I am so happy :)

Hi all,
I hope that you are all doing well, and staying warm in the not-so warm minnesota/midwest weather. I am doing really good, despite having the flu this week, sore throat, headache, etc...grrrr...but it was nice b/c i didn't have school yesterday so i could rest, and will rest somemore this weekend amongst planning trips, and studying for my first round of exams which occur next week. Maribel invited me to come over tomorrow (sat) to eat la comida (the big meal of the day around 2pm) and then i will study with her and Inoa. They will help me with my grammar b/c that is the hard part for me hehe! And they have stuff to study too so it'll be a nice 'girls-study' afternoon :) I love them so much. oh, i just can't desribe all the feelings i am experiencing here. i am just so happy. I am meeting new friends, establishing wonderful relationships with the girls i am planning my trips with, trying so many foods, learning SO much vocabulary and history of Navarra and Spain, and Europe, experiencing emotions that are invigorating, exciting, scarry, amazing, frustrating, all of the above,,,even love :) This really is the best thing i could have done for myself..coming here to Spain.
Today was fun. I had two classes which went fine..they are my favorite classes so I love Fridays. And i got to have my tortilla de patata y cafe con leche with Kristen and we visited. Then i had a great talk with my friend Lise. I am so blessed to be with these people. I came home for lunch and visited with Julia (it's my favorite routine!) She gave me soup, and ...gosh now i do't remember what i had after that...haha..bread for sure, fruit,,and ?????? oh yah it was pasta with a hard boiled egg. it was pretty good..it's so cute now,,she let's me serve myself.Speaking of Julia, i love her so much. We have definitely established an amazing relationship, i don't know how i'll leave her! She's already told me i'm welcome to visit anytime ...to stay with her, and even bring my 'someday' significant other if i want :) We can get to talking, and she talks with me for an hour or more,,to the point where we can be laughing really hard. She is just the cutest old lady i wish everyone of you could meet her~!!! The other day i was leaving for classes, had my period, not feeling well (flu coming on), hadn't showered, and she didn't know any of this...and as i'm leaving she says to me "You look so beautiful today"...it was just so special..and made me feel so good. I was reminded of junior high/highschool days when my mom used to be home in the mornings at times and send me off. It's so wonderful having her here all the time. So i kissed her on the cheeck, and i think i had a skip in my step the rest of the day...she is just like a grandma and mom in one. I don't remember if i told you this..the tradition of kissing when you meet people here. it is so cute, when you meet someone, they kiss you on both cheeks..it is very sweet..but you have to be here and experience it to really understand and respect it! It's not weired at all.
Tonight, i went for a walk/run to clear my head, and half-way out it just started POURING! it was one of the funnest moments i've had b/c i was in the park, it was dusk, and it's pouring rain...all i could do was laugh and keep going. When i got home 20 min later, Julia see's me walk in the door (i was hoping she wouldn't see HOW WET I HAD GOTTEN!!!) and she says "Tu ....ayyy Estas LOCA!!!" (you...ayy you are crazy!!!) and laughed! Then later tonight Kristen and I went over to Megan's piso and had a productive night making more italy plans. we booked our hostil for Rome and for Florence. We are def making progress slowly but surely!
I returned home tonight to have my ham sandwich and water and fruit, and now will go to bed. Like i said, raining and a bit chilly weather here and that is the forcast until Tue or so so I will be relaxing and trying to get better.
I start dance class next week so i have that to look forward to, and i've been tutoring the little neighbor girls for 2 weeks now and i'ts wonderful
! I got a care package this week from mom, dad and Ben on Thurs. It was so nice to get a piece of home, especially when i was sick.
All my love,
Lauren