Cena española

Last night we had a very Madrileño meal...meaning it looked typically Spanish. So of course I photographed the occasion.

Croquetas (homemade, de atún) Jamón, y Pan

And Real won 4-1 last night in the Rey de Copa game. I think I'll wear my jersey today, perhaps it will bring me suerte. Two finals today, two tomorrow. Aupi!

Un Jour en France

Well, it was more than just one day, but the song is "Un Jour en France" so yeah.

I'll be home soon enough, so in summary, France was great! I went to Nîmes, Toulouse, et Lyon. In Lyon I visited my penpal Alexandre. That was fun, he speaks perfect English, so it was easy for me jeje. We saw Les Fêtes des Lumières. It was magnifique, but my pictures are very blurry, so I recommend clicking ici. And yeah, I saw a lot of nice views in my time there. Stereotypical French activities: wine and cheese after lunch with his family. And I even had a bowl of coffee with breakfast, accompanied by bread and homemade marmelade. Ah and crêpes as my first lyonnais meal. Very French indeed!

Alex et moi enjoying a view from castle ruins.

Gettin stuff done

Bueno, it's Monday, time to be productive again! But not in the scholastic sense, since we don't have class at all this week. ;D I leave for France Weds morning so had to accomplish some things today.

Primero, I got a new cellphone. I lost my first one dancing womp womp womp. Upon returning home, I realized that the menus were messed up. For example, when I clicked "Change date," the response was various profile selections en vez de date/time options. I showed it to my madre, who didn't know what to do about it, then my padre who thought he would solve it but also didn't. They said to ask my hermano, but it seemed an error that could only be fixed by the store, and since there was no line before I returned. Seriously, the minute I walked in the door and looked down at the screen EVERYTHING WAS FINE. Arghhh!!! Thus I looked like an idiot when I told them woman it hadn't worked, bc due to my less-than native Spanish abilities, she thought I just didn't know how to change the date. Yes I know how to reset the date! But the buttons didn't work that way before! Anyways, when I returned home and told my padres, they had a good laugh. They know I'm not tonta jajaja. It was magic. Qué clase de brujería es! What kind of witchcraft is this!

Oh and the other thing I did (fascinating really) was scanning a document at a local librería. It was quite an accomplishment--well, not really because my host hermano was kind enough to accompany me...and do the talking. Jejeje just another thing crossed off my to-do list. The rest of today's schedule includes going to the mall (my friend wants to get someone nail polish as a gift. I mean...when I think of Spanish souvenirs, nail polish is probably the 3rd thing that comes to mind) and researching Federico García Lorca. Olé!

Pronunciation lessons with madre gesturing

Today's weather: Rainy, but nothing overwhelming. Just enough to be content with mis botas de agua, rainboots!

Día de Euskera!

Today is National Basque Language Day! Hip hip hooray! To celebrate, they had some activities in Basque on the Boulevard. Including --but not limited to--karaoke sung by little kids. It was cute. And then they put on a pretty hardcore song by Berri Txarrak (Basque band I know a few of their songs). Pretty entertaining, these little tykes trying to sing along to hardrock. Then we went to the Basque handmade shop, where they have some souvenirs and traditional clothing. Then I heard the little karaoke kids singing my jam, an apparently classic Basque ska song. Presenting....SARRI SARRI (with Spanish subtitles). We're headed back in a bit to hopefully hear some Latin beats (in euskera of course). Oh and I've had a pintxo, which I haven't had in a long time. Tonight, tortilla de patatas with jamón. Ñaamm!

Last night all the ladies had dinner at Jenn's house. She made us fettucini alfredo. I'd say we all enjoyed the food and company. And then Jenn thought it was a good idea to give me a makeover. Quizá "luckily" after chatting a while none of us really felt like going out.