March 26
So should definitely be in class right now, but I’m still sleeping off my adventures at Las Fallas in Valencia, possibly THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD!!!! I really don’t even know how to describe the whole thing. All I know is right now I have an insatiable urge to write. I already feel panicky that I haven’t been writing enough and recording my thoughts and the things I do, because there is just so many amazing things left and right. I really should just write every day and simply record the events because it seems too much if I only do it every few weeks.
I have already seen more than most people do in their lifetime. I generally just feel an overwhelming love for Spain. Really, honestly, love it. I’ve now been here 2 and a half months and I’m past most all culture shock. I know my way around. I have friends, Spanish ones! And I’m going on dates, all-important for Holly. Sigh. Will I ever grow out of being boy crazy?
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
What were my life worries before coming to Spain? What jeans to wear? Who’s dating who? All of those petty concerns have melted away, all that matters to me here is improving my Spanish. It’s funny, in class, the usual popularity contest stuff is nonexistent, the coolest kids are the ones who are speaking the language the best.
It doesn’t matter what anyone looks like, who’s a dork or who wears what, respect and admiration are based solely on who speaks Spanish the best. Any jealousy I feel is rooted in who’s picking up the language fastest. For once I don’t feel my usual insecurities that I don’t dress cool enough, that I’m too in my books or in my head. And I feel urgently motivated to study more, converse more. The six months of Spanish immersion here are equal to six years of school study.
And, guess what? I’m kicking ass at Spanish! I can comfortably ask questions and understand the answers, and not just in the present tense—past and future too! And it feels very natural. Like the other day, I got on the bus to go hang at Retiro, and I was able to ask the driver which stop to get off, understood perfectly his response, and THEN someone asked ME where to get off for Chueca, and I was able to tell them! AND you should know I didn’t even REALIZE til later I had done all that conversing in Spanish, so naturally it flowed from my lips. My profesora has told us this is an important step in becoming fluent, when we respond in the language without thinking, when the “thinking” part has fallen away. And, I’ve had many Spaniards tell me my accent is good, so THAT makes me happy.
Yep. I’m happy here. Using my brain. Having “coolness” be determined by intelligence. Sooooo…..why would I ever go back to America?
xoxo
--H
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Delusions of Glamour: The Time I Went to Spain and Told Lies to My Boyfriend
HumorIf you study abroad, you should probably lie to your boyfriend. AJ and I have always had this animal attraction, 'I want to throw you against the wall and lick ice cream off you' sorta thing. But I wasn't sure how he felt, so I told him all the deta...
