Cogí el tren? Spain Spanish vs. Mexican Spanish

So apparently, in Spain they say things like, "Te cogo en la esquina" ("I'll pick you up on the corner") or "Coge el lápiz" ("Hold/grab the pencil") or "Cogí el tren" ("I took the train"). o_0 If you know anything about the Spanish spoken in Mexico, you know people can take coger to mean something vastly different -- to f**k. Haha.

I love languages! So these linguistic (and cultural) differences between countries that (supposedly) speak the same language fascinate me. Looking forward to discovering what other differences exist and hope I don't accidentally say something I don't mean to say. Don't want to get in trouble or anything... It'll be interesting, considering my knowledge of Spanish is a Mexican/American hybridized version of the language, which I never completed mastered but have been absorbing all my life (my parents are Mexican and I live in Los Angeles).

I wonder what kind of Spanish I'll come back speaking. Right now, I sound slightly Mexican, slightly American, and apparently slightly French (I studied French for 10 years). After 8 months in Spain, I'll probably have an accent and vocabulary that will make people confused about where I'm from. It'll be quadrahybridized! Yes, I think I just made up a word. But that's the beauty of language -- never static, always evolving, always a reflection of the culture of the speakers.

For me, I'll keep on tomando el tren, agarrando el lápiz, and have my friends que me recojen en la esquina. Well, maybe not on the corner. People can make jokes about that too. :D

Research. Research. Research. (Plus: Surviving Bureaucracy)

Now that I've blazed through the BS of the bureaucratic jungle called the Visa Application Process, I sit and wait. More bureaucracy awaits. -_-

"In the lull, at least I can start doing research on Malaga," I thought. "I need to start doing research. It's already the end of August!" Well, so much for the "lull." Should've known researching would be hectic (i.e. INFORMATION OVERLOAD! 0_0) Gotta get organized; otherwise, I know I'll go crazy. Gotta take it one step at a time...

Thank goodness for facebook groups dedicated to the Culture and Language Assistants (Auxiliares) program as well as other blogs (which I have yet to go through, but are on my homework list)! Thank you to all those who have given such helpful information!

In my attempt to contribute to the land of information sharing, here is a list of what I now know about the Visa Application Process that would have made the whole fiasco at least a little less stressful:

*Note: This applies to the Los Angeles Spanish Consulate*

**I obtained this info from experience, helpful people who had gone before me, official websites, and an email from the LA Consulate (they actually responded to my questions within 24 hours!)**

1. You DO NOT have to send your FBI background check to DC to get the Apostille of the Hague. You can get it done faster by the Secretary of State. I got mine back in about a week. You will first need to get it notarized by filling out a "California Jurat with Affiant Statement" (which you can get from the notary). On this statement, you must write something along the lines of " I, [your name here], certify that the attached Federal Bureau of Investigation document is authentic and accurate to the best of my knowledge" then sign it. The notary will then stamp it and sign it. It cost me $10 at the UPS Store. Once that's done, send that statement and your FBI background check to the Sacramento office along with the other requirements as outlined on this page: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/authentication.htm. It is best (and faster) to send it to the Sacramento office than the Los Angeles office. If you want to send it to the Los Angeles office (or even do it in person), you will have to get the notary signature certified by the county clerk. Eliminate that extra step and just go through Sacramento.
2. You DO NOT need to have your medical certificate or your FBI background check translated into Spanish for your visa appointment. However, you WILL need to do this before you leave for Spain or right when you get there in order to get your NIE (so I was told at the LA consulate).
3. You DO NOT need to get an Apostille for your medical certificate.
4. You DO NOT need to get a more recent FBI background check or medical certificate for your visa. They actually want you to bring the same ones you used when you applied to become an auxiliar.
5. You DO NOT need to bring proof that you bought an airplane ticket. In fact, DO NOT buy your airplane ticket before you get your visa. I just brought a print out of the ticket I planned to buy and the guy who attended me looked at it, said it was fine, and gave it back to me. He didn't even include it with all the rest of my paperwork.
6. Remember, you're applying for a student visa, NOT a work or resident visa. Get the right visa! Let the Consulate know you are an auxiliar.
7. Don't worry about bringing evidence of funds or health insurance. The fact that you're an auxiliar will be enough. They just need the acceptance letter from your school for this. 
8. BRING COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!! (And keep a set of copies at home for yourself)
9. Schedule your appointment well in advance. The next available appointment was a month from the time I scheduled it.
10. They tell you to get there on time or you will lose your appointment. They also tell you your interview will last 10 mins. Expect to be there about 3 hours. That's how long I was there. I got there on time (early, in fact) but didn't get called until 40 mins. after my appointment. Don't bother waiting in line at the window. They will call your name when your turn is up. There is no sign in sheet. After they call you and collect all the paperwork for your application, you have to wait for the confirmation. That took about 2 hours. Sit back, (try to) relax, and enjoy the Spanish programming on their TV, or bring a book to read. :)

If I think of more, I'll add them later. :)