Invasion of the Newbies.

I'm in a blog writing mood, so I'm going to write a little more. Once I returned from Germany, I was in Valencia for a few days before going to Oslo, Norway. Now why on earth would I go to Norway?!?!? Well it just so happened that Collin is doing a J-Term (January term) class that goes to Norway and Russia, and they were in Oslo for the weekend. It was our first time being together since I left in September. It was great getting to see him, but the time passed a little too quickly. We went to lots of museums and a sculpture garden that was a little odd. All in all--it was worth it.

Then I got back to Valencia Sunday night, and we started second semester on Monday. I was a little nervous for Monday because it would be the first time we would encounter the new kids...all 47 of them. Last semester there were 30 students total. This semester there are 47 newbies, add the 5 year kids, and you get a grand total of 52. It was quite overwhelming Monday morning. I was a little relaxed because 5 Luther students are in the group! It was great getting to see them when they arrived at the university. A lot of the kids just stared at us year people--they weren't quite sure what to think of us. 2 of them thought we were professors. So I've spent the week trying to learn everyone's name--a little strenuous, but I think I have met practically everyone except the students in the intermediate level. Classes are going fine--the class size is much larger than last semester. My largest class is 24 students (which is large for Luther too) and the smallest is 11. I'm taking 4 classes this semester, which will finish my Spanish major (minus my senior paper). My classes are Phonetics and Phonology, Panorama of Spanish Literature, Spanish Cinema, and The Avant Garde in Literature, Painting, and Film. I like all my classes so far. Avant Garde and Phonetics will probably be my favorites! I really hope the semester goes well, and I really really really hope the new kids open up to us, and not just to ask us what bars and discos are best. I've met some really nice ones so far--I just hope that we become good friends. All for now.