Well the city of Madrid is currently quite excited, because they won their game against Portugal last night 1-0!  The plan was to go watch the game at a pub, which is usually a little more interesting, but the metro was completely closed yesterday due to the workers going on strike :(  Yes, that's right, about 2.5 millionish people who depend on the metro daily to get from Point A to Point B had to attempt to get around by bus, taxi, or foot....most of them did end up having to go around by foot simply because the buses were crammed full and the lines to get on the bus were ridiculous, and the taxi rates were ridiculously expensive since they were so in demand, and not to mention the fact that there was so much traffic that you could actually beat the cars by walking.  The strike is still going on today, and the metro is still completely closed, so hopefully it gets solved soon here. 

We ended up watching the game at the apartment which worked out well since everyone's been pretty tired this week so far anyways...one of the roommmates is getting ready to move to a new apartment, another is on bed rest with some back problems, and the rest of the group was exhausted from having spent hours trying to get back in the sweldering heat rather than being able to take the underground route back!

Since I got back from ibiza, I'm noticing that summer is really going full force now!  It is extremely warm during the day, and not much better at night...thank goodness there's no humidity or it wouldn't be as bearable as it is.  Yesterday I went grocery shopping at El Corte Ingles, where they had the A/C cranked wayyyy up....I have never felt so excited about going food shopping...haha.

Also, the roommates are changing up a lot now!  María is moving to a different apartment thats a little quieter/cheaper, and the two French girls next to me returned to their hometowns yesterday...it was really sad to say goodbye to them, but on the bright side I've got some friends in France now and was also able to learn some random French here and there :)  I'm sure we'll be keeping in touch.

Today, work was a little different...I didn't have to go in today, instead I took a bunch of flyers and ran around different locations in Madrid like hostels and schools so that students could have access to them....it was realllyyyy warm and sometimes I was "slightly" lost, but it was cool to see some new sights, and Madrid people actually know how to give directions very well!  Its a good thing I didn't have to go into work, because I most definitely slept through my alarm clock today...OOPS.  When it went off at 9:30 this morning, I was trying so hard to tune out the noise of the obnoxious construction going on across the street, that I must've tuned out the sound of my alarm (actually two alarms!) as well....I ended up waking up at 10:30 to the sound of a loud car horn....haha.  Apparently Madrid has got my back...lol.  The funny thing is even if I did have to work at 10:30 and didn't end up showing up until 11:30 I don't think anyone would even say a thing just because these people are sooooo laid back with there time.  Its made me realize one thing that I do like about this city...the place gets busy, and there's a lot of people, but no one ever seems super rushed or stressed.  Somehow they still manage to maintain a relaxed lifestyle while still getting things done.  Even considering the fact that the metro strike has pretty much made things chaotic for everyone, the people are handling it surprisingly well. 

I'm finding that I'm continusously learning more and more about Madrid, and the longer I'm here, the more interesting I find it. Other than the fact that its really warm and is quite densely populated, the lifestyle they have is still really good.  I continue to meet so many interesting people who are like people I've never met before....its been really cool getting to meet people from so many different countries, all who have different stories, and then find a way that you still relate to them.  I've literally enjoyed getting to know every one of them and they've been so open and friendly, which I really love....on the same note, I also like that everyone here is very independent and motivated.  If the want something to happen, they make it happen, and they don't waste time complaining about what they never did...its awesome to see so many people that do such a good job at embracing what they have and continue to achieve more....the mentality of the people I know here is completely different...its not about over contemplating things and second guessing, everyone just makes the best of the opportunities they've been given and it really shows by how happy and focused they are....at the same time since there's such a wide variety of people with so many different interests, everyone's really respectful of the personal goals you have for yourself, and although they show interest and knowing more about you, the people you don't know very well also mind their own business (yay for NO drama!) and just continue to do their own thing.  I feel like this is something that doesn't get done enough in the U.S. sometimes because people spend so much time being busy and contemplating future plans that they don't really take time to enjoy what's going on in the present...I'm really hoping this part of the lifestyle is something that I will take back with me!

---Okay, I officially don't think I can type anymore!!!