Day 3- Domingo

Today is Sunday and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate Spanish culture with a day of rest. I woke up at noon and my host mom fed me cereal con leche and a “galleta.” I always thought that meant cookie but it was a sweet bread pastry type thing. Regardless, I like anything sweet so I’ll eat it  for breakfast. It has become routine that at every meal she comments on how little I eat. She’s always concerned that I’m not getting enough to eat. I've explained that my body isn’t adjusted to the time difference and secondly, I'm used to eating small meals and snacks throughout the day. In my explanation I tell her “mi estomago es poquito.” I only end up eating about half of the giant servings she gives me but the portions keep shrinking so I think she’s picking up on the hint.

After breakfast a few friends and I met up to map out our route to school tomorrow morning. Michelle and I got lost along the way because we are both directionally challenged. We ran into Michael, one of the guys on our program, who was wandering the streets looking for us. He is excellent with directions and led us there with confidence. I'm glad he lives by me because I know I'll never get lost when we walk together. The university is about a 30 minute walk one way from my house. Hopefully all the walking will balance out the large portions of delicious food I’ve been eating. Don’t worry Grammy, I’ll try not to blow up like a balloon.

 Once I got back it was lunch time and I talked with my host mom and host brother about my night as we watched the Spanish equivalent of ESPN. My host brother Oscar plays “futbol” or soccer so he was interested in watching clips from his favorite team, Madrid, on TV. Yet again, I entered another conversation about sports. My host mom and I laughed over the fact that neither one of us really cares about sports. She prefers reality TV, "romanticas", o "telanovelas." Now those I can do!

I decided my siesta today was going to last all day long. I used the day to relax and take a moment to settle in. I’m exhausted but made it until 11pm. I’m feeling delusional and still not adjusted to the time difference. Here in Spain we are 9 hours ahead of Oregon so I’m tired from a combination of jet lag and staying out late last night.

All the stores are closed today since it is Sunday so I’m going on 3 days without a cell phone and hair straightener. Life is rough, right?  I’m experiencing what it was like in the dark ages when you would meet up with people without the help of a cell phone. It is certainly possible but much more difficult. I find myself searching my pockets or in my purse looking for my phone to check the time or see if I have messages, forgetting I don’t have one. It’s such a habit and provides me with a sense of security. I was counting on using my phone as an alarm clock so I had to borrow my host brothers alarm clock to make sure I get up on time tomorrow morning for the first day of class. He graciously set it up for me and explained how to use it in Spanish. Oscar has studied English in school so he would add a few English words to clarify. I learned today that he also lived in San Francisco, California for a month with an exchange student who lived with the Casanova family last year. It seems like everyone here knows a little English. I told him about my trips to California- Disneyland as a kid and my Shasta trip freshman year of college.

Not only am I looking forward to having a cell phone tomorrow but I’m also looking forward to buying a hair straightener. Call me a diva, but after being around the beautiful people of Spain I can’t wait to look a little more polished. I didn't bring one from the United States to Europe because of the voltage difference and differences in outlets. I heard horror stories of girls who went on this program last year and made the power go out in the entier appartment when they tried to use their electric hair stuff from the US using a converter. And I thought not being able to open the door was embarrassing. 

I’m finishing off my night with watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in Spanish with my host mom and dad. They sometimes call me "hija" or daughter while talking to me. They make me feel very welcome.