Math and Chuches

Hello all,

I realized I haven't really posted in a while, since nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Yesterday I decided to stay home. I woke up at 12:30 yesterday, oh my gosh. Ana went out with friends for the afternoon and night. I got some (emphasis on the some) homework done. My host dad is really good at math, so he and I did math for like 3 hours.... He is really funny. He loves math, so whenever we got to one of those problems that math teachers just love because they are distinct and make you think, he would be like oh what a beautiful problem. And I was like oh yes yes, then he'd show me this really creative way of solving it. And he loved my calculator, he was like oh my Texas Instruments, they don't sell those here only Hewlitt Packard. Then I had dinner and watched Slumdog millionaire in spanish with my host dad. I hadn't seen it before. DAD BRUCEY MOOSY: I did like it! Contrary to the fact that you said I wouldn't.

Today I slept in and then Ana had to study, so I planned with Emily to do something together today. My parents wanted to go see a movie at Metro Mar (sort of like a movie theatre and mall place), so while they were seeing the movie Emily and I explored the sweet shop there. Candy is called Chuches here. We tried lots of weird candy. Then we had montaditos, which are like small sandwiches. My host parents then dropped Emily off at her house and we went home. My family feeds me so much, it's insane, but I love them.

~Briannah

4 day weekend

Oscar and I had an awesome 4 day weekend as well. Along with doing homework (not fun), we went to the gym every day and went to Tal's house with Buck and Wes to see Andrea and Vega, the exchanges from last year. It was great to see them! Saturday was my host fathers birthday, and we had a huge celebratory lunch at my house with ice cream cake and everything. Today Oscar and I went with Juan and Wes to a great Italian place near the Cathedral (3rd largest cathedral in the world) and walked around in Sevilla, which is sunny and 70 every day, how perfect....Time to start another week of school, but first...some video games with Oscar.

Hasta Luego,

Ian

4 day weekend

there hasn't been a moment that has passed that hasn't been fun or funny in some way. all i can say is that we got really lucky with the group of exchanges this year, can't wait for everyone to meet!

this weekend cristina and i spent most of our time in sevilla with briannah and ana and some of their spanish friends. after a week has passed we are all starting to mellow out and actually get to know each other. her friends are so fun, energetic, and funny... with there attempts at english slang like "mad wack" and other phrases. even though the initial shock and interest in los "intercambios" has passed, people are still very interested in hearing about america... all aspects, like our thoughts on obama and questions about LA and NYC.

in school, the exchanges as a whole, continue to struggle understanding everything the teachers say. but we do all look at each other whenever "intercambios" (exchanges) are mentioned.

cristina's mom even bought me bagels for breakfast after i told her casually the night before i missed moes. you should've seen my face when she showed me... i was so excited.

anyway i need to work on getting to bed earlier so more later! adios!

We had an amazing 4 day weekend! My host family took me to a beach which is about 3 hours from Sevilla, which was incredible. The water was way too cold to swim in, but we could see the coast of Morrocco which was awesome. Yesterday we drove into the mountains away from Costa Del Sol and spent the day touring very traditional Spanish villages.... so cool. Last night we stayed in a wonderful hotel in the mountains and went for a hike. Loving everything!!!!!!

Viva Real Betis!

Yesterday I went to a town called Cadiz with my host family. We walked around old allies and enjoyed the beach. We also got to see the local cathedral.

Today was awesome. I slept in late, and then we went out to eat Turkish food. After that, my host brother and I walked to the soccer stadium. A local team, real betis was playing Albacete. The stadium was huge, and louder than any football game I've been to. I enjoyed singing the team songs and wildly cheering (with the rest of the stadium) as Betis got each of their 2 goals, winning the game. It was an especially tense the team had to win in order to continue the season. I had a great time, and my host family now thinks I'm their good luck charm.

Spain is awesome

I like Spain a lot. All of the people at the school and outside of it are very nice and I am learning a lot of Spanish. I can understand a lot of what people say now and am starting to get used to the crazy accent here. We went to Portugal yesterday with my host brother and a family friend of his and swam in the ocean which was really cold but also really fun. We go out to Seville a lot and eat crazy good food with our host brothers so that is really cool. The kids here are also very excited to come to the US and ask questions about what it is like there often.

PORTUGAL

So after shopping in my sister´s neon green jeans we headed off to Portugal. As if one language isn´t enough to make my head hurt my family and their friends decided to teach me portugese... I am terrible at it. But the beach is niiice and I now resemble something living rather than a ghost:D! Also we ate pollo piri piri (fun to say) and sang and danced along side english portugese and spanish drunks. I would have put commas there but I can´t find a comma on this dumb portugese keyboard. Ooh! And Ms. Stamas please don´t freak out but Sophie Maria (her friend that is with us) and I had a little run in with a huge... well I can´t remember any english words... but a creeper on children in a very bad way. Maria is younger, (OMG I JUST FOUND THE COMMA BUTTON) so Sophie and I didn´t explain why we had to run back to their/our parents. I am probably going to receive a few emails from my parents and Ms. Stamas. Just a heads up I probably won´t ahve access to a computer until Monday, vale? God it´s hot here. Hope Colorado weather is awesome :P Adio´!!!

4 Day Weekend!

Yesterday was our 3rd day of school, and our last before the 4 day weekend. Last night we went out to eat pizza and hang out with the rest of the exchange students and their host siblings. Most of the pizza was delicious. After that we came home Alvaro and I played video games and ate dinner. Today I slept in until 12, which felt awesome. Then we ate lunch and I finally presented my gifts from Colorado to my host family. They loved everything. Now we are going to see Alvaro's cousins riding horses. Later we might go hang out with Tal and Vega, two of last years exchange students. I'm excited for this weekend as we might visit the beach or other cities in Spain. Whatever we end up doing, I know it will be fun.

We're currently on the first day of a 4 day weekend and I slept until about 11 this morning which was great! We had a very short week at school which was very nice, and this weekend I am going to the beach with my host family, staying for one night. My host siblings and I went for a run this morning, and the weather is perfect! Loving everything!

PIZZA

We had pizza and salad for dinner. Oh my goodness it was so good. Today my family made me right down every single food that I like on a piece of paper. Then my host dad got out this food picture dictionary and we went through every single thing. I felt so terrible like telling them exactly what I do and don't like, but they insisted. Though, I think maybe it's good we did that so then they won't have to worry about making a whole meal that I don't like. They don't have to worry and I don't have to worry about whether I will like the food. Ok that was a great story (Not) I know. Ana spent our time after dinner online looking at all the flavors of cheesecake at the cheesecake factory. Time well spent definitely.

2nd real day of school

So as I'm sure you read yesterday we went on an excursion with the austrians to sight see and eat and creep on people making out. You think I'm kidding? I'm not. Today was very school like. The guys in Spain are really funny. Also Buck, Briannah and I finally got a taste of real sports in Spain and actually ran for once! The P.E. is typically extremely easy but this time we ran for 20 minutes. not easy running mind you... I had to pee so bad! ummm aaand its pretty hard to speak and think in english now... oh and spanish kids freaking love the calculators we have. So thats really all im going to talk about now. Hasta Luego! OH GOD THE DOG IS ATTACKING ME NOW Her name's Lulu. They call her the rug that runs and her hair looks just like mine. Q, asta luego

Trip to Jerez

yesterday we went on a field trip to Jerez for a tour of the winery, tio pepe, and local sight seeing. although school has been great it was nice to get away for a day and do things a normal american tourist would do :)

im starting to notice that im beginning to talk in fragmented setences even when im talking in english, its an odd feeling! all the exchanges are starting to realize how lucky we are to have the hosts we do. i cant wait for everyone at home to meet and talk with them.

tomorrow is the last day of school for four days, cant wait for the weekend!

asta luego

Day 5

School has been a great experience so far...the food is pretty bad but who needs to eat when there are so many new people to meet and talk to.. Our trip to Jerez was very fun and it was cool to see the vinyard there, and nice to spend a day sight seeing. It is so fun to be here in Spain, especially since there is so much diversity here. I had a conversation about politics on the bus today with people from Spain, Australia, and England, all in Spanish. We also made friends from Austria on the trip to Jerez who were also on exchange at the school, but they left today. Overall, the trip has been incredible so far!

-Ian

School and field trip

Ok so yesterday was our first day of school. It was really fun meeting all of our host siblings' friends. I ended up going to physics, grammar, and latin classes, (although all I really did was sit around). The lunch was pretty terrible compared to the other food in spain. So all in all it was kind of a boring day.

Today we went on a field trip to Jerez, a town about an hour and a half away. We saw lots of old buildings (including one with a viewing room of sorts which I'm sure Briannah has described in detail). After that we toured a Vinard and ate lunch. Then we came home and met our host siblings at the high speed train station after their trip to Madrid to get Visas. Then we came home and watched a Soccer game on TV. I'm really excited to go see a live soccer game later in my stay. It is Realbetis vs. Sevilla (two local rival teams) so it should be fun to watch.

All together, I LOVE SPAIN

-Buck

Field Trip

I think we all agree that life here is pretty awesome. Today we went on a field trip, just the exchange students. It was us seven and then about 30 Austrian exchange students. Our host siblings had to go to Madrid to get their visas to come to the US. We took a bus (their school buses are tour buses) to Jerez, which was about 1 hr 30 min away. We went to this really cool building with a dark camera, where there was a dark room with a concave white dish. In the ceiling there was a hole/opening where there were mirrors that were outside on the roof, then it mechanically projected a live picture of where the mirrors were pointing. Then, the guide could use these handles to show us all of Jerez by adjusting what was projected on the dish. Then we went to the Tio Pepe wine production place. They produce very famous sherry there. We got some free time in the town, where we ate food. On the ride home, we slept. So we pretty much did a lot of eating and sleeping. After school, Annie came to my house for a while and we talked with my host parents, learned a lot about the geography and history of Spain. So far, they don't do as much homework here.... speaking of which.... I think I better start trying to not get behind.

~Briannah

Primer dia del escuela

Ian had it right when he said it's been a wierd day. People keeping asking me about Liverpool,I had CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE sooo freakin' good!School was different: The boys were amazed that I didn't scream during soccer and kept congradulating me for stupid things, Greek class is difficult in a spanish but I got the jist of it... sorta... Lunch 'chupa como un elephante muerto' gracias Briannah, I FINALLY FOUND SUDOKU YAY!!! There have been so many questions about my super tall boyfriend <3 Ross. And afterwards I went to 'danza oriental' with my sister Sophie. I would describe their 'oriental dance' as a smooth conjunction between the Flamenco and Belly Dancing. I looked like an idiot!!! I am realizing that it is very hard to think about America/English things when you are living in Spanish mode. I keep forgetting simple things like names of people or the word escalator etc.
Pues... Espana es muy chula, divertida, y bonita... me gusta!

escuela!!!

so school is long, but fun :) all the students and teachers are really interested in us and also very nice. the lunch is horrible... first time ive had bad food in spain!!! today after school my host mother, cristina, ana, briannah, juan, and wes went shopping in sevilla for "spanish clothes" and i loved it! my host mom also got me a framed picture of cristiano ronaldo for my room, saying it will give me good dreams! i love it here!

Ir de Compras

Today was interesting. School here is very different but it was really fun. FYI the school lunch is disgusting, most of us and our friends here didn't really eat anything for lunch because.... it is like inedible. But no worries, because you get to eat a snack from home and then after school you get a snack and then after that you go out with friends for another snack. Y después de eso.... Dinner.

AAAAAAND we went shopping after school, me, Ana, Annie, Christina, Wes, y Juan. It was so fun. I was like whoah this is so not real we are doing something fun on a school day. Que Loco, being that I don't think I've ever done anything other than hw etc. on a school night.

1st day of school

Sevilla is still wonderful, my family is very nice and everyone I've met thus far has been great. School is, of course, different from Dawson but fun. I met a lot of people today and really only had 2 academic classes, but both were good. Definitely going to be a challenge to understand everything in Spanish, but I can understand the majority of what each teacher says. Now, to keep up with the work from Dawson....... :) - Leah

Second Night

So glad to finally be here in Spain! Oscar and his family have been great to me and I am having a wonderful time! We have gone out with the other exchange students in Sevilla, and have had a great time touring the city and eating at great places. I am excited to see the school tomorrow, it should be a fun day! Time for some sleep....

day 2!

helllooooo!

well, spain is awesome. to say the least. my host sister cristina is very nice and extremely cool, i got lucky there. i also love all her friends and family! traveling here was interesting but i bought a blanket and a pillow at brookstone in the philly airport, that was a good life choice. im very happy to be here... cant wait to say more but i need to sleep for school tomorrow! hasta luego!!!

Second Day in spain

Spain is so much fun! After getting here my family drove me home while explaining everything in the city. Our house is close to the school, but it takes some time to get to the city. The first night we went into Sevilla to get tapas with Wes, Oscar, Ian, Juan, and Alvaro. After we got home I realized that we had been up for around 30 hours so I went to bed. The next thing I knew there was a knock on my door... at 2:30 in the afternoon. Today played some video games at the house and later went to town and hung out at a local restaurant. All in all, spain is a really fun place.

-Buck

Spinning Pizza Dough

Hola,

Well now that I finally figured out how to log onto the blog... (my internet is now all in spanish, and I swear I clicked every button on the blog page before I finally figured out which one meant, "sign in").... I shall tell you about Spain so far.

The flights were fine. I had to surrender our jar of peanut butter in our surprise box at security. In the Philadephia airport, a few of us went to go buy pizza and one worker their made a deal with me that if I could throw the pizza dough in the air and spin it I would get my pizza free. So he made me stand in a very visible spot and attempt to spin this pizza dough in the air. Believe it or not I didn't drop it, and I got free pizza. Once we made it to Madrid in the morning we were all a little tired, okay really tired. After 8 hours in the Madrid airport we were indescribably tired, thought it could also be described as grumpy. And guess what? ALL of our bags made it to Sevilla. We were greeted upon arrival in Sevilla by our families.

My family is wonderful. We didn't even run out of things to talk about in the car on the way home. Okay it was only a 25 minute car ride, but still. I unpacked, gave my family their gifts, and showered before leaving for a party at 8:00 (oh and I forgot to say that I ate a cheese sandwich). Annie and I were the only two exchange students there. The party was very very different from here. I think I was in a bit of culture shock. It was fun though. Dancing can be fun, even though I am terrible at it. I sort of faded out and was so tired that I just sort of fell asleep on a couch at the party at about 12:30 then we left at 1:30. I was expecting to sleep in, since I was so sleep deprived. My host sister said I should definitely just sleep in and it was totally okay. So I was expecting I wake up at maybe 10 or 11.... No, I wake up and look at my watch at it is freaking 1:30 in the afternoon. I have never slept so late in my entire life.

At 3:00, Ana and I and Annie, Leah, Christina, Julie, and Andrea went out to lunch in Sevilla at an Italian place then walked around by the river, After which we hung out for a bit and then met up with Wes, Buck, and Ian and their host siblings. Ana and I left and went home. We just had dinner and now I am going to get some sleep so I am less tired for school tomorrow.

~Briannah

Spain

My family only lives about 8 minutes away from downtown Seville and the hosue I live in is awesome. It is a tall 3 story house with a great view. Last night Juan, Alavaro, Ignacio, Oscar, Ian, Buck and I went into downtown Seville. We walked around and found a very cool resturant to eat at. They also showed us a huge castle which is the third biggest in the world. My family is great and I am enjoying trying to speak spanish with them often.

Primer Dia

We are finally in Sevilla Spain after one of the longest trips EVER! Pues... no podia dormir en el avion gracias a Buck... empujando a mi... We met our family and the whole kissing the cheek thing freaked me out, I keep thinking they want a hug and I'd try to hug them and they'd pull away a little freaked out. I feel like an idiot! Anyways, mi familia del intercambio es awesome, mi hermano me dio silly bandz, mi hermana es fantastica, mi padre es gracioso, y mi madres tiene 'tie-dye sketchers crocs'!
*Also, I packed the least out of everyone in our group by atleast 10 pounds... you think I'm kidding but I'm not. I am going to go buy stuff because I have SO MUCH ROOM! Okay I think I have rambled an effecient amount for tonight.
**Ooh! Y Buck es mi vecino... es la vez para ser un creeper... Annie Halseth, si estas leyendo este: Tengo su espalda. Okay, yeah, adios!

Made it to Sevilla, love the house and family already! the layover in Madrid was not fun, but everyone made it. Cant wait to get some sleep and explore the city more!!

leavingggg tomorrow!

yayyyyy airport!!!! can't wait to get there

keep you updated!

Tester (Pre-Spain)

Soooo I am testing this thing for Spain... I am so freaking excited I almost peed my pants at one point! Just kidding, I reached the bathroom. No need to worry. I have not packed, I should go do that... Hasta luego!!

Pre-Spain Test Blog

Hello, Leaving for Spain on Friday. Alright, so I'm just making sure this posting on the blog thing works.... Before I leave. How exciting.

Good Bye,

Briannah