Things I've Gotten Used to in Madrid

• Seeing nuns in full habit
• Seeing people making out in public
• Seeing men peeing on the street
• Pushing my way into a full subway car and acting like it’s perfectly normal
• Eating lunch at 2 or 3 pm and dinner at 9 or 10 pm
• Flagging down waiters for the bill (or anything else I may want)
• Eating tortilla española almost every day
• It taking at least 15 minutes, but usually more to get anywhere
• Being called “guapa”
• Dos besitos (two kisses on the cheeks)
• Text messaging
• Always checking for TP before using the bathroom
• Telling myself that bacteria builds up the immune system
• Drinking beer and wine
• Sun
• Mullets
• Homeless people
• Buildings older than my country
• Being surrounded by beautiful architecture
• City flowers
• Crosswalks
• Waiting in line
• Stores being closed from 2 to 5 pm and/or on Sundays
• Euros
• Centigrade
• The metric system
• Roundabouts (although I’ve never driven through one... scary!)
• Statues
• Fountains
• Walking under scaffolding
• Avoiding dog doo on the sidewalk
• Croquetas
• Getting something “para picar” (to nibble on) when you order a drink

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¡Cómo vuela el tiempo!

Time flies! Wow, last post April 22. Time has flown. Actually when I think about this school year, I can say the same thing, time flies! Then again, when I think about September it seems years in the past! I think (hope) it's because I've learned so much since then. I've learned how to not only ride, but dominate the Metro. (That means that I plan out where I stand on the platform because I know where the exits and hallways are at each stop, and I know that if I hurry in Sol between the yellow and red lines I can make the switch without waiting.) I've learned LOTS of new words. I've learned how to order in cafés. ("Put me a sandwich" instead of "I would like a sandwich, please".) I've learned so much about Spanish art and history that I can't look at a building without looking for "arcos de medio punto" (no idea how to say that in English...half-point arches??). I've learned so much subjunctive that I can't hear a sentence without separating the principal and subordinate clauses in my head. Yes, even though the year has flown, September was in a different lifetime. Now I am essentially done! (I say "essentially" because I have till Friday to turn in one more thing, but it's basically finished.) If I didn't screw up my five final papers (the reason for no posts since April 22), I'm done! I will have that degree in hand before I know it!

I didn't waste anytime converting myself into a tourist again after my studies were complete. My brothers and Chris' girlfriend came to visit me yesterday. We'll be in Madrid for a few days and then traveling through Northern Spain and Southern France.

So, I've got to sleep. Mañana we ride the "Madrid Vision" tour bus. I'm excited. I haven't done that yet!