We're halfway there.
Well, technically, I guess we're more than halfway there now. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I passed the halfway-through mark of my exchange on Friday (-ish; I'm not completely confident in my math). I can believe that. In some ways, I feel like I've been here forever [just over 5 months], and it's difficult to remember how I was/how things are in the US. But when I think about all I've done here and how much I've grown as a person, time, for once, makes sense to me. In less than five months, I'll be back in Iowa, about to start senior year. I look forward to seeing my family and friends back home so much, but the thought of leaving Spain saddens and somewhat scares me, mostly because of all the people here that I'll have to leave -- unlike departing from Iowa, I don't know when I'll be able to return here. It's a thought that makes me cringe! However, I've been trying to live in the moment, and make the most of my time here. Thinking about the future so much can be overbearing! As for the next half of my exchange, my goals are to do better in school, enjoy the time I have left with my friends here, and become fluent in SPANISH!
I don't have much to tell you about Semana Blanca. It was a nice week to relax and hang out with friends a little bit. Really though, I don't mind going to school because I get to be with friends all day, and most teachers don't expect too much from me. So if I don't do well, they're not surprised, but if I do well in school, I'm kind of amazing. It's like being a freshman in sports all over again.
Since that's all I can think of to write as far as an update on my life, here's a mini lesson in Spanish slang.
No flipes!
Exclamation
Pronounced: No fleep-ays!
Translation: No flips!
I'm not exactly sure if I have the correct literal translation, but that's not really important. "No flipes" is used the same way as Americans use "no way!". There are many expressions with "flipes" in them, but they all usually come back around to "No way!".
Que guay! or Que chulo!
Exclamation
Pronounced: Kay why! / Kay choo-low!
Translation: Cool!
Say one of these when you see/hear of something cool or when somebody has/is wearing something interesting. These phrases are used basically the exact same way as "cool" in English is.
Guiri
Noun
Pronounced: Giddy
Translation: Foreigner
I am called this all of the time. When somebody is from a different country, they're considered a guiri.Some people who have lived here for a long period of time might be offended by this name (they'd prefer to be called residents rather than foreigners), but honestly it's not insulting.
Tio
Noun
Pronounced: Tee-oh
Translation: Uncle
Although this literally means uncle, people use "tio" to refer to each other casually, kind of like Americans use "dude" or "man."
Example: "Que pasa tio?!" = What's up dude/man?!
Que maquina!
Exclamation/Adjective
Pronounced: Kay mawk-een-uh
Translation: What a machine!
Use this when someone does something like a boss. They're a machine! I feel like this makes sense in English, but honestly I can't remember.
Example: Boy hikes up La Concha Mountain: Que maquina!
Example 2: Somebody dances for 3 hours straight: Que maquina!
Xano; Shano
Adjective (usually)
Pronounced: Ch-han-oh
Translation: Everything
I'm 99% sure that my class made up this word. We're the only ones who use it as far as I know. It can be spelled multiple ways, and can basically mean what ever you want it to. Say it when describing something cool, when someone is annoying, or when you just need a word to express yourself at the moment.
Example: Girls are being preppy and won't shut up about their material problems: Que xano!
Jesus! / Salud!
Exclamation
Pronounced: Hey-soows! / Sahl-ood
Translations: Jesus! / Health!
This is what someone says after somebody else sneezes. It's the equivalent to "Bless you!". This isn't really slang, but it's good to know.
Por la cara
Adjective
Pronounced: Poor lah cah-duh
Translation: By the face
This is basically equal to "random" in English. The literal translation is strange, I know, but it is what it is.
Example: Man 1:"Why is he singing High School Musical Songs in the bathroom?" Man 2: "I don't know - por la cara."
Toma!
Exclamation
Pronounced: Toe - mah
Translation: Take it!
When you beat someone at something -- a game, argument, etc. -- and you want to rub it in their face, yell, "TOMA!". It's like saying, "Take that, bro!"
Que cuqui!
Exclamation
Pronounced: Kay kew-key!
Translation: How sweet! / How cute!
I'm not 100% sure on this one. If I have the right definition, then it'd be like, "Que cuqui! Look at those adorable panda bears, nibbling on bamboo!"
Well, I think that's all for now! I'm probably forgetting a few phrases that I meant to put down, but I'll try to think of more in the mean time.
Love you guys,
Josie xx
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