y tal...

"y tal" is a new favorite Spanish expression of mine, which means "etc." it is very useful, just like all of the other great expressions and words I have been learning in my intensivo. As of tomorrow, our intensivo is over. Monday starts a fresh batch of classes, the classes we will be taking for the rest of the semester. I suppose in a way its the "real" beginning of this semester. I have to say that 2 weeks of intensive went by much quicker than I imagined it would.
This weekend we are headed to Toledo y Segovia, the home of El Greco and many beautiful mosques and cathedrals. I am excited to explore and tell you all everything I discover!
I still find the culture of food and eating to be the most interesting part of living in Spain. Every meal is like a surprise! Even if the food we eat is familiar, there is always something slightly different, like french fries cooked in olive oil or shepherd's pie with green and red peppers...all fantastic, I think. The only food I haven't quite liked was rice with tomato sauce topped with an over-easy egg. Yet I tried it, and ate most of it...so there you go.
I find myself adjusting to siesta schedule fairly well, although I rarely sleep during siesta time. I am even getting over the fact that I don't eat my beloved Oh's or Cracklin' Oat Bran every morning...and am becoming quite enamored of galletas con marmalade de fresas y cafe con leche. Caroline and I absolutely love the galletas (small, flat cookies) our madre puts out for us, and we each usually smuggle about two each afternoon for a quick snack before "comida" (lunch)
The language barrier still exists, but I find myself able to convey what it is that I want to say...and I am quite anxious to work on my accent and pronunciation.
I also look forward to having visitors in the coming months! Mom, Dad, and Marc in February and Alex in March before Spring break. This semester is sure to fly by too quickly.