Of food, fruit, and life in Valencia

Good morning to all! I figured I'd write a little update on how things are going here. Everything is really good--I really like it here. The past 2 days have flown by, but we fit so much stuff into each day. Wednesday was a normal class day--just my Grammar and History and the Spanish Language classes. Our Grammar teacher had us start class by dancing around the room and talking with everyone about ourselves. Then we went around the room and she asked each of us questions and really tried to get to know us. I think there were 12 of us in there, and it's a good bunch of us. My History of the Spanish Language teacher talked and talked and talked to us about the class for a long time and got us all thinking about the intricacies of the Spanish Language--why things are the way they are. Why does this verb do this and this other verb do the same thing differently. I'm really going to enjoy both of those classes. The professors care and they said that they are there to help us and that they want to help. It was just a different 'vibe' than what I've had from some other professors back at home.

Let's see--that was Wednesday--then Thursday is the day that I don't have class. I slept in a little, went jogging in the park, exchanged some American money, talked with my Señora, and then had lunch. When I was talking with my Señora, I showed her some pictures from home--then gave her my gifts for her, the past two Christmas at Luther CDs. She loved them--and listened to one of them in the afternoon--and the other one during dinner last night. In the afternoon, I was at the ISA office--found out that Friday is a University holiday for professors or something like that--so NO CLASS! I get a 4 day weekend my first weekend in Valencia! Last night was slightly bittersweet, one of the other ISA students is heading home--she has some family things going on--so we all said bye to her last night. Last night, I also had my first discoteca experience. It was fun dancing with the other ISA kids and being with all the Spaniards. I met 3 Spaniards my age--they were all super nice, and the girls have class in our same building and want to help us with our Spanish! We called it a night relatively early (in Spanish terms) at 3:15 am--then headed home by taxi. It's going to take a while to get used to going out since it's not something I typically do--but it was a lot of fun. Now today I may go to the beach or do a little shopping--plus will be meeting with some friends to talk about traveling during the weekends.

What's really interesting here for me is the food. Somehow I have become less picky overnight. I've taken up the philosophy that I can try everything, but sometimes it is better not to know what I'm eating. The food is all delicious. One weird thing that I've had since being in Valencia is this fruit called 'chirimoya'--there are pics in my web album. It is a really ugly fruit--and is somewhat like a pear on the inside with large black seeds. I don't even know what to compare the taste to--but it was delicious. The great part about eating here is that I know everything is healthy--because our Señora only makes healthy food--she told us that health is very important to her. I put some more pics up--so check those out--and I'll update this again soon!