Midterms

So yet again, I find myself having neglected my blog for the past couple of days. Actually probrably over a week or so. This semester is definitely picking up and I feel my fall semester of senior year zooming right over my head. Currently in the midst of taking my midterms, which translates into late nights at the library. This past Monday I was in the library until 3am studying for my international relations midterm. The midterm went well, so at least I feel like it did. The exam was straight foward and no trick questions, such as my Comparative political systems exam had. I've taken 3 out of 4 midterms. My final midterms is the last week of this month. I'll start studying for it soon since for that course we've read over 30 short stories already. Also, need to talk to my professor to figure out what the layout will be so I can prepare my notes in an exam format. That's usually how I study for my literature exams. After spending a year in Spain, I've learned how to structure my notes for exams so much better, especially for literature courses. I think because of this I've retained so much more and done better on exams.

Here I am in Tombs, once again its Wednesday, I love this day of the week. Not only does it mean that the week is half way over, but that I get my Tombs! The best part of Tombs is that it has Georgetown Cupcakes!! Yes, the best cupcakes east of the Mississippi River!!! SOOoooo yummy! Oh if I could, I'd have one every day, too bad they're like 3 dollars a cupcake.

OKay, I'm off to study and prepare a presentation. More will come soon, I promise!

Asignaturas

After much thought on my fall classes I've come to realize a few things.

1. My portuguese professor is scatterbrained and doesn't know how to organize the class. Organization is such an important aspect of a language course. I really don't even care if she is a native speaker, not much help when half of the time I'm lost.

2. Latin American Short Story is actually pretty interesting and the graduate student teaching it ACTUALLY knows what she's doing. Pretty laid back, just read about 6 short stories a week and discuss. No final, just a final paper 5pages long. 

3. Survery Literature II: Century 19th & 20th, now this course is rather dull and mind numbing. Just like a course I took back in Salamanca this past school year. She doesn't tell me anything new and neither do the critics that we read in that class. Upside: I've read 90% of the assigned readings, downside: stuck in a class with people who can barely speak Spanish, much less comprehend it. 

{Oh yeah, so far these three are requirements for me to graduate and receive my degree.}

4. International Relations (IR) the professor is a hottie and makes class very pleasant and makes you want to be there. Might have something to do with the fact that he's a hottie. : ) Material is interesting, I'm really enjoying IR.

5. Comparative Political Systems (CPS) Professor King is a good professor, can be a cynic at times, but nonetheless he knows his material really well. Class is about 200 students in a huge lecture hall, mind you that is one of two big lecture halls on campus. Discussion section is okay, just kinda crowded. My TA is from Peru which is really cool to have an outsiders perspective on US & world politics.

6. Introduction to Spanish Linguistics is RATHER BORING! Now this class I'm forced to sit through 3.5 hours a week of linguistics. I've already taken almost 2 years of linguistics, phonetics and phonology. MOst of the courses I've taken have been in Spain, where they are hardcore about these subjects. So because our graduate student requires us to attend class I sit utterly bored in class. Also he's horrible at teaching the content, I think I could do a better job, not to mention that half the time he doesn't even know if he has it right or not. I mean come on now, if you teach the class please come prepared to lecture properly.

Yeah, I know a blog full of whiny/complaining remarks, but I just feel for being my senior year I feel rather bored with the majority of my courses, except of course my government ones. I definitely will be spending lots of long nights in the library this semester, big bummer! Lots of reading, not enough time to delve into everything as I would like to. Well I gotta run, have class in 10. Yay for a boring literature course! :P

Third Week

Today is a lovely day. It really is gorgeous. For once its not humid nor too hot, rather its warm, sunny and cool. Here I am sitting in Dalhgren Quad over by the Chapel and it's a soothing effect produce on the soul. Finally, I've gotten around to writing my first blog about my senior year. Its been chaotic these past two first weeks of school. So I'll try to post a blog every week or every 2-3 days. Senior year started off a bit rocky, because I didn't have all of my luggage with me and we had bad news to everyone on campus. A fello Hoya, Terrance Davis, was missing in South African waters for about a week. The authorities presumed him dead, but it wasn't confirmed until about 2 days ago. Its very heart renchign because I knew him, although I wasn't close to him, his presence on campus will be greatly missed. He was always a happy, positive and flamboyant boy. I'm truly blessed to have survived a year abroad with no serious mishaps to me. I still cant believe that he passed away and that our campus will be with one less Hoya. I ask for you and others to keep him and his family in your prayers. I would like the same done for myself if I was in his situation. I guess the only thing now is that he is resting in peace and probably continuing his happy ways up in Heaven.

Senior year is going by fast and hectic. This fall I'm taking six courses about 18 units which is a lot but I keep telling myself that it isn't so bad because most of my courses are lower division. This is what happens when you spend a year abroad and still have requirements to fulfill. My literature courses are easy, slightly boring but nonetheless I love them. I'm really happy that I went to USAL to study literature, I mean you cant beat a place like that in the first place. Yesterday was the study abroad fair and I went and helped for a bit, it was amazing talking about my experience to otehrs who wish to do the same. I personally believe that studying abroad is a living changing event and very good for your soul. I think I'd be the same if I hadn't gone aborad. I learned life skills that I would've never picked up in the States. I really do miss Spain and my Spanish life. Especially mis cafes con leches. The coffee culture there is so much better than here. Its also hard just being thrown into a stressful school environment again, especially after having a year of reading and learning at my own pace. I would love to go back to USAL to get my MA in literature but I think I'm ready to find the place to truly call my home and stay there for a while. I also want to be the kid who gets to move in and have her parents help her. I mean don't get me wrong DC is amazing and I love it, but I would love to have some help too. Well I'll talk about my study abroad experience in another blog .For now I'll stick to the start of senior year.

Last week on Friday was the start of Senior week, or more commonly known on campus as "Senior Dis-Orientation". I went to the keg party thrown by the school with Ashley and Cynthia. This was my first college keg party and it was okay. Not much but stand around and drink awful beer. I knew for what we pay to attend Georgetown youd think that we could at least get some decent beeer. Oh well, can' t complain about free alcohol though. I did have lots of fun with my friends, need to mention that the torrential downpour made it even better! : ) At the end of the night, even though we were wet, sweaty and hot it was worth it. Nothing is best like finishing off the night with a great slice of pizza from Phillys!