I am in SPAIN!!!  I have been here for almost two months now, and I'll be here until the beginning of June (but I'm coming home for Christmas break!!).  I’m staying in a town a few hours west of Madrid, and I teach English conversation to students who are in middle-school and high-school.  In class I talk to the students about American culture and other English-related topics while getting them accustomed to a native accent, and I also try to get them to talk in English as much as possible.  Basically I help them practice speaking and listening while they learn more about my culture.  It’s been a good experience so far, and the students are very interested.  And plus they even put a picture of me in the regional newspaper here too. 

So far I have completely enjoyed my experience here so far!!  I am sharing an apartment with a native Spanish lady who teaches Art at the same high school.  She’s fun, lively, talkative… and plus she is an amazing cook!  The people in this town are very friendly and open, and I have met SO many different natives here.  The town I’m staying in is fairly small so a lot of times when I walk down the streets here I see people that I know.  My students like to wave at me and say “hello!” and “goodbye!” with their little Spanish accents, it totally makes me smile.  I have learned SO much already, and every day I am learning new things.  I have definitely gotten “out of my bubble” and out of my comfort zone.  So far my experience here has been more than I wanted, and everything has just fallen into place!!!

Currently Listening Walk the Line By Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Original Soundtrack see related

I'm BACK!!!

It's been a long time, but now I'm BACK ON XANGA!!!  It's about time.  Well, not too much has happened since I graduated.  I'm living back at home with my parents temporarily (and saving a little money too, haha).  I work as an office assistant at Freedom Health Care, and I basically do anything from filing and answering phones to random projects and "office" type stuff, or just doing all the work that no one else has time for basically.  BUT, it's a good job and the pay is pretty good too.  I can't complain.  (Except that now I have to pay more taxes!!!  That sucks.  But hey, there's lots of free food to make up for it... kinda.)

I'll be in CHICAGO in less than TWO DAYS!!!! :)  I'm so excited to see my girls, Julie and Meg... we are gonna have such a great time!!  I can't wait!!!

This has been a short update, but there will be more in the future... I think.

Currently Listening Move Along By The All-American Rejects see related

This isn't a real "update," but I just wanted to change the look of things on here.  And also, I wanted to let people know that I am still alive and that I still know what xanga is.  But I guess I will add one little thought while I'm on here:

The countdown...

3 more weeks left of classes!!! 

4 more weeks till graduation!!!

9 more chapel services!!!  (but technically only 7 for me since I plan on taking 2 more skips)  ;)

Yes, this is the life of a soon-to-be college graduate.  Exhilarating, yet bitter-sweet. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY SUITEMATE CHERYL, WHO JUST GOT ENGAGED!!!!! 

AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO MY OLD SUITEMATE FROM LAST YEAR, STACIE, WHO JUST GOT MARRIED YESTERDAY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!!

(wow... I think I see a theme at Bryan College here... that and the fact that 5 other girls on my hall are also engaged!!!)

So yeah, I've been a slacker when it comes to xanga.  But I've finally decided to add something new!  These quotes basically sum up this semester... 

Australia… is that a state?  -Meg, while desperately trying to list all the 50 states in a game with Emily and Julie 

Everyone who owns a pet should get it spadered or nude.  –Emily, trying to say ‘neutered or spayed’

Bend over Beethoven! -Meg
Meg… It’s roll over Beethoven.  –Emily

I wasn’t thinking through your head, I was thinking through my head.  We have different heads, you know.  –Emily, trying to point out the fact that she and Meg have different perspectives

AMY—is not here right now!!  -Meg, trying to cover up the fact that she accidentally called Emily by the wrong name

If that Subway dude closes down shop early, I’ll shoot him.  –Emily, just before turning around and seeing a cop standing right in front of her

July 7^th… hmm, when is that exactly?  -Meg

That’s in August.  –Emily, obviously not thinking

I don’t like prosthetic nails.  –Emily
Um, you mean acrylic nails?  -Meg
Oh... yeah, that's what I meant.  -Emily

I know people who actually imbed nails in their scalps.  –Meg (without realizing that Dr. Jeff Myers has just entered the conversation, planning to speak about God’s plan for our lives)

I like how you parted your hair today, it’s very flattering to your scalp.  –Meg talking to Emily

Don’t worry Meg, there are still some hot Christian guys out there.  –Emily, trying to comfort Meg

Do you mind handing me my pillow?  -Meg, talking to Emily from the bathroom stall

But aren’t you guys afraid of deer?  -Julie asked, after Meg and Em planned to go star gazing in the grassy bowl

I'm so glad I'm not black because I would embarrass their race. –Emily (hinting at the fact that she can’t dance)

That almost evoked profanity!!! –Cheryl while watching Ring 1

Dude! You smell like milk!! –Emily (her lactose intolerance jealous side popping out)
Lactose intolerant?  I always thought it was "lack toast and tolerant!" –Meg
Lack toast?!?  What does that have to do with milk?- Emily
I don't know!!! –Meg

Achievement as a kid?!?!.....I PLAYED WITH BARBIES! –Emily (frustrated in Personal Leadership class)

Just put your make-up on and you'll feel better about yourself. –Meg giving advice to Emily and attempting to encourage her on her depressed morning

Up mine!!!  -Emily (meaning to say “up yours” to Meg)

Wait, I think I see a word on here that I recognize.  –Meg, while reading the back of Pillsbury cookie dough

He was hot… for a Christian.  –Emily

Is that a dead chicken?!  -Julie, looking into a sketchy bathroom stall at a gas station in Wisconsin

Julie, that’s just a brown leaf.  –Emily

You look like a chipmunk on crack.  –Emily, referring to Meg’s look on her face as she cringes after getting nail polish remover in her cut

My ham hurts.  –Meg
Um, don’t you mean your hamstrings?  –Emily
Yeah, same thing.  –Meg

Well, I know where the wheel is.  –Emily, sharing the knowledge she knows about changing a flat tire