speedbump

the third week of the intensive language program is done and now one more week of classes, finals, and planning awaits me in the upcoming semana (week). while there were many great moments to be had this school week (buying Andrew Bird tickets, finding apartments for friends, and discovering the beauty of 2 cents a minute skype phone calls), i must admit that that pesky feeling of homesickness has begun to encroach on my parade. after several frustrating hours of looking for classes at the university and getting negative feedback about the majority of the psychology classes offered this year, i found my thoughts lingering to california and the familiarities/comforts it offers.
so, thanks to my greer genes what do i do when i'm stressed, need to think things over, or am in desperate need for a reality check? 1. RUN. there is nothing like a good sweat and some endorphins to put things in perspective. step 2: get out of the dorm room and enter the outside world (easier said than done sometimes). luckily, my CA/granada partner in crime chica, Shannon, agreed to ditch the dorm cafeteria fried mystery meat and mayo salad dinner with me and head to the best falafel hole-in-the-wall "restuaurant" in town. here, i encountered a spanish university student who gave me the lowdown on the best places in granada to watch soccer games and meet other spaniards. in addition to being a nice guy and helping me out with some crucial info, it was great to speak in spanish--(not that i haven't been) but speak in spanish without worrying about my many grammar shortfalls, itty-bitty vocabulary, or making a fool out of myself.
anywho, we ate these epic falafels on a stone bench while gazing at the Colon (Columbus) fountain--not a bad view :). i'm trying to make the falafel (only 2.5 euros--score!) my new burrito...let's just say it's delicious, but doesn't quite fill that void. how could anything?

next we met up with some other chicas and i encountered my first true spanish love. ANTONIO!!!!!!!!! age:3, favorite cartoon: Bobesponja (spongebob), things we have in common: both share a love for balconies, dar un paseo (to go on walks), and gum-balls from the gum-ball machine. it's love.

here is the one and only. the only problem is he may have caught the hearts of a few other california girls last night...
3rd line of homesick defense: indulging in some classic snail mail. for some reason letter/postcard writing brings comfort. so, check your mailbox in a week or so :)
so, while that aching feeling still lingers a bit, i am looking forward to this weekend with the many planned events and possibilities it brings.