Semana Santa!

FINALLY midterms are done and in just a few hours I´ll be off and on my way to London to meet Rosemary Friday morning! I can´t wait! I´m a tad nervous about just getting there by myself because some things I´m just kinda figuring out when I get there. Oh well I´m sure I´ll get there in the end and after some stress.

Midterms were alright I suppose. Liz and I pulled an all nighter to study for art and literature which we had on Tuesday and knew would be our hardest ones. I think I did alright on both but not perfect. Liz is freaking out about not doing well but I keep on trying to tell her they´re not going to grade like ISU does.
My other midterms I had yesterday were a lot easier and required a lot less studying.

The only thing that´s going to suck about being gone for almost two weeks is that I have a paper due, a group presentation, and a powerpoint for art due within the 2 weeks after break so I´m going to have to work those in somehow.

I got a package from my grandparents yesterday with easter peanut m&ms, the new testament in Spanish and one in English/Spanish side-by-side. That´ll be great for when I go to church!

Yay! Two weeks of not having to have BREAD (baaarely toasted) for breakfast, eating healthy vegetarian food or just whatever I want, and a two week break from just about everything. Love it!

Anyways.. I pray for a safe and happy trip! And the same for everyone else traveling. :)

Malaga

Let's see Thursday night we went out. They all enjoyed open bar of beer and tinto for 5 euro while I just kinda stood around. But most of the French were there so we said our goodbyes. Around 1 we headed up to Camborio but there was like no one there. Kelsey and some girls from the church were there though so that was cool. We danced and hung around for a few hours and they stopped to get schwarmas before we all headed home.

Friday morning we had to be up at the Alhambra by 10:30 for art class although Kathleen, Liz, and I really didn't want to go. We met up and walked there instead of taking the bus. We were there for 3.5 hours and didn't even see everything - thank goodness. My lower back was hurting and I was getting so tired in general. Finally it ended though and we headed home for lunch. Then I studied for a while before meeting up with the girls at 6 to go shopping. Liz and I had to head home for dinner and after we ate I did some more studying.

Yesterday we had to get up at 8 to go to Malaga. We got to make our breakfast again because mamacita went to get her hair done. The bus ride to Malaga wasn't that bad although I was getting frustrated by trying to study or trying to be involved in the conversations. I hate how a lot of the time I feel like I'm having to try really hard to be a part of a conversation or when we're walking together. Anyways when we got there we went to the mall and shopped for a few hours. Then we went to the beach to eat our lunch even though the sun wasn't out. We spent a while finding seashells, climbed a big rock thing, then headed back when it started to rain a little. Some of the girls got some snacks in the mall before we headed to the church for the concert. The concert was alright. There were around 17 acts/groups but we only stayed for 10 of them. Our 2 dance groups went and naturally they were my favorite. Haha. The other groups all sang and the way concerts are, it's hard to hear the words sometimes anyways and then trying to understand the Spanish.. fuunnn. When we left we went to go get food at the mall. We went to a Mexican place and I just got some chips and guacamole which was great though because I've been craving chips and salsa. And to my surprise I now really like guacamole. Haha. Spain has definitely ended most of my picky-eating habits.
We got back and then it was time to head home! We got back to the house at 12:30 and I stayed up until about 1:30 and then was out for the night. A good nights sleep was just what I needed.

This morning we've just stayed in and have been studying. I just got done skyping with my mom for an hour. I get to see my sister in 5 days!! I can't believe how soon it is and I can't wait. :)

Alas.. it is a day of rain today so instead of getting outside for a run I suppose I'll get back to studying now. I just want these midterms to be done already and off to London!

Tests, Cravings, and Mood Swings

Things have been going alright. I'm still stressing out some about midterms but not as much as before. I realized that really.. I do have enough time and it's not like these tests are going to be like the ones at ISU. Plus.. although I wouldn't want this to happen, but if I'm not happy with my midterm grade for the final you're allowed to take a final over the whole semester - not just the 2nd half after midterms - which counts as your grade.

On Tuesday I'll have my art and literature midterms. They're both ones I'll need to study more for - art more than lit. There are a lot of images we've studied and he's going to choose 10 that we're supposed to know the century/years, style, artist, and general details. Lit shouldn't be that bad especially since she narrowed it down a little today.
Wednesday will be grammar and oral/writing midterms. I'm not too worried about either of those. The only problem I'd have with grammar are those exception to the rules type of things. Oral/writing I just need to study the vocab we've been doing.

The weather has continued to be glorious here - today it's been cloudy but that's about it. Love it!
The french students are leaving this weekend which is depressing. Even though I haven't hung out with them nearly as much as I did at first, it's still going to be sad to not randomly see them! We're going to cafe futbol tonight with Camille as a goodbye. I'll definitely miss her! But she said she'd try to come to Chicago sometime so hopefully that happens.

I went out and got myself a thermos type thing today so I can make myself the tea Kory sent me and take it with me if I want to. I've been wanting more chai and to try the other tea but I didn't have something I could keep in my room. Other things I've been craving (but will wait until I get back to the US for.. I just appreciate them A LOT now) are peanut butter and blueberries! I miss other things too like yogurt with fruit and granola, my raisin bran crunch cereal, oatmeal, salsa, our pear salad, tofu, and all kinds of other things. However I do love Spanish food as well and I know I'll miss it incredibly when I go home. Except the bread. I'm getting SO sick of bread. I don't eat all my toast in the morning anymore - especially when it's barely toasted and just tastes like bread. Ugh.

Senora had two days where she got upset with us. We came home around 11 from eating out with the girls and Kathleen's dad and I asked for our towels to shower (because she usually forgets to give them to us when she does laundry) and she flipped out that we wanted to shower at that time. She let us just this once and told us to do so quickly. She also was upset about how we (found out that we = Liz) flush the toilet and that Liz uses the internet too much. But when she wasn't being mad at us she was all happy because Kiko made it through his operation and Kelsey came to visit.

Anyways. Tomorrow morning we're (Kathleen, Liz, and I) going to Alhambra for our art class. On Saturday we're going to Malaga with the youth group to spend the day in the sun and the Christian concert at night. Should be fun and a good chance to get to know people and speak Spanish!

Well lunch should be ready soon. Wonder what we're having..

I'd have to say this week has definitely been one of the best.
The sun has been shining and according to the forecast it looks like it'll continue. Getting to know Kathleen's dad and Teresa has been great - they're interesting, hilarious, and generous people who have taken us all out for dinner/dessert/places like the Sierra Nevada. I got my package from Kory with gifts from Alex and Jared included which was awesome! I also got to skype with Kory, Nicole, my mom, and both my sisters. I called my grandparents and talked to them for the first time since I left which I could tell meant a lot to them and it meant a lot to me too. Most of the travel stuff is booked for when Rosemary comes so the trip is leaning away from the stress side to the just excited side. And just all kinda of little things here and there have made this week a good one. :)

So yeah Saturday we went up to the mountains and hung around, ate lunch, took the chair lift up and down, got some hot chocolate and pastries, and then headed home. It was beautiful up there and great to just get away from the city for a little while. Today we went to church, along with Don and Teresa even though they don't understand Spanish. Afterwards we actually met some people our age from the church and signed up to go to Malaga this Saturday with the youth group. It's only 13 euro for the whole trip and a Christian concert at night so it should be a lot of fun! Plus a great way to practice Spanish and make some friends. After church I stayed in allll day working on homework and studying. I was definitely ready to get out of the house so I'm glad we were invited out to dinner again. We went to the pizza place we went to the other night but I got my own pizza this time because no one else wanted it but Teresa insisted I get what I wanted. Afterwards we went to cafe futbol again where I got a scoop of frozen yogurt. Mmm.

I'm looking forward to this week even with the school things I'll have to do. I sign up for classes tomorrow and I'm not too sure what to do about summer classes because HCC and ISU either are at the same time or at opposite times of the day meaning I wouldn't be able to work. Or I could take both classes at ISU even though the teachers don't have great ratings. Luckily I've already been placed into my nursing classes, I just have to sign up for them now. I'll have Monday and Friday off but my other days are rather long. 8-6 on Tuesday and Wednesday (with a couple hours for lunch) and a clinical on Wednesday from 7-3. Honors section for lab and clinical - not sure what that's going to be like!
For school here I have a presentation on Wednesday and I chose to talk about St. Patrick's day. It seemed logical. And I'll have to be studying for those midterms!

Anyways - I'm getting rather tired now and should probably go to bed. Goodnight all!

Deep Thinking

Wednesday night ended up being a very good night at our first bible study. It was just Liz, Kathleen, Kelsey, a couple other girls, and me. We had some snacks, got to know each other, and then got into Matthew 13. We read through it, analyzed it, applied it to life, and then in general thought about our lives. It took some deep thinking and some sharing. This deep thinking also led to me realizing how much I let my weight/body/health be the center of my life. I want to be conscious of it but not obsessed with it. I was fine back home but here since I don't control what I eat and the weather determines when I work out.. it's been causing some stress for me. But I'm going to try to change that.

Yesterday after school we went to pick up Kathleen's dad and his girlfriend but some mix-ups happened and Liz and I headed home for lunch. After lunch, Kathleen called and asked if we wanted to walk around with them so we joined and went around the park, up to the school, and to cafe futbol where they treated us to some sweets. I finally tried the frozen yogurt which I liked. After that we headed back to tell mamacita we weren't going to eat at home for dinner because they invited us to eat out with them. I went and skyped with Kory which was great! I haven't seen her for a couple months now aaand I should be getting a package from her either today or tomorrow! CAN'T WAIT! :)
Headed back and then headed out to meet up for dinner. We wanted Chinese food so we checked out a few places before choosing one. We were worried about it because we were the only ones in there but we found out that getting take-out is much more popular. The food was delicious I thought. I just got some chop-suey vegetable plate with white rice. I ate it all - mushrooms, peppers, onions.. EVERYTHING. Haha. Back home I probably wouldn't have eaten some of the stuff in there but trying all this Spain food has definitely changed my food habits. Her dad paid for us which was so nice of him and we were all verrry grateful. Yay parents!

They were going to go out last night and I suggested to Nicole going to see a movie instead but we all decided to call it a night because we were exhausted anyways. But tonight they're going out bar-hopping. Bar-hopping isn't my thing so I probably won't go. I'm sure it's fun if you've been drinking but I just have no desire to drink. So maybe Nicole and I could see a movie tonight.

Anyways.. this weekend will be devoted mostly to school which is a first since I've been here. I have a paper to write for POE and a presentation on Thursday. For literature we have to read a story like usual but I also want to start researching for our group project. Then I want to start studying for our partial exams. There are also still some things to look up for when Rosemary comes and I want to start getting a general plan of what we could do each day.

Well I'm going to head up to the school to work on things in case I need to print anything out and plus Liz will probably go back to sleep.

Morocco

Well Friday morning I got all packed and ready to go to head out at 12:45. While on the bus, I ate the lunch mamcita packed me - a bocadillo (sandwich), apple, mandarine, juice, water, and pastry type thing - I love her packed lunches. :)
After a few hours to Malaga to pick up some students, another ride to the ferry, and the ride over we were finally in Africa! We got our passports checked at the border and headed to the hotel in Tetuan. It was kinda late when we arrived and we were all ready for dinner! The food was average/good - the vegetarian option was an omelet instead of fish, rice, and vegetables. The dessert was flan but made with eggs.. which smelled and tasted weird so not many people ate it. After dinner, we went to our rooms, settled down, and slept. I shared a room with Chloe while Nicole, Liz, and Megan were in a room together.
It was weird to be apart from them but I got to know Chloe. We're similar in a few ways - for one, we use the same earplugs and love a dark room for sleeping, two - we're both obviously morning people because we actually get up when the alarm goes off and take about the same amount of time to get ready, and we both love to run when the weather permits it. However, she has been running a lot longer than me and from the sounds of it, can run faster and much longer than I can.

On Saturday we were provided breakfast by the hotel. It wasn't anything fantastic but there was a cornbread type thing that tasted good with jam, some tasty bread, good little pastry things, and a crepe type thing. There was yogurt too which I didn't realize until we were leaving for good which really upset me because I miss yogurt so much!
Anyways we went to exchange money before heading to the historic medina bazaar of Tetuan. Our tour guide was hilarious and speaks.. I don't even know how many languages. So he would often say things in Spanish and English. His english, although good, was harder to understand because of his accent. He took us all around, through a lot of markets, streets, and whatnot. The markets were a little disturbing at times because of the live, dead, or on the way to being dead animals - mostly chickens. It was also really dirty and smelly BUT a huge part of the culture. We learned that their doors to places are shorter than they should be because one should be bowing when entering a place because it's a sacred place. I always wondered why the doors seemed so short.
We went to a rug making place and they showed us many different rugs. Afterwards people could buy if they wanted but they were way too much. I wanted to get one for the house but had NO idea what colors, patterns, size, etc.. and didn't want to spend the money on something that wasn't going to work anyways. It had been raining all day and the downstairs of the store started flooding when we were there. So we left for the place we ate lunch at. It was a little bit of vegetable soup and couscous with carrots, uhh maybe cabbage or something, and chicken for meat-eaters. Dessert was slices of orange with some sugar/spice on top. I thought it was good.
After that we left for Tanger but stopped for camel rides on the way. It was raining out and I only had one pair of jeans with me.. so I didn't do it. And ya know.. I should have anyways but Nicole and Chloe weren't doing it either and really you just get on, walk about 5 steps, and get off. Eh.. oh well. So we got to Tanger and had a tour there plus some free time. It was pretty similar to Tetuan but more.. modern I guess you'd say - a little cleaner too.
We headed back to the hotel for dinner where again.. omelete instead of chicken. Still good though - I liked this meal better than the first. It had some fries, cauliflower with cheese, and some rice. The dessert was fruit which I ate mine and Liz's because she didn't trust it. Haha.

Took a shower and went to bed exhausted from such a long day. On Sunday we had our breakfast and headed out with all our stuff. We went to Chef-chaouen, although this time without our tour guide (who we referred to as Michael Douglass because he made a joke about them looking alike). We got a different guide who took us throughout the city. It's all blue and white.. and some green. The blue represents the love of god, green is peace, and white is the color of Arabics I think.. I don't know but all the houses were painted blue and white. It was a really pretty city surrounded by mountains. We had some free time before lunch at a hotel. The lunch was good however.. another omelet for the vegetarians. And surprisingly, there were quite a few of us. We also had vegetables and potatoes. Dessert was another bowl of fruit which I ate up happily.
After that we headed out. We stopped back at the hotel for a bathroom break before going to the border. Took another ferry ride back and headed to Malaga then Granada. We had to deal with snacks at our rest stop for dinner. The ride was sooo long and many people felt a little sick from it but just the length bothered me. Plus not being able to sleep for any of it sucks.

But all in all it was a good, very interesting trip and I learned a lot about their culture. I got some small souvenirs for people but nothing big like what some of the others got. I like to get little things here and there plus I can never make up my mind quick enough for the bigger purchases. Or it'll be something I want for myself and I feel selfish for spending so much on me.

In other news - I'm starting to feel slightly like a college student again. Even though I still don't have that much to do, it seems like all the things I have to do are happening now. I need to study for midterms which are in 2 weeks, prepare a presentation for March 17th, a group presentation for April something, and continue planning spring break. Although.. thankfully my mom and sister have planned almost everything and booked getting to places. Now we just need to find places to stay and plan what we're going to do while we're there (although that will be the fun part).
I've gotten out to run the last two days which is great, although it's been a little on the chilly side lately. It's so unusual for Spain - there are places with lots of snow that's already ruined plans for semana santa, weather has caused deaths and destruction of buildings, etc. Tomorrow we're going to a bible study at Kelsey's so we'll see how that goes. Thursday I'm skyping with Kory (yay!) and this weekend I don't plan on going anywhere but we'll see.

WELL. Sorry this is so long and I suppose I should be getting to either more searching for the trip or homework.
Adios!

We can steal wi-fi in the room again! The one that worked before a lock was put on it is unlocked again. Plus I've been picking up antonio's after a while of not having it at all. Yay! Let's hope it continues to work.. at least until we get our own which they were talking about at lunch today and Begonia sounds kinda upset with the company because they keep on saying it's supposed to come and doesn't.

Anyways. My stomach has been bothering me lately and I have no idea why. So perhaps it wasn't a great idea to go running today but my stomach was feeling fine this morning. Besides on Monday, although it was beautiful out and we didn't have school, that meant there were a ton of people at the park so it was hard to run around them. Yesterday it was raining. Today it started raining towards the end of my run.

Monday we also went up to the albaicin again and hung around. Got some green tea because you could keep the cup as a souvenir and it was only a euro. Then when we were looking at the jewelry, the cops came so everyone packed their stuff up (super quickly!) because I guess they're not supposed to be selling their stuff there. We ran into a group of Americans with one of their host brothers and he showed all of us around some really cool places to eat along the path back down. He was also telling us other cool information/events of Granada.

Yesterday was just a regular day. I sent off another postcard to my grandparents and my application to Heartland so I can take a summer class there. Oh I finally found some vegetarian burgers at corte ingles yesterday but it's like almost 5 euro for two things. Plus I've been getting along fine and it would be weird to ask Mamacita to make them for me.

As of right now, the group from ISU going to Morocco this weekend is Liz, Nicole, Megan, Chloe, Sarah, Jessica, Christine, and Candace. There are probably more people that I don't know about but yeah. Still super excited! We leave Friday at like 1:15.

P.S. - Dear mom.. I'm really glad you know me well enough to know when I say "Oh man I want chocolate but I don't need it, don't send it" that I'm really saying "Sure I know I don't need it but it would be great if you sent me some anyways" haha. One symphony bar down (almost).. 2 to go. :)