I'm still here!

I know it's been a while - not too much has gone on with me lately. But here's the low-down that has "accumulated" over these past couple of weeks:

A) my "gay-dar" has literally chucked a spazz.  Men dress so nicely here I'm totally thrown off...and they (for the most part) are all so pretty.  In the US, a girl is lucky to see a guy in jeans and a nice shirt, but in Europe - jeans, a nice shirt, a sweater, nice shoes and a sexy scarf.  Gah! I could just die.  They are all just so....CUTE!

B) as you all are aware (because of my constant complaining), we are required to do 40 hours of community service and I was signed up for "Hospilandia" - an after-school program for kids who have cancer and are in the hospital and I do believe for other students as well.  As it turns out, there are literally 20 helpers, and about 8 kids at MAXIMUM.  So, needless to say the 3 Americans were of absolutely NO help. Epic fail.  But, last week Tuesday, the mean/crotchety/rude boss asked for one of us to help a young girl, Sarah, with her English.  I volunteered and sat down next to her.  I introduced myself and you could tell we were both VERY nervous....I take that back, she was nervous and I was a nervous WRECK!  My oh my.  She didn't have her english book with her, so another girl went to get hers, but supposedly the weren't the same book - I don't know.  I was just so overwhelmed at that point.  So I asked her what she wanted to know/have clarification on and what not and she was just staring at me.  Cool.  So the boss lady was like "Why don't you teach her the verb 'to be'?"  HAHAHA! Ummm OKAY.  Let me get right on that, lady.  Now, for those of you who may not know, in spanish they have 2 verbs for the verb "to be" -- "ser" and "estar".  (**How you feel and where you are, always use the verb "estar" - I swear this is my lifeline).  So, I had to think of examples in english, write them in spanish, and then have her translate them back into english - much easier said than done, that is for sure.  I was very surprised with her vocabulary.  But, man oh  man that probably was one of the most, if not THE most difficult thing I have had to do since being in Spain.  But although I was "lucky" enough to help Sarah, Tessa and Tonya had the privilege of making soda-tab bracelets....oh joy!  When I "finished" helping Sarah (I think she had had enough of me), I went over to help with bracelets - because all of the kids have homework in Gallego, a different form of Castellano - "normal" Spain spanish (Gallego = mix between Castellano and Portuguese), and obviously we have enough trouble with spanish so we were kind of useless there.  The boss lady even said that they had too many helpers and that we should look for another place to volunteer.  GREAT.  I am just SO over the disorganization that is in my program here. Oi vey.  So, I guess we will just see what is available for me next week - wish me luck!

C) today (Wednesday the 16th) we had an "international student" outing where we learned about (and attempted to perform) a traditional Galician dance.  They instructors took us through the traditional instruments, their clothing and then, finally, song and dance!  It was so crazy - I, of course not being quick to pick up on things, was struggling with the song (which I ended up, as Celina said, sounding like a Cherokee Indian more than a Chica Espanola). and don't even get me started on the dance.  But once they demonstrated about 30 gazillion times, I think I started to get the hang of it (but there was a lot of jumping and hopping and such - NOT a good look for me!).  After practicing on our own for a bit, we got in 2 lines and were dancing with partners.  My partner was the fabulous Tonya - and we were ON POINT, if I do say so myself.  Hot damn! I ended up just letting loose and, although my dance steps weren't always 100% correct, I had a blast!  We were there with other international students - mostly from Japan - and they were....interesting/funny/I have no clue how to describe them!  But I know they definitely added funness to the atmosphere.

Here's a youtube link to see what we learned (YES, those are Galician bagpipes playing!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EaQfp8rsVA&feature=related
**Sidenote: they are professionals and we didn't look like this in the least :)

Annnnnddd I totally fell for our instructor - 91% chance he plays for the other team, but a girl can dream.  He was just so cute, he could dance and he had the sharpest RayBan "nerd" glasses everrr! Ugggghhhhhh.

D) the weather is freezing and WACKY! Today, there were at least 5 torrential downpours, interrupted by 15 minutes of sun.  My mind cannot fathom what is going on.  I need my bombie.  I need my sunglasses.  I need my bombie AND my sunglasses.  I need my winter jacket (which, of course, I was told that I didn't need - LIES!).  I don't need a jacket.  JUST PICK A TEMPERATURE AND STICK WITH IT! Gah!  My wardrobe and hair are just so confused.


So my friends, this is my life in Spain.  Nothing TOO wacky.  I'm just keepin' it real.  This weekend I'm off to Madrid with 8 other chicks, so it should be a ball - I'll be sure to take a million pictures.

Much love to all <3