The Good, The Bad, and The Sicky

Hola mis amigos! This post will not be as interesting as my recent few posts, but I will try my best to use exciting vocabulary to spice things up.

On Thursday night, my other host brother Daniel came home to visit! He is currently going to university in Barcelona and we were only living together my first two weeks.

When we went to pick him up from the tiny Granada airport, I was instantly flooded with memories- some good, most terrifying.

If you haven't read or have forgotten, the Granada airport was where I arrived at about 11:30 PM the day before I was actually supposed to arrive (again, thank you It's Your World Travel for the Madrid layover). Since there's only maybe 100-150 seats in the terminal, I could easily pick out where I sat that dreadful night...well, until I was kicked out because the airport was closing. My host parents even pointed out the place where I was sitting (outside) when they first saw me.

Anyway, so we picked up Daniel and went back home. As we drove past our apartment gate, we saw a woman standing outside with her bike and bags. My host mom said that it was Olga. Olga rented out the guest room in our house for three days. She is from the United States, too (but apparently doesn't like English because when I said "hi" instead of  "hola," I got a firm talking to...great first impression).

We all got settled and then went to bed. I went to bed quite early (around 11) because I was feeling icky sicky all day. My throat was so sore! Not to mention that I had noticed a bump at the base of my neck/top of my spine (I thought I was developing a hunchback, Samuel told me it was a tumor, but my doctor host parents said it was just constricted muscles whoo!).

Friday at school, I don't really remember. The classes I had were history, english, economics, physical education, math, and philosophy. In PE, we had to do this running test which kind of sucked a lot due to my throat being en fuego. But at the end of class, my teacher told us that he wanted to take our class to a local pool for Friday PE classes! How cool!

That night, I still felt real sick, so I opted out of going out with my host brothers and friends. Instead, I got coffee with Karly at a cozy place in the centro. It was very relaxed and incredibly enjoyable to just have a mellow girls night.

On Saturday, I felt like I was dying. My throat was as sore as ever, my head was throbbing, and my hunchback/tumor/constricted muscle was ever so ouchie. During the daytime, I took a walk in hopes of finding a cheesy-touristy post card for Chip (no luck- you'll have to wait a little longer, love). I also needed to exchange the American money that I have (yes, I forgot to change it before I came) so I could pay the down-payment for the cruise my class is going on in the spring. I have yet to change my moolah, so hopefully my teacher/trip-coordinator will reserve my spot solely with the permission slip (please and thank you, Jorge).

I was planning on staying home that night and drinking more tea and warm milk with honey and cinnamon (my host parents made me so much of that miracle remedy...I think it's what cured me!). My host parents and I had started watching Hotel Rwanda  (I know, not the best movie for relaxing, but it was very interesting and I actually understood more this time watching it in Spanish than I did the first time watching it in English!) and I was cuddled up on the couch ready to louuuungge.

But I guess I forgot that I have fun host brothers who invite me places. Sure enough, Daniel asks me if I want to go out for tapas with them. I was still real sick, but I thought that if I put on enough layers I'd be fine.

Wrong.

I felt like a lump the entire night. Feeling achy all over and unable to stop coughing, I was absolutely miserable. I was so boring, too, and felt like I wasn't even part of the group (which is nobody's fault but my own). It hurt to talk and I had no energy. I know it would've been super fun if I wasn't dying, but it was just very tiring and really really cold. And I wasn't about to be that girl who makes someone take her home because she's not having fun- I knew everyone else was having a blast and I didn't want to ruin it for anyone, so I toughed it out.

The next morning, I went with Marie Sofi and her family to a feria in the pueblo her host family has a summer house in! A feria is a big outdoor fiesta where people buy animals and eat food and have fun. We spent a solid two hours looking at the animals. I'd have to say our favorite was the donkey (hee-haw!). Then, we had delicious food and just hung out and talked.

After the feria, we walked to their summer house. Marie Sofi and I walked around the tiny pueblo for a long time and had a few mini-adventures (like losing her family, climbing a wall to get figs, and meeting a friendly gato). *Marie Sofi took hella pictures- I'll try to get some from her and post them here soon!*

When I got home, I just kind of hung out. Later, my host parents dropped Daniel off at the airport. This weekend was very, very mellow.

Then here we are again- Monday.

I preferred to sleep in, so I celebrated what I like to call Braid Day- aka the day where I don't give a hoot about my appearance and braid my hair rather than washing it and making it look pretty. I love Braid Day.

There was a major upside to Monday, however...Spanish Class.

Yes, I know the only times I've mentioned my Spanish class was when I've said how awful it is.

But this is different! After class, Karly and I decided to talk to our teacher about how we aren't learning jack and are bored near to death. And he totally understood and agreed! So he told us we could try out the intermediate class!!!!!!! I'm so excited! Not only because of the extra oomph of difficulty, but because it's only two days a week rather than four (hallelujah).

I was supposed to go to my first intermediate class today, but it was the same time as an important meeting I had about the trip I'm taking with the Espacio Jovenes this weekend.

A little about the trip:

• Three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
• Going to nature place (national park, I think??)
• Costume party (I'm going to be a lumberjack I think because I have a flannel, a beanie, and boots)
• Canoeing

Honestly, I didn't really understand much in the meeting. Everyone was so excited and they were all yelling and debating and raising their hands for God knows what decision and yeah I was totally lost.

But I had fun and I think I'll make a lot of new friends! I'm extremely excited!!! :) 

I believe that's all for this post- I warned you it wasn't very exciting.

Muchas gracias! xo

Mi cumpleaños, niños, y la huelga

Hello family, friends, and whoever else is wonderful enough to take the time to read my lil blog. Now that I'm getting busier here in Granada, I don't have as much time to write in my blog as I'd like to. I must admit, however, I really had to work to motivate myself to write this post because I would much rather be sleeping or watching stupid Youtube videos right now.

But, here I am, writing. You're welcome.

So I last posted on Thursday, so I guess I'll begin with Friday.

Despite being my favorite day of the schoolweek, I was totally unable to get myself interested in the lessons. I am always so tired, but Friday was especially exhausting. Not for any particular reason, I just felt like I was going to fall asleep all day (which I ended up doing in my Lengua class...while putting on chapstick).

After school, I participated in my usual activities: eating and sleeping. At about 5:45 (or was it 6:45? I forget) I woke up and got ready to begin volunteering at the Espacio Jovenes in Maracena. I was told that it was only a volunteer meeting, but when I got there, it turned out we were to be putting on a kind of children's fair in a nearby plaza.

It was so much fun!! I only knew two people there, but I met many more! I even met some girls who went to school with Robin..small world!

I was put at the booth where we helped kids make these:

This is not a picture from Friday, but you get the picture (lol). 

It was a blast! I manned the iron (I was surprised they gave me such an important job my first time volunteering, too). There were other booths like bracelet making, nail painting, face painting, games, and even a bouncy slide. It was so fun for me, and I bet it was great for the youngin's as well.

Friday night, I went out with Karly, Marie Sofi, and Josefine. Marie Sofie is from Norway and Josefine is from Denmark. They are some of my bestest friends here.

*NOTE ON FRIENDS* I've made a lot of what I call "almost friends." Almost friends are people that talk to me in school and maybe even invite me to lunch with them (stay tuned for my update on Monday!!), but don't necessarily text me or invite me to hang out after school. It's kinda really sad only being really good friends with exchange students, but having almost friends is better than having not at all friends.

On Friday night, Josefine had to go home early (her host mom is outrageously strict omg). But Karly, Marie Sofi, and I still had a fun time .

On Saturday, I had a laid-back day. I forget exactly what I did, but it wasn't much. That night, I met up with Marie Sofi, Josefine, Karly, and Robin. Again, Josefine needed to go home early (this time Marie Sofi went, too), so Karly, Robin, and I hung out by ourselves. At Robin's place, we had some toast with Nutella before going out. We came back fairly early because the city seemed pretty boring that night. So, we ate some more toast and fell asleep. This was my first time sleeping at someone else's house while in Spain! Yay!

In the morning, I woke up and realized "It's my birthday." 

Thaaaaat's riiiiigggghhht...October 20th was my 17th birthday! 

It's crazy to think that I'm already 17 years old. I know I'm still super young, but 17 years is still a long time!

For breakfast, Robin's host mother made us more toast (bread is life here in Spain) with spreads such as jam, butter (well, margarine), this tomato thing, soft cheese, and of course Nutella. With our steaming hot Cola-Cao and our sweatshirts, we decided to eat on her balcony.

No biggie...oh wait- hello, Alhambra!

Seriously, the view of the world-famous Alhambra from Robin's balcony (as well as kitchen window) is breathtaking. All throughout breakfast we could even see tourists walking and taking pictures! 

I know the Alhambra's cool and all, but I must take a moment to show you my first accomplishment on my 17th birthday-

I mean, wow. We got our Greek yogurt, salt, cheese, jam, AND Nutella all stacked on one lil tub of Tulipan margarine. Look at me go.

After breakfast, Robin walked us to the bus stop and Karly and I went home. On the bus, my host mom texted me asking if 2:30 was a good time for lunch. I had totally forgotten about my birthday lunch and thought it was a birthday dinner (like at 8 rather than 2:30) and was just thinking that Ines wanted me home before 2:30 so I wouldn't be late for lunch.

When I got home, I asked my host parents what time my friends should come over for my birthday. They just kind of looked at me and were like "...didn't you get the text?" So I had to rush and tell my friends it was a lot earlier than we'd all thought. Luckily, everyone was still able to make it.

Except Laura. 

To my small birthday meal, I had invited Karly and Robin as well as Marta and Laura, the twins who's house I had lunch at a few weeks ago. When I went out to open the gate for my friends when I heard the gate buzzer buzz, I only saw Marta. I asked her why Laura wasn't there, but she just said that she didn't want to and some other things...I was thoroughly confused, but it's okay.

So once everyone was there, I opened my presents. To be completely honest, it was one of the most awkward experiences I've ever had. My host parents were kind of just smiling at me and my friends were on the couch kind of doing the same and my host brother Samuel looked really really bored and I felt bad for him to be honest...but, I got through it. My host family is so caring and thoughtful and got me great gifts that I'll be using all the time (like adorable mittens and a cute scarf).

After presents, it was time to eat! We had this delicious spaghetti with pesto along with some chicken. It was perfect! For dessert, we had not only one, but two cakes! My host mom made a cookie-chocolate cake and my host abuela made an orange cake. Both were out of this world. 

Even with it being my birthday, I was still incredibly sleepy after lunch. So my friends and I watched TV and kind of dozed off on the couch. At about 6 (I think), my host dad drove us to the bowling alley! Robin was unable to make it and Marta had to go home early, so it ended up being just Karly and I. 

And I don't think I would've wanted it any other way.

We seriously had so much fun! Neither of us are very good, so it was hilarious to make fun of eachother when we got gutter balls and cheer eachother on when we got strikes (yes, a few strikes were made).

Dat form tho.

Here's the scoreboard right after I scored two strikes in a row. This was a miracle because I don't think I've ever gotten above 40 points in bowling before. I like to think that doing so well on my birthday was an omen for a great year of being 17...Speaking of 17, that was also our lane number. Coincidence? I think not.

So that was my birthday. Mellow as can be, but also a lot of fun.

Also, here's what Karly got me for my birthday.

Yes, those are (knockoff) Crocs with fuzzy lining. And yes, I am wearing them now.

Monday morning- school. Ugh. I honestly don't even remember a lot of Monday except that Karly and I went to our Spanish class and it turned out there wasn't class that day (and there wouldn't be for the rest of the week). So we went to Karly's house and just hung out until it was time for me to go home. Exciting, I know.

I lied- something exciting did happen on Monday. People invited me to lunch?! It was crazy! This girl from my class named Ana invited me to get paninis from a nearby panaderia. It was so exciting like I have friends now? I think I'd still consider them almost friends, but we talked and ate together and I'd say we had fun.

Everyday I am tired. Sometimes I catch myself slipping in class, but I can usually stop myself from full-on dozing during a lecture.

On Tuesday, that was not the case.

During my English class, I fell asleep without shame on my desk. I didn't mean to, I was just so tired and I don't do anything (almost literally) in that class since I already know English.

I also had a math test that day. After struggling and totally not succeeding with the problems, I started to draw on the back of my paper and then ended up falling asleep. It was so easy because the room was silent except for the occasional cough (or sneeze- one of which woke me up quite abruptly). At the end of the test, my teacher came over and asked how I thought I did...I think from the look on my face and the absurd amount of question marks written on my paper, he could tell I wasn't too confident. He patted me on the head and sighed.

The last class of the day- French. Within the first 10 minutes, I was out. I just remember waking up to giggling and my teacher saying "Bonjour Tessa, Bonjour Josefine, Bonjour Marie Sofi." Apparently, all three of us exchange students had fallen asleep! The class was laughing and we were just sleepily trying to understand what was going on. It was a little embarrassing, but pretty funny, too.

After school Tuesday, I began my weekly volunteering job. At 5:45, I went to the Espacio Jovenes to start my "job" of playing with little kids. It was so much fun! They wanted to play games with me and asked me how to say words in English and it was so easy that I didn't even realize a whole hour and a half went by until my host mom was at the door to pick me up.

So on Wednesday I didn't have to go to school. Why? Because students were going on strike. Cool right?!

At around noon, I walked into my kitchen to get some water and saw my host brother and one of his friends eating sandwiches. My host mom asked me if I was going to the manifestacion, or the rally for la huelga (the strike). I told her I didn't know and she told me to go with the two boys scarfing down bocadillos in the kitchen. Sure! Why not?

I texted Karly and grabbed my passport (I'm still not sure why I needed to bring it...Samuel told me I needed a form of identification "just in case"). And we were off!

We met up with some other friends and walked to a park where the demonstration was to start. There were a ton of people!!

And soon enough, we started walking! I don't even really know what words to use to describe this experience. It was confusing at first (I later found out it was really mostly about the school system switching and becoming a lot more expensive). I only understood about two of the chants...which is probably like 6% considering how many there were (and everyone seemed to know them all?).

Another thing that was confusing was when to do what. Sometimes everyone would jump or put their arms in the air or kneel down or run or walk backwards or do a dance. I just stuck to what has gotten me this far in a foreign country- following others.

But despite not being fully aware of what was happening around me, it was really exciting. I think it's so cool for people to see a flaw and stand up to do something about it rather than just waiting for someone else to fix it. I think it's especially cool when those people are young students and the flaw is in the education system. I felt like I was part of something really spectacular being with all these people.

We marched for about two hours, and ended up in front of the ayuntamiento (city council). A few people yelled things from behind megaphones while the rest of sat down to watch and listen. This was the time when the group I was with decided to head home for lunch.

After lunch and siesta, I went back to the centro to meet up with Marie Sofi. We met at the same park we had all gathered in before the manifestacion. We didn't have any plans and none of our other friends could make it to hang out with us, so we walked! We walked throughout the city center and just chatted. Like a lot of my adventures here, it was laid back but totally fun.

I ended up getting some ice cream and Marie Sofi got this pastry and some fresh squeezed orange juice. Food seems to be a common theme for me in Spain life. We even went to a little super market because Marie Sofie hadn't seen any in Spain yet (don't ask me how she hadn't..they're on almost every corner). We bought conditioner for our hair and looked at all the Coca-Cola cans that say "Share a Coke with *insert name here*" and I think the lady at the cash register got mad at us for "messing them up" (which we totally didn't).

After finding our way back to the main street (I admit, we were a little bit lost), we both got on our separate buses home.

Today, I got up and went to school like usual...but when I got there, nobody else from my class was there! I wandered around for a while and then sat on a bench to text my host mom about my situation. Some nice lady came up to me and asked me what I was doing. I told her about my predicament, and she told me that nobody was there because there was another strike that day (for the teachers this time)!

So, I went home. And this is how I've spent the last hour and a half. I have a feeling today is going to be a very  relaxing day.

Muchas gracias! xo

Apology

Hello all my wonderful readers!

I have been incredibly busy lately (hence the tardiness of my next post). I started writing a post, but then I started getting really stressed out about a lot of things and began having mini panic attacks. Do not worry, I am okay- I just really need to sleep right now. This tiny post is just to say that there is a post on the way updating you all about my many adventures here in Granada. Thank you so so so much for sticking with me!

Muchas gracias! xo

¡Más!

So it kinda feels like I haven't posted in forever...even though it's only been five days.

But in my little-big life, it seems like so much has happened! (Please don't hold me to that "so much has happened!" comment- most likely this will sound rather boring to you, my lovely reader).

On Sunday, Karly and I baked cookies!! Earlier that week, we had taken a trip to the big store (it's a solid 10x bigger than our neighboorhood Mercadona) and purchased ingredients for American-style chocolate chip cookies. We were more than stoked to have a little taste of home and have fun doing it...

Boy were we wrong.

First of all, we had no baking soda. We read that we could substitute baking powder, but we didn't want to risk anything. So we googled "chocolate chip cookie recipe without baking soda"...and wouldn't cha know, there were a ton of recipes! Since we were jonsing to get baking after our minor set-back, we chose the first recipe.

All was going suprisingly well...until we looked at them after about five minutes in the oven-

I think the caption speaks for itself on this one...

We ended up mashing our two batches (yes, we made two of these awful things) into small pans and put them in the refrigerator in hopes of a brownie-like desert. I have not tasted them. They are still in my refrigerator. My host family makes fun of me for them. This, my friends, is my life. 

Now we have Monday....ugh.

To be honest, I don't really remember anything super special about Monday. It was a school day. I had Spanish class (which is still awful). 

On Tuesday, when I came home from school, Samuel handed me a postcard from the mailbox...it was from my best friend, Chip! Chip went to Germany on exchange last year. He pretty much inspired me to embark on this incredible journey #NoBiggie. 

When I got a closer look at the card, I immediately started cracking up. Here's why:

There's Chip on the left... (with the lovely Marie to the right).

When we stepped into the elevator going up to our floor, I flipped over the postcard to see what was written. Almost immideately, I went from crazy laughter to watery eyes (paired with a huge grin, though). I really do miss everyone back home, and getting a letter from one of my best friends ever saying that they missed me, too, made me miss them even more. 

As I stepped into the house, I noticed a huge box next to the door...with my name on it!! My dad's package finally arrived (long story short- my home-town post office messed up real bad and my package was lost for quite a while). I was so excited! I ran to my room to start tearing into it before lunch time. 

The goods:

• 3 bags of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• 3 boxes of Kraft Mac&Cheese (Monster's Universtity shaped!)
• 3 bottles of my facewash that they don't sell here
• 3 small batches of chocolate chip cookies
• 1 Seventeen Magazine
• 4 nail polishes
• 1 pack of razors (for shaving)
• and 1 card and 2 mystery gifts in pink paper which I'm saving to open on my actual birthday

Best. Box. Ever. 

I love my dad so so so so so so so so so so much! (Thank you so so so so so so much, daddy!)

So yaddah yaddah yaddah school school school...

HUMP DAAAAAYYYY! (if you don't get the reference, google it, trust me)

On Wednesday afternoon, after our Spanish class, Karly and I went to the city center to buy Robin a birthday present (her birthday is October 22, two days after mine!). We wandered around for a while and went into a few shops. I won't divulge what I got her because there is a miniscule chance that she may read this (if you are, hello Robin!). 

She totally isn't reading this.

Jerk.

(jk)

ANYWAY-

Karly also bought me my birthday present! Yay for friends!

After shopping for a little bit, we had a while until Karly had to go to her dance class (she's learning how to flamenco!), so we went into some stores and tried on some clothes that we didn't end up buying. I did buy two headbands because I lost mine like the second week I was here. 

Because her host family had to go out of town, Karly slept at my house last night. We had a crazy slumber party! We stayed up all night, told secrets, made prank calls...

Sike we studied for tests and fell asleep at like 11. #PartyHard

Today, I bribed people at school who I wanted to be my friends with Reese's. They liked them lots and I think I made an almost friend! I'd like to thank Reese's for making friends in foreign countries possible.

Tomorrow (Friday), I'm going to attend a meeting for the volunteers of the Espacio de Joven (the Boys and Girls Club-esque place). I was supposed to go on Tuesday, but my siesta lasted until about half-way through the volunteer session I was supposed to be at. Oh well!

This weekend, I will be celebrating my birthday! I don't know exactly what I'm doing yet, but there will definitely be a blog post all about it. 

Muchas gracias! xo

Another Crazy Story? C'mon, AC!

Confession: I've been listening to "That's How I Beat Shaq" by Aaron Carter at least once a day for about 3 weeks- hence the title of this post.

However, I do have another "crazy" story of my own!

Yesterday, I had no plans for the evening. I was actually a little disappointed that I might be spending my Friday night at home.

But then, a miracle happened:

I was invited out with Karly and some of her friends that she met through a family friend. I was so happy that I was actually going out!!

While I was at Karly's house straightening my hair and getting ready to go out, I got a message from Robin asking if we (Karly and I) wanted to go to the discoteca with her and some friends from her volleyball team. I'd never been to a discoteca before and it sounded so fun!

Now, I was conflicted. Karly had gone out of her way to ask her friends if I could tag along, and I wanted to ditch her for someone else. But before I even said anything, Karly said that if I wanted to go with Robin instead that it was okay. I asked her like six more times if she was sure, and then accepted that I had the go-ahead to go with mi otra amiga.

At about 9, Karly left to meet up with her friends. I didn't have to meet Robin until 11, so I ended up taking a shower... and ruining my straightened hair. Soon enough, it was 10:30 and time for me to catch the bus (my first time riding solo)!

The statue of Christopher Columbus was mine and Robin's meeting point last night. We met at about 10:50, but had to wait until 11:15 for her volleyball friend Javi (she plays for a co-ed team). It was freezing cold, especially by the fountain around the statue!

After a while, we saw a guy waving at us from across the street. It was Javi! He had brought a friend named Norberto. He told us that we were going to a discoteca at the Plaza de Toros...this meant that I took a bus into the center just to walk almost all the way back home. Oh well!

We walked to the Plaza and walked around it for a while choosing which discoteca looked best (there's about 3 there). Now the discotecas at the Plaza de Toros aren't really full-blown discotecas, but more like really big bars with music and dancing. The bigger discotecas are in the city center.

Anyway, we finally decided on one and got in the line. Javi told Robin and I that since we were underage (oops), we had to pretend we didn't speak any Spanish. Easy!

Sure enough, we got in no problemo. We had a blast! We danced and danced and danced some more until about 3 in the morning. There was even a live saxophone player! It was so much fun and I can't wait until I can go back.

At about 3, I called my host dad as planned for him to pick me up. Normally, I would walk or take a taxi home, but since I wasn't with Karly or my host brother, he preffered to drive me instead (he's seriously so thoughtful and awesome!).

Next activity: sleep!

Needless to say, I slept like a rock. In the morning, I woke up at about 10:30, had some breakfast, and watched Family Guy (or Padre de Familia as it's called here) with Samuel for a while. I have no plans for today, but on Sunday Robin, Karly and I are going to make chocolate chip cookies! That endeavor in itself should be interesting, so I'll probably write a post about that on Sunday.

Now, I need to attempt to condense all my experiences so far into an email for my Rotary clubs (both here and in California). Wish me luck!

Muchas gracias! xo

Un Mes!

So it's official- I have friends.

Real friends!!!

For a while, I knew I had people that I could hang out with during school, or follow around when I'm with my host brothers, but now I know I have friends all of my own!

On Friday after school, I met up with Marta and Laura to have lunch at their house.

Marta and Laura are twins. They are some of the sweetest girls I have ever met. These girls are my official friends.

So, along with another new friend named Paqui, we rode the bus to the station near their house. They live pretty far away from the school, so we couldn't walk the whole way.

When we got to their street (named after Picasso...so cool!) I saw many small apartment-looking buildings. Little did I know, these were houses. I was shocked to see an actual house in Spain, because I thought that 99.9% of Granada lived in apartments.

It was very different to be in a house...especially one that was about 3 times larger than my apartment here. I live in a small house in California, and I have lived in a large house, but I guess I've just gotten used to apartment living.

Anyway, enough about their house (which was beautiful by the way). For lunch we had some empanada, rice, and chicken. It was delicious! Their mother is very nice and a great cook. I also learned that their father is a math teacher (like my dad!) and the principal of a school (not like my dad!).

After lunch, we played MarioKart Wii and listened to Selena Gomez.

Now I know that video games and Disney channel stars don't really go with the rest of my life in Spain...but then again, neither do Marta and Laura.

We then walked to a nearby cafe to meet up with one of their friends. She was so cute and sweet and funny...unfortunately, I totally forget her name (sorry!).

I didn't have any money and wasn't hungry, but Marta and Laura bought me a chocolate milk and pretty much forced it upon me. All in all, it was a very relaxing afternoon.

Later that evening, my host brother Samuel informed me that it was one of his friend's 18th birthday that night and I was invited to the party! I was supposed to go out with Karly and Robin to the city center, but I was a good exchange student and said "Yes!" (or rather "Si!").

Once we were finished doing a little shopping for party necesities, we went over to the birthday boy's house. Technically, it was a surprise party, but he was most definitely not surprised to see 10+ people sitting in his living room when he walked in.

The party was laid-back and super enjoyable, but I had an awful stomach ache the whole time. That sure put a damper on my festive spirit. People would tell me, "Talk, Tessa!" and "Dance, Tessa!" but it was hard with such an icky tummy.

Then, Samuel told me we were going home to eat some dinner, and then return to the fiesta. This was a godsend! I love being around my Spanish amigos and having a good time, but my health and comfort definitely comes first.

When we got home, I b-lined it for the bathroom. Sure enough, I ended up bowing down to the porcelain throne and giving it all I had...and ended up feeling much better afterwards!

However, I still didn't feel up to eating, let alone heading back to the party. So I had a glass of water and told Samuel "Adios!"as I tucked in for the night.

*********************************************************************************

Saturday morning, at around 10:30, my host mom comes into my room and wakes me up. She tells me that she and my host dad are going mushroom hunting and want to know if I'll be joining.

Now, being woken up earlier than I would've liked and being invited to squat in the forest scoping out a specific type of mushroom wasn't appealing to me in the slightest, but having no other plans for the day and being a good Rotary Youth Exchange student (it's a tough job!), I said "Yeah!".

So I put on my grungiest clothes (which are surprisingly not that grungy), and hopped in the car going who knows where. Soon enough, we drove up to nature! We met up with one of my host dad's colleagues and his family and we went hunting for 'shrooms!

All was going great, we were finding some lil shroomies, and then all of a sudden I hear my host mom screaming "Pablo! Pablo!" (my host dad's name). It turns out, she had walked right through a wasp hive!! Despite getting stung around six times, she was a trooper and insisted that we keep mushroom hunting...in a different spot, of course.

At the second spot, we found un monton of mushrooms!! The type of mushroom we were collecting are called Niscalos and have lots of skinny orange circles on the top. I found some, too!

The last picture is my (adorable) host mom with all the Niscalos we scavenged...I know, we do well.

After we got home from mushroom-ing, we all got into clean, cozy clothes and had lunch: pasta with some of the mushrooms! It was delicious, to say the least.

Then, we slept. Or at least I did. I am always sleepy here!

Later that night, my host parents went over to our mushroom-picking partner's house for a mushroom feast. They told me it was going to be very boring for me due to the fact that they have a ten year old son and most of the conversation would be about work. So they were very understanding when I opted out.

They also told me that I could invite Karly over to watch a movie or something...which I did!

Karly and I made ourselves sandwiches (A+ housewife material). Then, Samuel came home. So we talked and hung out and had a really really really good time! We watched stupid YouTube videos and tried to invent our own boardgame and ordered pizza! It felt so much like home.

A little bit later, we heard the gate buzzer. Apparently, Samuel had invited someone, too! It was his friend Javi, who is nice. The four of us hunkered down on the couches and watched Project X in Spanish. I didn't understand the movie, but Karly told me that she didn't understand it even when she watched it in English.

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Sunday: Karly and I wanted to bake cookies but all the stores were closed so we couldn't buy the ingredients and ended up getting some coffee. That is all.

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Today- Monday. Ugh.

School felt crazy long and was extra not-interesting today. The highlight of my school-day was making cootie-catchers in math class with my friend Daniel who went on exchange to Fresno last year (#CaliSwag).

Another plus: I didn't have to go to my Spanish class (I actually regret this decision because I missed out on a crucial lesson- the alphabet).

Instead of sitting through a whole lotta "Mi llamo"s and "Soy de"s, I went with my host parents to the Centro de Juventud (I think that's what it's called) in Maracena.

The Centro de Juventud is basically a Boys and Girls Club, and my host mom thought it would be great for me to volunteer or take classes there because only Spanish is spoken there...I couldn't agree with her more!

When we got there, we met up with this guy who is in Karly and Samuel's class at school named Raul. Raul is apparently very active in the Centro de Juventud and was going to help me sign up.

I couldn't sign up today because I had forgotten a necessary paper at home. However, I talked with the head-dude and got a little tour around the place. I am most interested in volunteering with the little kids and taking the cooking classes. Everyone liked the idea of me helping out with the youngsters because I could teach them some English, some American traditions and songs (we have traditions?), and because they speak much more simply than most of the people I try to speak with in Spanish.

I am very excited to start!

Later, Karly, my host mom, and I rode the bus to our Rotary meeting. At the Rotary meeting, we were planning on chatting a little, receiving our monthly allowance, and taking off. However, Rotary decided not to give us our 70 Euro at this meeting and let us sit there for an hour listening to their budget for the month before telling us we could go.

Luckily, Karly and I only have to wait until Wednesday to get our money. Along with money, we also get free food! Everything an exchange student could ever want!

That is all for now, I am off to sleep.

Muchas gracias! xo

Me llamo Tessa. Soy de California.

Recently, I enrolled in a Spanish class.

I know that just being in Spain and being around only Spanish speakers will greatly improve my Spanish, but I feel that I don't know the grammar aspect very well and won't learn that just by having conversations.

So, I am taking a class.

I took a test to see which level I would be in (basic, intermediate, advanced, etc.) last week in hopes of scoring high enough to be placed in intermediate classes so I'd have class only twice a week as opposed to the four times a week if I was placed in basic...

Unfortunately, I suck at Spanish and am now have basic Spanish classes Monday-Thursday from 4:30-6:30.

Here is a brief summary of my first two classes:

-Hola me llamo ____. Soy de _______.
-Que tal?
-uno, dos, tres...
-Yo soy, tu eres, el/ella/Usted es, etc.

Pretty groundbreaking, right?!

Yeah, it's even easier than my English class here...forrealz.

My host mom said that I should really communicate to the teacher that I understand EVERYTHING and it's super facil, so that maybe he'll move me to the intermediate classes. She also told me that since it's crazy easy and it's 2 hours a day, four days a week, that I only have to go two or three times a week.

Hopefully, it'll get better (which I'm sure it will).

Also, I have been in Spain for almost a month.

LIKE WHAT?!

So in order to celebrate this momentous occasion, Karly, Robin, and I have decided to go shopping tomorrow! After our Spanish class, Karly and I will walk to el centro to meet Robin, go shopping, eat, and go shopping.

Needless to say, my monthly allowance for October from Rotary will be greatly appreciated.

That's all, folks.

Muchas gracias! xo

Day Trippin' (part two)

So yeah, this weekend has been pretty great! If you read "Day Trippin' (part one)," you'll know that I had a fabulous Saturday in Sevilla. Now, I will tell you about my awesome Sunday in Malaga.

Today, I went with Karly and her host family to visit some friends of theirs in Malaga, which is on the coast of Spain.

I was told we were going to the beach, despite the forecast for rain. So, as any good beach-goer would do, I put on my bathing suit, a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and some shorts (I ended up changing into yoga pants though), and Karly wore basically the same thing. When we got to the house of the family friends, Karly and I immediately realized we were WAY under dressed. As it turns out, we were going to walk on the path next to the beach.

Now I still don't understand what to wear when yet, but these people confused me to the max. The women were all wearing blouses and nice jeans and the men were all wearing collared shirts. Karly and I on the other hand...well, we stuck out like a sore thumb.

After walking around feeling extremely awkward and out of place for a while, we got lunch- which is always the perfect way to feel less awkward.

The family friend man ordered all the food for the entire group without looking at the menu. It was obvious he'd been to this restaurant many times before.

Since I've been in Spain, I haven't tried a food I haven't liked. Today wasn't any different, but I don't like how the majority of the food served is fried. Everything we had today except the bread was fried. Delicious, but fried. It really makes me feel bloated and not have a happy belly.

To combat the crazy amount of fried food, Karly and I took a solo walk to explore the beach a little bit.

I touched the Mediterranean Sea for the first time!!

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Okay so I started this post like 3 days ago and I totally forgot what else I was going to say... basically, Karly and I ended up getting helado (as per usual) and then went home. Malaga was very beautiful.

I will try to keep writing as often as I have, but recently I have been either very busy or very sleepy (often times both).

That is all for now, I believe.

Muchas gracias! xo