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Sometimes you just get really tired of studying.  My focus has been off recently, which has been tough on my motivation, you get the idea.  Might be running into some culture shock.  So today I put the books away - mostly - I still might study some - and headed out into the city.

I was walking around our neighborhood a little when I noticed the police diverting traffic.  I think to myself, I wonder why the police are diverting traffic?  Turns out there was a pretty good sized animal rights rally happening in Plaza de España.

After watching the rally for awhile, I tried some Chinese food at a restaurant Ashley found earlier this week.  It was pretty amazing and will now become one of my favorite places in Madrid.

Then I needed to floss (I did! Seriously!), so I went back to the apartment and took care of that before setting out again.

For whatever reason, I like wandering down random streets.  This time I found myself at the palace.

I remembered at this point that there is supposed to be a pretty neat garden area behind the palace.  So, I decide to see about that.  Turns out there is a huge park behind the palace, and I could only find one little tiny gate that you can get in.  I had been walking around the fence for awhile before I found the gate, and I forgot to take a picture of it because I was so excited that it even existed :).

Here's what I found when I walked through the gate though.  It was worth the hike for sure.  I did actually end up finding a spot in the sun, sitting down, and flipping through the flash cards a little.

So, I'd call that a good day.  Sometimes I guess you just have to go out and appreciate the city a little :).

So. Very. True.

This was just around the corner from our apartment (piso).
I share their sentiments.  Too bad it's not in Spanish though...

Labels

As you know.  We're studying Spanish.  A tremendously huge part of studying another language is that of memorizing vocabulary. 

Somehow, I conveniently forgot how much I vehemently dislike memorizing things.

Sorry, I do.  Just being honest with you :).

So, I now get to figure this out - no avoiding it!  Here's what I'm trying.

Flash cards and writing vocab down roughly a hundred zillion times.

And labeling pretty much everything in the apartment.  For the record, I asked my flatmates if it was ok with them before I started obsessively labeling things :).

platos, tazas, y cuencos

pared (wall).  and a super neat hot pad from a dear friend :)

 

las cortinas

 There you go - and it's working - not fast enough (there's my astounding patience talking) - but it's coming along :).  Thanks for your prayers!

"So, when I was on the Metro the other day..."

Between IKEA, tutoring sessions, and more - I have been on the Metro a lot this week.  I am actually a little bit scared to even calculate how many hours I've spent underground.  It's definitely not my favorite thing to be doing in Madrid, but I'm learning how to make the most of my time.

- Listen to Spanish lessons on my iPod.
- Memorize vocabulary words.
- Try and figure out how to read the newspaper.
- Observe people - this can be so hilarious sometimes :)
- Pray
- Contemplate the deeper things of life :)

I realized that I was on the Metro probably too much when all of the stories I was telling my flatmates started with, "So, when I was on the Metro the other day..."

Muchas gracias to Nikki for the Metro pictures!  And anyone else that took them :).

Here comes the train.

Escaping from the Metro!

A Few Hours of Studying

I started meeting with my Spanish tutor on Monday.  For now, we're going to meet three times a week.  Yesterday, after another "eventful" trip to IKEA (it's a long and kind of frustrating story), I sat down and did my homework. 

studying during siesta

studying at dusk
chapter one only required one Kit Kat bar

Technically, I suppose I'm almost always studying.  When I count something, I try to count in Spanish.  When I spell something, I try and do it in Spanish.  When I'm assembling cheap furniture from IKEA, I'm memorizing vocabulary.  When I'm riding the metro, I'm working on vocab or listening to Spanish study cd's on my iPod.  When I'm grocery shopping, you get the idea :).

I'm pretty excited for the day when I can chat with people.  I didn't realize how many random conversations I had in the states with people while standing in line, store clerks, postal workers, or whoever until I realized that I can't do that as easily here.  Much less have a deep conversation.

It'll come.  And you can feel free to pray for us, if you would :).

Residency = Successfully Applied For

This week the four of us girls moved into our for real apartment at 7:30 pm-ish on Tuesday night.

Bright and early the next morning Nikki, Blake, Nick and I were headed to the airport to fly to Malaga and apply for residency.  Everything went really well throughout the application process, and we managed to have quite a few laughs in our sleep deprived state.

There may have even been some poetry about toast recited!  Too bad I don't remember how it went - sorry :).

Regardless, I thought you would like to see a little of what southern Spain looks like.

Snow capped mountains on the horizon

Turn around to see the Mediterranean on the horizon

Steep hike

Fat churros are a-stinkin'-mazing!

Fishing

And now I need to head to IKEA.  Hoping to get settled into my room before starting language study on Monday!

Pounding the Pavement/Stone = Sore Foot

Turns out I'm not quite used to walking everywhere yet, and I've been covering some ground over the course of the last three weeks.  Sadly enough, it aggravated the ankle I twisted last fall, so I'd appreciate some prayer for that.

Yesterday, I ventured into southwestern Malasaña to explore a bit.  Thought you would enjoy seeing the area also :).

Someone had painted this statue's face, which I found interesting.

I found a Mexican restaurant near this street.  Perhaps they have jalapeños?

Today it was obvious the foot could use some rest.  So after spending the morning at the apartment, I crossed the street and went to a cafe nearby.  Café Comercial was founded in 1887 and is full of charm.  We walk by it every time we venture into Malasaña and notice that it's usually pretty busy.  Ashley and Nikki spent some time there the other day, so I knew it was a good place to do some reading, studying, and journaling.

After selecting a spot, I ordered some water and a little jamón treat before getting out my journal.  Turns out that I was either given free chips, or they came with my snack.  I don't know, but they were a nice surprise :).

afternoon snack in a 124 year old restaurant

jamón and tomato on toast

journaling on a rainy Sunday in Madrid

As I was finishing up, Nikki and Erin joined me for some café con leche (coffee with milk).  We had a lovely chat, then walked back to the apartment.  All in all, it was a refreshing way to spend a Sunday afternoon :).