1/10/10-1/12/10

So for everyone wondering I have found an apartment!!! I am living with an American girl and two British girls. They are really nice and I think it is going to be really fun to live with them.

My first day of classes went well. I got up before 7 though to bring the rest of my stuff to my apartment and then went to the university to look at the class schedules. It is weird to say this but I actually miss the stressful scheduling of W&J. At least then I knew my classes weren't conflicting and that they would count for the credits that I needed. The European university system is interesting. It would be extremely easy if I had been enrolled here from my first year but since I am an exchange student I have to take a lot of time to pick the classes that will transfer for what I need, make sure they don't conflict with other courses and ensure they have enough credit hours. It is extremely stressful!! It is hard to take classes here from different subject matters and different years because the schedule are set-up so that a student in year 2 in the business faculty already has a finalized schedule without needing to do a thing. Even with all this crazyness I think I have most of my schedule figured out. I should have a final schedule by next week.

I am taking an economics course that integrates contemporary history into economics. It seems really interesting and I really like the professor. I introduced myself to him so he would know that Spanish is my second language and he said he would help me whenever and he would speak English with me if I ever needed clarification. I have introduced myself to all the profs I have had so far and they all seem to be very excited to have me and helpful!

I went out to dinner last night with my roommates and some other friends. We went to an Italian place (I know I should be eating authentic Spanish food but everyone chose). We ate really late, about 9:45. Getting used to this daily schedule will be interesting. I never actually thought about how it would be to live in Spain where they have siestas! Almost all stores close around 1 or 2 in the afternoon and then open again at 5. Restaurants open at 9. Once I get used to it I'm sure I will love the break because there aren't classes offered then either but it can be a little inconvenient especially when you are hungry and have no food. I speak from experience. I hadn't bought food by the time my classes were done yesterday around 2 so I got back to the apartment and was starving! I barely ate anything all day and then I tried to go out and get a coffee and a snack. There were barely any places open but I found a bar/cafe and they said the kitchen was closed. But don't worry I stocked up on food later that night. Now I just need to learn to cook. Also the chinos (stores owned by Chinese people) are open during siesta and later then Spanish stores. So I have those as a back-up. Anyway now that I am settled into an apartment I am really starting to enjoy the culture and lifestyle here! I like living on my own for the first time. I feel like a real grown-up!

I think that is about it for now...Un saludo!