I'll Be Home for Christmas

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
As you all know, the most wonderful time of the year is here in a two-fold treat: CHRISTMAS and a certain traveler's return to the States! My flight leaves from Granada at 9:50 in the morning tomorrow (which means a very early trip to the airport) and I will be home by Wednesday evening. I am overwhelmed both at the thought of leaving and of coming home...bittersweet, yes indeed. I am packing my bags (please say a prayer that everything fits and that I personally make it back in one piece (that is, that I don't crumble under the weight of my luggage). I have never been excellent with goodbyes, and I have already been feeling the effects. Kleenex anyone? I am saying many of my farewells today and I am constantly reminded how blessed I have been over the last three months.

I still have the last three weeks to post on the blog. So, while you are home for the holiday enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace or kitchen table, you will have some exciting reading material at hand!

I love you all and I want to thank you for the e-mails, snail mail, calls, and AIM and Skype chats throughout the semester. You are all such a blessing to me, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Un beso y un abrazo,
Diane

Yo hablo mejor que escribo

Once again, I have failed to post a written account of my adventures. I have started writing everything down, but time has a way of getting away from me in these last days here.
Please, enjoy the video messages as an assurance that I am still safe and sound. I will be seeing you all soon!
Love,
Diane

Update (English)


Update (Spanish)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I have included two video messages, for those who are ambitious enough to listen in Spanish and those who just want to hear me in English. I thank God for you and for all of His blessings this semester in Granada!

Message in English


Message in Spanish

The Wonderful Weekly Whirlwind

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME
So, I know I have been delinquent in updating all you folks in the States about my adventures abroad. I shall try to be as detailed as possible without boring you over two weeks of information. Since I last posted my video (two weeks ago), I went bowling for the first time, traveled to Toledo and Madrid, took a history exam, visited Faith in Paris and took an art history exam. What a busy kid I’ve been!

ROLLING ALONG
Would you believe I never went bowling before November 6, 2008? Many friends and family members have promised to take me but I never got to go! So, I decided to take it upon myself to go with some friends and give it a shot…or a roll. I wasn’t too shabby, and I do believe I had a bit of beginners luck. Maybe now when I return to the US someone will actually go bowling with me (hint, hint, nudge, nudge)!

LAND OF CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
The next day, the UD crew, led by Jorge embarked on a weekend adventure to Toledo and Madrid, located in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha (one of the seventeen communities in Spain along with Andalucía, Calaluña, etc). The trip from Granada is approximately a five-hour journey, and along the way we stopped off to see the windmills of Don Quixote. What a spectacular view (and the history was pretty awesome too)!

Once we arrived in Toledo, we tried some mazapan (a delightful little dessert indigenous of Toledo) and ate our bagged lunches before joining our tour guide. She took us to see the great Cathedral, Santo Tome Church with its fresco by El Greco on the wall, one of the last historical synagogues in Spain, and the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. Toledo had a very warm feel to it, and it reminded me in some ways of Granada. I think that if I could pick another place to live and study besides where I am now, that would be it, with its plazas, hills and river all contributing to its charm.

We left Toledo that same afternoon and were in Madrid within the hour. Madrid is quite different from Toledo, it being a large city and all, but I still enjoyed seeing everything it had to offer. On Saturday, we visited the Escorial, the palace and monastery of Felipe II where all the kings and queens of Spain are buried, as well as the Valley of the Fallen, a memorial to those who died under the dictatorship of Franco and the burial place of the dictator himself. It was very odd to see such a grand monument built in memory of two opposing forces and to think about all the blood that sealed together the bricks of that great cathedral. What is done in the name of faith sometimes makes my heart break.

That evening, we visited the Prado and La Reina Sofia. The Prado has fewer paintings than the Louver in France, but it has more of the best works by the great artists. I saw works by Velázquez and El Greco as well as many other influential artists from the Golden Age of Spanish art. We did not get to spend a lot of time there before we were rushed over to the Reina Sofia, where the modern art of Picasso, Dalí and other interesting painters and sculptors. We also walked past la Puerta del Sol, la Plaza Mayor and other important landmarks within the city limits.

The next day, we went to the Palacio Real, the palace of the king of Spain. I walked in and felt a rush of girlhood delight, wishing I could get dressed up in an elegant gown and dance in the palace hall! Each room was more magnificent than the one before, with gold leafing, ceramic walls, silver, china, velvet curtains and intricate tapestries. That afternoon, we boarded the bus and returned home, tired but satisfied with all we had seen.

A WEEK IN BETWEEN
Last week I preparing and studying a little bit each night for my history exam that was on Thursday. I would come home from class and read a little, siesta a little and maybe go off and do something in the evenings. On Monday, when I arrived home from class, I entered the door and immediately spotted the television sitting there in the vestibule. Either Carmen had decided to give up her favorite pastime or there was a new arrival in the apartment. I was betting on the latter, and low and behold there was a brand new flat screen television set and DVD player where the old one used to sit! Carmen was like a kid with a new toy, playing with the remote control and clearly enjoying the size and sound of the TV. Now, she can also watch DVDs without needing to sit in front of my laptop to see a movie.

The next day after class, I walked through the door and Carmen asked if I wouldn’t mind waiting for lunch because someone was coming. I didn’t quite get all of what she said, but when I was in my room, I heard the doorbell ring followed by a lot of hammering and objects clattering around in the living room. When I emerged from my laird for lunch, I realized she had new curtains installed. Wow. I joked with her that every day I came back from class something new awaited me. She laughed and assured me that they were all the changes I would be seeing.

On Tuesday night, I took a break from the books and went to visit the pastor of the church to hear more about the history of the church, the dynamic of Christianity in Spain and anything and everything I could think of asking him. I learned a mountain of information that has served as my food for thought. Right now, I am considering looking more into the relationship politics and religion as a theme of research once I get back to UD. Ask me about it sometime and I will be glad to share the wave of thoughts crashing around in my cranium.

On Wednesday night, I had my interview for a Writing Fellow position at Delaware. I met with the director on Skype and everything seemed to go alright. It was a bit tough at times when I couldn’t think of how to say some things in English that are a bit more “sophisticated” and that I obviously have not used in the last three months. Anyway, I heard today that I will in fact be a Writing Fellow next year! Now, I can start planning my course schedule for next spring. Currently, I am debating between adding either French or Italian this coming semester. Any suggestions?

I took my history exam on Thursday and believe it went well. I must admit, however, that it was very hard o study when I knew that after class on Thursday, I would be leaving for Paris with my friends Amy and Jill (who I know from the church) to visit Faith! Well, I survived the exam, and the three of us embarked on one of the most spectacular trips of my entire semester!

PARIS HOLDS THE KEY TO YOUR HEART
The three of us flew out of Granada on Thursday afternoon and arrived in Paris (Orly Airport) around 22:30. Per Faith’s directions, we took the Metro from the airport to a station right by our hostel. I must say that they know their transportation in France (in all of Europe, really). When I saw Faith, I gave her the biggest hug I could muster. You see, I have been in want of a good ol’ American hug, the kind that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. As much as I love the way the Spanish kiss you on each cheek every time you see them, I kind of miss being greeted by a hug from a friend. We settled into our lodgings for the night and Faith stayed up chatting with me until 2:00 in the morning, which forced her to take a taxi home sine the Metro was no longer running that late.

The next morning, we all woke up and were out and about by 8:30 or 9:00 to see the Basilica of he Sacred Heart of Montemarte and the surrounding area. This was what you would call the “quaint” part of Paris, with the cafes and artists’ easels. We then met up with the art history class from Faith’s UD program to see Versailles. The professor was nice enough to get Amy, Jill and I the discounted rate on the Metro and to sneak us into the chateau (Versailles is a chateau, not a palace, as I learned) without us needing to pay a thing! Once again, the art and elegance brought every childhood fairytale to mind! I longed to dance with the kings and princes of old until I was reminded of their horrible hygiene, especially in Versailles where they lacked an adequate number of bathrooms. For example, the women of the court would relieve themselves in their long dresses because there were not enough facilities. ¡Que asco! No waltz for me, merci. That same evening, we went to the Louver, where we saw the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Arcimboldo. I posed with the Mona Lisa and stared in awe at the marble and bronze statues of the Renaissance.

On Saturday, we started our day off at Notre Dame, but unfortunately Quazimoto was not ringing any bells that morning. We had crepes for lunch and did a little more walking. We went to the Eiffel Tower and rode the elevator to the second floor (I wanted to climb but we couldn’t find the stairs). I tried to call Carol to wish her a happy birthday while I overlooked the city from the famous mass of twisted metal, but the telephones were out where she works and we never got to talk. Really, when you see the Eiffel Tower up close, it is not very extraordinary; it is the thrill of just being there is what makes it wonderful! Afterwards, as was our little tradition between tourist stops, we sat down for some hot chocolate and French pastries. Faith then took us to see the Arch of Triumph and the long road leading up to it. I must say that Paris is best seen by night! The lights and sensational rush of people amidst a dark sky give the city its vibrancy. Furthermore, while the Eiffel Tower is dull by day, but after dark it is truly magical! Every hour on the hour, the light on the tower blink for several minutes. Because France is the temporary seat of the European Union (every six months the location changes), the tower was adorned with blue lights and the yellow stars of the EU. Hey, who knew that they like our Blue Hens in France as well?

Throughout the weekend, Amy, Jill, Faith and I had fun chatting and seeing all the sights in Paris together. We often amused ourselves by singing songs from Le Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, and Anastasia (Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart). All four of us also longed for Christmas together as some of the stores began putting up lights and selling ornaments and such. In addition, Amy, Jill and I practiced our Spanish on the Metro, on the street and in our hostel (poor Faith). Really, this was a magnificent weekend with friends, and I will venture to say one of the best (if not the best) weekend I have had this semester!

SALMOUN Y WATER
I believe I must have embarrassed Faith quite a bit during the weekend with my inability to speak French or rather by my attempt to speak it. Every time I wanted to order something or at least ask how much something cost, I asked my walking translator to save me. On Friday night, we went to a French restaurant and I was all set and ready to order. I wanted salmon and I planned to order water. At the last minute, I realized I didn’t know how to say “water” in French, and I asked Faith moments before the waiter was ready for me. In a moment of panic, I forgot how to say “water” and when the server finally asked me what I wanted, I responded with “salmoun y water!” That is three languages right there, or one language if you want to consider my combination “franglish.” I was embarrassed and Faith, poor thing, couldn’t pretend to be from France anymore because she was toting silly little Diane along with her. We all had a good laugh, though. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn my lesson and I attempted to order my other meals after that, and Faith constantly had to clarify what I wanted.

I realized that my automatic response to someone speaking to me in a different language—French, German, Chinese or whatnot—is to respond in Spanish. I threw out “si,” “gracias,” and “perdona” more times than I could count even though I knew how to say “oui,” “merci” and “pardon.” It is funny how our mind or mouth responds to what we hear, and I am fascinated by some people’s ability to know and transfer in and out of several languages. What a gift! At least for now (until I take either French or Italian in the spring), I am going to focus on keeping my Español y English straight. Es la verdad. Yeah, right.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA
This weekend I am home in Granada and will not be traveling to any exotic places (as far as I know). My plan is to get ahead on writing the three reflection essays and papers I am required to complete before the end of the semester so that I can enjoy the next four weeks. That’s right, folks, just four weeks or 28 days exactly until I fly home.

Now, I am currently in a state of Christmas withdrawal. I miss the lights, songs and excitement that I would already be taking advantage of if I was in the States. I have been listening to Josh Groban and Il Divo’s Christmas albums over the last few days, telling myself that they are more “European,” and I always get very mellow when I hear “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” My next task is to find a Spanish Christmas CD to tide me over for the next month and to teach me some Spanish carols. As soon as Christmas arrives here, I will be all over it like white on snow! Believe me, I will be letting you all know how they celebrate it here. Who knows, maybe I will even bring home some Spanish Christmas sweets!

I love you all and look forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, I plan to enjoy every last moment of my time here in Spain, to speak all I can, to see all I can see, and to check everything off my to-do-in-Spain list. What a busy girl I will be!

Your starry-eyed traveler,
Diane

An Election, A Retreat and a Lazy Spanish Student

THIS WEEK IS DIFFERENT
I suppose I could have written a blog post this week. However, I have been so preoccupied with everything that I haven't really had time to invest in a quality piece of writing. Therefore, you will just have to do with a video post this week! I hope it works for you all!

Love,
Diane

Transcontinental Hobbies. Who Would've Guessed It?

LA CASA DE GARCÍA LORCA
On Friday morning, Jorge took us to the summer home of Frederico García Lorca, a famous twentieth century author, poet and playwright who lived and worked in Granada. His house is a three-minute walk from my apartment, in the same park I mentioned numerous times before. The tour of the house, while lovely, lasted all of thirty minutes, and afterwards, Jorge took us to a little yellow trolley-car cafeteria for some coffee and tea. He spent some time explaining the life and death of this somewhat peculiar artist, including his family connections, political views and lifestyle that contributed to his assignation during the Civil War in Spain in the 1930s. His works are written in sophisticated Castillian Spanish, with vocabulary I have to work at in order to understand. Someday, I will delve more into his plays and poems; but for now I am content reading my favorite novels in their Spanish translations.

LA LIBRERÍA, MI PEOR ENEMIGO
Some folks struggle with the need to buy something when they walk into a shoe store. Others are tempted by deserts or candy in the shops along the main roads. I, on the other hand, am fighting a battle against the bookstores tucked along the side streets of Granada. On Friday, after our “excursion” of sorts and lesson about García Lorca, I decided to stroll through the city a bit. The weather was splendid and the streets were not too crowded. After window shopping (and even a bit of scarf shopping), I began my journey home for lunch. Along the way I spotted a shop for used books, and, being a weakling, I entered. I don’t know how much time I spent looking at the different titles, but I was like a kid in a candy store! I didn’t have long to explore everything, lest I miss lunch with Carmen, but I walked out of the bookstore with A Christmas Carol and The Wizard of Oz in Spanish for a grand total of 6€!

I returned on Monday after class and after looking at various titles for over a half an hour, I purchased The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and another collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde, A Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, and from another bookstore I bought The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I am now on the lookout for Anne of Green Gables, which one shop owner told me was “caput,” all gone. Anyway, I am excited to have started my own book collection for a “Spanish library” of sorts. I will be quite entertained throughout Winter Session, I expect, with this mountain of books to read. The only downside: I have to ship them all to the States or I will surely abuse the weight limit in the airport on my trip home!

A WALK TO THE MARKET AND A COOKING LESSON
On Saturday morning, with a solid 4 hours of sleep I went once again to the flea market! I was out dancing with some folks on Friday night and learned a very little bit of break dancing from my Dutch friend and her two Spanish dance partners. The next day, despite my fatigue, I remembered how to take ALL the back streets to the market! I led two friends safely to the endless rows of stands and tables. I found some great deals, including a corduroy skirt and blazer each for 4€ and eight small balls of yarn (oh the possibilities!) for 4€.

On the walk home, the three of us (I regret to say), were speaking in English and a vibrant older women in her mid-sixties or early seventies approached us and asked us where we were from. She told us she had lived in New York many years ago and proceeded to strike up a conversation with us in Spanish as we continued along the sidewalk. When one of my friends admitted to the woman that she had never tried paella, the lady was astonished! She asked if we could spare five minutes while she explained the recipe, right there in the middle of the street. A half hour later, I had learned how to make the perfect pot of paella and also a Spanish tortilla. She was a talker, but she had a heart of gold. After our impromptu cooking lesson, I was quite hungry and scurried home to eat lunch with Carmen. What a morning!

A LITTLE BIT OF “FAMILIA” TIME
When I emerged from my room on Sunday morning, Carmen was in the kitchen making churros since her daughter and grandson were coming over for breakfast. I eagerly watched as she mixed the batter and hoped to learn how to make a third Spanish dish in one weekend. Essentially, churros are like funnel cake, of which I am not an enormous fan. Nevertheless, the fact that they are a Spanish treat made it alright. The four of chatted about a little bit of everything, from where I can buy my beloved Moroccan tea to the tremendous cold that is expected to hit Granada in the next week or two.

Before I tell you what happened next, I must backtrack a few days. One day last week while we were sitting in her living room reading, I asked Carmen if she was enjoying her book. She, unfortunately, was not and asked me how I liked Pride and Prejudice. Well, of course I could only sing its praises! She said she would like to read it when I was done and I readily agreed. By Friday, she asked once again how far along I was, and much to her dismay, I was nowhere near finished. I decided it would be better for me to just let her read the book now rather than wait for me to make it through a 500-page book in Spanish. On Sunday morning, I placed the book on the table just before her daughter and grandson came over for breakfast.

Carmen’s daughter spotted the book on the table and exclaimed that she owned the movie. She then asked if I would be interested in borrowing it. Although I am not the greatest fan of the new version (with Keira Knightly), I was not about to pass up an opportunity to se a film in Spanish. I excitedly said “yes,” before saying my goodbyes and scurrying off to church.

That evening, after returning from a lovely afternoon eating and chatting with my friends from the church, Carmen was still out getting coffee with a friend. I decided to pass the time before dinner watching the old black and white version of the movie “Sabrina” with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. What a splendid way to spend an evening! Carmen returned with enough time for us to see the romantic conclusion, although she proclaimed she liked the newer version with Harrison Ford better. Anyway, Carmen had a little surprise in hand—the version of “Pride and Prejudice” from her daughter!

Carmen said I could watch it whenever I wanted, but after I ate my dinner, she wanted to know if we could watch it together that evening. Because Carmen does not a DVD player, I ran to my room, grabbed my computer and set it up on her living room table, right in front of her chair and the couch. We huddled in front of the screen and listened intently since the volume was not very loud. Nevertheless, the two of us spent our Sunday evening together watching “Pride and Prejudice,” with our feet under the coffee table where a portable heater kept our toes nice and toasty. She enjoyed it and laughed several times. On Monday morning, she began reading the book; when I peered over her shoulder that evening, she was already on page 46. Oh, to think I introduced yet another soul to the delightfully witty world of Jane Austen!

CAN YOU CROCHET IN SPANISH?
The aforementioned yarn I bought at the market was purchased with the intention of keeping my hands busy while watching television with Carmen. On Monday after class, I bought my crochet hook and I set to work that same afternoon. As I was crocheting watching two episodes of JAG, the news and the show “Mira Quién Baile” (the Spanish Dancing With the Stars), I had a thought: I constantly read and write in Spanish, speak in Spanish, listen in Spanish, eat in Spanish (it is possible when you live with Carmen) and practically dream in Spanish; but in what language does a person crochet? Do our hands have a language and if so, was I working in English or Spanish? I finally concluded, after much consideration, that I was crocheting in Spanglish. To count rows and such, I was able to “think” in my Spanish numbers. However, my vocabulary lacks some of the words necessary to complete say as “loop,” “hook” and “row.” My goal by the end of the trip: to be able to both knit and crochet in Spanish!

THE WEEK AHEAD
On Wednesday night, I plan to get together a group of girls to see “High School Musical 3” at the movie theatre. Not only are the tickets half price on Wednesdays, but how many people get to say they saw the last installment of the cheesy musical Disney trilogy in Spanish (minus people who already speak the language and don’t find it as exciting as I do)?! Besides, I believe it would be unnatural for me not to spearhead an excursion like this. I have a reputation to uphold!

On Friday night, I will be heading off to a youth retreat with the church somewhere in Málaga. From my understanding, about 70 people are expected to attend and it should be a very exciting weekend. So, while I missed a wonderful IV Fall Retreat, God still provides! I plan to bundle up, learn a lot, and take plenty of photos.

A little FYI: the clocks here in Spain “fell back” this past Sunday. Therefore, for the next week, there is only a FIVE-HOUR DIFFERENCE between everyone in the States and Granada. Take advantage of that, if you will!

Your shamelessly “old-lady-like” student abroad,
Diane

The United Kingdom, via Planes, Trains, Taxis, Subways, Buses and Walking Shoes

Last week, from the 10th of October until the 18th, I was on the road, exploring the land where English is spoken aplenty—the United Kingdom. Throughout my travels, I am convinced I utilized every means of transportation imaginable: airplanes from Granada to London, Edinburgh to Dublin, and Dublin to Málaga; trains between the cities and towns in England and Scotland; taxis to and from our hotels and the airport; buses through the streets of London and Oxford; and my God-given mode of transportation—my feet—for roads, hills, mountains, museums, and everything else in between. Needless to say, Rebecca and I were on the move constantly and had nary a moment to sit and relax except for meals. Of course we were unable to see everything, but we managed to take in quite a bit during our short time up north. Indeed, we were immensely satisfied with what we did see.

ENGLAND
Kings, palaces, red coats, poets, monuments, double-decker city buses, cathedrals, countryside, gardens, universities: the diversity of England is really quite extraordinary. On Friday night, we flew out of Granada to London-Stansted airport, where we waited in the customs line for a good 45 minutes. After the 300 EU arrivals had made it through their line, the customs officials decided to help us foreigners and allow us into the country. Fortunately, we were able to make the last train of the night into the city of London. On Saturday morning, with a solid four hours of sleep, we work up, ate our breakfast and went out to see all that we could see. We walked to Buckingham Palace, around St. James’ Park, back to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards (for which we waited nearly an hour and a half), took some pictures in a big red telephone booth, toured Westminster Abbey, and spotted Big Ben and Parliament, all before lunch time. After a long-awaited afternoon meal, we decided to head to the British History Museum and afterwards, we went to the theatre to see the musical “Zorro.”

The next day, we were planning to go to Stonehenge, but realized we would be rushing around too much. Instead, on Sunday morning, we took a bus to the “home” of the two famous bachelors of Baker Street—Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. After a tour of the nineteenth-century flat and museum, complete with artifacts and wax depictions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters, we headed to Paddington Station where we would take the next rain to Exeter, where I would reunite with my friend Amy who attends university there.

Rebecca and I waited for the train for over a half an hour; that was still better than the several hours others had waited that day. Apparently, there was a “fatality” on the tracks and the train had been stopped all day. Thus, the train that finally arrived to take us to Exeter was filled four times over, and not everyone had a seat. Somehow, Rebecca and I managed to get a seat in FIRST CLASS without having to pay extra because we found a seat before everyone boarded, and the conductor declared that no seats would be assigned that afternoon. Talk about traveling in style! We arrived in Exeter and were greeted by Amy, who spent the evening showing us around the center of town and making sure we were well fed. Furthermore, she helped us with our travel plans for the following day—a layover in Oxford before heading to Edinburgh.

On Monday morning, Amy showed us around the beautiful campus of Exeter University and saw us off on our journey. I hated saying goodbye, but hopefully it will just be “until the next time” I make my way to England. After we arrived in Oxford, with the desire to see the prestigious college town, we spent a good deal of time walking around with our very heavy backpacks. I must say, we were a little hungry and irritable, but as soon as we found the Thornton’s Chocolate Shop, which according to Amy makes some of the best chocolate in England, we felt much better. The city of Oxford was beautiful, with its stone buildings and deeply-rooted academic traditions; however, Rebecca and I both agreed that the country-style charm of Exeter was more to our liking. With aching backs and feet, the two of us headed back to the train station and made our way to Edinburgh.

SCOTLAND
All it took was a few words from the train conductor in a thick Scottish accent and I was hooked! We arrived in Edinburgh around 10:30 on Monday evening after quite a busy day of walking and hopping on and off of trains. As soon as I set my eyes on the stone castle and other building in the center of town, I was enamored by the city on a hill. Early the next morning, we set out on our adventure, which we supposed after the fact was the longest day of our trip. Without exaggeration, we walked every part of the Edinburgh except for the west side of the city. First, we hiked up and around a very large hill known as Arthur’s Seat. We proceeded to visit the sites of Hollyrood Castle and the Parliament building, ruins on yet another hill, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the shopping district on Prince Street and to other streets and roads I cannot even recall. The weather was frigid in Edinburgh, much cooler than England and we treated ourselves to Scottish Tartan scarves to keep the chill away.

The following day, we took a trip to the post office to ship some “souvenirs” and other purchases home (they would have put our backpacks over the 10 kg limit in the airport), and we visited Edinburgh Castle. We walked along the Royal Mile and then some to the Edinburgh Playhouse, where we purchased tickets to see “Mary Poppins!” Alack and alas, every adventure must come to and end, and after the show, we returned to our guest house, picked up our luggage and headed to the airport. We were off to Dublin!

IRELAND
Our flight to Dublin was delayed, but I passed the time by reading some more Pride and Prejudice in Spanish, as I had been occupying myself on every aforementioned plane, train and bus ride. Sometime after midnight and a very expensive cab ride, Rebecca and I made it to our guest house and slept quite soundly. Bright and early on Thursday morning, we ate breakfast and began to explore the city. Our first stop was Mercy International Center, were where we saw the red door on Baggot Street and Catherine McAuley’s House of Mercy—oh how it brought back memories from my day at Merion Mercy Academy! We did not take the complete tour, but a lovely Sister of Mercy showed us around a good part of the building. Rebecca and I then walked to see the statue of Oscar Wilde, the Book of Kells and Trinity College, and up the famous (and touristy) O’Connell Street. We walked around the Temple Bar area and found the statue of Molly Malone. We walked through a park, visited the Guinness Factory, saw St. Patrick’s Cathedral and then returned to get ready for dinner. That evening, we had our traditional Irish stews for dinner and later went to a pub to hear live music.

Both Rebecca and I wanted to see the Irish countryside before we departed, so we booked a bus tour to Wicklow County just southwest of the city of Dublin. From lakes to mountains and sheep to millennia-old monasteries, the emerald country of Ireland was exactly what I imagined. We stopped off for a few hours at the monastery of St. Kevin and also at the Avoca Handweavers Mill, Ireland’s oldest mill. We made it home around 5:00pm and spent some time trying to register Rebecca for her Winter Session classes, but to no avail. That night, we relaxed over dinner and a live show of Irish dancers and a band. That was the end of our adventure, and as much as I loved every part of the trip, I was ready to return “home” to my own bed in Granada.

We flew out of Dublin on Saturday morning, on yet another delayed flight, and arrived in Málaga. From there we took a bus back to Granada. Oh, it was sickeningly warm in Spain compared to the weather in UK. Not only did I have to adjust to the change in weather and driving on the right (and correct) side of the road, but I had to jump right back into speaking Spanish 24/7. It seems I am constantly transitioning from one way of life to another!

NAVIGATION TRAINING 101
Now, I know my family and friends always joke about my navigation skills. I will have EVERYONE know, however, that I was the official navigator of our trip! I carried the maps, found the train and bus routes and generally led the way during our walking tours. We made it through, and I was not half bad at playing the tour guide. At times, we did have to turn ourselves around, but generally that was because street signs in the UK are on the side of buildings, unlike the big green signs with large letters in the United States. Furthermore, some of the bus schedules clearly lied in London, and our stops were overlooked despite clear markings on the map and schedule. To throw another monkey-wrench into the mix, motorists drive on the opposite side of the street everywhere in the UK. Rebecca had to grab my arm several times to remind me not to cross the street at particularly busy intersections. It was a challenge to adjust to some of their signs and traffic patterns, but it made for a more interesting journey on foot.

I also concluded from the journey that I prefer trains to any other mode of transportation! Rebecca and I were able to hop on whatever train we desired with our BritRail passes and go wherever; plus, we were provided the opportunity to see an excellent view from the window. In contrast, with every flight, we constantly dreaded the check-in and weigh-in of our bags and the security and customs stops. We were denied a view from our seats in the sky. Some day, I would be game to take just a rail tour of Europe and enjoy all there is to see!

A WALK IN THE PARK
In every city or town we visited, Rebecca and I managed to find a park or two, perfect for strolling and seeing the lovely landscape. In London, Exeter, Edinburgh and Dublin we wandered around looking at trees, ponds and wildlife (including some very bold squirrels and friendly ducks). There was something about being in the great outdoors that spurred us on, despite out aching feet and backs (when we had to carry out backpacks around before catching the bus or train or whatever mode of transportation was next on the agenda).

HILLS AND MORE HILLS
Edinburgh was built on a hill, nay, a mountain. I cannot stress the height of the city enough, as I want you to understand just how much we walked, climbed and hiked up, down and around. We climbed up to Arthur’s seat, the site of a dormant volcano, which was approximately 250.5 m high. Then once we hit sea level again, we decided to hike up yet another hill to see some monuments and ruins. My pictures, unfortunately, cannot demonstrate the beauty of the Scottish terrain, but they can at least give you a taste for the natural beauty that is Edinburgh, with all its luscious shades of green.

OH, IT’S A LOVELY HOLIDAY WITH MARY, ZORRO AND MOLLY MALONE
In each of the three major cities, London, Edinburgh and Dublin, Rebecca and I had the pleasure of seeing a musical or a musical performance. When we were riding the bus in London towards the British History Museum, we saw a sign for the musical “Zorro” playing on the West End (London’s equivalent of Broadway). On the spur of the moment, we decided we would purchase tickets and enjoy an evening at the theatre! The show was spectacular, and despite our distance from Spain, we gravitated towards a show filled with flamenco dancing and music, and quite a bit of Spanish-speaking and singing. What a delight!

While Rebecca and I were inside one of the buildings at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh (we wanted to escape from the frigid air), we saw a rack of brochures for sites in the city. We beheld a flier for the Edinburgh Playhouse that pleased us both tremendously—the traveling production of “Mary Poppins” had a matinee performance the following day! On Wednesday, we went to the theatre and using our charms and good looks (plus our student I.D. cards), we obtained decent seats for half the price. The music was incredible, as anyone who ever saw the movie would understand, and we were surrounded by jolly little children, laughing in their bright Scottish-English accents. The only thing that could have made the show better would have been to see Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke themselves performing on stage.

Now, in Dublin, we did not go to the theatre per say. We did, however, enjoy our last night in the city seeing a performance by a live band and a team of Irish dancers after a very filling dinner. Essentially, it was akin to a dinner theatre performance. The band played and sang the infamous “Molly Malone” song along with several other Irish ballads. The dancers who followed demonstrated the spectacular skill and sport of Irish dancing. It was a marvelous way to close our busy week of traveling.

A COMFY BED TO REST MY HEAD
In each of the major cities, Rebecca and I stayed in a Bed and Breakfast guest house. In London, we were only a ten to fifteen minute walk from Buckingham Palace and all of the major center city attractions. The accommodations were decent, but the location was the key. In Edinburgh, the quality of the accommodations increased tremendously. Once again, we were only a fifteen minute walk from Edinburgh Castle and only a bit farther to the hills we elected to climb. However, the accommodations in Dublin were superior to both guest houses in London and Edinburgh. I never once felt unsafe in any of the cities (of this my parents will be quite relieved to hear) and I thankfully had a warm and comfortable bed at the end of every day.

I cannot, however, neglect to add that Rebecca and I spent a night in Exeter with Amy, who graciously gave up her own bed for the two of us! Of all the places we stayed, the hospitality in Amy’s home was the best. I give the management a full 5-stars! It was so wonderful to see her, to sit and chat, if only for a few hours. Unfortunately, we only spent one night there; that only means I will have to return someday to visit Amy and enjoy her company once again!

TWO FOR TEA AND FINDING FOOD
Breakfast was taken care of each morning thanks to our wise decision to stay in a Bed and Breakfast guest houses. Finding lunch and dinner, however, proved a bit more challenging at times. We relied a great deal on sandwiches purchased at local grocery stores and also bread with peanut butter or bread with marmalade pilfered from the breakfast table of the B&B. We did not go hungry, but sometimes we were bit irritable because places were not open as late as they are in Spain—the transition was a bit tough, I must say. On Saturday night in London, we resorted to eating prepared salads from a grocery store in the train station terminal because all of the restaurants had closed. On Tuesday night in Edinburgh, we struggled to find an inexpensive meal and thus opted to eat take-out Chinese food. We did get to eat some fish and chips in Edinburgh (on the steps outside of the Playhouse) and our hearty stews in Dublin. Generally, we gravitated to park benches, train stations and other rest areas to consume our piecemeal sandwiches, but the most exciting dining spot of them all was a cliff in Edinburgh where we had out peanut butter sandwiches and apples (also carried away from the B&B table that morning).

Both Rebecca and I took advantage of the amble quantities of tea in the UK. When in doubt, we took some tea. We forgot, however, to try some scones and Irish soda bread before we left. Hopefully we can remedy that error someday.

SCHOOL IN SPAIN: TAKE TWO!
The second session of classes just started on Monday, and I can already tell that I will enjoy them tremendously. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have “Problems in Western European Politics” and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have “History of Contemporary Spain” and “Art History of Spain.” My professors seem quite agreeable and the themes are exactly what I enjoy learning most. My art history professor, and eccentric older gentleman, sings and jokes in class while my political science and history professors are both young and enthusiastic. There will be papers and a bit more work in the second half, but I think I can manage!

I apologize for the abundance of details from my “holiday,” but I wanted satisfy everyone with a sufficient account of my week-long adventure in the United Kingdom. Now that I am back and settled in Spain, I am up to receiving phone calls and e-mails or chatting on Skype or AIM. Just give me a heads up! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers while I was traveling!

Con amor,
Diana

Los exámanes y un viaje al norte

HELP ME RONDA, GET HER OUT OF MY HEART!
Never did I consider that Ronda, a city of which I knew little up until the day before my excursion, would be so beautiful! Beyond the typical Aldalucian architecture, Ronda had a certain charm thanks to its mountains, valleys and precious terrain. We saw the plaza de toros, where the bull fights take place, as well as a Catholic church, built over the site of a former mosque, dedicated to Mary and her sorrows. During our free time, we took a trail from the top of the bridge down to the river where we saw a most spectacular view of a waterfall and old ruins. The weather, too, was just continuing to cool down and the breeze indicated that fall, in all its glory, was here to stay.

EN HABLAR CON MI SEÑORA
Over the last week, I have had several wonderful conversations with Carmen. On Friday night, while she was making me dinner, we were talking about practicing Spanish. In the middle of a sentence, my cell phone rang and my friend Nathalie was on the other end. I answered with the common Spanish phrase “díme,” which means “talk to me,” (or as English speakers more politely say “hello,”) and we proceeded to make plans for the evening. At the same time, Carmen was laughing in the background while I arranged to meet Nathalie to watch a movie. After I hung up the phone, Carmen explained that I reminded her of a British student she hosted many years ago who would speak nothing but Spanish, and she said she was proud of me. Carmen also seems to think my Spanish is much better than it really is. When I asked her if she would correct my grammar, said she doesn’t need to and that I can hold my own. Lies, I tell you, lies! But at least she thinks I have improved since I arrived, which makes me feel better.

On Sunday morning, I woke up much later than I normally do on a school day, so Carmen and I ate breakfast together. She asked me it I was content living with her, and of course I said “yes!” She said she enjoyed having me live with her and that I could tell my parents that “Carmen is happy with me.” Carmen then explained that she gets along well with young people, and I had to laugh because I absolutely love working with older people! She enjoyed hearing about my summer work experience and I realized I must be living with Carmen for a reason.

Over our toast, tea and café, Carmen commented to me that she was glad I met some “good” people here in Spain and she doesn’t have to worry about me being with strange Spaniards. She is glad I know a lot of people in the church and through the CLM. She also added that she finds the church and the people, according to my explanations, quite different from the type of church she is used to here in Spain; she says we spend time together outside of services and genuinely care for one another—she had never heard of anything like it! We proceeded to talk about religion, faith and society here in Spain and before I knew it I had to hurry up and run to the Iglesia Bautista lest I be late for Sunday school.

BON JOUR! ¿QUÉ TAL? ¿Y TU FAMILIA?
On Sunday evening, I was finishing up my dinner and getting ready to begin studying for my exams. Carmen was headed out for her weekly outing to meet friends or “to go out to the street,” as we say when we leave the house. Finally, I was left home alone! Now, if you leave some kids home alone, they invite their crazy friends over and make a mess. If you leave me in an apartment all by myself, I have a tendency to kick back, relax and find a movie to watch in Spanish! ¡Qué divertido! Carmen closed the door behind her and no sooner than hearing the lock click did I clear off the dinner table, put some leftover chicken in the refrigerator and scurry over to the television to peruse her collection of videos. I was thrilled by the possibilities for the evening: old movies like “Sabrina,” “Charade” and “Operation Petticoat” or Disney classics like “Robin Hood,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Alice in Wonderland.” I was at the moment of making my final decision, with Belle falling for the Beast in my left hand and Audrey Hepburn falling for Humphrey Bogart in my right hand. Obviously, there was far too my falling happening because my eyes suddenly fell upon a little red light blinking on the VCR—the REC light. Carmen was recording some program off the television, and my movie night would just have to wait. Really, I needed to continue reading about bull fights, unemployment, tomato-throwing fiestas and gypsies for my exam.

On Tuesday night, Carmen went out to dinner with her daughter and a friend and my wish finally came true! I pulled out “Beauty and the Beast” and listened intently while Spaniards imitated French accents and alternately switched from the French phrases in the film to Spanish. My favorite part was one of the lines in the opening song, “Bon jour! Good day! How is your family?” that obviously needed to be changed to “Bon jour! ¿Qué tal? ¿Y tu familia?” Oh languages! When Carmen came home, we watched the last fifteen minutes together and sighed like silly school girls. Disney romances are just as powerful in Spanish, I must say.

LOS EXÁMENES—COMPLETADOS. ¡AL NORTE!
As I write at this moment, my final exams are complete! I think I studied (just maybe) a little too much for my Spanish culture exam, but I am thrilled that I survived my grammar exam as well. Pretty soon I will be heading home to my apartment to pack for a week-long vacation with Rebecca to England, Scotland and Ireland! I honestly cannot wait to meet the queen, see some castles and pet some sheep in the countryside. No, really, I plan to see everything I can while I am there! It should be a lovely trip and on top of all of that, I will get to visit my friend Amy Hunt who lives in England and studies in Exeter! Please say a prayer for our travels, for steady exchange rates and for some sunshine (although the last one is a bit more of a challenge in the UK).

Love and prayers from your ever-excited traveler,
Diana

¿Confundida? Ya no.

UNA CUEVA, UN MERCADILLO Y UN PISO
Friday was the beginning of a wonderful weekend and another week to follow. On Friday night, I was with some friends at the Iglesia Bautista until around midnight and then I met up with the UD crew to go to a club in the caves of Granada. It was crowded, but it was neat hearing people speaking in so many different languages. I enjoyed some dancing before returning home around 5:00 in the morning. Now, one would imagine that I would sleep until noon after being out so late. How does 8:30 sound to you? I woke up, showered, ate my breakfast before Carmen was even awake and headed out to the flee market with my friend Yelena from Minnesota and Raquel from Brazil. We walked to the market, found some delightful bargains and returned home in time for me to enjoy lunch with Carmen. I did appreciate taking my siesta on Saturday afternoon!

That evening, I joined the youth group for the Saturday meeting and afterwards, we went out together for pizza. I spent a good part of the evening talking with Nathalie, from Holland, while we chowed down our food in the pizzeria. I met several other people that evening from the United States, Brazil and other parts of Spain—so many folks and so many names to remember! The next morning included Sunday school, church and lunch with Carmen. After siesta, I took a walk to see the Fiesta de La Virgen de Granada, María de Angustias who is the patron saint of Granada. Because of the rain on Sunday, however, the festivities were not as grand as they typically are on this feast day. The festival, included a small parade, fruit and food vendors as well as sweet treats like “torta,” a sweet bread with apple filling and a layer of sugar to die for (Carmen gave me some torta for lunch on Saturday and for breakfast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings, so I am speaking from first-hand experience).

On Sunday night, I met up with Yelena, Nathalie and others at the piso (apartment) of April, one of the young women from the church. April, who is from California, studied in Granada for a year, and after being home for a time decided to return here to live and teach English. I was there until 00:30 in the morning chatting, in Spanish of course. She was so encouraging to us “extranjeras” and it was wonderful hearing about her experience in Granada studying Spanish. After talking with her, I made an executive decision: I will speak only in Spanish until the end of my trip in December. I want to learn and I will learn, and that takes practice, regardless if anyone thinks I am an overachiever or a geek for not speaking English!

The cool part has been that since Monday morning, I have been speaking nothing but Spanish, even with the folks from UD. Now, whenever I am around, the girls talk to me in Spanish and they have even begun to speak more in Spanish amongst themselves. All it took was a little courage and boom! A revolution among the “guiris” from UD! Here is a bit of a side note: “guiri” is the colloquial term for a silly “extranjero” or foreigner. When tourists first started coming from Britain in the 1970s asking “where is” this or “where is” that, it sounded like “guir ees” to the Spaniards who can’t pronounce the letter “w.” So, I am a “guiri” merely because I am and American. Oh well!

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS “LAURA SCHMIDT.” MY TAILOR IS RICH.
This moron Thursday morning in grammar class, Manolo—the 40-year-old bald professor who “enlightened” us on correct pronoun usage last week—was trying to tell the UD students they speak too much English and need to practice more Spanish. Seriously, in week four of classes, he will ask a question (in Spanish) and my classmates will respond in English (in a 400-level Spanish grammar class). Anyhow, he told us how students 50 years ago used to learn English through repetition of short phrases. They included expressions such as “good morning,” “my name is…” and “my tailor is rich,” which is not a very functional, but a product of the days when clothing was very expensive in Spain. People from Spain would arrive at an airport in Britain, proud of their language skills and be shocked to find out that “Good morning, my name is Pablo and my tailor is rich” didn’t get them very far. The point of all this was to stress the importance of practicing the verbal part of the Spanish language. Reading, writing and listening is not all there is to a language. I second that motion! All those in favor say “sí.”

But why is my name Laura Schmidt? Well, on Tuesday, one of my classmates Laura was feeling sick, still recovering from a head cold. She along with several others from UD were planning on going on an excursion sponsored by the Centro de Lenguas Modernas that included trekking up mountains and later relaxing in the Arab baths. She decided not to go and would lose her 23€ as a result. That same morning, I was lamenting that I had forgotten to sign up for the excursion before all the spaces filled up. Well, I put two and two together and what did I get—an alias. I took her ticket and I was Laura Schmidt for the evening (and when the guide asked for my name, of course I responded with the pseudonym).

We went trekking for about two hours up and around the hills of Granada. While I was on the excursion, I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with María, a girl from Connecticut who is here studying Spanish for the year. María has actually been learning Italian since she was eight-years-old and now she speaks both Italian and Spanish beautifully (since the languages are so similar). I enjoyed so much getting to know her and speaking with her during the hike and while relaxing in the Arab baths.

Now I must explain the beauty of the baths. Essentially, there are three pools of water: cold, hot and lukewarm. One only needs to sit in one of the pools for a few minutes before moving to another for a short time. Even better than the pools of water was the mint tea, the best tea of any sort I have ever tasted in my entire life! I was in my own little heaven; then, it was time for my massage! Oh my, I was quite content with the evening! I was glad to have been so relaxed, because afterwards, we went a Middle Eastern restaurant and were quite frustrated by the service (or lack thereof). There were only two servers for the entire restaurant and in an hour and a half, all that managed to make it to our table was my cup of tea and some platters of hummus we never even ordered. I was just hungry, but others were very hungry and angry (not a fun combination). Thus, I was commissioned to go talk to the waiter and get our food! Ultimately, I told him we were planning to leave, and eventually we did even though only two of us received our dinner. I returned home (my dinner was one of the dishes that eventually arrived) and some of the others went to find some more food. I am convinced that the problem in Spain is not unemployment due to lack of jobs but rather to stubborn managers who refuse to hire and pay a sufficient number of workers. But I am not here to fix Spanish social woes.

“WACHU, WACHU, WACHU” AND DUNKIN COFFEE
The rest of the week has been marvelous. Classes have been going well, although I am now focusing on studying for my finals next Thursday. Throughout the semester, we have seen some very humorous videos on YouTube all relating to Spanish culture. One video has to do with the manner in which Spaniards speak using gestures rather than words. I enjoy this one tremendously, because if I don’t know how to say something, I just use my hands—how perfect! Another video pokes fun at how people fight over the check when they go out to dinner. One person always insists on paying and then the other insists; essentially, the server just stands there until they are done “discussing” who will pay. The clip shows two men being held up by a robber, and imitates how they would fight for the check as they argue over who will give the gunman his money. Another video clip has to do with the sounds of different languages, the tones and pitches. Catherine Tate, a British comedian imitates the sounds of seven different languages around the world (quite terribly, but humorously). Our culture professor showed us this clip after she explained that Americans sound like, “WACHU, WACHU, WACHU,” when they speak to one another in English. If you want a good laugh, try watching one or all of these YouTube clips.

1. SPLUNGE “GESTOS” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEGamVBeeOc
2. SPLUNGE “ESTA LA PAGO YO” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZUqNinCyto
3. THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW “TRANSLATOR” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdf2eLeCLHI

Amidst all of this Spanish culture, I can’t help but laugh at the American invasion. A “DUNKIN COFFEE” (Spain’s chain of “DUNKIN DONUTS”) just opened around the corner from my apartment. You wouldn’t believe how long the lines are inside at all hours of the day! You would think that wonderful treats like torta or anything in one of the delicious pastry shops would be satisfying enough! No. They have to convert to American doughnuts. Well, I will be sure to enjoy my Spanish desserts while I am here. I have yet to be disappointed.

EAT, SLEEP AND DREAM IN SPANISH
I must admit how hard it is getting for me to speak and write in English. I forget words sometimes (like when I was talking to Faith on Skype this week and I told her we must “reunirnos” instead of “meet one another” again next week). I am also beginning to think in Spanish a little more. It only gets to be more challenging when I don’t know how to say a word in Spanish—that is when my thoughts “stop” for a moment and I start thinking in Spanglish. Oh my! I have yet to have a full-fledged Spanish dream; right now, I am limited dreaming with some Spanish conversations intermingled with whatever is happening. How strange! From day to day, I also forget whether I had a conversation with someone in English or Spanish. I think this is a good problem to have and we’ll see how much longer it will be before I am completely confused…or fluent…I believe they are synonyms.

Tomorrow, we will be traveling with Jorge to Ronda, a city about two hours away, near Málaga. I do not know what the day trip will entail, except that Carmen needs to pack me a bagged lunch and I will be viewing some lovely scenery. I will give you the details upon my return!

Thanks for all the e-mails, notes and prayers! I love hearing from you folks in the States!

Con amor,
Diana

Almost A Month: Oh My, How the Time Flies

A WET AND WACKY WEEK
This week was somewhat unusual for a number of reasons. First, I was feeling a bit under the weather with my stomach until about Thursday. But everything is much better now and I am excited to go out for some tapas on Saturday night with some friends from the church. Besides being under the weather, the weather itself changed quite a bit this week. It rained a few days and we have had some clouds over our lovely city. I will not complain, though, because the oppressive afternoon heat has given way to cooler days and a light breeze. Hooray for a change in seasons!

A TRIP TO THE MOVIES AND ALADDIN’S PANTS
I watched “Miran Quién Baila” (the Spanish version of “Dancing With the Stars”) and “La Anatomía de Gray” (Gray’s Anatomy) with Carmen earlier in the week and got a kick out of both programs. I will say, though, that I am rooting for the torero (bullfighter) to win. ¡Qué suave! On Wednesday evening, I went with some of the UD gals to see “Vicky, Christina, Barcelona” at the movie theater in the Neptuno Mall around the corner. It is a Woody Allen film with Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansen (and probably someone else who is already famous), set in Barcelona. The movie itself wasn’t incredible and it would never make it into my list of favorites, but it was really neat to see a park, street, building or museum I had been to during my three days in Barcelona. Also, it was a lot of fun trying to comprehend everything that was going on. I am really getting the hang of it!

After the movie, we walked around the mall a bit and went into one clothing store. I must first explain that fashions here in Spain can be unusual at times. The newest look: Aladdin pants. I am not kidding when I say that the pants Aladdin wore in the Disney cartoon do in fact appear daily on the streets of Granada. Apparently it’s the “hippy” look and very popular in Spain to wear baggy pants, where the fabric of the legs is joined somewhere at mid-calf. We all found this very amusing, and decided, “why not get a pair?” I was super shrewd and found a pair that had been sewn inside out. I bargained with the cashier and got a 20% discount on my pair of ridiculous hippy Aladdin pants. I was quite satisfied with myself for finally getting the opportunity to negotiate in a Spanish store. On Saturday morning, I am planning to go to the market with some friends. Hopefully there will be more bargaining there!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN SANTA CLAUS AND THE EASTER BUNNY AREN’T REAL?
Set the scene: A cloudy Thursday morning, ten students sitting eagerly in their seats, awaiting the day’s lesson in Spanish grammar. I was excited that we would be learning something besides verbs (especially those in the subjunctive) for the first time, and I whipped out my pretty green pen and notebook, ready to go. The lesson: PRONOUNS. I love pronouns! I loved them when I learned them in English in second grade and I loved them when I first learned them in Spanish as a high school freshman. It was going to be a piece of cake—or flan—or some other sweet treat.

What transpired in the next 90 minutes, however, was a mind-boggling-life-altering encounter with Spanish grammar. Sure, to you it sounds overly dramatic, but for me, it was traumatic. I discovered that throughout my entire Spanish-speaking career, I have been misguided, lied to, mind you, by every Spanish professor who has ever taught me. That’s right—the pronoun rules I learned years ago to refer to people in Spanish are INCORRECT. Surely my AP Spanish teacher knew what she was doing? And my professors at UD? No. It was as though we all learned that there was no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny for the first time, and we had been betrayed by those teachers we believed in most. I realized I can trust no one, except Monolo, my crazy, middle-aged professor here in Spain, to tell me when my Spanish grammar is wrong.

POLITICS AND CAULIFLOWER
After Monolo dropped the bomb in grammar class on Thursday morning, I knew it was going to be somewhat of a tumultuous day. Later that day during lunch, Carmen and I watched the news as we always do, listening closely in between bites and clarifying whatever I don’t understand. Starting at 14:30h, the first half hour is always the equivalent of an “Access Hollywood” or “Entertainment Tonight.” At 15:00h, the national and world news began. Of course, those of you who follow what is happening at home know about McCain suspending his election to return to Congress during the economic crisis. Personally (and we can agree to disagree if you do not stand in accordance), I think spending billions of dollars on an election and traveling from city to city promoting oneself is a waste of time and money. Voting and debating, on the other hand, to either allow or prevent government intervention in the economy seems like a more productive use of energy. Well, Carmen did not like what I had to say at all. When she suddenly started talking more quickly with her hands, I knew I was in for it. Carmen is very opinionated, and the fact that my Spanish is not quite at her level did not make the playing field any more even. What aggravated me most was that she kept telling me to “talk to my father” who could explain it better, because she understood what the news said and I probably missed something the newscaster said. Well, I HAD spoken with my father that morning and I was QUITE capable of understanding my own country’s politics, lest I be a Political Science major or something crazy like that. After we “discussed” our opinions back and forth in Spanish, I finally understood a common misconception that people outside the U.S. possess. Because of the War in Iraq and Spain’s involvement, Carmen hates President Bush with a passion, and believes that as the American president, he is all powerful. Why else would the world be in this war? She didn’t understand that Bush is also limited in a lot of ways by what Congress dictates, and thus McCain and Obama could in fact have some effect on what decisions are made concerning the economy if they returned to the Senate to discuss the issue. Finally she listened to me, only after I explained American checks and balances, but I was “un poco enfada” from talking politics.

Fortunately, the political news came on the TV after I finished my sweet desert of melon. I was still a bit on the defensive after our casual political chat, and I helped her clear the table after lunch. She then pointed to a bowl of cauliflower sitting on the kitchen counter and said asked if this was okay for dinner. I will admit my stomach was still not feeling quite fabulous, so I told her it might not be the best food for me. In response, she told me to take pills for my stomach and I would be fine. Otherwise, cauliflower is very expensive and I should have told her sooner that I didn’t eat it. I calmly told her I would eat it and it should be fine, but only to appease her. Lesson of the week: never talk politics with someone who can talk faster than you. It just makes for an uncomfortable stomach.

SALSA LESSONS PAID OFF
Well, I must say that the Ballroom Dane class I took last spring definitely is working to my benefit. Last night I went salsa dancing with people from the church and had a marvelous time! Just as the ladies struggle in the U.S with a death of male dancers, the problem also exists here in Spain. Thus, I “led” and taught several of the girls how to follow some basic salsa steps. Someone in the club was also teaching some salsa and merengue steps, so I picked up some of the latter. Hopefully I will have more chances to learn some more over the next few weeks!

SOMEONE KEEPS SINGING (QUITE POORLY INDEED)
There is a saying here in Spain that it rains after someone sings very badly. Over the last three weeks, it has rained several times, not too much, but more than is typical for the region. According to my one Spanish professor, the joke is on one of the UD girls. Apparently the night before every rainy day, one of the ladies croons in a bar or out on the street. Oh well. At least it doesn’t rain as much as it does in Delaware!

GRANADA: MY FIRST WEEKEND HOME
I am looking forward to my first weekend here in Granada without buses, hotels or traveling of any sort. I plan to go shopping, eat tapas and relax with friends. And I might have to do some studying somewhere in between all of that. I hope you all have a marvelous weekend and that everyone is well. I should be online somewhere around YOUR noon until about 2:00PM on Saturday if your want to drop by and chat.

All the best,
Diane

The Bus Went Over The Mountain (To See What It Could See)

FROM THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE VALLEYS, TO THE SEA WHITE WITH SALT
(GOD BLESSED SPAIN, TOO!)
On Friday morning, we left for our weekend excursion to Alpujarra, a region within the province of Granada (we left the city, but remained in the province). Our bus took us up mountains and made twists and turns, not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights. The views were magnificent and we stopped in two towns on the way up. The first town, Pampaneira, was one of the settlements of the moors when they were pushed out of Granada in 1492. All of the homes were painted white with chalk to prevent the infiltration of disease causing pests and to keep the house cooler in the summer. No vehicles, except for special tractors, can make it up the small streets, as the hills are too steep. Our next stop was to visit the highest pueblo in Spain, Trevelez. This town is where the ham in Spain is cured. Honestly, every other shop has meat hanging from the ceiling and on every street there were three or four meat factories. Once again, the height of the mountains and the houses on the hill were quite a sight. These mountain towns were also known for their 100 percent wool rugs and for the production of honey. I enjoyed my day up on the hills of Spain, but what goes up must always come down.

We drove down the side of the mountain, saw some valleys along the way, and finally reached Almuñecar, the city along the Mediterranean and our ultimate destination this weekend. Our hotel was right on the water and the weather was perfect. On Saturday morning, Jorge had a walk planned for the group that we could choose to take or not. Six of us girls opted to go while everyone else decided to go the beach. We walked around town learning a little history and taking some photos. As we were walking past the flower and fruit market, Jorge saw that the aquarium was open. Having never been there himself, he decided to take us inside! The others who picked the beach over the walk missed out! I do have to say, the most amusing part of the aquarium was watching Jorge poke star fish and sea tomatoes in their tanks even though there were sighs that clearly said “no toque,” or “don’t touch.” Rules apply differently for Jorge, I suppose. After that morning stroll, we went to the beach and spent the afternoon.

On Sunday, we packed our bags and started our journey home. But before going back to the city of Granada, we made one stop in Nerja, where we saw la Cueva de Nerja, or the Cave of Nerja. Thousands of years of dripping minerals and settling rocks made for quite a visit. I tried to take pictures, but we were prohibited from using flash photography; thus, some of my pictures on the no-flash setting are a bit blurry. We hopped back on the bus and arrived home by 13:30.

A WEEKEND WRAP-UP
The aforementioned account of the weekend merely mentions our itinerary. However, the weekend wasn’t all sunshine and buttercups. For the first time since I have been in Spain, I felt like I didn’t want to be where I was. I told myself at the beginning of the trip that I would never have time for homesickness or anything of the sort, that I know how to manage myself quite well in Spain because I love an adventure and I know the language. Still, pride comes before the fall. Beginning on Friday night, I felt like an “extranjero” not because I was in Spain, but because I was with Americans. I know that sounds funny, but I shall explain. I feel like an outsider more among “my own” than I do among the Spaniards mainly because my definition of a good time does not always coincide with that of the larger group. For me, pre-gaming has absolutely no appeal, neither does staying out until all hours of the night bar-hopping. I was at the point where I either wanted to be with my friends and family back home or with some Spanish-speakers, with whom I could at least practice my Spanish (which I still think is a pretty good reason to be studying in Spain). My eyes were wet when I went to bed because I was tired and frustrated; but I suppose a good cry had to happen sooner or later.

Now, please, don’t be feeling bad or anything or in any way think I am not enjoying my time in Spain. I think part of my irritability this weekend had to do with the fact that I had a stomach bug with a touch of a fever. From the end of last week until this morning, I wasn’t feeling very well at all, and on Saturday night, I finally couldn’t keep anything in my belly. When you feel lousy, it isn’t hard to want to be back at home, where your mom knows what to feed you and just how to take care of you. It’s funny—even though Carmen is my host “mom,” I never really considered that I would ever need to go to her when I felt sick, which I had to do after returning home yesterday. She insisted that I drink Manzanilla, essentially a tea similar to chamomile, to calm my stomach. Once again, I am getting my dose of humility! The silver lining: I wasn’t obliged to go with anyone anywhere on Saturday night and I got to sleep. I also slept quite a bit after returning from the weekend excursion.

One thing I never mentioned before is that I have been reading a Psalm each day, first in my English Bible and then in my Spanish Biblia. On Saturday when I felt the worst, I was reading Psalm 16.

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:5-8

“Tú, Señor eres mi todo; tú me colmas de bendiciones; mi vida está en tus manos. Primoroso lugar me ha tocado en suerte; ¡hermosa es la herencia que me ha correspondido! Bendeciré al Señor, porque él me guía, y en lo intimo de mi ser me corrige por las noches. Siempre tengo presente al Señor; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer.”
Salmo 16:5-8

No matter how sick or uncomfortable with my surroundings, as I felt this weekend or may feel in the days to come, I know am exactly where I am supposed to be. Through all of this, God has a larger plan and a lesson for me; despite my discomfort, I have in fact been blessed. And, while I may not be “home” where I feel most comfortable, I have Someone with me who is the same in America and in Spain, and who will never leave me. That is pretty awesome, I must say!

“BLANCANIEVES Y LOS SIETE ENANITOS” y ORGULLO Y PREJUICIA
You will probably never guess how spent my Sunday evening. Carmen was not at home, so I decided to pass the time watching an old Disney classic—Snow White and the Seven Dwarves! Carmen has several cartoons and other children’s movies on VHS that her grandsons must have watched years ago. All I can say is that it was one of those natural thrills in life! First, I got to watch a Disney movie; second, everyone was whistling and singing while they worked en Español! The joy I felt was second only to a purchase I made last Thursday at Granada bookstore. I decided that in order to improve my Spanish comprehension, I would buy my favorite book of all time, of which I am very well versed—Pride and Prejudice! I think the lady in the bookstore must have thought I was crazy because I was so excited when she told me they carried the book. The UD ladies with whom I was shopping at first didn’t understand the thrill of it all, but those of you who know me well need no explanation. In reality, the little things in life make me most happy! Seriously, what can be better than watching seven little Spanish dwarves or reading about the greatest English romance entirely in Spanish? ¡Nada!

ES LA HORA DE SALIR
I must say, it is getting harder and harder to write this blog in English. There are definitely times when I cannot remember a word in English and I just want to write what I am thinking. Now if I were to do that, this would be an interesting Spanglish account of my adventures. So, I will stick to English for now and hopefully I will be able to keep my languages straight. I hope you all have a fabulous week and that you enjoy the first day of fall! Believe it or not, today has been nice day with a cool breeze; I suppose this is to make it easier for me to cope with the fact that I won’t be experiencing an American autumn anytime soon. Well, it is now time for me to stop stalling and to do some homework.

All my love,
Diane

La segunda semana, casi completada

THE “BEAUTIFUL SEA” AND A GRANADA IN GRANADA
With a second weekend down and another week of classes almost at an end, I have finally settled into somewhat of a schedule with classes, meals, Internet access and exploration of the city. It is so much easier to stay awake when I keep moving. I once again find the beauty of the15-minute power nap (which I adopted back in high school) even though siesta is two hours long here. Honestly, it is impossible to sleep after such a large lunch and of course, it is the best time of day to learn the crazy Spanish conjugations and conditional phrases I am assigned for homework. Why can’t Spanish teachers in the U.S. and professors here call verb tenses the same thing? Beats me! Still, I am learning despite the fact that Spanish grammar has been making my head spin this week!

I met Carmen’s grandsons last week over lunch. The older grandson (I believe his name is Pablo) was an art history major at the University of Granada who spent the last year studying in Florence. The other grandson is nine and prefers television to eating. Carmen picked up the spoon and put it in his mouth while his eyes were glued to the TV screen. She then threatened to turn off the “Simpsons” since he wouldn’t eat his bowl of a thick, white stew; he finally obeyed and lunch went on as usual. I did enjoy speaking to the older grandson because he spoke more slowly and clearly than Carmen. He probably knew what it was like to be constantly bombarded with a thick and quick accent after having studied abroad himself. When he visited again this Tuesday evening to take Carmen to a birthday party, we chatted for quite a bit while I ate my dinner.

Tonight (Wednesday), I finished working on a project due Thursday in my Spanish culture class. My partner and I are presenting one of the autonomous communities of Spain to the class. I spent a few hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the library reading about Castilla-La Mancha, the land made famous by Cervantes and his beloved Don Quixote. There is quite a bit more to the region than windmills and the green plains known as “La Mancha.” For example, the region is famous for its cuisine, which is why we decided to buy “queso manchego” for the class to try during our presentation. Fortunately, we will be the first group to present and therefore will not have the project hanging over our heads for the rest of the first session.

Beyond classes, I have had the opportunity to walk around Granada with my friend Heather from sunny California who I met at the church. We spent an afternoon last week climbing hills and spotting incredible views of the city. We plan to take another walk soon; she will bring a canvas and pains while I will be less creative and bring my camera. Either way, we hope to capture the beauty of the landscape and architecture.

On Sunday, I took a crew of UD ladies on a trek to the Alhambra and up another hill to this spot we found last week. I realized as I was leading them that the route was a lot longer than I remembered, probably because Heather and I were chatting so much to pass the time. Nevertheless, when led the group up the cobblestone sidewalks, we came across the courtyard of a museum with a pomegranate tree. The Spanish word for pomegranate is “granada.” That’s right: the city was named after the fruit! We pulled two very small pomegranates from the tree and were finally able to say we ate a granada in Granada.

A BUS, A BEACH AND A BUSY WEEKEND
Last weekend, I did in fact make it to Marbella, a lovely beach city about three hours away from Granada. All fifteen of the UD crew took a bus Friday afternoon and arrived around 21:00 in the evening. We stayed in a pension (I believe it was one step up from a hostel) where we were fortunately able to lock our doors. Everyone went out together for a nice dinner and then returned to their rooms to get ready for an “exciting” evening. The guys led the group to an area by the port where all the night life was supposed to be located. There were plenty of places to go, but the average age of the population, comprised mostly of wealthy British and Australian tourists, was somewhere in the mid-forties to fifties. If that was not awkward enough, everyone’s definition of a “good time” was very different. All I will say is that I prefer to remember my evenings when I awake the next day. The other gals I was with generally felt the same way. I enjoyed my Coca-Cola and a little bit of dancing before I was all tuckered out.

The next morning—to make it easier for the folks who had a really, really “fun” time the night before—six of us girls walked to the bus station to buy the group’s tickets fro the trip home. We stopped in a lovely bread and pastry shop for breakfast and then headed to the beach! I must say, Marbella far surpasses Málaga in cleanliness and beauty. Some of the ladies, however, still managed to “forget” half of their swimwear. Spain appears to us Americans to be a very open country (case in point); however, out stereotypes of Spanish people and what I describe here is the direct result of the oppression under Franco until his death in 1975. Spain has gone from one extreme, where women had to wear dresses up to their necks, to the complete opposite, where one can go to any beach and see a lot more than a female’s neck! Oh, how human beings are creatures of extremes!

We returned safely on Saturday evening and about twelve of us decided to check out Granada’s annual rock concert located at the sports stadium. It was a long walk after such a busy day, but I got my second wind of energy just as we arrived and discovered the bands were between sets (a.k.a. no music was playing) and everyone else in the group was tired and ready to go. We walked (or dragged our heels) part of the way back before we hailed a taxi. I asked the taxi driver to call another driver so that all of us could get home. I tell you, speaking Spanish in Spain really is pretty convenient for negotiating rides! Pardon me for being facetious, but finally others have realized that if we speak to one another in English, the taxi drivers will rip us off (as one driver did in Marbella). Go figure!

The next morning, I went to church a little before 11:00 and didn’t return home until around 16:00. Some ladies made a marvelous lunch for the international students and I had the opportunity to speak with some of the students (in Spanish, of course) and with some of the members of the church. One young woman named April, who I originally thought was a Spaniard, is actually from California. She studied abroad here a few years ago and decided to return to Granada and teach English. I am amazed at how beautiful her Spanish is, and I can only hope to obtain the same level of proficiency. There are still three months yet, so I just need to be patient!

BACK TO THE BEACH AND AN ECOLOGICAL EXPEDITION
On Friday we do not have classes because Jorge is taking us all to the mountainous and coastal regions of Granada for a weekend excursion! From my understanding, we will be hiking and exploring on Friday and going to the beach on Saturday, all part of an ecological adventure. I will have my camera ready and a water bottle in hand for this exciting trip. Pictures will be posted early next week as soon as I am able.

AL FINAL
I just finished dinner (as always, delicious and very filling). The quantities are a bit more reasonable than they were before. I told Carmen on Monday how much I love everything she cooks—I used “me encanta mucho” to express that I do in fact enjoy her cooking—but that the portions are far too much for me. She told me not to worry, to take just what I wanted! Here, I thought I was being rude if I didn’t just eat everything she gave me! I can finally say that I don’t walk away from the table feeling like I want to double over. Still, I am developing what I like to call a “bread belly” from all the delicious bread, potatoes and rice I get at every meal. No wonder people in Spain are so happy and relaxed—they are so well fed!

Yes, the Spanish are so much more relaxed here. I MUST learn to walk more slowly and never again use my cell phone on the street. Basically that just screams “Hey, check me out—I’m American!” Although my one Spanish professor said I could pass for a Spaniard (thank you Cipriani Roman-nose and Stutzman olive-skin), I would prefer that my pace and actions follow suite as well.

I have found over the last few days that it seems people speak more slowly here than they did a week ago. To be honest, I doubt they have actually altered the speed of their tongues, but I believe I am finally getting the hang of what is said on the television, in the streets, and even in this very house! Carmen and I have had some really great conversations about religion, politics and money (all the things you’re not supposed to talk about). It is really quite fun to chatter away. I just need to be sure my ears are always as open as my mouth is.

Well, that is all for now—a whole week in review. If you want to hear more from me more often, drop me an e-mail. That is one means of communication that does not depend on time zones! I miss you all and hope that everyone is safe, happy and well-fed. If not, I could help you out a bit…

Love, the ever verbose Spanish student,
Diana

Home Is Where You Eat, Sleep and Watch Telenovelas

One week down and another fourteen to go! I can hardly believe I have been across the great Atlantic and in the land of bulls and castanets for eight days. I believe I am finally caught up on sleep and I am fueled, ready to go wherever the rest of the semester takes me. Honestly, I do not even know what I am doing this weekend, but I have heard the word “beach” thrown around by several people, so we will see if I will be lucky enough to get some sand in my shoes in a few days.

GRANADA 101
Granada is a beautiful city and is considered the cultural capital of Andalucía, one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain. It was the last city to be reconquered by “los Reys Católicos” (the Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel) in 1492, the same year Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Granada is famous for La Alhambra, a Muslim palace with impressive gardens, intricate architecture and interesting culture. I saw it once two years ago, but I can hardly wait to see it again this semester with my art history class and also (possibly) with the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (my campus at the Universidad de Granada). Granada is a university city with five different campuses serving nearly 100,000 students from all around the city, country and even the world. Classes at the main campus do not begin until October, so things are still relatively slow and will pick up in the next three weeks. The city has no industry except for the university, so it is home to many banks, bars and shops targeting the college community. In addition, Granada showcases the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the horizon. It seems as though I am in a pretty perfect place to study and also soak up the culture surrounding southern Spain. It is quite different from Barcelona, a fast-paced “European” city. Granada, according to one of my professors, is more of an African city in its style and customs.

AM I STILL IN DELAWARE?
No matter where you go or what you see, I realize that we do live in a small world, just with a lot of time zones. Language, attire and customs are different here, of course, but essentially life goes on the same for folks here as it does in the United States. Over the last few days, I saw this over and over again.

For starters, it rained Wednesday morning in Granada. It NEVER rains, or should I say rarely, and unfortunately not often enough for the people who live here. I felt like I was back in Newark jumping puddles just without my blue-flowered rain boots. Furthermore, the slippery red-brick sidewalks at UD are comparable to the tile and slate sidewalks that make a rainy day a bit of a risk factor. Fortunately for me, Carmen told me to go back to my room and change my shoes from flip-flops to sneakers. I listened to my mom and the result was better traction!

Walking in the area around the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, I have run into quite a bit of construction. Here I thought I was safe from the renovations surrounding the Harrington Beach (or Turf) area and the construction on every other area of the UD campus. Ha! I think scaffolding and dusty pot holes follow me wherever I go, and I have to take a detour to school to avoid hopping the fence put up by the construction workers.

In addition, I think I hear just as much English as I do Spanish. We have not yet transitioned into 100 percent “Spanish” mode, but hopefully we will get there VERY soon. I want to practice so badly, but it is hard when we go to class, speak to the teacher in Spanish and then walk right out the door speaking once again as Americans do. We shall see, but I am eager for this change to occur sooner rather than later.
On Tuesday evening, I was watching the news (before setting down to watch other night-time dramas with Carmen), and I found it quite interesting that parents here were complaining that the backpacks their children carry are overloaded with school books. This is the SAME exact argument I constantly heard (and experienced) in elementary school and high school. Obviously spinal health is a transnational issue (or at least parents have the same concerns and desires for their children’s safety).

I also went to a group prayer meeting on Wednesday evening at the church. We sang, prayed and heard a short message from the pastor. While the world may change around me, there is one thing I know for sure: my God is constant and unchanging. His people everywhere have the same prayers of thanksgiving and suffering, and the same desire to serve Him. How awesome is that!

LESSONS FROM “LA PRIMERA SEMANA”
1. Waterproof watches are remarkable timekeeping devices. After one day in Barcelona, my watch from home died because water crept into the face of the watch after I washed my hands one too many times. I invested in a cheap watch for 8€ which met the same fate in even less time. That was two watches in three days! After I settled in Granada, I went to “El Corte Inglés,” the store that has everything from shampoo and eggs to Tommy Hilfiger clothing and purses. They also carry watches, believe it or not, and I asked the clerk to help me find something cheap or waterproof. She responded that she had something both cheap AND waterproof! Well, I bought a relatively inexpensive SWATCH watch with a one year guarantee. So, I will be coming home with a working watch.

2. Everything hangs on the line to dry. You worry about someone seeing your laundry and taking it out of the washer before you get to it when you do your wash at school, but how about putting it outside in the courtyard for all the neighbors to see? It is really not as bad as it sounds, and I am all for conserving the electricity that the dryer would use. However, it was a bit of a surprise when I pulled open my curtain last night and saw my jeans, shirts and other “undergarments.” Talk about a room with a view!

3. Never say no to more bread. I love bread, I really do, but eating about a half a loaf a day is a bit much for me. Carmen cuts three large slices of bread for me at every meal and it is quite filling. I was full after the lunch she fed me on Monday and didn’t even touch the bread basket. Nope. She insisted, even after I said it was “sufficiente.” Ergo, I take just one slice now at each sitting in order to avoid a forced feeding.

4. Don’t try walking around during siesta. I thought that I would pass the time after lunch on Tuesday by walking around el Parque de Frederico García Lorca. The park is beautiful, with various paths surrounding roses, trees and benches. The problem with siesta time is that it is very hot outside. Really, there is not much to do except read, nap, watch TV or do homework (when there is actually homework to do) between the hours of 13:00 and 17:00. Passing the time on a walk might get better in October when the weather cools down a bit, but for now, I plan to take it easy.

¡QUÉ SERÁ, SERÁ!
The first time I heard this phrase, I was listening to Doris Day sing in Alfred Hitchcock’s mystery thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” But “qué sera, será” is exactly how I feel about this semester—“what will be, will be.” My schedule is pretty open and I can decide from day to day what I intend to do. Some people in my group have found the free time boring and wish they had a roommate. I have truly enjoyed finding things to do to occupy myself. I enjoy talking to Carmen and asking her random questions about politics, music and whether or not it is better to say “papa” or “patata.” I have also taken to watching “la tele” with Carmen to improve my comprehension. I can’t say I have gotten very far yet, but I imaging after seeing and listening to a few more Spanish soap operas, I will have a much better grasp on the different accents and colloquialisms. On Wednesday, I also went to the library at school and took out “Leyendas” by Gustavo Aldolfo Béquer. I read some of his work in my Spanish literature class last semester, so I am looking forward to sitting down with a good book (and a dictionary) and passing the time.

The next four weeks of classes before my fall break, will probably pass by rather quickly. My SPAN 406 (grammar) and SPAN 308 (culture) classes are very basic and I do not think I will have any problems. I will do my work, attend class and try to work at improving my Spanish and seeing all that I can see in the off hours. It all just takes initiative, and I am really trying to take it all in. I plan to look into Flamenco lessons (dancing and possibly guitar for beginners). It may all sound very ambitious, but it is always better to aim high and see where that takes you, right?

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I have enjoyed hearing from some of you, on Skype, G-Mail chat, AIM, Facebook, and of course, comments left on the BLOG. I have free internet access every day between your 4:30 AM and 6:15 AM if you are ever awake! Otherwise, I can plan to go to the cybercafé if you tell me ahead of time when you are free.

Until next time, I remain yours truly,
Diana