Deep Thoughts with Holly Potter

So, just a few last notes on my weekend for you. It seemed like a very long and eventful one. I think the best part of this experience is with everyone you talk to you learn something really profound about them and where they come from, but also about yourself and where you come from. I feel fortunate for this new perspective and having the opportunity to experience living in another country. It's not easy and some moments I find myself wanting to give up when I get frustrated with learning the language and not being able to communicate my feelings or its simply missing home and things that I know so well. However, those moments pass and I'm glad they do. I can already see that this is going to be a life changing experience.

Now for my updates on things I've learned or seen:
1. History. Now, maybe this is just me, but I think that alot of us don't really have as good a grasp on history and events that took place way beyond our years which have affected the life we live now. Every time I am able to get into a conversation with someone here they know so much about the history of their country, how their political system works, presidents that were in office 50 years ago, monuments that exist and the history behind them. I sometimes feel ashamed because if they were to come to U.S. I would not be able to share with them the same things. I couldn't give them a tour around Washington D.C. and the rest of our country and know what this or that monument means and why it is even a monument. I guess its time I start reading up.
2. American Music. As I said before, they love it here and everywhere! I never have to really worry about missing it because they play it in bars, they have American radio stations here and they sing it on the streets. The ironic part is most of the country of Spain does not know English so they know how to sing these songs, but they don't know what it means. For instance, they asked me what Katy Perry's song "I Kissed a Girl" was about. It was a funny conversation to say the least....

3. 3/11/2001. I had a long car ride back home from Sevilla with my co-worker, Ansel. He asked me if March 11th 2001 meant anything to me. I said "no". He said that it was Spain's "9/11". Again, an instance where I felt ashamed. He knew all about our Sept 11th terrorist attack yet I had no idea Spain was even affected by the Taliban Terrorists also. The terrorists attacked Spain as well because of the relationship they had with the U.S. They bombed a train as well as a large apartment building in Madrid killing over 200 hundred people and injuring much more. Yes, that is not as many people as in the US attack but keep in mind we are 4 times greater in size. Now, maybe everyone reading does know this already and if you do it's very commendable. I just realized that it's also time I take an interest in world events.

4. Paddle. So, I guess I have alot of hobbies and interests I am taking up. Not sure if I will have time for this one, but I hope to find it. Paddle is a popular sport here in Spain that is very similar to tennis. It is played on a smaller court, with smaller and heavier racquet's and played outdoors. It's a very fast paced game, kind of like racquetball but not really. The game came from Argentina and most of the coaches here are from Argentina. If you see or hear of teams that are successful with the sport it will be Argentina, Brazil or Spain. This sport has not yet even spread its popularity throughout Europe but it slowly making its way up North.

So, that's it for this week! More to come later as usual. Things I would like updates back from you are: The Election, Packers vs Titans (big game huh?), Celeb gossip, Funny Halloween stories and GMR updates! Muchos Gracias!

Adios!