That Awkward Moment When...

...... Castro thinks I'm kidding when I say things like "Mi español es horrible" or "Los americanos son gordos."
...... I told some kid my brother was 50, not 15. Whoops!
...... Some lady thought I was Spanish and asked "Ohhh, you speak English?" Best. Compliment. Ever.
...... Boys I had never met before (obviously) greeted me with kisses while asking for my name.
...... There are Asian tourists here. Hehe. I don't feel so alone!
...... I went to take a secret candid of the malvern boys and one of them waved at me.. It's safe to say that candid was never taken.
...... One of Aleks's friends asked me "Jackson (malvern boy) is beautiful, no?"
...... I eat food I don't even like but I like it now. (i.e. tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese...) And mom.. No I will not be eating those things when I get home. Lo siento!!!
...... I'm starting to think en español.

There will be plenty more, I assure you!! Have a safe and happy new year's eve readers! Prospero Año Nuevo!!!! :)

Las Fotos de España!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/madridmadememories/

Check me out!! More to come when I have a new converter and can charge my laptop...

Things I have Learned/Noticed About Spanish People

• They're always really helpful and nice
• They have a lisp, but only on their C's and Z's.. por ejemplo:
• decir-> deTHir
• gracias-> graTHias
• conozco-> conoTHco
• San Lorenzo-> San LorenTHo
• I have adopted this lisp to sound like less of a foreigner........
• When approaching a crosswalk, you don't need to worry about getting run over!!! Por que? Cars always stop for you... well as long as you're walking directly in the crosswalk anyway.
• They walk pretty much everywhere. That's why they're all so skinny!! (for the record, I haven't seen any fat people here)
• Another reason they're so skinny? They don't eat snacks, they have the three major meals and that's usually it (even though they eat at weird times). We've had dessert once since I've been here and you know what it was? "Yogur con fresas" aka yogurt with strawberries.
• A lot of las chicas have their noses pierced and a lot of los chicos have one ear pierced.
• They walk really fast, like with a purpose.
• They like to hang out outside, no matter how many times they say "¡Que frio!"
• They're not shy about, well.. anything and they love to share.
• They're toughy-feely, huggy-kissy.... but in a nice kinda way. They walk around arm and arm and give kisses and hugs to say hola.
• I've seen about 4 people who have ojos azules... I'm an outcast!!
• The people who know that I barely speak Spanish try really hard to help me out, even if they don't speak English! Sooo nice.
• They dress to impress. I have not seen a single pair of sweatpants here... Probably an American thing. We need to hide our fat and the Spanish can show off their bodies... Es la verdad, no? ;)
• Lastly, I've noticed that they really aren't that different from us. It's not like I was expecting them to be aliens or something but I think you understand what I mean.. The girls here gossip, love shoes, like to shop, they talk about boys, love to have a good time, y mas. Somos iguales! 

Hoy!!!!

Wow. Today was absolutely amazing. Words can't even begin to describe it. We went into this town called Segovia which was about an hour (mas or menos) from San Lorenzo, where I am. The town itself was beautiful and full of a rich history. The first thing we saw when we pulled up was "los acueductos." Aka the aqueducts. They looked like a painting or.. I don't even know. Ve a esta foto!!!

So we were walking around and visited uno castillo (castle) and it was beautiful. The architecture is from many different centuries and you can definitely tell by all of the different styles, but that only added to the beauty. Here's a picture I took of it from afar:

Next we got free time so the 8 girls (4 americanas y 4 espanolas) went to lunch first, which probably wasn't a good idea... Lunch here is very very important and they eat usually around 2 or 3 so todas las tiendas close by 2 or 230 and don't reopen until about 5. By the time we were done lunch, most of the stores were closing. Ay! Que asco! (literally.. how awful!) We still managed to find stores that were open though. I found awesome stuff.. We're going to Madrid tomorrow to shop thought because Aleks needs a dress para el Ano Nuevo soo.. hooray!! Anyway, after shopping we went and sat down en el sol (in the sun) and just hung out which was fun. Then we left and went to a small church that was absolutely beautiful like all of the other architecture here. The boys found a chicken and scared it which was actually kind of funny because when it ran away it was squawking which alerted its owner so.. the farmer came out and was yelling at the boys (not the malvern kids, 3 of the spanish boys). I fell asleep on the long car ride home and so did Sara (en mi hombro). We got back to Aleks's casa and kind of just relaxed. Ate an early dinner (around 9pm) and just chilled. I got to Skype con mi familia and it was nice to notice that they're still as crazy as always. It was a very busy, but easy day. I really am starting to fall in love with this place. Hasta manana, mis amores!!!!

Que bonita, no??

El Segundo

Ok so.. Today was great! I woke up and ate breakfast with Aleks which was very American (and much appreciated). We ate Special K con chocolate!!! :) Then we walked down to a movie rental store which was very different than a blockbuster or something like that at home. The movie was free... I think. Anyway, so we watched that movie which was a Spanish comedy. Then we took a bus to some town really close by because Aleks needed to go to a beauty salon to get some stuff done (nooo idea what). That was my first time on a public bus!!! At the salon, I sat in the front while Aleks was in some room in the back and there was the cutest 9 year old boy at the front desk. He was almost entranced by the fact that I wasn't Spanish but he only spoke Spanish unlike most of the other people I see here so it was un poco (a little) hard communicating. He kept trying though.. He showed me his pet bird and his Nintendo DS! He wouldn't let me concentrate on the Shakespeare I was attempting to read.. It was actually a lot of fun though. Later Aleks and I met up with one of the Americans (Grace) and her Spanish girl (Sara) plus a bunch of Aleks and Sara's CRAZY friends. It was a much better day then yesterday. I feel a lot more adjusted and comfortable. OH! I almost forgot. Guess what I had for dinner? PIZZA! (homemade, por supuesto). It was actually so delicious and made me feel at home. Tomorrow we're going into a city called Segovia and we'll be with todos los estudiantes que participan en el intercambio :) I'll be seeing the guys from malvern as well as the girls from my school. Can't wait!!! Buenas noches, loyal readers! Hope all is well in America!

El Primero Día

OY. where to begin? this has been such an overwhelming first day, it's really difficult. I haven't even had time to unpack my bags. When I got here, to Aleks's apartment, she asked me if I wanted to see the town, or "pueblecito" so of course I said yes. After that little tour, we came back to her house (this was around 1) and I opened my bags only to shut them once again. At around 130 I fell asleep and woke up at 3 and felt absolutely terrible because Aleks wanted to go get lunch around 2, but she was fine with it. We then went out to eat. My first Spanish meal!! Una ensalada y pollo con papas fritas. A salad and chicken with fries. Not very ethnic. When we got back to her apartment after that, I changed and we met up with two other Spanish girls who are each hosting an American girl from my school. THAT was much needed. I am so thankful I got to see them. I might've had a break down if I didn't. We got back to Aleks's around 745ish to wait for her parents and I went to unpack, but Aleks and I ended up sitting on the floor of my room talking about all sorts of things. I spoke in Spanish while she spoke in a mix of English and Spanish. She has been beyond helpful so far and always makes sure I understand what's going on. I'm really lucky. For dinner we had pollo con una salsa, sopa y papas. Chicken with a (mushroom) salsa, soup and potatoes. YUM! Then came my favorite part of the day... ME DUCHÉ! I showered :) It was much much needed and felt awesome to wash away the grossness of travel. As of right now I'm laying in bed, not sleeping for God knows what reason. I'm thinking I guess. Trying to take all of this in, trying to remain calm and collected. It's extremely difficult, let me tell you. I miss my family and my dogs and the fact that I can't watch Flyers games. I'm getting along though. I'm kind of hoping tomorrow is better than today was though. Oh well. I'm going to bed now. Hasta luego, amigos!

on my way!

Headed to the airport. Wow. This is all too unreal. I'm really excited and happy and nervous and sad. Talk about conflicting emotions...

packed

So I'm all packed and after talking to 2 of the other girls going on the trip with me, I'm kind of self conscious about my luggage. I feel like I am way overpacked compared to them.. I have two medium sized bags getting checked and I have a small messenger bag and a duffel coming on the plane with me. Is that too much? I'm a little nervous because I don't want the family I'm staying with in Spain thinking I'm a diva or anything. Ugh. I just wish this could be like harry potter and I could have a bag like hermione's that fit everything but it was only a little shoulder bag or something. Unfortunately this is real life though.. I'll probably just leave these bags as they are. Sigh. Anyway.. today's the big day! My flight leaves about 11 hours from now. Eeeeep!!! I'm off to make my last American breakfast. Hmmm... What will I make?

13 minutes until deadline

down to the wire! still not finished.. oh well. my dad's sleeping aka I have an unexpected extension :)

sticky notes!

just downloaded an app for my computer called "JotNow." it's pretty cool! lets me write little sticky notes and saves them on my desktop.. ideally, this will eliminate my forgetfulness. so far i have 7 notes. 6 of which are dedicated to what work i need to do for each of my 6 core classes and the last is a list of all the supplies i need for each class. exciting right?! 

Packing..

i've been trying to pack since friday and it hasn't been working out at all. i managed to at least get my school uniform stuff packed and i made a list of stuff to pack but let's be honest... it's not really motivation. i should be motivated, i mean I'm extremely excited to leave and for the experience ahead of me, but i just haven't packed yet. I'm working on it!!! it'll be done by tomorrow at 3.. if it's not, I'm not allowed out with my friends one last night before i leave. now THAT is motivation! :)