Day 46

Joy of joys- due to, or what I believe is due to, cloud coverage I am able to get a weak wifi signal coming from my school. That should tell you how close I live to school.

Halloween in Jaén was, well, kinda what I expected. Oh Jaén- of all the beautiful, historic cities in Andalucía how did I end up with you?

My friend Sarah and I went searching for pumpkins last thursday, we walked far but finally we found some pumpkins that came with a carrying case. People gave us strange looks as we walked down the Gran Eje with our pumpkins in hand. We carved the pumpkins, roasted the seeds, and then cut out some of the pumpkin pulp. It was very strange to be carving pumpkins, while explaining what we were doing in Spanish, and with the illuminated castle in the background. We roasted the pumpkin seeds that night and when offering some for my roommates to try they sad, no (typical). This is how I feel like most of my interactions with my roommates go. I say, "hey i'm going to this bar tonight, do you want to come?". There is no politeness in their response just "no tengo ganas" (translation: No, I don't want to) and they continue watching tv. I was excited though because they said that on Halloween they would come out with us. I thought it would be nice to see them out of the apartment and a chance to hangout WITHOUT the tv. However, come Halloween, I ask them if they are going to come with me. The response: No. Even though one of them was painting her and her boyfriends faces. I also have to call if I'm not going to be home for lunch or if I'm going to be late- the same for dinner. And when I'm gone for the whole day they look at me and say where were you. Not in a friendly tell me about your day where were you, but very why weren't you home. Anyway, enough of childish complaining about roommates. While I really like one of the girls, I'm seriously considering moving. I've looked at an apartment already that is farther up the hill (closer to the old part) and tonight I am going over there to meet the other two roommates. The one girl I met was so sweet, if they are all that way it'll be a no brainer. However one downside to this apartment. The room is as big as a twin bed with just enough room for the door to open. I'm not even kidding. The desk is attached to the wall and can fold down, because there isn't space to have a desk. So tonight I think i'm going to sit in the room with the door closed and see if i feel horribly claustrophobic or if I'm fine. If I feel fine, then I'll change. I would rather have nice and compatible roommates than a big room.

Anyway- back to Halloween. Sarah and I found costumes for under a euro at "bazar china". I was a pirate. It wasn't a bad costume for throwing it together in ten minutes. Sarah and I walked up the hill to this restaurant called "Casa de Cordoba". The American apartment lives right around the corner from casa de cordoba and have risen above a regular and practically integrated into the family. They go to soccer games, they went to a birthday party, etc. However this does come with its advantages for me. For example, it's traditional in Jaén that when you order a drink you get a free snack with your drink, called a tapa. However at Casa de Cordoba you practically get an entree. After we went to the Irish Pub, because that just felt like the place to be on halloween and drink cider- strongbow.

So here I am- not super emotional like the last two weeks, but not content either. I'm just in a 'meh' stage if you know what I'm saying. I just gotta ride this out and hope that I come back with a new sense of confidence and strength (and also complete Spanish proficency).