a few lil updates

Hiiiiiii Sorry it's been so long since I've written on this...We had our exam week which was a huge shock seeing as we've been doing like zero work before that. I think everything went well, but I have no idea when I'll actually get my grades...Oh well, I think that's part of the laid back Spanish culture?

It's been super cold here recently, cold enough to break out the winter coat but this week we've completely lucked out and it's BEAUTIFUL! I think it was about 75 today and sunny. So, a few friends and I went to Retiro, the park, and went out on the lake in these little paddle boats! It was really cute and it was fun to be on the water and the sun was so great! But the fish were weird, they were jumping a lot and swam right near the surface and it was kind of creepy. Anywho, it was something nice and different to do on a beautiful day!

Now that most of my work is over (although not completely true - one more essay to write blah) I am supposed to be working on internship stuff for next summer ALREADY! It's required to have an internship for my major, and deadlines are coming up sooo soon, so I have to get on this..blah. But I don't want to because I'm lazy and burnt out after this past week. Also I never bring my laptop to school because it's huge and heavy to lug around, so I never go to the library at school and so I feel like I just can't get work done here in my room, I get too distracted. So I should figure out how to be a better student soon...wish me luck..

It's so pretty here right now though! the leaves are changing and it's awesome. Also I've noticed just how clean Madrid is - there are always limpieza people with brooms sweeping up leaves and cigarette butts and stuff off of the streets. It's nice.

So last friday we went to Segovia for the day, which was really nice. there was this HUGE, old, Roman aquaduct that was built in the 1st century AD!! It was a really impressive sight. We also went to a fortress that was awesome and I got some really amazing pictures - the lighting was really cool at that time somehow, I'll put them up soon.

This Thursday some friends and I are all going to go to Salamanca, a university city about 2 hours away by train. We're getting there around 6 pm - just in time to wander around a little bit and get some food, etc. (Sol told me that their Plaza Mayor is the most beautiful in all of Spain and one of the oldest so I'm excited!) Then we're going to go out, etc, and we are VERY ambitious in that our train to go home is at 5:45 the next morning.....So we'll see how that goes aka if we survive... But don't worry Suz/Jim that was just a joke, it'll be fine! And I'm really excited!

It's almost Halloween as you all know! I miss pumpkins and stuff but it's okay. Apparently Halloween is becoming more and more popular here. I'm supposed to look out for the little kids going to school on Friday dressed up in costumes! Ahhh I lOVE little kids they're so adorable in little costumes! We live right next to a school, maybe I'll take my camera with me out on Friday and take pictures of little kids in costume?? Or not, I guess that's kind of creepy. Oh well..

Ok sorry I can't think of anything fun or interesting I guess I should pay mor attention to this blog oops. Anyway, I miss everyone and love you lots! I definitely think of home and Duke a lot..I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but either way I do. I have only 7 weeks here left though! time flies..

xooxox

laura