giving my 3 cents....

I think that it is funny that in Spain, in the discount supermarkets (ahem, cough cough, where I have to shop because I'm poor...), you have to pay for your plastic bags. It's only 3 cents a bag, but I think it's funny still. We're so used to getting like 2848 bags from the grocery store or Target or something in the States...people there could care less about giving away a bag. But not here! A lot of people bring their own plastic bags from home that they've saved. I try to remember, but usually forget. oh well :) I'll give my 3 Euro cents...which is equal to 4 cents of a dollar. (yes, I'm still bitter about the exchange rate...)

Starbucks is taking over the world

As we all know, Starbucks are popping up everywhere in the states...I know that in my town, Strongsville--a suburb of Cleveland--there are at least 3, maybe 4...or maybe more since I left for Spain. But, did you know that they're getting big in Europe too? You'll be able to find several in any of the big cities, and now, in the town where I'm studying, Alcala de Henares, outside of Madrid, they've put one on in the main square, Plaza de Cervantes. 

I think that this beautiful plaza with bordering benches, trees, rose gardens, and of course its statue of Cervantes should remain something special and historical, but instead, there is a McDonalds, a Doner Kebap (like gyros), and now, a Starbucks. How very cultural...so very cultural indeed. 

Maybe I'm particularly bitter because I worked in a coffee shop and realized that Starbucks isn't all that great. Nevertheless, I will probably find myself there one afternoon reading a book and paying way too much for a mediocre coffee drink. The sad sad truth. 

Oh Christmas tree...

long time,  no blog. 

Finals week, you know how it is.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I came into the family room this morning and my host dad was putting up the Christmas tree! Really, it's nothing special, but in a way it is. 

It's small. old. fake. and a bit tacky with bright blue lights and some odd ornaments. Nevertheless it put me in the holiday spirit, since studying and paper writing have done a good job at taking me OUT of the spirit. I'll put a picture up as soon as I can :)