Martes

Today I woke up, successfully climbed out of the top bunk without waking Bea and Blanca (I think), ate a bowl of cornflakes, put on my slick new European sneakers, and headed up the street to the academy. Past the bakery where we buy fresh bread and croissants, a right at the clinic, through the park where Blanca plays, keep going past Cardenal street, and then the next right, at the Tobacs shop. (yes, looking both ways every time I cross the street). The Academy. It sounds grand, like it has marble floors and kids in starchy uniforms, and overstuffed chairs that aren't actually comfortable. But really it's a patient guy named Dino in a stuffy room trying to teach me Castellana (this is what the Spanish language is called). Because I need to buck up and learn the language, and fast, we've decided the best thing for me to do is take Spanish lessons for two hours a day, and go to school for the rest. It's a good plan.

Chrissy, this is for you! This is a gate to a big Gaudi house, right outside of a park. The house is a beaut (now it's a restaurant) I wish you could see it. V4 I love all of your comments so much. I love hearing the adventures you go on at the cabin. I'm missing our queseDILLA parties right about now.

So, I've began (begun? Where's Ms Church when ya need her) to run. And you know what, I will always have a huge admiration for runners, because that sh-t is Not fun. But yeah, it sure makes you feel good when you're done. And when you pass the other runners in the path, you look at each other like yeah, you GO, person. At least I do, Maybe they think I'm weird. On Sunday I ran to the Cervantes Park and back with Javi (I'm thankful that the picture doesn't show how sweaty I was). Today I walked home with some kids then said "See you later, I've gotta go for my run," which felt a little weird coming from my mouth but hey, new city new person. Kinda. After changing, I ran to the Cervantes park, did a loop, then to the Kings Palace park, did a loop, then ran back to my street and walked around the block and bought a plum with the 50 cent piece I had stashed inside my shoe, and scarfed that purple lump. So overall, things are good. I'm feeling ok about improving my Spanish. The number of contacts in my phone are growing. And we're going back to the beach this weekend. Here I come, beautiful blue sea.