Today is Tess' Birthday. She one of my best friends and she's nineteen now! I love you Tessie and I hope you have an amazing day.
Last night I went to the classical music concert at the nicest theatre in Pamplona. It's huge! I met up with my friends and then we met their friends there. It was great! I go to meet a lot of new people and my ticket was free! It was worth 35 E too. One of Vicky, Maria, and Sara's friends-mom's-boyfriend is the director and he got free tickets for everyone. I was so thankful. It was just a gorgeous concert. I love music. Afterwards we got to meet the director and a met one of the musicians who is French but lived in NYC for five years so we spoke in English. After the concert I headed home and talked to my mom for a little bit and then headed to bed. I went to bed at 12:30 and slept for nine hours! I was so happy to finally get a little sleep.
After my nine hours of sleep I got up, ate some nougat pillows, and got ready for the mall. I met Natalie and Mariel there and we shopped for a few hours. I bought a few things...all at full price...I could hardly believe myself. After the mall I came home and ate lunch with my family. Now I am going to take a little nap and get ready for tonight. I'm going dancing with the Pamplonians! It should be fun! Besos.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thriller.
I feel badly that I didn't blog last night but I just had absolutely no time. Yesterday was pretty great. I mean that's expected though, right? It was a Thursday. They are always simply fabulous. The beginning of the day was a little rough because I was exhausted and I was missing all of my friends and family back home and I just kept thinking about the "Iris" lyrics by the Goo Goo Dolls: "And I don't want the world to see me 'cause I don't think that they'd understand. When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am." I want someone to know that I love almost everything and get along with 95% of the people that I meet. I have way too many interests and I'm not a good-two-shoes. That I love carrots and that just because I love eating chicken nuggets frozen doesn't mean that I need to be checked into a mental hospital. That I make myself busy no matter what and I never get enough sleep. That I need my family and my friends and I may cry on occasion and skype a lot but I am a strong person. I am not a baby. I'm strong for loving and letting people love me in return. I want people to know all my flaws and still love me. I cannot spell. I am the worst at telling stories and jokes and it takes me a lifetime and a half to explain myself because I do things or like things "just because." I'm a little lazy. I talk WAY too much and I sing ALL THE TIME. I over analyze so much of what people say to me and I can't make a decision between Resee's and Dove Dark Chocolates to save my life. I'm also terrible with directions and I couldn't survive without facebook.
Now that that's all out I feel great!! Yesterday was an amazing day. Let me tell you about that. I went to school and had my little "I want you to know who I am" fit and then got over it. I was invited to go shopping with some friends, Sara and Vicky, and then Sara invited me to a classical music concert (orchestra I believe) for tonight. I was just so excited! So after my day at school I came home and ate lunch and gave my best effort at a nap but I just ended up sitting there. My mind never stops so that makes it difficult to fall asleep. After my not-so-much-nap I met Vicky and Sara and we went shopping for a birthday present for Vicky's little brother. It was fun! The toy store was so cute! And it helped my Spanish incredibly because we were having conversations the entire time. After the toy store we caught the bus back to the school and we took some funny pictures on the sidewalk with Sara's self timer camera...it can take like ten pictures in a row on self timer so that was fun. They then headed to theatre practice. I headed home to get ready for the Rotary dinner.
On my way home from school I ran into Athena and Dara (both from Washington State) on the street! (Athena lives really close to me so it's not such a huge coincidence) They were headed to the dinner already and I told them to just come back to my apartment until we had to leave so they did. They looked at pictures and videos from last weekend as I got ready. We left around 8:10 and headed for Club Tennis. The place is amazing! We got there and talked to the other Pamplonians and the Rotarians and our host families were there so we talked to them a little bit too. I just love our Pamplonians group. I feel so lucky to have nine other exchange students in my city. It's amazing. All we did the entire time was socialize and eat tapas. Or appetizers. I had a blast. I have to tell you the conversation that Mitchell and I had that just made my night:
Me: This is cool (as I pick up the vase on the table with a fake flower in it and some other stuff)
Mitchell: Those are coffee beans.
Me: Ay, que guay! (how cool)
Mitchell: No. It's tacky.
Me: You're tacky.
Mitchell: I know.
You probably didn't find it quite as funny as we did but it was basically the best thing ever. We have a lot of little inside jokes already and I love it.
We arrived home around 11 PM. I did some Halloween History research for English class then attempted to go to bed. Guess what everyone. It didn't work. I laid in bed for an hour. It's a problem because today in Philosophy when my classmates were taking a test I fell asleep and my teacher asked me if I was okay and then told me I wasn't allowed to sleep. Sorry. When I get yelled at now it just rolls right off. I'm kind of used to it. Haha which is terrible but oh well. I'm trying.
The other day in history of art my teacher asked how I was doing and I told her really well. She asked how the language was coming and I told her that it's alright. It depends on the teacher and then I told her that I really liked her voice. Those exact words in Spanish. It's true though! She has a nice speaking voice and I can usually understand most of what she says. Also on that day I was trying to explain to one girl what my mom does for a living but I forgot the word for Nurse Anesthetist in Spanish but I had already told the other girl sitting next to me what she does so I turned to her and asker her, "What is my mom?" (In Spanish). She looked at me like I was crazy at first and then we all laughed. :) I have one more little random story: My whole class noticed that I finished my first journal because they are all commenting on my new one (the one from Tess! I love it!) and saying that I write all the time, which is completely true.
Today school was fine. I thought it went incredibly fast. During break I went to the little candy store across the street from the school and bought some gummy octopus'...they are so yummy. You bite off all the legs first and then eat the body. I'm aware that sounds a little morbid. In English class Natalie and I gave our presentation on Halloween for the class. I actually found some really interesting information on the history. Maybe you should look it up. Well I'll tell you the story about the Jack-O-Lantern: So Jack tricked the devil to climb this tree and then Jack carved a cross in towards the bottom of the tree so the devil couldn't get down. Jack told the devil he could some down if he never tempted him again and it was a deal. When Jack died he wasn't allowed into Heaven for his evil ways nor was he allowed into Hell for having tricked the devil. The devil gave Jack a single ember to find his was through the frigid darkness. Jack placed his light in a hollowed turnip to make it last longer. When this was brought to America they discovered that the pumpkin will make the light last longer as opposed to the turnip. Sp there you go! That's the story of the Jack-O-Lantern! After our little presentation we got to listen to...wait for it...wait for it...THRILLER! We had to fill in the missing words as we listened. It was so great. It made me think of Duke Street when we all danced to it for the Choir Awards my Sophomore year. Wow. It was such a long time ago. What an amazing dance though! Made me miss choir.
I've been skyping and blogging since I got home from school and now I am going to get ready for the concert!! I am so excited! I'm sure I will blog tonight about it when I get home. But, if not, I want to say good luck Dukes!!!! Have an amazing time at the game tonight everyone! Oh and a shout out to my parents who gave me a new queen bed and a huge bookshelf and a piano in my room this week! My dad showed it to me and it looks fabulous!! I was worried at first...you know because everything is changing and I though I just wanted to come home to things exactly the way they were, but my room looks even better now! All of my musical poster and frames and Dominican paintings and pictures with friends are covering my walls and the piano. I'm in love. Thanks, guys.
Here's to another great weekend! Besos! Love, love, love you all!
Now that that's all out I feel great!! Yesterday was an amazing day. Let me tell you about that. I went to school and had my little "I want you to know who I am" fit and then got over it. I was invited to go shopping with some friends, Sara and Vicky, and then Sara invited me to a classical music concert (orchestra I believe) for tonight. I was just so excited! So after my day at school I came home and ate lunch and gave my best effort at a nap but I just ended up sitting there. My mind never stops so that makes it difficult to fall asleep. After my not-so-much-nap I met Vicky and Sara and we went shopping for a birthday present for Vicky's little brother. It was fun! The toy store was so cute! And it helped my Spanish incredibly because we were having conversations the entire time. After the toy store we caught the bus back to the school and we took some funny pictures on the sidewalk with Sara's self timer camera...it can take like ten pictures in a row on self timer so that was fun. They then headed to theatre practice. I headed home to get ready for the Rotary dinner.
On my way home from school I ran into Athena and Dara (both from Washington State) on the street! (Athena lives really close to me so it's not such a huge coincidence) They were headed to the dinner already and I told them to just come back to my apartment until we had to leave so they did. They looked at pictures and videos from last weekend as I got ready. We left around 8:10 and headed for Club Tennis. The place is amazing! We got there and talked to the other Pamplonians and the Rotarians and our host families were there so we talked to them a little bit too. I just love our Pamplonians group. I feel so lucky to have nine other exchange students in my city. It's amazing. All we did the entire time was socialize and eat tapas. Or appetizers. I had a blast. I have to tell you the conversation that Mitchell and I had that just made my night:
Me: This is cool (as I pick up the vase on the table with a fake flower in it and some other stuff)
Mitchell: Those are coffee beans.
Me: Ay, que guay! (how cool)
Mitchell: No. It's tacky.
Me: You're tacky.
Mitchell: I know.
You probably didn't find it quite as funny as we did but it was basically the best thing ever. We have a lot of little inside jokes already and I love it.
We arrived home around 11 PM. I did some Halloween History research for English class then attempted to go to bed. Guess what everyone. It didn't work. I laid in bed for an hour. It's a problem because today in Philosophy when my classmates were taking a test I fell asleep and my teacher asked me if I was okay and then told me I wasn't allowed to sleep. Sorry. When I get yelled at now it just rolls right off. I'm kind of used to it. Haha which is terrible but oh well. I'm trying.
The other day in history of art my teacher asked how I was doing and I told her really well. She asked how the language was coming and I told her that it's alright. It depends on the teacher and then I told her that I really liked her voice. Those exact words in Spanish. It's true though! She has a nice speaking voice and I can usually understand most of what she says. Also on that day I was trying to explain to one girl what my mom does for a living but I forgot the word for Nurse Anesthetist in Spanish but I had already told the other girl sitting next to me what she does so I turned to her and asker her, "What is my mom?" (In Spanish). She looked at me like I was crazy at first and then we all laughed. :) I have one more little random story: My whole class noticed that I finished my first journal because they are all commenting on my new one (the one from Tess! I love it!) and saying that I write all the time, which is completely true.
Today school was fine. I thought it went incredibly fast. During break I went to the little candy store across the street from the school and bought some gummy octopus'...they are so yummy. You bite off all the legs first and then eat the body. I'm aware that sounds a little morbid. In English class Natalie and I gave our presentation on Halloween for the class. I actually found some really interesting information on the history. Maybe you should look it up. Well I'll tell you the story about the Jack-O-Lantern: So Jack tricked the devil to climb this tree and then Jack carved a cross in towards the bottom of the tree so the devil couldn't get down. Jack told the devil he could some down if he never tempted him again and it was a deal. When Jack died he wasn't allowed into Heaven for his evil ways nor was he allowed into Hell for having tricked the devil. The devil gave Jack a single ember to find his was through the frigid darkness. Jack placed his light in a hollowed turnip to make it last longer. When this was brought to America they discovered that the pumpkin will make the light last longer as opposed to the turnip. Sp there you go! That's the story of the Jack-O-Lantern! After our little presentation we got to listen to...wait for it...wait for it...THRILLER! We had to fill in the missing words as we listened. It was so great. It made me think of Duke Street when we all danced to it for the Choir Awards my Sophomore year. Wow. It was such a long time ago. What an amazing dance though! Made me miss choir.
I've been skyping and blogging since I got home from school and now I am going to get ready for the concert!! I am so excited! I'm sure I will blog tonight about it when I get home. But, if not, I want to say good luck Dukes!!!! Have an amazing time at the game tonight everyone! Oh and a shout out to my parents who gave me a new queen bed and a huge bookshelf and a piano in my room this week! My dad showed it to me and it looks fabulous!! I was worried at first...you know because everything is changing and I though I just wanted to come home to things exactly the way they were, but my room looks even better now! All of my musical poster and frames and Dominican paintings and pictures with friends are covering my walls and the piano. I'm in love. Thanks, guys.
Here's to another great weekend! Besos! Love, love, love you all!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day 50.
Can you believe it? I have officially been here for 50 days. Time has flown. I have experienced so much. I still need to learn this language though. I think I need to put more effort towards it. I just want my life to be in English as soon as I get home from school because I desperately want to just fully understand something. I get tired of getting the gist of things. On the other hand, I would understand much more if I put more effort behind it. I mean that's the main reason I came. No time to be lazy, Alex. So I promise I will watch some more episodes of That 70s Show and read some Pablo Neruda and Harry Potter before bed.
Today was the day I finished my first journal. An entire journal in 50 days. Let me tell you, it's a thick journal. I think I will start to write less as time goes on...but I do have a lot of down time in school...it's hard not to tell something what is on my mind. So tomorrow I begin my new journal. The journal that Tess got me for my birthday this year. Every page is blank. I love it. I'm ready to begin a new chapter in my year. Section two. If anyone wants to send me a journal feel free haha. I only brought three! But that's a joke...shipping is way too expensive and my package has been in customs for 6 weeks now. They just liked Mom's cookies too much.
Today I went to school. It's starting to become repetitive. There's not much that I can say that will interest you at this point other than this little story: Someone in my class drew an eskimo and an igloo with highlighters and tacked it up on the single bulletin in the classroom and one by one the teachers start to notice and then question it and for some reason it the funniest thing ever. The teachers asked if we were cold or something and the class just laughs. I laugh too because I finally get a joke. You probably don't really care about the green highlighter eskimo but I find it extremely entertaining. Another little story from school: Today during History of Art we went to the library and worked in partners on the computers taking notes about, well, art. Churches today. We were just sitting there and I start making this choo choo cha choo sound. I'm making up a song or a beat without realizing and my partner, Ana, just laughs. Haha. She said I was charismatic! I told her I didn't even realize I was doing it. I laughed as did the girls sitting next to us. Silly, silly.
After school I came home and ate lunch which Maite made and it was fantastic! Pasta. Mmm. Then I finally was able to watch Glee! It was such a fabulous episode. Best 40 minutes of my time. After Glee I met up with Natalie and we went to Carrefour where they had a Halloween display. I bought an entire liter of body wash. I think it's going to last me for the whole year. I also bought some much needed hairspray and Nat bought me a chocolate bar because she owed me some money. It Nestle and it's dark chocolate. So good. It's my 50th day celebration. It doesn't matter that I already ate six Oreos with lunch. Once we left Carrefour we caught the bus and just stayed on. We wanted to see one of the suburbs so we just stayed and got a tour of the city for 1.10 E. Once the bus finally reached San Juan (my area in Pamplona) we came back here and watched some videos that we taped the other night with the other Pamplonians. They're pretty funny. Then Brandi skyped and she and Nat got to meet. That was nice but Natalie had to leave soon. After she left continued to skype with Bran. We complained about the crappy things in our life. We're just like that sometimes I suppose. It was nice, none the less :) I love her so much.
Now we are just waiting for Maite to come home from Judo practice so we can eat dinner. I hope it's soon! I'm hungry. And I need sleep. Lots of it. This is me with my delicious bar of dark chocolate. Goodnight every one! I love you!
Today was the day I finished my first journal. An entire journal in 50 days. Let me tell you, it's a thick journal. I think I will start to write less as time goes on...but I do have a lot of down time in school...it's hard not to tell something what is on my mind. So tomorrow I begin my new journal. The journal that Tess got me for my birthday this year. Every page is blank. I love it. I'm ready to begin a new chapter in my year. Section two. If anyone wants to send me a journal feel free haha. I only brought three! But that's a joke...shipping is way too expensive and my package has been in customs for 6 weeks now. They just liked Mom's cookies too much.
Today I went to school. It's starting to become repetitive. There's not much that I can say that will interest you at this point other than this little story: Someone in my class drew an eskimo and an igloo with highlighters and tacked it up on the single bulletin in the classroom and one by one the teachers start to notice and then question it and for some reason it the funniest thing ever. The teachers asked if we were cold or something and the class just laughs. I laugh too because I finally get a joke. You probably don't really care about the green highlighter eskimo but I find it extremely entertaining. Another little story from school: Today during History of Art we went to the library and worked in partners on the computers taking notes about, well, art. Churches today. We were just sitting there and I start making this choo choo cha choo sound. I'm making up a song or a beat without realizing and my partner, Ana, just laughs. Haha. She said I was charismatic! I told her I didn't even realize I was doing it. I laughed as did the girls sitting next to us. Silly, silly.
After school I came home and ate lunch which Maite made and it was fantastic! Pasta. Mmm. Then I finally was able to watch Glee! It was such a fabulous episode. Best 40 minutes of my time. After Glee I met up with Natalie and we went to Carrefour where they had a Halloween display. I bought an entire liter of body wash. I think it's going to last me for the whole year. I also bought some much needed hairspray and Nat bought me a chocolate bar because she owed me some money. It Nestle and it's dark chocolate. So good. It's my 50th day celebration. It doesn't matter that I already ate six Oreos with lunch. Once we left Carrefour we caught the bus and just stayed on. We wanted to see one of the suburbs so we just stayed and got a tour of the city for 1.10 E. Once the bus finally reached San Juan (my area in Pamplona) we came back here and watched some videos that we taped the other night with the other Pamplonians. They're pretty funny. Then Brandi skyped and she and Nat got to meet. That was nice but Natalie had to leave soon. After she left continued to skype with Bran. We complained about the crappy things in our life. We're just like that sometimes I suppose. It was nice, none the less :) I love her so much.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Glance at the Globe.
So this morning I am just sitting in History of Art listening...trying to focus and comprehend. On the slide show behind my teacher is a map of Europe. I glanced at it and then began to stare. I couldn't take my mind off of all of those countries. I want to go. I want to discover culture. See every sight. Eat the most authentic food. Speak the most beautiful languages. Meet incredible people. I want to experience world in it's entirety. There is so much more than just our small towns. So much to see and do and experience. Would you like to join me?
After I finished daydreaming about all of the places I want to go I observed the fashion here. Girls wear skinny jeans and leggings. No flares. And so many boots. They are all so gorgeous. I want, I want, I want! There are so many American style hoodies. I was very surprised to see this..but happy none the less. The guys like to wear sweaters. Man scarves are totally in as well. Girls wear scarves like crazy as well. They wear pretty plain colors...lots of tan, brown, grey, and black. They are all pretty fashionable. More so than at Marlington.
Some random things:
1. I miss kissing my parents goodnight on the lips. I just thought about this today and I cried in class. Is that weird? Should I be over that by now?
2. My hair grows like an inch a day here. When I get home I think I can donate and make 5 wigs. Haha. But my hair seriously is very long.
3. I feel my Spanish improving. Conversations are easier. Words come more quickly and I comprehend a little more each day. It's still impossibly hard though. I don't mean to sugarcoat anything.
4. The leaves here turn brown and die. Wah. Also, it's freezing.
5. I had Nougat Pillows for lunch :D
6. My toothpaste tastes like the spearmint favored gum drops. I couldn't figure it out for the longest time, but now I know and I like it.
7. I love olives. They have huge olives here and they all have pits. They are great though. I always save them for last when eating my salad for dinner.
Today was the long day at school. I read Harry Potter most of the day and it's starting to become very enjoyable. I understand most of it which makes me happy. I came home for lunch and a quick nap and then headed back to school. It went pretty quickly. Once I got home I received a skype phone call from Tess as she was headed back to school in the tornado. This worried me, but she is fine I'm sure. It was a great talk. I really miss her. I miss how easy all of my friendships are at home. I love my friends here too...it just take a little more time to be completely comfortable...for all of us to really know each other. They all call my goody two shoes....have I mentioned this? Haha. Is this true?! I was able to speak with Joey for a bit and then my dad and Grandpa! My grandpa's surgery went great! I was praying all day, so that's great news. After skyping I finished today's "to-do" list and then ate dinner. now I'm sitting in the living room watching the TV and blogging. This is much better than just sitting in my room, don't you think? Merche is reading a cookbook on pasta and Maite is looking for something in the kitchen.
I had such a perfectly lazy night (but I did do my exercises). Tomorrow I am looking forward to GLEE!!!! It's the Rocky Horror Halloween episode and I'm jealous because you all have the opportunity to watch it tonight on your big screen plasma TVs. I have to wait until tomorrow and to watch it on my 13" MacBook. Haha. But I'm not complaining...not really."Sweet Disposition" by the Temper Trap just came on the TV. They are showing a youtube video of American money on the trees. I really love this song. It's from (500) Days of Summer soundtrack and a commercial from a few months ago. I think it's great. Now it's time for me to finish my relaxing day by relaxing (and going to bed before midnight). Besos! Os quiero.
After I finished daydreaming about all of the places I want to go I observed the fashion here. Girls wear skinny jeans and leggings. No flares. And so many boots. They are all so gorgeous. I want, I want, I want! There are so many American style hoodies. I was very surprised to see this..but happy none the less. The guys like to wear sweaters. Man scarves are totally in as well. Girls wear scarves like crazy as well. They wear pretty plain colors...lots of tan, brown, grey, and black. They are all pretty fashionable. More so than at Marlington.
Some random things:
1. I miss kissing my parents goodnight on the lips. I just thought about this today and I cried in class. Is that weird? Should I be over that by now?
2. My hair grows like an inch a day here. When I get home I think I can donate and make 5 wigs. Haha. But my hair seriously is very long.
3. I feel my Spanish improving. Conversations are easier. Words come more quickly and I comprehend a little more each day. It's still impossibly hard though. I don't mean to sugarcoat anything.
4. The leaves here turn brown and die. Wah. Also, it's freezing.
5. I had Nougat Pillows for lunch :D
6. My toothpaste tastes like the spearmint favored gum drops. I couldn't figure it out for the longest time, but now I know and I like it.
7. I love olives. They have huge olives here and they all have pits. They are great though. I always save them for last when eating my salad for dinner.
Today was the long day at school. I read Harry Potter most of the day and it's starting to become very enjoyable. I understand most of it which makes me happy. I came home for lunch and a quick nap and then headed back to school. It went pretty quickly. Once I got home I received a skype phone call from Tess as she was headed back to school in the tornado. This worried me, but she is fine I'm sure. It was a great talk. I really miss her. I miss how easy all of my friendships are at home. I love my friends here too...it just take a little more time to be completely comfortable...for all of us to really know each other. They all call my goody two shoes....have I mentioned this? Haha. Is this true?! I was able to speak with Joey for a bit and then my dad and Grandpa! My grandpa's surgery went great! I was praying all day, so that's great news. After skyping I finished today's "to-do" list and then ate dinner. now I'm sitting in the living room watching the TV and blogging. This is much better than just sitting in my room, don't you think? Merche is reading a cookbook on pasta and Maite is looking for something in the kitchen.
I had such a perfectly lazy night (but I did do my exercises). Tomorrow I am looking forward to GLEE!!!! It's the Rocky Horror Halloween episode and I'm jealous because you all have the opportunity to watch it tonight on your big screen plasma TVs. I have to wait until tomorrow and to watch it on my 13" MacBook. Haha. But I'm not complaining...not really."Sweet Disposition" by the Temper Trap just came on the TV. They are showing a youtube video of American money on the trees. I really love this song. It's from (500) Days of Summer soundtrack and a commercial from a few months ago. I think it's great. Now it's time for me to finish my relaxing day by relaxing (and going to bed before midnight). Besos! Os quiero.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Beef Salad.
Today for almuerzo I had a little something that Natalie and I like to call "beef salad." To me it tastes like creamy nasty beef between a baguette. I hate beef salad. Or whatever it actually is...I'm too afraid to ask. I think it's time I tell Merche I can't eat it. I don't want to seem high maintenance but I gag when I smell this stuff. I think it's closest relation is cat food. It's time to tell her.
I went to school this morning half awake. We watched a movie first period in history and I sort of fell asleep. It was my first time actually falling asleep here in school. It happens, right? I think it's a sign that I should go to bed a tad earlier (that's why I'm writing this before dinner). I was so happy to be done with school today. My journal entries from today consist of four pages of "I hope the time will pass quickly...Why school going so slowly?...Only one more class left!..." Haha. I'll get some sleep tonight so school will be a littler more enjoyable tomorrow.
After walking home I ate lunch. I finished writing some letters and then headed for the post office. It was a nice walk. It is cold in Pamplona though! The sun was shining and it was beautiful, but it was cold. I love walking on my own because I can just listen to my iPod and observe everything that is going on around me. When I have my headphones on I feel as though I am not really noticeable, just able to notice. If that makes sense. I like the feeling though. Sometimes when I'm feeling great and a great song is on I just smile and laugh in the streets...alone. I love that feeling. I'm so happy that music has that effect on me.
When the smiling walk was over I came home and talked to my mom. She bought me some penguin Christmas music box. It's not a box...but I can't think of the word right now...it spins and plays music...do we have a word for this in English? If so, will you fill me in, porfa? Anyways....they are adorable. I love my mommy. I also thanked her today for teaching me how to French-braid hair. I do it all the time. I would have far more bad hair days of it weren't for this. My mom makes me laugh and I love talking to her. Tess is home from school and is going to my house tonight. My mo is making ehr favorite: Chicken Pot Pie and there are cans of Diet Dr. Pepper waiting for her as well. I can't wait to hear about their night (I'm a little jealous, actually. When I get like this I just have to tell myself, "You're in Spain...what's your problem?!) I spoke to my dad for about 3 minutes haha. I forget what we talked about. He was sporting his favorite Ohio State shirt. Oh, I think he would hate the clothing here. Hahaha. I love him.
I called Grandma Toussant after this Skype session. I was eager for her to guess who it was. I wanted her to go through the list like she does when I call her at home, but she got it on the first try this time. I call from a mile down the road and it takes her 3-4 guesses...I come to Spain and she gets it in 3-4 seconds. We had such a nice talk. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love you, Grandma!
It's now time for me to relax until dinner time. I might work on some Spanish or watch some more of Rocky Horror again. I might fall asleep at the dinner table and wake up to salad dressing covering my face. Have a great evening everyone! I hope you managed to get through your Monday (they're rough-it's universal). Besos!
I went to school this morning half awake. We watched a movie first period in history and I sort of fell asleep. It was my first time actually falling asleep here in school. It happens, right? I think it's a sign that I should go to bed a tad earlier (that's why I'm writing this before dinner). I was so happy to be done with school today. My journal entries from today consist of four pages of "I hope the time will pass quickly...Why school going so slowly?...Only one more class left!..." Haha. I'll get some sleep tonight so school will be a littler more enjoyable tomorrow.
After walking home I ate lunch. I finished writing some letters and then headed for the post office. It was a nice walk. It is cold in Pamplona though! The sun was shining and it was beautiful, but it was cold. I love walking on my own because I can just listen to my iPod and observe everything that is going on around me. When I have my headphones on I feel as though I am not really noticeable, just able to notice. If that makes sense. I like the feeling though. Sometimes when I'm feeling great and a great song is on I just smile and laugh in the streets...alone. I love that feeling. I'm so happy that music has that effect on me.
When the smiling walk was over I came home and talked to my mom. She bought me some penguin Christmas music box. It's not a box...but I can't think of the word right now...it spins and plays music...do we have a word for this in English? If so, will you fill me in, porfa? Anyways....they are adorable. I love my mommy. I also thanked her today for teaching me how to French-braid hair. I do it all the time. I would have far more bad hair days of it weren't for this. My mom makes me laugh and I love talking to her. Tess is home from school and is going to my house tonight. My mo is making ehr favorite: Chicken Pot Pie and there are cans of Diet Dr. Pepper waiting for her as well. I can't wait to hear about their night (I'm a little jealous, actually. When I get like this I just have to tell myself, "You're in Spain...what's your problem?!) I spoke to my dad for about 3 minutes haha. I forget what we talked about. He was sporting his favorite Ohio State shirt. Oh, I think he would hate the clothing here. Hahaha. I love him.
I called Grandma Toussant after this Skype session. I was eager for her to guess who it was. I wanted her to go through the list like she does when I call her at home, but she got it on the first try this time. I call from a mile down the road and it takes her 3-4 guesses...I come to Spain and she gets it in 3-4 seconds. We had such a nice talk. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love you, Grandma!
It's now time for me to relax until dinner time. I might work on some Spanish or watch some more of Rocky Horror again. I might fall asleep at the dinner table and wake up to salad dressing covering my face. Have a great evening everyone! I hope you managed to get through your Monday (they're rough-it's universal). Besos!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Pescador de Hombres
I feel like it's been forever since I've posted a blog. I've missed it! A lot has happened since Friday afternoon. Friday evening I met Natalie at the post office. We originally planned to meet at her bus stop which is about 20 minutes from my house. So I went there. Then she called me and asked where we were supposed to meet. She forgot. But it was no big deal because the exercise didn't hurt. So we sent our letters. Happy Early Birthday Tess! We then walked to the nearest bus stop and caught a bus to Baranain, a suburb of the city. We were in search of Carrefour, a huge supermarket. Neither of us really knew where we were going but we ended up in the right place! Carrefour was only a short walk from the bus stop where we got off. We didn't have much time to spend in the store since we had to meet Natalie's host parents at the school in about 45 minutes. A frozen pizza, chocolate bar, .45 E roll of cookies, some butter, and food coloring later we were out of there. We only got to spend about 15 minutes in the store but it was amazing! We cannot wait to go back. It's cheap and they have everything. After making it back to the school we waited for Nat's parents and then rode home. We ate dinner at her house. We had Spanish Tortilla! It's a potato omelette that is popular all over Spain. That and futbol is about the only thing that every region have in common. After our delicious dinner Natalie and I watched some of The Rocky Horror Picture Show which is absolutely amazing. We only got see about 45 minutes of it though due to internet not wanting to cooperate. What's you deal Mr. Internet? Too much Tim Curry for you to handle? We made our frozen pizza after everyone went to sleep. We wanted to keep it a secret for some reason. Nat is throwing the box away some day this week when they aren't home. It's fun to be sneaky about things you really shouldn't have to be, right? I mean we laughed.
Saturday morning we woke up and did just about nothing until Nat's host mom picked us up to go out to lunch. We went to an Italian restaurant near the school. We met the rest of the family there. What a great lunch. This was my first time really being at an actual sit down, order, bring food out restaurant. I ate something for an appetizer that was rice cooked in with pigs blood. Let me tell you, it was the best pigs blood I've ever had. Loved it. I ordered the pizza titled "Dulcinea" which means "sweet" in Spanish. My pizza had a really thin crust, raspberry sauce, cheese, and black little hockey-puck peppers on it. It was amazing! I ate a lot of it. I was proud of myself. I got really full at one point and told Nat and she turned to me and said, "You're American. You can do it." So I did. The conversation at dinner was excellent. They ask us so many questions about the U.S. and what we like and don't like. I'm so excited that I'll be staying with this family next! I offered to pay for lunch (it was pretty expensive) and Nat's host mom was appalled. Haha. She is so sweet!!!
After lunch I walked home (they offered to drive me but I was only 15 minutes walking) and had a wonderful talk with Aunt Patty. I called her cell phone from my MacBook. It was great. And hours worth of talking cost me less than a dollar. And my phone call from Madrid for 15 minutes cost $50. C'mon. It was such a great talk though!! After the talk I bought The Rocky Horror Picture Show on iTunes because I loved the first 45 minutes so much. I then left the house at 8:30 to meet the Pamplonians in the city. What a night. There are just too many inside jokes and little crazy events that happened to explain here. We basically walked around and went to the park and then went to a bar and just danced. I had a pretty good time. Natalie spent the night at my house and we snacked and then she fell asleep right away. I thought I was tired but apparently not because I ended up watching the rest of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
This morning Nat and I woke up and ate some Nougat Pillows for our very nutritional breakfast. We left together. She headed for her bus stop and I to church. I love going to church here. It's very short though. I was the youngest one in mass today. Haha. You don't see any groups of people...unless 2 counts as a group. I had yet another breakdown in church. They played the song "Lord, You Have Come to the Sea Shore" but in Spanish: Pescador de Hombres. This song reminds me so much of my Grandma Toussant and I just could not stop crying. It was right before communion so I looked a mess and then I sat back down and just cried. I took my time leaving.
When I returned home I talked to my mom and Brandi and helped Brandi out with some school work. I'm glad I can still help from all the was over here! I skyped with Korey, Katie, Emily, Abbie, Aunt Barbie, and Uncle Dana. It was great! I got to speak to Katie the longest. It was great! This is your shout out Katie Lynn-I LOVE YOU KATIE BOP! -Love, Alice Palace. (Inside joke...about a time machine believe it or not). I had dinner: salad. Look out! It was good though. I've been on the computer since dinner catching up on here and facebook. I was chatting with Abbie on facebook and she asked me if she could send me her memoir. Of course I said yes! I read it and wanted to cry and smile and laugh at the same time. Smiling won. Thankfully. But I just read the most gorgeous thing. Abbie wrote about her home. Her home is made up of the people...Katie, Emily, Brandi, and myself. It's funny because I was just helping Brandi with an English paper today about "home." It really puts things into perspective when you're across the ocean. To Emily, Katie, Abbie, Brandi: I love you four with all of my heart and more. We are cousins, sisters, best friends until the end. We have a a never ending "to-do" list ahead of us. Abbie said we're starting ASAP. I'm in. Oh, and to our parents who let us do crazy things...I mentioned the time machine? :)
It's definitely time for me to read Abbie's paper five more times and then go to sleep. Congrats Dukes! I was so excited on Saturday morning to open my email and read the good news! Here's to another great week everyone! Besos. Os quiero.
Tabs (Tabea) from Germany and Natalie from Memphis!
Saturday morning we woke up and did just about nothing until Nat's host mom picked us up to go out to lunch. We went to an Italian restaurant near the school. We met the rest of the family there. What a great lunch. This was my first time really being at an actual sit down, order, bring food out restaurant. I ate something for an appetizer that was rice cooked in with pigs blood. Let me tell you, it was the best pigs blood I've ever had. Loved it. I ordered the pizza titled "Dulcinea" which means "sweet" in Spanish. My pizza had a really thin crust, raspberry sauce, cheese, and black little hockey-puck peppers on it. It was amazing! I ate a lot of it. I was proud of myself. I got really full at one point and told Nat and she turned to me and said, "You're American. You can do it." So I did. The conversation at dinner was excellent. They ask us so many questions about the U.S. and what we like and don't like. I'm so excited that I'll be staying with this family next! I offered to pay for lunch (it was pretty expensive) and Nat's host mom was appalled. Haha. She is so sweet!!!
After lunch I walked home (they offered to drive me but I was only 15 minutes walking) and had a wonderful talk with Aunt Patty. I called her cell phone from my MacBook. It was great. And hours worth of talking cost me less than a dollar. And my phone call from Madrid for 15 minutes cost $50. C'mon. It was such a great talk though!! After the talk I bought The Rocky Horror Picture Show on iTunes because I loved the first 45 minutes so much. I then left the house at 8:30 to meet the Pamplonians in the city. What a night. There are just too many inside jokes and little crazy events that happened to explain here. We basically walked around and went to the park and then went to a bar and just danced. I had a pretty good time. Natalie spent the night at my house and we snacked and then she fell asleep right away. I thought I was tired but apparently not because I ended up watching the rest of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
This morning Nat and I woke up and ate some Nougat Pillows for our very nutritional breakfast. We left together. She headed for her bus stop and I to church. I love going to church here. It's very short though. I was the youngest one in mass today. Haha. You don't see any groups of people...unless 2 counts as a group. I had yet another breakdown in church. They played the song "Lord, You Have Come to the Sea Shore" but in Spanish: Pescador de Hombres. This song reminds me so much of my Grandma Toussant and I just could not stop crying. It was right before communion so I looked a mess and then I sat back down and just cried. I took my time leaving.
When I returned home I talked to my mom and Brandi and helped Brandi out with some school work. I'm glad I can still help from all the was over here! I skyped with Korey, Katie, Emily, Abbie, Aunt Barbie, and Uncle Dana. It was great! I got to speak to Katie the longest. It was great! This is your shout out Katie Lynn-I LOVE YOU KATIE BOP! -Love, Alice Palace. (Inside joke...about a time machine believe it or not). I had dinner: salad. Look out! It was good though. I've been on the computer since dinner catching up on here and facebook. I was chatting with Abbie on facebook and she asked me if she could send me her memoir. Of course I said yes! I read it and wanted to cry and smile and laugh at the same time. Smiling won. Thankfully. But I just read the most gorgeous thing. Abbie wrote about her home. Her home is made up of the people...Katie, Emily, Brandi, and myself. It's funny because I was just helping Brandi with an English paper today about "home." It really puts things into perspective when you're across the ocean. To Emily, Katie, Abbie, Brandi: I love you four with all of my heart and more. We are cousins, sisters, best friends until the end. We have a a never ending "to-do" list ahead of us. Abbie said we're starting ASAP. I'm in. Oh, and to our parents who let us do crazy things...I mentioned the time machine? :)
It's definitely time for me to read Abbie's paper five more times and then go to sleep. Congrats Dukes! I was so excited on Saturday morning to open my email and read the good news! Here's to another great week everyone! Besos. Os quiero.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Lovely Lists
Today all I have time for is just another quick list! It's been great. I went to school and skyped with my parents and Brentie. At school today Natalie and I went to the wrong classroom (since we got kicked out of the library) and didn't realize it until after they got more desks and made us feel comfortable. It was a math class. Logs! Fun fun! I was never good at logs....anyways we won't be going back. We have to go to a language class instead. Wah. During my skype date I got to see my new and improved living room! Let me tell you, it looks fabulous. Let me also tell you that skyping really helps me. It does not make me homesick, it makes me happy. I can't help it. I don't do it when my host family is home though, except for Sundays. anyways....HAPPY 22ND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MOMMY AND PAPI! I love them.
1. The milk is very different. It comes room temperature in cartons. You can just put it on the shelf at home. Once you open it though, you must refrigerate it, for obvious reasons. It's whole milk. At home I never drink whole milk. I'm a skim girl, but this will do with my Nougat Pillows. It's just different, that's all!
2. In Spain (and most of Europe), you choose a track to be on in high school. There are not mandatory core classes exactly. I like it that way, but I also like having variety.
3. Instead of Victoria's Secret they have Women's Secret. Haha. Lovveee it.
Well that was an extremely short list. In English class today we listened to presentations (in English) about the Spanish culture. They mentioned bull fights, wine, the food, and fiestas. It was really hard to understand some of them. Some were really great though. I don't know if I could do that in Spanish. Ha. That's so pathetic. After the presentations we moved onto music. Our teacher played "I Love The Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna. The uncut version. That's right. We had to fill in the missing lyrics and put the chorus in order. It was great! I love this song and she had to play it three times for everyone to understand it. It's so crazy that they can play songs like this. I mean they drop the "f" bomb on more than one occasion. Just saying. I forgot to mention that they other day in history class we watched a movie. After the characters ate dinner in the movie they guy said he needed "dessert." A lot of people were having "dessert" in this movie. I love Spain. Right before break today my counselor handed out report cards. Guess who didn't get one. That's right. This girl. I was SO happy! They're not even giving us marks! Woo!!!! I love Spain, have I mentioned this?
Tonight is the big corn hole tourney at MHS. Uncle Dana and my Dad are a team and I like their chances. But my mom did make a valid point on skype today- they are usual drinking when they play. Tonight they are playing sober. Hahaha. So we'll see. Brandi and my mom are going to be a team as well. Then the big game is tonight: Marlington vs. Louisville. I want us to win so badly! GO DUKES! I talked to Brent and told him good luck! I hope I receive emails full of good news tomorrow.
Tonight I am going shopping with Natalie. We're going to a huge grocery store. We're pretty excited. I'm going back to her house afterwards to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show and stay the night. Tomorrow I am going to the mall and then out with the Pamplonians in the evening. Do you think the name Pamplonians is silly? Tess was making fun of me for it on skype last time! Anyways, Natalie is staying the night here then afterwards. I have another busy weekend ahead of me. So go Dukes and go Buckeyes! I love you all! I pretty much love anyone who reads my blog because I spend so much time on it every day. It means so much to me when people tell me that they read it. I'll be back tomorrow or Sunday. I'm living the life. Besos!
1. The milk is very different. It comes room temperature in cartons. You can just put it on the shelf at home. Once you open it though, you must refrigerate it, for obvious reasons. It's whole milk. At home I never drink whole milk. I'm a skim girl, but this will do with my Nougat Pillows. It's just different, that's all!
2. In Spain (and most of Europe), you choose a track to be on in high school. There are not mandatory core classes exactly. I like it that way, but I also like having variety.
3. Instead of Victoria's Secret they have Women's Secret. Haha. Lovveee it.
Well that was an extremely short list. In English class today we listened to presentations (in English) about the Spanish culture. They mentioned bull fights, wine, the food, and fiestas. It was really hard to understand some of them. Some were really great though. I don't know if I could do that in Spanish. Ha. That's so pathetic. After the presentations we moved onto music. Our teacher played "I Love The Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna. The uncut version. That's right. We had to fill in the missing lyrics and put the chorus in order. It was great! I love this song and she had to play it three times for everyone to understand it. It's so crazy that they can play songs like this. I mean they drop the "f" bomb on more than one occasion. Just saying. I forgot to mention that they other day in history class we watched a movie. After the characters ate dinner in the movie they guy said he needed "dessert." A lot of people were having "dessert" in this movie. I love Spain. Right before break today my counselor handed out report cards. Guess who didn't get one. That's right. This girl. I was SO happy! They're not even giving us marks! Woo!!!! I love Spain, have I mentioned this?
Tonight is the big corn hole tourney at MHS. Uncle Dana and my Dad are a team and I like their chances. But my mom did make a valid point on skype today- they are usual drinking when they play. Tonight they are playing sober. Hahaha. So we'll see. Brandi and my mom are going to be a team as well. Then the big game is tonight: Marlington vs. Louisville. I want us to win so badly! GO DUKES! I talked to Brent and told him good luck! I hope I receive emails full of good news tomorrow.
Tonight I am going shopping with Natalie. We're going to a huge grocery store. We're pretty excited. I'm going back to her house afterwards to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show and stay the night. Tomorrow I am going to the mall and then out with the Pamplonians in the evening. Do you think the name Pamplonians is silly? Tess was making fun of me for it on skype last time! Anyways, Natalie is staying the night here then afterwards. I have another busy weekend ahead of me. So go Dukes and go Buckeyes! I love you all! I pretty much love anyone who reads my blog because I spend so much time on it every day. It means so much to me when people tell me that they read it. I'll be back tomorrow or Sunday. I'm living the life. Besos!
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