Blogs from Spain, Europe - page 972

Although the culture history lessons are the most boring things ever, we need to pay attention because we have quizzes. Yes, during orientation we have quizzes. One at the end of every lesson, so three in all. If your score is too low, you have to do extra work. What is that?? Whatever. Anyway, I love my language teacher and class. So i'm in the 'beginner' class, but it's for those who've taken spanish before. We are in between beginner and intermediate. Anyway there are 5 of us. It's great. I really get to talk to the teacher. This will be my class all semester but this week we are only talking about basics in Spain. Like money, tipping, alcohol, and cultural differences. So for lunch a group of us went to a place called Rodilla ... read more

hola a todos! Lo siento for the short first message - I was a bit rushed and was paying for the time on the internet. Just a little summary - I am studying through an independent study abroad program called International Studies Abroad (ISA). (www.studiesabroad.com) I´ll be here until May 20. When I return, I have about a month at home before I leave for my summer training for Teach for America. Then, as I said before, I am moving to Los Angeles in August! I´m not sure I thought I´d ever write that sentence... We arrived in granada yesterday around 6pm to meet our ¨senoras,¨ the women who we´re staying with for the semester. My roommate´s name is lauren, and she´s from ohio. As I write this I keep staring at the computer trying to ... read more

Hello Reader. After a week, I have finally mustered up the courage and clarity that it will take to write this entry. One of my best friends, Jennifer Becker, wrote me last week. She said that she had something she wanted to tell me over the phone. I tried to call her on several occasions and never got through. She finally decided to write me an e-mail. Jenna Johnson, one of Jenny's roommates and best friends throughout college, died just before Christmas. She had moved to California and was training with a friend to run the AIDS marathon. After feeling a little dizzy, Jenna simply collapsed to the ground. They did an autopsy and could find no reason for it. She was twenty-three years old. After reading the e-mail, I read it again. After reading the ... read more

Orientation started today, and the main building is only like a 10 minute walk. We heard presentations and our schedules for the rest of the week. Ate a free lunch at some restaurant, then filled out forms, took pictures for IDs, and bought cell phones. My number for you guys is 011-34-607-252-213. Check your rates and check the time(6 hour difference) before you try calling. Then my suitemates and I fixed the housing problem, found out it was Conchita's birthday, and headed home. We bought Conchita chocolate and we bought more groceries at a cheaper place and even bought some wine. I hate alcohol so I hope I get acustomed to that stuff. We dropped the food off and the gift. We then went out to eat at a Chinese place. It was interesting because even ... read more

I made it to Spain. It's amazing. I met some NYU kids at the airport and we chilled there for a bit. Met my host family. They're great. Don't speak any english, so a bit of a communication gap. HAHA. My friend and house mate Lindsay and I ventured on the metro today. It's so clean beautiful, NOTHING LIKE NY! We went to Sol, which is where some main landmarks lie. We also got lost in the artsy, soho-ish Goya neighborhood. We went to a tapas bar where I had tostada camarones con ali oli. (Toast with melted cheese and olive oil topped with shrimp. It was amazing!!! Lindsay and I talked to the bartender who was very friendly. This city is beautiful and Europe is definitely different. Especially when it is your new home.... read more