The "Dread"ed Mullet

Oh man. Today was a wonderful day. I really enjoyed today. I was so happy when I went to bed last night because our Señora had arrived--which just made it feel like we were at home. Then this morning I got up and went for a jog in the park nearby. It was relaxing--though I wasn't able to jog that much since they were cutting grass, and it was irritating my allergies. I came home, showered, and got ready for the day. Then I met up with my friend Sam at the ISA office. We decided to go walking--then decided to walk to the Mediterranean because we hadn't been there yet. From the ISA office, it was a 45 minute walk to the Mediterranean--but it was worth it! I haven't seen many large bodies of water in my life--I--I live in Iowa---the most water I ever see is when I'm at Collin's house on the lake. It was beautiful--check out the pictures--I already put them up. It was great getting to walk with Sam--we bonded and talked and got to vent about some stuff that's happened--a good release for both of us. Then we walked back (another 45 minute walk)--and I went home for lunch. It was delicious, and it was fun talking with our señora. I feel like my Spanish is improving. After that, I went to my first class--Latin American Lit. Out of all 30 ISA students, there are only 4 in the class--including myself, but it's okay. Our professor is really nice and really relaxed. She doesn't really have a set schedule--she wants us to work through each piece of literature as it comes--knowing we will want to discuss some more than others. Then I walked with 2 of the students in my class to meet us with the other students at Torres de Serrano--and we got to have our tour of the older central part of Valencia. It was beautiful and fun walking around the city. It only would have been better if we were in smaller groups--30 students walking around listening to one person talk makes us stick out as Americans. It would have been fun just to explore it with friends--something I know I'll be doing because I saw a lot of cute shops. Then we finished our tour in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento--and then we all had to navigate our way home. Marli and I ended up walking with Ali and her roommate since they live 5-10 minutes from us. When I got home I crashed since I had done so much walking. Dinner was good--a lot of the time I'm not sure what I'm eating--but it's probably better that way. I don't think I'd typically eat some of the stuff otherwise. My fave food at dinner was this topping for toasted bread--it was made of salt, olive oil, garlic, and spinach--it was delicious! And our señora suggested that Marli and I come back to the US and open a factory that makes chocolate mousse in prepackaged cups. They have it here, and it is delicious. Overall a fabulous day. I hope I have many more of these. I guess I'll post my class schedule--just so you all know.

Monday: Spanish Grammar (9-10:45); Spanish Culture: History, Art, and Spanish Tradition (11:15-1:00); History of the Spanish Language (3-4:45)
Tuesday: Panorama of Latin American Literature (3-4:45)
Wednesday: Spanish Grammar (9-10:45); History of the Spanish Language (3-4:45)
Thursday: NO CLASS!
Friday: Spanish Culture: History, Art, and Spanish Tradition (11:15-1:00), Panorama of Latin American Literature (3-4:45)

Then I think I'll also give an explanation to the title of this entry--the 'Dread'ed Mullet. I have seen more mullets in Spain than you could ever see at the Iowa State Fair--which says a lot. And today I saw a mullet with dreads in the back. Marli saw the one I did along with another one today. Why do the Spanish think mullets are good looking? Who knows....something to ponder after you read this...