A Day in the life…

(1)  Los Examens

It was FACIL.  Can you believe it???  EASY.  I’m sure I passed the oral exam with flying colors, and then the grammar exam with at least a ‘B.’  Life is good.  The grading system in Spain is different than the grading system in the US.  You get a score that the professor gives you based on what they’ve seen you do in class, your homework, and the test.  It’s between a 0 and a 10.  Basically, 5 is passing.  In the states, a ‘C’ is passing, so therefore a 5 = a ‘C’?  I’m sure I got that ^_^.  Yay!!  No more Spanish classes!!

(2)  La Plaza de Hamburgesas (Burger King, lol)

I LOVE MY CLASSMATES!  Lol.  I’m going to really miss them.  Areej, Shaka, Odd, Sarah D., Noa… my time here wouldn’t have been the same without them .  Today, we all decided to celebrate the end of the semester and say “hasta luego” to all of us leaving by having lunch at Burger King (or as Areej dubed it:  La Plaza de Hamburgesas (Hamburger Plaza)).  Awesomeness.

(3)  Random Things I Like About Spain (at least the Spain that I’ve been to)

-  The humidity is such that my hair dries really fast and straight, lol … though I’ve some kind of weird part action going on today ;P.

-  The weather:  It hardly ever rains yet everything is GORGEOUS.  It’s never “sticky” even when it’s scorching outside.  If you don’t like the heat, go into the shade… it’s usually 10 degrees (F) cooler .

-  Many Spaniards value chill time and like to stop and smell the roses every once in a while… and the plazas are a nice touch.

-  The food’s usually pretty good for you… it’s not the American grease that I’m used to ;P

-  The people are typically nice.

(4)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Los Examens Manana

So yeah… the first test should be a breeze.  It’s just talking.  But the second test.. .O.M.G.  We found out today that it covers UBBER material, there’s no multiple choice, and specific grammar is key.  I hate grammar…

(2)  Wow…Centergy Parking Deck Collapsed at Georgia Tech

- Only a small segment of the 4th floor collapsed. It took down all the floors below it.

- No causalities reported so far. Announcements have been made in Centergy One and TSRB to account for all individuals

- Georgia Tech does not own this building.

(3)  It’s not like I didn’t have enough on my mind right now.

*sighs * If you know what happened.. you know.

(4)  I Miss my John <333

(lol, random pic that makes me happy … Halloween 2008)

(1)  Stores That Aren’t Open on the Weekends = No Bueno

All I need is one item… ONE item people!!!!  And I need it NOW!  Grrrrrr.  Maybe I’m spoiled because of Wal-Mart and such… but who ever heard of everything (well… mostly everything) closing down for the weekends… craziness I tell you… CRAZINESS!

(2)  Finals in Dos Dias!!

The countdown… finally begins.  Well like… I don’t know.  I can’t really bring myself to really care about this test.  I’m a 1A student… I know more Spanish than most of the people in the class.  I’ll be fine… right? Right???    It should be fine.

(3)  Land-lady y Familia Moving in

So after most of us leave (me, Sarah, Jose, Tana, Teresa… maybe Shannon and Samantha), Yaquelin and her son (and maybe her boyfriend?  no se) are moving upstairs.  A few 15-ish year old American boys are moving in and Yaquelin has to be around to make sure they meet their curfew, don’t drink alcohol, etc (she was really upset about having to “babysit”).  But yeah.. so now they’re slowly but surely starting to move their things upstairs.  It’s so weird b/c I see them more than ever now.  They’re really nice though.  I’ve been talking to them more now (lol.. I’m learning in my classes )… and they’re pretty cool.  Miguel (the 13 year old son) really likes to learn about American pop culture and stuff.  Yaquelin is always trying to teach me more Spanish by pointing to random things about the room.  … and she always calls me Candy (because they can’t really pronounce the ’s’) or guapa (pretty girl)… it’s pretty cool .

(4)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Paid Lindsey Back

I feel better now ^_^.  I had to pay her back in American dollars though.  I didn’t have enough Euros and didn’t want to have to pay another withdrawal fee.  It’s ridiculous how much it costs to travel!!!  This exchange rate is killing me… and then a $5 ATM withdrawal fee every time you need money???  Craziness.  I’m so used to always working so I’ll always have a flow of income… but just watching my numbers drop with each coming week… it’s depressing.  I don’t want to travel overseas again for a VERY long time (unless I have John with me or something, lol.  … b/c then the trip would be awesome no matter what happens or how expensive it is, lol).

(2)  Random Photoshop

It’s what happens when I’m bored, lol.

(3)  Michael Jackson Died???

I found out not even half an hour after it happened… and I’m in SPAIN (lol… the internet… it’s a wonderful thing, no?).  So sad… it was even on the front page of the free Spanish newspaper today! … and then again on the Spanish news channel during lunch… Craziness.

(4)  Sarah’s in Morraco

Yeah, we got the drama all worked out… hopefully never to be spoken about again.  And now’s she’s in Morraco.  Lol.  She’s doing a tour program that visit’s several cities in Africa.  I’m really happy for her because she’s wanted to go back to Africa for like.. THE longest time.  I really wanted to go too… but I couldn’t really afford it .  I hope she’s having fun and doesn’t getten bitten by another African fly… and she BETTER come home a not pull another Lagos!!!  lol.

(5)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Only TWO More Days of Classes Left!!

Two more days of classes, the weekend, the final exam, and then a free day Miércoles and and traveling home on Thursday!!!  YAAAAAAYYY!!!

(2) Burger King

American fast food abroad in SOOOO much better than in the states, lol.  I actually really didn’t like Burger King in AR, but there was so much commotion about the one here, I ended up trying it.  All I got was a Whopper, but it was.  AMAZING!  I can’t believe la comidas rapidas in Spain are so much better!  It’s a little more expensive, but the quality is awesome.  Craziness.

(3)  Shopping

Okay… so something I actually really like about Spain.  When July 1st rolls around (and with most stores, the week before tambien), almost every single store in Spain (or maybe just Granada?  No se) has amAAAAzing sales… at least 50% off or more on something (almost everything) in the store.  Fancy silk scarves:  2 Euros.  Really nice handcrafted/hand-painted fans:  2 Euros.  Clothes:  so cheap.  It’s awesome.  I couldn’t help myself yesterday and spent the remainder of my Spanish money on a dress, a fan, a scarf, a postcard, y helado, lol… all for under 20 Euros.  Happinness.

(4)  We Figured Out Our Traveling Plans to go HOME!!!!!

Sarah and I have a 7:15 flight out of Malaga (1-2 hours on bus from Granada) next Thursday to return to the states (GOING HOME IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!)… so the original plan was to take the latest bus to Malaga and spend the night in the airport.  We were thinking we could find a bus that would get us there… 3… 4 in the morning.  The latest bus leaving Granada leaves at 9:00p with the earliest the next morning leaving at 7:00.  So yeah… scratched that plan.  That left us with plan B) to leave Granda early Wednesday, spend the day having fun in Malaga, hang out at the beach, visiting the Picasso museam, getting a room at a hostal, getting lots of sleep, and catching our flight with plenty of time to spare.  It’s a little more expensive, but it works .

It took a while (a very long while) … but Sarah and I finally found a nice hostal for only 25 Euros per person and a bus ticket from Granada to Malaga for 10.75 Euros.  We’ll then have a taxi that shouldn’t be more than 5 Euros per person.  Whew… that was actually really hard, lol ;P.  We must have searched through 20 different hotels and hostels with all kinds of scenerios.  We’d think that some place was perfect, but then reviews would say how there was a disco on the first floor or to stay far away at all costs, lol.  But no worries.  We’re good now ^_^.  I’M SO EXCITED TO GO HOME NOW!

(5)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Professor Antxon

So we got a new professor today.  I’m not really sure what happened to Alfondso.  At first they were saying he had to go to the doctor’s for a back problem, and then I heard that he had to get back surgery, and then I heard he was helping teach another class.  But in case, we now have professor Antxon from a few days ^_^.  I like professor Antxon.  He’s pretty cool.  He’s not as crazy as Alfondso, but he’s nowhere as strict as Sonia.  Don’t get me wrong, Sonia’s awesome too… she’s just a bit more serious.  Antxon’s never had any experience teaching older kids though.  He’s actually an elementary school teacher, lol.  He called us aliens .  This ought to be an interesting few days ^_^.

(2)  Futbol Spain vs. USA…. USA 2-0!!!!   Woot!

As soon as the USA scored that second goal, you knew it had to be over. … and Spaniards here were not happy.   I mean wow… the USA (a team that has almost had no support in comparison) completely STUNNED World No. 1 Spain.  It was amazing!  Yay USA!

I was actually really surprised to not see riots or craziness in the streets following the upset.  For Barce. vs. Manchester, Granada had to bring out it’s SWAT team to calm down the civilians.  After USA vs. Spain… nothing.  The next morning, all the Spaniards I know basically just turned their backs on the subject.  When confronted, they would just be like, “I don’t want to talk about it.”  Talk about an upset!

(3)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Disappointed

Everyday… EVERYday I wait for Sarah to get out of class to walk home.  Today, the first, the ONE day my class runs late (ironic timing, no?), no one waited for me.   It´s not that I was even that late!  Maybe five after 1p (our professora was getting irritated with us and said if we all didn´t come back from the pausa on time, she was going to keep us after).  They didn´t even tell me where they were going.   I got home at 2p, and no one was in the room.  I just ended up just staying at the CLM for a while… talking to various people, messing around on the computer… I can´t believe they just left me…

(sigh)… I get to go home soon… nine more days…

(2)  Lindsey

I can´t seem to find her to pay her back .  It was so sweet of her to spot me that day… I was so hungry.  I asked a few people where she was-has been lately and they told me that she wasn´t going to classes anymore?  I sent her a facebook message (the only real form of communication I have here) and she still hasn´t responded.  … muy triste…

(3)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Drama

*sighs *  Thank goodness for guy friends when your overwhelmed my girl drama.

(2)  Hanging Out With Shaka

So I was still pretty depressed with the whole Sarah (drama) situation, but we had told Shaka we would meet him at 3:30p to go hiking (and he didn’t have a phone), so I left the apartment on my own.  We didn’t really want to go to the mountains on our own, so we just ended up exploring the rest of Granada.  This city is pretty big!  There was so much I hadn’t been to before .  We went to the library to study animal names, sat by the river to look for giant goldfish, ran around on the playground (I miss swings and monkey bars so much!), went to the mall (where I saw the CUTEST hamsters EVER!!!!  HERBERT!!!!), walked around a park (it was an very big and … interesting park.  I’ve never seen so much exercise equipment cemented to the ground of a park before, lol), and then I went home .

Pic.1:  Shaka trying to get shit out of icky water… don’t ask
Pic.2:  Ewwww.. you can almost see my bruises from falling down the stairs :S
Pic.3:  We really studied hard (note:  children’s picture books, lol)
Pic.4:  I <3 Swings!

(3)  I Miss my John <333

(1)  Breakfast

It was amazing!!  Haha… so much about that hotel was so American.  I loved it.  I didn´t think I´d miss the states this much, but I guess it takes not having something for a while to realize how much you love it.  ANYhoo, their breakfast was no different… eggs, bacon, ham, toast, bagels, fruit, croissants… absolutely blissful .

(2)  A Los Reales Alcazares

Okay, so one thing about Sevilla… it’s like 104 + degrees F here!!!!  So many people carry around those hand held fans… I want one!

Random thought:  Orlando Bloom was here not that long ago (according to our guide)!!!! lol

(3)  Hiking in El Torcal!!

This was definitely one of my favorite parts of this whole Spain experience… right behind horseback riding ^_^.  I don’t know… I just love running around outside, exploring new places, soaking in the sun, having fun with the people who I care about and who care about me in return.  The crazy, busy streets of Madrid:  no me gusta.  The drunken alleys of Lagos:  no me gusta.  Crazy party-animals:  no me gusta.  The smoke filled streets of Europe:  no me gusta.  It’s just craziness.  Maybe that’s why I’m not enjoying Spain as much as everyone says I should?  It’s just not me.  All the bars, discos, vendors on the streets, parties… it’s not for me.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to go out and do something crazy every once in a while… but this just isn’t it.  Hiking in el Torcal… that was beautiful… I absolutely loved climbing rocks, looking out at the peaceful view… soaking in the sun.  It was nice.

(4)  I Miss my John <333