Wow, I'm really living here now..

Coming up to my 1.5 month anniversary, and I totally feel settled in.  I was thinking about this today while sitting on the metro subway completely unphased by two guys making out right next to my face and a man in a wheelchair asking for money while he utilizes the train's momentum to zoom up and down the aisle (aka releases his breaks and hopes for the best).  I have found an awesome 11 year-old kid named Alvaro to tutor in English who cracks me up every time I see him.  He LOVES crazy 8's, Go Fish and is a big fan of Clue so naturally we play all the time.  Favorite quote of Go Fish, "Do you have any ass?" "Alvaro, you mean Aces.  Do you have any Aces?" "Oh ok, do you have any asses?"  The kids I teach at Instituto Manuel Elkin Patarroyo (Colegio=Elementary School, Instituto=Middle/High School, Universidad=College/University - THAT took me a while) are equally great, always asking me the most random questions based on their perceptions of the United States:  "Do you know Jackie Chan? "Can I live with you in California?" "Do you own a gun?"  A few classes are like pulling teeth, but most are a lot of fun and the kids really enjoy talking to me!  They call my name from windows on the 3rd floor and I feel like a celebrity.  Then when I pass them in the halls they say, "Hi!" then run away laughing hysterically.

I also found a great place to live about 7 minutes away from the center of the city (Sol) for incredibly cheap.  I share a room with a Columbian guy and share the apartment (piso) with 2 other Spanish gentlemen and a Russian woman.  Any day now Disney is going to come by and record our lives for a new segment on It's A Small World.

My Crib.  Swankalicious, I know.  Lavalamp included. 

To answer your question, yes that is a centaur
suggestively holding a fair skinned woman.

 The place is great, my roommate bought all the pots, pans, plates, cups, etc. because according to him he'll just keep them after I leave.  I insisted to split them, but to no avail.  I need to start cooking some authentic Spanish food though, because so far my diet has consisted of healthy soup, fruit, pasta and sandwiches.  Also, this just in, I activated my Debit Card so I am now part of a bank in Spain!!  That's when I know this trip is legit.  Next up I'll be going over my trip to Segovia (there's a castle) so stay tuned!

Also many of you might think I went to Spain to experience new things, learn a new language and culture, travel Europe, etc., but after getting a library card, this is the real reason I came.

Each completed page is my most fulfilling personal accomplishment.