wait, i actually have school now?

What a week! We started our intensive spanish class and are halfway through! I've already learned so much just from talking to other Spanish kids, watching the game shows my madre watches every night, and talking to her. One more week before we start the real classes! I'm taking two more Spanish classes, a business class, and one on contemporary Spanish society. Of course all of the courses I had evaluated before I came to see what they would transfer as I'm not taking.. But these should be reevaluated soon so we'll see. I've also become a lot more interested in learning about the history of alicante and their culture here. I'm going to take a seminar class with four other kids about Alicante now too. My priorities have kind of changed from when I decided on this program to now that I'm here- instead of a vacation where I learn Spanish because I have to take those classes, I actually want to learn the language and learn to adapt to their culture. By living in a homestay instead of the dorms, it is a lot easier to practice Spanish and actually live their lifestyle. The whole going out until 5 am thing is probably going to be one thing I don't bring back to my life at home.. I sleep until 2 the next day it's crazy!

So now that I've been here a few weeks, I've noticed many things that are funny but different from home. And many things I'm going to miss. (Considering I already am and it's been 2 weeks..)

1. Everything is smaller- from streets to cement trucks (or cement bowls..)

2. Olive oil runs from the faucets and is put in everything and served in pools with anything that fits on a plate.

3. They save everything. Making me feel bad if I don't eat everything my madre makes for me..

4. The slippers they told me to bring in orientation was not a joke- it is freezing inside because no one has central heat! My fingers are turning into icicles.. Most buildings don't even keep the doors shut and it's not that warm here yet!

5. Milk and eggs are not refrigerated until opened. Grossest thing ever seeing liquid milk in cartons on a shelf.. my madre buys the real kind in a jug but I still don't trust it. Good thing I brought calcium :) and the ice cream is divine.

6. I realize why Europeans don't shave their legs- the shower is the size of a shoebox and the water is warm for about 4 minutes.

7. Drivers are crazy. I really want a moped, but if I tried driving one I would either be smashed by an insane bus driver (who actually hit someone last week) or drive myself into a taxi because those things do whatever they want.

8. It is normal to have the leg of a pig in your living room or on the counter at a restaurant. Jamon, the most popular meat served with everything and on every sandwich, is cured pork or something and I'm

9. Water is confused with juice here. No one drinks it! I drink at least 10 cups a day and they serve pineapple juice with everything. Oh and fresh squeezed orange juice- love it! I decided I could live without all the water if I got that instead.

10. I am almost a vegetarian. I don't like the jamon stuff here so chicken is about the only thing I trust. The fruit is so fresh and sweet though!! My madre is a really great cook, so no complaints as long as I don't have to eat jamon.

11. Oh and wifi (pronounced "wee fee") is terrible. I cant Skype for 5 minutes without it disconnecting. So that's a bummer but oh well.

We celebrated a few birthdays of kids on our program since we've been here- my friend Abby who came with me from Mizzou and the other DG, Steph, from Bucknell. Celebrating your 21st in a country where you can drink at 18 just isn't the same.. But we put together a picture of all of us in a frame to try to make her day a little better. Before staying out until 6 again..

Another weekend here led me on a day trip up the coast to rock climb in a beautiful coastal village called Calpe. We saw this huge rock from the train station and had no idea you could actually climb up to the top! Where the green ends, you literally scale the side of this massive rock.
here's a pic from the beach-

It was so beautiful. We had a perfect day and a smaller group of 6 of us went so that was nice not to have so many people to keep track of.

halfway up...

Chessa, Sarah and I before the climb on the beach :) perfect weather!

from the top!

i made it!

making our way up still!

Scott and I

Leave it to me to get hurt.. I of course slipped going down on the rocks and twisted my ankle.. luckily it was fine for the descent and the 3 mile uphill walk back to the train station but as soon as we got on the tram it started throbbing. By the time we arrived in Alicante I could hardly walk.. But my madre Juani took care of me :) she wrapped my ankle up and made me a yummy dinner of chicken and shells with broccoli pasta :) she gave me an ice pack and said, "no dancing tonight?" haha I said um, no not tonight.. I'll be good to go on Tuesday for sure.

Anyways, check out Facebook for more pictures! It's so pretty here, I can't stop taking pictures of everything!

Time to get ready for another long week of Spanish! I still can't believe this is real life. I'm having the time of my life already and meeting some of the coolest people. I definitely miss all of my dg's, my family, and living in a nice warm house but life here is good too :) just different.

Hope everyone is surviving the snow!

-k