Hectic Holiday Update: Next weekend is a holiday here so we are traveling somewhere for the weekend. I don't remember where or for how long. Also, the weekend after that I'm taking a school trip to Madrid with my class. We will be gone for the entirety of Sunday and are not returning until late on Monday. This is an apology to all who read this blog on a weekly basis. I may or may not get around to updating these two weeks. If I do the updates will probably be at odd times. Thank you for understanding!
Anyways, Thanksgiving...
Well, Happy Thanksgiving to all in the States! I hope you ate a lot of really great food and that the turkey wasn't too dry! We had our own Thanksgiving of sorts here. Alex, Grace and I traveled to Zaragoza this weekend and stayed at Jen's house. Jen is the one Rotary exchange student living in Zaragoza, but there are many others from different programs that live there as well. Jen invited the other exchange students she had met in Zaragoza to the Thanksgiving feast at her house. It mostly consisted of Americans, but two of Jen's Spanish friends from school, the rebound Rotary exchange student who lives a block away from Jen's house, and two other exchange students (a girl from Finland and a boy from Australia) came. It was a learning experience for all. Everyone who was unfamiliar with American Thanksgiving customs got to enjoy a homemade Thanksgiving meal and everyone else found out that Spanish people really love cornbread and pumpkin pie. (By the way mom, thanks for the pumpkin cheesecake recipe. Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves it.)
On a side note, my host sister, Victoria, got to eat an authentic Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S. and, for the record, she loves pumpkin pie too.
Anyways, that was Friday night. The rest of the weekend consisted of exploring Zaragoza and hitting the shops. I only bought one shirt, but Grace, Alex, and Jen bought so much more than me. Grace and Jen are both addicted to clothes. I'll just leave it at that.
This morning we had to take the bus home from Zaragoza. I don't really enjoy riding the bus to Sabi because it takes less time by car, but in the end it doesn't really matter because we all fall asleep no matter what mode of transportation we use. Anyone who has known an exchange student or several exchange students might have noticed one thing I certainly have. A lot of exchange students tend to fall asleep on car rides. I never understood why, but I can say now that we just can't help it. We are secretly that tired all the time.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
More to Come
If I can be completely honest here, I'm just flat-out running out of ideas on what to write about on my blog. Now that I'm well adjusted to everything putting the effort in to make a post every week is becoming very tedious. However, I'm still putting forth the effort because 1. I promised to update every week, and 2. things are about to get a little crazy around here.
In the next coming weekends I might not be able to post on Sundays because I have school trips, vacations, and holiday things all happening within the next month. I don't know which weekends I'll be gone on Sunday, specifically. But this is just a warning/apology to everyone who reads my blog on a weekly basis. If I don't update on a Sunday it's probably because I'll actually have a story worthy of being posted to share with you.
I anticipate lots of holiday related stories and culture shock to come soon.
Thanks for your cooperation!
In the next coming weekends I might not be able to post on Sundays because I have school trips, vacations, and holiday things all happening within the next month. I don't know which weekends I'll be gone on Sunday, specifically. But this is just a warning/apology to everyone who reads my blog on a weekly basis. If I don't update on a Sunday it's probably because I'll actually have a story worthy of being posted to share with you.
I anticipate lots of holiday related stories and culture shock to come soon.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
A Random Mess of Things
Now that I'm involved in so many things here I'm very busy during the week. However, there was a lot of extra things stacked on top of the usual business this week.
I had a test in English last week, which we got back on Friday. I got everything perfect except for one word. I spelled behavior wrong. By wrong I mean not the proper British spelling of behavior (which is behaviour for anyone who wants to know). That same Friday I also had tests in Geography and Math. I'm fairly sure Math went well because I was able to answer all of the questions. My correctness in my answers are still in question, but I know for sure that Geography went worse. I was only able to answer about half of the questions; partially because I have a hard time memorizing five pages of vocabulary definitions in Spanish and partially because the questions on the test didn't translate well (I was using a dictionary).
On a colder note, there is snow on the mountains! Check it out!!!
I had a test in English last week, which we got back on Friday. I got everything perfect except for one word. I spelled behavior wrong. By wrong I mean not the proper British spelling of behavior (which is behaviour for anyone who wants to know). That same Friday I also had tests in Geography and Math. I'm fairly sure Math went well because I was able to answer all of the questions. My correctness in my answers are still in question, but I know for sure that Geography went worse. I was only able to answer about half of the questions; partially because I have a hard time memorizing five pages of vocabulary definitions in Spanish and partially because the questions on the test didn't translate well (I was using a dictionary).
On a colder note, there is snow on the mountains! Check it out!!!
I'm not sure if I love it because it looks so beautiful or hate it because I can actually see winter physically creep closer to my town. I guess, in some ways, it's better than Wisconsin where the weather just can't make up its mind.
One more exciting thing that happened this weekend, I sprained my ankle. When it happened it hurt a lot, but I've had worse injuries before that I've lived through just fine. I decided to continue going about my business like it wasn't bothering me, but people noticed (and by people I mean Grace's host parents because my host parents were in Huesca on Saturday). We ended up going to the Emergency Room, basically against my will because 1. I don't like hospitals and 2. being from a country where Emergency Room visits are very expensive, I am rather hesitant to visit one unless I absolutely cannot live through the pain. However, this trip happened to be free of charge, which made me feel better about Grace's host parents going through the trouble of taking me on this unfortunate adventure. Anyways, a short trip to the hospital and a few x-rays later it turned out that I hadn't broken anything, but the nurse wrapped my ankle and we were on our way. Since my host parents had told me that I could do anything that I wanted with my Saturday afternoon while they were out, a trip to the hospital was not exactly what I had in mind. However, because my left foot is now a mess of athletic tape and gauze, I had to take a shower tonight with a very attractive yellow garbage bag tapped around my leg. Very sexy.
Anyways, tomorrow is Monday, which means school, of course. Fortunately, my foot is healing fast and I will easily be able to walk to school tomorrow.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Extras
Other than the fact that I went to a fiesta last night in a small pueblo very close to Sabi, my weekend wasn't particularly exciting. However, my weekdays were much more post worthy.
Ever since school started here back in September my host parents tried finding activities for me to do and reminded me to get involved. Not only was this a good thing because of what Rotary expects of their exchange students, but also because my host mom kept saying that spending too much time cooped up in the house makes you go crazy, which has been known to happen to me. Before this week I had gone out with friends and gone to fiestas to "get involved", but it wasn't until this week that I finally started to get busy.
This Friday was the first real meeting of my school's theater group. Since all of the kids in that group are potterheads (Harry Potter fans), I couldn't help but feel like these were my people. On top of that, like all theater kids, they are all crazy and loud and full of energy. I felt right at home participating in acting exercises. Also, Grace's host mom signed Grace and me up for a painting class that started this week. Even though the classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays before I go to the gym for Spinning classes, I don't mind having two days of my week crowded by these activities. Honestly, I didn't even realize how much I missed taking high school art classes until I started these painting classes. I'm really disappointed that art classes are not available to my grade here, but these classes make up for it.
Anyways, here are some "exclusive" pictures. They are from various occasions and have not been posted anywhere else by me. The reason why I didn't post them sooner was because they were on my phone, and I had to figure out how to get them onto my computer.
Ever since school started here back in September my host parents tried finding activities for me to do and reminded me to get involved. Not only was this a good thing because of what Rotary expects of their exchange students, but also because my host mom kept saying that spending too much time cooped up in the house makes you go crazy, which has been known to happen to me. Before this week I had gone out with friends and gone to fiestas to "get involved", but it wasn't until this week that I finally started to get busy.
This Friday was the first real meeting of my school's theater group. Since all of the kids in that group are potterheads (Harry Potter fans), I couldn't help but feel like these were my people. On top of that, like all theater kids, they are all crazy and loud and full of energy. I felt right at home participating in acting exercises. Also, Grace's host mom signed Grace and me up for a painting class that started this week. Even though the classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays before I go to the gym for Spinning classes, I don't mind having two days of my week crowded by these activities. Honestly, I didn't even realize how much I missed taking high school art classes until I started these painting classes. I'm really disappointed that art classes are not available to my grade here, but these classes make up for it.
Anyways, here are some "exclusive" pictures. They are from various occasions and have not been posted anywhere else by me. The reason why I didn't post them sooner was because they were on my phone, and I had to figure out how to get them onto my computer.
Picture from my 18th Birthday
Barcelona!!!
Look at the pretty mountains!!! What a great hike!
Speaking of mountains, there are some really big mushrooms up there!
Hope you enjoy the pics. Maybe I'll have more content in the next post. Well, there is another theater group practice next week. Who knows what could happen!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Holiday Weekend
This past Friday was "Todos Santos" (All Saints Day), also known as the day after Halloween. In Spain, this day is a national holiday so I didn't have school on Friday.
Halloween night there was a fiesta, but not a big one like for Pilar. Much of the partying was held in bars. Some kids go trick or treating here for Halloween, but it's not as big as it is in the States. Also, all those Halloween themed movies that many television stations play around that time, well, they just don't play them here. This fact bummed me out a bit because I actually like Halloween movies, and I'm not just talking about scary horror movies. Even just the creepy movies that are really more for fun I enjoy watching. Honestly, whose inner child doesn't like watching the Disney movie "Halloweentown" around this time of year?
Back on topic, All Saints Day is celebrated here as a time to remember your family that has passed away. Many people go to the graveyard and put flowers on their family graves. No, this is not "Dia de los Muertos", that's not a Spanish thing. , just in case if you were wondering.
Yesterday Alex, Grace, and I went hiking with my host dad. The trek took most of the morning. When we reached our destination we had a picnic with Alex's host parents and host sister who had driven to the top of the mountain. It was a lovely day and a brilliant view. However, I'm disappointed that walking all yesterday morning isn't doing much for me. I work out two or three times a week, and we often go hiking on the weekends, but my ten pounds of exchange weight won't. come. off. I know that it's supposed to come off when I get back because my diet will be back to normal, but that doesn't make the fact that my jeans are getting a little tight any less annoying.
Today I ate squid for lunch (yummy!). I don't have any plans for the rest of the day so I think I'll just apply for a few scholarships and enjoy the fact that all my homework is done. Maybe I'll even watch a movie later. I think Indiana Jones might be playing.
Happy Sunday!
Halloween night there was a fiesta, but not a big one like for Pilar. Much of the partying was held in bars. Some kids go trick or treating here for Halloween, but it's not as big as it is in the States. Also, all those Halloween themed movies that many television stations play around that time, well, they just don't play them here. This fact bummed me out a bit because I actually like Halloween movies, and I'm not just talking about scary horror movies. Even just the creepy movies that are really more for fun I enjoy watching. Honestly, whose inner child doesn't like watching the Disney movie "Halloweentown" around this time of year?
Back on topic, All Saints Day is celebrated here as a time to remember your family that has passed away. Many people go to the graveyard and put flowers on their family graves. No, this is not "Dia de los Muertos", that's not a Spanish thing. , just in case if you were wondering.
Yesterday Alex, Grace, and I went hiking with my host dad. The trek took most of the morning. When we reached our destination we had a picnic with Alex's host parents and host sister who had driven to the top of the mountain. It was a lovely day and a brilliant view. However, I'm disappointed that walking all yesterday morning isn't doing much for me. I work out two or three times a week, and we often go hiking on the weekends, but my ten pounds of exchange weight won't. come. off. I know that it's supposed to come off when I get back because my diet will be back to normal, but that doesn't make the fact that my jeans are getting a little tight any less annoying.
Today I ate squid for lunch (yummy!). I don't have any plans for the rest of the day so I think I'll just apply for a few scholarships and enjoy the fact that all my homework is done. Maybe I'll even watch a movie later. I think Indiana Jones might be playing.
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Soaking Up the Normal Things
Fall is the rainy season here in the mountains, which means we have some pretty gloomy days, but the sun is still not afraid to shine. Actually, considering that our altitude accounts for the major drop in temperature at night, and for a colder climate overall, today was absolutely perfect. It was sunny and warm, but not hot, with the bitter nip of colder weather mingled with the air. It's definitely fall now. We even took a hike for wild mushrooms and I took these pictures to prove it!
Anyways, tonight my host mom made mushroom pizza. Now, I know what you're thinking, but it's not that kind of pizza. Imagine a mushroom the size of a small pizza crust topped with cheese and ham. That's about it, but it was so good! That one is going on my list of favorites, and it's so easy to make I'm holding onto the recipe for college.
Anyways, tonight my host mom made mushroom pizza. Now, I know what you're thinking, but it's not that kind of pizza. Imagine a mushroom the size of a small pizza crust topped with cheese and ham. That's about it, but it was so good! That one is going on my list of favorites, and it's so easy to make I'm holding onto the recipe for college.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
BARCELONA!!!
My weekend was so amazing! My host parents took us (Alex, Grace, and me) for a mini-vacation in Barcelona. Even though it wasn't the first major Spanish city I got to explore on my exchange (for the record, that would be Zaragoza), it was the first major touristy city I've really gotten to enjoy here, because I just don't count the hour that I spent in an airport in Madrid. Because I'm often so content in a small town, I forget how much I love being in the city! With so much to see and do I find myself feeding off the energy.
One thing to keep in mind about Barcelona, it's located in Cataluna which, unlike Aragon, has two official languages; Castillan Spanish (aka. the official language of Spain/the Spanish we learn in school) and Catalan. Most people in Cataluna speak both languages, and the two are very similar, but there are a fair amount of differences, especially in spelling. Being here for as long as I have, you get used to having things spelled a certain way, and when you see something spelled with a "t" instead of a "d" or an entirely different word used altogether, it can be a little unsettling. It sort of reminded me of that one episode of SpongeBob, "Rock Bottom", where Patrick and SpongeBob get on the wrong bus and find themselves in a strange place where the language is similar, but everything about it is just a little different. That's probably the best way I can explain that.
Friday night we didn't really do much because we got to Barcelona later in the evening. However, once we got our luggage to the room we walked through the city and, after asking a lot of people for directions, we found ourselves at a shopping center in the bay (since Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea) where Alex, Grace and I shared two amazing pizzas. Though it did take us quite a while to find the place we were looking for, I was glad we spent all that time walking around because I got to see more of the city.
On Saturday we took a bus tour around the city, seeing a lot of Barcelona, and stopping to take a closer look at the Park Guel and the Sagrada Familia. Both of these places were designed by the architect, Antoni Gaudi who was greatly influenced by nature in his work. Check out the pictures!
These are the only ones I'm posting for now, but I'm putting the rest on my Facebook page!
Saturday afternoon us girls went clothes shopping, which was nice because now I have a few more options concerning what I wear. Also, not all my clothes are necessarily "fashionable" here.
This morning we took a walking tour around one part of Barcelona. The guide spoke in English, so us exchange students could understand more. It was mostly about the various types of architecture around the city. Parts of Roman walls and parts of buildings from the Roman Empire still exist today. Also, many examples of Gothic architecture can be found.
It's getting pretty late over here, and it's been a long weekend. I have to remember that I have school in the morning, as much as I'd like to sleep in. Happy Sunday!
One thing to keep in mind about Barcelona, it's located in Cataluna which, unlike Aragon, has two official languages; Castillan Spanish (aka. the official language of Spain/the Spanish we learn in school) and Catalan. Most people in Cataluna speak both languages, and the two are very similar, but there are a fair amount of differences, especially in spelling. Being here for as long as I have, you get used to having things spelled a certain way, and when you see something spelled with a "t" instead of a "d" or an entirely different word used altogether, it can be a little unsettling. It sort of reminded me of that one episode of SpongeBob, "Rock Bottom", where Patrick and SpongeBob get on the wrong bus and find themselves in a strange place where the language is similar, but everything about it is just a little different. That's probably the best way I can explain that.
Friday night we didn't really do much because we got to Barcelona later in the evening. However, once we got our luggage to the room we walked through the city and, after asking a lot of people for directions, we found ourselves at a shopping center in the bay (since Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea) where Alex, Grace and I shared two amazing pizzas. Though it did take us quite a while to find the place we were looking for, I was glad we spent all that time walking around because I got to see more of the city.
On Saturday we took a bus tour around the city, seeing a lot of Barcelona, and stopping to take a closer look at the Park Guel and the Sagrada Familia. Both of these places were designed by the architect, Antoni Gaudi who was greatly influenced by nature in his work. Check out the pictures!
Saturday afternoon us girls went clothes shopping, which was nice because now I have a few more options concerning what I wear. Also, not all my clothes are necessarily "fashionable" here.
This morning we took a walking tour around one part of Barcelona. The guide spoke in English, so us exchange students could understand more. It was mostly about the various types of architecture around the city. Parts of Roman walls and parts of buildings from the Roman Empire still exist today. Also, many examples of Gothic architecture can be found.
It's getting pretty late over here, and it's been a long weekend. I have to remember that I have school in the morning, as much as I'd like to sleep in. Happy Sunday!
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