¡ESPAÑA, PODEMOS!

Saturday I slept in till really late and then went to Victor's to have breakfast. We watched Lost while eating breakfast and lazed around. I know something new and different for us. Then we went out into the blazing heat and bought him 2 polo shirts. Then when we got back home we packed up and too food to Los Ogíjares for lunch. When we got there we swam for a while to work up and appetite. Then we ate lunch and watched Lost during and after. It was really fun. Then we started hearing noises and Nacho, Alicia and the kids had come over to swim as well. Then Pepa and Emilio came over because they heard that everyone else was there. Then Nacho and Alicia's friends. So we swam some more and then Nacho and friends left, and then Pepa and Emilio did. We stayed and watched a bit more Lost and then packed up and went to Michelle's for dinner. We were there with Samar, Jenna and Michelle and Victor watched the game which was really good and we ate a hodge podge meal made up of food people needed to use before leaving. We had crepes, pasta, asparagus and tomatoes and steaks. Then we sat around and chatted and went home. At home we watched more Lost and snacked and then I went to bed.

Sunday I woke up and showered and went to church. It was pretty good. Then afterwards we went to pick up Victor's grandma from her house to take her to Los Ogíjares for lunch. We parked and Victor went up to help her with some stuff to bring down. Turns out it was bags of food, clothes, random junk, a walker, a bird in a cage and a ton of stuff. That took a long time and I was smashed in the back seat next to the walker with the bird in my lap. Then we got there and had to unload it and I helped Abuela put the food in the fridge and get things settled enough to go eat. Then we had paella and went swimming. After a while I saw this rat, and we tried to scare it away but it wasn't moving. We figured it was sick and tried to catch it but couldn't. Then we swam some more. Then we went in and ate some ice cream and went home. We watched Lost but Victor fell asleep and as I was, Pepa and Emilio came home. Then Victor left, rather early because he wanted to make it back to Málaga for the quarter finals game of the EuroCup that Spain was playing in. I was bummed he left so early and that we couldn't watch the game together. My roommates had been home all weekend so I was avoiding my house as much as I could and so since it was burning up, and my roommates were home, I stayed in Pepa's air conditioned house and used the internet, ate dinner and watched the game. It was a really good game, tied all the way to the end and through the 30 minute overtime. Spain beat Italy in penalty kicks, which it hasn't done in 88 years. (Beat Italy at all!) So then people started going crazy! They were running and screaming in the streets, honking their horns, it was insanity. Then I was on the phone for a bit with Victor and my friends trying to nail down a game plan. I ended up walking to Calle Elvira to meet Samar and Cristiana in a tetería. On my way I passed through Puerta Real and Fuente de las Batallas which had tons of people in it! Even kids on the tippy top part. It was insane. The people had stopped traffic, cars and motos were honking and waving flags, pure insanity. Then I met the ladies at a tetería and then we walked around a bit. I ran into Dani and Wali, who were with Jorge, Wali's cousin from Florida, and 3 American girls they had picked up. They were going to Dani's workshop to play flamenco music and sing. I went along and Samar and Cristina went home. It was a really fun night because the house is in a huge old carmen in the albayzín, totally run down, but with amazing views of la alhambra. Dani plays the guitar very well and Wali sings well too. I love flamenco and it was awesome to get in in the local jam session way. Also it was fun for me because the 3 other American girls could barely speak Spanish, so I was the translator and in on all the inside Spanish jokes. We were there for a while and finally went out and I went home and got to bed around 4.

Monday I obviously had a terrible time waking up, took a shower and went to work with Pablo. Then when I got home I made the mistake of signing online and talking to Michelle. My next mistake was mentioning to her that no one had sent me any bumper stickers on Facebook for a while (something she is particularly good at.) So then we started sending bumper stickers to eachother and completely wasting time for at least 2 hours. Then I decided to switch things up and go watch the Simpsons. Meanwhile I was trying to plan a lunch date with Samar and Jenna, but no one could decide or commit so the plan didn't come to anything and I went and made myself lunch and ate closer to 4. Then I took a mini nap for about 45 minutes till my mom called me, used the internet some more, suffered in the ridiculous heat, sent out a few resumes, got frustrated and finally went to meet Michelle at hippy coffee. We were there for a while, talking with Mohammued, Michelles roommate-to-be and other randome people who gave constant opinions about what I should do with my life. One guy, Antonio, was pretty nice and sincere at least. Then we went to meet Samar and Jenna at Fresco, a buffett like Fresh Choice. It was really yummy but there was this girl who was staring at us constantly, which made me uncomfortable and self concious about going to get more food. But she finally left and I did. :) Then after dinner we went to a tetería and the girls got a hooka. It was really hot in there and I was getting really claustrophobic but everything turned out ok. Then we parted ways. It was June 23, the eve of Saint Juan's day. There are many traditions around this holiday. Most have to do with water, maybe because its Saint John the Baptist? So in Lanjaron, there is a huge water fight, and all along the coast, they have huge beach bonfires. You can jump over the fire and ask for a wish, or write a wish on a piece of paper and throw it into the water. Then at midnight you go down to the water and put your feet in. Pepa told me to wash my face with lots and lots of water at midnight so that I would be beautiful all year. Sea water was better, but Granada water would do. So I had heard there was a bonfire up on paseo de los tristes so I went looking for it. On the way this huge drunk Spanish guy started messing with me/hitting on me in English. Then I heard this other guy say, "Rachel!!!" I looked and it was Dani, Victor's same freind from the night before. He explained to the big guy, Paco, that I was Victor's girlfriend. Victor's nickname is Ligre, the Spanish version of Liger. So Paco goes, "Oh la ligresa!" or "Oh the ligeress" (as in female liger.) That was pretty funny and he called me that all night. So then we walked to Plaza Nueva and hung out for a bit. I never made it to look for the bonfire, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't there anyway. I got tired and went home around 2 and washed my face with lots and lots of water and went to bed.

Tuesday morning, exhausted as usual I woke up and showered and went to work. I had a pretty good class with Pablo and then came home and picked up my room, which was a mess. Then I went to pick up my friend Brenda. She had just arrived to Granada for a 2 week visit and I picked her up at the Palacio de Congresos. Then back at home she showered and I blogged for a bit. (I have been working on this blog since then, but it just keeps getting longer.) Then we went and met Michelle and Samar at the University Dining halls, which I had always wanted to try. Unfortunately, you have to prove that you are going to the university of Granada to eat there which none of us were. So we gave up and went and got tapas near Plaza de Toros. After that we went to hippy coffee and had lemonade and juices. Then I took Brenda home and went to have my last class with Carlos and Marta. When I rang the doorbell, they asked who it was and went "Oh, Rachel..." in a dissapointed voice and I knew they had forgotten again. Mari Paz had let the kids go swimming with their friends and forgot to tell me. The good thing was that they still paid me and we chatted for a bit. They go to La Herradura for the month of August too so we'll be able to see eachother then. Then I came back home and talked on the phone to my parents, took a little nap and then Brenda and I went to the grocery store to buy some food for the week. We made a sandwich for lunch and then walked up to Plaza Nueva, met Michelle there and then walked to Paseo de Los Tristes. I didn't see any evidence of a bonfire from the night before. We sat and talked for a long while untill we saw some gross doggy porn. These 2 dogs were getting it on right in front of us and no matter where we moved they kept following us. We left and walked down toward the cathedral and Samar called us. Michelle went home and Brenda and I went and met Samar and went to the comedy show at Mae West. It was pretty funny, but I was tired from so much walking. Then we went home and went to bed.

Wednesday June 25th, 2008 I woke up and showered and went to work. Then I came home and Brenda and I had sandwiches. Then we went up to the Alhambra and walked around that from 1-6. It was of course blazing hot and really tiring as it was a huge walk up there and constant walking there. Then we walked home and visited with Emilio for a while and talked to Pepa on the phone to get the keys to Los Ogíjares to go swimming the next day. Then we went home and rested for a long time. I translated my resumé to Spanish and sent it out a few times. Then I went and visited with Pepa and got the keys and then Brenda and I went and had dinner at Samar's house with Michelle. We had strawberry balsamic chicken with onions and rice. It was good. Then we went home, I used the internet some more as Brenda took her night shower and then went to bed.

Thursday I woke up and had my last class with Pablo. It went fine, I don’t think he was too upset to see me go. Then I came home and Brenda was still getting ready and went out for a little walk. She ended up shopping at El Corte Inglés. At 12 we were having a roommate meeting with the landlord. I guess he was freaking out about something, I woke Adrian up and the four of us chatted a bit to get our stories straight before he got there. Then he did and it all hit the fan. To make a long, horrible meeting short, we owed money for the last utilities bill and he wanted to calculate what we would spend for the rest of the month and charge us that too. That plus when he originally rented out the apartment 2 years ago, the deposit was only 150€ each, and we had all paid Magdalena 160€. Obviously he wasn’t going to give us back what she basically stole from us, so that was our problem. So that was a lot of fun, getting charged 50€ for calculated expenses and loosing 10€ to supposedly my friend who I’m pretty sure isn’t dumb enough to do such a thing on accident. There was a lot of yelling in-between because our landlord is insane and that’s it. Then Samar came over, then Michelle, then Brenda came back. Then I had to go to the bank and deposit money so we could go on our Lorca trip on Saturday. Then finally, an hour and 15 minutes behind schedule, we went down to get the finaly directions from Pepa and Emilio on how to get to their house in the pueblo for some swimming. We got on a bus to go there and a lady told us to get off 2 stops after she got off. So I was trying to orient myself and realized even though she was still on the bus we should have gotten off at a stop I was watching shrink away in the distance. So I tried to remain calm and trust that the lady knew what she was talking about. We asked her again and she seemed to get upset, answered and then moved to the back of the bus. So Then we got off 2 stops after her and started wandering around Los Ogíjares, asking people if they knew were Calle Huerta de Belén was. We asked several people and after I don’t know how much walking finally found the house. It was amazing!! Nice and cool and a pool all to ourselves. We swam and sunbathed and ate lunch and then a little later, Abuela came over to see what we were up to. She just sat there and talked to us and finally left. Then Samar had to leave to go to work and then Michelle, Brenda and I left around 6:30 or so. We wandered again trying to find a bus stop to take us back to Granada. We found one and waited and thankfully a bus came right away … and … went right past us without stopping. Apparently that wasn’t a stop for that bus. So we walked ahead a little further to the next stop, which would be. We were bored and knew that the next bus wouldn’t be by for a while so we started trying to hitchhike. Most people just waved, laughed or gave us a thumbs up too. Then this one car stopped with 2 young kids in it. At first they said they were going to Granada, then they said they weren’t and wouldn’t take us. They were jerks anyway. So we kept at it and then this other guy stopped. He said he could go out of his way a bit to take us. I was surprised as he had 2 car seats in the back of his car and mentioned that he was a little full already. But no, he got out and moved a car seat so we could all fit. His name was Sergio and he was really nice and we chatted and he dropped us off at home! I know dangerous, but it turned out all right so no problem. It was also free and faster than waiting for the next bus. Then at home, Michelle left and Brenda went to the pharmacy and I went downstairs to send a fax for the Lorca trip, return the keys to Pepa and tell them about our Ogíjares Adventures. They thought I was crazy. Then I came home and Brenda still wasn’t back from the pharmacy and I was a little worried so I went down to look for her. She wasn’t there so I went to the store and bought munchies and junk food for dinner and to watch the game. Then I got home and Brenda was back, she had gone to a different store and bought stuff for dinner. So she made turkey burgers and I just ate a patty. Then it was almost time for the game to start so I took a record breaking fast shower and then we watched the game. This was the semi-final game of the Euro Cup against Russia who we had previously beat 4-1. But you never know with sports. It was a good game and Spain won 2-0 I think. Samar and Michelle came over and we had a huge delicious spread of food to munch on. It was really fun and afterwards we cleaned up and went out to celebrate. Everyone was really tired so our celebration consisted of walking to the fountain in Puerta Real which was once again covered with people and destroyed. Then we walked Samar home and Michelle to Plaza Einstein. Then Brenda and I walked up to Gran Via, got and ice cream on the way and then home. It was pretty fun and crazy seeing all the people celebrating on the streets. That would never happen in the States where the whole country celebrated something together. Granted the States are much bigger but… Then we came home and went to bed.

Friday we slept in and got ready and went and walked around the Cathedral and Brenda did some shopping. We visited Soufian’s store and chatted and I got a little coin purse. We looked all over and were going to visit the cathedral but it was closed. Then we walked down to Samar’s house and went with her to a place to get lunch. We got Moroccan tapas which were really good. Then we walked back up to Gran Via, got an ice cream at Los Italianos, and walked back down to her house. Then Samar went to have coffee with some friends and say goodbye and Brenda and I stayed at her house, drank water and I made plans with Michelle online and took a little nap. Then Samar got back and then Michelle came over. We chatted, helped Samar pack, and I cleaned out her cupboard with all the food they were just leaving in the apartment. Then we all had to say goodbye. Michelle was leaving that night to go work at a summer camp in Barcelona for a month and Samar was going to Brussels to spend time with Luis before heading back to Puerto Rico. It was sad but surreal so it didn’ t really sink in. They are the last of my friends to go so now I am here all alone, except for Brenda. Brenda and I then went and printed a paper for the Lorca trip the next day and then went home. I took a shower and then Victor got there. We all chatted a bit and then went out and got some tapas. It was pretty good but Victor was tired and went home early. Then Brenda and I walked around some more and tried to find some flamenco much at this one place that supposedly always has it. But it must start much later than when we got to hear it because we’ve missed it 2 times. We sat in a different café for a while where there was this homeless looking gipsy guy kind of playing the guitar and chatted. Then back at home everyone was there. Adrian was watching tv, Rosa and Zore and Miche, her special friend were there moving things, Brenda took a shower and Victor and I talked. Then I let Brenda sleep in my room, since there would be so much noise in the living room and I went and slept in one of the extra bedrooms in Victor’s house. It was good to spend time with and talk to Victor as it seems like I hadn’t all week. Then I went to bed.

Saturday June 28th I woke up early and showered and we went to go on La Ruta de Federico García Lorca. Federico Garcia Lorca is a poet from Granada who was unjustly assassinated during the Spanish Civil war. He is very famous and I have studied him quite a bit over my academic career. We started out almost missing the bus as we were in the wrong spot waiting, but thankfully the guide called me and we found them. Then we went to the Lorca family’s summer home, in the FGL park right in Granada. I had recently been but it was interesting because the guide mentioned different things than the guide I had just had. Then after that tour we got back on the bus and went to the pueblo where he was born in Fuente Vaqueros. There we got another tour of the house where he was born and lived in until he was 7. The guide was also very interesting there too. Then we went to another pueblo were he lived from age 7 to whenever they moved into the city of Granada. It used to be called Asquerosa, which means disgusting, but its now called Valderubios, for the tobacco that they grow there. Once again, we enjoyed a very interesting house and tour. I saw and old enema giving device which scared me. In between all the pueblos, our guide who went with us on the bus gave us long detailed explanation about everything. She talked a lot, which I love stories and information but I was so tired I kept falling asleep. P.S. I forgot to mention that we were on this tour with only 2 other old couples. It was funny. Then we drove to Alfacar and had a delicious lunch. I ate every single thing they bought us. I felt like I had been hungry since Brenda got there since she barely eats anything so a huge salad, a big plate of pork, potatoes and green beans and mushrooms with bread and mine and Brenda’s delicious huge flan was exactly what I needed. I felt a little embarrassed about eating every scrap of food on my plate when everyone else left something but oh well, I was hungry. It was also interesting listening to out beautiful, skinny, blonde tour guide talk. Her name was Sole and she had been all over the world traveling and knew so much about so much. I kind of want to be a tour guide when I grow up. I just don’t know how to do it. Then after lunch we went to the FGL park in Alfacar. There we saw where he was supposedly assassinated and buried. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the subject, since he was murdered unjustly, along with the other 400,000 victims of the Civil War between Alfacar and Víznar. (A very short distance.) Also his family has always opposed to exhuming the remains. Then we went to the Víznar gorge, el barranco, where is he was held before being executed and another possible burial spot. It was a mine and they just shot people and they fell down in there. It was pretty moving, educational, and good experience. I really liked it. Then we went home. Apparently the last museum we were supposed to go to was closed, but it was so dang hot that I didn’t really care. Then we got home around 5:30 or 6 and Brenda and I went downstairs to chill in the air conditioning. We watched TV and cooled off till about 8:00. Then we went out for a walk as Victor had to help his grandma move more stuff to Los Ogíjares. We went to the Corte Inglés and shopped around and went to a tetería. We got juices and Brenda ordered a chocolate cake, which the waiter forgot to bring for a while. Because of that he treated us to a hooka, which was unfortunate because neither of us smoke. Then we were going to go home but ended up seeing a free concert in Plaza Nueva. There is a music and dance festival going on and a lot of the shows are in La Alhambra. The cool thing was that they set up a big screen and chair in Plaza Nueva and transmitted the concert there for free. So we sat down and watched a really cool flamenco/Moroccan music blend concert. When it got over we started walking home and saw another free concert. This was some random, not very good cover band in la Plaza del Carmen. It was fun music though, but the best part was the 100 or so old people dancing there. Spaniards are different from Americans, but the best part is that it doesn’t matter how old they are, they are all the same as they were when they were young. Then when that ended we went home and watched a concert of El Canto del Loco on TV with Zoraida. Then Brenda showered and went to bed in my room again and I went downstairs and to bed. Victor was out playing video games with his friends until 4 in the morning.

Sunday I woke up, showered and went to church. It was fine. It was about forgiveness. Then I came home and bounced between my house where Brenda was slowly getting ready and Victor's. Then when we were all ready, the 3 of us went to Los Ogíjares for lunch. We had paella and saw Raul and Patricia and Victor's aunt and uncle, Conchi and Antonio and his cousin, little Antonio came over too so we had a full house. There was a little crisis because Emilio forgot to bring his pills, so Pepa called Victor to bring them, who also forgot them. Then Emilio got really mad and Victor had to go back for them. So Brenda and I just waited and chatted with everyone. Lunch was good, as always. We didn't stay long afterwards because we were going to Málaga that night and wanted to get there before the game. So we came back and packed and rested and watched tv and then hit the road. It was nice to go in a car instead of a bus. We got there and unloaded the things and started to watch the big Euro Cup final! I had brought the pizza we didn't eat Thursday and a bag of chips to munch on for the game. It was a really good game. Nerve-wracking because Germany was such a good team. Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute, so it was stress untill he scored and stress after hoping Germany wouldn't score. Then finally the time ran out at the end of 90 minutes and Spain became the CHAMPIONS OF ERUOPE! Their slogan, PODEMOS (WE CAN) became true, because they did! It was so exciting, Victor went insane. Everyone was yelling, honking horns, the usual insanity. They had an awards ceremony and then we got ready and drove into the center. That was even crazier than the insanity in Victor's neighborhood. Traffic jams, people hanging out of cars with flags, madness. We found a parking spot as quickly as possible and then walked through the craziness to the city center, the nucleus of the craziness. It was nuts. We were there celebrating for a while, I found a street cone to use as a megaphone and hat and had a lot of fun with that. It was insane. Saying so doesn't really describe what it was like, but its the best I can do. Then we went home and went to bed.

¡Aye Qué Caló!

As of this moment, I don't know what to title this blog. This week was good. Ridiculously hot and miserable. Half vacation, half work, unique, but like all the rest...

Monday I slept in till 12, woke up and used the internet a bit. (I'm clearly addicted as anyone can see.) Then I started laundry and washed my sheets. Then I went for a run, ate lunch, showered and went to work. Today was the first day of my intensive class with Pablo. It went really well actually and then I went home. It was really hot. Then at home I used the internet and cleaned the house and talked on the phone to Victor. I spent a long time cleaning as no one had done it in a while and I decided to do it well. Everyone commented on how well and how nice it was that I was cleaing. I hoped they would follow my example. (They of course didn't.) Then I went to meet Jenna and her 2 friends who were visiting, Nate and Adam. Adam was insane but Nate was really cool. I ended up getting a sandwich and a soda which totaled almost 6€, which was frustrating for me. That's why I didn't want to go out in the first place, to not spend money. It was a good night but i went home relatively early because I was tired and had to get up early. Then I went home and talked on the phone to my mom, dad and uncle and went to bed.

Tuesday, 17 May 2008, I woke up and went to guitar. I was there from about 9:30 to 1 or so. It went pretty well and he gave me a t-shirt. He is so sweet. Then I came home and went for my run, ate lunch, showered and went to have class with Pablo again. It went well again. Then I went straight to have class with Carlos and Marta but I entered in a war zone. Carlos was yelling at his dad. Marta was off getting ready to go out. Apparently when I talked to Mari Paz last week, and she told me to come Tuesday at 6 like always, she didn't mention it to anyone else and Carlos had to do another project and Marta had other tests to study for. I ended up having an hour of conversation with Marta and agreeing to come back the next day. Then I went home and internetted a bit, talked to my dad on the phone, and then watched an episode of Kyle XY with Zore. Then I went and met Nate and Jenna for a tapa, we met briefly with Adam and some of his friends and then parted ways. Jenna and I went to Mae West and watched the comedy show with was pretty funny and free! Then afterwards I came home and went to bed.

Wednesday I ran before work, showered and went and had another good class with Pablo. Then I went across the street to Parque de las Ciencias. It is a science museum that I didn't go to the first time I was in Granada, nor have I gone all year. It was pretty cool and I was there for 4 hours. The first thing I saw was an exposition on Science in Al Andalus, or Arabic Spain. It was pretty interesting as it covered all their inventions, irrigation systems, tools, tons and tons of stuff and how Granada was as a city in their time. Then I explored a section that was like experiments demonstrating scientific rules and then another one showing the development of old inventions like the phone, calculator, etc. My favorite was the enormus solar calculator which was probably larger than a tv. Then another experiment exposition. Then I went to the main event, what I had been wanting to see for a long time. The temporary exhibit was called, Veneno Animal, Animal Poison! It was AWESOME! It brought me back to my childhood days where I loved bugs and scorpions. There was a lot of information and the actual animals, bugs, frogs, snakes, jellyfish and they also had rocks, mushrooms, plants, everything. I spent 4 hours there and was pooped when I left. Then I came home and ate a late lunch, used the computer and watched tv with Adrian and went and had class with Carlos. It went well and he asked his parents if they could have class next week too because they like me so much. :) I guess this year was worth it for them too. Then I went to Antonio's house and gave him his present, an owl, which he collects. He said he loves me as if I were his daughter and that I have to invite him to my wedding. Then I stopped by the post office and went home to watch the game and talked to my mom on the way. Spain was playing Greece in the final game of the EuroCup first round. It was a pretty good game and I watched it with Zore and we ate sunflower seeds. Michelle came over around half time and watched the second half with me. Spain won 1-0 I think. Then we went to meet Jenna and Nate at Druid's a bar on Pedro Antonio. We were having a good time talking and then ran into a group of guys who hit on Jenna. Turns out one was American, and the 2 Spanish guys, Sergio and Antonio, wanted to learn English. So we all exchanged numbers, and they sat down with us and we talked the rest of the night in English and Spanish. We stayed at Druid's till it closed and then walked up to Granada 10. It was a really funny, spontanesous, unexpected night. Michelle fell twice and almost fell a third time in a giant lake. We stayed at Granada 10 till 6 or so and I finally went to sleep at 6:30.

Thursday I woke up early because I heard the butano truck coming by and we had run out. I knew that if I didn't get it then, no one would (Adrian is in Norway for a short visit, and my roommates don't even know how to get butane.) So I woke up and got that which helped me get up and get going for work. I showerd and went to work. I was supposed to meet my friend María, the director of my old program, but she was feeling sick so she cancelled. That was actually perfect for me because I came home and slept till about 4. Then I woke up, used the internet a bit, cleaned my room up. (Remember how I washed my sheets on Monday, well I still hadn't even put them on my bed and had just been sleeping on my mattress.) Then I made lunch and watched an episode of Kyle XY with Zore. Then Michelle came over and we went together to Pablo's because she is going to be taking over the class for me when she gets back from the summer camp she's working at the end of July. That went well, Alfonso the dad talks a lot, must be a Spanish thing. Then we came back home and watched Ice Age and ate this homemmade orange ice cream thing I had made with the leftover filling for the stuffed oranges I made for Victor's dinner. Then we got ready and went to meet the rest of the group for dinner at El Agua. It is a really nice resturant in the Albayzín with a terrace where you can see the Alhambra. We got 2 cheese fondues, a meat one and 2 chocolate ones. It was all verrrryyy yummy. Unfortunately it was expensive, but that was no suprise. Then we walked around a bit and I went home, exhausted and ready to go to bed. When I got there my roommates where there, still up and talking. Rosa was only wearing her underwear. She said she would be like that all the time if we didn't live with Adrian. Adrian is definitely one of the best things that happened to me this year. They were waiting to go with their friend to some natural hot springs, Las Termas de Santa Fe, right outside Granada. They invited me to go along and since I had never been I went. I was really tired and we still had a while to wait for their friend to get off work but we left around 3. Waiting at the door I saw Jose coming home. The hot springs were really cool. It was obviously very hot, and not too cool outside, but sweet none the less. What was a bummer was that there were 2 Moroccan guys there who had loud music playing and were being annoying, splashing and perverted. On the other hand, with the swimsuits my roommates were wearing, you couldn't blame them. We were there for a while and then came home really relaxed and I think I went to bed around 5.

Firday I slept in as much as I could but María texted me at 9:30 to meet at 11, since we didn't meet the day before. Then I realized that Pepa had called me but I didn't call her back and tried to keep sleeping. Then she came and rang the doorbell. She had to give me Victor's keys as they were going to a wedding and not coming back till Saturday. Then I tried to sleep some more and later went and talked with María and got a travel book on Greece. We had a good chat. Then I came home and avoided the heat. I had lunch, watched Kyle XY, worked on my paper journal, internetted of course and did nothing all afternoon. While online I talked to Alicia and I asked her if she had gotten the email I sent her with all my flight info etc, for our trips this summer. She said yes and that there was a problem. She was going to have a 6 month vacation because her company wasn't going to renew her contract in order to not make her a permanent employee. Well suprise, suprise, they made her a permanent employee, so now she didn't have a vacation, I didn't have a place to stay, nor someone to hang out with in Canarias, while Mada was working all day. I bought my tickets online, so they are pretty much unchangable. I was really upset and in shock. I talked to my parents and then Victor and took a shower. Then Victor got there. He was tired so we just talked and raided his parent's fridge for dinner and watched LOST. Then I went to bed.

I´ll call this blog, "Ugh it's so hot." in the Andalucian dialect. Even though it seems even hotter this week... I'm running out of creative ideas.

Granadina

So Friday the 13th I woke up, went running to complete my second week of 5 days a week for a while! I was pretty proud of myself. Then I made some breakfast and chatted with Zoriada when she got home. Then I showered and went to get my legs waxed. I went to the same place I usually go to, which is 10€ cheaper than the place I went to last time. I once again was reminded that you get what you pay for, which is an expensive price to pay in waxing. Then I stopped by the grocery store on my way home and bought a lot of groceries because I had absolutely no food. But, this being the 5th day of the strike, it was pretty slim pickings. Thankfully I was able to get the essentials and go home. I made lunch, watched tv and used the internet a bit. Then I went and had class with Pablo. Its getting hotter in Granada and I noticed it walking around the city. Then I came home and cleaned up and got everything ready, including myself. Victor got to Granada and crashed at home and Pepa called me to come get him. We had tickets to go see the Alhambra at night, and were running late because he was sleeping. So I woke the beast and we rushed to the Alhambra, which was a difficult task as of course it its on top of a hill. So much for showering and getting cute, but finally gross and sweaty we arrived and got our tickets and were on time. Then we relaxed and walked around and enjoyed the precious view. It was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Then we went in and it was just magical and sacred. So old, so quite, so huge, intricate, amazing. It really left us both speechless. At one point I almost started crying and could barely breath because I remembered being there with my family and I wished that they could see what I was seeing. I also regretting letting Katie, Tim and Jolene leave Granada without seeing the Alhambra. You guys have to see it. It was amazing. Then we got kicked out, and Victor was exhausted so we walked home, ransacked Pepa's kitchen and Victor fell asleep and I went to bed.

Saturday I slept in, which was wonderful. Then I ate some breakfast, folded laundry, showered, straightened up my room and internetted a bit and went downstiars for lunch. It was just the four of us for lunch and we had delicious stuffed squid with rice. It was so good, as always. Then everyone took a nap and Victor and I watched Marathon Man, a movie his co-worker had lent him. Then we watched the Spain soccer game against Sweeden. It was a great nail biter which we won in the second to last minute of overtime. It was really good. Then I came upstairs and started preparing a dinner I had planned for Victor and I. Victor went running and then to the Corte Inglés to see about buying some polo shirts his mom all of a sudden was convinced he needed to buy for some unexplained reason. I made stuffed avocados for the first course, stuffed oranges for dessert, and took a table and chairs up to the rooftop of our building. Then I got all ready and pretty and cooked soy sauce and honey chicken with rice for the main course. Then Victor came up and I thought he was ready to eat dinner but he had to take his mom to Los Ogíjares for a bit. I practiced guitar and washed the mountain of dishes I had destroyed the kitchen with in my 2 hour cooking frenzy. Then Victor showed up, with a fresh shirt and nice hair and was totally confused when I gave him the laptop (for music) and lead him out the door. He had no idea where we would be eating dinner. I brought him up to the roof and he couldn't believe the little table and candles I had set up. He really liked it and we had a nice special dinner together. The food turned out pretty good as well. After a while we went downstairs for dessert and then went to a movie theatre really close to our house and saw Indiana Jones. It was good, too unrealalistic, but I enjoyed it. Then we came home and said goodnight. Then I went to bed.

Today, Sunday I woke up and showered and went to church. It was nice as I hadn't been in a long time. Then I came home and internetted a bit and then went to meet Victor to go to lunch in Los Ogíjares. The whole fam came, Nacho and Alicia and Emilio's sister (the doctor) and her husband. We had partridige with bean soup (that's my best translation) and salad. It was delicious and I ate a ton. We also had melon and ice cream for dessert. Then we stayed and chatted a bit and went to visit Nacho and Alicia. We thought they were napping as they didn't answer their phones so we left. We came home and watched an episode of Lost and napped too. Then Victor packed up and we left and did visit Nacho and Alicia. We were there for a while and then Victor had to go back to Málaga. I then went by Pepa's and Emilio's and used the phone to call my dad and talked to most of my family for Father's Day. It took me a while to get through but I finally did. Meanwhile, Jenna had called me and I called her back. Then I ate dinner there and went home. Then I started with the internet and my regular Sunday night tv and Jenna came over. We had a nice chat and then she left to meet her friend. I stayed here with my tv and laptop and caught up on my blog. I was going to clean the house, but I really don't feel like it. I think I'll just go to bed and clean tomorrow. That was my weekend here in Granada.

Malagueña

Monday morning I woke up and finally bought a ticket online for the bus. Then I went running and went to the post office and mailed my things. Then I used the internet while Zoriada showered and then I showered. Then I went downstairs for a delicious lunch with Pepa and Emilio and then I finished packing, watched a bit of tv and headed to the bus station. At the bus station, I ran into Jenny, who I thought I wasn't going to get to say goodbye to. She was heading to Malaga to spend a day with a friend before leaving officially. So we chatted the whole way there and I talked to my mom on the phone which made the trip go very quickly. Then we said goodbye after chatting with her friends and I went to where Victor usually picks me up. There were a ton of cars and people there and I didn't see Victor. I did see this tall guy in a lavander dress shirt who totally looked like one of those Spanish business men I see all the time in the street. I still couldn't find Victor so I called him and then I saw the guy in lavander walking towards me, which I thought was wierd and then to my shock I realized it was Victor! I didn't even recognize him as I usually see the weekend Victor who doesn't shave and barely changes clothes Friday - Sunday. Then we went and walked around a beach and then to this mountain top resturant next to the castle for a drink and then to buy butane. Then we got home and went to get a schwarma for dinner, which wasn't really that good. Then we came back and I went to bed.


Tuesday I slept in and Victor went to work. Then when I woke up I went for a run and looked for the Mercadona. Then I got money and went back to Mercadona to buy groceries. It was a little difficult because here in Spain there is a truck driver strike going on. It started Monday and truck are blocking roads, not delivering groceries and its actually pretty frightening. There weren't a lot of groceries and there were a lot of people wandering around. Then I went home and showered, used the internet, and tried to talk to someone about getting my money back for the first ticket I bought and cancelled for Malaga, with no success. Then I started lunch and Victor came home and we finished it together. We had a tomato and onion salad and fish and rice cooked with garlic, onions and lemon. It was the first time I´ve ever bought fish from the seafood place and cooked it so I was pretty proud of myself. Then we washed the dishes and Victor had to go back to work. Then I did a translation for Nacho which took me the rest of the afternoon. Then I talked to my parents on the phone and at 6 Spain played in a European Cup game. Miguel Victor's roommate was there and then Victor got home. I finished with my parents and the translation and went and watched the rest of the game. Spain beat Russia 4-1. Then we drove into the center and went to a tea shop called, La Tetería Invisible. It was strange and really hippy and I realized later because it was in a casa de ocupa. Some times in Spain, hippys break into houses that aren't being used and take over. This group in Malaga decided to set up a tea shop in theirs. I had a really good juice drink and Victor had a yummy tea. It was interesting, but probably not my favorite spot. Then we walked around some more and got some tapas, which were just ok, at a different bar. Then we looked at some art in a plaza and then got a really yummy ice cream, sat by the cathedral and went back home. We watched the first part of a movie, Gurky Park and then I went to bed.


Wednesday June 11th I slept in again, went for a run, used the internet a bit and headed down to the pool. Victor's appartment complex has a nice pool which was amazing. Then Victor came home from work and we made a huge salad and some meat that he had left over. It was really yummy. I had brought the salad ingredients from Granada, from Pepa, from Patricia's dad's garden! yum! Then we washed the dishes and Victor had to go back to work. Then I used the internet a bit and went back down to the pool. The a little bit before 6 I came up because it had become time for all the little kids in the world to come down to the pool with their parents. Except for the one awkward teenage boy. It was clearly time to go. Then I came up, showered and updated my blog. I also talked a bit with Victor's other roommate, Jesús. Then Victor picked me up and we went to his soccer game. I watched but I enjoyed it because I had an image to go with him telling me he had football everyweek. Also the team coming in to play at 9 was a riot. They were all quite white trash and hicks and the first thing they did was get a beer. Then they got another one and rolled a joint. The perfect pre-game warm up. Then after soccer we went home and had ham and cheese sandwiches and cereal for dinner and finished the movie. Victor fell asleep during it and then I went to bed.

Thrusday I woke up early, used the internet, went running and to a few stores nearby to get a few things for lunch and toilet paper. Then I took a shower, cleaned up and packed. I also hung a few pictures in Victor's room he had been meaning to do for a long time. Then I used the internet for a bit more and started lunch. I got olive oil all over my new purple shirt (of course) but prepared everything and cleaned up. I wanted to get everything ready so that after we ate and washed up, Victor would have time to take me to the bus station before he had to get back to work. I made a pasta with tuna and gula, which is baby eel, but the fake stuff like imitation crab. It was pretty good and I suprised myself because it was the first time I cooked gula too! It turned out delicious and then we washed the dishes and Victor took me to the bus station and dropped me off. I stopped in H&M before heading to the bus station, but didn't see anything I liked. Then I went to get my ticket and it was great because I was 30 minutes early for the 4:00 bus, but I was able to catch the 3:30 and walked right on. Then on the bus ride back, I read a new book called Veronika Decides To Die. Then I got home and practiced guitar because no one was home. I also unpacked, took a break to put some money on my phone and then went and met Jenna and Michelle and some of her friends from the gym for an improv comedy night. It was interesting, but cost 5€, which I was dissapointed about. It was funny but a little difficult to hear and understand what was going on. A lot of chaos. Then Michelle went home and Jenna and I went an met Samar for a drink. We had a good time catching up and venting and I went home and went to bed around 3. I had a difficult time falling asleep but finally did.

Like A Rolling Stone

Blanca's children apparently like Bob Dylan as he was on two of the tapes we listened to on the ride home. One of the songs that played was this one. I felt strangely identified by some of the lyrics.

Like a Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
A complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're all drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Weekend of Aprovecharing

Aprovechar -- 1. To make the most of 2. To take advantage of

Aprovecharing -- A Spainglish term for making the most of or taking advantage of clearly used as a gerund


So Friday June 6th after running around all morning I took the bus to school and met up with Michelle and Blanca at school for our road trip to Segovia and Madrid. We didn't end up leaving till 3 or so, which was frustrating since I didn't go to the post office so I would be there by 2:30 as specified. Oh well. Then we left and started on our way. So Michelle and I were totally aprovecharing the free car ride. What we didn't think about the free car ride was the fact that our 70 year old teacher would be driving. And no matter how spunky and young she seems, she still is 70 years old and drives pretty bad. We both thought we were going to die, but you get what you pay for. Then we stopped for coffee halfway and I got a coke and chips which was way too expensive. Then we continued on again and got a little lost in Madrid. To get to almost anywhere in Northern Spain from Southern Spain, you usually have to pass through Madrid. There are several ways to do so, on the outside ring of freeways, avoiding more of the city traffic or on the inside. Blanca accidently got on the inside one and we were looking for a way out when my old roommate Alicia called me. We were also going to aprovechar her piso Saturday night when we stayed in Madrid. Unfortunately she called to say that she had to work suddenly as did all of her friends from whom we could get the keys. Soooo that was a problem and once again you get the kind of hotel you pay for. But I had the great idea that since we were lost on the freeway near the airport, by where she lives, to stop by and get the keys. That was a small fiasco with Blanca driving through all the ridiculous streets and freeways of Madrid. Praise the Lord, we finally met up and got the keys, said hello and she showed the house and what was hers to use. Then we continued on our way to Segovia. We got there around 9 and Blanca gave us a little driving tour of this city which was just precious. We got a good overview of all the major sites and visited a magical church where birds don't make nests and toched the rocks of the main tower which Blanca's husband said always gave him strength. Then we went to her house, which turns out was ridiculouly huge for being in the center of Segovia and right in front of the aqueduct and having its own personal pool. We dropped off stuff, unloaded the car and made up our beds. Michelle made me make mine with 2 top sheets and then unmake it when she realized she didn't want to make hers with 2 bottom sheets. Then we went out for a little walk and had some dinner. We ate chorizo, giant white beans and garlic mushrooms. It was good but I was really hungry and would have liked to eat more, but it was 15 bucks as is. Then we walked home and went to bed.



Saturday morning we got up early because I wanted to walk around Segovia as much as possible. But it was chilly, and we were tired, and the front door was locked from the inside. The key was next to the door but we didn't try it, or know if Blanca was going to get up or we were going to get breakfast together or what. So we ended up laying in bed talking for a while untill someone came and rang the doorbell and Blanca woke up. Then we got ready really fast and went out. We stopped by a bakery and I got an apple tart and a juice for breakfast and we walked around. I had to stop in the stores and look at all the magnets and we walked past the aqueduct, cathedral and down to the castle, which apparently Walt Disney used as inspiration for a few castles. We didn't go in because we didn't have much time but walked back up to the cathedral where I bought typical earring from there just like the ones I got in Salamanca but smaller so now I have a nice set, and a sweet magnet. Then I paid to go into the cathedral but Michelle went and walked around elsewhere. Then we headed back home and met up with Blanca, cleaned up and left. We got to Madrid and Blanca went to her sister's house for lunch. We took the Metro to Alicia's house which took like an hour and dropped off our stuff and I showered. Michelle had an unfortunate encounter with Alicia's roommate Carlos, who we met the day before, where she saw him picking his hairy butt. Then we went and got a very overpriced soda and sandwich in a cafe nearby. Madrid is soooooo expensive. Then we headed into the center to Puerta del Sol and went shopping at H&M. I found a bag that I really like and bought it. Michelle found several things to buy but her card got denied when she went to pay for them. That was the only card she had so we went to see if we could take money out of the ATM with it. It didn't work on the first try, so she tried again and the machine ate her card. That was bad news as the bank was already closed for Saturday afternoon, and would not open the next, Sunday, when we were leaving. So she called the bank and more or less got that figured out and I loaned her money for the rest of the weekend. Then we were wandering and got directed to a tourist information office in Plaza Mayor. On our way therein Plaza Mayor, this guy stops us and asks if we speak English. He then explains how he needs to practice English for his job and if we would walk around with him and see the sights. We talked it over, he seemed nice and sincere enough, but Michelle was in a really bad mood because of her card and didn´t want to. So we told him no, but in that persistant Spanish way, he kept talking to us and didn't leave us alone and ended up going with us. We got info at the tourist office and headed towards the Prado and the Retiro park. We got info at the Prado for the next day and then stopped by St. Jeronimo's church. Strangely enough, there isnt a main cathedral in Madrid, which I never realized. Then we went to the park and walked around. I bought Michelle and I and ice cream which Carlos, the Spanish dude didn't want to buy for us. Then we did convince him to rent us a row boat to take out in a big pond in the middle of the park. That was really fun, Michelle rowed and it was really cool. Then after that, Carlos invited us to his house for dinner. We had a conference and decided that since we were together, nothing bad could happen and decided to go. We took a bus to his house, on which my sweet grandparents called me. I felt horrible because I couldn't hear anything they said and I couldn't tell them that I was on a bus going to a complete strangers house for dinner because they would worry. Then we got to his house which is right in the middle of downtown business district really expensive Madrid. We stopped by a store for some drinks and then went up to his place. He first showed us the 17th floor terrace and 18th floor pool. It was a pretty sweet view, but I started feeling nervous because now we were in his territory and he controlled the situation more than when we were out in public. Then we went to his place which he paid 1,000€ in rent for and started making dinner. We had ham and cheese and bread to start, asparragus and tomatoes as a first course and pasta with a salmon cream sauce as a main course. It was pretty good and then we had ice cream for dessert. Then we left. He seemed pretty upset. He said that was the first time he had ever picked up tourists to practice English and I'll take his word for it, but you never know with crazy people. He walked us to the Metro and we went home and went to bed.



Sunday we woke up early and showered and picked up Alicia's room. Then we made eggs and toast for breakfast with an orange and chocolate milk. During breakfast Michelle's phone rang and we figured it was Blanca calling about leaving that day so she answered it. But it was Carlos wondering if we were at the Palacio Royal yet and said to call him when we got there. He called again later and we obviously didn't answer it and he got the point. Then we took the metro to Blanca's and dropped off our stuff and then headed into the center. We went and visited the Royal Palace, which I thought was really cool. It had a lot of furniture and elegante things, really extravagant and beautiful and over the top. One of my favorite parts was the royal pharmacy and imagining them getting the medicines. It was a huge complex with tons of bottles and vases with complex names and a distillery. Then we walked to the Prado museum and saw a cool Goya exhibit. It was rather dark as it focused on 25 years of his carreer when there was a war going on but I liked it since it was different from the typical religious or portrait art that usually seems to be in museums. Then we were really tired and it was about 3:30 and we found a café and got another sandwich and croqueta rip off but it was good. Then we got one more ice cream, walked around and headed back to Blanca's to go home. We watched the end of a tennis game championship which a Spanish guy, Rafa Nadal won. Then we headed back to Granada. I took a little nap but woke up with a jolt of the car and then tried to keep Blanca company the rest of the way as Michelle slept in the back. We listened to old tapes she had in her car and made it back to Granada around 9. We dropped Michelle off and then I got dropped off by Blanca's house, really far from my house. I walked home and talked to Victor on the phone and unpacked and used the internet for a while while watching tv. The house was really messy from a party they had had for Rosa's bithrday, which was really frustrating and I could tell that they had been using my toothpaste, which enfuriated me. Then I tried to buy a ticket to Malaga the next day, but it bought the wrong one so I tried to change it with no luck and so I cancelled it and tried again but still no luck. Then I talked to my mom on the phone and went to bed, rather frustrated.

So About Being Unemployed...

Monday June 2nd I slept in and woke up and got dressed for when Brad, Jenna and Tania this Spanish girl came over to look at the appartment for next year. I talked with Adri a bit and cleaned up before they got there. Then they were there for a while and of course fell in love with the appartment and wanted to move in. Adrian said yes of course. I actually felt quite stressed knowing that now I would not have an appartment starting in September. Then I changed back into pjs, made and ate lunch, used the internet for about 2 hours, took a 2 hour nap and then went for a run. Then I took and overdue shower and went and met a large group of people for Brad's official goodbye. We got 1 tapa and ham and cheese and La Puerta de las Alpujarras, and then got 1 more at a different place. There was a huge group of people so it was difficult to get ahold of Brad and split the check and everything but in the end our little group had a nice moment to say goodbye just us. I wasn't that sad, because I don't get sad over those types of things, but some people were. Then I went home and went to bed.

Tuesday I woke up early to go on a walk with Emilio. I enjoyed the walk but wanted to kill myself or Emilio during it. Our plan was to go to Cuesta del Chapiz and Sacromonte, 2 places we haven't been yet. But Emilio likes to repeat things, and review and tell me the same things over and over again, and about the monuments and things I pass on a daily basis next to my house. Then we never get to what we were planning on doing because he gets tired and it gets hot. We did see a sweet photography exhibit at the School for Arabic Studies on Cuesta del Chapiz and accomplished one of our goals. Then we wandered through the Albaycín down to the center and saw the Mariana Pineda museum which I didn't even know existed so that was really nice. Then I came back to their house and ate used the internet until lunch was ready, which was a while as we ended up waiting for Raul to come. Then I stayed and watched the news a bit and went upstairs to take a nap. I napped for about 30 minutes until my roommates woke me up because they thought no one was home. I told them I was home and going to take a nap, but couldn't fall back asleep. Then I was using the internet and Nacho asked me to do a translation for him as a personal favor. Since I didn't have anything better to do I did it. It ended up being a 40€ translation and he says he's going to take me to dinner. But I figure for all the times he already has fed me in his house I was paying off what I owed. Then I looked online for tickets to Greece and found the perfect flight at the perfect price and bought them! I'm going July 12-20! Then I changed and ran to Samar's house where she had Jenna and I over for dinner with her and her friend Cristina who is visiting for about a month. We had a good time and a yummy fish and potatoes dinner. Then after a while I ran home and was about to practice guitar when my roommates all came home. I was too embarassed and did some more stuff on the internet untill I went to bed.

Wednesday I woke up and went for a run. Slightly difficult as I had just ran the night before, and then I showered. Then I took the bus to meet the girls for hippy coffee at 12. Our favorite coffee place, also the favorite of most of the hippies in Granada. I had oj and half a toast. It was Kristen's second to last day in Granada so then we went and walked around Calle Elvira and shopped in all the little Moroccan shops. It was pretty fun just wandering and exploring. Samar had to go to work but Cristian stayed with us. We walked around most of the day and then Jenna and Michelle went home. Cristina, Kristen and I went to visit Soufian and his shops and did some more shopping by the cathedral. Then we went and got a schwarma/kebab in Puerta Real. Then the 3 of us went to Parque Federico García Lorca, a big park in Granada. Federico García Lorca is a very famous poet from Granada who was killed for being a revolutionary. His family's summer home is in the park and on Wednesdays it is free to enter for the tour. It was a really great tour and so interesting to see. I have studied Lorca quite a bit over the years and so it was very interesting to see his house, and where he wrote his poems and where his family lived and I loved the whole thing. Afterwards, Cristina left to go home and Kristen and I went to Neptuno and shopped around in a little market outside. We asked about a concert that was going to be there than night. Then Kristen came over to my house and used the internet and then I went over to her house and Michelle and I took all the stuff we wanted from what she couldn't take back with her. Then I walked home and talked to my sissy for an hour which went by way too fast and we didn't even talk about all we had to talk about. Sissys need to talk a lot. Then I used the internet for a bit and finally practiced guitar for a bit. Then I went and met Samar, Jenna, and Cristina for a concert at Mae West. Every Wednesday, an awesome cover band comes and plays concerts of all the amazing classic rock songs. It was sweet but started late (as usual in Spain) Samar and Cristian went home really early, and there were way too many drunk Spanish guys there. One came up and stood right in front of me, to be annoying so I would therefore think he was funny and go out with him. Apparently he doesn't know that's annoying and made me hate him and his ugly shirt, and his wing-man with a flat face even more. Then there were these two guys who came over and said "We came over to see what was going on in heaven, and why all the angels were falling?" I laughed so hard I almost cried. It was really funny and so were they, then they went away. The concert was good over all and then I went home and went to bed.

Thursday I woke up early to go to guitar at 9:30. Unfortunatly, Antonio did not. He had forgotten and answered the door in pjs and was like, we have class at 5? Then he remembered later but we were still a while in getting started. Unfortunately, even though I had practiced, it didn't go so well. These last 3 songs I'm working on are difficult. I got rather frustrated and went home afterwards. Then I made a picnic pasta salad and went to have lunch in Triunfo with the girls. It was nice, I stayed out of the sun because I got burnt the day before at coffee and also talked to Victor for a bit. Then afterwards I walked and talked with Kristen home towards the Corte Inglés. We said a final goodbye and I went and bought Rosa's birthday present and my dad's father's day present. Then I went and had class with just Marta as Carlos had a birthday party he went to. Then I came home and started looking up tickets for the rest of my summer travel. I bought one from Madrid to Mallorca, a Baleric Island, and then bought a second one from Mallorca to Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands but on that one, my credit card got denied because of so much foreign activity. Ironic, some people have credit card spending problems and for the 1 time I use mine all year it doesn't let me. So I got this email saying I had to call before 8:30 but it was already 9PM but I went downstairs and called anyway. No luck, then I called my dad, who called the bank and I tried to call the bank. No luck. Then I bought a 3rd ticket home with a different card. By now Raul was home and Pepa came home too and it was 11. I denied several offers for dinner even though I was starving and at 11 went running. Then I tried to call the bank again, and called my dad and ran into Jose at the front of the building. I saw that the 7th floor's light was still on so I went back upstairs and was there till 1 and after everyone went to bed calling the bank and my dad and the operated several times untill I actaully got through to the bank and was able to get the hold off my card. I ransacked Pepa's kitchen and finally got some dinner and went upstairs. Then I packed and went to bed.

Firday morning I woke up early and called the company and re-paid for my reservation. Now I think everything is a-ok. After Greece I am spending 5 days in Mallorca with Alicia and after that 8 days in the Canary Islands with Magdalena and Alicia. I´ll be back on the main laind August 3rd. Then I went running which due to lack of sleep and having gone just a few hours ago was really difficult. Then I showered and went to have class with Carlos at 11. Then I came home and finshed packing, ate some brunch and packed a sandwich and tried to go to the post office but the line was too long. Then I caught the bus to school and met up with Michelle and Blanca.

As you can tell, being unemployed in Granada is a really difficult lifestyle...

Brad's Last Weekend

So Brad is our first friend to leave, so this was his last weekend. Apparently by going home early Friday night I missed a wild and crazy night but that`s ok. Then Saturday I hung out with Victor in the morning but then went to Malaga with Jose, Samar, Jenna, Brad and Michelle for Victor's birthday party. (The Victor and Jose from Wednesday, not mine.) There were 6 of us in the car, 4 in the backseat and Michelle was not doing too well. So on the way down I got caught up on the events of the previous night and we snacked on leftover pb cookies. There at Victor's parent's house in La Araña, Málaga, they had tortilla de patatas, salmorejo (similar to gazpacho but with other ingredients added on top) bbq meat and watermelon. It was really good and we were all very hungry. We were there for a while, and around 6 took a bus to the center, and walked to the bus station, and tried to get tickets. There was a big mess because they didn't know how many tickets were left for the 8 o'clock bus which left in 30 minutes. Michelle and I asked for them first. Then 2 other people came and when they found out how many were available (2) one of the people who came after me cut and got the ticket and I gave the one I bought to Michelle who had felt like death warmed over all day. I bought a ticket for 9 and Brad, Jenna and Samar for 9:30. Then I went shopping in H&M a bit and bought a red t-shirt and some socks as a present for Samar who told me she only has 5 pairs of socks. Then I said goodbye again to Brad (I originally hadn't planned on going to Malaga) and went and caught the bus home. Then I rode the bus home, trying to figure out if the big chick across from me used to be a dude. I´m pretty sure it did. Then Victor picked me up and the bus station, I changed clothes, and we went to Pepa's to eat something. Then we went and met up with Wali and Fabiola for tapas and drinks. It was really good. It was nice to hang out in couples, instead of all girls and Victor or all guys and Rachel. Things were great till this really chatty couple from Sevilla, who Wali had met in the hotel he works in, came and kind of dominated the conversation, which makes it difficult for a little American to get a word in edgewise and I kind of got ignored. We hung out with them for the rest of the night till we went home. Then at home we ate more food and I went to bed.

Sunday morning I hung out with Victor and showered and got all packed to go to Murcia with my friend Jenny and Juan. Jenny and Juan are dating and he lives in Murcia. Jenny is leaving for the United States next week and it was their last week together before a long period of long distance dating. I wasn't sure why she invited me but after several asking her and reaffirmations, they were sure they wanted me to come. Ok, I´ll take a free ride to and a place to stay in a city I have never been, any day. I had switched all my stuff around to be able to be gone, Sunday -- Wednesday and was packed and ready to go. Sunday morning (actully before packing) she called me to confirm the leaving details, and told me that she had gotten engaged the night before! Whoa, congratulations, so does that change the status of me spending part of your last week with you and your fianceé? No, no, no, not at all, are you sure? Yes, no problem. So I pack and get everything ready and we go downstairs to have lunch with Victor's family. During lunch, Jenny calls me and asks me not to hate her but she would rather spend the whole week with Juan alone. Completely understandable, but now I didn't know what to do, and I was really bummed. But I took a nap, spent the rest of the day with Victor, we went and ate dinner with Nacho and Alicia, bathed the kids and then Victor left. Then I cleaned the house (really quickly and barely) and went over to Brad's with dried nut mix for one last Sunday night at Mae West. The rest of our group goes more often than I do. We hung out at Brad's for a while, talking and laughing, and throwing frutos secos, pasta and potpurri off his balcony at people. We have done that before but tonight 2 guys got really angry and started rining the doorbell. We're not sure how they knew which house we were throwing from but they stopped after a while. Then a couple hours later we headed to Mae West (a big club) and they were down there waiting for us!! All they did was say "so throwing maccaronis at us hey, throwing macaroni hun?" We clearly didn't answer or wait around for more of an explanation. It was pretty freaky though, they probably didn't beat us up because we were a group of 5 girls and one guy. Then we went to Mae West, which was ok, and got better as the night went on with lots of scandlous drama. Then I went home and went to bed and 20 to 6.