. My goal is to keep saving up a little each month for my trip to Belgium to see my long lost sister Olivia. While adding up my purchases I realized the exchange rate is now 1.4 and I exchanged all of my money when it was at 1.2. So even though I went through hell and back to get my money exchanged it was actually a good thing. Completely worth it! I will never forget that nice man from Santender. Exams are this Thursday, Friday, and Monday at school. I've been told that I am so lucky I do not have to take exams multiple times and I agree every time. They study so much here. Yesterday I asked how some of my friends' weekends were and they told me that they studied the entire time. I feel bad for them. I hardly ever had to do any real studying. I usually had the TV on or at least music. I feel like I had a ton of homework in high school which sort of served as the studying part. So maybe it balances out a little? I don't know though...they study A LOT.
During my lunch break today I had Paella and Nougat Pillows. That combination makes for pretty much the best lunch ever. In the world. Then I had to come back to reality and get read to go to school again. I went and it was fine. I read more Harry Potter of course. After school I walked home in the dark and I felt like I should be in Alaska. Cold and dark, yet beautiful...not that I've ever been to Alaska but I hear this is how it is. Someday I'm going to go on a cruise there. Who's joining me?! Once I got home I checked some things off my to-do list.
Our wi-fi is fixed now! That's a big plus. Brandi and I skyped without planning it and we agreed it's best when we do that. She helped me revise an essay and then we talked about random things and I just had the best time ever. It was the most perfect thing. You can't put a price on laughing with your sister. I asked her what my best qualities are (for the essay I was writing...it was a topic) and she said, "Hmm..responsible." Then I said, "Bran, you always call me irresponsible." Her response, "Well I'm telling you from the perspective of other people. I really think you're irresponsible and lazy and nerdy and a loser." Hahaha. Thanks sister.
The rest of the night I read Harry Potter and...I FINISHED IT! My first novel in Spanish! Next I'm reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because Matie couldn't find Chamber of Secrets. I'm not too concerned. Today for some reason I really wanted ice cubes (ice water, really) and Mexican food. Gahh. So yummy. Anyways, I had a pretty good day! Buenas noches!
School went pretty fast today but it was just a long day since we went back in the evening. So it went fast but it felt long, does that make any sense at all? Probably not. I read Harry Potter pretty much all day at school. I also added up the amount of money I've spent this month and it's a whopping 24 Euros. I think I'm doing pretty good. My goal is to keep saving up a little each month for my trip to Belgium to see my long lost sister Olivia. While adding up my purchases I realized the exchange rate is now 1.4 and I exchanged all of my money when it was at 1.2. So even though I went through hell and back to get my money exchanged it was actually a good thing. Completely worth it! I will never forget that nice man from Santender. Exams are this Thursday, Friday, and Monday at school. I've been told that I am so lucky I do not have to take exams multiple times and I agree every time. They study so much here. Yesterday I asked how some of my friends' weekends were and they told me that they studied the entire time. I feel bad for them. I hardly ever had to do any real studying. I usually had the TV on or at least music. I feel like I had a ton of homework in high school which sort of served as the studying part. So maybe it balances out a little? I don't know though...they study A LOT.
During my lunch break today I had Paella and Nougat Pillows. That combination makes for pretty much the best lunch ever. In the world. Then I had to come back to reality and get read to go to school again. I went and it was fine. I read more Harry Potter of course. After school I walked home in the dark and I felt like I should be in Alaska. Cold and dark, yet beautiful...not that I've ever been to Alaska but I hear this is how it is. Someday I'm going to go on a cruise there. Who's joining me?! Once I got home I checked some things off my to-do list.
Our wi-fi is fixed now! That's a big plus. Brandi and I skyped without planning it and we agreed it's best when we do that. She helped me revise an essay and then we talked about random things and I just had the best time ever. It was the most perfect thing. You can't put a price on laughing with your sister. I asked her what my best qualities are (for the essay I was writing...it was a topic) and she said, "Hmm..responsible." Then I said, "Bran, you always call me irresponsible." Her response, "Well I'm telling you from the perspective of other people. I really think you're irresponsible and lazy and nerdy and a loser." Hahaha. Thanks sister.
The rest of the night I read Harry Potter and...I FINISHED IT! My first novel in Spanish! Next I'm reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because Matie couldn't find Chamber of Secrets. I'm not too concerned. Today for some reason I really wanted ice cubes (ice water, really) and Mexican food. Gahh. So yummy. Anyways, I had a pretty good day! Buenas noches!
Monday, November 15, 2010
I'm Kind of Addicted...
...to the internet. Our router died yesterday. Eek. I had a skype date with my family and I didn't want them to worry so I went all over town looking for any place that was open and asking if they had wi-fi. I finally settled on a cafe. It took me a little while though because all of Europe basically shuts down on Sunday....especially in the evening. But I managed to find it! I now have it in a corner of the house-in the living room which makes me very happy. The new router should be installed within the next two days. Thank goodness. I need to feel connected all the time. I had the amazing discovery yesterday of why I am so attached to my family. My mom sees my Grandma every single morning to get her coffee. Grandma calls once or twice a day and we live a mile apart. My Dad goes to my Grandparent's house more days than he doesn't. We're all just so close. It's how we are. So this is difficult for us.
I'm just going to list how my weekend went:
1. I went shopping at La Morea (the mall) with Natalie. We walked in on a dog fashion show. No joke. It made my weekend. I bought some earrings from H&M and a cheap belt from a China Shop. It works great though. Nat ate dinner with us and spent the night.
2. I slept in again! I went to 12 o'clock church. It was the biggest crowd so far. I cried a little. It was nice.
3. I ate lunch at my Grandparent's house. It was delicious again! I had to tell Grandpa who I was and where I was from and what language I spoke. Again. I really like Grandpa.
4. The internet didn't work so I found my cafe and talked to my family. I came home and wrote my essay for Ohio State and then watched lots of That 70s Show.
It turned out to be a nice weekend. I really missed blogging last night. I need it.
Today school went by really quickly. I wrote a letter, read some Harry Potter, and wrote in my journal. I came home and ate lunch with Maite. I had to escape to my room right after though because I was so emotional. It was like I didn't know what had come over me but I couldn't help it. Sometimes it's just really nice to cry and let everything out. I always feel better afterwards. I read my book of messages from home and that helped. Sometimes it's just hard, you know? What can I say? I'm become very emotional.
Natalie came over this evening and we had a great time! As we watched That 70s Show she made posters advertising English lessons to hang up at the University and I cleaned my buttons. I'm such a nerd! I just felt so great. Just sitting in a room watching TV and listening to music and just having the comfort of someone else. I missed that and today I got it back! I honestly did have a great Monday.
The length of this post is due to Brandi. She told me that they are just too long. I'm going to ignore that statement every other day except today. Enjoy the short post Bran. I love you. I have to eat dinner and check a few more things off my to-do list before going to bed. Have a great evening everyone!
I'm just going to list how my weekend went:
1. I went shopping at La Morea (the mall) with Natalie. We walked in on a dog fashion show. No joke. It made my weekend. I bought some earrings from H&M and a cheap belt from a China Shop. It works great though. Nat ate dinner with us and spent the night.
2. I slept in again! I went to 12 o'clock church. It was the biggest crowd so far. I cried a little. It was nice.
3. I ate lunch at my Grandparent's house. It was delicious again! I had to tell Grandpa who I was and where I was from and what language I spoke. Again. I really like Grandpa.
4. The internet didn't work so I found my cafe and talked to my family. I came home and wrote my essay for Ohio State and then watched lots of That 70s Show.
It turned out to be a nice weekend. I really missed blogging last night. I need it.
Today school went by really quickly. I wrote a letter, read some Harry Potter, and wrote in my journal. I came home and ate lunch with Maite. I had to escape to my room right after though because I was so emotional. It was like I didn't know what had come over me but I couldn't help it. Sometimes it's just really nice to cry and let everything out. I always feel better afterwards. I read my book of messages from home and that helped. Sometimes it's just hard, you know? What can I say? I'm become very emotional.
Natalie came over this evening and we had a great time! As we watched That 70s Show she made posters advertising English lessons to hang up at the University and I cleaned my buttons. I'm such a nerd! I just felt so great. Just sitting in a room watching TV and listening to music and just having the comfort of someone else. I missed that and today I got it back! I honestly did have a great Monday.
The length of this post is due to Brandi. She told me that they are just too long. I'm going to ignore that statement every other day except today. Enjoy the short post Bran. I love you. I have to eat dinner and check a few more things off my to-do list before going to bed. Have a great evening everyone!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Words of Wisdom.
Yesterday I went to school. On my way to school I saw someone walking their dog and had the desire to take Chance for a walk. I miss my best friend. If he were here with me it would honestly be so much easier. I miss kissing his forehead and taking naps with him and giving him treats. I love you buddy. School was pretty typical. Like I said, routine is setting in. It's bound to happen anywhere, but it just got to me a little this week.
After school I came home and ate lunch and watched The Simpsons with Maite. Then I got to skype with Tessa!!!! This is the first we have talked in two and a half months! It was so nice to talk to her and compare our situations and cultures and everything. It was fabulous. After that skype session I moved on to the next: MOMMY! It had been the longest we've gone without talking ever in my life: five days. Don't judge us-we're just close. So we talked and it was amazing as always. We were talking about Thanksgiving and she told me she already bought the turkey. Then she told me that she had an idea. So I'm thinking, "Mom has an idea. What is she going to do? Make me a dinner and then eat it in front of me on skype?" So I was a little nervous. She told me that she was going to make me a dinner and then put it in the freezer so I could eat it when I got home. That's when the tears came. They were good tears though-happy tears. Who thinks of this? How could I ever ask for a better mom? I am so lucky. After awhile she called my dad in to say goodbye to me so the three of us were talking. I told them I am so confused sometimes with this whole skyping topic because some people are telling me to do it less and some are saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and I just get all confused. And my dad said, "Do what makes you happy. Screw everybody else."Said with a smile of course and then, "It's always worked out great for me." Oh Papa Bear, I love you.
After talking to my parents I met Natalie and we walked around the city and went in shops and bought pastries and olives and ate them in the streets. The atmosphere was wonderful. I love the feeling of knowing that I live in Europe. I live here. This isn't a trip or a vacation. This is my life. I do have one complaint though: the shops here close around eight so everyone can be home in time for dinner. Wahh. I need more time to think about what shoes I want to buy. Don't be cruel. I'm on the search for some great Spanish shoes, by the way. There are everywhere and they are fabulous. After a few hours we headed back here because I had a date with the love of my life: LIVY! I love talking to her. I miss her so much. It's so difficult. I hate that we can't spend all day together and then talk an hour before we feel asleep every night and share a room. It's just hard. But we're dealing with it. I talked to Liv until it was time for dinner. We ate dinner together and then I did the dishes and watched a little bit of TV with my family. I had another cough attack so Merche has me talking Ibuprofen and cough medicine now.
I went bed after spending a little bit of time with my MacBook. I slept for ten hours! I feel so much better. I think this cold syrup is helping. This morning I ate my Nougat Pillows and that's basically all I've done all day haha. I'm going to work on my Ohio State Scholars essay for a bit and then eat lunch. After lunch I'm meeting friends at the mall. I want some shoes! I also want to see if I can buy my ticket for Harry Potter! I'm so excited to this, even if it has Spanish dubs. I can deal. So today: GO DUKES & GO BUCKEYES!!!!! Have a great Saturday everyone. Besos!
After school I came home and ate lunch and watched The Simpsons with Maite. Then I got to skype with Tessa!!!! This is the first we have talked in two and a half months! It was so nice to talk to her and compare our situations and cultures and everything. It was fabulous. After that skype session I moved on to the next: MOMMY! It had been the longest we've gone without talking ever in my life: five days. Don't judge us-we're just close. So we talked and it was amazing as always. We were talking about Thanksgiving and she told me she already bought the turkey. Then she told me that she had an idea. So I'm thinking, "Mom has an idea. What is she going to do? Make me a dinner and then eat it in front of me on skype?" So I was a little nervous. She told me that she was going to make me a dinner and then put it in the freezer so I could eat it when I got home. That's when the tears came. They were good tears though-happy tears. Who thinks of this? How could I ever ask for a better mom? I am so lucky. After awhile she called my dad in to say goodbye to me so the three of us were talking. I told them I am so confused sometimes with this whole skyping topic because some people are telling me to do it less and some are saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and I just get all confused. And my dad said, "Do what makes you happy. Screw everybody else."Said with a smile of course and then, "It's always worked out great for me." Oh Papa Bear, I love you.
After talking to my parents I met Natalie and we walked around the city and went in shops and bought pastries and olives and ate them in the streets. The atmosphere was wonderful. I love the feeling of knowing that I live in Europe. I live here. This isn't a trip or a vacation. This is my life. I do have one complaint though: the shops here close around eight so everyone can be home in time for dinner. Wahh. I need more time to think about what shoes I want to buy. Don't be cruel. I'm on the search for some great Spanish shoes, by the way. There are everywhere and they are fabulous. After a few hours we headed back here because I had a date with the love of my life: LIVY! I love talking to her. I miss her so much. It's so difficult. I hate that we can't spend all day together and then talk an hour before we feel asleep every night and share a room. It's just hard. But we're dealing with it. I talked to Liv until it was time for dinner. We ate dinner together and then I did the dishes and watched a little bit of TV with my family. I had another cough attack so Merche has me talking Ibuprofen and cough medicine now.
I went bed after spending a little bit of time with my MacBook. I slept for ten hours! I feel so much better. I think this cold syrup is helping. This morning I ate my Nougat Pillows and that's basically all I've done all day haha. I'm going to work on my Ohio State Scholars essay for a bit and then eat lunch. After lunch I'm meeting friends at the mall. I want some shoes! I also want to see if I can buy my ticket for Harry Potter! I'm so excited to this, even if it has Spanish dubs. I can deal. So today: GO DUKES & GO BUCKEYES!!!!! Have a great Saturday everyone. Besos!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I Have Squirrels In My Leggings!
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Thursdays? I believe I have. Well, this Thursday was no exception. I woke up to my bowl of Nougat Pillows and then headed out the door for school. I wrote a lot at school today and I successfully chipped off all of nail polish...Yeah...I also worked on my Ohio State Scholars Essay and I think I have the perfect idea for an introduction. When I was in the hallway today I overheard some of the French teachers speaking in French (duhh) and it just sounded so beautiful. I miss hearing Livy and Loren speak this around me all the time. I want to learn French now. Maybe I'll stay for a summer in Pais with Loren! For my last class of the day, Economics, we had a test. I didn't know about the test...what's new? I did the multiple choice and then wrote my teacher a note saying that I was incapable of answering the short answer questions at the moment. I hope he understands.
Once I was home I ate lunch and unloaded the dishwasher. I had plenty of time before theatre tonight and I hadn't talked to my Grandma in awhile so I called her! She was surprised this time and it made me so happy! We talked for nearly an hour about life and other things. After my wonderful talk with Grandma, I finally put in Cinderella and completely relaxed. For an hour and a half I just sat there and stared at my computer and enjoyed one of my favorite movies of all time. It made me think of Aunt Patty. I miss you Aunt Patty. I want to fall in love at first sight like Cinderella and her prince charming. Sara asked me if I believed in love at first sight when we were watching West Side Story and I said, "Why not?" Who's to say it does or does not exist? I like to believe in things that some people think are impossible. Once Cinderella was over I didn't even feel bad for spending another chunk of my time in English. I needed it. Plus, I had theatre tonight, and trust me that is in ALL Spanish.
Before leaving the house I did my exercises and put on a little mascara (I didn't wear any make up to school today. Sometimes I just don't feel like it). I headed to the Civican. Civican is a public facility with chairs and bathrooms and a cafe and computers. It's so nice! We go there every day for break to escape from the cold. On the way to Civican I go to press play on my iPod and all I hear is the instrumental...no voices. Great. I ALWAYS listen to my iPod. Anytime I walk out of the house basically. So this made me so sad. I met Natalie and a few friends in theatre there. We talked and then I told them that my headphones just died and asked if they knew a good place. It turns out they did! We walked to the shop and I bought my headphones right away. They were about 9 Euros. That's not too bad considering my last pair were $15 or $20 and they are pretty much the same. I bought the pair most similar to mine that just died. They lived a fantastic life. I need the headphones with the foam stuff that covers your whole ear because they are more comfortable and they keep your ears warm. :)
During the first part of theatre Nat and I worked on our scene and it wasn't too bad. I mean it was nearly impossible to understand the director but we managed. At that point I realized how hard learning a second language really is. It takes a lot of patience and humiliation. Fabulous. Once our part was over we sat down and watched a few more scenes. We didn't understand too much but they were singing (forcibly of course) and I thoroughly enjoyed that! After practicing the scenes for the actual show, we divided into groups and did a few improv games. I'm improving! One of the acting games was saying a phrase across the stage alone. First you had to say it in a high voice and act according to that voice and the same coming back, except this time with a deep voice. I let everyone go in front of me because I did not understand the phrase and I didn't really feel like running across on my own so I tried to avoid that situation. Of course they noticed I hadn't gone. So I asked them to repeat the phrase again and then I did it and I gave it my all. I ran across that stage and did motions and yelled and spoke in a super high voice and then in the manliest voice I could conjure.They all laughed hysterically and they even clapped when I was finished! This made me feel like a part of the group...like I'm actually contributing. I made people laugh when I actually meant to. Once I got off the stage I asked what the phrase meant and the literal translation is "I have squirrels in my leggings!" HAHAHAHA. Like "I have ants in my pants" except this is a million times better. No wonder they laughed so much.
I listened to my iPod on my walk home from theatre with my new headphones and they work amazingly. Once I got home I showered and watched House with Maite until dinner was ready. Another great salad. You all are probably getting tired of hearing what is in them? I'll tell you anyways though because I'm not sick of writing about it yet: lettuce, tomatoes, baby onions, olives, carrots, cheese, pickles, oil, vinegar, and salt. Once we finished eating I washed the dishes and then said goodnight. I just finished talking to Katie Bop. She showed me all of her senior pictures and she is looking stunning as always! Since it's almost midnight I'm off to bed. This cold gets better with the more sleep that I get. But since I did almost two hours of resting today we'll see if I can actually fall asleep. I have troubles, you know. Anyways, enough with the rambling. Goodnight everyone. Watch out for those squirrels in your leggings.
Once I was home I ate lunch and unloaded the dishwasher. I had plenty of time before theatre tonight and I hadn't talked to my Grandma in awhile so I called her! She was surprised this time and it made me so happy! We talked for nearly an hour about life and other things. After my wonderful talk with Grandma, I finally put in Cinderella and completely relaxed. For an hour and a half I just sat there and stared at my computer and enjoyed one of my favorite movies of all time. It made me think of Aunt Patty. I miss you Aunt Patty. I want to fall in love at first sight like Cinderella and her prince charming. Sara asked me if I believed in love at first sight when we were watching West Side Story and I said, "Why not?" Who's to say it does or does not exist? I like to believe in things that some people think are impossible. Once Cinderella was over I didn't even feel bad for spending another chunk of my time in English. I needed it. Plus, I had theatre tonight, and trust me that is in ALL Spanish.
Before leaving the house I did my exercises and put on a little mascara (I didn't wear any make up to school today. Sometimes I just don't feel like it). I headed to the Civican. Civican is a public facility with chairs and bathrooms and a cafe and computers. It's so nice! We go there every day for break to escape from the cold. On the way to Civican I go to press play on my iPod and all I hear is the instrumental...no voices. Great. I ALWAYS listen to my iPod. Anytime I walk out of the house basically. So this made me so sad. I met Natalie and a few friends in theatre there. We talked and then I told them that my headphones just died and asked if they knew a good place. It turns out they did! We walked to the shop and I bought my headphones right away. They were about 9 Euros. That's not too bad considering my last pair were $15 or $20 and they are pretty much the same. I bought the pair most similar to mine that just died. They lived a fantastic life. I need the headphones with the foam stuff that covers your whole ear because they are more comfortable and they keep your ears warm. :)
During the first part of theatre Nat and I worked on our scene and it wasn't too bad. I mean it was nearly impossible to understand the director but we managed. At that point I realized how hard learning a second language really is. It takes a lot of patience and humiliation. Fabulous. Once our part was over we sat down and watched a few more scenes. We didn't understand too much but they were singing (forcibly of course) and I thoroughly enjoyed that! After practicing the scenes for the actual show, we divided into groups and did a few improv games. I'm improving! One of the acting games was saying a phrase across the stage alone. First you had to say it in a high voice and act according to that voice and the same coming back, except this time with a deep voice. I let everyone go in front of me because I did not understand the phrase and I didn't really feel like running across on my own so I tried to avoid that situation. Of course they noticed I hadn't gone. So I asked them to repeat the phrase again and then I did it and I gave it my all. I ran across that stage and did motions and yelled and spoke in a super high voice and then in the manliest voice I could conjure.They all laughed hysterically and they even clapped when I was finished! This made me feel like a part of the group...like I'm actually contributing. I made people laugh when I actually meant to. Once I got off the stage I asked what the phrase meant and the literal translation is "I have squirrels in my leggings!" HAHAHAHA. Like "I have ants in my pants" except this is a million times better. No wonder they laughed so much.
I listened to my iPod on my walk home from theatre with my new headphones and they work amazingly. Once I got home I showered and watched House with Maite until dinner was ready. Another great salad. You all are probably getting tired of hearing what is in them? I'll tell you anyways though because I'm not sick of writing about it yet: lettuce, tomatoes, baby onions, olives, carrots, cheese, pickles, oil, vinegar, and salt. Once we finished eating I washed the dishes and then said goodnight. I just finished talking to Katie Bop. She showed me all of her senior pictures and she is looking stunning as always! Since it's almost midnight I'm off to bed. This cold gets better with the more sleep that I get. But since I did almost two hours of resting today we'll see if I can actually fall asleep. I have troubles, you know. Anyways, enough with the rambling. Goodnight everyone. Watch out for those squirrels in your leggings.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Lera
There's the cutest little parrot hanging from the shelf above my bed. I've taken it upon myself to name her Lera because I did I ouija board once and it told me that my spirit guide is a Macaw and her name is Lera. So, why not? I think she's beautiful.
It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is...WHY IS IT ALWAYS RAINING?! This weather is not helping my current conditions with dealing with the plague. I want this cough to go away. But it's really not too bad--I mean I feel sick but I will be fine. I'll just keep getting enough sleep and taking my medicine. Anyways, it has rained everyday this week. It's just depressing weather. I like the rain and I love thunderstorms but this is just dreary.
Since I didn't feel well today, I didn't feel like really getting ready. I threw on my jeggings, fake ugg boots, and my volleyball hoodie that I just received from home. I looked so American and I felt so comfortable. The other students do wear big hoodies all the time here though. It really surprised me.I apologized to Victoria for talking her in class yesterday (it was an accident- I didn't know she was teaching yet!) and she said it was nothing. So everything is good with my counselor. Thank goodness. I read a lot of Harry Potter at school today. And that is pretty much all that happened haha. After school I came home and ate lunch. I skyped with my dad for a little bit which was really nice and then I watched Glee! I loved it. After Glee I headed to meet Mitchell. We went to the post office and I sent a letter to Joani and then we walked to El Corte Ingles and looked around. I wasn't feeling too well so I left after about an hour. He stayed and looked some more. When I got home I really wanted to watch Cinderella but since I had just spend an hour and a half speaking in English with Mitchell I would have felt too guilty. So I watched a few episodes of That 70s Show instead. It's getting easier to understand. I'm on season three now! This show always puts me in a better mood!
After catching up on emails and such, it was time for dinner. Tonight our salad consisted of: lettuce, hard boiled eggs, onions, corn, tuna, oil, vinegar, and salt. Delicious again!! I love these salads! I'm going to make them when I come home-it will be so easy! Once I was finished with my wonderful salad, I washed the dishes and said goodnight to my family. I have to just blow them a kiss instead of kissing them on their cheeks because I do not want to get them sick! It is going to be so strange going home and not giving kisses on each cheek every time I say hello or goodbye to a person (we don't do it at school though). I am so ready to get some sleep and eat some Nougat Pillows in the morning! Goodnight everyone! Have a great evening!
It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is...WHY IS IT ALWAYS RAINING?! This weather is not helping my current conditions with dealing with the plague. I want this cough to go away. But it's really not too bad--I mean I feel sick but I will be fine. I'll just keep getting enough sleep and taking my medicine. Anyways, it has rained everyday this week. It's just depressing weather. I like the rain and I love thunderstorms but this is just dreary.
Since I didn't feel well today, I didn't feel like really getting ready. I threw on my jeggings, fake ugg boots, and my volleyball hoodie that I just received from home. I looked so American and I felt so comfortable. The other students do wear big hoodies all the time here though. It really surprised me.I apologized to Victoria for talking her in class yesterday (it was an accident- I didn't know she was teaching yet!) and she said it was nothing. So everything is good with my counselor. Thank goodness. I read a lot of Harry Potter at school today. And that is pretty much all that happened haha. After school I came home and ate lunch. I skyped with my dad for a little bit which was really nice and then I watched Glee! I loved it. After Glee I headed to meet Mitchell. We went to the post office and I sent a letter to Joani and then we walked to El Corte Ingles and looked around. I wasn't feeling too well so I left after about an hour. He stayed and looked some more. When I got home I really wanted to watch Cinderella but since I had just spend an hour and a half speaking in English with Mitchell I would have felt too guilty. So I watched a few episodes of That 70s Show instead. It's getting easier to understand. I'm on season three now! This show always puts me in a better mood!
After catching up on emails and such, it was time for dinner. Tonight our salad consisted of: lettuce, hard boiled eggs, onions, corn, tuna, oil, vinegar, and salt. Delicious again!! I love these salads! I'm going to make them when I come home-it will be so easy! Once I was finished with my wonderful salad, I washed the dishes and said goodnight to my family. I have to just blow them a kiss instead of kissing them on their cheeks because I do not want to get them sick! It is going to be so strange going home and not giving kisses on each cheek every time I say hello or goodbye to a person (we don't do it at school though). I am so ready to get some sleep and eat some Nougat Pillows in the morning! Goodnight everyone! Have a great evening!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
"You Have the Same Eyebrows"
School was extremely uneventful today besides my primer bachiller class. This is the class that Natalie and I go to now instead of going to the library instead of going to French. You follow me? This is the grade level below us. So they are really two years younger than us. We don't even have books for these once a day random classes that we attend. It's just a place to go so we don't talk. Anyways, Tabs is in that classroom. Today I had my pictures with me from my package from yesterday so I was showing Tabs. The teacher is my history teacher and counselor. She wasn't really teaching yet so I thought I would show Tabs Brandi's school picture. Tabs was holding it up and comparing us and she said that we had the same eyebrows. Hahaha. I love my German friend so much. So we were whispering all the way in the back of the room and Victoria the teacher of historia called me out for it in front of the entire class. Whoops. Oh well. Seek the purpose...seek the purpose...seek the purpose...fall asleep...get yelled at...talk...get yelled at...
gahh I'm still in high school.
It was just a really depressing day at school. I'm sick. So I'm exhausted. But I don't want to stay home from school because I have places to go in the evening so I'll just suck it up. I don't want Merche to think that I'm sick enough to go to the doctor because I really just don't feel like going. My Mom is my doctor. She's just a phone call away. Anyways, it rained all day and students still open the windows. I just cannot understand their reasoning. Why be cold when you could be semi warm? Why inflict coldness upon yourself? WHY? Then one will say, "why not?" And I have the answer, I do. Because it's cold and your foreign exchange student is sick and sitting two seats away looking like someone with the plague. In Literature we had to partner up and I was Sara's partner. We worked on questions about the theme and the text and I felt bad because I couldn't say anything intelligent. I could say simple stuff but it was so obvious. She completely understood though. I just feel bad that she had to be partners with me. In English class today we listened to Rihanna's new song called "Stupid in Love" and Natalie thought it was "just stupid." Direct quote. I happen to agree. I like Rihanna but the chorus says, "I'm dumb but I'm not stupid." They're synonyms Rihanna. They seriously mean the exact same thing. But that doesn't matter, we go to listen to music again and learn all about Guy Fawks. He's from England and he committed suicide instead of being hung, drawn, and quartered. I'm not going to explain the process because you will all gag. You can Wikipedia that if you wish. My English teacher told us she found it very interesting. I find it sickening.
During my lunch break from school I ate lunch and responded to some emails. I got to chat to a friend is in India and i was great to hear about some of her experiences. It is just so different and fascinating! I can't wait to go someday. She said yesterday there was an elephant standing on her street corner!! After the chat I went back to school. It wasn't so bad. Natalie and I walked home in the dark. We talked and then took naps. She went home and I attempted to nap some more but I just kept thinking about all the stuff I needed to get done. I checked some things off my to do list and then did the dishes, set the table, ate dinner, and did more dishes. I love having chores!! It makes me feel like a part of the family!
Today was just such a blah day that I am happy to just go to bed so it will be over. I think this cold is taking its toll on me. It's just exhausting me. Tomorrow will be a good day filled with Nougat Pillows, a skype date with my parents, Glee, and hanging out with the Pamplonians. Oh and I would like to add that I did not even sign into Skype today. Not once. That's improvement! I can do this! Goodnight everyone. I hope you all had a marvelous Tuesday. Besos! (except I can't give any right now)
gahh I'm still in high school.
It was just a really depressing day at school. I'm sick. So I'm exhausted. But I don't want to stay home from school because I have places to go in the evening so I'll just suck it up. I don't want Merche to think that I'm sick enough to go to the doctor because I really just don't feel like going. My Mom is my doctor. She's just a phone call away. Anyways, it rained all day and students still open the windows. I just cannot understand their reasoning. Why be cold when you could be semi warm? Why inflict coldness upon yourself? WHY? Then one will say, "why not?" And I have the answer, I do. Because it's cold and your foreign exchange student is sick and sitting two seats away looking like someone with the plague. In Literature we had to partner up and I was Sara's partner. We worked on questions about the theme and the text and I felt bad because I couldn't say anything intelligent. I could say simple stuff but it was so obvious. She completely understood though. I just feel bad that she had to be partners with me. In English class today we listened to Rihanna's new song called "Stupid in Love" and Natalie thought it was "just stupid." Direct quote. I happen to agree. I like Rihanna but the chorus says, "I'm dumb but I'm not stupid." They're synonyms Rihanna. They seriously mean the exact same thing. But that doesn't matter, we go to listen to music again and learn all about Guy Fawks. He's from England and he committed suicide instead of being hung, drawn, and quartered. I'm not going to explain the process because you will all gag. You can Wikipedia that if you wish. My English teacher told us she found it very interesting. I find it sickening.
During my lunch break from school I ate lunch and responded to some emails. I got to chat to a friend is in India and i was great to hear about some of her experiences. It is just so different and fascinating! I can't wait to go someday. She said yesterday there was an elephant standing on her street corner!! After the chat I went back to school. It wasn't so bad. Natalie and I walked home in the dark. We talked and then took naps. She went home and I attempted to nap some more but I just kept thinking about all the stuff I needed to get done. I checked some things off my to do list and then did the dishes, set the table, ate dinner, and did more dishes. I love having chores!! It makes me feel like a part of the family!
Today was just such a blah day that I am happy to just go to bed so it will be over. I think this cold is taking its toll on me. It's just exhausting me. Tomorrow will be a good day filled with Nougat Pillows, a skype date with my parents, Glee, and hanging out with the Pamplonians. Oh and I would like to add that I did not even sign into Skype today. Not once. That's improvement! I can do this! Goodnight everyone. I hope you all had a marvelous Tuesday. Besos! (except I can't give any right now)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Love In All Forms
I've been meaning to write for sometime about Spanish time. Don't ever show up on time when in Spain. Show up at least 10-15 minutes later than what was said. They say that this is not how it is anymore but they are lying. Turns out I'm extremely punctual here. So annoying. Can we just show up on time? Gahh. When I go home I'll my hardest not to make people wait anymore. I've learned how frustrating it is.
This morning I woke up and got ready to go to the police station to pick up student resident card. I went to the Plaza del Castillo at nine to meet a friend. I ended up waiting there for twenty minutes and then I decided to just go. I was sick of just standing in the rain. So after my fifteen minute walk to the Plaza then my twenty minutes just waiting there, I had to walk another twenty to the police station (I didn't take a bus since I thought I was meeting a friend). Anyways, I finally get to the station and I get my card within two minutes. Spectacular. I am officially done with all paperwork. I'm a legal resident in Spain until October 6, 2011!!! Yay! I walked to the nearest bus stop and rode it all the way home. I'm so happy I didn't have to walk home in the rain. I came home and ate some Nougat Pillows to celebrate getting my card (hahaha) and then asked my friend on my facebook why she never showed. It turns out she had a stiff neck and could hardly get out of bed. I feel bad for her and I hope she gets well soon, I just wish she would have told me.
I went to school and it flew by since I practically missed half of the day. I understood much more today and that made me happy. I'm really loving Art History. It's my favorite class besides English. After school I walked home and saw a package sitting on the table...addressed to...ALEXANDRIA BIDDLE! Oh I was so excited! I got my my big comfy volleyball hoodie and it had some Chancie hairs on it. That's the best part. I also got my favorite T-shirt, an OSU zipper pull, chocolate chips, pictures of my beautiful family, and Flat Stanley. I did some work on the chocolate chips. Thanks guys, you know me so well. I was really excited to see Flat Stanley! My mom's friend is a grade school teacher and they have this laminated little man with a tie. He is so cute. He travels to many places and he's here with me in Spain! I'm going to show him a good time. We'll be best friends. I hope he likes Pamplona. I need to get some pics of him running with the bulls and eating paella.
This evening I met up with some of the other Pamponians. We were meeting with a man who runs an English tutoring school. He's looking for some teachers around the holidays. Mitchell got lost in San Juan and ran up my minutes like crazy. I was running in town looking for him. Boy needs a map. During the meeting we found out that we can really make some money, but we need Rotary's permission first. We all agreed on this. The man wants us to make lesson plans for an entire week for all ages. This will take some time, but I am more than willing to do it if I have the opportunity to improve my Spanish skills and make some extra money. I hope it all works out. But I am not counting on it yet. After the meeting some of us went to El Corte Ingles to find Mitchell a notebook. I made him get the cheaper one or else he would have had to borrow two euros from me. I was not letting him spend fourteen euros on a journal when he could get one that is just as good for four. I told him he would thank me later. Haha. I love him. I call him "diva" all the time. I headed home and arrived here around nine. I did some facebooking until dinner was ready.
Tonight's salad was pretty great: tomatoes, tuna, corn, olives. onions, oil, vinegar, and salt. I really loved this one. Maybe some of you at home should try some of these salads. They are so simple I think even I could make them. Crazy, right?
Random List:
1. My face looks like I'm in pain while watching TV because I am concentrating so much.
2. I miss Poncho's. It seems like we always went there when it rained and it rained a bunch today. But it's closed on Monday's anyways.
3. It rains so much in Pamplona and the weather changes like a bi-polar person's emotions.
4. I miss babysitting. I miss kids.
5. Apparently English is a very beautiful language. I always thought Spanish was much prettier but some people think otherwise.
6. Have I mentioned that I have lines in the play? That's right. I have to act in Spanish.
7. My host mom always stocks up on chocolate. We NEVER run out. I fit in well.
8. I love the Spanish language. I wish I could it beautifully. Soon? Tonight some of the Pamplonians told me I roll my r's very well. Yay.
9. I have the plague. I can't stop coughing.
This has been a great Monday! This week I have a lot of things to do. I'm getting busier all the time. I'm living my life in Spain. I'm loving my life in Spain. I'm in SPAIN! Living. Sometimes I still can't believe it. I'm glad I'm discovering the world and myself and learning and loving all that I can. Everytime I have the opportunity to make a wish I always wish for the same thing: love in all forms. Isn't that all we really need? That's all I really want. I want to love all that I can and I want to feel that love in return. So let me end with saying that I love my home, and I love my life here, and I love all the people who have loved me. I love discovery, traveling, music, and singing and dancing like a crazy lady. I love mint chocolate chip ice cream, carrots, and my dog. I even love the fact that a lady spat at me the other day and tat I saw the eyes of Satan because now I have an amazing story to tell. I bet she was born on June 6th. Anyways enough about the crazy lady. I love you all! Besos.
This morning I woke up and got ready to go to the police station to pick up student resident card. I went to the Plaza del Castillo at nine to meet a friend. I ended up waiting there for twenty minutes and then I decided to just go. I was sick of just standing in the rain. So after my fifteen minute walk to the Plaza then my twenty minutes just waiting there, I had to walk another twenty to the police station (I didn't take a bus since I thought I was meeting a friend). Anyways, I finally get to the station and I get my card within two minutes. Spectacular. I am officially done with all paperwork. I'm a legal resident in Spain until October 6, 2011!!! Yay! I walked to the nearest bus stop and rode it all the way home. I'm so happy I didn't have to walk home in the rain. I came home and ate some Nougat Pillows to celebrate getting my card (hahaha) and then asked my friend on my facebook why she never showed. It turns out she had a stiff neck and could hardly get out of bed. I feel bad for her and I hope she gets well soon, I just wish she would have told me.
I went to school and it flew by since I practically missed half of the day. I understood much more today and that made me happy. I'm really loving Art History. It's my favorite class besides English. After school I walked home and saw a package sitting on the table...addressed to...ALEXANDRIA BIDDLE! Oh I was so excited! I got my my big comfy volleyball hoodie and it had some Chancie hairs on it. That's the best part. I also got my favorite T-shirt, an OSU zipper pull, chocolate chips, pictures of my beautiful family, and Flat Stanley. I did some work on the chocolate chips. Thanks guys, you know me so well. I was really excited to see Flat Stanley! My mom's friend is a grade school teacher and they have this laminated little man with a tie. He is so cute. He travels to many places and he's here with me in Spain! I'm going to show him a good time. We'll be best friends. I hope he likes Pamplona. I need to get some pics of him running with the bulls and eating paella.
This evening I met up with some of the other Pamponians. We were meeting with a man who runs an English tutoring school. He's looking for some teachers around the holidays. Mitchell got lost in San Juan and ran up my minutes like crazy. I was running in town looking for him. Boy needs a map. During the meeting we found out that we can really make some money, but we need Rotary's permission first. We all agreed on this. The man wants us to make lesson plans for an entire week for all ages. This will take some time, but I am more than willing to do it if I have the opportunity to improve my Spanish skills and make some extra money. I hope it all works out. But I am not counting on it yet. After the meeting some of us went to El Corte Ingles to find Mitchell a notebook. I made him get the cheaper one or else he would have had to borrow two euros from me. I was not letting him spend fourteen euros on a journal when he could get one that is just as good for four. I told him he would thank me later. Haha. I love him. I call him "diva" all the time. I headed home and arrived here around nine. I did some facebooking until dinner was ready.
Tonight's salad was pretty great: tomatoes, tuna, corn, olives. onions, oil, vinegar, and salt. I really loved this one. Maybe some of you at home should try some of these salads. They are so simple I think even I could make them. Crazy, right?
Random List:
1. My face looks like I'm in pain while watching TV because I am concentrating so much.
2. I miss Poncho's. It seems like we always went there when it rained and it rained a bunch today. But it's closed on Monday's anyways.
3. It rains so much in Pamplona and the weather changes like a bi-polar person's emotions.
4. I miss babysitting. I miss kids.
5. Apparently English is a very beautiful language. I always thought Spanish was much prettier but some people think otherwise.
6. Have I mentioned that I have lines in the play? That's right. I have to act in Spanish.
7. My host mom always stocks up on chocolate. We NEVER run out. I fit in well.
8. I love the Spanish language. I wish I could it beautifully. Soon? Tonight some of the Pamplonians told me I roll my r's very well. Yay.
9. I have the plague. I can't stop coughing.
This has been a great Monday! This week I have a lot of things to do. I'm getting busier all the time. I'm living my life in Spain. I'm loving my life in Spain. I'm in SPAIN! Living. Sometimes I still can't believe it. I'm glad I'm discovering the world and myself and learning and loving all that I can. Everytime I have the opportunity to make a wish I always wish for the same thing: love in all forms. Isn't that all we really need? That's all I really want. I want to love all that I can and I want to feel that love in return. So let me end with saying that I love my home, and I love my life here, and I love all the people who have loved me. I love discovery, traveling, music, and singing and dancing like a crazy lady. I love mint chocolate chip ice cream, carrots, and my dog. I even love the fact that a lady spat at me the other day and tat I saw the eyes of Satan because now I have an amazing story to tell. I bet she was born on June 6th. Anyways enough about the crazy lady. I love you all! Besos.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Happy Birthday Korey!
Let's rewind to Saturday morning. All of us girl exchangers woke up at Elle's around ten. Tabea said she wanted a really good breakfast and Elle said that she had pancake mix from home and a dozen of eggs in her host parent's fridge. Elle made the pancake while I dealt with the eggs. I attempted to make my first dippy egg in Spain and it was a complete failure. The pans was not non-stick so I melted butter on it...I don't think this was the problem though. The problem was that the spatula was round. It confused me. Needless to say, I turned my wanna be dippy egg into a scrambled one. Still delicious. Then we made the rest of the eggs scrambled. They were so good. We ate croissants with jelly and drank orange juice. It was a fun time. Once we cleaned up our mess in the kitchen we all got dressed and headed to the bus stop. Once we reached Pamplona we got off in the center of the city and headed home.
I walked home and got on my computer for a bit and then ate lunch with my family. We had mashed potatoes! They had some kind of meat with them and it was so delicious. They tasted like something my Grandma Toussant makes. So wonderful. After lunch I actually took a little nap and then got my things ready and met Natalie at the school. We headed over to Athena's house to get ready with all the girls before going dancing. We got ready and had a blast and then met up with Mitchell and Rebecca before heading to McDonald's. I didn't buy anything. But I stole some fries from Natalie, but Mitchell paid for them, so I stole some fries from Mitchell and they were yummy. Not that I miss McDonald's. I just like the salty french fries. They're pretty fabulous. We went dancing and had a good time. I love dancing. To end the night, Natalie spent the night and she fell right asleep. I had to spend some time with my computer before I could make that happen.
This morning Nat and I woke up around 10:15 and ate our Nougat Pillows. After getting ready she headed home and I went to church. I love church but it always makes me cry. I'm just emotional now, what can I say? I came home from church and was extremely lazy until we left for lunch at the grandparent's house. Lunch was nice. Grandpa didn't eat with u today because he wanted to watch TV haha. He's a pretty cool guy.
I came home and gave a surprise call to Korey on her cell phone. I love doing this!! It took her a little while to figure out it was me. It's so much fun. We talked for quite awhile about life and her birthday. It was so nice!!! I then skyped with my family and then Aunt Bevie, Taylor, and Morgan. Such a nice skype day. I miss them all so much, but it becomes easier with each new day.
I'm starting to feel more like a part of the family. I set the table before each meal now and it's my week for dishes. Maite and I clean our bathroom together too. Lately I've had a bit of a cold. My nose is congested and I have a really bad cough. My throat doesn't really hurt but I'm coughing like crazy. Merche asks me every day if it's getting better and I think it is so I always say yes. Tonight in my room was coughing quite a bit so she gave me medicine at dinner to take tonight and tomorrow. She is so sweet. After dinner I did the dishes and right now I'm watching House with my family. I'm getting pretty tired though so I'll have to get some sleep soon.
Tomorrow I'm headed to the police station to pick up my student card. I'm meeting Diana there, a girl from El Salvador that I met there the last time I turned in all my paperwork. We're facebook friends and she asked if I wanted to meet and of course I said "of course!" Haha. I'm excited to see her again! Tomorrow is the start of another great week. So goodnight everyone. Besos! Oh and congrats Dukes!!! Os quiero!
I walked home and got on my computer for a bit and then ate lunch with my family. We had mashed potatoes! They had some kind of meat with them and it was so delicious. They tasted like something my Grandma Toussant makes. So wonderful. After lunch I actually took a little nap and then got my things ready and met Natalie at the school. We headed over to Athena's house to get ready with all the girls before going dancing. We got ready and had a blast and then met up with Mitchell and Rebecca before heading to McDonald's. I didn't buy anything. But I stole some fries from Natalie, but Mitchell paid for them, so I stole some fries from Mitchell and they were yummy. Not that I miss McDonald's. I just like the salty french fries. They're pretty fabulous. We went dancing and had a good time. I love dancing. To end the night, Natalie spent the night and she fell right asleep. I had to spend some time with my computer before I could make that happen.
This morning Nat and I woke up around 10:15 and ate our Nougat Pillows. After getting ready she headed home and I went to church. I love church but it always makes me cry. I'm just emotional now, what can I say? I came home from church and was extremely lazy until we left for lunch at the grandparent's house. Lunch was nice. Grandpa didn't eat with u today because he wanted to watch TV haha. He's a pretty cool guy.
I came home and gave a surprise call to Korey on her cell phone. I love doing this!! It took her a little while to figure out it was me. It's so much fun. We talked for quite awhile about life and her birthday. It was so nice!!! I then skyped with my family and then Aunt Bevie, Taylor, and Morgan. Such a nice skype day. I miss them all so much, but it becomes easier with each new day.
I'm starting to feel more like a part of the family. I set the table before each meal now and it's my week for dishes. Maite and I clean our bathroom together too. Lately I've had a bit of a cold. My nose is congested and I have a really bad cough. My throat doesn't really hurt but I'm coughing like crazy. Merche asks me every day if it's getting better and I think it is so I always say yes. Tonight in my room was coughing quite a bit so she gave me medicine at dinner to take tonight and tomorrow. She is so sweet. After dinner I did the dishes and right now I'm watching House with my family. I'm getting pretty tired though so I'll have to get some sleep soon.
Tomorrow I'm headed to the police station to pick up my student card. I'm meeting Diana there, a girl from El Salvador that I met there the last time I turned in all my paperwork. We're facebook friends and she asked if I wanted to meet and of course I said "of course!" Haha. I'm excited to see her again! Tomorrow is the start of another great week. So goodnight everyone. Besos! Oh and congrats Dukes!!! Os quiero!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Slumber Party!
Right now I'm at another exchanger's house in her basement along with the other exchange students. It's 1:25 am so the boy already took the bus home. We all met in town and took the bus to the Elle's house. Once we got here we started making pizzas and we all ate and marveled over the fact that Elle's house has four floors and a basement. A basement. I had no idea these even existed in Spain. Cool! After eating we all gathered on the couch and watched The Hangover. This movie will never get old. It is so outrageous but so funny. We all laughed the entire time. Since Matt and Mitchell left we've just been hanging out. It feels so American. It feels so easy...like we've been friends for years...It's great.
School today was long. After school I talked to my parents to make sure that my dad's surgery went alright and it went great. It was a five minute procedure and he's doing great now. Such great news! Even the small things have so much more weight when I'm here. Everything that happens in my life is so much more emphasized here. I have to figure things out and deal with so much on my own. I like it.
Now it's time to change into pajamas and just talk before we all fall asleep. Am I really in Spain right now? I think I've walked back into an American Friday night...It feels a little bizarre at the moment...but I like it. Goodnight everyone. Enjoy your evening! Besos!
School today was long. After school I talked to my parents to make sure that my dad's surgery went alright and it went great. It was a five minute procedure and he's doing great now. Such great news! Even the small things have so much more weight when I'm here. Everything that happens in my life is so much more emphasized here. I have to figure things out and deal with so much on my own. I like it.
Now it's time to change into pajamas and just talk before we all fall asleep. Am I really in Spain right now? I think I've walked back into an American Friday night...It feels a little bizarre at the moment...but I like it. Goodnight everyone. Enjoy your evening! Besos!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Did That Really Just Happen?
Just a normal day. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and all is well with the world. My iPod is on and my feet are carrying me to my house after a long day at school. I'm in a very good mood...just walking...just listening to my music when a women walks in front of me. She is probably 30 or 40 years old and was dressed very Bohemian. Her hair was choppy-and I'm not discriminating or judging but she was looking rough. The lady walks past me and then turns around one moment later and spits at me. That right. She spit at me. Then she started yelling something that I couldn't understand and was walking angrily in the opposite direction ripping up papers and yelling.
Okay, WHAT?! Perhaps she is a gypsy? I was so scared at first. I couldn't believe what had just happened...I continued walking and then just started to laugh. She has to be insane, right? Who spits at a happy girl listening to music on her way home from school? And let's be honest...I look like a Spaniard. No one here thinks I'm from America until I speak. I'm glad I have this memory though.
School is becoming very routine. Nothing out of the ordinary happened today, but we learned some interesting things in History of Art. Today we studied the churches along the way of the Camino de Santiago. For those of you unfamiliar with this, it is a pilgrimage that can start from various places in France and Northern Spain. Pamplona is one of the first stops on the pilgrimage and the travelers continue to the West to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It's amazing! The churches were absolutely beautiful and it's great to be studying something that is happening right before my eyes. There are signs all over the city pointing the pilgrims in the right direction and almost every day I see adventurous travelers with backpacks and great hiking boots making their way to the West. I talk to them sometimes. That's always fun.
Some differences in the kitchen: EVERYTHING is smaller. That's just about it.
I had theatre tonight and that was fun. Natalie and I just watched while they practiced their parts (we have parts too but they are small and towards the end....thank goodness!) until the director decided she wanted us to be guards. We had no idea what to do and we laughed the entire time. We had to hold the lead guy back as he was fighting to escape our arms. He said we were strong. Everyone laughed. I walked home without any spit attacks. Maybe the lady was just working on mastering the art of being a camel.That and the devil combined. I swear I say the eyes of Satan. Scary.
I'm home now just waiting for dinner time. It's 10:12. I'm hungry!!! Oh and I had nutella today for lunch! Yum. I'm going to bed early tonight and getting a good night's sleep. I need it. Buenas noches. Besos!
Okay, WHAT?! Perhaps she is a gypsy? I was so scared at first. I couldn't believe what had just happened...I continued walking and then just started to laugh. She has to be insane, right? Who spits at a happy girl listening to music on her way home from school? And let's be honest...I look like a Spaniard. No one here thinks I'm from America until I speak. I'm glad I have this memory though.
School is becoming very routine. Nothing out of the ordinary happened today, but we learned some interesting things in History of Art. Today we studied the churches along the way of the Camino de Santiago. For those of you unfamiliar with this, it is a pilgrimage that can start from various places in France and Northern Spain. Pamplona is one of the first stops on the pilgrimage and the travelers continue to the West to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It's amazing! The churches were absolutely beautiful and it's great to be studying something that is happening right before my eyes. There are signs all over the city pointing the pilgrims in the right direction and almost every day I see adventurous travelers with backpacks and great hiking boots making their way to the West. I talk to them sometimes. That's always fun.
Some differences in the kitchen: EVERYTHING is smaller. That's just about it.
I had theatre tonight and that was fun. Natalie and I just watched while they practiced their parts (we have parts too but they are small and towards the end....thank goodness!) until the director decided she wanted us to be guards. We had no idea what to do and we laughed the entire time. We had to hold the lead guy back as he was fighting to escape our arms. He said we were strong. Everyone laughed. I walked home without any spit attacks. Maybe the lady was just working on mastering the art of being a camel.That and the devil combined. I swear I say the eyes of Satan. Scary.
I'm home now just waiting for dinner time. It's 10:12. I'm hungry!!! Oh and I had nutella today for lunch! Yum. I'm going to bed early tonight and getting a good night's sleep. I need it. Buenas noches. Besos!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
To Be or Not To Be.
We just finished Hamlet today in Literature class. Everyone in the class always had a part since there are only eight of us. I an say that my reading has improved. The only problem is that when I am reading I'm not focusing on comprehension. I put all my effort into my accent and reading fluidly. I'm so glad that I read this last year or I would not have a clue. The vocabulary is so difficult. I have to look up so many words that it's just exhausting. I remember last year in Mr. Shlotis' class we got to act out the ending. I was Queen Gertrude then so I got to fake a death and everything. I fell to the floor and then John Bichsel starting kicking me because Tyler Shankel told him to. I couldn't move because I was dead so it was actually pretty funny. I really miss that class!
School today was the norm again. Language class was so incredibly long. It's times like these when you wonder if time is really consistent. I paid attention in History. Today Victoria actually wrote notes on the board so I became excited. I thought perhaps I could actually understand and study for a test, but...her handwriting is awful and the board was filled with abbreviations!!! How am I supposed to understand them in a foreign language?! So I picked up Harry Potter. Hogwarts was much more appealing than Isabel II. I am about halfway through Harry Potter now and I am enjoying my time while I read it now. I look forward to reading in Spanish!!! This is HUGE.
I'm sorry to do this, but I have to mention beef salad yet again. It was on my sandwich today. It's just too hard to tell Merche that it makes me want to puke just thinking of it. 1. It's so late when she actually gets home from work and classes and Tai Chi that I kind of forget about it. 2. How the hell am I supposed to explain this? Just tell her that I really gate it? I mean it's the only thing that I really don't like. I love almost everything else...so I can just deal with it right? Yes. So today I went to the little shop across the street and bought what looked liked a zebra cake!
So let's try to forget the one thing I hate and move on to one thing that I love: My dinner the past two nights! So last night my salad consisted of: lettuce, tomatoes, green olives, little pickles, little onions, corn, carrot-like things, turkey that looks like cut up hot dogs, oil, vinegar, and salt. This may not sound appetizing to you know but after living in Spain for a few weeks you would be in heaven. Trust me! It's so great!! Tonight I had a simpler salad with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and dressing. We had fresh bread and then Spanish Tortilla, which is a potato omelette. It is amazing. I was so full after dinner tonight.
This blog is not in chronological order which bothers me a little, but hey, why not mix up the order a bit? Today after lunch I met Rebecca, another exchange student from Chicago, in the old part of the city. We walked around a bit before heading to a small cafe where we ate gelato and drank hot tea. It was simply wonderful. We talked for a long time and it was great! I'm in Europe and I walked to meet a friend in a small cafe to pass the afternoon and listened to my iPod as I walked home...is this real life?
To make up for the two hours of speaking in English, I watched three episodes of That 70s Show and I understood at least 90% of what they were saying! That's great news for me. I told my family that at the dinner table and they were so proud. No joke. Comprehension is becoming much easier...if I could only speak...
My day flew by once again. When am I going to have time to apply for all these scholarships? I'll make time. I HAVE to. Well tomorrow is Thursday so I have no doubt that it will be fabulous. Thursdays never ever let me down. Buenas noches! Os quiero. Oh, and Hamlet, the answer is "to be."
School today was the norm again. Language class was so incredibly long. It's times like these when you wonder if time is really consistent. I paid attention in History. Today Victoria actually wrote notes on the board so I became excited. I thought perhaps I could actually understand and study for a test, but...her handwriting is awful and the board was filled with abbreviations!!! How am I supposed to understand them in a foreign language?! So I picked up Harry Potter. Hogwarts was much more appealing than Isabel II. I am about halfway through Harry Potter now and I am enjoying my time while I read it now. I look forward to reading in Spanish!!! This is HUGE.
I'm sorry to do this, but I have to mention beef salad yet again. It was on my sandwich today. It's just too hard to tell Merche that it makes me want to puke just thinking of it. 1. It's so late when she actually gets home from work and classes and Tai Chi that I kind of forget about it. 2. How the hell am I supposed to explain this? Just tell her that I really gate it? I mean it's the only thing that I really don't like. I love almost everything else...so I can just deal with it right? Yes. So today I went to the little shop across the street and bought what looked liked a zebra cake!
So let's try to forget the one thing I hate and move on to one thing that I love: My dinner the past two nights! So last night my salad consisted of: lettuce, tomatoes, green olives, little pickles, little onions, corn, carrot-like things, turkey that looks like cut up hot dogs, oil, vinegar, and salt. This may not sound appetizing to you know but after living in Spain for a few weeks you would be in heaven. Trust me! It's so great!! Tonight I had a simpler salad with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and dressing. We had fresh bread and then Spanish Tortilla, which is a potato omelette. It is amazing. I was so full after dinner tonight.
This blog is not in chronological order which bothers me a little, but hey, why not mix up the order a bit? Today after lunch I met Rebecca, another exchange student from Chicago, in the old part of the city. We walked around a bit before heading to a small cafe where we ate gelato and drank hot tea. It was simply wonderful. We talked for a long time and it was great! I'm in Europe and I walked to meet a friend in a small cafe to pass the afternoon and listened to my iPod as I walked home...is this real life?
To make up for the two hours of speaking in English, I watched three episodes of That 70s Show and I understood at least 90% of what they were saying! That's great news for me. I told my family that at the dinner table and they were so proud. No joke. Comprehension is becoming much easier...if I could only speak...
My day flew by once again. When am I going to have time to apply for all these scholarships? I'll make time. I HAVE to. Well tomorrow is Thursday so I have no doubt that it will be fabulous. Thursdays never ever let me down. Buenas noches! Os quiero. Oh, and Hamlet, the answer is "to be."
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid...India!
Today school was so mediocre. Nothing out of the ordinary happened that you would find the least bit entertaining. Natalie and I received good news though: Our classmates had to go to the University to visit this afternoon instead of going to our afternoon classes. We didn't have to go on the field trip which means no class! So after school Natalie came to my house and we ate some delicious paella. We then spent the next two hours searching all of the places we want to visit. We started with Bilbao and Barcelona. Rotary has told us that we can travel within the country alone now and then in March we can start traveling outside the country. It's about an hour bus ride to Bilbao. We want to see the amazing Guggenheim Museum. It looks absolutely incredible and it only costs five Euros. Barcelona is about a four hour bus ride and there are so many sight to see there that it is just ridiculous. We hope to do some traveling in the beginning of December when we have a break from school.
After completely our travel research, we walked to the bus station and got information about prices and hours of departure and arrival. We're going to make this happen. The entire way to and from the bus station we talked about all of the places that we want to see, all the food we want to taste, all of the experiences we want to experience. We ended up in India in the elephants, monkeys, and Bollywood music. I can't wait to travel the world!! I want to ride a camel in Morocco. Anyone want to come along?
My day has flown by. I still feel like I have so much to do. Study Spanish, watch That 70s Show (in Spanish), read Harry Potter (in Spanish), listen to music (in Spanish)....you get the idea. Today I received a Halloween card in the mail from Aunt Patty and Jay! Thanks guys! It was so perfect. Aunt Patty included pictures and lots of corny Halloween jokes...I'm such a sucker for corny jokes. Needless to say, I laughed a lot. Snail mail makes my day!! I love you Aunt Patty and Jay.
Soon we'll eat dinner and then I promise myself that I will be in bed by 11:30. I need my eight hours. I'm still having a hard time sleeping...and I wake up a lot during the night. I don't know what it is. It's so frustrating though and simply not fair. Anyways, I had a great day. Besos!
After completely our travel research, we walked to the bus station and got information about prices and hours of departure and arrival. We're going to make this happen. The entire way to and from the bus station we talked about all of the places that we want to see, all the food we want to taste, all of the experiences we want to experience. We ended up in India in the elephants, monkeys, and Bollywood music. I can't wait to travel the world!! I want to ride a camel in Morocco. Anyone want to come along?
My day has flown by. I still feel like I have so much to do. Study Spanish, watch That 70s Show (in Spanish), read Harry Potter (in Spanish), listen to music (in Spanish)....you get the idea. Today I received a Halloween card in the mail from Aunt Patty and Jay! Thanks guys! It was so perfect. Aunt Patty included pictures and lots of corny Halloween jokes...I'm such a sucker for corny jokes. Needless to say, I laughed a lot. Snail mail makes my day!! I love you Aunt Patty and Jay.
Soon we'll eat dinner and then I promise myself that I will be in bed by 11:30. I need my eight hours. I'm still having a hard time sleeping...and I wake up a lot during the night. I don't know what it is. It's so frustrating though and simply not fair. Anyways, I had a great day. Besos!
Monday, November 1, 2010
My Cup of Tea.
I didn't have school today since it's All Saints Day. I slept in this morning and wrote some emails and stuff oh and of course I ate my Nougat Pillows. Around one o'clock Merche took me to the cemetery. In Spain the cemeteries are packed on All Saints Day. People go to pay respect and place flowers on the graves. It's not a sad celebration (or at least it's not supposed to be). It was simply gorgeous. I can't exactly explain how different it was from the cemeteries I know, so I will post some pictures here. While there Merche explained to me that her husband died one year ago, her best friend fours years ago, and her mother seventeen years ago. Once I heard all this I just lost it. Usually when I'm in public and I feel like crying I can associate colors and objects and make it go away. For example: Blue sky...red building...brown dog...yellow door. But at the cemetery it a went a little more like this: Blue sky...green grass...pink flower...on the grey tomb stone...on the black tomb stone. I just hugged Merche and I told her that I was so sorry for all her losses and that she is such a strong person.
I don't regret this happening at all because I think it made us much closer. It's moments like these in life that it's just so nice to know that there is someone beside you that cares...they may not know your past, but they know your present and they're here for a hug. Life is short so live it to the fullest and love all that you can.
After the cemetery we headed to the grandparents house for lunch. PAELLA! I am absolutely in love with paella. It's a good thing that I made my mom make it for my graduation party this year...she'll have to be making it all the time next year. I'm going to miss this yumminess made of rice, saffron, and various meats. Oh and Grandpa still thinks I'm from France. He's ninety-two though so I just go with it. Before lunch he left the room to replace the battery in his hearing aid so we all waited at the table for him to return. He was talking like fifteen minutes so Grandma went looking for him. He was watching TV! This makes me laugh so much. I mean we could think of it as a sad story, but it's better to laugh about these things, right?
Once we returned home from lunch I sort of lost it again just because it was such a sad day. I called my dad and he helped me through it. I had a pretty emotional day. This happens. After awhile Merche asked me if I wanted some hot tea because she now knows that I love it. I said "of course!" It was so cute. She set a place mat out and placed my cup and saucer with a little spoon and napkin. I felt like I was in a little cafe! It was Earl Grey tea and it just made my day. It honestly made me really happy. She told me that she's going to show me where the tea bags are and she'll explain how to work that thing for the hot water. Haha. It shouldn't be too difficult.
Around 7:30 Merche and I left for church. We went to the church that I go to by myself on Sundays. Tonight there were many more people. When we walked in they were praying the rosary and then mass started soon after. After mass there was an a cappella performance in Latin by a group of old men in white robes. They were amazing. It was so nice to hear a cappella again. I'm glad that I am really getting a feel for the music here. It means so much to me. It is the universal language. And something that I just though about today: Last Halloween I saw RENT in Cincinnati and this Halloween I watched West Side Story. Both musicals...love it. I don't know what I would do without music, especially here. Today my iTunes shuffle decided to play three or four of my Spanish songs in a row and I thought this was some sort of sign: something encouraging me. So I made a playlist of all my Spanish songs and I listened to it and practiced Spanish flash cards online.
I would just like to say that I did not shed a tear in mass tonight. I think the tea right before hand helped! Hahaha. After mass Merche and I caught the bus home since it was raining and she, Maite, and I ate dinner and headed for bed. So here I am. Time for bed. Time to get ready for another amazing week in Pamplona. Happy Birthday to Hannah! Besos everyone!
I don't regret this happening at all because I think it made us much closer. It's moments like these in life that it's just so nice to know that there is someone beside you that cares...they may not know your past, but they know your present and they're here for a hug. Life is short so live it to the fullest and love all that you can.
After the cemetery we headed to the grandparents house for lunch. PAELLA! I am absolutely in love with paella. It's a good thing that I made my mom make it for my graduation party this year...she'll have to be making it all the time next year. I'm going to miss this yumminess made of rice, saffron, and various meats. Oh and Grandpa still thinks I'm from France. He's ninety-two though so I just go with it. Before lunch he left the room to replace the battery in his hearing aid so we all waited at the table for him to return. He was talking like fifteen minutes so Grandma went looking for him. He was watching TV! This makes me laugh so much. I mean we could think of it as a sad story, but it's better to laugh about these things, right?
Once we returned home from lunch I sort of lost it again just because it was such a sad day. I called my dad and he helped me through it. I had a pretty emotional day. This happens. After awhile Merche asked me if I wanted some hot tea because she now knows that I love it. I said "of course!" It was so cute. She set a place mat out and placed my cup and saucer with a little spoon and napkin. I felt like I was in a little cafe! It was Earl Grey tea and it just made my day. It honestly made me really happy. She told me that she's going to show me where the tea bags are and she'll explain how to work that thing for the hot water. Haha. It shouldn't be too difficult.
Around 7:30 Merche and I left for church. We went to the church that I go to by myself on Sundays. Tonight there were many more people. When we walked in they were praying the rosary and then mass started soon after. After mass there was an a cappella performance in Latin by a group of old men in white robes. They were amazing. It was so nice to hear a cappella again. I'm glad that I am really getting a feel for the music here. It means so much to me. It is the universal language. And something that I just though about today: Last Halloween I saw RENT in Cincinnati and this Halloween I watched West Side Story. Both musicals...love it. I don't know what I would do without music, especially here. Today my iTunes shuffle decided to play three or four of my Spanish songs in a row and I thought this was some sort of sign: something encouraging me. So I made a playlist of all my Spanish songs and I listened to it and practiced Spanish flash cards online.
Happy Halloween!
I meant to blog last night but I was tired and I was talking to my mom and Brandi so we're all going to pretend that I wrote it yesterday when it was still Halloween. So back to Saturday. I went shopping at the mall and put some money on my phone...finally. I made 12 E last me two months. The rates are .45 E a minute for calls and .10 E a text. I try not to use it often. I found the Movistar kiosk at the mall and put 10 E on it. Maybe it will last until Thanksgiving...Christmas if I'm lucky.
After doing this Mariel, Nat, and I headed to H&M, one of my favorite stores in the world. I bought three items at full price and it didn't even hurt too badly! Just in case weren't aware, I am so cheap when it comes to clothing and shopping and all that jazz. I buy shirts for $3 and dresses for $5 and I have a pair of Roxy sandals that I got for $3. I can find the deals, but here it's a little different. The sale items are ugly. Haha. So I told myself it's okay to spend more on something I actually like. I bought a grey sweater poncho. It is so comfortable. I'm in love with it. I also bought some grey sweat pants. Yes, I'm in Spain, but I only brought my VS PINK sweatpants and they just aren't the same as really baggy, soft sweats. So I bought them and I'm wearing them right now. Not regretting it whatsoever. The last item I bought was a dress. At first it appears to be ugly and curtain-like but after you put it on it's gorgeous. After shopping on Saturday I skyped with Brandi, Katie, and Abbie (I am completely aware I skype too much...I'm working on it, okay?) and I was showing them what I had purchased and they all told me it was the ugliest dress they have ever seen. Brandi told me to return it. She also told me she never would have let me buy it. So you know what I did? I wore it out Saturday night and everyone LOVED it.
On Saturday night we Pamplonians met up and went to Doner Kebob. We hung out there for a long time and had Rob put in his Lady Gaga CD. He was showing us all of his CDs and he keep them in aluminum foil! I thought it was funny. After leaving Rob's we went to this empty stage and just talked before heading to San Juan. We walked to San Juan and then went to a club there. I was exhausted and didn't have a whole lot of fun at the club so I left early around 12:30. Luckily San Juan is the section of the city I live in so I was home in about ten minutes. I went straight to bed. Maybe next time I'll be able to dance longer. It's a part of the culture I'm still adjusting to. Yes, I can stay up really late on my computer and reading and such, but dancing and singing takes a lot more effort so it's a little different. No wonder they all call me the goody-two-shoes haha. They don't say it to make fun of me...I don't think!
On Sunday, yesterday, Halloween! I went to church with Merche and Maite. Yesterday was the anniversary of the father passing away so many friends and family were at church as well. I cried again in church...surprise. I felt awful about it too because they are the ones who lost someone and it's the anniversary and here am I...so lucky...I haven't lost anything except the control over my emotions...Anyways, after church we talked with family for awhile and I met the husband's (that passed away) cousin who had just returned from living in Pennsylvania for three years! It was great. We spoke in English though...but he asked for my cell phone number so that his kids (boy-21, girl-17) could call me so we could hang out and work on our Spanish/English together!! I'm so excited. After the mingling Merche, Maite, me, and some of their friends headed to a cafe and ordered drinks and snacks. I got some much needed hot tea. I haven't had it in such a long time and I was starting to get a cold so it came at the perfect time. Once we had our fair share of mingling everyone parted ways and we came back home. We all relaxed for a bit until headed to my host-grandparents' house for lunch.
At lunch I saw a salad sitting on the table. In said salad were octopus and beets. Thankfully Merche knows that I loathe beats and I had a legit reason not to eat it. The rest of lunch was great until dessert. Flan. I've tried flan many times and I've wanted to gag every single time. If you don't know what flan is you should google it. The best way to describe it would be milky pudding with carmel on it. It jiggles and breaks apart really easily. I just said, "No, thank you." I had to. I didn't want to spew in front of my grandparents!
After lunch I took a nap and skyped with Brody and Olivia. Both wonderful. I love them so much!! I wish that time stopped every time Livy and I talk because we never have enough time. I miss you, Liv. Every day. After talking to my loves, I got ready and met my friend Sara at the school. Vicky and Natalie were supposed to meet us as well but they couldn't make it, so it was just Sara and I. Sara's dad took us to her house and we watched West Side Story. This was on my "to-do list"!!!! We watched it in Spanish and I concentrated so much. Sara made popcorn. We ate two bags of it! Haha. We also had some olives and chocolate pudding. We talked during the movie and laughed and cried. It was a beautiful movie. So sad though. I want to see the show live now. After the movie Sara's dad drove me home. On the ride home we spoke and it took all I had to keep concentrating. I had the worst Spanish headache last night. It was the first time that I wanted to be able to really understand everything and had an actual conversation and it was a little painful but absolutely worth it. I had a great time last night! It just felt easy...like friendship should be. I can't wait to hang out again! I have Spanish friends everyone!
Last night I showered and talked with my mom and Brandi for a little while. We agreed to just send emails and not schedule another skype date until next Sunday. At least we're trying. It's just so easy to sing in and talk...especially when my host family is gone or we're all in our rooms. I mean the skyping is not holding me back from anything. I never choose skyping over something happening in my life here...it's just impossibly hard for me to say goodbye to my life at home. It sounds a little vain, but I like hearing that people are asking about me and they are reading my blog and they still care so much...because I still care so much. And I do have a life here, and every time something exciting happens I just want to call my parents and tell them all about it. I don't know. This will be something I just figure out as I go.
Is it really that ugly? Happy Halloween everyone! I love you.
After doing this Mariel, Nat, and I headed to H&M, one of my favorite stores in the world. I bought three items at full price and it didn't even hurt too badly! Just in case weren't aware, I am so cheap when it comes to clothing and shopping and all that jazz. I buy shirts for $3 and dresses for $5 and I have a pair of Roxy sandals that I got for $3. I can find the deals, but here it's a little different. The sale items are ugly. Haha. So I told myself it's okay to spend more on something I actually like. I bought a grey sweater poncho. It is so comfortable. I'm in love with it. I also bought some grey sweat pants. Yes, I'm in Spain, but I only brought my VS PINK sweatpants and they just aren't the same as really baggy, soft sweats. So I bought them and I'm wearing them right now. Not regretting it whatsoever. The last item I bought was a dress. At first it appears to be ugly and curtain-like but after you put it on it's gorgeous. After shopping on Saturday I skyped with Brandi, Katie, and Abbie (I am completely aware I skype too much...I'm working on it, okay?) and I was showing them what I had purchased and they all told me it was the ugliest dress they have ever seen. Brandi told me to return it. She also told me she never would have let me buy it. So you know what I did? I wore it out Saturday night and everyone LOVED it.
On Saturday night we Pamplonians met up and went to Doner Kebob. We hung out there for a long time and had Rob put in his Lady Gaga CD. He was showing us all of his CDs and he keep them in aluminum foil! I thought it was funny. After leaving Rob's we went to this empty stage and just talked before heading to San Juan. We walked to San Juan and then went to a club there. I was exhausted and didn't have a whole lot of fun at the club so I left early around 12:30. Luckily San Juan is the section of the city I live in so I was home in about ten minutes. I went straight to bed. Maybe next time I'll be able to dance longer. It's a part of the culture I'm still adjusting to. Yes, I can stay up really late on my computer and reading and such, but dancing and singing takes a lot more effort so it's a little different. No wonder they all call me the goody-two-shoes haha. They don't say it to make fun of me...I don't think!
On Sunday, yesterday, Halloween! I went to church with Merche and Maite. Yesterday was the anniversary of the father passing away so many friends and family were at church as well. I cried again in church...surprise. I felt awful about it too because they are the ones who lost someone and it's the anniversary and here am I...so lucky...I haven't lost anything except the control over my emotions...Anyways, after church we talked with family for awhile and I met the husband's (that passed away) cousin who had just returned from living in Pennsylvania for three years! It was great. We spoke in English though...but he asked for my cell phone number so that his kids (boy-21, girl-17) could call me so we could hang out and work on our Spanish/English together!! I'm so excited. After the mingling Merche, Maite, me, and some of their friends headed to a cafe and ordered drinks and snacks. I got some much needed hot tea. I haven't had it in such a long time and I was starting to get a cold so it came at the perfect time. Once we had our fair share of mingling everyone parted ways and we came back home. We all relaxed for a bit until headed to my host-grandparents' house for lunch.
At lunch I saw a salad sitting on the table. In said salad were octopus and beets. Thankfully Merche knows that I loathe beats and I had a legit reason not to eat it. The rest of lunch was great until dessert. Flan. I've tried flan many times and I've wanted to gag every single time. If you don't know what flan is you should google it. The best way to describe it would be milky pudding with carmel on it. It jiggles and breaks apart really easily. I just said, "No, thank you." I had to. I didn't want to spew in front of my grandparents!
After lunch I took a nap and skyped with Brody and Olivia. Both wonderful. I love them so much!! I wish that time stopped every time Livy and I talk because we never have enough time. I miss you, Liv. Every day. After talking to my loves, I got ready and met my friend Sara at the school. Vicky and Natalie were supposed to meet us as well but they couldn't make it, so it was just Sara and I. Sara's dad took us to her house and we watched West Side Story. This was on my "to-do list"!!!! We watched it in Spanish and I concentrated so much. Sara made popcorn. We ate two bags of it! Haha. We also had some olives and chocolate pudding. We talked during the movie and laughed and cried. It was a beautiful movie. So sad though. I want to see the show live now. After the movie Sara's dad drove me home. On the ride home we spoke and it took all I had to keep concentrating. I had the worst Spanish headache last night. It was the first time that I wanted to be able to really understand everything and had an actual conversation and it was a little painful but absolutely worth it. I had a great time last night! It just felt easy...like friendship should be. I can't wait to hang out again! I have Spanish friends everyone!
Last night I showered and talked with my mom and Brandi for a little while. We agreed to just send emails and not schedule another skype date until next Sunday. At least we're trying. It's just so easy to sing in and talk...especially when my host family is gone or we're all in our rooms. I mean the skyping is not holding me back from anything. I never choose skyping over something happening in my life here...it's just impossibly hard for me to say goodbye to my life at home. It sounds a little vain, but I like hearing that people are asking about me and they are reading my blog and they still care so much...because I still care so much. And I do have a life here, and every time something exciting happens I just want to call my parents and tell them all about it. I don't know. This will be something I just figure out as I go.
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