A bit of an update :)

First off, I totally forgot to inform you all about Desiree, my madre’s granddaughter. I believe she is three, though she may be four. And sooooo freaking adorable. Anyway, she was over last Thursday with her mom and dad (EVERYONE hangs out at their parents’ house on a regular basis, regardless of age.) When I got home from school, I went in my room to clean up a bit before lunch. I turned around to see her little face peaking at me in the doorway. When she saw me looking at her, she disappeared. But she shortly returned. I asked her if she wanted to see pictures of my family, and she nodded. She was so superrr shy. I started showing her the pictures when my madre called me in for lunch. A minute after I sat down, she came in and gave me a kiss on my cheek. She ran out of the kitchen and came back another minute later saying, “Abrazo! Abrazo!” So I gave her a hug. Then my madre took her out of the kitchen with her so she wouldn’t interrupt me. What a flipping cutie! Anyway, the next morning my padre said he heard that she had given me a hug and kiss, and that she has never done the same to him. My madre said she was so surprised because she is so shy and never does anything like that, but that Desiree said she thought that I was “muy guapa,” or very pretty. Precioso :)

Alright, so this week has been another good one! Really good, considering the copious amounts of homework and studying that I’ve had to do in order to do a 20 minute presentation and an exam, among other things. Anyway, Monday night I went to watch my friend Nate, from Michigan State, in his play for class. Not quite sure I ever wanted to see him prance around in a dress, but hey, why not? When in Spain… In all seriousness, the play they put on alllll in Spanish went really well, so congrats to them! Tuesday night I engaged in some beach studying, my fave in case you didn’t know. And Wednesday I said forgetttt studying, and went to the beach ALL day before we all met up at Piquio, a bar by the beach for the Spain vs. Alemania (Germany) game. Of course, we all had our faces painted and were dressed for the occasion. Earlier that day, we had gone to the market for our culture class, and Ashley and I bought matching Spain bikinis for the beach. Best decision EVER :) So obviously the game was amazing, and we won. I’m really REALLY starting to get into this soccer business. And there’s nothing like everyone honking and singing chants and hanging out their car windows with flags on your 45 minute walk home :) So come Sunday night in Espana, you can guess what I’ll be doing!

Mmk… time for me to get ready for 24 sleepless hours in Pamplona for the running of the bulls. We were warned to wear clothes that we can throw away, because everyone throws wine around and there are inches of bodily fluid and fecal matter in some places. I’m attempting to mentally prepare myself as I write. Wish me luck!