Life, Love, and Laughter

This week has defiantly had its ups and downs - and warning now, this is going to be a long post.

Yeah, this week started out much better - my host family was home a lot more and I feel like I was starting to understand a little better. I've defiantly figured out a lot more of the students in my program and who I like and who I don't. Basically, I'm just trying to settle into this new, odd life.

As far as some more good things for the week, I planned and booked two trips. The first is going to be to Poland from November 2-5. And the second is going to be to Ireland from December 5-8. I'll be going with 3 other girls (plus whoever else followed suit but I'm not responsible for them). I'm excited. I've never really gotten to travel so I'm hoping that these trips here will go well.

That being said, let me get into my major complaint of the week...the majority of American university students who study abroad are dumb. Let me be a little more clear - they are loud, obnoxious, disrespectful, and don't care about fitting in with the culture of the place they are. Example A: Last night a group of us were going to go to a bar for drinks and tapas - well suddenly a small group turns into 20 people, who all manage to run into each other on the metro and begin talking in English. Problem 1: Everyone is speaking English. Problem 2: Everyone is yelling. Problem 3: The entire metro train full of Spaniards is now looking at us really pissed off. Ok-usually I don't care what people think about me, but here I do. Being identified as an ignorant American is not only annoying and looked down upon, but it makes you a clear target for pickpockets.

Long story short - I came here to experience a different culture and learn some new stuff (aka Spanish!!) not to be wild and crazy and go out every night and get shit faced...yeah.

Insert the next problem - I do not use my Spanish enough. I've been here almost 2 weeks and I feel like I haven't learned anything. I can feel my time ticking away!! Again, this is why I wish I could do this in high school - you are the only American at your school - you are the only one who speaks English - and to fit in, you have to speak Spanish 24/7. With a university program, you know 0 native spanish people your own age and all you do is speak English. My goal for this week - talk to my intercambio (my native spanish speaking "friend" assigned to me by the USAC program) and see if she wants to get together at all. Next goal - see if I can have 2 intercambios, because my first one is 28 and much older than I am. I want to find some girls my age I can relate to a bit better. Third goal - find a volunteer program that actually requires me to use my Spanish more. And fourth - spend some more quality time with my host mom.

OK - biggest problem of the week. One of my biggest fears came true. Last night I found out that within the last 2-3 days my dog back home has developed a tumor in her spinal cord that basically made her paralyzed. So yesterday my parents told me they had to put her down. As of then, anything past her waist she had lost control of. My family set up a spot for her in the middle of the living room with blankets and towels and her toys. All day someone sat with her, and she was mentally her normal happy self. Today, by morning she had lost control of her front legs. According to Keith, my Dad said she hadn't given anyone kisses all day, but when Keith came over she gave him some. Keith says those were for me. They had her put to sleep around 10 am, and although I am devastated, I know she's happier now. She loved to run and play, and not being able to move and enjoy life is not what she would have wanted. It's just hard not being able to be there.

On the other hand, today I went to Segovia and had to try suckling pig - NEVER again! I about puked when the waiter plopped this baby pig's head on my plate. The director of USAC had my plate taken away and replaced with a less-identifiable piece of pig that I still didn't eat.

And on the bright side of things, my host mom and I had a really nice conversation and I actually understood all of it.

Sorry to be quick at the end there - it's been a long day and I need to sleep. Night all.