Cartwheeling.

Today was our first excursion apart from Madrid and Toledo in the beginning. After a solid first week of class, filled with the usual nonsense that occupies the drop/add period, we made the short journey to La Rabida. La Rabida is the Franciscan monastery where Columbus lived the two years prior to his journey, but I'm tired of Columbus so enough about that. We took about a 30 minute bus-ride to Huelva, a small beach town that appeared deserted. For being the beginning of October, it was surprisingly warm near the water, and very relaxing because no one was around (so maybe people do actually work and attend school?). We (attempted) to do cartwheels, which only reminded me that I lack any grace whatsoever.

Side note: The Filology department library (where I need to check out a book for Monday's lit class) is open Monday through Friday, 10 to 1, and Monday and Wednesday, 5-8. We're pretty hard core. 

On an unrelated subject, I feel a tad disconnected! What a strange time to not be in America...economy...election. I have been trying to read a few articles on BBC.co.uk to receive some news from a foreign (yet familiar language) perspective. I sent in my request for an absentee ballot. I'm 99% sure I'll vote for Obama, although more research must be done to make an educated decision. I definitely don't agree with everything he says or does, but I feel most strongly about stopping the war, and clearly that won't happen with McCain. In the spirit of being in one of my sporadically political moods, I thought I'd share a fun little link (those of you had Mr. Loizzo might know about it?) Basically the Political Compass is a quiz that shows where you stand on a grid-like map according to your views. The concept is that politics are more complex than being simply left- or right-wing, so a new dimension is added- north (Authoritarian) and south (Libertarian). The site also shows where some famous leaders have stood (i.e. Stalin, Hitler, Gandhi) and where many present and potentially future leaders stand (i.e. Bush and Candidates). 

Super Awk:

1. overhearing Spaniards talk about U.S. politics and saying Jorge "Boosh" and talking about the U.S. to Carmen and saying Jorge "Boosh" 

2. ordering certain ice cream flavors. "me gustaria una tarrina pequena de vainilla con brownie." the Spaniards really need to make up a word for brownie.