Una vida española

It finally feels like I live here. I have a solid group of friends, some favorite tapas bars, I know my way around a little, I started running consistently, and I'm several pages into my notebook of lists [I keep lists of almost everything in my blank notebook: things to do, homework, people to talk to, etc.] The dishes my host mother cooks have started to repeat (I'm pretty impressed -- it took almost a month!) and I have nearly all the trips for the rest of the semester booked and scheduled. I can also get around by myself in Spanish. I am nowhere near fluent at all, but I seem to be able to communicate. So that's at least the first step.

Things coming up: Tomorrow a dozen friends of mine and I are going to Cádiz for Carnaval! It should be quite the experience. Also, Monday, my classes at the University of Granada start and I am planning on taking a Spanish to English translation class (quite popular here -- the facultad de traducción, meaning the translation major) and possibly a psychology class, although that is undecided. My schedule is very spread out and poorly organized -- the Spanish education system here is poorly put together in my opinion. None of the classes seem to be at reasonable times (Mon 1-3 and Tuesday 4-5, for example) and all of the different facultades (each major has its own building) are scattered across the entire city, making scheduling even more difficult. What's more is that "siesta" is roughly between 2pm and 6pm, so rarely are classes even available during those times. But somehow I managed.. however, I will essentially be in class all day with long breaks in between, Mon-Thurs.

Anyway, the most exciting thing this past week was going to the Alhambra with my Islamic Art and Architecture class (for my first time ever!) and seeing the lion statues in the patio. Here they are (I did not take this -- it was raining when we went)!