It really is all relative...

Just a quick update since I didn't post yesterday...

My "Law and Cinema" class looks like it is going to be pretty interesting, but unfortunately the movie we had to watch yesterday wasn't all that great (well, the movie was okay, it's just that I'm not into really old German films that are poorly dubbed over in Spanish) and I wasn't feeling well so I had to strain to keep my eyes open.

After the movie we took a quote, "short break" by which they meant a 45 minute break, and returned to have a discussion... where got into a bit of a debate with the professor in front of 200 or so other students on the definition of "Legitimacy." Thank you Dr. Nelson! I couldn't help but think back to those hilarious exams where he would give us just one word and expect a "brief paragraph" which enevitably turned into a mini-novel about that word and how it related to the class and readings... I am almost positive I did one of those on "legitimacy."

I am continuously learning these terms in Spanish, and sometimes I just take a wild stab at it and hope that my Spanishified English term works, and most of the time it does. You know, "legitimacy" just isn't one of those words they went over in high school Spanish.

I am also very quickly learning the value of relativity and perspective... They say it gets really cold and rainy here during February and March, but I suppose I am just used to Blacksburg, because honestly, I haven't noticed the cold and rainy here yet. Sure there have been a few drizzles, most of which didn't even warrant me opening an umbrella, and a few slight fresh breezes at night, but certainly not anything like I was expecting to encounter. One guide I had read said to be sure to pack waterproof gear and thermal underwear if traveling during this time... I've only had to bust out the hoodie once or twice, and even then it wasn't really all that necessary. Maybe I'm just more cold blooded, maybe it is global warming, who knows... but I'm still wondering when the cold weather is coming.

Another lesson in perspective: school work. In my Networked Services class, my professor told me that I could do a project comparing the system in the U.S vs. Spain on whatever topic (I am going with Internet privacy and legislature)... So about 2 weeks ago, I asked about how long of a paper she was expecting, and she said "Oh... like 2-3 pages." Okay, no sweat, so I ask, "when is this due?" thinking you know, that it would be due at the end of the week or some time soon. "In May," she responds. Just to clarify, I asked, "so this is a sort of a final project type of assignment?" "Yes, you will turn it in in May at the end of the course."

So okay, I thought perhaps I had just misheard her, since I was still getting used to the accent and all... maybe she said 12-13. No matter, I figured I would just ask again later when it got closer to "game time." However in class a day or two ago, a group of 4 people working on a project together asked how long the paper needed to be, and she responded "Oh... like 4-6 pages, maybe less if you feel like you have covered the material well enough." I don't think I misheard her when she said 2-3 pages afterall. Even so, the Spaniards were groaning about the excessive amount of work. Sheesh.

Well I need some breakfast and some coffee to clear my head... still fighting this cold of sorts. My "German brother" is coming into town today (a former study abroad student that used to live here apparently and is dropping in for a visit) so that should be interesting. I am looking into traveling to Madrid during the Semana Santa vacations because I'd really like to see some of the art galleries while I am here like the Prado and such.

Farewell!