Chloe en España

Is there something wrong with that?

I find it rather sad that I have to rely on my fellow Spaniards to update me on the sports in my state. Today Igor, Abby's host brother, asked me if I knew the members of my state's basketball team. First, I had to remember which was ours (Seattle Sonics), but no, no idea who the players are. Then he was like, "Are you serious?? They're second in the league right now!!!" Oh, good to know, thanks. It always surprises me how much these people know about us. But he said he could spout off random facts about English or German teams, too.

I spent the afternoon at Abby's house, and we were watching 8 Mile (Eminem movie) with Igor. He kept saying "in da hood" and "aiight, c'mon now." It was too funny hearing this Spanish boy trying to speak like a black American living in inner-city Detroit. He said he would love nothing more than to be Eminem. Funny, because this kid is everything but Eminem.

Grades

Everyone got their mid-term grades today. I'm still passing all seven classes, but my grade went down in math because I did bad on the last test. In my other classes my grades went up, which is exciting. This time they gave me a grade in Castilian Literature, which I didn't have last time. Last time they just gave me a grade in my Spanish tutoring class. I'm just barely passing literature. It's pretty hard because we're studying Jorge Manrique, from the 15th century, which means on top of not understanding all of the Spanish, I have to try to understand the old Castilian. But, I only need to pass five classes, and as of now I'm passing 7, so I'm pretty happy. As long as I don't have to re-do my junior year, I'll be fine.

The latest

Sorry I haven't written for a while. That is if anyone cares. This week was pretty normal. I figured out that the TV here has FOX, which means they have The O.C. So I've been watching that, even though it's from the first season, I think. Oh well, it's better than nothing. On Wednesday I had kinda a little break down because I had a bad day, and nothing went right, and I just wanted to go home. In school that day my history teacher called on me to answer a question, and I did, but she wanted more information, and I didn't know, so that made me feel stupid. Then I got home and the whole cell phone thing mad me mad (read my mom's blog for the deal on that). Then, I know this is isn't all too bad, but I poured salt in my coffee instead of sugar because both the sugar and salt are in containers that look the same. So I was really mad after that, and there was no more coffee, and then my mom called me, and it just all went downhill from there. But now I'm fine, and all is well. This weekend I have no plans, and I'm pretty happy about that. Tonight there's a Gala (club that the whole school goes to) but I don't think I'm going to go because I'm tired and I don't want to spend 10 euros to dance.

Okay . . . bueno

Today I was talking to the English teacher/Rotary counselor at school because the trip that we're taking to the South of Spain coincides with the final tests of the 2nd trimester. At first I was like "Okay, I'm going to speak English now" and when I started talking, Spanish just came out, and I found it easier to talk Spanish to her. I don't know why it was easier, but it just was. It was the weirdest thing, but I kinda liked it.

Weekend

Last Saturday Abby and I went out with some of our friends to eat dinner and go out on the town. It was pretty fun. We sang songs in English (all of us), and just had a good time. It's a lot better now with my friends because I can express myself so much more, and be a real person. And I think they feel better too because now I can actually talk to them and not just stand there and try to understand what the heck they're talking about.

In one of the places we went to, the Barbie song came on (you know "I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world. . ."). The whole place starting singing to it. It was so amazing, all these people with very strong accents singing "come on Barbie, lets go party". It was pretty cool.

I see her, I see her!!!

Last night I went to my host grandma's house to celebrate my host aunt's birthday. She just turned 30 (she's the youngest of the family). Her French husband was there, too, which was quite entertaining. I couldn't understand anything he said because his accent was so strong. Most of the time I thought he was just speaking French, because the aunt speaks French too, but then I'd hear Spanish. Who knows, maybe they were speaking Frenglish. Anyways, we went up to the Aunt's, Monica, house because the daughter of the family that I'm staying with now who's in Nevada has a web cam, and we could see her on Monica's computer. The whole family was ecstatic to see her. The little cousin was saying "I haven't seen her for almost 2 years!!" when actually she just left in August. It was pretty cool that she was a million miles away, but we could see her like she was right there. Now my host dad is going to have me buy a web cam for him because he doesn't know which ones are good and such, so I'll get to use it. I'm pretty excited.

Dreams

Last night I had another dream in which I was at home, in Washington. I'm not sure if I came home early, or what, but I was crying because I missed it here. I don't know if that's a good sign or not. Although it will be really nice to be home, I'm going to miss it so much over here.

Spanglish

Yesterday I went to my friend's house to help her with an English assignment and so we could study for a test. It was quite entertaining, her speaking in English and me speaking in Spanish. I think we were on pretty much the same level, although I may speak Spanish a little better than she does English. Her pronunciation was so funny. We laughed about it, but then I realized how hard it must be to understand me and not laugh at the way I say words. She really doesn't like her English teacher because she always marks things wrong that are right. One time she put on one of her essays, "The tytle doesn't match the essay." I think it's safe to say that my friend won't be pursuing a career in the English speaking world.

Spreading the word

Today I went to a Rotary meeting at my school for the parents of the kids who are going to be exchange students next year. My last host parents were there, so I got to catch up with them, which was really nice. I do miss them, and tomorrow I'm eating lunch with them. But things are going really well here with my family, I like them a whole lot. Anyways, about the meeting, they talked about everything that we talked about before I left: grades, speaking the language, how long it is, can parents visit them, will they come home for vacations (that's a big no, sorry Daddy), those kind of things. It was fun listening to all the questions, because I was in their situation not too long ago. I was happy to be in my position and not in theirs, though, not knowing what it's going to be like, and scared to leave home. The one girl who was there that is going for sure next year didn't seem all too excited about it. She said she wants to go to Ohio, because that's where her brother went a few years ago as an exchange student.

Tomorrow I have a test in economy, then Friday I have a test in philosophy. And while I'm talking these tests, Abby is going skiing in the Pyrenees mountains tomorrow. 

Oh. . . neat-o

The other day after school I was watching TV with my host brother. We started talking, and he asked me about how I liked Pamplona, Spain, the normal exchange student questions. Then I asked him, by accident, if he had ever been to America. "No, I don't have much liking for the United States." Ah. Great. I didn't know quite how to react to that one, so I just kept flipping the channels. Then he said that one day he'll go there, but not now. Yeah, I'm sure he will.