Random Things

So we only have about two weeks of school left and then the first trimester is over. That means 1/3 of my time here is already gone. Craziness.

I can't imagine leaving. I know I have so much time left still and that shouldn't be on my mind yet, but I can't help it. I'll be listening to my teachers rambling off in Spanish and I'll think that next year, I'm not going to have this immersion. It's going to be so much harder to keep up my Spanish. But that just makes me even more determined to listen and try to learn becuase it's like- I only have this for a limited time.

School is actually fun. I enjoy going because my teachers for the most part are all nice, and funny, and it's not too long and boring. Only six classes and they go by in a breeze. We've been having alot of big exams recently because the trimester is coming to an end. For some classes, all we have is like two exams and our entire grade is based on those two. So it's stressful for the kids here, and they have to spend all weekend studying. I'm really not a fan of the Spanish school system now that I've seen it first-hand. We almost never get together after school because everyone has to study the whole time or go to extra classes like English or French. Then on the weekends, there is a lot more studying- although we do usually leave at night. But the thing is, the majority of the kids study sooo much but yet still don't do well. Nobody gets 10's (A), 9's are very very difficult (B), most kids shoot for 7's. Which technically would be a C and not an amazing grade, but here kids are very happy if they get 7's. I usually just try to pass with a 5. I could spend my whole life here studying (which is definitely not going to happen), and I probably wouldn't get higher then a 6 or 7. I don't know why this is, but I really think the school system here isn't right and puts way too much pressure on kids.

So my Spanish is going pretty good... when I pay attention to everything in class I can usually understand everything. Not every word, but the idea of each sentence. (Usually, but it does depend on the day and some teachers I understand better than others.) For example Paco, (Yes, that's what we call him!) my Physics teacher talks so fast that half the time it doesn't even sound like Spanish. Understanding him is a whole other goal that I have yet to achieve. And my speaking skills are moving along too- it really helps that I only speak in Spanish with my friends.

I think I'm learning that not every word in Spanish has to have an exact, sensible English definition. I just have to accept Spanish as the combination of sounds it is, and learn the words and when it's appropriate to say them. Not necessarily translate every new word into English to learn it. Because that oftentimes just leaves me confused. For example, at the end of talking with someone, the Spanish many times will say "Venga" to end the conversation. This literally translates as "come-" however it obviously doesn't make much sense to say "come" at the end of a conversation with someone. So I just have to accept it and learn it as what it is, not as words translated into English and back.

Last night I went out with my friends and this ice cream blended with juice thing was amazing and look how cool it was-

We also got a muffin and it was amazing

Also, I just realized I have to make a post of when I visited Bembibre! That will be coming soon.

Besos, Lani.