Holaaaaaa!
Wednesday saw the start of my second exam season of this academic year, and my first in Spain. Normally, there’s a process of structured revision which is then followed by panic, cramming, getting into the exam, opening the question paper and any nerves quickly disappear as I concerntrate on the task in hand, frantically writing for 2 or 3 hours and then the big sigh of relief at the end when it’s all over, hopefully having put in a good effort. My experience here, on the other hand, was just quite bizarre.
Wednesday saw the start of my second exam season of this academic year, and my first in Spain. Normally, there’s a process of structured revision which is then followed by panic, cramming, getting into the exam, opening the question paper and any nerves quickly disappear as I concerntrate on the task in hand, frantically writing for 2 or 3 hours and then the big sigh of relief at the end when it’s all over, hopefully having put in a good effort. My experience here, on the other hand, was just quite bizarre.
Our Trabajo Final - I think it was good and I hope we get a good mark!
The exam was norms & correct uses
of Spanish, a multiple choice exam on computers. As we sat waiting to begin, I
almost felt as if I were on a TV show as our lecturer talked us through what we
had to do, how long we had to complete it etc. In fact, it was a 20 minute long
exam with 40 questions. I finished in 11 minutes. That was it; the exam was
over, as was the module. As easy as that. It felt really weird and we were
almost expecting her to say, “Oh, I’ve forgotten that you also have to do
something else...”, but it never came. What’s more, the computers were linked
to the internet and anybody could of cheated (I chose not to, I’d only be
cheating myself, plus I’d revised for the exam. It was just crazy how relaxed
everything was but I guess it just resembles the Spanish attitude to life in
general, from my point of view anyway! I think the only positive comment I
could make regarding the whole charade was that because it was on a computer,
we received our results the next day – A pass! That’s one less thing to worry
about at least.
That afternoon Heather, Rachael and I decided to enjoy some sun. I’d been complaining that I still hadn’t had an ice-cream in the several months that we’d been here and I thought completing an exam would be the perfect excuse to get one! We sat on steps outside the Cathedral in Plaza de la Virgen basking in the sun and once we’d eaten them, we sat on the fountain (or laid down, in my case.) It was such a relaxing afternoon and it was much needed and well deserved as we’d all put in some good effort for the exam. Heather was feeling hungry and so we then went for some Pinxtos which were deeelicious!
That afternoon Heather, Rachael and I decided to enjoy some sun. I’d been complaining that I still hadn’t had an ice-cream in the several months that we’d been here and I thought completing an exam would be the perfect excuse to get one! We sat on steps outside the Cathedral in Plaza de la Virgen basking in the sun and once we’d eaten them, we sat on the fountain (or laid down, in my case.) It was such a relaxing afternoon and it was much needed and well deserved as we’d all put in some good effort for the exam. Heather was feeling hungry and so we then went for some Pinxtos which were deeelicious!
Ice Cream :)
Sunning
Nike Advert?
Anya :)
Heather
Pose - with Hannah & Alex
CARDIFF - Me, Han, Sam, Heather, Alex & Anya
Thursday saw revision continue but
Rachael, Heather, Anya and I also spent a few hours at Turia having a picnic
and enjoying some more Sun – After 3 hours I’d had enough though, I described
my feelings similar to that of a worm you’ll often find at home, crisped to
death on the ground due to the sun, and so I retreated home to do some notes
for my next exam- Translation.
Picniking with Anya
This carried over through to Friday – Therefore it was a pretty boring day. HOWEVER, that evening Rach, Heather, Anya, Pari, Becks & I visited an Indian restaurant for dinner. What with their ‘Indian blood’, Anya and Pari were both craving traditional and real Indian food and from their responses, I think we found it! I hadn’t eaten Indian food in sooooo long and so it made a change from Tapas, Pasta or Couscous which seem to be the main staples in my diet. Aside from the food, the company and chat was great and it was good to get out for a few hours, escaping the table in my flat and my pile of work and coloured pens which always occupy it.
My New Elephant Friend
Anya AGAIN! :)
This weekend has been very much of the same – revision. Pari, Anya and I spent a few hours at the beach yesterday, adding to the tan but apart from this, it’s been an uneventful weekend. My next exam is translation on Thursday. This one is 3 hours long, so will feel a bit more like the kind of exam I’m used to. Otherwise, Charles arrived this weekend for a 2 week visit and so there’ll no doubt be plenty to do and some fun times with him around and Becks is celebrating her birthday with a party on Friday night which will be a great de-stress after the exam. I just can’t wait to get them all over and then I’ll have 17 days to have fun, to do things and end my Year Abroad experience on a high!
25 days until home – Where have the last 10 months gone?! The closer it gets, the more I’m looking forward to it though J
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