February's Flying

Buenas! February's been flying by so quickly! Where has the time gone? I've been really busy and I can hardly believe that I already have my return date. We're pretty set on the date being, June 22nd right now, mark your calendars!

Whenever I talk to anyone back home they always ask me how my Spanish is doing and I'm really happy to say that It's going really well. On a daily basis I don't speak English (and haven't for months), other than when I'm in English class or helping out at the language academy. I have also been seriously neglecting my Spanish- English dictionary which feels so good to not need it. I really enjoy having normal conversations about absolutely anything without any pauses or misunderstandings. I still wouldn't call myself fluent, but I would say bilingual for sure.

With the language going so well, it certainly makes school a lot easier and entertaining because i can actually get something out of the classes. My teachers have noticed my improvements and let me tell you, they definitely don't cut me much slack anymore. Sometimes I get really frustrated with all the extra work they give me, but I just have to keep reminding myself that the teachers that are challenging me now are the ones I will be thanking in the end for pushing me to improve.

The classes at the English centre are with he little ones are going so well I can really see how their knowledge of the language had grown and how much they've improved in their exams and it makes me so happy to help and be apart of that.

I feel so completely immersed in the Spanish culture and way of life. I remember little things that I used to think were weird or didn't understand are now the little quirks that I enjoy and know I will miss. One of my favorite things about Spain is for sure the food. Sorry America, but I would pick Spanish food over American in a heartbeat. My host mother cooks really really well. I used to find it really different that everyone in the family that can comes home for the biggest meal of the day (lunch) everyday, but now I think, why wouldn't you? It's a great time for us to all share how school and work is going while eating really well. After lunch is siesta (rest period) which also is the best. Why didn't I ever take naps back home? Today I took a little longer siesta then normal of two hours, and the other day I slept through dinner I was so tired! I've really come to enjoy the way that Spaniards lay out their day. The days are longer here, but with the siesta in the late afternoon, you still sleep well.

I'm very excited to share that in one month I will be in Venice, Italy! I am really excited! I'm doing a one week exchange program with my school, where I live with an Italian host family. Then, about a month after that my Italian "sister" comes to Torrejon de Ardoz and I get to show her around! I'll be sure to blog about my experience. After that we have school vacations for Easter, and then in April my school is doing a one week trip to Santander, which is in the north of Spain! Almost my entire class is going, and they do it every year and everyone tells me that it's a lot of fun! I'm really looking forward to the trips, but I know that the time is going by really quick now without any signs of slowing down and soon enough school will be over and I will have to return to the states!

Well I hope that all is well with everyone back home. Shout out to C-HILLS boys varsity basketball: GOOD LUCK AT STATES! RECLAIM THAT TITLE! #1! I wish I could be there and I know you guys will rock it, AGAIN, love you boys! Thinking of you all from Spain...

Xoxo Hana