El mundo es un pañuelo

This week has consisted of many small obstacles and mini triumphs.  I’ve experienced highs and lows, but have made progress, nonetheless.  

Sunday:

 I chatted with many great friends from the States on Skype.  We were actually able to catch up and enjoy each other’s presence.

Monday:

At lunch, I tuned out what my host family was saying because they were not talking to me, and the T.V. was on too loud to focus.  All of a sudden, my older sister turned to me and asked a question, as if I had been listening all along.  I missed the actual question, so I didn’t know what was going on…I thought my sister was telling me that her husband thought I was looking thinner.  Then, I thought she meant that he was wondering if I was trying to get thinner.  My madre then said something about me not really being fat and my sister agreed obligingly.  My host dad put words in my mouth, saying that I was happy with my body and that when you lose a lot of weight, you just have to buy new clothes, which is a pain.  Basically, I was indirectly called fat.  Spaniards are typically very direct when it comes to appearance and call Americans “gordo” in an endearing manner.  But still, they say what they mean and mean what they say, so they clearly think something. Haha…what the heck?

My madre now makes me coffee for breakfast!

I realized that I missed the sign-up deadline to go to Córdoba with the study abroad group.  I was super sad. So I emailed one of the directors to see if it would be possible to go anyway. 

Tuesday:

Día de la Hispanidad (aka their version of Columbus Day).  No classes.

My younger host sister told me that I look pretty with my hair worn down. 

I went to IKEA with my host mom, sister, and her boyfriend.  I love IKEA.  So many decorating ideas!

Wednesday:

I checked my emails and found good news and bad news.  Bad news: there are many complications with my proposed class schedule for next semester.  I now don’t know what to do about my Spanish classes or if I can get every class I need in four years.  Good news: I got an email back from one of the directors saying that I could still go to Córdoba if I want to.  I also got a few nice messages via email and facebook. 

On my way to class this morning, a bus driver stopped to let me walk past.  It was a nice feeling.

Lunch was incredible! It was the tomato/onion/pepper type sauce with a fried egg on top.  Love it! Also, postre was a mandarin.  Apparently these are the first of the season, so they are slightly “fuerte” as my dad and sister kept saying (slightly sour).  It was so good!

I decided to get a pastry after class today.  I bought it and took a bite. Then, I discovered mold all over the bottom.  I took it back and the man gave me a different one, but it wasn’t good.  Later, after spending 15,60€ in international stamps and running a few errands, I decided to try the nuts that people are smoking on the streets each day.  It was like “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”  I had never tried them before, but they were nice.  Until I found a maggot in one of them.  

While running errands, there were two college-aged guys playing a violin and a string bass. They sounded incredible and I was tempted to leave money in their box, but I didn’t.