- I took the DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) exam a couple days after my last post. This was a test that I had to take when I studied abroad here two years ago and I passed the upper-intermediate level last time. I figured I would give the next level a go this time around. The test is sponsored by the Institute of Cervantes in Madrid and if I pass the level that I took last month, I'll get a diploma saying that I'm recognized by Spain as having that level of Spanish. It was good because it forced me to practice my Spanish while studying. Also, I talked to Mark, my program director from study abroad, and he put me in contact with a student from GU here this past semester who was taking the same test as me and we got to be really good friends.
- I've started doing intercambios...I've met up with one of Rocio's good friends who recently got back from 7 months in England and wants to keep up with her English. Hoping to meet up with her some more.
- One thing that I really wanted to do here in Spain was learn how to cook like the Spaniards do. My friend Ali who I met with to study for the DELE told me that she was going to a cooking class every Monday so I started going along with her and a few more study abroad kids. It's in downtown Granada and is put on by a center for professional women who want to learn to cook Spanish cuisine. A lot of the women who come to this center have immigrated from South America - there are Ecuadorians, Bolivians, etc - This class has been a lot of fun and I've even made a few things at home afterwards. We had a little fiesta on our last day before break and I'm excited to get back to class in the new year.
- I joined a gym (necessary after a month and a half of Spanish Christmas treats and drinks!!). There is a gym right up the street about half a block from my apartment that I walk by everyday. I'd seen that they had spinning classes at night and decided to try it out...love it! It's funny because they play Madonna and other American songs during class and then you have the gal shouting what to do in Spanish. It's been fun, I'm hoping to get to some of the aerobics classes during break that they offer during the day when I'm normally at work.
- My 3rd grade kids at school put on a "Christmas"play on the last day of school before break. The teacher that I work with was the one who picked it out...that's why Christmas is in quotes...the only thing that had to do with Christmas was that he added in jingle bells at the end to make it festive! It was a funny story (the kids spoke in English and then two of the older students translated to Spanish for the parents) and they did a great job! We filmed it so hopefully I'll be able to put up a video of the show soon!
- The last day of school was also my birthday (big 2-3)...and in Spain the 22nd is the day of the National Christmas Lottery. Everyone buys a lottery ticket and waits to hear if they struck it big this year. Our school was no exception...all of us teachers put in 20 euros and bought 10 tickets with the same number. It paid off because we won!! Not the big winnings but two of the numbers at the end of our series matched the winning number so we each get 100 euros! Pumped! That was a great birthday surprise! After school all of the teachers met up (all 8 of us) in the city center for lunch together. We went to a really nice place and when they found out it was my birthday, the drinks started flowing. After lunch no one wanted to head home so we all went to a bar and had one more drink. Then I rushed back to my place to get ready and meet up with Conchi, Rocio and Nacho for tapas. It was a great birthday filled with a lot of laughs and great people.
- Christmas Eve is a big celebration here. Conchi and family had invited me over to celebrate with them and I gladly accepted. I was walking up to the apartment right as Nacho and their older brother Miguel (he lives in Málaga) were coming back from the center. Conchi had her house all decorated, tree and all! Definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. Her brother, his daughters and the grandmother all came for dinner as well. We had a great dinner filled with a lot of appetizers, soup, jamón, and treats. Towards the end of dinner Conchi asked me to tell everyone a little bit about some of my family's holiday traditions. I told them all that every Christmas Eve we open one gift and it is always pajamas, then we change into the new pjs and watch Home Alone. Literally two minutes after that Nacho decided to take a break from the food and turn on the tv...Home Alone in Spanish was on! It was perfect. He stopped everyone in the middle of their conversations to let us know. It was a great night and I'm so glad that I have my Spanish family here to celebrate with. If I can't be back home with my family, I'm glad I can be with my Spanish family!
I'm probably leaving a lot out but I think those were the big things from the last six weeks! Hope you all had a great Christmas with family and friends! Thinking about everyone often!
More to come after the New Year!
Besos a todos!!
Megan
Loved the update! Post some pictures for us of the holidays okay?! We know you had a great time and would love to see it. Looking forward to the next update.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom