23...8...4...2...1

Alright so admittedly I am terrible at updating this thing, but at least this time I have a really legitimate excuse. I have been in Switzerland and Italy for the past ten days with Internet that has been unpredictable at best. Seven of my friends and I began our intrepid travels in Geneva, where there was snow on the ground and the smell of authentic chocolate wafting through the air. Just kidding.. but Switzerland was incredible. I went there not knowing squat about the place but had a blast nonetheless. We went to the United Nations, walked to France, attended a beautiful mass in French and went out for some tasty Swiss fondu and roquette among other fun stuff.

We then took a train to Venice, where I know it is supposed to be flooded, but the rains this week took that description to a whole new level. It was freezing and wet, and I would be lying if I said that the first day was not slightly miserable. We stayed at this place called B&B Rota, which sounds lovely but in reality was little more than an old Venetian apartment turned into a little 3-roomed hostel where we could have sworn we heard gunshots during what should have been a pleasant siesta. The guy who worked at the front desk totally redeemed the entire place though when he let us sleep in until 11 the next day, which was turned out to be fun. The place is so unique and beautiful. We went to San Marco church which allegedly houses the bones of St. Mark, visited the Doge Palace where all the rich rulers lived, walked the famous Rialto bridge and saw the beautiful collection of art in the Correr Museum.

After some minor but stressful train misunderstandings, my friends and I (just four of us at this point- the other 4 went to Rome) settled down to a simple bread and cheese dinner on Italy's version of the Ave and headed to Florence, where we stayed in this adorable hostel called Leonardo's House. Expecting to be greeted by a homely little old Italian man, we were surprised and entertained by the young quirky Leonardo, who not only recommended good places to see and eat, but also gifted us with a bottle of Italian red wine when we complained about how much we had spent on vino one night. My favorite part about that leg of the trip had to be just walking the city, going to the Uffizi Museum and seeing Michelangelo's The David.

From there my friends and I took the train to a little town called La Spezia, and from there another train to Riomaggiore, the first of the five little towns of the Cinque Terre. We literally screamed when we emerged from the tunnel before the town. The rocky cliffs gave way to clear rolling waters where fisherman boats rocked gently. The little town had multicolored beautiful buildings that, as our man Rick described, leaned on each other like drunken sailors. We went, daringly, without making room arrangements. Hoping there would be some little old Italian men waiting around with cardboard signs advertising their respective little B&Bs, we were slightly shocked when we saw no such Italians. We went to the nearest travel agency and, I guess since it is considered off season right now, got an awesome deal on this beautiful little apartment right on the water. So unreal. We watched the gorgeous sunset that night then went out for some insane Italian dinner and then came back and enjoyed the vino and played cards all night. Honestly, during this entire trip we did not go out crazy like we normally do, but rather just hung out and chatted for hours and hours and it was completely perfect. The next day we hiked a good portion of the paths and it was so beautiful it was just one of those afternoons where you have to really take it all in and when you find yourself in some other uglier or harder time in life, that is the place you will want to focus back on.

That night we took a train to Milan and had just enough time in the morning to do a little sightseeing before my friends had to catch their flight back to Madrid. It was so weird seeing them go because it feels like just yesterday we all got here. Plus I do not really know Europe without my friends. I met up with my friend Emily later that day and we saw some of the major sites like the Duomo and the castle. Milan is a really cool city-- way different from the others we had seen because it was more like a big city, like a New York or Chicago.

Then the next day we took a kind-of impulsive but AMAZING trip to Verenna, one of the little towns on Lake Como, an incredibly dreamlike oasis snuggled in the mountains almost in Switzerland. George Clooney apparently has a place there too, which only adds to its appeal. We spent the first day hiking in between towns and relaxing as much as possible. Like Slick Rick says, it is such a great place to just chill and see how slow you can get your pulse to go. We ran into this one American guy and hung out at a local bar that night. The little hotel we stayed at was so sweet. It has this grandmotherly like woman running it who gave us a discount and insisted we sit down for breakfast the next morning. We took a late flight out of Milan and stayed one more night in Madrid before Em had to catch her flight back to the US of A.

I am the remaining domer from this little Euro tour, and I am writing right now from a hostel called Las Musas, where all of us stayed one of the first weekends. Admittedly I booked it because it was the cheapest, but right now all of these memories are rushing back from the semester and I am realizing how fleeting time is and how much I miss my friends that were here. I also went back to Toledo today to pick up a suitcase from my family's house. They were so awesome to keep it for me, and I have realized how much I really miss them too. Being in Toledo was so weird without all the fall kids.

One more night. My family is coming tomorrow morning, and I am like a little girl at Christmas I am so excited. Actually, that is exactly what I am. This all is so bittersweet, though. I physically cannot even listen to Christmas music because it just reminds me of home. I have not been able to last through even one, have not smelled the fresh pine from a Christmas tree, have not baked or eaten one cookie and have not watched one Christmas movie. For some reason, I just associate Christmas with home and with family. And it is not just about Christmas day, but the entire season leading up to it.. all the hype that I have totally missed out on. I have been telling my friends that we will really have to double dose it next year.

6 DAYS

OMG not ready to say goodbye to everyone yet. And the other day my host family told me they are not ready for me to go either. It was so sweet.. partly because all along I was sure they thought I was some crazy freak they were dying to get rid of. Gracias a Díos!

Finals this week. Then Switzerland, then the family!! My friend Flannery and I also planned out our Sound of Music 2009 Germany/Austria tour. I cannot believe this life is real.

Had a phone interview the other night for that one internship I am trying to get through ND in Chicago. I think all went well. I am not 100% comfortable with questions like "How do you describe your leadership style?" just because I feel like everything I say sounds so scripted and cliché. Who knows. Also might have faltered a bit when they asked me, in Spanish, how I plan to apply my faith to the Chicago Latino community. (what?!) Anything else in Spanish, and I would have been just dandy. Crossing my fingers. 

Have I mentioned how much I hate money?

Fall despedidas in less than 2 weeks??

Yes. I cannot believe it either. In less than two weeks, I will have said goodbye to my Toledo fall Domers and will be on a plane to Geneva. A few friends and I are traveling to Switzerland and Italy, going from Venice to Florence to Cinque Terre to Milan. It is a small group going, and it will be so weird to go without a bunch of the friends I have been traveling with this semester, but I am so excited nonetheless. This huge dorky part of me will be fulfilling my inner Rick Steves as I hike those five little Italian cities (that was one of my fav episodes of RS on PBS actually.) I am so proud to say that I will be one well-traveled individual after this year.

Being an American Studies major, I had this huge fear that after I got back from a year of reading nothing but Spanish and taking classes only in Spanish, I would somehow forget how to conduct my studies in English, so I started reading again for pleasure— in English (which I more or less never do during the school year.) Maybe it was the Crime and Detection class I took freshman year, or maybe because they are such easy reads, but I have been really into murder mysteries and books of the like lately. Sounds weird I know but it feels good again to be able to read a page in less than ten minutes (OK I am exaggerating but reading in Español seriously does take me forever.)

On another note, I think it is hilarious how we Americans have these preconceived notions of Europe being this place on instantaneous love, no matter where or when. I honestly was of that mentality originally as well. I keep hearing these stories of people "falling in love" in Spain, etc. My friend's host parents met because her madre, at the time an American student in Madrid, visited Toledo and fell for this random dude who talked to her in the street— a random dude who would, just years later, become her husband. She would move her life from the US here to Toledo to be with him and later host American students, to whom she would relay this story of, more or less, love at first sight. So I guess I understand why these romantic mentalities still exist, but in reality you run into SO many creeps and nasties wherever you go in Europe (k I am not being fair— there are obviously a fair share in America also obviously.) I think I have just run into too many here unfortunately. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. Aka not that big of a deal in Spain, but since I have Facebook, I obviously end up reading everyone's statuses about going home for Thanksgiving, and it makes me so nostalgic about T-giving with the fam. Waking up uncomfortably early to run in the Turkey Trot, attempting to help cook stuff, passing out later in the day while watching something like Miracle on 34th Street, probably playing Scrabble with the fam, eating leftover turkey. I especially miss it this year because the fam is in South Bend for the first time in a few years. All the SB friends are obviously home, and I miss everyone so much. 

I am starting to realize how much easier spring semester will be. No family holidays we will be reminiscing and crying about here. I should say Easter, but I also have not been home for Easter in like three years. In the spring, I will be more or less on the same wavelength as everyone else in the fact that we all will be leaving April 28. I am looking forward to the fact that I will know this language so well at the beginning of a new semester. I will definitely not be as lost as before! Although this is hard, especially, I think, during this coming month, I am so happy I did this. I am beginning to realize that I am just getting comfortable here, especially with talking. I am really not ready to go yet. It is going to make the going home all the sweeter. 

They are making some special dinner for us tonight— la Celebración de Acción de Gracias. Weird. I have seen turkey here in Spain like twice. 

DUBS

Just got back from Dublin last night. I could not tell you all we did. In all these other European cities we do so much walking around and site seeing and getting lost and all that but this weekend the only one touristy thing we did was go to the Guinness factory (which was SO fun- we sat and sipped for 2 hours with an incredible view of the city up in the Gravity Bar.) We all had some friends who are studying there, so it was so much fun to hang out with other ND kids and also to see the game Saturday night with them (which was NOT quite as cool of an outcome as I would have hoped.) Saturday night though, after the game, was one of the most fun nights we have had in Europe. I can't tell you why, either. I think the Dublin kids got wind that we are the "crazy" ones who stay out till all hours and love to dance, so they took us to this really fun but super crowded pub. It was one of those completely carefree good clean fun nights. Have to say all in all I LOVE Dublin, mainly just for the time spent with my friends. 

Tried to wake up today at 10 and physically could not lift myself out of bed I was that tired. I think I am sick too. I am sure all the rain this weekend did not help much. My friend and I are planning a Austria-Germany trip complete with a Sound of Music tour. As much as I totally miss America, I am starting to love more and more this surreal life I live. It really is the craziest break from reality I have ever experienced. I have no real obligations, no drama, no stress. Maybe I should? oops. Don't worry I am still doing fine in school, padres. 

ho ho ho

I was sitting (no, standing) on the bus on my way to school, listening to my iPod, which I had put on shuffle. What comes on but Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas album. I quickly pressed skip but the sound of the little kids singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing stuck in my head and all day kept thinking about Christmas at home with my family. The days leading up to the big day, when all we do is sit by the fire and drink coffee and hot chocolate. It makes me so sad to think that we will not be at home for Christmas.

I can't help but think of, however, our first Christmas in Charlotte. I thought it would suck so much because we were not at what I thought was my home, in South Bend. It was wonderful, actually, and I remember feeling totally at home. It was not sleeping in my own bed, though, that made it home and it was not the fact that we had to wait forever at the top of the stairs while Mom and Dad "get stuff ready" downstairs and it was not the fact that my sister busted into my room at 6 am to wake me up. It was the fact that I was with my family that made it special.

This entire time I have been whining and loathing in self-pity at the fact that I won't be at my house for Christmas. I have been thinking that it will be sad and different, but in reality I think it might be the best. This will have been the longest I have seen my family, and seeing them Christmas eve eve might be the sweetest gift I ever could have asked for. Really, I am coming home for Christmas in a way. 

Sorry for being so mushy. Just having one of those days. I have also been getting sick lately and I stupidly ran outside when it was like -489 degrees outside, so I am probably worse now than I was yesterday. Must buck up though because we are going to Dublin this weekend!!

oops

I have gotten to the point lately where I want to throw away all my clothes that I brought here. Wouldn't it be so fun to start totally fresh with all new Euroclothes? I was thinking that it would be totally hilarious if I completely assimilated myself into the culture here— kind of like that girl in The Things They Carried who went totally native in Vietnam. Weird thoughts I know. I am kind of starting to love Spanish style though for some reason, and the guys' mullets are growing on me... kidding, I have not come that far yet. 

My friend and I worked really hard on preparing this philo presentation yesterday only to realize that we were supposed to do a different one. So typical. I think that when I go back to ND I am going to be in for the biggest shock of my life... actual long essays and reading hundos of paginas in English. Sublime. 

This weekend we are going to Segovia during the day Friday and then on Saturday Madrid (only for a night) but then Sunday we are staying in the city and going to a futból game. Real Madrid would have been awesome but quite frankly I am scared to death to go to one of those games. The fans can be crazy, to say the least. We are going to a Club Atletico game instead. Cannot wait! It's my host sister Ana's favorite team. The other day they called me into Ana's room to show me Google Earth, and we Googled Summerlake. Made me a little homesick. 

Welcome to America, oops I mean London

So we left Friday morning (super early) for London expecting, certainly, a different kind of weekend, filled with lots of English and money spending and nostalgia about everything English we know. When we got there, though, I felt this weird kind of sadness that I could not pinpoint. I think it had something to do with the fact that the leaves were changing in London just like they do in South Bend (not so much in Toledo), they were putting out Christmas decorations and playing American music. I don't know. Maybe it sounds lame but it made me really miss home. 

At the same time, however, it was so completely awesome to actually be in London— all I could think of was Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Bridget Jones, Spice Girls, Beatles, Charles Dickens and Austin Powers. The British are such lovely people (yea, and I picked up such words as lovely, charming, whilst and mind, used as a verb, like mind the stairs.) We crammed so much into that weekend that my head was spinning by the end of it, in a great way. We did all of the tourist sites like Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, riverboat tour of the Thames and a double decker bus. I was awesome. And it was also awesome asking for things in English and having people understand you! And I know this sounds really petty, but even when eavesdropping in little conversations in the Tube, I felt really cool because for once I could understand everything they were saying and I got quick little glimpses of English gossip. Later on Sunday when we were on the Metro back from the airport to the train station in Madrid, I realized that it is only different here because we really have to tune in to conversations to understand (which I did to this unfortunate group of Spanish guys talking about getting mugged.) I was, admittedly, pretty proud of myself.

Touring around London, it got dark around 4p.m., which was so weird. I had forgotten that they are on a different time zone. They also go out a lot earlier and come back earlier, and places are consequently closed a lot earlier. The bar we were at Saturday night was super fun, but I realized how much I missed Spain when we found ourselves leaving at 2. I also realized that I miss the awkwardness of getting used to a different place and the struggle of a foreign language, if that makes any sense at all. I was almost overjoyed when the man at customs asked me, in Spanish, if I have enjoyed Spain. I really do love it here, have to admit. 

Today I got a care package from my wonderfulbeautiful friend Beth, who will be studying in Dublin next semester. Thanks girl. Trust me, you're going to get a kick out of Europe. I will be in Dublin in a little less than two weeks— I will give you the full report. In the meantime, Bob will keep me company. 

red, white and BLUE!!!!

Last night I have to admit I was just a little bit like a kid on Christmas eve— so hard to sleep, just knowing that something wonderful and kind of magical would happen during the night. I know, it's just an election. But this is something to which I am proud to say I contributed... volunteered, donated, debated with Republicans. There is something kind of sad about being abroad for a moment like this, but at the same time it just makes me appreciate my country even more. 

Today we had a meeting for the people staying abroad for the academic year to discuss next semester's courses, housing situation, etc. It hit me. A year is a long, long time, and it is not even halfway over. It makes me miss my friends so much. It makes me miss even those little moments or random summer nights with my family. It was, admittedly, a hard afternoon. Especially hard because I realized that there is about a week in January after my family leaves when my friends are not here yet. OK, I thought, it might be nice to stay here with the friends I have made (few) from the city of Toledo itself and volunteer or something? But that puts me in a hostel, by myself, for a week. Planning this kind of thing makes me so stressed out I physically felt sick. I later talked with my friend Flannery, who is also staying for the year, and learned that she was in the same situation. I can honestly say I have never been so relieved and overjoyed since I have been here. We decided on a little Germany, Austria and maybe Prague. 

Seriously, I love traveling and experiencing new things but I am not at the place yet to do it by myself. I hope to be there someday, because it does sound like a kind of cool idea. I also need to get a little perspective and stop being sad at the fact that instead of being a complete bum over break, I will be in Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria. God, poor me. 

Lisboa

I know it has been forever since I wrote in this thing and I wish I could say I have just been extraordinarily swamped with homework and unable to find the time for this, but rather I have just been kind of lazy. Also, the Internet, obviously, is never really reliable. I am so frustrated right now with the stupid Internet.

On a sunnier note, we just got back from Lisbon Sunday. What an incredible city. Granted Lisbon is one of those European cities that is kind of off the beaten path and does not have as many touristy attractions, but it was incredible nonetheless. We had a 645 am flight out of Madrid, so instead of paying a total of €300 altogether for taxis early in the morning Friday, we stayed in the Barajas airport overnight. Not altogether hell on earth, but definitely not one of the more comfortable sleeps I have had. All and all though, it was alright. We got to Lisbon exhausted only to learn we could not check into our hostel (which was beautiful by the way) until 2pm. So we took a bus to Fatima, where we saw the site of the famous apparition and the church and everything. It was a little rainy and cool, but definitely a cool experience.

We went to a little flea market across town Saturday, and then to an area called Belem later that night to see some of the sites and try the famous Pasteles de Belem, little cakes that the people there are famous for. It was kind of cool to imagine that big shots like Christopher Colombus and Vasco de Gama hung out in Belem right before sailing across the pond.

I am proud to say I am the first member of my family to visit Portugal. In such a well traveled group, too.

Today is Election Day. While I am really excited about the outcome, etc. etc. I will be happy once this is all over. I am so sick of seeing McCain-Palin on people´s Facebook status. I cannot help but think of David Sedaris´s thoughts on the undecided voter as well. Maybe the reason why I am so passionate about this election is because I am so broke. And I so realize that we need a huge change. I never have really felt the ramifications of a crappy administration until now.

Lisbon!

bloggin´ bout boyz

So my disastrous error on Friday was stressful and expensive, but once again, Barcelona was totally worth it. I know it is a really touristy city, but it is so beautiful I do not even care. We went to the Parc Guell (sp?) and had ourselves a nice little hike and picnic, complete with authentic Spanish aceitunas y pan. We went to the Olympic park and Montjuic, then later to the Magic Fountains to watch the spectacular light and water show. We walked to the Gothic Quarter that night to grab a drink and met up with our friends at this stock market themed bar in the heart of the city. Met a cute Spanish guy, the first one I have not felt creeped out by.

Took a quick and painless flight back to Mad city and found my friends again in the train station. I told my host sister Laura, who is 13 and infatuated with Zac Efron, that I would go with her to see High School Musical 3 with her this week. Wonder if it will be the same with Spanish voiceovers.

The American Studies curriculum changed and now requires 30 credit hours instead of 36. wooweee looks like I will graduate rather painlessly! Also put down the deposit for Marion. Next year will be outstanding.

idiotita

Once upon a crisp Friday morning a young American student, awaken by the whispers and patters of feet of her host family, arose a little tired from the night before but excited nonetheless to see her fellow Domers in Barcelona. Her grand plan was to take the fast train from Toledo to Madrid and then take a quick and painless flight to Barcelona. But Katie Peralta, the idiot, did not realize the necessity of carrying a passport when flying. In her utter naiveté, she thought the same was true in Europe as in the US of A- where it is completely necessary to carry a passport only when flying out of the country. Alas, she thought, a drivers license surely will suffice.

Wrong.

Díos, que una disastre. The flustered and ignorant girl darted through the station, desperate to purchase an immediate ticket back to Toledo to obtain the precious document. The next train, of course, was not to depart for another two hours, roughly ten minutes before her flight was to take off. She called the United States Embassy asking for consejo, then the airline, both which more or less laughed in her pathetic face at the prospect of flying sans pasaporte. Moreover, a rebooked flight that same day, she learned would cost roughly 150 euros, aka maybe three days of summer hell at CPK.

Finding her center and taking a deep breath, remembering everything she had ever practiced at yoga class, young Katherine bought an Ave ticket to Barcelona for later that same day, giving herself plenty of time to return to the casa and retrieve the passport. These things happen. If this kind of thing had happened two years ago, all of Madrid might have witnessed the meltdown of the century.

So is the story of today so far. I am currently sitting in the kitchen of my house, where we have Internet, and about to take off for the train station for the second time in just 8 hours. I have never felt more stupid in my entire life. But, as I was able to articulate (rather well I must add) in Spanish to my host madre, you live and you learn. These things happen and you just have to laugh at it in the end. Of course I think I am going to punish myself for this by forgoing the trip to Sevilla at the end of next month. Way to go, Katie.

Have to admit a little something. I am kind of glad this happened. I got to go home, go for a nice run and get a shower in, then hang out with my host family a bit. I think my host dad had a good laugh at my expense, but I laughed with him. Also, I learned that my host hermano, Alvaro, who is 15, is an avid coin collector and he showed me his hundreds of centavos from all over the world. Does not sound like much but this is huge progress— they said Spanish boys of that age aren't big talkers and what not. It was such a moment.

autobus = obnoxious

They said we are completely forbidden from renting cars here in Europe, but what about vespas?

Obama is ahead in the poles. And I keep hearing more and more about Sarah Palin and is it really true that she just secured her visa two years ago? Pretty sure my youngest sister had hers at age ten. If a ten year old has about as much foreign policy experience as a potential president of the free world, I think I might extend my visa and just stay here in Ethpanya for the rest of my vida. 

a bunch of chicks who painted madrid red, white and blue

Nicola and Kelsey came to Madrid Friday. While a part of me was mildly concerned that I ought to be spending the weekend studying for midterms, the better half of me was so ready to explore the city with some of my awesome friends from school. We took the city by storm, albeit very touristly. We went to the Reina Sophia museum, el Prado, el Palacio Real and the cherry on top of the weekend was the bullfight on Sunday. Yikes. It was not somehting I can say I necessarily enjoyed but for some sick reason it did not bother me, maybe I just was thinking about it as a cultural thing, even though it is an industry much supported by tourists these days.We left feeling a little more cultured.

Yesterday we came back to Toledo way later than expected (nothing is reliable sometimes here, not even the printed train schedule) and I was like 30 minutes late to class.

midterms?

Yes, midterms. Which means the mid of the term. Which means that these weeks have been even more fleeting than I could have ever imagined. What a glorious thing that our exams come during the same time as ND's fall break. I have told myself I will try to get some work done this weekend while my friends are here, but let's be honest. This is me. Given the chance between an awesome weekend taking Madrid by storm with some friends or hibernating in a lonely library with my head stuck in a book, I think you all know what I actually I plan on doing. I have been getting a lot of stuff done this week, don't get me wrong. I just feel like when I sit in here in a library like I am right now I am missing out on real life out there. 

Unrelated, but when I start hunkering down and studying, there is nothing better for me than coffee. And lots of it. So you can understand my frustration with not being able to get café para llevar ANYWHERE in Spain except for the touristy Starbucks in big cities. Coffee on the run simply is not something they do here. I think I am starting to get the Spanish mindset, though. What's the hurry? Sit down, enjoy yourself. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I am in such a hurry to get somewhere or do something that I am forget to take it all in. And trust me, there's a lot to take in here. 

Would anyone like to fill out internship applications for me?

does anyone else really love that ti feat rhianna song?

Got pathetically lost on my way to the Language School today, what else is new. They have us talk to the Spaniards about the most random subjects- and today the subject was healthcare. Well I guess that is not too random but the beginning of class was focused on hitch-hiking (definitely an experience! I recommend you try.) But this one guy in my small group was so enthusiastic and talkative and he was saying how frustrated he is about the economy. He was saying how he would vote for Obama and how it is not fair that only Americans get to elect someone that controls the world economy- that everyone in the world should have some say. Touche.

A few of my friends have parents, boyfriends and friends here this week. It is awesome to be able to talk about this city like it is my own. I cannot wait for my fam to come also-- and so happy that Dad will be able to mingle with the natives and put his lengua Castellana to good use. My host family is so excited to meet them, it´s awesome. My host sibs Laura and Alvaro got a huge kick out of the virtual tour of 2424 Summerlake via Skype, thanks to Mama and Papa Peralta.

dear american studies, please let me graduate in 4 years

I am beginning to get so stressed out about next year— aka the biggest reality check of all time. Back to essays and hundreds of pages of reading a night and thinking about (gasp) the future. I am not getting any American Studies credits over here and while that is OK (aka I will be fine as far as space next year) I am hoping I can still keep my Spanish major and by some act of God do well in all. And internships? ugggh of course it's good to have that on the resumé. But would living in a foreign country for a year suffice?

My family and I watched United 93 in Spanish last night. I think it was interesting for them to watch my reaction and ask questions about that day. It did not occur to me, for some reason, that it did not hit home for other countries like it did for us. They started telling me about the terrorist attacks in Madrid's Atocha Station a few years back (by the same terrorist group) in which tons of people died. I felt, like I always do, ignorant and surprised. 

Nicola and Kelsey come Friday!! I am way stoked to show this new part of my life (Toledo) to another part of my life (friends from school.) Should be a wild week. Perfectly coincides with midterms, dios mio.

mi familia querida

Of course I miss my family— my real family— but I certainly have found a comfortable place with my familia española. I have grown from feeling like they are a nice group with whom I can live peacefully and comfortably to feeling like they are friends for whom I really care and miss when I am gone for a while. 

This weekend we did not travel out of Toledo. I slept in on Friday until almost 2, which I did not feel that bad about because Ana, my 20-year old host sister, slept until almost 3. I ate lunch, the slowest and most leisurely meal of the day, with my familia and then sat down and had cafe con leche with the padres while we watched the news. Usually I do not particularly care to watch TV for that long here— one because I cannot understand a lot of it and two because I feel like there is more I should be doing outside. That day, though, we sat for over and hour and just talked— which I realize is more the purpose of sitting together for that long during the day. I was able to tell stories, laugh at their jokes, ask questions... and consequently I noticed they talked to me more and with more ease and they spoke to me like I see other Spanish people talking to each other: really close and without any regard for personal space. It's awesome though. I feel for once like I fit it. I know this does not sound like a big deal (we sat and talked for an afternoon, so what?) but I really feel like it was kind of a stepping stone. I am getting a lot more comfortable here. 

Last night we came to the Fundación before going out to watch the game, ND vs UNC in Chapel Hill (would have given my left arm to be there but now I don't know if I can show my face again in that state ever again. I mean how unfair is it? Carolina has basketball, give us our time to shine, honestly.) There was a huge storm in Toledo so we missed the last 3 minutes of the game. The lights went out and I felt like I was in some creepy European slasher movie— especially because just the night before this girl from Minnesota had been mugged not even 40 yards from the school. While that is totally creepy and I was a little scared last night, I for some reason never get scared in this city. It is really safe and I tend to readily trust people, which may or may not be a good thing. 

I voted the other day. Less than a month before the elections and I feel like I hear more political enthusiasm here than I heard in the US before any election. Our cab driver, the minute we hopped in the taxi last night, went on this rant about how much the US economy sucks and consequently how it makes the Spanish economy suck and how we need to vote Democratic, yaddah yaddah. I never cease to be impressed by how much Europeans know about us and how little we know about them. 

profesora peralta?

Yes. Scary thought, I know. I volunteered yesterday at la Escuela de Idiomas— the Language School— yesterday in a "level 4" class, which was composed of Spanish folk between the ages of 16 and 40. They all were there completely voluntarily, for the sole purpose of perfecting their English. No bratty teenagers or little kids who would rather have their teeth drilled than learn anything new. No, these people were so driven. Their English was at a level waaay higher than my Spanish and I started wondering why I was not taking a class like this (actually, my Conversación class is comparable but you know, it's a requirement.) The real teacher was saying how lucky they were to have me and this one other American girl there to help out and all the while I was thinking, what?? Sure I am a native speaker, true. I guess I am just kind of blown away by how much more they know here-- about our language, our politics, everything. I feel really ignorant sometimes. I could not even tell you anything besides the president of Spain besides his name and political party. It's embarrassing.

Got an e-mail about the South Park annual Turkey Trot yesterday and it made me very nostalgic (emily b.- oh and ps I am thinking about running a half marathon here, but it will not be the same without you!) I will miss being home for the holidays and every little tradition that goes with! Apparently there is a Thanksgiving celebration here at the Fund- I can only hope they have Aunt Cissy's sweet potatoes and Ellen's pecan pie. 

On another note: Toledo is amazing and I am glad I am staying here this weekend for once. My body is starting to hate me from lack of sleep and all these hills. 

otoño bonito

Went on an excursion to Ávila y Salamanca this weekend (thanks for finally paying for something, ND) and got back Sunday night. I have to admit I was not in my best form Friday morning for the tour of beautiful Ávila, thanks to the Botellón in Toledo Thursday night, which by the way was so much fun. We were supposed to be at the bus stop at 7:30 Friday morning, a few short hours after we had gotten home for the night. My friend called me at 7:28 asking where the stop was and of course I was still in bed. Good thing a few of my other friends were in my same position. I think that the bus driver was ready to kill all of us. I still completely loved Ávila though. It is an old walled city like Toledo and filled with old cathedrals and streets lined with little cafés. Beyond the city walls, though, you can see rolling grassy hills and the air was so fresh and crisp I felt like I was in Ireland. I wish I would have known, though, that it is far colder there than in Toledo— I think because of the altitude. I was a little uncomfortable in my flip flops and thin jacket but enjoyed every minute of that charming little city. Definitely want to go back at some point prepared with adequate sleep and clothing. 

We then went to Salamanca that afternoon. It's a college town with of course lots of cathedrals, convents, monasteries, etc. I obviously loved the 4-star hotel we stayed at and the fact that we had an itinerary, but I probably could have gone without touring a church for 5 hours. I feel like the more serious we are supposed to be, the goofier we act. I have not laughed so hard in my life. All my friends and I were exhausted and freezing that entire morning so we turned to just entertaining ourselves while the poor tour guide spoke in Spanish about the history of this and that. I swear I tried to pay attention. The group of people here is so awesome, though. 

I got home Sunday night to my family, grandmothers and an aunt and uncle in the family room of our apartment. They were watching a bull fight in some little pueblo and when Angel's mother caught me with my mouth gaping and staring wide-eyed at the screen, she laughed and said "No has visto los toros?" No, I replied, and I cannot lie, it was pretty cool— besides all the blood. Their family is so welcoming and sweet— I just feel bad when I cannot say what I want to say. I think sometimes that they must think I am so stupid. 

Last night I helped my host sister Laura with her English homework. For once I felt really useful at the house. It's kind of cool to know now that she knows she can ask me for help. Definite progress. I also understood most of what my poli sci profesora said today, for once. Then I found the correos, the post office, all my little independent American self. 

it's really starting to hit me now

As I ran through the park in Polígono today, I could not help but think how much I miss those lakes on campus. The crisp cool Midwest mornings before class, trees turning deep red and yellow, Drummers' Circle at midnight before game day, the smell of grills and tailgates, my friends waking me up way to early to start getting ready for the game, camping out in the library writing papers, living in the basement of South Dining Hall with the Observer, everything Notre Dame. 

Oh and then there's the rest of my life. I miss the smell of North Carolina at night, watching Jeopardy at dinner with my family, making my sister give me back massages, staying in to watch movies with my sisters even though I am 21, taking the South Shore to Chicago, Euchre with c5, laughing til I cry with my friends from home. It's starting to hit me, and I miss home. 

barthelona

Just got back from Barcelona a few hours ago. We took the overnight train (note to self: NEVER again) Friday and Sunday nights so as to 1) maximize our time in the city and 2) save about 150 euros or so. I am glad to have done it just this once, but it was not worth the extra money at all. It smelled like body odor and old food and the people (2 rando strangers) were completely making out in our cabin on the way back. It was disgusting and after the 9 and a half hours were over I don't think I have ever been so happy to see the inside of the Madrid train station— where not only did they speak and write in Spanish instead of Catalan but also advertised in bright neon that Toledo was only half hour away. 

OK enough bitching. Seriously this weekend was more than incredible. For once (kind of sad to admit) I had WAY more fun during the days than at night. We got in Saturday morning at like 7:30 and emerged at the bottom of the Ramblas (big touristy strip of Barcelona with restaurants, etc.) only to be greeted by fresh Mediterranean air and the huge statue of Christopher Columbus. I was grumpy at first but then realized, like everyone else, how incredible is this?! When else will we be able to see Barcelona at daybreak before the bustle of tourists? Great start to the weekend.

We continued the day with a visit to the Picasso Museum. I honestly was not too thrilled going into it because I knew I was not a huge fan of his- cubism really is not my style. It ended up being pretty cool actually. The museum, located in the heart of Barcelona, took you through the many phases of his career and proved me wrong about thinking Picasso was only about weird geometric shapes and distorted faces. 

We later took a visit to the Chocolate Museum, as recommended by Rick Steves. Interesting, but kind of disappointing. Don't you just think of free samples galore when you think of a chocolate museum?

We later walked the Ramblas and ventured into a huge outdoor market, where we picked up fruit, bread, cheese and wine to take to the park. We sat on benches and enjoyed our two-buck chuck while Spaniards walked through hand in hand, dogs barked, children laughed and the sun shone. It was one of those genuinely beautiful afternoons that I just wanted to sit and feel everything going on around me. We went to this little lake and took boat rides in these cute dinky rowboats. 

The next day was hot and gorgeous. We went to mass (yea, can you believe it?) at the Catedral and visited Gaudi's Sacred Family Church, which was started back in the 1880s and is not expected to be finished being built for another 50 years. Another Steves recommendation, and while I paid the 8 euro entrance fee very begrudgingly, it was definitely something I am glad I saw. We later went to this one huge park at the edge of the city (can't remember the name but it had Gaudi buildings all over for the city's nobility back in the day) and finished off the day with a walk to the Olympic Stadium and of course, sangria.

One thing I have come to realize for certain is that Europeans have no shame whatsoever. Chunky Europeans will wear whatever they want proudly, no matter if they should have thrown it away four or five waist sizes earlier. They make out mercilessly and passionately in the streets, no matter who is watching. They proposition you most disgustingly, no matter who you are or what kind of other guys you are with. They tell you the honest to God truth, no matter how frustrated or disappointed you already are. These are things that are delightful and shocking about this place. All things that make me think and rethink my everyday as well.  

can't believe 3 weeks have gone by

I was blow drying my hair the other night and I blew a fuse. All the lights in the house went out and my host dad cursed and I quickly put down the secadora and scampered to my room, as if they wouldn't know it was me. I emerged and pretended I had no idea what was going on. "Que pasó?" I asked Alvaro. "No hay luz." Thanks. I think he thinks I am the biggest idiot in the world. They came back on after a second. oops.

These days are passing so fast. I heard we only have 9 weekends left after this, which is crazy. Weekends here are neither relaxing nor homework-filled, as they often are at school. They are, however, times when I feel the most worldly and overwhelmed. Maybe that's why we are all so exhausted all the time. It's so much more tiring during the days here because you're so out of your element every second of the day. I can't sleep through the night anymore and I don't know why. The weird dreams continue. 

I downloaded four episodes of Gossip Girl yesterday. Some things I just cannot change about my American self. Dad I promise I will pay you back. I wonder-- if Spaniards watched our TV shows like we watch theirs, would they think our shows are as weird and random as we think theirs our? The TV is usually on at the house when my host family is home. They watch this one show every night during dinner that I swear is a cross between Bozo the clown, Jackass and Bill Bye the Science Guy. I swear it is the weirdest thing I have ever seen but they get the biggest kick out of it. There was one segment where they showed a picture of this questionable patch of creased skin and on the bottom of the screen flashed the words "codo o culo?" or "elbow or ass?" I don't just don't know.

hope I am doing this right

My friend Eric said that his host mother had to have a talk with him about the lights. She said that they are very expensive and that we must be careful to use the electricity sparringly. Not only did I feel bad for my friend, but I also got to wondering if my family is secretly thinking the same thing. Do I use too much water? Do I keep the lights on for too long? Am I messy? I find myself nodding and saying Si! and entiendo and por supuesto after a lot of what my family says, often because I have no idea what it was. What if they know that half of what they say goes right over my head? What if they don´t want to say anything to me about my domestic faults because they are just sure I won´t get it?

I think thought that we do have an ok thing going on. Yesterday Laura, my host sister who is 13, came into my room after school and asked, in broken English, what are the names of your parents? How old are you? thus demonstrating the English she learned on her first day. I hope that I will help her with her English just like she, knowingly or not, has helped me with Spanish. Even if I use the wrong article in front of a noun, she will correct me. Her mom I think is not too thrilled when this happens but I appreciate it more than anything. I am learning so much from screwing up my everyday speech and asking people what they just said or what this means or how do you say this or that.

The unfortunate thing is that the Internet at the house usually does not work, thus making skype at night pretty tough. Anyone able to talk in the mornings (your time?) when it is afternoon here and I am at the Fundacion with my working laptop and internet??

All my family and friends who post on this blog-- thank you!! I am so glad to hear from everyone and to know that you are keeping up with my European shenanigans. I am not sure if I have everyone´s e-mail so if you want to shoot me one, my address is kperalta@nd.edu. Miss you all very much. And very proud of my favorite middle sister who is taking ND by storm.

I bet my perpetually dirty feet disgust my familia

Another weekend and another few hundo dropped. Good times, gorgeous city. The difference between traveling with my friends and traveling with my family is that we estudiantes tend to have no idea what is going on. We waltz in without much of a game plan and get lost in the city— a feat which is definitely an adventure in and of itself. We will stumble upon local cafés and bars per suggestion of the concierge at wherever we are staying— only to discover thousands of people and counters crowded with churros con chocolate or sangria con tapas... all places which are obviously local favorites. I kind of like this spontaneity. 

There are definitely times when I wish I were just with my family— when we have a nice rented car and hotel and dad whips out this extensive itinerary of hikes, museums, restaurants. I guess you could say I just miss my family. Oh and I also like being taking care of. All part of growing up though. 

I cannot help but feeling like I am still 14 years old when I just smile and act like I know exactly what is going on. That seems to happen quite a lot here. If you act like you have it all together, I think you eventually will. It sounds cliché but honestly I don't know one person in our group here who is too scared to go out and try something new just for the hell of it. It takes a lot of guts and trust in yourself but that is the awesome thing about this kind of opportunity. The idea of being somewhat "settled" right now or anywhere in the near future scares me to death. 

I keep picking up little Spanish idiosyncrasies and using them in everyday speech, which is superb. They say vale after like everything. Necesita apuntarse en la lista. Vale? Which was really weird getting used to because I has never heard it before. It is the equivalent to us saying something like "ok" or "got it?" after sentences. 

My family ordered pizza for dinner last night and it was like an hour and a half late. By 11, Angel, mi padre, was so frustrated I felt a little bad for the delivery guy. It was hilarious. I understood the whole ordeal though and proposed they should get their food gratis. Very proud I got what was going on. 

el kapital

Madrid. is. awesome. It´s the coolest thing that we are only an hour and less than 5 euros away from this incredible city. It´s rich in history, cultural, fashion and tourism of course. Tons of Americans here. Three girls in our hostel apparently live down the hall at Wake Forest from a few kids I went to high school with. Small world.

We went to this 7 level club last night downtown. The crowd there was like the Manhatten upper east side version of Spanish people- so Gossip Girl. The guys there were some of the most attractive European men I have ever seen. Everyone here is so formal and fancy. I felt underdressed in my little black dress but still had a big time. The good news is though that they looove Americans- more specifically the girls, which is why you have to be on your toes the whole time but it´s alright because our ND guys, more like brothers, always are making sure we are alright. It´s a pretty awesome group.

This hostel situation is quite an experience. I have said goodbye to personal space, privacy and always having to feel clean. I have felt slightly dirty ever since I came here, I have no idea why. I would kill for a pedicure.

The bad news is money is pouring just flying out of my pocket. What do I spend on? Honestly itç´s insane. I am pretty frugal and don´t really like shopping. Traveling is expensive but seriously so worth it.

This is like a big kid version of summer camp, except I won´t come home after just a few weeks with a tan, mosquito bites and scrapes on my kness. This camp will enable me to speak a different language, will make me a little stronger and a little smarter, will introduce me to worldly concepts no professor on campus could teach me, and will leave me devastatingly, completely, and hilariously broke as a joke.

me gusta la biblioteca

Hope ya like the reference above.

Yesterday I asked for directions all by myself, found the library all by myself, filled out weird Spanish forms all by myself and aquired a library card all by myself. Sounds pretty mundane, right? Wrong. I was so proud of myself. People ask me for directions, like I am a native or something. It´s excellent. And when they hear my last name they just assume I am. I want to meet the family in Madrid asap.

I also had a full throttle politics chat with my family last night over marisco. I learned neither of mis padres like Zapatera, the president of Spain, or Bush, which is also excellent. Mi padre is an avid Obama fan. It is so crazy how much more they know about our politics than we know about theirs. I actually am kind of embarrassed. And I could understand like 65% percent of what he said, instead of the usual 20-30%. Kidding. But seriously, it was progress.

Madrid this weekend with mis amigos. Should prove to be as much of a success as Valencia. I hate money though. It´s starting to stress me out.

I have been at school all day with one contact. It´s been weird.

dios mio

I keep having these wild dreams at night and I wake up not knowing where I am. It makes this new life even more surreal and makes paying attention in class even harder. Which is superb because there is no spacing out here. On campus it was so easy (sorry Mom and Dad, but it is true. I still learn a lot.) 

We have been booking trips to these crazy awesome places all over Europe— Lisbon, Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Paris. I am so glad I worked a ton this summer but when all is said and done I know I did not make enough. Money is something I really hate thinking about and it feels like the stock market in here when people are planning. Who wants Paris for 150 euros???? Yea yea yea!!! and other cities over and over and over and over again. 

My head is spinning. And then there's next years housing to think about and homework and missing family and understanding the language...

Good news though. Tendonitis seems to be gone and I am running again. That huge hole in my everyday is gone. That is one thing of which I can be sure of these days. But outside in the morning it sometimes smells like rotten eggs and industrialization. I miss los lagos de ND..

centro comercial

Today mi hermana took me to the mall here in Poligono. I feel like everything that comes out of my mouth right now sounds idiotic and childlike. I am sure it is. Needless to say at the end of our little excursion I apologized for my español. She seemed to understand that it definitely takes time. This family has had more than like 10 students stay with them over the course of I think 4 years. Part of me just wants time to fly until like a few weeks from now so that I will be a little more proficient, but being here is so priceless I would not want to wish that away.

I'm excited for Nic and Kelsey to come visit!! It's cool that I actually am familiar enough with this area to be able to show people around. It's kind of nice when people ask me for directions. 

This torn feeling again though. I would give my right arm to go to Michigan State this weekend. Que lastima.

If you are reading this and want to call me, it is free for me if you call. 011-34-689-258-366. It's not free for you but you know you love me. 

home

Back in Toledo. Valencia was completely beautiful and so much fun. I did not feel totally as safe and comfortable there as I do here in Toledo. It feels nice to be back- kind of like being home. Someone told me before we left that the best way to get rid of some homesickness was to travel away and when you get back to Toledo it feels nice because it is so familiar and, in a way, comfortable. That is definitely the case right now. I am writing from la cucina in my family's house, where the Internet sometimes works, as Patri's madre shuffles around the kitchen cleaning stuff after a delish home cooked dinner.  

Last night, as you all know, ND beat Michigan. It was so frustrating because we could not find one place where it was playing (which is to be expected, I am just a needy little American student) so I told my dad to call me every quarter with updates. He called at the end of the game, voiceless, and said that we won. I don´t think I have been that triumphant in a long time. Looking back it is pretty embarassing now how we did Irish cheers in a discoteque and sang "Proud to be an American" at the tops of our lungs through the streets. To any and all Europeans who saw or heard me, I apologize. Way to give America a great name.

Thank you tons for commenting!! I am so glad to hear from people and hear updates on what is going on back home. I am glad to hear Ellen is lovin ND and so jealous that she is now at the dinner table at Annie´s. I heard there was a huge hurricane? I am so out of it. The news said it was right near Tio Juanito- I hope he´s safe and sound. I definitely do not miss those high gas prices.

mas

I know you must be thinking Katie is so dumb for being online in this incredible city. I am however very committed to keeping this thing updated as much as possible. Esp bc I don´t have Internet a lot of the time at home.

Valencia continues to amaze me. We walked around the city today and climbed to the top of the Catedral de Valencia. The beach (so cool to say I have been in the Meditterranean now) was gorgeous and perfect place for an afternoon siesta. Lots of thongs and boobies though- yikes. I forgot about the nudie beaches.

This one Canadian guy we met is here in Spain for 4 months- by himself. Just taking a break from life in Quebec I guess. I think that´s such a cool thing and I feel kind of like we are doing the same thing, of course with a few classes here and there. It does not even seem real.

The night life here is awesome and the city seems to wake up even more after 2 am. It was a great success with the exception of everything being superexpensive and men here feeling free to grab young American passerbys whenever and wherever- gag me.

Mich game tonight. Have been missing campus tonight, and all the festivities that go with (3N, hello I miss you! And the breakfast of champions.)

Valencia

I just bought and AMstel out of a vending machine- Europe is da coolest. This hostel situation is actually pretty cool. I did not know that they spoke in such a different dialect here. This just keeps getting more and more confusing but it should be quite a weekend.

frustrating

I miss you.

Last night we went out in downtown Toledo for my friend´s birthday and I was told I speak like a Mexicana since I use words like ahorita. I cannot tell if this is an insult. I am glad I sound like some kind of Spanish speaking person rather than some obnoxious American gringa but realized how frustrating understanding the language here can be. I had no trouble (not entirely true) understanding the accents of South Americans last summer, but here it is so different. I was reminded that we have only been here for a week and to chill out, but for some reason last night it just really got to me. I was frustrated with not being able to jump in Civ and drive wherever, with not being able to express myself verbally, with not being able to call people and talk about nothing for hours, with not being able to see all my friends and family.

I have heard that the best thing for this kind of feeling is to get away, and when you get back your home away from home starts to actually feel like a home. We are leaving for Valencia tomorrow after a guided tour of Toledo. I have actually started feeling at home with the Perez´s- I like my comfy little room, love the way the house smells with all the windows open in the evening and look forward to speaking with them every night.

progreso

Last night I had dinner (which we eat at like 10 or 11) I actually could understand most of what my family was saying. Mi hermanita is attached to her cell phone and loves to shop. She hates drinking and has this huge tatoo on her back. My host parents also have matching tatoos on their calves. Is that a European thing? They also LOVE watching television just like Americans do0 especially the Simpsons and the kids love the Disney channel. More to come in a few we are going to the plaza ahorita.

las clases

Today we started classes. My first was at 840, which is very unspanish. When I told my host family what time I had to be at the bus station they all shuddered. It is not that bad except here it is way harder to space out or doze off in class because it is totally necessary to catch everything that the professor says, which I definitely did not today.

Last night mi hermanita Laura brought in one of those teeny bopper magazines we used to read when we were like 12. Remember thoseª like BB and Bop with the centerfolds of JTT and Brad Renfro% She had one with, obviously, the Jonas Brothers and Zac Efron, whom she was shocked and angry to find out was dating whatsherface from HSM. Laura is so awesome because she just loves to talk and talk and talk and she is the one from whom I have definitely learned the most about Spanish kids. I also learned the Spanish word for castration, do not ask me how.

Sangria is delicious. And good news I slept through the night for the first time in a looong time. Excuse me if I am not online all that often my casa only has internet sometimes and in the kichen, so right now I am using a comp a the Fundacion and the punctuation symbols are really confusing%·%ª""/(()¡!)¡

de mi casa

Hola! Tengo una familia:)

They live in a little residential part of Spain right next to Toledo called Poligono, which is about a 20 or 30 minute ride into the city. They are the Perez's and have three kids- Ana is 20, Alvero is 15 and Laura is 13. The mother is Petri and the father is Angel. They have a dog and two birds, one which is a parrot, loro, and will call to the dog in Spanish. I felt really bad when I first got here and saw Laura moving stacks of notebooks and sweaters out of the room that was to be mine. I think I took her room. Another giveaway is the number of High School Musical posters up on the wall. She is really sweet and has been helping me with my Spanish a lot, as have all of the family members. Her eyes lit up when I took out this little joyero and started taking out earrings and necklaces. So I gave here this little bracelet and she was so thrilled.

Last night we went to our first discotheque. It was everything I thought it would be. Lots of techno, lots of smoke, lots of creepers. Definitely lots of fun though. Before that we were at this Irish bar called O'Brien's hoping to catch a bit of the game. Yea right. When there is a futból game on, nothing else in the world matters.

llegada

Hola de España:) 

We arrived in Madrid at about 8AM local time, which is about 2AM body clock time. From there we took an hourlong bus ride to Toledo, where we schlepped our 50+ pound bags in the rain through these narrow cobblestone alleys to the Fundación. Not exactly the magical Euroentrance I had envisioned. Jetlagged, cranky and soaking, I wanted nothing more than to meet and greet with the host family, unpack my things and take one fat siesta. Then came the icing on the cake— my host family is on vacation and will not be able to pick me up until tomorrow, which means I and a few other ND kids will be staying in the Fund dormitories tonight. 

Everything changed, though, as soon as I looked out the window during a tour of the facilities. I forgot about being exhausted and frustrated and realized how completely incredible this is. I was completely in awe at the towering medieval buttresses of the cathedral just outside our school, of the thatched roofs of these ancient Spanish casas, of the rain-fresh air and cloudless blue sky. 

Also pretty uplifting was that despite their thick castilian accents and rapid speech, I was able to understand like everything that the professors were saying today. Sweet.

de españa

One.

Seems like just yesterday I was picking up and leaving South Bend to move here to Charlotte. Then I was ready for another change and headed back up Under the Dome. Now, it's time for yet another big move-- Spain. Not exactly moving there, but I will be there studying for a year. Please don't forget about me. I'll come back the same, I promise, just as I always have. But this time I won't be drinking "swaaate tea" and saying 'yes ma'am' and 'ya'll have a great day' but rather just lisping my s's a little and talking with a slight Castilian twang. 

Despite the fact that I am basically illiterate when it comes to computers, I am going to try to update this thing as much as I can so I can keep everyone up to date on what's going on over there. 

Let's keep in touch. 

My mom and I went hiking today. It was really beautiful to look down at this huge national park and weird to see hawks (kik) flying below us. The rest of the day was obviously spent with more Spain prep and later the Republican National Convention. I'm not going to talk about politics on this. The Peralta house was heated.

Talk to you soon.