2nd week in Santander

This second week has been a lot more comfortable and a lot more simple. I have been going to the beach a lot and eating a good amount of Regma. For my excursions, this past week I went to the Plaza de Magdalena and Picos de Europa. The Plaza de Magdalena is this actually fairly new 100-year old castle that is owned by my University. Pretty cool. Picos de Europa is a mountain-range that is in northern Spain. We got to gaze at the mountains, take a nice hike, and hang out at a near by small town the whole day. Another exciting thing thing this week is, me and some girls from my trip met three other Spaniards. We had fun talking, and they decided to take us out that night, to show us the ropes. They introduced us to Calimochos which are drinks with wine and cola, not my favorite, but they were okay. We also went to this discoteca where we danced as we heard some familiar, must mostly foreign music! We also did Tapas for the first time this week, which was a fun experience, I will do again. Strangely enough I have also learned that Spainards really like Mayonnaise, just different.

This week I have started to notice how the United States is just different. From using pounds and feet to never learning vosotros, class has been kinda hard. After taking Spanish for so long I was very naive in thinking, I knew a lot. I can definitely say that I can get my point across to anyone. However, its been frustrating when I try to explain far-off ideas to my new foreign classmates. On the flip-side there are kids from Italy, Germany, Austria, and even VIETNAM, just in my Language class! I definitely am being challenged, but I now know that I have to work on my Grammar.

As for things at my new home, I could not be any happier. I love my family, especially mi madre. She has been so patient and accommodating. She listens to what I have to say, but also mentions when I make mistakes. The one thing I don't like about her is how little she wants me to do. Almost every Sunday night, Diane and I make dinner together and it is so much fun! Here, she never even lets me lift a plate. She has never really let me help her cook, but I have put things in the dish washer without her knowing! I'm pretty sure she loves me though.

As much as things have gone better here this week, I have been homesick especially in the last few days. This past weekend, James's cousin, Jamie, was in terrible accident in Lake Michigan. Although I only met Jamie a few times, he was a welcoming and enthusiastic person. What really kills me is not to be able to be there with James and his family this coming week. For anyone who reads this blog, please keep James's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Till next time, Sincere love from Santander.