Catching Up

So I told you guys about Christmas break and Molly's departure from Spain, but for the sake of time I left out the past week so I could get to bed last night! So, here it is.

School was a bit difficult on Monday. My internal clock was still on vacation time, so I was very tired all day. I wasn't alone though - it seemed that everyone was fighting to stay awake that first day back to school! It was nice seeing all of my classmates again though. I didn't go back to school for long though because on Thursday, Molly and I went to Granada! If you're gonna skip school, do it for a good city. ;D Molly and I had planned on going to Sierra Nevada to play in the snow. In the end however, we ended up exploring Granada together because the buses for Sierra Nevada left at times impossible to coordinate with. So, after the 3-hour bus ride from Marbella to Granada, we browsed the rebajas (awesome sales that last for a month or so at all the clothing stores), ate kebabs, saw The Lion King at the theater, bought matching sweatshirts, and walked the incredible streets. How I love that city.

I had to take a picture with this magical street. Doesn't it look like something from a storybook?

Seeing The Lion King and eating kebabs almost made up for not being able to see the snow, but Molly and I definitely want to go to Sierra Nevada in the future -- and Iowa as well! -- for some snow!! Molly has only seen snow one time before! We had a great day in Granada, nevertheless.

On Wednesday it was back to school. That evening I went out to eat with Molly and her family since it was her last night in Spain. Saying goodbye was so strange, so unreal. :( Yesterday, I finally met my host dad, David!! He's in the Navy, so he has been at sea the whole time I've been here. David is actually English, and only speaks a bit of Spanish. As a result, he just talks in English. David is really nice, but it's so strange speaking so much English. I don't want to hinder my learning Spanish anymore than I need to with English, but at the same time, I need to talk with my host dad. Also, the other day, I got an email about choosing a return date to the US. How is that possible?? I don't even want to think about having to leave yet.

This past week at school has been a bit exhausting. It makes me realize why I love vacation so much. School wears me out; it often frustrates me. Not for the reasons it usually would such as exams and homework, but because it is so mentally challenging to process everything for 6 1/2 hours. I can't wait for summer vacation -- everyone says that it's the best time of the year and that you just hang out with friends everyday. I like the sound of that. If it's as good as Christmas break, I'll be pleased.