glimpses of weirdness

Today I saw a dog that looks like a goat, a homeless guy sitting with a pet chicken on his arm, and a man with a white biker moustache and a boina (Basque hat). We're going to have to start a "People of San Sebastian" website.

moves and changes, comme d'habitude

Well, folks, the verdict is in -- I've been accepted into the program at the Monterey Institute. I'm still not sure what that really means or entails - I just found out a half hour ago -, but what I suppose it means is that I will be starting another Masters in September, this time in translation and interpretation. It will also mean that I will be living in California for two years and that if I pass, I will be accredited by one of the world leaders in this field! Yeee... gads!

This is the school's website, in case you're curious: http://www.miis.edu/

It kind of looks like something that Daniela would attend instead of me.... ;)

Right now I have all this nervous energy that I wish I could run off, but it's flipping cold outside and I don't want to kill myself. It's actually cold in here... I blame the fact that Raúl has cracked open the window in the kitchen permanently in order to pass his internet cable outside and into his room so he can play videogames online. Siiiiiigh.

So yeah... I have three days left of teaching before I can leave for Barcelona, and finally Toronto. It's getting close.

Back to the Masters thing - does anyone else think the same way when they apply to things? Basically I figure that if I apply to something and I don't get in, that means that I am not good enough for anything, really; but if I apply and get in, that means that either A. there was no competition, B. they fucked up and made a mistake, or C. the program actually sucks and is desperate for applicants.

Holy bad attitude, or what? I mean - it's not that I think I totally suck. But when you do an application for something you start realizing how many weaknesses you really have, and you have no way of knowing how you're going to compare to anyone else. But I suppose most people are their own worst critics - right?

Anyway - although I'm not really feeling it right now, this is kind of a big deal for me, just so y'all know. Back in my undergraduate years I think I mentioned I might like to become a translator or some such thing, and my aunt (who is a language and lit professor in Alberta and whom I highly respect and admire) sent me the link for this school, because she'd heard it was the best in said area. I sort of kept it in my mind as my dream school - it just looks friggin' awesome, in every way. And so... yeah! Basically I planned on coming here and improving my Spanish again so that eventually I could go to this dream school - and then in November I just figured what the hell, I may as well try and apply this year, I don't have anything to lose!

I guess also at that point I was kind of dissatisfied with the whole "improving my Spanish" idea without having something to really work towards. My dear friend Amit has cautioned me to not worry so much about making plans for the future, but year-by-year plans has pretty much been what I've done since undergraduate. Us young'uns seem to always be caught between the career-driven path and the taking-it-easy path - I don't want to just fritter away my time without working towards something, but I also want to experience different things.

Anyway, it's kind of crazy to be thinking about going to California in September when I just arrived here. But hopefully I will be able to have a great time in the six or more months I have left in Europe before moving once more to an unknown location. Goooooodness gracious me.

Thanks everyone for your support and if I don't write again before then - Merry Christmas! Have yourself some great holidays. I sure will give it a try. :)

y'a un, part deux

News in my life:

1. Sergio has certainly dolled up the bathroom. We've gone from my and Pablo's bare establishment to a space complete with air freshener/nightlight, mat, and two-tiered organizer - AND, he got a mug to put our toothbrushes and toothpaste in! How - lovely. :)

2. Another about Sergio - he got waxed up... and good. I got my legs waxed for the first time in my life less than a month ago - just did the calves, and MOTHER FUCKER did that hurt! Way more than I was expecting. Well, Sergio waltzes in one day and is like "Hey Laura, check it out, I got done today!" He lifts up his shirt and shows me his bare stomach and chest. I'm like ok, that must have hurt... is that all you got done?

Oh, no it wasn't. He also gets his entire legs WITH bikini wax done, along with back, armpits, and - you guessed it - arms. HOLY SHIT! Your whole frickin' BODY?!

I am NEVER doing that. Not that I have to do chest and back, and who does their arms, but still. I WOULD never do that.

3. I finally sent in my application to that school in California - Masters, translation & interpretation. I feel like it's utter crap; not getting my hopes up for it. Still, it would suck not to get it. Just be like stamping FAILURE across my forehead. So I'll keep y'all posted.

4. Upcoming weekend is a long one here - I'm supposed to see both Haruka and Jocelyne, and I think we're going to be in Barcelona, but details are still sketchy. In any case, I'm getting from Friday until Tuesday off - SWEET!

5. Christmas is getting close! This is what's happening for me: I'm flying out of Barcelona into LaGuardia on the 21st, staying over a night, flying up to Toronto on the 22nd, hanging out there until the 25th, then going with Ev to Connecticut, and leaving on the 31st back to Barcelona (sigh). A whirlwind tour of North America. I'm freaking excited about (maybe) going to see the Sound of Music before it ends its run. Also, I miss the TTC. Also, I have been really missing the sushi, but that's kind of abated right now because of the AWESOME homemade sushi I had at Aina's tonight. YAYYYYYYY SUSHIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more news for now, over and out,

L.J.