Do things ever go as planned?

I should probably write this post in Spanish (Victoria), but I kind of felt I should just get a post written.....it seems so easy to neglect. Writing in Spanish is still a struggle but is feeling much easier, as is listening which is much more important. I’ll get to the points I want to make about life going as planned but as you can guess by using a little bit of common sense. Life is life and there are so many variables. I had gotten officially registered and started to feel a flow in my course work and class schedule when I’m discovering than I may need to make some changes and it is like trying to solve a Rubix cube making things fit and work. My favorite class thus far is perhaps the most difficult, "psychology of visual perception" fascinating subject. The lectures are the easiest for me to understand, although the complexity of the subject is understandably intense the professor speaks clearly and with an organized teaching method. as opposed to some of my other classes these professors speak with a regional dialect and infuse jokes or other nonsensical bullshit in their meandering lesson plan. Overall I’m happy , yet struggling to comprehend. I must review my notes with a dictionary and it is very slow going. The upside is that I don’t think a person could get this kind of intense language immersion any other way!! And, I can feel my brain aching from the intense concentration required to try and keep up. So, understand that although I am blunt about the short falls or problems of my education here it is in no way unique to Granada. Today I ran a long hard run, I have entered in the Granada Marathon...actually it’s a Half marathon. The event takes place on the 10th of November. I ran about 10 miles up into the foothills above the Alhambra and came down these trails on the side of a mountain that faced the Alhambra, (you must imagine the Alhambra is an icon of the city imposing physically and spiritually above the city.) suddenly I’m running by these make shift homes dug into the side of the hills!! some nice and some squatter style....it is such an odd feeling looking at the majestic presence of the Alhambra and passing squatter Ville. I have yet to tire of touring around this city, walking running with graffiti, trash and dog shit on the sidewalks it is still a functioning enigma that constantly feels like a visual feast with something slightly new to offer around each corner or down each little street! There are these strikes they call them, "manifestations" organized student protests that I have yet to witness, you can hear them....kids talk about them in class in an organized way, discussing if they will attend, how much class we can miss etc.,. It is sooo interesting to see the interaction here between the students, people and teachers, much different than in the US, it’s like a passionate interactive dialogue taking place (in class)and many join in....very cool!! there will be more of these organized demonstrations and I hope to get some good video and pictures. Last thing I must say today is thanks to all of you who have supported me in this crazy adventure, your kind words of support, interest and Love mean a lot to me....Thank You Very much, you know who you are!! XOXO