Whoa dang

I'm in a bit of shock at my lack of blogging in the past 3 weeks. However, we'll get through this.

So after Justin came, Kelly came! Well, actually their trips overlapped. Jenna and I had the great joy of being in finals week, but Kelly, of course, had a full itinerary of museums and cultural events. She left just as much of a Spaniard as I will after having spent 4 months in this country.

I was so grateful to have Kelly here when I found out that I was accepted into the Maryland-Keele Exchange Program. She was just the support I needed. :) Turns out I'm going to England for the 2009-2010 school year. Fo free.

The day after finals we threw Javi a "Good luck in France with your woman even though you haven't told us you're leaving and it was Mariaje who let the cat out of the bag" party. Everyone brought food and chipped in for the cake. I thought the cake with Snow White and her Prince was most appropriate.

At the end of Kel's trip, Claire and Caroline made the trek down from London, and the 4 of us explored Madrid. We spent Kel's last night at Los Amigos Hostal and the name held true. We did in fact make some amigos. A cheery bunch of boys studying in Scotland were just down the hall and I can't say I didn't feel some pride for Madcity when I told them all the fun, free stuff to do during their stay.

We did the whole Kapital adventure Saturday night, we arrived home at 5:45a.m. and at 6a.m. Kel and I were out the door to the airport. When I got back I took a mini-siesta and then the CCC crowd headed to el Rastro, ate Magnums in a somewhat ghetto area of Madcity, and then went to Retiro. The line was too long for el Prado so I just acted out the artwork for them instead. I'd say it was a great success.

When we finally got in touch with our Scottish friends, we were able to pick up our bags, which we left in their room, and then we proceeded to spend the entire night in the airport. When I rolled into Resa the next morning I hadn't slept for 42 hours. I'm going with the idea that it's practice for when I'm a resident.

Next, on St. Patrick's Day we graduated! I've never seen such a big ceremony for 10 weeks of classes before. The whole ordeal was just precious. They called each of our names, Mariaje cried, we dos beso-d everyone, and took pictures with our diplomas. Afterward, Jenna, Laurel, Laurel's friends, Jonatan, and I went out to eat to celebrate. The celebration continued into the night when we went to Wheland's, one of the two bars in town actually celebrating what we discovered to be a mainly American fiesta.

The next day I decided to venture to Talavera de la Reina, Pablo's home. But not before first thinking it was a good idea to get a hair trim. Jenna and I went to the very Spanish, Marco Aldany, and when I asked for 2cm I got 6 inches, and when Jenna said her hair parts in the middle and won't stay to the side she simply got a "No." Note to self and to world - do not get your hair cut in Spain.

At Pabs', we celebrated Father's Day on Thursday and went to my first castle, Oropesa. I felt like a little medieval figurine. So the story goes that the princess who lived there was weighed against gold to determine the value of her kingdom. She didn't let her people down and her legend is simply that she was really really fat. Also, at one point, she got pregnant and to this day no one knows if it was by a royal dude, a knight guy, or a peasant who worked in the kitchen. I think food won her heart, but that's just me.

On Friday, we went to Toledo. It's gorgeous! It's exactly how I imagined Spain. The Tajo River flows through the city built on rolling hills and cliffs, and the cobbled roads weave through ancient buildings, cathedrals, and synagogues. The expression "Holy Toledo!" was born here due to the famous Cathedral. I made sure to say this a couple times throughout the day. We caught the train back to Talavera, famous for its ceramics, and went to my first Spanish concert. I had a ball, and I guess everyone else did, too. You wouldn't have been able to tell, though, because there wasn't more than a headbob going on.

Pablo's whole family was super kind, and his mom gave me a ceramic glass. Marta's mom also knitted me a poncho and sent it to me. That along with their amazing home cooking makes me feel very loved by the Spanish parents.

I got back Saturday night right in time to enjoy an excellent dinner with Sarah and Owen on Owen's last night. Then Sunday, Sarah, Evan, Jenna, and I went to Reina Sofia, which boosted my self-esteem in the art world, to Retiro, where I took my siesta, and then to this cool restaurant/cafe place I found that has really good nachos.

No school until DQ class felt amazing on Monday. Everyone played catch-up, and Tuesday would have felt just as great had I not been throwing up all Monday night/Tuesday morning. Why? Who knows? But if I was going to be sick one day I really could not have chosen a better day.

However, if I had to name the new most exciting event in my life it would be Lonely Island's release of "I'm on a boat." The possibilities for remakes are basically endless. Thank you, T-Pain, for always spreading joy.