Oh, wait. I still have a blog? Tee hee. Sorry Study Abroad department… I’ve been kind of slack. Well, these past two weeks have had their ups and downs, I guess. Classes are now in full swing and I actually like them all a lot (shocking).
Just so I have a topic to talk about, I’ll talk to y’all about my classes! Alright, so I have a grammar class. This class is very similar to the intensive course I had at the beginning of the semester except it’s less, you know, intense. Chuckles. Other than the part where we actually do work, I enjoy this class a lot because the professor allows open discussion about whatever random topic someone brings up (literally, we talked about why European men shaved/waxed their legs). The good thing is we are still learning about grammar because our professor will stop us and correct any grammatical errors we have committed while providing our opinions.
I have a class about Spain’s popular culture, which, while similar to a class I already had back at Woff, is still very interesting. Our awesome teacher teaches us the “language of the streets” which includes a LOT of terms I am not allowed to actually use in my house. Tee hee… they’re just very colloquial sayings that I can only really use amongst peers. She also enjoys a lot of open discussion. We can talk about what we see and what we experience around us, which makes learning about Spanish culture very interesting. The funniest part is learning about all the sayings. For example, while we have the saying “black sheep” of the family, Spaniards have “garbanzo negro” or when you’re caught up in the middle of a complicated situation, you’re “en el ajo.”
My Spanish for the Health Professionals class is VERY interesting. And by that, I mean I’m the only person in there. I mean, I’m all about having a low student:teacher ratio… but when it’s 1:1, things get kind of awkward (i.e. if I ever forgot to do my homework for that class or ever get sleepy in there… awk). My professor is just super focused on me, but at the same time it’s nice because our schedule becomes super flexible and we’re able to do things like go on “field trips” to the Health Center.
My Zoology class is just a constant struggle for me. I mean, the university website is just incredibly confusing, so there have been multiple times I’ve sat in the wrong lab or go to the wrong practice problem session. But really – I have been laughed at on multiple occasions by the Spanish students (NOT NICE, GUYZ). I’m great at making friends, y’all. Other than that though, I really like all of the professors because they realize how deeply I’m in over my head (come on, Bio is hard in English for me) and they make sure I understand everything. I had my first test recently – it wasn’t bad but I haven’t gotten my grade back yet so I cannot provide a definitive answer.
So yes. Me gusta mis clases. What else has happened… OH! The program trip to Granada was this past weekend. Honestly, it almost felt like orientation again because the entire program was together but it was GREAT this time because we’re at the point where we know everyone and am pretty comfortable with each other. I had da bestest roommate and we just bonded and obsessed over our awesome shower that was in our room. (Literally though, when I’m in my host home, I feel bad taking long, hot showers and the water pressure is a tad sketchy). Granada is a beautiful place (almost made me wonder why I didn’t go there instead) and we visited the Alhambra, which was gorgeous. The weather was a bit temperamental, but the last day we were there it was sunny and glorious. Other exciting things we did – watched a flamenco show in a cave (and some of us may have danced too… tee hee) and we went to a club that was built into a cave with a terrace that had a view of the Alhambra at nighttime (El Camborio is highly recommended).
It was weird because on the way back from Granada, I realized that I was homesick. Imagine my shock when the home I was sick for was my own little casa en España. Even my little puppy was super excited to see me come back (that’s when I know I’m really a part of da fam – when the dog misses me). I’m finally starting to settle in and just enjoy being here without constantly being preoccupied with what I’m missing back home (only 40 days in, y’all. Took me long enough). Although I’m still a little distraught I missed out on recruitment (ALL DA NEW BABIES!!) and the final Boy’s Bid Day wif my sisters (ROLLER DERBY Y’ALL). Nevertheless, I was definitely there in spirit.
Meanwhile, ‘tis time for me to go do something exciting with my life (I mean, not that updating my blog isn’t exciting…). I’m on fall break right now and my cruise to Greece/Italy/Croatia is coming up on Monday, so it’ll definitely be a bit of time before I update again, but I’ll try to instagram pictures fo’ sho. Wif all the lovely benefits of technology, I’m never really more than a tweet/text/message/mention away. MISS EVERYONEEEE.
XO, Julie
P.S. Brunette Chelsea – if for some odd reason you’re reading this, sorry for sketchily downloading all of your pictures from Facebook. You da best.
