Thursday, November 11th

Thursday I accidently overslept my alarm because the volume was down super low. The night before I had started to make a hot chocolate when I came in from the game, but had forgotten the cup of milk in the microwave, so when my senora was making her breakfast in the morning, she assumed I was up because there was another cup of milk in the microwave. After not hearing me for a while, she knocked on my door. The problem was this was at 8:50 and my class starts at 9:00 and is at least a 15 minute metro ride – if I’m lucky. Needless to say I did not make it to my first grammar class.

I got up anyways and utilized my time by writing an essay for my literature class. I’m really trying to use my time wisely and get my work done when I can. I’m cutting back on Facebook and clearly slacking on my blog (sincere apologies). The problem is that my main goal for coming to Spain is to learn Spanish. Obviously I need to pass my classes and I’d love to get an A+, but I’m trying to work in my Type A+ personality. I’m trying to work on reminding myself that there are more important things in life than straights As and perfecting my homework. Because of this new life perspective, I find it super hard to pass up opportunities to hang out with my friends and spend time with my family. It’s especially hard when Teresa invites me to hang out with her and her friends. Not only would I much rather spend time with them, but I feel like I learn a lot more Spanish talking with friends than reading out of a book or writing a research paper. So that’s where I am right now, trying to balance my goals for Spain with still pulling off a decent grade and receiving my credits. It’s also hard because I am in class literally 27 hours a week. On top of that, I have to make up 30 hours outside of class because IC wants me to take 45 hours of each elective instead of the 30 Tandem offers. The other girls from the states are only taking 21/24 hours and neither have to do the 30 extra hours, so it’s a pain when I see them able to relax and have more fun and I’m pulling all nighters (not literally, but sleep is lacking). Anyways, I’m done ranting and complaining, but that’s where I am right now.

So Thursday night I went on my regular language date with my uncle. We did our normal walk around the block and ended up drinking cokes at VIPS like always. As always I learned a lot and had a blast. He’s so gracious and really eager to learn and to help me learn Spanish. Such a sweet guy.