The Roller Coaster of Exchange

Exchange is like eating a tootsie-pop that has gum in the middle: when you get to the best part you realize that it's almost over.

I must say that I've really liked life lately. There are just so many things that I could list that I'm happy about. For example, I have friends that can both dance AND sing to dub-step. Do you know how hard that is?? I can read Spanish text/IM language. I understand and even make Spanish jokes every now and then. I'm getting a nice tan for the half-ginger I am, and if I want to, I can go to the beach and get even tanner whenever I feel like it. How did I get so lucky?

Maybe I'm just in an especially good mood because I had a really nice weekend. But I don't think that's it. I've been happier lately and enjoying life. I still have a few weeks of school left, but I'm looking forward to summer. I don't mind school because I get to see my friends, but I sure won't mind some summer, Costa Del Sol style either.

When I look back to the beginning of my exchange, I wasn't this happy. In fact, I remember being significantly more sad at the beginning of my exchange. The whole month of January was a high point, although February was a tough month in general. Since then I've felt increasingly better and lately I can't help but really like my life here. I'm not sure if it's because I know that I have to leave in two months and I should make the most of my time, or if it's because I truly am used to life here and even enjoying it. Either way, I feel good! So I won't continue questioning it.

Yesterday I received my senior year schedule! As much as I'd like to just focus on Spain while I'm here, I can't forget that eventually I will be back in Newton resuming my other life and, consequently, finishing high school. I thought I'd have a much fuller schedule than I do, but I actually have a bunch of empty hours. I'm not really sure what to do about that. I can't decide whether to put in some AP classes for some college credit, some fun/informative electives just because I like to be educated, or simply leave the empty spaces as they are and possibly get involved with a bunch of extracurriculars to compensate for a somewhat average senior schedule in my opinion.

That really has nothing to do with my time in Spain, but I don't have much else to tell you guys. I was going to write about how going from Bachillerato to the universities are (because the system here is MUCH different than that of the US) but I honestly don't have the motivation today. I will try to soon though! In the mean time, here are some songs that are popular in Spain at the moment.

Una Vaina Loca by Fuego

La Bomba by King Africa

Rayos de Sol by Jose de Rico

Life is Good

A few weeks ago back on April 28th, my host family and I took  day trip to Cordoba, a very historic city of Spain. We visited the the Great Mosque (Mezquita), as well as a former royal palace. The Mezquita is regarded as the one of the most accomplished monuments of Islamic architecture. Way back long ago (my history isn't so great) Christians were going through Spain, tearing down all the mosques in order to build Catholic churches in their place. Well, when the Christians came across the Mezquita of Cordoba, they didn't end up destroying it because of its grand beauty. Instead, they built the church inside.  So now when you go inside, one can see both the Muslim and Christian influence between both the architecture and decor. The Mezquita was truly astounding inside. Here are some photos to give you an idea of what it's like:

The most famous view in the Mezquita

The Catholic Church area. People still go in to pray.

This is just one of the incredible ceilings.

My host mom and I

The next weekend I went into the sea for the first time in my life!!! I've lived right next to it for almost eight months, and finally jumped in a couple of weeks ago. It was salty and a even bit rocky at the beach I was in,  but I didn't care; it was an amazing experience!

Such a lovely afternoon at the beach ^_^

On April 13th, I had the chance to go to a real soccer game here! I went to Malaga city with my host parents, along with a family friend and Juan's sister, and we watched Malaga C.F. play AND win! (Malaga is on the same level as Real Madrid, Barcelona, etc. They're kind of a big deal.) It was a very important game for Malaga because if they won, it meant they would be bumped into the National Championships League (for the first time in history) and be playing with the best teams in Europe next season. Everyone was so ecstatic that they won; the energy throughout the entire game was incredible really. People get excited about sports in the US, but not quite like Spain. Spain is passionate about their soccer! People stood cheering for a good 20 minutes or so after Malaga won. People were honking their horns to the Malaga cheer all across town in the middle of the night! The whole city was bustling with joy.

Those have been the highlights of the past few weeks. Other than that, life is pretty normal: school during the week, hanging out with friends on the weekends. I have less than a month of school left. In fact, there's less than a month left until my class trip to Italy!! I am so excited, I can't even explain. It seems unreal. Italy was my second country choice for exchange, so to be able to visit it for a week is such an amazing opportunity. Other than that, the Marbella Fair is coming up in a few weeks. Also, I'll be visiting the Alhambra in Granada soon! My class from the US is taking a trip to Spain next month, so I'm hoping to be able to visit them. June is going to be a pretty busy month, but I don't think I have anything planned for July except to go to the beach with my friends! I hope to visit Madrid and/or Barcelona before I leave, but I still don't know if I'll be able to. I guess we'll see.

I believe that's all for now. Sorry for not posting in a while! I'll talk to you guys soon.
Josie

 P.S. Cinco de Mayo isn't celebrated in Spain -- it's observed in the US and Mexico.

Q/A

Questions that I'm asked often (or questions that aren't asked so often that still I enjoy answering):

Where are you from?
Iowa

Where's Iowa?
In the north-central region of the US, right under Minnesota. Chicago is 5 hours east of my "pueblo" by car.

Do you have to repeat this year?
No, because last year I took some junior-level classes and next year I will be taking more classes than most seniors do. So in the end I'l have just as many credits to graduate as my classmates in the US.

Do you know how to make chocolate-chip cookies?
Yes.

Is the US really like American Pie?
I don't know -- I've never seen American Pie.

Do you like Justin Bieber?
No.

Well do you like the Jonas Brothers?
Yes. Nick is my favorite.

Are there huge house parties in the US like in the movies?
I assume so, but I don't go to them. The Universities party more than high-schoolers do... I think.

In the English version of Toy Story 3, does Buzz Lightyear still talk in Spanish when he is in "Spanish-mode"?
Yes, and it's awesome.

Do you like Lady Gaga and/or Katy Perry?
I like some of their songs, but I'd prefer to listen to other artists.

Do you really eat lunch at school in the huge cafeteria with all the students?
Yep!

Is the school food bad and are there really lunch ladies with hair-nets?
It is terrible but we still eat it, and yes, the lunch ladies are real.

Did you study Spanish before you came?
Yes, I studied Spanish for two years before I came at my high school.

Do you have to study foreign language in the US?
In my high school, it isn't required to take foreign language classes, but the state universities require at least two years study of a foreign language. So, most people study Spanish but French is also offered.

Do a lot of people speak Spanish in the US?
Where I live, no. But there's a lot of Spanish in the south -- Texas, Arizona, Florida, etc. -- and in New York and California. However, people predict that in 20, 30 years or so, more Spanish will be spoken in the US than English.

Can you really drive?
Yes, and I miss my car so much.

Are there really cliques at your high school like in the movies?
Yes, but movies exaggerate it.

Have you been to New York City or California?
No, but I'd really like to!

How could you have not seen the ocean before you came to Spain??
Iowa doesn't have an ocean :(

Which do you like better, Iowa or Spain?
That's impossible for me to answer. I love Spain and it's unique culture, but Iowa is my home. How can I choose between them?

What do you eat in the US?
Um.. everything? We have cheese burgers and hot dogs, but we don't eat them for dinner every night. Pizza, spaghetti, tacos, casseroles, chicken, beef, lots of fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, Chinese food.

Do you know how to make an apple pie?
If I had a recipe I could probably make it.

What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is when we celebrate the Pilgrims coming over to America by having a huge meal with lots of family.

What is the school year is the US, and what are the hours?
At my school, we usually start on August 25 or so, and end in late May or early June. School begins around 8:03 and ends around 3:15.

Do you really work back in the US?
Yeah, I work at a grocery store and it's pretty common for teenagers to have after-school/weekend jobs.

How long are you here? Forever, or what...?
I go back to the US in the beginning of August, so I'll have been here for about 10 months.

Are you going to come back to Spain?
Of course but I don't know when! I'll come and visit and I want to show Spain to my family.

Is your family going to visit you here or did you go back for Christmas?
No, I haven't seen my family since I left the US but I'll see them soon when I'm back.

Are things less expensive in the US?
Yeah, everything here [in Spain] is generally more expensive -- clothes, electronics, food. Except for University fees. Colleges/Unvisities are waaaaayyyy more expensive in the US.  (People go to the universities in Spain for a few thousand dollars each year.)

Why did you come here?
I came because I want to see more of the world and learn about the culture of another country besides my own. I didn't come to learn Spanish, but that is one of my main goals before I have to leave.

Madrid or Barcelona?
Barcelona!!

Reflecting

I've been reflecting a lot lately. Although three months still remain of my exchange, I can't help but feel that things are coming to a close (this is probably due to the fact that school will soon be ending). The following is more of what I would write in my journal, but I thought I'd share it with you anyways. My thoughts are scattered, but somewhat followable. Let's see how this goes. . .

I've been on exchange for about 7 months now, and I know that my mind set has changed. I think in new ways than I did before, I find inspiration in new things, and I've come to appreciate new things. Exchange is pretty cool because when you go to a different country where no one knows your name, you can be anyone you want to be with out any expectations. Furthermore, you must make your own decisions and form your own opinions in your host country. As cheesy as it may sound, I've learned so much about myself. I have a new realization of my flaws and strengths; what I admire in people, as well as what bothers me in people; and what I enjoy to do.

My dependence has shifted from myself and others around me, to God. I've been stretched thin and I've experienced such dark loneliness at times, but He's always been there and His unfailing love continues to amaze me every day. Different parts of my mind that have't been used since infancy are being exercised to learn Spanish, while other parts of my brain that are used to examine science, math, etc. are dulling, from a lack of use -- go figure.

I've realized how much I do enjoy having purpose and responsibility. God has given me purpose for my life, even if I'm unsure of it sometimes. I like it when people ask and expect me to successfully do a task. I like it when people return the respect that I try to give them. I don't like to be alone. Everyone always lists food and shelter as necessities, but family and friends are just as essential in my life. Also, who I am with is more important than where I am. I would rather sit in my bedroom, surrounded by friends for hours, than be in New York City or London and be surrounded by strangers.

There are nice, mean, funny, obnoxious, rude, lovely, intriguing, stuck-up, honest, strange, and worried people no matter where you are in the world. In the end, it turns out that we're all not that different from each other. There will always be cultural differences, but we're all human -- we have the same necessities that drive our emotions, thoughts and actions.

In conclusion, I saw this on Facebook today, and although I don't feel exactly the same way, it's relatable.

"How bittersweet it is to think about returning home. Life is going to get started again, but my Spanish life is also going to be put on hold until I can return. So much has happened this year, and there are so many things I have yet to do. Everything is becoming real again, and the sadder things from home are starting to really sink in. I am not too sure I am ready to face real life yet."  --Clayton, Exchange student from Canada to Spain 2011-2012

I'm excited to face "real life" again. I've learned so much here, but sometimes exchange doesn't really feel like living. It's like when you go to a summer camp and it's amazing but you know inside that it isn't real life and that you have to go back home to reality soon. I'm excited to come back home with the new knowledge and experiences I've attained, and to jump into life again. At the same time, I feel like I'm starting to belong here more and more often. I have another life here that will be waiting for my return, but I don't know when that will be. I have amazing friends and family here who I don't know when I'll be able to see again, but they'll be here waiting. I've been so blessed to encounter so many great people here, and for them, I know I'll have to return. Exchange kind of breaks your heart and puts it in two places of the world.

With that being said, I should probably eat dinner and go to sleep.