OK, gray and dreary again

I just finished taking my first exam in my art history class.

My initial thought upon leaving the classroom was: "Oh, shit! I put Velazquez for the painting La conversión de San Pablo and not Caravaggio! Damn."

My thought immediately after that, however, was more positive: "I really have been learning Spanish over here."

Today (this afternoon, to be more exact) was the first time in a while (maybe ever) that I realized I´ve really been ingesting the language. As I was writing, it struck me that I could never write Spanish so fluidly and so descriptively before I arrived. Even as I write this now I am expressing the same sentiment in Spanish in the back of my mind. Today I am excited about Spanish. I have been comprehending, speaking and writing much better and that´s exciting.

This is a nice contrast to my feelings yesterday, which were considerably more negative. I was researching travel options online and the flights for weekend times are ridiculously more expensive than during the weeks. I was angry at school for this. I was annoyed that their attendance policy is so strict. Today I am thinking that maybe they have this policy for a reason... going to class improves your comprehension, what a concept.

On another point, I know I said in a previous blog that I was sad Obama may lose the nomination but now that they really are so close and he´s supposed to win the primaries/caucuses today in the Potomac states, I am really sad that Clinton may lose. This all comes down to the fact that I really like them both. For all practical purposes they have the same plans. There are specific reasons I like each and dislike (very minimally) each , as well. (For a complete rundown on this you can send me an e-mail because I don´t want to write it here. I´m trying to keep my blog kinda neutral for the time being.) I don´t want to see either of them go. If Clinton does end up losing, she won´t run again (probably). I think it´s about time America had a Madam President. My heart is frowning now.

From politics to what´s really important: I am going to note that the girl who just walked in the computer lab has an absolutely wicked buzz cut in back with long bangs that reach almost to her shoulders. The front is bleached out blond and one side is much longer than the other. God, Spanish haircuts are so sweet. For example, the mohawk mullet is killin it in this country. People can´t get enough of it. Two guys from my program (one whom I despise) actually paid someone to cut their hair in this style. I told em I would have done it for fewer €!

Another thing very de moda en España are the facial piercings. You think the states has a high population of facially pierced people, you should see the random Metro full of people here. I would say, without exaggeration, that in the age group of 13-25 yr-old madrileños about 40-50% have one or more facial piercings. It really is a lot. And usually they have more than one if any. I have always wanted one (again) so we´ll see. Sorry, mom and dad.

Also, I really love playing minesweeper on computers and I found out that in Spanish it´s called Buscamines. This is literally looking for mines. Thought it was interesting...

I also went to Segovia with Lauren on Saturday but I am going to wait until I can get on a computer that will let me save pics and post them before I write about it. Just know that I ADORED it and I think it may be one of my favorite places ever.

Until later...