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Published: September 5th 2011
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Today at 9:30 AM was the first day of my three week intensive Spanish course. Hayley and I got up and took first day of school pictures for our mothers back home. We went to school an hour early to get a chocolate pastry for breakfast. It was heaven! The rest of the day was a bit more rocky for us. In the few days that we have been in Cadiz, we all feel like our Spanish has improved so much because we have been talking with our host families non-stop. Unfortunately, when we took placement tests this morning, our confidence was shattered. We tested at one level lower than we expected we would, but had the option of staying in the higher level if we wanted to. It sounds like it isn't that big of a deal to the average Joe, but to a couple of students who traveled so far just to pursue Spanish, it was a bit disappointing to find out that we weren't as good as we thought. I have never been a good test taker, so I struggled with the decision. I finally decided to go with the level I tested at, even though I was
unsure of my decision at the time. Class lasted until 2 PM and when I left the class I still felt unsure about my decision. I was worried the class would be too easy for me and that I wasn't getting the most out of my experience here. I was exhausted by the time I got home, partly because I am still adjusting to eating so late in the day. We had a delicious lunch. It was some sort of potato mixture and a salad with corn on it, which was a nice surprise because we have noticed that they don't eat many vegetables here.
Around 5:30 PM Hayley and I met up with Megan and Devin at the Plaza de San Antonio. We were looking for a place to buy notebooks (which are extremely difficult to find here). We ended up sitting on the steps of the Cathedral and talking for hours about our struggles we are experiencing. Megan and Devin are having an extremely difficult time with their families, and it made me realize how lucky I am to have such an amazing family hosting me for the next four months. Our only complaint was that we
First chocolate pastry
For the first time, the workers were friendly to us. Juan had told them we would be eating there all semester and they were very accommodating. didn't want cornflakes for breakfast anymore and that we wish we ate more vegetables. Our host family is caring, helpful, funny and they try to make us feel like we are at home. Devin said she felt more at home with my family at the beach yesterday than she has felt with hers. I hope it all works out for Devin and Megan! We went to the "supermercado" today for the first time... I have never missed WalMart so much! I finally got to talk to Briana on Skype today for awhile, and it made me the happiest I have been since I got here. At 9:30 PM Hayley and I were surprised to walk into the kitchen and find a huge plate full of green beans and an omelet! It was just what we needed to cheer us up after a stressful day. Also, she said that tomorrow she would make us a tostada for breakfast. We love our family so much.
Milagros and her husband told us of a place we can take flamenco lessons for 30 euro a month, so we are going to check into it tomorrow! Also, now that I have had all day
to think about my situation with my grammar class, I have come to the conclusion that I definitely made the right decision. This class will be a perfect review, and after the three weeks I will begin the higher level class for 12 weeks. Hayley and I have also decided to start learning one new phrase/word each to use at the dinner table every night to expand our Spanish. Buenas noches!
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