Intercambio

Well today was a really good day in spanish class. We are learning some new things, and I feel like I am understanding everything a little better now. Today, after class, was my first day with an intercambio, I met with a girl named Yolanda. She is from Spain, has been learning english, but needs to practice speaking more,  so we talked for about an hour in english. After speaking english we talked for another hour in spanish. Basically the purpose is for both of us to practice speaking the language. Although I am in classes 5 days a week, most of the time is spent learning the grammer, and doing a lot of writing exercises.  Although I can understand a lot more, I still am very uncomfortable speaking in public, so this is going to be great for me.  Yolanda has been studying english for many years, and is in the same situation that I am in.  Pat also came today, after his practice. He wasn't there while we were speaking english, but came in time for the spanish part. He also liked it, and without having classes, he is so good, and understands and speaks very well. Sometimes I get mad, because I am in school 20 hours a week, and he is just about as good as I am. Not fair, but its okay, we make a good team.

Lastly, today I booked classes to teach english to 2 kids, ages 12 and 13, 2 times a week. I am pretty excited about it! I am a little nervous because I really have no idea what to expect, and I do not know what level they are speaking. I am meeting with them on Monday at 7:00, and it will be for an hour and a half. Also on Monday I am meeting with Yolanda again.  I am beginning to become busy, which is pretty fun because for the first time since being overseas, I feel like I actually have my own life, how crazy!

Well thats about it, Pat has a game tomorrow, so how about we all pray together. He is playing the top team in the league, Alicante (our team from last year). Alicante is undefeated this year, so with Pat playing great, and a little luck, we will give them their first loss!

Hot Water

Well this is a great week, I am now taking hot showers! Our water finally is fixed and boy is life so much more enjoyable! Anyway besides the water, nothing else too exciting is going on this week. I'm continuing classes, and although they are hard, I think little by little I'm starting to get it.   Im going to start teaching english classes, I am just waiting to here from the president of the school. 

Pat has a game coming up, tomorrow, and I am so excited. We have to win, and I know we will. Thats about it for now.

Weekend Visit

Well this weekend had a few ups and a few downs! Pat left early thursday morning, about 4 am for a road trip to La Palma, in the canary islands. He played Friday night, and lost. It was a close game, but in the end, it wasn't our game. 

Friday I decided to drive to Lugo, and stay the night at Amber and Bills and go to Bills game Saturday. I hate staying here by myself, so more or less, i called up Amber to see what they were doing, and decided to go. It was so much fun, and Im so happy I went. Thank goodness for our GPS because it has made me so much more adventurous. Last year, I would have never driven anywhere by myself, but this year, its so easy, and the GPS gets you to exactly where you want to go. Before I left Friday, the internet went down in our apartment. Initially I thought the team didn't pay the internet bill, so i walked down to the shopping area, and the internet wouldn't work there either. So later, after i got to Amber's, we found out it all of northwest Spain's, also known as Galicia, internet had gone out for 6 hours. Totally crazy. I cant imagine what i would have done, all alone in my apartment, with out internet, sad but true, a lot of my free time revolves around the internet. 

Well thats about all for now, we are really looking forward to this weeks game, a must win game, so until then practice and school for us, and not too much more.

We Won...Finally!!

Wow, I forgot how exciting it is to win. After loosing the first 3 games, this win was extra exciting! Pat played great again, scoring 17 points, and we won by about 15. Also exciting, was Bill and Amber decided last minute to come to the game, so it was great to hang out and watch the game with them. Afterward, we went out to dinner, and then they had to go because Bill was leaving the next morning for Alicante. He is playing Alicante Sunday, actually thats today. Anyway after we said goodbye to Amber and Bill, Pat and I went out with most of his teammates, and some girlfriends, and had a great time. We usually go to this one specific bar first, more relaxed feel, laid back, i think it is Brazilian. They have this drink that is 6 euros, and its basically a frozen drink with sugar, crushed lemon and some type of liquor. Its delicious and tastes like a slushy, but its small and 6 euros, so usually i have 1 or 2 and then switch up drinks. After we went to a club more hyped up lots of dancing. It was so much fun. Pat was like Amanda lets go, are you ready, and I was like i don't want to but, we did leave. After we got in the car i looked at the clock and it was already 5:00 in the morning. I couldn't believe how late it was, the night just went so fast, i guess thats what happens when you win and we were all in such good moods!!

This morning was great! Last night I  made an egg casserole, which Pat loves. We cooked it this morning, I made some home fries and we had lots of orange juice, and of course awesome coffee that Pat brewed! So needless to say it was a great morning and an awesome weekend. Then Pat had to go to practice.

Well thats all i have for now, another week of practices, and for me school, so im already looking forward to next weekend!

Another Game

Well I havent written in a while, Ive been a bit busy with school, and cooking, and some other stuff, nothing too exciting! Anyway last week was great! I turned 25 and it was a great day. Last week Pat played Lugo, and I went to see the game, and met Amber there. Amber is Bill Phillips wife, who plays for Lugo. Shes also the person who started Basketwives.com. Anyway it was a great visit, we went out to dinner after the game, and it was a lot of fun. The game was great, very exciting. Pat played amazing, but we lost by 2 points!

This week has gone by so quickly! Already another game! We are playing VIC tonight, and I know Pat is going to play well and we are going to win! Hopefully we will go out and have a good time after the win. 

Well thats about it for now.

Amanda

Weekend Off

It's so exciting when Pat has a home game because he always has off for the entire weekend after. Normally his home games are on Friday night at 9:00, so we go out to eat after and go out to the clubs after that. But the best part is Saturday and Sunday. This past weekend was fun. Pat played a great game Friday night, scoring 20 points, however, our team lost. It was a close game, we just couldn't pull it out. We are looking forward to the first win, but enjoying the great games he has been playing. 

Yesterday, we decided to go on a little trip to A Coruna. It is a city about 45 minutes north of Santiago, on the ocean. It was a beautiful day, and the views of the city were beautiful. We went to the famous lighthouse, which was huge, and was built on top of a very large hill, so from there, you could see so much of the city, and it also overlooked the ocean. It was awesome. We also walked around the city for a little while, they have a port with tons of boats, and lots of restaurants. We found this amazing little restaurant, and had a huge lunch at about 4:00. We had the best roasted red peppers, (besides of course my dads), and fish and shrimp, that both looked like it had come right out of the ocean, heads and tails and all

After cleaning them up, they were so delicious!

Today, we are just going to hang out, relax, and enjoys the day off, for the most part. Pat is going to go to the gym and lift for a little while, and Im going to make a french toast casserole, so we will see how that goes!

Hair!!

Well I have to say I am a very happy girl. One of the things that gives me the biggest problems when living overseas, is that Courtney is not here to do my hair! As a blonde, my hair needs upkeep. I like to get highlights, without the fear my hair will turn orange, or fall out.  And as some of you may know, last year, when i got my hair "trimmed" I came home crying with what looked like the beginnings of a mullet. Not kidding, I came home crying to Pat, who then was so scared, but trimmed my hair anyway. He did such a good job, he was the best! 

Anyway, now that I know a little bit more spanish, I had the courage to go to the hair salon and ask for a trim and some highlights. Well, although its not quite as good as when Courtney does it, I am very happy! So now I dont have to worry about hair anymore!

Aside from that, today was great. During spanish class, the teacher had us walk to the outdoor market, and ask questions to the workers about the produce, meat and fish. It was a really cool experience, the market was amazing. The people there, were generally all nice, and so happy to help. 

On a totally different subject, Pat has a game tonight. It is his first home game, and he's been even quieter than usual, so I know he is nervous. He will do great, I know it. The game is at 900 tonight, and then we will go out to eat after, and then go to the bars. Its gonna be a great night!