This week has been one of those big "milestone" weeks for me. Not only do I now have my first full week of school under my belt, but it's also my first full week of what can technically be called my "senior year". On top of that, my eighteenth birthday was this weekend. That's right. I officially became a real American adult on Saturday at 3 am. Central U.S. time. To top that all of, this is my first birthday I've spent in a foreign country.
Because of how things run over here 18 is the age where, unlike in the United States, you are considered an adult in every aspect. By this I mean driving, voting, drinking alcohol, and just about anything else I could list. Of course, because I'm living in Sabi on exchange I'm not really planning on doing any of these things anyways, but turning 18 is still treated like a big deal. I've been wished a happy birthday by pretty much everyone I know here, and by several people in the States. Earlier this week I also received the birthday package my family sent me. When I saw the Redvines I freaked a little, then ripped open the package and ate three like the apocalypse was coming. Then I promptly clipped the bag shut and placed it in my desk drawer in an attempt to preserve them. Redvines are one of the candies you can't really find here, even in special American stores.
Friday night the "chicas" came over and threw me a birthday party. We ate pizza and "tortilla de Espana", kicked balloons around the basement, and danced to songs in Spanish. After that we went to a fiesta in the next town over. I consider that my main birthday celebration. The next day, or later the next morning considering how late these Spanish fiestas go, my host parents presented a cake of sorts after lunch and sang another round of "Happy Birthday" (half in English and half in Spanish). However, cakes here are different from those back home. They aren't spongy and fluffy. In fact, the cake we ate, or "tarta", was more of a light chocolate cream thing. Anyways, it was good and, honestly, unexpected. That afternoon some of the relatives came over to wish me "feliz cumpleanos".
This morning my host family and I went to Zaragoza where I met more family. We had lunch with my host mother's side of the family where they sang me another round of "Happy Birthday" over after dinner coffee.
That was pretty much my weekend, but now I have to study for my History of Spain test on Friday. None of you happen to know anything about the finer points of the Roman invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, do you?
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
In My Defense My Weekend Was Great.
So...some of you noticed that I forgot to update my blog last night. Might I just say oops, and I had a very eventful weekend.
On Saturday there was an End of the Summer Fiesta at a "discoteca" in town. Alex (my friend and fellow exchange student from Rhode Island) was visiting some of her extended host family in Zaragoza over the weekend, so Grace and I met up with the "chicas" and spend the night hanging out and dancing, in my case, badly. The funny thing about fiestas here is that the time where most parties end in the States these fiestas have barely gotten started. Keeping in mind that this is normal within the Spanish society, I'm still not accustomed to it. All of the school dances I've gone to I stayed until the end, but here I'm the girl who always leaves several hours before everyone else.
Anyways, Sunday morning I woke up at about 10:45 and went downstairs for a bite of breakfast before the rest of the family comes over for "la Comida" as they always do on Sundays. When I appeared in the kitchen my host mom commented in Spanish that I was up early. I laughed and agreed as usual because I can't really explain yet why dragging my sleepy head out of bed at 11 am. is unusual for me. In fact, my habit of waking up early and leaving fiestas in the wee hours of the morning is only two of the many habits of mine considered abnormal here. Normally, I let my hair air-dry after taking a shower which causes a little confusion the mornings I wash my hair then take Nala for a walk right after. Most people blow dry their hair here, but it's more than that. Everyone seems to be genuinely concerned that I might get cold if I step outside with wet hair. Sure, we're in the mountains, but it's not even that cold yet. Every time I leave the house everyone asks me if I have my house key and a jacket. I do appreciate the thought, because it's better to be prepared, but I'm just not going to get cold walking down to the post office on a 68 degree morning. Though it does get cold here it doesn't get nearly as cold as Wisconsin can. The "soy de Wisconsin" excuse generally gets the point across that I don't freeze easily, but hey, I'm not complaining. I find the whole scenario quite funny.
School also stared last Thursday. The first two days were difficult because I had a hard time understanding what the teachers were saying, and I couldn't understand everything unless I was in English class. It also didn't help that all of the teachers were itching to ask me questions about where I was from in the United States. The problem is that most people here have no clue where Wisconsin is in the States. In fact, unlike some of my fellow exchange students from my area, I can't even say that I live near Chicago because most people don't know where that is either. The best I can do is say that Wisconsin is in the middle of the U.S. and in the north by Canada. Their next comment is that it must be cold where I live.
No matter how hard the first two days were, school is only getting easier for me. Everyone in my class seems to realize that I understand a lot more Spanish than I can communicate. I'm not entirely lost during lessons despite the fact that I have to, on occasion, ask the person next to me what the homework assignment is for that night. The homework load is a lot lighter, but I also have to factor in that the school day is an hour shorter than Slinger High School, and everyone has only six classes a day. Mondays are pretty great for me, though, because most people take a religion class in school, but it is not required. Since I'm not taking it I don't have any class for the last period on Mondays, which means that I get to walk home early. It's nice to walk home with my few Spanish friends who are also not taking Religion. The town is nearly deserted at 1:30 because most adults are at work and all the kids are still in school. It's quite peaceful walking along the sidewalk and chatting about my classes while the little lizards sunning themselves on the hot concrete scurry under the overgrown, dried out brush on the side of the road.
Overall, very satisfying weekend. If you guys have any questions you want me to write about feel free to message me somehow.
On Saturday there was an End of the Summer Fiesta at a "discoteca" in town. Alex (my friend and fellow exchange student from Rhode Island) was visiting some of her extended host family in Zaragoza over the weekend, so Grace and I met up with the "chicas" and spend the night hanging out and dancing, in my case, badly. The funny thing about fiestas here is that the time where most parties end in the States these fiestas have barely gotten started. Keeping in mind that this is normal within the Spanish society, I'm still not accustomed to it. All of the school dances I've gone to I stayed until the end, but here I'm the girl who always leaves several hours before everyone else.
Anyways, Sunday morning I woke up at about 10:45 and went downstairs for a bite of breakfast before the rest of the family comes over for "la Comida" as they always do on Sundays. When I appeared in the kitchen my host mom commented in Spanish that I was up early. I laughed and agreed as usual because I can't really explain yet why dragging my sleepy head out of bed at 11 am. is unusual for me. In fact, my habit of waking up early and leaving fiestas in the wee hours of the morning is only two of the many habits of mine considered abnormal here. Normally, I let my hair air-dry after taking a shower which causes a little confusion the mornings I wash my hair then take Nala for a walk right after. Most people blow dry their hair here, but it's more than that. Everyone seems to be genuinely concerned that I might get cold if I step outside with wet hair. Sure, we're in the mountains, but it's not even that cold yet. Every time I leave the house everyone asks me if I have my house key and a jacket. I do appreciate the thought, because it's better to be prepared, but I'm just not going to get cold walking down to the post office on a 68 degree morning. Though it does get cold here it doesn't get nearly as cold as Wisconsin can. The "soy de Wisconsin" excuse generally gets the point across that I don't freeze easily, but hey, I'm not complaining. I find the whole scenario quite funny.
School also stared last Thursday. The first two days were difficult because I had a hard time understanding what the teachers were saying, and I couldn't understand everything unless I was in English class. It also didn't help that all of the teachers were itching to ask me questions about where I was from in the United States. The problem is that most people here have no clue where Wisconsin is in the States. In fact, unlike some of my fellow exchange students from my area, I can't even say that I live near Chicago because most people don't know where that is either. The best I can do is say that Wisconsin is in the middle of the U.S. and in the north by Canada. Their next comment is that it must be cold where I live.
No matter how hard the first two days were, school is only getting easier for me. Everyone in my class seems to realize that I understand a lot more Spanish than I can communicate. I'm not entirely lost during lessons despite the fact that I have to, on occasion, ask the person next to me what the homework assignment is for that night. The homework load is a lot lighter, but I also have to factor in that the school day is an hour shorter than Slinger High School, and everyone has only six classes a day. Mondays are pretty great for me, though, because most people take a religion class in school, but it is not required. Since I'm not taking it I don't have any class for the last period on Mondays, which means that I get to walk home early. It's nice to walk home with my few Spanish friends who are also not taking Religion. The town is nearly deserted at 1:30 because most adults are at work and all the kids are still in school. It's quite peaceful walking along the sidewalk and chatting about my classes while the little lizards sunning themselves on the hot concrete scurry under the overgrown, dried out brush on the side of the road.
Overall, very satisfying weekend. If you guys have any questions you want me to write about feel free to message me somehow.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Post-Orientation
I'm just about ready to turn in for the night over here, but before I do I should at least highlight my first Spain Orientation Weekend.
On Friday morning us three exchange students in the town of Sabinanigo woke up bright and early to catch a bus to take us to Madrid (which is about four hours south of us by road), meeting other exchange students and rebound students along the way. Most of us are from the United States, including a girl from Hawaii, but there were also students from Canada, Austria, and even Japan. We encountered people from Facebook groups and re-encountered others we had meet at conferences back in the States.
One mode of transportation or another, all of us converged to Madrid where we climbed on a bus and rode for two hours out of the heart of Spain's capital city, taking us to a location somewhere in the wilderness a few miles outside Madrid city limits. The first night was freezing as we huddled in the provided tents, but the second night we all moved to a large cottage house about a mile down the dirt road from our first campsite.
Most of the information presented to us about the dos and don'ts of a successful year we had heard countless times already from previous orientations, but we also got to meet our Host District Counselors in person. Taking pictures of the views on Saturday afternoon's hike and exchanging pins and business cards with new people was an added bonus.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Blog Days
Today is Sunday, which here, just like in the United States, is a day to kind of hang out and relax. It's nice because I have time to update my blog and not feel like I'm avoiding the outside world. For my host family it's normal for my host dad's brother, his wife and their kids to come over for "la Comida" which is the largest meal of the day in Spain, normally eaten a few hours later than the time we would eat lunch. For the first time I ate rabbit. It was really good, not too different from barbecue. Not that people don't eat rabbit in the States. However, I did explain to my host parents that it's not typical and that you can't usually buy rabbit at the butchers. My host cousins are younger than me and very nice. After "la Comida" they taught me some Spanish card games. It took a while for me to understand the object of the games, but once I got it I realized the two games we played were very similar to B.S. and Old Maid.
Last night the Rotary host parents threw a party at my place for the three exchange students in Sabinanigo (me, Grace from Ohio, and Alex from Rhode Island). So much food, and it was all great; especially my host mom's tiramisu. Even if it looks strange I want to try as many new foods as possible. Two days ago I had melon con jamon which is sweet Spanish melon topped with slices of Spanish ham. It's certainly the most unusual thing I've tried so far, but it's also one of my favorites!
I'm also diving into reading some books in Spanish. Between my host brother (currently at the University in Zaragoza) and my host sister I have plenty of options for a year, including the entire Harry Potter series! Thank you Manuel!
I should probably mention we went hiking two days ago, too. The sights were beautiful! The buildings are an abandoned village in the mountains! Check it out! But, apparently I need hiking boots. I'll also send out those letters I've been meaning to send, tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the post office is closed today, but at least I know where it is now!
Since it appears I will have a good amount of free time on Sundays, even during the school year, I will probably continue posting on that day. Until next time!
Last night the Rotary host parents threw a party at my place for the three exchange students in Sabinanigo (me, Grace from Ohio, and Alex from Rhode Island). So much food, and it was all great; especially my host mom's tiramisu. Even if it looks strange I want to try as many new foods as possible. Two days ago I had melon con jamon which is sweet Spanish melon topped with slices of Spanish ham. It's certainly the most unusual thing I've tried so far, but it's also one of my favorites!
I'm also diving into reading some books in Spanish. Between my host brother (currently at the University in Zaragoza) and my host sister I have plenty of options for a year, including the entire Harry Potter series! Thank you Manuel!
I should probably mention we went hiking two days ago, too. The sights were beautiful! The buildings are an abandoned village in the mountains! Check it out! But, apparently I need hiking boots. I'll also send out those letters I've been meaning to send, tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the post office is closed today, but at least I know where it is now!
Since it appears I will have a good amount of free time on Sundays, even during the school year, I will probably continue posting on that day. Until next time!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
I'm Here!
After three airplanes and seven time zones I touched down across the pond in Madrid, Spain. My host parents greeted me at the airport and we drove for about three to four hours towards France into the Pirenes Mountains. It's absolutely beautiful here, and after a hot home cooked meal, sleeping on a bed, and a nice shower, I feel a lot more comfortable...and smell a lot less like an airplane.
The fact that I have everything unpacked makes my room feel a little more my own, especially because I hung up all of my Harry Potter posters. The fact that this room is painted the same shade of blue as my room back in the States and the desk is stocked with art supplies helps, too. My host mom mentioned when I unpacked that I organized my things the same way her daughter (currently Rotary Youth Exchange in Pennsylvania), Victoria, does. I guess certain things have a place that feels right, like putting your sunglasses on the shelf above the desk.
One of my main concerns when I came off the plane in Madrid was that I could barely understand what my host parents were saying. At first I thought it was because I didn't know as much Spanish as I thought I did. It helped that my host parents know enough English to communicate something when I was entirely clueless. Luckily, I am starting to pick up on the language. I guess my mind was so tired from the flight that translating anything that I didn't learn in my first year of Spanish was too difficult.
My host mom took today off of work, so we went to the supermarket this morning. Guess what was on a shelf next to the Nutella. My good old friend, peanut butter! I guess it was fate because my host mom said that she had never seen crema de cacahuete it before.
Tomorrow both of my host parents have to work, so it's just me and the dog until they come home. We'll see how it goes!
Now that all of us from District 6270 are abroad I can say to you all, and to everyone back home...
Happy adventures!!!
The fact that I have everything unpacked makes my room feel a little more my own, especially because I hung up all of my Harry Potter posters. The fact that this room is painted the same shade of blue as my room back in the States and the desk is stocked with art supplies helps, too. My host mom mentioned when I unpacked that I organized my things the same way her daughter (currently Rotary Youth Exchange in Pennsylvania), Victoria, does. I guess certain things have a place that feels right, like putting your sunglasses on the shelf above the desk.
One of my main concerns when I came off the plane in Madrid was that I could barely understand what my host parents were saying. At first I thought it was because I didn't know as much Spanish as I thought I did. It helped that my host parents know enough English to communicate something when I was entirely clueless. Luckily, I am starting to pick up on the language. I guess my mind was so tired from the flight that translating anything that I didn't learn in my first year of Spanish was too difficult.
My host mom took today off of work, so we went to the supermarket this morning. Guess what was on a shelf next to the Nutella. My good old friend, peanut butter! I guess it was fate because my host mom said that she had never seen crema de cacahuete it before.
Tomorrow both of my host parents have to work, so it's just me and the dog until they come home. We'll see how it goes!
Now that all of us from District 6270 are abroad I can say to you all, and to everyone back home...
Happy adventures!!!
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