La Clase del Diablo,,,,,,

Well, the professor said herself that 6 hours would make us all want to jump out the window, so we should be thankful we only had her for 4.  

Anyway, I realized last night before going to bed that the alarm clock I brought with me was not working.  My cell phone does not have any service, so I could not use the alarm clock.  So I pretty much went to sleep praying I would wake up in time.  Which of course is a joke, because I can't be punctual when I'm awake, so why in heaven would I be able to be on time subconsciously?  Anyway, Brittney, the girl from San Diego who is staying here and doing the same immersion program as me woke me up 20 minutes before we were supposed to be at school.  God bless this girl, or I would have been so screwed.

A teeth brushing and a cab ride later, I arrived at the school, where I was reminded that I had left my passport and credit card at home (again, so not typical of yours truly).  I was then instructed to take a placement test.  It's been a while since I studied spanish, but my only hope is that I'm not in the very beginning class where you learn how to conjugate verbs.  I would probably swallow tar if that were the case.  When they were passing out the notebooks for everyone it turns there are 12 levels in the spanish courses.  4 for each beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes.  After feeling I did somewhat well, I end up in the 2 level beginner class.  I know, see what happens when you dream big?  Just kidding.  I go in the class and am immediately reprimanded for asking (in english)  if I was in the right classes.  Thus was the theme for the next 4 hours.  My instructor name is Leila.  She's very pretty and very short.  Her main concern seems to be when people speak in a language other than spanish.  Which is hearbreaking because when I can't think of the word in spanish, or when I want to tell a joke, or whatever else can happen that compels me to "usar ingles" (about every 30 seconds) I have to now sensor myself.  Call me kooky, but you spend 22 years learning/speaking 1 language, it's not the easiest thing to do to just not use it at all.  It was all in good fun though (I think)  

After classes, there was an orientation lunch for new students.  I of course sat in the middle and failed miserably at blending in by providing color commentary whenever I deemed it necessary.  Afterwards, they told us an informational meeting would commence around 6:20 back at the school.  3 classmates and I decided to walk around the city for a while as we waited.  August, is a 19 year old trumpet player from Sweden.  Nadia is 28 was born and raised in Germany but has spent the last 4-6 years in Australia (SHE had an interesting accent).  And Siebe (pronounced She-buh) is a 21 year old guy from Holland.  We spent the afternoon talking and getting to know about each other and our respective countries.  It was very nice to make new friends and enjoy their company.      

After the meeting, we all went to our respective homes.  Hugo (the man I am staying with) and this guy who had stayed with him for a few months were here.  We ate dinner, and it was very nice.  They continued to tell me more about the city.  I know once I get this money situation under control, and start getting around the city more often, I'm going to really get into it.  For now, I don't want to go into sensory overload.   I was able to talk to my mom for a few minutes.  IF I HAVE EVER TOLD ANYONE TO GET ANYTHING IN THEIR LIVES, IT IS SKYPE.  Not only is this junk free, it totally makes it so I can call people in the states with NO charge for anyone.  It's a beautiful thing.  Anywhoozle, afterwards, Hugo made me some tea and we chatted for a bit.  He probably was talking english more than I should have let him, but I'm trying my best to practice my spanish with every conversation that I'm having with him.  

All in all, another great day.  I'm having good luck with getting to mooch of an internet connection here.  (totally going to hell for it, but at least I'll burn knowing I had internet in Argentina, just kidding Mom!) My classmates are fun, My homestay situation is truly awesome, and I do have a friend down here to remind me of the insanity of my homeland.   

I'm going to try and start having a little bit more order to this blog thing, but don't get too excited since i could forget after I do it once.  I feel like I should be breaking things down into sections.......

Like......

Funniest moment of the day.  

  Explaining to August what the root of Constipado (what which in spanish means congested, unless I'm totally mistaken) means in english.  If anyone wants to explain to me how one would go about explaining the process of not being able to B.m. to a sweedish guy while speaking spanish, please let me know so that I can do a better job next time.  

Honorable mention:  Brazilian girl at orientation that didn't speak a lick of english yelling something every 5 minutes.  I swear I think she was drunk.  Flipping hilarious,

Opinion of the day.

  There really should be a mandate that all countries should be pronounced the same way worldwide as the way the people from that country pronounce it.  No more of this Estados Unidos stuff.  if people in france pronounce it "Frawnce," then we should to, dangit.  Mexico should be internationally taught as "Meh-he-coe."  If this were to go into effect and taught globally, there would only have to be one word for every country and I would have to feel like an idiot when I'm told 4 times someone is from Orlanda and NOT know that it means Holland.   Obviously there are countries that are hard to pronounce, but people who complain should be silenced with socks, ducktape, or a full frontal lobotomy.  All of the above work for me.    After I submit my request that the US switches to the metric system, I'll jump right on this movement.  

Next time on Alex's thought bubble

1.  Alex and Brittany should hopefully go and get Alex setup with a cell phone.

2.  Alex should have a hold on the money situation so he can  buy August the half a sandwhich that he owes him and grab Nadia some ice cream....... alien gunfight to follow.  

3.   Alex (possibly) reflects on the people that he is constantly reminded of and misses deeply.  

P.S.  I promise not to write such novellas if people start commenting on this blog.  So I at least know 1. that people are reading it and 2. who is taking the time.  :)

THANKS!

Besos!