Yo Mo,

I think Im more stressed out than I have ever been. This week has been pure torture. In so many ways. I finished my econ de la empresa final on monday. It was better than I expected, but that doesnt mean it was good. Today I had my literature final, which was cake (thank God). My last final is on friday and is the hardest most hopeless one. There are 15 or so americans in it, and we all know we are going to fail without some divine intervention (or at least a plane crashing into the professors office). I don’t even know what kind of questions he could possibly ask, let alone how I can answer them.
In both of my econ classes I have spanish friends who have already failed the finals before. Julian failed 3 of his 5 tests already. They really dont show any mercy here. Maybe, just maybe they will give me some because Im a foreigner.
On top of this, Cindy and I are doing really bad and thats driving me crazy; I have to choose my new schedule before classes start next week (no break!) which is a whole new ordeal in itself; and I have a 5 page paper due next week that I havent started.
I’m so freaked out, Im getting physically sick over it. Ive thrown up twice.

BUT.

Its all ok. And its all worth it. And its all going to work out. I figure 5 months of complete pleasure and relaxation, playing in Barcelona has been well worth these past 2 weeks of hell.

Maurice’s sister wrote me back and Im thinking I might go visit at the end of February. Laura Roessler and I are planning on spending Easter vacation traveling in Spain. I’m planning on visiting Italy soon and meeting my friend Scott. And I am definatly going back to Scotland to visit my new friends some time in March. And Ill fit some other traveling in between these things. Once I finish finals I will plan all of my traveling. I can’t wait for you to visit too. This next semester will be very fun. And costly.

Love you all,
Gabe

planes, trains, and automobiles, walking central Glasgow, traditional Scottish Breakfast, TV in english, buying weezer shoes, gothic cathedral, fish and chips, Brand New rock show, soco amaretto lime rocking my face off, awesome new scottish friends, pint of Stella Nois, meeting the band, chips and cheese, late night break dancing session… prospects of returning for a Halo tournament.

Dear All,

These past weeks have been torture. These five months of play in Barcelona have culminated into 2 weeks of complete isolation studying in the University library. I’m beginning to see how the American university system is much better suited for learning. A small test every few weeks is much more conducive to learning than one semester final worth 100% of your grade. I have about 100 pages of terrible notes, in spanish mind you, for each class. Though I started studying little by little since christmas I feel I haven’t even skimmed the surface of the material. Test in one week. Its crazy.
That’s why it may seem a little odd to some of you to hear that tomorrow afternoon I am departing for Glasgow, Scotland to see a rock show. One of my favorite bands, Brand New (www.brandnewrock.com), is making a short appearance in Britain and I have to go see them. I found plane tickets through RyanAir.com for under 20euros each way and hostel accommodations at a bed and breakfast through hostelworld.com for under 30dollars a night. The concert tickets were only 9 pounds. Add in another 100 pounds for good measure and I should have a 3 day vacation for under 200 euros. Rock on. I’m considering the next three days sort of like an extended study break rather than a waste of precious study time. I only live once right?
Have a nice week. I’ll write you when I get back in Barcelona.

Gabe