The big 21. I am finally a responsible adult in the eyes of my government. Well I’ve been responsible enough to drive for 6 years. And to travel the world with a M-16 in an Abrams shooting people for 3 years. And I’m pretty sure they told me I was responsible enough to smoke a ciggy and visit a Gentleman’s Club for the past three. But now I can have a beer with dinner. I’ve been nervous of the responsibility that comes with this power for a long time now, but I also think I just might be able to handle it.

I wasn’t sure how my birthday was going to go in a foreign country so far away from my family and friends. Maybe it would be a lonely night in a dive bar saluting myself in the depths of a new glass. Maybe I would sit in my room calling friends from home wishing I could celebrate my new found freedom with them.

Luckily it was none of the above. I have been blessed once again by finding myself surrounded by engaging and exciting people who were all excited to share in this big day with me. I was not expecting to make such close friends so quickly after arriving but I have once again found my people and I am looking forward to a semester full of adventures with them. (More to come in a few weeks about our impending trip to the southern coast of Portugal)

I’m still not exactly sure what happened but there are now these things called classes I have to go to. Some of them even have assigned homework…

To expand on the academic part of my “study” abroad, I’ve decided to list the classes I’ll be in with a reason for taking it.

Class #1: Beginning Arabic- Yes you heard that right, I’m taking an arabic language class taught completely in Spanish at a Spanish university in a class of all native speakers. This one is going to be interesting.

Class #2: Social Media and the Arab World- I’m taking this class because it seems topical and I like learning about the Middle East. Also taught completely in Spanish.

Class #3: Spanish- I tested into the highest level of spanish, don’t ask me how, I’m still a little shaky on verb conjugations but I’m pretty good at tests so I think those two evened out. Taking this because it’s required.

Class #4: Islamic Art and Architecture- I took an art history class at Whitman and hated it. Absolutely hated it. Art history is interesting when it focuses on the history shown in the art rather than the art itself. Apparently the discipline disagrees with me and so we are at odds. This is going to finish off my fine arts credits for Whitman so I will suffer through. However, being able to walk outside and look at the buildings and art pieces in person should make this one more interesting and less powerpoint based.

Class #5: Lorca and the Andalusian Literary Tradition- I’m beyond hyped for this one. Part poetry, part creative writing, part theater, and all fun, this class has started with a bang and will only get better.

All in all my professors have been great and I’m actually excited to expand my knowledge by starting a third language and perfecting my second. I hope all is well in the states and that you all can enjoy these photos.

1st. a view of the beach we visited in a town called Nerja along the southern coast.

2nd is my friends Nicole, Nick, Adam and myself at a Flamenco performance.

3rd was taken at halftime in our weekly pickup soccer game with two friends from England, Mike and Scott.