Today is the Autumn Equinox, and Nature is celebrating: It's windy and rainy here, the residue of the hurricane that is approaching the Caribbean. I'm getting a new roommate today, a 28-year-old man from Greece named Tasos. He has lived with Mamen before, so they're already good friends. He spent some time in England, so he probably speaks English, although I'm sure his Spanish is better. I'm looking forward to meeting him, although I do think it will be a little strange for me and Kevin to have a much older roommate. Maybe I should clarify: no one in this apartment will be sharing a bedroom. Don't worry, Mom.

I bought a long skirt yesterday, and get this: I actually wore it. I guess that makes me a Spaniard now. You can always spot the American women around here; they're usually the ones wearing jeans and T-shirts. I plead guilty to this. Just wait till I break out the gray hoodie. I might as well have gringa tattooed on my forehead. Casual = Foreigner

Tomorrow is my last day of orientation classes, and I can't wait for our break. Not that class is strenuous, but waking up at 7:30 gets harder every day. I get more sleep here than I do at home, yet I'm always tired. Doesn't make sense. During the summer I woke up at 6:30 for work, and in high school I woke up at 6:00 for first period, which began promptly at 7:25 (and may God have mercy on your soul if you walk in at 7:26). I'm used to waking up early in the morning, so why is it suddenly so hard? Maybe it's because existing in a foreign country takes more out of you than you realize. Take something as simple as ordering a cup of coffee, then complicate it slightly by asking for aspartame instead of sugar. Now do it in a foreign language, in an American accent, and you'll see what I mean.

Alright, the Internet cafe is getting kinda crowded. I guess that's my cue to leave.