relajando.

today was a good day. which seems to be a strange description for it because it was mostly homework all day. but the work was necessary... i have not picked up a book for a few days. i relaxed a lot, slept late, went for a run in the park, read my (english... yay!) book, and did homework.

i guess yesterday is what i should write about. it was a bit more action packed.

first, we (amaia, pilar, and i) went to the festival of san blas, where there are tons of caramelos (hard candies) and roscos (pastries) in the streets. it was packed with people in the old part of the city, and what a sight to see! we then went in the church to have good luck water splashed on us. then i saw my first authentic pamplonian market. it was a pretty interesting day - and i guess it only comes around once a year.

my spanish sister´s celebration was pretty fun. 12 family/family friends came over for a huge dinner with many appetizers and some seafood, but i was at the table with the semi-young people (her cousins, her boyfriends brother and his girlfriend, all who are on average 25 yrs old). It was alright. the cake she made was delicious, i just wish i could have eaten more. the portions of cake here must be 1/3 of the size of my normal portion in the u.s. healthier, but sadder.

then, some of her friends and her boyfriends friends came over. most were pretty nice, one of which i had met before. beatriz is the girl i know and i really really like her. we talk a lot about music, and she is easier to understand than amaia and we just have some great conversations! it´s so nice... she really tries to make me feel like i fit in (which amaia and her boyfriend also do). there was one really weird friend who came... i think he was friends with iker, amaia´s boyfriend. he is an art student too, i guess. he smelled horrible, like he hadn´t showered for weeks, was wearing a metallica shirt and had this ball exercise thing that spins and is supposed to strengthen your wrists. he creeped me out (even though he was harmless) and i had to hold my breath whenever her walked by. anyhow, we went to a bar to throw darts, which i apparently am horrible at. then we went to a discoteca where all my program-mates where also! it was a crazy coincidence and really exciting. however, it was really crowded, so we soon left. we met some french students who are studying here while we were looking for a bathroom in the plaza. they were interesting to talk to. we couldn´t think of anywhere else to go (it was 5:30 in the morning! and i thought i was gonna fall asleep in the street soon) so we went home. watched some tv, ate some leftovers, and finally went to bed. it was quite a night!

i have a red bump the size of texas (ok, maybe the size of a quarter) on my left shin. if you are a doctor or know one, let me know how to solve this mysterious case of the curious bump on my leg. here are pictures: