Good Morning

The time difference is so weird! My laptop is still on California time, which is about 7 am on Thursday morning. But where I am, it is just after 4 pm on Thursday....my whole day is almost over just as my family's day is beginning.
I talked to Mom this morning when I woke up at 8 am, and it was 10 pm the day before where she was. So strange to say goodnight when you are just waking up!

Orientation was today. After breakfast with Rosa and Allison, we all three walked to the hotel where orientation was being held. We got dropped off and got to meet all of our professors and staff. We got packets of info and a map of Sevilla which is super helpful. At about 11 we had a coffee break. Oh my gosh A COFFEE BREAK IN SCHOOL. Best coffee ever too. Not only that, but they had "dulces" or little sweet bread type cookie snacks too. And this isn't like a 5 minute stretch break. It was a good 30-40 minutes of socializing with the teachers and students. So cool.

Then we got our cell phones! I have an international number that receives calls for free. It gets texts for 0.15 euros too. I am not sure how to dial it though, because of the country codes. Anyway try this number, see if it works.

011 34 653 048 203

The last 9 digits are what was assigned to me, the 011 is the country code, and 34 is the area code but I am not sure. I can call home, but it will charge me a certain amount of cents per minute. I'll buy a re-loadable card ASAP.

Anyway, I just had lunch and discussed with Rosa about family nicknames for at least two hours. That conversation definitely wore out Allison because she has been asleep for the past hour. I, on the other hand, enjoyed far to much coffee today and cannot sleep a wink of my designated "siesta" time.

In a few hours the entire SIS group is going on a nighttime walking tour of the city, led by two local college-aged Spaniards. I can't wait to see more of this city! So far I have noticed that everyone smokes, even the attractive young women, and the pigeons here are all albino. Also people peel all their fruit instead of washing it, which throws me off a little because the peel is my favorite part.
For lunch Rosa bought some plums that were bright yellow! By far the sweetest plums I have ever had. So yummy. I don't think I will ever get sick of having crusty french bread, cheese, and butter with every meal. Seriously no complaints in the food department.

Definitely loving Spain so far. I look up at the buildings and trees and just am so thankful for this opportunity. Gonna start missing you guys all here pretty soon, but just know I am having a wonderful time!