No8Do.

Recent highlights:
-Classes started Monday. With the reality of homework, life is slightly back to (more) normal.
-Doing said homework isn't so bad when you can do it in the sun in a plaza next to a Gothic cathedral to the tune of a Spanish guitar, birds, and a fountain.
-Last Monday (our first day in Spain), the cleaning unions went on strike. That means that today marks 9 days that no trash has been picked up. I'll post pictures tomorrow if I remember, but there are quite literally just mounds of trash everywhere. All the Sevillanos are highly embarrassed and keep apologizing profusely since they take great pride in their cleanliness. Allegedly, last time this happened, it lasted for 24 days. Here's to hoping Spanish politics still have some efficiency left in them. I'll keep you updated.
-For all my Wheaton friends, my art teacher looks like Leah Samuelson. 
-For all my book friends, the showers here have hardly any hot water. Bring it.
-The end of January and beginning of February is know as the "tiempo de las rebajas", or time of the sales. Basically, most everything in the entire country is 50-70% off. ...Ok, not literally. But, almost. Let the expansion of the wardrobe commence. And, let me know if anyone has any requests of clothing from Spain. Seriously. 
-Every Tuesday night there's a Spanish series that's basically Downton Abbey, but set in a hotel, and in Spanish. My family here loves it, so we now have girls night on the couch every Tuesday. It's not too terrible of a substitute, and not a bad way to practice Spanish.
-My friends and I have made our list of destinations and dates, and the hopeful plan is such: 
     Barcelona and Valencia, Prague/Berlin/Vienna, Paris/Versailles, TUNISIA, Copenhagen, and Greece.
     These places are on my map. and calendar. and will soon become reality.
     Chaospanicfreakoutsaywhat?
-I'm hoping I found something like a Campus Crusade ministry recommended to me by the precious missionary family I met through some Wheaton connections. *crossed fingers* 
-Mama Esperanza tried Snickerdoodles the other day and fell in love. Our desserts are a bit sweeter and less dry than theirs, so they say the quickest way to a Spaniard's heart is giving them cookies. So, I think I'll see how they like chocolate chip cookies next. 
-If you have just two quick minutes, Google "No8Do", and look up the quick history of the motto of Sevilla. The symbol I attached is everywhere: on buildings, street signs, pipes, etc. The literal meaning is "It (Sevilla) has not abandoned me", but they now use it to say "Sevilla will never leave me." And honestly, for me, this is becoming more and more true with each passing day.
-That's all for now. xoxo.

Also, for those who have asked, for all packages and letters:

International Studies Abroad (ISA) Sevilla 

Elizabeth Brown
C/ San Isidoro, 30
41004 Sevilla, Spain