Sailing, SEAing, and SLIPPING.

HOLA.
I am zoooo pumped for this post.

Are you?  Do you know what I am going to write about write now?  NO?! YES? MAYBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok.  I'm finished teasing you.
DRUM ROLL PLEASEEEEEE................

I WENT ON A CRUISE!!!!!!!!

yes.  a. cruise.
(Haha and yes, I did have to miss school. )

"WHERE DO YOU GO!" you may ask.  Well, sit down and closee your mouth because I am about to tell you about my sea voyage this week.

Well on Sunday October 9, we drove down to Málaga.

My family and I went with friends.
It was me, my host-mom, host-dad, brother, sister, and our next door neighbors.  Our next door neighbors have two kids, a girl (12) and a little boy (8-9ish?)
Oh, and Maite's brother came along, too.
So we had a full group.  10 people is quite a lot!!

On the way down to Málaga, we stopped to have breakfast.  And look at what I ordered :)

We usually dip these marvelous babies in either chocolate or sugar. Or both! 

We boarded the ship and took off for Portemão, Portugal!!!!!!!!!!


We had to wait around for the ship to start moving.  But we checked in, ate, went to the pool, tried to navigate the ship, but got lost.


Well, Because Maite's brother was with a group that had a convention? on the ship.  We got to board early.  That was nice to not have to sit and wait around.  I really don't like to wait.  


SO.  Everywhere I go, I can't maintain balance.  I trip on my feet, trip UP the stairs, and well, I can't walk across a flat surface without finding something on which to stumble.
One year I fell on the ice and cut open my lips.  Last year I fell backwards in the locker room and had to go the the Emergency Room for BRAIN SCANS.  
AND. This year I fell on the ship and hurt my knee.  
Stop laughing.  
I was walking and then all of the sudden, my stomach dropped and my plate fell right out of my hands and I went SPLAT right on my knee.  Yes,  all of my weight on one knee.  Gosh it hurt.  
SO I had to ice it.  And take really nasty medicine.  And then I told everyone that I didn't need a doctor, but I still had to go to fill out forms about my accident.  
Well, I couldn't walk yet. AND I HAD TO BE WHEELED OUT, in a granny wheelchair, OF THE RESTAURANT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.     What a day.  UGH Sooo typical of me.  


So, everynight I had dinner with Rafa, my mom's brother, and his friends. (My host-brother was sharing a room with him and their dinner time was only for 16 yr olds and up, so we traded places)  And well, some of his friend saw my accident and, well, let's say that just about everyone on the boat was asking how I was.  Oufff.  Completely mortifying. 
Yes, I got sea-sick.  On Tuesday night the boat was tossing all over the place, and ughh I don't like that feeling.  So After dinner, I went straight to bed.  But that was pretty much it.  I was good otherwise.  


I had my first Cappuccino! Yes, I loved it.  Quite tasty.  


At the disco on Sunday night was a completely crazyy Grandma (probs in her mid 60s or early 70s).  She was dancing and just having a grand old time.  Man, she was partying PRETTY HARD.  Like more crazy than some of the kids my age or a little older than me.  Seriously,  she was tearing the place up.  


Yea, so one day we went to the cafe to have drinks.  And I needed to go to the bathroom.  So I got up, and couldn't find them.  So I asked a staff member where they were.  (yes in spanish) I followed his directions and couldn't find them.  Sooo I went to get my key from my bag back in the cafe.  I went to the elevators.  Which TAKE FOREVER!!  Went from the 6th floor to the 8th floor.  Honestly, I don't know why I just didn't walk.  And then I discovered that I was on the other side of the ship and I had to walk across the whole damn boat.  Well, after a few turns, I could tell that the room numbers were getting father away from mine. (8172) So I doubled back.  And finally found my room.  Did my business, changed from my wet suit.  And then I went back to the elevator closest to my room.  THAT was my fatal mistake ladies and gentlemen.  Because When I got off on the 6th floor, I was on the OTHER SIDE OF THE SHIP from the cafe.  Well I walked all around for about 5 mins and couldn't find my family.  
Don't laugh, but I was kind of panicking! I just was like ohhh shoot.  
But don't worry, I found my way.  And my drink came just as I sat down.  So that was another adventure.    

SO....... you know how in the old black and white movies, the cafe's are dimly lit with smoke rising up from the cigarettes?  Everyone talking in a hushed tones drinking coffee or brandy?  So European?  Well, I lived that.  It was really cool and interesting to feel like I was in 'Rick's Cafe' with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca."
OHHHHHHHHHHHHh speaking of Casablanca.  That was the next stop after  Portemão.  

Too spectacular for words.

The Second night was a "fiesta blanco" Everyone wore white. I think It was because we were going to CasaBLANCA.  Who knows! 
It was really cool to see everyone in white.  
The first night there was a show. In the theater.  The name was something in French.   But It was quite a show.  Very fun.  one part was the "can-can" like in France. Complete with the outfits.  Yea. I'll just leave it at that. 


The second night was the Pirates of the Mediterranean. It was good.  It was more like a ballet though.  And yes, The music was from Pirates of the Caribbean.  


The food! The food was EXCELENTE.So good.  My best meal was the Capresse Salad, the beef, and fruit.  But the beef was just marinated in the lovely, melt-in-your-mouth sauce.  OH SOO GOOD. 


And well YOu can't complain about the all you can eat pizzeria and grille.  The fries were the bees knees.  I had a burger the other day, and well, I'm sad I didn't get another one! haha. 


Well I probs should go run about 500 miles.  There were churros and chocolate for breakfast.  I didn't have them this morning.  But The last two days I did.  Ill post the pictures in the next entry! 
Otherwise this entry would stretch from here to Mars. 


Comment here.  I love to hear from the world.  Whether you be close to me or not, I love to hear what you think.  I will try to answer questions if you have any.  


I miss everyone.  But I am having a great time.  My new-life in Spain.  So different. So interesting.  I'm still adjusting.  Its only been about a month and a few days.  But I'm starting to find a niche.  


-adios 

Hola

How are you guys doing?  Well, I hope. 

I am doing fine.  I definitely can't complain :)

So as I said before, I have taken note of a few differences between Wisconsin and Sevilla.  Maybe between USA and Spain. And definitely between my life in USA and my new life in Spain. 

(Remember, this is what I have observed.  If you have been to Spain,  you may have been in another part of the country.  If you ever come to Spain, you may notice new things in addition.  If you live in Spain, well, somethings might be odd for you to read, but only because you are so accustomed to the things that are foreign to me. )

·         Cute bug beetles with e.u license plates!  AND I don't believe they play the "punch-buggy" game.I know that whenever they see a "yellow" car someone punches another person.  My friend said  that she got a huge bruise on her arm because someone got so excited once.

·         The beaches.  Ah yes.  The stories are true. 

·         There is usually bread or picos, which are like crackers, with lunch and dinner.

·         Soo many roundabouts. So many.  I get dizzy every time we have to drive somewhere. 

·         Yes, My family has a car.  Two, in fact.  It depends where you live in Spain, or in general, just where you live in Spain. 

·         My host-mom pretty much cooks every meal.  Our family deal is that every Sunday, the lunches are pre-made for the week.

·         And Man do we have a balanced diet. Every week I can expect to have to following at some point on my plate: legumes, fish or seafood, meat, vegetables, and some form of carbs and starches. 

·         What is put on my plate is my dinner.  Same rule for the rest of the house.  It's too much work to make everyone their favorite food every night.  And I agree.   My mom (my real mom) expects that we eat what is on our plate, too. She is not my personal chef.  

·         They open the windows during the day and don't turn on the lights.

·         I feel like stop signs are more of a suggestion.

·         The radios play such random old American songs. The radios always have a few songs in English. I have heard Shania Twain on the radios more than once.  

·         Speed! People want to get where they are going.

·         Stick shift.  I have yet to see an automatic vehicle.  I know they are out there. 

·         Not reflective road signs, but flashing lights too.  Some "stop" signs flash.   Know what I mean?  

·         The babies stay up late with everyone. I guess they sleep siesta.

·         Metro systems are pretty conventional. But I guess they are almost exactly like "subways."  I think that you can use your metro pass for the buses too. It's a scan card.  Pretty nifty.

·         One way streets are more common here.

·         Smoking. Personally, I don't get it.  I just don't like it.  I grew up in Wisconsin (not that it is the only place in the US with heavy smokers) and until the law stating that no one could smoke indoors in public places was passed,  I came home smelling like smoke every time I went out to eat. I can tolerate the people. I don't try to tell them that it is SO BAD for their health. They know that already.  Plus, that would just be RUDE!!!  I just ignore the fact that they are smoking, and have a normal conversation with them.  Well at least I try!  My Spanish is slowly getting stronger.

·         Staying out late.  Most teens need to be home before 12 in the US.  The older you get the later you can be out.  My license states that I can drive from 12am to 5am alone. I need a licensed person over 21. I also think It needs to be someone in my family.  

·         Toques. I think that's how to spell it?  Anyways, someone dials your number, lets it ring for like 2 seconds, then hangs up. It's an efficient way to contact someone without spending any money.  The call didn't 'connect' since the person didn't actually press the talk button.  And no text was sent.  But the person still knows that 'so-and-so' is telling them something.

·         Longer skinnier pieces of paper.  The standard in America in 8x10.  My notebooks are longer and skinnier.  Only slightly.  It’s not like a twig.

·         Crew cuts and gel.  a.k.a "Mike the Situation haircuts" for the boys are quite popular. Quite. 

·         Elementary, high schools Grading system: 1-10 ---

Spain uses a 10-point grading scale for elementary and high schools:

·         9.0-10 is the best possible grade and is called "sobresaliente" ("outstanding"). A 10 grade may also include a distinction called "Matrícula de Honor" or "Mención de Honor," but usually only a limited number of students per group may benefit from it. Distinctions may imply tuition waivers for the following course.

·         7-8.9 is called "notable" ("very good"). Sometimes a distinction is made between "notable bajo" (low outstanding) and "notable alto" (almost outstanding).

·         6-6.9 is called "bien" ("good").

·         5-5.9 is the lowest passing grade and is called "suficiente" ("sufficient").

·         3-4.9 is called "insuficiente" ("insufficient").

·         0-2.9 is the lowest possible grade and is called "muy deficiente" (literally translated as "very deficient").

·         The term "suspenso" ("fail") includes both "insuficiente" and "muy deficiente".

·         from Wikipedia

0-4.9 you failed

5-8.9 you passed

9-10 you’re a freaking genius. 

Well, I am doing fine.

I have a surprise story to tell you all after the weekend.  Some people may know what my next    blog is going to be about.  But for those who don't know...Well, make sure you're following me :)

-adios

Pictures!!

Phineas and Ferb was in the theatres here!

One of the pools where I swim.  

Again, I don't know how to flip it.  But this was my first day of school pic.

Chippiona

Isn't this tile pretty?

This was just the most beautiful flower.

Currently my profile picture:)

Amen.

Ironic no?  This was totally empty. Translation: Smoking Kills.

I had to go here for a visa appointment today!  A little different than the one white room on the 15th floor in Chicago;)

Park 

Parque

Sevilla.  The above-ground metro :)

Yes.  The bull ring.

So those are all the interesting pictures I have right now.  School is going well.  I learn a few new words each day.  

-adios.

It's Typical Here. Typically awesome.

HI
How are you?

So here, in Spain, obviously........Many things are different.

(Mary Beth, a fellow AFSer who went to Spain last year, wrote a blog that really helped me mentally prepare.  Some things are different in Sevilla, but, Hi, if you are reading this, I REALLY appreciate your and Jake's blogs. They truly impacted my decision to pursue going to Spain. I can't thank you enough for sharing your experiences.)  For everyone else: http://marybeth-afs.blogspot.com/ and http://jakeinmadrid.blogspot.com/  PLEASE read these blogs about a year abroad in Spain.  They are so insightful.  Remember, these blogs are about their experiences.  And they will be different from your's should you decide to go with AFS to Espana for an exchange year.

So ok.  I do need to tell you guys a few things.
You may or may not be SHOCKED by these things.

So after my first few days in a Spanish school, I started to be more attentive.  (The first few days I didn't want to walk into the wrong classroom [which I have done in America] or trip down [OR UP!] the stairs at school.)

There are a few people, mostly males from what I have perceived, that are about 19 or 20 years old in my school.  And no, they are not siblings of any students (well they might be) or teachers.
They are actually students.  Yes.  In Segundo Bachillerato (equivalent to an American Senior) there are 20 year old students. There is a guy in my class who is 18.  Yea. I am 16.  And I do know a guy who is 15, I think he was just born at a weird time in the year.  We all know a kid who is either older or younger than us by just a few months, but you could be 14 and he or she could be 13, but you are in the same grade. But there is a THREE YEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS ONE STUDENT AND THE OTHER.
That's different.

And Like I said before.  When the teacher doesn't show up, there is no class.  SOOOOOOO I go with my friends to the room we were supposed to have class in and we just talk.  BUT  some kids, and kids from other studyhalls go outside.... Some just walk around the school.  SOME.............SMOKE.
Yes.  It is very common for me to see someone just puffing away on their cigarette at school.  I somtimes smell it when I am in the bathrooms.  Which gives me the memory of hearing stories from older adults, saying that they remember, back in the day,  when they would sneak off to smoke in the bathroom.  hahaha.  I think it's pretty comical.
Well this one girl was talking to me and explaining that things are different in Spain. Regarding the Smoking and drinking pastimes.
She said that the age is 18.  But no one really enforces it.  DON'T WORRY ANYONE.  I WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES.
As they are grounds for my termination from the program.  Plus it technically IS breaking the law.  Another thing that we cannot do.
A girl, whose name will remain anonymous, was telling me today that she just bought a pack of cigarettes the other day.  And she is my age.  We were talking about something and it just came up.

Also, If you go to the bathroom in a Spanish school.  Well [specifically]...in MY school.  YOU have to bring your own Kleenex if you want to wipe your bottom.  Or just soil your underpants.  I am talking to the girls right now.  I learned the hard way.  So YES I know what I just said.  I WILL REMEMBER NEXT TIME.  Stop laughing or smiling if you are.  Thanks.

I go to a typical co-ed public high school if any of you are wondering.

I take the bus.  No its not like a city bus.  It's a school bus that directly drops me off with all the other kids on my route.
BUT don't go picturing the nice little, traditional yellow school buss from our favorite childhood show "The Magic School bus"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
or a ratty tatty old smelly bus.
TAH DAHHHHH!  I get to take a Coach bus to school everyday.  You know, like a Greyhound bus.  It's not shiny and brand new, but nevertheless.  SCORE.  So thats nice to have a padded seat every morning.  Granted I talk to my friends that usually sit around me.

Well there are NO lockers at my school.  It's probs not like that in every school here.  Mi colegio is a block schedule school.  So I have class A B C D E F G the first day.  THEN class A G C F R Y the next.  It varies.  Which classes is she taking you may ask? Well here:
- Fisica y Quimica or Physics and Chemistry.  (I already took chemistry in the USA so UGH  great.)
- Filosofia or Philosophy... yea I know. EWW
- Matematicas at least I understand.  Not that I am very good at the material, but I get where we are most of the time.
- Biologia or biology.  I already took that one in the USA so IDK.
- Ingles or ENGLSIH.  Easy A.  or here, it's an EASY 10.  The teacher said that she is not a dictionary.  So the kids have to ask me, not for the direct translation, but for the definition *in English.  Then they can infer what the word in English means in Spanish.  I have to explain the definition of an electric eel today.  But alas, it was not as easy as you think.  I have to speak REALLY REALLY REALLY slow.  I use my hand to try to show what I am saying. AND I have to use really SIMPLE syntax and words.  But I am thankful that my Englsih teacher is not afraid of me.  I have heard some horrible stories about English classes during an exchange year.  Yes, I have caught a few mistakes from the teacher.  She's no Mrs. Anderson, but at least I will have an easy subject this year.
- Educacion fisica or GYM (PE) just take me now lord.  I already finished this class in America.  I survived two grueling years of gym at DSHA.  But now, I have to show everyone how I can not run.  In front of boys. And gosh, I know I know.  Who cares.  BUT still.  I hope a few girls understand my pain.  I don't need this class, but I am stuck in hell for two hours each week.  And I have to behave and not make it look like I don't give a darn.  That would be rude to the teacher and set a bad example for AFS.
- Lengua Castellana or the equivelant to our English classes in America.  You know, reading, writing, grammer, books and essays.  THIS will be one of the hardest classes.  But I like the teacher.
- I have a study hall each week on 3rd period on Tuesday. SO thanks God :)
- FRANCES. Or FRENCH.  Yes, I already know how to say the basics.  But I can tell it's going to pick up soon.  This will also be one of my hardest classes.  I need to translate from spanish to english to french.  Then back again.  GREAT........ But I am kinda excited at the same time.  I sound pretty awesome when I speak my little bit of French. Not to be tooting my own horn.
- Modern Sciences.  That will be normal.  Just Science. WHICH I LIKE.
- AND I have Proyecto.  or an independent studies class.  But this one is with a group.  We need to write a 15 page paper and give a presentation about the life and music of Johann Strauss.  I only have to translate and make the paper sound REALLY good.  So that should be hard.  I like writing analytic essays.  BUT I HATEEEEE writing reports.  So translating will be good for my Spanish.  One girl wrote one of her parts already, in English.  But SORRY.  I REALLY had to correct that one.  Some words didn't make sense.  Some things were COMPLETELY random.   But the kids are just siked to have me in their group.  I think you can guess why :)

So there are all my classes.  IT will be work. But hey. I signed up for this.

A typical day of school:  (YOU'RE WELCOME FATHER)
- Get up around 7:00
- Get dressed.  "Put my face on." Gosh I look horrible in the morning.  la dadadada brush my teeth, hair, etc.
- Make my bed.
- If I didn't put my books in my backpack the night before, I get my books ready.  But I usually do that before I go to bed.
- Go downstairs.  Have breakfast.  I usually have juice.  (like a V8 fusion thing.  It's vegetables and fruit but I only taste the fruit!)  And Pan Toastado.  Or toast.  BUT not with butter.  toast with olive oil.  AND its not like bread smith bread or sarah lee bread.  Its nice, fresh, bread.  I know. I am spoiled.
- I have to leave the house by 8:00.  The bus stop is only a 2 block walk.  only 3 mins.
- Go to school
- THEN three one hour classes.  my school only has two floors. And the stairs are not much.  SO THANK GOD!  In the states,  My school has the basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor.  And last year my locker was in the basement and after lunch i had a class on the 3rd floor.  I had to walk 4 stories every day for one semester.  Gosh and the stairs are steep at DSHA.
- After 3 classes is RECREO.  Just a 30 min free time where the kids eat a small sandwhich (or bocadilla as they call them) and drink a juice box.  it quite cute to see this tall and tough looking guy eating a sandwhich and drinking from a small little juice box.  But hey. they need to nourish themselves too.  i have noticed that some kids dont seem to be eating.  or maybe they scarf their food before i see them.  who knows. And yes, I staind around talking with my friends.
- After RECREO we have 3 more classes. they are all about 55ish mins in both the morning and afternoon. no yellow day, orchid day, green, day.  Blah blah blah. <--- at my school in the States we have different colored days for different schedule times.  If we have mass or a 1.5hr assembly we have a green day.  etc.
- I always have to guess which bus is mine after school.  It changes from day to day.
- I get home at 3:30ish.  School ends at like 3:00ish.
- I have lunch.  yes.  That's why we have a small snack at RECREO.
- I do my homework.
- Then if we have swim I go. It's either from 7-8 or 7-9.  Tuesdays and Thursdays we have dryland for an hour.
- Then come home.  and finish anything i have to do.  then dinner is around 9 or 10 or 10:30ish
- Go to bed.
- Repeat.

But it's a nice schedule. I like the meal times.  REALLY I do.  It's nice.

I am going old down town Sevilla, tonite with my friends.  Mis nuevos amigos.

My host-sister Marta told me today that she can tell my Spanish is getting better.
She said that she is starting to speak faster and I understand right away.
Truthfully, I knew I was starting to understand a little more.  Even after 3 weeks, but I DIDN'T realize that she was speaking faster.  SOO that's pretty awesome.

I can already tell that I will need to send a box home after my year here.  I would be in deep dodo if I had to pack everything up tonite.  It wouldn't fit.  I have a few new shirts, and Two pairs of shoes.  All for school.

Also, I love being here.  But if anyone who is reading this is contemplating a year abroad.  This is NO easy task. It is so hard.  Just ADAPTING to a new LIFE.  The food, culture, people, land, climate, city, houses, plants, animals, sounds, sights, smells, etc.  My first day of school was SO hard.  Quite awful.  So bad. I will not sugar coat it.  I walked in.  Didn't know a SOUL.  Except for my host-sister.  But she was off with her friends the moment we walked in.  BUT hey.  She's in her grade.  AND I didn't want to be depending on her.  So My host mother, Maite, introduced my to a girl right around the corner who was in my grade.  But that day, I didn't see her right away.  And I later discovered that she was not in my class.  I am with the same kids each day.  Different combinations in different classes, but ALWAYS the same kids.  So I have to make friends with them.  We are together for a whole year.  But They are very nice now.  I didn't feel the LEAST bit excepted the first day.  Yes, I did sit alone in a few of my classes.  But now, there are kids who tell me to sit next to them.  And I did get more than one invitation to hang out this weekend.  It takes A LOT OF WORK.  You are coming to Spain for school.  AFS is a school based program.  It's required that we go to school.  You can be terminated for skipping.  You do not come to Spain to party at the discotecas all week.  Most Kids that I know. DO. NOT.  You don't go to Spain to drink or smoke because you can get away with it.  You may be able to. BUT if you are caught (and GOD help you if you do) well, kiss your new Spanish life goodbye.  Spain is wonderful in many aspects.  But it is hard just leaving everything behind. I wanted to do this.  I really did.  But I DID CRY at the airport.  I think my father teared up a little.  My mom and sister were bawling.  I didn't bawl but I really had quite a few tears rolling down my cheeks.  SPAIN is SPAIN.  In my three weeks here, you can make it what you want it.
My ONE REALLY GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE RIGHT NOW:
-DO NOT. repeat. DOOOOOOO NNNNNNOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT have high expectations for your experience here.  Yes, you can expect to be homesick.  Heck I am a little homesick.  BUT that is REALLY REALLY normal.  It would NOT be normal for a kid not to be homesick at one point in their year away from home.   Yes, you can expect to not understand anything in most of your classes the first few days.   I think I looked like a deer in headlights in my Physics class the first day.  Don't expect everyone to be obsessed with your being from the USA.   Most people the first day avoided me.  Or we scared I think. The language barrier REALLY does make everything difficult.  But after 2days and a week and 2 weeks.  You will pick up a few words.  Maybe even understand what they are saying.   So Yes.  That's it on that topic.


Anyways.  THIS was a LOOOONGGGGGG post.  But I hope you enjoyed reading.  My fingers hurt form typing so much.

God Bless everyone.
Peace out.
-adios

Another post

Hola everyone!

My first day of school was hard hard hard.

Quite miserable is you ask me. 

FUTURE AFS STUDENTS!!!! Don't let that deter you in anyway.  

Thousands of kids each year, feel the way I felt.  At least I know a little bit of Spanish.

I can't imagine if I had to go to China or Thailand where I can't even say 'hi.'

But I just got home from the 3rd day of Spanish school and I’m feeling a lot better. 

A brand of hot-dogs here are quite interesting. They are like a BRIGHT pink. It's quite 

awful. My uncle owns a business that makes hotdogs, sausage, porklings, and 

all other sorts of wonderful meats. So I have REALLY high standards for my hotdogs. 

Haha oh well. 

But at least I had pizza the other night. I was dying without pizza. 

Then we got ice cream. But again, I am DYING without custard. Another thing that doesn't exist except for in good ol Wisconsin.

Well I guess the mid-western part. 

My Spanish?  I already feel that I have learned a few things. 

**********A big milestone for me: even though I make SOOOOOOO many mistakes, I feel less and less embarrassed to try to speak.**********

I like that. 

School was better.  I had to take an entrance test/quiz thing in English class

today. 

I was breezing through the thing.  I think it was British English,

because there were some crazy spelling of words.  Like mum and favourite instead

of mom and favorite. 

So I was bopping along, but then there was a conjugating

section.  I was like, um what?  I don't know how to conjugate the verb

"to tell!"

I know how to do it in Spanish because I have learned that my entire

life.

 It was about a 3rd grade grammar quiz in America.  But here, it was like a SMART KID TEST.

But I guess when a Spanish speaking kid goes to America, he or she has the same opinion of our Spanish Classes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in the bilingual part of my grade, so philosophy class is part English too.

I also think I bombed the entrance test/quiz thing in Physics/Chem because I don't

know science Spanish.  And there were words I didn't know. 

 

I did answer one part in English tho.  I HAD TO WRITE SOMTHING!

But no homework. We had two free periods.  One in modern science

and one in biology. When the teachers don't show, it's just no class. Its' nice.

At DSHA, when Mrs. Anderson (one of my favorite teachers) is absent, we sometimes have a sub and that just complicates things.

You know how we hate having a bunch of $1 bills?  Well I have a bunch of 1e coins.  Hahahaha. but they actually are VERY good for buying candy.  I love the candy here.

The pools are in meters here. So I have to swim a lot more.  ugh I hate meters.

I am keeping a list of the cute little differences between Spain and Wisconsin.  (America in general.)  I'll wait until I have a few more things noted.  Then I'll post that entry. I Think everyone will enjoy that one.

Love you all.

-adios.

:)

RanDOm pIcTuREs

So much olive oil.  Need a year's supply?

My little town

The Light Switch and outlet.  Told you they were different.

Spanish Silly Bandzz

Crazy AFS'ers

Beach in Cadiz

The Guadalquivir River in Sevilla

Sevilla

A silly picture of my sister.  (My real american sis)

Poor Golf ball.  I know how ya feel.  Everything is hitting you pretty hard.  But you're in the game.  And you have to be strong and play to the best of your abilities.

Mischief.  I love this movie.  This is a REALLY random picture.

A few days after the 10 year anniversary of 9-11.  I will NEVER forget.  Also,  I am very thankful for my freedom.  I am proud to be a US citizen.  Thank you Soldiers.  I am eternally grateful to each and everyone of you.  From the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq.




Well School starts tomorrow.  I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO nervous.  I want to go. But at the same time, I really don't want to.  But Here I go!

I got this.