Carpe Diem

This phrase is the staple of the Spanish lifestyle here in Alicante. For those that don't know, it means "seize the day." Every day I feel like there are 100 things I want to do but only have time for about 5 of them. I keep telling myself I am here for 5 months but in reality, it's almost been 1 month already! To begin, I apologize for such a long absence in between posts. I could use the excuse that I have been "busy" but everyone is busy. My honest answer is that this past week I began my semester-long classes beginning, finding my way around campus (which is more difficult than one would think), planning trips to other cities, and connecting with the people in my group whether its sitting down to watch a Real Madrid game or dancing until the wee morning hours in El Barrio. I am taking four classes this semester: Spanish for the Health Professional, Women Literature, Spain Through It's Popular Culture and History of Spain. The last class is my direct enrollment course which means I am in a class with other Spanish students, not just the people in my program; i.e. Americans. All of them are taught in Spanish and sometimes it becomes difficult to pay attention for 2 hours straight, considering my brain is working the entire time. Mondays and Wednesday's I only have one class which is the public health course and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my other three classes. I like my schedule so far and enjoy the classes. I have already learned so much about Spain! And, coincidently, more about the States. When you learn about the Cold War in 6th grade and don't hear of it again, it's hard to remember the exact years it happened. Thanks to Spanish classes, I will be fully educated upon my return home :)

My family continues to be amazing and I feel that I grow closer to them everyday. One night last week Lidia poked her head in my room to tell me her and Ariadna were going to look at a new car. She doesn't have one and has to borrow her brother's if she needs to go somewhere. I smiled and said, "Just looking? Solamente ver?" She laughed and reassured me that yes, they were ONLY looking. Two hours later she came home with an extra set of keys in her hand and told me she purchased it. It's a little two-door, silver car but is perfect for her and Ariadna. She has already purchased seat covers and hello kitty sun visors to spice it up. I have ridden in it twice and I can tell she really enjoys driving it. I learned in my Pop Culture class that many cars here are manual because Spaniards enjoy driving and to them, it's not driving if the car is automatic. Another interesting cosa (thing), is that people WANT to live in the city. According to Alicantinos, if you live outside the city you are viewed as poor or weird. They don't have suburbs here because the people that have money want to live in the city; they want to be around other people and enjoy the noise. This is also why many Spaniards have their televisions on during the entire day; they want company. Sorry mom but I don't think you could fit into this culture :) Back to my family, Ariadna and I hung out in my room the other night and painted our nails, watched Justin Beiber videos on youtube and talked about our favorite singers. Lidia walked by and asked if it was okay that she was in my room and I laughed and said, "Por supuesto!" (of course). I'm so lucky I am living with a family that can be my home away from home.

The weekend proved to be a success as I made it to the beach to play some frisbee and hang out with friends. It's not quite warm enough to lay out in a bikini but we had fun nonetheless. Saturday night was also fun as my friends and I (about 6 of us girls) went out for sangria...at midnight...and I didn't go to sleep until 6 AM Sunday morning. I'll spare the details but it was a really fun night! We almost went to the beach to watch the sunrise but people had to catch a bus home and everyone was getting tired. That was the latest I have stayed out since I have been here. Remember, this is the Spanish lifestyle. Many places don't open until midnight!

I feel like I am starting to become part of the Spanish lifestyle which is a benefit of living abroad rather than traveling abroad. Because of QUIJOTES, I am constantly speaking Spanish in and out of my house which helps me blend in with Spanish women. I also have taken on the dress of 'españolas' and try not to wear sandals (which is a dead give away you are an American) even though if I was at Iowa, that's all I would be wearing in 65 degree weather. On Sunday night (well, actually Monday morning here) a few girls and I went to the American bar called Havana to watch the Super Bowl. After watching Cristina Aguilera screw up the national anthem, we stayed until halftime and then decided we were too tired to watch the entire game. On our way home, there was 5 of us, we were all talking about how glad we were that we had chosen Alicante for study abroad. It couldn't be the more perfect city as far as size, the generosity and kindness of the people, it's safety and obviously, the beach. We were also comparing the states to here and decided there wouldn't be as many dogs and kids along the sidewalks in the states.

I want to tell you more but have class soon! I hope this makes up for my long absence. Remember, every day is a gift, that's why they call it the 'present'! Carpe Diem!

Sending my love from España,

Hilary