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Apr. 14th, 2004 10:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
marathoner452Spanish dance is over (sniff sniff). I'm really going to miss that class. I've come so far since the first day went I was convinced that this was impossible and that I'd never learn the sevillanas. Today was the performance final and I got to perform with Rachel, the other NSE student in the class. Much of what I've learned in this class mirrors what I've learned in Miami-that it's possible to participate in other cultures without looking foolish and out of place, that I can handle challenges I never imagined, that life is a celebration and should be lived as such, that AC is necessary in Miami. :-) Seriously though, I'm going to miss a lot of people in that class-Evelyn, Annette, Rachel, Anamari.
Just being out of my room all day yesterday reminded me of how many friends I have on this campus. In the course of a coupla hours, I saw Ana from the running clinic and the Carnaval race, a girl who sits behind me in Nutrition class (twice), Christina from chem class. I'm not just trying to throw around names to make people think I'm popular or something; I'm just remembering what I told Yen at the end of last semester before she went back to Hong Kong-something like if this many people are going to miss you when you leave, then you've been successful. I believe I've had a successful semester in Miami, despite some problems that have come up-namely roommate and suitemate issues and the Key West census project for history class.
I've been to South Beach four times and set PRs at three different race distances. I've been to Little Havana on a Sunday morning and a Friday night and I've seen the sun rise over Key Biscayne twice. I held an alligator, hiked over Calusa Indian mounds and went on an airboat ride. I probably know more about Miami's history than most people who live here. I've learned to love rice and beans and despite living in one of the most dangerous cities in the US, I've only felt even mindly at risk twice (by the downtown bus station at night and running under the metrorail). (It's all about common sense.) I've eaten at a Peruvian restaurant where leaving your purse on the floor is bad luck, and seen a live flamenco show where I learned that spoken language is immaterial if you understand the universal language of dance. I've made bunches of friends through InterVarsity, my classes and the weight training and running clinics. I now have unofficial homes in Turkey, Norway, and, of course, Miami.
But I STILL don't know Spanish! Street Spanish is worlds away from anything you learn in a classroom, by the way. I've had 4 semesters of Spanish and I still couldn't carry on a conversation with a native speaker.
Miami is a beautiful place. It's about SO much more than clubs and sunshine and palm trees.
And I only have a week left! :-(
Key West for 2 nights and 3 days for $40 plus food is pretty cool too. Hee hee.
~Bethany
PS-Leave me a comment so I know that someone actually read this. And if you know of anyone whose livejournal I should be reading, let me know.
Just being out of my room all day yesterday reminded me of how many friends I have on this campus. In the course of a coupla hours, I saw Ana from the running clinic and the Carnaval race, a girl who sits behind me in Nutrition class (twice), Christina from chem class. I'm not just trying to throw around names to make people think I'm popular or something; I'm just remembering what I told Yen at the end of last semester before she went back to Hong Kong-something like if this many people are going to miss you when you leave, then you've been successful. I believe I've had a successful semester in Miami, despite some problems that have come up-namely roommate and suitemate issues and the Key West census project for history class.
I've been to South Beach four times and set PRs at three different race distances. I've been to Little Havana on a Sunday morning and a Friday night and I've seen the sun rise over Key Biscayne twice. I held an alligator, hiked over Calusa Indian mounds and went on an airboat ride. I probably know more about Miami's history than most people who live here. I've learned to love rice and beans and despite living in one of the most dangerous cities in the US, I've only felt even mindly at risk twice (by the downtown bus station at night and running under the metrorail). (It's all about common sense.) I've eaten at a Peruvian restaurant where leaving your purse on the floor is bad luck, and seen a live flamenco show where I learned that spoken language is immaterial if you understand the universal language of dance. I've made bunches of friends through InterVarsity, my classes and the weight training and running clinics. I now have unofficial homes in Turkey, Norway, and, of course, Miami.
But I STILL don't know Spanish! Street Spanish is worlds away from anything you learn in a classroom, by the way. I've had 4 semesters of Spanish and I still couldn't carry on a conversation with a native speaker.
Miami is a beautiful place. It's about SO much more than clubs and sunshine and palm trees.
And I only have a week left! :-(
Key West for 2 nights and 3 days for $40 plus food is pretty cool too. Hee hee.
~Bethany
PS-Leave me a comment so I know that someone actually read this. And if you know of anyone whose livejournal I should be reading, let me know.
