Navidad y un paquete

Had an amazingly crazy Christmas! You know those europeans- it isn't Christmas without tears, yelling, a fire place, a little bit of smoking, alcohol, and family drama. Our Christmas meal consisted of soup, lasagna, mountains of seafood, lamb, and mushrooms. For dessert we had the regular mandarines and christmas candies. I also had coffee! Well, it was more like milk with coffee rather than coffee with milk, but hey, I tried. 

A few days ago I went to the post office to send some stuff (I do that so often the women who work there are basically my BFF's) and I have been expecting Christmas packages from family in the states. I was basically whining to the ladies that I hadn't gotten any packages yet. They looked in the back of the office, and BAM! one of my packages had arrived that day, what luck. It was a package from Albany and it included- a grow-your-own Christmas tree, a mirror shaped like a rose, earbuds, a book called 'To my Daughter' (one of the best books I have ever read, and I can't wait to give it to my own baby one day!), some peanut butter, a necklace, a cross, a DVD of my brother's last waterpolo game, a notepad that says "when everything else fails, go shopping!", a shirt that says 'I (picture of a mustache) you a question, and finally a 3D puzzle of a rose, who's idea was a 3D puzzle? A few hours and a whole frustrated host family later, I finished it.

Fútbol

 Yesterday was quite a day- woke up, went to the gym, came back to the house, showered, decorated a FAKE Christmas tree at one of my grandma's, went to church, walked back to the house, and ate lunch. I was planning on just lounging for the rest of the day, but then the boys asked me if I wanted to go to Madrid, and Madrid just isn't a city you say no to.

 So we drove 20 minutes to pick up Guzman's friend and the tickets to the soccer game they would be going to (they were going to be the ball boys). We drove another 15 minutes to the stadium, they went in, and I went walking. (4:30) I walked for more than 3 hours, got my first haircut without my mom, bought 3 other things- a jacket, a scarf, and soap. Got lost a few times, but had my map so eventually I would figure out where I was. At around 7:40 I called Rafa and he said he had a ticket for me, so I was able to go in the game. It was a charity game and there were some people I recognized from a popular TV show here. Above you can see my little brothers waiting for stray balls. Above the left is a picture of 'el hombre de negro' (from the TV show) and some people with him with big barrels, IDK what they were for really. The picture of me with Santa was from when I was out and about shopping. I am so grateful for these opportunities!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Just being Spanish

Today was so fun!
We had 2 normal classes then we ran the "cross" with means cross-country, but it was a tiny run. I was first in the girls group! Medal #1.
After that we watched 2 boys' soccer games, then it was my team's turn. I may or may not have gotten a penalty for deflecting a ball from my face with my hands, but hey what else do you want me to do? My team won 1-0. Medal #2.

After school I took the bus to the nearby town of Majadahonda which has a bunch of shopping. There I bought things for my secret santa and for my teachers' gifts.

I have 16 teachers and to each one I am giving a chocolate bar and a white board marker. To my poor secret santa person- a sparkly plastic hate, granny panties, and a chocolate bar.

One week left of school

This past weekend was the usual, lunch at one grandma's house Saturday with loads of people. One interesting thing I learned while talking to one of my cousins is that she is living in Ireland (just visiting us now) but for the winter he will go to Dubai. Her job in Ireland is to take care of a family's horses (like a vet). The mother goes to Dubai to rise in the winter because she is something like the horse trainer for the princess of Dubai? Its all very complicated, but very cool.

              Then at my other grandparents' house on Sunday. We always have the same thing- which is fine by me- first regular soup, but instead of noodles, we have rice and garbonzo beans. After that we have a HUGE platter of chicken, ham, and other meat. Sometimes we also have green beans, potatoes, and sausage. I can barely move afterwards. This weekend they had the fireplace lent and I was soooo happy just sitting by it, getting warm.

        This week we have lots of fun things to do at school- today I had a fútbol game, we won, I sucked. Wednesday we have a run down to the area where we have the market area of our town then back up to the school- I want to win a medal! That day the teachers are also going to play in a soccer game. Thursday we receive our grades for the first trimester, wish me luck. And Friday is a half day, then Christmas break!

I go to this church once a month to watch my grandma sing, they only dress up once a month. This was an extra special 'concert' after the mass in honor of the Christmas season. I will try to put some of the videos up tomorrow.

(My grandma is the gorgeous one in baby blue!)

Christmas time in Spain

This last Saturday in Madrid with two other exchange students! First pic-Taste of America, thank God for this store, but really I do. Second pic- Me in my favorite bakery with my hard working bakers! Third pic- Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, mostly just fresh foliage (moss, holly, mistletoe) and nativity scenes for sale, but each piece was separate :/ Fourth pic- Just mountains of potato chips and sunflower seeds :) Pic below- Gettin frisky with Batman in the comic's section!

Had lunch at my tutor's house on Sunday, we had gnoccis! They were amazing. I asked him what he knew about my host family stuff, and he said really nothing but he would ask the main exchange student guy this coming week. I told him I didn't have a present for my Dad to put in my package I would be sending home so he gave me something! Can't say what it is of course, but it was very kind! Gonna go to a Christmas market at my local church this Saturday, then I plan on sending the package. I will post a picture of the contents after I know my family has received it:)  I received a Christmas package from my grandparents in Arizona, I am not supposed to open it 'till Christmas, but it says what it is on the box, LOL. Love you Nanny and Pom Pom! 

Trouble, Finals, Shopping, Family

So sorry I haven't written in a while, but life's been crazy!


GOT IN TROUBLE!
Well went to Madrid with my friend one Friday, and shopped, took pictures, people-watched, the usual. Remember when I went to Madrid and forgot my phone? Well this time I took it but left it in my backpack the whole time. When I checked it at 10:30 I had missed calls and texts from my host parents. When i called them back, they said we would 'talk' when I got home.....YIKES. I know they were just worried, but really that was the first time they'd really been angry with me. I cried harder than I ever have before, and I know it was my fault :/ Gonna be more careful next time!

FINALS
Had final tests last Thursday and Friday and also this Monday and Tuesday. Did better on some than others.....but oh well. Nailed the French one! You could practically touch the stress in the air from all of the studying students, I quit worrying after the first day, because those were our hardest tests. Haven't got my grades yet, we'll see!

SHOPPING
Yesterday, December 6, I went shopping in a nearby town with another exchange student who is also moving families. Her move is a 'bit' more extreme than mine, she is moving from the south coast, to the north, 2 hours from France! We shopped till we were barely standing. I bought some scarves and lots of things to send home in a Christmas package. Going to Madrid today at 4 with this exchange student and one more for more shopping! It's the first time since the incident, so wish me luck. (Little piggy for only 90 euros, maybe merry Christmas to me?)

FAMILY
On my shopping adventure I also talked with the head Rotary guy. He said I would live in Majadahonda (that town) and take the bus everyday to my same school. I am so happy! This town has 10X as much shopping as the one I live in now.

¡Acción de Gracias!

(Thanksgiving!)

       So after SCHOOL, yes I had school this whole week, I did some homework then got ready to Skype my family. First I skyped my family in Denver- Mom, Grandpa, great- aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then when my brother got on Skype from Oregon I tried to add him to the group call. It worked for about 2 minutes, but then I had to say goodbye to the Colorado family to be able to Skype my family in Oregon. That consisted of Dad, Josh, Reilly, Elly, and some Alaskan (Elly's roommate). They had to get off pretty quick because they were leaving for their Thanksgiving lunch at my Uncle Dominick and Aunt Jenni's. I then got ready for my own Thanksgiving dinner with the Rotarians and other exchange students. Silvia and I arrived at the restaurant a little before 9, we all listened to some Rotary meeting business stuff, then we got to the eatin'! First course was a zucchini soup and the next was duck and scalloped potatoes. For dessert we had an croissant-type thing topped with pudding, apples, and a cherry. We also toasted with champagne (my first drink in Spain)! We listened to more Rotary business then visited and took pictures with each other. I got home about 12:15, and to bed around 1, and I had to be up this morning at 8 for school :( All in all a great time!

Solo en Madrid y un Excursión

Alone in Madrid and a field trip!

     Yesterday, I called my friend during lunch to tell her I could go to Madrid after school. She didn't answer (in school) so I left a message. When I got home from school again I called her and she said she was on the bus to where we were going to meet. Great! So I changed my clothes and went to the bus stop. I decided to wait with some schoolmates of mine who were sitting across the street. They told me during the week the bus I needed, 627, didn't do the big loop where our school is and the nearest bus stop. So they walked me down to another one and left me there with a woman who.....was talkative. I waited from 5 to 6. And that bus is supposed to come every 15 minutes? Mmmmhhmmm, sure. I hopped on that and then a metro and I was in SOL, where we usually meet, at around 6:45. It's a huge square filled with hundreds of people so I knew I wouldn't find her. Oh yeah did I mention I forgot my phone? Looked for a while, then decided to just go shopping! Bout some postcards and other souvenir-y things. Everyone is so nice here! I asked for directions once (in Spanish) then gave directions (in English) to a man from Bangladesh. Decided to call it quits around 8 and was home by 9. My family was a little worried because Emily, my friend, had called the house and my family had called my cell....which was in my room. YIKES. All in all it was a fun trip.

Had a little boy take my pic in a great bakery!

 Can't wait till this is a full tree and lit up around Christmas!

      Today, I woke up super pumped because my class had a field trip! And to top it off it was in street clothes! On the bus everyone was eating, taking pictures, and one person even brought an iPod dock to play music! We drove into Madrid and arrived at a university. We waited in the lobby of the philosophy building for about 20 minutes, and when the teachers were trying to check our school in, the woman with the list said no one had called from our school to confirm us. Because there was a lot of time until the next show, our teachers let us loose on the campus. I went with some friends into 3 different buildings, took some pics in the leaves, and then we were back in the lobby at 11:30. We actually entered the theatre around 12. I didn't understand much, slept a little, and then we were out of there. What I did understand of it was that it took place in Ancient Greece or Rome, and there were different legends portrayed including one about a cyclops. We got back to the school at about 2:15, when our lunch break usually started at 1:30. I ran home and ate some pasta and now I am going to study for my religion test I have after lunch:(

In the theatre!

There were signs everywhere on the campus about the huelga and a bunch more about being against fascism and nazis.

When you leave Manu and I home alone for too long...

I'm finding the days when nothing goes as planned are some of the best days. 
       Today school was fine, as usual. Planned on going to Madrid to go shopping with some other exchange students after school. Ran home and changed my clothes, packed my backpack, and made Guzman call Rafa to ask if I could go because he wasn't home then or during lunch. He said yes so I ran for the bus stop to be there almost exactly at 5. I waited for THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES before I decided to call it quits. The boys were super surprised when I walked through the door. I told them I didn't know what time the bus was supposed to come and Rafa told me I should look on the internet. I did, and guess what? The bus I was waiting for was supposed to come every 15 minutes! Whateva! I did some homework then mixed up a bizcocho (A european cake thing). This time I added some crushed hazelnuts that Grandma sent me with.

I put that in the oven and ran to La Mocha (our little place with the bars, one super market, a bakery, and other miscellaneous store) to buy some bread. The stores only bake baguettes in the morning so I bought one unbaked for 0.70 centimos and ran home. Manu and I waited for the cake to be done then started cooking the bread. While that was happening, Manu decided we needed to start the pasta now instead of waiting 'till 8 (Rafa and Guzman would be home at 8:30 from fútbol). We boiled the pasta and decided to do a cheese sauce with it. That consisted of cream cheese, butter, flour, salt, pepper, milk, and various spices. It was delicious and even better when we added tomato! Everything in Spain is better with tomato.

Don't worry, it's supposed to be ugly. 

I had to keep stirring the pasta to keep it hot 'till Guzman and Rafa got home at 9:10, so the pasta was a little mushy, but still fantastic! I cut the freshly baked bread and we ate in happiness.

I then had this to deal with....dishes and cheese everywhere!

HUELGA!

          Last night while at Abuela Pilar's I heard one of my cousins say he wasn't going to school "tomorrow" (today) because of the huelga (strike). My little brothers tried to convince Rafa (host dad) to let us stay home from school, that didn't fly.
         So today I got up and went to school as normal. We were 9 students short in my class so we sat wherever we wanted and during our first class of history we "studied" for other classes. During the next hour we didn't even have a teacher. You'd think if one of our teachers was on strike we would at least have someone to babysit us for the hour....NOPE. The class spent the hour taking pics of each other and I spent the hour translating a paper I had written. We had a regular math class because our math teacher....let's just say she's a bit rough around the edges....and she gave us homework. Both our P.E. teachers were at school so we had a regular class for that, then a regular class of Physics and Chemistry- with lots of whining on our part. Went home for lunch and received a package from my sweet Mommy! It contained silly dollar store items like washcloths and a coloring book, but it also contained 3 packs of fake dollar bills that were written on and together said, "SPEND SOME MONEY!" Oh goodness Momma. Went to school in a great mood. During English class Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I go into a separate class with a teacher named Cynthia who helps me with translating my homework. Today instead of doing homework we spent the hour talking about the strike, the reasons behind it, the reasons to participate, the media coverage (objective channels vs. those essentially controlled by the government), and the effect it has. SO INTERESTING! Actually getting to hear someone's opinion who is a Spanish citizen who works in public service (teaching). She told me at 6:30 there would be the actual march in Madrid. After that I had Ethics, then went home.

        Started my homework then decided to ask Rafa if I could go to the strike march in Madrid. He asked how I would get there and back. Only after I said the bus did I realize the bus drivers were part of the strike and the bus schedule was messed up and there were few busses today :( Did more homework then went to spinning class with my aunt and uncle. Whew that was hard core! Walked home and showered then immediately left for Abuela Pilar's. We will most likely go there everyday this week because Rafa's youngest brother is here from Switzerland with his 2 year old. I gave her some of the things that were in the package from my mom. He brought a surplus of French cheeses so he tried all of them with bread.

A great Sunday!

Last night I babysat my cousins and slept over at their house. They are always perfect and the older one pretty much tells me what to do so I always feel bad getting paid :/ Had a great breakfast of churros and hot milk then went home and did some homework. Went to Las Rozas (a town) with my brothers and dad and came to this go-kart racing facility, Silvia met us there. It was super cool, the track actually bridged over itself in one part and all of the workers had working headphone radios (like the ones the pit crew/boss/guy has). After that I came home and rushed to get ready to catch my bus only to realize I hand't been looking at the hour hand of my watch and actually had another hour. I sat down and ate some lentils and rice, then the boys let me know if I wanted to be in Madrid at 2:30 I had to leave at 2. Waited for my bus for about 10 minutes, it took about 30 or so to get to Mocloa (where I can catch the metro), and Emily met me there. We then went to another station by metro, then to another by "train," its basically the same as the metro, then we came to daylight at El Sol. We walked around watching street performers, went to a bakery, shopped a bit, went to McDonalds and had Mcflurries, then went back to the same bakery so I could buy my family some croissants. Emily took me all the way to my metro and told me to "Facebook me when you get home!" From there I took the metro back to Moncloa and hopped on my bus. Traveling around Madrid is so easy! I plan on doing it at least once every two weeks now! I was home around 6:45, and it was already super dark. No one was at the house when I got there so I changed into my PJs and watched some TV. Silvia, Manu, and Guzman came home and they ate some of the croissants and I had lentils and rice for dinner. Now I'm watching Spongebob with Manu and plan to go to bed soon even though it's only 8:40.

Just want to say I appreciate all the support I am receiving from home and I wouldn't be able to do this without all of my letters, postcards, prayers, emails, and comments on my blog. You guys make me feel so loved and I am sending love and prayers right back your way!

 The boys did some go-kart racing! I wouldn't be in the same race as them so I decided to pass.

 Took the bus then metro into Madrid to meet a friend, a fellow exchange student from Oregon! This guy was one of many street performers in Puerto del Sol.

 Went to a seemingly normal show store and found this in the men's section? No judging! LOL

 The symbol of Madrid! 

 I always take pictures of stores I want to go back to and this gorgeous lady just happened to be in the way!

My scores of the day: pink thing= croissants from an amazing bakery, in the souvenirs bag= key chains,  in front of the souvenirs bag= postcards!

An update

Things in general:
Still not sure about my host family situation. Pretty sure I will get a new host family in a little. It's just hard not knowing when, who, or where. I really don't care WHO, but I do care WHERE. I really want to stay at my same school so I want to be placed with a close family or someone who lives in another town, but has kids who go to the school. I am in contact with a few Rotary officials asking about my new family and I will write more when I know more.

How my Friday went:
Went to school as usual. Came straight home and changed my clothes, went out with a trash bag and gloves to pick up trash. It was a little sad to me that I only made it 10 minutes and around one corner before my bag was full. Stepped in some dog poop because no one picks it up here:/ Came back to the house and changed my clothes again and headed for the gym, did a 45 minute spinning class, came home and showered. Got one postcard from Mom and a card from my cousin. It's about 7:15 pm and now I am going to start my mounds of homework I have for the weekend.

A Halloween in Madrid

Te start of my Halloween! Wearing my silly glasses, an orange headband, bat earrings, and a pumpkin pin!

 I wasn't able to be in English class on Halloween because I was going to have a meeting with some other Rotary exchange students. After everyone left for lunch I taped these on the window and wrote on the board. I will see on Monday what they thought of it- NO MORE SCHOOL THIS WEEK!

 My bat earrings, can you see 'em?

 Me in front of Congress, freezing.

The end of my wonderful Halloween, makin' friends at the local bar!