Thursday morning began with Consejo, where Javier told us about the general strike that was to occur in Spain the following Thursday. He explained that many stores would be closed and that public transportation would be quite limited in response to labor market reforms. As curious as I was about the strike, it couldn't have been scheduled for a worse day--the day that I was set to leave for Semana Santa. I felt as though I had just confirmed all of my plans and now there was a good possibility that my bus or flight would be canceled. I started feeling stressed, but I talked to Javier about it and he told me that he would help me as much as he could. I told him that I would talk to my travel buddies, Paige and Clarissa, and figure out a plan. After Consejo, I squeezed in a bit of studying to try to catch up with school work. I was still feeling very behind, and now stressed. Then I had class ALL day, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. After Spanish, Arab World, and Watercolor, I had an hour break before my art visit to the Alhambra. Since I would not be able to eat at home for comida, I grabbed a delicious Spanish tortilla sandwich at Bar Aliatar, right outside Plaza Bib-Rambla. Then I joined the Islamic Art and Architecture class in their Alhambra trip. Despite it being a three-hour visit, it was amazing! Needless to say, the honeymoon feeling had returned. Having seen the Alhambra everyday from the outside, I always wondered what it would be like inside. It was much bigger than I had imagined. We also were able to see several areas that visitors are normally not able to see--we felt like VIPs! Javier and his son tagged along too, and waved to their house in the Albaicín. When I finally returned home, I checked my email and found out that I had been accepted to PITT'S PHARMACY SCHOOL! I was in utter shock for at least five minutes; firstly because I was uncertain about my chances, and secondly because the news came earlier than expected. I laughed, cried, and skyped my mom to tell her the news. By dinnertime, Delia heated up the comida from earlier for me and Aja, who had also missed lunch due to the visit. I explained to Delia why I was feeling so stressed and behind with everything. In the cutest way possible, she calmed me down and encouraged me to enjoy my time here and work on things a little at a time. I felt better after that, and took her advice--instead of staying home to blog, I took a nap and went out to celebrate my pharmacy acceptance!
Friday marked exactly two months in Granada; a bittersweet feeling! I decided to change things up and went for a walk around the Alhambra. What a great decision that was; lots of unexplored territory! After I returned home, I blogged for a bit. I also received an email from our Moroccan leader, Jess, who followed up with everything that she had promised; contacts of the people that we met, suggestions, and advice. What a wonderful lady! Delia prepared a lentaje-based meal for comida. I felt as though I were in a funk after everything that had been going on lately, but Delia was being really funny during lunch, which cheered me up a bit. After siesta, Paige and I went to the bus station to change our Semana Santa tickets so that we would leave a day earlier to avoid traveling on Thursday during the strike; all that we could do about our flights on Thursday were to cross our fingers in hopes that they wouldn't be canceled. We also bought our bus tickets for our Portugal trip at the station. Upon leaving, Paige and I hiked up to San Miguel to watch the sunset, watercolor, and share some beers. I took it easy the rest of the night, taking the time to make myself dinner and blog.
Paige, Clarissa, and I woke up early on Saturday to volunteer. IES informed us of a reforestation organized by the international association GEA. The three of us went to the meeting place and took a bus to el Monte del Generalife, "Llano de la Perdiz". I would love to return some time to hike along the trails. We were the only IES students that went, but there was a large group of American students from a different program. It was cloudy and cold, but we planted many trees. Paige, Clarissa, and I dedicated each tree to someone we knew. It felt great to help the environment! A few hours later, I anxiously returned home to wish Aja a happy 21st birthday! I gave her earrings that I bought for her in Morocco. Delia went to Málaga for the day, so Laura and Tía prepared comida. For dessert, Laura brought out a platter of fried cream balls with a candle in the middle that played the birthday tune! She then gave Aja a headband from her and Delia. During siesta, I blogged and uploaded pictures before going out to continue my pharmacy celebration. Accordingly, I took my first shot of absinth. The process of the preparation (i.e., lighting it on fire!) was more exiting than the actual shot itself. I also remembered to turn my clock forward an hour; we were finally back on schedule with the U.S.
I slept in on Sunday and worked on my blog. I had just finished my Morocco entry, which had taken me days to finish, when I deleted it by accident; I was horrified. In the end, I decided to rewrite it, but with less detail. During comida, Laura explained that voting in Andalucía was taking place that day. After siesta, I went to a café to work on homework. I ran into Karen and her Spanish friends before returning home to skype.
Monday morning started off with my Spanish midterm. Some parts were a bit tricky, but I think I did fine. Then I worked on homework, went to Flamenco, and returned home for comida. After siesta, I worked on more homework and blogged. In place of having Flamenco practice that night, we went to a performance at el Teatro Alhambra. It was awesome! I got the chills during certain parts. The dancer, Mercedes Ruiz, was fantastic, and each outfit was prettier than the last. There was also a guitarist and singer. I was anxious to discuss the performance in our next class.
Consejo was moved to Tuesday morning since Thursday classes were canceled due to the strike. I went by myself because Aja was exhausted. We discussed upcoming day workshops, which I was very excited about. Then I printed out our Semana Santa boarding passes before going to Spanish class. I finished my Arab World midterm early, so I ran a few last-minute errands before Islamic Art and Architecture. The teacher gave back our midterms, and I scored an 80%. I thought that I did a little better, but I was still content with the mark. However, my teacher pulled me aside at the end of class to express her concern. She was surprised that I didn't score higher because my weekly essays were always so good. I told her that I would study earlier and with more people before the next exam. I went home with enough time to take care of a few pharmacy things. It seemed rather stressful to coordinate 3,000 miles away. After comida, Delia played classical music while she painted. I tried to cheer her up because she seemed said. Then I went to watercolor class, where I realized what I had been doing wrong; more water, less color. Afterwards, I returned home to blog and research activities to do during Semana Santa. Then I went to IES's second open mic night. It was so much fun! Paige and Bill sang together, followed by several other performers. I want to learn a fun piano song to play at the next open mic night. I invited Trini and Tamara, and we went to a pub afterwards with a few more Spanish friends. 