hey heyyyy...

*So on Monday our apartment threw a Hanukkah party (led by my wonderful roomate and token jew friend, Miriam)...she cooked latkes (potato pancakes) and we ate them with sourcream and apple sauce. I know its sounds disgusting...but it was delicious. She and her Jewish friends from around the city (they always find eachother) lit the Menorah and said the traditional prayers...it was really cool to be a part of it. I've learned so much about Judaism living with her. You know how there are different degrees of a religion? Well she is like, the strictest and most traditional kind. She only eats kosher foods...and she goes to synagogue every Friday night no matter where she is (Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona, etc.) She doesn't use any electricity during the Sabbath....so she cooks all of her food for the next 24 hours before sundown on Friday night...she doesn't take any form of transportation during the Sabbath--you can only walk...so she usually ends up walking an hour to synagogue and an hour back...she also doesn't spend any money during the Sabbath. She's like, so dedicated. It's really admirable. At home, she has a ton of Jewish friends...but here, she's often the only one and has to do all of it by herself....she's said she really misses her Jewish friends--because community and being with friends and family is such a huge part of the religion. Every single aspect of her life revolves around her faith...and it's been a really great experience living with her. I'm planning on going to visit her in New Jersey and she told me she'd show me "how the Jews do"...hahaha can't wait.

*Last night, Ashley, Miriam, Sarah and I went to see the play Beauty and the Beast! (La Bella y La Bestia). It was really good...exactly like the one in the States...(I guess thats what you'd expect, right?) But like...all of the songs were perfectly translated...and all the words fit the rhythm and everything. It was great fun and made me realize how much I miss going to the theatre.

*I got my haircut yesterday...I was scared to death because apparently, you run a high risk of getting a mullet when you get your hair cut in Spain..but I made it out alright. whew.