February 23
This was the first time, since November-ish that it hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit here. I went for a run in the morning, and I was expecting 50 degree weather, so that's what I was dressed for...I swear, I almost died. It was sooooooo hot. I had to walk to Corte, quickly, before class so I showered and threw on shorts. People looked at me funny, and I looked at them funny, because I was not dying from heat exhaustion. They say the Spaniards dress for the season and not for the weather, and they are correct. I was wearing shorts and I passed people in their bulky winter coats and scarves wrapped around them. What? They thought I was an idiot, but I though they were, so, we're even.
During English class Brittany spent most of her time looking at projects that can be put up in our apartment next fall. She's so excited. She's trying to find something that we could hang up that has all of our states (Ohio, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Georgia) along with Spain and Florida. We suggested for the FSU/FSU Valencia portion of her design include an FSU flag and a Spain Flag, cut in half and sewn together...but that might be disrespectful. We'll see. We're excited.
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| The model is about 3 ft. tall The calf of the structure can be seen behind the model... it's HUGE! |
Later in the night FSU took us to the Ninot studios, for our "fire hall," as they call it. Each sub-city within Valencia creates their own structures to burn at Fallas on March 19th. FSU donates to the structure making, so we were allowed in to view the process. This particular structure cost 170,000 Euros to build and it will be approximately 75 ft tall. Overall, there are about 400 of these huge structures that are shown around during Fallas...and all are burned on March 19th. Valencians vote for a "winner," to save before the day comes. The structure itself is still burned, but a piece of it is "saved," and placed in the museum for years to come.
This whole process probably sounds insane, but this is where cultural differences come into play. This is how Valencia celebrates St. Joseph, a carpenter.
February 24
I had a writing composition test in Spanish, that I think went alright and then a midterm in trig. I don't think trig went as well as it could have, because I got stuck on something really simple, but she gave us a little hint because she felt sorry for the 3 of us. I'll take it, though. So, overall I think I still passed it.
Then that night I made a kick-butt dinner. We're leaving for spring break on Friday, so we're trying to use up everything in the fridge. I used some left over hamburger to make spaghetti, and part of a baguette to make garlic bread, and I used up most of my fresh broccoli. It was delicious. I also helped Lia with her pre-calc work while making dinner, and she told her mom I was going to be her tutor. Hmmm...
February 25
Today is cleaning day so I woke up a little early to go for a short run. Then I came back, made a really quick breakfast and headed to Spanish class. Today we had to do an oral interview...which was really, really rough. It was so bad. She said I passed, but it wasn't pretty. The whole interview was about our past trip to Andalucia, so we have to speak in past tense. Past tense includes preterit and imperfect and we have to differentiate the two, conjugate the two and whatnot. It's awful. It's even worse when I get stuck on what a word is, for example, to walk. Walk, it's simple, one of the first words we learned, but for the longest time I could not remember it. My first thought, and only though for a while was 'marcher,' because that's what it is in french, but I'm not taking French, I'm taking Spanish. In Spanish walk is caminar, I knew that...it just took way too long to get there. Then, conjuagted to present is camino, imperfect is caminaba, and in preterite is caminado. Anyways, I passed, at least, but it's just really sucky at the moment.
Now I have to back for spring break. It is supposed to be in the low to mid 40's everywhere we go and some days call for rain and other call for snow...it'll be fun to pack for that. I have my trail mix made though, so I'm on top of snack for break, already. We leave Valencia tomorrow at 2:45, so I can sleep in and then just get up and go, I'm pumped.
Okay, this is my second attempt to post to your blog! I accidentally signed out of my first attempt instead of publishing it...Geesh! So frustrating. Let's see...
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the cultural differences and how the Spanish dress for the seasons and not the weather, made me think of my Aunt Angie. When driving to Florida, she would take off her winter coat as soon as they hit the Florida line. No matter what the temperature was! That habit of her's made me check the weather when I knew she would be traveling. Sometimes it would be below freezing and I would smile to myself knowing that she was freezing but staying true to her custom!!
Thanks for the lesson on the March 19th celebration of the life of St. Joseph. That's pretty cool. I get the building part (he was a carpenter), but I don't see how the burning part relates. In any event, it sounds fun and exciting so that's the connection I will go with.
Your Spanish lesson was interesting. Made me think back on why I never took a foreign language during my school years. I thought I would learn it, never use it, and then ultimately forget it. After reading your comments, I think was right!! LOL!
I was talking with your Mom on Wednesday and she tells me that you will be back home for a while at the end of April. I have a co-worker who is traveling with her daughter to Amsterdam in mid-May. Maybe we could get together and have lunch with her when you are home and you could give her some tips on what to see, do and expect. Just a thought. We can talk about it later.
Looking forward to reading about your Spring break experience. Stay safe! Love and miss you, Aunt Betty
The burning use to symbolize "spring cleaning," to get rid of old wooden chairs or beds, they would light them on fire to get rid of them. And of course we can try to meet up for a bit, although, after being so many places I'd have to recall the Amsterdam adventures. Miss and love you too!
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