Livin' the Spanish Vida!

Hola! The last few days I've really been embracing the Spanish lifestyle!

Monday I went to my first flamenco class! Of course it was taught in Spanish and there seemed to be at least 100 people in the room...so let's just say it wasn't the most productive. However, I HAD A TON OF FUN! I learned some of the basic steps, but struggled for the most part. There were only 2 teachers and it was very difficult to hear--let alone understand them--in a gym full of so many people! Before long I began putting my own spin on the flamenco! Instead of the beautiful hand movements (which are actually very hard to master), I began to utilize the forever graceful dinosaur arms. The girls outnumbered the boys of course, so the lovely Mary Nemer (Ohio State) was my partner. We stared deeply into each other's eyes and were definitely the best at making eye contact in comparison to all the other pairs. My host mom says it's a very difficult dance and that most people practice for years...I'm thinkin' I'll be a pro by the end of this trip ;)

What the flamenco is supposed to look like...

What I look like doing the flamenco... :)

After class I returned to my host family's house and found Paula (the 6 year-old daughter) watching Camp Rock on Disney Channel! I immediately began to explain the Jonas Brothers, referring to them as "muy guapos" (very good-looking). She giggled and I tried to explain High School Musical and other Disney Channel shows that our popular in the U.S. Moreover, Tuesday morning when I walked into the kitchen, Paula whispered something into her mom's ear. According to Rosario, my host mom, Paula thought that I looked "guapa!" Haha how sweet is she?! My relationship with my Spanish sister is progressing! YAY!

Also, the last few days have been difficult as far as classes go; therefore, I've been going to office hours like a beast! My professors are very encouraging and supportive! I feel like I'm really improving and definitely doing my best to learn!

FUN FACT: The other day in my Spanish architecture class I learned that the university at which I am studying used to be a monastery! It has existed since the 17th century! HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!

Also, Tuesday we had a dinner called "Cena de los Rompehielos," in which we met people ages 18-30 who live in Toledo, Spain. Rompehielos means icebreaker! We mingled with them and exchanged contact information in order to become "intercambios." This means that we will meet up once a week and will talk in Spanish for 1 hour and English for 1 hour!

After cena, I came home to find Hailey (the girl from Tennessee who lives with me) and Paula playing in Paula's pink princess bedroom! Paula said she would make us bracelets, and I immediately jumped around the room excitedly! Then...Paula said, "Estás loca!" You guessed it...she called me crazy. Her castigo (punishment) was a major tickling session! Haha we had fun playing and I can't wait until she finishes that bracelet for me! :)

I'm sure you're dying to hear how my Wednesday went....am I right?! Well...let's just say that my friends and I have determined that "we cannot live off of bread alone." Wednesday's lunch was not the best...so I filled up on bread. Also, the flan (typical dessert) was way too "eggy" so we decided to call it a flamelette. Thankfully dinner was much better; however, I am missing American food!!! More about Wednesday to follow in my next post, but adiós for now!

Picture credits:
http://www.holabarcelonatours.com/flamenco.html
http://khakisandcarryout.com/2011/05/12/shrinking/
http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-come-to-office-hours/