Blog Attempt While in Spain!!!

Here is my feeble attempt at producing a blog for everyone at home who isn't on my mass mailing list. Some of these posts will be emails I send and some will be spontaneous formulations of my wondering mind! I'll start you all off easy.... here is my first mass email back home.

Quick Pre-Thought:
You all will see that I composed this message at 3:15 Spanish time. I ironically sent the message the next morning about 10 am Spanish time which in hind sight is 3:00 am central standard. Think about it. This whole time thing is still entertaining!! Not intentional but entertaining.

Hello everyone!

So it's 3:15 here and I can't sleep. This whole time thing is still getting the best of me. Yesterday I was thinking I would go to bed early, 1:00 am, so I could get up and explore Sunday afternoon and find things such as more food and a cell phone. I also had plans of pre-finding the place we would be having drinks Sunday evening. I guess I was kinda tired because I slept for 15 hours!!! I didn't get up until 4:30 pm which fortunately was enough time to shower and let my hair air dry before I needed to start my excursion at 6:00. Leaving at 6:00 would allow me time to make error on my metro travel and foot journey. You will be happy to know I was right on with the metro travel and that I only over walked by 8 blocks… not to shabby. I arrived to the little bar on what would look like a dead alley street promptly at 6:50ish. Way to go me!!! I was the first one there. It was great I got to speak clear and full English sentences all evening! It's amazing how simple things like that can feel really refreshing. Like having a McDonalds Coca-Cola when you have a headache.
So needless to say I was not able to accomplish my simple Sunday tasks but I hear it's a good thing I slept because everything is closed on Sunday's except bars. Tomorrow I intend on going to the market or grocery store… whichever is open and getting some food. I bought great bread, cheese and OJ when I got here however; it was not to my knowledge that's what I would be eating for the next few days. So while I love cheese and bread I would really like to give something else a whirl so I don't tire myself of one of my favorite snacks. Oh I did buy these little soccer ball shaped Cheetos. They came in a green package so based on my American knowledge I thought they would be jalapeno flavored… boy was I mistaken. I don't quite know what flavor they are but if I had to take a guess I would say they are bacon and cheddar. They aren't terrible but we'll say I'm glad there isn't a dog around or they may have found their way into its bowl.
So I should probably be sleeping. I start class tomorrow and have to rely on my "natural alarm clock" I have no concept of time and no alarm. That was one of my goals for today to buy a watch, cell phone or clock but well you've heard that story. I left my roommate Rudy from Slovakia a note and asked him to please wake me. I sure do hope he gets it. If not I intend on waking up periodically to check the time on my computer.

So I don't know who all has gotten what information but here are some of the basics. I live in a cute little flat on the 5th floor with no elevator and I love it! I have 3 roommates, Rudy from Slovakia is studying Spanish at my study center, Jose is a painter and Alva is an English translator but I don't think she's affiliated with the school in anyway. Jose is cool but quite independent so I don't see him often. Alva is even more independent and I've only seen her once. Finally Rudy, he is really really quiet, really. I'm pretty certain he's in his room all day but he makes himself seen as little as possible.

Anyway, I hope this gives you some insight to my life here in Barcelona! Please feel free to email and ask any questions I have left out. I miss you all dearly and I know you are praying for me and I thank you for that!!
Oh by the way I made a sweet video of my flat so when I figure out how to send it you will all get to see it!!

Love and hugs,
Natalie

PS: I am soo not tired and could probably type a few more pages but I'll spare you all. Umm pickle spare sounds sooo good right now. I'm telling you bread and cheese for 2.5 days for every meal will make you crave anything. Ok ok I guess split a "tortilla" with chicken and onions with Lauren. "Tortilla's" here are really omelets well at least at this place. Oh yes, Lauren from Dallas TX, Stacey from Indianapolis IN and Alex from England are 3 of my 4 classmates. Ok ok seriously I am off. Love you all!! Good night!
Disclaimer: When reading the salute messages such as "good night" or "good morning" take them all relatively or you could almost say with no regard to time. It surely will not apply to your time but relatively speaking it may not even refer accordingly to the time in which I send the message. I intend on sending this message tomorrow so good night will no longer be an applicable salute especially for you guys. Whatever, you guys get the point. You're all smart cookies… maybe a little nutty but cookies with nuts are my utmost favs!! Seriously who doesn't love white and milk chocolate macadamia nut cookies… yummmmmmm!!! Ok I have to get off this food thing.

XOXO!

Peace from closer to the Middle East than you peeps,
Natalie

Two salutes… you guys are so special! I only wish I could draw you a little picture… I suppose that will be something of the future.

Next day add on:
By the way I found out this morning I have internet in my flat!! Wahoo!! So when I can't sleep at 3 in the am it will be perfect for Skype etc..... Have a great Monday morning when you all start your day in 5ish hours!