21st Birthday in Spain

I really didn't know what to expect for my 21st birthday here in Spain.  A long time before coming here I knew it was going to happen, and I knew it would be different from your typical American 21st birthday, but never did I think that I would manage to go the entire couple days before and after my b-day without drinking any alcohol! But you know what, I really don't mind because although this birthday was really different, it was something I won't ever forget.

The night before my bday, I met up with two friends, Donja and Caroline, for what I thought was just going to be a little walk around and some dinner. I ended up eating a delicious Argentinian sausage and then the three of us decided to take a little walk around. We came across a little playground for children and decided to try out all the cool stuff. It was really fun! I hadn't played on a little kids playground for quite some time, but it was fun, I think it helps loosen you up, and bring out the hidden youthfulness inside!

After all that fun, we went looking for a tapas bar. We found one, but unfortunately I ordered what I believe was squid, although I still don't really know if that's what it was. Anyway, we ended up hanging around for quite a while just talking and then next thing I know it's 12:00, I was 21! Donja and Caroline sang happy birthday to me in German, first time that's ever happened to me but it was cool!
The next day, I had a little mini bday party at my place.  Donja came, along with Emilio's nephew and his girlfriend, for some great food, and a delicious cake. It wasn't anything crazy, but I had a really good time. The rest of the day I just relaxed and did nothing. But sometimes it feels really good to do, well, nothing.
So that pretty much sums up my birthday. It wasn't crazy and wild, I didn't get black out drunk, but I did however really enjoy it. I think change is a good thing, so celebrating my 21st birthday in a different way turned out be something I won't forget. And besides, I still have this entire weekend to celebrate American style! Bottoms up! Woo!

My first hair cut in Spain

What and experience my first hair cut was! I was warned about Ricardo the barber.  I was told that he was a talker, and just an overall procrastinator.  Well, I realllllyyyy underestimated good ol Ricky.  After sitting down in the chair, he walked over to the door, for what appeared to be just some fresh air. A little fresh air turned into some stretching, as if cutting my hair was a marathon.  After he put the cover over me, it appeared as though he would finally begin cutting!
Wrong again. He strikes up a conversation about the Los Angeles Lakers, and asks if I can somehow find him a yellow, and he was very specific, YELLOW, sweater that says Lakers across the chess. Then he asks me how I want my hair cut. I told him a 3 on the sides, and 5 on the top.  He seemed shocked by this, and told me he would use a 2 on the sides.  I wasn't about to argue. Finally, he begins cutting my hair. After cutting the sides and back, the phone rings. Nooooo! I saw it coming, but I didn't think it was possible. He proceeded to talk on the phone for at least, at least, 5 minutes. Longest 5 minutes of my life...So when he finally hangs up, he goes to check his cell phone, because during his conversation on the phone, he received a text message.  At this point, I was thinking, OK, he's definitely gonna start cutting once he's done checking his text message. Wrong again. He whips out a chocolate candy bar, and starts eating away!
At this point, I couldn't even get frustrated, the whole situation was just funny. I almost began laughing, I felt like I was on a sitcom show.  So he would eventually start cutting again and he decided that he wasn't going to use a 5 on the top. He grabs his scissors, and he starts chopping at the air, something like Edward Scissor hand. It was pretty cool, but a little frightening as well.  Turns out, the scissors were a great idea. I was really pleased with my hair cut! Ricardo then asked me if I use hair gel. I told him no. What does he do next, I think you probably know. He squeezed hair gel all over and starts styling up my hair with gel! At that point I couldn't argue...To top it all off, when I was paying, he began talking about the "ladies" and making odd slurping noises in reference to my new hairdo. It was creepy, but just hilarious at the same time. So despite all the difficulties that I came across during my first hair cut here in Spain, I walked away with a great memory, and a nice cut! Can't argue with that!

For the love of the game

There is an old saying that goes, "you never appreciate what you have, until you loose it". Well, the phrase goes something like that, anyway, I know exactly what it means. These days, I feel like an animal trapped in a small cage. I need more basketball!  Before I left for Spain, I was playing some of the best basketball of my life.  That last month before leaving, I was playing 3 or 4 times a week, and things were really clicking. I figured that upon my arrival to Spain, I would pick up right where I left off. Well I sure was wrong about that. It is dam near impossible to find a public basketball court, where you can just play for free, no reservations, just basketball. Right now, I am playing just once a week, every Tuesday. I have found this to be very hard for several reasons. First, for me a basketball court represents freedom. I don't know what it is, but just the simple act of dribbling a basketball makes me feel good. Running, jumping, dribbling, shooting, I can't really say what it is, but there is something about the sport that I love. Like I mentioned, I feel trapped these days because of the lack of basketball currently in my life. Maybe I am just spoiled, I don't know. I am used to being able to play whenever, wherever, with no questions. It has been really hard for me to adjust to being limited to playing once a week. Not only that, but it is hard to play just once a week. Basketball is about rhythm, consistency, and practice. After going one week without playing, it takes time to adjust. It's a terrible feeling, that first shot you take after not shooting for a while. Shooting a basketball should feel comfortable, second nature. When you go a week between playing, nothing feels right. Not just that, but my stamina is not where it normally would be which makes it hard to stay focused and motivated. Well, enough complaining, things could be worse. With that said, I have found that it is true, you don't know what you've got until it's gone, and for me, that is basketball.

Life is good

With one week of class under my belt, I am feeling much more confident than when I started.  Yes, it still will be a challenge, but I know that it's something I can handle.  I don't know what it is, but I have found that I am much more motivated over here in Spain.  Every class, every assignment, I feel the need to try really hard, maybe it's because the change of scenery, maybe it's my passion for the language and culture, I don't know, but I like the new me!
On another note, I have met some really cool people. After one month here, I have made so many new friends, from different countries, cultures, it's just really cool. The other day, as I was getting onto the bus to play basketball, a girl stopped me to ask about where she could also play basketball.  This was interesting, because at first, I thought she was a Spaniard, and she probably thought I was too. We both came to discover otherwise. She is German, and well, I am American as you may know.  It was just a really cool experience, and now we are friends.  Then, that following weekend, I actually met two guys from France, who were pretty cool dudes! I didn't think it was possible to meet anybody from France that I would get along with! Just kidding, no really, OK just kidding. Well anyway, what I'm trying to say is that meeting so many new people from different backgrounds is refreshing.  It makes you think about and respect your own culture more, and at the same time, you learn about another culture, it's just really interesting.  So, with all of this said, life is good!