Cumplemeses feliz

view from the apartment

Last weekend we went to Benidorm which is considered the "NYC" of Spain because it isn't really like the rest of Spain, it's more of a tourist attraction, full of big buildings and shops. We went with Emilia and Andres because Andres (the son) had a basketball game there. We rented an apartment for the night and stayed. While we were at the pool in the hotel nextdoor I went into the sauna and began talking with some of the people in there. A Scottish kid asked me if I speak some English. hah, it was one of the strangest things I've ever been asked. We had a nice conversation, and I did a lot of back and forth with Ines and little Emilia and the boy.

On Sunday we went to Alicante for the Lucentum basketball game and Miki's basketball game, but I left early to go to Minguez's birthday celebration with some friends. I rode on the train all by myself. (;
When the ticket collector came to talk to me, I told him I was American and here learning Spanish. I'm sure people either think I am deaf or dumb after asking what two or three times. haha. A lot of people here practice their English with me or just say random things in English at me, but it's funny because at first I assume they are speaking Spanish and have absolutely no idea what they are saying.
So for I have taken two tests (Language and History), but I haven't gotten my grades yet. My history teacher is super nice and after seeing how nervous I was told me "Whatever you do will be fine." Yesterday he said I am definitely improving in Spanish.
I am speaking more and participating more in school and with friends. Friday I went to the movies to see Lo Imposible (The Impossible) and I understood the whole things. Last night I went out to eat with the kids from my class at school. When I got home, I caved and watched Psych (in English) I had a dream last night and in it I started talking in English and then suddenly I remembered that I wasn't supposed to and began in Spanish again. haha

shopping (:

We went for a shopping trip yesterday and I went all out. Five pairs of stockings, three pairs of shoes, a jacket, some bracelets, two pairs of pants, a scarf, five shirts... Anais and I had about ten bags at the end of the morning! I'm finding that I love having a sister my age. We share clothes and shoes and jewelery, ask if things match, help each other out. haha

We were working on grammar in English class the other day... I had to bite my tongue a couple times. It is not okay to put in commas just because you want to emphasize a pause. They have to have a reason. And using the word whom isn't just a higher level of language, it's proper language. It is not interchangeable with who. haha

Today marks two months after arriving... Solene says we need to buy a cake to celebrate my "cumplemeses". The greatest thing about spending four months here is that it isn't just a vacation, it's life.