Spanish update

Having coffee, laundry's in upstairs. While I wait on the laundry, I thought I'd do an update on my life in Spain.

Well, I survived my first week of classes. My schedule is set up in such a way that I am frequently on campus for twelve hours a day. But I'm taking classes that I find interesting for the most part, so instead of trying to switch it all around, I'll just utilize my time downtown to read in the library and try to avoid homework on the weekends. Classes I'm taking include Anthropology I, Philosophical Texts in English, Universal Comparative Literature, Italian, and Latin. Anthropology seems like it will be interesting. I already like Italian from taking a course in it at home. Latin is hard to follow, because everything is lecture-based here instead of reading-based. By that I mean, I don't have a text book. I just listen to the professor... and since it's in my second language, that leads to some occasional confusion. That and the professor, although quite sweet, talks so softly and in a monotone that I have trouble catching everything. My comp. lit. professor is interesting but intimidating. On the first day of class I was sick with a head cold (which I still have), so when my Latin class ended right at 5, I went to the bathroom to get some tissues. Well, lit started at 5, and by the time I got back with my tissues and entered the room, he gave me a what-for in front of the entire class about how he doesn't permit tardiness and will lock people out. Then he locked the door, didn't let anyone else in, and proceeded to refer to those trying to get in as "los estupidos." I guess I've only taught in that sense for a year, but I do get that it's annoying to have people come in late. However, I don't see the use in dressing people down like that. I feel like all it does is create fear. It doesn't help those who were on time, either. Everyone is different and can do things their own way, but I would just write it down and dock points as was appropriate. And if someone came to my step or Zumba classes late... well, that was just their own tough luck... I hoped they didn't injure themselves, could figure out what was going on, and kept my attention with the majority. I'm also kind of having trouble caring about classes. They won't count for anything when I get back. And I'm 25 in classes with people who are mostly 5-7 years younger than me, and I'm just... over school. I thought I was going to be teaching immediately when I got here, and I didn't realize quite the volume of classes I would have to attend. I mean, it's whatever. I'm here improving my Spanish and having fun doing it, and that's the goal... but pffft, it's hard to have a really studious attitude about something I know I'm not taking beyond these 16ish weeks. I'm happy to learn and soak up what I can... I've always liked learning things. But I am so far from being in the mood to jump through hoops for grades.

Also, I've been going out a fair amount. It isn't the sloppy drunk shit show of Morgantown, though, so don't think I'm over here being a raging alcoholic. I usually go out, have a drink or two, and dance a lot. It's been fun.

This afternoon I'm leaving with Erasmus for a weekend trip just outside of town. It's supposed to be a getting-to-know-you thing in which we all hang out together and sleep in bunk beds for the weekend. Well, why not? So I'm trying to get my laundry all done here and ready to go. Will post more upon my return.