Ahora no tengo que ir a la universidad hasta las once. ¡Yo y mi mamá estamos felices! Había un cambio y mi clase de conversación está a las once ahora, no a las nueve y media. Esta semana terminamos con la Constitución de España y vamos a estudiar el Movido de las ochentas. Me gusta mucho la profesora. Se llama Pilar y ella es muy simpática. Ella nos cuida mucho y nos ayuda con cosas de vivir en Madrid. También tuvimos la clase de cultura. Ahora, estamos arreglando los siglos y que pasó durante los siglos. Me gusta la clase porque es una clase de historia y no he aprendido mucha información de España. Para el almuerzo, fuimos a un café muy cerca de la universidad. Pero no me gustaba porque el jamón es diferente aquí y tiene mucha grasa. También, hay demasiado pan. Pero yo comí los que quería y después compartí un postre con una amiga. A veces es difícil para escoger algo para comer porque mucha de la comida tiene cerdo y chorizo.
Now I do not have to go to the university until eleven o'clock. My mom and I are happy! There was a change and my class of conversation is at eleven o'clock now, not at half after nine. This week we ended with the Constitution of Spain and we are going to study Movement of the 80s. I like very much the teacher. It is called a Pilar and she is very nice. She takes care of us very much and helps us with things of living in Madrid. Also we had the class of culture. Now, we are arranging the centuries and that happened during the centuries. I like the class because it is a class of history and I have not learned a lot of information of Spain. For the lunch, we went to a cafe very close to the university. But I did not like because the ham is different here and has a lot of fat. Also, there is too much bread. But I ate those that I wanted and later I shared a dessert with a friend. Sometimes it is difficult to choose something to eat because a lot of of the meal it has pork and sausage.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Atlético de Madrid
Esta noche fuimos a un partido de futbol entre Atlético de Madrid y Valencia. Fuimos al Calderón, el estadio de Atlético de Madrid. Todo el estadio estaba lleno. Los aficionados son locos. Cuando entramos, tenían que tomar las tapas de las botellas porque los aficionados las tiran. El partido era bueno. Ellos no pueden jugar como los equipos de Barcelona y Real Madrid, pero son buenos. Torres, el jugador que ganó el gol para el equipo de España en el Euro Cup para ganar el torneo, es de Atlético Madrid. Cuando el himno está tocando, todos están en los pies cantando.
Tonight we went to a football match between Atlético de Madrid and Valencia. We went to the Calderón, the stadium of Atlético de Madrid . The whole stadium was full. The fans are crazy. When we enter, they had to take the lids of the bottles because the fans throw them. The game was good. They cannot play like teams of Barcelona and Real Madrid, but they are good. Torres, the player who scored the goal for the team of Spain in the Euro Cup last year to win the tournament, is from Atlético de Madrid. When the team anthem is playing, they all are on their feet singing.
Tonight we went to a football match between Atlético de Madrid and Valencia. We went to the Calderón, the stadium of Atlético de Madrid . The whole stadium was full. The fans are crazy. When we enter, they had to take the lids of the bottles because the fans throw them. The game was good. They cannot play like teams of Barcelona and Real Madrid, but they are good. Torres, the player who scored the goal for the team of Spain in the Euro Cup last year to win the tournament, is from Atlético de Madrid. When the team anthem is playing, they all are on their feet singing.
Friday, May 15, 2009
¡Hoy es mi cumpleaños!
¡Hoy es mi cumpleaños! Estoy feliz porque no tenemos clase. No me desperté hasta las dos. Cuando me desperté, fui a la cocina para el desayuno y mamá no estaba allí. Pero me dejó una cartera para mi cumpleaños. Ella es muy simpática. Más tarde, ella regresó del festivo de San Isidro y me trajo unos postres. En la noche, salimos. Primer, fuimos a un concierto de Planetamadrid. La cantadora podía cantar muy bien. Ella bailaba mucha. Era muy interesante ver los madrileños al concierto. Todos estaban bailando y estaban muy emocionados. Después de algunas horas, salimos de concierto y fuimos a un bar para bailar. Era muy divertido. Los otros estudiantes son muy amables y me gustan mucho. Me gusta Madrid porque todos los lugares son diferentes. Hay partes para los turísticos y otros para los locales. En total, tenía un gran cumpleaños y ahora tengo diez y nueve años. Soy la bebé de todo el grupo.
Today is my birthday! I am happy because we have no class. I did not wake up until two o'clock. When I woke up, I went to the kitchen for breakfast and my mom was not there. But she left to me a wallet for my birthday. She is very nice. Later, she returned from the festival of San Isidro and brought to me a few desserts. In the night, we went out. First, we went to a concert of Planetamadrid. The singer could sing very well. She was dancing great. It was very interesting to see the people from Madrid at the concert. They all were dancing and were very excited. After some hours, we left the concert and we went to a bar to dance. It was very entertaining. Other students are very kind and I like them very much. I like Madrid because all the places are different. There are parts for tourist and others for the places. In whole, I had a great birthday and now I am nineteen years old. I am the baby of the whole group.
Today is my birthday! I am happy because we have no class. I did not wake up until two o'clock. When I woke up, I went to the kitchen for breakfast and my mom was not there. But she left to me a wallet for my birthday. She is very nice. Later, she returned from the festival of San Isidro and brought to me a few desserts. In the night, we went out. First, we went to a concert of Planetamadrid. The singer could sing very well. She was dancing great. It was very interesting to see the people from Madrid at the concert. They all were dancing and were very excited. After some hours, we left the concert and we went to a bar to dance. It was very entertaining. Other students are very kind and I like them very much. I like Madrid because all the places are different. There are parts for tourist and others for the places. In whole, I had a great birthday and now I am nineteen years old. I am the baby of the whole group.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Miércoles
¡Hoy era un buen día! La escuela estaba bien y no es muy difícil. En la clase de conversación, hablamos solo de futbol. Aprendimos como tal importante el futbol es para los españoles. Esta noche fue el partido de La Copa del Rey (como el superbowl de futbol). Nuestra tarea fue mirar o salir para mirar el partido en un bar. El partido era entre Bilbao y Barcelona. Pusimos una apuesta para el equipo queríamos ganar. No tenemos la clase de cultura porque teníamos un reunión para discutir la casas y como debemos vivir en las casas. Después, teníamos un almuerzo con todo el grupo. Comimos el cocido, pero fue de otra región. También, todo el almuerzo fue “el cocido.” Comimos la sopa y después la carne (cerdo, vaca, y algunas otras que yo no recuerdo). Después, buscamos entradas para el Madrid-Open. Fuimos a un estación de metro donde pensábamos era donde se venden las entradas, pero la mudaron. Fuimos a La Caja Mágica en otra estación, y podemos comprar entradas para la noche próxima. Cinco de nosotros vamos a ir. Es posible que Nadal juegue. ¡Estamos emocionados!
En la noche, fuimos a un bar se llama Tijcal. Era bastante doce de nosotros. Algunos quieren que Bilbao gane, pero yo y otros queremos que Barcelona gane. Era un buen partido, pero todo el tiempo Barcelona tenía posesión de la pelota. Bilbao ha ganado un gol antes de llegue, pero para el resto del partido, Barcelona tenía posesión de la pelota. Nos divertimos mucho. Por fin, Barcelona ha ganado cuatro goles, pero Bilbao solo tenía el uno. Era interesante mirar el partido en un bar con los madrileños. Regresé a casa después del partido y me acosté. Estaba muy cansada porque aquí los días son tal largo. El día para mi empieza a las siete pero no termina hasta medianoche o más tarde. Pero me gusta. Cuando regreso a casa, hay ropa limpia me esperaba en la cama.
Today was a good day! The school was well and it is not very difficult. In the class of conversation, we talked all about soccer. We learned that how important soccer is for the Spanish. This night was the game of La Copa del Rey (as the superbowl of football). Our task was to watch or to go out to watch the game in a bar. The gamewas between Bilbao and Barcelona. We put a bet for the team we wanted to win. We did not have the class of culture because we had a meeting to discuss our houses and how we should live in the houses. Later, we had a lunch with the whole group. We ate el cocido, but it was from another region. Also, the whole lunch was "el cocido. " We ate the soup and later the meat (pig, cow, and some others that I do not remember). Later, we look for tickets for Madrid-Open. We went to a metro station to where we were thinking it were where the tickets were sold, but they changed it. We went to La Caja Mágica at another station, and we can bought tickets for next night. Five of us are going to go. It is possible that Nadal plays. We are excited!
In the night, we went to a bar named Tijcal. There were about twelve of us. Some of them wanted that Bilbao wins, but I and others want that Barcelona wins. It was a good gmae, but all the time Barcelona had possession of the ball. Bilbao has gained a goal before I arrived, but for the rest of the game, Barcelona had possession of the ball. We had a lot of fun. Finally, Barcelona has gained four goals, but alone Bilbao had one. It was interesting to look at the game in a bar with the persons from Madrid. I returned to house after the party and went to bed. It was very tired because here the days are such a length. The day for me begins at seven o'clock but it does not end up to midnight or later. But I like. When I return to house, there are clean clothes he was waiting for me in the bed.
En la noche, fuimos a un bar se llama Tijcal. Era bastante doce de nosotros. Algunos quieren que Bilbao gane, pero yo y otros queremos que Barcelona gane. Era un buen partido, pero todo el tiempo Barcelona tenía posesión de la pelota. Bilbao ha ganado un gol antes de llegue, pero para el resto del partido, Barcelona tenía posesión de la pelota. Nos divertimos mucho. Por fin, Barcelona ha ganado cuatro goles, pero Bilbao solo tenía el uno. Era interesante mirar el partido en un bar con los madrileños. Regresé a casa después del partido y me acosté. Estaba muy cansada porque aquí los días son tal largo. El día para mi empieza a las siete pero no termina hasta medianoche o más tarde. Pero me gusta. Cuando regreso a casa, hay ropa limpia me esperaba en la cama.
Today was a good day! The school was well and it is not very difficult. In the class of conversation, we talked all about soccer. We learned that how important soccer is for the Spanish. This night was the game of La Copa del Rey (as the superbowl of football). Our task was to watch or to go out to watch the game in a bar. The gamewas between Bilbao and Barcelona. We put a bet for the team we wanted to win. We did not have the class of culture because we had a meeting to discuss our houses and how we should live in the houses. Later, we had a lunch with the whole group. We ate el cocido, but it was from another region. Also, the whole lunch was "el cocido. " We ate the soup and later the meat (pig, cow, and some others that I do not remember). Later, we look for tickets for Madrid-Open. We went to a metro station to where we were thinking it were where the tickets were sold, but they changed it. We went to La Caja Mágica at another station, and we can bought tickets for next night. Five of us are going to go. It is possible that Nadal plays. We are excited!
In the night, we went to a bar named Tijcal. There were about twelve of us. Some of them wanted that Bilbao wins, but I and others want that Barcelona wins. It was a good gmae, but all the time Barcelona had possession of the ball. Bilbao has gained a goal before I arrived, but for the rest of the game, Barcelona had possession of the ball. We had a lot of fun. Finally, Barcelona has gained four goals, but alone Bilbao had one. It was interesting to look at the game in a bar with the persons from Madrid. I returned to house after the party and went to bed. It was very tired because here the days are such a length. The day for me begins at seven o'clock but it does not end up to midnight or later. But I like. When I return to house, there are clean clothes he was waiting for me in the bed.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
El segundo día de las clases
El segundo día de las clases pasó bien. Me gusta mucho la clase de conversación. La profesora es muy amable y chistosa. Ella se llama Pilar. Hablamos sobre queremos hacer durante la clase y que pensamos es importante para España. Me gusta mucho porque la clase es pequeña y es fácil para discutir. Después, para la clase de cultura y civilización, fuimos al parque Casa de Campos. Era para las familias reales. La gente pública no podría entrar hasta más tarde. Pero hoy, durante la noche, es peligroso. Muchas personas van allí para hacer drogas y hay prostitutas. También, allí durante la guerra civil, ellos usaron para luchar y había trincheras. Subimos una colina y allí tenemos una gran vista de la ciudad de Madrid. Era muy hermosa. Discutimos sobre que es para ser una persona y como nosotros vemos a nos mismos. ¿Quién somos? Soy una hija, una hermana, una amiga, una novia, una Cristiana, una nieta, una sobrina, una estudiante, una Americana. Somos muchas cosas. ¿Pero como definimos a nos mismos? No solo podemos decir las palabras. Si queremos que otra persona nos entiende, tenemos que decir más palabras. Ellos tienen que observarnos en la vida día a día. En la clase de cultura, la grande pregunta es “¿Quién son los españoles?” Entonces, vamos alrededor la ciudad para averiguar esta pregunta. Cuando estábamos hablando sobre la colina, un grupo de personas se vistieron en la ropa del tiempo antiguo subieron la colina. Cantaban canciones viejas. Tomamos una foto con ellos. Eran muy simpáticos y nos invitaron para beber la sangría con ellos. Yo no la probé, pero mis amigos probaron. Ellos la gustó mucho. El grupo pagó por toda. Después, salimos y almorzamos. Fuimos a un café en el parque cerca del Lago. Yo comí una sopa se llama El Cocido para el primer plato. No me gustaba esta tipa de sopa (todos los regiones tienen su propia) porque había mucha sal. Pero para el segundo plato comí la carne plancha. Me gustaba mucha mucha. Era tal buena. También había un postre, era helado. También bebí una Fanta Limón. Y todo solo cuesta 11.50 euros (cerca de $17).
The second day of the classes happened well. I like very much the class of conversation. The teacher is very kind and funny. She is named Pilar. We speak on what we want to do during the class and that we think is important for Spain. I like it a lot because the class is small and is easy to have discussions. Later, for the class of culture and civilization, we went to the park Casa de Campos. It was for the royal families originally. The public people were not able to enter until much later. But today, during the night, it is dangerous. Many people go there to do drugs and there are prostitutes. Also, there during the civil war, they used to fight and there were trenches. We climbed a hill and there we had a great view of the city of Madrid. It was very beautiful. We discussed what it is to be a person and how we see ourselves. Who are we? I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, a girlfriend, a Christian, a granddaughter, a niece, a student, an American. We are many things. But since we define to us ourselves? Not only we can say the words. If we want that another person understands us, we have to say more words. They have to observe us in the life every day. In the class of culture, the big question is: “ Who are they the Spanish people? ” Then, we go around the city to find out this question. When we were speaking on the hill, a group of persons dressed themselves in the clothes of the traditional Madrid clothing climbed the hill. They were singing old songs. We took a photo with them. They were very nice and they invited us to drink the sangria with them. I did not try it, but my friends did. They liked it very much. The group paid for everything. Later, we went out and ate lunch. We went to a cafe in the park next to the Lake. I ate a soup it is called El Cocido for the first dish. I did not like this type of soup (all the regions have their own type) because there was a lot of salt. But for the main course I ate a flat iron steak. I liked very much. It was so good. Also there was a dessert, it was ice cream. Also I drank a Fanta Limón. And everything only costs 11.50 euros (next to $17).
The second day of the classes happened well. I like very much the class of conversation. The teacher is very kind and funny. She is named Pilar. We speak on what we want to do during the class and that we think is important for Spain. I like it a lot because the class is small and is easy to have discussions. Later, for the class of culture and civilization, we went to the park Casa de Campos. It was for the royal families originally. The public people were not able to enter until much later. But today, during the night, it is dangerous. Many people go there to do drugs and there are prostitutes. Also, there during the civil war, they used to fight and there were trenches. We climbed a hill and there we had a great view of the city of Madrid. It was very beautiful. We discussed what it is to be a person and how we see ourselves. Who are we? I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, a girlfriend, a Christian, a granddaughter, a niece, a student, an American. We are many things. But since we define to us ourselves? Not only we can say the words. If we want that another person understands us, we have to say more words. They have to observe us in the life every day. In the class of culture, the big question is: “ Who are they the Spanish people? ” Then, we go around the city to find out this question. When we were speaking on the hill, a group of persons dressed themselves in the clothes of the traditional Madrid clothing climbed the hill. They were singing old songs. We took a photo with them. They were very nice and they invited us to drink the sangria with them. I did not try it, but my friends did. They liked it very much. The group paid for everything. Later, we went out and ate lunch. We went to a cafe in the park next to the Lake. I ate a soup it is called El Cocido for the first dish. I did not like this type of soup (all the regions have their own type) because there was a lot of salt. But for the main course I ate a flat iron steak. I liked very much. It was so good. Also there was a dessert, it was ice cream. Also I drank a Fanta Limón. And everything only costs 11.50 euros (next to $17).
Monday, May 11, 2009
La Primer Día de Las Clases
Hoy era el primer día de las clases. Me desperté a las 6:30 de la mañana. La mamá me dio la fruta para el desayuno y después salí por el metro. Me gusta mucho el metro. Puedo ir a toda de la ciudad por lo. Es muy fácil para usarlo. Esta mañana tenía que encontrar como voy a la universidad. Tenía que cambiar de los trenes y el viaje en total toma más o menos treinta minutos. En las mañanas, hay muchas personas que van a sus trabajos o a la escuela. A veces hace calor porque a demasiadas personas en los trenes. Llegue en total y busque al grupo. Era la primera estudiante que llegó. Hablé con la profesora Mar sobre la casa. Cuando mucho de nuestro grupo llegaba, salimos para La Universidad de Nebrija. Allí teníamos la orientación y una visita alrededor el edificio. Su cafetería es muy diferente de la cafetería a Pepperdine. Aquí, hay una maquina que tenemos que poner las monedas y escoger cualquier cosa queremos y trae el recibo al cocinero. La comida está tal buena. Me gustaban muchas las clases. Para la clase de conversación, tenemos una profesora de Madrid. Ella es muy amable y chistosa. Después de esta clase, tengo un descanso por dos horas. ¡Qué bueno! Hoy, fui a la biblioteca para ir por la Internet. Para la segunda clase, algunos de nosotros no pudimos encontrar todo del grupo. Porque Pablo, el profesor y director del programa, está enfermísimo, ellos cambiaron la aula y entonces no pudimos encontrar a ellos. Finalmente, después de media hora, los encontramos. Hablamos un poco de la cultura España y después, salimos por el día.
Yo fui a la Plaza del Sol con mis amigos, Elizabeth, Sara, Melanie, y Victor. Compramos el libro para la clase de cultura y también yo compré el libro El Alquimista. Me encanta el libro en ingles, entonces yo quería leerlo en español. Me gusta mucho el libro porque tiene ilustraciones. Después, almorzamos. Comí el pollo asado con patatas fritas y para el postre, el helado. Me gustaba mucho. Después, Elizabeth, Victor, y yo buscamos una tienda Tobacco para encontrar la tarjeta para los jóvenes para el metro. Tomó mucho tiempo y después de mucho tiempo, encontramos uno que vende los para los jóvenes. Regresé a casa e hice cosas aquí. Fui al tinto con la mama y después fuimos al supermercado. Compramos unas alcachofas, las uvas, y los croissants. Regresamos a casa y comí la cena a las ocho y media. Esto era un guisado de carne con carne de vaca y patatas. También tenía uvas y pan. Miramos la televisión durante la cena para acostumbrarme el oído de las palabras españoles. Ella dice que tengo que traer el diccionario conmigo a la cena porque ahora puedo hablar más o menos bien, pero todavía hay muchas palabras que no entiendo.
Me gusta ahora vivir aquí. Estoy acostumbrando todavía, pero estoy más confortable aquí. Ella hace todo por mí. Ella limpia mi cuarto y el baño, ella cocina para mí y lava los platos, y también ella dijo cuando regresé hoy que estaba lavando la ropa blanca para mí. Ahora es mejor porque estoy con los amigos todos los días.
Today it was the first day of the classes. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. My mama gave me fruit for breakfast and later I left for the metro. I really like the metro. I can go to all of the city by it. It is very easy to use. This morning I had to figure out how I go to the university. I had to change trains and the trip into entire took more or less thirty minutes. In the mornings, there are many people who go to their jobs or to school. Sometimes it is hot because too many people in the trains. I arrived in one piece and I looked for the group. I was the first student who came. I spoke with the teacher Mar about my house. When most of our group had come, we left for The University of Nebrija. There we had orientation and a tour around the building. The cafeteria is very different from the cafeteria at Pepperdine. Here, there is a machine that we have to put coins in and choose any thing we want and bring the receipt to the cook. The food is pretty good. I liked my classes. For the class of conversation, we have teacher of Madrid. She is very kind and funny. After this class, I have a break for two hours. How nice! Today, I went to the library to go for the Internet. For the second class, some of us could not find the rest of the group. Because Paul, the teacher and the director of the program, is very sick, they changed the classroom and then we could not find them. Finally, after half an hour, we found them. We talked a little about the culture Spain and after, left for the day.
I went to the Plaza del Sol with my friends, Elizabeth, Sara, Melanie, and Victor. We bought the book for the class of culture and also I bought the book The Alchemist. I love the book in English, so I wanted to read it in Spanish. I like the book a lot because it has illustrations. Later, we had lunch. I ate the chicken roasted with French fries and for dessert, ice cream. I liked it a lot. Later, Elizabeth, Victor, and I looked for a Tobacco shop to find the card for the young people for the metro. It took a lot of time. After a lot of time, we found one that sold them for young people. I returned to my house and did things here. I went to the dry cleaner with my mamá and later we went to the supermarket. We bought a few artichokes, grapes, and croissants. We returned to house and I ate the dinner at half after eight. It was a stew of meat with beef and potatoes. Also I had grapes and bread. We watch the television during the dinner so I can become used to hearing Spanish words. La mamá says that I have to bring the dictionary with me to the dinner because now I can speak more or less well, but there are still many words that I do not understand.
I now like living here. I am still becoming accustomed, but I am more comfortable here. She does everything for me. She cleans my room and the bathroom, she cooks for me and washes the dishes, and also she said when I returned today that she was washing my white clothes for me. Now it is better because I am with the friends every day.
Yo fui a la Plaza del Sol con mis amigos, Elizabeth, Sara, Melanie, y Victor. Compramos el libro para la clase de cultura y también yo compré el libro El Alquimista. Me encanta el libro en ingles, entonces yo quería leerlo en español. Me gusta mucho el libro porque tiene ilustraciones. Después, almorzamos. Comí el pollo asado con patatas fritas y para el postre, el helado. Me gustaba mucho. Después, Elizabeth, Victor, y yo buscamos una tienda Tobacco para encontrar la tarjeta para los jóvenes para el metro. Tomó mucho tiempo y después de mucho tiempo, encontramos uno que vende los para los jóvenes. Regresé a casa e hice cosas aquí. Fui al tinto con la mama y después fuimos al supermercado. Compramos unas alcachofas, las uvas, y los croissants. Regresamos a casa y comí la cena a las ocho y media. Esto era un guisado de carne con carne de vaca y patatas. También tenía uvas y pan. Miramos la televisión durante la cena para acostumbrarme el oído de las palabras españoles. Ella dice que tengo que traer el diccionario conmigo a la cena porque ahora puedo hablar más o menos bien, pero todavía hay muchas palabras que no entiendo.
Me gusta ahora vivir aquí. Estoy acostumbrando todavía, pero estoy más confortable aquí. Ella hace todo por mí. Ella limpia mi cuarto y el baño, ella cocina para mí y lava los platos, y también ella dijo cuando regresé hoy que estaba lavando la ropa blanca para mí. Ahora es mejor porque estoy con los amigos todos los días.
Today it was the first day of the classes. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. My mama gave me fruit for breakfast and later I left for the metro. I really like the metro. I can go to all of the city by it. It is very easy to use. This morning I had to figure out how I go to the university. I had to change trains and the trip into entire took more or less thirty minutes. In the mornings, there are many people who go to their jobs or to school. Sometimes it is hot because too many people in the trains. I arrived in one piece and I looked for the group. I was the first student who came. I spoke with the teacher Mar about my house. When most of our group had come, we left for The University of Nebrija. There we had orientation and a tour around the building. The cafeteria is very different from the cafeteria at Pepperdine. Here, there is a machine that we have to put coins in and choose any thing we want and bring the receipt to the cook. The food is pretty good. I liked my classes. For the class of conversation, we have teacher of Madrid. She is very kind and funny. After this class, I have a break for two hours. How nice! Today, I went to the library to go for the Internet. For the second class, some of us could not find the rest of the group. Because Paul, the teacher and the director of the program, is very sick, they changed the classroom and then we could not find them. Finally, after half an hour, we found them. We talked a little about the culture Spain and after, left for the day.
I went to the Plaza del Sol with my friends, Elizabeth, Sara, Melanie, and Victor. We bought the book for the class of culture and also I bought the book The Alchemist. I love the book in English, so I wanted to read it in Spanish. I like the book a lot because it has illustrations. Later, we had lunch. I ate the chicken roasted with French fries and for dessert, ice cream. I liked it a lot. Later, Elizabeth, Victor, and I looked for a Tobacco shop to find the card for the young people for the metro. It took a lot of time. After a lot of time, we found one that sold them for young people. I returned to my house and did things here. I went to the dry cleaner with my mamá and later we went to the supermarket. We bought a few artichokes, grapes, and croissants. We returned to house and I ate the dinner at half after eight. It was a stew of meat with beef and potatoes. Also I had grapes and bread. We watch the television during the dinner so I can become used to hearing Spanish words. La mamá says that I have to bring the dictionary with me to the dinner because now I can speak more or less well, but there are still many words that I do not understand.
I now like living here. I am still becoming accustomed, but I am more comfortable here. She does everything for me. She cleans my room and the bathroom, she cooks for me and washes the dishes, and also she said when I returned today that she was washing my white clothes for me. Now it is better because I am with the friends every day.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
El Tercer Día
Hoy, fue un poco difícil para despertarme. Solo dormí por cuatro horas. Pero necesitamos que salir los cuartos del hotel a las doce. Comimos a Starbucks para el desayuno/almuerzo. Después, fuimos al Parque Retiro. Nos encanta. Es el más grande, como el Parque Central en Nueva York. Había muchas personas. A los niños les gusta jugar allí. Tienen un lago y se puede alquilar los botes de remos. Caminamos alrededor de mucho del parque y compré un helado. Regresamos al hotel para conocer a nuestras familias, pero esperamos por mucho tiempo pero las no encontramos. Ellos vinieron al hotel, pero estaban en otro lado. En el hotel, hay dos hoteles. Estábamos en uno y ellos en el hotel. Entonces, tomamos los taxis a nuestras casas. Vivo sola con una viuda. Ella tiene cinco hijos, tres hombres y dos chicas. Todos están casados. Me gusta vivir aquí, pero tengo que acostumbrar. Es diferente de la casa en Ohio. Ella es amable y me cocinó lo que quería, pero ahora no es “casa.” Hablaba con ella a la cena. Ella es de Andalucía, pero su familia mudó a Madrid cuando ella tenía nueve anos. Hay la Red, y estoy alegre. Puedo llamar a los Estados Unidos por Skype. Todo está bien.
Today, it was a little difficult for me to wake up. I only slept for four hours. But we needed to check out of our romos at twelve. We ate Starbucks for the breakfast /lunch. Later, we went to Retiro Park. We loved it. It is the biggest, like Central Park in New York. There were many people. The children like playing there. They have a lake and it is possible to rent rowboats. We walked around a lot of the park and I bought an ice cream. We returned to the hotel to meet our families, but we waited for a lot of time but we did not find them. They came to the hotel, but they were in another side. In the hotel, there are two hotels. We were in one and they were in the other hotel. So, we took taxis to our houses. I live alone with a widow. She has five children, three men and two girls. They all are married. I like living here, but I have to get accustomed. It is different from my house in Ohio. She is kind and she cooked me what I wanted, but it’s not yet “home. ” I was speaking with her during dinner. She is from Andalusia, but her family moved to Madrid when she was nine years old. There is Internet here, and I am happy. I can call the United States by Skype. Everything is well.
Today, it was a little difficult for me to wake up. I only slept for four hours. But we needed to check out of our romos at twelve. We ate Starbucks for the breakfast /lunch. Later, we went to Retiro Park. We loved it. It is the biggest, like Central Park in New York. There were many people. The children like playing there. They have a lake and it is possible to rent rowboats. We walked around a lot of the park and I bought an ice cream. We returned to the hotel to meet our families, but we waited for a lot of time but we did not find them. They came to the hotel, but they were in another side. In the hotel, there are two hotels. We were in one and they were in the other hotel. So, we took taxis to our houses. I live alone with a widow. She has five children, three men and two girls. They all are married. I like living here, but I have to get accustomed. It is different from my house in Ohio. She is kind and she cooked me what I wanted, but it’s not yet “home. ” I was speaking with her during dinner. She is from Andalusia, but her family moved to Madrid when she was nine years old. There is Internet here, and I am happy. I can call the United States by Skype. Everything is well.
El Segundo Día
¡El segundo día! Tenemos que despertarnos para el desayuno. Es muy diferente de los desayunos de los Estados Unidos. Había salami, salmón, los tomates con queso de parmasean, el pan, la fruta, los huevos, chocolates, y muchas otras cosas. No había los panqueques o los waffles. A las 11 de la mañana, reunimos para la orientación. Después, encontramos y entendemos usar el metro. Tomamos al Plaza del Sol para ir al Plaza Mayor. Allí, prometemos que hablamos en español, como adiós inglés, hola español. Cuando vamos al almuerzo, no hablamos mucho porque es difícil ahora para hablar mucho en español. ¡Ojala que no esté difícil por mucho tiempo! Tenemos la paella para el almuerzo. Para el postre, tenemos una cosa como los “Creme Puffs.” Nos gusta mucho. Después, conocemos a la guía para una vuelta de Madrid. Pero, que lastima, porque ella habla el español muy rápidamente y nadie pudo comprender mucho. Pero vimos Don Quijote, el palacio real, y la plaza mayor. Después, tuvimos el tiempo libre. Sabena y yo fuimos de compras. Fuimos a Zara, Blanco, y El Corte Inglés (es como un Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, y Wal-Mart en una tienda).Compré un vestido y los zapatos Pumas. Regresamos al hotel y después fuimos a cenar. Cenamos en restaurante italiano. Algunas personas comieron el cerdo, y las otras comieron una pizza italiana. Para el postre, fue la misma del almuerzo. Pero después de unas horas en solo hablar de español, fue mucho más fácil para hablarnos. Entonces, después de la cena, regresamos al hotel para prepararnos para ir a la discoteca. Antes, fuimos al bar de Irlanda. Cerca de la una, fuimos a la discoteca Teatro Kapital. Nos divertimos mucho. Estuvimos allí para unas horas antes de salimos y caminamos, por una hora, al hotel. ¡Qué noche!
The second day! We have to wake up for the breakfast. It is very different from the breakfasts of the United States. There was salami, salmon, the tomatoes with parmasean cheese, bread, fruit, eggs, chocolates, and many other things. There were no pancakes or waffles. At 11 a.m., we met for the orientation. Later, we found and understood how to us the metro. We took it to the Plaza del Sol to go to the Plaza Mayor. There, we promised that we would only speak Spanish, as English goodbye, hello Spanish. When we went to lunch, we did not speak very much because it is difficult now to speak Spanish all the time. I hope that is not difficult soon! We had paella for lunch. For the dessert, we had a thing like " Creme Puffs. " We liked it a lot. Later, we met the guide for a tour of Madrid. But because she spoke Spanish very rapidly, nobody could understand very much. But we saw Don Quijote, the royal palace, and the biggest square. Later, we had the free time. Sabena and I were of buys. We went to Zara, Target, and El Corte Inglés (it is like a Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Wal-Mart in one store) .I bought a dress and some Puma flats. We returned to the hotel and later we went to have dinner. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant. Some people ate the pork, and others ate an Italian pizza. For the dessert, it was the same as lunch. But after a few hours in only speaking about Spanish, it was much easier to speak to us. Then, after the dinner, we returned to the hotel to get ready to go to the discoteca. First, we went to an Irish bar, because it was a tradition of one of the guys. About one o'clock, we went to the discoteca Teatro Kapital. We had a lot of fun. We were there for a few hours before we left and walked, for an hour, to the hotel. What a night!
The second day! We have to wake up for the breakfast. It is very different from the breakfasts of the United States. There was salami, salmon, the tomatoes with parmasean cheese, bread, fruit, eggs, chocolates, and many other things. There were no pancakes or waffles. At 11 a.m., we met for the orientation. Later, we found and understood how to us the metro. We took it to the Plaza del Sol to go to the Plaza Mayor. There, we promised that we would only speak Spanish, as English goodbye, hello Spanish. When we went to lunch, we did not speak very much because it is difficult now to speak Spanish all the time. I hope that is not difficult soon! We had paella for lunch. For the dessert, we had a thing like " Creme Puffs. " We liked it a lot. Later, we met the guide for a tour of Madrid. But because she spoke Spanish very rapidly, nobody could understand very much. But we saw Don Quijote, the royal palace, and the biggest square. Later, we had the free time. Sabena and I were of buys. We went to Zara, Target, and El Corte Inglés (it is like a Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Wal-Mart in one store) .I bought a dress and some Puma flats. We returned to the hotel and later we went to have dinner. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant. Some people ate the pork, and others ate an Italian pizza. For the dessert, it was the same as lunch. But after a few hours in only speaking about Spanish, it was much easier to speak to us. Then, after the dinner, we returned to the hotel to get ready to go to the discoteca. First, we went to an Irish bar, because it was a tradition of one of the guys. About one o'clock, we went to the discoteca Teatro Kapital. We had a lot of fun. We were there for a few hours before we left and walked, for an hour, to the hotel. What a night!
El Primer Día
El primer día estaba mucho divertido. El resto del grupo llegó y salimos a la cena. Era interesante. Comimos tapas. No me gustaba mucho de la comida, solo el pan, el “Spanish omelet”, la paella, y el postre, cheesecake (pero es muy diferente del cheesecake americano, pero todavía es bueno). Todavía hablamos en ingles, pero nosotros estamos cansados. El hotel esta bien. Pero nuestro cuarto huele como los cigarrillos. A la noche, hay muchas personas en las calles. No cenamos hasta 9:30. Es muy divertido estar con grupo. ¡Será un viaje bueno!
The first day was a lot of fun. The rest of the group came and we went out to the dinner. It was interesting. We ate tapas. I did not like much of the meal, only the bread, " Spanish omelet ", the paella, and the dessert, cheesecake (but it is very different from the American cheesecake, but it’s still good). We still speak English, but we are tired. The hotel is nice. But our room smells like cigarettes. At night, there are many people in the streets. We do not have dinner until 9:30. It is very fun to be with group. It’s going to be a good trip!
The first day was a lot of fun. The rest of the group came and we went out to the dinner. It was interesting. We ate tapas. I did not like much of the meal, only the bread, " Spanish omelet ", the paella, and the dessert, cheesecake (but it is very different from the American cheesecake, but it’s still good). We still speak English, but we are tired. The hotel is nice. But our room smells like cigarettes. At night, there are many people in the streets. We do not have dinner until 9:30. It is very fun to be with group. It’s going to be a good trip!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Estoy aqui
8:46 am GMT – I am in the terminal for my flight to Madrid. The flight to London went smoothly. Airplane food is much better than most make it out to be. They’re better than any frozen Healthy Choice meal. With the aid of some Tylenol PM, I was able to sleep for several hours. We arrived early at Heathrow, so it was comforting to know that I had plenty of time. After getting to the terminal for my Madrid flight, security didn’t look too bad until they told me to go into another line. That ended up taking an additional 20 minutes or so. After finally making it out of there easily, I found a pay phone to call home. But my calling cards don’t work. Sorry mom! They don’t have any wireless internet possibilities here in the terminal, so this will not make it online until I at least reach Madrid, maybe not until tonight. But my bags are on the plane and I am excited to finally be in Spain!
3:30 pm GMT +1 – I’m finally in Madrid! The weather is warm and beautiful, and it is so great to finally be here and be done with airplanes (for now). I have made it to our hotel here, and I am happy to be able to get up and walk around. The rest of the group should land in two hours, so I will meet up with them here at the hotel.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Vamos!
It's finally here! I will be leaving for Madrid tomorrow afternoon. My plane for Chicago leaves at 3:10, where I will fly to London and on to Madrid. I'm packed and ready to go, just a few last minute things to put away. I'm really looking forward to a complete language and culture immersion. I have always been intrigued by European history, but have never really learned much about Spain's history. After speaking Spanish for so many years, I was always disappointed because I was not really able to converse with it. I hope over the next two months to be fluent in the language and to communicate with ease. Traveling on my own to Spain and having to navigate will be quite an adventure, but one that I am really looking forward to! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I travel!
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