[I don't know no town like the old town...that keeps me turning home]

So I've officially been in Spain for 1/2 of my trip, and I can't believe its flying by so fast! However, there are some things I'm really starting to miss, or just things that make me think of home, plus some frustrations. I knew this was coming, but I'm just starting to miss the States in general! I've been out of the country since May 27, longer than I've ever been on vacation or been anywhere, so its all new, but at the same time old, because I want to get home...but I don't want to leave! I've fallen in love with this country, the people (although they're more brash than I thought they would be) and the culture. I really have grown from this experience, and know that I won't want to leave when the time was right, but there are a few things that I've started wanting more than anything...


1) PEANUT BUTTER: ok, I swear Spain just hates peanut butter. Every super market I go to I ask for peanut butter. They all look at me like "clearly she's not from around here" and say in curt voices: we don't have THAT around here" (in Spanish, obviously) Here's the kicker - everyone knows what peanut butter is! They just must hate it that much, but I am CRAVING a PB&J right now. Nutella won't even do it! Its a good substitute, but still...


2) A tall, ice cold glass of milk: so we have milk here, but its NOTHING like the fresh milk from the dairies back here. First clue: the expiration date is in AUGUST! what!?? I guess they just super pasteurize the milk, and they don't need to refrigerate it. Great. At school, I go through a gallon a week! One of my favorite drinks is milk, so thats another thing I'm craving...guess I can serve it with the PB&J...


3) Working internet. I guess this is more of an indulgence than anything, but sometimes the internet is really slow and crappy here. Every once in a while I just want to read CNN, or go on Facebook to catch up with my friends! Its better at night, so I guess I'm not super deprived...


4) 4th of July. Yeah, it was not a big deal here in Spain, obviously. It was a hard day! Everyone here was really nostalgic, we were all craving hot dogs and burgers, watermelon, just good ole' Independence Day Barbecue type food, and fireworks! None to be had...its better now, but not having 4th of July really doesn't make it seem like summer. Usually I'd be at the Mississippi River or at a baseball game, but I was on a bus all day. Fun, but kilometers of olive groves was not exactly how I pictured it.


Other than that, I think I'm surviving pretty well. We don't have AC and the temperature is supposed to be over 100F the next 10 days, but I'll survive, I have a fan :) My classes are going really well, and I'm enjoying Toledo, but there are a few things I can't wait to get back to, and of course my family as well :) 


Well, I best be off. I have two papers that need to be written, and they need to be done tomorrow before 8:30 so I can watch Spain demolish Germany in the World Cup semi-finals! I'll be repping la furia roja (the furious red) with my David Villa jersey - watch out Germany!


Todos con la roja ;) (all with the red)


¡Hasta!