A rainy afternoon in Malaga

So it is raining in Malaga, shocker I know, but the rain actually makes me miss home a little bit, I most certainly did not bring enough warm clothes or rainproof shoes here with me. But anyway, I figured this would be a perfect afternoon to update my blog again with the happenings of the last couple of weeks. I am anticipating a long blog post. Prepare yourselves.

So since my last pros and cons blog I guess a lot has actually happened here. First of all, WE HAVE FINALLY MATRICULATED. It funny because it sounds like a medical term, but it is quite enjoyable saying it, it actually means we have finally registered here! My papers have been sent to Birmingham, and they have received them. Happy days. I have also completed and sent off my Shanghai application, a little bit scarier and coming round far too quickly! Gahhhh.

University here still continues to baffle me daily, we had a 3 day mid week strike recently  which was carried out by the students, as a result I only had 3 hours that week. I mean seriously, give students the opportunity to strike? Don’t be silly, of course we will strike.  I don’t know what I am striking for exactly but I enjoyed my days off at the beach, and my evenings off knowing that I didn't have to make class in the morning. This week my first class got cancelled because my teacher didn't want to come in, the only class I have on a Monday and it was cancelled. Not happy when I turned up! It is also Halloween this week which means Thursday is a bank holiday, and as a result the teachers apparently like to take the Friday off as well for a long weekend. The Spanish are just SO lazy, but I am fine with this.

The way of teaching here is so funny, students literally walk out of the classroom to take phone calls, go and buy cigarettes and have a fag break during class and the teachers just take calls whilst teaching. I’m sure we couldn't get away with this in England? Then again, there are some negatives for us. Being Erasmus students means you are known, it isn't just my blonde hair and British summer outfits that give me away, we have to put up our hands and wave. We have to introduce ourselves to the teachers and find groups to do work in, this feeling is just the worse, looking around the room with begging eyes trying to persuade the Spanish students to want us, not fun. I do however feel very useful in one of the groups I am in, I am the only English student in a Spanish to English translation class, so my group couldn't wait to have me on board, and I genuinely feel like I am doing something productive when I work with them!

You’ll also noticed how American-ised we have become, ‘class’, ‘school’, whatever next…

I still need to speak more Spanish. I find it really hard to listen, understand, translate, read and write all at the same time in lectures. I am coping though, however in social situations I just can’t do it. It’s the most daunting thing ever, and I quite frankly don’t have the confidence to talk awful Spanish and be corrected all of the time. I am going to suffer next year because of this!

Both Charlee’s parents and Charlotte’s parents visited this weekend which was great fun, along with Katie's sister so we have had a very family orientated weekend. It was pretty nice to do things that we wouldn't normally do because we would have hangovers! We climbed the castle which was beautiful, walked all the way along the port a couple of times and had a really nice couple of dinners, including Paella – I am learning to love the dead fishies, and octopus and everything else they have here. 

The end of the port. Sunshine in October!

At the top of the castle

Beautiful views.

Who'd have thought I would enjoy this...

Paella!

Blondies 

Dinner along the port.

All the family time makes me so excited for when my Mumma and sister/s come out to see me,  but also a bit sad though that Dad won’t be able to experience it with us too.

As you all know, the majority of our evenings here are spent drinking, but we actually worked out that out of a two week period, there was only 1 or 2 nights where we didn't drink. Not heavy drinking every night, but still…my poor liver. We have also had a few nice dinners over the last few weeks (not only when parents were visiting!). Sammie has cooked for us a few times, and we decided to take it in turns to do a ‘Come dine with me’ kind of weekly evening. Clever way to not drink alcohol for the night… unless someone brings wine… 

Shanghai love

<3

I have also finally been shopping here! It was inevitable that I was going to go crazy one day and last week it finally happened. But, I think I did very well. The amount of decent clothes I got for 80 euros is only going to encourage me to shop more. It does actually suck though about weight limits for travelling, I keep seeing things here that people would love for Christmas but I have to refrain from buying them. So frustrating as it means I am just going to have to do a last minute Christmas shopping flap when I am home, at double the price, boo. Next up on my list to buy is waterproof shoes and maybe a parka jacket, or maybe another blazer, or just some more pretty clothes from Stradivarius (my new favourite shop – smells like Hollister but the clothes are so cute). Come to think of it I need some more wintry accessories too, might buy a scarf or two if the weather carries on like this!

That’s it really, all I have to update on! I will continue to make new friends, and maybe attempt to speak some more Spanish by the next post. Although I am helping all of those trying to develop their English, my good deed for the semester! Oh and I am managing my homesickness well too, although still miss the family big time, and can’t wait to see them/my cats. The time here is going far too fast though, definitely not wishing the time away but it won’t be long until we all are home for Christmas, with a REAL need for waterproof shoes and parka jackets… Haha!

Right that’s it, once again. Adios guapos x