Senior.

Yesterday was my very last first day of school. It's so weird to think about that. School has been my life since I began it at age 5. On Tuesday night, I worked until 9pm, headed home to pack up a few things, and headed off to my dorm.. with my mom, of course. I needed her help to carry my things to my dorm. After obsessively checking my school's website for syllabi and updated classroom information, I went to sleep in my new and surprisingly comfortable twin xl bed. Yesterday, I went to HIV/AIDS in the Global Community (after watching The Price Is Right, of course), The Theory and Practice of Drama (Spanish), and Theories of Culture and Human Nature. The professor for the first class listed mentioned that the class is mostly "squishy" with some not-so-squishy material too. Not sure how I feel about that. I like that it involves community service and guest speakers (which will probably make me cry), and it counts for my major... so, I'm staying in that one. After that class, I bolted for the health food market to check out what they have this semester. I was delighted to find many nutritious options that I will be buying throughout my final year, including kombucha tea, gluten-free bread, fresh veggies and fruit, kale chips, and more. I felt like a kid in a new candy store while browsing that market, and I can't wait to go back for another meal.
My one and only Spanish class this semester, which also happens to be the last course I need to complete my Spanish major, is taught my my adviser and former professor. I am excited for that class since I am in love with the Spanish language. After my study abroad experience last semester, it is extremely easy to understand everything my professor says now. All that [not so hard] work really did pay off. I also noticed that her accent is not very good, as I once thought. I pick up all the little twinges and peculiarities when she speaks, due to listening to native Spanish speakers for 6 months. I feel like my Spanish has improved so much, and I am so happy about that. I also know two people in that class. That is a first for me; I have never known anyone in any of my classes. One of them was in Palma with me last semester and is very good with the Spanish language [so much that after class, we walked through part of campus together speaking only Spanish], so I am grateful to have her to talk to in Spanish for practice.
After that class, I had Theories of Culture and Human Nature.. the title alone sounds incredibly interesting yet a bit daunting at the same time. My professor is German [strangely, I didn't notice his accent due to having so many international friends until he mentioned it, then I couldn't stop smiling while memories of Germany and my amazing European friends flooded my mind while he laughed a laugh I think I hear once at Bierkoenig] and very excited about the topic. He incorporates lots of international authors, which I think is important to do since most people only think about the country the reside in. I think I am going to really like that class.
After class, I emptied some boxes in my room and put things away in their new places before driving to Cool Springs to meet my mom for a cooking class. Dr. Josh Axe, who is basically my new hero due to his impressive knowledge about nutrition, his cookbook that changed my life, and his informative articles published on his website every day that change my habits daily, held a cooking class slash nutrition workshop at the Whole Foods Market [aka my favorite store in the world]. We walked in to the cooking room that had a giant "WE LOVE FOOD" on the wall above the kitchen, and there were tables with plates of food set at each chair. We weren't expecting food, so we were excited. We sat down while staring at a plate of sweet potato and turnip baked fries, a salad with pecans and goat cheese, and a "pasta" made of spiralized zucchini and red bell peppers topped with a raw marinara sauce made of veggies and herbs and spices. All of it was incredible! The very handsome doctor walked in and began talking about nutrition. He paused to say a blessing for our food [unexpected but made me like him more] and encouraged us to eat up. I ate all the food in a few short minutes due to its deliciousness. I knew a lot of what he said during the class, but I love hearing little tidbits that come out in his natural speech. We also had a chocolate mousse made with avocados and figs which was so delicious that I got a second helping of it. After it was over, lots of people lined up to meet him and ask questions. I waited for most of them to finish before approaching him with my own question. I explained that I had TB when I was younger and have residual damage and want to improve what lung capacity I have left. He immediately told me he can tell that my posture and spinal alignment affects my breathing, since I don't have perfect posture. He said that weighs down on one's lungs and can make breathing even harder for someone like me. He encouraged me to make an appointment with him to get x-rays done and a consultation to hopefully improve my breathing. I am going to try to see him next week. After the class, I got some fruit and coconut milk and talked to my mom a bit before heading back to Nashville. My head was racing with ideas and thoughts about nutrition and health. I love moments like those when you can't help but be inspired.

Today, my first class was black and white photography. I can already tell I'm going to love that class. My professor is eastern European and very worldly. The class is small, and I hope to make friends with some of the people in there. I can tell that living in Spain has made me much more outgoing than I was in the past, and I am so happy about that. After a review of the syllabus, we went to check out the lab and darkroom where we will be developing pictures. The light-blocking revolving door to go into the darkroom is pretty cool.. it reminds me of a door from an FPS video game. The equipment looks complicated, but I am confident that I will learn how to use it well. I cannot wait to begin taking photos for that class. We watched a short film about a Japanese photographer and discussed some of the concepts involved in his art. After that, I went back to my dorm to clean a little, organize my folders and notebooks, and plan lunch. I went to lunch with Cole and Russ [soooooo excited to see them again] and was delighted to find healthy options to eat. I had lemon ginger shrimp, saffron brown rice, and mixed steamed veggies.. yum. We had lots of great conversation, and I cannot wait to see them again. Cole and I went to the bookstore to grab a few things before parting ways.
I went to my last class of the day, Society & Medicine. It is taught by a very fashionable Chinese sociologist who seems like a really great lady. We reviewed the syllabus then paired off to meet people and introduce them to the class. After my introduction and my always laughed at future plan [work for Microsoft], she told me, "Apple is hiring a new CEO." I quickly responded, "I would never work for Apple. I hate that company." which I'm sure got a few eye-rolls and/or shocked faces in a room full of Macbook owners. That class ended a little earlier thankfully, so after a quick clothing change, I jetted off to my hostess job in Franklin.
I really think hosting is one of the things I do best. I have been working at this restaurant for less than 2 weeks and was already asked to train a new hostess tonight. I truly love hosting.. it's like a puzzle every night to make sure everything is fair and people are happy. Tonight, we had a steel drum player on the upper deck who just happened to be a Vandy professor. Of course, I went to introduce myself, and of course, he told me I should take his steel drum class. I'm actually thinking about doing it next spring.. if I have room. I want to take another MHS class this semester, otherwise, I will have 4 to take next semester. I am currently waitlisted for a class that I really hope to get into.. This will be my first semester of taking 18 hours if I do get into it. If not, I will just have a ton of MHS courses next spring.

My dorm is eerily empty and quiet. I have seen no more than 5 girls in the halls in the past 3 days and have only heard people twice. This dorm is strange but very conducive to studying.. or catching up on Big Brother episodes online.. like I'm going to do right now.

Until tomorrow, goodnight!