No problem...
Well friends and family, it's been an exhausting but very exciting first week in Malaga. Malaca Insituto is a much larger school than Enforex in Marbella. I have met students from ALL over Europe. Who needs hostels when you have new friends! I am excited to visit everyone in their home countries. BUT FIRST, I am determined to speak Spanish fluently!!
Even after years of studying engineering I find studying Spanish to be extremely draining... in a good way of course. It's nice to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. My mind never stops working.
Spanish classes... When I arrived I had to take another placement test. I did MUCH better on this one! I'm still a basic student but the highest level you can be in basico, A1. As long as my exam today went alright I will move onto the segundo nivel, A2. This week I paid extra to have one-on-one classes for one hour a day. The classes were a huge help since I skipped ahead some levels this week. Next week I will have conversation classes for 2 hours a day on top of the regular 4 hours of class. I am dead serious about speaking Spanish. Since this school is so good I've registered to stay an extra two weeks. I've moved my week in Conil de la Frontera back 2 weeks.
My new host family... It consists of mi segunda madre española se llama Maria (España), mi hermana se llama Aafka (Holanda), y mi hermano se llama Livio (Switzerland).
Livio and Aafka are in what they call their gap year. Majority of the students at the school are between the ages of 18-20. Apparently I look the same age so everyone is confused when I mention that I have been working for 2 years! 24 going on 25 never felt so good! *happy face* I'm learning a ton about what to do and where to go in Europe because we have to talk about our countries and cities in class. It's perfect!
Side note... I'd like to put smiling and winking faces but their keyboards over here are weird. Keys are in different places and I can't seem to figure out how to access certain symbols. *sad face*
Below is Maria and Aafka. Maria is very concerned about the fact that I can't eat gluten so she has been searching and searching to find me anything sin gluten... Sin gluten galletas de bebe... Gluten free baby cookies. They are actually SO good! She bought me two boxes. *happy face*
Maria is self employed. As my spanish improves I'll let you know exactly what she does. For right now all I know is that she makes her own hours but works a lot. Sometimes from home and other times other cities close by. I believe her work has something to do with construction.
Below is my room and the view from my room! Not too shabby!
Salsa classes... LOVING THIS! I have salsa classes for 2 hours everyday of the week. If it's not a word I'm trying to remember its a step in salsa. My brain is in overdrive. *huge smiley face* Mi profesor está un poco loco. Se llama José. He is beyond energetic, he's funny... well at least his actions and facial expressions. He doesn't speak a word of english so learning a dance visually is challenging but hasn't been a problem. Ten hours of dance a week is quiet a bit so after one more week I probably won't take anymore lessons. I'll just practice in the clubs. *winky face* Every other class we do a little bachata as well. Not going to lie, its uncomfortable dancing bachata with the other students. I vote we stick to salsa.
Here are some of my new classmates! Don't ask me their names. No one can seem to remember anyone's name. There are just too many other new words floating around in our heads.
Mojitos! Delicious!
Below on the right is Carolina (Italy), Claudia (Germany), Jane (Holand), and Amanda (Sweden).
Guru and Bourbon Street bars are the place to be around the school. Here we are at Guru.
Below is Carolina and Aafka.
It's Sunday and the weather is completely unpredictable; perfect time to study and grab a coffee with friends.
Un beso y hasta pronto...