Assimilation is what its called. I'm beginning to think a little bit more like a Spaniard. I've found that for the most part, the values are different here. Sports, friends, tidiness, food and school are important. Whenever I asked what people did after school, they would tell me "we study." I figured this to mean that they go out with friends, go for a walk, play sports, go on the computer, and hang out with their families. After a month of school I finally have figured out what they mean: they mean that they study-- real, legitimate studying. I was surprised too.

I went to another family lunch this weekend and played with lighters with my four year old "cousin", which was probably a very bad idea, but it was fun, because there were about 20 different types and brands. Also we looked at photographs of weddings and trips and its interesting to think that while I was living my life, somewhere far away, this family was living their life, only I had no idea. So Saturday is family day.

And friday is hanging out with friends day. There are three options:

1. You go to the "forest" (Its okay, I don't understand this either)

2. You go into Madrid and shop at the "English Court".

3. You walk around Tres Cantos in a small group and go in and out of supermarkets and buy pringles and sunflower seeds.

I usually opt for option three, but they are all pretty fun.

And on Sundays you study and watch soccer and car-racing: Formula 1, on TV, then you eat a big lunch and sleep and rest for the long week ahead. And for me it now includes going to church, because I found a tiny, little community church that has an American pastor as well as "crazy-cake" and cookies after the service (Grandpa, you can breathe now)

And that is the typical weekend in Spain. I've experienced six weekends, and I'm beginning to catch the flow: school --> friends --> family --> rest.

It makes sense, right?