One Month Complete.

One month is done. I can't believe it. Yesterday, I had my test for my intensive month and I start classes on October 6th. It's crazy, how fast the time went by. At the same time, it's nice. I am meeting a lot of people, becoming more familiar with the city, exploring a lot and finding out what I really like. I love the coffee here. WOW. It's great! There are coffee shops everywhere. You can walk up and down one street and there are probably five or six cafés. Also, the shopping here is amazing. I love the style of clothing and all the stores are unique. Again, when you walk up and down the streets, there are clothing, shoe store everywhere. It's so hard not to stop in and pick up a pair of heels, when you've passed six different shoe stores. I love the markets too. On saturday mornings they have markets open, but during the week there are little stores that sell fruit, veggies, and nuts. My new favorite store is "Smooy". It's a frozen yogurt place. Oh my gosh, I died and went to heaven when I walked into this place. LOVE IT. This weekend, my plan is to travel to Madrid for a couple days. I am traveling with my roommate Sam, and then two other girls in my program. I have no idea what we are going to do, but that's what's so great here. You kind of just plan as you go. We have our hostel booked for two nights and then we are going to grab our bus tickets today.
Spanish. It's so hard to speak it sometimes. I kind of get frustrated because I understand 95% of the language, but then to speak it.. AH. Everything is always on the tip of my tongue. Then when someone else says it for me or I ask for help, I am like "Ohh yeah, that's how you would say it or Ohh yeah, that's what I was going to say." One of my goals by the end of this semester is to build my confidence. I need more confidence when speaking. I think I am going to get a tutor or an intercambio, which is a person who is about my age that just speaks with my and works on my Spanish with me. I just need to build up that confidence and the only way I am going to do that is talking.
Yesterday, we got to see where we get to volunteer. In an elementary school!!!!! I am so so so so pumped! It's going to be awesome. We met the principal and saw the school. Wow, was that different. First, everything is outside. You walk through the gates and there is a fountain, flowers, gardens, gorgeous buildings, classrooms.. I don't know. It's so different from anything in the United States. The children are adorable here. I am so excited to volunteer. I will be helping children speak English. However, it's going to be great because I will be able to hear and speak Spanish to teachers, students, staff, and parents. I will have to use my Spanish to teach the children English.. I don't know it may sound confusing, but it is going to be great and such a great experience!
Today, I am going to book my flight to ITALY for the end of October! Yes, my friend Lauren and I are going to travel to Italy together. At the end of October, we have five days off for Halloween or Dia de los Santos. After breakfast, I am going to meet up with Lauren and we going to plan it all. I am so happy that I am getting practice with booking tickets and bus tickets.. because when Nick comes in December I will be a pro at it all :) I keep telling myself, one day at a time. Deep breathe. Take it all in. Submerse yourself into the culture, way of living, and life here. One month is already done. You have two more and then Nick will be here :) I miss you all & hope you all are enjoying Fall. Watch some football games for me, GO PACK! (& GO VIKINGS) Travel to some apple orchids and pumpkin patches. Drink hot apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes for me!!! I miss you all! And can't wait to come back and tell you all my adventures!! LOVE YOU ALL, have a great weekend!!! xoxo