i landed an internship, saw a bullfight and fell in love with sevilla all in the same weekend

I have fallen in love with Spain. After describing my weekend of excitement to Ana, she doesn't believe that I'll be coming home. That of course won't be the case, but I could see why Ana would say it. I literally fell in love with Sevilla. Bullfights, Toreros, Flamenco dancers and dresses everywhere- when I come home with a brightly colored ruffly dress don't be surprised :). It was like another world to step foot on the Feria grounds. My friends and I were lucky enough to have met some Sevillanos who invited us to their "caseta" parties. The feria consists in all private tents with bars, food and flamenco. I can honestly say were were the only women in the casetas with out full flamenco garb. I can also say I've never wanted to have a flamenco dress so badly in my life haha but since I do love twirling, I do believe it would be an excellent purchase as the ruffles accentuate spins. My friends and I attended a sold out bullfight as well! How did we get tickets, you may be thinking to yourself... A lesson well learned from Dad. My two girlfriends have never scalped tickets before, so I stepped up. Never have I actually had to negotiate with a scalper, and clearly have never done so in Spanish- so after passing up two terrible offers without success (100 euro per ticket) I find a 3rd scalper and get his offer down from 90 euro to 55. Still thinking we could get them for cheaper I keep repeating "Es una mierda, somas estudiantes. Sabemos que el billete cuesta 40" "That's a shit offer, we're students. We know these tickets cost 40." Did I know anything about the ticket prices, of course not, but we got our tickets for 50euro in the end! And the fight was impressive. At one point, when the matador received such an applause and white scarves in the air, he clipped the ear off the dying bull and threw it into the crowd! Entirely disgusting, but apparently a huge deal haha I'm uploading pictures as I'm writing this, so do check out my Feria pictures because it's hard to describe just how amazing the flamenco tradition is here in southern Spain. The men and women are so proud of their dresses and caballero costumes. I'm so happy I was able to see it all!
In other, non Spanish news... I got an internship with Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago! The main work would be providing advice and representation to individuals and families seeking to obtain or keep benefits from one of the main “safety net” programs administered by the State of Illinois. These programs include the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Food Stamp Program. I will be working as an advocate on behalf of the clients in their dealings with the agencies which administer the “safety net” programs. I will have the opportunity to use Spanish!!! because LAF has a significant number of Spanish-speaking clients. I am just beyond the point of excitement! Can't wait to be in Chicago doing what I've always dreamed of doing (although not a lawyer yet, I feel like it's the first BIG step!!!)
thanks for reading! abrazos,
Laurita

moriscos vs mariscos

Mi paella llevará los moriscos…
So today in my grammar class we are discussing how to answer questions in the form of hypothesis, obviously a fun class. The professor asks me, “How do you make paella.” Thinking I am so clever and understand the verb tense I confidently respond back with a smile, “Mi paella llevará los moriscos.” Translation: “My paella is made of Islamic men that were taxed for practicing Islam during the reign of Isabel I.” Elsa, the professor, now is tearing with laughter because I haven’t paid any attention to what I just said, other than the verb (which was correct, incase you were wondering haha). I intended to say my paella would have seafood (los mAriscos), but mistakenly switched a vowel to come up with a whole new meaning to my sentence. I’m not going to lie and say I’ve only had one or two of slip ups like these, there have been plenty more I just can’t remember. Things like this are the reason learning a language is so fun. I like to think Spanish is like a puzzle and every sentence I make is just fitting things into places. I really think that I’m mastering the language one silly story after another.
Anyway, how should I try and recap the past 2 weeks? Jamie and Nell spent the majority of their time with me in Granada. I know I enjoyed every minute of it! After my birthday, we spent Sunday relaxing in the Arab baths. The Arab baths might just have risen to the numero uno on coolest things in Spain list. Essentially modeled after the bath houses the Arabs once had throughout Andalucia, takes a modern form of spa like atmosphere. Yes, heated tiles throughout and a massage is included  The rest of the week included shopping (obviously), wine on our own private mirador to view the Alhambra at night, tapas making class, kabob lunch, lunch with Ana and tour of the Alhambra. I’m pretty sure these ladies kept me jogging all through Granada! So much fun!
Needless to say after Jamie and Nell left I was left exhausted (I had to go a week without taking a siesta, so there you go.) So a much needed beach day was in order. Friday I do not have class, so my friends and I took a day trip to Nerja, a beach on the nearby Costa del Sol. Muy bonita! Caught some rays and headed home late.
I have updated all my pics! So check ‘em out. Thanks for all the emails! I love hearing about life at home and keeping up with everyone’s comings and goings. I have less than a month here in Europe and only 2 weeks until I get to reunite with Lisa and Becky!!!!!!!!!!!!! So send your hugs with them! I can’t wait to take on the rest of Europe with my favorites! Becky has proposed quite the full itinerary so we’ll be seeing everything and more where ever we go 
Abrazos,
Laurita

jamie and nell take on spain

A simple blog update will not do justice to describe the Mezquita in Cordoba nor how excited I am to have Jamie and Nell in Spain with me! We tore up the town together and even the rain couldn't keep us indoors. I was so thankful to have friends and family to celebrate my 21st birthday! Thanks for all the cards and phone calls! It really meant a lot to hear from everyone, thanks again. I celebrated over tapas, and drinks, and even found a donkey outside one of the bars. I literally can say I rode a birthday donkey on my 21st, beats pins the tail on the donkey anyday haha.

semana santa

Semana Santa is a blessing for more than the obvious rising of Christ… Spain takes a giant week long siesta! It seems that the entire country takes their vacation this week whether they leave their homes or relax at home. I enjoyed my Thursday-Thursday during the Holy Week in Spain’s Canary Islands. And, I can honestly say that’s the closest I’ll ever be to a potassium heart attack after eating an abundant amount of Canary Island bananas. So delicious. More importantly, I immensely enjoyed my week of beach bumming around the island. Tenerife was described to me to be the “Hawaii” of Spain. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but Tenerife certainly offered beautiful coastlines and a tropical atmosphere. (Now I’ll have to schedule that Hawaii vaca to make accurate comparisons, it only makes sense.) One odd thing I didn’t realize before going to Tenerife was how many German tourists also would be vacationing in the islands. One evening as a group we collectively decided to embrace the fact that our hotel was hosting an entire population of German retirees and enjoyed the evening on the plaza with 65 + couples listening, clapping, singing and dancing along to corny keyboard versions of American pop songs. (please note: we did in fact find the nightlife on the island, no need to worry) The good news is that the Spanish beach bum doesn’t differ from the American one and I was able to assimilate just fine. Aside from the beach, I toured Loro Parke (Canary Island version of Seaworld) with the girls. We evoked our 7 year old selves to enjoy all the shows of sealions, dolphins, and orca whales  We even stumbled upon the lagoon casino, but once again ran into the 65+ German troops, so we didn’t quite find the Vegas atmosphere we had hoped for.
I returned late Thursday (early morning on Good Friday) to Granada and in time to catch the Good Friday processions. Each church in Granada is responsible for one “cofradía¨ which is essentially like a float one would see in a parade. However, the processions during Semana Santa are not parades and have a solemn and formal atmosphere. Each cofradía is a very graphic depiction of Christ’s crucifixion or of the Virgin Mary and some are over 600 years old! They are made with detailed wood work and often plated with gold or silver. What I think is the most interesting and impressive part is that they are all carried by man power. Appearing to have 20 some or more men underneath each cofradía teams of men would carry their parish’s specific cofradía for 5 minutes or so (depending on how large/heavy) and then swap to another team of men. I have video clips of the men switching in and out from under these things and the foot work that is choreographed to carefully turn around the narrow street corners was insane. (some of my friends have said they have seen the men practicing the intense footwork outside nearby churches for months now) Saturday’s processions included all 22 of the different “floats” that had been displayed on different days during the week. Apparently this only happens every 100 years, glad I was able to catch it this time around! haha
Today I attended noon mass at Granada's largest Cathedral with friends and then celebrated together over lunch on Plaza Bib Rambla. Today was a beautiful day so we spent some time wondering around the city and eventually decided to go to a movie. Surprisingly Granada didn't shut down today and many restaurants and other places are open! Who would have thought?
Happy Easter! I hope everyone else had a wonderful day!

spring break part II

Just getting ready to catch a bus to fly out of Madrid Airport. Lesson learned: Granada has the smallest airport in Spain (I don't actually know if that's true, but you all know me to exaggerate only a bit) I will fly out of Madrid to the Canary Islands! No worries, I will be back in time to catch the well known Semana Santa processions. I have heard the best processions are Thurs, Fri, and Sat and I'll be here for those! Also planning on attending Easter mass at Granada's Cathedral. Until then I'll be soaking up some tropical sun and enjoying the Spanish island culture! Hopefully I'll find internet access over Easter to call/video chat home...
hasta luego!

Laura takes a tumble...(hiking through the Alpujarras)

...well only one, but I did get a prickler in my hand. This weekend I spent 2 days hiking up and down the Alpujarras (southern face of the Sierra Nevadas). Yes, Laura did hike, and I would even go as far to say as I loved it. The girly girl only came out when I realized my white Nikes were muddied by all the rivers I had to cross. I forded a river (I hope that is the correct use of "to ford". With so much spanish vocab it's hard to keep all this English correct) The biggest accomplishment was reaching the mile high peak on Saturday morning. We spent 6 hours hiking each day (Friday and Saturday). Friday night we were treated to a typical Alpujarra meal. I had the most delicious swordfish and of course dessert was a chocolatey goodness (well deserved, I might add). We started up at 9am the following morning. So many breathtaking views as well as breathtaking inclines! Not feeling too sore today, in case any one was wondering. Strangely, my ankles are sore, which is probably because the terrain was so uneven and rocky. Dad, you would have not liked that part! And if you accuse me of taking an escalator to the top again I'll have you notice the pictures of how sweaty and tired I am. That would have never happened if I had rode up the mountain in comfort. In fact it was the exact opposite of comfort. Also complaints were kept to a minimum because I was so distracted by the outstanding views, well that and trying to keep my footing, all attention was focused on not plummeting downward.
Pictures are updated! So be sure to check them out (mainly to prove that I actually did infact scale a mountain).

Monjas not monas

Another great weekend in Granada :) Finally met up with my convopartner this week. Convoparter or intercambio is a program set up by the school for both University of Granada students and us extranjeros can join and practice our second language. Adrian showed me this great tapas bar where they serve pizzas for tapas! Even better each person is entitled to his or her own personal pan pizza with every drink order. Will I be returning to said tapas bar, I think yes. However I did get extremely lost that night… After tapas Adrian walked me to the plaza that we would meet to go to the fiesta de la primavera (first day of spring fest, keep reading to find out more!). Unfortunately it was after Adrian left (on my walk home) that I realized I had left my shopping bag (got a sweater for 4 euro at Zara!) at the Tapas place. Not really knowing where I was, nor where the tapas place was in relation to my unknown location only led me into more confusion. After walking fast but getting no where I finally started to ask for directions. I found my the tapas bar, found my bag (thank god!), and found even more Spanish speaking confidence because I had to accurately describe the bar and the distinct tapas to several people before finding a person who was familiar with that specific bar. Now for the fiesta de la primavera… an apparently notorious day for day drinking in a park with friends. A very good way to spend my dia libre with some new Spanish amigos. The pros loaded up shopping carts full of booze and boomboxes to create a mobil party. Even more hysterical to see students toting large cooking pots and ladles to mix/serve their punch at the park.
Classes have been picking up their pace in these last few weeks. I’m spittin out 5 page Spanish essays every week like a machine. I don’t know if I already mentioned this, but I have one professor for 3 of my 5 classes. Elsa and I spend all day together everyday… included Sundays,,, wait, what? Yes, I went to see Brazos Rotos the new Almodovar film (not sure if it’s already out in the states) and Elsa was the first person I saw in the audience when we walked in. The second person I saw was my Spanish law teacher, Sergio. These Spanish professors just can’t get enough of me or may they were there to see Penelope, either way…
Some random observations:
Ham and tuna are served on everything. Vegetarian tapas are almost always better. I now declare that I am vegetarian to receive more delicious tapas. Also, who would have thought there would be an Asian Tapas place? Surprisingly tasty.
Old men here in Spain love corduroy pants. Personal favorite is the green cords and I have even seen purple on more than one occasion. Average corduroy pant count on way to school: at least 7.
My senora will never understand the purpose of going for a run. I have given up trying to explain.
Spanish people like to stare at you. It’s not a welcoming smile stare either (if there even is such a thing). Men (and women) just shamelessly stare you down as you walk by. Weird. Even more strange is that I’m starting to get used to it and just stare right back.
This should make you crack a smile:
Monjas (nuns) becomes Monas if you are not careful enough to pronounce the “J” in monjas. This changes the meaning of the sentence “He visto 6 monjas hoy” (I have seen 6 nuns today) into I have seen 6 female monkeys today. Needless to say, my senora got a kick out of that one because I said “I have seen 6 monkeys today” while pointing at a nun.