Modelos y Español

(La Capilla Real in Granada, Spain)

Yay - my Spanish test is over! It was difficult and long and all in Spanish (but that was to be expected) but now it is over and I can proceed with forgetting everything I learned.

I studied in my spare minutes yesterday - which were few and far between as it was Wednesday and Wednesdays are always long. I had Ana's class at 8:30 am, which wasn't too bad. I seem to be understanding a little more each class and I found out that we are taking a class trip to El Escorial on Saturday. I don't know why I realize this before, but it was news to me. Luckily, I have no plans except for homework which I will be more than happy to avoid. I then had two hours of Historia del Presente with the teacher of the other class section (our teacher was out). I thought she was much more interesting (we looked at pictures of the Berlin Wall all class) and I could understand her Spanish better. She finished the class by talking about Spanish family structure and I was interested and understanding, a rare occurrence here in Spain. Then after lunch with Lizzie, I had Spanish class, where we spent an hour and a half asking questions about the themes that confused us. It was good review, but I got nervous hearing about how much information was going to be covered on the exam. After class, I met with Jennifer. This week was our Spanish week, so slightly more stressful on my part, but we seemed to get through everything okay. We discussed our London trip - she's trying to sort out a situation with her boyfriend before she buys tickets, and waiting for her before I buy my tickets. Unfortunately, I'm watching the prices go up and up, so if she doesn't decide soon, I guess I'm going to have to book a flight without her. On the plus side, she invited me to lunch at her house next week and even mentioned dessert, so I'm thrilled! Plus, it will be nice to see a house and family that isn't Julia's. Next item on the docket was Economics, where we had to officially declare our final paper topic. I decided on to write about the globalization of Japan after WWII, so hopefully that turns out to be somewhat interesting. Then it was back to Julia's for dinner and although I tried to get in some studying, I talked to the family and Uncle Ted and Jerry on Skype and fell asleep instead. Oh, well.

Today I woke up early to get in some of the studying I missed last night. I actually got in a good four hours worth, but unfortunately, it was a terribly boring four hours. I did get to talk to Baquita, who was upset with Julia, because Julia wouldn't let her borrow the phone to call the construction workers at her house. That Julia and her antics. I wrapped up my studying and caught the train to Getafe. Everyone was nervous for the test and I stayed until the very last minute, but I'm relieved to not have to study anymore.

I needed some contact solution, so I stopped at Corte Ingles on the way home. Of course, I detoured to the grocery store (completely allowed, because that's originally where I thought the contact solution would be). I asked one of the workers where the "liquid for cleaning the lenses of my eyes" was and she took pity on my lack of vocabulary and pointed me downstairs to the Óptica. But on my way out of the grocery store there was a big crowd of people standing around a small promotional stage. There were photographers and everything. So apparently, I'm one of those people who will wait in a line because they figure everyone must be waiting for something interesting. I waited in this crowd for a solid half and hour without knowing what I was waiting for. But then everyone started clapping and the supermodel whose picture was all over the promotional signs and a woman who I deduced was the name behind the new perfume they were promoting came on the stage. Everyone started taking pictures but, of course, this was the first day I decided not to bring my camera to school. Shoot. I looked up their names afterwards; the designer's name is Alberta Ferretti and the model's name is Claudia Schiffer. It would have been a funny picture - Alberta came up to about Claudia's bellybutton.

So then I headed downstairs to the Óptica where I waited in another line, (but this time for contact solution). I was actually quite proud of myself, because I asked for that box of contact solution in perfect Spanish (asking for things and favors was one of the topics on my test). The woman didn't give me the usual blank stare or pitied smile; she simply turned around and handed me the box. I might as well have been a Spaniard.

Then it was back to Julia's. There was a guy cleaning the back elevator I use, but he said he didn't mind riding up to Julia's floor. I pressed the button and he said that he's been working on the floor above Julia's floor. I'm well aware of this - there has been construction going on for quite some time up there. I had previously asked the doorman about the family, and apparently a new family is moving in and completely remodeling everything. But here's how my conversation with the construction man went:

Me: "So how much longer will the job take?"

Rodrigo: "Probably about a month, there's quite a bit of work to be done." (Julia will be disappointed - she said the other day that they would be done in a week)

Me: "Must be a lot of work."

Rodrigo: "Yeah - the apartment is the whole floor."

Me: "Yeah - it's the same on my floor."

Rodrigo: "You own the whole floor?"

Me: "Oh no. I'm studying abroad and living with a señora who whole owns the whole floor."

(elevator stops, I exit)

Rodrigo: "What's your name?"

Me: "Gigi, and yours?"

Rodrigo: "Rodrigo. Wait, Gigi? How do you say that in Castellano?"

Me: "Uh, Gigi. . "

Rodrigo: (confused look)

Me: "My full name is Gabrielle"

Rodrgio: "Ah, Gabriella!"

Me: "That's it - goodbye!"

Rodrgio: "Goodbye, Gabriella!"

He seemed like a friendly fellow. Julia probably wouldn't approve of my talking to him. I was impressed that I carried on that whole conversation in something resembling Spanish. I did absolutely nothing productive the rest of the night, so that was nice. I'm currently working on uploading pictures to Facebook, but it is tedious and I will probably fade out before I finish. I've also discovered that you can chat with people on Facebook and so far I've chatted with Rachel, Kathryn, and Cioci Heather. Tricky business, that Facebook.