Wednesday. Those of us staying for a full year had to complete the VISA extension, so we all met at 9:15 at the Police Station. I left the house before Alex was even awake... ugh... this was also the first day of legit sprinkle - and EVERYONE had pulled out their umbrellas. It was something that we don't even call rain in Oregon. But overall, after passing through security and standing in line, the VISA stuff didn't take that long - only an hour and 15 minutes... for seven of us, which is apparently unheard-of-fast. Eli stood right there and basically pushed us all through the system, which was good. Anyways, we chilled in the API office until the meeting at 11 at the CLM about activities we can become involved in.

Everyone was at the meeting except Jacobo and Alex... Kelsey asked me where she was, but I hadn't seen her all morning. Turns out they both overslept, so I grabbed all the papers for her and she had to get her CLM student ID card later from API. Amelia had mentioned that she wanted to take belly dancing a few days ago, but I'm not sure I want to pay for it... 52.5 Euro for it... I dunno.

After the meeting Sean, Chris and I went to get ice cream at Los Italianos... which is apparently the best ice cream place in town (according to both API and my host mom). Sean and Chris both got truffle flavored, but I ordered S. Tostada, which is apparently Creme Brulee - it was SO RICH, I was really impressed, even if they weren't. Really, it's just a really NICE ice cream place - walls are covered in red marble, white tile floor, everything is stainless steel and covered. Very fancy. After that we all walked home for our respective lunches. Maria-Carmen had left us macaroni to heat up for ourselves if she wasn't home yet (macaroni noodles with an orangy sauce and hamburger meat), which we did, with croquetas, bread and pears.

Chilled at home until 5, when we had another last-minute study party at API, since the test was in the morning. There were quite a few people wanting to study, and Amelia brought the Spanish scrabble also. Made another snack run, this time Alex hosting, and stayed until after Alicia and Eli had locked up the API office. Part of the reason we stayed so late was because una tormenta started outside - there was thunder and lightning and rain was pouring down... nobody wanted to walk home in that, especially not poor Ethan, who has a longer walk than any of us. Everyone was getting really anxious and depressed about the test, sure they were going to do poorly, so as soon as it stopped raining everyone just went home. Alex and I studied until dinner (I had my papers back, and she was googling things online). Dinner was good ol' fashion chicken noodle soup, with really small noodles (but not angel hair) and LOTS of broth. Maria-Carmen told me I didn't have to work so hard (as I'm ladling the last of the broth into my mouth as fast and as quietly as I can) and could drink the broth... I told her that my mother would yell at me at home if I did that. :)

We studied some more after dinner, then went to bed around 11pm. We had both decided to get up around 7 to finish studying last minute things and to be ready to go with plenty of time (since Alex missed this morning - didn't want to do that again).

Thursday. I felt like I had been hit by a bus when I woke up this morning. I was tired, stiff, hadn't slept well, knew how many things I DIDN'T know, and needed chocolate. Bad. Managed to hold off on the chocolate by stuffing my face with one of those yummy bagel-looking-things that taste like waffle cone and trying to cram as much as possible into my head in the last 30 minutes possible. Poor Alex got really anxious-depressed about fearing she wouldn't test into the program she needs for her college. I tried to cheer her up about it, but it didn't really work. We got to the CLM and waited for the professora to enter the room (we weren't sure if there was a particular etiquette for the classroom). And the test began.

We had 40 minutes to basically do a writing CIM from gradeschool, but in Spanish. We then had a 20 minute listening exercise, where we listened to a news clip, then listened to the question, and answered with one of the possible options from our sheet. Following that was the multiple choice - 80 questions in 60 minutes. As people finished, the three ladies giving the test (loudly... they kept talking amongst themselves) began grading everything. So by the time we were called in for the oral part of the test (when they just make sure you can respond to questions and weren't totally cheating off your neighbor) they already had your scores for the other parts. I was one of the last orals interviews, which was nerve wracking. I needed at least a 5 to be in Language and Culture in Spanish - lower than that and I was 'inadequate' (as the test put it). On the multiple choice, I got a 5. Just squeaked by on that one. Then in listening, I got a 6. Go me! But in writing, I got a 7!! I was really excited! So my average was a 6, and I CAN take all my classes in Spanish, like I needed! Actually, level 7 would have put me in Hispanic Studies - the next program, so maybe by next semester I could move up! :)

Everyone was so relieved! Amelia and Sean were secretly competing with each other (although he doesn't know this...) and she was so thrilled that she won! ;) She got a 9, and he got an 8 (the highest score possible is a 9). Afterward we all wanted to go out and celebrate, so we stopped at a restaurant on the next corner from the school alley-way, and most of us got a beer (Sean and I were saving money, and Grace got a red wine). From there we all went home for lunch (rice with tomatoes, onions and something else in a kinda orange seasoning broth... with fresh bread, the last of the croquetas and pears). Fernando was home today, so he did the rice while we set the table and got the other foodstuffs from around the kitchen. Maria-Carmen was 30 minutes late today because she went grocery shopping - and got all kinds of Danish pastry stuff for breakfast tomorrow!! I'm so excited!! :D Ugh if I have a weakness here, it is the croissanterias... bakeries with exclusively croissant dough. Mmm!! :)

We had a tour of the Albaicin and Sacromonte today also (the old part of town) at 5. Everyone met there and we walked all around for a few hours - some GREAT views of the city from a viewpoint way up there. I maxed out my memory card (again). :) The best pastry shop in all Granada is supposedly up there, and Sean and I agreed that we are going back for it. :)

Our small group walked back towards the CLM so Ethan could figure out his class schedule (he is in a different program, and starts class tomorrow morning) and ran into Liz. She is one of the early start girls who has been here for a month - we met her once before because she lives really close to the outdoor restaurant we always visit. Anyways, talked to her for a bit, and she said she was going to the 1 Euro margaritas at the Mexican place that night (they have them on Thursdays, and EVERYONE was going). She came with us to the CLM and chilled with me while everyone else got distracted in the computer lab, on facebook. :) We exchanged numbers, and agreed to call each other later. She doesn't seem to have a group from the early start - apparently because there were only 18 of them (vs our 28) they didn't really form groups or really bond. I really like her, and am hoping she will kinda 'join' our group. Or be my single buddy. :)

Home for dinner. More chicken noodle soup (which I ate while she was out of the room so she wouldn't make fun of me - heh) with fried eggs and some salsa/chili thing that came from a package. I liked it with the egg, Alex wasn't really a fan. Also yogurt for dessert. At 10:30 Alex and I both went to Correos to meet everyone (for the margaritas). However, on the way there, Alex wanted to take a picture of us each in front of the fountain. It was all lit up, and we had dressed up tonight (she was going clubbing, and I was just doing it cause she was). In this process, an older guy gets up off his bench with is (wife/lady friend?) and starts asking us about taking a picture. We were confused... you want to take OUR picture? You want us to take YOUR picture? Etc. Turns out he wanted Alex to take their picture... with me in between them. He was very drunk, kept calling me guapa, and kept trying to do the Spanish besos (kiss on each cheek in greeting), which I kept evading. He grabbed my arm, pulled me to the bench, sat me down, Alex took the picture, and I jumped up and we left. Alex thought it was the funniest thing ever. She says it should be my facebook picture... ugh.

Met Liz at Correos, went to the Mexican place, spent my 1 Euro, then Liz and I went with Alex, Ellen, Alyssa, Amanda, Jacobo and Cassie to another bar more in the upper alleys (more popular), where many of them got a beer and split some awesome tapas (snacks that come with the drinks you order... can't remember if I've mentioned them before...). Liz and I left as they were preparing to go to another place, and we chatted for a while near her place after walking back. The taxis here - many are Prias'!! And they are all white with mostly green writing, and line up outside Liz's home along the street. :) From the first bar we went to, Liz and I grabbed maps with coupons on the back, with a free ice cream coupon for a place that she says is absolutely amazing!! We are planning on going in the near future before they close (sometime in October).

Walked home, Blogged, Alex came home and beat me to bed. :( But we have nowhere to be tomorrow, so it's ok!! :D