Charco

So, I've been waiting for some sort of stroke of genius to make today's post happen but it didn't come. The reason behind my lack of brilliance is probably due to the fact that Er and I's lovely new friend Abbe (pronounced like Abby) knew of a magical website that would let me use NETFLIX in SPAIN! See, the problem was that I was on Season 6 of Grey's Anatomy before I left for this beautiful country and thought that I was going to be Netflix-less for the next 8 months, BUT ALAS! So I'm three episodes back into it as I write this while I drink half a bottle of European Fanta (which is infinitesimally tastier than the American stuff).

Have any of you ever traveled somewhere for an extended period of time? I don't mean like a few weeks, I mean months. I've stayed in Europe the last couple of summers for a few months at a time, but never for this long. It's like... well it feels like I've already been here for ages, yet it's only been days. And having 8 months to soak all this up...? Unbelievable.Instead of having to rush to take it all in, having to try and see all the sights, eat all the food, do everything all at once.. I have time. Erin, Abbe and I walked around downtown Murcia for hours today, about 7 miles to be exact. 7 MILES! So my feet may fall off but good Lord was it beautiful. I took lots of pictures (for those of you who happen to be my Facebook friends, you can see them - for those of you who are not my Facebook friends.. how unfortunate for you). I've never walked around like that without an intended direction, we walked for hours and when we were about to keel over and die we picked out a little bakery and Er bought me a freaking delicious little pizza with goat cheese and tomatoes and rosemary, it was stupid good. We walked some more and found the cathedral of Murcia... it is worth the walk. Er and Abbe and I cannot wait for La Semana Santa (Easter Week) because Murcia has one of the most amazing and beautiful Holy Week festivities in the country, and it all happens around that magnificent cathedral. We found a bridge similar to the one in Paris with the locks that couples put up to be all precious and lovey and stuff. There are palm trees everywhere, which reminds me of home, and bridges all over the place that cross over the river that flows through Murcia which are surprisingly modern looking in contrast with the beautiful rustic feel of the older parts of downtown. I am falling in love with this place. There. I admitted it.

Er and Abbe and I are talking about going to Portugal this coming weekend... The fact that I can plan a weekend trip to Portugal... Dreams actually, truly do come true.

In other news, aside from my undying love for this country and everything that it entails, I also may be in love with Erin. She is the Christina to my Meredith. Last night threw me a bit of a curve ball and Er - God bless her - dropped everything and showed up at my door with a bottle of sangria and churros dipped in chocolate (heavenly). We watched Wolverine - because who likes sappy movies anyway - and cuddled. I don't mean like I leaned on her shoulder cuddled, I mean like she was the little spoon to my big spoon and anyone who saw us would have questioned our sexuality. I mean to each their own but I swear I prefer boys. Personally. Anyway, my point is, she is a Godsend.

Speaking of best friends, I got to talk to Jessie Marie last night and that girl knows just what to say to brighten my day. We "cheers'd" each other through the phone which was oddly more sentimental than you'd think. We talked and caught up a bit but goodness I miss that girl. I talk to John and Ky and Becerzzz consistently because I certainly can't get rid of them (trust me I've tried).

Oh, my word of the day! The word is charco, which means puddle. I learned this lovely new word today when I failed to realize that the stupid shower - which only stays hot for like 8.7 minutes - was spilling over the edge and I left it there post shower because I am the least observant person.. ever. So anyway I had to mop it up with an exceptionally European looking mop. That's the story for my word of the day and while you and I both know that it is not a particularly riveting story, that's how I learned it.. I don't know what to tell you. I'm good but I'm not great, ya get what ya get. This post was less emotionally profound and more of an update, but alas.

I start my Spanish Language Intensive tomorrow! We have three hours of class from 9:30 - 12:30 each day for the next two weeks and then big kid classes start on the 27th. The test we took this past week put me in a level just under native speakers and I mean not to sound all high and mighty but I mean... that makes me feel pretty good. So that starts tomorrow and then afterwards I have to be more productive tomorrow than I have been in the past week. After class I have to open a bank account, get groceries, buy school supplies, and do a course request list for classes. Also get doeners with the girls (the German version of gyros). All in all I'm expecting a good day, but I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Later!