I LOVE SPANISH!
Well, I love listening to it and learning about it. I´m learning to love speaking it.
My first day of classes was long. From this point on I think my life will be nothing but boring schoolness.
I had gramática avanzada and literatura del siglo XX, 20th century Spanish lit. YIKES! This professor talks FAST. I am not over exaggerating.
Our classes are 1 hour 15 minutes, two times a week. What´s weird though, is that for four of my five classes, both sessions are on the same day. Mondays I have two sessions of lit. Tuesdays my only classes are two sessions of my Latin American Politics class, Wednsdays I have Spanish Theology, and Thursday I only have History of Spain since 1936. And then I have grammar of two seperate days.
It´s weird. I only have each class one day a week. WEIRD! But it´s nice. No class on Fridays. For the most part we will be starting all of our travels on Thursday night.
I was planning out my trips last night. I need more weekends. I have three weekends that aren´t already full. And there are so many places to visit. AAHHHH!!
Oh, another great thing about SPain, shady copyright laws. ALl my books are photocopies, so they´ll be about $50. I love that!
That´s about it.
Oh, last night I listened to music with my 14 year old sister, all American. She´s sort of in love with Pop. So funny. I love her. She´s such a teenager. Her music was blaring through the house until Mom yelled at her. So she turned it down, until Mom left the room. Then when Mom told her to turn it off, she called her friends for a couple hours. Then we ate, then she started the routine all over again, util Loly told her to start her homework.
Ok, Voy a La Politica de America Latina!
Besos,
Angela
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Mi Madre Espanola
So I had lunch with mama today. I have a few things tht need to be recorded about this expereince.
1) My mom is the secretary for the providence of Toledo
2) My mom doesn´t eat carbs
3) My mom is divorced
4) My mom hangs out with a guy who is 60, but because she is only 46, she won´t date him. She knows tht in a few years he´ll be old and they won´t have anything in common.
I love my host mom.
1) My mom is the secretary for the providence of Toledo
2) My mom doesn´t eat carbs
3) My mom is divorced
4) My mom hangs out with a guy who is 60, but because she is only 46, she won´t date him. She knows tht in a few years he´ll be old and they won´t have anything in common.
I love my host mom.
Dia de San Anton
So guess what? Today is the feast day of Saint Anthony. I just happen to live on Calle de San Anton in San Anton. Last night as I was walking home I followed a bunch of old ladies headed toward the church at the end of my street. My mom told me it was for a celebration at the church, a fiest day. Well this morning I woke up to tons of music and dogs barking. Mom called me downstairs to come see the procession. Those of you who know what this is, you know its cool. My whole street was filled with people, a marching band, lots of animals (dogs, birds, and HORSES). In the center was a huge status of San Anton. The people all walked to the church and mass began. When I headed here 7 hours later, they were stilling celebrating. It was on the local news too, which was cool.
I guess there are tons of processions throughout Spain. Next week there is one that is just for women, celebrating women. My mom, Loly, was very surprised when I told her we don´t typiclly do that type of thing in the US. But wow, was it ever impressive.
aguedas3.jpg (JPEG Imagen, 600x450 pixels)
I guess there are tons of processions throughout Spain. Next week there is one that is just for women, celebrating women. My mom, Loly, was very surprised when I told her we don´t typiclly do that type of thing in the US. But wow, was it ever impressive.
aguedas3.jpg (JPEG Imagen, 600x450 pixels)
La Discoteca
I did it! I survived my first night out.
What a night! We ended up at some club with the bartender from Enebro, we were the only American there, which was fab. Oh my gosh. It was too amazing for words. We got carded and everything. Hells yeah! I can go out in Spain! I now understand however how expensive this activity can be. $6 for vodka y ´vodka´- the second vodka was actually fanta, but no one understood me when i told them what i was drinking, including the bartender-that was a close one.
Oh, and you know how I am in love with Toledo, I need to rephrase that. I am in love with the men of Toledo, wait no, all Spanish men under 40. I am serious. All you chicas need to get here fast. These guys are muy caliente! What an adventure this will be....
What a night! We ended up at some club with the bartender from Enebro, we were the only American there, which was fab. Oh my gosh. It was too amazing for words. We got carded and everything. Hells yeah! I can go out in Spain! I now understand however how expensive this activity can be. $6 for vodka y ´vodka´- the second vodka was actually fanta, but no one understood me when i told them what i was drinking, including the bartender-that was a close one.
Oh, and you know how I am in love with Toledo, I need to rephrase that. I am in love with the men of Toledo, wait no, all Spanish men under 40. I am serious. All you chicas need to get here fast. These guys are muy caliente! What an adventure this will be....
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hello again!
I´m still alive AND I have avoided arrest, so that´s cool.
Wow is TOLEDO AMAZZZING!
I´m on day....4....and I´m in love. Yes, I am all kinds of homesick. Simple things are really frustratin¨:
1)keyboards in Spain are completely different. Did you know that if you want to add an @, you can´t just shift and press 2, because then you get a ". You need to press a completely different botton. Also, everytime I try to ´backspace´I get a whole bunch of ççççççç, because that´s what is where the backspace is. Also, the coolest thing is that there is a KEY that makes the ´ñ´or ´Ñ´. SO COOL!!
Hey, let´s continue with the bus stories...
My first night, after my morning adventure to school, I got off two stops later than I was suppose to, at like 11pm. So, then I took a wrong turn and ended up way far from my house, but I made it. THen, laast night we went out for beer and tapas. The normal buses stop running at 11, but on Fridays there are Buhos, or night buses, but they run on completely different schedule. My mom explained to me which one I needed to take and how to get home, because it stop away from my normal stop. So, at 2:30am, we all hop on B2 and hope we can find home. I did, it´s super easy, but then I faced the challenge of getting into my house. Not kidding, it´s hard. You have to turn the lock two and a half times and then push, because there isn´t a handle on the outside of the door. an FYE, I only discovered how the doors worked after tryign to get in for about 5 minutes when my mom came to let me in, gave me a demonstration, and after I told her how sorry I was, said that it was fine and that she understood-that´s what cervecas (beer) does to people. MY MOM THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK. I had one beer that the nice bartender, Carlos, suggested.
Ok, now the bar. So they tell you Spanish men are friendly and that little American girls should be careful-it´s the truth. Last night I went out with a few friends and we ended up at Enebro, new la FUndacion. Pretty soon the bar was crawling with nice white girls and the bartender and his four friends. THey were quite the guys, convincing us that the bar was closing and that we had to go to a party with them. We didn´t, but we ran into them at the bus stop, and I think we might be going out with them tonight. Not going to lie, I am terrified. But, when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do, and my madre told me to come home with a Spanish boyfriend as I left the house last night, so I guess I´m off to a good start.
DON´T WORRY, I haven´t been spending all my time with tasty beverages. Yesterday we took a huge walking tour of Toledo, and let me tell you, there is alot of history in this little hill. We had walked around for almost 4 hours the day before, but this was cool too. BUT, I have to tell you, the coolest part was that the entire thing was in Spanish, the whole thing, for four hours, and I got 95% or it. Oh YEAH! Really this Spanish think rocks. I mean, we are this group of 108 American students clogging streets, but at least we can speak their language, sort of.
Oh my gosh, I have so much to right. You should all probably not even bother reading this as it seems to be more of my diary that a blog. I will be writing every minute of my life in this thing.
So, the tour....
The streets...
THey´re TINY. Like, imagen the width of a small asian car. Ok, this is the width of the streets, well some of them. Now imagine this car driving down the street. THis is how they get around. Now image me walking down the street as this asian car is trying to go up it. THis is how I have a near death expereince every day in Toledo. You get very used to hearing a car, running into a doorstep, and THEN looking to see if the car is coming your way.
My family, you probably are sick of reading, but let me tell you about them:
My family is made up of a mom and two daughters. Elena is 14, but I haven´t had much time to talk with her. She´s a busy teenager. Victoria is 20, but she´s at university until february. My mom is Maria Dolores. I don´t know how old she is or what she does, but I´m working on it.
Last night she left me a note that she was out running, so I was working on my scarf in the sala when she came home, and we started talking, and it was fantastic. We talked about my kniotting and her running, and then I asked her a few questions:
1) What do you want me to call you? Mom? Maria? Senora? And she says, "Loly" and I was very confused. Aparently her friends call her Loly because its short for Dolores, her last name. So that was cool.
She also gave me lots of travel advice, that I need to go to Salamanca, and that she doesn´t like Madrid and Barcelona as much because they are so big and modern.
I also found out that she is not from Toledo. She actually grew up in the south, and that is why she doesn´t have the central accent, the imfamous¨"th" sound for the letter C. She pointed out that I should listen to the difference between her speech and her daughter, and I have every intention of doing that.
Oh, we talked about the American students love of binge drinking, especially once in a country where it is legal. And names and how hard name like Taylor and Tyler are to say. Oh, and she had a Mexican student live with her named Mike. Which made me smile.
Yeah, so then we went out, I got home, couldn´t get it, got a "how to use a key" demo, and went to sleep.
3am, end day 3
DAY 4----Vamanos a Poligano
Today I ventured to Poligano to the mercado (flea market) and centro de comercial (mall) with a group of fabulous people.
OH, and I got asked for directions, for the second time. YEAH! Apparently I look like I know what I´m doing. First a women asked me for the Caja Madrid, which I knew nothing about, then this morning a man hanked at me from the street (I thought he wanted to give me a ride since I was heading toward the bus stop) and ask me where the soccer staium was. I knew the direction, but not how to get there. We got another woman to help, so that was a great way to start the day.
Once I got to Zocodover we all hoped on a bus and hoped we´d get where we needed to go. We did. It was great. I loved it. I couldn´t understand when the women at the store asked if I had 10 euro cents, this made me frustrated with my lack of Spanish skills. I tried some Doner Kabob. YUM! I found the store where I will be buying Miss Popp some children´s books, and got everything I need to start school on Monday.
That brings me to right now. FINALLY RIGHT?!?!
After I finish this, I´ll be running home to put on ´clu´b´clothes. Against my better judgement, and my personality, I will be attending El Circulo de Arte Toledo tonight. But wait, the place sucks until after one or two, so I get to go hang at Enebro until then. Sacrastic Yay. I think it will be fun, but it´s just not my thing. Then again, I might not be in Toledo many more weekends, so I might as well give it a try. Who knows, maybe I´ll meet the father of my future children tonight.
Oh, I forgot to share my first dos besos with hombres with you all. Yeah, we should probably start that tradition in the states. All you ladies would love it ;-) Some are creepers, but for the most part, just nice horny guys.
Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully your still awake.
Besos y abrazos,
Angela
I´m still alive AND I have avoided arrest, so that´s cool.
Wow is TOLEDO AMAZZZING!
I´m on day....4....and I´m in love. Yes, I am all kinds of homesick. Simple things are really frustratin¨:
1)keyboards in Spain are completely different. Did you know that if you want to add an @, you can´t just shift and press 2, because then you get a ". You need to press a completely different botton. Also, everytime I try to ´backspace´I get a whole bunch of ççççççç, because that´s what is where the backspace is. Also, the coolest thing is that there is a KEY that makes the ´ñ´or ´Ñ´. SO COOL!!
Hey, let´s continue with the bus stories...
My first night, after my morning adventure to school, I got off two stops later than I was suppose to, at like 11pm. So, then I took a wrong turn and ended up way far from my house, but I made it. THen, laast night we went out for beer and tapas. The normal buses stop running at 11, but on Fridays there are Buhos, or night buses, but they run on completely different schedule. My mom explained to me which one I needed to take and how to get home, because it stop away from my normal stop. So, at 2:30am, we all hop on B2 and hope we can find home. I did, it´s super easy, but then I faced the challenge of getting into my house. Not kidding, it´s hard. You have to turn the lock two and a half times and then push, because there isn´t a handle on the outside of the door. an FYE, I only discovered how the doors worked after tryign to get in for about 5 minutes when my mom came to let me in, gave me a demonstration, and after I told her how sorry I was, said that it was fine and that she understood-that´s what cervecas (beer) does to people. MY MOM THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK. I had one beer that the nice bartender, Carlos, suggested.
Ok, now the bar. So they tell you Spanish men are friendly and that little American girls should be careful-it´s the truth. Last night I went out with a few friends and we ended up at Enebro, new la FUndacion. Pretty soon the bar was crawling with nice white girls and the bartender and his four friends. THey were quite the guys, convincing us that the bar was closing and that we had to go to a party with them. We didn´t, but we ran into them at the bus stop, and I think we might be going out with them tonight. Not going to lie, I am terrified. But, when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do, and my madre told me to come home with a Spanish boyfriend as I left the house last night, so I guess I´m off to a good start.
DON´T WORRY, I haven´t been spending all my time with tasty beverages. Yesterday we took a huge walking tour of Toledo, and let me tell you, there is alot of history in this little hill. We had walked around for almost 4 hours the day before, but this was cool too. BUT, I have to tell you, the coolest part was that the entire thing was in Spanish, the whole thing, for four hours, and I got 95% or it. Oh YEAH! Really this Spanish think rocks. I mean, we are this group of 108 American students clogging streets, but at least we can speak their language, sort of.
Oh my gosh, I have so much to right. You should all probably not even bother reading this as it seems to be more of my diary that a blog. I will be writing every minute of my life in this thing.
So, the tour....
The streets...
THey´re TINY. Like, imagen the width of a small asian car. Ok, this is the width of the streets, well some of them. Now imagine this car driving down the street. THis is how they get around. Now image me walking down the street as this asian car is trying to go up it. THis is how I have a near death expereince every day in Toledo. You get very used to hearing a car, running into a doorstep, and THEN looking to see if the car is coming your way.
My family, you probably are sick of reading, but let me tell you about them:
My family is made up of a mom and two daughters. Elena is 14, but I haven´t had much time to talk with her. She´s a busy teenager. Victoria is 20, but she´s at university until february. My mom is Maria Dolores. I don´t know how old she is or what she does, but I´m working on it.
Last night she left me a note that she was out running, so I was working on my scarf in the sala when she came home, and we started talking, and it was fantastic. We talked about my kniotting and her running, and then I asked her a few questions:
1) What do you want me to call you? Mom? Maria? Senora? And she says, "Loly" and I was very confused. Aparently her friends call her Loly because its short for Dolores, her last name. So that was cool.
She also gave me lots of travel advice, that I need to go to Salamanca, and that she doesn´t like Madrid and Barcelona as much because they are so big and modern.
I also found out that she is not from Toledo. She actually grew up in the south, and that is why she doesn´t have the central accent, the imfamous¨"th" sound for the letter C. She pointed out that I should listen to the difference between her speech and her daughter, and I have every intention of doing that.
Oh, we talked about the American students love of binge drinking, especially once in a country where it is legal. And names and how hard name like Taylor and Tyler are to say. Oh, and she had a Mexican student live with her named Mike. Which made me smile.
Yeah, so then we went out, I got home, couldn´t get it, got a "how to use a key" demo, and went to sleep.
3am, end day 3
DAY 4----Vamanos a Poligano
Today I ventured to Poligano to the mercado (flea market) and centro de comercial (mall) with a group of fabulous people.
OH, and I got asked for directions, for the second time. YEAH! Apparently I look like I know what I´m doing. First a women asked me for the Caja Madrid, which I knew nothing about, then this morning a man hanked at me from the street (I thought he wanted to give me a ride since I was heading toward the bus stop) and ask me where the soccer staium was. I knew the direction, but not how to get there. We got another woman to help, so that was a great way to start the day.
Once I got to Zocodover we all hoped on a bus and hoped we´d get where we needed to go. We did. It was great. I loved it. I couldn´t understand when the women at the store asked if I had 10 euro cents, this made me frustrated with my lack of Spanish skills. I tried some Doner Kabob. YUM! I found the store where I will be buying Miss Popp some children´s books, and got everything I need to start school on Monday.
That brings me to right now. FINALLY RIGHT?!?!
After I finish this, I´ll be running home to put on ´clu´b´clothes. Against my better judgement, and my personality, I will be attending El Circulo de Arte Toledo tonight. But wait, the place sucks until after one or two, so I get to go hang at Enebro until then. Sacrastic Yay. I think it will be fun, but it´s just not my thing. Then again, I might not be in Toledo many more weekends, so I might as well give it a try. Who knows, maybe I´ll meet the father of my future children tonight.
Oh, I forgot to share my first dos besos with hombres with you all. Yeah, we should probably start that tradition in the states. All you ladies would love it ;-) Some are creepers, but for the most part, just nice horny guys.
Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully your still awake.
Besos y abrazos,
Angela
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Bienvenidos a Espana!
Hola todos.
Soy aqui! En Espana! Finalemente!
Before I get into the meat of my first day in Europe, I have to tell you why I know that this is going to be a good trip. Two things: TFJ and FedEX. That's right. First I was frantically searching for my favorite black headband. Well I also remembered I had to bring the TFJ gift Cassandra gave me, so I went to pick it up...BAM...my headband. Sweet deal. Second- we're pulling out of my driveway and ....BAM....the FedEX truck with my Euros arrived within seconds of my departure. Seriously, I could have hugged the man. These two fabulous things are proof that life in Spain will be fantastico!
So I love flying, but not for an entire day. Bad whether in Madrid left us stalled in Amsterdam for almost an hour. When we finally arrived we were late. At 6pm, after almost 24 hours of travel we have orientation...YAY! SO that was fun. Then we met our families. My mom, Maria came to pick me up.
She was taking me to the bus stop, so I'd know how to get home, when she realized that I wasn't comprehending a word she was saying, so she decided to let me go home and sleep. BUT WAIT....when we got home, before I could sleep I got the whole tour of our house, house rules and a trip to the bus stop that would take me to school.
In case you all forgot, this is now about 9pm, in SPANISH. Thank you.
So then, I'm going to bed, but first I ask, "will you come with me to school tomorrow?" We were told our parents would ride the bus the first day with us so we'd know where we were going. "Oh no" she says, "I have to work at 8am. That's why I showed you your stop. Here, just use this map, or ask for La PLaza de San Justo. Es muy FACIL (easy)."
Yeah right! So I finally get to go to sleep, BUT WAIT...I forgot batteries for my alarm. OH CRAP. I need to wake up, early. So, sorry Dad, but I left phone on so I could wake up on time. I'll be going to find battarias today.
I ended my first day overwhelmed, nervious, stressed, and wanting more than anything to go home. But I knew that soon I wouldn't. I just kept reminding myself that it would get easier. It will get easier. It is getting easier already.
Today I started my trek to the bus stop. It's actually only about a block. I stood hoping that I would get on the righ tone, 4.1. I did. But when I got on I realized I didn't know what to do with my bus pass. FInally, the adjitated driver helped me. Gracias. I got off at Plaza de Zocodover as my mom directed and then began to use the map.
OK, so 75% of the streets in Toledo don't have signs. Me, directionally challenged me, was set loose in a twisted cobblestone city with a map and minimal Spanish. Finally, after 40 long minutes of "Perdoname, sabe la plaze de justo" (Excuse me, do you know the Plaza of San Justo), I made it, with just 15 minutes to spare before my language placement test!!!
Yup, that was my first adventure. I made a promise to myself to try something new each day. Navigating a new city, talking to natives, riding a public bus, and surviving, I think that might just count as an adventure.
After our placement exams I went with my friend Mateo y Julia to try to get back to the bus station. We made it, and found a few great tiendas (stores) on the way. I will be going to by an alarm clock and try to find an outlet adapter. Because, oh, I bought an adapter, but it only has two prongs, so my poor computer can't charge. Yikes! I guess I'll get used to it.
Well, now its almost noon here and you all are still fast asleep. LUCKY DUCKS! I will be off to meet with my adviser soon and then la COMIDA (lunch). I was too tired last night to eat dinner (which is held promptly at 9:30 in my house), and breakfast is usually only coffee and galletas (spanish cookies), so yo tengo mucha hambre (I'm hungry).
I hope you all are enjoying your little Spanish tutorial. You'll all be fluent by the time I come home :-)
Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you more about my family, but maybe not.
Oh, so a funny story... my mom, before letting me go to bed gave me a safety talk about drinking, sex, the men, and to be thankful that I'm, not rubia (blonde). The men might not harrass me as much! YAY for that! Oh I am going to love my mom and sisters.
Besos (kisses)
Oh, speaking of kisses- dos besos (kisses on either check) takes you y surprise, even when you know it's coming. That's all I'll say about that.
Con muchos besos y abrazos (with kisses and hugs)
Angela
Soy aqui! En Espana! Finalemente!
Before I get into the meat of my first day in Europe, I have to tell you why I know that this is going to be a good trip. Two things: TFJ and FedEX. That's right. First I was frantically searching for my favorite black headband. Well I also remembered I had to bring the TFJ gift Cassandra gave me, so I went to pick it up...BAM...my headband. Sweet deal. Second- we're pulling out of my driveway and ....BAM....the FedEX truck with my Euros arrived within seconds of my departure. Seriously, I could have hugged the man. These two fabulous things are proof that life in Spain will be fantastico!
So I love flying, but not for an entire day. Bad whether in Madrid left us stalled in Amsterdam for almost an hour. When we finally arrived we were late. At 6pm, after almost 24 hours of travel we have orientation...YAY! SO that was fun. Then we met our families. My mom, Maria came to pick me up.
She was taking me to the bus stop, so I'd know how to get home, when she realized that I wasn't comprehending a word she was saying, so she decided to let me go home and sleep. BUT WAIT....when we got home, before I could sleep I got the whole tour of our house, house rules and a trip to the bus stop that would take me to school.
In case you all forgot, this is now about 9pm, in SPANISH. Thank you.
So then, I'm going to bed, but first I ask, "will you come with me to school tomorrow?" We were told our parents would ride the bus the first day with us so we'd know where we were going. "Oh no" she says, "I have to work at 8am. That's why I showed you your stop. Here, just use this map, or ask for La PLaza de San Justo. Es muy FACIL (easy)."
Yeah right! So I finally get to go to sleep, BUT WAIT...I forgot batteries for my alarm. OH CRAP. I need to wake up, early. So, sorry Dad, but I left phone on so I could wake up on time. I'll be going to find battarias today.
I ended my first day overwhelmed, nervious, stressed, and wanting more than anything to go home. But I knew that soon I wouldn't. I just kept reminding myself that it would get easier. It will get easier. It is getting easier already.
Today I started my trek to the bus stop. It's actually only about a block. I stood hoping that I would get on the righ tone, 4.1. I did. But when I got on I realized I didn't know what to do with my bus pass. FInally, the adjitated driver helped me. Gracias. I got off at Plaza de Zocodover as my mom directed and then began to use the map.
OK, so 75% of the streets in Toledo don't have signs. Me, directionally challenged me, was set loose in a twisted cobblestone city with a map and minimal Spanish. Finally, after 40 long minutes of "Perdoname, sabe la plaze de justo" (Excuse me, do you know the Plaza of San Justo), I made it, with just 15 minutes to spare before my language placement test!!!
Yup, that was my first adventure. I made a promise to myself to try something new each day. Navigating a new city, talking to natives, riding a public bus, and surviving, I think that might just count as an adventure.
After our placement exams I went with my friend Mateo y Julia to try to get back to the bus station. We made it, and found a few great tiendas (stores) on the way. I will be going to by an alarm clock and try to find an outlet adapter. Because, oh, I bought an adapter, but it only has two prongs, so my poor computer can't charge. Yikes! I guess I'll get used to it.
Well, now its almost noon here and you all are still fast asleep. LUCKY DUCKS! I will be off to meet with my adviser soon and then la COMIDA (lunch). I was too tired last night to eat dinner (which is held promptly at 9:30 in my house), and breakfast is usually only coffee and galletas (spanish cookies), so yo tengo mucha hambre (I'm hungry).
I hope you all are enjoying your little Spanish tutorial. You'll all be fluent by the time I come home :-)
Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you more about my family, but maybe not.
Oh, so a funny story... my mom, before letting me go to bed gave me a safety talk about drinking, sex, the men, and to be thankful that I'm, not rubia (blonde). The men might not harrass me as much! YAY for that! Oh I am going to love my mom and sisters.
Besos (kisses)
Oh, speaking of kisses- dos besos (kisses on either check) takes you y surprise, even when you know it's coming. That's all I'll say about that.
Con muchos besos y abrazos (with kisses and hugs)
Angela
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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