Realizations, History, Good Company, Food...You Know, Spanish Life ;)
So I had a realization today: For the first time, I feel fluent. Not perfectly, mind you. I still look up words, I still have stumbling points in conversations. But when I can have hours-long conversations with Sevillianos about rather intellectual topics, then I know I've ascended. :P I had begin to notice it last week by the fact that I was talking more with my host mother and her family (such as the daughter)...longer conversations than before, and understanding things better.
Today was a good day, even if it was long. First, I had a very good presentation related in immigration in Spain with Emily in our Democracy class. I was glad it went well, and that we got some good questions and responses from fellow class members. I think a lot of us are interested in immigration, either as a topic specifically or on a grander scale as part of globilization.
Then it was a whole lot of choir after Camacho's class. First it was coffee with Sarah and Alice (and I met a friend of theirs...but I don't recall her name). It was sunshining out, so we sat outside on Calle San Fernando, which was nice.
Then it was off to the Real Alcazar to sing for "un Acto" that was happening there. I believe this is the day, x-number of years ago, that Andalusia gained it's independence as an autonomous community in Spain. Ahh, here's a bit from wikipedia: "After dictator Francisco Franco's death, the new Spanish Constitution of 1978 established in its Article 2 the right of "regions and historic nationalities" to self government. This followed a popular outcry in Andalusia for its own right to autonomy, with a total of over a million and a half people demonstrating in the streets of most Andalusian town and cities on 4th December 1977, while the constitution was still being drafted."
[Side Note: I also found that on this date in "1875 - Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison and flees to Cuba, then Spain." Interesting. And I might read about Boss Tweed next, just to find out what the deal was.]
But back to the concert today: It wasn't anything big. We sang the Andalusian anthem and the hymn of the University. There were some words spoken. It was rather interesting.
Afterwards, we went to a local place, and got food. It was great, cause the Uni footed the bill, and with 150 euros to split between about 15 of us (because not everyone came to eat and there was a large part of the choir that couldn't make it to the concert due to classes or work), we all had plenty to eat. :)
Choir practice followed, which went well. Ended on a high note (literally--the sopranos were busting out a high A, which was fabulous).
And now I'm home, definitely feeling this head cold, and realizing tea isn't going to fix this. I think I need to sleep. Hopefully this won't last long. But even so, great times. Growing by the day, learning tons of the new things all the time... I'm really enjoying it.
Today was a good day, even if it was long. First, I had a very good presentation related in immigration in Spain with Emily in our Democracy class. I was glad it went well, and that we got some good questions and responses from fellow class members. I think a lot of us are interested in immigration, either as a topic specifically or on a grander scale as part of globilization.
Then it was a whole lot of choir after Camacho's class. First it was coffee with Sarah and Alice (and I met a friend of theirs...but I don't recall her name). It was sunshining out, so we sat outside on Calle San Fernando, which was nice.
Then it was off to the Real Alcazar to sing for "un Acto" that was happening there. I believe this is the day, x-number of years ago, that Andalusia gained it's independence as an autonomous community in Spain. Ahh, here's a bit from wikipedia: "After dictator Francisco Franco's death, the new Spanish Constitution of 1978 established in its Article 2 the right of "regions and historic nationalities" to self government. This followed a popular outcry in Andalusia for its own right to autonomy, with a total of over a million and a half people demonstrating in the streets of most Andalusian town and cities on 4th December 1977, while the constitution was still being drafted."
[Side Note: I also found that on this date in "1875 - Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison and flees to Cuba, then Spain." Interesting. And I might read about Boss Tweed next, just to find out what the deal was.]
But back to the concert today: It wasn't anything big. We sang the Andalusian anthem and the hymn of the University. There were some words spoken. It was rather interesting.
Afterwards, we went to a local place, and got food. It was great, cause the Uni footed the bill, and with 150 euros to split between about 15 of us (because not everyone came to eat and there was a large part of the choir that couldn't make it to the concert due to classes or work), we all had plenty to eat. :)
Choir practice followed, which went well. Ended on a high note (literally--the sopranos were busting out a high A, which was fabulous).
And now I'm home, definitely feeling this head cold, and realizing tea isn't going to fix this. I think I need to sleep. Hopefully this won't last long. But even so, great times. Growing by the day, learning tons of the new things all the time... I'm really enjoying it.