Classes

Wow. I had my first day of classes today at The Athens Centre. Today I had Monuments of Greece and Modern Greek. The Monuments of Greece class looks like it is going to kick my butt. The excursions will be a great time and such learning experiences, but the reading is extensive and the papers look ridiculous. We're going to the Akropolis Wednesday though, so that should be amazing. Three girls and I went for a walk last night to an old theater right by the Parthenon. We saw it lit up at night; absolutely gorgeous. We made it back around midnight, and I talked to Conrad for about two hours. Oh, how I miss him!!! Anyway, the Modern Greek class is at the beginning level, but I'm already challenged. The Greek alphabet is only 24 letters, but it feels like so much more with all the different pronunciations of them. The teacher is hilarious and definitely makes you want to learn. She challenges you; I like it. A lot of homework between those two classes, and I still have 3 classes tomorrow. I'm so excited for the theatre classes, though. I get to read old plays and study the writers. How cool is that?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I feel so bad for this one guy in the class from Alaska. To make a long story super short, he lives on he most part of Alaska I've ever heard (on a lake) and has been homeschooled his entire life. He says he mainly keeps to himself while at college back home. Some girls were joking around the other night at dinner and the one says, "I'm just shaking what my momma gave me!" Poor guy goes "well, your momma gave you a lot!" thinking it was a compliment. When they looked at him weird, he turned all red and was like "what?? did i say something wrong??" It was sad and cute at the same time. Anyway, he's scared to death of these classes you can tell. He's dyslexic and asks so many questions. A lot of people were getting kinda upset because they all say he should just get tutoring. Well if he needs tutoring, I need tutoring. It takes me forever to learn things, especially a language. I am so excited to learn more about my language, though. Different topic: the night life. So many of the people here like to go clubbing and the bar scene and the whole nightlife thing. One guy talks nonstop about drugs and drinking and actually brought ouzo (a really strong licorice tasting liquor, but I have never had it) into our apartment. I stood up, glared at him, and walked out. He's so rude and judges everyone. He also does drugs, and I know a few of the girls are scared he's going to drug them. He's just creepy. Anyway, I haven't gone to a club or bar or pool hall because I don't feel comfortable there. It's just not my scene. Plus, it's expensive, and I really have to watch my money. However, I don't just want to sit in my apartment at night sheltered off from everyone. But good news! A church near my school is offering free Greek dance lessons every day in September! I totally think I'm going to do it with my friend Whitney. Also, certain groups in Athens take (free!) hiking trips on Saturdays. I think I might start looking into that stuff instead of stressing because everyone else is going out and I'm staying in. More some other time; I have something HUGE to write on the Songs of Deborah blog!