Up's and Down's

I officially have a routine. One that involves all the strenous activities of normal life (school, studying, chores, etc) in addition to a huge helping of "yo no intiendio."

For the most part, I no longer have something to write about everyday because the weekdays are all pretty much the same. Get up, go to school, take the metro/bus home, eat, sleep, repeat. I think this is one of the most difficult times for most of us exchange students; falling into a routine that is similar to the one at home inluding friends, family, school...but no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves, the bottom line is that it is not OUR family, OUR friends, OUR school, or OUR language. It sounds cynical, but I still think that it is an adventure worth having (I hope?). It's easy to feel like an imposter in this new life, and it just doesn't feel like it's MINE. Hopefully it will become mine eventually.

On the bright side, Cristinita gave me this adorable stuffed animal giraffe today, totaly out of the blue. It ws the cutest thing ever and it made me really happy. How did she know I love giraffes? I named her Maha, which means nice, or friendly in Castellano.

People at school are nice,and the classes are more boring than anything I have ever experienced before in my life. I'm sure they would be more interesting if I understood more than 15-20% of what the teacher was saying. Here is a complete set of Pros and Cons concerning my new school:

Pros:                                           

No homework                               

Fantastic food                                

No uniforms                                

Learning Spanish                         

Starts at 8:30 (at home 8:05)       

No math class                                

Cons:

Everything is in Spanish

PE, actually intense

I know like 10 ppl

No lunch-time

Ends at 3:10 (at home 2:05)

Latin & greek classes

I went from a valuable member of the class to the "little class pet." Everytime I say anything everyone giggles/laughs, and goes "Awww!" or "Que mono!" (meaning "how cute!"). Atleast they like me! It could be worse, they could be making fun of me.

I have never stepped foot in a latin or greek class in my life, and learning them in castellano is not easy by any means. Lucky for me, Greek is not a really a "real" class. The teacher, a sweet old man, is only semi-sane, to say the least. He runs around the class with excited wide eyes, having outbursts of  what can only be described as enthusistic yelling. This afternoon, he asked me if I understood what he was talking about, I amitted that I didn't, he then leapt into the air excitedly and joyfully screaming "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAA!!!!" I hid under my folder while the rest of the class (a whole 5 other students, all new friends of mine) burst into laughter. It is my favorite class so far just because even though I don't know what the teacher is saying, I can tell it's hilarious.

You may be confused by the "fantastic food, but no lunch-time" thing, let me explain. In Spain, lunch is eaten around 2-3pm and is the main meal of the day. In some schools it is mandatory to eat there after classes are all done, but it is optional at my school. At first I thought "School food, ew! I'll just go home," but then Alejandro invited me to eat with him at school for a day. It is NOTHING like school cafeterias, and cannot be considered school food in anything but in name. The "cafeteria' is a small, quiant, room with table settings (place mats, silverware, napkins) all set out for each student who signs up to eat everyday. All of the food is homemade by a super nice older lady, Maria. The meal is served in courses; a soup or salad first, bread, then a main course, and dessert. Needless to say, I eat at school everyday. I'm always the first one home (because I get out of school earlier than my siblings, and take the metro and bus home) so it is much nicer eating with Alejandro, than eating cereal alone at my house.

Bad news never had good timing. Yesterday I found out a friend from school (at home in CA) died unexpectedly from what was thought to be the swine flu, but now medics aren't sure. It is always the sweetheart who everyone knows and loves. 15 is too young.

You always drew beautiful wings, now you have a pair of your own. R.I.P. Geraldine <3

Love,
Chloe