My First Day of School

I had my first official day of school yesterday which I thought went pretty well. I was able to find all my classes (all two of them) and wasn't late to any of them. If you can believe it, I was early! The first class of the day is an hour of lecture and then 90 minutes in a computer lab which is actally ok since you are doing exercises and the time goes by fast. My afternoon class is about the field of information science and what that means and was interesting as well except I had to pee so bad by the end of it that I couldn't listen to what the man was saying. (you can't really leave) I have two more classes on Friday and the days in the middle are spent reading reading reading. They post all the lecture notes on line so you have to read them ahead of time and then lecture is really just reviewing and discussion. Then there is extra reading on top of that. And exercises on the web. And assesments. But good news-no exams! Yay! Most everything is on-line so I really need to get my internet up and running. And then I can chat with all of you at night and post pictures! Good news though, we got a phone! So I should be able to receive and make calls by this weekend and I can't wait! I am a little home sick and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact I haven't been able to talk to any of my family or friends. I think once I can talk I will feel better. OK, I am rambling now, I'll stop.

Espana

I wish I could post pictures!!! As school is starting next week and the itnernet is apparently a must have for school, internet will happen soon at casa Amber but for now you will just have to let my words paint a picture for you until I can post real pictures for you to look at. Spain was amazing-I think I could live there! Laura and I left what feels like a million years ago and saw and did so much. Too much to write down here but here are some highlights.

* The siesta-I love it! It is so hot in Spain that everyone flees inside between 2 and 6ish to take naps and escape the heat. When you are a tourist who doesn't participate in the siesta it can be a bit annoying as EVERYTHING is closed. But for the most part I found it enjoyable. I do hate the fact they eat dinner so late. It made for some very poor sleep.

* Gardens-We went to several alcazars and the gardens we found in each one were amazing. So peaceful and quite and just amazingly beautiful. The gardens are usually the biggest part of the grounds and I don't know how they manange to keep it all lush and green. There are water fountains and pools everywhere and the sound of trickling water is so relaxing. And the smell is amazing! If you have allergies (matt) then I can see how this might be a nightmare for you, but I wish they had a perfume that bottled that smell up. Lovely.

* The Alhambra: Beautiful. That is all you can really say about it. It rests on top of a hill in Granada looking down at all the poors souls living down there and it is magnificent. We went there two days and I can easily see how you could spend the majority of your trip exploring its grounds. And there is a bus that takes you to the top of the hill so you don't have to walk. I liked that.

* Ceramics in Sevilla: Had I known that I wouldn't find any pottery in the other towns we were going to I would have bought more in Sevilla. It is so cheap and really pretty. Now I am at home wishing I had a bowl for this and a salt shaker and a creamer and a canister and, well, you get the idea.

* Jaen-This is actually not a highlight at all but was such a miserable town that it makes me laugh thinking how we went there. It is smelly and hot and do not go there, even if you are tempted. (and you just might be like we were)

* Hotel Simon-This is where we stayed in Sevilla and by far the nicest of the bunch. Highly recommend it.

* Flameco: This was so much fun! We went to a couple of performances in Cordoba and I highly reccommend it. It is very loud, great music and the dancing is just fun to watch.

* Magnum ice cream bars: They actually have these in England as well but you can only get chocolate or white chocolate. In Spain they have several delicous flavors to choose from.

There are so many things I could write about but I think I will post my pics on snapfish or something and you can get the larger picture that way. I had a great time though and was sad to leave. Now school starts. I have orientation this week and then classes start next week. I am excited!