Novedades/ Novelties

I only had 2 days of classes this week, but I can tell it's going to be a glorious semester.

Thursday: Translation. In general I was looking forward to this class because I think I want to do some type of translating when I graduate, and because my main profe from last semester teaches it. Then I found out a large part of the grade is working on subtitling a movie into English, which is amazing because being a subtitler is my dream job. Well, we'll see how this experience goes, perhaps I'll loathe it. ;)

Basque Language and Culture. This is also taught by my original profe, and the topic interests me too. I hope we learn a lot of Euskara this semester. I already knew a few key phrases, but now I can add Ni Donostian bizi naiz to my vocab (I live in Donostia). And we talked about La Tamborrada/ Día de San Sebastián (next blog's theme).

European Cinema: Yeaaah cinema! Another of my professors from last semester teaches this, so that's comforting. I've seen a few of the films on our syllabus list, but look forward to talking about them in Spanish this time around.

That's all the classes I've had. Another novedad is my roommate, Ane. She's a Basque woman in her late 20s. I think we're going to get along great because she seems very chill, very Basque jeje. And she can help me practice when I get further into the Euskara class. Hooray!

Back to the Good Life

Well yesterday was a complete waste, which therefore put me in a bad mood. My flight got in around 7A.M. Luckily I slept most of the time so wasn't too groggy. Then I paid nearly 30 euros to take a cab to the train station, because I didn't want to ride the metro with my luggage when a lot of people would be going to work. I got to the train station by 8, and my train left at 3:30. That is a lot of time to kill alone. They kind of have a security checkpoint to get to the waiting area for trains, and I went in that at 10:30. The woman questioned me because it was so early, but I told her I had nothing better to do haha. After much sitting around waiting, I sat around for 5 more hours on the train. Thrilling! It just put me in a foul mood to be back in España, but inactive.

At night we went to the discopub that we always went to last semester. Siiiigh! The place is only fully of us Americans, and thus agitates me. Anyways, the second girl I introduced myself to, I asked if she lives with a family. Yes. Who are they!? MY HOST PARENTS! Oh man, I was so glad to meet her and told her we'll be friends because they are just so nice and I intend to visit.

Today was definitely a better day-- I moved into my piso and had lunch with my former host parents which absolutely delighted me. When padre opened the door he said "Just like it was yesterday," which is really how it felt! Especially since their new student wasn't home, so it was just me and the padres having lunch like the good old days. Además, madre made lentejas, one of my favorite dishes. It's something you have to prepare the night before, and she told me how she thought to herself "I'll add some more in case Kerry stops by" hehehe. They also said other pleasantries, including that my speaking is quite fast. And here I was concerned that I had lost my touch. :P I think they liked their regalitos, hooray! Well, madre said she didn't know if she should thank me or get angry because I gave her a jar of fudge haha. And then Francis came home, thanked me for the present, and gave one to me. Pero, qué?! Then I realized it was a concert DVD of Extremoduro (my fav Spanish band) and FREAKED OUT. I couldn't think in Spanish immediately so instead blurted out "oh my gosh this is awesome!" and then clarified in Spanish, although I'm sure he got the message. But seriously, it was unexpected  and perfect. I don't think Basques hug very much, but I made an exception I was so overjoyed. :D Such great people.

Well after that charming lunch I feel ready to take it on. Everything! Classes start tomorrow. A ver.

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.