Wow, I cannot believe I've been here for a week. It seems like I was just getting on the plane, heading off to the biggest adventure of my life. But at the same time, it feels like I've been here for months! It's crazy!
Friday night Zoe, Andrew, Vanessa (a Brazilian girl living with Zoe), and I went out and had some sangria. After one drink Zoe and I were already giggly so decided not to have any more...but hey, at least being a lightweight means you don't have to pay so much, right?
On Saturday we had a day trip to Valencia. Valencia is either the third largest city in Spain or the third most important city in Spain...I'm not exactly sure what David (our tourguide) was talking about. Regardless, we had a great day of walking around, hearing a LOT of history in Spanish that was interesting at the time but ultimately very easy to forget, and taking a lot of pictures until my camera died. I was very sad that my camera died, because I saw the CUTEST little Spanish boy that I have ever seen in my life and I was about to take a picture of him and then, bam, dead camera. Maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't be a creeper, but either way, I wanted to adopt that precious little thing. The dark skin, the curly hair, the big eyes. I just couldn't take it.
In Valencia we visited a gorgeous cathedral, a museum that used to be a house (I can't think of the word for a really fancy, really big house for really rich people, but it was one of those. With a ballroom and a bunch of rooms and patios and whatnot. Like a palace?), and a huuuuuuge -- and do I mean HUGE -- open market. Our tourguide told us that there were about a thousand little booth thingies (puestos), it was crazy! It was mostly food -- fruits, veggies, meat (so much ham), fish, shrimp, etc. Anyway, we walked around a lot (of course I was with Zoe) and just enjoyed ourselves. I was SO TIRED...I slept on the way there, and on the way back, and then I slept in until 11 today! Good gracious!
Today was a very relaxed day. Meals, of course, and spending time at the beach with Vanessa, Zoe, and Andrew. The beach is gorrrgeous and of course I adore the people. I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep on the beach, but whatever. And I swam in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time today! Hahaha, my host family was apalled: "But it's so cold!" Um, no, it's really not. You should come to Oregon. You would die. Hahahaha.
Classes at the university start tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous about finding a class that will work and fill the requirements that I need to fill, But whatever. We're all a team and this is going to be quite the challenge to find classes that work and won't kill us. Que Dios nos bendiga...
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
FRIDAYYYY
Thank God that it is Friday. It's 9:30 and I am hungry and would like it to be dinner time, please. Oh well, soon and very soon my hostmother will be coming in, telling me it's time for dinner. Let's gooo, cena!
My first day of class, overall, went well!! I'm not doing perfectly with speaking Spanish outside of class and home, but for my first week I think I'm doing alright. We talked about classes today and I basically figured out that I'm going to be taking 2 classes this month, 3 or 4 classes in October, 2 again in November, and only one in December! (One class goes the whole time...the other ones are mostly one or two month classes. Yes, it is weird.)
Today, I met my hostmom's younger brother and his (rather attractive) son, who lives (apparently) on the floor above us now. Naturally, the first somewhat attractive person I meet here is like 18 years old. Whatever, I'm a cougar. (Don't worry, miel, he's got nothing on you :P) Anyway, they were SUPER funny, asked if I knew of any places in the US called Springfield (...from the Simpsons) and when I informed them that I lived close to a Springfield and it was the one that the Simpsons live in (close enough, it was based off of it, right?) they were just dying. They loved it. Ha! They are both super funny (although the uncle is super hard to understand) and I hope they'll be around more because they talk a lot and ask me questions and force me to talk and stuff. :)
Today Zoe and I walked around the city more, found the BEST helado place ever (our new mission is to try every single heladeria in Alicante), and talked about life. I really like her. :) Tonight we're gonna go out for the first time (if my family ever has dinner...I don't want to be out too late) and tomorrow we're road trippin to Valencia with the whole group!
I hope everything is well in the states. :) I only have been gone a week and I feel like I have been gone for SO long! I miss everybody, but everything here is so new and exciting that it's hard to think about it for too long, because there's always something to do or some new adventure to be had! I think about a lot of you, though, when I see different things or hear funny conversations. Hope life is just peachy for all of you! <3
My first day of class, overall, went well!! I'm not doing perfectly with speaking Spanish outside of class and home, but for my first week I think I'm doing alright. We talked about classes today and I basically figured out that I'm going to be taking 2 classes this month, 3 or 4 classes in October, 2 again in November, and only one in December! (One class goes the whole time...the other ones are mostly one or two month classes. Yes, it is weird.)
Today, I met my hostmom's younger brother and his (rather attractive) son, who lives (apparently) on the floor above us now. Naturally, the first somewhat attractive person I meet here is like 18 years old. Whatever, I'm a cougar. (Don't worry, miel, he's got nothing on you :P) Anyway, they were SUPER funny, asked if I knew of any places in the US called Springfield (...from the Simpsons) and when I informed them that I lived close to a Springfield and it was the one that the Simpsons live in (close enough, it was based off of it, right?) they were just dying. They loved it. Ha! They are both super funny (although the uncle is super hard to understand) and I hope they'll be around more because they talk a lot and ask me questions and force me to talk and stuff. :)
Today Zoe and I walked around the city more, found the BEST helado place ever (our new mission is to try every single heladeria in Alicante), and talked about life. I really like her. :) Tonight we're gonna go out for the first time (if my family ever has dinner...I don't want to be out too late) and tomorrow we're road trippin to Valencia with the whole group!
I hope everything is well in the states. :) I only have been gone a week and I feel like I have been gone for SO long! I miss everybody, but everything here is so new and exciting that it's hard to think about it for too long, because there's always something to do or some new adventure to be had! I think about a lot of you, though, when I see different things or hear funny conversations. Hope life is just peachy for all of you! <3
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
La playa!
Well, let's see. I can't remember when I last posted, and my host mom's...something. (su sobrino, pienso. I think her nephew), Pablo, just walked in and he's like the CUTEST thing I have ever seen in my life (he's like 12) and the kiss on the cheek thing just kills me every time and I just love it here. AAAAANYWAY.
The good: 1) The food! Like I've said before, my host mom is seriously the best cook ever. To recap my last few meals: bocadillos (sandwiches, usually with jamon serrano y queso), fish (that had eyes and looked at me before I ate them), shrimp (again with the eyes), some meatball type things that were super good, lots of bread, tomatoes, patatas, loootttsss of fruit (it's like dessert after every meal), and OH the helado (ice cream). Come visit me and we'll go get helado. There are seriously heladarias por todos lados.
2) LA PLAYA! I went for the first time today and it's seriously gorgeous! Enough tourists to make me want to gouge my eyes out, but also a lot of Alicantinos and other Spaniards. This city is seriously gorgeous.
3) My Spanish class. I really like it. And I love my professor, Raquel.
4) Actually having legit conversations with my host family for the first time last night. Poco a poco! I'm finally starting to not be so tired and sluggish...seriously, I didn't think jetlag was going to hit me. I'm just tired and weary all the time...but I'm getting better!! And I didn't wake up at 5:30 this morning, I actually slept until my alarm at 8:00! Woohoo!
5) Our walk up to the castle. (Well, this is mostly good. See below.) We had a rad tour guide, David, who took us around the city (which I still really need to learn) and up to the castle, telling us history and whatnot about the city and the castle. Seriously, super interesting (although somewhere in the middle of 3 1/2 hours, my brain was threatening to shut off), and it was in Spanish and I understood it all! (Well, 90%, but let me round up, okay?) The city is seriously beautiful, especially from the top of the castle.
The bad: Some of the people in my group, especially during the climb up to the top of the castle. I want to stuff Spanish into their brains, along with some culture and respect, please. Also bad: smelly, hot buses. But they get me from A to B and they're cheap-ish, so I can't complain.
The ugly: Most of the speedo-clad men and topless women at the beach today. (Don't worry, I wasn't one of them...yet.)
The good: 1) The food! Like I've said before, my host mom is seriously the best cook ever. To recap my last few meals: bocadillos (sandwiches, usually with jamon serrano y queso), fish (that had eyes and looked at me before I ate them), shrimp (again with the eyes), some meatball type things that were super good, lots of bread, tomatoes, patatas, loootttsss of fruit (it's like dessert after every meal), and OH the helado (ice cream). Come visit me and we'll go get helado. There are seriously heladarias por todos lados.
2) LA PLAYA! I went for the first time today and it's seriously gorgeous! Enough tourists to make me want to gouge my eyes out, but also a lot of Alicantinos and other Spaniards. This city is seriously gorgeous.
3) My Spanish class. I really like it. And I love my professor, Raquel.
4) Actually having legit conversations with my host family for the first time last night. Poco a poco! I'm finally starting to not be so tired and sluggish...seriously, I didn't think jetlag was going to hit me. I'm just tired and weary all the time...but I'm getting better!! And I didn't wake up at 5:30 this morning, I actually slept until my alarm at 8:00! Woohoo!
5) Our walk up to the castle. (Well, this is mostly good. See below.) We had a rad tour guide, David, who took us around the city (which I still really need to learn) and up to the castle, telling us history and whatnot about the city and the castle. Seriously, super interesting (although somewhere in the middle of 3 1/2 hours, my brain was threatening to shut off), and it was in Spanish and I understood it all! (Well, 90%, but let me round up, okay?) The city is seriously beautiful, especially from the top of the castle.
The bad: Some of the people in my group, especially during the climb up to the top of the castle. I want to stuff Spanish into their brains, along with some culture and respect, please. Also bad: smelly, hot buses. But they get me from A to B and they're cheap-ish, so I can't complain.
The ugly: Most of the speedo-clad men and topless women at the beach today. (Don't worry, I wasn't one of them...yet.)
Monday, September 3, 2012
El Primer Dia de Clases!
I feel like my blogging time is awkward because I tend to (haha, it's been one day and I already think I have tendencies?) blog during siesta, which is smack dab in the middle of the day. But whatever. Last night, I decided that my host mom Isabel is theee best cook in the entire world, in case estabais preguntando. We had dinner at 8:30 ("earlier than usual because we figured you'd be hungry!" Umm...yes.) and we sat around chatting until 9:30 or 10:00 but seriously by then I was SO tired that I had absolutely no idea what was going on and I'm pretty sure I would have been struggling in English, let alone Spanish. Strug city. Pero no pasa nada.
Today was our first day of classes! I successfully managed the bus (well, to be honest, Roberto took me to the bus stop on the way there and I got a TINY bit lost on the way home, but I made it, no pasa nada). Then we had a tour (after I tried to figure out when I'm going to get a phone...still not sure) and bought our bonobus cards. That basically just means I can ride the bus without having to worry about bills and coins and whatnot...handy.
Then we had an awkward hourish from 10:45-11:45 where we ate lunch...because lunch here is at 2 or 2:30, but my class goes from 12:00 to 3:00! Such an awkward time when I'm not really hungry yet...but I sort of need to eat. But if I eat all of my food then, I'll be STARVING by the time 8:30 dinner rolls around. I definitely didn't think eating times were going to be much of an adjustment, but I was wrong. Oh well. Life goes on. :)
THEN the much anticipated moment of our first class! I adoooore my professor, Raquel. She is just lovely. So bouncy and funny. Zoe was sick today :/ but I made a couple of new friends in my class, Shannon and Marial. And we have one girl from somewhere that I need to look up the Spanish word for because I'm not sure where she's from, two girls from Japan (weird Spanish accents.), and two people from Russia, along with six or seven of us Americans. There were like ten-ish people not there, probably, so I'm sure there'll be more tomorrow. Raquel told us that we Americans were "fresca como lechuga" in regards to Spanish (fresh as lettuce...?), and it sort of showed because I was able to follow and do fine in class. My speaking needs some practice but, hey, I've been in Spain for two days, give me a break. ;)
Now some people are going to la playaaa (the beach!) but I'm not really sure I want to today. I didn't sleep awesome last night -- jet lag catching up with me, gross. Being awake at weird times...it's strange. So I might take advantage of la hora de siesta. I may regret it later, but I think it's a great idea now. :P
Miss you all!
<3
Today was our first day of classes! I successfully managed the bus (well, to be honest, Roberto took me to the bus stop on the way there and I got a TINY bit lost on the way home, but I made it, no pasa nada). Then we had a tour (after I tried to figure out when I'm going to get a phone...still not sure) and bought our bonobus cards. That basically just means I can ride the bus without having to worry about bills and coins and whatnot...handy.
Then we had an awkward hourish from 10:45-11:45 where we ate lunch...because lunch here is at 2 or 2:30, but my class goes from 12:00 to 3:00! Such an awkward time when I'm not really hungry yet...but I sort of need to eat. But if I eat all of my food then, I'll be STARVING by the time 8:30 dinner rolls around. I definitely didn't think eating times were going to be much of an adjustment, but I was wrong. Oh well. Life goes on. :)
THEN the much anticipated moment of our first class! I adoooore my professor, Raquel. She is just lovely. So bouncy and funny. Zoe was sick today :/ but I made a couple of new friends in my class, Shannon and Marial. And we have one girl from somewhere that I need to look up the Spanish word for because I'm not sure where she's from, two girls from Japan (weird Spanish accents.), and two people from Russia, along with six or seven of us Americans. There were like ten-ish people not there, probably, so I'm sure there'll be more tomorrow. Raquel told us that we Americans were "fresca como lechuga" in regards to Spanish (fresh as lettuce...?), and it sort of showed because I was able to follow and do fine in class. My speaking needs some practice but, hey, I've been in Spain for two days, give me a break. ;)
Now some people are going to la playaaa (the beach!) but I'm not really sure I want to today. I didn't sleep awesome last night -- jet lag catching up with me, gross. Being awake at weird times...it's strange. So I might take advantage of la hora de siesta. I may regret it later, but I think it's a great idea now. :P
Miss you all!
<3
Sunday, September 2, 2012
La Familia
I made it!
These last two days have been SO LONG. Travelling was...long. And I was so, so tired when we got in to Alicante at about 1:00 pm...which meant I had been travelling for over 24 hours and I now faced the daunting task of staying awake until bed time...and dinner was at 8:30, with a walk around town at 9:30. Lovely.
But really, it is lovely! On our way into town, we passed the GORGEOUS beach, and the city is so awesome, too! I moved in with my family today. I live with Isabel and Daniel, and their 21 year old daughter Paola. Their 29 year old son, Roberto, lives downstairs. (And the apartments on the 3rd and 5th floor are also relatives...nobody lives on the fourth floor and those are the only floors in the building. Family party!) Everything is VERY nice, they are very hospitable, and they tell me my Spanish is really good even though sometimes I think they're lying.
Basically, I'm having a great time. I miss everybody at home, but I am excited for what is ahead! Tomorrow is our first day of school and I am super nerviosa, but it's going to be good. :) Thank you all for the support and stuff...it means a lot to me to know I have so many people that love me waiting at home.
<3
These last two days have been SO LONG. Travelling was...long. And I was so, so tired when we got in to Alicante at about 1:00 pm...which meant I had been travelling for over 24 hours and I now faced the daunting task of staying awake until bed time...and dinner was at 8:30, with a walk around town at 9:30. Lovely.
But really, it is lovely! On our way into town, we passed the GORGEOUS beach, and the city is so awesome, too! I moved in with my family today. I live with Isabel and Daniel, and their 21 year old daughter Paola. Their 29 year old son, Roberto, lives downstairs. (And the apartments on the 3rd and 5th floor are also relatives...nobody lives on the fourth floor and those are the only floors in the building. Family party!) Everything is VERY nice, they are very hospitable, and they tell me my Spanish is really good even though sometimes I think they're lying.
Basically, I'm having a great time. I miss everybody at home, but I am excited for what is ahead! Tomorrow is our first day of school and I am super nerviosa, but it's going to be good. :) Thank you all for the support and stuff...it means a lot to me to know I have so many people that love me waiting at home.
<3
Friday, August 31, 2012
Dallas
Welp, my adventure began this morning...at 3:20 am! That's when I woke up, at least. My flight left at 6:00 am and now here I am, chilling in Dallas, Texas, and waiting for my flight that doesn't leave for five more hours.
I can't believe that when this plane leaves the ground, it will be my last time on US soil for the next nine months of my life...and when I step off the plane, I will be on Spanish soil! AHH!
At this point in my life I am feeling nervous, excited, and really sleepy. My next post will be FROM SPAIN! And probably a lot longer (and presumably more boring, even) than this one. :D
<3
I can't believe that when this plane leaves the ground, it will be my last time on US soil for the next nine months of my life...and when I step off the plane, I will be on Spanish soil! AHH!
At this point in my life I am feeling nervous, excited, and really sleepy. My next post will be FROM SPAIN! And probably a lot longer (and presumably more boring, even) than this one. :D
<3
Thursday, August 30, 2012
SPAIN: La aventura comienza!
So, here I sit...looking over my blog posts from my last adventure (Puerto Rico) and thinking about the crazy adventure that I have in front of me.
Nine months in Spain!
I leave in like nine hours for the craziest nine months of my life. I can't wait! I can't promise that this blog is going to be remotely interesting, probably just me recounting events in my life so that I can remember them later on; journaling takes too long. Typing is faster.
This summer has been amazing. Good people, good school (ha, what a joke), good work (ha, even more of a joke!), good food, and most of all, a good God. I'm so excited for the adventure that God is about to take me on! Feel free to virtually join me :)
<3
Nine months in Spain!
I leave in like nine hours for the craziest nine months of my life. I can't wait! I can't promise that this blog is going to be remotely interesting, probably just me recounting events in my life so that I can remember them later on; journaling takes too long. Typing is faster.
This summer has been amazing. Good people, good school (ha, what a joke), good work (ha, even more of a joke!), good food, and most of all, a good God. I'm so excited for the adventure that God is about to take me on! Feel free to virtually join me :)
<3
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