Hey there

So, I just happen to be in a great mood and what's a better way of sharing that happiness than updating my blog, right? Well, reading my previous posts I realize a sounded a bit too negative and I want to change things up. It seems that lately, while walking around (to school, to the metro, etc..) I stop in my tracks look around and utter "whoa...". This actually happens quite often. I suddenly realize how absolutely different yet great this new life is and how my daily rutine here is something I just couldn't imagine about 3 months ago, and how I am in MADRID about to go to school with SPANISH people, and how I am actually beginning to speak the language, so on and so fourth.
Speaking of which, something amazing happend to me today. No, I did not see a UFO, and no I did not win the loterry. However, I did help not one but two people with directions today, in Spanish. To me, that is a new step and quite an accomplishment.
But I can't jump ahead of myself I have some things to catch up on. Well, now that us AFS kids are such great friends, we have been meeting pretty much every weekend. Two weeks ago was Pinja's, a friend from Finland, birthday and us AFSers all met at her house and enjoyed some dancing and over all hours and hours of bonding time. Because she lives outside of Madrid,  we were on a 40 minute bus ride and also got egged by some kids. (apparently on halloween, the kids here egg the busses).


Pinja



After that great gathering of AFS kids, I had a long bus ride back with Jake, a friend from the states where we spoke of our experiences here in Spain- another great way to spend as little as 30 minutes.



Jake and Mary Beth



As soon as I got home, I was welcomed to my host sister and her amazing halloween costume, which included crazy contacts. That day was halloween, and unlike the States, the kids here go all out in costume, but scary costumes. Getting ready was super fun: I was a cross between a skeleton, a zombie, and a pirate.

In the morning, I was pleasently surprised when I saw churros and hot chocolate, a classic and delicious  Spanish dish, waiting on the kitchen table which was incredible. Well, after a weekend of fun you still need to go to school, unfortunately. Never underestimate how difficult it is to do homework and tests in another language, it's near impossible. Well, the following weekend was just as busy as the last, if not more. That friday I went to lunch in the house of a Spanish friend, which was especially exciting. And that Saturday, I enjoyed a nice lunch with extended family of my host family and then went to hang out with none other than the AFS kids.

While with them on Saturday and Sunday, I realized yet again how much these kids mean to me. We tend to sing 'Lean on Me'  by Bill Withers and that song describes these teens perfectly, someone to lean on.

Caroline and I

 The next day at one o'clock, Clara, a million other kids, and I were off the the center to enjoy the free MTV concert. The MTV music awards happend to be in Madrid this year so there was a free concert in the center of town including; Katy Perry, 30 Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park, and Kanye West. It was as crowded as you could imagine. Madrid, a city of millions, hosting a FREE concert? There was no room to move; yet that only added to the fun.

That night at the concert was definatley hectic, to say the least. People pushing and shoving from all sides but everyone was there to have a good time, so it was indeed a good night.

That next week at school wasn't as bad because on Wednsday, my music class went to a recording/ DJ studio instead of having class the entire day, which was super cool. Also, the day before was a holiday for Madrid only and we had no school. Because there was no school, Marybeth, Caroline, and I all went for a stroll through Madrid- from Moncloa to Sol.



Mary Beth and Caroline with the 'Squirrel'





Ozen

Then on Friday, Marybeth, Caroline, Ozen, Kevin, and I enjoyed a night walk through the beautiful area of Gran via. Of course, the group spit in two and we both got lost but after seeking directions from about 100 different people, in the end we found eachother. Afterwards we sat and talked over some of the most amazing churros I have ever eaten along with the greatest hot chocolate that you need a spoon to eat because it's so thick. And right next to the churro place was none other than an indie record shop full of classic rock records and posters, I was definatley in the right place.



goofing around

Well, unfortunatley the time has come and I must [attempt] do homework, but I will right again shortley.
Thanks for reading :)
adios